JPH01278232A - Chargeable battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically judge whether a battery is charged or used by detecting the direction of a current flowing to a charge/discharge terminal and storing it. CONSTITUTION:A coil 10 is connected as a current detector circuit between a positive charging terminal 4 and a chargeable battery 3, and a permanent magnet 12 having one end opposing the coil 10 as an S-pole is disposed on its axial center. A guide plate 13 is secured to one side face of the magnet 12, and supported slidably in parallel with the central axis of the coil 10. A leaf spring 17 for holding the plate 13 at a position as said above is provided, and its arcuate part 17a is engaged with recesses 13a, 13b at both ends of the contact part of the plate. The magnet 12 is attracted or repelled at the time of charging or discharging to move in a reverse direction to be engaged with the arcuate part 17a of the spring 17 and held at the position. Accordingly, whether the battery is charged or discharged can be distinguished by observing the mark on an indication plate 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery pack containing a rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention is a rechargeable battery pack that includes a built-in rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. A circuit, a storage means for storing the direction of the current detected by the current detection circuit, and a status display means for determining the direction of the current stored in the storage means, and the status display means indicates whether the rechargeable type By determining whether the battery is being charged or discharged,
It is designed to automatically determine whether the built-in rechargeable battery is fully charged or used.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in equipment that consumes a relatively large amount of power, such as a portable VTR-integrated camera, a rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is often used as a power source. To charge such rechargeable batteries, remove the rechargeable batteries from the equipment and connect them to a dedicated charger, for example. In this case, when using the rechargeable batteries for the first time, It would be convenient if it could be determined whether the rechargeable battery is already charged or used and has not been charged yet. For this reason, conventionally, rechargeable batteries have been provided with a charging/discharging status display section that can be manually switched, as proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-194271. .

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one embodiment of the conventional rechargeable battery 4, and in this FIG. 5, (1) shows the rechargeable battery 4 as a whole. And (2) is the case, (
3) Rechargeable batteries such as Nikkei Lucadmium batteries, (
4) is the positive charge/discharge terminal, (5) is the negative charge/discharge terminal, (6
) is the charging/discharging status display section. This charge/discharge status display section (
6) consists of a window (7) formed in the case (2), a slider (8) that can slide inside the window (7), and a mark ( 9).

As for how to use this charging/discharging status display section (6), for example, when charging is completed, an operator manually moves the slider (8) to the negative end of the window (7), as shown in Figure 5. so that the mark (9) can be seen from the outside. Thereafter, after incorporating this rechargeable battery pack (1) into equipment and using it as a power source, when the rechargeable battery pack (1) is removed from this equipment, as shown in Fig. 5 BIC, An operator manually moves the slider (8) to the other end of the window (7) so that the mark (9) cannot be seen from the outside. Then, when the mark (9) is visible from the outside on the charging/discharging status display section (6), it is assumed that the battery has been charged, and when the mark (9) is not visible from the outside, it is assumed that the battery has been used. A person can determine whether the rechargeable battery/4-piece (1) is fully charged or used simply by looking at the charging/discharging status display section (6).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, such conventional rechargeable batteries? In this case, if the operator forgets to set the slider (8), there is an inconvenience that the charging/discharging status display section (6) remains erroneously displayed.

In this case, when the rechargeable battery motherboard is being photoelectrically charged by the charger, the charger is configured to automatically light up a display indicating that charging is complete. However, the rechargeable battery pack itself does not have a display that lights up automatically like this, and if you separate this rechargeable battery pack from the charger, you will not be able to see whether the built-in rechargeable battery is fully charged or not. There was no function to automatically determine whether the application was completed or not.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and its purpose is to propose a rechargeable battery arm that can automatically determine whether the built-in rechargeable battery is fully charged or used. There is something to do.

[Means to solve the problem]

The rechargeable battery puncture according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
A storage means (14) is provided for storing the direction of the current detected by this current detection circuit αQ, and a state display means (14) for determining the direction of the current stored in this storage means (αυ). 141, it is determined whether the rechargeable battery (3) is being charged or discharged.

[For production]

According to the present invention, at the time of charging, for example, as shown in Figure 2, current flows from the charger to the charging/discharging terminal (4), and the current detecting circuit (10) detects the storage means. The state of the storage means αυ changes and the state of the storage means αυ is maintained even after charging is completed. Therefore, the state of the storage means αυ is determined by the state display means I. battery(
It can be seen that 3) is already charged.

Similarly, during discharging, for example, as shown in Figure 2 BK, current flows from the charge/discharge terminal (4) to the equipment (C) side! 2 flows out, and the state of the storage means αυ changes due to the action of the current detection circuit (G), and the state of this storage means αυ becomes l2=O after the discharge ends.
It will be maintained even if it becomes K. Therefore, the status display means (14)
By determining the state of the storage means αυ, it can be determined that the rechargeable battery (3) is used (discharged).

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 1 shows the rechargeable battery pack (1) of this example, and in this Fig. 1, the positive electrode charge/discharge terminal (4) and the chargeable/dischargeable rechargeable battery (3) housed in the case (2) are shown. Positive terminal (
3a), a coil 0Q as a current detection circuit is connected between the coil 0Q and the current detection circuit. In addition, the negative electrode charge/discharge terminal (5) is directly connected to the negative electrode terminal (3b) of the battery (3).Then, one end facing the coil αQ is placed on the central axis of the coil α1.
A permanent magnet α is arranged. A guide plate (13) is fixed to one side of the permanent magnet, and the guide plate a3 is slidably supported by a guide mechanism (not shown) parallel to the central axis of the coil α1.

In addition, there is a stopper (16 m) at the top dead center of the guide plate (13).
A stopper (16b) is provided at the bottom dead center. Then, attach the leaf spring αη for holding this guide plate (13 in that position) to the case (2) through the mounting screw (1).
The arcuate portion (17m) of this plate spring (17) is attached to the base (19) which is integrally fixed to the corresponding guide plate ([3]) so as to always bias the guide plate a3. Recesses (13m) and (13b) are formed at both ends of the part.When the guide plate Q3 comes into contact with the stop horn 4 (15B) (top dead center), the arc-shaped part of the leaf spring αD ( 1
7m) is recessed (13b) K, and when the guide plate α comes into contact with the stone /4' (16b) (bottom dead center), the arc-shaped part (17m) of the leaf spring αη is recessed ( Adjust the positional relationship so that it fits within 13m).

In the example in Figure 1, the direction of the current flowing through the coil αQ is reversed during charging or discharging, and corresponding to the direction of the current, an S-pole or N-pole magnetic field is generated on the end face of the coil in the direction of the permanent magnet α. generated. When an S-pole magnetic field is generated on the end face of the coil αQ, the permanent magnet (1) moves toward the bottom dead center due to the repulsive force.Also, when an N-pole magnetic field is generated on the end face of the coil , permanent magnet 0 moves to the top dead center side due to the attractive force.Then, even if the current is reduced to 0 after the permanent magnet (I2) moves, the leaf spring αη pulls the permanent magnet α through the guide plate 0. Since it is biased, the permanent magnet α2 remains stationary in that field.On the contrary, the magnetic field generated in the coil αQ has a magnitude large enough to move the permanent magnet (I) against the biasing force of the leaf spring αη. In this way, the permanent magnet ← and the leaf spring (17) constitute a storage means aυ for storing the direction of the current flowing through the coil (10).

In addition, a display plate I is attached to the other side of the permanent magnet α3,
A half-height internal pressure mark a9 is formed on one side of this display board I.

Then, only when the permanent magnet α3 is moving to the top dead center side, mark the mark (19) on the case (2) so that it is visible from the outside.
Drill a window (2a) in a part of the hole. Therefore, this display board α4F
'i functions as a state display means that allows the state of the storage means aυ to be determined from the outside.

Here, the rechargeable battery level shown in FIG.
In C, (to) indicates a charger. The positive terminal of this charger (A) is the positive charging/discharging terminal (4) K of the rechargeable battery pack (1) of this example, and the negative terminal of the charger is connected to the negative charging/discharging terminal of the rechargeable patch IJ-(1). When the terminals (5) K are connected to start charging, charging current 2 flows from the positive charge/discharge terminal (4). In this case, if a magnetic field is generated with an N pole on one end face (10 m ) of the coil αQ and an S pole on the other end face (10 b), the permanent magnet a will guide the guide plate α floor by an attractive force. Move along the axis to top dead center. Since the magnitude of the charging current (2) is usually about IA or more, sufficient attractive force can be obtained to counter the biasing force of the leaf spring η without setting the inductance of the coil αQ so large.

After this, even if charging is completed and the charging current becomes O,
The arc-shaped part (17m) of the leaf spring (17) fits into the recess (13m) in the guide plate a, and the leaf spring (L7) biases the guide plate α in the direction of the permanent magnet (I'IJ). Therefore, the permanent magnet (1,7J) remains stationary.Therefore, from the outside, the mark (1,7J) on the display board α4 can be seen through the window (2a).
9 is visible, and it can be determined that the built-in rechargeable battery (3) is already charged.

In addition, the rechargeable battery pack (1) shown in the example in Figure 1 can be used with a portable VTR integrated camera G! The operation when discharging after being properly installed will be explained with reference to Fig. 2B.Discharge current X2 flows out from the positive charge/discharge terminal (4) of the rechargeable battery pack (1) of this example. In this case, contrary to Figure 2A,
The end face (10 m) of the coil αQ in the direction of the permanent magnet α is S.
A north pole magnetic field is generated at the pole and the other end surface (10b), respectively. Therefore, the repulsive force moves the permanent magnet aa toward the bottom dead center. Even if the discharge current I2 becomes 0 in this state, the arc-shaped portion (17m) of the leaf spring aη will not fit into the recess (13b) of the guide plate (13).

Furthermore, since the leaf spring a7) urges the guide plate α4 in the direction of the permanent magnet aa, the permanent magnet @ remains stationary.

Therefore, since the mark a9 cannot be seen from the outside through the window (2a), it can be determined that the rechargeable battery (3) has discharged. This mark (IQ) cannot be seen until the rechargeable battery (3) is fully discharged, that is, the rechargeable battery (3) is not visible.
3) is maintained until it is used. Furthermore, in the case of a VTR-integrated camera, the magnitude of the discharge current (current consumption) I2 is approximately 1.2 A, so a sufficient repulsion force can be obtained from the coil (g).

As explained above, according to the rechargeable battery pack of this example,
The direction of the current flowing through the charging/discharging terminal is detected by a coil (G), and the direction of the detected current is memorized by a memory means αυ consisting of a permanent magnet (12) and a leaf spring (17). , a rechargeable battery with an extremely simple configuration (3
) has the advantage of being able to automatically determine whether it is a charged or used trap.

In addition, since the coil acts as a resistor with a resistance value of O against direct current, the charging current! ,
When the magnitude of is a constant value, the input voltage vin (Figure 2) with respect to the negative electrode and the power supply voltage vCC of the battery (3) are the same magnitude, and the magnitude of the discharge current 2 is When the values are constant, the power supply voltage Vcc and the output voltage V of the battery (3). u!
(Figure 2B) is the same size.

Therefore, the rechargeable battery pack of this example has the advantage that power loss due to the coil (7)K serving as the current detection circuit is extremely small.

Next, another embodiment of the rechargeable battery according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 83, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows an analogy of the rechargeable battery of this example, and in FIG. 3, numerals 7 and 4 are resistors with a resistance value of 8 as a current detection circuit. This resistor (2) is connected between the positive charge/discharge terminal (4) and the positive terminal C3 of the rechargeable battery (3), and consists of a capacitor (C) and a diode in parallel with this resistor. A first storage means (l1m) and a second storage means (llb) consisting of a capacitor and a diode are provided. Then, the resistance value R is connected in parallel with the capacitor (to).
2 (R2>R) for discharging, and a resistor (to) for discharging the capacitor (P) in parallel with the diode (E).
Connect the type MO8FET@ respectively. t, diode (
FIT the discharge signal v2, which is the voltage on the anode side of the
Apply to the gate of @.Furthermore, the positive terminal of the pond (3)
The source side of T(7) is connected, and the drain side of FET00 is connected to one contact of the switch via resistor 01. Then, the other contact of this switch (to) is connected to the 7th node side of the light emitting diode (Ll:D) CM, and the cathode side of this LED o4 is connected to the negative terminal (3b) of the battery (3). In addition, the first storage means (l1m
) The charging signal V generated on the anode side of diode 4
, is applied to the dart of FET Ol, and when the charge signal V, is smaller than the power supply voltage VCC of the battery (3) by a predetermined value, press the key (To) on the switch to make both contacts conductive, and LED o4 This LED will be lit so that
There is a window (2b) in a part of the case (2) so that 04 can be seen from the outside, and there is a window (2b) in the case (2) so that the key (to) of the switch (to) can be operated from the outside. Opening (2
c) form.

This switch o and LED (b) are the first memory means (
A state display means is configured to display eleven states.

To explain the operation when charging and discharging the rechargeable battery pack of the example in Figure 3 with reference to Figure 4, first, when charging (4
Figure 3. Period T, ) Assume that a charging current of maximum value 11 in flows from the positive charge/discharge terminal (4) in Figure 3, and assume that the standard value of the power supply voltage vcc of the rechargeable battery (3) is vo. In this case, the maximum value ΔV is applied across the resistor in Fig. 3.
, t=RI, there is a voltage drop. Then, the first storage means (11) holds this voltage drop ΔV by the action of the diode and generates the charging signal V, so that the charging signal V, as shown in FIG. 4B, indicates that charging is complete. From the vicinity of V, the value becomes smaller by approximately ΔV, and the charging signal V,
However, if the person (in Figure 4) presses the key (to), the LSI (b) will light up, and it can be determined from the outside that charging has been completed.

After that, when a partial discharge is performed (Fig. 4, the period T2
), the discharge current I of the maximum value I from the positive charge/discharge terminal (4) in FIG. Assume that ut flows out. In this case, the third
There is a voltage drop across the resistor (to) shown in the direction of terminal (4) of a maximum value Δv2±R-. Then, the second storage means (llb) holds this voltage drop Δv2 by the action of the diode and generates the discharge signal v2, so the discharge signal V2 is changed to vo after the start of discharge, as shown in FIG. 4C. Shimoha t!
It becomes smaller by Δv2. However, since a discharge resistor (7) is provided, the discharge signal v2 gradually returns to vo when the discharge stops. During this discharge period TsK, the dart voltage (discharge signal V,) of the FET wire is smaller than the power supply voltage vcc, and the FET @ is conductive, so the first storage means (l
The capacitor (goods) of 1 m) is discharged, and the charging signal V becomes approximately the same value as the power supply voltage vcC (Fig. 4B). Therefore, the FET Ol is not conductive, and even if the key (to) is pressed, the LED (341) does not light up, and it can be determined from the outside that the built-in rechargeable battery (3) has been discharged.

The rechargeable battery in this example has almost the same effect as the example in Figure 1, but this example uses a resistor as the current detection circuit, so it has the disadvantage of wasting power. .

However, since the rechargeable battery of this example has only a small number of mechanical parts, it has the advantage of being suitable for miniaturization by IC.

Furthermore, the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention is also a concept that can be used to refer to a device itself, such as a good electric razor, which has a built-in rechargeable battery.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention is configured as described above, it has the practical advantage of being able to automatically determine whether the built-in rechargeable battery is fully charged or used.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention;
Figures 2A and B are diagrams for explaining the action of the example in Figure 1,
Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a signal waveform diagram of each part to explain the operation of the example shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a diagram of a conventional rechargeable battery pack. FIG. (3) is a rechargeable battery, (4) and (5) are charge/discharge terminals, (g) is a coil, qυ is a storage means, α is a permanent magnet, and α is a display board.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A rechargeable battery that can be charged and discharged, a current detection circuit that detects the direction of current flowing through a charging/discharging terminal, a storage means that stores the direction of the current detected by the current detection circuit, and A state display means for determining the direction of the current stored in the storage means is provided, and the state display means determines whether the rechargeable battery is being charged or discharged. Rechargeable battery pack.