JPH0651871A - Ups and computer system provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly grasp the capacity of a battery for backup on the side of an external equipment supplied with power and to perform suitable processing conforming to the capacity at the time of power failure. CONSTITUTION:Each time time measurement is periodically requested from a computer 30 driven by an AC output (b) from a UPS (no-break power supply unit) 20 through a communication interface IF (c) to a control part 26 in the UPS 20, the operation is switched to a battery operation by turning off a switch SW-2 and cutting off the supply of an AC input (a) from a commercial power source 10 to the side of a rectifier 21. In such a state, a time for the voltage of a battery 22 to drop down to the level lower than that of the rating by 10% is measured, the time measured value is reported through the communication I/F to the computer 30, and the original normal operating state is recovered by turning on the switch SW-2. The computer 30 calculates a battery holding time from the time measured value reported from the control part 26 and stores it in an internal memory and at the time of power failure, normal stop processing of the computer is executed just for a processing time corresponding to the battery holding time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an uninterruptible power supply unit having a built-in battery and a computer system equipped with the unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent computer system, as shown in FIG. 2, an uninterruptible power supply system (Uninterruptible Power Supply S) is provided for stable supply of, for example, AC power to a computer 1.
ystem: hereinafter referred to as UPS) 2 is increasing in use. The UPS 2 has a mechanism for supplying electric power from a battery (storage battery) built in the device via an inverter (DC / AC inverter) at the time of power failure.

However, the life of the battery is short (for example, about 3 years for a several KVA type battery), and the replacement time is shortened to about half (for example, about 5 to 10 minutes) of the full-charged rating at the time of replacement. Therefore, even if power is supplied to the computer 1 from the battery in the UPS 2 at the time of power failure, if the battery is deteriorated and the battery holding time is significantly shortened, an appropriate computer normal stop process ( There is a problem in that it is not possible to perform a process of stopping the operation after saving the information necessary for enabling the computer to be restarted correctly and the information such as the file being updated.

[0004]

As described above, the holding time (capacity) of the backup battery at the time of power failure built in the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for supplying electric power to the computer etc. is short as the battery deteriorates. (Smaller) Therefore, even if you try to perform a sufficient computer normal stop process when performing battery backup operation at the time of power failure, if the battery holding time is shorter than the time required for that process,
Since the battery backup operation cannot be performed during the normal stop processing, the processing must be terminated forcibly.

Therefore, conventionally, in order to avoid this problem, the computer normal stop process, that is, the minimum computer normal stop process, must be performed in accordance with the battery holding time in the worst state. However, this method has a problem in that even if the battery holding time is sufficient, it is not possible to perform the best computer normal stop processing commensurate with it.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
A redundant configuration in which electric power is supplied to the computer 1 by providing the switch 2 and switching the switch 3 is considered. However, this type of redundant configuration has a problem of increasing cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an uninterruptible power supply device in which the capacity (battery holding time) of a backup built-in battery can be accurately grasped on the side of an external device to which power is supplied. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to accurately grasp the capacity (battery holding time) of the backup battery built in the uninterruptible power supply on the computer side, so that the battery capacity (holding time) can be calculated in the event of a power failure. An object of the present invention is to provide a computer system equipped with an uninterruptible power supply capable of executing suitable computer normal shutdown processing in a computer.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in an uninterruptible power supply system in which power is supplied to an external device according to an AC input in a normal state and is switched to a battery operation during a power failure, the AC input is forcibly cut off. Switch to shut off the AC input and switch to battery operation by turning off the switch in the normal state, and measure the time until the output voltage of the battery drops by a predetermined ratio from the rated value, and then measure the time. A control means for notifying the external device of the value and for returning the switch to the ON state is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, at the time of a power failure, the capacity of the uninterruptible power supply is matched with the capacity of the external equipment, for example, the battery capacity corresponding to the latest time measurement value notified to the computer from the control means. It is also characterized in that the computer normal stop processing of the processing time is executed in the computer.

[0011]

In the above structure, the control means of the uninterruptible power supply unit turns off the switch in the normal state by, for example, its own time management or a periodic request from an external device (for example, a computer). Forcibly shut off the input and switch to battery operation (similar to power failure),
Measures the time until the battery output voltage drops from the rated value by a predetermined rate, notifies the computer of the time measurement value, and periodically executes the operation of switching the above switch to the ON state and returning to normal operation. .

The computer determines the capacity (battery holding time) of the battery built in the uninterruptible power supply based on the measured value of the voltage drop time periodically notified from the control means of the uninterruptible power supply. Calculate and store in internal memory. This calculated value is updated every time a new time measurement value is notified from the control means. Then, in the event of a power failure, the computer can process by using the latest battery capacity value (battery retention time value) stored in the internal memory and maximally utilizing the time commensurate with the battery capacity (battery retention time). Execute normal computer shutdown processing. As a result, it is possible to perform an appropriate computer normal stop process that matches the battery capacity (battery holding time) at the time of power failure.

[0013]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system having a UPS according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a commercial power supply, and 20 is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) which normally outputs an AC by an AC (AC) input from the commercial power supply 10. UPS20
Is a momentary power failure (no momentary power failure) when AC input is cut off (power failure)
AC power supply system capable of ensuring continuity of load power by switching to battery operation and switching to an AC input bypass path 24 without momentary interruption when a failure occurs in a battery 22, an inverter 23, etc. described later. Is.

The UPS 20 has the AC from the UPS 20.
A computer 30 that receives and drives the output is connected. The computer 30 has a communication interface IF with the UPS 20. The computer 30 may be a control device having a microcomputer built therein.

The UPS 20 includes a switch SW1 as a breaker for turning on / off (turning on / off) the AC input current supplied from the commercial power source 10, and turning on the AC input current supplied via the switch SW1. / Off (On / Off)
And a switch SW2 provided for. In this embodiment, the switch SW1 is manually turned on / off, and the switch SW2 is automatically turned on / off by the control unit 26 described later.

The UPS 20 also includes switches SW1 and SW.
It has a rectifier 21 that receives an AC input current from the commercial power supply 10 supplied via 2 and converts AC into DC, and a battery (storage battery) 22 for backup in the event of a power failure. Since the battery 22 generally deteriorates with time, it needs to be replaced in a relatively short period of time. Further, the capacity (holding time) of the battery 22 is about half when replaced, as compared to when fully charged with a new one.

The UPS 20 is also connected to the outputs of the rectifier 21 and the battery 22, and has an inverter (DC / AC inverter) 23 for converting direct current into alternating current and a bypass line 2.
4 and. The bypass path 24 serves as an AC input current supply path when a failure occurs in the battery 22, the inverter 23, or the like.

The UPS 20 further switches between a current path from the inverter 23 and a current path from the bypass path 24, and a switch 25 for continuously supplying electric power to an external device (computer 30), and a control. And a portion 26. The control unit 26 has a function of performing on / off control of the switch SW2 and a switching control of the switch 25 (that is, control of the operating state), and a function of communicating with the computer 30 via the communication interface IF of the computer 30. . Further, the control unit 26
Switch to battery operation according to instructions from the computer 30,
It also has a measuring function for measuring the time until the voltage of the battery 22 drops by 10% from the rated value. Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described.

First, when the UPS 20 is not in operation, the switch SW1 in the UPS 20 is off and the switch S
W2 is in the ON state. Here, when the operator turns on the switch SW1 (this state is shown in FIG. 1), the AC input current from the commercial power supply 10 is supplied to the rectifier 21 via the switches SW1 and SW2. The rectifier 21 converts this AC input current into a DC current and supplies it to the inverter 23. The DC current converted and output from the rectifier 21 is also supplied to the battery 22 to charge the battery 22.

The inverter 23 converts the direct current supplied from the rectifier 21 into alternating current. The battery 22 is also connected to the inverter 23. The battery 22 is charged by the direct current supplied from the rectifier 21. Then, when the AC input from the commercial power source 10 is cut off, that is, at the time of a power failure, a direct current is output from the battery 22 and converted into an alternating current by the inverter 23, so that the battery can be operated without an interruption.

The AC input current from the commercial power source 10 is supplied to the switch 25 via the bypass path 24 when the switch SW1 is turned on. This switch 2
The AC current converted and output by the inverter 23 is also supplied to 5.

The switch 25 is controlled by the control unit 26.
Normally, it is switched to the inverter 23 side. As a result, when the AC input from the commercial power source 10 is not cut off, the AC output from the inverter 23 corresponding to the AC input is supplied to the computer 30 via the switch 25. Further, during a power failure in which the AC input from the commercial power source 10 is cut off, the AC output from the inverter 23 corresponding to the output from the battery 22 is switched to the battery output (battery backup operation) without instantaneous interruption.

When the controller 26 detects that the battery 22 or the inverter 23 or the like has failed, the controller 25 is switched to the bypass 24 by the controller 26 without any momentary interruption. In this case, commercial power source 1
The AC input supplied from 0 to the bypass path 24 via the switch SW1 is directly supplied to the computer 30, and the bypass operation is performed. As a result, the UPS 20 can ensure the continuity of the load power even when there is a power failure or a failure of the battery 22, the inverter 23, or the like.

The battery (storage battery) 22 deteriorates with time as described above, and its capacity (holding time) becomes small (short). For this reason, conventionally, the normal stop processing of the computer 30 at the time of power failure is performed according to the battery holding time in the worst state. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the battery holding time of the battery 22 is accurately grasped one after another, and at the time of a power failure, the normal stop processing of the computer 30 that is optimum for the battery holding time of the battery 22 at that time is performed. There is. This will be described in detail below.

During normal operation of the UPS 20, the computer 30 requests the UPS 20 to measure the time until the voltage of the battery 22 drops by, for example, 10% below the rating, for example (at regular time intervals). The voltage drop time measurement request from the computer 30 is notified to the control unit 26 in the UPS 20 via the communication interface IF.

When the control unit 26 receives the voltage drop time measurement request from the computer 30, it turns off the switch SW2 to forcibly cut off the AC input from the commercial power source 10 to obtain the same state as at the time of power failure. To do. Then, the UPS 20 switches to battery operation as described above.

In this state, the control unit 26 continues the battery operation until the voltage of the battery 22 drops by 10% from the rated value, and measures the time. Then, when the control unit 26 detects that the voltage of the battery 22 has dropped by 10% from the rated value, the control unit 26 returns the switch SW2 to the ON state, and the switch 2
5 is switched to the bypass path 24 side.

When the switch 25 is switched to the bypass 24 side, the UPS 20 is switched to the bypass operation. At this time, since the switch SW2 is returned to the ON state, the AC input current from the commercial power supply 10 is supplied to the rectifier 21 via the switch SW2, is converted into the DC current by the rectifier 21, and charges the battery 22. . That is, UPS20
The switch SW2 is returned to the ON state, and the switch 2
When No. 5 is switched to the bypass path 24 side, the battery 22 is charged while performing bypass operation.

When the control unit 26 measures the time until the voltage of the battery 22 drops by 10% from the rated value, it notifies the computer 30 of the measured value via the communication interface IF. Further, when the battery 22 is fully charged, the control unit 26 switches the switching device 25 to the inverter 23 side again and returns to the normal operation.

The computer 30 uses the voltage drop time measurement value notified from the control unit 26, that is, the battery 22 at the present time.
Based on the time until the voltage of drops 10% below the rating,
The battery holding time is calculated and stored in a predetermined area of an internal memory (not shown). If the calculated value of the battery holding time is already stored in this predetermined area, that value is updated to the calculated value of this time. At this time, if the calculated battery holding time is equal to or shorter than the reference time, the computer 30 gives a warning of battery deterioration by a lamp display or the like, and prompts replacement of the battery 22.

The computer 30 includes the UPS 20 (the control unit 2 in the UPS 20).
It is possible to always store the latest battery holding time in the internal memory by sequentially issuing the voltage drop time measurement request to 6) (for example, at regular time intervals).

Here, it is assumed that a power failure occurs and the AC input from the commercial power source 10 is cut off. In this case, as described above, the operation is switched to the battery without any interruption. Control unit 26
Is switched to battery operation, the communication interface I
Via F, the computer 30 is notified of the occurrence of a power outage (the start of battery operation associated therewith).

When the computer 30 receives the power failure occurrence notification from the control unit 26, it starts the computer normal stop process which can be processed at that time from the latest battery holding time (for the battery 22) stored in the internal memory. Decide and execute. This makes it possible to make the most of the battery holding time of the battery 22 and perform an appropriate computer normal stop process. This effect is particularly remarkable when the battery holding time is sufficient.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 26 has been described as measuring the voltage drop time in response to a request from the computer 30, but the control unit 26 itself periodically measures the voltage drop time. The measurement result may be notified to the computer 30.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the computer 30 has been described as calculating the battery holding time based on the voltage drop time measurement value notified from the control unit 26 and internally storing it. If you prepare in advance a correspondence table of the measured value and the computer normal stop processing routine corresponding to (the battery holding time corresponding to) the measured voltage drop time measured value (range), the battery holding Calculation of time is not always necessary.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) constitutes the AC power supply system has been described. However, in the present invention, the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) operates in accordance with the AC input in the normal state. The present invention is also applicable to a DC power supply system that supplies power and switches to battery operation when AC input is cut off to supply DC power.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
An uninterruptible power supply that has a battery backup function and normally supplies power to external equipment according to the AC input, has a switch for forcibly shutting off the AC input, controls the operating state of the equipment, and operates external equipment. Control means for communicating between the two is provided, and in the normal state, by turning off the above switch, the AC input is cut off to switch to battery operation, and the time until the output voltage of the battery drops from the rating by a predetermined ratio is set. After the measurement, the time measurement value is notified to the external device and the switch is returned to the ON state, so that the battery capacity (battery holding time) in the uninterruptible power supply can be accurately ascertained in external devices such as computers. it can. Therefore, during battery operation (battery backup operation) at the time of power failure, it is possible to perform an appropriate normal stop process that matches the battery capacity (battery holding time), and at a lower cost than the redundant configuration. .

Further, according to the present invention, by periodically measuring the battery voltage drop time, an external device such as a computer can detect the deterioration of the battery in advance and issue a warning to that effect. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system including a UPS according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a general computer system including a UPS.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a computer system having a UPS redundant configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Commercial power supply, 20 ... UPS (uninterruptible power supply), 2
1 ... Rectifier, 22 ... Battery, 23 ... Inverter, 24
... bypass path, 25 ... switcher, 26 ... control unit, 30 ... computer, SW1, SW2 ... switch, IF ... communication interface.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An uninterruptible power supply device for supplying power to an external device in a normal state according to an AC input, and switching the battery operation by a built-in battery when the AC input is cut off, forcibly cutting off the AC input. And a switch for shutting off the AC input in the normal state to switch to the battery operation by turning off the switch, and the time until the output voltage of the battery drops by a predetermined ratio from the rated value was measured. And a control means for returning the time measurement value to the external device and returning the switch to the ON state, wherein the time measurement value notified to the external device from the control means is in the external device. An uninterruptible power supply device, which is adapted to grasp the capacity of the battery. 2. A computer system comprising an uninterruptible power supply device for supplying electric power to a computer according to an AC input in a normal state and switching to battery operation by a built-in battery when the AC input is cut off. A switch provided in the device for forcibly shutting off the AC input, and provided in the uninterruptible power supply, in the normal state, the AC input is shut off by turning off the switch to operate the battery. After switching, after measuring the time until the output voltage of the battery drops by a predetermined rate from the rating, the control means for notifying the computer of the time measurement value and returning the switch to the ON state, and the AC input At the time of a power failure that is interrupted, the battery corresponding to the latest time measurement value notified to the computer from the control means. A computer system provided with an uninterruptible power supply, comprising means for executing a computer normal stop process of a processing time commensurate with the capacity in the computer. 3. The computer system having an uninterruptible power supply according to claim 2, wherein the time measurement by the control means is periodically performed according to a request from the computer or own time management.