JPH0694809A - Method and device for inspection of battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To check the degree of degradation of a battery and its residual capacity by connecting a load to the battery to be inspected, sending a current which suits the battery capacity, and monitoring the change condition of the terminal voltage of battery within a specified time. CONSTITUTION:A load 2 is connected with a battery to be inspected 1, and a current which suits the capacity of the battery 1 is sent to the load 2 via a current feeder circuit 3. The terminal voltage V of the battery 1 is compared with judgement reference values V1-V3 of the voltage comparing parts 15-17 of a judging part 6, and if the voltage V is over the reference values V1-V3, judgement data A1-A3 of logic [1] is emitted to a control part 18, if smaller than V1-V3, the judgement data of logic [0] is emitted to the same part 18, In response to the time-up signal given by a timer 4, the control part 18 takes in the judgement data A1-A3, and the degree of degradation of the battery 1 undergoes judging, and the result from judgement is passed to a display part 8. The judgement data judged by a voltage comparing part 19 of another judging part 7 is emitted to a display part 9, which displays the residual amount of the battery 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery inspection method and apparatus used for inspecting the deterioration degree and remaining capacity of a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, the capacity of a battery is defined by an ampere hour capacity (Ah) and an hour rate. For example, a battery having a capacity of 10 Ah / 10 hour rate requires a constant current of 1 A for 10 hours. Have the ability.

FIG. 6 shows an ideal discharge characteristic curve 30 for a 12V battery. According to the figure, the terminal voltage of the battery remains almost flat from T ₁ at the time of full charge of 12.6 V to T ₂ at the time of empty state of 10.6 V, and abruptly after T ₂ at the time of empty state. To descend.

The discharge characteristic curve 30 shown in the figure is one obtained when the discharge is performed in compliance with the above-mentioned time rate, and is, for example, 10 A.
When a battery with an h / 10 hour rate is discharged with a current of 10 A, the usable time is not 1 hour, the battery becomes empty in about 30 minutes, and the discharge characteristic curve becomes irregular.

[0005]

Although it is possible to know the remaining capacity of the battery from the terminal voltage of the battery, the terminal voltage does not drop in the no-load state, so the terminal voltage of the battery is measured in such a state. Even so, it is not possible to know the remaining capacity of the battery.

Although the battery deteriorates due to long-term use, when the battery deteriorates, the flat discharge characteristic curve 30 as shown in the figure cannot be obtained, and therefore it is necessary to replace it with a new one. The degree of deterioration of this battery is
At present, there is no choice but to make a sensory judgment from the usable time by actually using the battery, but since the usable time changes depending on the magnitude of the discharge current, such a sensory method causes deterioration of the battery. It is impossible to judge the degree correctly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery inspection method and apparatus for accurately and easily grasping the degree of deterioration and remaining capacity of a battery.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery inspection method for inspecting the degree of deterioration of a battery, which comprises connecting a load to a battery to be inspected and supplying a current corresponding to the battery capacity. Is applied to monitor the change in the terminal voltage of the battery within a predetermined time, and the degree of deterioration of the battery is determined from the state of the change.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery inspection method for inspecting a deterioration degree and a remaining capacity of a battery, wherein a load is connected to a battery to be inspected, and a current corresponding to the battery capacity is flown, It is characterized in that the change in the terminal voltage of the battery within a predetermined time is monitored, the degree of deterioration of the battery is determined from the state of the change, and the terminal voltage of the battery is measured to determine the remaining capacity of the battery. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery inspection device for inspecting the degree of deterioration of a battery, which is an energizing circuit for connecting a load to a battery to be inspected and flowing a current commensurate with the battery capacity. A time lapse measuring means for measuring the time lapse after the start of energization to the energizing circuit, a judgment reference value setting means for setting a judgment reference value for each different set time for judging the degree of deterioration of the battery, Every time the value measured by the time measuring means matches each of the set times, the determining means for comparing the terminal voltage of the battery with the determination reference value corresponding to the corresponding set time to determine the change state of the terminal voltage of the battery. And a display unit for displaying the discrimination result by the discrimination unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery inspection device for inspecting the degree of deterioration and remaining capacity of a battery, wherein a load is connected to the battery to be inspected and a current corresponding to the battery capacity is passed. Of the energizing circuit, time lapse measuring means for measuring the lapse of time after the energization of the energizing circuit is started, the first determination reference value for each different set time for determining the deterioration degree of the battery, and the remaining capacity of the battery. Determination reference value setting means for setting a second determination reference value of a different size for determining the battery voltage and the terminal voltage of the battery are matched each time the measured value by the time measuring means matches each of the set times. The first determination means for determining the change state of the terminal voltage of the battery by comparing with the first determination reference value corresponding to the set time, and the terminal voltage of the battery as described above. Compared to the second determination reference value comprises a second discriminating means for discriminating a remaining capacity of the battery, first, and display means for displaying the determination result by the second respective discriminating means.

[0012]

[Function] Since the slope of the discharge characteristic curve of the battery varies depending on the degree of deterioration of the battery, a load is connected to the battery to be inspected and a current commensurate with the capacity of the battery is passed, and the terminal voltage of the battery within the predetermined time If the change is monitored and the state of the change is calculated, the degree of deterioration of the battery can be known, and if the terminal voltage of the battery is measured, the remaining capacity of the battery can be known.

Utilizing the fact that the slope of the discharge characteristic curve of the battery varies depending on the degree of deterioration of the battery, the determination reference value for each different set time is set in advance. If you pass a current that matches the battery capacity to the battery,
Each time the passage of time after the start of energization matches each set time, it is compared with the corresponding determination reference value, and the slope of the discharge characteristic curve of the battery is determined from the comparison result. The determination result is displayed on the display means, and the degree of deterioration of the battery can be accurately and easily understood from the displayed content.

Further, a plurality of voltages along the battery discharge characteristic curve are set in advance as judgment reference values. After the start of energization, the terminal voltage of the battery is compared with each judgment reference value,
The slope of the discharge characteristic curve of the battery is determined from the comparison result. The determination result is displayed on the display means, and the remaining capacity of the battery can be accurately and easily known from the displayed content.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a battery inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This battery charging device includes an energization circuit 3 for connecting a load 2 to a test target battery 1 to energize it, a timer 4 for measuring a lapse of time after starting energization of the energization circuit 3, and a battery 1 the determination reference value setting unit 5 first determination reference value V ₁ ~V ₃ and the second determination reference value E ₁ to E ₁₀ for determining the degree of degradation and remaining capacity of is set, the first determination reference value V ₁ ~
The first discriminating unit 6 that discriminates the degree of deterioration by monitoring the state of change in the terminal voltage V of the battery 1 using V _3, and the discrimination results of the first discriminating unit 6 by the four light emitters 10. The first display unit 8 which is lit and the second determination reference values E _{1 to} E ₁₀
The second discriminating unit 7 that discriminates the remaining capacity by measuring the terminal voltage of the battery 1 by using the second discriminating unit 7 that displays the discrimination result of the second discriminating unit 7 by using 11 light emitters 11 in a lit state. And a display unit 9.

The load 2 is connected in order to supply a current corresponding to the battery capacity of the battery 1 to the energizing circuit 3. For example, if the battery capacity is 10 Ah / 10 hour rate, a constant current of 1 A is applied. It is of such a size that it flows. An opening / closing contact 12 is interposed in the energizing circuit 3, and the opening / closing contact 12 is the set button switch 1
When 3 is pressed, the closing operation is performed, and when the reset button switch 14 is pressed, the opening operation is performed.

A plurality of set times t1 to t4, which will be described later, are set in the timer 4, and when a start signal is input from the first discriminating unit 6, the time counting operation is started, and each set time t1 is set.
A time-up signal is output each time the time period from to t3 is measured.

The judgment reference value setting section 5 is composed of, for example, a reference voltage generating circuit. The method of setting the first judgment reference values V _{1 to} V ₃ is shown in FIG. 2 and the second judgment reference value E is shown in FIG. ₁
The setting methods of ~ E ₁₀ are shown respectively.

In FIG. 2, a to d are discharge characteristic curves of batteries having different degrees of deterioration, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing terminal voltage. a is an example of a discharge characteristic curve of an ideal battery which is not deteriorated, b is an example of a discharge characteristic curve of a good battery which is hardly deteriorated, c
Shows an example of a discharge characteristic curve of a battery which has deteriorated, and d shows an example of a discharge characteristic curve of a battery which has deteriorated and requires replacement.

The horizontal axis t0 indicates the inspection start time, and t4 indicates the inspection end time. The time width from the inspection start time t0 to the inspection end time t4 corresponds to the inspection time T. The inspection start time point t0 is a time point when the energization of the energization circuit 3 is started, and the inspection end time point is a time when the energization is stopped.

The setting time t1~t3 the horizontal axis is set in the timer 4, V ₁ ~V ₃ the vertical axis is a first criterion value set in the criterion value setting unit 5, the First
The determination reference values V _{1 to} V ₃ are experimentally determined by paying attention to the fact that the slope of the discharge characteristic curve of the battery varies depending on the degree of deterioration.

For example, after energization, each set time t1, t2, t
When the terminal voltage V of the battery to be inspected is equal to or higher than the first determination reference value V _{1 to} V ₃ at each time point after the lapse of 3 times, that is, when the discharge characteristic curve is a, the battery is deteriorated. It is judged to be an ideal battery that is not done and is given a rating of "excellent".

The terminal voltage V of the battery to be inspected is smaller than the first judgment reference value V ₁ at the time when the set time t1 has passed, but is smaller than the first judgment reference value V _{1 at the} time when the set times t2 and t3 have passed. When it is V ₂ or V ₃ or more, that is, when the discharge characteristic curve is b, the battery is judged to be a good battery with almost no deterioration, and a rating of “good” is given.

At the time when the terminal voltage V of the battery to be inspected has passed the set times t1 and t2, it is smaller than the respective first judgment reference values V ₁ and V _2, but the set time t
If only the first judgment reference value V ₃ or more is reached at the time when only 3 has elapsed, that is, if the discharge characteristic curve is c, it is determined that the battery is a deteriorated battery and the evaluation of “Caution” is given. give.

When the terminal voltage V of the battery to be inspected is smaller than each judgment reference value V _{1 to} V ₃ at the time when each set time t1 to t3 has passed, that is, when the discharge characteristic curve is d , The battery is judged to be a battery that has deteriorated and needs to be replaced, and a rating of "replacement required" is given.

FIG. 3 shows a method for setting the second judgment reference values E _{1 to} E ₁₀ , in which an ideal battery discharge characteristic curve 30 is shown. In this discharge characteristic curve 30, the first second determination reference value E is near the terminal voltage at full charge T ₁ (12.6 V for a 12 V battery).
₁ in the vicinity of the terminal voltage of the empty state T ₂ (10.6V for a 12V battery) is the 10th second determination reference value E _10.
, And also divide each interval into 9 equal parts
The 9th second judgment reference values E _{2 to} E ₉ are set, and the remaining capacity is 0% depending on the range of the magnitude of the terminal voltage V.
It is judged to be either 10%, ..., 100%.
Therefore, if the terminal voltage V is E ₁ > V ≧ E ₂ , the remaining capacity is determined to be 90%.

Returning to FIG. 1, the first discriminator 6 is composed of three voltage comparators 15, 16, 17 and a controller 18. Each of the voltage comparison units 15 to 17 is for comparing the terminal voltage V of the battery 1 with each of the first determination reference values V _{1 to} V ₃ described above, and the terminal voltage V corresponds to each first determination reference value pressure V. If it is _{1 to} V ₃ or more, the judgment data A _{1 to} A ₃ of logic “1”, and if it is smaller than the first judgment reference value pressures V _{1 to} V ₃ , the judgment data of logic “0”, respectively.
Output to.

The control section 18 is composed of, for example, a program logic device, and inputs switch signals from the set button switch 13 and the reset button switch 14 to control opening / closing of the opening / closing contacts 12 and a start signal for the timer 4. And outputs a stop signal. Further, the control unit 18 sequentially takes in the determination data A _{1 to} A ₃ from each of the voltage comparison units 15 to 17 in response to the input of the time-up signal from the timer 4, and at the same time, outputs the determination data A
_The degree of deterioration of the battery 1 is determined from _{1 to} A ₃ , and the determination result is output to the first display unit 8. This control unit 18
4 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (details will be described later).

The first display unit 8 has four light-emitting bodies 10 composed of light-emitting diodes, and any one of the light-emitting bodies 10 is turned on according to the judgment result of the control unit 18, and the battery 1 to be inspected. Deterioration degree "Excellent""Good""Caution"
Indicates any of the "replacement required" evaluations. In the example of FIG. 1, the second light-emitting body 10 indicated by diagonal lines is lit, and it can be seen that this battery 1 is good.

The second discriminating section 7 is composed of a voltage comparing section 19 and a holding section 20. The voltage comparison unit 19 compares the terminal voltage V of the battery 1 with the second determination reference values E _{1 to} E _{10 described above.}
When used to compare each decision data B ₁ .about.B ₁₀ of logic "1" if more for the second determination reference value pressure E ₁ to E ₁₀ terminal voltage V of the individual, smaller than The determination data B _{1 to} B ₁₀ of logic “0” are output to the holding unit 20, respectively.

The holding unit 20 is composed of a latch circuit or the like, and holds the judgment data B _{1 to} B ₁₀ from the voltage comparison unit 19 and outputs them to the second display unit 9.

The second display section 9 has eleven light-emitting bodies 11 made of light-emitting diodes, and the corresponding light-emitting bodies 11 are turned on according to the data held in the holding section 20, and the battery 1 to be inspected. Remaining capacity "0%" to "100
% ”Indicates any of the judgments. In the example of FIG. 1, a hatched line 1
It can be seen that 0 light-emitting bodies 11 are lit and the remaining capacity is 90%.

FIG. 4 shows the control procedure by the control section 18 from step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure) to step 11
It is shown in. In step 1 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the set button switch 13 has been pressed. If the determination is "YES", a start signal is output to the timer 4 to start the timing operation (step 2 ).

The next step 3 is the set time t depending on whether or not the first time-up signal is input from the timer 4.
It is determined whether or not the time has passed by 1, and if the determination is “YES”, the determination data A ₁ is fetched from the first voltage comparison unit 15 and stored in the storage unit (not shown) in the control unit 18. (Step 4).

In the next step 5, it is judged whether or not the set time t2 has elapsed depending on whether or not the second time-up signal is inputted from the timer 4, and if the judgment is "YES". For example, the determination data A ₂ is fetched from the second voltage comparison unit 16 and stored in the storage unit (not shown) in the control unit 18 (step 6).

In the next step 7, it is judged whether or not the time has elapsed by the set time t3 depending on whether or not the third time-up signal is inputted from the timer 4, and if the judgment is "YES". The determination data A ₃ is fetched from the third voltage comparison unit 17 and stored in a storage unit (not shown) in the control unit 18 (step 8).

When the three pieces of determination data A _{1 to} A ₃ are thus taken in, the control section 18 executes the control procedure (steps 9-1 to 9-10) shown in FIG. Deterioration degree is determined. In step 10, after the inspection is completed, it is determined whether or not the reset button switch 14 is pressed. If the determination is “YES”, the control unit 18 outputs a stop signal to the timer 4 to start the time counting operation. Stop (step 11).

In FIG. 5, the control unit 18 controls step 9-
1, the determination data A _{1 to} A ₃ is read from the storage unit, and the degree of deterioration of the battery 1 is determined based on the data structure.

If all the judgment data A _{1 to} A ₃ are logic "1", the judgment in step 9-2 becomes "YES", and in this case, the battery 1 to be inspected is an ideal battery which has not deteriorated. Then, the light-emitting body 10 representing “excellent” is turned on (step 9-3).

If the judgment data A ₁ is logic "0",
If the remaining determination data A _2, A ₃ is a logic "1", the determination becomes "YES" in step 9-4, when this case is a good battery is not deteriorated almost battery 1 to be inspected It is determined that the light emitter 10 representing “good” is turned on (step 9-5).

If the determination data A ₁ and A ₂ are both logic "0" and the remaining determination data A ₃ is logic "1", the determination at step 9-6 is "YES". Judges that the battery 1 to be inspected is a deteriorated battery, and turns on the light emitting body 10 indicating "attention" (step 9-7).

If the judgment data A _{1 to} A ₃ are all logic "0", the judgment in step 9-8 becomes "YES", in which case the battery 1 to be inspected has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. Judge as a battery and "replacement required"
The light-emitting body 10 representing is turned on (step 9-
9).

If the judgment data A _{1 to} A ₃ does not correspond to any of the above cases, the judgment cannot be made. In this case, for example, all the light emitting bodies 10 are blinked for a certain period of time to indicate that. Notify (step 9-10).

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, a load is connected to a battery to be inspected, a current commensurate with the capacity of the battery is passed, a change in the terminal voltage of the battery within a predetermined time is monitored, and the change is monitored. Since the degree of deterioration of the battery is determined from the state and the remaining capacity of the battery is determined from the terminal voltage of the battery, the degree of deterioration and the remaining capacity of the battery can be easily and surely grasped. Further, in the battery inspection device according to claims 3 and 4, since the judgment result is displayed, there is an effect that the deterioration degree and the remaining capacity of the battery can be immediately confirmed by observing the displayed contents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a battery inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of setting a first determination reference value.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of setting a second determination reference value.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of step 9 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a discharge characteristic curve of a battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Battery 2 Load 3 Energizing Circuit 4 Timer 5 Judgment Reference Value Setting Section 6 First Judgment Section 7 Second Judgment Section 8 First Display Section 9 Second Display Section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A battery inspection method for inspecting a degree of deterioration of a battery, comprising connecting a load to a battery to be inspected, applying a current corresponding to the battery capacity, and measuring a terminal voltage of the battery within a predetermined time. A battery inspection method characterized by monitoring a change and determining the degree of deterioration of the battery from the state of the change. 2. A battery inspection method for inspecting the degree of deterioration and remaining capacity of a battery, which comprises connecting a load to a battery to be inspected, applying a current corresponding to the battery capacity, and A battery inspection method characterized by observing a change in terminal voltage, determining the degree of deterioration of the battery from the state of the change, and measuring the terminal voltage of the battery to determine the remaining capacity of the battery. 3. A battery inspection device for inspecting the degree of deterioration of a battery, comprising: an energizing circuit for connecting a load to a battery to be inspected and flowing an electric current corresponding to the battery capacity; Elapsed time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time after the start of energization of the battery, judgment reference value setting means for setting a judgment reference value for each different set time for judging the degree of deterioration of the battery, and measurement by the time measuring means. Each time the value matches each of the set times, the battery voltage is compared with the determination reference value corresponding to the matched set time to determine the change state of the terminal voltage of the battery, and the determining means. A battery inspection apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays a determination result. 4. A battery inspection device for inspecting the degree of deterioration and remaining capacity of a battery, comprising: an energizing circuit for connecting a load to a battery to be inspected and supplying a current commensurate with the battery capacity. Time lapse measuring means for measuring the time lapse after the start of energization to the energizing circuit, and different first judgment reference values for different set times for judging the degree of deterioration of the battery and different for judging the remaining capacity of the battery. A determination reference value setting means for setting a second determination reference value of a magnitude; and a second setting reference time corresponding to the terminal voltage of the battery each time the value measured by the time measuring means matches the respective setting time. A first judging means for judging the state of the change of the terminal voltage of the battery by comparing the terminal voltage of the battery with each of the second judging reference values. And a second determining means for determining the remaining capacity of the battery, first, the battery testing device comprising a display means for displaying a determination result by the second respective discriminating means.