JPH0749731A - Portable computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain long time operation based upon a lithium ion secondary battery in a portable computer using the lithium ion secondary battery as a main power supply source at the time of battery driving. CONSTITUTION:This portable computer is provided with a battery pack 11 constituted of serially connecting m (e.g. 3) group batteries 11a to 11c each of which is constituted of connecting n (e.g. 3) lithium ion secondary batteries in parallel, a voltage monitoring circuit 16B for monitoring the voltage of terminal electrodes TA, TB, Pa, Pb of respective group batteries 11a to 11c and a charging circuit 16A for individually and properly charging respective group batteries 11a, 11b, 11c with electricity in accordance with monitored results to attain a main power supply source for battery driving based upon a lithium ion secondary battery pack with large capacity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer which uses an assembled battery constituted by connecting secondary battery single cells in series as a main power supply source during battery operation, and a secondary battery power supply circuit provided in the portable computer. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a battery operating battery of a portable personal computer, a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) secondary battery or a nickel-hydrogen (Ni-) battery has been used.
MH) secondary batteries were common. However, as the performance of devices has increased, the demand for secondary batteries with a large capacity has increased. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a lithium-ion secondary battery as a power source for battery operation.

However, in the lithium ion secondary battery, the terminal voltage of the cell alone is 3 to 4 V, and Ni-Cd or N
The cost is higher than that of a battery such as i-MH. Therefore, there is a problem that a large number of low-voltage large-capacity single cells cannot be connected in series as in the conventional case and it is difficult to increase the capacity.

Further, in a conventional charging circuit in which a single lithium secondary battery, an assembled battery thereof, or a plurality of battery packs using them can be mounted, a charging system as shown in FIG. I was collecting.

That is, first, the secondary battery of the first pack (Batt
1) Start charging with constant current to the charging target (constant current charging), and after the battery voltage rises to reach the specified voltage,
Continue charging at constant voltage (constant voltage charging).

In the constant voltage charging state, the charging current gradually decreases, and is fully charged when it becomes less than a certain specified value.
After the full charge of the secondary battery (Batt 1) of the first pack is detected, the next secondary battery (Batt 2) of the second pack is charged in the same manner as the secondary battery charge of the first pack.

However, in the conventional charging system as described above, the charging of the next battery pack is not started until the full charge of the battery pack which has been started first is detected. Therefore, the total charging time of the plurality of battery packs is (battery charging time) × (number of battery packs).

When the lithium secondary battery enters the constant voltage charging mode, the charging current gradually decreases due to its battery characteristics. Along with this, there is a margin in the current supply capacity, but in the above-described conventional method, there is a waste that this amount of power cannot be used for the next charging.

Further, in the conventional case, when charging a secondary battery which needs constant voltage charging, as shown in FIG. 10, first, constant current charging is started, and the battery voltage 52 at the time of charging ON is a target value 51. It is switched to constant voltage charging at point A when it is detected that After that, the charging current 53 gradually decreases, and constant voltage charging is performed until the voltage 50 of the battery itself becomes the same potential as the target value 51 and the charging current stops flowing (that is, until full charge).

As described above, conventionally, when the battery voltage at the time of charging on reaches the target value 51, the constant current charging is switched to the constant voltage charging. Since the battery voltage at this time is a value that includes the voltage drop due to the internal resistance of the battery, etc., the battery is not yet fully charged, and it takes a longer time from switching to constant voltage charging until it is fully charged. Met.

Further, conventionally, in an assembled battery in which lithium ion secondary batteries are connected in series, the voltage variation of each secondary battery during charging is corrected as follows. That is, taking an assembled battery in which two secondary batteries are connected in series, 1/2 of the assembled battery voltage is input to the amplifier and its output is given to the connection point of the secondary batteries connected in series. The output voltage of the amplifier is halved of the total voltage of the assembled battery. The output of the amplifier is connected between the secondary batteries via the current limiting resistor in the assembled battery. As a result, a correction current flows due to the potential difference between the output voltage of the amplifier and the secondary battery connection point and the resistance value.

However, the above-mentioned conventional battery voltage measuring means has the following problems. That is, when the battery voltage of each secondary battery inside the assembled battery is measured from the outside of the assembled battery, the value including the voltage drop that occurs in the current limiting resistance inside the assembled battery is measured, so that the accurate battery voltage cannot be measured. There was a problem.

Further, conventionally, there has been the following problem in an assembled battery in which two or more secondary batteries are connected in series.
This will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in FIG. 14, 101 is an output terminal of the assembled battery.
The battery is charged and discharged via. 102 and 103 are batteries. A battery voltage monitoring circuit 104 operates by receiving power supply from the battery 102. Reference numeral 105 denotes a battery voltage monitoring circuit, which operates by receiving power supply from the battery 103.
106 is a switch for turning on / off the charging / discharging,
It is controlled by the battery voltage monitoring circuits 104 and 105.

Here, an assembled battery in which two batteries are connected in series will be described as an example. Since some cells are vulnerable to over-discharge and over-charge, each cell connected in series (batteries 102, 10
It is necessary to constantly monitor the voltage of 3).

In the circuit shown in FIG. 14, even if the battery voltage monitoring circuits 104 and 105 are made equal,
The consumption currents ID and IE of the battery voltage monitoring circuits 104 and 105 are not equal due to variations in the elements forming the circuit. That is, the currents supplied from the batteries 102 and 103 to the battery voltage monitoring circuits 104 and 105 are different.
Even if the current difference is small, the battery voltage monitoring circuit 10
Since a current always flows through the batteries 4 and 105, the capacity difference between the batteries 102 and 103 increases as time passes. Particularly in a battery in which the battery voltage is proportional to the remaining capacity of the battery, for example, a lithium battery, the difference between the battery voltages becomes large.

By the way, the circuit of FIG. 14 operates as follows. During charging, when the battery voltage of one of the batteries 102 and 103 reaches the maximum allowable voltage determined by the type of battery, the battery voltage monitoring circuit 104 or the battery voltage monitoring circuit 105 detects this. At this time,
Charging / discharging on / off switch 106 stops charging to prevent overcharging.

At the time of discharging, when the battery voltage of one of the batteries 102 and 103 reaches the minimum allowable voltage determined by the type of battery, the battery voltage monitoring circuit 104 or the battery voltage monitoring circuit 105 detects this. To do. At this time, the charging / discharging on / off switch 106 stops the discharging to prevent over-discharging.

In the above-mentioned conventional assembled battery charge / discharge control means, if there is a difference in battery capacity caused by a difference in current consumption of the battery voltage monitoring circuits 104 and 105, that is, a battery voltage, the battery is not charged during charging. As the capacity increases, the maximum allowable voltage is reached first, and charging is stopped to prevent overcharging, which causes a problem that other batteries are not fully charged. In addition, during discharge, the battery with the smaller capacity reaches the minimum allowable voltage first, and the discharge is stopped to prevent over-discharge, so that the discharge of other batteries is stopped with a considerable remaining capacity, and the performance is sufficient. There is a problem that it can not be demonstrated to the full. Further, if these steps are repeated, there is a problem that the difference in battery capacities increases, and the capacity that can be taken out from the assembled battery becomes smaller.

Further, conventionally, an arbitrary assembled battery of a plurality of kinds of assembled batteries (that is, a plurality of kinds of assembled batteries having different battery voltages, capacities, etc.) formed by connecting secondary battery single cells in series is mounted. Among possible portable computers, there are one that is provided with a means for identifying the type of the assembled battery pack and that changes the control according to the identification, and one that ignores the difference in characteristics.

Among these, in the structure for identifying the type of the assembled battery pack, a unique mechanical switch is required for the identification, which is expensive in terms of cost and secures a mounting space for the mechanical switch. Because I have to
There is a problem that the device configuration becomes complicated and the device becomes large. There is also a means for detecting the voltage of the entire battery to identify the type of the battery, but this means is effective only when the battery voltages are different, and the difference between batteries having the same voltage and different capacities cannot be detected. There is also a configuration in which a plurality of terminals are provided and a battery voltage is output to any one of the terminals to recognize the type of the battery. However, this means that when the number of signals increases, the interface becomes complicated and the computer device main body, and There is a problem that the cost of the assembled battery is increased and the product cost is significantly increased.

[0021]

As described above, conventionally, when a lithium ion secondary battery is used as a battery main power source, the terminal voltage of the cell unit is Ni--C.
It is higher than batteries such as d and Ni-MH, and therefore a large number of low-voltage large-capacity single cells cannot be connected in series as in the conventional case, and it is difficult to increase the capacity. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer that can operate for a long time by using a lithium ion secondary battery as a main power supply source.

Further, in a conventional charging circuit in which a plurality of battery packs using a single lithium secondary battery or a battery pack thereof can be mounted, a full charge by constant voltage charging of the secondary battery of the first pack is made. After the detection, the next secondary battery of the second pack is charged, so the next battery pack will not be charged until the full charge of the previously started battery pack is detected, and the total charge There is a problem that the charging efficiency is poor because the time is long and the charging power is wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The rechargeable lithium secondary battery switches to constant voltage charging,
When the charging power falls below a certain charging power, the surplus power of the power supply is used to start charging the next battery pack before the full charge of the battery pack being charged is detected, and multiple battery packs are temporarily charged in parallel. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging circuit capable of shortening the total charging time of a plurality of battery packs and effectively utilizing the surplus power.

Further, in the conventional case, when charging a secondary battery which requires constant voltage charging, as shown in FIG. 10, constant current charging is first started and the battery voltage 52 at the time of charging ON is a target value 51. It is switched to constant voltage charging at point A when it is detected that After that, the charging current 53 gradually decreases, and constant voltage charging is performed until the current stops flowing (that is, until full charging). As described above, conventionally, when the battery voltage at the time of charging on reaches the target value 51, the constant current charging is switched to the constant voltage charging. Since the battery voltage at this time is a value that includes the voltage drop due to the internal resistance of the battery, etc., the battery is not yet fully charged, and it takes a longer time from switching to constant voltage charging until it is fully charged. Met.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation,
An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery rapid charging system capable of rapidly charging a secondary battery in a charging device for charging a secondary battery that requires constant voltage charging.

In the conventional battery voltage measuring means, when the battery voltage of each secondary battery inside the assembled battery is measured from outside the assembled battery, the voltage drop generated in the current limiting resistance inside the assembled battery is detected. Since the included value is measured, there is a problem that an accurate battery voltage cannot be measured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
In the circuit that corrects the voltage difference between the individual secondary batteries that make up the battery pack, the voltage of each secondary battery can be measured accurately, and overcharge and overdischarge can be reliably prevented. It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery voltage measuring device for an assembled battery that is capable of

Further, in the battery pack charge / discharge control means according to the conventional structure, if there is a difference in the battery voltage of the secondary batteries connected in series, the one having a larger battery capacity is allowed the maximum at the time of charging. Since the voltage is reached and charging is stopped to prevent overcharge, other batteries will not be fully charged.
In addition, during discharge, the battery with the smaller capacity reaches the minimum allowable voltage first, and the discharge is stopped to prevent over-discharge, so that the discharge of other batteries is stopped with a considerable remaining capacity, and the performance is sufficient. There is a problem that it can not be demonstrated to the full. Further, if these steps are repeated, there is a problem that the difference in battery capacities increases, and the capacity that can be taken out from the assembled battery becomes smaller.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
In an assembled battery in which rechargeable battery cells are connected in series, the current consumption of each rechargeable battery cell can be made equal, and thereby the discharge performance of the rechargeable battery can be maximized. The purpose is to provide a scheme.

Further, conventionally, in a portable computer in which an arbitrary assembled battery of a plurality of assembled batteries formed by connecting secondary battery single cells in series can be mounted, the type identifying mechanism of the mounted assembled battery is a mechanical type. There is a problem that a switch is required, the cost is high, and a mechanical switch mounting space must be secured, which complicates the device configuration and increases the size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
In a portable computer that can mount any type of assembled battery from multiple types of assembled batteries in which multiple secondary battery single cells are connected in series, the type identification function of the assembled battery can be realized easily and inexpensively with the minimum number of signals. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer that can use a plurality of types of assembled batteries that can be used.

[0033]

According to the present invention, m (m = 3 to 4) battery packs in which n (n = 2 to 4) lithium ion secondary batteries are connected in parallel are connected in series. A battery pack and a monitor circuit that monitors the terminal voltage of each battery pack,
A charging circuit that appropriately charges each battery pack according to the monitoring result is provided to realize a main power supply source when a battery is driven by a large-capacity lithium ion secondary battery pack.

That is, the present invention is provided with a battery pack constituted by connecting n sets of lithium-ion secondary battery single cells connected in parallel to each other in series, and a charging circuit for charging the battery pack. The battery pack is used as a main power supply source during battery operation.

With this structure, a lithium-ion secondary battery can be used to form a large-capacity assembled battery. Therefore, the lithium-ion secondary battery was used as the main power supply source during battery operation. Large power consumption, or
It is possible to build a personal computer that can be used for a long time.

The present invention also provides a constant-voltage constant-current power supply for charging a single lithium secondary battery or an assembled battery thereof, or a battery pack using them, a resistor for detecting the power supply of the power supply, and the power supply thereof. The charging circuit is configured by including a series regulator or a switching regulator that controls the charging current of the batteries in order to temporarily charge two batteries in parallel when becomes less than a predetermined charging current. As a result, the lithium secondary battery being charged switches to constant voltage charging, and when the charging power falls below a certain specified charging power,
Effective use of surplus power by starting to charge the next battery pack by using the surplus power of the power supply before the full charge of the battery pack being charged is detected and temporarily charging multiple battery packs in parallel As a result, the total charging time of a plurality of battery packs can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, the power source for charging the battery, the battery voltage measuring unit for measuring the battery voltage, and whether the battery voltage has reached the target value (first target value and second target value). A battery voltage determination unit that determines whether or not each of the battery voltage is determined, and a charging on / off control unit that controls charging on / off according to the determination content of the determination unit, and the battery voltage has a first target value (continuous constant current charging). To the intermittent constant current charging), the battery is continuously charged when the battery voltage is higher than the first target value.
When the battery voltage is turned off and the battery voltage at the time of charging off becomes higher than the second target value (the battery voltage target value at the time of charging off), it is determined that the battery is fully charged, so that the secondary battery that needs constant voltage charging A secondary battery can be rapidly charged in a charging device that charges a battery.

Further, according to the present invention, the connection point (C) where the charging / discharging power supply circuit is connected to the connection point (B) between the secondary batteries via the current limiting element or the current limiting circuit is used as the power supply terminal. In an assembled battery in which two or more secondary batteries are connected in series, a battery voltage measuring circuit for measuring the voltage of each secondary battery and a connection point (B) to a connection point (C) or a connection point (C ) To turn on / off the current (correction current) flowing from the connection point (B) to the connection point (B), and means for measuring the voltage of each secondary battery after a certain period of time after the correction current is set to zero. In this way, in the circuit that corrects the difference in voltage of each secondary battery that constitutes the assembled battery,
The voltage of each secondary battery can be accurately measured, and overcharge and overdischarge can be reliably prevented.

The present invention also provides a form in which there is a load to which power is supplied from each cell of an assembled battery in which two or more cells are connected in series, or a form in which the consumption current changes according to the voltage of the cell. In this, circuit means for detecting the current (neutral wire current) of the circuit connecting the connection point between the batteries and the connection point between the loads, and circuit means for controlling the discharge current of each battery cell by the detection signal, A circuit is provided with a circuit means connected in parallel with the load, and the neutral line current is controlled to be 0 A (zero amperes) to equalize the discharge current (consumption current) of each battery cell, It is characterized by making it possible to maximize the performance of.

Further, according to the present invention, in a portable computer in which an arbitrary assembled battery of a plurality of kinds of assembled batteries formed by connecting secondary battery single cells in series can be mounted, the secondary battery is classified according to the type of assembled battery. A structure comprising an assembled battery having a voltage detection end that specifies the series connection point position of the battery single cell, and means for recognizing the type of the assembled battery based on the voltage obtained from the voltage detection end of this assembled battery As a result, it is possible to use a plurality of types of assembled batteries easily and inexpensively with the minimum number of signals.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the entire apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the arrangement of components.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the essential parts of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 11 is a battery pack using a lithium-ion secondary battery, which is a main power supply source during battery operation. 12 is a power supply PCB
(Printed wiring board for power supply), battery charge control,
Supply power to the system. 13 is system P
The CB is equipped with chips such as a CPU, RAM, and ROM, and controls the system. A display device (flat panel display) 14 displays processing results and the like. A keyboard 15 is used for inputting data, commands and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the essential parts according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a battery pack which is constituted by using a lithium ion secondary battery and serves as a main power supply source when the battery is driven. 11a, 11b, 1
1c is lithium, which is a main component of the battery pack 11.
It is an assembled battery of ion secondary batteries, and here, three lithium ion secondary battery single cells are connected in parallel,
The power source of the battery pack 11 is configured by connecting the three battery packs 11a, 11b, 11c in series.

TA, TB, Pa and Pb are power supply terminals of the battery pack 11, respectively, of which TA and TB are charging electrodes and Pa and Pb are voltage monitoring electrodes. The terminal voltages of the power supply terminals TA and TB and the voltage monitoring electrodes Pa and Pb are respectively supplied to the voltage monitoring circuit 16 of the power supply PCB (power supply printed wiring board) 12 via the system PCB 13.
Input to B, battery (battery pack 11a, 11b, 11c)
The terminal voltage of is monitored.

12 is a power supply PCB (printed wiring board for power supply)
The circuit components for controlling the charging of the battery pack 11 and supplying power to the system are mounted. Here, only the charging circuit 16A for charging the battery pack 11 with the external commercial AC power supply 17 as an input power supply and the voltage monitoring circuit 16B are shown.

A charging circuit 16A is mounted on a power supply PCB (printed wiring board for power supply) 12 and controls charging of the battery pack 11 using an external commercial AC power supply as an input power supply. 1
6B is a voltage monitoring circuit also mounted on the power supply PCB (printed wiring board for power supply) 12, monitors the terminal voltage of the battery pack 11, and transmits the result to the charging circuit 16A.

In the portable computer of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discharged power output from the battery pack 11 (accumulated power source of the battery pack 11) is the power source PCB 12.
After being converted into an appropriate voltage by, it is supplied to the system PCB 13. Due to this power, the system PCB 13 displays the data input from the keyboard 15, for example.
Control such as displaying on the screen 4 is performed.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the battery pack 11
Is an assembled battery in which three lithium-ion secondary battery single cells are connected in parallel, and the three assembled batteries 11a, 11
It is configured by connecting b and 11c in series.

At the time of discharging the battery pack 11,
Power is supplied to the system via the power supply terminals TA and TB. On the other hand, when the battery pack 11 is being charged, the charging circuit 16A uses the external commercial AC power source 17 as an input power source (for example, A
C100V), each battery pack 11a of the battery pack 11 via the power supply terminals TA and TB at an appropriate voltage and current,
11b and 11c are charged.

Here, for some reason, the assembled battery 11
When the terminal voltages of a, 11b, and 11c are different, the terminal voltages of the power supply terminals TA and TB and the voltage monitoring electrodes Pa and Pb can be detected by the voltage monitoring circuit 16B. Therefore, according to the detection content of the voltage monitoring circuit 16B. , Four electrodes (power supply terminals TA, T so that the charging circuit 16A has the same terminal voltage).
B, and the voltage monitoring electrodes Pa, Pb) are individually controlled for charging.

For example, when only the assembled battery 11a has a low terminal voltage, a larger current is passed through the assembled battery 11a, 11c through the power supply terminal TA and the voltage monitoring electrode Pa, so that each assembled battery 11a, 11b and 11c can have the same voltage.

In the above embodiment, the battery pack 11 is constructed by connecting three battery packs in which three lithium-ion secondary battery single cells are connected in parallel to each other in series, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the number of cells of the assembled battery and the number of serially connected stages of the assembled battery are set to, for example, 2 × 3, 2 × 4, 3 × 4, 4 × 3, etc., discharge control similar to that in the above embodiment can be performed.

With the above-described configuration, the large capacity battery pack 11 can be constructed using the lithium-ion secondary battery, so that a portable computer having a screen display function, an external storage access mechanism, etc., and relatively large power consumption. Also in this case, it is possible to operate the secondary battery for a long time.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An example will be described. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment (1) of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 is a constant-voltage constant-current power source, which has an output current limiting function according to a preset current limit value (Icc) of the power source.

Reference numeral 22 is a switch (SW1) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage constant current power source 21 and the secondary battery (Batt1) 26. 23 is a secondary battery (Batt
2) A switch (SW2) interposed in the 27 series regulation control signal path. Each switch (S
W1, SW2) 22 and 23 are on / off controlled by a control signal (CSa) output from a power supply control unit (not shown), and are turned on and fully charged at the start of charging the secondary battery (Batt1) 26. Sometimes turned off.

Reference numeral 24 is a switch (SW3) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27, and is output from a power source control unit (not shown). It is on / off controlled by a control signal (CSb), and is turned on when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged and turned off when the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is fully charged.

Reference numeral 25 is a transistor (TR1) for series regulating the charging current, which is a switch (SW).
2) Amplifier (Error Amp) when 23 is on
According to the output of 31, the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is series-regulated.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote secondary batteries (Batt1, Ba) that form the battery power source of the portable computer main body.
tt2), here is a lithium-ion battery (cell,
Alternatively, the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged first and then the secondary battery (Batt2) 2 according to the control signals (CSa, CSb) from the charge control circuit.
7 is charged.

Numerals 28 and 29 are battery voltage sensing circuits respectively, and the secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 2 are individually provided.
The voltages of 6 and 27 are detected. This battery voltage sense circuit 2
The battery voltage detected at 8, 29 is the constant voltage constant current power supply 21.
It is fed back to and used for battery voltage control during charging.

Reference numeral 30 is a fixed resistor (RS) for detecting the supply current of the power supply, and the voltage generated at both ends together with the reference voltage (V REF) 32 and the amplifier (Error Amp) 31.
Entered in.

Reference numeral 31 is an amplifier (Error Amp) for series-regulating the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 so that the voltage generated across the fixed resistor (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32. Secondary battery (Batt
2) Regulate the 27 series.

Reference numeral 32 is a reference voltage (V REF) which generates a reference voltage for comparison with the voltage generated by the fixed resistance (RS) 30. Here, the operation of the second embodiment (1) shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 shows two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2).
It is a figure which compares and compares each charge sequence of 26 and 27 for every step, and is matched with the charge operation timing of FIG.8 (b) with the numerical value in []. In FIG. 7, “CC” indicates a constant current charging period and “CV” indicates a constant voltage charging period.

FIG. 8 shows two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2).
It is a charging operation explanatory view showing the charging operation of Nos. 26 and 27 in comparison with the second embodiment of the present invention and the related art. FIG. 7A is a charging operation according to the related art, and FIG. The charge operation by the Example is shown. In FIG. 8, Icc is the current limit value of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21, IHC is the load current limit value, IHC
FC is the full charge current value.

In the configuration of the second embodiment (1) shown in FIG. 3, the priority charging order of the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 27 is fixed.
1) 26 is charged first (priority).

By the control signal (CSa), the switch (S
When the W1) 22 and the switch (SW2) 23 are turned on, the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 to be charged first is started. The charging here is performed by the constant voltage constant current power supply 2
Constant current charging (CC) according to the current limit value 1 cc of 1.
At this time, by setting the load current limit value (IHC) as follows, the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 is connected to the transistor (TR1) 25 and the secondary battery (Batt).
2) A signal that does not charge 27 is output.

That is, [Icc = V REF (reference voltage 32) /
By setting RS (fixed resistance 30) = IHC], during the constant current charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 described above, the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is passed through the transistor (TR1) 25. A gate signal with a level that allows charging current to flow is not output.

When the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 progresses and shifts to the constant voltage mode, the charging current becomes small due to the characteristics of the battery. When this current reaches the load current limit value (IHC), the voltage drop across the fixed resistor (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32, that is, the secondary battery (Ba).
Amplifier (Erro) so that the sum of the charging currents of tt1) 26 and secondary battery (Batt2) 27 becomes the load current limit value (IHC).
r Amp) 31 regulates the transistor (TR1) 25 in series.

That is, two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt
2) While charging 26 and 27 in parallel, the current supplied from the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 is always IHC, and the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is reduced by two times. The secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is charged. Also, [Icc> IHC]
Since the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 operates in the constant voltage mode due to the characteristics of the power supply, the secondary battery (Batt
1) The potential of 26 never drops.

The battery voltage sensing circuit 28 includes a secondary battery (Ba
By detecting the voltage of tt1) 26 and feeding it back to the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21, the battery voltage during charging can be accurately controlled.
When the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged, the control signal (CSa) turns off the switch (SW1) 22 and the switch (SW2) 23, and the control signal (CSb) turns on the switch (SW3) 24. Then, the secondary battery (Ba
tt2) Charge 27 with constant current.

By such charging control, it becomes possible to effectively use the surplus power of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 to temporarily charge a plurality of battery packs in parallel, and as shown in FIG. As is clear from the comparison between (b) and (b), the total charging time of the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 27 can be shortened.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment (2) of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 21 is a constant voltage constant current power source, and a preset current limit value (Icc) of the power source.
It has the output current limiting function according to.

Reference numeral 22 is a switch (SW1) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and the secondary battery (Batt1) 26, and is output from a power source control unit (not shown). It is on / off controlled by a control signal (CSa), and is turned on when charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is started and turned off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 24 is a switch (SW3) interposed in the charging current path between the power supply output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27, and is output from a power supply control unit (not shown). It is on / off controlled by a control signal (CSb), and is turned on when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged and turned off when the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is fully charged.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote secondary batteries (Batt1, Ba) that form the battery power source of the portable computer main body.
tt2), here is a lithium-ion battery (cell,
Alternatively, the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged first, and then the secondary battery (Batt2) 2 according to the control signals (CSa, CSa) from the charge control circuit.
7 is charged.

Reference numerals 28 and 29 denote battery voltage sensing circuits, which detect the voltages of the secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26 and 27. The battery voltage detected by the battery voltage sensing circuits 10 and 11 is fed back to the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and used for battery voltage control during charging.

Reference numeral 30 is a fixed resistor (RS) for detecting the supply current of the power source, and the voltage generated at both ends together with the reference voltage (V REF) 32 and the amplifier (Error Amp) 31
Entered in.

Reference numeral 31 is an amplifier (Error Amp) for differentially amplifying by inputting the voltage generated across the fixed resistor (RS) 30 and the reference voltage (V REF) 32, and the fixed resistor (RS) 3
The on / off time ratio control circuit 35 is controlled so that the voltage generated at both ends of 0 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32.

Reference numeral 32 is a reference voltage (V REF) which generates a reference voltage for comparison with the voltage generated by the fixed resistance (RS) 30. Reference numeral 33 denotes a DC-DC converter, which controls the transistor (TR1) to be turned on / off according to the output of the on / off time ratio control circuit 35, and the secondary battery (Ba
tt2) Switching regulation of 27 charging current.

34 is ON / OFF with the amplifier (Error Amp) 31
A switch (SW2) interposed in a signal path with the off-time ratio control circuit 35, which is on / off controlled by a control signal (CSa), and is turned on when charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is started. , Turns off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 35 is an on / off time ratio control circuit,
The on / off time ratio of the DC-DC converter 33 is controlled according to the output of the amplifier (Error Amp) 31.

The operation of the second embodiment (2) shown in FIG. 4 will be described here. Also in the configuration of the second embodiment (2) shown in FIG. 4, two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 27 are provided as in the case of the second embodiment (1) shown in FIG. 3 described above. Has a fixed priority charging order, and here the secondary battery (Batt
1) 26 is charged first (priority).

By the control signal (CSa), the switch (S
When the W1) 22 and the switch (SW2) 34 are turned on, the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 to be charged first is started. The charging here is performed by the constant voltage constant current power supply 2
Constant current charging (CC) according to the current limit value 1 cc of 1.
At this time, by setting the load current limit value (IHC) as [Icc = V REF (reference voltage 32) / RS (fixed resistance 30) = IHC], the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 turns on / off. The off-time ratio control circuit 35 includes a secondary battery (Batt
2) A signal that does not charge 27 is output. That is, during the constant current charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26, the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 controls the DC-
A signal for switching the transistor (TR1) of the DC converter 33 is not output.

When the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 progresses and shifts to the constant voltage mode, the charging current becomes small due to the characteristics of the battery. When this current reaches the load current limit value (IHC), the voltage drop at the fixed resistor (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32, that is, the current supplied from the constant voltage constant current power supply 21 becomes the load. A control signal is output from the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 to the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 so that the current limit value (IHC) is reached.

According to the control signal output from the amplifier (Error Amp) 31, the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 performs the switching regulation of the DC-DC converter 33.

That is, two batteries (secondary battery (Batt1))
26 and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27) are charged in parallel, the current supplied from the constant voltage constant current power source 21 is always IHC, and the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is The secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is charged by the reduced amount. Since [Icc> IHC], the constant-voltage constant-current power supply 21 operates in the constant-voltage mode due to the characteristics of the power supply, so that the potential of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 does not decrease.

The battery voltage sense circuit 28 includes a secondary battery (Ba
By detecting the voltage of tt1) 26 and feeding it back to the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21, the battery voltage during charging can be accurately controlled.
When the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged, the control signal (CSa) turns off the switch (SW1) 22 and the switch (SW2) 34, and the control signal (CSb) turns on the switch (SW3) 24. Then, the secondary battery (Ba
tt2) Charge 27 with constant current.

By such charging control, it becomes possible to effectively use the surplus power of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 to temporarily charge a plurality of battery packs in parallel, and as shown in FIG. As is clear from the comparison between (b) and (b), the total charging time of the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 27 can be shortened.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment (3) of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 denotes a constant voltage constant current power source, and a preset current limit value (Icc) of the power source.
It has the output current limiting function according to.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a switch (SW1) interposed in the charging current path between the power supply output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 and the charging priority switching circuit 36a, which is a control signal output from a power supply control unit (not shown). (CSa) is on / off controlled, and the secondary battery (secondary battery (Ba
tt1) 26 or the secondary battery (Batt 2) 27) turns on when charging starts and turns off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a switch (S) interposed in the series regulation control signal path of the secondary battery (Batt2) 27.
W2), which is a control signal (C
It is on / off controlled by Sa) and is turned on when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 starts to be charged and turned off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a switch (SW3) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and the charging priority switching circuit 36a, which is a control signal output from a power source control unit (not shown). On / off control is performed by (CSb), and the secondary battery (secondary battery (Ba
tt1) 26 or the secondary battery (Batt2) 27) turns on when fully charged, and turns off when the secondary battery charged later is fully charged.

Numeral 25 is a transistor (TR1) for series regulation of the charging current, which is a switch (SW
2) Amplifier (Error Amp) when 23 is on
According to the output of 31, the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 or the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is series-regulated.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote secondary batteries (Batt1, Ba) that form the battery power source of the portable computer main body.
tt2), here is a lithium-ion battery (cell,
Or a battery pack) is used, and the battery is charged according to the priority order of the charge priority switching circuit 36a.

Numerals 28 and 29 are battery voltage sensing circuits, respectively, and the secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 2 are individually provided.
The voltages of 6 and 27 are detected. This battery voltage sense circuit 1
The battery voltage detected at 0 and 11 is the constant voltage constant current power supply 21.
It is fed back to and used for battery voltage control during charging.

Reference numeral 30 is a fixed resistor (RS) for detecting the supply current of the power supply, and the voltage generated at both ends together with the reference voltage (V REF) 32 and the amplifier (Error Amp) 31.
Entered in.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a control amplifier (Error Am for series regulation of the secondary battery (Batt2) 27.
p) and the series regulation of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 or the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 so that the voltage generated across the fixed resistance (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32. To do.

Reference numeral 32 is a reference voltage (V REF) which generates a reference voltage for comparison with the voltage generated by the fixed resistor (RS) 30. Reference numeral 36a denotes a charge priority switching circuit configured by a switch circuit having two circuits and two contacts, and when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged with priority, the charge is switched to the A side.
When the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is preferentially charged, it is switched to the B side.

The operation of the second embodiment (3) shown in FIG. 5 will be described here. In the configuration of the second embodiment (3) shown in FIG. 5, the priority charging order of the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 27 is not fixed, and the charging priority switching circuit 36a.
The charging order can be set arbitrarily by.

That is, in this case, the battery (secondary battery (Batt1) 26 or secondary battery (Batt2) 2) 2 which is preferentially charged (first charged) is operated by operating the charging priority switching circuit 36a.
Decide 7).

For example, when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged preferentially (prior to), the charging priority switching circuit 36a
To A side. After that, by the control signal (CSa), the switch (SW1) 22 and the switch (SW2)
When 34 is turned on, the output power of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 is supplied to the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 via the switch (SW1) 22 and the charging priority switching circuit 36a, and the charging priority switching circuit 36a. Charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is started in accordance with the priority order set in. The charging here is constant current charging (CC) according to the current limit value 1 cc of the constant voltage constant current power supply 21. At this time, by setting the load current limit value (IHC) as follows,
From the amplifier (Error Amp) 31, the transistor (TR
1) A signal that does not charge the secondary battery (Batt 2) 27 is output to 25. That is, by setting [Icc = V REF (reference voltage 32) / RS (fixed resistance 30) = IHC], the above-mentioned secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged with a transistor ( A gate signal having a level such that a charging current flows through the TR1) 25 to the secondary battery (Batt 2) 27 is not output.

When the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 progresses and shifts to the constant voltage mode, the charging current becomes smaller due to the characteristics of the battery. When this current reaches the load current limit value (IHC), the voltage drop across the fixed resistor (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32, that is, the secondary battery (Ba).
Amplifier (Erro) so that the sum of the charging currents of tt1) 26 and secondary battery (Batt2) 27 becomes the load current limit value (IHC).
r Amp) 31 regulates the transistor (TR1) 25 in series.

In other words, two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt
2) While charging 26 and 27 in parallel, the current supplied from the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 is always IHC, and the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is reduced by two times. The secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is charged. Also, [Icc> IHC]
Since the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 operates in the constant voltage mode due to the characteristics of the power supply, the secondary battery (Batt
1) The potential of 26 never drops.

At this time, the battery voltage sensing circuit 28 constantly detects the voltage of the secondary battery (Batt 1) 26 and feeds it back to the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21, whereby the battery voltage during charging is accurately controlled.

When the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged, the control signal (CSa) causes the switch (SW1) 2
2 and the switch (SW2) 23 are turned off, and the control signal (CSb) turns on the switch (SW3) 24 to charge the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 with a constant current.

The above operation is performed by using two secondary batteries (Batt1,
Of the Batt2) 26 and 27, the charging priority switching circuit 36a is switched to the A side so that the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is preferentially charged first.
When 6a is switched to the B side, the charging target is switched, and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is preferentially charged first by the same operation as above.

By such charge control, it becomes possible to effectively use the surplus power of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 to temporarily charge a plurality of battery packs in parallel and in any order. As is clear from the comparison between (a) and (b) of FIG. 8, the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 2
The total charging time of 7 can be shortened.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment (4) of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 21 is a constant voltage constant current power source, and a preset current limit value (Icc) of the power source.
It has the output current limiting function according to.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a switch (SW1) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and the charging priority switching circuit 36b, which is a control signal (CSa) output from the power source controller. ) Is controlled on / off by a secondary battery (secondary battery (Batt1) 2 that is charged first).
6 or the secondary battery (Batt2) 27) is turned on at the start of charging and turned off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a switch (SW3) interposed in the charging current path between the power source output terminal of the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and the charging priority switching circuit 36b, which is a control signal (CSb) output from the power source controller. ) Is turned on / off by the secondary battery (secondary battery (Batt1) 2
6, or when the secondary battery (Batt2) 27) is fully charged, it is turned on, and when the secondary battery charged later is fully charged, it is turned off.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 are secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) which are main power supply sources during battery operation of the portable computer main body capable of battery drive.
Here, a lithium ion battery (cell or assembled battery) is used, and is charged according to the priority order of the charge priority switching circuit 36b.

28 and 29 are battery voltage sensing circuits, respectively, which detect the voltages of the secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26 and 27. The battery voltage detected by the battery voltage sensing circuits 28 and 29 is fed back to the constant voltage / constant current power source 21 and used for battery voltage control during charging.

Reference numeral 30 is a fixed resistor (RS) for detecting the supply current of the power source, and the voltage generated at both ends together with the reference voltage (V REF) 32 and the amplifier (Error Amp) 31
Entered in.

Reference numeral 31 is an amplifier (Error Amp) for inputting the voltage generated across the fixed resistor (RS) 30 and the reference voltage (V REF) 32 and differentially amplifying it, and the fixed resistor (RS) 3
The on / off time ratio control circuit 35 is controlled so that the voltage generated at both ends of 0 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32.

Reference numeral 32 is a reference voltage (V REF) which generates a reference voltage for comparison with the voltage generated by the fixed resistor (RS) 30. Reference numeral 33 denotes a DC-DC converter, which controls the transistor (TR1) to be turned on / off according to the output of the on / off time ratio control circuit 35, and the secondary battery (Ba
The charging current of the tt1) 26 or the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is switching-regulated.

34 is on / off with the amplifier (Error Amp) 31
A switch (SW2) interposed in a signal path with the off-time ratio control circuit 35, which is on / off controlled by a control signal (CSa), and is a secondary battery (secondary battery (secondary battery (secondary battery (secondary battery (secondary battery Batt1) 26 or secondary battery (Batt2) 27)
Turns on when charging starts and turns off when fully charged.

Reference numeral 35 denotes an on / off time ratio control circuit 35, which operates according to the output of the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 to generate a DC-D signal.
The on / off time ratio of the C converter 33 is controlled.

Reference numeral 36b is a charge priority switching circuit composed of a switch circuit having two circuits and two contacts.
1) 26 is preferentially charged, and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is preferentially charged, and B is switched.

The operation of the second embodiment (4) shown in FIG. 6 will be described here. Also in the configuration of the second embodiment (4) shown in FIG. 6, as in the case of the second embodiment (3) shown in FIG.
The priority charging order of the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26 and 27 is not fixed, and the charging priority switching circuit 36b can arbitrarily set the charging priority.

That is, in this case, the battery (secondary battery (Batt1) 26 or secondary battery (Batt2) 2) 2 which is preferentially charged (first charged) is operated by operating the charging priority switching circuit 36b.
Decide 7).

For example, when the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is charged preferentially (prior to), the charging priority switching circuit 36b is used.
To A side. After that, by the control signal (CSa), the switch (SW1) 22 and the switch (SW2)
When 34 is turned on, the output power of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 is supplied to the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 via the switch (SW1) 22 and the charging priority switching circuit 36b, and the charging priority switching circuit 36b. Charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is started in accordance with the priority order set in. The charging here is constant current charging (CC) according to the current limit value 1 cc of the constant voltage constant current power supply 21. At this time, the load current limit value (IHC) is changed to [Icc = V REF (reference voltage 32) / RS
By setting (fixed resistance 30) = IHC], the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 outputs a signal to the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 so as not to charge the secondary battery (Batt2) 27. To be done. That is, during the constant current charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26, the ON / OFF time ratio control circuit 35 does not output a signal for switching the transistor (TR1) of the DC-DC converter 33.

When the charging of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 progresses and shifts to the constant voltage mode, the charging current becomes small due to the characteristics of the battery. When this current reaches the load current limit value (IHC), the voltage drop at the fixed resistor (RS) 30 becomes equal to the reference voltage (V REF) 32, that is, the current supplied from the constant voltage constant current power supply 21 becomes the load. A control signal is output from the amplifier (Error Amp) 31 to the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 so that the current limit value (IHC) is reached.

According to the control signal output from the amplifier (Error Amp) 31, the on / off time ratio control circuit 35 performs the switching regulation of the DC-DC converter 33.

That is, two batteries (secondary battery (Batt1))
26 and the secondary battery (Batt2) 27) are charged in parallel, the current supplied from the constant voltage constant current power source 21 is always IHC, and the charging current of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is The secondary battery (Batt2) 27 is charged by the reduced amount. Since [Icc> IHC], the constant-voltage constant-current power supply 21 operates in the constant-voltage mode due to the characteristics of the power supply, so that the potential of the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 does not decrease.

The battery voltage sense circuit 28 includes a secondary battery (Ba
By detecting the voltage of tt1) 26 and feeding it back to the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21, the battery voltage during charging can be accurately controlled.
When the secondary battery (Batt1) 26 is fully charged, the control signal (CSa) turns off the switch (SW1) 22 and the switch (SW2) 34, and the control signal (CSb) turns on the switch (SW3) 24. Then, the secondary battery (Ba
tt2) Charge 27 with constant current.

When the battery (Batt1) 27 is preferentially charged first, the charging priority switching circuit 36b is switched to the B side so that the secondary battery (Batt2) operates in the same manner as above.
27 is preferentially charged first.

By such charge control, it becomes possible to effectively use the surplus power of the constant voltage / constant current power supply 21 to temporarily charge a plurality of battery packs in parallel and in any order. As is clear from the comparison between (a) and (b) of FIG. 8, the two secondary batteries (Batt1, Batt2) 26, 2
The total charging time of 7 can be shortened.

The above-described second embodiment has been described by taking the lithium-ion secondary battery as a battery power source of the portable computer main body as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other electronic devices such as a word processor equipped with a battery power source are provided. The above-mentioned charge control can be realized in equipment as well as in equipment using a secondary battery for constant voltage charging other than lithium ion.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). In the third embodiment, a power source 41 that charges a secondary battery 45, a battery voltage determination unit 44 that measures a battery voltage, and a battery voltage that is a target value (a battery for switching from continuous constant current charging to intermittent constant current charging). A battery voltage determination unit 43 that determines whether or not the target voltage value 46 and the target battery voltage value 48 at the time of charging off are reached, and charging that controls charging on / off according to the determination content of the battery voltage determination unit 43. An ON / OFF control unit 42 is provided, and constant current charging is continuously performed when the battery voltage is lower than the target value 46, and constant current charging is turned ON / OFF at a constant cycle when the battery voltage is higher than the target value 46. In a charging device for performing charging of a secondary battery that needs constant voltage charging by performing off control and determining that the battery voltage at the time of charging off is higher than a target value 48, it is determined that the battery is fully charged. Recharge the secondary battery quickly. The features.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are circuit diagrams showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 41 denotes a constant voltage / constant current power supply for charging the secondary battery 45, which is operated in accordance with a signal from the battery voltage determination unit 43 to charge the secondary battery 45 via the charging on / off control unit 42. Charge with constant current or constant voltage. That is, according to the signal from the battery voltage determination unit 43, constant current charging is performed up to point B shown in FIG.
After that, constant voltage charging is performed. At this time, during constant current charging, constant voltage charging is performed by generating a voltage higher than the target value 46 even if the battery voltage during charging exceeds the target value 46.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a charging on / off control section for controlling the charging on / off, and when a battery voltage at the time of charging exceeds a target value 46, a predetermined on / off control is performed according to a signal from the battery voltage determination section 43. Intermittent constant current charging is performed in the off cycle.

43, the battery voltage of the secondary battery 45 is the target value 4
6, a battery voltage determination unit that determines whether or not the voltage has reached 6, 48, and outputs the determined signal to the constant voltage constant current power source 4
1 and the charging on / off control unit 42.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a battery voltage determination unit for measuring the battery voltage of the secondary battery 45, and the measured voltage value is used as the battery voltage determination unit 4
Send to 3. Further, 46 is a battery voltage target value for switching from continuous constant current charging to intermittent constant current charging (hereinafter referred to as a first target value), 47a is a battery voltage when charging is on, 47b is a battery voltage when charging is off, Reference numeral 48 denotes a battery voltage target value (hereinafter referred to as a second target value) at the time of charging off (here, the case where the first target value 46 and the second target value 48 are set to the same potential). Exemplify). 49 is a charging current at the time of constant current charging.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described here. At the start of charging the secondary battery 45, the constant voltage constant current power source 4
The power supply No. 1 is continuously supplied to the secondary battery 45 via the charging on / off control unit 42, and constant current charging is started. At this time, the terminal voltage of the secondary battery 45 is measured by the battery voltage measuring unit 44 and input to the battery voltage determining unit 43.

The battery voltage determining unit 43 first determines whether or not the battery voltage input from the battery voltage measuring unit 44 has reached the first target value 46, and performs the following charging control. The secondary battery 45 is rapidly charged.

That is, the battery voltage at the start of charging is
It is assumed that the voltage is at the point a in FIG. Since this value is lower than the first target value 46, constant current charging by continuous power feeding is continuously performed.

The battery voltage rises as the charging of the secondary battery 45 progresses. When the battery voltage rises to the first target value 46 (point b in FIG. 7B) due to the increase in the battery voltage, the battery voltage determination unit 43 causes the charging on / off control unit 42 to detect the state. Then, an operation control signal that repeatedly turns on and off the constant current charging is output.

When shifting to the constant current mode in which charging is turned on and off repeatedly, the battery voltage determination unit 43 determines the battery voltage during charging off, which is input from the battery voltage measurement unit 44, and the voltage at this time is determined. , And determines whether or not the second target value 48 has been reached. If not reached, charging continues on / off.

When the charging further progresses and the battery voltage when the charging is turned off reaches the second target value 48 (point c in the same figure (b)), the battery voltage determination unit 43 determines that the constant voltage constant current power source 41
Then, an operation control signal for outputting the same voltage as the second target value 48 (that is, for constant voltage charging) is output.

By such charge control, the secondary battery 4
5 can be charged more rapidly than in the prior art shown in FIG.
Although the first target value 46 and the second target value 48 have the same voltage value in the above-described embodiment, they may have different voltage values. Further, the charge control described above can be applied not only to the lithium-ion secondary battery but also to other secondary batteries that require constant voltage charging.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This fourth embodiment has a connection point (C) where a charging / discharging power supply circuit is connected via a current limiting element or a current limiting circuit at a connection point (B) between secondary batteries as a power supply terminal. In an assembled battery in which two or more secondary batteries are connected in series, a battery voltage measuring circuit for measuring the voltage of each secondary battery, from the connection point (B) to the connection point (C), or from the connection point (C) A structure comprising a switch means for turning on / off the current (correction current) flowing to the connection point (B) and a means for measuring the voltage of each secondary battery after a certain period of time after the correction current is set to zero. As a result, the accuracy of the voltage measurement of each secondary battery in the circuit that corrects the difference in voltage between the individual secondary batteries that make up the battery pack is improved, which ensures overcharging and overdischarging. can do.

In FIG. 11, reference numerals 61 and 62 denote secondary batteries in an assembled battery connected in series with each other, and the respective battery voltages are V1 and V2, respectively. 63 is a fixed resistor (R1) provided between the connection point (B) of the secondary batteries 61 and 62 connected in series and the charging / discharging terminal (C).
It limits the charging and discharging of 1,62. Reference numeral 64 denotes an assembled battery including the secondary batteries 61 and 62, a fixed resistor (R1) 63, a charging / discharging terminal (C), a power supply terminal (TA, TB), and the like. Power supply terminals (TA, TB) of this assembled battery 64
Is supplied with charging power for the entire assembled battery from the outside.

Reference numerals 65 and 66 denote power supply terminals (T
A and TB are fixed resistors (R2, R3) connected to each other and having the same resistance value. This fixed resistance (R
2, R3) 65, 66 has a connection point (A) with a voltage value obtained by dividing the total battery voltage of the assembled battery 64 into two equal parts.

67 is a fixed resistor (R2, R3) 65, 66
It is an amplifier with an amplification factor of 1 for amplifying the voltage value of the connection point (A), and outputs the same voltage as the connection point of the fixed resistors (R2, R3) 65, 66.

68 and 69 are power supply terminals (T
A, TB) and a charging / discharging terminal (C), which is a voltage measuring circuit, measures the voltage of each of the secondary batteries 61, 62, and outputs the measured voltage value to an external output signal 73, 74.
To the outside.

Reference numeral 70 is a switch interposed between the output end of the amplifier 67 and the charging / discharging terminal (C) of the assembled battery 64,
The amplifier 67 and the fixed resistor (R1) 63 are electrically turned on / off.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a switch control circuit for controlling ON / OFF of the switch 70, which is a secondary battery 61, 62 being charged.
The switch 70 is turned off by the voltage check signal 72 when the voltage is measured. In addition, after the switch 70 is turned off, the voltage should be measured after a certain time has passed.
The signal is output to the voltage measuring circuits 68 and 69.

Reference numeral 72 denotes a voltage check signal supplied to the switch control circuit 71 from the outside, and the secondary battery 61, 62.
It becomes significant when measuring the voltage. Reference numerals 73 and 74 are external output signals for outputting each voltage value measured by the voltage measuring circuits 68 and 69 to the outside.

The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described here. At the connection point (A) of the fixed resistors (R2, R3) 65, 66, half the voltage of the assembled battery 64 is generated.

The voltage at the connection point (A) is input to the amplifier 67. The amplifier 67 outputs the same voltage as the connection point (A). The output of the amplifier 67 is the switch 70 and the assembled battery 64.
Via the charging / discharging terminal (C) and the fixed resistor (R1) 63, respectively, to be connected to the connection point (B) of the secondary batteries 61 and 62.

During normal charging, the significant voltage check signal 72 is not supplied to the switch control circuit 71, therefore the switch 70 is in the ON state, and the charging power source is connected to the power source terminals (TA, TB) and charging. It is supplied to the secondary batteries 61 and 62 of the assembled battery 64 via the discharge terminal (C), and the secondary battery 6
1, 62 are charged.

Voltage of secondary batteries 61, 62 (V1, V2)
Is [V1> V2], the voltage at the connection point (A) is
It is higher than half the voltage of the whole assembled battery. At this time, correction is made from the amplifier 67 to the connection point (B) of the secondary batteries 61 and 62 via the switch 70, the charging / discharging terminal (C) of the assembled battery 64, and the current limiting fixed resistor (R1) 63, respectively. A current flows, and the charging current of the secondary battery 62 becomes larger than that of the secondary battery 61 by the amount of this current, and the potential difference between the secondary batteries 61 and 62 is reduced.

The voltage of the secondary batteries 61, 62 is [V1 <V
2], the potential difference between the secondary batteries 61 and 62 is reduced by operating in the reverse of the above charging. During the charging, the voltage of the secondary batteries 61 and 62 output by the voltage measuring circuits 68 and 69 is the fixed resistor for current limiting (R
1) Includes the potential difference generated at 63. Therefore, when measuring the battery voltage at the connection point (B) of the secondary batteries 61 and 62,
Since the value including the voltage drop of the current limiting fixed resistor (R1) 63 is measured, an accurate battery voltage cannot be measured. The present invention eliminates this inconvenience.

When measuring the voltages of the secondary batteries 61 and 62 during the charging, a significant voltage check signal 72 is supplied to the switch control circuit 71 and the switch 70 is switched off.

As a result, the circuit (current path) between the amplifier 67 and the charging / discharging terminal (C) to which the current limiting fixed resistor (R1) 63 is connected is cut off, and the fixed resistor (R1) 63 is cut off.
Since the potential difference generated in 1 is eliminated and the battery voltage can be measured accurately, the battery voltage does not follow even if the battery current changes, so the voltage is measured after a fixed time has elapsed since the correction current became zero. That is, the switch control circuit 71 turns off the switch 70 according to the voltage check signal 72,
After a certain period of time, the measurement signal is output to the voltage measuring circuits 68 and 69.

As a result, the voltage measuring circuits 68 and 69 cause the secondary battery 6 to operate after a fixed time has elapsed since the correction current became zero.
It is possible to output accurate voltage values obtained by measuring the voltages of 1, 62 to the outside as external output signals 73, 74.

In this way, by accurately measuring the voltages of the secondary batteries 61 and 62 constituting the assembled battery 64,
Overcharge and overdischarge can be prevented. Next, FIG.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which there is a load supplied with power from each cell of an assembled battery in which two or more cells are connected in series, or a load whose current consumption changes according to the voltage of the cell. In one form, circuit means for detecting the current (neutral wire current) of the circuit connecting the connection points of batteries connected in series and the connection point of loads, and the discharge current of each battery cell is detected by the detection signal. By controlling the neutral line current to 0 A (zero amperes) by providing a circuit means for controlling and a circuit means in which the circuit is connected in parallel with the load, the discharge current (consumption current) of each battery cell ) Are equalized so that the battery performance can be maximized.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the fifth embodiment (1) of the present invention. In FIG. 12, 81 and 82 are secondary batteries connected in series with each other. 83 is a secondary battery 8
1, 82 is a current detection circuit interposed in a neutral line connecting a mutual connection point (Bj) and a load 86, 87 mutual connection point (Lj), and detects a current flowing through the neutral line. .

Reference numeral 84 denotes a discharge current control circuit for the secondary battery 81, the consumption current of which changes according to the control information of the current detection circuit 83 (current flows when IF <IG). Reference numeral 85 denotes a discharge current control circuit for the secondary battery 82, the consumption current of which changes according to the control information of the current detection circuit 83 (IF> I
Current flows when G).

Reference numeral 86 is a load (A) of the secondary battery 81.
The current flowing through the load 86 is IF. 87 is the load (B) of the secondary battery 82. The current flowing through this load is I
Let G.

Now, the operation of the fifth embodiment (1) shown in FIG. 12 will be described. If there is a difference between the currents IF and IG flowing through the loads 86 and 87 of the secondary batteries 81 and 82, the difference flows through the neutral line. This current is detected by the current detection circuit 83.

Based on this detection information, the consumption currents of the discharge current control circuits 84 and 85 are changed so that the current flowing through the neutral line becomes 0 A, so that the discharge currents of the respective secondary batteries 81 and 82 become equal. To do.

This operation will be specifically described. When IF <Id At this time, the current "IG-IF" flows through the neutral line from the connection point Bj between the secondary batteries 81 and 82 to the connection point Lj between the loads 86 and 87.

The current detection circuit 83 detects the magnitude and direction of this current, and the discharge current control circuit 84 detects that the neutral wire current is 0.
A command is issued to flow a current having a value of A (at this time, the discharge current control circuit 85 is instructed not to flow a current).

When IF> Id The current "IF-IG" flows in the neutral line at this time from the connection point Lj to the connection point Bj, contrary to the above.

The current detection circuit 83 detects the magnitude and direction of this current, and the discharge current control circuit 85 detects that the neutral wire current is 0.
A command is issued to flow a current having a value of A (at this time, the discharge current control circuit 84 is instructed not to flow a current).

In this way, by controlling the neutral line current to be 0 A (zero ampere), each secondary battery 8
By making the discharge currents (consumption currents) of 1 and 82 equal, the battery performance can be maximized.

FIG. 13A shows a fifth embodiment (2) of the present invention.
2 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of FIG.
FIG. 7D is an operation explanatory view of the fifth embodiment (2) shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13, 91 and 92 are secondary batteries connected in series with each other. 93 is a connection point (Bj) between the secondary batteries 91 and 92 and a load connection point (Lj) between the loads 94 and 95.
It is an amplifier having an extremely high input impedance and having an amplification factor of 1, which is interposed in a neutral wire connecting between j) and j). 94
Is a load whose current consumption changes according to the voltage of the secondary battery 91, and is, for example, a circuit which monitors the voltage of the secondary battery 91. Reference numeral 95 denotes a load whose current consumption changes according to the voltage of the secondary battery 92, and is, for example, a circuit which monitors the voltage of the secondary battery 92.

Originally, the loads 94 and 95 are connected in parallel with the respective secondary batteries 91 and 92, as shown in FIG. 13B. However, as shown in FIG. 9A, even if the amplifier 93 having the amplification factor of 1 is provided between the secondary batteries 91 and 92 and the loads 94 and 95, the connection point Bj and the connection point Lj have the same voltage. Therefore, there is no difference from the operation of FIG. 11B (functionally the same).

The current consumptions ID and IE of the loads 94 and 95 in the case of FIG. 11B are supplied from the secondary batteries 91 and 92, respectively. Therefore, if ID ≠ IE, the discharge currents of the batteries are different. Although generated, the current of the difference between ID and IE is supplied from the amplifier 93 in FIG. Since the power source of the amplifier 93 is supplied from the series circuit of the secondary batteries 91 and 92, the discharge currents of the batteries are the same and there is no difference.

This will be specifically described. When ID> IE, the current consumption of the load 94 is ID and the current consumption of the load 95 is IE
Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the difference (ID-IE) flows in the line 2 in the arrow direction. Therefore,
A current having a magnitude of IE + (ID-IE) = ID flows in the line 4, and the currents in the line 5 and the line 4 are equal.

By the way, since the input impedance of the amplifier 93 having the amplification factor of 1 is extremely large, almost no current flows through the input terminal. Therefore, the consumption currents of the secondary battery 91 and the secondary battery 92 are the same.

At the time of ID <IE At this time, as shown in FIG. 7D, contrary to the case of FIG. 7C, the difference between the current consumptions of the loads 94 and 95 (IE-
A current of the magnitude (ID) flows. As a result, the secondary batteries 91 and 92 have the same current consumption for the same reason as above.

By having the function of controlling the current consumption of the secondary batteries connected in series equally as described above, the performance of the batteries can be maximized. Next, FIG.
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a portable computer in which an arbitrary assembled battery of a plurality of assembled batteries in which secondary battery single cells are connected in series can be mounted. In addition, it comprises an assembled battery having a voltage detection end that specifies the series connection point position of the secondary battery single cell, and means for recognizing the type of the assembled battery based on the voltage obtained from the voltage detection end of this assembled battery. This configuration is characterized in that a plurality of types of assembled batteries can be used easily and inexpensively with a minimum number of signals.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 201 denotes a pack-type assembled battery that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the portable computer, and is constituted by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series. 202
Is a positive (+) terminal of the assembled battery 201, and 203 is the assembled battery 201
Is a negative (+) terminal of the portable computer and is mounted on the main body of the portable computer to be circuit-connected to the internal power supply circuit of the main body. Reference numeral 204 denotes a voltage detection contact of the assembled battery 201, which is connected via a resistor to a battery connection point (a, b, ..., E) unique to the type of assembled battery (battery pack).

Reference numeral 205 denotes hardware (voltage detection circuit) for detecting the terminal voltage of the assembled battery 201 and recognizing the type of the mounted secondary battery based on the detected value, for example, a microprocessor for power supply control.

Reference numeral 206 denotes the voltage detection contact 20 of the battery pack 201.
4 is a fixed wiring for connecting the circuit 4 to a battery connection point (a, b, ..., e) specific to the type of the secondary battery through a resistor, and is a type of the secondary battery (battery pack) (battery voltage , A specific battery connection point (a, b,
, E) is connected to the voltage detection contact 204 via a resistor.

Reference numerals 207 and 208 respectively denote the voltage detection circuit 2
05 input signal line, which is internally A / D converted. Here, the operation of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

In this embodiment, an assembled battery of 4 cells is shown as an example. In this case, the battery connection points (a, b, ..., e),
The number of battery types that can be determined by the fixed wiring 206 and the voltage detection contact 204 is five. The connection destination of the battery connection point (a, b, ..., E) by the fixed wiring 206 is selected in advance from the connection points a to e depending on the type of the battery. On this occasion,
The voltage detected by the voltage detection contact 204 is an integral multiple of the unit cell voltage.

For example, assuming that the voltage per unit cell is 1.2V, the voltage detected at the connection point a is 4.8V, the voltage detected at the connection point b is 3.6V, and the voltage detected at the connection point c. The voltage is 2.4 V and the voltage detected at the connection point d is 1.2.
The voltage detected at V and the connection point e becomes 0V, and the type of battery can be easily identified by determining the voltage at the voltage detection contact 204.

Even when the battery voltage of the assembled battery 201 changes in a low battery state or the like, the voltage division ratio is [Vin2 /
Vin1] and does not change, the type of assembled battery can be identified.

The battery type recognizing means according to the above-described embodiment is not limited to the portable computer, but can be applied to other electronic equipment such as a word processor capable of battery drive. Further, the hardware (voltage detection circuit) that detects the terminal voltage of the assembled battery 201 and recognizes the type of the mounted secondary battery is not limited to the microprocessor for controlling the power supply, and may be other hardware.

Since the battery type recognition mechanism as described above does not require mechanical hardware for battery identification, when a microcontroller is used for power supply control, parts added to the circuit are resistors. Since only one is required, the manufacturing cost does not increase, and the cost can be easily realized.
In addition, compared with the case of identifying by the voltage of the whole assembled battery,
Since the voltage detected by the voltage detection contact is an integral multiple of the voltage per cell, accurate discrimination is possible. Also, since the voltage detection contact need only have one terminal, when connecting the assembled battery via the connector, it is sufficient to select the one with +1 terminal in the conventional connector, and therefore the manufacturing cost increases due to the increase in the price of the connector. I'm done. Moreover, since the type of the battery can be accurately recognized, it is possible to maximize the performance of the battery.

[0187]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable computer capable of operating for a long time by using a lithium ion secondary battery as a main power supply source.
Further, according to the present invention, when the rechargeable lithium secondary battery is switched to the constant voltage charging and becomes less than a predetermined charging power, the surplus power of the power source is used before the full charge detection of the battery pack being charged. Charging that can start charging the next battery pack and temporarily charge multiple battery packs in parallel to shorten the total charging time of multiple battery packs and to effectively use the surplus power. A circuit can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in a charging device for charging a secondary battery which requires constant voltage charging, there is provided a secondary battery rapid charging method capable of rapidly charging the secondary battery. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, the voltage of each secondary battery can be accurately measured in the circuit for compensating for the difference in voltage between the individual secondary batteries forming the assembled battery. A battery voltage measuring device for an assembled battery, which can surely prevent overcharge and overdischarge, can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in the assembled battery in which the secondary battery cells are connected in series, the consumption currents of the respective secondary battery cells can be made equal, thereby maximizing the battery performance. It is possible to provide a discharge control method for a secondary battery that can be exhibited.

Further, according to the present invention, in a portable computer in which a plurality of types of assembled batteries in which a plurality of secondary battery single cells are connected in series can be mounted, any type of assembled battery can be installed easily with a minimum number of signals. It is possible to provide a portable computer that can use a plurality of types of assembled batteries that can realize the type identification function of mounted assembled batteries at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an entire apparatus and an arrangement state of components according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment (3) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment (4) of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the respective charging sequences of the two secondary batteries in the second embodiment while comparing them in stages.

FIG. 8 is a charging operation explanatory view showing a charging operation of two secondary batteries in comparison with a conventional technique in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram and operation explanatory diagram in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the conventional technique for the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a fifth embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a fifth embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional technique for the fifth embodiment (2).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Battery packs, 11a, 11b, 11c ... Lithium-ion secondary battery assembled battery, 12 ... Power supply PCB (printed wiring board for power supply), 13 ... System PCB, 14 ... Display device (flat panel display), 15 ... Keyboard, 16A ... Charging circuit, 16B ... Voltage monitoring circuit, 17
… External commercial AC power supply, 21… Constant voltage and constant current power supply, 22…
Switch (SW1), 23 ... Switch (SW2), 24
... switch (SW3), 25 ... transistor (TR
1), 26 ... Secondary battery (Batt1), 27 ... Secondary battery (Ba
tt2), 28, 29 ... Battery voltage sense circuit, 30 ... Fixed resistance (RS), 31 ... Amplifier (Error Amp), 32 ... Reference voltage (V REF), 33 ... DC-DC converter, 34
... switch (SW2), 35 ... on / off time ratio control circuit, 36a, 36b ... charging priority switching circuit, 41 ... constant voltage / constant current power supply, 42 ... charging on / off control section, 43 ... battery voltage determination section, 44 ... Battery voltage determination unit, 45 ... Secondary battery,
61, 62 ... Secondary battery, 63 ... Fixed resistance (R1), 64
... assembled battery, 65 ... fixed resistance (R2), 66 ... fixed resistance (R3), 67 ... amplifier, 68, 69 ... voltage measuring circuit,
70 ... Switch, 71 ... Switch control circuit, 81, 82
... secondary battery, 83 ... current detection circuit, 84, 85 ... discharge current control circuit, 86 ... load (A), 87 ... load (B), 9
1, 92 ... Secondary battery, 93 ... Amplifier, 94, 95 ... Load (voltage monitoring circuit) whose consumption current changes according to battery voltage, 201 ... Battery pack, 202 ... Positive (+) terminal of battery pack, 203 ... Negative (+) terminal of assembled battery, 204 ... Voltage detection contact, 205 ... Hardware (voltage detection circuit) for recognizing the type of mounted secondary battery, 206 ... Selection fixed wiring, 207
..., 208 ..., TA, TB ... Charging electrodes, Pa, Pb ...
Voltage monitoring electrode.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Yuichiro Hino 2-9, Suehiro-cho, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside the Toshiba Ome Plant, Inc. (72) Inventor Naoki Tashiro 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1 Toshiba Computer Company Within Ta Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiko Hagiwara 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Keiichi Mitsui 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Computer Engineering Incorporated (72) Inventor Tomohiko Uchida 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1 Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A battery pack comprising m battery packs in which n lithium-ion secondary battery single cells are connected in parallel are connected in series, and a charging circuit for charging the battery packs. A portable computer in which the pack is used as a main power supply source during battery operation. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein 2 to 4 lithium-ion secondary battery single cells are connected in parallel to form an assembled battery, and 3 to 4 sets of these assembled batteries are connected in series. Portable computer. 3. A monitor electrode for leading out both-end electrodes of the assembled battery to the outside of the battery pack, and a voltage monitoring means connected between these electrodes for monitoring both-end voltage of each assembled battery. The listed portable computer. 4. The portable computer according to claim 3, further comprising a charging circuit for individually charging the battery pack through the monitor electrodes when the necessity of charging is judged by monitoring of the voltage monitoring circuit. 5. In a charging circuit capable of mounting a plurality of battery packs using a single lithium secondary battery or an assembled battery thereof at a time, a constant voltage constant for supplying charging power to the battery pack. A current power supply, a current detection circuit that detects the charging current of the battery pack, a series regulation circuit that controls the charging current to a predetermined constant value, and a constant current charging of the battery pack by the constant voltage constant current power supply. When is less than or equal to a set value, the charging of the battery pack is shifted to constant voltage charging, and a control means for charging another battery pack with a constant current within the charging current control range by the series regulation circuit is provided, The feature is that other battery packs are charged within the charging current control range by series regulation before the battery pack being charged is fully charged. Charging circuit for. 6. In a charging circuit capable of mounting a plurality of battery packs using a single lithium secondary battery or a battery pack thereof at one time, a constant voltage constant for supplying a charging power source to the battery pack. A current power supply, a current detection circuit that detects the charging current of the battery pack, a switching regulation circuit that controls the charging current to a predetermined constant value, and a constant current charging to the battery pack by the constant voltage constant current power supply. Is less than or equal to a set value, the charging of the battery pack is shifted to constant voltage charging, and a control means for charging another battery pack with a constant current within the charging current control range by the switching regulation circuit is provided. Before the battery pack being charged is fully charged, charge the other battery packs within the charging current control range by switching regulation. Charging circuit, characterized in that. 7. A charging circuit capable of mounting a plurality of battery packs using a single lithium secondary battery or an assembled battery thereof at one time, and means for setting a charging priority of each battery pack, A constant-voltage constant-current power supply that supplies power for charging to the battery pack selected according to the priority, a current detection circuit that detects the charging current of the battery pack, and the charging current is controlled to a predetermined constant value. When the constant current charging to the battery pack by the above series regulation circuit and the above constant voltage constant current power supply becomes less than the set value, the charging to the battery pack is shifted to the constant voltage charging, and the charging current by the above series regulation circuit is changed. A control means for charging the next battery pack according to the above charging priority order within the control range with a constant current, and the battery pack being charged is in a fully charged state. A charging circuit that charges the next battery pack according to the set order within the charging current control range based on the series regulation previously. 8. A charging circuit capable of mounting a plurality of battery packs using a single lithium secondary battery or an assembled battery thereof at one time, and means for setting a charging priority of each battery pack, A constant-voltage constant-current power supply that supplies power for charging to the battery pack selected according to the priority, a current detection circuit that detects the charging current of the battery pack, and the charging current is controlled to a predetermined constant value. When the constant current charging to the battery pack by the switching regulation circuit and the constant voltage constant current power supply becomes less than the set value, the charging to the battery pack is shifted to the constant voltage charging, and the charging current by the switching regulation circuit is changed. A control means for charging the next battery pack according to the above charging priority within the control range with a constant current, and the battery pack being charged is fully charged. Charging circuit that charges the next battery pack according to the setting order within the charging current control range by switching regulation before it goes into a standby state. 9. In a charging circuit for a secondary battery which requires constant voltage charging, means for continuously charging the secondary battery, and the battery voltage reaching a first set voltage during the continuous charging. Means for determining that, the means for switching the secondary battery from intermittent charging to intermittent charging that intermittently charges at a predetermined interval at the time of the determination, and battery voltage in the non-charged state during the intermittent charging Is the second
And a means for switching from intermittent charging to constant voltage charging at the time of the determination, and the battery voltage due to continuous charging of the secondary battery has reached the first set voltage. Of the secondary battery requiring constant voltage charging, which is characterized by switching to intermittent charging at that time and switching to constant voltage charging when the battery voltage during non-charging under intermittent charging reaches the second set voltage. Quick charge method. 10. A battery voltage of an assembled battery comprising two or more secondary battery single cells connected in series, and a terminal connected to a connection point between the secondary battery single cells via a current limiting resistor. In a measuring device, a correction current path including an amplifier connected to the terminal, a switch for measuring voltage interposed between the amplifier of the correction current path and the terminal, and on / off control of the switch And a means for measuring and outputting the voltage of each of the secondary battery single cells after the switch has been turned off, the battery voltage measuring device for an assembled battery. 11. An assembled battery in which two or more secondary battery single cells are connected in series, and a battery provided corresponding to each of the secondary battery single cells, and power is supplied from the corresponding secondary battery single cell, Or, in a circuit consisting of a load connected in series whose current consumption changes according to the voltage of the corresponding secondary battery single cell, between the connection point between the secondary battery single cells and the connection point between the loads. A current detection circuit interposed in the neutral line current path, and the discharge current of each secondary battery single cell is individually controlled according to this detection current to control the neutral line current path to a non-current state to control each secondary battery. A discharge control method for a secondary battery, comprising: a discharge current control circuit that equalizes the discharge currents of the single cells. 12. An assembled battery in which two or more secondary battery single cells are connected in series, and a battery provided corresponding to each of the secondary battery single cells, and power is supplied from the corresponding secondary battery single cell, Or, in a circuit consisting of a series-connected load whose current consumption changes according to the voltage of the corresponding secondary battery single cell, between the connection point between the secondary battery single cells and the connection point between the loads. , Each secondary battery single cell is provided with an amplifier having an amplification factor of 1 for amplifying the voltage at the connection point between the secondary battery single cells and outputting it to the connection point between the loads, even if the current consumption of each load is different. Discharge control method for secondary batteries, characterized in that the current consumption of the battery is equal. 13. A portable computer in which an arbitrary assembled battery of a plurality of assembled batteries formed by connecting secondary battery single cells in series can be mounted, wherein a secondary battery single cell is classified by type of assembled battery. The battery pack is characterized by comprising an assembled battery having a voltage detection end that specifies the position of the serial connection point, and means for recognizing the type of the assembled battery mounted by the voltage obtained from the voltage detection end of this assembled battery. Portable computer.