JPH08223812A - Chargeable electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To efficiently charge a storage battery by displaying the need of refreshing operation for recovering the capacity of a storage battery on the basis of the detected result for lowering the capacity of the storage battery. CONSTITUTION: The residual capacity of a storage battery 1 is detected by a residual capacity detecting circuit 4, and when a partial charging and discharging detection circuit 7 detects that the residual capacity is within a predetermined range, a counter 8 counts up a count value. When the count value of the counter 8 exceeds a predetermined value in which it is decided that a memory effect is produced, a driving signal is outputted to a display circuit 9 and a refreshing drive signal is outputted to a charger and after that, a charging start flag is set. On the other hand, when the residual capacity is within the predetermined range, the charging start flag is set without the counter 8 being counted up.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rechargeable electric device equipped with a storage battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a rechargeable electric device for driving a load such as a motor housed in a device body using a storage battery as a power source, a rechargeable battery and a charging circuit for the storage battery are built in the device body (for example, A rechargeable electric razor), a device in which only the storage battery is built in the device body, and the storage battery is charged by a separate charger (for example, an electric toothbrush), or a battery pack storing the storage battery The battery pack is detachably attached to the battery pack and the storage battery of the battery pack is charged by a separate charger (for example, a video camera and its battery pack or an electric tool). Further, examples of the storage battery used in the above-mentioned rechargeable electric device include a NiCd (Ni-Cd) battery and a nickel hydrogen battery.

By the way, it is generally known that the above storage battery has a so-called memory effect. The memory effect is a phenomenon in which the apparent capacity of the storage battery decreases due to repeated shallow charging and discharging of the storage battery.If the memory effect occurs while using a rechargeable electric device, the storage battery is fully charged. Then, even if the electric device is operated, it may not be possible to secure a predetermined operation time, and the performance may not be sufficiently exhibited.

If the rechargeable electric device is left for a long time without supplying power from the storage battery to the load, the storage battery becomes inactive and a predetermined operation time is maintained as in the case where the memory effect occurs. In some cases, it may not be possible to secure the performance and the performance may not be fully exhibited. Therefore, conventionally, when the storage battery is charged, the storage battery is first completely discharged and then charged, or the battery capacity is reduced to about 25 times by trickle charging every predetermined number of times of charging.
A method of recovering the capacity of a storage battery that has a memory effect or is inactive by overcharging to 0% is adopted. Here, the operation of recovering the capacity of the storage battery by charging the storage battery once after being completely discharged or overcharging by trickle charging as described above is generally called a refresh operation.

[0005]

However, in the conventional method as described above, a refresh operation is performed on a storage battery which takes too long a charging time, has no memory effect yet, or is inactive. In order to refresh, the life of the storage battery may be shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to really refresh a storage battery (a storage battery has a memory effect or is inactive). An object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electric device capable of detecting a failure and preventing a problem due to an unnecessary refresh operation.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery supplies electric power to a load accommodated in the device body, and the capacity of the storage battery is reduced. It is characterized by further comprising: a capacity reduction detecting means for detecting; and a refresh display means for indicating that a refresh operation for recovering the capacity of the storage battery is necessary based on the detection result of the capacity reduction detecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a refresh start switch and a charging means for performing a refresh operation for restoring the capacity of the storage battery when the refresh start switch is turned on or off are provided. It is characterized by having. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 3 is a rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery supplies power to a load housed in the device body, and a capacity decrease detecting means for detecting a decrease in capacity of the storage battery; Refresh driving signal output means for outputting a refresh driving signal based on the detection result of the drop detecting means, and charging means for performing a refresh operation for restoring the capacity of the storage battery by at least the refresh driving signal. .

The invention of claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the invention.
In the invention, the partial charge / discharge detecting means for detecting that the partial charge / discharge operation of fully charging the storage battery is performed, and the partial charge / discharge according to the detection output of the partial charge / discharge detecting means. It is characterized in that the capacity drop detecting means is constituted by a counter for counting the number of times the operation is performed.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claims 1 to 3.
In the invention, the capacity decrease detecting means is constituted by the standing time measuring means for measuring the standing time when the power supply from the storage battery to the load is stopped, and the standing time measured by the standing time measuring means is set to a predetermined time. When it exceeds, at least one of the display by the refresh display means and the output of the refresh drive signal by the refresh drive signal output means is performed.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 5, the storage means is provided for storing data indicating the latest date and time when power was supplied from the storage battery to the load. In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 7 is a rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery supplies power to a load housed in the device body, and the battery pack is detachably mounted in the device body or in the device body. Capacity detecting means for detecting a decrease in the capacity of the storage battery in a rechargeable electric device, which is equipped with a storage battery installed in the housing of the device, and which is equipped with a charger that is appropriately connected to the device body or a battery pack to charge the storage battery. And at least one of refresh display signal output means for outputting a refresh drive signal for causing the charger to perform the refresh operation, which indicates that the refresh operation is necessary based on the detection result of the capacity drop detecting means. Is installed in the main body of the device or the battery pack and the refresh operation is performed by overcharging the storage battery. When the refresh operation is completed, the charger is provided with a charging current supply means for superimposing a reset signal for resetting the operations of the refresh display means and the refresh drive signal output means on the charging current and transmitting it to the device body or the battery pack. Characterize.

[0012] The invention of claim 8 is from claim 1 to claim 3.
Alternatively, in the invention of claim 7, the capacity decrease detecting means includes a remaining capacity detecting section for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage battery, and calculates the capacity of the storage battery from the remaining capacity of the storage battery when the load cannot be driven. The storage battery is compared with the rated capacity of the storage battery, and when the capacity of the storage battery is lower than the rated capacity, it is determined that the capacity has decreased.

The invention of claim 9 relates to claims 1 to 3.
Alternatively, in the invention of claim 7, the capacity decrease detecting means includes an internal impedance detecting means for detecting an internal impedance of the storage battery, and it is determined that the capacity is decreased when the internal impedance of the storage battery exceeds a predetermined value. . According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third or seventh aspect of the invention, the capacity is reduced based on a refresh completion detecting means for detecting the completion of the refresh operation for the storage battery and a detection signal from the refresh completion detecting means. Reset means for resetting the determination of the capacity decrease by the detection means.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, in the eighth to tenth aspects of the invention, the refresh number counting means for counting the number of times the refresh operation is performed, and the count value of the refresh number counting means are equal to or more than a predetermined value. It is characterized by further comprising a life display means for displaying when the storage battery has reached the end of its life.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rechargeable electric device in which the storage battery supplies power to the load accommodated in the main body of the device, and a capacity reduction detecting means for detecting a reduction in the capacity of the storage battery and a capacity reduction detecting means. Since a refresh display means for displaying that a refresh operation for recovering the capacity of the storage battery is necessary based on the detection result of is provided, a so-called memory effect occurs in the storage battery, or the storage battery becomes inactive and the capacity becomes low. When the battery capacity has dropped, it can be detected by the capacity drop detection means and displayed by the refresh display means, and the user can be informed that the refresh operation should be performed only when the refresh operation is really necessary, and the storage battery can be charged efficiently. In addition, it is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by an unnecessary refresh operation.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the refresh start switch and the charging means for performing the refresh operation for restoring the capacity of the storage battery when the refresh start switch is turned on or off are provided. A user can arbitrarily perform a refresh operation by turning on or off the start switch.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the rechargeable electric device in which the load accommodated in the main body of the device is supplied from the storage battery, the capacity decrease detecting means for detecting the decrease in the capacity of the storage battery and the capacity decrease detecting means. Since a refresh drive signal output means for outputting a refresh drive signal based on the detection result of and a charging means for performing a refresh operation for recovering the capacity of the storage battery by at least the refresh drive signal are provided, a so-called memory effect is given to the storage battery. When the storage battery is generated or the storage battery becomes inactive and its capacity is reduced, the low capacity detection means detects and outputs a refresh drive signal to the charging means, and the charging means performs a refresh operation on the storage battery to restore the capacity. , Make sure that the refresh operation is performed only when it is really necessary. It can be, the life of the storage battery with unnecessary refresh operation it is possible to efficiently charge the battery can be prevented from being shortened.

According to the structure of the invention of claim 4, the partial charge / discharge detecting means for detecting that the partial charge / discharge operation of fully charging the storage battery is performed before the storage battery is completely discharged, and the partial charge / discharge detecting means. Since the capacity drop detecting means is configured with the counter that counts the number of times the partial charge / discharge operation is performed according to the detection output, it is possible to detect the drop in the capacity of the storage battery with a simple configuration.

In the configuration of the invention of claim 5, the capacity decrease detecting means is constituted by the standing time measuring means for measuring the standing time when the power supply from the storage battery to the load is stopped, and the standing time measuring means measures the time. When the leaving time exceeds a predetermined time, at least one of the display by the refresh display means and the output of the refresh drive signal by the refresh drive signal output means is performed, so that the storage battery is neither charged nor discharged. It is possible to inform the user that the refresh operation of the storage battery is necessary for the reduction of the capacity due to the storage of the battery, or to make the refresh operation performed by the charging means, so that the storage battery can be charged efficiently. It is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by unnecessary refresh operations. It can be.

In the configuration of the invention of claim 6, since the storage means for storing the data indicating the latest date and time when the power is supplied from the storage battery to the load is provided, the capacity of the storage battery is reduced based on the latest date and time. You can judge. According to the configuration of the invention of claim 7, the capacity drop detecting means for detecting a drop in the capacity of the storage battery, the refresh display means and the charger for displaying that the refresh operation is necessary based on the detection result of the capacity drop detecting means are provided. At least one of refresh drive signal output means for outputting a refresh drive signal for performing a refresh operation is provided in the main body of the device or the battery pack, and the refresh operation is performed by overcharging the storage battery and a refresh display is displayed when the refresh operation is completed. Means and a charging current supply means for superimposing a reset signal for resetting the operation of the refresh drive signal output means on the charging current and transmitting it to the device body or the battery pack, so only when the refresh operation is really necessary Used so that the refresh operation is performed. It is possible to inform the person concerned or to perform the refresh operation only when the refresh operation is really needed, so that the storage battery can be charged efficiently and the life of the storage battery is shortened by the unnecessary refresh operation. Can be prevented. Moreover, since the reset signal for resetting the operation of the refresh display means and the refresh drive signal output means is superimposed on the charging current and transmitted from the charging current supply means to the device body or the battery pack, the reset signal is transmitted. It is not necessary to provide signal lines or terminals on the device body, battery pack or charger.

In the structure of the invention of claim 8, the capacity decrease detecting means includes a remaining capacity detecting section for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage battery, and the remaining capacity of the storage battery is calculated from the remaining capacity of the storage battery when the load cannot be driven. The capacity is calculated and compared with the rated capacity of the storage battery, and when the capacity of the storage battery is below the rated capacity, it is determined that the capacity has decreased, so it is possible to more reliably detect the occurrence of memory effects and inactivation of the storage battery. can do.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the capacity reduction detecting means includes an internal impedance detecting means for detecting the internal impedance of the storage battery, and when the internal impedance of the storage battery exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the capacity has decreased. Therefore, the occurrence of the memory effect and the deactivation of the storage battery can be detected more reliably based on the increase in the internal impedance of the storage battery.

In the structure of the tenth aspect of the invention, the refresh completion detecting means for detecting the completion of the refresh operation for the storage battery, and the determination of the capacity decrease by the capacity decreasing detection means are reset based on the detection signal from the refresh completion detecting means. Since the storage device is provided with the reset means, it is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by performing an excessive refresh operation on the storage battery.

According to the invention of claim 11, the refresh cycle counting means for counting the number of times the refresh operation is performed, and the end of the life of the storage battery when the count value of the refresh cycle counting means becomes a predetermined value or more. Since it is provided with a life display means for judging and displaying, it is possible to inform the user that the life of the storage battery has expired and to improve the usability of the rechargeable electric device.

[0025]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a charger for charging a battery pack A of a rechargeable electric device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a storage battery 1 such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery incorporated in the battery pack A. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of B.
That is, in the rechargeable electric device illustrated in the present embodiment, the battery pack A is detachably attached to a device body (not shown) accommodating a load such as a motor or an electric / electronic circuit, and a storage battery built in the battery pack A. In addition to supplying power to the load of the device body from 1, the storage battery 1 of the battery pack A is charged by the charger B which is separate from the device body.

Inside the pack housing 30 of the battery pack A, various circuit parts described later and the storage battery 1 are housed. A substantially semi-cylindrical mounting portion 30a that is detachably inserted and mounted in the mounting recess 42 of the charger B projects from one surface of the pack housing 30. A pair of positive and negative charging / discharging terminals 31 and a signal terminal 32 for transmitting a later-described refresh drive signal to the charger B are provided on the peripheral surface of the mounting portion 30a.

The mounting portion 30 of the pack housing 30
On the front surface adjacent to a, a through hole 33 for transmitting light of light emitting diodes (not shown) arranged in a row for displaying the remaining capacity of the storage battery 1 stepwise, and the storage battery 1 is refreshed. A through hole 34 for transmitting light of a light emitting diode (not shown) for indicating that it is necessary and a light of a light emitting diode (not shown) for notifying that the life of the storage battery 1 has expired A through hole 35 is provided for the purpose.

On the other hand, the main body 40 of the charger B is provided with an outlet 41 for receiving power from an external power source such as a commercial power source. In addition, the mounting portion 30 of the battery pack A
A mounting recess 42 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which a is detachably inserted and mounted is provided on the upper surface. On the inner peripheral surface of the mounting recess 42, there is provided a terminal piece 43 which is in contact with the charging / discharging terminal 31 and the signal terminal 32 provided on the peripheral surface of the mounting portion 30a of the battery pack A. That is, when the battery pack A is mounted on the charger B by inserting the mounting portion 30a into the mounting recess 42, the charging terminal piece 43a and the signal terminal piece 43b.
And are respectively brought into contact with the charging / discharging terminal 31 and the signal terminal 32 to supply a charging current from the charger B to the storage battery 1 of the battery pack A, and the battery pack A outputs a refresh drive signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the charger B. The AC current supplied from an external commercial power source through the outlet 41 is converted into a DC current and the charging terminal piece 43a is used. A charging circuit 44 that supplies a charging current to the storage battery 1 of the battery pack A, a charging current switching circuit 45 that switches between a charging current during normal charging that does not refresh the storage battery 1 and a charging current for refreshing.
And a refresh charge control circuit 46 for controlling the charge current switching circuit 45 by a refresh drive signal output from the battery pack A via the signal terminal piece 43b.

That is, the refresh charge control circuit 46
When the refresh drive signal is output from the battery pack A, the charge current switching circuit 45 is controlled to perform a refresh operation by overcharge of about 250% by trickle charging. Note that the refresh operation is not limited to this, and may be a method in which the storage battery 1 is once completely discharged and then ordinary charging is performed.

The rechargeable electric device is not limited to the battery pack A, the charger B and the device body as described above, but is not limited to the load contained in the device body. Needless to say, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to various types of rechargeable electric devices that are fed from a storage battery as described in the section of the prior art.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the battery pack A in this embodiment. Charge / discharge terminals 31 are connected to both electrodes of the storage battery 1, and a resistor R ₀ is inserted on the negative electrode side. Further, the negative electrode of the storage battery 1 and the resistance R ₀
A discharge current detection circuit 2 for detecting the current value of the discharge current and a charging current detection circuit 3 for detecting the current value of the charging current are connected to the connection point of and. The discharge current detection circuit 2 and the charge current detection circuit 3 give data corresponding to the detected discharge current value and the detected charge current value to the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 as digital signals. In addition, the charging current detection circuit 3
There is provided a charge detection circuit 5 that determines whether or not charging is being performed based on the charging current value detected in step 1 and outputs a signal indicating the result as a digital signal.

The remaining capacity detection circuit 4 is the discharge current detection circuit 2
Also, the remaining capacity of the storage battery 1 is calculated based on the charging current value and the discharging current value data supplied from the charging current detection circuit 3. This remaining capacity detection circuit 4 is
In the case of this embodiment, it is configured as a part of the CPUIC. This CPUIC serves as a discharge capacity drop detecting means,
In addition to the remaining capacity detection circuit 4, a timer 6, a partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7 and a counter 8 are included as part thereof.

The timer 6 is used for calculating the remaining capacity in the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 as described later. Further, the partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7 determines when the remaining capacity is within a predetermined range based on the remaining capacity of the storage battery 1 obtained by the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 and the determination signal provided from the charge detection circuit 5. When the discrimination signal is given to, the counter 8 outputs a signal for counting up. That is, the partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7 detects that the partial charge / discharge operation in which the storage battery 1 is fully charged before it is completely discharged is detected, and the number of times is counted by the counter 8. .

The counter 8 counts the number of times of partial charging / discharging in which a memory effect is produced by the signal from the partial charging / discharging detection circuit 7 as described above, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value. In order to notify the user that the storage battery 1 has a memory effect and that the storage battery 1 needs to be refreshed, a drive signal is applied to a display circuit 9 having a display element such as a light emitting diode to display the result. The element is turned on and a refresh drive signal is output to the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B via the signal terminal 32. That is, in this embodiment, the counter 8 serves as a refresh drive signal output means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flow chart shown in FIG. First, when the battery pack A is attached to the electric device main body or the charger B, the time counting by the timer 6 starts (S1), and the time counting is continued until a minute time ΔT elapses (S2). . Δ
When the time T has elapsed, the timer 6 is reset and the time counting is started again (S3). Then, the charging current detection circuit 3 detects the current value of the charging current (S4), and at the same time, it is determined whether or not the charging detection circuit 5 is charging (S5), and the charging current flows. If so, it is determined whether or not the charging start flag included in the CPUIC forming the capacity drop detecting means is set (S6). Here, since the charging start flag is not set immediately after the battery pack A is attached to the device body or the charger B, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4
Detects the remaining capacity of the storage battery 1 by
The partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7 determines whether the remaining capacity is within a predetermined range (S7). When charging is being performed, a signal is given from the charge detection circuit 5 to the partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7.

If the remaining capacity is within a predetermined range, the partial charge / discharge detection circuit 7 outputs a signal to the counter 8 and the counter 8 counts up the count value (S).
8). Further, the counter 8 judges whether or not the count value of the counter 8 exceeds a predetermined value for judging that the memory effect is occurring (S9). If it exceeds, it is judged that the memory effect is occurring. Then, the drive signal is output from the counter 8 to the display circuit 9 and the refresh drive signal is output to the charger B (S10).
Then, the charging start flag is set (S11).

On the other hand, when the remaining capacity is not within the predetermined range,
That is, when the storage battery 1 is completely discharged, the counter 8 does not count up the count value and the charge start flag is set. Further, even when the remaining capacity is within the predetermined range, if the count value of the counter 8 does not exceed the predetermined value, it is not necessary to perform the refresh operation, so that the charging start flag is simply set.

If the charging start flag is set and the ΔT time has elapsed since the timer 6 started re-counting, the processing for detecting the charging current (S4 to S6) is repeated again. However, in the second and subsequent processes, the charge start flag is set, so the remaining capacity is calculated in the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 without determining the remaining capacity (S7) (S12). Here, the remaining capacity is calculated by adding the product of the ΔT time and the charging current value Ic detected by the charging current detection circuit 3 to the previous remaining capacity value.

On the other hand, when the charge current value is zero, the discharge current detection circuit 2 detects the current value of the discharge current (S13). Whether or not the discharge is performed depends on whether the current value is zero or not. It is determined whether or not (S14). When discharging is performed, that is, the battery pack A
Is attached to the main body of the equipment and the load is supplied from the storage battery 1, the remaining capacity is calculated by subtracting the product of the discharge current value Id detected by the discharge current detection circuit 2 and the ΔT time from the last remaining capacity. Is calculated (S15). In the case of discharging, the charge start flag is reset (S16).

When the discharge current value detected by the discharge current detection circuit 2 is zero, that is, when the storage battery 1 is not discharging to the load of the electric equipment, the self-discharge amount Is and ΔT time of the storage battery 1 itself. The product is subtracted from the previous remaining capacity to calculate the remaining capacity (S17), and the charging start flag is reset (S18). According to the configuration of this embodiment, the number of times the partial charge / discharge is repeated for the storage battery 1 is counted by the counter 8, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the memory effect is generated. , Notifying the user that the refresh operation of the storage battery 1 is required and outputting the refresh drive signal for causing the charger B to perform the refresh operation, the refresh operation is performed only when it is really necessary. Therefore, the storage battery 1 can be charged efficiently and the life of the storage battery 1 can be prevented from being shortened by an unnecessary refresh operation.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a battery pack A in a second embodiment of the present invention, and since the basic configuration is common to that of the first embodiment, The common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the storage time of the storage battery 1 of the battery pack A is left unused, that is, the time when neither the power supply to the apparatus body nor the charging by the charger B is performed is counted. An idle counter 10 is provided, and when the above idle time exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the storage battery 1 has become inactive, and the display circuit 9 indicates that a refresh operation is necessary, or the charger B is instructed. One of the features is that at least one of the refresh drive signals is output by the above.

The neglect counter 10 increments the count value by a signal from the neglect detection circuit 11. The neglect detection circuit 11 determines that it is neglected when the charging current value and the discharging current value detected by the discharging current detecting circuit 2 and the charging current detecting circuit 3 are both zero, and counts up in the neglecting counter 10. To output the signal for. Further, the neglect counter 10 outputs a signal indicating the count value to the determination circuit 12.

On the other hand, the determination circuit 12 which has received the signal indicating the count value from the abandonment counter 10 compares the count value with a predetermined value with which it can be determined that the storage battery 1 has become inactive, and exceeds the predetermined value. In this case, a signal is output to the display circuit 9 to perform a display requesting refresh, and a refresh drive signal is output to the charger B.

By the way, in the case of this embodiment, even if the storage battery 1 runs out of capacity during standing, the standing counter 10
The backup battery 13 is provided so as to be able to measure the left-standing time. The backup battery 13 may be either a primary battery or a secondary battery, but in the case of this embodiment, a secondary battery is used, and a storage battery is provided at the charging / discharging terminal 31 via a diode D ₁ for preventing backflow. It is connected in parallel with 1.
Then, power is supplied from the backup battery 13 to each circuit section including the CPUIC which constitutes the discharge capacity decrease detecting means. Further, when the storage battery 1 is charged, the backup battery 13 is also charged at the same time.

Further, in order to store the count value of the abandonment counter 10, a non-volatile memory 14 which receives a power backup from the backup battery 13 is provided.
The nonvolatile memory 14 stores the data of the count value given from the determination circuit 12, and the stored data can be read from the determination circuit 12 as well. Further, the determination circuit 12 may be provided with a clock function (or the clock function of the CPUIC may be used), and the latest date and time (charging or discharging) when the storage battery 1 is charged or discharged. The data indicating the date and time when was last performed is stored in the non-volatile memory 14, and the current date and time is compared with the latest date and time stored in the determination circuit 12, and the number of days left as the difference is predetermined. When the value exceeds the value, a signal may be output to the display circuit 9 to perform a display requesting refreshing, and a refresh drive signal may be output to the charger B. In this case, since the number of days left is determined based on the date and time based on the clock function, the left counter 10 can be omitted.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flow chart shown in FIG. It should be noted that illustration and description of operations that are the same as those of the first embodiment are omitted. First, the process from when the battery pack A is attached to the main body of the electric device or when it is attached to the charger B until it is determined whether or not the charge is detected in the charge detection circuit 5 (S1 to S).
Regarding 5), it is common to the case of the first embodiment.

When it is determined that the charging current value is not zero and the battery is charged, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 detects the remaining capacity (S6). The method of calculating the remaining capacity is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, since the charging current value is not zero, the leave detection circuit 11 resets the count value of the leave counter 10 to zero (S7). After that, the process according to the above flow is continued until the storage battery 1 is fully charged.

On the other hand, if the charge current value is zero, the discharge current detection circuit 2 detects the discharge current value (S8), and whether or not the discharge current value is zero causes the discharge. It is determined whether or not (S9). And
When discharging is performed, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 calculates the remaining capacity (S10), and the leaving detection circuit 11 resets the count value of the leaving counter 10 to zero (S11).

When the discharge current value detected by the discharge current detection circuit 2 is zero, that is, when the discharge is not performed, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 detects the remaining capacity by the self-discharge of the storage battery 1 itself. (S12).
Then, the neglect detection circuit 11 increments the count value of the neglect counter 10 (S13). The count value of the abandonment counter 10 is compared with a predetermined value in the determination circuit 12, and when it is determined that the count value exceeds the predetermined value, that is, the state is left for a predetermined time or more (S14), a signal is output to the display circuit 9. At the same time, the refresh drive signal is output to the charger B (S15). If the count value does not exceed the predetermined value, the process returns to the original processing (S2), and the count value of the leaving counter 10 continues to increase during the period of being left.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the storage counter is set to the time when the storage battery 1 is neither charged nor is the power supply (discharge) from the storage battery 1 to the load of the apparatus main body performed. When the count value exceeds 10, the storage battery 1 is determined to be inactive when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, and the user is informed that the storage battery 1 needs to be refreshed. Since the refresh drive signal for causing B to perform the refresh operation is output, the refresh operation can be performed only when it is really needed, the storage battery 1 can be efficiently charged, and the unnecessary refresh operation causes the storage battery 1 to operate. It is possible to prevent the life of the product from being shortened.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of a battery pack A in the third embodiment of the present invention, and the basic structure is common to those of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the parts that are characteristic of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, a voltage detection circuit 15 for detecting the battery voltage of the storage battery 1 and a discharge capacity detection circuit 16
It is characterized in that and are provided. Discharge capacity detection circuit 16
Calculates the complete discharge capacity of the storage battery 1 from the battery voltage of the storage battery 1 detected by the voltage detection circuit 15 and the remaining capacity of the storage battery 1 detected by the remaining capacity detection circuit 4, and the nominal capacity of the storage battery 1 (rated capacity ) And the calculated full discharge capacity are compared, and when the full discharge capacity is lower than a predetermined value with respect to the nominal capacity, it is determined that the storage battery 1 has a memory effect or is inactive, and the display circuit The display 9 indicates that a refresh operation is required, or at least one of outputting a refresh drive signal to the charger B is performed. Here, the complete discharge capacity is the discharge amount from the state where the storage battery 1 is fully charged to the time when the storage battery 1 becomes empty. Actually, the remaining capacity detected by the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 in the fully charged state and the storage battery CP which constitutes capacity lowering detection means by stopping the supply of power from the storage battery 1 to each circuit unit when the capacity of 1 is lost.
It is calculated from the difference from the remaining capacity immediately before the UIC is reset.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. It should be noted that illustration and description of operations that are the same as those of the first embodiment are omitted. First, the process from when the battery pack A is attached to the main body of the electric device or when it is attached to the charger B until it is determined whether or not the charge is detected in the charge detection circuit 5 (S1 to S).
5) is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

When it is determined that the charging current value is not zero and the battery is charged, the remaining capacity detecting circuit 4 detects the remaining capacity (S6). The method of calculating the remaining capacity is the same as in the first and second embodiments. After that, the process according to the above flow is continued until the storage battery 1 is fully charged. On the other hand, if the charge current value is zero, the discharge current detection circuit 2 detects the current value of the discharge current (S7), and whether the discharge is performed depends on whether the discharge current value is zero. It is determined (S8). When the battery is being discharged, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 calculates the remaining capacity (S9), and the battery voltage detection circuit 15 detects the battery voltage of the storage battery 1 (10). The discharge capacity detection circuit 16 determines whether or not the detected battery voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (the minimum voltage value at which each circuit unit including the CPUIC operates) (S11). If the battery voltage is below the predetermined value, The full discharge capacity is calculated in the discharge capacity detection circuit 16 and compared with the nominal capacity (S12). As a result, when the complete discharge capacity is lower than the nominal capacity by a predetermined value or more, the signal is output to the display circuit 9 and the refresh drive signal is output to the charger B (S13). The signal output to the display circuit 9 and the charger B is stopped (S14).

When the discharge current value detected by the discharge current detection circuit 2 is zero, that is, when the discharge is not performed, the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 detects the remaining capacity by the self-discharge of the storage battery 1 itself. (S15).
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the nominal capacity (rated capacity) of the storage battery 1 is compared with the complete discharge capacity, and when the complete discharge capacity is lower than the nominal capacity by a predetermined value or more, the storage battery 1 has a memory effect. Since it is determined that it has occurred or has become inactive, it notifies the user that the refresh operation of the storage battery 1 is required and outputs the refresh drive signal for causing the charger B to perform the refresh operation. The refresh operation can be performed only when it is really needed, and the storage battery 1 can be efficiently charged and the life of the storage battery 1 can be prevented from being shortened by the unnecessary refresh operation. Further, since the determination is made based on the comparison between the full discharge capacity of the storage battery 1 and the nominal capacity, it is possible to more reliably determine the occurrence of the memory effect and the inactivity.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit structure of a battery pack A in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the basic structure is common to those of the first to third embodiments. Therefore, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the parts that are characteristic of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, when the storage battery 1 is discharged
To detect the internal impedance of the storage battery 1 and
When the battery exceeds the specified value, the storage battery 1 will be memorized.
It is judged that the effect has occurred or it has become inactive,
Table showing that refresh operation is required by the display circuit 9
Or a refresh drive signal for charger B
Output at least one of
There is a feature in the point. Therefore, in this embodiment,
Voltage dividing resistor R inserted between both poles of battery 1₁, R ₂Through
A voltage detection circuit 15 for detecting the battery voltage of the storage battery 1,
The detected battery voltage and discharge current detection circuit 2 detects
Internal impedance of the storage battery 1 from the discharged discharge current value
An internal impedance detection circuit 17 for calculating
The internal impedance value is compared with the specified value and the specified value is
If it exceeds, refresh operation is performed by the display circuit 9.
The required display is displayed and
And a discrimination circuit 18 for outputting a fresh drive signal.
There is. In the present embodiment, a part of the CPU IC and
And the discrimination circuit 18 is configured.

Here, the internal impedance detection circuit 17
In, the internal impedance at any time is detected as follows. That is, the discharge current value Ir detected by the discharge current detection circuit 2 while the storage battery 1 is being discharged, and the battery voltage V ₁ of the storage battery 1 at that time detected by the voltage detection circuit 15, The voltage drop Vr due to the internal impedance Z _in of the storage battery 1 is calculated from the battery voltage V ₀ of the storage battery 1 when no discharge current is flowing (Vr = V ₀ −V ₁ ), and the internal impedance Z _in is calculated by the following equation. be able to.

Z _in = Vr / Ir According to the structure of this embodiment, the internal impedance of the storage battery 1 is detected, and when the detected internal impedance exceeds the predetermined value, the storage battery 1 has the memory effect. Alternatively, it is determined that the battery has become inactive, the user is informed that the refresh operation of the storage battery 1 is required, and the refresh drive signal for causing the charger B to perform the refresh operation is output. The refresh operation can be performed only when necessary, the storage battery 1 can be efficiently charged, and the unnecessary life of the storage battery 1 can be prevented from being shortened by the unnecessary refresh operation.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a battery pack A according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, The common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the charging time of the charger B is measured by the charging time counter 19, and the charging time is the time required for the refresh operation (24 hours in the case of 250% overcharge by trickle charging). When it exceeds, it is judged that the refresh operation is completed, and the display circuit 9
It is characterized in that the display in and the output of the refresh drive signal to the charger B are reset. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the charging time counter 19 that measures the time during which charging is performed based on the detection output of the charging detection circuit 5 and the count value (charging time) of the charging time counter 19 are set to predetermined values. A refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 is provided for sending a reset signal to the display circuit 9 and the counter 8 and stopping the output of the refresh drive signal to the charger B when the count value exceeds a predetermined value by comparison. . Here, the display circuit 9 receiving the reset signal stops the display operation (driving of the light emitting diode, etc.), and the counter 8 resets the count value. In the present embodiment, the charge time counter 19 and the refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 are realized as an internal circuit of the CPUIC.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The description of the operation overlapping with that of the first embodiment is omitted, and the operation characteristic of the present embodiment, that is, the operation of the charging time counter 19 and the refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 will be described. The charge detection circuit 5 determines that charging is in progress (S
6) The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment until the remaining capacity detection circuit 4 detects the remaining capacity (S12). In this embodiment, after detecting the remaining capacity, the charging time counter 19 measures the charging time (S1).
3). Here, the charging time is measured by Δ
This is done by adding T time. Then, the refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 determines whether or not the count value (charge time) of the charge time counter 19 exceeds a predetermined value (24 hours in the case of the present embodiment) (S14). If the charging is continued as it is, and if it is exceeded, the refresh charging completion detection circuit 20
From the counter 8 to the display circuit 9 and the output of the refresh drive signal from the counter 8 to the charger B is stopped (S15). Further, in the counter 8, the count value is reset by the reset signal (S16).

According to the configuration of this embodiment, the time during which the refresh operation is performed is measured by the charge time counter, and the refresh operation is requested when the measured charge time exceeds the predetermined time required for the refresh operation. That is, since the display by the display circuit 9 and the output of the refresh drive signal to the charger B are reset, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a defect such that an excessive refresh operation is performed and the life of the storage battery 1 is shortened. it can. The refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 may determine whether or not the complete discharge capacity described in the fourth embodiment has recovered to within a predetermined range with respect to the nominal capacity, and output the reset signal. .

Even when the battery pack A does not output the refresh drive signal to the charger B and only the refresh request display is performed by the display circuit 9, the time during which the refresh operation is performed is charged. The time counter 19 measures time, and when the measured charging time exceeds a predetermined time required for the refresh operation, the refresh operation request display is reset, so that the user can be notified of the completion of the refresh operation, If the person removes the battery pack A from the charger B, the charging of the storage battery 1 can be stopped and the storage battery 1 can be protected. That is, if the battery pack A is attached to the charger B even after the refreshing is completed, the refreshing operation is continued and the load on the storage battery 1 is increased. Therefore, the user is notified of the completion of the refreshing operation. Then, the battery pack A is urged to be removed from the charger B.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit structure of a battery pack A in a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and the basic structure is common to those of the first to fifth embodiments. Therefore, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the parts that are characteristic of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the number of times the count value of the counter 8 is determined to exceed the predetermined value for determining the memory effect and the memory effect is generated is counted.
It is characterized in that when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the life of the storage battery 1 has expired, and the life expiration is displayed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the memory effect is generated in the counter 8 beyond the predetermined value for determining that the memory effect is generated, the count value is changed by the signal from the counter 8. Insufficient capacity counter 21 to be incremented
And a life display circuit 22 for displaying the end of life by a signal from the capacity shortage counter 21 when the count value of the capacity shortage counter 21 exceeds a predetermined value. Here, the life display circuit 22 drives and turns on a light emitting diode for displaying the end of life, and notifies the user of the end of life of the storage battery 1.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flow chart shown in FIG. It should be noted that the description of the operations that are the same as those of the first to fifth embodiments will be omitted, and the operation that characterizes the present embodiment, that is, the operation of detecting the end of the life of the storage battery 1 will be described. When the counter 8 determines that the count value exceeds the predetermined value (S9), it is determined whether a refresh operation request has already been made (S10). Here, the above determination is made based on whether or not the refresh request flag included in the CPUIC is set. Therefore, if the refresh request flag is not set, the refresh request flag is set by the signal from the counter 8 (S11), and the counter 8 sends a signal to the capacity shortage counter 21 to count the capacity shortage counter 21. The value is counted up (S12). Furthermore, the capacity shortage counter 21 compares the count value with a predetermined value for determining that the life has expired, and when the count value exceeds the predetermined value, outputs a signal to the life display circuit 22 and causes the life display circuit 22 to output the storage battery 1 Display the end of life of the
14).

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, by counting the number of times the memory effect or inactivity is reached, it is determined that the life of the storage battery 1 has expired when the number of times exceeds the predetermined value, and Since the display indicating that the storage battery 1 has run out is displayed, the user can be notified that the life of the storage battery 1 has run out, and usability can be improved. (Embodiment 7) FIG. 14 is a partially broken perspective view showing the structure of a battery pack A and a charger B in a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 shows a circuit configuration of the charger B. FIG. 16 is a block diagram, and FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the battery pack A. However, since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic features of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the charger B is provided with a refresh start switch 47 for starting the refresh operation.
When a refresh request display is made by the display circuit 9 on the battery pack A side, the user who confirms the display turns on the refresh start switch 47 so that the charger B performs the refresh operation. It is characterized by the point. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the battery pack A to the charger B are connected.
No refresh drive signal is output to the display circuit 9, and only the refresh request display is performed by the display circuit 9 as described above. Therefore, the actual refresh operation is performed only when the user turns on the refresh start switch 47.

The refresh start switch 47
Is a resistor R between the operating power supply _Vcc (= 5V) and the ground.
It is inserted in series with ₁ and is normally off.
Then, the refresh start switch 47 and the resistor R ₁
The signal taken out from the connection point with is supplied to the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B. That is, when the refresh start switch 47 is off and an H level signal is applied, the refresh charge control circuit 46 does not perform the refresh operation but performs normal charging (rapid charging by a large charging current (about 9 A)). .

On the other hand, the refresh start switch 47
When turned on, the refresh charge control circuit 46 is provided with an L level signal,
Performs a refresh operation. That is, the refresh charging control circuit 46 controls the charging current switching circuit 45 to switch the charging current. Here, in the refresh operation in this embodiment, the storage battery 1 is charged at a charging current (about 5 A) lower than that at the time of rapid charging in a relatively short time until the storage battery 1 is almost fully charged, and further, it is sufficiently lower than that. The charging current (about 150 mA) is switched to overcharge. As described above, if the battery is charged with a relatively large charging current (about 5 A) until fully charged and is overcharged by switching to a sufficiently low charging current (about 150 mA) above that, the storage battery 1 is burdened. It is possible to complete the refresh operation in a short time as compared with the refresh operation in which the trickle charge is performed for about 24 hours without applying the charge.

As shown in FIG. 14, the refresh start switch 47 is a push button switch 49 mounted on a printed circuit board 48 on which the refresh charge control circuit 46, the charging current switching circuit 45, the charging circuit 45 and the like are mounted. It is composed of. A rod-shaped operating body 50 for pushing and driving the push button portion 49a of the push button switch 49 is housed in the main body 40 of the charger B.
An operation button 51 that comes into contact with the upper end of the operation body 50 is exposed on the upper surface of the operation body 5. By pressing the operation button 51 from the outside, the operation body 5 pushed down by the operation button 51 is pressed.
0 pushes the push button portion 49a of the push button switch 49 to drive the refresh start switch 47.

Since the circuit operation of the battery pack A is the same as that of the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the refresh request display is performed by the display circuit 9 of the battery pack A, and the charger B performs the refresh operation only when the user confirms the display and turns on the refresh start switch 47. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily perform the refresh operation when the refresh operation is really required, and it is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by the unnecessary refresh operation and improve the usability.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a battery pack A in an eighth embodiment of the present invention. However, since the basic configuration is common to the first to seventh embodiments, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

First, in the present embodiment, as in the case of the seventh embodiment, when the refresh drive signal is not supplied to the charger B, the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B does not perform the refresh operation, A large charging current (about 9 A) as shown in FIG. 18 is supplied to the storage battery 1 to perform rapid charging. For example, the nominal capacity of the storage battery 1 is 1600
With mAh, a fully charged battery can be fully charged in about 12 minutes.

On the other hand, when the refresh drive signal is given from the battery pack A, the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B controls the charge current switching circuit 45 until the storage battery 1 is almost fully charged as shown in FIG. Is charged at a first charging current I ₁ (about 5 A) lower than that at the time of rapid charging, and further, a second charging current I sufficiently lower than that.
_The refresh operation is performed by switching to ₂ (about 150 mA) and overcharging to approximately 250% of the nominal capacity of the storage battery 1.

By the way, in the present embodiment, when the refresh operation is completed, the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B superimposes the reset signal for stopping the refresh request display and the output of the refresh drive signal on the charge current to make the battery current. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to the pack A.
That is, the refresh charge control circuit 46 of the charger B
Is equipped with a means (for example, a timer) for measuring the overcharge time in the refresh operation, and judges that the refresh operation is completed when the overcharge time exceeds a predetermined time. Alternatively, the refresh operation is completed when a means for accumulating a product of a charging current supplied to the storage battery 1 and a supply time during the refresh operation is integrated as a charge amount, and the integrated charge amount exceeds a predetermined value. To judge. If the refresh charge control circuit 46 is composed of a microcomputer, it is possible to easily realize the above-described clocking means or integrating means.

If the refresh charging control circuit 46 determines that the refresh operation is completed, it controls the charging current switching circuit 45 to increase the charging current to a large current I for an extremely short time.
By switching to ₃ (for example, 9 A), a pulsed reset signal as shown in FIG. 19 is superimposed on the charging current and transmitted to the battery pack A. That is, in this embodiment, the refresh charge control circuit 46, the charge current switching circuit 45, and the charge circuit 44 constitute a charge current supply means.

On the other hand, on the battery pack A side, when the above-mentioned pulsed reset signal is transmitted while being superimposed on the charging current, the charging current detection circuit 3 detects this reset signal and the refresh charging completion detection circuit is detected. A detection signal is given to 20. Therefore, at least one of the detection signal and the count-up signal from the charging time counter 19 (the signal output when the count value exceeds a predetermined value) is the refresh charge completion detection circuit 20.
Then, the refresh charge completion detection circuit 20 sends a reset signal to the display circuit 9 to cancel the refresh request display, and the counter 8 stops outputting the refresh drive signal to the charger B.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, even when the completion of the refresh operation is not detected on the side of the battery pack A, the completion of the refresh operation is judged on the side of the charger B and A reset signal can be transmitted to reset the refresh request display and the refresh drive signal output. Moreover, since the reset signal transmitted from the charger B to the battery pack A at the completion of the refresh operation is superimposed on the charging current and transmitted, a dedicated signal line or terminal for transmitting the reset signal is provided in the battery pack. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide the A and the charger B. Further, in the case where only the refresh request display is performed in the battery pack A, the signal terminal 32 for transmitting the refresh drive signal is unnecessary, and the configuration can be further simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0083]

According to the invention of claim 1, there is provided a rechargeable electric device for supplying power from a storage battery to a load housed in the device body,
Since the capacity reduction detection means for detecting a decrease in the capacity of the storage battery and the refresh display means for indicating that a refresh operation for recovering the capacity of the storage battery based on the detection result of the capacity reduction detection means are required are provided, the storage battery When a so-called memory effect occurs, or when the storage battery becomes inactive and the capacity decreases, the capacity decrease detection means detects and the refresh display means displays, and the refresh operation is performed only when the refresh operation is really necessary. As a result, the user can be informed as to be performed, the storage battery can be efficiently charged, and the life of the storage battery can be prevented from being shortened by an unnecessary refresh operation.

According to the invention of claim 2, the refresh start switch comprises a refresh start switch and a charging means for performing a refresh operation for restoring the capacity of the storage battery when the refresh start switch is turned on or off. By turning on or off, the user can arbitrarily perform the refresh operation, and the usability can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rechargeable electric device in which power is supplied from a storage battery to a load housed in the main body of the device, and a capacity decrease detecting means for detecting a decrease in capacity of the storage battery and a detection by the capacity decrease detecting means. Since the refresh drive signal output means for outputting the refresh drive signal based on the result and the charging means for performing the refresh operation for recovering the capacity of the storage battery by at least the refresh drive signal are provided, a so-called memory effect may occur in the storage battery. , Or when the storage battery becomes inactive and its capacity drops, the capacity drop detection means detects and outputs a refresh drive signal to the charging means, and the charging means performs a refresh operation on the storage battery to restore the capacity, and Ensure that refresh operations are performed only when they are needed Come, there is an effect that the life of the storage battery with unnecessary refresh operation it is possible to efficiently charge the battery can be prevented from being shortened.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the partial charge / discharge detection means for detecting that the partial charge / discharge operation of fully charging the storage battery is performed before the storage battery is completely discharged, and the detection output of the partial charge / discharge detection means. Since the capacity drop detecting means is configured with the counter that counts the number of times the partial charge / discharge operation is performed in accordance with the above, there is an effect that the drop in the capacity of the storage battery can be detected with a simple configuration.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the capacity reduction detecting means is constituted by the standing time measuring means for measuring the standing time when the power supply from the storage battery to the load is stopped, and the standing time measured by the standing time measuring means is used. When the time exceeds a predetermined time, at least one of the display by the refresh display means and the output of the refresh drive signal by the refresh drive signal output means is performed, so that the storage battery is left in a state of being neither charged nor discharged. As a result, the user can be informed that the storage battery needs to be refreshed, or the charging means can perform the refreshing operation, so that the storage battery can be charged efficiently. It is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by unnecessary refresh operations. There is an effect that.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the storage means for storing the data indicating the latest date and time when the power is supplied from the storage battery to the load is provided, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the storage battery has decreased based on the latest date and time. Therefore, there is an effect that it is easy to judge the capacity decrease. In the configuration of the invention of claim 7,
A rechargeable electric device in which power is supplied from a storage battery to the load contained in the device body, and the storage battery is installed in the device body or in the housing of a battery pack that is detachably attached to the device body, and the device body or battery In a rechargeable electric device including a charger that is appropriately connected to a pack to charge a storage battery, a capacity drop detection unit that detects a drop in the capacity of the storage battery, and a refresh operation based on the detection result of the capacity drop detection unit. At least one of refresh display means for displaying the necessity and refresh drive signal output means for outputting a refresh drive signal for causing the charger to perform the refresh operation is provided in the main body of the device or the battery pack to overcharge the storage battery. By doing so, the refresh operation is performed and the refresh operation is performed when the refresh operation is completed. Since the charging current supply means for superimposing the reset signal for resetting the operation of the display means and the refresh drive signal output means on the charging current and transmitting it to the device body or the battery pack is provided in the charger, when the refresh operation is really required. The user can be informed that the refresh operation is to be performed only, or the refresh operation can be performed only when the refresh operation is really needed, so that the storage battery can be efficiently charged and unnecessary refresh is performed. It is possible to prevent the life of the storage battery from being shortened by the operation. Moreover, since the reset signal for resetting the operation of the refresh display means and the refresh drive signal output means is superimposed on the charging current and transmitted from the charging current supply means to the device body or the battery pack, the reset signal is transmitted. There is no need to provide signal lines or terminals in the device main body or in the battery pack and charger, and there is an effect that the configuration can be simplified and cost can be reduced.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the capacity drop detecting means is provided with a remaining capacity detecting section for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage battery, and the capacity of the storage battery is determined from the remaining capacity of the storage battery when the load cannot be driven. The calculation is performed and compared with the rated capacity of the storage battery, and when the capacity of the storage battery is below the rated capacity, it is determined that the capacity has decreased, so it is possible to more reliably detect the occurrence of the memory effect and the deactivation of the storage battery. There is an effect that can be.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the capacity drop detecting means is provided with an internal impedance detecting means for detecting the internal impedance of the storage battery, and when the internal impedance of the storage battery exceeds a predetermined value, it is judged that the capacity has dropped. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably detect the occurrence of the memory effect and the deactivation of the storage battery based on the increase in the internal impedance of the storage battery.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, refresh completion detecting means for detecting the completion of the refresh operation for the storage battery, and reset means for resetting the capacity decrease determination by the capacity decrease detecting means based on the detection signal from the refresh completion detecting means. Since the storage battery is provided, it is possible to prevent the storage battery from being shortened due to an excessive refresh operation performed on the storage battery.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the number of refresh operations is counted, and when the count value of the refresh number counting means exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the storage battery has reached the end of its life. Since it has the life display means for displaying, the user can be notified that the life of the storage battery has expired, and the usability of the rechargeable electric device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the above-mentioned battery pack and charger.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the charger in the above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a battery pack and a charger in Example 7.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the charger in the above.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the battery pack of the above.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a battery pack according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an operation at the time of normal charging in the above.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the refresh operation of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Storage battery 2 Discharge current detection circuit 3 Charging current detection circuit 4 Remaining capacity detection circuit 5 Charge detection circuit 6 Timer 7 Partial charge / discharge detection circuit 8 Counter 9 Display circuit IC CPU

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiharu Ohashi 1048, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A rechargeable electric device in which power is supplied from a storage battery to a load accommodated in the main body of the device, and the storage battery is detected based on a detection result of a capacity reduction detecting unit that detects a reduction in the capacity of the storage battery. And a refresh display means for displaying that a refresh operation is required to restore the capacity of the rechargeable electric device. 2. A refresh start switch and charging means for performing a refresh operation for restoring the capacity of the storage battery when the refresh start switch is turned on or off. Rechargeable electric device. 3. A rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery supplies electric power to a load housed in the device body, and refreshing is performed on the basis of a detection result of the capacity reduction detecting means for detecting a reduction in capacity of the storage battery and the capacity reduction detecting means. A rechargeable electric device comprising: a refresh drive signal output means for outputting a drive signal; and a charging means for performing a refresh operation to restore the capacity of the storage battery at least by the refresh drive signal. 4. A partial charging / discharging detecting means for detecting that a partial charging / discharging operation for fully charging the storage battery is performed, and a partial charging / discharging operation according to a detection output of the partial charging / discharging detection means. 4. The rechargeable electric device according to claim 1, wherein the capacity lowering detection means is configured with a counter that counts the number of times the discharge operation is performed. 5. A capacity decrease detecting means is constituted by a standing time measuring means for measuring a standing time when the power supply from the storage battery to the load is stopped, and the standing time measured by the standing time measuring means is a predetermined time. 4. The display according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the display by the refresh display means and the output of the refresh drive signal by the refresh drive signal output means is performed when the value exceeds the limit.
Rechargeable electrical equipment as described. 6. The rechargeable electric device according to claim 5, further comprising a storage unit that stores data indicating the latest date and time when power was supplied from the storage battery to the load. 7. A rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery supplies power to a load housed in a device body, and the storage battery is installed in the device body or in a housing of a battery pack detachably attached to the device body. In a rechargeable electric device including a charger that is connected to a device body or a battery pack to charge a storage battery, the low-capacity detection unit that detects a decrease in the storage battery capacity and the detection result of the low-capacity detection unit At least one of a refresh display means for displaying that a refresh operation is necessary based on a refresh operation and a refresh drive signal output means for outputting a refresh drive signal for causing the charger to perform the refresh operation is provided in the device body or the battery pack, Refresh operation is completed by overcharging the storage battery A charging current supplying means for superimposing a reset signal for resetting the operation of the refresh display means and the refresh drive signal output means on the charging current and transmitting it to the device body or the battery pack is provided in the charger. machine. 8. The capacity decrease detecting means comprises a remaining capacity detecting section for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage battery, and calculates the capacity of the storage battery from the remaining capacity of the storage battery when the load cannot be driven. The rechargeable electric device according to claim 1 to claim 3 or claim 7, characterized in that when the capacity of the storage battery is lower than the rated capacity as compared with the rated capacity, it is determined that the capacity has decreased. 9. The capacity decrease detecting means comprises an internal impedance detecting means for detecting the internal impedance of the storage battery, and judges that the capacity has decreased when the internal impedance of the storage battery exceeds a predetermined value. Thru | or the rechargeable electric equipment of Claim 3 or Claim 7. 10. A refresh completion detecting means for detecting the completion of the refresh operation for the storage battery, and a reset means for resetting the capacity decrease determination by the capacity decrease detecting means based on a detection signal from the refresh completion detecting means. The rechargeable electric device according to claim 1 to claim 3 or claim 7, characterized in that. 11. A refresh number counting means for counting the number of times a refresh operation is performed, and a life displayed when it is judged that the storage battery is at the end of its life when the count value of the refresh number counting means exceeds a predetermined value. A rechargeable electric device according to claim 8, further comprising a display means.