JPH08223815A - Charger - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To suppress the lowering of generating efficiency due to a high temperature and/or the reduction of discharging capacity of a secondary battery due to a low temperature by effectively utilizing the surplus electric power of a solar battery when the secondary battery is fully charged. CONSTITUTION: When a secondary battery 2 is charged by the generated electric power of a solar battery 1, the fully-charged state of the secondary battery 2 is detected, and then, when an atmospheric temperature is not less than a first set temperature, a fan 4 is operated by the surplus electric power of the solar battery 1 to cool the solar battery 1 and when the atmospheric temperature is not more than a second set temperature, an electric heater 5 is operated by the surplus electric power of the solar battery 1 to heat the secondary battery 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to, for example, a solar power generation system and the like, and relates to a charging device configured to charge a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery using a solar battery as a power source. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional charging device of this type, in order to prevent performance deterioration of a secondary battery due to overcharging, as shown in FIG. An overcharge prevention relay 22 is interposed in a connection circuit with the secondary battery 21, and when the secondary battery 21 is in a fully charged state, a contact of the relay 22 is opened to stop charging. Was there.

[0003]

In the conventional charging device having the above-mentioned structure, when the secondary battery 21 is fully charged, the connection with the solar cell 20 is cut off to prevent overcharge. Therefore, the power generation of the solar cell 20 after the charging is stopped was wasted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the solar cell 20 has a temperature characteristic that the generated power is extremely lowered as the cell temperature becomes higher, and the secondary battery 21 is Taking a lead-acid battery as an example, FIG.
As shown in, the lower the ambient temperature is,
It is obvious that it has a temperature characteristic that the usable discharge capacity is significantly reduced, but in the conventional charging device, such a temperature characteristic is associated with the power generation of the solar cell after the charging is stopped as described above. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is unavoidable that the power generation efficiency is reduced and the capacity of the secondary battery is reduced due to a severe change in the ambient temperature.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and effectively utilizes the power generated by the solar cell after the secondary battery is fully charged to improve the power generation efficiency according to the change in ambient temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging device capable of rationally preventing reduction and / or reduction in secondary battery capacity.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the charging device according to the invention of claim 1 is a charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar battery as a power source. Means for detecting the fully charged state of the secondary battery,
It is provided with means for cooling the solar cell and means for switching the output of the solar cell from the secondary battery side to the solar cell cooling means side based on the detection operation of the fully charged state detecting means.

The charging device according to the invention of claim 2 is
In a charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar cell as a power source, means for detecting a full charge state of the secondary battery, means for heating the secondary battery, and full charge state detection means And means for switching the output of the solar cell from the secondary battery side to the secondary battery heating means side based on the detection operation.

Further, the charging device according to the invention of claim 3 is a charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar battery as a power source, and means for detecting a fully charged state of the secondary battery, Means for detecting the ambient temperature, means for cooling the solar cell, means for heating the secondary battery, and the output of the solar cell based on the detection operation of the full charge state detecting means, the secondary battery side From the solar cell cooling means and the secondary battery heating means side,
When the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than the first preset temperature, the solar cell cooling means is operated, and when the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the second preset temperature, the secondary temperature is detected. And an operation control means for operating the battery heating means.

[0009] As the secondary battery heating means, it is preferable that
Alternatively, a heating wire covered with an insulating material may be wound around the secondary battery, and the outer circumference of the heating wire may be covered with a heat insulating cover as in claim 5. It is desirable that

The solar cell cooling means may be air cooling means provided by a fan installed near the solar cell and blowing an air current toward the solar cell, as in claim 6. As described above, even if the water cooling means forcibly circulates cooling water in the solar cell, or sprays water on the solar cell, the thermoelectric cooling can be performed by further adhering to the back side of the light receiving surface of the solar cell. The device may be attached.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the secondary battery charged by the power generated by the solar cell is in a fully charged state, the solar cell after that is based on the detection operation of the means for detecting it. Output (excess power) is supplied to the solar cell cooling means side to cool the solar cell, and as a result, as is apparent from the temperature characteristics described above, a decrease in power generated by the solar cell in a high temperature atmosphere is suppressed. It is possible.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the secondary battery charged by the power generated by the solar cell is in a fully charged state, based on the detection operation of the means for detecting it, the subsequent operation is performed. The output of the solar cell (excess power) is supplied to the secondary battery heating means side to heat the secondary battery, and as a result, the discharge capacity of the secondary battery in a low temperature atmosphere becomes clear, as is apparent from the temperature characteristics described above. Can be suppressed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when the secondary battery charged by the power generated by the solar cell is in a fully charged state, based on the detection operation of the means for detecting it,
When the output of the solar cell (surplus power) after that is supplied to the solar cell cooling means and the secondary battery heating means side, and the detected ambient temperature at this point is equal to or higher than the first set temperature, When the solar cell cooling means is operated by the surplus power to cool the solar cell and the detected atmosphere temperature is equal to or lower than the second set temperature, the secondary battery heating means is operated by the surplus power to perform the secondary operation. By heating the battery, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the generated power of the solar cell in the high temperature atmosphere and the decrease in the discharge capacity of the secondary battery in the low temperature atmosphere, as is clear from the above-mentioned temperature characteristics. is there.

In the charging device having the above structure, as in claims 4 and 5, means for heating the secondary battery by supplying the surplus power of the solar cell to the heating wire wound around the secondary battery is employed. In this case, efficient heating can be performed, which is also effective for improving the performance and extending the life of the secondary battery. In particular, it is even more effective when the heating wire is covered with a heat insulating cover.

Further, among the solar cell cooling means described in claims 6 to 8, particularly when the air cooling means for blowing the air current to the solar cells via the fan is adopted as in claim 6, the arrangement condition of the solar cells Regardless of the relatively simple configuration,
It is possible to cool the entire surface efficiently.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a solar cell, 2 is a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery, and 3 is electric power supplied by discharge from the secondary battery 2. Load. 4 is a fan as an example of a cooling means for cooling the solar cell 1, and 5 is the secondary battery 2
An electric heater as an example of heating means for heating
In the middle of the connection circuit between the solar cell 1 and the secondary battery 2,
The overcharge prevention relay 6 as a means for detecting that the secondary battery 2 is in a fully charged state and switching the output of the solar cell 1 to the fan 4 and the electric heater 5 side based on the detection operation. A movable contact piece 6a and two contacts 6b and 6c are interposed.

The ambient temperature is detected in the connection circuit between the solar cell 1 and the fan 4, and the detected temperature is shown in FIG.
The first thermostat 7 is opened when the temperature is lower than the first set temperature T1 shown in FIG. 2 and is closed when the temperature is equal to or higher than the first set temperature T1. In the connection circuit between the solar cell 1 and the electric heater 5, the ambient temperature is detected, and when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the second set temperature T2 shown in FIG. 2, the electric heater 5 is closed. And its second
A second thermostat 8 that is opened when the set temperature T2 is exceeded is provided. The first and second thermostats 7 and 8 operate to detect the ambient temperature and to operate the fan 4 and the electric heater 5. It constitutes an operation control means for controlling the temperature according to the ambient temperature.

3 and 4 are a front view and a side view showing an example of a concrete installation structure of the fan 4 as the solar cell cooling means in the charging device having the above-mentioned structure, which are vertically erected. An inclined support plate 10 is provided on the upper end portion of the column 9.
The panel-shaped solar cell 1 is arranged in a tilted position via the, and the secondary battery 2, the load 3, the overcharge prevention relay 6, and the first and first terminals are provided near the upper end of the pillar 9. A box 12 accommodating a charger 11 composed of two thermostats 7, 8 and the like is fixedly supported, and on a support plate 9 obliquely below the solar cell 1 above the solar cell 1 from obliquely below. A sirocco fan 4 that blows an airflow toward the light receiving surface) to cool the solar cell 1 by air is fixedly installed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a specific structure of the electric heater 5 as the secondary battery cooling means in the charging device having the above-mentioned structure, and the heating wire 5a covered with an insulator.
Is wound around the outer periphery of the secondary battery 2, and the outer periphery of the heating wire 5a is covered with a heat insulating cover 13 made of a material having excellent heat insulating properties.

In the charging device having the above structure, the power generated by the solar cell 1 is normally supplied to the secondary battery 2 via the movable contact piece 6a and the contact 6b of the overcharge prevention relay 6 to charge the secondary battery 2. At the same time, electric power is supplied to the load 3 as the secondary battery 2 discharges. When the secondary battery 2 is fully charged by this charging action, the movable contact piece 6a of the overcharge prevention relay 6 switches from the contact 6b side to the contact 6c side, and the charging of the secondary battery 2 is stopped, The output (surplus power) of the solar cell after that is supplied to the fan 4 and the electric heater 5 side via the movable contact piece 6a and the contact 6c of the overcharge prevention relay 6.

When the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the first set temperature T1 at the time of switching the power supply state as described above, the first thermostat 7 is closed and the surplus power is supplied to the sirocco fan 4. It is supplied and the sirocco fan 4 operates. Along with the operation of the sirocco fan 4, the solar cell 1 is air-cooled by blowing an air flow from the oblique lower side to the oblique upper side of the upper surface (light receiving surface) of the solar cell 1.

When the ambient temperature is equal to or lower than the second set temperature T2 at the time of switching the power supply state, the second thermostat 8 is closed and the surplus power is supplied to the electric heater 5. It is supplied and the electric heater 5 operates. With the operation of the electric heater 5, the secondary battery 2 is heated.

As described above, the surplus power after the secondary battery 2 is fully charged is effectively used to cool the solar cell 1 when the ambient temperature is high, and when the ambient temperature is low. As shown in the temperature characteristics of FIGS. 9 and 10, by heating the secondary battery 2, the decrease in generated power of the solar cell 1 in the high temperature atmosphere and the discharge capacity of the secondary battery 2 in the low temperature atmosphere Can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are front and side views showing another example of the concrete installation structure of the fan 4 as the solar cell cooling means in the charging device having the above-mentioned constitutions. The battery 1 is attached to the upper end of the pillar 9 in a tilted posture via the fastener 14, and the sirocco fan 4 is arranged immediately below the solar cell 1, and the solar cell 1 is obliquely inserted from the discharge port of the sirocco fan 4. An air blow duct 15 having an upward spread shape is arranged up to the lower end, and the air flow generated by the sirocco fan 4 is blown to the surface of the solar cell 1 through the air blow duct 15.
Since other configurations are the same as those in FIGS. 3 and 4, corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the air cooling means by the fan is used as the solar cell cooling means. However, in addition to this, the water cooling means having a constitution in which the cooling water is forcedly circulated on the back side of the solar cell 1 via the pump. Alternatively, a cooling unit configured to sprinkle cooling water on the surface (light-receiving surface) of the solar cell 1 through a shower, or a means for attaching a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element to the back side of the light-receiving surface of the solar cell 1 in close contact You may use.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as the secondary battery heating means, the electric heater 5 in which the heating wire is directly wound around the outer periphery of the secondary battery 2 is used, but other than that, for example, the secondary battery 2 An electric heater may be laid on the lower side, or a box-shaped heating / warming machine equipped with the electric heater may be provided to house the secondary battery 2 therein.

Further, in the above embodiment, the surplus power of the solar cell 1 is controlled by heating the secondary cell 2 and cooling the solar cell 1 in accordance with the ambient temperature when the secondary cell 2 is fully charged. Although it has been explained that it is used for both, it may be used for only one of them.

[0028]

As described above, claim 1 and claim 2 are as follows.
According to the invention, when the secondary battery charged by the power generated by the solar cell is in a fully charged state, the output (excess power) of the solar cell after that is cooled by the solar cell or heated by the secondary battery. The surplus power can be effectively utilized for suppressing the decrease of the power generated by the solar cell in a high temperature atmosphere to improve the power generation efficiency, or the secondary power in a low temperature atmosphere. It is possible to suppress the decrease in the discharge capacity of the battery and increase the discharge capacity.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when the secondary battery is in a fully charged state, the output of the solar cell (surplus power) after that corresponds to the ambient temperature at that time.
Can be effectively used for cooling the solar cell and heating the secondary battery, and by utilizing such surplus power, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell and the discharge capacity of the secondary battery can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the operating efficiency and durability of the entire system.

In particular, when adopting the structure of claims 4 and 5 as the heating means of the secondary battery, efficient heating can be performed and it is effective for improving the performance and extending the life of the secondary battery. Is.

Further, particularly when the air cooling means by the fan is adopted as the solar cell cooling means, as in claim 6, regardless of the arrangement of the solar cells, the entire surface can be made efficient with a relatively simple structure. Can be cooled to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram of the thermostat according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a concrete installation structure of a fan as a solar cell cooling means in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a specific configuration of an electric heater as a secondary battery heating unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a concrete installation structure of a fan as a solar cell cooling means in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional charging device.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating temperature characteristics of a solar cell.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a temperature characteristic of a lead storage battery as a secondary battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell 2 Secondary battery 4 Fan (an example of a cooling means) 5 Electric heater (an example of a heating means) 5a Electric heating wire 6 Overcharge prevention relay 7, 8 Thermostat (an example of an operation control means) 13 Thermal insulation cover

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar cell as a power source, means for detecting a fully charged state of the secondary battery, means for cooling the solar cell, and And a means for switching the output of the solar cell from the secondary battery side to the solar cell cooling means side based on the detection operation of the charging state detecting means. 2. A charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar battery as a power source, means for detecting a fully charged state of the secondary battery, means for heating the secondary battery, and And a means for switching the output of the solar cell from the secondary battery side to the secondary battery heating means side based on the detection operation of the fully charged state detecting means. 3. A charging device configured to charge a secondary battery using a solar cell as a power source, means for detecting a fully charged state of the secondary battery, means for detecting an ambient temperature, and the solar cell. Means for cooling the
Means for heating the secondary battery, and means for switching the output of the solar cell from the secondary battery side to the solar cell cooling means and the secondary battery heating means side based on the detection operation of the full charge state detecting means, When the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than the first set temperature, the solar cell cooling means is operated, and when the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the second set temperature, the two A charging device comprising: an operation control unit that operates a secondary battery heating unit. 4. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein the secondary battery heating means is formed by winding a heating wire covered with an insulator around the secondary battery. 5. The secondary battery heating means is a person who winds a heating wire covered with an insulator around the secondary battery and further coats the outer periphery thereof with a heat insulating cover. The charging device according to. 6. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell cooling means is an air cooling means that is installed in the vicinity of the solar cell and uses a fan that blows an airflow toward the solar cell. 7. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell cooling means is a water cooling means for forcibly circulating cooling water in the solar cell or watering the solar cell. 8. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell cooling means is one in which a thermoelectric cooling element is attached in close contact with the back surface of the light receiving surface of the solar cell.