JPH0851727A - Charger and charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a charger and a charging method for charging a battery in a manner corresponding to a condition where the battery does not run down. CONSTITUTION:The charger 50 comprising a one chip microcomputer 1, switches SW1, SW2, an operation mode table 13, a constant voltage power supply 14, and a constant current circuit 15 charges a battery 21 built in a battery pack 22. The battery pack 22 is equipped with a thermister 23 for detecting the battery temperature, and means 20 for detecting the residual capacity of a battery. When an operating mode being used after charging the battery is inputted along with the operating time thereof by means of the switches SW1, SW2, a required charging amount is calculated based on the residual battery capacity being detected before starting the charging operation. When the read/write of a memory card is used 50min, for example, the operating mode thereof is inputted and a charging time corresponding to a required charging amount is measured by means of time. When the battery is charged as required, the charging operation is ended.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charger and a charging method for controlling charging of a secondary battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a charger for controlling charging of secondary batteries such as NiCd (NiCd) batteries and nickel-hydrogen batteries, a so-called ΔT detection method for detecting completion of charging from the temperature rise rate of the battery when fully charged. And the ΔV detection method that detects the completion of charging from the voltage drop of the battery when fully charged.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, once the charging is started, the charging is not completed until the full charging is reached. You have to wait until the end of the charging time.

In order to deal with such a situation, it is possible to stop charging and use the battery at an appropriate time.
When I tried to use it, the battery sometimes ran out during use due to insufficient charging.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a charger and a charging method capable of performing charging according to a situation in which the user wants to use the battery so that the battery does not run out during use.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a battery charger according to claim 1 of the present invention is a battery charger for charging a battery, the battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting the battery remaining amount. Means, an operation mode input means for inputting an operation mode to be used after charging, a use time input means for inputting a use time of the operation mode, and a charge amount required for the input use time of the operation mode of the battery. And a charging circuit for charging the battery until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charger for charging a battery, wherein input means for inputting that the battery is used for a short time and charge amount for calculating a charge amount required for the short time use. The calculating unit includes a calculating unit, a timer that measures a charging time, and a charging circuit that charges the battery until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a charging method for charging a battery, the remaining amount of the battery is detected, the operation mode used after charging is input, and the operating time of the operation mode is input. The charge amount required for the operating time of the input operation mode is calculated according to the remaining amount of the battery, the charge time is measured, and the measured charge time is reached until a time corresponding to the charge amount is reached. Charge the battery.

[0009]

In the battery charger according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the battery is charged, the battery remaining amount detecting means detects the remaining amount of the battery, and the operation mode inputting means inputs the operation mode to be used after charging. Then, the operating time input means inputs the operating time of the operation mode, and the charging amount calculating means calculates the charging amount required for the input operating mode operating time according to the remaining amount of the battery, and the timer The charging time is measured, and the battery is charged by the charging circuit until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount.

In the battery charger according to claim 2, when charging the battery, the input means inputs that the battery is used for a short time, and the charge amount calculation means calculates the charge amount required for the short time use. Then, the charging time is measured by the timer, and the battery is charged until the measured charging time reaches the time corresponding to the charging amount by the charging circuit.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Next, examples of the charger and the charging method of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a charger 5 of this embodiment.
It is a front view which shows the external appearance of 0. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a handy terminal in which the charger 50 is used. The charger 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 51, a power plug 52 connected to a commercial AC (100V AC) is provided on one surface of the main body 51, and a handy terminal 71 is connected to the other surface. The charging plug 53 is provided. Further, on the front of the main body 51, reference numeral 24,
A rotary switch SW1 and a push switch SW2 shown by 25 are provided, and an LED 57 which is turned on at the time of charging is provided on the side thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the charger of the first embodiment. The one-chip microcomputer 1 is adopted as a control unit in the charger 50 of this embodiment.

In the figure, 8 to 12 and 18 are input ports (P1 to P6) of the one-chip microcomputer 1. As described above, 24 is the input port P1 to P5 of 8 to 12
Is a rotary switch SW1 for setting data, and 25 is a push switch SW2 for setting data to the input port P6.

In addition to the microprocessor (CPU) 3, the one-chip microcomputer 1 includes a well-known ROM 5, RAM 7,
A timer 2, a counter 4, an A / D converter 6, I / O ports 8 to 12, 18 and the like are incorporated.

Reference numeral 13 is an operation mode table which is stored in the external memory and stores data such as current consumption for each operation mode. 14 is a constant voltage power source, and a commercial alternating current AC1
It outputs a DC voltage 5V required to operate the one-chip microcomputer 1 from 00V and a voltage required to operate the constant current circuit 15. One-chip microcomputer 1 has a resistance of 16
And the thermistor 23 in the battery pack 22 determines the temperature of the battery 21 from the voltage value divided by the constant current circuit 1
The battery 21 is charged by controlling ON / OFF of the battery 5.

The battery pack 22 is provided with a battery remaining amount detecting means 20 for detecting the current battery remaining amount. The battery remaining amount detecting means 20 calculates the discharge current of the battery 21 from the voltage drop due to the resistor 19 and calculates the data of the battery remaining amount by accumulating the discharge current from the fully charged state. It is sent to the chip microcomputer 1.

In the charger 50 having the above structure, the user first inputs from the rotary switch SW1 and the push switch SW2 which operation mode and how long the operator wants to operate. Rotary switch SW1,
The switch state of the push switch SW2 is the above-mentioned I / O.
It is input to the ports P1 to P6. Here, since each I / O port is pulled up by a resistor, the switch S
H1 level when W1 and SW2 are off, L level when on
The level is input to each I / O port.

The H / L levels input from the rotary switch SW1 to the I / O ports P1 to P5 are M1 to be described later.
Corresponding to the data enable of M5, the data of M1 to M5 is set by the I / O port P6. FIG. 4 is a table showing operation modes according to M1 and M2. FIG. 5 is a table showing operation times according to M3 to M5.

The contents of the operation mode and the operation time are stored in the operation mode table 13. In FIG. 4, four operation modes corresponding to the combination of the data of M1 and M2 input by the switches SW1 and SW2, that is, each operation mode such as key input, memory card read / write, serial interface communication, and printer, and the corresponding operation modes Current consumption is shown. Further, FIG. 5 shows the operation time according to the combination of the data of M3 to M5, and the operation time is 10 minutes in the range of 10 to 70 minutes.
Can be set in minutes.

Next, the setting of the operation mode and the operation time will be concretely described. The user switches the rotary switch SW1 and inputs data from the push switch SW2 to determine the operation mode. First,
When the I / O port P1 of the rotary switch SW1 is turned on and the push switch SW2 is turned on or off to confirm the data of M1 and the rotary switch SW1 is switched from the I / O port P1 to P2. The one-chip microcomputer 1 takes in the data of the push switch SW2 as the data of M1 by the rising of the signal when the data of the I / O port P1 changes from the L level to the H level. Similarly, the data of M2 to M5 are also fetched by setting with the push switch SW2 and switching of the rotary switch SW1.

For example, if the read / write of the memory card is 5
The input method when 0 minutes is used is shown. In this case, the data of M1 to M5 are as follows from the operation mode table shown in FIGS.

M1 = Low, M2 = High, M3 = High, M4 = Low, M5 = Low These data are input from the switches SW1 and SW2. First, set the rotary switch SW1 to the I / O port P
It is confirmed that the push switch SW2 is set to the position of 1, and the push switch SW2 is turned on to set the setting data of M1 to Low, and the input data of the I / O port P6 is set to Low. Next, by switching the switch SW1 to the I / O port P2, the data of the I / O port P1 changes from Low to High, and the rising edge is detected by the one-chip microcomputer 1, and at the same time, the data of M1 is Lo.
Take in w. Similarly, High, which is the setting data of M2
In order to input the switch, confirm that the switch SW1 is in the position of the I / O port P2, and turn off the switch SW2 (I
The data of the I / O port P6 is set to the High state), and the switch SW1 is switched from the I / O port P2 to the position of the P3, so that the input of the I / O port P2 changes from Low to Hi.
It becomes gh, and this rising edge is used as a trigger to take in the data of P6 as the data of M2. Similarly, for data input from M3 to M5, the switch SW2 is turned off and the switch SW1 is switched from P3 to P4.
High data, the switch SW2 is turned on, and the switch SW1 is switched from the position P4 to the position P5, so that the data Low is stored in M4. Finally, the switch SW2 is turned on and the switch SW position is changed to P5.
Is returned to the position of P4 from the position of and is Lo as the data of M5.
w is captured.

Here, the rotary switch SW1 always switches from the position P1 to P2 and P3 in order when the operation mode is input, and finally returns to the position P4 to change the input of P5 from Low to High. The edge is input and the data input setting is completed. In order to input again, the rotary switch SW1 is returned to the position P1 again to enter the input standby state.

The one-chip microcomputer 1 judges the operation mode and its current consumption by referring to the operation mode table 13 from the input data of each I / O port input in this way, and the selected operation is based on this data. The amount of charge required for the mode is calculated, and data regarding the battery remaining amount is received from the battery remaining amount detecting means 20 in the battery pack 22, and the remaining amount of charging is required to operate the input operation mode. Judges and starts charging.

Further, all the data of M1 to M5 is High.
When the value is h, that is, when the switch SW1 is switched while the switch SW2 is off, normal charging is performed.
In normal charging, the battery temperature is monitored from the voltage of the thermistor 23 and the resistor 16 during charging, the temperature rise of the battery per unit time is calculated, and when the temperature rise rate of 1 ° C./min. Judge that the battery is fully charged and end charging.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the charging processing routine. The one-chip microcomputer 1 first determines whether it is a normal charge or a charge for operating only a little, from the setting of the switches SW1 and SW2 for inputting the operation mode (step S1), and the battery pack 22 is charged. When it is set in the container 50 (step S2), it is determined whether the charging is for a small amount of operation or normal charging (step S3). If it is normal charging, it is charged until it is fully charged (step S4), and if it is detected that charging is completed (step S7).

Further, if the charging is for a small amount of operation, the current remaining battery amount is received from the remaining battery amount detecting means 20 in the battery pack 22 and the input operation mode is required. It is determined whether or not the amount of charge is sufficient for the current remaining battery charge (step S5), and if it is in time, the charging is immediately terminated (step S7), and if it is insufficient, the shortage is charged (step S6). Is finished (step S7).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a shortage charge processing subroutine for charging the shortage in step S6. First, the remaining battery amount is detected (step S8), and it is determined whether the remaining battery amount is less than 20% (step S9).

20% if the battery level is less than 20%
Pre-charging is performed until it exceeds (steps S10, S1
1). Here, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the charging efficiency with respect to the charged amount of the battery. Preliminary charging is performed in consideration of the characteristics of the battery that the charging efficiency is extremely reduced when the remaining amount is small, and the charging is performed in accordance with the operation mode after the remaining amount is 20% or more.

If the battery level is 20% or more, the charging efficiency is 8
The required charging amount corresponding to the operation mode is calculated to be 0%, and the charging time is calculated (steps S12 and S13). The required charge amount is calculated by the following formula.

Required charging time = consumed current in selected operation mode × operating time / (charging current × 0.8) After charging for the calculated time (step S14), the required amount of charge corresponds to the required amount of charge When the time is reached, charging ends (step S15).

As described above, the charger 50 of this embodiment
According to the conventional operation mode, even when the battery needs to be charged when the user wants to use it in a predetermined operation mode, the battery can be charged only for the charging time according to the operation mode. The battery must be charged until it is fully charged, and as a result of proper charging, the battery will not run out during use, and you can charge as much as you need in the shortest time. You can

Of course, the charging current and charging voltage may be changed when charging.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the charger and the charging method of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the charger of the second embodiment. The charger according to the second embodiment has an electrical configuration simplified from the first embodiment by omitting the rotary switch SW1, the battery remaining amount detecting means 20, and the like. The same components as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the charger of this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the push switch SW2 as the mode switch is pushed, and if it is pushed, the ROM 5 in the one-chip microcomputer 1 is pushed.
The charging time calculated from the current consumption required for the average operation of the device, which is stored in the memory, that is, the charging time required to use the device for 10 minutes is called, and the time is set by the timer 2
And the constant current circuit 15 is enabled accordingly, and charging is performed for a short time of use within 10 minutes.
If the switch SW2 is not pressed, the normal charging mode is entered, and when full charge is detected, charging is terminated.

As described above, according to the battery charger of the second embodiment, the battery must be charged, and when the case where the user wants to operate for a short time such as within 10 minutes suddenly occurs, the battery is You can charge the battery for a short time without waiting until it is fully charged.

[0038]

According to the charger of the first aspect of the present invention, when the battery is charged, the battery remaining amount detecting means detects the remaining amount of the battery, and the operation mode inputting means uses the battery after charging. The operation mode is input, the use time of the operation mode is input by the use time input means, and the charge amount required for the input use time of the operation mode is calculated by the charge amount calculation means according to the remaining amount of the battery. Then, the charging time is measured by the timer, and the battery is charged until the measured charging time by the charging circuit reaches the time corresponding to the charging amount. It is possible to charge the battery according to the operation mode used.

Further, in the case where the battery is charged when it is desired to use it in an operation mode in which there is no remaining battery power for a short time, when charging is completed and used before the battery is fully charged, the conventional charger charges the battery. Although the amount is insufficient and the battery may run out during use, according to the charger of the present invention, it is possible to determine the charging time according to the operation mode used after charging and finish the charging in a short time. Since it is possible to prevent the battery from running out during use.

According to the charger of the second aspect, when the battery is charged, the input means indicates that the battery is to be used for a short time, and the charge amount calculation means inputs the charge amount required for the short time. Is calculated, the charging time is measured by the timer, and the battery is charged until the charging time measured by the charging circuit reaches the time corresponding to the charging amount. In this case, it is possible to perform the charging corresponding to the desired operation in a short time without waiting for the battery to be fully charged.

According to the charging method of the third aspect, in the charging method for charging the battery, the remaining amount of the battery is detected, the operation mode to be used after charging is input, and the usage time of the operation mode is input. Then, the amount of charge required for the operating time of the input operation mode is calculated according to the remaining amount of the battery,
Since the charging time is measured and the battery is charged until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount,
It is possible to charge the battery according to the operation mode used after charging without waiting until the battery is fully charged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a charger 50 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a handy terminal in which the charger 50 is used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the charger of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a table showing operation modes according to M1 and M2.

FIG. 5 is a table showing operation times according to M3 to M5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a charging processing routine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a shortage charge processing subroutine when it is desired to charge a shortage in step S6.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the charging efficiency with respect to the charge amount of the battery.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a charger according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... One-chip microcomputer 2 ... Timer 3 ... CPU 4 ... Counter 5 ... ROM 6 ... A / D converter 7 ... RAM 8 ... I / O port P1 9 ... I / O port P2 10 ... I / O port P3 11 ... I / O port P4 12 ... I / O port P5 13 ... Operating mode table 14 ... Constant voltage power supply 15 ... Constant current circuit 16 ... Resistor 18 ... I / O port 96 19 ... Resistor 20 ... Battery remaining amount detecting means 21 ... Battery 22 ... Battery pack 23 ... Thermistor 24 ... Rotary switch 25 ... Push switch 26 ... Resistor 50 ... Charger 51 ... Main body 52 ... Power plug 53 ... Charge plug 57 ... LED 71 ... Handy terminal

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A battery charger for charging a battery, a battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the battery, an operation mode inputting means for inputting an operation mode used after charging, and a usage time of the operation mode. A use time input means for inputting, a charge amount calculation means for calculating a charge amount required for the use time of the input operation mode according to the remaining amount of the battery, a timer for measuring the charge time, and the measurement And a charging circuit that charges the battery until the charged time reaches a time corresponding to the charged amount. 2. A charger for charging a battery, input means for inputting that the battery is to be used for a short time, charge amount calculation means for calculating a charge amount required for the short time, and charging time. And a charging circuit for charging the battery until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount. 3. A charging method for charging a battery, which comprises detecting a remaining amount of the battery, inputting an operation mode to be used after charging, inputting a use time of the operation mode, and inputting an operation mode of the input operation mode. The amount of charge required for use time is calculated according to the remaining amount of the battery, the charging time is measured, and the battery is charged until the measured charging time reaches a time corresponding to the charging amount. And charging method.