JPH09331638A - Electronic equipment, and device and method for charging - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to control charging and discharging based on a temperature of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. SOLUTION: A condition of a battery 11 storing section of a secondary battery pack 10 is detected and it is judged whether the detected condition is within a specified range. Then, a control signal is generated by a signal generating section 18 based on the judgement result and the control signal is sent from a terminal 19 to a charging device which, being connected to the secondary battery pack 10, charges the battery 11 in the battery storing section of the battery pack 10. The charging by the charging device is controlled based on the control signal sent to it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with a rechargeable battery (hereinafter referred to as a secondary battery), a charging device connected to the electronic device, and the electronic device and the charging device. Regarding the charging method applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a secondary battery is charged, the battery voltage, charging current, etc. are detected to determine whether the battery has reached a state of full charge, and the charging device controls the charging. I am trying to do. However, depending on the characteristics of the secondary battery, there are some that require detection of the temperature of the battery as a detection item during charging in addition to the electrical characteristics such as voltage and current. That is, the secondary battery has a temperature range in which the battery can be charged, and if it is charged outside the temperature range, the characteristics of the battery are deteriorated. Therefore, a temperature detection sensor is attached to this type of secondary battery so that the detection output of this temperature detection sensor can be judged on the charging device side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a structure of a charging device and a secondary battery side in the case of detecting the temperature of a conventional secondary battery.
Here, the secondary battery is housed in a secondary battery housing portion formed of a predetermined casing called a secondary battery pack, and the secondary battery pack is a charging device or a load device (not shown). Is to be connected to.

The secondary battery pack 80 detects the battery voltage of the accommodated secondary battery 81 (which may be a plurality of batteries connected in series or in parallel) by the voltage detection circuit 82, and detects it. On / off control of the switch circuit 83 is performed based on the battery voltage. In this case, the secondary battery pack 80 has terminals 85,
86 is provided, the terminal 85 is connected to the positive electrode of the secondary battery 81, and the terminal 86 is connected to the negative electrode of the secondary battery 81 via the switch circuit 83. Further, a thermistor 84 is arranged as an element for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the secondary battery 81 housed in the secondary battery pack 80. The thermistor 84 is an element whose resistance value changes with temperature, one end of which is connected to the terminal 86 side, and the other end of which is the temperature detecting terminal 8
7 is connected.

Then, the secondary battery pack 80 having the above structure
In the charging device 90 connected to, the positive side output of a power supply circuit 91 for generating a predetermined charging power source is connected to one charging terminal 92, and the negative side output of the power supply circuit 91 is a switch. It is connected to the other charging terminal 93 via the circuit 96. Here, each charging terminal 92, 9
3 is connected to the charging / discharging terminals 85 and 86 of the secondary battery pack 80 when the secondary battery pack 80 is connected.

The charging device 90 also includes a secondary battery pack 8
Temperature detection terminal 9 connected to 0 temperature detection terminal 87
4 to detect the signal obtained at this terminal 94.
To supply. The detection circuit 95 discriminates the temperature detected by the thermistor 84 in the secondary battery pack 80 from the voltage of the signal supplied through the terminal 94. When the discriminated temperature is not within an appropriate range, the switch circuit 96 is provided. Is turned off, and the supply of charging power from the charging device 90 to the secondary battery pack 80 is stopped. Here, the detection circuit 95 is provided with a display portion 97 such as a pilot lamp formed of a light emitting diode, and when, for example, a temperature at which charging cannot be performed is detected, the detection circuit 95 is turned on to notify that charging cannot be performed. Let

With such a configuration, the secondary battery 8
When the temperature of 1 exceeds an appropriate range (for example, when the temperature becomes high), the charging device 90 cannot charge the battery.

Here, the reason why charging is stopped on the charging device 90 side based on the temperature detected in the secondary battery pack 80 is, for example, the switch in the secondary battery pack 80 based on the detected temperature. When the circuit 83 is turned off,
This is because the charging device side may malfunction. That is, when the switch circuit 83 in the secondary battery pack 80 is turned off, the charging device may erroneously determine that charging has stopped due to full charging. Therefore, the temperature is determined on the charging device side, and the process of stopping the charging is performed according to the determined temperature.

[0009]

However, since the switch circuit 83 is not turned off in the secondary battery pack 80, for example, the secondary battery pack 80 is connected to some load device (not shown). When the secondary battery 81 is discharged, even if the temperature is outside the usable range,
There is an inconvenience that the battery can be discharged and the characteristics of the secondary battery 81 are deteriorated.

Generally, the temperature range in which a secondary battery can be charged is different from the temperature range in which it can be discharged. That is, for example, in the case of a lithium-ion battery, as shown in FIG. 13, the temperature range T1 in which charging is possible is about −10 ° C. to about 60 ° C., and the temperature range T2 in which discharging is possible is about −20 ° C. About 9
It was 0 ° C and was different. If the battery is charged at a temperature outside the range T1 or discharged at a temperature outside the range T2, the characteristics of the secondary battery will be deteriorated. However, conventionally, the control considering the difference between the chargeable range and the dischargeable range has not been performed, and it cannot be said that the control of the secondary battery is appropriately performed.

In view of these points, it is an object of the present invention to allow good control of charging and discharging depending on the temperature of the secondary battery.

[0012]

The present invention detects the state of a battery housing portion of an electronic device, determines whether the detected state is within a predetermined range, and generates a control signal based on this determination.
The control signal is transmitted to a charging device that is connected to an electronic device and charges a battery in a battery housing, and charging by the charging device is controlled based on the transmitted control signal.

By performing such processing, the charging device side connected to the electronic device can know the temperature and other states from the transmitted control signal, and can control the corresponding charging, and the electronic device side can switch on. Even if processing such as turning off is performed, the charging device does not malfunction.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this embodiment. The secondary battery pack 10 is provided with a battery housing portion for housing a secondary battery 11 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the formed secondary battery 11 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 12. The negative electrode side of the secondary battery 11 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 13 via the switch circuit 17. This switch circuit 17 is turned on / off between the secondary battery 11 and the terminal 13 by the control circuit 1.
6 is a switch controlled based on 6, for example, a switch including a field effect transistor.

Then, the secondary battery 11 and the switch circuit 17
Is connected to one ends of the thermistors 14 and 15 as temperature detecting elements, and the thermistors 14 and 15 are connected to each other.
The other end of is connected to the control circuit 16 and the signal generation circuit 18, and the control circuit 16 and the signal generation circuit 18 individually judge the temperature. Note that the two thermistors 14 and 15 are provided here to detect the upper limit of the temperature range in which one thermistor 14 can be used, and to detect the lower limit of the temperature range in which the other thermistor 15 can be used. It is for. Specifically, for example, the thermistor 14 has a characteristic that can accurately detect a temperature of at least about 50 ° C., and the thermistor 15 has a characteristic that can accurately detect a temperature of at least about 0 ° C.

Then, the control circuit 16 and the signal generation circuit 18
Then, based on the signals from the thermistors 14 and 15, respectively, it is determined whether or not the mounted secondary battery 11 is within a temperature range suitable for charging (charging here). The temperature range suitable for is 0 ° C to 50 ° C).

When the control circuit 16 determines that the temperature is within the temperature range suitable for charging, the switch circuit 17 is turned on so that the secondary battery 11 can be charged and discharged, and the temperature range suitable for charging is set. When it is determined that the temperature is outside, the switch circuit 17 is turned off and the secondary battery 11
The battery cannot be charged or discharged. In addition, the signal generation circuit 1
The reference numeral 8 is adapted to transmit a control signal from a terminal 19 to a device (charging device or the like) connected to the secondary battery pack 10. When the signal generation circuit 18 determines that the temperature exceeds the temperature range suitable for charging, the terminal 1
An off signal, which is a control signal for stopping charging, is output from 9. Further, the signal generating circuit 18 indicates that the temperature within the temperature range suitable for charging changes from the temperature exceeding this temperature range.
When the determination is made, an ON signal, which is a control signal for starting charging, is output from the terminal 19. The off signal and the on signal output from the signal generation circuit 18 are signals that output, for example, code data indicating on and off.
Alternatively, the on / off may be instructed simply by changing the output voltage.

Next, the processing based on the temperature judgment in the secondary battery pack 10 of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the battery temperature is detected by the control circuit 16 and the signal generating circuit 18 based on the signals from the thermistors 14 and 15 (step 101). Here, it is determined whether the detected temperature is 0 ° C. or lower or 50 ° C. or higher (step 102). If neither 0 ° C. or lower nor 50 ° C. or higher, the battery temperature detection process in step 101 is repeated. When it is determined that the temperature is 0 ° C. or lower or 50 ° C. or higher, the signal generation circuit 18 generates an off signal to the outside and outputs the off signal from the terminal 19 (step 103). Here, when a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 10, the off signal is received and the process of stopping the charging is performed.

Then, the control circuit 16 controls to turn off the switch circuit 17 (step 104).
In this state, the control circuit 16 and the signal generation circuit 18 detect the battery temperature (step 105). At this time, it is judged whether or not the detected temperature is in the range of 0 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C. or lower (step 106). If it is not within this range, the temperature detection in step 105 is repeated.

Then, in step 106, the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C.
When it is determined that the following range is reached, the signal generation circuit 18 generates an ON signal to the outside, and this ON signal is output from the terminal 19 (step 107). here,
When a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 10, the ON signal is received, and the process of restarting the charging stopped in step 104 is performed.

Then, in the control circuit 16, step 10
Control is performed to return the switch circuit 17, which has been turned off in step 4, to the on state (step 108). Then, thereafter, the process returns to step 101 to detect the temperature.

By connecting the secondary battery pack 10 of the present example to the charging device and charging it in this way, when the battery temperature is not suitable for charging, a control signal is transmitted to the charging device side, The charging is controlled and the charging is controlled by the on / off control of the switch circuit 17 in the battery pack, so that both the appropriate processing for the charging device and the appropriate processing for the battery pack alone are performed. As a result, there is no malfunction on the charging device side, and even if the battery pack 10 is connected to, for example, a charging device or a load device that does not have a temperature control function, it is possible to prevent charging or discharging at a temperature that is not suitable for use. it can. Further, as the switch circuit 17 in the battery pack, a switch circuit included in the battery pack as a protection circuit can be used, which can be realized with a simple configuration.

In the first embodiment, the temperature is individually judged by both the control circuit 16 and the signal generating circuit 18. However, for example, the temperature is judged only by the control circuit 16 and then the temperature is judged. The signal generating circuit 18 may generate a control signal to the outside based on the determination result.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this embodiment. The secondary battery pack 20 is provided with a battery housing part for housing a secondary battery 21 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the formed secondary battery 21 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 22. The negative electrode side of the secondary battery 21 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 23 via the switch circuit 29. This switch circuit 29 is turned on / off between the secondary battery 21 and the terminal 23 by the control circuit 2.
8 is a switch controlled based on 8 and is composed of, for example, a switch including a field effect transistor.

Then, the secondary battery 21 and the switch circuit 29
Is connected to one ends of the thermistors 24 and 25 as temperature detecting elements.
The other end of is connected to the signal generating circuit 26, and the signal generating circuit 26 determines the temperature near the battery. Note that the two thermistors 24 and 25 are provided here to detect the upper limit of the temperature range in which one thermistor 24 can be used, and to detect the lower limit of the temperature range in which the other thermistor 25 can be used. It is for. Specifically, for example, the thermistor 24 having a characteristic capable of accurately detecting a temperature of at least about 50 ° C. is used, and the thermistor 25 having a characteristic capable of accurately detecting a temperature of at least about 0 ° C.

Then, the signal generating circuit 26 determines whether or not the mounted secondary battery 21 is within the temperature range suitable for charging, based on the signals from the thermistors 24 and 25. (The temperature range suitable for charging here is a range of 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.).

When the signal generating circuit 26 determines that the temperature is outside the temperature range suitable for charging, it outputs an off signal. This OFF signal is output from the control signal output terminal 26a provided in the secondary battery pack 20 to the outside (such as a connected charging device) and is controlled via the time constant circuit 27 in the secondary battery pack 20. It is supplied to the circuit 28.
Here, the time constant circuit 27 is a circuit that delays the signal supplied from the signal generation circuit 26 for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds) and supplies the signal to the control circuit 28. Therefore, in the control circuit 28, an OFF signal indicating that the temperature is out of the temperature range suitable for charging is supplied with a delay of a predetermined time from the determination by the signal generation circuit 26. Then, when this off signal is supplied to the control circuit 28, the switch circuit 29 is turned off so that the secondary battery 21 cannot be charged or discharged. The switch circuit 29 is turned on unless an off signal is supplied to the control circuit 28. Therefore, the switch circuit 29 is turned off after a predetermined time elapses from the output of the off signal from the terminal 26a. For example, a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 20. When the charging device receives the off signal transmitted from the secondary battery pack 20, the charging device receives the off signal, and after the process of stopping the reception, the process of turning off the switch circuit 29 in the secondary battery pack 20 is performed. Done.

When the signal generating circuit 26 determines that the temperature within the temperature range suitable for charging has been reached from the state where the temperature range suitable for charging has been exceeded, an ON signal which is a control signal for starting charging is provided. Is output and supplied to the charging device side connected to the terminal 26a to restart charging. Also,
This ON signal is also supplied to the control circuit 28 via the time constant circuit 27, and the control circuit 28 controls the switch circuit 29 to return to the ON state. The off signal and the on signal may be any signals such as a control signal based on predetermined code data and a control signal based on a voltage change.

Next, the processing based on the temperature judgment in the secondary battery pack 20 of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the signal generating circuit 26 detects the battery temperature based on the signals from the thermistors 24 and 25 (step 111). Here, the detected temperature is 0 ° C or less and 50
It is determined whether the temperature is higher than or equal to ℃ (step 11).
2). If neither 0 ° C. or lower nor 50 ° C. or higher, the battery temperature detection process in step 111 is repeated. When it is determined that the temperature is 0 ° C. or lower or 50 ° C. or higher, the signal generation circuit 18 generates an off signal and outputs the off signal from the terminal 26a (step 113). If a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 20, the off signal is received and the charging is stopped.

The off signal is also supplied to the control circuit 28 via the time constant circuit 27, and after a predetermined time for delaying by the time constant circuit 27 has passed (step 114), the switch circuit 29 is turned off. Is performed (step 115). In this state, the signal generating circuit 26 detects the battery temperature (step 116). At this time, it is judged whether or not the detected temperature is in the range of 0 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C. or lower (step 117). If it is not within this range, the temperature detection in step 116 is repeated.

Then, in step 117, the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C.
When it is determined that the range is below, an ON signal is generated by the signal generating circuit 26 and the ON signal is output from the terminal 26a (step 118). Where this 2
When a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 10, this ON signal is received and step 11
Processing for restarting the charging stopped in 3 is performed.

Then, this ON signal is also supplied to the control circuit 28 via the time constant circuit 27, and after a predetermined time delayed by the time constant circuit 27 has passed (step 119), the switch circuit 29 is returned to the ON state. Control is performed (step 120). Then, after that, the process returns to step 111 to detect the temperature.

By thus connecting the secondary battery pack 20 of the present example to the charging device for charging, when the battery temperature is not suitable for charging, a control signal is transmitted to the charging device side, The charging is controlled and the charging is controlled by the on / off control of the switch circuit 29 in the battery pack, and appropriate processing is performed on the charging device as in the case of the first embodiment. . Here in this example,
After the control signal is output to the outside, the switch circuit in the battery pack turns off after a predetermined time delay.
After the process of stopping charging on the charging device side is completed, the process of turning off the switch circuit on the battery pack side is performed,
Since the battery pack is not turned off first, the charging stop process can be properly performed on the charging device side.

In the case of this example, the time constant circuit 27 delays the ON signal when it is supplied to the control circuit 28. However, the ON signal is supplied from the signal generating circuit 26. The time constant circuit 27 may not be delayed. By doing so, the delay process in step 119 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is omitted (the flow indicated by the broken line), and the switch circuit 29 returns to the ON state almost at the same time as the resumption of charging on the charging device side. The charging is restarted quickly.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this embodiment. The secondary battery pack 30 has a battery housing portion for housing a secondary battery 31 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the formed secondary battery 31 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 32. In addition, the negative electrode side of the secondary battery 31 is a field effect transistor F that is a switch circuit.
It is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 33 via ET2 and FET1. These two field effect transistor FETs
The gates of 1 and FET2 are connected to the control circuit 36, and ON / OFF is controlled by the control circuit 36. The source-drain connection direction of both transistors FET1 and FET2 is opposite to that of the transistor FET1 and the transistor FET2. That is, the transistor FET1 is connected to the state in which the flow of current in the direction from the secondary battery 31 to the charging / discharging terminal 33 is restricted by the signal obtained from the control circuit 36 at the gate. Further, the transistor FET2 is connected to a state in which the flow of current in the direction from the charging / discharging terminal 33 to the secondary battery 31 side is restricted by a signal obtained from the control circuit 36 at the gate.
In this case, each transistor FET1, FET2
Has parasitic diodes D1 and D2 in which a current flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the current flow is restricted.

Then, the secondary battery 11 and the transistor FE
A thermistor 34 as a temperature detecting element is provided between the thermistor 34 and T2.
And 35 are connected to each other, and the other ends of the thermistors 34 and 35 are connected to a control circuit 36 and a signal generation circuit 37, and the control circuit 36 and the signal generation circuit 37 individually judge the temperature. Note that here, the two thermistors 34
And 35 are provided to detect the upper limit of the temperature range in which one thermistor 34 can be used, and to detect the lower limit of the temperature range in which the other thermistor 35 can be used. Specifically, for example, the thermistor 34 having a characteristic capable of accurately detecting a temperature of at least about 50 ° C. is used, and the thermistor 35 having a characteristic capable of accurately detecting a temperature of at least about 0 ° C. to −20 ° C. To use.

Then, the control circuit 36 and the signal generation circuit 37
Then, based on the signals from the thermistors 34 and 35, it is determined whether or not the mounted secondary battery 31 is within a temperature range suitable for charging and discharging. The temperature range suitable for charging here is 0 ° C to 5 ° C.
The temperature range is 0 ° C., and the temperature range suitable for discharging is -20 ° C. or higher.

When the control circuit 36 determines that the temperature is within the temperature range suitable for charging, the transistor FET
1 is turned on, and when it is determined that the temperature is outside the temperature range suitable for charging, the transistor FET1 is turned off.
Also, when it is determined that the temperature range is suitable for discharge,
When the transistor FET2 is turned on and it is determined that the temperature is outside the temperature range suitable for discharging, the transistor FET2
Is turned off. Therefore, the transistors FET1 and FET2 are in the ON state in the use state under normal temperature (however, the transistors FET1 and FET2 may be in the OFF state due to the protection operation due to other factors not described here).

Further, the signal generating circuit 37 is adapted to transmit a control signal from the terminal 38 to the equipment (charging device, load device, etc.) connected to the secondary battery pack 30. Then, when the signal generation circuit 37 determines that the temperature exceeds the temperature range suitable for charging, a charge-off signal, which is a control signal for stopping charging, is output from the terminal 38. Further, the signal generation circuit 37 indicates that the temperature within the temperature range suitable for charging is changed from the temperature exceeding this temperature range.
When the determination is made, a charge-on signal, which is a control signal for starting charging, is output from the terminal 38.

When the signal generating circuit 37 determines that the temperature exceeds the temperature range suitable for discharging, a discharge-off signal, which is a control signal for stopping discharging, is output from the terminal 38. Further, the signal generation circuit 3 indicates that the temperature within the temperature range suitable for the discharge is reached from the temperature exceeding this temperature range.
When the determination is made by No. 7, a charge-on signal, which is a control signal for starting discharge, is output from the terminal 38.

The charge-off signal, charge-on signal, discharge-off signal, and discharge-on signal output from the signal generating circuit 37 are signals for outputting code data indicating on-off of discharge or charge, for example. Alternatively, the on / off of the discharge or charge may be instructed simply by changing the output voltage.

Next, the processing based on the temperature judgment in the secondary battery pack 30 of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the battery temperature is detected by the control circuit 36 and the signal generating circuit 37 based on the signals from the thermistors 34 and 35 (step 130). Here, processing related to charging and processing related to discharging are performed based on the detected temperature.

First, the processing relating to charging will be described. It is determined whether the detected temperature is 0 ° C. or lower or 50 ° C. or higher (step 131). And 0 ℃
If neither below nor above 50 ° C., step 130
The battery temperature detection process in step 1 is repeated. And 0 ℃
When it is determined that the temperature is below or 50 ° C. or higher, the signal generation circuit 37 generates a charge-off signal to the outside and outputs the charge-off signal from the terminal 38 (step 13).
2). Here, when a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 30, the charging OFF signal is received and the process of stopping the charging is performed.

Then, the control circuit 36 performs control to turn off the transistor FET1 (step 13).
3). In this state, the control circuit 36 and the signal generation circuit 37
Then, the battery temperature is detected (step 134). At this time, it is judged whether or not the detected temperature is in the range of 0 ° C. or more and 50 ° C. or less (step 135). If it is not within this range, the temperature detection in step 134 is repeated.

Then, in step 135, the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C.
When it is determined that the range is below, the signal generation circuit 37 generates a charge-on signal to the outside and outputs the charge-on signal from the terminal 38 (step 136).
Here, when a charging device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 30, a process of receiving the charging ON signal and restarting the charging stopped in step 132 is performed.

Then, in the control circuit 36, step 13
Control is performed to return the transistor FET1 turned off in 3 to the on state (step 137). And
After that, the process returns to step 130 to detect the temperature.

Next, the process relating to the discharge based on the temperature detection in step 130 will be explained. It is judged whether or not the detected temperature is -20 ° C or lower (step 14).
1). If the temperature is not -20 ° C or lower, the battery temperature detection process in step 130 is repeated. When it is determined that the temperature is −20 ° C. or lower, the signal generation circuit 37 generates a discharge off signal to the outside, and the terminal 3
This discharge off signal is output from 8 (step 14
2). Here, when a load device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 30, the discharge off signal is received and the load device discharges (that is, operates by the power source from the secondary battery). ) Is performed.

Then, the control circuit 36 performs control to turn off the transistor FET2 (step 14).
3). In this state, the control circuit 36 and the signal generation circuit 37
Then, the battery temperature is detected (step 144). At this time, it is judged whether or not the detected temperature is -20 ° C or higher (step 145).
The temperature detection in step 144 is repeated.

When it is determined in step 145 that the temperature has risen to -20 ° C. or higher, the signal generating circuit 37 generates an external discharge-on signal and outputs the discharge-on signal from the terminal 38 (step 146). Here, when a load device (not shown) is connected to the secondary battery pack 30, the discharge-on signal is received and the discharge stopped in step 142 (that is, the operation of the load device) is performed. Perform processing to restart.

Then, in the control circuit 36, step 14
Control is performed to return the transistor FET2 turned off in 3 to the on state (step 147). And
After that, the process returns to step 130 to detect the temperature.

As described above, according to the secondary battery pack 30 of this example, when the temperature of the battery is out of the temperature range suitable for charging,
A transistor F as a switch that outputs a control signal for turning off the charge and limits the charge in the battery pack
The ET1 is turned off, and the charging in the connected charging device is stopped, and the charging is stopped in the battery pack. In this case, when the temperature range is such that discharge is possible, the transistor FET2, which is a switch that limits discharge, remains in the ON state, and it is possible to connect the secondary battery pack 30 to the load device for discharge. Is.

When the temperature becomes unsuitable for discharge, a control signal for turning off the discharge is output, and the transistor FET2 as a switch for limiting the discharge in the battery pack is turned off, and the connected load is connected. The discharge in the device is stopped, and the discharge is stopped in the battery pack.

Therefore, in the case of the present example, charging and discharging are appropriately controlled individually based on the detected temperature, and discharging can be performed, for example, between 0 ° C and -20 ° C.

In the third embodiment, the first
As in the case of the embodiment described above, the temperature is judged individually by both the control circuit 36 and the signal generating circuit 37. However, for example, the temperature is judged only by the control circuit 36, and the temperature is judged based on the judgment result. The signal generating circuit 37 may generate a control signal to the outside.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this embodiment. The secondary battery pack 40 is provided with a battery housing portion for housing a secondary battery 41 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the formed secondary battery 41 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 42. Further, the negative electrode side of the secondary battery 41 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 43 via the switch circuit 46. This switch circuit 46 turns on / off between the secondary battery 41 and the terminal 43 when the control circuit 4
5 is a switch controlled based on 5, for example, a switch including a field effect transistor.

In this example, a temperature detection circuit 44 composed of a thermistor or the like is provided, and the detection output of this temperature detection circuit 44 is supplied to the control circuit 45 and the signal generation circuit 47.
Is determined. Then, the control circuit 45 and the signal generation circuit 47
In the above, it is determined whether or not the mounted secondary battery 41 is within a temperature range suitable for charging based on the signal from the temperature detection circuit 44.

When the control circuit 44 determines that the temperature is within the temperature range suitable for charging, the switch circuit 46 is turned on so that the secondary battery 41 can be charged and discharged, and the temperature range suitable for charging is set. When it is determined that the temperature is outside, the switch circuit 46 is turned off and the secondary battery 41
The battery cannot be charged or discharged. In addition, the signal generation circuit 4
7 transmits a control signal from a terminal 48 to a device (charging device or the like) connected to the secondary battery pack 40. As the processing for transmitting this control signal, the processing already described in the first embodiment and the like is performed.

In this example, the temperature detection circuit 44
Power for operating the control circuit 45 and the signal generating circuit 47 is supplied from the positive electrode side of the secondary battery 41 via the connection switch SW ₀ . The switch SW ₀ is controlled by a detection circuit 49 that detects the impedance value of the control signal transmission terminal 48. When the detection circuit 49 detects that the impedance value of the terminal 48 reaches a predetermined value, the switch S
When W ₀ is turned on and the impedance value is not detected, the switch SW ₀ is turned off.

As a charging device connected to the secondary battery pack 40, some resistor R ₁ is connected between the control signal terminal 48 and the other charging / discharging terminal 43. To configure. In the case of the load device as well, the resistor R ₁ may be similarly connected.

Next, the processing related to the control of the switch SW ₀ in the secondary battery pack 40 of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when no charging device or load device is connected to the secondary battery pack 40, the switch SW ₀ is turned off, and the temperature detecting circuit 44, the control circuit 45, and the signal generating circuit 47. No power is supplied to any of these (step 151). In this state, from the impedance value detected by the detection circuit 49,
It is determined whether a load device (set) or a charging device is connected (step 152). If it is determined that the switch SW ₀ is connected, the switch SW ₀ is turned on, and the temperature detection circuit 44, the control circuit 45, and the signal generation circuit 47 are connected to the switch 2.
Power is supplied from the positive electrode side (or the connected charging device side) of the secondary battery 41 (step 153). The supply of this power supply causes the various circuits 44, 45, 47 to start operating. Then, after that, the processing described in each of the above-described embodiments is performed,
It controls charging and discharging according to the detected battery temperature.

As shown in the fourth embodiment, the control of the power supply to the temperature detecting circuit 44, the control circuit 45 and the signal generating circuit 47 is controlled based on the connection of the charging device or the like. Then, the control by the control circuit 45 and the generation of the control signal by the signal generating circuit 47 are performed only when necessary, and the power consumption for control can be reduced.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this example. The secondary battery pack 50 is provided with a battery housing portion for housing a secondary battery 51 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the formed secondary battery 51 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 52. The negative electrode side of the secondary battery 51 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 53 via the resistor R ₀ and the switch circuit 58. The switch circuit 58 is a switch whose on / off between the secondary battery 51 and the terminal 53 is controlled based on the control circuit 54, and is composed of, for example, a switch including a field effect transistor.

In this example, a temperature detection circuit 57 composed of a thermistor or the like is provided, and the detection output of this temperature detection circuit 54 is supplied to the control circuit 54 and the signal generation circuit 59.
Is determined. Then, the control circuit 54 and the signal generation circuit 59
Then, based on the signal from the temperature detection circuit 57, it is determined whether or not the attached secondary battery 51 is within a temperature range suitable for charging, and ON / OFF control of the switch circuit 58 and An off signal or an on signal is output from the control signal terminal 59a to control charging and discharging depending on the temperature. The process up to this point is as described in each of the above embodiments.

In this example, the battery voltage of the secondary battery 51 is detected by the voltage detection circuit 55, and a resistor R ₁ for current detection is connected between the secondary battery 51 and the switch circuit 58. From the voltage across the resistor R ₁ to the battery 5
The current flowing through 1 is detected by the current detection circuit 56. Then, the detection data from the respective detection circuits 55 and 56 is supplied to the control circuit 54, and the control circuit 54 comprehensively judges the battery voltage and current and the battery temperature, and the switch circuit 58.
ON / OFF control is performed. That is, when it is desired to stop charging or discharging not only from the temperature but also from the battery voltage or current, the switch circuit 58 is controlled to perform processing for restricting charging or discharging. As the on / off control here, for example, as in the first embodiment, control may be performed in consideration of only charging, or as in the third embodiment, a switch for charging and a switch for discharging may be used. It is also possible to provide a switch and control each individually.

With this configuration, as in each of the above-described embodiments, appropriate charging and discharging can be controlled based on the temperature of the battery, and charging and discharging based on the battery voltage and current can be performed. It can also be controlled and functions well as a secondary battery pack.

As for the control signal output from the signal generating circuit 59, a control signal based on voltage or current detection other than the control signal based on temperature detection may be output.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the structure of the secondary battery pack of this embodiment. The secondary battery pack 60 is provided with a battery housing portion for housing a secondary battery 61 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the charged secondary battery 61 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 62. Further, the negative electrode side of the secondary battery 61 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 6 via the field effect transistors FET12 and FET11 as a switch circuit.
It is connected to 3. In this case, the transistor FET1
Reference numerals 1 and 12 are elements whose on / off is controlled by a signal obtained from the control circuit 66 at a gate, and the source and drain are connected in opposite directions, and the transistor FET11 limits the charging current. The transistor FET12 limits the discharge current. The respective transistors FET11 and FET12 have parasitic diodes D11 and D12 through which a current flows in the direction opposite to the direction in which the current flow is restricted.

At the other charging / discharging terminal 63, the temperature is
One end of the thermistor 64 as a detection element is connected.
You. Then, one charging / discharging terminal 62 and the other charging / discharging terminal
Between the terminal 63 and the resistor R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃Are in series
Is connected and the other end of the thermistor 64 is a resistor R₁₁And
Armor R₁₂Is connected to the connection point. And the resistor R
₁₃The potential difference between both ends of the
Data is supplied to the control circuit 66 and the signal generation circuit 67.
You. Then, in the control circuit 66, the supplied detection data
Determine the temperature based on the
1, controls the FET 12. Then, the signal generation circuit 6
In 7, the temperature is determined based on the supplied data,
Control data output to the outside (charging device, load device, etc.)
Is generated and output from the control signal terminal 67a.

In this example, the temperature detecting terminal 69 is led out from the connection point between the resistor R ₁₁ and the resistor R ₁₂ to which the other end of the thermistor 64 is connected. Further, the secondary battery pack 60 of this example is provided with a voltage detection circuit 68 for detecting the battery voltage of the secondary battery 61, and the control circuit 66 is also adapted to perform control according to the battery voltage.

The secondary battery pack 60 configured as described above
According to the above, the thermistor 64
The control circuit 66 controls the transistors FETs 11 and 12 functioning as switch circuits in accordance with the temperature detected in step 1, and the control signal for charging and discharging can be output to the outside from the terminal 67a. In this example, the temperature of the charging device or the load device connected to the secondary battery pack 60 can be detected by the terminal voltage of the temperature detecting terminal 69 in addition to the control signal to the outside. become. That is, the temperature can be directly detected by detecting the potential difference between the temperature detecting terminal 69 and the other charging / discharging terminal 63 by the operational amplifier 65a provided on the external device side as shown in FIG. Control according to the detected temperature is possible on the side of the charging device and the load device.

In the sixth embodiment, only one thermistor is provided, but a plurality of thermistors are provided to detect the temperature more accurately as in the other embodiments. You can

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This example is an example in which the temperature detection terminal and the control signal output terminal described in the sixth embodiment are one terminal. The description will be given below. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the secondary battery pack of this example, and the secondary battery pack 70 includes a battery storage portion for storing a secondary battery 71 composed of a lithium ion battery. The positive electrode side of the stored secondary battery 71 is connected to one charging / discharging terminal 72. Further, the negative electrode side of the secondary battery 71 is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 73 via the field effect transistors FET22 and FET21 as a switch circuit. In this case, the transistor FETs 21 and 22 are elements whose on / off is controlled by a signal obtained from the control circuit 76 at the gate,
The source and drain are connected in opposite directions. The transistor FET21 limits the charging current and the transistor FET22 limits the discharging current.
In addition, each transistor FET21, FET22
Has parasitic diodes D21 and D22 in which a current flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the current flow is restricted.

One end of a thermistor 74 as a temperature detecting element is connected to the other charging / discharging terminal 73, and the other end of the thermistor 74 is connected to a terminal 78 via a resistor R _25. . And one charging / discharging terminal 7
The second side is connected to the emitter of the PNP type transistor Q1, the collector of this transistor Q1 is connected to the positive power supply input of the control circuit 76, and the other side of the thermistor 74 via the resistor R _24. It is connected to the end. A resistor R ₂₁ is connected in parallel with the thermistor 74, the potential difference across the resistor R ₂₁ is detected by the operational amplifier 75, and the detected data is supplied to the control circuit 76 and the signal generation circuit 77.

Then, the control circuit 76 determines the temperature based on the supplied data and controls the transistors FET21 and FET22 based on the determined temperature. Further, the signal generating circuit 77 determines the temperature based on the supplied data, and outputs a control signal for charging or discharging based on the determined temperature. This signal generation circuit 77
The control signal output from the device is set as predetermined code data and is supplied to the terminal 78 via the capacitor C ₁ .

The base of the transistor Q ₁ and the terminal 7
A resistor R ₂₂ is connected between the two. The base of the transistor Q ₁ is connected to the collector of an NPN type transistor Q ₂ via a resistor R _23, and the emitter of this transistor Q ₂ is connected to the terminal 73 side. The base of the transistor Q ₂ is connected to the connection point between the thermistor 74 and the resistor R ₂₅ via the resistor R ₂₆ . Further, the base of the transistor Q ₂ is connected to the terminal 73 side via the resistor R ₂₇ .

The secondary battery pack 70 thus configured
According to the above, similar to each of the above-described embodiments, the thermistor 74
The control circuit 76 controls the transistors FETs 21 and 22 as switch circuits in accordance with the temperature detected in step (1), and at the same time, a control signal for charging or discharging can be output from the terminal 78 to the outside. In this example, since the output voltage of the thermistor 74 is superposed on the control signal output from the terminal 78, the temperature itself is externally detected by detecting the average voltage of the terminal 78. It is also possible to detect. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, on the charging device (or load device) side connected to the secondary battery pack 70, a predetermined resistor R ₂₈ is connected to the terminal 78.
And one end of the operational amplifier 75a through the terminal 7
3 is connected to the other end of the operational amplifier 75a
A capacitor C ₂ for cutting high frequency components is connected between one end and the other end of a. With this configuration, the temperature inside the secondary battery pack 70 can be detected by the connected charging device and the like, and processing such as charging according to the detected temperature can be performed.

Since the terminal 78 for externally detecting the temperature also serves as the output terminal of the control signal, for example, the charging device can be controlled based on the control signal from the secondary battery pack. In this case, the charging may be controlled based on the control signal output from the terminal 78, and the control based on the temperature detected in the secondary battery pack is possible (for example, as shown in FIG. 12 as a conventional example). In the case of the charging device shown), the control corresponding to the detected temperature may be performed. As described above, according to the configuration of the present example, by providing only one terminal 78, both control by output of a control signal and control by temperature detection can be supported.

Also in the seventh embodiment, only one thermistor is used as the temperature detecting element, but a plurality of thermistors may be provided as in the other embodiments.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, some control signal may be transmitted from the external charging device or the load device to the secondary battery pack to switch the temperature detection state by the temperature detection means such as the thermistor. good. For example, a thermistor for detecting a temperature in a range suitable for charging and a thermistor for detecting a temperature in a range suitable for discharging are provided, and a switch for switching the outputs of both thermistors is provided in the secondary battery pack. Then, when a switching signal of this switch is supplied from a device connected to the secondary battery pack, the detection output of the corresponding thermistor is used when the charging device is connected, and when the load device is connected, The detection output of the corresponding thermistor may be used.

In this case, the transmission of the control signal from the secondary battery pack and the transmission of the switch switching signal from the external device to the secondary battery pack may be transmitted using the same terminal. . When using this same terminal, for example, some code data is transmitted as a control signal from the secondary battery pack to an external device (charging device, load device, etc.) so that the external device can send data to the secondary battery pack. As a switch control signal, it is possible to transmit a control signal designating a switching position by voltage.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the control signal to be supplied to the charging device or the load device is generated based on the detected temperature in the vicinity of the battery, but the control signal is generated based on other factors. It may be generated and transmitted. For example, a control signal for controlling charging or discharging may be generated based on the battery voltage or current detected in the secondary battery pack, and the control signal may be transmitted.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where the lithium ion battery is charged as the secondary battery has been described, but it can be applied to other similar secondary battery charging devices which require constant voltage charging. Of course.

Further, with respect to the values such as the temperature range shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, the temperature varies depending on the secondary battery used, and an appropriate temperature may be set according to the characteristics of the battery. For example, even in the case of a lithium ion battery, the temperature suitable for charging and discharging may be different from the value described in each of the above-mentioned examples depending on the structure, composition, usage condition, and the like.

[0095]

According to the electronic device of the present invention, appropriate processing can be performed in the device according to the determined state, and the connected charging device and the like can be notified of the determined state by the transmission of the control signal. Therefore, the stored secondary battery can be well controlled.

In this case, the determination section includes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the stored battery and temperature determination means for determining whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is within the first range. Thus, for example, it is possible to determine whether or not it is within a chargeable range, and to perform good control of the secondary battery in the electronic device and control of the charging device connected to the electronic device based on the determination result. become.

Further, when this temperature detection is performed, switch means for controlling the supply of the charging current to the battery housed in the battery housing portion is provided, and the switch means of the switch means is operated based on the temperature judged by the temperature judging means. By doing the control,
The secondary battery can be controlled based on the temperature detected in the electric device, and even if this control is performed, the state in the electronic device can be known externally by the control signal transmitted to the outside.

Further, in the case of performing the temperature detection described above, when the temperature determining means determines that the temperature exceeds the first predetermined range, the control signal for stopping the charging is output and the temperature is out of the first range. When it is determined that the temperature has fallen within the first range, the control signal for restarting the charging is output, so that the control for stopping and restarting the charging based on the control signal can be favorably performed.

When the control signal for controlling the stop and restart of the charging is output, when the temperature determined by the temperature determining means exceeds the second range, the control signal for stopping the discharge is output and When it is determined that the temperature is within the second range from outside the second range, the control signal for restarting the discharge is output, so that the control for stopping and restarting the discharge based on the control signal is performed. Will be able to do well.

Further, in addition to the control signal from the temperature determining means, a signal proportional to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is output, so that the signal proportional to this temperature can be used to control the temperature of an external charging device or the like. Can be detected and finer control can be performed.

Further, when the signal proportional to the temperature is output together with the control signal, the control signal and the signal proportional to the temperature are superimposed and output.
The number of terminals provided in the electronic device can be reduced, and the structure can be simplified accordingly.

Further, since the battery protection circuit which operates based on the judgment of the judgment unit is provided, the battery protection operation can be favorably performed.

Further, according to the charging apparatus of the present invention, the supply of the charging signal is controlled based on the predetermined signal supplied from the connected battery storage portion, so that the good charging based on the supplied signal can be performed. Control becomes possible, and malfunction of the charging device is eliminated.

In this case, the predetermined signal is a control signal output when the temperature of the stored battery exceeds a predetermined range, and the supply of the charging signal is stopped when the control signal is detected. By doing so, it is possible to reliably control the charging based on the temperature on the charging device side.

Further, according to the charging method of the present invention, the control signal generated based on the determination of the state of the battery housing portion of the electronic device is transmitted to the charging device to control the charging. The battery charge control can be satisfactorily performed without malfunction.

In this case, as the detection of the state of the battery storage portion, the temperature of the battery storage portion is detected, it is determined whether the detected temperature is within a predetermined range, and when it is determined that the temperature is outside the predetermined range, charging is performed. By transmitting the control signal for stopping the charging from the device, it becomes possible to appropriately control the charging depending on the ambient temperature of the battery.

At the same time as the transmission of the control signal, the switch means provided in the battery housing is turned off so that the charging power supplied from the charging device is not supplied to the battery. The process of stopping the charging is also performed on the storage unit side, and the charging is more reliably controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional secondary battery and a charging device.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of a temperature range in which the secondary battery can be used.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 Secondary battery pack 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71
Secondary battery, 12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33, 4
2, 43, 52, 53, 62, 63, 72, 73 Charge / discharge terminals, 14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35, 6
4,74 Thermistor, 44,57 Temperature detector, 1
6, 28, 36, 45, 54, 66, 76 Charge control circuit, 17, 29, 46, 58 switch circuit, 18, 2
6,37,47,59,67,77 signal generation circuit

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device having a battery storage unit, which is connected to a separate charging device to charge a battery in the battery storage unit, wherein the battery storage unit indicates a state of the stored battery. An electronic device comprising: a determination unit for determining; and a control signal generation unit for generating and outputting a control signal for controlling the charging device based on the determination by the determination unit. 2. The determination unit includes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of a battery housed therein, and temperature determination means for determining whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is within a first range. The electronic device according to claim 1. 3. A switch means for controlling supply of a charging current to a battery housed in the battery housing part is provided, and the switch means is controlled based on the temperature judged by the temperature judging means. The electronic device according to claim 2. 4. When the temperature determining means determines that the temperature has exceeded a first predetermined range, a control signal for stopping charging is output and a temperature within the first range to outside the first range. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a control signal for resuming charging is output when it is determined that the charging condition has become low. 5. The temperature determined by the temperature determination means is the second
When the temperature exceeds the range, a control signal for stopping the discharge is output, and when it is determined that the temperature is within the second range from outside the second range, the control signal for restarting the discharge is output. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein. 6. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a signal proportional to the temperature detected by said temperature detecting means is output in addition to the control signal from said temperature determining means. 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the control signal and the signal proportional to the temperature are superimposed and output. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a protection circuit for the battery, which operates based on the determination of the determination unit. 9. A charging device for supplying a charging signal to a battery housed in a predetermined battery housing unit, wherein the supply of the charging signal is controlled based on the predetermined signal supplied from the battery housing unit. Charging device. 10. The control signal output as the predetermined signal when the temperature of the stored battery exceeds a predetermined range, and when the control signal is detected, the supply of the charging signal is stopped. The charging device according to claim 9, wherein 11. A battery storage section of an electronic device is detected, and it is determined whether the detected state is within a predetermined range, a control signal is generated based on this determination, and the battery is connected to the electronic device. A charging method in which the control signal is transmitted to a charging device that charges a battery in a storage unit, and charging by the charging device is controlled based on the transmitted control signal. 12. The detection of the state of the battery storage section includes:
The temperature of the battery compartment is detected, it is determined whether the detected temperature is within a predetermined range, and when it is determined that the temperature is outside the predetermined range, a control signal for stopping charging from the charging device is transmitted. The charging method according to claim 11. 13. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein at the same time as the transmission of the control signal, the switch means included in the battery housing is turned off so that the charging power supplied from the charging device is not supplied to the battery.