JPH10186010A - Apparatus provided with battery residual capacity reporting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect that a closed circuit voltage is lowered to a value of a predetermined life period and report it to a user by setting multiple report voltage values in a closed circuit voltage detecting means, and switching the detection voltage value in response to the identification result of a battery type. SOLUTION: Multiple report voltages are set in a closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 according to the types of batteries as a power supply 1 so that the usable period to reach the termination voltage to stop the use of an apparatus becomes constant. When a power switch 2 is closed, electric power is fed to a load 3. An identification means 7 identifies the type of a battery. The closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 selects the report voltage value corresponding to the battery. The closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 measures the closed circuit voltage value of the power supply 1 and feeds its output to a reporting means 6 when the closed circuit voltage value becomes the report voltage value or below, and it is reported to a user via a visible light emission diode. The usable period from the reporting action to reach the unusable state is equal for a manganese battery and an alkaline manganese battery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus using a primary battery as a power source, particularly a manganese dry battery or an alkaline manganese dry battery, for detecting the remaining amount of the battery and notifying the user when the remaining capacity is low. The present invention relates to a device having a battery remaining amount notification function belonging to a technical field of detection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, chargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries have been mainly used as power supplies for mobile communication devices and various portable devices. Primary batteries such as alkaline manganese dry batteries (hereinafter referred to as alkaline dry batteries) are frequently used because of the availability of alternative batteries. In order to improve usability, these devices are required to have means for indicating a usable time.

[0003] In addition, even in a device such as a flashlight that mainly uses a dry battery as a power source, it is necessary to grasp the state of the built-in battery in order to prevent the device from becoming unusable when necessary. A method for determining the remaining capacity has been proposed. In a device using a primary battery as a power source, generally, the remaining capacity of the battery is detected based on only the discharge voltage of the battery, and when this value falls below a predetermined reference value, the remaining capacity decreases. Judge,
Notify the user.

[0004] In Fig. 7 showing a circuit configuration of a known device for detecting the remaining capacity of a primary battery, reference numeral 1 denotes a power source using a primary battery such as a dry battery, 21 denotes an operation state (on, off) of the device, and remaining battery power. A changeover switch for switching capacity detection (peak), 3 is a load serving as an operation source of the device, 22 is a pseudo load for detecting remaining capacity, 23 is a pseudo load voltage detecting means for detecting remaining capacity, 6 Is an informing means which operates by the output of the detecting means and informs the user of a decrease in the remaining capacity of the power supply 1.

When the changeover switch 21 is switched from the off position to the channel
When the switch is switched to the eak position, the pseudo load 22 is
And the pseudo load voltage detecting means 23 monitors the closing voltage of the power supply 1 at the same time. When the pseudo load voltage detecting means 23 detects a value lower than a predetermined voltage value for notifying the user of the decrease in the remaining capacity (hereinafter referred to as a notification voltage value), the notification means 6 is activated. This allows the user to recognize that the remaining capacity of the dry battery connected to the device that is the power supply 1 is low.

Normally, the pseudo load 22 is set to a value larger than the original load 3 of the device, and the changeover switch 21 is set to c.
The closed circuit voltage value at the time of detecting the voltage at the “heak” position is lower than the closed circuit voltage at the “on” position when the device is used. For this reason, the user switches the changeover switch 21 to the on position again, and while constantly checking that the function of the device is operating normally, the device can be continuously used for a while, but the user cannot use the device. Before the situation falls, a new replacement battery needs to be prepared immediately.

[0007]

However, in the remaining capacity detecting device having the above-described known configuration, not only is the user forced to perform a switching operation every time the remaining capacity is checked, but also the device is required to perform its own operation. It is necessary to detect the remaining capacity while the operation is stopped, which has a problem that the usability of the device is impaired. In addition, there is a problem that the configuration in which a pseudo load is added to the inside of the device impairs miniaturization of the device.

When a manganese dry battery and an alkaline dry battery are respectively discharged, the discharge characteristics indicating the relationship between the discharge voltage and the discharge time are different between the two, and reach the final voltage at which the use of equipment connected to each battery is stopped. There will be a difference in the usable time up to. Furthermore, even with the same type of dry battery, the discharge characteristics vary depending on various factors such as the internal resistance of the battery, the resistance of the contact portion such as a battery lead, and are greatly affected by the discharge current of the connected equipment. I will.

As described above, the discharge characteristics of a battery differ depending not only on its type and configuration, but also on the discharge conditions of connected equipment. Therefore, in the above-described known configuration in which a notification is made when the voltage drops to a uniformly set voltage value, a difference occurs in a period from when the notification voltage value is reached to when a voltage value at which use of the device is stopped is reached.

On the other hand, judging from the device user's side,
It is desirable not to suddenly notify the battery of running out of capacity, but to be notified in advance with an appropriate margin, and more preferable that the usable time reaches a predetermined value regardless of the type of dry battery used. It is desirable to be notified.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention provides a device having a battery remaining amount notifying function for use in a device mainly for dry batteries, which detects and reports the remaining capacity of a battery without adding a pseudo load to the device. Is what you do.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A device having a battery remaining amount notifying function according to the present invention has a function of stopping the use of the device regardless of the type of battery used as a power supply connected to the device. It detects that the life of the battery has dropped to a closed circuit voltage value that is a predetermined period, and notifies the user.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the type of battery used as a power source, that is, a manganese dry battery or an alkaline dry battery is identified, and the identification result is transmitted to the closed circuit voltage detecting means, and the identification means is connected to the load. Closed-circuit voltage detecting means for measuring the closed-circuit voltage value of the device in the state in which
Notification means for performing notification in accordance with the output of the detection means. A plurality of notification voltage values set based on the type and characteristics of the battery are set in the closed-circuit voltage detection means, and the detection means detects the detection voltage by outputting from the plurality of notification voltage values according to the identification result. The configuration in which the voltage value is switched is adopted, and the user can be notified according to the life span regardless of the battery type.

According to the above configuration, since a pseudo load is not used, it is possible not only to realize downsizing as compared with the conventional battery remaining amount informing means, but also to determine the remaining battery amount of the device. When the switch is in the closed state, the switch is always detected by the closed circuit voltage detecting means, so that the user can easily recognize the decrease in the remaining capacity. Further, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation of switching the switch position when the remaining capacity is detected, and the usability of the device can be greatly improved.

The closed circuit voltage value at which the user is notified, that is, the remaining capacity value at the time of the notification is determined in addition to the discharge conditions such as the discharge current value of the device, the use state of the device, for example, the frequency of use and 1
It is set in consideration of conditions such as usage time per operation.

[0016] The discharge characteristics of a dry battery vary greatly depending on the discharge conditions of the connected equipment as described above. At this time, by appropriately changing the discharge current value, it is possible to partially approximate the discharge characteristics of both the manganese dry battery and the alkaline manganese dry battery. The discharge condition and the notification voltage value are set so that the portion where this characteristic approximates to the notification closed circuit voltage value vicinity region, and the device is detected by detecting that the closed circuit voltage value of the battery has decreased to this notification voltage value. It is possible to notify the user irrespective of the type of battery connected to the user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a discharge characteristic of a battery connected to an apparatus is approximated to a range from a notification voltage value to a cutoff voltage at which the apparatus cannot be used, and
It comprises closed-circuit voltage setting detection means for measuring the closed-circuit voltage of the battery, and notification means for notifying a user of a decrease in the discharge capacity of the battery to a user based on the output of the closed-circuit voltage setting detection means. . With this configuration, when the battery used as the power supply is a manganese dry battery and when the battery is an alkaline manganese dry battery, the usable period of the device from notification to the end of the battery life is set to be equal. Since the configuration of the device having the battery remaining amount notifying function is simplified because the device is not required, the ratio of the components of the device in the device is reduced, and the miniaturization of the device is not prevented.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, in a device having a battery remaining amount notification function of the present invention, preferably in a device using a dry battery as a power supply, a notification for detecting the remaining battery amount and notifying the user of the decrease is provided. The configuration of the device will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the types of batteries connected to the equipment, that is, manganese dry batteries and alkaline dry batteries are identified, and according to the identification result, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device including a device having a battery remaining amount notification function having a function of setting a notification voltage. Note that components having the same functions as the components in the above-described known remaining capacity detection device are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a power switch for switching the operation state of the device. Reference numeral 7 denotes identification means for identifying the type of battery connected to the device, and identifies whether the battery is a manganese dry battery or an alkaline manganese dry battery. Reference numeral 5 denotes a closed circuit voltage detecting means for measuring a closed circuit voltage applied to the load, in other words, a voltage value of the power supply 1 in a state where power is supplied to the load. A plurality of notification voltage values are set in the closed-circuit voltage detection means 7 in accordance with the type of battery used as the power supply 1 so that the usable period is constant until the end voltage at which the use of the device is stopped is reached. The notification voltage value corresponding to the result of the identification means 7 is selected. Further, when the closed circuit voltage decreases to the selected notification voltage value, the closed circuit voltage detection means 5 outputs the information to the notification means 6 to notify the user of the equipment that the remaining capacity has decreased.

The operation of the device having the above-described configuration and having a battery remaining amount notification function will be described. Note that, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of a case where a configuration for identifying two types of manganese dry batteries and alkaline manganese dry batteries is employed for simplification of the description.

When the power switch 2 is closed, power is supplied from the power source 1 to the load 3, and the device starts its operation. The closed circuit voltage value of the power supply 1 is equal to the voltage value at both ends of the load 3, that is, the voltage value applied to the load 3, and the closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 detects the closed circuit voltage value of the device at this portion. At this time, the identification means 7 identifies the type of the battery connected to the device, and outputs the identification result to the closed circuit voltage detection means 5. If the identification result is a manganese dry battery, the closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 selects a notification voltage value corresponding to the identification result, and if the identification result is an alkaline dry battery, selects a notification voltage value corresponding to the alkaline dry battery.

When the power switch 2 is in the closed state, the closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 constantly measures the closed circuit voltage value of the power supply 1, and generates an output when the closed circuit voltage value falls below the notification voltage value. The output of the closed circuit voltage detecting means 5 is supplied to the notifying means 6, and the notifying means 6 operates. The notifying unit 6 notifies the user by using a visible light emitting diode. The user of the device recognizes that the notification operation of the notification unit 6 has reduced the remaining capacity of the power supply 11 and has reached a predetermined period until the power supply 11 becomes unusable. As described above, in the device having the battery remaining amount notification function according to the present embodiment, the voltage value at which the notification is performed is set in accordance with the type of the battery used as the power supply 1.
Whether the battery is a manganese dry battery or an alkaline manganese dry battery, the usable time from the notification operation to the unusable state becomes equal.

As described above, in the present embodiment, two types of batteries are identified, and the type of battery is identified by an identification method based on the shape of the outer can or the covering material of the outer can. It becomes feasible. Also,
A method in which the user sets the battery type by a switch can also be used. Furthermore, when setting the notification voltage value according to a plurality of battery types, for example, for each battery manufacturer, an identifier such as a barcode is attached or formed on the outer can surface of the battery, and this is identified. A plurality of types of identification can be performed.

Incidentally, the identification means 7, the closed-circuit voltage detection means 5 and the notification means 6 in the present embodiment can be realized by a microcomputer. Further, a voltage dividing network is formed by resistors, and by detecting a closed circuit voltage in the device, it is possible to notify a decrease in the remaining battery level.

The device having the battery remaining amount notification function according to the present invention is configured to always detect the closed circuit voltage when the power switch is in the closed state, that is, when the device is in the operating state. This does not force the user to perform the switching operation by the changeover switch 21 or the like in the above-described known example, and the usability is greatly improved. In addition, the detection of the remaining battery level will be properly determined based on the user's judgment, and if the user continues to use the battery without considering the discharged state of the battery, the device may suddenly become unusable. There can be. On the other hand, in the device having the battery remaining amount notification function of the present invention, the closed circuit voltage detecting means always detects the battery remaining amount when the device is used, and notifies when the specified value is reached. The need for can be recognized with certainty.

However, in the above configuration, the operation of detecting the remaining battery level is performed while the device is in the operating state.
The power consumption by the identification means 7, the closed circuit voltage detection means 5 and the notification means 6 is negligible compared to the power consumption of the device, and does not adversely affect the operable time of the device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a device having a battery remaining amount notification function according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a visible light-emitting diode which constitutes a notifying means; 11, 12, 13 and 15 are resistors, respectively; 16 is an identification switch which is opened and closed according to the identification result of the identification means 7; The voltage detecting means 5 is composed of these resistors and an identification switch. Resistors 12, 13 and 15 form a voltage divider network to detect the closed circuit voltage.

Generally, in the region where the remaining capacity of the battery for which the use of the device is stopped is reduced, the closed circuit voltage value of the manganese dry battery is
Higher than alkaline manganese batteries. Identification means 7
If the dry battery used in the device is determined to be an alkaline manganese dry battery, the identification switch 16 is closed and the divided voltage is increased to make a correction. This divided voltage is discriminated by the visible light emitting diode. As a result, a point in time when the remaining usable time is equal can be notified regardless of the type of dry battery used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another specific configuration of a device having a battery remaining amount notification function used for a device powered by a dry battery. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a transistor. The operation of the resistors 12, 13 and 15 and the operation of the changeover switch 31 are the same as those shown in FIG. The divided voltage of the closing voltage is the transistor 17
Are distinguished by the non-linearity of the base-emitter voltage. The visible light emitting diode 10 is used as a notification unit. Further, by adding a diode connected in series with the resistor 13, the temperature characteristic of the base-emitter voltage of the transistor 16 is compensated by the temperature characteristic of the diode 14. (Embodiment 2) Next, another embodiment relating to a device having a battery remaining amount notification function of the present invention will be described. FIG.
Shows a configuration of a device including the notification device according to the second embodiment. Also, components having the same functions as the components in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 8 denotes a closed circuit voltage setting detecting means for approximating a discharge characteristic of a battery connected to the device in a range from a notification voltage value to a cutoff voltage at which the device cannot be used. The closed circuit voltage of the battery is measured. By adopting a configuration that matches the discharge characteristics in this region, when the battery used as a power source is a manganese dry battery and an alkaline manganese dry battery regardless of the type of battery, the notification to the battery life This is to make the usable periods of the devices equal.

The power switch 2 is set to the closed state, and the operation of the apparatus is started. At the same time, the closed circuit voltage setting detecting means 8 detects the closed circuit voltage value of the power supply 1. The closed circuit voltage value of the power supply 1 is equal to the voltage value at both ends of the load 3, that is, the voltage value applied to the load 3, and the closed circuit voltage setting detecting means 8
The closed circuit voltage value at this location is detected. An output is generated when the closed circuit voltage value falls below a predetermined notification voltage value. The output of the detecting means 5 is supplied to the notifying means 6,
The notification means 6 operates to notify the user of the decrease in the remaining battery level.

The device having the function of notifying the remaining amount of battery according to the present embodiment does not require any identification means for identifying the type of the connected battery. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus due to the simplification of the configuration.

Further, since the closed circuit voltage is always detected when the device is in the operating state, the switching operation by the changeover switch 21 or the like is not forced on the user, and the closed circuit voltage value becomes the specified value. Since the notification is given when the battery reaches the battery, the user can surely recognize the necessity of battery replacement.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a device having a battery remaining amount notification function in the device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, a voltage dividing circuit is constituted by the resistors 12 and 13 as in FIG. The notifying unit 6 includes a visible light emitting diode 10 and a current limiting resistor 11 of the visible light emitting diode 10.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another specific circuit configuration.
A closed circuit voltage dividing circuit is configured. Low resistance 12 and 1
3 is discriminated by the nonlinearity of the base-emitter voltage of the transistor 17. By providing a diode connected in series with the resistor 13, the temperature characteristic of the base-emitter voltage in the transistor 17 is compensated by the temperature characteristic.

The visible light emitting diode 10 has a non-linear voltage-emission intensity characteristic, and utilizes this characteristic to discriminate the closed circuit voltage and to notify at the same time. It is also possible to adopt. The visible light emitting diode has a light emission rise of about 1.8 V, and it is possible to display the remaining amount of equipment using two dry batteries connected in series.

[0037]

With the above configuration, the device having the battery remaining amount notification function of the present invention is always detected by the closed circuit voltage detecting means when the operation switch of the device is closed, so that the user can easily check the remaining battery level. A reduction in capacity can be recognized. Further, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation of switching the switch position when the remaining capacity is detected, and the usability of the device can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device having a battery remaining amount notification function according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific circuit configuration in a battery remaining amount notification portion of the device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another specific circuit configuration in the battery remaining amount notification portion of the device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device having a battery remaining amount notification function according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific circuit configuration in a battery remaining amount notification portion of the device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another specific circuit configuration in a battery remaining amount notification portion of the device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration including a known primary battery remaining capacity detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply 2 Power switch 3 Load 5 Closing voltage detecting means 6 Notification means 7 Identification means 8 Closing voltage setting detecting means 21 Changeover switch 22 Pseudo load 23 Pseudo load voltage detecting means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An identification means for identifying a type of a battery used as a power supply of a device, a closed-circuit voltage detecting device for measuring a closed-circuit voltage value of the battery in an operating state of the device, and Notification means for performing notification, wherein the closed circuit voltage detection means stores a plurality of notification voltage values set based on the type and characteristics of the battery,
A device having a battery remaining amount notification function, wherein one notification voltage value is selected according to the identification result, and a signal is output to the notification unit when the closed circuit voltage value reaches the selected notification voltage value. 2. A device connected to a device using a dry battery as a power source and having a battery remaining amount notifying function for notifying when the remaining capacity of the battery has decreased, an identification means for identifying the type of the battery. A closed-circuit voltage detecting unit that measures a closed-circuit voltage value of the battery in an operation state of the device and stores a plurality of notification voltage values for performing the notification selected according to the identification result of the identification unit; A notification unit for performing the notification in accordance with the output of the, the notification voltage value, based on the type and characteristics of the battery, a period from the notification until the use of the device is stopped is a predetermined period and A device having a battery remaining amount notifying function, wherein the device is set to: 3. A device which is connected to a device using a battery as a power supply and has a battery remaining amount notifying function for notifying when the remaining capacity of the dry battery is reduced, wherein the closed circuit voltage value of the battery is measured. A closed-circuit voltage setting detection unit that performs comparison with a notification voltage value that performs the notification, and a notification unit that performs the notification according to a result of the comparison of the closed-circuit voltage setting detection unit. A device having a battery remaining amount notification function, wherein the notification voltage value is set so that the period until the stop is constant. 4. The battery residual amount according to claim 3, wherein the closed circuit voltage setting detecting means sets the discharge characteristic during the period in which the use of the device is stopped from the notification voltage value of the battery to a predetermined characteristic. A device with a mass notification function.