JPH11233159A - Rechargeable battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack capable of notifying the remaining capacity without causing a complex circuit constitution and cost increasing. SOLUTION: This battery pack 1 has a charging control part 10 and a rechargeable battery cell 20. A remaining capacity display switch 17 for instructing the notification of the remaining capacity in non-charging is formed in the charging control part 10, and when the remaining capacity display switch 17 is pushed down, the output voltage from the rechargeable battery cell 20 is detected with an output voltage detecting part 18, and detected results are sent to a logical circuit 19. The logical circuit 19 forms a signal for driving a two-color light emitting diode 16. This signal is supplied to the two-color light emitting diode 16, and the remaining capacity is notified through the two- color light emitting diode 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery pack used in portable electronic devices such as portable telephones.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In portable electronic devices such as portable telephones, a removable rechargeable battery pack is used as a power source. Charging of the rechargeable battery pack is performed using, for example, a dedicated charger. Various types of chargers are provided, such as a charger that can be charged while the rechargeable battery pack is attached to the portable electronic device, and a charger that charges a single rechargeable battery pack removed from the portable electronic device. I have.

The charger receives a power supply from, for example, a commercial AC power supply, and forms a constant level current or a constant level voltage to be supplied to the rechargeable battery pack, and outputs the formed constant current / constant voltage. Circuit and the constant current / constant voltage conversion circuit, monitor the current and voltage supplied to the rechargeable battery pack, detect the amount of electricity charged in the rechargeable battery pack, and And a charge control circuit for controlling the output of the power supply.

[0004] The charger is provided with, for example, a light emitting diode for notifying a user of the state of the rechargeable battery pack at the time of charging. This light emitting diode is controlled by the above-described charge control circuit, and turns on, off, and blinks the state of the rechargeable battery pack when charging, including the progress of charging such as low voltage, rapid charging, and full charging. It can be notified by such as.

[0005]

However, as described above, the progress of charging can be notified to the user by a display such as a light emitting diode provided in the charger, but the rechargeable battery pack alone. The remaining charge capacity of the rechargeable battery pack (hereinafter simply referred to as the remaining capacity)
There are many things that you do not understand, which is inconvenient.

Therefore, a microcomputer for calculating the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack based on the charged electric capacity and a display element for displaying the result are provided in the rechargeable battery pack so that the remaining capacity is notified. It is also possible to do.

However, in such a case, the configuration of the rechargeable battery pack becomes complicated and the size of the rechargeable battery pack increases. Also, the price of the rechargeable battery pack becomes expensive.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rechargeable battery pack capable of notifying the remaining capacity without increasing the complexity of the circuit configuration and increasing the cost.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rechargeable battery pack comprising: a rechargeable battery; and a charge control circuit for controlling a charging current or a charging voltage to the rechargeable battery. And a display element, based on an output voltage of the rechargeable battery, an output voltage detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery, and based on a detection result from the output voltage detecting means, And a remaining capacity notification control means for controlling the display element so as to notify the remaining capacity.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the first aspect of the invention, the output voltage of the rechargeable battery is detected by the output voltage detecting means, and the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery is determined based on the detected output voltage. Is detected.

Then, based on the detection result of the remaining capacity from the output voltage detecting section, the remaining capacity notification control means
A signal for driving the display element is formed. This is supplied to the display element to drive the display element, and the remaining capacity is notified through the display element.

[0012] Thus, in order to notify the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack, it is possible to notify the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack alone without connecting the rechargeable battery pack to other devices. To be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rechargeable battery pack according to the first aspect, wherein the rechargeable battery pack is operated by a user to instruct a notification of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery. When the notification of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery is instructed through the remaining capacity notification instructing means, the output voltage detecting means and the remaining capacity notification controlling means are connected to the rechargeable battery. The battery is operated by supplying a voltage from the battery, and the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery is notified by the display element.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention, when the notification of the remaining capacity is instructed by the user through the remaining capacity notification instructing means, the output voltage detecting means and the remaining capacity notifying control are performed. It is operated by supplying the voltage from the rechargeable battery to the means and the remaining capacity is notified.

Thus, only when the user needs it,
The remaining capacity can be known through the display element. Therefore, the electric energy charged in the rechargeable battery is not wastefully used for detecting and notifying the remaining capacity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rechargeable battery pack according to the second aspect, wherein the remaining capacity notification instruction means is difficult to operate during charging. It is provided at a position.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention, when the rechargeable battery pack is being charged, the remaining capacity notification instructing means is, for example, covered by a charger. It is provided in a position where operation is difficult. Thereby, notification of the remaining capacity is not performed during charging. That is, the notification of the remaining capacity is performed at times other than the time of charging.

A rechargeable battery pack according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the rechargeable battery pack according to the first aspect, wherein the display element is controlled by the charge control means, so that the display device can be used for charging. It is also for notifying the state of the rechargeable battery, the display element is also used for notifying that charging is being controlled by the charging control means, at the time of charging performed through the display element by the charging control means The display mode of the display element is different between the notification during charging of the rechargeable battery and the notification of the remaining capacity performed by the remaining capacity notification control means through the display element.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the fourth aspect of the invention, the display element is used for both notification of charging and notification of remaining capacity. The display mode of the display element is different between the notification that the battery is being charged and the notification of the remaining capacity.

Thus, it is clear which of the notification is being made by the display element which is used for both the notification that the battery is being charged and the notification of the remaining capacity. Therefore, the display element does not cause confusion without knowing whether it is notified that charging is being performed or the remaining capacity is being notified.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a rechargeable battery pack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The rechargeable battery pack according to the present embodiment is mounted on a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone and used as a drive power source for the portable electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a rechargeable battery pack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of this embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a rechargeable battery pack and a charger used for charging according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment includes a charge control circuit 10 and a rechargeable battery cell 20.
, And can be charged by the charger 2 having an adapter composed of a constant current / constant voltage conversion circuit.

The charger 2 connects the AC plug 21 of the charger 2 to a commercial AC outlet,
Upon receiving a supply of commercial AC power, it converts this into a predetermined constant level current or a constant level voltage to be supplied to the rechargeable battery pack 1, and
To supply.

FIG. 4 shows a constant current / constant voltage conversion circuit (charger) used for charging the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating output characteristics of the second embodiment. The charger 2 of this embodiment is configured to supply a constant level of current to the rechargeable battery pack 1 until the output terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery pack 1 reaches a predetermined voltage. .

The charge control circuit 10 mounted on the rechargeable battery pack 1 monitors the current and voltage from the charger 2, controls the supply, guides the battery to full charge, and prevents overcharge.

The charging control circuit 10 detects the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 such as short-circuit (short-circuit) of the rechargeable battery pack, preliminary charging at low voltage, constant current charging, constant voltage charging, full charging, and the like. Then, the supply of the current from the charger 2 is controlled, and these states are notified through a two-color light-emitting diode provided in the rechargeable battery pack 1 and capable of emitting, for example, red and green light.

That is, the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment includes a two-color light emitting diode as a display element for notifying the user of the state at the time of charging, as will be described later. The diode is controlled by the charge control circuit 10, and includes the progress of charging of the rechargeable battery pack 1 such as low voltage → red blinking, rapid (constant current) charging → red lighting, full charging → green lighting. The user can be notified of the state at the time of charging.

Further, since the rechargeable battery pack of this embodiment is provided with the charge control circuit 10, for example, even when charging is performed from the battery of the vehicle, a charger using the battery of the vehicle as a power source can be used. Charging is possible by using. Also in this case, the charging control unit 10 of the rechargeable battery pack 1 detects the state at the time of charging,
The user can be notified of the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 during charging through the two-color light emitting diodes provided in the rechargeable battery pack.

As described below, the rechargeable battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment is a single unit of the rechargeable battery pack 1 and the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 through the two-color light emitting diode. Is detected, and this can be notified to the user.

The rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, a discharging terminal 11, a charging terminal 12, and a ground terminal 13 are provided for the rechargeable battery cell 20. The control element 14 is connected to the subsequent stage of the charging terminal 12,
A charging current / voltage control circuit 15 is connected between the control element 14 and the ground terminal 13.

A two-color light emitting diode 16 is connected between the ground terminal 13 and the charging current / voltage control circuit 15. The two-color light emitting diode 16 has a charge current /
Light emission is controlled by the voltage control circuit 15, so that the user can be notified of the charging state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 as described above.

Further, in the case of the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an output terminal 17 is provided between the output terminal 11 and the ground terminal 13 via a remaining amount display switch 17. The voltage detection circuit 18 is connected. The output voltage detection circuit 18 is electrically connected between the output terminal 11 and the ground terminal 13 only while the remaining amount display switch 17 is pressed, and detects the output voltage from the rechargeable battery cell 20.

A logic circuit 19 is connected between the output voltage detecting circuit 18 and the two-color light emitting diode 16 described above. The logic circuit 19 operates only while the remaining amount display switch 17 is pressed, similarly to the output voltage detection circuit 18. Then, as will be described later, a signal for causing the two-color light emitting diode 16 to emit light is formed in accordance with the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 detected by the output voltage detecting circuit 18, and the signal is formed by the two-color light emitting diode. 16.

As a result, the two-color light emitting diode 16
It is driven by a signal from the logic circuit 10 corresponding to the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1, and notifies the user of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1. That is, the rechargeable battery pack 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the rechargeable battery pack 1 alone can detect the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 and notify the user of the remaining capacity. I have.

Next, the operation of the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment when charging, detecting the remaining capacity and notifying will be described.

When charging the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the rechargeable battery pack 1 is connected to the charger 2 connected to a commercial AC power supply, for example. 1 is connected. In this case, the charging current / voltage detection circuit 15 detects a voltage between the charging terminal 12 and the ground terminal 13, and based on the detected voltage, determines whether the rechargeable battery pack 1 has a low voltage, a rapid charging, a full charging, or the like. Detects the state when charging. Then, the control device 14 is controlled to control the current and the voltage supplied from the charger 2 so that the rechargeable battery pack 1 is properly charged.

The charging current / voltage detecting circuit 15 detects the charging state of the rechargeable battery pack through the two-color light emitting diode 2 based on the detected charging state of the rechargeable battery pack 1. Notify to That is, as described above, low voltage → flashing red, rapid (constant current)
The charging state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 is notified by lighting, blinking, and emission color of the two-color light emitting diode 16 such as charging → red lighting, full charging → green lighting.

Therefore, depending on the light-emitting state of the two-color light-emitting diode 16, the user may be in a low voltage state where charging has just started, a state where charging has progressed to some extent, or a state where charging has been completed and charging has ended. You have to be able to know.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two-color light emitting diode 16 is provided at a position on the rechargeable battery pack 1 that is easily visible to the user during charging.

The rechargeable battery pack 1 charged in this manner is used after being attached to a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal, or when it is not known whether or not the rechargeable battery pack 1 is charged. When the user wants to know the remaining capacity of the battery pack 1, the user presses the remaining amount display switch 17 provided on the rechargeable battery pack 1 as shown in FIG.

Thus, the output voltage detection circuit 18 is electrically connected between the discharge terminal 11 and the connection terminal 13,
The output voltage from the rechargeable battery cell 20 is detected, and the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 is detected based on the detected output voltage. Generally, the remaining capacity of the battery can be obtained from a correlation between a predetermined discharge capacity and a voltage between terminals. In this embodiment, however, an output voltage detection circuit is provided by a plurality of comparators (voltage comparators). 18. From the combination of the outputs of the plurality of comparators, the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 is obtained. The output from the output voltage detection circuit 18 is the logic circuit 1
9.

The logic circuit 19 is constituted by a so-called open-collector OR circuit, receives an output from the output voltage detection circuit 18 and performs a logical operation.
A signal for driving the two-color light emitting diode 16 is formed according to the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1, and the signal is supplied to the two-color light emitting diode 16.

If the output from the output voltage detecting circuit 18 indicates that the remaining capacity is small and charging is necessary, for example, the logic circuit 19
Is formed so as to light only red. Also,
When the output from the output voltage detecting circuit 18 indicates that the remaining capacity is equal to or higher than a predetermined level and is usable as it is, the two-color light emitting diode 16 is caused to light red and green. Is formed. When the output from the output voltage detecting circuit 18 indicates that the rechargeable battery pack 1 is in a fully charged state, a signal for turning on the two-color light emitting diode 16 only in green is formed.

As a result, the two-color light emitting diode 16
Charging required → lights only red, usable → lights red and green, full charge → lights green, and emits light according to the remaining capacity. The capacity can be notified to the user.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery pack 1 of this embodiment, the two-color light emitting element 16 for notifying the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 at the time of charging is also used for notifying the remaining capacity. . That is, the two-color light emitting diode 16
Is used as a display element for notifying the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 at the time of charging and also notifying the remaining capacity. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a display element for notifying the remaining capacity.

In order to detect the remaining capacity and notify the remaining capacity, the output voltage detection circuit 18 and the logic circuit 19 as the remaining capacity notification control means may be added to the charge control circuit 10. It is not necessary to mount a complicated circuit on the rechargeable battery pack 1 for display, and the remaining capacity can be notified.

The charge control circuit 10 detects the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 when charging, and controls the current supplied from the charger 2 based on the detected state of charging. Of comparators. Therefore, it is relatively easy to provide several comparators constituting output voltage detecting circuit 18 for detecting the remaining capacity. In particular, if the charge control circuit is formed into an IC, adding several comparators for voltage detection does not impose a large burden on cost.

That is, without complicating the circuit configuration,
It is possible to notify the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1 only by providing the charge control circuit 10 with several comparators and logic circuits for voltage detection. Further, the cost of the rechargeable battery pack does not greatly increase unlike the case where a dedicated display element or circuit or a microcomputer is mounted to notify the remaining capacity.

Further, in this embodiment, the two-color light emitting diode 16 is used for both the notification of the state when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is charged and the notification of the remaining capacity when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is not charged. A switch 17 is provided, and when charging is not performed,
When the remaining capacity display switch 17 is pressed, the remaining capacity is displayed. However, when the remaining amount display switch 17 is pressed at the time of charging, the state at the time of charging cannot be accurately notified through the two-color light emitting diode 16.

The display of the remaining capacity is performed when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is not charged and when necessary, when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is used alone. In this embodiment, since the state at the time of charging is displayed during charging, there is little need to display the remaining capacity. Therefore, the remaining amount display switch 17 is provided at a position where operation is difficult during charging or at a position where operation is disabled.

For example, when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is connected to the charger 2, during charging, such as the surface of the rechargeable battery pack 1 facing the charger 2, it is hidden by the charger 2 and operated. The remaining amount display switch 17 is provided at a position on the rechargeable battery pack that cannot be used.

Thus, the remaining amount display switch 1 is displayed during charging.
By pressing the button 7, the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 at the time of charging is not properly notified, so that it is possible to prevent the user from being confused.

Further, when the charging current is detected, the output voltage detection circuit 18 for displaying the remaining capacity and the logic circuit 19 are not operated, and the notification of the remaining capacity is not performed at the time of charging. it can. For example, a switch that turns off when the charging current is detected and turns on when the charging current is not detected may be provided between the remaining amount display switch 17 and the output voltage detection circuit 18 and the logic circuit 19, or the like.

Thus, during charging, even if the remaining amount display switch 17 is pressed, the remaining capacity is not notified, and during charging, it is ensured that the rechargeable battery pack 1 is in a state of charging. And it can be properly notified.

The two-color light emitting diode 16 is turned on and off when notifying the state of charge, and is turned on when notifying the state of charge, or is notified of the state of charge and display of the state of charge. For example, the display function may be clarified by changing the mode of light emission of the two-color light emitting diode, for example, by changing the emission color.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two-color light emitting diode 16 is provided at a position with good visibility in the rechargeable battery pack 1. However, for example, when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is mounted on the mobile phone, the rechargeable battery pack 1 is often mounted on the back of the mobile phone, so that the two-color light emitting diode 16 of the rechargeable battery pack 1 cannot be seen from the front of the mobile phone. .

As described above, when the rechargeable battery pack 1 is mounted on the back of a mobile phone or the like, the display by the two-color light emitting diode 16 of the rechargeable battery pack 1 can be seen from the front side of the mobile phone. It is desirable to do. Therefore, when a rechargeable battery pack is attached to a mobile phone or the like using a light guide plate or the like, the display of the remaining capacity of the two-color light emitting diode can be seen from the front surface.

Thus, for example, even when charging is performed with the rechargeable battery pack 1 attached to the mobile phone, the state of the rechargeable battery pack 1 at the time of charging can be notified, and The notification of the remaining capacity can be confirmed from the front of the mobile phone.

Of course, even when the two-color light emitting diode 16 is attached to a portable electronic device such as a portable telephone, such as a side surface of the rechargeable battery pack 2, it can be provided at a position where it can be relatively easily checked.

In the above-described embodiment, the logic circuit 19 for driving the two-color light emitting diode 16 for displaying the remaining capacity has been described as having a so-called open collector configuration, but is not limited to this. Instead, a logic circuit having a so-called open drain configuration may be used. In other words, when notifying the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack 1, the two-color light emitting diode 16 can be driven by using either an open collector or open drain logic circuit.

Further, based on the output from the output voltage detecting circuit 18, the two-color light emitting diode 16 can be turned on and off by the charging current / voltage control circuit 15. In other words, the two-color light emitting diode can be controlled using a part of the charging current / voltage control circuit 15 to notify the remaining capacity.

In the above-described embodiment, two-color light emitting diodes are used. However, a plurality of two-color light emitting diodes may be used, or a plurality of single-color light emitting diodes may be used. Good. Of course, it is of course possible to use only one single-color light emitting diode and notify the state at the time of charging and the remaining capacity by turning on, off, and blinking the single-color light emitting diode.

The notification of the state and the remaining capacity at the time of charging through the two-color light emitting diode is not limited to the above-described mode, but various display modes can be used.

[0065]

As described above, according to the rechargeable battery pack of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery pack alone.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention, the user can know the remaining capacity through the display element only when necessary. Therefore, the electric energy charged in the rechargeable battery can be prevented from being wastefully used for detecting and notifying the remaining capacity.

According to the rechargeable battery pack of the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the notification of the remaining capacity during charging.

Further, according to the rechargeable battery pack of the present invention, it is possible to clarify whether the notification performed by the display element is a notification during charging or a notification of remaining capacity, thereby confusing the user. Can not be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a rechargeable battery pack according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of one embodiment of a rechargeable battery pack according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rechargeable battery pack and a charger for charging the rechargeable battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining output characteristics of the charger (constant current / constant voltage conversion circuit) shown in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rechargeable battery pack, 2 ... Charger (constant current / constant voltage conversion circuit), 11 ... Discharge terminal, 12 ... Charge terminal, 13 ... Ground terminal, 14 ... Control element, 15 ... Charge current / voltage detection circuit, 16: two-color light emitting diode, 17: remaining amount display switch, 18: output voltage detection circuit, 19: logic circuit, 20 ...
Rechargeable battery cell

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rechargeable battery, a charge control circuit for controlling a charging current or a charging voltage for the rechargeable battery, a display element, and detecting a remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on an output voltage of the rechargeable battery. Output voltage detection means for controlling the display element to notify the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on a detection result from the output voltage detection means. A rechargeable battery pack characterized in that: 2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a remaining capacity notification instruction means operated by a user for instructing a notification of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery, wherein a notification of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery is issued through the remaining capacity notification instruction means. And supplying the voltage from the rechargeable battery to the output voltage detection means and the remaining capacity notification control means to operate the rechargeable battery, and notifying the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery by the display element. A rechargeable battery pack according to item 1. 3. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 2, wherein said remaining capacity notification instruction means is provided at a position where operation is difficult during charging. 4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the display element is controlled by the charging control means to notify that charging is being performed. 2. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a display mode of the display element differs between the notification and the notification of the remaining capacity performed through the display element by the remaining capacity notification control unit. 3.