KR20060047468A - Device and method for improving charge function of battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for improving a charging function of a battery, the controller comprising: a controller configured to generate a pulse signal and a normal operation signal when the voltage of the battery is determined to be within a predetermined set voltage range; And a DC pulse generator connected between the controller and the positive terminal of the battery and generating a DC pulse when the pulse signal is generated from the controller and applying the same to the positive terminal of the battery to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery. It relates to an apparatus for improving the charging function of a storage battery and a method for improving the charging function of the battery using the same.

According to the present invention, the charging function of the battery is improved to extend the life of the battery.

Description

Device and method for improving the charging function of a storage battery {Device and method for improving charge function of battery}

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for improving a charging function of a storage battery according to the present invention connected to a storage battery.

2 is a circuit diagram of an operating voltage detector of FIG. 1 and an example of a storage battery connected thereto.

3 is a circuit diagram of the DC pulse generator shown in FIG. 1 and an example of a storage battery connected thereto.

4 is an example of a circuit diagram of a state display unit.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of improving a charging function of a storage battery by generating a DC pulse according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for improving the charging function of a battery, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for improving the charging function of a battery by generating a direct current pulse to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery.

Storage batteries supply direct current power by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. This is called discharge. When discharging, the sulfate is combined with the electrode plate inside the battery to generate water, thereby lowering the specific gravity of the electrolyte stored in the battery, and during charging, the combined sulfate returns to the electrolyte and increases the specific gravity. Such a battery is a lead storage battery, which is an application of galvanic cells, and is composed of electrodes of lead and lead dioxide dipped in a concentrated aqueous sulfuric acid solution, and produces an insoluble lead sulfate through an electrode reaction, which is attached to two electrodes. When the battery discharges, sulfuric acid is consumed and water is produced. Since the density of the water is about 70 percent of the sulfuric acid solution density, the state of charge of the battery can be determined by measuring the density of the electrolyte. When the battery is recharged, the electrode reaction is reversed.

However, during long charge-discharge cycles, sulfates that stuck to the discharge do not escape during charging, but stick to each other. This is called sulfate (sulphation) phenomenon. This sulphation becomes more severe as the battery is discharged more and the number of charge and discharge cycles, which is known to dispose of more than 80 percent of the typical lead-acid battery.

Sulfate is an insulating film covering the electrode plate in the form of a film by forming a bond with the electrode plate and the sulfates in the active material layer, thereby blocking the passage of chemical and electrical reactions and insulates the voltage, capacity and specific gravity between the batteries The sulfur molecules which form sulfuric acid of the battery as well as dropping are removed from the electrolyte, which causes the electrolyte to become inefficient. In order for the battery to receive the charging current and supply the strong discharge current, it is very important to have a clean electrode plate and a strong electrolyte, and the sulfated battery can do neither. Of course, as described above, in the case of strong recharging, some sulfate can be removed but not all of them, and ultimately, after a certain discharge cycle, the battery plate is covered with sulfate which makes effective recharging impossible. This can lead to corrosion of the plates and eventually the disposal of the batteries.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery charging function improving device for improving the charging function of the battery by preventing the sulphation of the battery.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery charging function improving method for improving the charging function of the battery by preventing sulphation of the battery.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for improving a charging function of a battery connected to a battery, the controller comprising: a controller configured to generate a pulse signal and a normal operation signal when it is determined that a voltage of the battery is within a predetermined set voltage range; And a DC pulse connected between the control unit and the positive terminal of the battery and generating a DC pulse when the pulse signal is generated from the controller and applying the DC pulse to the positive terminal of the battery to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery. It provides a charging function improving device for a storage battery comprising a.

Here, the DC pulse generator is connected to the gate of the control unit, the first electrode is connected to the positive terminal of the battery, the second electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the battery is turned on or off in response to the pulse signal Field effect transistor; An inductor having one end connected to the first electrode, accumulating energy when the field effect transistor is turned on, and applying a DC pulse to a positive terminal of the storage battery when the field effect transistor is turned off; And a capacitor connected between the other end of the inductor and the second electrode and configured to charge and discharge when the field effect transistor performs an on / off operation.

The DC pulse generator may include a PTC device connected between the positive terminal of the battery and the first electrode to prevent overcurrent from being applied to the field effect transistor; And a resistor connected between the gate and the second electrode.

The field effect transistor may be an N-channel MOS field effect transistor having a drain connected to a positive terminal of the battery and a source connected to a negative terminal of the battery.

The apparatus for improving charging function of the battery further includes an operating voltage detector configured to convert the voltage of the battery into a predetermined level and detect the converted voltage. The controller may further include a voltage of the battery using the voltage detected through the operating voltage detector. It is desirable to judge.

The operating voltage detector may further include first and second resistors connected in series between a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery to lower the voltage of the battery; A connection point of the first and second resistors is connected to the control unit, and is connected between the connection point of the first and second resistors and the negative terminal of the storage battery, a capacitor for removing the AC signal included in the output voltage of the battery ; And a Zener diode connected between a connection point of the first and second resistors and a negative terminal of the storage battery and preventing an overvoltage from being applied to the controller.

In addition, the charging function improving device of the battery is connected between the positive terminal of the battery and the control unit, it is preferable to further include a constant voltage unit for stabilizing the voltage of the battery provided to the control unit.

In addition, the controller is a plurality of voltage ranges are stored, it is preferable that any one of the voltage range of the stored voltage range is set to the voltage range to be applied according to the detected voltage of the battery.

In addition, the control unit is preferably connected to the crystal oscillator for supplying an oscillation signal to the control unit.

In addition, the charging function improving device is connected to the control unit, the status display unit for indicating that the charging function improving apparatus of the storage battery is operating normally by using the normal operation signal generated from the control unit; desirable.

On the other hand, the present invention to achieve the above object is a method for improving the charging function of the battery, (a) detecting the voltage of the battery; determining whether the voltage of the battery is within a set voltage range; And (c) generating a direct current pulse when the voltage of the battery is within a set voltage range and applying the same to the positive terminal of the battery to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery. Provide a method.

Here, step (c) preferably flashes an LED for indicating that the DC pulse is being generated while generating the DC pulse.

In addition, the step (b) is to set the voltage range of any one of a plurality of stored voltage ranges to be applied according to the detected voltage of the battery, and whether the voltage of the detected battery is within the set voltage range. It is preferable to determine the step.

According to the present invention, the charging function of the battery is improved, thereby extending the life of the battery.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a block diagram of a battery charging function improving apparatus 105 according to the present invention connected to a battery 101. Referring to FIG. 1, the battery charging function improving device 105 includes an operation voltage detector 111, a controller 121, a DC pulse generator 131, a state display unit 141, a constant voltage unit 151, and an oscillator ( 161).

The operation voltage detector 111 is composed of a filter circuit and a protection circuit for converting voltage magnitude and preventing malfunction so that an appropriate voltage is applied to the controller 121 in order to detect the magnitude of the positive and negative terminal voltages of the battery 101. . The operation voltage detector 111 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The voltage of the battery 101 may be directly input to the controller 121 so that the magnitude of the voltage of the battery 101 may be measured by the controller 121. In this case, the output voltage of the battery 101 is controlled by the controller 121. Since it may cause the failure of the control unit 121 outside the range that can be measured in the operation voltage detector 111 detects the voltage output from the storage battery 101 to a predetermined voltage level measurable by the control unit (conversion To) the control unit 121.

The controller 121 is connected to the operating voltage detector 111.

As described above, the control unit 121 may be directly connected to the storage battery 101, but in general, since the voltage that can be input to the control unit is limited in size, the control unit 121 may be operated from the storage battery 101 by using the operating voltage detector 111. Preferably, the output voltage is input to the controller 121 in a state where the output voltage is reduced at a predetermined ratio. At this time, the control unit 121 grasps the voltage of the storage battery 101 according to the voltage detected by the operating voltage detection unit 111.

The controller 121 generates a pulse signal P2 and a normal operation signal P3 when the voltage of the battery 101 determined according to the voltage P1 output from the operation voltage detector 111 is within a set voltage range. .

The set voltage range can be arbitrarily set according to the designer of the system of the present invention. For example, for a 12-volt battery, the normal range of operation can be set to 11.4 volts to 13.2 volts. However, the reference voltage of this range may vary depending on the type of the system in which the battery 101 is used, and may vary depending on the design of the system, and thus is not necessarily set to any one value.

In addition, although the control unit may store only one voltage range in which the battery storage function improving apparatus 105 of the present invention operates, a plurality of voltage ranges may be stored.

That is, the storage device function improving apparatus 105 of the present invention may be a device for only one type of storage battery, but may be applied to all kinds of storage batteries regardless of the voltage of the storage battery.

When only one voltage range is set in the controller 121, the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention can be used only for a battery having a specific voltage, but the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention is applied. In the case where all voltage ranges corresponding to voltages of all possible storage batteries are stored and the voltage range in which the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention is operated is set using the same, the battery function improving device 105 Since there is an advantage that can be used in various types of batteries, the producer is economical because only one product may be produced, and the buyer can purchase the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention without considering the voltage of their battery. Do.

For example, the voltage of the battery 101 is defined as 4 volts, 6 volts, 8 volts, 12 volts, 24 volts, 36 volts, 48 volts, depending on the application, the control unit 121 as a 4 volt storage battery 3.7 volts to 4.8 volts stored in the voltage range, 5.7 volts to 7.9 volts stored in the voltage range for 6-volt batteries, 7.6 volts to 10.0 volts stored in the voltage range for 12-volt batteries, and 12 volts 11.4 volts to 13.2 volts are stored in the voltage range for batteries, 22.0 volts to 26.0 volts for the 24 volt battery, and 33.0 volts to 39.0 volts for the 36 volt battery If the battery for 48 volts is stored in the voltage range of 44.0 volts to 52.0 volts, the voltage output from the battery 101 when the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention is attached to the battery 101 Measured to any value in the voltage range of 12 volts Wu control unit such that the voltage range in which the invention operates is set to 11.4 volts to 13.2 volts. However, when it is determined that the voltage of the battery with the battery function improving device 105 is attached, it is determined that the voltage is 8 volts, the controller 121 causes the voltage range in which the present invention is operated to be set to 7.6 volts to 10.0 volts.

The upper limit of the set voltage range is higher than the specified voltage because the voltage generated by the generator is higher than the specified voltage when the generator (not shown) charges the battery 101 in an automobile or the like.

In addition, when the vehicle has not been started for a long time, the battery does not charge, and a voltage drop gradually occurs. Even when the battery 101 is lower than a predetermined voltage, the battery 101 continues to be used as a power source. In the case where the battery function improving device 105 of the present invention operates, the voltage drop of the battery 101 is accelerated, resulting in rapid disposal of the battery, and thus, when the voltage of the battery falls below the lower limit of the set voltage range. In the following, the storage battery function improving device 105 of the present invention is not operated.

The controller 121 is configured by using an integrated circuit chip such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-controller.

The DC pulse generator 131 is connected between the controller 121 and the positive terminal T1 of the storage battery 101. The DC pulse generator 131 generates a DC pulse when the pulse signal P2 is generated from the controller 121 and applies the DC pulse to the positive terminal T1 of the storage battery 101. When a direct current pulse is applied to the battery 101, the sulfate accumulated in the battery 101 starts to be removed. The DC pulse generator 131 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The status display unit 141 is connected to the control unit 121. The state display unit 141 may display the operation state of the storage device function improving apparatus 105 or the state of the storage battery 101 according to whether the normal operation signal P3 is generated from the control unit 121. When light indicating normal operation is emitted from the status display unit 141, the charging function improving apparatus 105 of the storage battery is operating normally. The status display unit 141 may emit light only when the normal operation signal P3 occurs, or may emit light of a different color when the normal operation signal does not occur. Since an example of the status display unit 141 is shown in FIG. 4, the status display unit 141 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The constant voltage unit 151 is connected between the positive terminal T1 of the storage battery 101 and the control unit 121, and stabilizes the voltage of the storage battery 101 to make a voltage capable of driving a circuit of the control unit 121. The control unit 121 is provided.

The oscillator 161 continuously generates an oscillation signal at a constant cycle and provides it to the controller 121. The oscillator 161 is preferably composed of a crystal oscillator.

As described above, when the storage battery 101 is within the set voltage, a direct current pulse is provided to the storage battery 101 to remove sulfates accumulated in the storage battery 101 little by little to prevent sulfate phenomena so that the charging function of the storage battery 101 is improved. Is improved.

2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of an operating voltage detector illustrated in FIG. 1. 2, the operation voltage detector 111 includes a first resistor 211, a second resistor 212, a capacitor 221, and a zener diode 231.

The first resistor 211 is connected to the positive terminal T1 of the battery 101, and the second resistor 212 is connected to the negative terminal T2 of the battery 101. The first resistor 211 and the second resistor 212 are connected in series through the node N1. The node N1 is connected to the controller 121.

The first resistor 211 and the second resistor 212 reduce the voltage of the storage battery 101 by a predetermined level and apply the same to the controller 121. That is, the voltage generated at the node N1 is determined according to the ratio of the first resistor 211 and the second resistor 212, and the voltage generated at the node N1 is lower than the voltage of the storage battery 101.

The capacitor 221 is connected between the node N1 and the negative terminal T2 of the storage battery 101. The capacitor 221 bypasses and removes an AC signal included in the output voltage of the battery 101 to allow only a pure DC voltage to be applied to the controller 121.

The zener diode 231 is connected between the node N1 and the negative terminal T2 of the storage battery 101. The zener diode 231 conducts when the voltage applied to the node N1 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage. Therefore, the overvoltage is not applied to the control unit 121, the control unit 121 is protected from the overvoltage. Since the controller 121 is formed of an integrated circuit chip and is damaged when an overvoltage is applied, a zener diode 231 is used to prevent this.

3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the DC pulse generator illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the DC pulse generator 131 may include an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistor 311, an inductor 321, a capacitor 331, and a PTC device. 341 and a resistor 351.

The gate G of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 is connected to the control unit 121, and the first electrode of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311, that is, the drain D, is a positive terminal of the storage battery 101. The second electrode of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311, that is, the source S, is connected to the negative terminal T2 of the storage battery 101. The N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 is turned on or off in response to the pulse signal P2 generated by the controller 121. That is, when the pulse signal P2 is at a high level, it is turned on, and when the pulse signal P2 is at a low level, it is turned off. The N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 may be configured as a P-channel MOS field effect transistor.

The inductor 321 has one end connected to the drain D and the other end connected to the capacitor 331. The inductor 321 accumulates energy when the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 is turned on. When the N-channel MOS field-effect transistor 311 is turned off, the inductor 321 uses the accumulated energy to use the positive terminal T2 of the storage battery 101. Apply a DC pulse to the.

The capacitor 331 is connected between the other end of the inductor 321 and the source S of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311. The capacitor 331 charges and discharges when the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 performs an on / off operation. That is, the capacitor 331 is charged when the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 is turned off, and then, when the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 is turned on, the capacitor 331 is connected to the capacitor 101 through the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311. Discharge to negative terminal T2. In this process, energy is accumulated in the inductor 321.

The PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element 341 is connected between the positive terminal T2 of the storage battery 101 and the drain D of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311. The PTC element 341 prevents overcurrent from being applied to the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311. That is, the PTC element 341 prevents the overcurrent from flowing to the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311 when an overcurrent is output from the battery 101.

The resistor 351 is connected between the gate G and the source S of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311, and provides a bias voltage to the gate G of the N-channel MOS field effect transistor 311.

4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the status display unit 141. Referring to FIG. 4, the state display unit 141 includes a resistor 411 and an LED 421.

The resistor 411 prevents overvoltage from being applied to the LED 421.

When the normal operation signal P3 is generated from the controller 121, the LED 421 emits light or repeats blinking at predetermined time intervals.

As described above, the status display unit 141 uses only one LED as shown in FIG. 4, so that the LED is turned on only when the normal operation signal P3 is generated from the controller 121 because the voltage of the battery is within the set voltage range. Although it may be possible to emit light, LEDs emitting two different colors may be used to emit LEDs of different colors depending on whether or not a normal operation signal is generated. You can also tell whether or not is normal.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of improving a charging function of the storage battery 101 by generating a DC pulse according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the charging function improving method of the storage battery 101 includes first to third steps 511 to 531. A method of improving a charging function of the storage battery 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The first step 511 is a step of detecting the voltage of the storage battery 101. The controller 121 detects the voltage of the storage battery 101 by using the signal input through the operation voltage detector 111 or the signal input through the direct storage battery 101.

The second step 521 is a step of comparing and determining whether the voltage of the storage battery 101 is within a set voltage range.

When only one voltage range is set in the control unit 121, only the detected voltage is compared with a voltage within the above-mentioned voltage range, and when the plurality of voltage ranges are stored, the first detected battery ( Based on the voltage of 101, it is determined which voltage range to apply, and whether the detected voltage of the battery 101 is a voltage within the selected voltage range.

In the third step 531, when the voltage of the battery 101 is within the set voltage range (525), a DC pulse is generated and applied to the positive terminal T1 of the battery 101, and the voltage of the battery 101 is set. 525 does not generate a direct current pulse. When the direct current pulse is applied to the storage battery 101, the sulfate accumulated in the storage battery 101 is removed. While the DC pulse is generated, the LED included in the plaque display unit 141 may blink to indicate that the DC pulse is generated.

In this manner, when the storage battery 101 is within the set voltage, the sulfate phenomena can be prevented by providing a direct current pulse to the storage battery 101 to remove the sulfate accumulated in the storage battery 101 little by little.

The best embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and the specification, and the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the invention only and is not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims or claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will be capable of various modifications and other equivalent embodiments from this, and therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, by generating a DC pulse while the battery 101 is within the set voltage and providing the battery 101 to the battery 101, the sulfate accumulated in the battery 101 is removed little by little to prevent sulphation. There is a number. Therefore, not only the charging function of the storage battery 101 is improved, but the life of the storage battery 101 is also extended.

Claims (13)

In the battery charging function improving device connected to the battery, A controller configured to generate a pulse signal and a normal operation signal when it is determined that the voltage of the battery is within a predetermined set voltage range; And A direct current pulse generator connected between the control unit and a positive terminal of the battery and generating a direct current pulse when the pulse signal is generated from the control unit, and applying the applied current to the positive terminal of the battery to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery; Charging function improvement device of a storage battery comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the DC pulse generator A field effect transistor connected to a gate of the controller, a first electrode connected to a positive terminal of the storage battery, and a second electrode connected to a negative terminal of the storage battery, the field effect transistor being turned on or off in response to the pulse signal; An inductor having one end connected to the first electrode, accumulating energy when the field effect transistor is turned on, and applying a DC pulse to a positive terminal of the storage battery when the field effect transistor is turned off; And And a capacitor connected between the other end of the inductor and the second electrode and configured to charge and discharge when the field effect transistor performs an on / off operation. The method of claim 2, wherein the DC pulse generating unit A PTC device connected between the positive terminal of the storage battery and the first electrode to prevent overcurrent from being applied to the field effect transistor; And And a resistor connected between the gate and the second electrode. The method of claim 2, wherein the field effect transistor And an N-channel MOS field effect transistor having a drain connected to the positive terminal of the battery and a source connected to the negative terminal of the battery. According to claim 1, wherein the charging function improving device of the storage battery And an operation voltage detector for converting and detecting the voltage of the battery to a predetermined level. And the controller is configured to determine the voltage of the battery using the voltage detected by the operating voltage detector. The method of claim 5, wherein the operating voltage detector First and second resistors connected in series between the positive terminal of the battery and the negative terminal of the battery to lower the voltage of the battery; The connection point of the first and second resistors is connected to the control unit, A capacitor connected between a connection point of the first and second resistors and a negative terminal of the storage battery, and configured to remove an AC signal included in an output voltage of the storage battery; And And a Zener diode connected between the connection point of the first and second resistors and a negative terminal of the storage battery and preventing an overvoltage from being applied to the controller. According to claim 1, wherein the charging function improving device of the storage battery And a constant voltage unit connected between the positive terminal of the battery and the control unit and stabilizing a voltage of the storage battery to provide the control unit to the control unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit And a plurality of voltage ranges are stored, and the voltage range of any one of the stored voltage ranges is set to a voltage range to be applied according to the detected voltage of the battery. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit Device for improving the charging function of a storage battery, characterized in that the crystal oscillator for supplying an oscillation signal to the control unit is connected. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging function improving device And a status display unit connected to the control unit and indicating whether the charging function improving device of the storage battery is operating normally by using the normal operation signal from the control unit. Device. In the method of improving the charging function of a storage battery, (a) detecting the voltage of the battery; determining whether the voltage of the battery is within a set voltage range; And (c) generating a direct current pulse when the voltage of the battery is within a set voltage range, and applying the same to the positive terminal of the battery to remove sulfate accumulated in the battery. . The method of claim 11, wherein step (c) And a LED for indicating that the DC pulse is generated while the DC pulse is generated. The method of claim 11, wherein step (b) According to the detected voltage of the battery, any one of a plurality of stored voltage range is set to the voltage range to be applied, and determining whether the voltage of the detected battery is within the set voltage range How to improve the charging function of batteries.

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