JP3549191B2

JP3549191B2 - Storage battery charging method and power supply device

Info

Publication number: JP3549191B2
Application number: JP2000362021A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 貴史中原; 公芳狩野; 幹夫山崎; 亨鈴木
Original assignee: Origin Electric Co Ltd; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp; NTT Inc USA
Current assignee: Origin Electric Co Ltd; NTT Inc; NTT Inc USA
Priority date: 2000-11-29
Filing date: 2000-11-29
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-29
Also published as: JP2002171680A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電源装置の蓄電池充電システムにおいて、並列に接続された複数の蓄電池を効率よく充電するための蓄電池充電方法及び充電機能を有する電源装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電源装置に用いる蓄電池は蓄電池放電や自然放電による容量低下を補うため、入力電力回復時又は定期的に充電する必要があり、その充電方法には定電流充電法や定電圧充電法又はそれらを組合わせたものがある。
【０００３】
いずれの充電方法においても、整流装置から負荷へ直流電力を供給しつつ、単一の蓄電池からなるもの、あるいは、単一の蓄電池又は複数の蓄電池を直列又は並列あるいは直並列接続してなるもの（本件明細書では蓄電池ブロックという）を並列接続した蓄電池群を同時に回復充電又は浮動充電させる方法が一般的である。
【０００４】
この従来の電源装置の回路構成図を図５に示す。交流電力を直流電力に変換する整流器１の出力端子には蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４を充電するための蓄電池充電回路３の入力端子と逆流阻止用ダイオード９が接続され、蓄電池充電回路３の出力端子は蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４に接続され、逆流阻止用ダイオード９の他端子は逆流阻止用ダイオード１０と負荷２に接続され、逆流阻止用ダイオード１０の他端子は負荷用ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ４の出力端子に接続され、負荷用ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ４の入力端子は蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４に接続されている。
【０００５】
交流入力が正常の場合は、整流器１の出力は負荷２へ直流電力を供給しつつ、蓄電池充電回路３を経由して蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４を浮動充電している。交流入力が停電すると、蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４から負荷用ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ４を経由して負荷２へ直流電力を供給する。交流入力が復電すると整流器１の出力は負荷２へ直流電力を供給しつつ、蓄電池充電回路３を経由して蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４を回復充電する。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来の充電方法では、その並列接続された全ての蓄電池ブロックを同時に充電できる大きな出力容量を持つ大型の充電用電源が必要であった。そのため、電源装置の設置スペースや重量が限られている場合にはこの充電方法を用いることができず、また、経済的にも不利であった。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、蓄電池ブロックを並列接続した蓄電池群を順次充電する分割充電の開始時に、正常な前記蓄電池ブロックが接続されているか否かの接続確認の判定を行い、前記蓄電池ブロックが正常であることが確認された後に、正常と判定された前記蓄電池ブロックに充電電力を供給する蓄電池の充電方法において、各前記蓄電池ブロックの充電開始時に、前記蓄電池ブロックごとに短時間定電流放電させて定電流放電試験を行い、前記蓄電池ブロックの電圧が所定の電圧値以上であれば充電を実行し、前記蓄電池ブロックの電圧が所定の電圧値未満であれば放電電流を計測し、該放電電流が所定範囲の放電電流値であれば充電を実行し、該放電電流が所定範囲の放電電流値以外であれば短時間定電流充電させて定電流充電試験を行い、該定電流充電試験の結果、前記蓄電池ブロックの電圧が所定の電圧値未満であれば充電を実行し、前記定電流充電試験の結果、前記蓄電池ブロックの電圧が所定の電圧値以上であれば充電を行わないことを特徴とする蓄電池の充電方法を提案するものである。
【０００８】
つまり、本発明によれば、蓄電池ブロックをＮ個並列接続した蓄電池群を同時に充電するのではなく、蓄電池群を蓄電池ブロックごとに分割し、蓄電池ブロックを１個ずつ順次充電するので、蓄電池を充電する充電用電源の出力容量が従来のほぼ１／Ｎで済み、充電用電源を大幅に小型化できる。
また、蓄電池の接続確認は蓄電池ブロックを短時間定電流放電させて行うが、蓄電池ブロックが正常でも試験時の状態によっては正常と判断されない場合があるので、正常でないと判定されたときには引続きその蓄電池ブロックを短時間定電流充電させることにより接続確認を正確に判定できる。
【０００９】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１において、前記蓄電池ブロックを、本来満充電まで充電するのに必要な充電時間を幾つかに細分割して充電する時分割充電し、該時分割充電は複数回の所定の休止期間を持ち、該休止期間中に順次別の前記蓄電池ブロックを充電することにより、各前記蓄電池ブロックを時間的に平均に充電して、特定の前記蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏らないようにしたことを特徴とする蓄電池の充電方法を提案するものである。
【００１０】
つまり、蓄電池ブロックを１個ずつそれらが満充電するまで充電したのちに別の蓄電池ブロックの充電に移る方法では、全ての蓄電池ブロックが満充電まで充電されるまでの途中においては、特定の蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏っているため、停電などが起きると満充電していた蓄電池ブロックのみから急速に放電が開始されるため、蓄電池群全体としての蓄電池電圧保持時間が短くなってしまい、蓄電池から負荷へ放電できる時間が短くなる。
【００１１】
そこで、蓄電池ブロックの休止期間中に別の蓄電池ブロックを順次充電することにより、全ての蓄電池ブロックを時間的にほぼ平均に充電して、特定の蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏らないようにする。
【００１２】
請求項３の発明は、前記定電流充電試験の結果、前記蓄電池ブロックの電圧が所定の電圧値以上であれば、あらかじめ決められたシーケンスで、又は直ちに別の前記蓄電池ブロックの接続確認を行うことを特徴とする蓄電池の充電方法を提案するものである。
【００１３】
つまり、蓄電池ブロックへの充電開始時ならびにその蓄電池ブロックへの充電設定時間を経過して別の蓄電池ブロックの充電に移るときに、該当する蓄電池ブロックに対して蓄電池接続確認試験を実施することにより、正常な蓄電池ブロックの接続の有無を判定し、正常でない蓄電池ブロックには充電しないようにすることにより効率よく蓄電池群を充電することができる。
【００１４】
ここで、正常な蓄電池ブロックとはその端子電圧が所定の電圧値以上であってかつ蓄電池群に接触不良すること無く接続されている蓄電池ブロックを示し、正常でない蓄電池ブロックとは蓄電池が接続されていないか又はそれを構成している蓄電池が異常でその蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が所定の電圧値未満であるか又は蓄電池群に接触不良状態で接続されている蓄電池ブロックを示す。
【００１５】
なお、本来は正常な蓄電池ブロックであるが過放電により一時的にその電圧が所定の電圧値未満となっているものは、回復充電にて所定の電圧値以上に戻れるので、正常な蓄電池ブロックと判定する。しかし、長期の過放電により回復充電にても所定の電圧値に戻れないものは、蓄電池の内部インピーダンスが高くなっているので、次回の蓄電池接続確認試験では正常でないと判定する。
【００１６】
請求項４の発明は、蓄電池ブロックを並列接続した蓄電池群の監視と充電とを行う機能を備えた電源装置において、上記蓄電池ブロックに充電電力を供給する蓄電池充電回路と、それぞれの上記蓄電池ブロックに接続されて順次選択的に開閉される開閉手段と、上記蓄電池ブロックに直列接続されたスイッチ手段を介して順次選択的に放電を行う定電流放電回路と、上記定電流放電回路を流れる放電電流を検出する電流検出回路と、それぞれの上記蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧を検出する電圧検出回路と、上記開閉手段に開閉信号を与えて、上記蓄電池ブロックから上記定電流放電回路を通して放電電流を流し、上記放電電流が流れているときに、上記蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が所定値以上であれば、充電命令信号を上記蓄電池充電回路に与え、また、上記蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が所定値以下であれば、上記放電電流が所定範囲の電流値のときに、充電命令信号を上記蓄電池充電回路に与えるプログラムを有するマイクロプロセッサ部とを備え、上記マイクロプロセッサの上記プログラムは、上記放電電流が上記所定範囲の電流値でないときには、上記蓄電池充電回路に定電流充電命令信号を与えて、上記蓄電池ブロックを定電流充電させ、その定電流充電電流が流れているときの上記蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が所定の電圧値未満のときには、該蓄電池ブロックを充電するように上記蓄電池充電回路に充電命令信号を与え、上記定電流充電電流が流れているときの上記蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が所定の電圧値以上であるときには、該蓄電池ブロックを充電する充電命令信号を発生しない電源装置である。
【００１９】
つまり、正常と判定された蓄電池ブロックを充電し、正常でないと判定された蓄電池ブロックを充電しないという制御をマイクロプロセッサ部のプログラムにより行う電源装置である。
【００２０】
請求項５の発明は、請求項４において、上記定電流放電回路及び上記蓄電池充電回路を用いて蓄電池容量判定を行うことを特徴とする電源装置を提供するものである。
【００２１】
請求項５の発明によれば、蓄電池容量試験を実施できる電源装置にあっては、マイクロプロセッサ部に記憶されるプログラムを変更するだけで、新たな回路を付与することなく、その蓄電池容量試験の定電流放電回路と定電流充電回路をそのまま用いて蓄電池接続確認試験を実施することができる。
【００２４】
【発明の実施の形態】
このように従来の充電方法では、複数の蓄電池ブロックを並列接続した蓄電池群を一斉に回復充電させるには、その全ての蓄電池ブロックを同時に充電できる大きな出力容量を持つ大型の充電用電源が必要となるため、本発明者は以下に述べるような考え方に至った。
【００２５】
まず、蓄電池ブロックを並列接続した蓄電池群を充電する方法において、蓄電池ブロック１個分の充電に必要な容量の充電用電源を用いて分割充電にて行うことを特徴とする蓄電池の充電方法を提案する。
【００２６】
これは、蓄電池ブロックを並列接続した蓄電池群を同時に充電するには出力容量の大きな充電装置が必要となるので、本発明では、蓄電池群を蓄電池ブロックごとに分割し、蓄電池ブロックを１個ずつ順次充電するので、満充電までの回復充電時間は長くかかるが、蓄電池ブロックを充電する充電用電源の出力容量が蓄電池ブロック１個分で済み、充電用電源を小型化でき経済的にも安価とすることができる。
【００２７】
さらに、蓄電池ブロック１個を充電する容量を持った充電用電源を用いて順次蓄電池ブロックを切替えながら回復充電を行う方法であり、その切替時ごとに蓄電池接続確認試験を実施するので、正常でない蓄電池ブロックがある場合にはそれを発見することが容易となり、蓄電池の保守性が向上する。
【００２８】
また、蓄電池ブロックの個数を負荷に対し必要な個数Ｎに冗長用の１ブロックを加えたＮ＋１ブロックとし、蓄電池ブロック１個を充電する容量を持った充電用電源を用いて順次蓄電池ブロックを切替えながら回復充電を行うことにより蓄電池群の信頼性を高くすることができる。
【００２９】
次に、ニッケル水素蓄電池などの回復充電において、蓄電池ブロックを本来満充電まで充電するのに必要な充電時間を幾つかに細分割して充電する時分割充電にて行い、時分割充電は複数回の所定の休止期間を持ち、その休止期間中に順次別の蓄電池ブロックを充電することにより、蓄電池群を時間的に平均に充電して、特定の蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏らないようにしたことを特徴とする蓄電池の充電方法を提案する。
【００３０】
つまり、蓄電池ブロックを１個ずつそれらが満充電するまで充電したのちに別の蓄電池ブロックの充電に移る方法では、全ての蓄電池ブロックが満充電まで充電されるまでの途中においては特定の蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏っているため、そのとき停電などが起きると満充電していた蓄電池ブロックのみから定常電流以上の急速放電が開始されその蓄電池ブロックの端子電圧が急激に低下するため、蓄電池群全体としての蓄電池電圧保持時間が短くなってしまい、蓄電池群から負荷へ放電できる時間が短くなってしまう。
【００３１】
そこで、蓄電池ブロックを満充電するまでに必要な充電量を供給するために要する充電時間を幾つかに時分割して、休止期間を設けながら断続的に充電する時分割充電の方法を用いる。蓄電池ブロックの充電は複数回の所定の休止期間を持ち、その休止期間中に別の蓄電池ブロックを充電することにより、各蓄電池ブロックを時間的に平均に充電して、特定の蓄電池ブロックに充電が偏らないようにする。
【００３２】
この発明により、全ての蓄電池ブロックが満充電まで充電されるまでの途中において停電などが起きたときにも、全ての蓄電池ブロックからほぼ均等に定常電流での放電が行われるため、蓄電池群全体として期待されている蓄電池電圧保持時間を確保することができるので、蓄電池群から負荷へ放電できる時間が短くなることはない。
【００３３】
そして、蓄電池ブロックを１個分しか充電する容量しかない充電用電源の場合においては、停電などが断続して起こっているときには回復充電を急ぐことが必要である。
【００３４】
ところで、蓄電池放電が進んでいる蓄電池については充電開始初期の方が満充電近くの時期よりも充電時間当たりの蓄電池電圧の回復が早いので、一つの蓄電池ブロックの回復充電を満充電状態まで完了させてから次の蓄電池ブロックへ順次充電していく方法よりも、時分割充電の休止期間を利用して別の並列接続された複数の蓄電池ブロックを順次時分割充電した方が、蓄電池群全体としての蓄電池出力電圧を短い時間で効率よく回復させることができる。
【００３５】
つまり、時分割充電の休止期間を利用して別の並列接続されている複数の蓄電池ブロックへ同じように順次所定の細分割時間ごとに時分割充電方法で定電流充電や定電圧充電又はそれらを組合わせたものにすれば、回復充電を短い時間で効率よく行うことができる。
【００３６】
なお、電源装置などに使用される蓄電池には液式鉛蓄電池、シール形鉛蓄電池、ニッケル蓄電池、ニッケル水素蓄電池など様々な種類があるが、定電流充電や定電圧充電又はそれらを組合わせたものが可能な蓄電池であれば、本発明の蓄電池接続確認を用いる方法は全ての種類の蓄電池の充電方法に適用可能である。
【００３７】
【実施例】
実施例について図面を参照して説明する。
第１の実施例である実施例１のニッケル水素蓄電池を定電流充電する方法を説明する。実施例１の回路構成の概略を図１に示す。図１に示すように、本電源装置は負荷２に直流電力を供給する整流器１、蓄電池充電回路３、負荷用ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ４、定電流放電回路５、電圧検出回路６、電流検出回路７、マイクロプロセッサ部８、並列に接続された４個の蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４、ダイオードなどの逆流阻止用半導体素子９，１０、ショットキーダイオードなどの逆流阻止用半導体素子Ｄ１〜Ｄ４などで構成されている。
【００３８】
なお、蓄電池充電回路３には、マイクロプロセッサ部８からのあるシーケンス信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４への出力を切替えるスイッチ（図示せず）を備えている。
【００３９】
また、蓄電池ブロックＢの個数は負荷２に対し本来必要な個数の３ブロックに信頼性を高めるために冗長用の１ブロックを加えた合計４ブロックとし、詳細には図示しないが、蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４内には、蓄電池に直列に接続された、マイクロプロセッサ部８からのあるシーケンス信号に基づき順次開閉されるスイッチＡ１〜Ａ４が備えられている。
【００４０】
マイクロプロセッサ部８の電源が投入されるかリセットされたときに蓄電池接続確認試験が開始される。そのマイクロプロセッサ部８での判定手順を図２のフローチャート図に示す。
【００４１】
また、充電命令信号のタイムチャート図を図３に示す。蓄電池接続確認試験期間Ｋの時間は図３では一例として最大で約５秒間であり、この蓄電池接続確認試験時間内に次に述べる定電流放電試験や定電流充電試験並びに判定を完了する。
【００４２】
最初に、定電流放電試験により蓄電池接続確認試験期間Ｋ１で蓄電池ブロックＢ１の蓄電池接続確認を行う。
図１に示すように、マイクロプロセッサ部８からのシーケンス信号に基づきトランジスタスイッチａ１とスイッチＡ１が閉じることにより、蓄電池接続確認試験を実施する最初の蓄電池ブロックＢ１を蓄電池容量判定の定電流放電回路５に接続し、蓄電池ブロックＢ１からトランジスタスイッチａ１、電流検出回路７を通して放電電流を流す。トランジスタスイッチａ１〜ａ４及びスイッチＡ１〜Ａ４は、蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４の蓄電池接続確認試験時にマイクロプロセッサ部８からのシーケンス信号に基づき順次開閉する。
【００４３】
蓄電池ブロックＢ１からの放電電流が流れているときの蓄電池ブロックＢ１の電圧を電圧検出回路６にて検出して所定の電圧値以上ある場合は、正常な蓄電池が接続されていると判定して直ぐに充電に入り、時分割充電の所定の充電設定時間の間はその蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対してマイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号を継続して送出し、スイッチＡ１を閉じたままとし、その蓄電池ブロックＢ１を定電流充電する。なお、この蓄電池ブロックＢ１の所定の電圧値とは、正常な蓄電池であるときにその容量が許容下限値まで低下している場合に示される値である
【００４４】
この放電電流が流れているときの蓄電池ブロックＢ１の電圧が所定の電圧値未満の場合でも、蓄電池が長時間の放電直後などでは蓄電池ブロック電圧が低下していることがあるため、引続いて放電電流を電流検出回路７にて測定し、所定範囲の放電電流値であれば正常な蓄電池が接続されていると判定して、その蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対してマイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号を所定の充電設定時間の間は継続して送出し、この充電命令信号に基づきスイッチＡ１を閉じて、その蓄電池ブロックＢ１を定電流充電する。
【００４５】
この所定の放電電流値とは、蓄電池容量判定の定電流放電回路を共用して使用するために蓄電池容量判定時と同じ電流値を採用し、判定する以外の蓄電池ブロックＢ２〜Ｂ４の回路からショットキーダイオードＤ２〜Ｄ４を通して判定中の蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対応するショットキーダイオードＤ１の逆方向から電流検出回路７に回り込む漏れ電流の最大値よりも数倍以上大きい値であり、この漏れ電流による誤判定を排除することができる。
【００４６】
しかし、この放電電流が所定範囲の放電電流値でなければ、引続いて定電流充電試験を行い、その蓄電池接続確認試験期間Ｋ１の時間内に蓄電池接続確認を完了する。定電流充電試験では、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づいて蓄電池充電回路３が働き、蓄電池ブロックＢ１を定電流充電する。この充電電流が流れている時の蓄電池ブロックＢ１の電圧を再び電圧検出回路６にて計測し、所定の電圧値未満のときは、蓄電池の内部インピーダンスが充分低いので、正常な蓄電池ブロックＢ１が接続されていると判定し、所定の充電設定時間の間はマイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号を継続して送出してその蓄電池ブロックＢ１を充電する。
【００４７】
しかし、この定電流充電期間において、蓄電池ブロックＢ１の電圧が所定の電圧値以上あるときは、蓄電池の内部インピーダンスが異常に高いか蓄電池が未接続かのいずれかなので、正常な蓄電池が接続されていないと判定し、蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対してはマイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号の送出を停止し、スイッチＡ１を開けて、その蓄電池ブロックＢ１は充電しない。
【００４８】
ここで、最初の蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対する蓄電池接続確認試験期間Ｋ１で、正常と判定された場合はその蓄電池ブロックＢ１に対する所定の充電設定時間終了後に、また、正常でないと判定された場合はあらかじめ決められたシーケンスで割当てられた所定の充電命令時間が経過後、次の蓄電池ブロックＢ２に対して第１番目の蓄電池ブロックＢ１へと同じ方法で蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ２の期間行う。
【００４９】
この手順で、順次、最後の第４番目の蓄電池ブロックＢ４まで終了したら、再び最初の蓄電池ブロックＢ１に戻る。このようにして、順番の回ってきた全ての蓄電池ブロックに対し蓄電池接続確認の判定を行い、正常と判定された蓄電池ブロックにのみ時分割充電を繰返す。
【００５０】
なお、本電源装置のマイクロプロセッサ部８からは接続確認が正常と判定された全ての蓄電池ブロックの制御回路（図示せず）に対して充電命令信号を継続して所定の充電設定時間の間はあらかじめ決められたシーケンスで順次送出しているが、該当する蓄電池ブロックの制御回路（図示せず）にて満充電と判断されたときには、その制御により直列に接続されているスイッチＡが開かれ、該当する蓄電池ブロックの充電が停止される。
【００５１】
ここで、並列に接続された４つの蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４の内の第３番目の蓄電池ブロックＢ３が正常でない場合の充電命令信号のタイムチャート図を図３に示す。図３において、マイクロプロセッサ部８で行う蓄電池ブロックＢ１、蓄電池ブロックＢ２、蓄電池ブロックＢ３、蓄電池ブロックＢ４での蓄電池接続確認試験期間をそれぞれＫ１、Ｋ２、Ｋ３、Ｋ４とし、各蓄電池ブロックに対する充電命令信号のタイムチャート図の凸部の期間がマイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号が送出されている時間Ｔを表わす。
【００５２】
まず、前述のようにして蓄電池ブロックＢ１の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ１の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されると、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ１内のスイッチＡ１が閉じ、直ちに時分割された所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ１を充電する。
【００５３】
蓄電池ブロックＢ１の充電時間が経過後、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ２の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ２の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されると、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ２内のスイッチＡ２が閉じ、直ちに時分割された所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ２が充電される。
【００５４】
蓄電池ブロックＢ２の充電時間が経過後、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ３の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ３の期間行い、蓄電池ブロックＢ３が正常な蓄電池ではないと判定されると、マイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号が送出されないため蓄電池ブロックＢ３内のスイッチＡ３は閉じられずに開いたままとなり、あらかじめ決められたシーケンスで割当てられた所定の時間の間は蓄電池ブロックＢ３が充電されない状態が維持される。
【００５５】
蓄電池ブロックＢ３での所定の時間が経過後、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ４の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ４の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されると、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ４内のスイッチＡ４が閉じ、直ちに時分割された所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ４が充電される。
【００５６】
蓄電池ブロックＢ４の充電時間が経過後、再度、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ１の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ１’の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されたので、これまでと同様に、直ちに時分割された所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ１が充電される。このようにして、順次、各蓄電池ブロックへの時分割充電が繰返される。
【００５７】
なお、あらかじめ、未接続や正常でない蓄電池ブロックが判っている場合には、これらの情報をディップスイッチなどの入力装置を用いてマイクロプロセッサ部８に事前に入力することにより、正常でない蓄電池ブロックへの蓄電池接続確認試験と充電をパスさせることも可能である。
【００５８】
しかし、先の図３から判るように、正常な蓄電池ではないと判定された蓄電池ブロックＢ３への充電は行われないものの、あらかじめ決められた時分割された所定の時間が経過しないうちは第４番目の蓄電池ブロックＢ４の充電には移ることができない。
【００５９】
第２の実施例である実施例２について説明する。
実施例２の構成と回路は実施例１と同じであり、実施例１と異なる充電命令信号のタイムチャートを図４を参照して説明する。
実施例１においての、正常な蓄電池ではないと判定された蓄電池ブロックへのあらかじめ決められた時分割された所定の時間が経過しないうちは次の蓄電池ブロックの充電には移ることができない点を解決する方法として、実施例２では、蓄電池ブロックへの充電開始時に蓄電池接続確認試験を行ったときに、蓄電池ブロックを順次無条件に時分割充電するのではなく、蓄電池が未接続か不良の蓄電池で本来は充電不要な蓄電池ブロックにはその時分割の時間を省き、充電が必要な蓄電池に対する充電を早く行う方法を提案する。
【００６０】
実施例２の、並列に接続された４つの蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４の内の第３番目の蓄電池ブロックＢ３が正常でない場合の充電タイムチャート図を図４に示す。図４において、実施例１と同じく、蓄電池ブロックＢ１〜Ｂ４に対する蓄電池接続確認試験期間をＫ１〜Ｋ４とし、凸部の期間Ｔが各蓄電池ブロックに対しマイクロプロセッサ部８から送出される充電命令信号の時間を表わす。
【００６１】
まず、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ１の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ１の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されると、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ１内のスイッチＡ１が閉じ、所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ１が充電される。
【００６２】
蓄電池ブロックＢ１の充電時間Ｔが終了後、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ２の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ２の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されたので、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ２内のスイッチＡ２が閉じ、所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ２が充電される。
【００６３】
蓄電池ブロックＢ２の充電時間Ｔが終了後、前述のように蓄電池ブロックＢ３の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ３の期間行い、蓄電池ブロックＢ３は正常な蓄電池でないと判定されたので、マイクロプロセッサ部８から充電命令信号は送出されないため蓄電池ブロックＢ３内のスイッチＡ３は閉じられずに開いたままとなり、蓄電池ブロックＢ３は充電されない。
【００６４】
ここで、実施例１とは異なり所定の時分割充電時間を経過すること無く、直ちに蓄電池ブロックＢ４の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ４の期間開始する。正常な蓄電池と判定されたので、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの充電命令信号に基づき蓄電池ブロックＢ４内のスイッチＡ４が閉じ、所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ４が充電される。
【００６５】
蓄電池ブロックＢ４の充電時間Ｔが終了後、再度、蓄電池ブロックＢ１の蓄電池接続確認試験をＫ１’の期間行い、正常な蓄電池と判定されたので所定の時間蓄電池ブロックＢ１が充電される。このようにして、順次、各蓄電池ブロックへの時分割充電が繰返される。
【００６６】
この方法では、蓄電池の接続確認を数秒間で判定し、正常でない蓄電池ブロックへの充電はパスするので、正常でない蓄電池ブロックがあった場合には、実施例１の充電方法と比べ大幅な回復充電時間の短縮が実現される。
【００６７】
また、電源装置２０のマイクロプロセッサ部８からその蓄電池ブロックに充電命令信号が送出されていても、蓄電池ブロックの制御回路（図示せず）によりその蓄電池ブロック内の蓄電池が満充電状態であり充電が不要と判断された期間は、その蓄電池ブロックのスイッチＡは開いた状態が維持され、蓄電池は充電されず、過充電が防止される。
【００６８】
また、蓄電池容量判定試験を実施する電源装置にあっては、新たな回路を追加せずに、マイクロプロセッサ部８に記憶させるソフトプログラムの変更を行うだけで、従来の蓄電池容量判定試験の定電流放電回路と定電流充電回路をそのまま用いて本発明を実施することができる。
【００６９】
なお、蓄電池ブロックの充電中に容量判定試験が開始された時には、マイクロプロセッサ部８からの信号により蓄電池ブロックへの時分割充電が中断され、容量判定試験終了後にはまず容量判定試験を実施した蓄電池ブロックの時分割充電を開始し、その後はこれまで述べてきた手順で蓄電池接続確認試験を実施して時分割充電を順次繰返す。
【００７０】
また、蓄電池容量判定機能を備えた既設電源装置の改造も、新たな回路を追加せずに、ソフトプログラムの変更だけで容易に行うことができる。
【００７１】
ところで、これまで述べた２つの実施例では蓄電池ブロック数を４組として説明したが、電源装置の容量や蓄電池放電保持時間に見合った蓄電池容量によりその蓄電池ブロックの数は適宜必要な組数で良く、それに伴い定電流放電回路や電圧検出回路も適宜必要なものにすれば良い。
【００７２】
また、正常でない蓄電池ブロックが発見された場合は、マイクロプロセッサ部８に記憶させるソフトプログラムにより、その該当する蓄電池ブロックの番号を表示したりその情報を外部へ送出することができ、保守作業を効率よくできる。
【００７３】
なお、逆流阻止用ダイオード９，１０は他の逆流阻止用半導体でも良く、逆流阻止用ショットキーダイオードＤ１〜Ｄ４も他の逆流阻止用半導体でも良い。
【００７４】
電源装置の回路を、負荷へ正極性の電圧を供給する回路で説明したが、負極性の電圧を供給する場合にはダイオードなどの向きが反対方向となる。
【００７５】
蓄電池充電用の電源として、上記実施例では専用の充電用電源を用いているが、負荷と蓄電池の両方に電力を供給することができる容量の整流器であれば蓄電池充電専用の電源を設けなくても良い。
【００７６】
蓄電池への放電回路のスイッチａ１〜ａ４にはトランジスタスイッチを用いたが、他の半導体スイッチや継電器を用いても良い。
【００７７】
蓄電池に直列接続されるスイッチＡ１〜Ａ４は蓄電池ブロックに内蔵されていても良いし、蓄電池ブロックの外側で直列に接続されていても良く、そのスイッチはトランジスタスイッチや他の半導体スイッチや継電器を用いても良い。
【００７８】
蓄電池接続確認試験を蓄電池ブロックＢ１から開始して動作を説明したが、どの蓄電池ブロックから開始するかはマイクロプロセッサ８の電源が投入されたりリセットされたときにランダムに決定する方法と、固定する方法があり、保守上の利点を考慮していずれかを採用する。
【００７９】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上説明したような形態で実施され、下記に記載されるような効果を奉する。
【００８０】
（１）蓄電池ブロックをＮ個並列接続した電池群の充電に必要な充電用電源の出力容量は従来のほぼ１／Ｎで済み、大幅に小型化でき経済的にも安価とすることができた。
【００８１】
（２）各蓄電池ブロックの充電開始時に蓄電池接続確認試験を実施することにより、正常な蓄電池ブロックに対してのみ効率よく充電を行うことができる。
【００８２】
（３）蓄電池点検試験を実施しなくても、通年して、自動的に蓄電池群の異常が発見され、並列に接続された複数の蓄電池ブロックの中から正常でない蓄電池ブロックを特定することができる。
【００８３】
（４）電源装置が稼動開始後に蓄電池が追加されたり撤去されたりしたときの作業者による設定変更作業を不要とすることができる。
【００８４】
（５）定電流充電や定電圧充電又はそれらを組合わせたものが可能な蓄電池であれば、全ての種類の蓄電池に対し本発明は適用可能である。
【００８５】
（６）蓄電池容量試験を実施できる電源装置にあっては、マイクロプロセッサ部に記憶されるプログラムを変更するだけで、新たな回路を付与することなく、蓄電池接続確認試験を実施することができる。
【００８６】
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１と実施例２の回路構成図である。
【図２】本発明での接続確認判定のフローチャート図である。
【図３】本発明での実施例１の充電命令信号のタイムチャート図である。
【図４】本発明での実施例２の充電命令信号のタイムチャート図である。
【図５】従来例での回路構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１・・・整流器２・・・負荷
３・・・蓄電池充電回路４・・・負荷用ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ
５・・・定電流放電回路６・・・電圧検出回路
７・・・電流検出回路８・・・マイクロプロセッサ部
９，１０・・・逆流阻止用半導体素子２０・・・電源装置
Ａ１〜Ａ４・・・スイッチ
ａ１〜ａ４・・・トランジスタスイッチ
Ｂ１〜Ｂ４・・・蓄電池ブロック
Ｄ１〜Ｄ４・・・逆流阻止用半導体素子
Ｋ１〜Ｋ４・・・蓄電池接続確認試験期間
Ｔ・・・マイクロプロセッサ部からの充電命令信号送出期間[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage battery charging method and a power supply device having a charging function for efficiently charging a plurality of storage batteries connected in parallel in a storage battery charging system of a power supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The storage battery used in the power supply unit needs to be charged at the time of input power recovery or periodically to compensate for the decrease in capacity due to storage battery discharge or spontaneous discharge, and the charging method is a constant current charging method, a constant voltage charging method, or a combination thereof. There is something combined.
[0003]
In any charging method, a single storage battery or a single storage battery or a plurality of storage batteries connected in series or in parallel or in series / parallel while supplying DC power from a rectifier to a load ( In this specification, a method of simultaneously recovering or floating-charging a group of storage batteries in which storage battery blocks are connected in parallel is generally used.
[0004]
FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration diagram of this conventional power supply device. The input terminal of the storage battery charging circuit 3 for charging the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 and the backflow prevention diode 9 are connected to the output terminal of the rectifier 1 that converts AC power to DC power, and the output terminal of the storage battery charging circuit 3 is The other terminals of the backflow preventing diode 9 are connected to the storage battery blocks B1 to B4, and the other terminals of the backflow preventing diode 10 and the load 2 are connected to the output terminals of the load DC-DC converter 4, respectively. The input terminals of the load DC-DC converter 4 are connected to the storage battery blocks B1 to B4.
[0005]
When the AC input is normal, the output of the rectifier 1 supplies DC power to the load 2 while floating charging the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 via the storage battery charging circuit 3. When the AC input is interrupted, DC power is supplied from the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 to the load 2 via the load DC-DC converter 4. When the AC input is restored, the output of the rectifier 1 supplies DC power to the load 2 and recovers and charges the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 via the storage battery charging circuit 3.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional charging method requires a large charging power source having a large output capacity capable of simultaneously charging all the storage battery blocks connected in parallel. Therefore, when the installation space and the weight of the power supply device are limited, this charging method cannot be used, and it is economically disadvantageous.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the start of divided charging in which the storage battery blocks in which the storage battery blocks are connected in parallel are sequentially started, it is determined whether or not the normal storage battery block is connected or not. After confirming that, in the method of charging a storage battery that supplies charging power to the storage battery block that is determined to be normal, at the start of charging of each storage battery block, a constant current discharge for each storage battery block for a short time, A constant current discharge test is performed, charging is performed if the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, and a discharge current is measured if the voltage of the storage battery block is lower than a predetermined voltage value. If the discharge current value is within a predetermined range, charging is performed, and if the discharge current is out of the predetermined range, constant current charging is performed for a short time to perform a constant current charging test. As a result of the constant current charging test, charging is performed if the voltage of the storage battery block is less than a predetermined voltage value, and charging is performed if the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or more than a predetermined voltage value as a result of the constant current charging test. Battery charging method that does not perform chargingTo do.
[0008]
That is,According to the present invention,Rather than simultaneously charging a group of N storage batteries connected in parallel, the storage battery group is divided into storage battery blocks and the storage battery blocks are sequentially charged one by one, so that the output capacity of the charging power supply for charging the storage batteries is reduced. The required power is approximately 1 / N of that of the prior art, and the power supply for charging can be significantly reduced in size.
The connection of the storage battery is checked by discharging the storage battery block at a constant current for a short time.However, even if the storage battery block is normal, it may not be determined to be normal depending on the state at the time of the test. The connection confirmation can be accurately determined by charging the block with a constant current for a short time.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the storage battery block is,Time-division charging that subdivides the charging time required to charge the battery to a full chargeAndThe time-division charging has a plurality of predetermined suspension periods, and by sequentially charging another storage battery block during the suspension period, each of the storage battery blocks is charged averagely over time, and the specific The present invention proposes a method of charging a storage battery, wherein charging is not biased to a storage battery block.
[0010]
In other words, in the method in which the storage battery blocks are charged one by one until they are fully charged, and then the charging of another storage battery block is started, a specific storage battery block is not used until all the storage battery blocks are fully charged. When the power failure occurs, the battery starts discharging only from the fully charged storage battery block, which shortens the storage battery voltage holding time of the entire storage battery group, and causes Discharge time is shortened.
[0011]
Therefore, by sequentially charging another storage battery block during the suspension period of the storage battery block, all the storage battery blocks are charged substantially in average over time, so that charging is not biased to a specific storage battery block.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, as a result of the constant current charging test, if the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, the connection of another storage battery block is confirmed in a predetermined sequence or immediately. A method for charging a storage battery characterized by the following.
[0013]
In other words, at the start of charging the storage battery block and when the charging set time for the storage battery block elapses and the process shifts to charging another storage battery block, by performing a storage battery connection confirmation test on the relevant storage battery block, It is possible to efficiently charge the storage battery group by determining whether or not the normal storage battery block is connected and not charging the abnormal storage battery block.
[0014]
Here, a normal storage battery block indicates a storage battery block whose terminal voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value and which is connected to the storage battery group without causing contact failure, and a storage battery is connected to the abnormal storage battery block. This indicates that the storage battery block is not present or the storage battery constituting the storage battery is abnormal and the terminal voltage of the storage battery block is lower than a predetermined voltage value, or the storage battery block is connected to the storage battery group in a state of poor contact.
[0015]
Note that a battery block that is normally a normal storage battery but whose voltage is temporarily lower than a predetermined voltage value due to overdischarge can be returned to a predetermined voltage value or more by recovery charging. judge. However, the battery that cannot return to the predetermined voltage value even after the recovery charge due to the long-term overdischarge has a high internal impedance of the storage battery, and is determined to be abnormal in the next storage battery connection confirmation test.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a power supply device having a function of monitoring and charging a group of storage batteries in which storage battery blocks are connected in parallel, a storage battery charging circuit for supplying charging power to the storage battery blocks, and Opening / closing means that is connected and selectively opened / closed sequentially, a constant current discharge circuit that sequentially and selectively discharges via switch means connected in series to the storage battery block, and a discharge current flowing through the constant current discharge circuit. A current detection circuit for detecting, a voltage detection circuit for detecting a terminal voltage of each of the storage battery blocks, and an opening / closing signal to the opening / closing means, so that a discharge current flows from the storage battery block through the constant current discharge circuit, If a terminal voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined value while a current is flowing, a charge command signal is given to the storage battery charging circuit. And a microprocessor unit having a program for providing a charge command signal to the battery charging circuit when the terminal voltage of the battery block is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and when the discharge current has a current value in a predetermined range, The program of the microprocessor, when the discharge current is not the current value in the predetermined range, gives a constant current charge command signal to the storage battery charging circuit to charge the storage battery block at a constant current, and the constant current charging current is When the terminal voltage of the storage battery block when flowing is less than a predetermined voltage value, a charge command signal is given to the storage battery charging circuit to charge the storage battery block, and when the constant current charging current is flowing. When the terminal voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, a charge command signal for charging the storage battery block. A power supply device that does not occur.
[0019]
That is,The power supply device controls charging of the storage battery block determined to be normal and not charging of the storage battery block determined to be abnormal by a program of a microprocessor unit.
[0020]
Claim5The invention ofClaim 4, A storage battery capacity determination is performed using the constant current discharging circuit and the storage battery charging circuit.
[0021]
Claim5According to the invention, in the power supply device capable of executing the storage battery capacity test, the constant current discharge of the storage battery capacity test can be performed without adding a new circuit only by changing the program stored in the microprocessor unit. The battery connection confirmation test can be performed using the circuit and the constant current charging circuit as they are.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As described above, in the conventional charging method, a large-sized charging power source having a large output capacity capable of simultaneously charging all of the storage battery blocks is necessary to simultaneously recover and charge the storage battery group in which a plurality of storage battery blocks are connected in parallel. Therefore, the inventor has arrived at the concept described below.
[0025]
First, a method for charging a storage battery group in which storage battery blocks are connected in parallel is proposed, in which the charging is performed by split charging using a charging power source having a capacity necessary for charging one storage battery block. I do.
[0026]
This is because a charging device having a large output capacity is required to simultaneously charge storage battery groups in which storage battery blocks are connected in parallel. Therefore, in the present invention, the storage battery groups are divided into storage battery blocks, and the storage battery blocks are sequentially placed one by one. Since charging is performed, the recovery charging time until full charge takes a long time, but the output capacity of the charging power supply for charging the storage battery block is only one storage battery block, and the charging power supply can be reduced in size and economically inexpensive. be able to.
[0027]
In addition, a method of performing recovery charging while sequentially switching storage battery blocks using a charging power source having a capacity to charge one storage battery block is performed, and a storage battery connection confirmation test is performed each time the switching is performed. If there is a block, it becomes easy to find it, and the maintainability of the storage battery is improved.
[0028]
In addition, the number of storage battery blocks is set to N + 1 blocks obtained by adding one block for redundancy to the required number N for the load, and the storage battery blocks are sequentially switched using a charging power supply having a capacity for charging one storage battery block. By performing the recovery charging, the reliability of the storage battery group can be increased.
[0029]
Next, in the recovery charging of a nickel-metal hydride storage battery or the like, the charging time required for charging the storage battery block to the full charge is divided into several sub-divisions, and the charging is performed by time-division charging. A predetermined suspension period, and by sequentially charging another storage battery block during the suspension period, the storage battery group is charged averagely over time, so that charging is not biased to a specific storage battery block. A characteristic charging method of the storage battery is proposed.
[0030]
In other words, in the method in which the storage battery blocks are charged one by one until they are fully charged, and then the charging of another storage battery block is started, a specific storage battery block is not charged until all the storage battery blocks are fully charged. Since the charging is biased, if a power failure occurs at that time, only the storage battery block that has been fully charged starts a rapid discharge of a steady current or more, and the terminal voltage of the storage battery block drops sharply. The storage battery voltage holding time becomes short, and the time during which the battery can be discharged from the storage battery group to the load becomes short.
[0031]
Therefore, a time-division charging method is used in which the charging time required to supply the required amount of charge until the storage battery block is fully charged is divided into several times, and intermittent charging is performed while providing an idle period. The storage battery block has a plurality of predetermined suspension periods, and during the suspension period, another storage battery block is charged, whereby each storage battery block is charged averagely over time, and a specific storage battery block is charged. Avoid bias.
[0032]
According to the present invention, even when a power failure or the like occurs during the course of charging all the storage battery blocks to full charge, all the storage battery blocks are almost uniformly discharged at a steady current, so that the entire storage battery group is Since the expected storage battery voltage holding time can be secured, the time during which the storage battery group can discharge to the load is not shortened.
[0033]
In the case of a charging power supply having a capacity to charge only one storage battery block, it is necessary to hurry recovery charging when a power failure or the like occurs intermittently.
[0034]
By the way, for a storage battery whose storage battery discharge is progressing, the recovery of the storage battery voltage per charging time is earlier in the early stage of charging than in the period near full charge, so the recovery charging of one storage battery block is completed to the fully charged state. It is better to sequentially charge a plurality of parallel-connected storage battery blocks using the pause period of time-division charging than to sequentially charge the next storage battery block afterwards, as a whole storage battery group. The storage battery output voltage can be efficiently recovered in a short time.
[0035]
In other words, the constant-current charging or the constant-voltage charging or the constant-current charging or the constant-voltage charging is sequentially performed for each of the plurality of storage battery blocks connected in parallel using the time-division charging method by the time-division charging method at predetermined subdivision times in the same manner. If combined, recovery charging can be performed efficiently in a short time.
[0036]
There are various types of storage batteries used in power supply devices, such as liquid lead storage batteries, sealed lead storage batteries, nickel storage batteries, nickel-metal hydride storage batteries, etc. If the storage battery is capable of performing the above, the method using the storage battery connection confirmation of the present invention can be applied to all types of storage battery charging methods.
[0037]
【Example】
Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
A method for charging the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the first embodiment, which is the first embodiment, at a constant current will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit configuration of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device includes a rectifier 1 for supplying DC power to a load 2, a storage battery charging circuit 3, a load DC-DC converter 4, a constant current discharging circuit 5, a voltage detecting circuit 6, and a current detecting circuit 7. , A microprocessor section 8, four storage battery blocks B1 to B4 connected in parallel, backflow preventing semiconductor elements 9, 10 such as diodes, and backflow preventing semiconductor elements D1 to D4 such as Schottky diodes. I have.
[0038]
The storage battery charging circuit 3 includes a switch (not shown) for switching the output to the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 based on a certain sequence signal from the microprocessor unit 8.
[0039]
In addition, the number of storage battery blocks B is a total of four blocks obtained by adding the originally required number of three blocks to the load 2 and one block for redundancy in order to enhance reliability. In B4, there are provided switches A1 to A4 connected in series to the storage battery and sequentially opened and closed based on a certain sequence signal from the microprocessor unit 8.
[0040]
When the power of the microprocessor section 8 is turned on or reset, the storage battery connection confirmation test is started. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the determination procedure in the microprocessor section 8.
[0041]
FIG. 3 shows a time chart of the charge command signal. In FIG. 3, the time of the storage battery connection confirmation test period K is, for example, about 5 seconds at the maximum, and the following constant current discharge test, constant current charge test, and determination are completed within the storage battery connection confirmation test time.
[0042]
First, the battery connection of the battery block B1 is confirmed in the battery connection confirmation test period K1 by the constant current discharge test.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the transistor switch a1 and the switch A1 are closed based on the sequence signal from the microprocessor section 8, the first storage battery block B1 for performing the storage battery connection confirmation test is connected to the constant current discharge circuit 5 for determining the storage battery capacity. And a discharge current flows from the storage battery block B1 through the transistor switch a1 and the current detection circuit 7. The transistor switches a1 to a4 and the switches A1 to A4 are sequentially opened and closed based on a sequence signal from the microprocessor section 8 at the time of the battery connection confirmation test of the battery blocks B1 to B4.
[0043]
The voltage of the storage battery block B1 when the discharge current is flowing from the storage battery block B1 is detected by the voltage detection circuit 6, and when the voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, it is determined that a normal storage battery is connected and immediately. During charging, a charge command signal is continuously transmitted from the microprocessor unit 8 to the storage battery block B1 for a predetermined charging set time of the time-division charging, and the switch A1 is kept closed to keep the storage battery block B1. Is charged at a constant current. The predetermined voltage value of the storage battery block B1 is a value indicated when the capacity of the storage battery block B1 has decreased to the allowable lower limit when the storage battery is a normal storage battery.
[0044]
Even when the voltage of the storage battery block B1 is lower than the predetermined voltage value when the discharge current is flowing, the storage battery block voltage may be reduced immediately after the storage battery has been discharged for a long period of time. The current is measured by the current detection circuit 7, and if the discharge current value is within a predetermined range, it is determined that a normal storage battery is connected, and the microprocessor unit 8 sends a predetermined charge command signal to the storage battery block B1. , And the switch A1 is closed based on the charge command signal to charge the storage battery block B1 at a constant current.
[0045]
This predetermined discharge current value is the same as the current value used when the storage battery capacity is determined in order to share and use the constant current discharge circuit for the storage battery capacity determination. This is a value that is several times larger than the maximum value of the leakage current flowing into the current detection circuit 7 from the opposite direction of the Schottky diode D1 corresponding to the storage battery block B1 under determination through the key diodes D2 to D4. Can be eliminated.
[0046]
However, if the discharge current is not within a predetermined range, a constant current charging test is subsequently performed, and the battery connection confirmation is completed within the battery connection confirmation test period K1. In the constant current charging test, the storage battery charging circuit 3 operates based on a charging command signal from the microprocessor unit 8, and performs constant current charging of the storage battery block B1. The voltage of the storage battery block B1 when the charging current is flowing is measured by the voltage detection circuit 6 again. When the voltage is less than a predetermined voltage value, the internal impedance of the storage battery is sufficiently low, so that the normal storage battery block B1 is connected. It is determined that the charging has been performed, and the charging command signal is continuously transmitted from the microprocessor unit 8 for a predetermined charging set time to charge the storage battery block B1.
[0047]
However, during the constant current charging period, when the voltage of the storage battery block B1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, the internal impedance of the storage battery is abnormally high or the storage battery is not connected, and thus a normal storage battery is connected. When it is determined that there is no battery block, the microprocessor unit 8 stops sending the charge command signal to the storage battery block B1, opens the switch A1, and does not charge the storage battery block B1.
[0048]
Here, in the storage battery connection confirmation test period K1 for the first storage battery block B1, if it is determined that the storage battery block B1 is normal, after a predetermined charging set time for the storage battery block B1 is completed, and if it is determined that the storage battery block B1 is not normal, it is predetermined. After the predetermined charge command time allocated in the above sequence elapses, a storage battery connection confirmation test is performed for the next storage battery block B2 in the same manner as for the first storage battery block B1 during the period K2.
[0049]
In this procedure, when the processing is sequentially completed up to the last fourth storage battery block B4, the process returns to the first storage battery block B1. In this way, the storage battery connection confirmation is determined for all of the storage battery blocks that have been turned around, and time-division charging is repeated only for the storage battery block that is determined to be normal.
[0050]
It should be noted that the microprocessor unit 8 of the present power supply device continuously supplies a charge command signal to the control circuits (not shown) of all the storage battery blocks for which the connection confirmation has been determined to be normal, for a predetermined charge set time. Although they are sequentially sent out in a predetermined sequence, when the control circuit (not shown) of the corresponding storage battery block determines that the battery is fully charged, the switch A connected in series is opened by the control, Charging of the corresponding storage battery block is stopped.
[0051]
Here, FIG. 3 shows a time chart of the charge command signal when the third storage battery block B3 of the four storage battery blocks B1 to B4 connected in parallel is not normal. In FIG. 3, the storage battery block B1, the storage battery block B2, the storage battery block B3, and the storage battery connection confirmation test periods in the storage battery block B4 performed by the microprocessor unit 8 are denoted by K1, K2, K3, and K4, respectively, and a charge command signal for each storage battery block. The period of the protruding portion in the time chart of FIG. 7 represents the time T during which the charge command signal is transmitted from the microprocessor section 8.
[0052]
First, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B1 is performed for the period of K1 as described above, and when it is determined that the storage battery is normal, the switch A1 in the storage battery block B1 is closed based on a charge command signal from the microprocessor unit 8. Then, the storage battery block B1 is charged immediately for a predetermined time period.
[0053]
After the charging time of the storage battery block B1, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B2 is performed for the period of K2 as described above, and if it is determined that the storage battery is normal, the storage battery block is determined based on the charging command signal from the microprocessor unit 8. The switch A2 in B2 is closed, and the storage battery block B2 is immediately charged for a predetermined time-divided time.
[0054]
After the charging time of the storage battery block B2 elapses, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B3 is performed for the period of K3 as described above. When it is determined that the storage battery block B3 is not a normal storage battery, the microprocessor unit 8 issues a charging command. Since no signal is transmitted, the switch A3 in the storage battery block B3 remains open instead of being closed, and the state in which the storage battery block B3 is not charged is maintained for a predetermined time allocated in a predetermined sequence.
[0055]
After a predetermined time has passed in the storage battery block B3, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B4 is performed for the period of K4 as described above. The switch A4 in the storage battery block B4 is closed, and the storage battery block B4 is immediately charged for a predetermined time-divided time.
[0056]
After the charging time of the storage battery block B4 has elapsed, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B1 is performed again for the period of K1 'as described above, and the storage battery block B1 is determined to be a normal storage battery. The storage battery block B1 is charged for a predetermined time. In this way, time-division charging of each storage battery block is sequentially repeated.
[0057]
If an unconnected or abnormal storage battery block is known in advance, the information is input to the microprocessor unit 8 in advance by using an input device such as a dip switch, so that the abnormal storage battery block It is also possible to pass the battery connection confirmation test and charging.
[0058]
However, as can be seen from FIG. 3, although the storage battery block B3, which is determined not to be a normal storage battery, is not charged, the storage battery block B3 is not charged until a predetermined time-divided predetermined time has elapsed. It is not possible to shift to charging of the second storage battery block B4.
[0059]
A second embodiment, which is a second embodiment, will be described.
The configuration and circuit of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a time chart of a charge command signal different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The first embodiment solves the problem that it is not possible to proceed to charging of the next storage battery block before a predetermined time-divided predetermined time has elapsed for the storage battery block determined to be not a normal storage battery. In the second embodiment, when a storage battery connection confirmation test is performed at the start of charging the storage battery block, the storage battery block is not sequentially and unconditionally time-divisionally charged, but the storage battery is not connected or the storage battery is defective. A method is proposed in which a time-division time is omitted for a storage battery block which originally does not need to be charged, and the storage battery which needs to be charged is quickly charged.
[0060]
FIG. 4 shows a charging time chart of the second embodiment when the third storage battery block B3 of the four storage battery blocks B1 to B4 connected in parallel is not normal. In FIG. 4, as in the first embodiment, the storage battery connection confirmation test periods for the storage battery blocks B1 to B4 are K1 to K4, and the period T of the protruding portion corresponds to the charge command signal transmitted from the microprocessor unit 8 to each storage battery block. Indicates time.
[0061]
First, as described above, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B1 is performed for a period of K1, and when it is determined that the storage battery is normal, the switch A1 in the storage battery block B1 is closed based on a charge command signal from the microprocessor unit 8, The storage battery block B1 is charged for a predetermined time.
[0062]
After the charging time T of the storage battery block B1 ends, the storage battery connection check test of the storage battery block B2 is performed for the period of K2 as described above, and it is determined that the storage battery is normal. The switch A2 in the block B2 is closed, and the storage battery block B2 is charged for a predetermined time.
[0063]
After the charging time T of the storage battery block B2 ends, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B3 is performed for the period of K3 as described above, and it is determined that the storage battery block B3 is not a normal storage battery. Since no signal is transmitted, the switch A3 in the storage battery block B3 remains open without being closed, and the storage battery block B3 is not charged.
[0064]
Here, unlike the first embodiment, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B4 is immediately started without the passage of the predetermined time-division charging time during the period of K4. Since it is determined that the storage battery is normal, the switch A4 in the storage battery block B4 is closed based on the charge command signal from the microprocessor unit 8, and the storage battery block B4 is charged for a predetermined time.
[0065]
After the charging time T of the storage battery block B4 ends, the storage battery connection confirmation test of the storage battery block B1 is performed again for a period of K1 ', and the storage battery block B1 is charged for a predetermined time since it is determined that the storage battery is normal. In this way, time-division charging of each storage battery block is sequentially repeated.
[0066]
According to this method, the connection confirmation of the storage battery is determined within a few seconds, and the charging to the abnormal storage battery block is passed. A reduction in time is realized.
[0067]
Even if a charge command signal is sent from the microprocessor unit 8 of the power supply device 20 to the storage battery block, the storage battery in the storage battery block is fully charged by the control circuit (not shown) of the storage battery block, and charging is not completed. During the period determined to be unnecessary, the switch A of the storage battery block is kept open, the storage battery is not charged, and overcharging is prevented.
[0068]
Further, in the power supply device for performing the storage battery capacity determination test, the constant current of the conventional storage battery capacity determination test is simply changed by changing the software program stored in the microprocessor unit 8 without adding a new circuit. The present invention can be implemented using the discharge circuit and the constant current charging circuit as they are.
[0069]
When the capacity determination test is started during the charging of the storage battery block, the time division charging of the storage battery block is interrupted by a signal from the microprocessor unit 8, and after the completion of the capacity determination test, the storage battery on which the capacity determination test was performed is first performed. The time-division charging of the block is started, and thereafter, the storage battery connection confirmation test is performed according to the procedure described above, and the time-division charging is sequentially repeated.
[0070]
In addition, modification of an existing power supply device having a storage battery capacity determination function can be easily performed only by changing a software program without adding a new circuit.
[0071]
By the way, in the two embodiments described above, the number of storage battery blocks is four, but the number of storage battery blocks may be appropriately set according to the capacity of the power supply device and the storage battery capacity corresponding to the storage battery discharge holding time. Accordingly, the constant current discharging circuit and the voltage detecting circuit may be appropriately required.
[0072]
Further, when an abnormal storage battery block is found, the number of the corresponding storage battery block can be displayed and the information can be transmitted to the outside by a software program stored in the microprocessor section 8, thereby making maintenance work more efficient. Can do well.
[0073]
The backflow blocking diodes 9 and 10 may be other backflow blocking semiconductors, and the backflow blocking Schottky diodes D1 to D4 may be other backflow blocking semiconductors.
[0074]
The circuit of the power supply device has been described as a circuit for supplying a positive voltage to a load. However, when a negative voltage is supplied, the direction of a diode or the like is opposite.
[0075]
As the power supply for charging the storage battery, in the above embodiment, a dedicated power supply for charging is used, but a rectifier having a capacity capable of supplying power to both the load and the storage battery does not require a power supply dedicated to charging the storage battery. Is also good.
[0076]
Although the transistor switches are used as the switches a1 to a4 of the discharge circuit to the storage battery, other semiconductor switches and relays may be used.
[0077]
The switches A1 to A4 connected in series to the storage battery may be built in the storage battery block, or may be connected in series outside the storage battery block, and the switch may be a transistor switch, another semiconductor switch, or a relay. May be.
[0078]
Although the operation has been described starting from the storage battery block confirmation test from the storage battery block B1, a method of randomly determining which storage battery block to start when the power of the microprocessor 8 is turned on or reset, and a method of fixing it are described. Either one is adopted in consideration of maintenance advantages.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is embodied in the form described above and provides the following effects.
[0080]
(1) The output capacity of the charging power supply required for charging a battery group in which N storage battery blocks are connected in parallel is approximately 1 / N of that of the conventional battery, and the size can be significantly reduced and the cost can be reduced economically. .
[0081]
(2) By performing a storage battery connection confirmation test at the start of charging of each storage battery block, it is possible to efficiently charge only a normal storage battery block.
[0082]
(3) Even if the storage battery inspection test is not performed, the abnormality of the storage battery group is automatically detected throughout the year, and an abnormal storage battery block can be specified from a plurality of storage battery blocks connected in parallel. .
[0083]
(4) When a storage battery is added or removed after the operation of the power supply device is started, a setting change operation by an operator can be eliminated.
[0084]
(5) The present invention can be applied to all types of storage batteries as long as the storage batteries are capable of constant current charging, constant voltage charging, or a combination thereof.
[0085]
(6) In the power supply device capable of performing the storage battery capacity test, the storage battery connection confirmation test can be performed without adding a new circuit only by changing the program stored in the microprocessor unit.
[0086]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a connection confirmation determination according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a time chart of a charge command signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a time chart of a charge command signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 rectifier 2 load
3 ... Battery charging circuit 4 ... DC-DC converter for load
5: constant current discharge circuit 6: voltage detection circuit
7 ... current detection circuit 8 ... microprocessor section
9, 10: Backflow preventing semiconductor element 20: Power supply device
A1 to A4 switch
a1 to a4 ... transistor switches
B1 to B4 ... storage battery block
D1 to D4: semiconductor element for backflow prevention
K1 to K4: Storage battery connection confirmation test period
T: Transmission period of charge command signal from microprocessor

Claims

At the start of the divided charging in which the storage battery blocks in which the storage battery blocks are connected in parallel are sequentially charged, it is determined whether or not the normal storage battery block is connected or not, and it is confirmed that the storage battery block is normal. Later, in a method of charging a storage battery that supplies charging power to the storage battery block determined to be normal,
At the start of charging of each of the above storage battery blocks,
A constant current discharge test is performed by performing constant current discharge for a short time for each storage battery block,
If the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, charging is performed,
If the voltage of the storage battery block is less than a predetermined voltage value, measure a discharge current,
If the discharge current is a discharge current value in a predetermined range, charging is performed,
If the discharge current is other than a predetermined range of discharge current value, a constant current charge is performed for a short time to perform a constant current charge test,
As a result of the constant current charging test, if the voltage of the storage battery block is less than a predetermined voltage value, charging is performed,
As a result of the constant current charging test, if the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, charging is not performed,
A method for charging a storage battery, comprising:

In claim 1,
Time-division charging, in which the storage battery block is originally divided into several sub-divisions of the charging time required to fully charge the battery,
The time-division charging has a plurality of predetermined rest periods,
A storage battery characterized in that each of said storage battery blocks is charged averagely over time by sequentially charging another of said storage battery blocks during the suspension period, so that charging is not biased to a specific storage battery block. Charging method.

In claim 1 or claim 2,
As a result of the constant current charging test, if the voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, the connection of another storage battery block is checked in a predetermined sequence or immediately. Method.

In a power supply device having a function of monitoring and charging a storage battery group in which storage battery blocks are connected in parallel,
A battery charging circuit for supplying charging power to the battery block;
Opening / closing means connected to each of the storage battery blocks and selectively opened / closed sequentially;
A constant current discharge circuit for sequentially and selectively discharging through switch means connected in series to the storage battery block;
A current detection circuit for detecting a discharge current flowing through the constant current discharge circuit;
A voltage detection circuit for detecting a terminal voltage of each of the storage battery blocks;
An open / close signal is given to the opening / closing means, a discharge current flows from the storage battery block through the constant current discharge circuit, and if the terminal voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined value while the discharge current is flowing, charging is performed. A program for providing a command signal to the storage battery charging circuit, and for providing a charging command signal to the storage battery charging circuit when the terminal voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or less than a predetermined value, when the discharge current has a current value within a predetermined range. A microprocessor unit having:
With
The program of the microprocessor, when the discharge current is not the current value in the predetermined range , gives a constant current charge command signal to the storage battery charging circuit to charge the storage battery block at a constant current, and the constant current charging current is When the terminal voltage of the storage battery block when flowing is less than a predetermined voltage value, a charge command signal is given to the storage battery charging circuit to charge the storage battery block, and when the constant current charging current is flowing. A power supply device, wherein a charge command signal for charging the storage battery block is not generated when a terminal voltage of the storage battery block is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value .

In claim 4 ,
A power supply device for performing storage battery capacity determination using the constant current discharging circuit and the storage battery charging circuit.