JP2021129447A - Charging system and charger - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a charging system and a charger capable of appropriately controlling charging on the basis of a temperature of a battery unit and a temperature of the charger when charging any of a plurality of battery units in the case of charging a device that includes the plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other.SOLUTION: A charging system 100 includes a charger 1 and a detector 2. The detector 2 includes a first battery unit 21 and a second battery unit 22 connected in parallel to each other, and a first temperature detection unit 21a and a second temperature detection unit 21b. The charger 1 includes a temperature detection unit 16 and charges a battery unit to be charged among the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22. A control unit 12 of the charger 1 controls charging by the charger 1 on the basis of temperature information d1 or d2 of the battery unit to be charged and temperature information d3 of the charger 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to charging systems and chargers.

Conventionally, charging systems and chargers are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a charging device. The charging device includes a first thermistor that detects the ambient temperature of the charging device and a second thermistor that detects the temperature of the battery. Then, the controller of the charging device acquires the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the battery temperature. Then, the controller is configured to end charging when the temperature rise rate acquired based on the acquired temperature difference becomes a predetermined temperature rise rate continuously.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-153418

Here, although not described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that the charging device of Patent Document 1 is configured to charge a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other. Be done. In this case, it is conceivable to arrange the second thermistor in the vicinity of one of the plurality of battery units. Then, the controller acquires the temperature increase rate of one battery unit detected by the second thermistor with respect to the temperature of the charging device detected by the first thermistor, and is based on the acquired temperature increase rate. It is considered that charging is controlled. Therefore, the temperature rise rate of the one battery unit arranged in the vicinity of the second thermistor is appropriately reflected in the acquired temperature rise rate, so that when charging the one battery unit, the temperature rise rate is appropriately reflected. Is considered to be able to appropriately charge based on the acquired rate of increase in temperature. However, due to the fact that the other battery unit is located farther from the second thermistor than the one battery unit, the temperature increase rate of the other battery unit is the same as the acquired temperature increase rate. On the other hand, it is considered that it is not reflected properly. As a result, when charging another battery unit, it is considered that charging cannot be appropriately controlled based on the acquired temperature increase rate. Therefore, in the charging device for charging the device including the plurality of battery units, when charging the device including the plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other, the other of the plurality of battery units There is a problem that charging of the battery unit (some battery units) cannot be appropriately controlled based on the temperature of the battery unit and the temperature of the charging device (charger).

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to charge a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other. Provided is a charging system and a charger capable of appropriately controlling charging based on the temperature of the battery unit and the temperature of the charger when charging any of the battery units among the plurality of battery units. It is to be.

The charging system according to the first aspect of the present invention charges a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other and a plurality of battery temperature detection units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of battery units. Corresponds to a charger that includes a device-side temperature detection unit and charges by supplying power to the battery unit to be charged among a plurality of battery units, and a battery unit to be charged among a plurality of battery temperature detection units. It includes a control unit that controls charging by the charger based on the temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit and the temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side.

In the charging system according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the device is provided with a plurality of battery temperature detection units corresponding to each of the plurality of battery units. Then, the control unit is charged based on the temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged among the plurality of battery temperature detection units and the temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side. It is configured to control charging by. As a result, even if any of the plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other becomes the battery unit to be charged, the corresponding battery temperature detection unit and the charger side temperature detection unit appropriately charge the battery unit. The temperature of the battery unit and the temperature of the charger can be detected. Then, charging by the charger can be controlled based on the appropriately detected temperature of the battery unit to be charged and the temperature of the charger. Therefore, when charging any of the plurality of battery units, the charging can be appropriately controlled. As a result, when charging a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other, the temperature of the battery unit and the charger are used when charging any of the plurality of battery units. Charging can be appropriately controlled based on the temperature of the battery.

In the charging system according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit controls to charge a plurality of battery units while switching the battery unit to be charged from among the plurality of battery units, and the battery unit to be charged. It is configured to control charging by the charger based on the temperature detection result of the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the above and the temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side. With this configuration, even when the battery unit to be charged is switched, the temperature of the battery unit being charged (charged target) can be appropriately detected by the corresponding battery temperature detection unit.

In the charging system according to the first aspect, preferably, the device has an explosion-proof structure in which the amount of electric power supplied to the battery unit is limited. With this configuration, the equipment can be brought to a place where explosion-proof performance is required. Then, even when the battery portion of the device having the explosion-proof structure is charged, the charging can be controlled based on the appropriately detected temperature of the battery portion and the temperature of the charger.

In the charging system according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit detects the temperature of the charger as the temperature detection result of the temperature detection unit on the charger side and the temperature detection of the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged. When the difference value from the resulting battery temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, control is performed to stop or limit charging by the charger. With this configuration, when the difference between the temperature of the charger and the battery temperature of the battery to be charged (the amount of increase in the battery temperature) is relatively large, charging by the charger is stopped or restricted. Can be done. As a result, even when charging a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel with each other, the plurality of battery units can be effectively protected.

In the charging system according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit is arranged in the charger. Here, when the control unit is provided in the device, a configuration for transmitting a control signal from the device to the charger is required in order to control charging by the charger. Therefore, it is considered that the configuration of the charging system becomes complicated. On the other hand, in the present invention, by arranging the control unit in the charger, the control signal can be exchanged in the charger, so that the device can transmit the control signal to the charger. Is no longer needed. As a result, charging by the charger can be appropriately controlled while suppressing the complexity of the configuration of the charging system.

The charger according to the second aspect of the present invention is a plurality of devices including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other and a plurality of battery temperature detectors provided corresponding to each of the plurality of battery units. A power supply unit that supplies power to the battery unit to be charged among the battery units, a charger side temperature detection unit that is arranged in the charger body and detects the temperature of the charger body, and a plurality of battery temperature detection units. It is provided with a control unit that controls the power supply by the power supply unit based on the temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged and the temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side. ..

In the charger according to the second aspect of the present invention, by configuring as described above, a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other can be charged as in the charging system according to the first aspect. In this case, when charging any of the plurality of battery units, a charger capable of appropriately controlling charging based on the temperature of the battery unit and the temperature of the charger is provided. Can be provided.

According to the present invention, when charging a device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other as described above, when charging any of the plurality of battery units. Also, charging can be appropriately controlled based on the temperature of the battery unit and the temperature of the charger.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the charging system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a charger and a detector. It is the figure which looked at the battery accommodation part from the back side. It is a flow diagram for demonstrating the charge control process (quick charge) by a charge system. It is a flow diagram for demonstrating the charge control process (supplementary charge) by a charge system.

Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The configuration of the charging system 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 100 includes a charger 1 and a detector 2 including a first battery unit 21 and a second battery unit 22. Then, the charging system 100 is configured to charge the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22 by supplying the electric power from the commercial power source 101 to the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22. There is. The detector 2 is an example of a "device" within the scope of the claims.

(Charger configuration)
The charger 1 is configured to charge the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22 by supplying electric power to the detector 2. For example, the charger 1 is configured to charge the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22 in a state where the detector 2 is arranged (mounted or mounted) on the charger case unit 11.

The charger case portion 11 is provided with a recess 11b that is recessed downward from the upper surface 11a. The recess 11b is configured so that the detector 2 fits into the recess 11b when the detector 2 is placed on the recess 11b. Then, in the charger case portion 11, in a state where the detector 2 is arranged in the recess 11b, the terminal portion 15 described later and the terminal portion 25 described later of the detector 2 come into contact with each other, so that the terminal portion 15 and the terminal are terminal. It is configured to electrically connect to the unit 25.

As shown in FIG. 2, the charger 1 includes a control unit 12, a power supply unit 13, a switch unit 14, a terminal unit 15, a temperature detection unit 16, and a notification unit 17. The temperature detection unit 16 is an example of the "charger side temperature detection unit" in the claims. Further, the control unit 12 is an example of a "control unit" within the scope of claims.

The control unit 12 includes a control circuit having a processor for performing arithmetic processing, a memory, and the like. The control unit 12 is configured to control each of the chargers 1. The details of the control by the control unit 12 will be described later.

The power supply unit 13 is configured to supply power to the battery unit (first battery unit 21 or second battery unit 22) to be charged among the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 of the detector 2. Has been done. Specifically, the power supply unit 13 is configured as a power conversion unit that converts AC power from a commercial power supply 101 (see FIG. 1) into DC power having a predetermined voltage. Further, the power supply unit 13 includes a protection circuit unit 13a that detects at least one of an overcurrent and an overvoltage and performs a protection operation. For example, the protection circuit unit 13a includes, for example, a fuse, and is configured to cut off the power path by breaking the fuse when an overcurrent occurs. Further, the protection circuit unit 13a includes, for example, a Zener diode, and is configured to reduce the voltage by yielding the Zener diode when an overvoltage occurs.

The switch unit 14 is configured as, for example, a relay (relay circuit) that operates based on a command from the control unit 12. Specifically, the switch unit 14 is configured to switch the battery unit (first battery unit 21 or second battery unit 22) to be charged from the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22. ..

Specifically, the terminal portion 15 includes a first terminal 15a, a second terminal 15b, a third terminal 15c, a fourth terminal 15d, and a fifth terminal 15e. Then, the switch unit 14 switches between a state in which the first terminal 15a and the power supply unit 13 are electrically connected and a state in which the second terminal 15b and the power supply unit 13 are electrically connected. It is configured. The third terminal 15c is grounded. The fourth terminal 15d and the fifth terminal 15e are connected to the control unit 12.

Then, the first terminal 15a, the second terminal 15b, the third terminal 15c, the fourth terminal 15d, and the fifth terminal 15e are the first terminal 25a of the detector 2 with the detector 2 arranged in the charger 1. , The second terminal 25b, the third terminal 25c, the fourth terminal 25d, and the fifth terminal 25e, respectively, are configured to be electrically connected. The charger 1 is configured to supply electric power to the detector 2 via the first terminal 15a or the second terminal 15b. Further, the charger 1 is configured to acquire temperature information d1 and d2, which will be described later, from the detector 2 via the fourth terminal 15d and the fifth terminal 15e. The temperature information d1 and d2 are examples of the "temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit" in the claims.

The temperature detection unit 16 includes, for example, a thermistor. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the temperature detection unit 16 is mounted on a substrate arranged inside the charger case unit 11. Then, the control unit 12 is configured to acquire the temperature information d3 (see FIG. 2) from the temperature detection unit 16. Specifically, the control unit 12 is configured to acquire the temperature T3 (environmental temperature) of the charger 1 as the temperature information d3 based on the resistance value of the thermistor. In other words, the temperature detection unit 16 is arranged in the charger case unit 11 and is configured to detect the temperature T3 of the charger case unit 11. The temperature information d3 is an example of the "temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side" in the claims.

The notification unit 17 is configured as, for example, a light emitting unit or a speaker. Then, when the control unit 12 determines that the charging abnormality or the detector abnormality is determined, the notification unit 17 is configured to notify the operator (user) of the charging abnormality or the detector abnormality by emitting light or uttering. There is.

(Detector configuration)
The detector 2 is a portable gas detection device that detects the gas to be detected and notifies the existence of the gas to be detected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the detector 2 is a handy type gas detector that can be used by an operator (user) by holding it in his / her hand. The detector 2 is used, for example, for indoor and outdoor gas leak inspection (identification of gas leak location). The gas to be detected is an example of a "predetermined gas" within the scope of the claims.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detector 2 includes a first battery unit 21, a second battery unit 22, a detector case unit 23 (see FIG. 1), a gas sensor 24, a terminal unit 25, and a control unit 26. The display unit 27a, the notification unit 27b, the operation unit 28, the first temperature detection unit 29a, and the second temperature detection unit 29b are included. The first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b are examples of the "battery temperature detection unit" in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 1, the detector case portion 23 includes a case main body portion 23a and a battery accommodating portion 23b. The gas sensor 24 and the control unit 26 are arranged in the case main body unit 23a. Further, the display unit 27a and the operation unit 28 are provided on the front surface (the surface on the Y1 direction side) of the case main body unit 23a. Further, the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 are arranged in the battery accommodating unit 23b. The first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b are arranged at positions adjacent to the battery accommodating unit 23b in the case main body 23a, for example. For example, the battery accommodating portion 23b is provided on the back side of the case main body portion 23a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first battery unit 21 includes a first battery 21a and a second battery 21b that are electrically connected to each other in series. Further, the second battery unit 22 includes a third battery 22a and a fourth battery 22b that are electrically connected to each other in series. The first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 are connected in parallel to the terminal unit 25 (power supply unit 13). Each unit including the gas sensor 24, the control unit 26, the display unit 27a, and the notification unit 27b of the detector 2 operates by supplying electric power from the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22.

Each of the first battery 21a, the second battery 21b, the third battery 22a, and the fourth battery 22b has a columnar shape. For example, each of the first battery 21a, the second battery 21b, the third battery 22a, and the fourth battery 22b has a columnar shape having a height larger than the diameter. Then, in the battery accommodating portion 23b, the first battery 21a, the second battery 21b, the third battery 22a, and the fourth battery 22b are arranged in this order in the lateral direction (Z2 direction in FIG. 3) of the first battery 21a. Have been placed. Further, in the first battery 21a, the positive electrode P is arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction of the first battery 21a (X2 direction side in FIG. 3), and the negative electrode N is on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the first battery 21a (FIG. 3). It is housed (mounted) in the battery housing 23b so as to be arranged on the X1 direction side). Further, in the second battery 21b, the positive electrode P is arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the second battery 21b (X1 direction side in FIG. 3), and the negative electrode N is on one side in the longitudinal direction of the second battery 21b (FIG. 3). It is housed (mounted) in the battery housing 23b so as to be arranged on the X2 direction side). The third battery 22a is housed (mounted) in the battery housing portion 23b in the same direction as the first battery 21a. The fourth battery 22b is housed (mounted) in the battery housing portion 23b in the same direction as the second battery 21b.

The battery accommodating portion 23b is provided with internal terminals 31a, 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b and 32c. The terminal 31a in the accommodating portion is configured to connect the first battery 21a and the second battery 21b in series by contacting the positive electrode P of the first battery 21a and the negative electrode N of the second battery 21b. The terminal 31b in the accommodating portion is in contact with the positive electrode P of the second battery 21b. The terminal 31c in the accommodating portion is in contact with the negative electrode N of the first battery 21a. The terminal 32a in the accommodating portion is configured to connect the third battery 22a and the fourth battery 22b in series by contacting the positive electrode P of the fourth battery 22b and the negative electrode N of the third battery 22a. The terminal 32b in the accommodating portion is in contact with the positive electrode P of the third battery 22a. The terminal 32c in the accommodating portion is in contact with the negative electrode N of the fourth battery 22b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas sensor 24 is configured to detect the detection target gas taken into the case main body 23a. Specifically, the gas sensor 24 is a gas detection element having a sensitive portion (not shown) provided in contact with the detection target gas taken into the case main body 23a. As the gas sensor 24, for example, a heat ray type semiconductor type sensor, a substrate type semiconductor type sensor, a contact combustion type sensor, or the like is adopted. One or more gas sensors 24 are provided in the case main body 23a. For example, in the present embodiment, the gas sensors 24 are provided for each detection target gas, and a plurality of gas sensors 24 are provided.

Gases to be detected include flammable gases containing flammable components such as propane, isobutane, methane, and hydrogen, and malodorous gases containing components that cause malodor (sulfur compounds, amines, carboxylic acids, ketones, aldehydes, etc.). , There are various gases such as volatile gases containing volatile components such as alcohol. The gas sensor 24 is selected according to the type of gas to be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal portion 25 includes a first terminal 25a, a second terminal 25b, a third terminal 25c, a fourth terminal 25d, and a fifth terminal 25e. For example, the terminal portion 25 is provided on the lower surface (see FIG. 1) of the detector case portion 23. Then, the terminal portion 25 comes into contact with the terminal portion 15 with the detector 2 mounted on the charger 1.

Specifically, the first terminal 25a is electrically connected to the positive electrode P of the first battery unit 21. Specifically, the first terminal 25a is connected to the terminal 31b in the accommodating portion. Further, the second terminal 25b is electrically connected to the positive electrode P of the second battery unit 22. Specifically, the second terminal 25b is connected to the terminal 32b in the accommodating portion. The third terminal 25c is electrically connected to the negative electrode N of the first battery unit 21 and the negative electrode N of the second battery unit 22. Specifically, the third terminal 25c is connected to the terminals 31c and 32c in the accommodating portion.

Here, in the present embodiment, the detector 2 has an explosion-proof structure in which the magnitude of the electric power supplied to the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 is limited. That is, the detector 2 is capable of individually supplying power to the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit connected in parallel to each other by using the first terminal 25a and the second terminal 25b. Is configured. Therefore, as will be described later, if power is supplied to only one of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit, unlike the case where power is supplied to both the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit at the same time. It is possible to limit the amount of power supplied to the amount of power that meets any explosion-proof standard.

The control unit 26 controls the overall operation of the detector 2. The control unit 26 includes a processor that performs arithmetic processing, a memory, and the like. Then, the control unit 26 performs display control of the display unit 27a, detection determination based on the output value of the gas sensor 24, notification control at the time of detection, and the like. For example, the control unit 26 determines that the detection target gas has been detected when the output value of the gas sensor 24 exceeds the threshold value corresponding to the sensitivity level setting. When the control unit 26 determines that the detection target gas has been detected, the notification unit 27b performs an alarm operation (lamp lighting or notification sound ringing).

The display unit 27a has a function of displaying various information of the detector 2. The display unit 27a includes a monitor such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 27a can display the gas concentration (detection result) of the gas detected by the control of the control unit 26, the setting information of the detector 2, and the like.

The notification unit 27b includes at least one of a lamp and a speaker. Then, when the control unit 26 determines that the detection target gas has been detected, the notification unit 27b is configured to perform an alarm operation (lamp lighting or notification sound ringing) by the notification unit 27b.

The operation unit 28 is configured to receive an operation input by the operator to the detector 2. The operation unit 28 is composed of one or a plurality of switches. The operation unit 28 may be composed of, for example, a mechanical push button switch, or may be another switch such as a touch sensor or a toggle switch. When the operation unit 28 receives the input, the operation unit 28 outputs an input signal to the control unit 26. The operation unit 28 is provided, for example, on the front surface (the surface on the Y1 direction side) of the case body 23a.

Each of the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b is configured as, for example, a thermistor. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b is mounted on a substrate provided in the detector case unit 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in the Y1 direction (viewed from the back side), the first temperature detection unit 29a is the first battery 21a and the first battery 21a in the Z direction (the short side direction of the first battery 21a). 2 It is arranged between the battery 21b and the battery 21b. The second temperature detection unit 29b is arranged between the third battery 22a and the fourth battery 22b in the Z direction (the short side direction of the third battery 22a) when viewed in the Y1 direction. Further, each of the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b is arranged at a substantially central portion of the first battery 21a in the X direction (left-right direction).

(Configuration of charger control)
The control unit 12 of the charger 1 detects the first temperature corresponding to the battery unit (first battery unit 21 or second battery unit 22) to be charged among the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b. The power supply by the power supply unit 13 is controlled based on the temperature information d1 by the unit 29a or the temperature information d2 by the second temperature detection unit 29b and the temperature information d3 by the temperature detection unit 16.

Specifically, the control unit 12 is configured to acquire the temperature information d1 by the first temperature detection unit 29a and the temperature information d2 by the second temperature detection unit 29b. For example, the control unit 12 acquires the temperature information d1 based on the resistance value of the first temperature detection unit 29a, and acquires the temperature information d2 based on the resistance value of the second temperature detection unit 29b. The temperature information d1 includes information on the temperature T1 of the first battery unit 21. The temperature information d2 includes information on the temperature T2 of the second battery unit 22.

Further, the control unit 12 switches the battery unit (first battery unit 21 or second battery unit 22) to be charged from the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22, and the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22. 2 Controls to charge the battery unit 22.

Specifically, first, the control unit 12 starts charging the first battery unit 21, but does not charge the second battery unit 22. That is, in the charger 1, the first terminal 15a and the power supply unit 13 are connected by the switch unit 14. Then, after the lapse of the first period, the control unit 12 stops charging the first battery unit 21 while starting charging of the second battery unit 22. That is, in the charger 1, the second terminal 15b and the power supply unit 13 are connected by the switch unit 14. Then, the control unit 12 controls (quick charging) to charge the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 22 while switching the switch unit 14 every time the first period elapses.

Then, when the battery voltage values of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 become equal to or higher than a predetermined value (when the charging completion condition is satisfied), the control unit 12 determines the first battery unit 21 or the second battery unit 21. Supplementary charging is performed to intermittently charge the battery unit 22. In the supplementary charging, the switch unit 14 is switched by the control unit 12 every time the second period elapses. Further, in the supplementary charging, a charging period and a charging stopping period are provided during the second period. The first period and the second period may have the same length or different lengths from each other.

Then, when the first battery unit 21 is being charged (quick charging or supplementary charging), the control unit 12 uses the charger 1 (power supply unit 13) based on the temperature information d1 and d3. Control charging. Further, when the second battery unit 22 is being charged (quick charging or supplementary charging), the control unit 12 uses the charger 1 (power supply unit 13) based on the temperature information d2 and d3. Control charging.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 12 has a temperature detection unit (first) corresponding to the temperature T3 of the charger 1 based on the temperature information d3 and the battery unit (first battery unit 21 or second battery unit 22) to be charged. When the difference value ΔT from the temperature (temperature T1 or T2) of the temperature detection unit 29a or the second temperature detection unit 29b) is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold Tt, the charger 1 is configured to stop charging. Has been done.

For example, the control unit 12 acquires the temperature T3 at the time when the quick charge or supplementary charge of the first battery unit 21 is started. Then, the control unit 12 acquires the amount of increase in the temperature T1 (difference value ΔT) with respect to the temperature T3 during the rapid charging or supplementary charging of the first battery unit 21. Then, when the difference value ΔT becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tt, the control unit 12 is configured to stop the supply of electric power to the detector 2 and notify the charging abnormality by the notification unit 17.

Further, the control unit 12 is configured to perform control for detecting an abnormality (detector abnormality) of the detector 2 based on the temperature information d1 and d2. For example, the control unit 12 stops the supply of electric power to the detector 2 when the difference value ΔTa between the temperature T1 based on the temperature information d1 and the temperature T2 based on the temperature information d2 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tta. At the same time, the notification unit 17 is configured to notify the detector abnormality. Here, the detector abnormality is, for example, an abnormality of the first temperature detection unit 29a or the second temperature detection unit 29b.

[Charge control method]
Next, a charging control method for the detector 2 by the charging system 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, the battery unit to be charged is selected. For example, at the start of charging (when the detector 2 is placed on the charger 1), the first battery unit 21 is selected as the battery unit to be charged. Further, when the first battery unit 21 is the battery unit to be charged until immediately before, the second battery unit 22 is selected as the battery unit to be charged. Further, when the second battery unit 22 is the battery unit to be charged until immediately before, the first battery unit 21 is selected as the battery unit to be charged. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the battery unit to be charged is quickly charged. That is, the switch unit 14 connects the power supply unit 13 and the battery unit to be charged, while the switch unit 14 cuts off the power supply unit 13 and the battery unit not to be charged. After that, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not a temperature abnormality or a detector abnormality is detected. That is, it is determined whether the difference value ΔT is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold Tt or the difference value ΔTa is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold Tta. If no temperature abnormality or detector abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S4, and if a temperature abnormality or detector abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S5. That is, when the difference value ΔT is less than the temperature threshold Tt and the difference value ΔTa is less than the temperature threshold Tta, the process proceeds to step S4, and when the difference value ΔT is equal to or more than the temperature threshold Tt, or the difference value ΔTa is the temperature threshold Tta. In the above case, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the first period has elapsed. If the first period has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S6, and if the first period has elapsed, the process returns to step S1.

In step S5, the supply of electric power to the battery unit (detector 2) to be charged is stopped, notification is performed by the notification unit 17, and charging control by the charging system 100 is terminated. For example, when a temperature abnormality or a detector abnormality is detected, a light emission or vocalization by the notification unit 17 notifies that the temperature abnormality or the detector abnormality has been detected. Further, the temperature abnormality and the detector abnormality may be notified by different notification methods or may be notified by the same notification method. Further, the notification by the notification unit 17 may be performed before the power supply to the battery unit (detector 2) to be charged is stopped, or the power supply to the battery unit (detector 2) to be charged may be stopped. It may be continued for a certain period of time.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the charging completion condition has been met. If the charging completion condition is not met, the process returns to step S2, and if the charging completion condition is met, the process proceeds to step S7 (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S7, the battery unit to be supplementarily charged is selected. For example, when the first battery unit 21 is the battery unit to be charged or supplemented charged until immediately before, the second battery unit 22 is selected as the battery unit to be supplemented. Further, when the second battery unit 22 is a battery unit to be charged or supplementary charged until immediately before, the first battery unit 21 is selected as the battery unit to be supplemented. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, supplementary charging is performed. After that, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not a temperature abnormality or a detector abnormality is detected. If no temperature abnormality or detector abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S10, and if a temperature abnormality or detector abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the second period has elapsed. If the second period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S8, and if the second period has elapsed, the process returns to step S7.

In step S11, the supply of electric power to the battery unit (detector 2) to be charged is stopped, and the notification unit 17 notifies the battery unit (detector 2). After that, the charging control by the charging system 100 is terminated.

[Effect of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the detector 2 is provided with the first temperature detection unit 29a corresponding to the first battery unit 21 and the second temperature detection unit 29b corresponding to the second battery unit 22. Then, the control unit 12 is operated by a temperature detection unit (first temperature detection unit 29a or second temperature detection unit 29b) corresponding to the battery unit to be charged among the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b. It is configured to control charging by the charger 1 based on the temperature information d1 or d2 and the temperature information d3 by the temperature detection unit 16. As a result, even if any of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 connected in parallel to each other becomes the battery unit to be charged, the corresponding temperature detection unit (first temperature detection unit 29a or the first temperature detection unit 29a). 2 The temperature detection unit 29b) and the temperature detection unit 16 can appropriately detect the temperature (T1 or T2) of the battery unit to be charged and the temperature T3 of the charger 1. Then, the charging by the charger 1 can be controlled based on the appropriately detected temperature information d1 or d2 and the temperature information d3 by the temperature detecting unit 16. Therefore, when charging any of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22, the charging can be appropriately controlled. As a result, when charging the detector 2 including the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 connected in parallel with each other, any battery of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 is charged. Even when charging the unit, charging can be appropriately controlled based on the temperature T1 or T2 and the temperature T3 of the charger 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 12 switches the battery unit to be charged from the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22, and the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 21. In addition to controlling the charging of 22, the battery unit to be charged is provided with temperature information d1 or d2 by the temperature detection unit (first temperature detection unit 29a or second temperature detection unit 29b) and temperature information d3 by the temperature detection unit 16. Based on this, it is configured to control charging by the charger 1. As a result, even when the battery unit to be charged is switched, the temperature (T1 or T2) of the battery unit being charged (charged) can be set to the corresponding temperature detection unit (first temperature detection unit 29a or second temperature detection unit). 29b) can be appropriately detected.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the detector 2 is provided with an explosion-proof structure in which the magnitude of the electric power supplied to the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 is limited. As a result, the detector 2 can be brought to a place where explosion-proof performance is required. Then, even when charging the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 of the detector 2 having an explosion-proof structure, charging can be controlled based on appropriately detected temperature information d1 to d3.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 12 uses the temperature T3 of the charger 1 as the temperature information d3 of the temperature detection unit 16 and the temperature T1 of the first battery unit 21 or the temperature T1 of the second battery unit 22. When the difference value ΔT from the temperature T2 is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold Tt, the charger 1 is configured to stop charging. As a result, when the difference value ΔT (amount of increase in battery temperature) between the temperature T3 of the charger 1 and the battery temperature (T1 or T2) of the battery to be charged is relatively large, charging by the charger 1 is stopped. can do. As a result, the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 are effectively protected even when the detector 2 including the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 connected in parallel to each other is charged. can do.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 12 is arranged in the charger 1 as described above. As a result, the control signal can be exchanged within the charger 1, so that a configuration for transmitting the control signal from the detector 2 to the charger 1 becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to appropriately control the charging by the charger 1 while suppressing the configuration of the charging system 100 from becoming complicated.

[Modification example]
It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and are not considered to be restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiment, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the device of the present invention is configured as the detector 2 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device of the present invention may be configured as a pressure gauge, a smartphone and a tablet terminal.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which two battery units of the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 are provided in the detector 2 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of battery units may be 3 or more.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which two batteries connected in series to the first battery unit 21 are provided has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first battery unit 21 may be composed of one battery or three or more batteries.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a thermistor is provided in the temperature detection unit, the first temperature detection unit, and the second temperature detection unit of the charger is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, temperature detection components other than the thermistor may be provided in the temperature detection unit, the first temperature detection unit, and the second temperature detection unit of the charger. For example, temperature detection components such as a thermocouple and a resistance temperature detector may be provided in the temperature detection unit, the first temperature detection unit, and the second temperature detection unit of the charger.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a battery such as the first battery 21a is formed in a columnar shape is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery may be configured in a prismatic shape.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the detector 2 is placed on the charger 1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the charger 1 and the detector 2 may be electrically connected by a cable or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the charger 1 and the detector 2 are provided with the terminal portions 15 and 25, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an antenna may be provided in each of the charger 1 and the detector 2 to configure the charging system so that charging is performed by wireless power supply. Further, an antenna may be provided in each of the charger 1 and the detector 2 to configure the charging system so that temperature information is exchanged by wireless communication.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the control unit 12 for performing charge control is provided in the charger 1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detector 2 may be provided with a control unit 12 that controls charging.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 12 has shown an example in which charging by the charger 1 is stopped when the difference value ΔT is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tt, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 12 is configured to continue charging by reducing the magnitude (current value) of the electric power supplied from the charger 1 to the detector 2 when the difference value ΔT is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold value Tt. You may.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 12 of the charger 1 acquires the resistance value of the first temperature detection unit 29a and the resistance value of the second temperature detection unit 29b, and the temperature information is based on the acquired resistance value. An example of acquiring d1 and d2 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 26 of the detector 2 acquires the temperature information d1 based on the resistance value of the first temperature detection unit 29a and the temperature information d2 based on the resistance value of the second temperature detection unit 29b, and also acquires the acquired temperature information d1. And d2 may be configured to transmit to the charger 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the battery unit to be charged is automatically switched has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery unit to be charged may be manually switched based on the input operation to the operation unit.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of comparing the difference value ΔT between the temperature T1 or T2 of the battery unit and the temperature (environmental temperature) T3 of the charger 1 and the temperature threshold value Tt has been shown, but the present invention is limited to this. I can't. For example, the charger 1 is controlled by the control unit 12 referring to a table in which the temperature T1 or T2 of the battery unit, the temperature T3 of the charger 1 and the control content of the charger 1 are associated with each other. A charging system may be configured.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of comparing the difference values ΔTa of the temperatures T1 and T2 with the temperature threshold value Tta has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the charging system may be configured so that the charger 1 is controlled by the control unit 12 referring to a table in which the temperature T1, the temperature T2, and the control contents of the charger 1 are associated with each other.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the detector 2 is configured to have an explosion-proof structure is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention may be applied to a detector that does not have an explosion-proof structure.

Further, in the above embodiment, the power supply unit 13 is shown in the detector 2 in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the power supply unit 13 may be provided outside the detector 2. In this case, a portion of the power supply unit 13 as a power conversion unit may be provided in the outlet, and a protection circuit unit 13a may be provided in the detector 2.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b are provided in the case main body portion 23a is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the first temperature detection unit 29a and the second temperature detection unit 29b may be provided in the battery accommodating unit 23b.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which both the first battery unit 21 and the second battery unit 22 are charged is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detector may be configured so that the dry battery can be accommodated in the battery unit. That is, the detector may be configured as a device that can be used by accommodating a dry battery and a rechargeable battery in the first battery unit and the second battery unit, respectively. In this case, control for determining the type of battery (whether a dry battery or a rechargeable battery) housed in the battery unit may be performed before the start of charging (before step S1). Then, when the dry battery and the rechargeable battery are housed in the first battery part and the second battery part, respectively, this detector controls to charge only the battery part in which the rechargeable battery is housed. ..

1 Charger 2 Detector 12 Control unit 13 Power supply unit 16 Temperature detector (charger side temperature detector)
21 First battery section (battery section)
22 Second battery section (battery section)
29a First temperature detector (battery temperature detector)
29b Second temperature detector (battery temperature detector)
100 charging system

Claims (6)

A device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other and a plurality of battery temperature detection units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of battery units.
A charger that includes a temperature detection unit on the charger side and charges the battery unit to be charged among the plurality of battery units by supplying electric power.
Based on the temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged among the plurality of battery temperature detection units and the temperature detection result by the charger side temperature detection unit, the charger is used. A charging system with a control unit that controls charging. The control unit controls to charge the plurality of battery units while switching the battery unit to be charged from the plurality of battery units, and also controls the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein charging by the charger is controlled based on the temperature detection result of the above and the temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side. The charging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device has an explosion-proof structure in which the magnitude of electric power supplied to the battery unit is limited. The control unit is the difference between the temperature of the charger as the temperature detection result of the temperature detection unit on the charger side and the battery temperature as the temperature detection result of the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged. The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is configured to control to stop or limit charging by the charger when the value is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is arranged in the charger. The battery unit to be charged among the plurality of battery units of the device including a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other and a plurality of battery temperature detection units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of battery units. And the power supply unit that supplies power to
A temperature detector on the charger side, which is placed on the charger body and detects the temperature of the charger body,
The power supply unit is based on a temperature detection result by the battery temperature detection unit corresponding to the battery unit to be charged among the plurality of battery temperature detection units and a temperature detection result by the temperature detection unit on the charger side. A charger equipped with a control unit that controls the supply of electric power by the battery.

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