JPH11275775A - Charging device of battery powdered vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging device of a battery powered vehicle for easily and surely charging by reservation. SOLUTION: In charging device, an electromagnetic switcher 4 is provided at the power supply path of a vehicle-mounted battery B and a battery voltage detection circuit 25 detects the voltage of the battery. A RAM 13 stores schedule control data regarding a date for using a battery fork lift for a year and the time for starting the use of the battery fork lift during operating days. A microcomputer 10 starts charging by turning on the electromagnetic switcher 4, pauses charging by turning off the electromagnetic switcher 4 based on the detection voltage of the battery voltage detection circuit 25, and turns the electromagnetic switcher 4 on/off for complete charging at the start time on the working day, based on the schedule control data by the RAM 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging device for a battery car, and more particularly, to a charging device having a reserved charging function for completing charging at a reserved time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a battery forklift 30 as shown in FIG. 6, a lead storage battery capable of supplying a large amount of power is used as a battery 31. By charging the battery 31 at a time other than the working time, the working efficiency is improved. In other words, after the work is completed for one day, for example, at 5:00 pm,
A power cord 33 from an external power supply 32 is connected to a charging outlet 35 provided on an operation panel 34 shown in FIG. Then, the operator selects a suitable charging method from among normal charging, equal charging, and reserved charging, and presses each switch (normal charging switch 36, equal charging switch 37, reserved charging switch 38) on the operation panel 34. It is charging by.

More specifically, when working on the next day (operating day), the ordinary charge switch 36 is pressed to perform ordinary charging. In this charging, charging is started by operating the normal charging switch 36, and as shown in FIG.
The remaining charge time T2 is calculated from the time T1 until the charge voltage of the battery reaches a predetermined value (for example, 2.4 V per cell), and the charge is terminated when the charge time T2 has elapsed. That is, the entire charging time T in the normal charging is a time obtained by adding the time T2 to the time T1 (T = T1 + T2).

When the above-mentioned ordinary charging is repeatedly performed,
The charging performance of each cell of the battery 31 varies. When it is desired to eliminate the variation in the charging performance of each cell, the equivalent charging switch 37 is pressed to perform equal charging.

Further, when the next day or the next day is a holiday (non-operation day), the time (for example, 8:00 AM) when the forklift 30 is used is designated, and the reserved charge switch 38 is pressed to carry out the reserved charge. Do. This charging includes a weekend reservation charge and a long-term reservation charge.For example, in the case where Saturday and Sunday are holidays, using a data input device (not shown), While specifying “Monday”, the time is specified as, for example, “use start time = AM8: 00”, and the reservation charge switch 38 is pressed to perform charging.

When performing long-term reserved charging, in the case of a long vacation, the date and time are designated and the reserved charging switch 38 is pressed to perform charging. That is, in the reserved charging, as shown in FIG. 9, when charging is started by pressing the reserved charging switch 38 at 5:00 pm on Friday (timing of t1), the charging voltage of the battery 31 becomes a predetermined value (2. 4V) until the remaining charging time T2
Is calculated, and the time when the time T2 has elapsed after continuing charging is compared with the use start time (at 8:00 am on Monday).
Then, the use start time is set to the time when the time T2 has elapsed,
In FIG. 9, charging is suspended during a period from t2 to t3. By doing so, the battery capacity is fully charged at the use start time (timing of t4). That is, when the forklift is not used for a long time after the battery is charged, the capacity decreases due to a decrease in the temperature of the battery fluid. Thus, the capacity can be prevented from being reduced due to the reduction in the capacity, and the work can be performed in a fully charged state.

[0007]

However, in order to perform the reserved charging as described above, it is necessary to set the day of the week or date and the use start time. The work was difficult. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, there are three switches 36, 37, and 38 for each charge (normal charge, equal charge, and reserved charge), and when a switch is pressed by mistake and required charge is not performed, for example, If the reserved charging switch 38 is pressed by mistake when normal charging is desired, the charging has not been completed by the start time of use, or if the normal charging switch 36 is pressed by mistake when reserved charging is desired. The charging ends before the use start time, and thereafter the forklift 30 is not used for a long time, so that the capacity of the battery 31 decreases due to a decrease in the temperature of the battery fluid. As a result, the use of the forklift 30 is started while the battery capacity is insufficient, so that the usable time is short and the work efficiency is deteriorated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a battery charger for a battery car that can easily and reliably perform a reserved charging with a novel configuration.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch provided on a power supply path of a vehicle-mounted battery;
A battery voltage detecting means for detecting a charging voltage of the battery; a storage means for storing schedule management data relating to a date of using the vehicle for a predetermined period and a use start time; and charging being started by closing the switch. The charging is suspended by opening the switch based on the detection voltage of the battery voltage detection means, and based on the schedule management data stored in the storage means, the battery is fully charged at the start of use on the working day. Charge control means for opening and closing the switch.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the charge control means determines the remaining charge time after the suspension of the charging, the capacity of the battery during the suspension of the charging is reduced. The remaining charge time is corrected in anticipation of this.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the charge control means detects a decrease in battery capacity based on a result of detection of the temperature of the battery fluid by a battery fluid temperature sensor. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the storage means is a rewritable storage means. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores schedule management data relating to the date of use of the vehicle and the start time of use of the vehicle for a predetermined period. Then, the charging is started by closing the switch by the charging control means, the charging is stopped by opening the switch based on the detection voltage of the battery voltage detecting means, and based on the schedule management data by the storage means. The switch is opened and closed so as to be fully charged at the start of use on the working day.

As a result, in the conventional apparatus, it is necessary for the operator to perform complicated setting work after the work of the day is completed for the reserved charging, that is, the setting work of the day and the day of the week when the battery car is used. In addition, because the operability of setting the reserved charging is difficult, the reserved charging is not correctly performed, and the battery capacity may not be sufficiently satisfied at the use start time on the operating day. On the other hand, in the present invention, the charging control means uses the schedule management data to reliably charge the battery at the use start time on the working day so that the battery capacity is fully charged. In this case, the battery capacity is completely charged, the battery car can be used for a long time, and a decrease in work efficiency is avoided.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1,
In addition to the operation of the invention described in (1), when determining the remaining charge time after the suspension of charging, the charge control means corrects the remaining charge time in anticipation of a decrease in the capacity of the battery during the suspension of charging.

As a result, the capacity of the battery is more completely charged at the use start time on the operating day. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (2), in addition to the effect of the invention described in (2), a decrease in battery capacity is detected by the charge control means based on the result of battery temperature detection by the battery temperature sensor.

As a result, the remaining charge time is corrected by the charge control means in accordance with the decrease in the capacity due to the decrease in the temperature of the battery fluid during the suspension of charging, and the charge is performed using the corrected remaining charge time.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In addition to the operation of the invention described in (1), when the operating day or the use start time is changed, the schedule management data stored in the storage means is rewritten.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a battery forklift will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a charging device for a battery forklift according to the present embodiment. This charging device is mounted on a battery forklift.
This charging apparatus is provided with an outlet 1 and an AC power supply 3
(In the present embodiment, 200 V). The outlet 1 is connected to a primary coil 5 a of a transformer 5 via an electromagnetic switch 4. That is, the electromagnetic switch 4 is provided in the power supply path to the primary coil 5a of the transformer 5. The vehicle-mounted battery B is connected to the secondary coil 5b of the transformer 5 via the rectifier circuit 6. As described above, the AC power supplied from the charging plug 2 is supplied from the outlet 1 to the primary coil 5a of the transformer 5 via the electromagnetic switch 4, and the AC voltage stepped down from the secondary coil 5b of the transformer 5 is output. And the battery B via the rectifier circuit 6
It can be supplied to.

The battery B is a lead storage battery, and a plurality of cells are used to generate a voltage and a current that can drive a traveling motor and a loading motor of a forklift. The electromagnetic switch 4 is turned on (closed) by the drive circuit 7.
It is switched off (open). That is,
When the electromagnetic switch 4 is on, the outlet 1 and the transformer 5 are connected, and when off, the outlet 1 and the transformer 5 are shut off.

The transformer 5 reduces the voltage from the AC power supply 3 to a voltage usable for charging the battery B. Then, the rectifier circuit 6 converts the AC voltage from the transformer 5 to DC.

As described above, when the electromagnetic switch 4 is controlled to be turned on and off, a necessary voltage is applied to the battery B to perform charging. A microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) 10 is connected to a drive circuit 7 for switching the electromagnetic switch 4 on and off.
0 controls on / off of the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7.

In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10
Central processing unit (CPU) 11, read-only memory (ROM) 12 storing a control program, rewritable data memory (RAM) 1 backed up by a battery
3. It comprises a timer 14 for measuring time and an I / O interface 15.

An operation panel 16 and a display 17 are connected to the microcomputer 10. Operation panel 16
2, a charging switch 18, a charging lamp 19, and a completion lamp 20 are provided. The charging switch 18 is a switch for starting and stopping charging during charging, and the charging lamp 19 is a lamp that lights up when charging is being performed. The completion lamp 20 is a lamp that lights when charging is completed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display 17 is provided with input switches 21, 22, 23 and a display unit 24, and an operator is displayed on the display unit 24 using the input switches 21, 22, 23. Based on the content, a date and a use start time (charge end time) of a forklift to be described later can be input and set.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Has a battery voltage detection circuit 25 and a battery fluid temperature sensor 2
6 are connected. The battery voltage detection circuit 25 detects a terminal voltage (battery voltage) of the battery B and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected voltage to the microcomputer 10. The battery liquid temperature sensor 26 is provided in the battery B, and outputs a signal corresponding to the liquid temperature of the battery B to the microcomputer 10.

In this configuration, the microcomputer 10 operates the battery voltage detection circuit 25 and the battery fluid temperature sensor 26 in accordance with instructions given by the operator through the charging switch 18 of the operation panel 16 and the input switches 21, 22, and 23 of the display 17. The electromagnetic switch 4 is driven and controlled based on each detection signal, and the control contents and the control result are output to the charging lamp 19, the completion lamp 20, and the display unit 24 of the display 17.

Next, the operation of the thus configured forklift charging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the microcomputer 10.

First, as an initial setting, the operator uses the input switches 21, 22 and 23 to start using the forklift (operating day) and using the forklift based on the contents displayed on the display unit 24. Set the usage start time. At this time, the microcomputer 10 stores the input information from the input switches 21, 22, and 23 in the RAM 13. This RAM 13 retains its stored contents by a battery provided for memory backup even when the power of the charging device is turned off.

As the initial setting, usually, when a calendar for one year is determined, a day (operating day) and a start time of using the forklift for one year as a predetermined period are set to a starting time (8:00 in the morning). Set according to. That is,
Once the initial setting has been performed, it is not necessary to perform the initial setting work unless the working day or the use start time as the schedule management data is changed.

When the worker connects the outlet 1 and the charging plug 2 and presses the charging switch 18 at the time when one day's work is completed as a charging operation (for example, 5:00 pm), the operation shown in FIG. Start processing.

In FIG. 4, the microcomputer 10 executes step 1
At 00, it is determined based on the schedule management data stored in the RAM 13 whether or not the next day is a holiday. If the next day is an operating day, the microcomputer 10 sets the normal charging mode and executes the processing of steps 101 to 105. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 101 to turn on (close) the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7 and to supply power to the transformer 5 to perform normal charging. The battery is supplied to start charging, and the charging lamp 19 is turned on. Then, the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 102 and takes in the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detecting circuit 25 as the battery voltage detecting means, and this voltage is set to a predetermined voltage (for example, the voltage per unit cell is changed as shown in FIG. 8). When the voltage becomes 2.4 V), the process proceeds to step 103. In step 103, the microcomputer 10 measures a time T1 from the start of charging to a predetermined voltage, and calculates the time T1.
1, the remaining charge time T2 is calculated. Thereafter, in step 104, the microcomputer 10 waits while continuing the charging until the remaining charging time T2 elapses. When the remaining charge time T2 has elapsed, the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 105, turns off (opens) the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7, and cuts off the supply of power to the transformer 5 side. And complete lamp 20 is turned on.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 100 that the next day is a holiday, the microcomputer 10 sets the reserved charging mode and executes the processing of steps 106 to 113 and 105. That is, the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 106 to perform the reserved charging shown in FIG. 5, turns on (closes) the electromagnetic switch 4 to start charging, and turns on the charging lamp 19 (at timing t1 in FIG. 5). ). Then, the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 107 and takes in the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detection circuit 25, and the detected voltage becomes a predetermined voltage (the voltage per single cell is 2.4 V as shown in FIG. 5). At this time (timing of t2), the process proceeds to step 108. The microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 108
, A time T1 from the start of charging to a predetermined voltage is measured, and the remaining time T2 is calculated using the time T1. More specifically, by multiplying the time T1 by a constant k,
The remaining charge time T2 is calculated (T2 = k × T1).

Thereafter, at step 109, the microcomputer 10 takes in the battery temperature detected by the battery temperature sensor 26 and corrects the remaining charging time T2 based on the battery temperature. Specifically, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, when there is no decrease in the battery fluid temperature, the capacity of the battery B does not decrease. The calculated remaining charging time T2 is maintained (T2 '= T2). On the other hand, FIG.
When there is a decrease in the battery fluid temperature as indicated by the two-dot chain line, a correction time ΔT2 corresponding to the degree of the decrease in the fluid temperature is added to the remaining charge time T2, and the corrected remaining charge time T2 ′
(= T2 + ΔT2) is calculated.

Then, in step 110, the microcomputer 10 compares the time T3 until the use start time on the operation day based on the schedule management data with the corrected remaining charge time T2 ', and the time T3 until the use start time is charged. If the time is longer than the time T2 ', the process proceeds to step 111 to turn off (open) the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7 to stop charging,
It returns to step 109. That is, while the time T3 until the use start time is longer than the charging time T2 '(t2 to t shown in FIG. 5).
During period 3), charging is suspended. The time T3 until the use start time is the remaining charge time T after the correction.
When the value coincides with 2 ′ (timing t3 in FIG. 5), the microcomputer 10 proceeds to step 112, turns on (closes) the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7, and resumes charging. After that, in step 113, the microcomputer 10 waits while continuing charging until the charging time T2 'has elapsed,
When the charging time T2 'has elapsed, the routine proceeds to step 105. Then, the microcomputer 10 turns off (opens) the electromagnetic switch 4 via the drive circuit 7 in step 105, and ends the charging. That is, charging ends at the use start time set in the initial setting.

In the present charging device, each charging can be started by one charging switch 18 as shown in FIG. 2 without using a plurality of switches 36 and 38 for each charging as shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator does not mistakenly press the switch, which is practically preferable. That is, the selection between the reserved charging and the normal charging is made in step 100 by determining whether or not the next day is a holiday, and a switch for switching between the reserved charging and the normal charging is not required.

As described above, the present embodiment has the following features. (1) The RAM 13 stores schedule management data relating to the day of using the forklift for one year and the start time of use, and when the charge switch 18 is pressed, the microcomputer 10 as the charge control means turns on the electromagnetic switch 4 (closes). Then, charging is started. Then, by the microcomputer 10,
Based on the voltage detected by the battery voltage detection circuit 25,
When the electromagnetic switch 4 is turned off (open circuit), charging is suspended, and based on the schedule management data in the RAM 13, the electromagnetic switch 4 is turned on and off so as to be in a fully charged state at the start of use on the working day. .

As a result, in the conventional apparatus, the reserved charging is not correctly performed due to the difficulty in the operability of the reserved charging setting, and the battery capacity may not be sufficiently satisfied at the use start time on the operating day. In the present embodiment, even if the worker does not perform complicated setting work for reserved charging after the work is completed, the microcomputer 10
Scheduled charging is reliably selected using the schedule management data, and charging is performed so that the capacity of the battery B is fully charged at the use start time of the working day. Battery capacity is fully charged,
The battery car can be used for a long time, and a decrease in work efficiency is avoided.

As described above, it is possible to easily and reliably perform the reserved charging with the new configuration, and to improve the working efficiency. (2) When determining the remaining charge time T2 after the suspension of charging, the microcomputer 10 performs the process of step 109 in FIG.
A decrease in the capacity of the battery B due to a decrease in the temperature of the battery fluid is detected. Then, the remaining charge time T after the correction in consideration of the decrease in the capacity of the battery due to the decrease in the temperature of the battery fluid.
2 ′ is calculated, and charging is performed such that the use start time is after the corrected remaining charging time T2 ′ has elapsed.

As a result, the remaining charge time T2 is corrected by the microcomputer 10 in accordance with the decrease in the capacity due to the decrease in the battery fluid temperature during the suspension of the reserved charge, and the use start time (using the corrected remaining charge time T2 '). At the timing t4 in FIG. 5), the reserved charging is performed so as to be completely charged, which is practically preferable. (3) Since the rewritable RAM 13 is used as the storage means, when the operating day or the use start time is changed,
Since the date on which the forklift is used as the schedule management data stored in the RAM 13 and the use start time are rewritten, this becomes practically preferable.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, but may be implemented as follows. In the above embodiment, the microcomputer 10 has the RAM 1
Normal charging or reserved charging is performed using the schedule management data stored in No.3, but in addition to these charging methods, equal charging is performed to eliminate variations in charging performance of each cell of the battery. You may do so. More specifically, the microcomputer 10 may perform the equal charging when the normal charging or the reserved charging has been performed a predetermined number of times or when a predetermined number of days has elapsed.

In the above-described embodiment, a decrease in the liquid temperature of the battery B is detected during the suspension of the reserved charging, and the remaining charging time T
However, if the charging is suspended for a long time, the battery capacity will decrease due to spontaneous discharge and the like in addition to the decrease in the liquid temperature. Is also good.

In the above-described embodiment, the charging operation is started by the charging switch 18 provided on the operation panel 16, but the AC power supply line, for example, between the outlet 1 and the electromagnetic switch 4, A voltage detection circuit is provided.
The charging operation may be started when the application of the voltage is detected by the C voltage detection circuit.

In the above embodiment, the rewritable data memory (RAM) 13 backed up by a battery is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rewritable ROM may be used.

In the above embodiment, the charging device of the battery forklift is mounted on the battery forklift, but is not limited to this, and may be embodied as a separate charging device.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in a forklift, but may be embodied in another battery car. The technical thinking grasped from the embodiment and not described in the claims will be described below together with its effects.

[0047] In the invention described in claim 2, the charge control means detects a decrease in battery capacity based on an elapsed time after the suspension of charging. According to this configuration, the reduction of the battery capacity due to spontaneous discharge or the like during charging suspension is detected by the charging control means, and the remaining charging time is corrected, which is practically preferable.

[0048]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the reserved charging can be performed easily and reliably with a novel configuration.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, at the start of use on working days,
The battery capacity is more reliably brought to a fully charged state, which is preferable for practical use.

According to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 2,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), it is possible to reliably detect a decrease in the capacity of the battery during the suspension of charging by using the battery liquid temperature sensor.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the content stored in the storage means can be changed according to the change of the working day or the use start time,
This is practically preferable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a forklift charging apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a display according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining reserved charging in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the battery forklift.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an operation panel in a conventional forklift charging device.

FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining ordinary charging.

FIG. 9 is a time chart for explaining reserved charging.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... electromagnetic switch, 10 ... microcomputer, 13 ... RAM, 25
... Battery voltage detection circuit, 26 ... Battery liquid temperature sensor,
B: Battery.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A switch provided in a power supply path of an on-vehicle battery, a battery voltage detecting means for detecting a charging voltage of the battery, and schedule management data on a date and a start time of using the vehicle during a predetermined period. A charging means for starting charging by closing the switch, suspending charging by opening the switch based on the detection voltage of the battery voltage detecting means, and schedule management by the storing means. A charging device for a battery car, comprising: charge control means for opening and closing the switch so that the switch is fully charged at a use start time on an operating day based on data. 2. The charging control means according to claim 1, wherein when determining the remaining charging time after the suspension of the charging, the remaining charging time is corrected in consideration of a decrease in the capacity of the battery during the suspension of the charging.
The charging device for a battery car according to claim 1. 3. The charging device for a battery vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said charging control means detects a decrease in battery capacity based on a result of detection of a temperature of the battery fluid by a battery fluid temperature sensor. 4. The charging device for a battery car according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a rewritable storage means.