JP3458740B2 - Battery charging and discharging devices - Google Patents

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は組電池の充電装置お
よび放電装置に関し、特に、組電池を構成する各単電池
の、容量のバラツキによる過充電や過放電を生じること
なく、組電池の充電および放電を効率的に行うことがで
きる充電装置および放電装置に関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembled battery charging device and a discharging device, and more particularly to charging an assembled battery without causing overcharging or overdischarging due to variations in capacity of individual cells constituting the assembled battery. The present invention also relates to a charging device and a discharging device that can efficiently perform discharging.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】近年、電気自動車等の開発が精力的に行
われるようになり、これに使用される二次電池として、
小型で大容量のリチウムイオン電池等が注目されてい
る。このような二次電池を電気自動車等の電源として使
用する場合には通常、単電池を複数直列に接続して組電
池とすることにより所望の電圧値を得ている。しかし、
リチウムイオン電池等は製造時やその後の使用履歴等に
よって容量にバラツキを生じやすく、組電池を一体とし
て充電あるいは放電させると、容量の小さい単電池が過
充電あるいは過放電となって性能低下を招くという問題
があった。2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of electric vehicles has become enthusiastic, and as a secondary battery used for this,
Small-sized and large-capacity lithium-ion batteries are receiving attention. When such a secondary battery is used as a power source for an electric vehicle or the like, a desired voltage value is usually obtained by connecting a plurality of single cells in series to form an assembled battery. But,
Lithium-ion batteries, etc. are likely to have variations in capacity due to manufacturing history and subsequent usage history, etc. If the battery pack is charged or discharged as a unit, overcharging or overdischarging of small-capacity cells will cause performance deterioration. There was a problem.

【０００３】そこで、例えば特開平５−６４３７７号公
報では、各単電池の端子電圧よりその充電状態を検出
し、単電池のうち少なくとも一つが満充電になった場合
には組電池への充電を停止するようにした充電装置が提
案されている。しかし、この充電装置では、容量の小さ
い単電池によって組電池全体の充電が制限されるため
に、容量の大きい他の単電池が十分に充電されず、充電
能力が十分に生かされないという問題がある。Therefore, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-64377, the charging state is detected from the terminal voltage of each unit cell, and when at least one of the unit cells is fully charged, the assembled battery is charged. A charging device that can be stopped has been proposed. However, this charging device has a problem in that the charging of the entire battery pack is limited by the unit cells having a small capacity, so that the other unit cells having a large capacity are not sufficiently charged and the charging ability is not fully utilized. .

【０００４】そこで、例えば特開平８−２１３０５５号
公報に記載の充電装置では、各単電池に並列に分流回路
を設け、単電池の一つが満充電になると、これを迂回す
るように分流回路に充電電流を流して、他の単電池への
充電を続行できるようにしている。しかし、この充電装
置では、充電電流の一部を迂回させるための分流回路内
に設けた抵抗で充電エネルギーが無駄に消費されるとい
う問題がある。Therefore, for example, in the charging device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-213055, a shunt circuit is provided in parallel with each unit cell, and when one of the unit cells is fully charged, the shunt circuit is used so as to bypass the unit. The charging current is passed so that other cells can continue to be charged. However, this charging device has a problem that the charging energy is unnecessarily consumed by the resistor provided in the shunt circuit for bypassing a part of the charging current.

【０００５】一方、特開平７−３３５２６６号公報に
は、各単電池にスイッチング回路を介してそれぞれ補充
電電池を接続し、単電池が過充電間近になった場合には
当該単電池に補充電電池を接続して過充電を防止するよ
うにした充電装置が提案されている。しかし、この充電
装置では、補充電電池が各単電池にそれぞれ設けられる
から、装置全体の大型化とコストアップが避けられない
という問題がある。On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-335266, a supplemental charging battery is connected to each unit cell via a switching circuit, and when the unit cell is overcharged, the unit cell is supplementally charged. A charging device has been proposed in which a battery is connected to prevent overcharging. However, in this charging device, since a supplementary charging battery is provided for each unit cell, there is a problem in that an increase in the size of the entire device and an increase in cost cannot be avoided.

【０００６】なお、組電池の放電が進行すると、前述し
たように最も容量の小さい単電池が過放電を生じるおそ
れがあるが、上記各公報に記載の従来の充電装置には、
これの解決を示唆するところはない。When the battery pack is discharged, the unit cell having the smallest capacity may be over-discharged as described above. However, in the conventional charging devices described in the above publications,
There is no suggestion of a solution to this.

【０００７】[0007]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】そこで、本発明は、以
上の問題点を解決しようとするもので、充電エネルギー
の無駄な消費を避けることができるとともに、小型かつ
低コストで、しかも単電池の過充電のみならず過放電を
も防止して、組電池の効率的な充電並びに放電を可能と
した組電池の充電装置および放電装置を提供することを
課題とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, in which wasteful consumption of charging energy can be avoided, and the size and cost of the battery are small. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack charging device and a battery pack discharging device that prevent not only overcharging but also overdischarging, and that enable efficient charging and discharging of the battery pack.

【０００８】[0008]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記課題を達成するた
め、本発明の充電装置は、直列に接続されて組電池（Ｃ
Ｂ）を構成する複数の単電池（１Ａ，１Ｂ，１Ｃ）と、
補助充放電器（２）と、各単電池の充電状態を検出する
充電状態検出手段（３Ａ，３Ｂ，３Ｃ）と、組電池（Ｃ
Ｂ）の充電中に過充電間近の単電池（１Ａ）が生じる
と、当該過充電間近の単電池（１Ａ）とこれに隣接する
１個以上の適当数の単電池（１Ｂ）を第１の直列電池群
として選択して、当該第１の直列電池群（１Ａ，１Ｂ）
を補助充放電器（２）に並列に接続した後、単電池のう
ちこの時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電池（１Ｃ）を選
択し、ないし当該充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み第
１の直列電池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池を第２
の直列電池群として選択して、充電レベルの最も低い単
電池（１Ｃ）ないし第２の直列電池群を補助充放電器
（２）に並列に接続する切換動作を繰り返す充電時切換
接続手段（５）とを備えている。In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the charging device of the present invention has a battery pack (C
B) a plurality of cells (1A, 1B, 1C),
Auxiliary charger / discharger (2), charge state detection means (3A, 3B, 3C) for detecting the charge state of each unit cell, and assembled battery (C
When a cell (1A) that is about to be overcharged occurs during charging of B), the first cell (1A) that is about to be overcharged and one or more appropriate number of cells (1B) adjacent to this cell are The first series battery group (1A, 1B) selected as the series battery group
After connecting in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2), the unit cell (1C) having the lowest charge level at this time is selected from the unit cells, or the unit cell including the unit cell having the lowest charge level is selected. The number of adjacent cells that are less than the series battery group
Of the unit cell (1C) having the lowest charging level or the second group of battery cells connected in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2), and repeats the switching operation during charging. ) And.

【０００９】上記構成の充電装置において、組電池の充
電時には、容量にバラツキのある単電池のうち、最も容
量の小さい単電池が最初に過充電間近になる。そこで、
過充電間近になった単電池を含む第１の直列電池群が補
助充放電器に接続されると、第１の直列電池群から補助
充放電器へ電流が供給されて過充電間近になった単電池
の電圧が低下し、過充電間近の状態が解消される。その
後、この時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み上記
第１の直列電池群よりも少ない数の第２の直列電池群が
補助充放電器に接続されると、補助充放電器の電圧は第
２の直列電池群の電圧よりも高いから、補助充放電器の
電流が第２の直列電池群へ効率的に放電供給され、第２
の直列電池群が充電される。他の単電池が過充電間近に
なると、当該他の単電池を含む新たな第１の直列電池群
と補助充放電器との間で同様の動作が行われて次々に過
充電間近の状態が解消されるとともに、補助充放電器か
ら第２の直列電池群へ充電がなされて各単電池の充電状
態が均一化される。この状態で組電池への充電が進行
し、全ての単電池が満充電になると装置の充電作動が終
了する。In the battery charger having the above structure, when charging the assembled battery, the unit cell having the smallest capacity among the unit cells having the different capacities first comes close to overcharge. Therefore,
When the first series battery group including the unit cells that were close to overcharging was connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, current was supplied from the first series battery group to the auxiliary charger / discharger and it became close to overcharging. The voltage of the unit cell drops, and the state of overcharge is resolved. After that, when a number of second series battery groups including the unit cell having the lowest charge level at this point and smaller in number than the first series battery group are connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, the voltage of the auxiliary charger / discharger changes. Since the voltage is higher than the voltage of the second series battery group, the current of the auxiliary charger / discharger is efficiently discharged and supplied to the second series battery group.
The series battery group of is charged. When another unit cell is about to be overcharged, a similar operation is performed between the new first series battery group including the other unit cell and the auxiliary charger / discharger, so that the state of overcharge is one after another. At the same time, the auxiliary charger / discharger charges the second series battery group to make the state of charge of each unit cell uniform. In this state, charging of the assembled battery proceeds, and when all the unit cells are fully charged, the charging operation of the device ends.

【００１０】このように本発明の充電装置によれば、過
充電間近になった単電池を含む第１の直列電池群から補
助充放電器へ電流を供給して過充電間近の状態を解消す
るとともに、補助充放電器から充電レベルの最も低い単
電池を含む第２の直列電池群へ電流を供給してこれを充
電しているから、過充電間近になった単電池を迂回する
ように充電電流を分流回路へ流す従来装置に比して、充
電エネルギーの無駄な消費を回避することができる。ま
た、過充電間近の単電池を含む第１の直列電池群に対し
て補助充放電器を切り換えて使用するようにしたから、
各単電池に補充電電池をそれぞれ設ける従来装置に比し
て、装置全体が小型になるとともにコスト低減も実現さ
れる。さらに、各単電池の容量一杯まで充電がなされる
から、容量の大きい単電池が未充電になることはなく、
電池容量に無駄を生じない。また、組電池への充電電流
を絞る必要がないから、組電池全体として充電時間を短
縮することができる。さらに、本発明によれば、補助充
放電器の電圧を、これにより充電される第２の直列電池
群よりも大幅に上げることが可能であるから、エネルギ
ー移動量が大きくなり、この分、装置の小型化、時間短
縮、エネルギー効率の向上等が可能となる。なお、ここ
で充電レベルとは、電池の残存容量（ＳＯＣ）あるいは
電池の定格容量に対する取り出せる放電量の割合をい
う。As described above, according to the charging device of the present invention, the current is supplied from the first series battery group including the unit cells that are about to be overcharged to the auxiliary charging / discharging device to eliminate the state of being overcharged. At the same time, a current is supplied from the auxiliary charger / discharger to the second series battery group including the unit cell having the lowest charge level to charge the same, so charging is performed so as to bypass the unit cell that is about to be overcharged. It is possible to avoid wasteful consumption of charging energy as compared with a conventional device in which a current is supplied to a shunt circuit. Moreover, since the auxiliary charger / discharger is switched and used for the first series battery group including the single battery which is about to be overcharged,
Compared with the conventional device in which each unit cell is provided with a supplementary rechargeable battery, the size of the entire device is reduced and the cost is reduced. Furthermore, since the capacity of each cell is fully charged, a cell with a large capacity will not be uncharged,
No waste of battery capacity. Further, since it is not necessary to reduce the charging current to the assembled battery, the charging time of the assembled battery as a whole can be shortened. Further, according to the present invention, the voltage of the auxiliary charger / discharger can be increased significantly compared to the second series battery group charged by the auxiliary charger / discharger, so that the amount of energy transfer becomes large, and the device can be correspondingly increased. It is possible to downsize, reduce time, and improve energy efficiency. Here, the charge level means the ratio of the discharge capacity that can be taken out to the remaining capacity (SOC) of the battery or the rated capacity of the battery.

【００１１】本発明の放電装置は、直列に接続されて組
電池（ＣＢ）を構成する複数の単電池（１Ａ，１Ｂ，１
Ｃ）と、補助充放電器（２）と、各単電池の放電状態を
検出する放電状態検出手段（３Ａ，３Ｂ，３Ｃ）と、組
電池の放電中に過放電間近の単電池（１Ａ）が生じる
と、単電池のうちこの時点で充電レベルの最も高い単電
池（１Ｂ）とこれに隣接する適当数の単電池（１Ｃ）を
第３の直列電池群として選択して、当該第３の直列電池
群（１Ｂ，１Ｃ）を補助充放電器（２）に並列に接続し
た後、単電池のうち過放電間近の単電池（１Ａ）を選択
し、ないし過放電間近の単電池を含み第３の直列電池群
よりも少ない数の隣接する適当数の単電池を第４の直列
電池群として選択して、過放電間近の単電池（１Ａ）な
いし第４の直列電池群を補助充放電器（２）に並列に接
続する切換動作を繰り返す放電時切換接続手段（５）と
を備えている。The discharge device of the present invention comprises a plurality of cells (1A, 1B, 1) which are connected in series to form an assembled battery (CB).
C), an auxiliary charging / discharging device (2), a discharge state detecting means (3A, 3B, 3C) for detecting the discharge state of each cell, and a cell (1A) which is about to be over-discharged during discharging of the assembled battery. Occurs, the single cell (1B) having the highest charging level at this point and an appropriate number of single cells (1C) adjacent thereto are selected as the third series battery group, and the third series battery is selected. After connecting the series battery group (1B, 1C) to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2) in parallel, the unit cell (1A) which is close to over-discharging is selected from the unit cells, or a unit cell which is close to over-discharge is selected. An appropriate number of adjacent cells, which are smaller in number than the series battery group of No. 3, are selected as the fourth series battery group, and the single battery (1A) or the fourth series battery group that is about to be overdischarged is an auxiliary charger / discharger. The discharge switching connection means (5) for repeating the switching operation connected in parallel with (2) is provided.

【００１２】上記構成の放電装置において、組電池の放
電時には、容量にバラツキのある単電池のうち、最も容
量の小さい単電池が最初に過放電間近になる。そこで、
この時点で充電レベルが最も高くなっている単電池を含
む第３の直列電池群が補助充放電器に接続されると、第
３の直列電池群から補助充放電器へ電流が供給される。
その後、過放電間近の単電池を含む第４の直列電池群が
補助充放電器に接続されると、補助充放電器の電圧は第
４の直列電池群の電圧よりも高いから、補助充放電器の
電流が第４の直列電池群へ効率的に供給されて過放電間
近の単電池の状態が解消される。他の単電池が過放電間
近になると、当該他の単電池を含む新たな第４の直列電
池群と補助充放電器との間で同様の動作が行われて次々
に過放電間近の状態が解消されるとともに、第３の直列
電池群から補助充放電器へ放電がなされて各単電池の放
電状態が均一化される。この状態で組電池の放電が進行
し、全ての単電池が放電完了になると装置の放電作動が
終了する。In the discharge device having the above-mentioned structure, when the assembled battery is discharged, the unit cell having the smallest capacity among the unit cells having the different capacities first comes close to over-discharge. Therefore,
At this point, when the third series battery group including the unit cell having the highest charge level is connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, current is supplied from the third series battery group to the auxiliary charger / discharger.
After that, when the fourth series battery group including the cells that are about to be over-discharged is connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, the voltage of the auxiliary charger / discharger is higher than the voltage of the fourth series battery group. The electric current of the electric appliance is efficiently supplied to the fourth series battery group, and the state of the unit cell near the overdischarge is eliminated. When another unit cell is about to be over-discharged, the same operation is performed between the new fourth series battery group including the other unit cell and the auxiliary charger / discharger, and the over-discharge state is successively set. At the same time, the discharge is discharged from the third series battery group to the auxiliary charger / discharger, and the discharge state of each unit cell is made uniform. In this state, the discharge of the assembled battery progresses, and when the discharge of all the unit cells is completed, the discharging operation of the device ends.

【００１３】このように本発明の放電装置によれば、過
放電間近の単電池を含む第４の直列電池群に対して補助
充放電器を切り換えて使用するようにしたから、装置全
体が小型になるとともにコスト低減も実現される。ま
た、各単電池の容量一杯まで放電がなされるから、容量
の大きい単電池が未放電になることはなく、電池容量に
無駄を生じない。さらに、本発明によれば、補助充放電
器の電圧を、これにより充電される第４の直列電池群よ
りも大幅に上げることが可能であるから、エネルギー移
動量が大きくなり、この分、装置の小型化、時間短縮、
エネルギー効率の向上等が可能となる。As described above, according to the discharging device of the present invention, the auxiliary charging / discharging device is switched and used for the fourth series battery group including the cells which are about to be over-discharged. And cost reduction is also realized. In addition, since each unit cell is discharged to the full capacity, a unit cell having a large capacity is not undischarged, and the battery capacity is not wasted. Further, according to the present invention, the voltage of the auxiliary charger / discharger can be increased significantly compared to that of the fourth series battery group charged by the auxiliary charger / discharger, so that the energy transfer amount becomes large, and the device is correspondingly increased. Smaller size, shorter time,
It is possible to improve energy efficiency.

【００１４】上記充電装置および放電装置を一体にし
て、以下の構成の充放電装置とすることができ、これに
よれば既に説明した充電装置と放電装置で得られる作
用、効果の両方を得ることができる。すなわち、充放電
装置は、直列に接続されて組電池（ＣＢ）を構成する複
数の単電池（１Ａ，１Ｂ，１Ｃ）と、補助充放電器
（２）と、各単電池の充放電状態を検出する充放電状態
検出手段（３Ａ，３Ｂ，３Ｃ）と、組電池（ＣＢ）の充
電中に過充電間近の単電池（１Ａ）が生じると、当該過
充電間近の単電池（１Ａ）とこれに隣接する１個以上の
適当数の単電池（１Ｂ）を第１の直列電池群として選択
して、当該第１の直列電池群（１Ａ，１Ｂ）を補助充放
電器（２）に並列に接続した後、単電池のうちこの時点
で充電レベルの最も低い単電池（１Ｃ）を選択し、ない
し当該充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み第１の直列電
池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池を第２の直列電池
群として選択して、充電レベルの最も低い単電池（１
Ｃ）ないし第２の直列電池群を補助充放電器（２）に並
列に接続する切換動作を繰り返す充電時切換接続手段
（５）と、組電池の放電中に過放電間近の単電池（１
Ａ）が生じると、単電池のうちこの時点で充電レベルの
最も高い単電池（１Ｂ）とこれに隣接する適当数の単電
池（１Ｃ）を第３の直列電池群として選択して、当該第
３の直列電池群（１Ｂ，１Ｃ）を補助充放電器（２）に
並列に接続した後、単電池のうち過放電間近の単電池
（１Ａ）を選択し、ないし過放電間近の上記単電池を含
み第３の直列電池群よりも少ない数の隣接する適当数の
単電池を第４の直列電池群として選択して、過放電間近
の単電池（１Ａ）ないし第４の直列電池群を補助充放電
器（２）に並列に接続する切換動作を繰り返す放電時切
換接続手段（５）とを備える。The charging device and the discharging device described above can be integrated into a charging / discharging device having the following configuration. According to this, it is possible to obtain both the action and effect obtained by the charging device and the discharging device already described. You can That is, the charging / discharging device shows a plurality of cells (1A, 1B, 1C) connected in series to form an assembled battery (CB), an auxiliary charger / discharger (2), and a charging / discharging state of each cell. The charging / discharging state detecting means (3A, 3B, 3C) for detecting, and when a battery (1A) near overcharge occurs during charging of the assembled battery (CB), the battery (1A) near this overcharge and this Select one or more appropriate number of unit cells (1B) adjacent to each other as the first series battery group, and connect the first series battery group (1A, 1B) in parallel with the auxiliary charger / discharger (2). After connecting, the cell (1C) having the lowest charge level at this point is selected from the cells, or the number of adjacent cells including the cell having the lowest charge level is smaller than that of the first series battery group. Select the batteries as the second series battery group, and select the battery (1
C) or a charge-time switching connection means (5) that repeats the switching operation of connecting the second series battery group to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2) in parallel, and a single battery (1) that is about to be over-discharged during discharging of the assembled battery.
When A) occurs, the unit cell (1B) having the highest charging level at this point and a proper number of unit cells (1C) adjacent thereto are selected as the third series battery group, and After connecting the series battery groups (1B, 1C) of No. 3 in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2), the single cell (1A) that is near overdischarge is selected from the single cells, or the above single cell that is near overdischarge. A proper number of adjacent cells, which is smaller in number than the third series battery group, including the above is selected as the fourth series battery group to assist the near-overdischarge single cell (1A) to the fourth series battery group. The charging / discharging device (2) is connected in parallel with the discharging switching connection means (5) for repeating the switching operation.

【００１５】補助充放電器としては、コンデンサや二次
電池を使用することができる。二次電池はコンデンサに
比して電気容量が格段に大きいから、この場合には組電
池の充放電装置は以下の構成とすることができる。すな
わち、直列接続されて組電池（ＣＢ）を構成する複数の
単電池（１Ａ，１Ｂ，１Ｃ）と、補助充放電器（７Ａな
いし７Ｂ）と、各単電池（１Ａ〜１Ｃ）の充放電状態を
検出する充放電状態検出手段（３Ａ，３Ｂ，３Ｃ）と、
組電池（ＣＢ）の充電中に過充電間近の単電池が生じる
と、当該過充電間近の単電池（１Ａ）とこれに隣接する
１個以上の適当数の単電池（１Ｂ）を第５の直列電池群
（１Ａ，１Ｂ）として選択して、当該第５の直列電池群
（１Ａ，１Ｂ）を補助充放電器（７Ａないし７Ｂ）に切
換接続する充電時切換接続手段（５）と、組電池（Ｃ
Ｂ）の放電中に過放電間近の単電池が生じると、当該過
放電間近の単電池（１Ａ）を選択し、ないし当該過放電
間近の単電池を含み上記第５の直列電池群よりも少ない
数の隣接する単電池を第６の直列電池群として選択し
て、過放電間近の上記単電池（１Ａ）ないし第６の直列
電池群を補助充放電器（７Ａないし７Ｂ）に切換接続す
る放電時切換接続手段（５）とを備える。この場合、補
助充放電器の定格電圧は第５の直列電池群の定格電圧よ
りは低く、かつ過放電間近の単電池ないし第６の直列電
池群の定格電圧よりは大きいものとする。A capacitor or a secondary battery can be used as the auxiliary charger / discharger. Since the electric capacity of the secondary battery is significantly larger than that of the capacitor, in this case, the charging / discharging device of the assembled battery can have the following configuration. That is, a plurality of unit cells (1A, 1B, 1C) that are connected in series to form an assembled battery (CB), auxiliary chargers / dischargers (7A to 7B), and charge / discharge states of each unit cell (1A to 1C). Charging / discharging state detecting means (3A, 3B, 3C) for detecting
When a battery that is about to be overcharged occurs during charging of the assembled battery (CB), the unit cell (1A) that is about to be overcharged and one or more appropriate number of unit batteries (1B) adjacent to this battery will be A charging-time switching connection means (5) for selecting and connecting the fifth series battery group (1A, 1B) as a series battery group (1A, 1B) to an auxiliary charger / discharger (7A to 7B). Battery (C
When a cell near the over-discharge occurs during the discharge of B), the cell (1A) close to the over-discharge is selected or less than the fifth series battery group including the cell near the over-discharge. A number of adjacent cells are selected as the sixth series battery group, and the above single cell (1A) or the sixth series battery group, which is about to be overdischarged, is switched and connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger (7A or 7B). And a time switching connection means (5). In this case, the rated voltage of the auxiliary charger / discharger is lower than the rated voltage of the fifth series battery group, and is higher than the rated voltage of the single cell or the sixth series battery group that is about to be overdischarged.

【００１６】このような構成の充放電装置において、組
電池の充電時には、容量にバラツキのある単電池のう
ち、最も容量の小さい単電池が最初に過充電間近にな
る。そこで、この過充電間近になった単電池を含む第５
の直列電池群が補助充放電器に接続されると、補助充放
電器へ電流が供給されて過充電間近になった単電池の電
圧が低下し、過充電間近の状態が解消される。続いて他
の単電池が過充電間近になると当該他の単電池を含む新
たな第５の直列電池群が補助充放電器に順次切換接続さ
れて次々に過充電間近の状態が解消される。この状態で
組電池への充電が進行し、全ての単電池が満充電になる
と充電が終了する。In the charging / discharging device having such a structure, when the assembled battery is charged, the unit cell having the smallest capacity among the unit cells having the different capacities is first overcharged. Therefore, the fifth including the single battery which is about to be overcharged
When the series battery group of is connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, a voltage is supplied to the auxiliary charger / discharger to reduce the voltage of the unit cell that is near overcharge, and the state of near overcharge is eliminated. Subsequently, when another unit cell is near to overcharge, a new fifth series battery group including the other unit cell is sequentially switched and connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger, and the state of near overcharge is eliminated one after another. In this state, charging of the assembled battery proceeds, and when all the unit cells are fully charged, the charging ends.

【００１７】また、組電池の放電時には、容量にバラツ
キのある単電池のうち、最も容量の小さい単電池が最初
に過放電間近になる。そこで、この過放電間近になった
単電池を含む第６の直列電池群に補助充放電器を接続す
ると、補助充放電器から過放電間近になった単電池へ電
流が供給されて当該単電池の電圧が上昇し、過放電間近
の状態が解消される。続いて他の単電池が過放電間近に
なると当該単電池を含む新たな第６の直列電池群に補助
充放電器が順次切換接続されて次々に過放電間近の状態
が解消される。この状態で組電池の放電が進行し、全て
の単電池が放電完了になると放電が終了する。When the assembled battery is discharged, the unit cell having the smallest capacity among the unit cells having variations in capacity is first approaching overdischarge. Therefore, when an auxiliary charging / discharging device is connected to the sixth series battery group including the unit battery which is about to be over-discharged, a current is supplied from the auxiliary charging / discharging device to the unit battery which is about to be over-discharged, so that the unit cell The voltage rises, and the over discharge condition is eliminated. Then, when another unit cell is about to be over-discharged, the auxiliary charger / discharger is sequentially switched and connected to the new sixth series battery group including the unit cell, and the state of the over-discharge unit is eliminated one after another. In this state, the battery pack is discharged, and when all the unit cells are completely discharged, the discharge is finished.

【００１８】補助充放電器の二次電池としては車両の補
機用鉛電池等を使用することができる。この場合には、
二次電池を適当数の電池セル（７Ａ，７Ｂ）に区画し、
各電池セルの定格電圧が第５の直列電池群の定格電圧よ
りは低く、かつ単電池ないし第６の直列電池群の定格電
圧よりは大きくなるようにして、第５の直列電池群ない
し第６の直列電池群に各電池セルを適宜選択して接続す
る。As the secondary battery of the auxiliary charger / discharger, a lead battery for an auxiliary machine of a vehicle or the like can be used. In this case,
Partition the secondary battery into an appropriate number of battery cells (7A, 7B),
The rated voltage of each battery cell is set to be lower than the rated voltage of the fifth series battery group and larger than the rated voltage of the unit cell to the sixth series battery group, and the fifth series battery group to the sixth series battery group. Each battery cell is appropriately selected and connected to the series battery group of.

【００１９】さらに、組電池の放電時において、電池セ
ル（７Ａ，７Ｂ）を適当数直列に接続した状態で第６の
直列電池群を充電することもでき、この場合は、直列接
続された電池セル全体の定格電圧が単電池ないし第６の
直列電池群の定格電圧より大きくなるようにする。Further, when the assembled battery is discharged, the sixth series battery group can be charged with a suitable number of battery cells (7A, 7B) connected in series. In this case, the series-connected batteries are charged. The rated voltage of the entire cell is set to be higher than the rated voltage of the unit cell or the sixth series battery group.

【００２０】上記充電装置あるいは放電装置には、充電
時切換接続手段（５）ないし放電時切換接続手段（５）
の切り換え作動の際に前記各単電池（１Ａ〜１Ｄ）の正
極側と負極側を直接接続しないようにする短絡防止手段
（８）をさらに設けることができる。これにより、単電
池の短絡によって充電時切換接続手段ないし放電時切換
接続手段が損傷することを防止することができる。In the charging device or the discharging device described above, the switching connection means (5) during charging or the switching connection means (5) during discharging.
It is possible to further provide a short-circuit preventing means (8) for preventing the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of each of the unit cells (1A to 1D) from being directly connected during the switching operation of. As a result, it is possible to prevent the charge-time switching connecting means or the discharge-time switching connecting means from being damaged by a short circuit of the unit cell.

【００２１】本発明にはまた、充電時切換接続手段
（５）ないし放電時切換接続手段（５）の切り換え作動
時に、所定数以下の単電池（１Ａ〜１Ｄ）のみが補助充
放電器（２）に接続されるように制限する接続制限手段
（８）を設けることができる。これにより、補助充放電
器に過電圧が印加されるのを防止することができる。According to the present invention, when the charge switching connection means (5) or the discharge switching connection means (5) is switched, only a predetermined number or less of the unit cells (1A to 1D) are connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger (2). ), Connection restriction means (8) for restricting the connection can be provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent overvoltage from being applied to the auxiliary charger / discharger.

【００２２】さらに本発明において、充電作動時に過充
電間近の単電池とこの時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電
池との電圧差が十分有る場合には、充電時切換接続手段
は、過充電間近の単電池を補助充放電器に並列に接続し
た後、充電レベルの最も低い単電池を補助充放電器に並
列に接続するようなものであれば良い。また、本発明に
おいて、放電作動時に過放電間近の単電池とこの時点で
充電レベルの最も高い単電池との電圧差が十分有る場合
には、充電時切換接続手段は、上記充電レベルの最も高
い単電池を補助充放電器に並列に接続した後、上記過放
電間近の単電池を上記補助充放電器に並列に接続するよ
うなものであれば良い。Further, in the present invention, when there is a sufficient voltage difference between the unit cell which is about to be overcharged at the time of charging operation and the unit cell which has the lowest charge level at this point, the charging switching connection means is It suffices to connect the unit cells to the auxiliary charger / discharger in parallel and then connect the unit cells having the lowest charge level to the auxiliary charger / discharger in parallel. Further, in the present invention, when there is a sufficient voltage difference between the cell that is about to be over-discharged at the time of discharge operation and the cell that has the highest charge level at this time, the charging switching connection means has the highest charge level. It suffices if the unit cells are connected in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger, and then the unit cells that are about to be over-discharged are connected in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger.

【００２３】また、上記充電装置ないし放電装置が行な
う単電池の充電状態ないし放電状態の均一化の動作は、
過充電間近ないし過放電間近の単電池が生じて初めて行
なう必要はなく、充電中ないし放電中の全過程で均一化
動作を行なうようなものであっても良い。この場合の充
電装置ないし放電装置の構成は以下のようなものであ
る。Further, the operation of equalizing the charged state or the discharged state of the unit cells performed by the charging device or the discharging device is as follows.
It is not necessary to perform the operation only after a single cell near overcharge or overdischarge is generated, and the homogenizing operation may be performed during the whole process during charging or discharging. The structure of the charging device or discharging device in this case is as follows.

【００２４】すなわち、組電池の充電装置は、直列に接
続されて組電池を構成する複数の単電池と、補助充放電
器と、各単電池の充電レベルを検出する充電レベル検出
手段と、組電池の充電中に、最も充電レベルの高い単電
池、ないし当該最も充電レベルの高い単電池を含みこれ
に隣接する１個以上の適当数の単電池を第１の直列電池
群として選択して、上記最も充電レベルの高い単電池な
いし上記第１の直列電池群を上記補助充放電器に並列に
接続した後、この時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電池を
選択し、ないし当該充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み
上記第１の直列電池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池
を第２の直列電池群として選択して、上記充電レベルの
最も低い単電池ないし上記第２の直列電池群を上記補助
充放電器に並列に接続する切換動作を繰り返す充電時切
換接続手段とを具備している。That is, the battery charger for the assembled battery comprises a plurality of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, an auxiliary charger / discharger, and a charge level detecting means for detecting the charge level of each battery. During charging of the battery, a cell having the highest charging level, or an appropriate number of one or more cells including the cell having the highest charging level and adjacent thereto is selected as the first series battery group, After connecting the unit cell having the highest charge level or the first series battery group in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger, the unit cell having the lowest charge level is selected at this point, or the unit having the lowest charge level is selected. The number of adjacent cells including the cells, which is smaller than that of the first series battery group, is selected as the second series battery group, and the unit cell having the lowest charge level or the second series battery group is selected as the above. In parallel with the auxiliary charger / discharger It has and a charging time of switching and connecting means to repeat the switching operation to continue.

【００２５】また、組電池の放電装置は、直列に接続さ
れて組電池を構成する複数の単電池と、補助充放電器
と、各単電池の充電レベルを検出する充電レベル検出手
段と、組電池の放電中に、最も充電レベルの高い単電
池、ないし当該最も充電レベルの高い単電池を含みこれ
に隣接する１個以上の適当数の単電池を第３の直列電池
群として選択して、上記最も充電レベルの高い単電池な
いし上記第３の直列電池群を上記補助充放電器に並列に
接続した後、この時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電池を
選択し、ないし当該充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み
上記第３の直列電池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池
を第４の直列電池群として選択して、上記充電レベルの
最も低い単電池ないし上記第４の直列電池群を上記補助
充放電器に並列に接続する切換動作を繰り返す放電時切
換接続手段とを具備している。Further, the assembled battery discharging device includes a plurality of unit cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, an auxiliary charger / discharger, a charge level detecting means for detecting a charge level of each unit battery, and a set. During discharging of the battery, a cell having the highest charge level, or an appropriate number of one or more cells including the cell having the highest charge level and adjacent thereto is selected as the third series battery group, After connecting the unit cell having the highest charge level or the third series battery group in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger, at this time, the unit cell having the lowest charge level is selected or the unit having the lowest charge level is selected. The number of adjacent cells including the cells, which is smaller than that of the third series battery group, is selected as the fourth series battery group, and the unit cell having the lowest charge level or the fourth series battery group is selected as the above. Connected in parallel with auxiliary charger / discharger It is provided with a discharge time of switching and connecting means to repeat that switching operation.

【００２６】なお、上記カッコ内の符号は、後述する実
施形態に記載の具体的手段との対応関係を示すものであ
る。The reference numerals in the parentheses indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

【００２７】[0027]

【発明の実施の形態】（第１実施形態）図１には充放電
装置の概略全体構成を示す。充放電装置はリチウムイオ
ン電池等の単電池１Ａ，１Ｂ，１Ｃ，…，１Ｎを多数直
列接続した組電池ＣＢを有し、組電池ＣＢから延びる充
放電線Ｌにはメインスイッチ４１と電流センサ４２が設
けられている。組電池ＣＢを充電する場合には充電電源
８１から充放電線Ｌに電流が供給され、一方、組電池Ｃ
Ｂが放電する場合には、充放電線Ｌから負荷８２へ電流
が供給される。充電電源８１の作動はＣＰＵを内蔵した
制御回路４の信号により制御される。メインスイッチ４
１は制御回路４からの信号によって開閉作動させられ、
また、制御回路４は電流センサ４２の検出信号を取り込
んで、組電池ＣＢが放電中であるか否かを判定する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall structure of a charging / discharging device. The charging / discharging device has an assembled battery CB in which a large number of unit cells 1A, 1B, 1C, ..., 1N such as lithium-ion batteries are connected in series, and a main switch 41 and a current sensor 42 are connected to a charging / discharging line L extending from the assembled battery CB. Is provided. When charging the assembled battery CB, current is supplied from the charging power source 81 to the charge / discharge line L, while the assembled battery C is charged.
When B is discharged, current is supplied from the charge / discharge line L to the load 82. The operation of the charging power source 81 is controlled by a signal from the control circuit 4 having a built-in CPU. Main switch 4
1 is opened and closed by a signal from the control circuit 4,
Further, the control circuit 4 takes in the detection signal of the current sensor 42 and determines whether or not the battery pack CB is being discharged.

【００２８】各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎには電圧計３Ａ，３
Ｂ，３Ｃ，…，３Ｎが並列に接続され、各電圧計３Ａ〜
３Ｎからの電圧信号は制御回路４に入力している。リチ
ウムイオン電池等では充電レベルと電池電圧とがほぼ比
例関係にあるから、上記電圧信号によって制御回路４は
各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎの充電状態あるいは放電状態を簡易
かつ正確に知ることができる。もちろん、電圧計以外に
よって充放電状態を知ることも可能である。補助充放電
器としてのコンデンサ２が設けられ、コンデンサ２と単
電池１Ａ〜１Ｎとの間には充電作動時と放電作動時の切
換接続手段たるスイッチング回路５が介設されている。
スイッチング回路５は制御回路４からの信号によって後
述のように切換作動させられて、単電池単体あるいは互
いに隣接する適当数の単電池よりなる直列電池群を選択
してコンデンサ２に切換え接続する。なお、コンデンサ
の容量は数千〜一万μＦ程度である。Voltmeters 3A, 3 are provided for each of the cells 1A-1N.
, 3N are connected in parallel, and each voltmeter 3A-
The voltage signal from 3N is input to the control circuit 4. In a lithium-ion battery or the like, the charge level and the battery voltage are in a substantially proportional relationship, so the control circuit 4 can easily and accurately know the charge state or discharge state of each of the cells 1A to 1N by the voltage signal. Of course, it is possible to know the charge / discharge state by means other than the voltmeter. A capacitor 2 as an auxiliary charging / discharging device is provided, and a switching circuit 5 serving as a switching connection means during charging operation and discharging operation is provided between the capacitor 2 and the unit cells 1A to 1N.
The switching circuit 5 is switched in response to a signal from the control circuit 4 as will be described later, and selects a single battery cell or a series battery group including an appropriate number of adjacent battery cells to switch and connect to the capacitor 2. The capacity of the capacitor is about several thousand to 10,000 μF.

【００２９】図２は、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの部分につい
て、スイッチング回路５をさらに詳細に示したものであ
る。スイッチング回路５は、各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの正極
とコンデンサ２の正極を結ぶ各一対のＦＥＴスイッチ５
１Ａ，５２Ａおよび５３Ａ，５４Ａおよび５５Ａ，５６
Ａと、各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの負極とコンデンサ２の負極
を結ぶ各一対のＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ｂ，５２Ｂおよび５
３Ｂ，５４Ｂおよび５５Ｂ，５６Ｂとで構成されてい
る。上記各一対のＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ〜５６Ｂは互い
に直列に接続されており、これらＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ
〜５６Ｂの内部にはその端子間を結ぶようにダイオード
素子５７，５８が形成されて、ダイオード素子５７，５
８は互いにアノード側で接続されている。なお、ＦＥＴ
スイッチ５１Ａ〜５６Ｂは制御回路４からの信号で導通
作動させられる。なお、電流センサ４２の信号は実際に
は図示するようにアンプ４３で増幅された後に制御回路
４へ入力している。FIG. 2 shows the switching circuit 5 in more detail for the cells 1A to 1C. The switching circuit 5 includes a pair of FET switches 5 that connect the positive electrodes of the cells 1A to 1C and the positive electrode of the capacitor 2.
1A, 52A and 53A, 54A and 55A, 56
A and a pair of FET switches 51B, 52B and 5 connecting the negative electrodes of the cells 1A to 1C and the negative electrode of the capacitor 2.
3B, 54B and 55B, 56B. The pair of FET switches 51A to 56B are connected in series with each other.
The diode elements 57 and 58 are formed in the interiors of the terminals 56 to 56B so as to connect the terminals to each other.
8 are connected to each other on the anode side. In addition, FET
The switches 51A to 56B are activated by a signal from the control circuit 4. The signal of the current sensor 42 is actually input to the control circuit 4 after being amplified by the amplifier 43 as shown in the figure.

【００３０】このような構成の充放電装置の作動を、制
御回路４内のＣＰＵの処理手順を示す図３、図４のフロ
ーチャートを参照して以下に説明する。図３は充電作動
時のもので、ステップ１０１で、メインスイッチ４１を
閉じるとともに、充電電源８１に充電開始を指令して組
電池ＣＢを充電する。充電が進行すると、単電池１Ａ〜
１Ｎのうち容量の最も小さいものが過充電間近になる。
過充電間近か否かは電圧計３Ａ〜３Ｎからの電圧信号で
検出する。ステップ１０２で単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎのいずれ
かが過充電間近になったことを確認すると、ステップ１
０３では過充電間近になった単電池とこれに隣接する１
個以上の適当数（例えば１個）の単電池を第１の直列電
池群として選択して、この第１の直列電池群をスイッチ
ング回路５によってコンデンサ２に並列に接続する（ス
テップ１０４）。一定時間経過後に（ステップ１０
５）、ステップ１０６で単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎのうち充電レ
ベルが最も低い単電池、ないし当該充電レベルが最も低
い単電池を含み上記第１の直列電池群よりも少ない数の
隣接する単電池を第２の直列電池群として選択して、充
電レベルが最も低い単電池ないし第２の直列電池群をス
イッチング回路５によってコンデンサ２に一定時間並列
に接続する（ステップ１０７，１０８）。ステップ１０
９では全ての単電池が満充電か否かを確認する。The operation of the charging / discharging device having such a configuration will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 showing the processing procedure of the CPU in the control circuit 4. FIG. 3 shows the charging operation. In step 101, the main switch 41 is closed and the charging power source 81 is instructed to start charging to charge the assembled battery CB. As charging progresses, the unit cell 1A ~
Of 1N, the one with the smallest capacity is about to be overcharged.
Whether or not overcharge is approaching is detected by the voltage signal from the voltmeters 3A to 3N. When it is confirmed in step 102 that any of the unit cells 1A to 1N is about to be overcharged, step 1
In 03, the unit cell that was almost overcharged and the adjacent 1
An appropriate number (for example, one) or more of unit cells is selected as the first series battery group, and this first series battery group is connected in parallel to the capacitor 2 by the switching circuit 5 (step 104). After a certain period of time (step 10
5) In step 106, the unit cells having the lowest charge level among the unit cells 1A to 1N, or the unit cells having the lowest charge level and including a smaller number of adjacent unit cells than the first series battery group are connected. The second series battery group is selected as the second series battery group, and the single battery or the second series battery group having the lowest charge level is connected in parallel to the capacitor 2 by the switching circuit 5 for a certain time (steps 107 and 108). Step 10
At 9, it is confirmed whether all the single cells are fully charged.

【００３１】例えば図２において、単電池１Ａが過充電
間近になっており、この時単電池１Ｃの充電レベルが最
も低く、単電池１Ｂの充電レベルは両者の中間であると
する。制御回路４は単電池１Ａとこれに隣接する単電池
１Ｂを第１の直列電池群として選択して、ＦＥＴスイッ
チ５１Ａ，５４Ｂを導通作動させる。これにより、第１
の直列電池群１Ａ，１ＢからＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａのダ
イオード素子５８、コンデンサ２、ＦＥＴスイッチ５３
Ｂのダイオード素子５７へと電流が流れ、単電池１Ａの
電圧が下降するとともに、コンデンサ２が充電される。
一定時間ｔ1 経過後に、制御回路４は今度は充電レベル
の最も低い単電池１Ｃを選択し、ＦＥＴスイッチ５１
Ａ，５４Ｂに代えてＦＥＴスイッチ５６Ａ，５５Ｂを導
通作動させる。これにより、コンデンサ２からＦＥＴス
イッチ５５Ａのダイオード素子５７、単電池１Ｃ、ＦＥ
Ｔスイッチ５６Ｂのダイオード素子５８へと電流が流れ
て、単電池１Ｃが充電される。この時のコンデンサ２の
電圧は単電池１Ｃの電圧のほぼ２倍あるから、効率的か
つ確実な充電が速やかになされる。一定時間ｔ2 経過し
た後、ＦＥＴスイッチ５６Ａ，５５Ｂを非導通とする。
なお、上記一定時間ｔ1,ｔ2 は、第１の直列電池群１
Ａ，１Ｂとコンデンサ２、ないし単電池１Ｃとコンデン
サ２との間が平衡状態となって電流が流れなくなるのに
十分な時間とする。したがって、実際に電流が流れなく
なったことを検出して次の動作に移るようにしても良
い。For example, in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the unit cell 1A is about to be overcharged, the unit cell 1C has the lowest charge level, and the unit cell 1B has a charge level intermediate between the two. The control circuit 4 selects the unit cell 1A and the unit cell 1B adjacent thereto as the first series battery group, and activates the FET switches 51A and 54B. This makes the first
From the series battery group 1A, 1B of FIG. 1, the diode element 58 of the FET switch 52A, the capacitor 2, the FET switch 53
A current flows to the diode element 57 of B, the voltage of the unit cell 1A drops, and the capacitor 2 is charged.
After the elapse of a certain time t1, the control circuit 4 selects the cell 1C having the lowest charge level, and the FET switch 51
FET switches 56A and 55B are turned on instead of A and 54B. As a result, from the capacitor 2 to the diode element 57 of the FET switch 55A, the unit cell 1C, the FE
A current flows to the diode element 58 of the T switch 56B, and the single battery 1C is charged. Since the voltage of the capacitor 2 at this time is almost twice the voltage of the unit cell 1C, efficient and reliable charging can be quickly performed. After a certain time t2 has passed, the FET switches 56A and 55B are turned off.
The constant times t1 and t2 are the first series battery group 1
Sufficient time is required for A and 1B and the capacitor 2 or between the unit cell 1C and the capacitor 2 to reach an equilibrium state and no current flows. Therefore, it may be possible to detect that the current actually stops flowing and move to the next operation.

【００３２】以上の動作、すなわち図３のステップ１０
２〜ステップ１０９の動作は例えば５Ｈｚで繰り返さ
れ、他の単電池が過充電間近になると、当該他の単電池
とこれに隣接する単電池が新たな第１の直列電池群とし
て選択され、この新たな第１の直列電池群とこの時最も
充電レベルの低い単電池、ないしこれを含む第２の直列
電池群との間でコンデンサ２を介して同様の動作が繰り
返される。ステップ１０９で、全ての単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎ
が満充電になったことが確認されると、ステップ１１０
で充電電源８１の作動を停止させ、メインスイッチ４１
を開く。The above operation, that is, step 10 in FIG.
The operations of 2 to step 109 are repeated, for example, at 5 Hz, and when another unit cell is about to be overcharged, the other unit cell and the unit cell adjacent thereto are selected as a new first series battery group. The same operation is repeated via the capacitor 2 between the new first series battery group and the unit cell having the lowest charge level at this time, or the second series battery group including the single battery group. In step 109, all cells 1A to 1N
When it is confirmed that the battery is fully charged, step 110
To stop the operation of the charging power source 81, and the main switch 41
open.

【００３３】このような充電作動を図５で説明する。図
は単電池を１Ａ〜１Ｈの８個設けた例であり、単電池１
Ａ，１Ｄ，１Ｆ，１Ｈは平均充電レベルＡｖより下回
り、単電池１Ｂ，１Ｃ，１Ｅ，１Ｇは平均充電レベルＡ
ｖより上回っている状態を示している。いま、単電池１
Ｅが過充電間近になっているとする。制御回路４は単電
池１Ｅとこれに隣接する単電池１Ｆを第１の直列電池群
として選択してコンデンサ２を介して最も充電レベルの
低い単電池１Ｄを充電する。単電池１Ｄはこれのほぼ２
倍の電圧Ｖｃで効率的にコンデンサ２を介して充電され
る。図中、Ｗは各単電池１Ｅ，１Ｆからの充電容量分に
ほぼ比例する電圧を示す。単電池１Ｅの過充電間近の状
態が解消され、次に単電池１Ｂが過充電間近になると、
制御回路４は今度は単電池１Ｂとこれに隣接する単電池
１Ｃを新たな第１の直列電池群として選択してこれをコ
ンデンサ２に接続し、単電池１Ｂの過充電間近の状態を
解消する。この時点で単電池１Ｆの充電レベルが最も低
くなっていると、制御回路４は今度はコンデンサ２を単
電池１Ｆに接続してこれを充電する。単電池１Ｆはこれ
のほぼ２倍の電圧Ｖｃで効率的に充電される。このよう
な動作が繰り返されて、全ての単電池１Ａ〜１Ｈが過充
電を生じることなくその充電レベルが均一化され、この
状態で各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｈは容量一杯まで充電されて満
充電の状態になる。Such charging operation will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an example in which eight unit cells 1A to 1H are provided.
A, 1D, 1F, 1H are lower than the average charge level Av, and the unit cells 1B, 1C, 1E, 1G are the average charge level A.
The state is above v. Now, single cell 1
It is assumed that E is almost overcharged. The control circuit 4 selects the unit cell 1E and the unit cell 1F adjacent thereto as the first series battery group, and charges the unit cell 1D having the lowest charging level via the capacitor 2. The unit cell 1D is almost 2 of this
The double voltage Vc is efficiently charged through the capacitor 2. In the figure, W indicates a voltage that is approximately proportional to the charge capacity from each of the cells 1E and 1F. When the state of the overcharge of the unit cell 1E is resolved, and then the unit cell 1B is about to be overcharged,
The control circuit 4 then selects the unit cell 1B and the unit cell 1C adjacent thereto as a new first series battery group, connects this to the capacitor 2, and eliminates the state of the overcharge of the unit cell 1B. . If the charging level of the unit cell 1F is the lowest at this point, the control circuit 4 connects the capacitor 2 to the unit cell 1F this time and charges it. The unit cell 1F is efficiently charged with a voltage Vc that is almost twice this voltage. By repeating such an operation, the charging level of all the unit cells 1A to 1H is made uniform without overcharging, and in this state, each unit cell 1A to 1H is fully charged by being fully charged. It becomes a state.

【００３４】一方、充放電装置による放電作動時には、
図４のステップ２０１でメインスイッチ４１を閉じ、組
電池ＣＢから負荷８２へ電流を供給する。放電が進行す
ると、最も容量の小さい単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎが下限電圧に
達して過放電間近になる。そこで、ステップ２０２，２
０３では、負荷８２への放電が休止していることを電流
センサ４２の検出信号で確認した後、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎ
が過放電間近か否かを確認する。過放電間近か否かは電
圧計３Ａ〜３Ｎからの電圧信号で検出する。ステップ２
０３で単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎのいずれかが過放電間近になっ
たことを確認すると、ステップ２０４でこの時充電レベ
ルの最も高い単電池とこれに隣接する１個以上の適当数
（例えば１個）の単電池を第３の直列電池群として選択
して、この第３の直列電池群をスイッチング回路５によ
ってコンデンサ２に並列に接続する（ステップ２０
５）。そして、一定時間経過後に（ステップ２０６）、
ステップ２０７で単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎのうち過放電間近の
単電池、ないし当該過放電間近の単電池を含み上記第３
の直列電池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池を第４の
直列電池群として選択して、過放電間近の単電池ないし
第４の直列電池群をスイッチング回路５によってコンデ
ンサ２に一定時間並列に接続する（ステップ２０８，２
０９）。ステップ２１０では全ての単電池が放電完了か
否かを確認する。On the other hand, during discharge operation by the charging / discharging device,
In step 201 of FIG. 4, the main switch 41 is closed and current is supplied from the assembled battery CB to the load 82. As the discharge progresses, the unit cells 1A to 1N with the smallest capacity reach the lower limit voltage and are approaching overdischarge. Therefore, steps 202 and 2
In 03, after confirming that the discharge to the load 82 is stopped by the detection signal of the current sensor 42, the unit cells 1A to 1N
Check if is about to over discharge. Whether or not the over-discharge is approaching is detected by the voltage signal from the voltmeters 3A to 3N. Step two
When it is confirmed in 03 that any one of the unit cells 1A to 1N is about to be over-discharged, in Step 204, the unit cell having the highest charge level at this time and one or more appropriate number (for example, one unit) adjacent to the unit cell. Cell is selected as the third series battery group, and this third series battery group is connected in parallel to the capacitor 2 by the switching circuit 5 (step 20).
5). Then, after a certain time has passed (step 206),
In step 207, among the unit cells 1A to 1N, the unit cell that is about to be over-discharged or the unit cell that is about to be over-discharged is included in the third unit
The number of adjacent cells which is smaller than that of the series battery group is selected as the fourth series battery group, and the single cell or the fourth series battery group which is about to be over-discharged is paralleled to the capacitor 2 by the switching circuit 5 for a certain time. Connect (steps 208, 2)
09). At step 210, it is confirmed whether or not all the unit cells are completely discharged.

【００３５】例えば図２において、単電池１Ａが過放電
間近になっており、この時単電池１Ｂの充電レベルが最
も高く、単電池１Ｃの充電レベルは両者の中間であると
する。制御回路４は単電池１Ｂとこれに隣接する単電池
１Ｃを第３の直列電池群として選択して、ＦＥＴスイッ
チ５３Ａ，５６Ｂを導通作動させる。これにより、第３
の直列電池群１Ｂ，１ＣからＦＥＴスイッチ５４Ａのダ
イオード素子５８、コンデンサ２、ＦＥＴスイッチ５５
Ｂのダイオード素子５７へと電流が流れ、コンデンサ２
が充電される。一定時間ｔ3 経過後に、制御回路４は今
度は過放電間近の１Ａを選択し、ＦＥＴスイッチ５３
Ａ，５６Ｂに代えてＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａ，５１Ｂを導
通作動させる。これにより、コンデンサ２からＦＥＴス
イッチ５１Ａのダイオード素子５７、単電池１Ａ、ＦＥ
Ｔスイッチ５２Ｂのダイオード素子５８へと電流が流れ
て単電池１Ａが充電され、その電圧が上昇する。この時
のコンデンサ２の電圧は単電池１Ａの電圧のほぼ２倍あ
るから、効率的かつ確実な充電が速やかになされる。一
定時間ｔ4 経過した後、ＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａ，５１Ｂ
を非導通とする。なお、上記一定時間ｔ3,ｔ4 は、第３
の直列電池群１Ｂ，１Ｃとコンデンサ２、ないし単電池
１Ａとコンデンサ２との間が平衡状態となって電流が流
れなくなるのに十分な時間とする。したがって、実際に
電流が流れなくなったことを検出して次の動作に移るよ
うにしても良い。For example, in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the unit cell 1A is about to be over-discharged, the charging level of the unit cell 1B is highest at this time, and the charging level of the unit cell 1C is between the two. The control circuit 4 selects the unit cell 1B and the unit cell 1C adjacent to the unit cell 1B as the third series battery group, and activates the FET switches 53A and 56B. This makes the third
From the series battery group 1B, 1C of the FET switch 54A to the diode element 58, the capacitor 2, the FET switch 55
The current flows to the diode element 57 of B, and the capacitor 2
Is charged. After the elapse of a certain time t3, the control circuit 4 selects 1A which is near over discharge this time, and the FET switch 53
FET switches 52A and 51B are turned on instead of A and 56B. As a result, from the capacitor 2 to the diode element 57 of the FET switch 51A, the unit cell 1A, the FE
A current flows to the diode element 58 of the T switch 52B to charge the single cell 1A, and its voltage rises. Since the voltage of the capacitor 2 at this time is almost twice the voltage of the unit cell 1A, efficient and reliable charging can be quickly performed. After a lapse of a certain time t4, the FET switches 52A and 51B
Is turned off. The constant time t3, t4 is the third
It is set to a time sufficient for the series battery groups 1B and 1C and the capacitor 2 or the unit cells 1A and the capacitor 2 to reach an equilibrium state and no current flows. Therefore, it may be possible to detect that the current actually stops flowing and move to the next operation.

【００３６】以上の動作、すなわち図４のステップ２０
２〜ステップ２１０の動作は例えば５Ｈｚで繰り返さ
れ、他の単電池が過放電間近になると、当該他の単電池
ないしこれを含む第４の直列電池群と第３の直列電池群
との間でコンデンサ２を介して同様の動作が繰り返され
る。ステップ２１０で、全ての単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎが放電
完了になったことが確認されると、ステップ２１１でメ
インスイッチ４１を開き、放電作動を終了する。なお、
単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎの放電状態を確認するのは、本実施形
態におけるように、負荷８２への放電が休止している時
にのみ行う方が良い。その理由は、放電電流が流れてい
ると単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎの端子電圧が変動して、放電状態
を正確に判定できないことがあるからである。また、放
電が休止しているか否かは、電流センサ４２による以外
に、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｎの電圧変化パターンから検出する
こともできる。The above operation, that is, step 20 in FIG.
The operation of 2 to step 210 is repeated, for example, at 5 Hz, and when another unit cell is overdischarged, the unit cell is connected between the other unit cell or the fourth series battery group including the other unit cell and the third series battery group. The same operation is repeated via the capacitor 2. When it is confirmed in step 210 that the discharge of all the cells 1A to 1N is completed, the main switch 41 is opened in step 211 and the discharge operation is ended. In addition,
It is better to confirm the discharge state of the unit cells 1A to 1N only when the discharge to the load 82 is stopped as in the present embodiment. The reason is that the terminal voltage of the unit cells 1A to 1N fluctuates when the discharge current is flowing, and the discharge state may not be accurately determined. In addition to the current sensor 42, whether or not the discharge is stopped can be detected from the voltage change pattern of the unit cells 1A to 1N.

【００３７】このような放電作動の結果、全ての単電池
１Ａ〜１Ｈが過放電を生じることなくその放電レベルが
均一化され、放電完了がほぼ同時となる。したがって、
単電池１Ａ〜１Ｈの過放電が避けられるとともに、放電
作動終了時に各単電池に残電荷を生じることがないか
ら、残電荷を生じたまま再充電を行うことによる電池劣
化も避けることができる。As a result of such discharge operation, the discharge levels of all the unit cells 1A to 1H are made uniform without causing overdischarge, and the discharge is completed almost at the same time. Therefore,
Over-discharging of the unit cells 1A to 1H can be avoided, and no residual charge is generated in each unit cell at the end of the discharge operation. Therefore, deterioration of the battery due to recharging with remaining charge can be avoided.

【００３８】なお、図２に示す例で、充電時において単
電池１Ｂの充電レベルが最も低かった場合には、第１の
直列電池群として単電池１Ａ，１Ｂを選択するととも
に、この第１の直列電池群１Ａ，１Ｂをコンデンサ２に
接続して充電し、この後、コンデンサ２を単電池１Ｂに
接続してこれを充電するようにする。この場合、単電池
１Ｂの充電レベルはコンデンサ２への充電時に一時的に
は低下するが、この後のコンデンサ２からの充電によっ
て従前以上に充電レベルは回復する。また、放電時にお
いて単電池１Ｂが過放電間近である場合には、第３の直
列電池群として単電池１Ｂ，１Ｃを選択して、この第３
の直列電池群１Ｂ，１Ｃをコンデンサ２に接続して充電
し、この後、コンデンサ２を単電池１Ｂに接続してこれ
を充電するようにする。この場合も、単電池１Ｂの充電
レベルは一時的には低下するが、コンデンサ２からの充
電によって従前以上に充電レベルは回復する。In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the charging level of the unit cell 1B is the lowest at the time of charging, the unit cells 1A and 1B are selected as the first series battery group, and the first series battery is selected. The series battery groups 1A and 1B are connected to the capacitor 2 to be charged, and then the capacitor 2 is connected to the unit battery 1B to be charged. In this case, the charge level of the unit cell 1B temporarily drops when the capacitor 2 is charged, but the charge level is recovered more than before by the subsequent charge from the capacitor 2. When the single cell 1B is about to be over-discharged at the time of discharging, the single cells 1B and 1C are selected as the third series battery group, and the third series battery is selected.
The series battery groups 1B and 1C are connected to the capacitor 2 for charging, and then the capacitor 2 is connected to the unit cell 1B for charging. In this case as well, the charge level of the unit cell 1B temporarily decreases, but the charge level recovers more than before by the charging from the capacitor 2.

【００３９】（第２実施形態）補助充放電器として、上
記第１実施形態のコンデンサ２に代えて二次電池を使用
することができる。この二次電池としては単電池と同様
のリチウムイオン電池が使用できるが、過充電に強く、
短時間の電流入出力特性に優れる点で鉛電池やニッケル
カドミウム電池等を使用するのが良い。特に鉛電池は車
両等の補機電池として多用されているから、これを補助
充放電器として流用あるいは兼用することができる。こ
の場合の回路の一例を図６に示す。鉛電池はリチウムイ
オン電池とは電圧が異なるから、適当数（図では３個）
を直列接続して電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂとする。この
電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂの電圧は、第１実施形態で説
明した組電池充電時の第１の直列電池群１Ａ，１Ｂや組
電池放電時の第３の直列電池群１Ｂ，１Ｃの電圧（図２
で説明した例ではいずれも組電池２個を直列に接続した
電圧）よりも低く、第１実施形態で説明した組電池充電
時の第２の直列電池群や組電池放電時の第４の直列電池
群の電圧（図２で説明した例ではいずれも単体の単電池
１Ａあるいは１Ｃの電圧）よりも高い電圧とする。例え
ば定格電圧が約２Ｖの鉛電池を３個使用して電池モジュ
ール７Ａ，７Ｂとすれば、この電池モジュール７Ａ，７
Ｂの定格電圧は、３．６Ｖのリチウムイオン電池を使用
した１個の単電池よりは高く、２個の単電池よりなる直
列電池群よりは低くなる。(Second Embodiment) As an auxiliary charger / discharger, a secondary battery can be used instead of the capacitor 2 of the first embodiment. As this secondary battery, the same lithium-ion battery as a single battery can be used, but it is resistant to overcharge,
Lead batteries or nickel-cadmium batteries are preferably used because of their excellent short-term current input / output characteristics. In particular, the lead battery is often used as an auxiliary battery for vehicles and the like, and thus can be used or used as an auxiliary charger / discharger. An example of the circuit in this case is shown in FIG. The lead battery has a different voltage from the lithium-ion battery, so an appropriate number (3 in the figure)
Are connected in series to form battery modules 7A and 7B. The voltages of the battery modules 7A and 7B are the same as those of the first series battery groups 1A and 1B when charging the assembled battery described in the first embodiment and the third series battery groups 1B and 1C when discharging the assembled battery (see FIG. Two
In each of the examples described in 1., the voltage is lower than the voltage in which two assembled batteries are connected in series), and the second series battery group when charging the assembled battery and the fourth series when discharging the assembled battery described in the first embodiment. The voltage is set to be higher than the voltage of the battery group (in the example described with reference to FIG. 2, each is the voltage of the single cell 1A or 1C). For example, if three lead batteries having a rated voltage of about 2V are used as the battery modules 7A and 7B, the battery modules 7A and 7B
The rated voltage of B is higher than that of one unit cell using a 3.6V lithium-ion battery and lower than that of a series battery group including two unit cells.

【００４０】本実施形態ではスイッチング回路５は第１
実施形態の構成に加えて、電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂの
正極とＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａ，５４Ａ，５６Ａとの間
に、互いに直列に接続されたＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ，６
０Ａと６１Ａ，６２Ａが設けられ、また、電池モジュー
ル７Ａ，７Ｂの負極とＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ｂ，５４Ｂ，
５６Ｂとの間に、互いに直列に接続されたＦＥＴスイッ
チ５９Ｂ，６０Ｂと６１Ｂ，６２Ｂが設けられている。
ＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ〜６２Ｂの内部にはその端子間を
結ぶようにダイオード素子６３，６４が形成されて、ダ
イオード素子６３，６４は互いにアノード側で接続され
ている。なお、ＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ〜６２Ｂも制御回
路４からの信号で導通作動させられる。In this embodiment, the switching circuit 5 is the first
In addition to the configuration of the embodiment, FET switches 59A, 6 connected in series with each other between the positive electrodes of the battery modules 7A, 7B and the FET switches 52A, 54A, 56A.
0A, 61A and 62A are provided, and the negative electrodes of the battery modules 7A and 7B and the FET switches 52B and 54B,
FET switches 59B, 60B and 61B, 62B connected in series with each other are provided between the switch 56B and 56B.
Diode elements 63 and 64 are formed inside the FET switches 59A to 62B so as to connect their terminals, and the diode elements 63 and 64 are connected to each other on the anode side. The FET switches 59A to 62B are also activated by the signal from the control circuit 4.

【００４１】充放電装置の充電作動時において、単電池
１Ａが過充電間近になっており、この時単電池１Ｃの充
電レベルが最も低く、単電池１Ｂの充電レベルは両者の
中間であるとする。制御回路４は単電池１Ａとこれに隣
接する単電池１Ｂを第１の直列電池群として選択して、
ＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ，６０Ａ，５４Ｂ，５９Ｂを導通
作動させる。これにより、第１の直列電池群１Ａ，１Ｂ
からＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａのダイオード素子５８、ＦＥ
Ｔスイッチ５９Ａのダイオード素子６３、電池モジュー
ル７Ａ、ＦＥＴスイッチ６０Ｂのダイオード素子６４，
ＦＥＴスイッチ５３Ｂのダイオード素子５７へと電流が
流れ、単電池１Ａの電圧が下降するとともに、電池モジ
ュール７Ａが充電される。この時の第１の直列電池群１
Ａ，１Ｂの電圧は電池モジュール７Ａの電圧よりも高い
から、効率的かつ確実な充電がなされる。一定時間ｔ5
経過後に、制御回路４は今度は充電レベルの最も低い単
電池１Ｃを選択し、ＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ，６０Ａ，５
４Ｂ，５９Ｂに代えてＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ，５６Ａ，
５５Ｂ，６０Ｂを導通作動させる。これにより、電池モ
ジュール７ＡからＦＥＴスイッチ６０Ａのダイオード素
子６４、ＦＥＴスイッチ５５Ａのダイオード素子５７、
単電池１Ｃ、ＦＥＴスイッチ５６Ｂのダイオード素子５
８、ＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ｂのダイオード素子６３へと電
流が流れて、単電池１Ｃが充電される。この時の電池モ
ジュール７Ａの電圧は単電池１Ｃの電圧よりも高いか
ら、効率的かつ確実な充電がなされる。一定時間ｔ6 経
過した後、ＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ，５６Ａ，５５Ｂ，６
０Ｂを非導通とする。During the charging operation of the charging / discharging device, the unit cell 1A is about to be overcharged. At this time, the unit cell 1C has the lowest charge level, and the unit cell 1B has the charge level intermediate between the two. . The control circuit 4 selects the unit cell 1A and the unit cell 1B adjacent thereto as the first series battery group,
The FET switches 51A, 60A, 54B and 59B are turned on. Thereby, the first series battery group 1A, 1B
To FET element 52 of FET switch 52A, FE
The diode element 63 of the T switch 59A, the battery module 7A, the diode element 64 of the FET switch 60B,
A current flows to the diode element 57 of the FET switch 53B, the voltage of the unit cell 1A drops, and the battery module 7A is charged. First series battery group 1 at this time
Since the voltages of A and 1B are higher than the voltage of the battery module 7A, efficient and reliable charging is performed. Fixed time t5
After a lapse of time, the control circuit 4 now selects the unit cell 1C having the lowest charge level, and the FET switches 51A, 60A, 5
FET switches 59A, 56A, instead of 4B, 59B
55B and 60B are activated. Accordingly, from the battery module 7A to the diode element 64 of the FET switch 60A, the diode element 57 of the FET switch 55A,
Single cell 1C, FET switch 56B diode element 5
8. A current flows to the diode element 63 of the FET switch 59B, and the unit cell 1C is charged. Since the voltage of the battery module 7A at this time is higher than the voltage of the unit cell 1C, efficient and reliable charging is performed. After a lapse of a certain time t6, the FET switches 59A, 56A, 55B, 6
0B is made non-conductive.

【００４２】以上の動作は一定周期で繰り返され、他の
単電池が過充電間近になると、当該他の単電池とこれに
隣接する単電池が新たな第１の直列電池群として選択さ
れ、この新たな第１の直列電池群とこの時最も充電レベ
ルの低い単電池との間で電池モジュール７Ａを介して同
様の動作が繰り返される。このような充電作動の結果、
充電時の各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの充電レベルが均一化さ
れ、全ての単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃで充電完了がほぼ同時とな
る。したがって、充電時に各単電池が過充電になること
はないから、電池劣化を避けることができる。The above operation is repeated at a constant cycle, and when another unit cell is overcharged, the other unit cell and the unit cell adjacent thereto are selected as a new first series battery group. The same operation is repeated between the new first series battery group and the unit cell having the lowest charge level at this time via the battery module 7A. As a result of such charging operation,
The charging level of each of the unit cells 1A to 1C at the time of charging is made uniform, and the charging is completed at substantially the same time in all the unit cells 1A to 1C. Therefore, since each unit cell is not overcharged during charging, deterioration of the battery can be avoided.

【００４３】充放電装置の放電作動時において、単電池
１Ａが過放電間近になっており、この時単電池１Ｂの充
電レベルが最も高く、単電池１Ｃの充電レベルは両者の
中間であるとする。制御回路４は単電池１Ｂとこれに隣
接する単電池１Ｃを第３の直列電池群として選択して、
ＦＥＴスイッチ５３Ａ，６０Ａ，５９Ｂ，５６Ｂを導通
作動させる。これにより、第３の直列電池群１Ｂ，１Ｃ
からＦＥＴスイッチ５４Ａのダイオード素子５８、ＦＥ
Ｔスイッチ５９Ａのダイオード素子６３、電池モジュー
ル７Ａ、ＦＥＴスイッチ６０Ｂのダイオード素子６４、
ＦＥＴスイッチ５５Ｂのダイオード素子５７へと電流が
流れ、電池モジュール７Ａが充電される。一定時間ｔ7
経過後に、制御回路４は今度は過放電間近の１Ａを選択
し、ＦＥＴスイッチ５３Ａ，６０Ａ，５９Ｂ，５６Ｂに
代えてＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ，５２Ａ，５１Ｂ，６０Ｂ
を導通作動させる。これにより、電池モジュール７Ａか
らＦＥＴスイッチ６０Ａのダイオード素子６４、ＦＥＴ
スイッチ５１Ａのダイオード素子５７、単電池１Ａ、Ｆ
ＥＴスイッチ５２Ｂのダイオード素子５８、ＦＥＴスイ
ッチ５９Ｂのダイオード素子６３へと電流が流れて、単
電池１Ａが充電される。この時の電池モジュール７Ａの
電圧は電池モジュール７Ａの電圧よりも高いから、効率
的かつ確実な充電がなされる。一定時間ｔ8 経過した
後、ＦＥＴスイッチ５２Ａ，５１Ｂを非導通とする。During the discharge operation of the charging / discharging device, the unit cell 1A is about to be over-discharged. At this time, the unit cell 1B has the highest charge level, and the unit cell 1C has the charge level intermediate between the two. . The control circuit 4 selects the unit cell 1B and the unit cell 1C adjacent thereto as the third series battery group,
The FET switches 53A, 60A, 59B and 56B are turned on. Thereby, the third series battery group 1B, 1C
To FET element 54 of FET switch 54A, FE
The diode element 63 of the T switch 59A, the battery module 7A, the diode element 64 of the FET switch 60B,
A current flows to the diode element 57 of the FET switch 55B, and the battery module 7A is charged. Fixed time t7
After a lapse of time, the control circuit 4 now selects 1A which is about to be over-discharged, and replaces the FET switches 53A, 60A, 59B and 56B with FET switches 59A, 52A, 51B and 60B.
To activate. Thereby, the diode element 64 of the FET switch 60A and the FET from the battery module 7A
Diode element 57 of switch 51A, unit cells 1A, F
A current flows through the diode element 58 of the ET switch 52B and the diode element 63 of the FET switch 59B, and the unit cell 1A is charged. Since the voltage of the battery module 7A at this time is higher than the voltage of the battery module 7A, efficient and reliable charging is performed. After a predetermined time t8 has passed, the FET switches 52A and 51B are turned off.

【００４４】以上の動作は一定周期で繰り返され、他の
単電池が過放電間近になると、当該他の単電池と第３の
直列電池群との間で電池モジュール７Ａを介して同様の
動作が繰り返される。このような放電作動の結果、放電
時の各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの放電レベルが均一化され、全
ての単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃで放電完了がほぼ同時となる。し
たがって、各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの過放電が回避されると
ともに、放電作動終了時に各単電池に残電荷を生じるこ
とはないから、残電荷を生じたまま再充電を行うことに
よる電池劣化も避けることができる。The above operation is repeated at a constant cycle, and when another unit cell is overdischarged, the same operation is performed between the other unit cell and the third series battery group via the battery module 7A. Repeated. As a result of such discharge operation, the discharge levels of the individual cells 1A to 1C at the time of discharging are made uniform, and the discharge is completed at substantially the same time in all the single cells 1A to 1C. Therefore, over-discharging of each of the unit cells 1A to 1C is avoided, and no residual charge is generated in each unit cell at the end of the discharge operation. Therefore, battery deterioration due to recharging with remaining charge is also avoided. be able to.

【００４５】なお、上記充電作動時あるいは放電作動時
において、ＦＥＴスイッチ５９Ａ〜６０Ｂに代えてＦＥ
Ｔスイッチ６１Ａ〜６２Ｂを選択導通させて、第１の直
列電池群群１Ａ，１Ｂと単電池１Ｃ、あるいは第３の直
列電池群１Ｂ，１Ｃと単電池１Ａをそれぞれ電池モジュ
ール７Ｂを介して充電あるいは放電させるようにしても
良く、電池モジュール７Ａと７Ｂを適宜選択して使用す
ることにより、これら電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂの充電
状態および放電状態を均一化することができる。During the charging operation or the discharging operation, FE is used instead of the FET switches 59A-60B.
By selectively conducting the T switches 61A to 62B, the first series battery group 1A, 1B and the unit cell 1C, or the third series battery group 1B, 1C and the unit cell 1A are charged via the battery module 7B, respectively. The battery modules 7A and 7B may be discharged, and by appropriately selecting and using the battery modules 7A and 7B, the charged state and the discharged state of the battery modules 7A and 7B can be made uniform.

【００４６】また、組電池の充電時あるいは放電時にお
いて、電池モジュール７Ａないし７Ｂと単電池１Ａない
し１Ｃとの電圧差が小さくなった場合には、ＦＥＴスイ
ッチ５９Ａ，６０Ａ，６１Ｂ，６２Ｂのみを作動させて
直列状態とした電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂにより単電池
１Ａないし１Ｃを充電するようにしても良い。さらには
ＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ〜５６Ｂを適宜作動させて、直列
状態とした電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂによって、単電池
１Ａや１Ｃ、あるいは直列状態とした単電池１Ａ，１Ｂ
ないし１Ｂ，１Ｃを充電するようにもできる。When the voltage difference between the battery modules 7A or 7B and the cells 1A to 1C becomes small during charging or discharging of the assembled battery, only the FET switches 59A, 60A, 61B and 62B are operated. The battery modules 7A and 7B placed in series may be used to charge the unit cells 1A to 1C. Further, by appropriately operating the FET switches 51A to 56B, the battery modules 7A and 7B placed in series are used to operate the cells 1A and 1C, or the cells 1A and 1B placed in series.
It is also possible to charge 1B or 1C.

【００４７】さらに、本実施形態のように補助充放電器
として二次電池を使用した場合には、組電池充電時の上
記時間ｔ5 ，ｔ6 、あるいは組電池放電時の上記時間ｔ
7 ，ｔ8 による周期的な切換えは必ずしも必要ではな
い。例えば単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃが全て満充電状態でさらに
回生発電等による充電電源８１（図１）からの充電が行
われる場合には、この間、電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂの
充電のみを続行し、回生発電等による充電が終了した後
の組電池の放電時に、充電状態が悪化した単電池１Ａ〜
１Ｃに対して電池モジュール７Ａ，７Ｂからの放電のみ
を続行するようにもできる。なお、周期的な切換えを行
う場合でも二次電池はコンデンサに比べてはるかに大き
な電気容量を有しているから、上記時間ｔ5 〜ｔ8 は第
１実施形態における時間ｔ1 〜ｔ4 に比べて十分に長く
することによりスイッチング回数を少なくすることがで
き、スイッチング回路における損失を十分小さくするこ
とができる。Further, when the secondary battery is used as the auxiliary charger / discharger as in the present embodiment, the times t5 and t6 when the assembled battery is charged or the time t when the assembled battery is discharged.
The periodic switching by 7 and t8 is not always necessary. For example, when all the cells 1A to 1C are fully charged and further charged from the charging power source 81 (FIG. 1) by regenerative power generation or the like, during this period, only the charging of the battery modules 7A and 7B is continued and the regenerative power generation is continued. 1A whose charge state has deteriorated when the assembled battery is discharged after charging by
It is also possible to continue discharging only the battery modules 7A and 7B for 1C. Even when the periodical switching is performed, the secondary battery has a much larger electric capacity than the capacitor, so that the time t5 to t8 is sufficiently longer than the time t1 to t4 in the first embodiment. By increasing the length, the number of times of switching can be reduced, and the loss in the switching circuit can be sufficiently reduced.

【００４８】（第３実施形態）上記各実施形態における
スイッチング回路５中のＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ，５２Ａ
の直列接続に代えて、図７に示すように、ＦＥＴスイッ
チ５１Ａ，５２Ａにそれぞれダイオード素子６５，６６
を新たに直列接続し、これらＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ、５
２Ａとダイオード素子６５，６６の各組を並列的に接続
する構成としても良い。ダイオード素子６５はＦＥＴス
イッチ５１Ａの内部ダイオード５７と互いにアノード側
が接続される。また、ダイオード素子６６はＦＥＴスイ
ッチ５２Ａの内部ダイオード５８と互いにアノード側が
接続される。このような構成によると、ダイオード素子
６５，６６としてショットキーダイオードなどのオン抵
抗の小さい素子を使用することができ、スイッチング回
路５における電流の損失をより小さくすることができ
る。この回路は他のＦＥＴスイッチ５３Ａ〜５６Ａ，５
１Ｂ〜５６Ｂ，５９Ａ〜６２Ａ，５９Ｂ〜６２Ｂにもそ
のまま適用できる。(Third Embodiment) The FET switches 51A and 52A in the switching circuit 5 in each of the above embodiments.
7 in place of the diode elements 65, 66, respectively, in the FET switches 51A, 52A.
Are newly connected in series, and these FET switches 51A, 5
2A and the diode elements 65 and 66 may be connected in parallel. The diode element 65 is connected to the internal diode 57 of the FET switch 51A on the anode side. Further, the diode element 66 is connected to the internal diode 58 of the FET switch 52A on the anode side. With such a configuration, elements having a low on-resistance such as Schottky diodes can be used as the diode elements 65 and 66, and the current loss in the switching circuit 5 can be further reduced. This circuit uses other FET switches 53A-56A, 5
1B to 56B, 59A to 62A, 59B to 62B can be directly applied.

【００４９】（第４実施形態）本発明の第４実施形態を
図８に示す。第１実施形態では各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃの充
放電状態を知るためにそれぞれ電圧計３Ａ〜３Ｃを設け
ているが（図２参照）、これに対して本実施形態では図
８に示すように、コンデンサ２に並列に単一の電圧計３
のみを設けている。電圧計３には直列にスイッチ３１の
常開接点が接続され、一方、コンデンサ２にはスイッチ
３１の常閉接点が接続されている。他の構成は第１実施
形態と同様である。(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the voltmeters 3A to 3C are provided in order to know the charging / discharging states of the individual cells 1A to 1C (see FIG. 2), whereas in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. , A single voltmeter 3 in parallel with the capacitor 2
Only provided. The voltmeter 3 is connected in series with the normally open contact of the switch 31, while the capacitor 2 is connected with the normally closed contact of the switch 31. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

【００５０】本実施形態において、例えば単電池１Ａの
電圧を測定する場合には、スイッチ３１を作動させて、
その常開接点を閉じるとともに、常閉接点を開く。そし
て、制御回路４はＦＥＴスイッチ５１Ａ，５２Ｂのみを
導通作動させる。これにより、単電池１Ａの正極側と電
圧計３の正極側、および単電池１Ａの負極側と電圧計３
の負極側が接続されて単電池１Ａの電圧が測定される。
単電池１Ｂ，１Ｃの電圧を測定する場合には、制御回路
４はＦＥＴスイッチ５３Ａ，５４ＢあるいはＦＥＴスイ
ッチ５５Ａ，５６Ｂを順次導通作動させる。なお、スイ
ッチ３１は必ずしも設けなくても良い。In the present embodiment, for example, when measuring the voltage of the unit cell 1A, the switch 31 is operated to
The normally open contact is closed and the normally closed contact is opened. Then, the control circuit 4 activates only the FET switches 51A and 52B. Thereby, the positive electrode side of the unit cell 1A and the positive side of the voltmeter 3, and the negative side of the unit cell 1A and the voltmeter 3
The negative electrode side of is connected and the voltage of the unit cell 1A is measured.
When measuring the voltages of the unit cells 1B and 1C, the control circuit 4 sequentially turns on the FET switches 53A and 54B or the FET switches 55A and 56B. The switch 31 does not necessarily have to be provided.

【００５１】本実施形態によれば、電圧計を単電池それ
ぞれに個別に設ける必要がないから回路が簡素化され、
低コスト化が図られる。また、コンデンサ切換用のスイ
ッチング回路を利用するから新たに電圧測定用のスイッ
チ回路を設ける必要がない。According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to separately provide a voltmeter for each unit cell, so that the circuit is simplified,
Cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the switching circuit for switching the capacitor is used, it is not necessary to newly provide a switch circuit for measuring the voltage.

【００５２】（第５実施形態） 第１実施形態を説明
する図２において、スイッチング回路５中の各ＦＥＴス
イッチ５１Ａ〜５６Ｂが制御回路４によって切換作動さ
せられる際に、例えばＦＥＴスイッチ５１ＡとＦＥＴス
イッチ５４Ａが同時に作動すると単電池１Ａの正極と負
極が短絡してしまう。単電池を短絡させると過大な電流
が瞬時に流れ、単電池が異常発熱して発煙、発火に至る
危険性があり、避けねばならない。そこで、本実施形態
では、スイッチング回路５のＦＥＴスイッチが作動する
際に単電池を短絡させることがないような短絡防止回路
を設けた例について説明する。(Fifth Embodiment) In FIG. 2 for explaining the first embodiment, when the FET switches 51A to 56B in the switching circuit 5 are switched by the control circuit 4, for example, the FET switch 51A and the FET switch are operated. If 54A operate | moves simultaneously, the positive electrode and negative electrode of the cell 1A will short-circuit. If you short-circuit a single cell, an excessive current will flow instantaneously, and there is a risk of abnormal heat generation in the single cell, leading to smoke and ignition, which must be avoided. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a short-circuit prevention circuit that does not short-circuit a single cell when the FET switch of the switching circuit 5 operates is provided.

【００５３】ここで、短絡防止はコンデンサの同じ極性
側に接続されるスイッチ群において、同時に二つ以上の
スイッチが閉鎖作動しないようにすることで行なう。一
つのスイッチの閉鎖作動信号が出たら、それより低電位
側にあるスイッチの閉鎖作動信号が出力されないように
ガードをかける。閉鎖作動信号の出ているスイッチのう
ち、最も高電位側にあるスイッチのみが有効になり、そ
れより低電位側の全てのスイッチの閉鎖動作が禁止され
ることで、二つ以上のスイッチが同時に閉鎖されること
がないようにする。Here, the short circuit is prevented by preventing two or more switches from being simultaneously closed in the switch group connected to the same polarity side of the capacitor. When the closing operation signal of one switch is output, a guard is applied so that the closing operation signal of the switch on the lower potential side is not output. Of the switches that output the closing operation signal, only the switch on the highest potential side is enabled, and the closing operation of all the switches on the lower potential side is prohibited, so that two or more switches are simultaneously activated. Make sure it is not closed.

【００５４】図９には理解を容易にするために各単電池
１Ａ〜１Ｄの正極側と負極側に設けられるＦＥＴスイッ
チをそれぞれ単一のスイッチＳＷ１Ｐ〜ＳＷ４Ｐ、ＳＷ
１Ｎ〜ＳＷ４Ｎで代表させてある。例えば、単電池１Ａ
の正極側スイッチＳＷ１Ｐが閉じている場合には、単電
池１Ｂ〜１Ｄの正極側スイッチＳＷ２Ｐ〜ＳＷ４Ｐのど
れが閉じても単電池１Ａ〜１Ｃは短絡状態になる。同様
に、単電池１Ａの負極側スイッチＳＷ１Ｎが閉じている
場合には、単電池１Ｂ〜１Ｄの負極側スイッチＳＷ２Ｎ
〜ＳＷ４Ｎのどれが閉じても単電池１Ｂ〜１Ｄは短絡状
態になる。そこで、このような短絡を生じさせないよう
に、詳細を後述する短絡防止回路８が制御回路４とスイ
ッチング回路５との間に設けられている。また、コンデ
ンサ２には並列に電圧計９が設けられて、各単電池１Ａ
〜１Ｄの電圧を測定するようになっているが、この場合
にも後述のように短絡防止回路８によって不要なスイッ
チの閉鎖作動が阻止されて、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの短絡が
未然に防止されるようになっている。In FIG. 9, FET switches provided on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of each of the unit cells 1A to 1D are shown as single switches SW1P to SW4P and SW for easy understanding.
Typical examples are 1N to SW4N. For example, single cell 1A
When the positive side switch SW1P is closed, the single cells 1A to 1C are short-circuited regardless of which of the positive side switches SW2P to SW4P of the single cells 1B to 1D is closed. Similarly, when the negative electrode side switch SW1N of the unit cell 1A is closed, the negative electrode side switch SW2N of the unit cells 1B to 1D is closed.
The cells 1B to 1D are short-circuited regardless of which of the SW4N is closed. Therefore, in order to prevent such a short circuit, a short circuit prevention circuit 8 whose details will be described later is provided between the control circuit 4 and the switching circuit 5. Further, a voltmeter 9 is provided in parallel with the capacitor 2 so that each unit cell 1A
Although the voltage of ~ 1D is measured, in this case as well, the short-circuit prevention circuit 8 prevents the closing operation of the unnecessary switch as described later, thereby preventing the short-circuiting of the cells 1A-1D. It has become so.

【００５５】図１０に短絡防止回路８の回路例を示す。
図１０において、信号B1P〜B4Pは、制御回路４から出力
されたそれぞれスイッチＳＷ１Ｐ〜ＳＷ４Ｐの閉鎖作動
を指令する信号であり、信号B1N〜B4Nは、制御回路４か
ら出力されたそれぞれスイッチＳＷ１Ｎ〜ＳＷ４Ｎの閉
鎖作動を指令する信号である。また、信号SW1P〜SW4Pは
短絡防止回路８から出力されるそれぞれスイッチＳＷ１
Ｐ〜ＳＷ４Ｐを閉鎖作動させる信号であり、信号SW1N〜
SW4Nは短絡防止回路８から出力されるそれぞれスイッチ
ＳＷ１Ｎ〜ＳＷ４Ｎを閉鎖作動させる信号である。な
お、信号MESは単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの電圧測定時に制御回
路４から出力される信号である。FIG. 10 shows a circuit example of the short circuit prevention circuit 8.
In FIG. 10, signals B1P to B4P are signals output from the control circuit 4 and instructing the closing operation of the switches SW1P to SW4P, and signals B1N to B4N are switches SW1N to SW4N output from the control circuit 4, respectively. Is a signal for instructing the closing operation of the. In addition, the signals SW1P to SW4P are output from the short circuit prevention circuit 8 respectively, and the switches SW1
P-SW4P is a signal for closing operation, and signals SW1N-
SW4N is a signal output from the short-circuit prevention circuit 8 to close the switches SW1N to SW4N. The signal MES is a signal output from the control circuit 4 when measuring the voltage of the unit cells 1A to 1D.

【００５６】短絡防止回路８は、一入力が反転入力にな
っているＡＮＤゲート８１Ａ〜８１Ｃ、ＡＮＤゲート８
２Ａ〜８２Ｄ、ＯＲゲート８３Ａ〜８３Ｄ、一入力が反
転入力になっているＡＮＤゲート８４Ａ〜８４Ｄ、ＯＲ
ゲート８５Ａ〜８５Ｄ、一入力が反転入力になっている
ＡＮＤゲート８６Ａ〜８６Ｄ、および三入力ＡＮＤゲー
ト８７Ａ〜８７Ｄより構成されており、図中の矢印はハ
イレベルにプルアップされていることを示している。The short-circuit prevention circuit 8 includes AND gates 81A to 81C whose one input is an inverting input and an AND gate 8
2A to 82D, OR gates 83A to 83D, AND gates 84A to 84D whose one input is an inverting input, and OR
It is composed of gates 85A to 85D, AND gates 86A to 86D whose one input is an inverting input, and three input AND gates 87A to 87D, and an arrow in the figure indicates that it is pulled up to a high level. ing.

【００５７】このような短絡防止回路８において、例え
ば信号B1Pが入力すると、ＡＮＤゲート８２Ａが開いて
信号SW1Pが出力され、スイッチＳＷ１Ｐが閉鎖作動させ
られる。同時にＡＮＤゲート８２Ｂ〜８２Ｄはいずれも
閉じられ、信号B2P〜B4Pが入力しても信号SW2P〜SW4Pは
出力されない。このようにして、信号SW1Pから信号SW4P
へこの優先順位で必ず一つの信号しか出力されず、スイ
ッチＳＷ１Ｐ〜ＳＷ４Ｐが同時に作動することによる単
電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの短絡が防止される。In such a short-circuit prevention circuit 8, for example, when the signal B1P is input, the AND gate 82A is opened to output the signal SW1P and the switch SW1P is closed. At the same time, all the AND gates 82B to 82D are closed, and even if the signals B2P to B4P are input, the signals SW2P to SW4P are not output. In this way, the signals SW1P to SW4P
Only one signal is output at all times in the priority order, and the short circuits of the cells 1A to 1D due to the simultaneous operation of the switches SW1P to SW4P are prevented.

【００５８】信号B1Nが入力している場合も同様で、こ
の場合にはＡＮＤゲート８７Ａが開いて信号SW1Nが出力
され、スイッチＳＷ１Ｎが閉鎖作動させられる一方、Ａ
ＮＤゲート８７Ｂ〜８７Ｄはいずれも閉じられるから、
信号B2N〜B4Nが入力しても信号SW2N〜SW4Nは出力されな
い。これにより、信号SW1Nから信号SW4Nへこの優先順位
で必ず一つの信号しか出力されず、スイッチＳＷ１Ｎ〜
ＳＷ４Ｎが同時に作動することによる単電池の短絡が防
止される。The same applies when the signal B1N is input. In this case, the AND gate 87A is opened to output the signal SW1N, and the switch SW1N is closed, while A
Since all the ND gates 87B to 87D are closed,
Even if the signals B2N to B4N are input, the signals SW2N to SW4N are not output. As a result, only one signal is output from the signal SW1N to the signal SW4N in this priority order, and the switches SW1N to
A short circuit of the unit cell due to the simultaneous operation of SW4N is prevented.

【００５９】以上のように本実施形態においては、制御
回路４の誤動作や制御回路４中のプログラムミスによっ
て単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄを短絡するような信号が出力されて
も、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの短絡を未然に防ぐことができ、
安全性を保って、組電池の充電および放電を行なうこと
ができる。As described above, in the present embodiment, even if a signal that short-circuits the cells 1A to 1D is output due to a malfunction of the control circuit 4 or a program error in the control circuit 4, the cells 1A to 1D will be affected. It can prevent short circuit
The assembled battery can be charged and discharged while maintaining safety.

【００６０】また、本実施形態では、一つの正極側スイ
ッチの閉鎖作動信号に対し、それと対をなす負極側スイ
ッチおよびこれより低電位側の所定数の範囲内の負極側
スイッチの閉鎖指令のみを有効とすることでコンデンサ
と接続される電池数を制限する。すなわち、一つの正極
側スイッチの閉鎖作動信号を、それより低電位側の有効
にしたい数の範囲の負極側スイッチの各閉鎖指令ゲート
回路を開くように入力する。それ以外の全ての負極側ス
イッチの閉鎖指令はガードされて出力されないようにす
る。電圧測定時は、一つの正極側閉鎖作動信号が、それ
と対をなす一つの負極側スイッチの閉鎖指令ゲート回路
のみに入力するようにする。Further, in the present embodiment, with respect to the closing operation signal of one positive side switch, only the closing command of the negative side switch forming a pair with the closing operation signal and the negative side switches within a predetermined number range on the lower potential side is issued. By making it effective, the number of batteries connected to the capacitor is limited. That is, the closing operation signal of one positive side switch is input so as to open each closing command gate circuit of the negative side switch in the range of the number of desired lower potential side switches. All other negative side switch closing commands are guarded so that they are not output. At the time of voltage measurement, one positive side closing actuation signal is input only to the closing command gate circuit of one negative side switch forming a pair with it.

【００６１】すなわち、本実施形態の制御装置では、信
号SW1Pが出力されている場合にはＡＮＤゲート８７Ａ〜
８７Ｃが開いているから、信号B1N〜B3Nが入力するとこ
れらに応じて信号SW1N〜SW3Nが出力される。ところが、
ＡＮＤゲート８７Ｄは閉じているから信号B4Nが入力し
ても信号SW4Nは出力されない。また、信号SW2Pが出力さ
れている場合にはＡＮＤゲート８７Ｂ〜８７Ｄのみが開
かれ、信号B2N〜B4Nが入力するとこれらに応じて信号SW
2N〜SW4Nが出力されるが、それ以外のスイッチを作動さ
せる信号は出力されない。この結果、コンデンサ２には
常に３個以下の単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの直列電圧のみが印加
され、これにより過電圧の印加が回避される。このよう
に、コンデンサに過大な電圧が加わることが防止され、
安全性を保って組電池の充電並びに放電ができる。That is, in the control device of this embodiment, when the signal SW1P is output, the AND gates 87A to 87A.
Since 87C is open, when the signals B1N to B3N are input, the signals SW1N to SW3N are output accordingly. However,
Since the AND gate 87D is closed, the signal SW4N is not output even if the signal B4N is input. Further, when the signal SW2P is output, only the AND gates 87B to 87D are opened, and when the signals B2N to B4N are input, the signal SW corresponding to these is output.
2N to SW4N are output, but signals for activating other switches are not output. As a result, only the series voltage of the three or less unit cells 1A to 1D is always applied to the capacitor 2, thereby avoiding the application of the overvoltage. In this way, excessive voltage is prevented from being applied to the capacitor,
The battery pack can be charged and discharged while maintaining safety.

【００６２】各単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの電圧を測定する場合
には制御回路４から信号MESが出力されてＡＮＤゲート
８４Ａ〜８４Ｄが閉じられる。この結果、信号SW1P〜SW
4Pが出力されているＡＮＤゲート８７Ａ〜８７Ｄのみが
開いて、信号B1N〜B4Nに対応して信号SW1N〜SW4Nが出力
される。すなわち、単電池１Ａ〜１Ｄの電圧測定の場合
には、閉鎖作動したスイッチSW1P〜SW4Pに対応したスイ
ッチSW1N〜SW4Nのみが閉鎖作動して、各単電池１Ａ〜１
Ｄ毎の電圧測定が保証されるとともに、これら単電池１
Ａ〜１Ｄの短絡が未然に防止される。このように、電圧
測定時には電圧計に一つの単電池のみが確実に接続され
るので安全にかつ正確な電圧測定を行なうことができ
る。When measuring the voltage of each unit cell 1A-1D, the control circuit 4 outputs the signal MES and the AND gates 84A-84D are closed. As a result, the signals SW1P to SW
Only AND gates 87A to 87D outputting 4P are opened, and signals SW1N to SW4N are output corresponding to the signals B1N to B4N. That is, in the case of measuring the voltage of the single cells 1A to 1D, only the switches SW1N to SW4N corresponding to the closed switches SW1P to SW4P are closed and the single cells 1A to 1D are closed.
Voltage measurement for each D is guaranteed, and these single cells 1
Short circuits A to 1D are prevented in advance. Thus, at the time of voltage measurement, only one unit cell is reliably connected to the voltmeter, so that safe and accurate voltage measurement can be performed.

【００６３】（その他の実施形態）上記第１ないし第４
実施形態のＦＥＴスイッチに代えてリレー等を使用する
ようにしても良い。また、補助充放電器へ流入し、ある
いは補助充放電器から流出する電流値を制限する抵抗を
設けても良く、これによれば、ＦＥＴスイッチ等を小容
量のものとできる。(Other Embodiments) First to Fourth Embodiments
A relay or the like may be used instead of the FET switch of the embodiment. Further, a resistor for limiting the current value flowing into or out of the auxiliary charge / discharge device may be provided, which allows the FET switch and the like to have a small capacity.

【００６４】上記第１および第２実施形態では、第１の
直列電池群および第３の直列電池群を２個の単電池で構
成したが、３個以上の単電池で構成することもできる。
また補助充放電器を介して上記第１の直列電池群および
第３の直列電池群から充電されるものをいずれも単体の
単電池としたが、２個以上の単電池で構成してそれぞれ
第１の直列電池群で充電される第２の直列電池群、およ
び第３の直列電池群で充電される第４の直列電池群とす
ることができる。ただし、各直列電池群を構成する単電
池の数を多くすると、各単電池の充電レベルあるいは放
電レベルの均一化は粗くなる。In the first and second embodiments described above, the first series battery group and the third series battery group are composed of two unit cells, but they may be composed of three or more unit cells.
In addition, both of the ones charged from the first series battery group and the third series battery group through the auxiliary charger / discharger are single cells, but each of them is composed of two or more single cells and is A second series battery group charged by one series battery group and a fourth series battery group charged by a third series battery group can be used. However, if the number of cells forming each series battery group is increased, the uniformization of the charge level or the discharge level of each cell becomes rough.

【００６５】上記各実施形態では、ある単電池が過充電
間近ないし過放電間近になった時にのみ充電装置ないし
放電装置が作動を開始するものとしたが、これに代え
て、充電中ないし放電中の全過程で充電レベルの高い単
電池から充電レベルの低い単電池へ電荷を移動させてこ
れら単電池の充電状態ないし放電状態の均一化を常時行
なうようにしても良い。In each of the above-described embodiments, the charging device or discharging device is activated only when a unit cell is about to be overcharged or overdischarged. Instead of this, during charging or discharging. In the entire process, the electric charge may be transferred from the cell having a high charge level to the cell having a low charge level so that the charge state or the discharge state of the cell can be always made uniform.

【００６６】[0066]

【発明の効果】以上のように、本発明の単電池の充放電
装置によれば、充電エネルギーの無駄な消費を避けるこ
とができるとともに、小型かつ低コストで、しかも単電
池の過充電のみならず過放電をも防止して、組電池の効
率的な充電並びに放電を実現することができる。As described above, according to the charging / discharging device for a single cell of the present invention, it is possible to avoid wasteful consumption of charging energy, and it is small in size and low in cost and only overcharges the single cell. In addition, over-discharge can be prevented, and efficient charging and discharging of the assembled battery can be realized.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図１】本発明の第１実施形態を示す、充放電装置の概
略ブロック構成図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram of a charging / discharging device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

【図２】充放電装置の要部回路図である。FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a charging / discharging device.

【図３】充電作動時の制御回路のフローチャートであ
る。FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control circuit during charging operation.

【図４】放電作動時の制御回路のフローチャートであ
る。FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control circuit at the time of discharge operation.

【図５】充放電装置の作動を説明する概念的グラフであ
る。FIG. 5 is a conceptual graph explaining the operation of the charging / discharging device.

【図６】本発明の第２実施形態を示す、充放電装置の要
部回路図である。FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a charging / discharging device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

【図７】本発明の第３実施形態を示す、充放電装置の要
部回路図である。FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a charging / discharging device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

【図８】本発明の第４実施形態を示す、充放電装置の要
部回路図である。FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a charging / discharging device showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

【図９】本発明の第５実施形態を示す、充放電装置の要
部回路図である。FIG. 9 is a main part circuit diagram of a charging / discharging device showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

【図１０】短絡防止回路の回路図である。FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a short circuit prevention circuit.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１Ａ，１Ｂ，１Ｃ，１Ｎ…単電池、２…コンデンサ、３
Ａ，３Ｂ，３Ｃ，３Ｎ…電圧計、４…制御回路、５…ス
イッチング回路、７Ａ，７Ｂ…電池モジュール、８…短
絡防止回路、ＣＢ…組電池。1A, 1B, 1C, 1N ... Single cell, 2 ... Capacitor, 3
A, 3B, 3C, 3N ... Voltmeter, 4 ... Control circuit, 5 ... Switching circuit, 7A, 7B ... Battery module, 8 ... Short circuit prevention circuit, CB ... Battery pack.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献 特開 平10−84627（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平11−98698（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平６−319287（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 昭56−71433（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平９−285028（ＪＰ，Ａ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.⁷，ＤＢ名) H02J 7/00 - 7/36 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-84627 (JP, A) JP-A-11-98698 (JP, A) JP-A-6-319287 (JP, A) JP-A-56- 71433 (JP, A) JP-A-9-285028 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02J ^7/ 00-7/36

Claims (6)

(57)【特許請求の範囲】(57) [Claims] 【請求項１】 直列に接続されて組電池を構成する複数
の単電池と、補助充放電器と、前記各単電池の充電状態
を検出する充電状態検出手段と、組電池の充電中に過充
電間近の単電池が生じると、当該過充電間近の単電池と
これに隣接する１個以上の適当数の単電池を第１の直列
電池群として選択して、当該第１の直列電池群を前記補
助充放電器に並列に接続した後、前記単電池のうちこの
時点で充電レベルの最も低い単電池を選択し、ないし当
該充電レベルの最も低い単電池を含み前記第１の直列電
池群よりも少ない数の隣接する単電池を第２の直列電池
群として選択して、前記充電レベルの最も低い単電池な
いし前記第２の直列電池群を前記補助充放電器に並列に
接続する切換動作を繰り返す充電時切換接続手段と、前
記充電時切換接続手段の切り換え作動の際に所定数以下
の前記単電池のみが前記補助充放電器に接続されるよう
に制限する接続制限手段とを具備する組電池の充電装
置。1. A plurality of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, an auxiliary charger / discharger, a charge state detecting means for detecting a charge state of each of the cells, and an overcharged battery during charging of the assembled battery. When a unit cell that is about to be charged is generated, the unit cell that is about to be overcharged and an appropriate number of one or more adjacent unit cells are selected as the first series battery group, and the first series battery group is selected. After connecting in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger, the unit cell having the lowest charge level at this time is selected from the unit cells, or includes the unit cell having the lowest charge level from the first series battery group. A small number of adjacent cells are selected as the second series battery group, and a switching operation for connecting the single battery cell having the lowest charge level or the second series battery group in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger is performed. a charging time of switching and connecting means for repeating the previous
At the time of switching operation of switching connection means during charging, a predetermined number or less
So that only the unit cell of the above is connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger
A battery charger for an assembled battery, comprising: 【請求項２】 前記充電時切換接続手段の切り換え作動
の際に前記各単電池の正極側と負極側を直接接続しない
ようにする短絡防止手段をさらに設けた請求項１に記載
の組電池の充電装置。2. A battery pack according to claim 1, further provided with a short-circuit preventing means for said during switching operation so as not to connect the positive and negative sides of each cell directly of the charging time of switching and connecting means Charging device. 【請求項３】 直列に接続されて組電池を構成する複数
の単電池と、補助充放電器と、前記各単電池の放電状態
を検出する放電状態検出手段と、組電池の放電中に過放
電間近の単電池が生じると、前記単電池のうちこの時点
で充電レベルの最も高い単電池とこれに隣接する適当数
の単電池を第３の直列電池群として選択して、当該第３
の直列電池群を前記補助充放電器に並列に接続した後、
前記単電池のうち過放電間近の単電池を選択し、ないし
当該過放電間近の単電池を含み前記第３の直列電池群よ
りも少ない数の隣接する適当数の単電池を第４の直列電
池群として選択して、前記過放電間近の単電池ないし前
記第４の直列電池群を前記補助充放電器に並列に接続す
る切換動作を繰り返す放電時切換接続手段とを具備する
組電池の放電装置。3. A plurality of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, an auxiliary charger / discharger, a discharge state detecting means for detecting a discharge state of each of the cells, and an overcharged battery during discharging of the assembled battery. When a unit cell that is about to be discharged is generated, the unit cell having the highest charging level at this point in time and a suitable number of unit cells adjacent thereto are selected as the third series battery group, and the third unit cell is selected.
After connecting the series battery group of in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger,
A fourth series battery is selected from among the single cells, which is close to overdischarging, or an appropriate number of adjacent cells which are smaller than the third series battery group and which include the single cells near overdischarge. A discharge device for an assembled battery, which is selected as a group, and includes discharge-time switching connection means for repeating a switching operation for connecting the unit cells near the overdischarge or the fourth series battery group in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger. . 【請求項４】 前記放電時切換手段の切り換え作動の際
に前記各単電池の正極側と負極側を直接接続しないよう
にする短絡防止手段をさらに設けた請求項３に記載の組
電池の放電装置。4. The discharge of the assembled battery according to claim 3 , further comprising short-circuit prevention means for preventing the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of each unit cell from being directly connected during the switching operation of the discharge time switching means. apparatus. 【請求項５】 前記放電時切換接続手段の切り換え作動
の際に所定数以下の単電池のみが補助充放電器に接続さ
れるように制限する接続制限手段をさらに設けた請求項
３又は４に記載の組電池の放電装置。5. A connection limiting means is further provided for limiting only a predetermined number or less of single cells to be connected to the auxiliary charger / discharger during the switching operation of the discharge switching / connecting means.
5. The battery pack discharge device according to 3 or 4 . 【請求項６】 直列に接続されて組電池を構成する複数
の単電池と、補助充放電器と、前記各単電池の充電レベ
ルを検出する充電レベル検出手段と、組電池の放電中
に、最も充電レベルの高い単電池、ないし当該最も充電
レベルの高い単電池を含みこれに隣接する１個以上の適
当数の単電池を第３の直列電池群として選択して、前記
最も充電レベルの高い単電池ないし前記第３の直列電池
群を前記補助充放電器に並列に接続した後、この時点で
充電レベルの最も低い単電池を選択し、ないし当該充電
レベルの最も低い単電池を含み前記第３の直列電池群よ
りも少ない数の隣接する単電池を第４の直列電池群とし
て選択して、前記充電レベルの最も低い単電池ないし前
記第４の直列電池群を前記補助充放電器に並列に接続す
る切換動作を繰り返す放電時切換接続手段とを具備する
組電池の放電装置。6. A plurality of unit cells that are connected in series to form an assembled battery, an auxiliary charger / discharger, a charge level detection unit that detects a charge level of each of the unit batteries, and a discharging unit for discharging the assembled battery. The unit cell having the highest charge level or one or more appropriate number of unit cells including the unit cell having the highest charge level and adjacent to the unit cell is selected as the third series battery group, and the unit cell having the highest charge level is selected. After connecting the unit cells or the third series battery group in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger, the unit cell having the lowest charge level is selected at this point, or the unit cell including the unit cell having the lowest charge level is selected. The number of adjacent cells smaller than the number of the series battery groups of 3 is selected as the fourth series battery group, and the cells having the lowest charging level or the fourth series battery group are connected in parallel to the auxiliary charger / discharger. Repeat the switching operation to connect to A discharge device for an assembled battery, comprising: discharge connection switching means.