Power supply device

Abstract

To properly perform alarm display when an abnormal state is detected even when the number of contact outputs to a control circuit for controlling a display unit for displaying an alarm is restricted.SOLUTION: A power supply device includes: a storage battery; a control circuit that controls a display unit for displaying an alarm; and a monitoring circuit that controls discharge operation of the storage battery to be performed according to monitoring results of a state of the storage battery, and outputs detection results of an abnormal state to the control circuit when the abnormal state of the storage battery and the monitoring circuit is detected. The monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal states detected by the monitoring circuit into a number of abnormal state types that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit to the control circuit, and outputs the detection results of the abnormal states to the control circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a power supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] A power supply failure detection circuit that outputs an alarm related to a power supply device is known (Patent Document 1). This power supply failure detection circuit is a power supply device that obtains power by converting input DC current to AC and then converting it back to DC using a rectifier circuit. This power supply failure detection circuit detects a drop in supply voltage while power is being supplied to a load and issues an alarm, and is characterized by having current detection means, located at a position where a change in output current can be detected, that detects an abnormality when the output current exceeds a predetermined value, and voltage detection means, located at a position close to the load, that detects an abnormality when the output voltage drops below a predetermined value, and if the current detection means detects an abnormality when the voltage detection means detects an abnormality, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-194102 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above Patent Document 1 does not mention cases where there are restrictions on the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit that displays the alarm, and there is room for improvement in the display of the alarm when an abnormal condition is detected.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been developed in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a power supply device that can appropriately display an alarm when an abnormal condition is detected, even if there is a constraint on the number of contact outputs to a control circuit that controls a display unit that displays the alarm. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a power supply device including a storage battery, a control circuit that controls a display unit for displaying an alarm, and a monitoring circuit that controls the storage battery to discharge depending on the results of monitoring the state of the storage battery, and when an abnormal state of the storage battery and the monitoring circuit is detected, outputs the detection result of the abnormal state to the control circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit consolidates the abnormal states detected by the monitoring circuit into a number of types of abnormal states that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit to the control circuit, and outputs the detection result of the abnormal state to the control circuit.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the power supply device of the first aspect, wherein the monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal state into a classification according to the degree of failure of the storage battery or the monitoring circuit in which the abnormal state is detected.

[0008] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the power supply device of the first aspect, wherein the monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal state into a classification according to the urgency of a response to the storage battery or the monitoring circuit in which the abnormal state has been detected.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the power supply device of the second or third aspect, wherein the monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal state detected by the monitoring circuit by dividing it between the storage battery and the monitoring circuit.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a power supply device according to the first aspect, wherein the storage battery is a plurality of storage batteries, the monitoring circuit is a plurality of monitoring circuits that monitor the state of the plurality of storage batteries, and the abnormal state detected by each of the plurality of monitoring circuits is aggregated and output in parallel to the control circuit.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the power supply device of the first aspect, wherein the storage battery is a lithium ion storage battery.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the power supply device of the first aspect, further including an output terminal that outputs power from the power converter to a load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the disclosed technology, even if there is a constraint on the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit that displays the alarm, it is possible to appropriately display an alarm when an abnormal condition is detected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a DC power supply device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for aggregating alarms. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to respond when a failure occurs. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AC power supply device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An example of an embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or equivalent components and parts in each drawing are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0016] <Outline of this embodiment> In power supply devices equipped with storage batteries, there are cases where there are restrictions on the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit that displays alarms indicating abnormal conditions in the storage battery or battery monitoring circuit.In this case, if the number of types of abnormal conditions detected is greater than the number of contact outputs to the control circuit, the detected abnormal conditions must be aggregated.In addition, when the detected abnormal conditions are aggregated and displayed, the alarm display must be displayed so that the facility manager who checks the alarm display on the display unit can easily determine how to respond.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, the abnormal state is collected into a classification according to the response to the storage battery or battery monitoring circuit in which the abnormal state was detected, and output from the battery monitoring circuit to the control circuit.

[0018] [First embodiment] <Configuration of DC power supply device according to first embodiment> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a DC power supply device 10 as a power supply device in this embodiment. The DC power supply device 10 has an input terminal 12 connected to a commercial power source and an output terminal 22 connected to an external device, and normally supplies DC power to a load which is an external device while storing a portion of the power supplied from the commercial power source in a storage battery unit 28, and in the event of a commercial power outage, supplies DC power to the load which is an external device using the power stored in the storage battery unit 28.

[0019] In the DC power supply device 10, a rectifier 14 and a breaker 18 are connected in series via wiring 16 between an input terminal 12 and an output terminal 22. The rectifier 14 is located closer to the input terminal 12 than the breaker 18, and converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power. The rectifier 14 is an example of a power converter.

[0020] The breaker 18 cuts off the current for each component to prevent thermal runaway when an overload current occurs. A breaker 18 is provided for each load.

[0021] A plurality of storage battery units 28 are connected to the wiring 16 between the rectifier 14 and the breaker 18 via wiring 26 .

[0022] A plurality of series circuits, each having a breaker 24 and a storage battery unit 28 connected in series, are connected in parallel to the wiring 26. The breaker 24 is arranged closer to the wiring 16 than the storage battery unit 28, and when the storage battery unit 28 is discharging, a current flows from the storage battery unit 28 to the wiring 16 in the wiring 26, and when the storage battery unit 28 is charging, a current flows from the wiring 16 to the storage battery unit 28.

[0023] The battery unit 28 includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series. The battery cells are charged with DC power from the rectifier 14 and discharge the DC power during a power outage. The battery cells are, for example, lithium-ion batteries.

[0024] The monitoring circuit 36 ​​monitors the status of each storage battery unit 28, and if an abnormality is detected, it controls the breaker 24 corresponding to that storage battery unit 28 to perform a cut-off operation, and outputs a signal indicating the abnormal state of the storage battery unit 28 to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46. The monitoring circuit 36 ​​also detects failures in the monitoring circuit 36 ​​itself. If the monitoring circuit 36 ​​detects a failure in the monitoring circuit 36, it outputs a signal indicating the failure in the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46.

[0025] Here, the wiring 46 is a signal line corresponding to the number of contact outputs of the control circuit 44, and the number of types of abnormal states of the storage battery unit 28 and the monitoring circuit 36 ​​detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​is greater than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44.

[0026] Therefore, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44, and outputs the detection results of the abnormal conditions to the control circuit 44.

[0027] Specifically, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal states detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​according to the degree of failure of the storage battery unit 28 or the monitoring circuit 36. More specifically, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal states detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​by dividing them into the storage battery unit 28 and the monitoring circuit 36.

[0028] For example, as shown in Figure 2, 19 types of alarms are condensed into six types: "serious battery failure (power supply interruption)" indicating a serious failure of the storage battery unit 28 (power supply from the rectifier 14 is interrupted), "serious battery failure (breaker interruption)" indicating a serious failure of the storage battery unit 28 (breaker 24 is interrupted), "minor battery failure" indicating a minor failure of the storage battery unit 28, "battery replacement notice / battery replacement" indicating a replacement notice for the storage battery unit 28 or replacement of the storage battery unit 28, "monitoring circuit failure" indicating a failure of the monitoring circuit 36, and "monitoring circuit power supply failure" indicating a failure related to the power supply of the monitoring circuit 36.

[0029] These six types of alarms are categorized according to the response required when a fault occurs, as shown in Figure 3. For example, in the case of a "serious battery fault (power outage)," the facility manager checks the fault display and notifies Company A of the fault.

[0030] In the case of a "serious battery failure (breaker tripped)," if the equipment manager checks the failure display and resets the failure, but the failure display does not disappear, he or she will contact a cooperating agency to report the failure.

[0031] In the case of a "minor battery failure," the facility manager checks the failure display and resets the failure, but if the failure display does not disappear, he or she will contact Company A to report the failure.

[0032] In the "battery replacement notice / battery replacement" service, if the fault display does not disappear even after the facility manager checks and resets the fault, the facility manager will contact the cooperating agency to report the fault, and the cooperating agency will then request the facility manager to update the battery within one year.

[0033] In the case of a "monitoring circuit failure," the facility manager checks the failure display and resets the failure, but if the failure display does not disappear, he or she will contact Company A to report the failure.

[0034] In the case of "monitoring circuit power supply failure," if the equipment manager checks the failure display and resets the failure, but the failure display does not disappear, the equipment manager will contact a cooperating agency to report the failure, and the cooperating agency will request the equipment manager to arrange for the replacement of the power supply for the monitoring circuit 36.

[0035] In addition, each contact output to the control circuit 44 is assigned a classification of the abnormal condition after aggregation, and the monitoring circuit 36 ​​uses the contact output assigned to the classification into which the detected abnormal condition is aggregated to output a signal to the control circuit 44 indicating that an abnormal condition belonging to that classification has been detected.

[0036] The control circuit 44 controls the display unit 50 and the rectifier 14 to display the alarm. The control circuit 44 displays the alarm in response to a signal output from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​using a contact output. This allows the equipment manager to take action when a malfunction occurs. Furthermore, when the equipment manager instructs the display unit 50 to display details about the alarm, the display unit 50 displays details about the alarm based on digital data indicating the detected abnormal condition output from the monitoring circuit 36. In other words, data about the abnormal condition before aggregation is displayed, allowing the equipment manager to grasp the specific abnormal condition.

[0037] The wiring 26 is connected to a monitoring circuit 36 ​​via a wiring 48. Converters 38 and 40 are connected in parallel to the wiring 48. DC power from the rectifier 14 is supplied to the monitoring circuit 36 ​​via the converters 38 and 40. The converters 38 and 40 are DC-DC converters.

[0038] <Control of DC power supply> Next, each process of the DC power supply device 10 will be described.

[0039] <Charging control> When the DC power supply device 10 is started up, DC power is supplied to each load via the wiring 16, while DC power is supplied to the storage battery unit 28 via the wiring 26, and each storage battery cell 28A is charged.

[0040] <Discharge control> When the power supply from the commercial power source is stopped (power outage), the DC power stored in the storage battery unit 28 is used to supply power to each load, allowing the loads to continue operating despite the power outage. When the power outage is restored and the power supply from the commercial power source is resumed, the DC power from the rectifier 14 continues to operate each load, and charging of the storage battery unit 28 resumes.

[0041] <Control in case of an abnormality> The monitoring circuit 36 ​​monitors the state of each storage battery unit 28, and when an abnormality is detected, it controls the breaker 24 corresponding to that storage battery unit 28 to perform a cutoff operation, and outputs a signal indicating the abnormal state of the storage battery unit 28 to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46. Furthermore, when the monitoring circuit 36 ​​detects a failure of the monitoring circuit 36, it outputs a signal indicating the failure of the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46.

[0042] At this time, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44, and outputs a signal to the control circuit 44 using the contact output assigned to the detection result of the abnormal condition.

[0043] The control circuit 44 displays an alarm in response to a signal output from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​using a contact output, allowing the facility manager to take action in the event of a malfunction. Furthermore, when the facility manager instructs the display unit 50 to display detailed information about the alarm, the display unit 50 displays detailed information about the alarm based on digital data indicating the detected abnormal condition output from the monitoring circuit 36.

[0044] As described above, the DC power supply device according to the first embodiment aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit that monitors the state of the storage battery into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit, and outputs the detection results of the abnormal conditions to the control circuit. This makes it possible to appropriately display an alarm when an abnormal condition is detected, even if there is a restriction on the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit that displays the alarm.

[0045] [Second embodiment] An AC power supply device according to a second embodiment will be described below. Note that parts having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0046] <Configuration of AC power supply device according to second embodiment> 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an AC power supply device 210 as a power supply device in this embodiment. The AC power supply device 210 has an input terminal 12 connected to a commercial power source and an output terminal 22 connected to an external device, and normally supplies AC power to a load which is an external device while storing a portion of the power supplied from the commercial power source in a storage battery unit 28, and in the event of a commercial power outage, supplies AC power to the load which is an external device using the power stored in the storage battery unit 28.

[0047] In AC power supply device 210, rectifier 14, inverter 212, and breaker 18 are connected in series via wiring 16 between input terminal 12 and output terminal 22. Rectifier 14 is located closer to input terminal 12 than inverter 212 and breaker 18, and converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power. Rectifier 14 is an example of a power converter.

[0048] In addition, in the AC power supply device 210 , a breaker 218 is connected between the input terminal 12 and the output terminal 22 via a wiring 216 .

[0049] Breaker 218 supplies power from the commercial power source to the load without passing through the rectifier or inverter when inspecting the rectifier, inverter, control circuit, monitoring circuit, storage battery unit, and display unit.

[0050] The monitoring circuit 36 ​​monitors the state of each storage battery unit 28, and when an abnormality is detected, it controls the breaker 24 corresponding to that storage battery unit 28 to perform a cut-off operation, and outputs a signal indicating the abnormal state of the storage battery unit 28 to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46. When the monitoring circuit 36 ​​detects a failure of the monitoring circuit 36, it outputs a signal indicating the failure of the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46.

[0051] At this time, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44, and outputs a signal to the control circuit 44 using the contact output assigned to the detection result of the abnormal condition.

[0052] The control circuit 44 displays an alarm in response to the signal output from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​using the contact output.

[0053] <AC power supply control> Next, each process of the AC power supply device 210 will be described.

[0054] <Charging control> When AC power supply device 210 is started up, AC power is supplied to each load via wiring 16, 216, while DC power is supplied to storage battery unit 28 via wiring 26, charging each storage battery cell 28A.

[0055] <Discharge control> When the power supply from the commercial power source is stopped (power outage), AC power is supplied to each load via inverter 212 using the DC power stored in each storage battery unit 28, allowing the loads to continue operating despite the power outage. When the power outage is restored and the power supply from the commercial power source is resumed, the operation of each load continues using AC power via wiring 216, and charging of storage battery unit 28 resumes.

[0056] <Control in case of an abnormality> The monitoring circuit 36 ​​monitors the state of each storage battery unit 28, and when an abnormality is detected, it controls the breaker 24 corresponding to that storage battery unit 28 to perform a cutoff operation, and outputs a signal indicating the abnormal state of the storage battery unit 28 to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46. Furthermore, when the monitoring circuit 36 ​​detects a failure of the monitoring circuit 36, it outputs a signal indicating the failure of the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44 via the wiring 46.

[0057] At this time, the monitoring circuit 36 ​​aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit 36 ​​into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​to the control circuit 44, and outputs a signal to the control circuit 44 using the contact output assigned to the detection result of the abnormal condition.

[0058] The control circuit 44 displays an alarm in response to a signal output from the monitoring circuit 36 ​​using a contact output, allowing the facility manager to take action in the event of a malfunction. Furthermore, when the facility manager instructs the display unit 50 to display detailed information about the alarm, the display unit 50 displays detailed information about the alarm based on digital data indicating the detected abnormal condition output from the monitoring circuit 36.

[0059] As described above, the AC power supply device according to the second embodiment consolidates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit that monitors the state of the storage battery into a number of types of abnormal conditions that is fewer than the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit, and outputs the detection results of the abnormal conditions to the control circuit. This makes it possible to appropriately display an alarm when an abnormal condition is detected, even if there is a limit to the number of contact outputs to the control circuit that controls the display unit that displays the alarm.

[0060] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0061] For example, the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit are divided into those for the storage battery unit and the monitoring circuit, and are aggregated according to the degree of failure, but this is not limiting. For example, the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit may be aggregated according to the degree of failure. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 above, 19 types of alarms are aggregated into three types: "major failure," "minor failure," and "condition."

[0062] Furthermore, abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit may be aggregated according to the urgency of the response. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 above, 19 types of alarms are aggregated into five types: "Immediate repair required," "No immediate repair required, but immediate action required," "Immediate repair required, but action required before the battery breaker trips," "Does not immediately interfere with functionality even if it occurs," and "Failure does not immediately interfere with functionality."

[0063] Furthermore, multiple monitoring circuits may be provided corresponding to multiple storage battery units. In this case, the abnormal states detected by each of the multiple monitoring circuits may be aggregated and output in parallel to the control circuit.

[0064] Furthermore, although the storage battery is a lithium ion storage battery in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this, and a storage battery other than a lithium ion battery may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 DC power supply 14 Rectifier 22 Output terminal 28 Battery Unit 28 The battery unit in question 36 Monitoring circuit 44 Control circuit 50 Display 210 AC power supply equipment

Claims

1. A storage battery and a control circuit for controlling a display unit for displaying an alarm; a monitoring circuit that controls the discharge operation of the storage battery according to a result of monitoring the state of the storage battery, and that outputs a detection result of the abnormal state to the control circuit when an abnormal state of the storage battery and the monitoring circuit is detected; Including, The monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal conditions detected by the monitoring circuit into a number of types of the abnormal conditions that is less than the number of contact outputs from the monitoring circuit to the control circuit, and outputs the detection results of the abnormal conditions to the control circuit. power supply.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring circuit classifies the abnormal state into categories according to the degree of failure of the storage battery or the monitoring circuit in which the abnormal state is detected.

3. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring circuit classifies the abnormal states into categories according to the urgency of a response to the storage battery or the monitoring circuit in which the abnormal state is detected.

4. 4. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring circuit aggregates the abnormal state detected by the monitoring circuit separately for the storage battery and the monitoring circuit.

5. The storage battery is a plurality of storage batteries, The monitoring circuit includes a plurality of monitoring circuits that monitor states of the plurality of storage batteries, 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal states detected by each of the plurality of monitoring circuits are aggregated and output in parallel to the control circuit.

6. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery is a lithium ion storage battery.

7. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an output terminal for outputting external power to a load.

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