Power supply switching device

Abstract

To provide a technique for continuously supplying electric power to a load.SOLUTION: When a first storage power supply 200a is connected to a first input terminal 12a, and a load 300 is connected to an output terminal 14, a control unit 24 closes a first relay 26a to supply electric power from the first storage power supply 200a to the load 300. While the electric power is being supplied from the first storage power supply 200a to the load 300, when a second storage power supply 200b is connected to a second input terminal 12b, the second storage power supply 200b supplies electric current to a second light load 30b. When detecting that the supply of electric power from the first storage power supply 200a has stopped, the control unit 24 closes a second relay 26b to supply electric power from the second storage power supply 200b to the load 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply switching technology, and more particularly to a power supply switching device that switches between a plurality of power supplies. [Background technology]

[0002] The power storage device includes a storage battery and an inverter unit, and converts power from the storage battery from DC power to AC power in the inverter unit before supplying it to a load (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-316239 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the remaining charge of the battery in a power storage device becomes low, it is no longer possible to supply power to the load. To continue supplying power to the load, it is necessary to connect another power storage device to the load. However, power is not supplied to the load during the time it takes to replace the power storage device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for continuously supplying power to a load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a power supply switching device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first input terminal to which a first storage power supply can be connected, a second input terminal to which a second storage power supply can be connected, an output terminal to which a load can be connected, a first relay arranged between the first input terminal and the output terminal, a second relay arranged between the second input terminal and the output terminal, a control unit that controls the first relay and the second relay, and a light load connected to the second input terminal. When a first storage power supply is connected to the first input terminal, a second storage power supply is not connected to the second input terminal, and a load is connected to the output terminal, the control unit closes the first relay to supply power from the first storage power supply to the load, and when a second storage power supply is connected to the second input terminal while power is being supplied from the first storage power supply to the load, the second storage power supply passes current to the light load.When the control unit detects that the supply of power from the first storage power supply has stopped, it closes the second relay to supply power from the second storage power supply to the load, and the second storage power supply has a function of stopping discharge to the outside when it detects no load.When the second relay is not closed, the light load causes a current to pass through the second storage power supply to prevent it from detecting no load.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, power can be continuously supplied to a load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing the appearance of a power supply switching device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the power supply switching device of FIGS. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table held in the control unit of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4]3 is a diagram showing the data structure of another table held in the control unit of FIG. 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be described. The present embodiment relates to a power supply switching device that can connect multiple storage power sources, for example, two storage power sources, and can also connect a load. The power supply switching device supplies power from one storage power source (hereinafter referred to as a "first storage power source") to the load. Furthermore, when the remaining charge of the first storage power source becomes low, the power supply switching device supplies power from another storage power source (hereinafter referred to as a "second storage power source") to the load. Here, the first storage power source and the second storage power source convert DC power to AC power using an inverter before outputting it, and have a function of stopping the inverter when no load is detected (hereinafter referred to as a "no-load detection function").

[0011] While the first storage power source is supplying power to the load, the second storage power source is not supplying power to the load. Therefore, if the inverter is stopped due to the no-load detection function of the second storage power source, there is a delay before the second storage power source outputs power when the remaining charge of the first storage power source becomes low. In order to continue supplying power to the load, it is desirable for the second storage power source to immediately output power in such a case. The power source switching device according to this embodiment is equipped with a light load, and the second storage power source flows current to the light load when it is not supplying power to the load. As a result, the no-load state is not detected in the second storage power source, and the inverter continues to operate. This allows the second storage power source to immediately output power when the remaining charge of the first storage power source becomes low.

[0012] 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing the exterior of the power supply switching device 100. The housing 10 is a hollow box, and is provided on one side with a first input terminal 12a and a second input terminal 12b, collectively referred to as input terminals 12. An output terminal 14 is provided on the side opposite to the side provided with the input terminals 12. Furthermore, a first LED 16a and a second LED 16b, collectively referred to as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 16, are provided on the top surface. Here, the first LED 16a is arranged to correspond to the first input terminal 12a, and the second LED 16b is arranged to correspond to the second input terminal 12b.

[0013] 2 shows the configuration of the power supply switching device 100. The power supply switching device 100 includes a first input terminal 12a and a second input terminal 12b, collectively referred to as input terminal 12, a first LED 16a and a second LED 16b, collectively referred to as LED 16, a first AC / DC 20a and a second AC / DC 20b, collectively referred to as AC / DC 20, a first drive circuit 22a and a second drive circuit 22b, collectively referred to as drive circuit 22, a control unit 24, a first relay 26a and a second relay 26b, collectively referred to as relay 26, a first switch 28a and a second switch 28b, collectively referred to as switch 28, and a first light load 30a and a second light load 30b, collectively referred to as light load 30. Here, the LED 16 may also serve as the light load 30.

[0014] A first storage power source 200a, a second storage power source 200b, and a load 300, collectively referred to as storage power sources 200, are connected to the power source switching device 100. The storage power source 200 includes at least a storage battery and an inverter. The storage power source 200 converts DC power from the storage battery into AC power in an inverter and then outputs the AC power to the outside. When the storage power source 200 outputs DC power to the outside, the storage power source 200 may include a DC / DC converter instead of an inverter. The storage power source 200 also includes the no-load detection function described above, which stops the inverter when no load is detected. In other words, the no-load detection function can be said to be a function that stops discharge to the outside when no load is detected. Here, no load is detected when the storage power source 200 does not output a current equal to or greater than a certain value. The load 300 is an electronic device that operates by receiving AC power from an external source.

[0015] The first input terminal 12a is a terminal to which a first power storage power source 200a can be connected, the second input terminal 12b is a terminal to which a second power storage power source 200b can be connected, and the output terminal 14 is a terminal to which a load 300 can be connected. The first relay 26a is disposed between the first input terminal 12a and the output terminal 14. The first relay 26a is openable and closable, and when closed, electrically connects the first input terminal 12a and the output terminal 14, and when opened, electrically disconnects the first input terminal 12a and the output terminal 14. The second relay 26b is disposed between the second input terminal 12b and the output terminal 14. The second relay 26b is openable and closable, and when closed, electrically connects the second input terminal 12b and the output terminal 14, and when opened, electrically disconnects the second input terminal 12b and the output terminal 14. Normally open relays may be used as the first relay 26a and the second relay 26b.

[0016] The first AC / DC converter 20a is connected to the first input terminal 12a and converts AC power from the first input terminal 12a into DC power. A first switch 28a is connected to the first AC / DC converter 20a, and a first light load 30a is connected to the first switch 28a. Therefore, the first switch 28a is disposed between the first AC / DC converter 20a and the first light load 30a, and the first light load 30a is connected to the first AC / DC converter 20a via the first switch 28a. The first switch 28a can be turned on and off. When turned on, the first AC / DC converter 20a and the first light load 30a are electrically connected, and when turned off, the first AC / DC converter 20a and the first light load 30a are electrically disconnected. A first drive circuit 22a is connected to the first AC / DC converter 20a. The first drive circuit 22a is also connected to the control unit 24, the first relay 26a, the first switch 28a, and the first LED 16a. The first LED 16a is also called a first notification unit, and notifies the state of the first storage power source 200a connected to the first input terminal 12a.

[0017] The second AC / DC 20b is connected to the second input terminal 12b and converts AC power from the second input terminal 12b into DC power. A second switch 28b is connected to the second AC / DC 20b, and a second light load 30b is connected to the second switch 28b. Therefore, the second switch 28b is disposed between the second AC / DC 20b and the second light load 30b, and the second light load 30b is connected to the second AC / DC 20b via the second switch 28b. The second switch 28b can be turned on and off. When turned on, the second AC / DC 20b and the second light load 30b are electrically connected, and when turned off, the second switch 28b electrically disconnects the second AC / DC 20b and the second light load 30b. A second drive circuit 22b is connected to the second AC / DC 20b. The second drive circuit 22b is also connected to the control unit 24, the second relay 26b, the second switch 28b, and the second LED 16b. The second LED 16b is also called a second notification unit, and notifies the state of the second storage power source 200b connected to the second input terminal 12b.

[0018] The control unit 24 receives information from the first drive circuit 22a and information from the second drive circuit 22b. Based on the received information, the control unit 24 determines the operation of the relay 26, the switch 28, and the relay 26. Based on the determined operation, the control unit 24 controls the first relay 26a, the first switch 28a, and the first LED 16a via the first drive circuit 22a. Based on the determined operation, the control unit 24 also controls the second relay 26b, the second switch 28b, and the second LED 16b via the second drive circuit 22b.

[0019] The following describes the operation of the power supply switching device 100 in the following order: (1) operation when the first storage power source 200a is connected, (2) operation when the second storage power source 200b is connected, and (3) operation when the remaining charge of the first storage power source 200a is low. In the following description, a load 300 is connected to the output terminal 14. (1) Operation when the first storage power source 200a is connected When the first storage power source 200a is connected to the first input terminal 12a, the first AC / DC converter 20a converts AC power from the first storage power source 200a into DC power. The first drive circuit 22a detects the application of a voltage to the first AC / DC converter 20a and notifies the control unit 24 of the detection of the voltage application. On the other hand, because the second storage power source 200b is not connected to the second input terminal 12b, the second drive circuit 22b does not detect the application of a voltage to the second AC / DC converter 20b and does not notify the control unit 24.

[0020] The control unit 24 recognizes that the first storage power source 200a is connected to the first input terminal 12a and the second storage power source 200b is not connected to the second input terminal 12b by accepting a notification from the first drive circuit 22a and not accepting a notification from the second drive circuit 22b.

[0021] 3 shows the data structure of a table held in the control unit 24. It shows the control contents of the first relay 26a, the first switch 28a, the second relay 26b, and the second switch 28b in response to the states of the first input terminal 12a and the second input terminal 12b. The control unit 24 determines whether the first relay 26a is "closed," the first switch 28a is "off," the second relay 26b is "open," and the second switch 28b is "on" based on whether the first input terminal 12a is connected and whether the second input terminal 12b is not connected. Return to FIG. 2.

[0022] The control unit 24 closes the first relay 26a and turns off the first switch 28a via the first drive circuit 22a. The control unit 24 also opens the second relay 26b and turns on the second switch 28b via the second drive circuit 22b. As a result, power is supplied from the first storage power source 200a to the load 300.

[0023] The control unit 24 manages whether the first input terminal 12a is "powered." FIG. 4 shows the data structure of another table held in the control unit 24. The relationship between the state of the input terminal 12 and the operation of the LED 16 is shown. Since the first input terminal 12a is "powered," the control unit 24 determines whether the first LED 16a should be lit "green" or in a normal state. Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 24 turns on the first LED 16a via the first drive circuit 22a.

[0024] (2) Operation when the second power storage power source 200b is connected As shown in (1), in a state in which power is being supplied from the first storage power source 200a to the load 300, the second storage power source 200b is connected to the second input terminal 12b. When the second storage power source 200b is connected to the second input terminal 12b, the second AC / DC 20b converts AC power from the second storage power source 200b into DC power. The second drive circuit 22b detects the application of a voltage from the second AC / DC 20ab and notifies the control unit 24 of the detection of the voltage application.

[0025] When the control unit 24 receives the notification from the second drive circuit 22b, it recognizes that the second storage power source 200b has been connected to the second input terminal 12b while the first input terminal 12a is in the "power supplying" state. As shown in FIG. 3, in this state, the opening and closing of the first relay 26a and the second relay 26b and the on / off states of the first switch 28a and the second switch 28b are not changed. Therefore, the second storage power source 200b passes a current to the second light load 30b. When the second relay 26b is open and the second switch 28b is on, the second light load 30b passes a current to prevent the second storage power source 200b from detecting a no-load state.

[0026] The control unit 24 manages whether the first input terminal 12a is "powered" and the second input terminal 12b is "standby." Based on FIG. 4, since the second input terminal 12b is "standby," the control unit 24 determines whether the second LED 16b should be lit or slowly flashing in "yellow," or whether it should be slowly flashing in its normal color. The control unit 24 causes the second LED 16b to light up or flash via the second drive circuit 22b.

[0027] (3) Operation when the remaining charge of the first power storage source 200a is low If the state in which power is supplied from the first storage power source 200a to the load 300 continues, the remaining charge of the first storage power source 200a decreases, and the first storage power source 200a stops supplying power. Therefore, the first drive circuit 22a detects that the application of voltage to the first AC / DC power source 20a has ceased, and notifies the control unit 24 of the detection of the absence of voltage application.

[0028] When the control unit 24 receives the notification from the first drive circuit 22a, it recognizes that the remaining charge of the first storage power source 200a connected to the first input terminal 12a is low. As shown in FIG. 3, in this state, the control unit 24 determines that the first relay 26a is open, the first switch 28a is on, the second relay 26b is closed, and the second switch 28b is off. The control unit 24 opens the first relay 26a and turns on the first switch 28a via the first drive circuit 22a. The control unit 24 also closes the second relay 26b and turns off the second switch 28b via the second drive circuit 22b. As a result, power is supplied from the second storage power source 200b to the load 300. Since the second storage power source 200b has been operating its inverter, power is immediately supplied to the load 300.

[0029] The control unit 24 manages whether the first input terminal 12a is in a "low charge" state and whether the second input terminal 12b is in a "connected" state. Based on FIG. 4 , since the first input terminal 12a is in a "low charge" state, the control unit 24 determines whether the first LED 16a should be lit in "red" or flash quickly, or flash quickly in its normal color. Since the second input terminal 12b is in a "connected" state, the control unit 24 determines whether the second LED 16b should be lit in "green" or flash normally. The control unit 24 causes the first LED 16a to light or flash via the first drive circuit 22a, and causes the second LED 16b to light via the second drive circuit 22b. In this way, the first LED 16a and the second LED 16b notify, in different ways, the first state (power supplying) in which power is being supplied to the load 300, the second state (standby) in which current is flowing to the light load 300, and the third state (low charge) in which power supply is stopped.

[0030] The user removes the first storage power source 200a from the first input terminal 12a and connects a new storage power source 200 (hereinafter referred to as the "third storage power source 200c" (not shown)) to the first input terminal 12a. Following this, a process is executed in which the previous first input terminal 12a and second input terminal 12b are reversed. Here, the control unit 24 turns off the first LED 16a when the first input terminal 12a is "disconnected," and turns off the second LED 16b when the second input terminal 12b is "disconnected."

[0031] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0032] According to this embodiment, when power is being supplied from the first storage power source 200a to the load 300, the second storage power source 200b passes current to the second light load 30b, so that it is possible to prevent the second storage power source 200b from stopping discharge to the outside when it detects that there is no load. Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent the second storage power source 200b from stopping discharge to the outside when it detects that there is no load, it is possible to quickly switch to supplying power from the second storage power source 200b to the load 300. Furthermore, since it is possible to quickly switch to supplying power from the second storage power source 200b to the load 300, it is possible to continue supplying power to the load.

[0033] Furthermore, since the first switch 28a is disposed between the first input terminal 12a and the first light load 30a and the second switch 28b is disposed between the second input terminal 12b and the second light load 30b, it is possible to prevent current from flowing through the light load 30 while power is being supplied to the load 300. Furthermore, since current is prevented from flowing through the light load 30 while power is being supplied to the load 300, it is possible to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, since the state of the LED 16 is changed depending on the state of the input terminal 12, it is possible to notify the user of the state of the input terminal 12.

[0034] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. (Item 1) a first input terminal (12a) to which a first storage power source (200a) can be connected; a second input terminal (12b) to which a second storage power source (200b) can be connected; an output terminal (14) to which a load (300) can be connected; a first relay (26a) disposed between the first input terminal (12a) and the output terminal (14); a second relay (26b) disposed between the second input terminal (12b) and the output terminal (14); a control unit (24) that controls the first relay (26a) and the second relay (26b); a light load connected to the second input terminal (12b), When the first storage power source (200a) is connected to the first input terminal (12a), the second storage power source (200b) is not connected to the second input terminal (12b), and the load (300) is connected to the output terminal (14), the control unit (24) closes the first relay (26a) to supply power from the first storage power source (200a) to the load (300), When the second storage power source (200b) is connected to the second input terminal (12b) while power is being supplied from the first storage power source (200a) to the load (300), the second storage power source (200b) passes a current to the light load, When the control unit (24) detects a stop of the supply of power from the first storage power source (200a), it closes the second relay (26b) to supply power from the second storage power source (200b) to the load (300); The second storage power source (200b) has a function of stopping discharge to the outside when no load is detected, The light load is a power supply switching device (100) that, when the second relay (26b) is not closed, causes a current to flow so that the second storage power supply (200b) does not detect no load.

[0035] (Item 2) When the light load is defined as a second light load (30b), a first light load (30a) connected to the first input terminal (12a) is provided. a first switch (28a) disposed between the first input terminal (12a) and the first light load (30a); a second switch (28b) disposed between the second input terminal (12b) and the second light load (30b); When the first storage power source (200a) is connected to the first input terminal (12a), the second storage power source (200b) is not connected to the second input terminal (12b), and the load (300) is connected to the output terminal (14), the control unit (24) closes the first relay (26a), turns off the first switch (28a), and turns on the second switch (28b), thereby supplying power from the first storage power source (200a) to the load (300); When the control unit (24) detects a stop of power from the first storage power source (200a), it turns on the first switch (28a), closes the second relay (26b), and turns off the second switch (28b), thereby supplying power from the second storage power source (200b) to the load (300); The first storage power source (200a) has a function of stopping discharge to the outside when no load is detected, Item 1. The power supply switching device (100) according to item 1, wherein the first light load (30a) causes a current to flow so that the first storage power supply (200a) does not detect no load when the first relay (26a) is not closed.

[0036] (Item 3) a first notification unit (16a) that notifies the state of the first storage power source (200a) connected to the first input terminal (12a); a second notification unit (16b) that notifies the state of the second storage power source (200b) connected to the second input terminal; 3. The power supply switching device (100) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first notification unit (16a) and the second notification unit (16b) notify, in different manners, a first state in which power is being supplied to the load (300), a second state in which current is flowing through the light load, and a third state in which power supply is stopped.

[0037] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 housing, 12 input terminal, 14 output terminal, 16 LED, 20 AC / DC, 22 drive circuit, 24 control unit, 26 relay, 28 switch, 30 light load, 100 power supply switching device, 200 storage power supply, 300 load.

Claims

1. a first input terminal to which a first storage power source can be connected; a second input terminal to which a second storage power source can be connected; an output terminal to which a load can be connected; a first relay disposed between the first input terminal and the output terminal; a second relay disposed between the second input terminal and the output terminal; a control unit that controls the first relay and the second relay; a light load connected to the second input terminal; when the first storage power source is connected to the first input terminal, the second storage power source is not connected to the second input terminal, and the load is connected to the output terminal, the control unit closes the first relay to supply power from the first storage power source to the load; When the second storage power source is connected to the second input terminal while power is being supplied from the first storage power source to the load, the second storage power source passes a current to the light load; when the control unit detects a stop of the supply of power from the first storage power source, the control unit closes the second relay to supply power from the second storage power source to the load; the second storage power source has a function of stopping discharge to the outside when no load is detected, The light load is a power supply switching device that, when the second relay is not closed, causes a current to flow so that the second storage power supply does not detect no load.

2. When the light load is defined as a second light load, a first light load connected to the first input terminal; a first switch disposed between the first input terminal and the first light load; a second switch disposed between the second input terminal and the second light load; when the first storage power source is connected to the first input terminal, the second storage power source is not connected to the second input terminal, and the load is connected to the output terminal, the control unit closes the first relay, turns off the first switch, and turns on the second switch, thereby supplying power from the first storage power source to the load; when the control unit detects a stop of power from the first storage power source, the control unit turns on the first switch, closes the second relay, and turns off the second switch, thereby supplying power from the second storage power source to the load; the first storage power source has a function of stopping discharge to the outside when no load is detected, 2. The power supply switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first light load causes a current to flow in the first storage power supply so that the first storage power supply does not detect no load when the first relay is not closed.

3. a first notification unit that notifies the state of the first storage power source connected to the first input terminal; a second notification unit that notifies the state of the second storage power source connected to the second input terminal, 2. The power supply switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first notification unit and the second notification unit notify, in different manners, a first state in which power is being supplied to the load, a second state in which current is flowing through the light load, and a third state in which power supply is stopped.

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