Portable storage batteries with remote monitoring function, storage battery systems, and solar outdoor lights

Abstract

To provide a portable storage battery with a remote monitoring function that enables the battery state of a battery inside the portable storage battery to be monitored from outside the portable storage battery. [Solution] A portable battery comprising a battery box 30 having a battery 31, a communication connector 34, and a battery management system 32 that monitors the battery status of the battery 31, and a remote communication unit 50 connected to the communication connector 34, wherein the battery box 30 is portable and the remote communication unit 50 transmits battery information of the battery 31 to an information center 60.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable battery with a remote monitoring function, a battery system, and a solar outdoor lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, solar outdoor lights have been known that store electricity generated by a solar panel in a power storage unit during the day and turn on LED lights at night (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-136467 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the solar outdoor light described in Patent Document 1, information from the power storage unit is not output to the outside of the solar outdoor light, so there is a problem in that the operating state of the solar outdoor light cannot be monitored from outside the solar outdoor light.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a portable storage battery, a storage battery system, and a solar outdoor lamp with a remote monitoring function that allows the battery status of the battery inside the portable storage battery to be monitored from outside the portable storage battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by comprising a battery box having a battery 31, a communication connector, and a battery management system that monitors the battery status, and a remote communication unit connected to the communication connector, the battery box being portable, and the remote communication unit transmitting battery information indicating the battery status monitored by the battery management system to an information center. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the battery status of the battery inside the portable storage battery can be monitored from outside the portable storage battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portable storage battery with a remote monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable storage battery with a remote monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a solar outdoor lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the battery system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a monitor screen in the information center. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The portable storage battery with remote monitoring according to this embodiment includes a portable storage battery box 30 and a remote communication unit 50 that is connected to the storage battery box 30 and enables communication with an information center, and is capable of outputting battery information about the battery inside the storage battery box 30 to the outside. The storage battery box 30 can be attached to a solar outdoor light equipped with a solar panel 10 and an LED illuminator 20, and is charged with power generated by the solar panel 10 and supplies power to the LED illuminator 20, thereby being used as a power source for the outdoor light. The storage battery box 30 can also be removed from the solar outdoor light and used as a portable power source, and can supply power to USB-connected devices such as smartphones and computers even in places far from the solar outdoor light during a power outage, for example.

[0010] The battery box, battery system, and solar outdoor lamp according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figures 1 and 2 are a side view and a front view of a portable battery with a remote monitoring function according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the solar outdoor lamp. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the battery system.

[0011] 1 and 2, the portable battery with remote monitoring function includes a battery box 30 and a remote communication unit 50. The battery box 30 includes a battery 31, a BMS (battery management system) 32, a monitor 33, a communication connector 34, a USB terminal 35, multiple connectors 36, a solar controller 37, a solar input terminal 38, and an LED connector 39.

[0012] The battery 31 is a rechargeable battery for an electric vehicle (EV). The battery 31 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery that stores electricity generated by sunlight or electricity from a commercial power source.

[0013] The BMS 32 balances the multiple battery cells included in the battery 31. The BMS 32 monitors the battery status of the battery 31 to prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and overheating of the battery 31. The BMS 32 monitors the remaining battery charge [SOC], battery capacity [Ah], total voltage (V) of the entire battery box, charge / discharge current (A), maximum / minimum cell voltage (V), and maximum / minimum cell temperature (°C) as the current battery status of the battery 31. The total voltage (V) of the entire battery box is the total voltage of the multiple battery cells included in the battery 31 and corresponds to the positive potential of the battery cell with the highest potential. The maximum / minimum cell temperature (°C) is the highest / lowest cell temperature of the multiple battery cells. The BMS 32 monitors the battery status of the battery 31 at a predetermined interval and determines whether the battery is overcharged, overcharged, or overheated. Upper / lower limit voltages indicating overcharge or overdischarge and upper limit temperatures indicating overtemperature are predetermined according to the performance and shape of the battery cells. For example, if the current battery voltage is equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage, the BMS 32 determines that there is a risk of overcharging the battery 31. If over-discharging, over-charging, or an abnormal temperature occurs, the BMS 32 determines that an error state has occurred. Note that, if an abnormality occurs in the battery 31, the BMS 32 may display an alarm warning display on the monitor 33.

[0014] The BMS 32 also charges the battery 31 with the power generated by the solar panel 10. The BMS 32 supplies the power of the battery 31 to the LED illuminator 20.

[0015] The monitor 33 displays the state of the battery 31 managed by the BMS 32. The monitor 33 displays, for example, the remaining capacity and voltage of the battery 31.

[0016] The communication connector 34 is a connector for connecting a remote communication unit (remote control unit) 50. When the remote communication unit 50 is connected to the communication connector 34, the battery box 30 can output battery data on the battery status managed by the BMS 32 to a server or the like. This allows the status of the battery box 30 to be monitored from a remote location.

[0017] The USB terminal 35 is a terminal for connecting electronic devices such as smartphones and personal computers, and supplies electricity stored in the battery 31 to the electronic devices. The USB terminal 35 is a terminal for connecting a computer, smartphone, etc. when using the battery box 30 as a portable power source. The connector 36 is a connector for connecting other battery boxes 30 via a cable, and is used for linking or charging the battery boxes 30. There are two connectors 36, and by connecting multiple battery boxes 30 together, the battery capacity can be doubled.

[0018] The solar controller 37 controls the LED illuminator 20 and sets the illuminance and lighting time of the LED illuminator 20. The illuminance can be set in multiple stages, such as four stages, and the lighting time can be changed in 10-minute increments, for example. The solar controller 37 has a memory that stores a program for controlling the LED illuminator 20 and a CPU for processing the program. The solar controller 37 can receive signals from an external device and change the settings of the illuminance and lighting time based on the signals. During the day, the solar controller 37 supplies electricity generated by the solar panel 10 to the battery box 30 to charge the battery box 30. At night, the solar controller 37 supplies power from the battery box 30 to the LED illuminator 20.

[0019] The solar controller 37 is connected to the solar panel 10 via a solar input terminal 38, and is connected to the LED illuminator 20 via an LED connector 39. The solar input terminal 38 is a terminal for connecting the solar panel 10, and inputs the power generated by the solar panel 10. The solar input terminal 38 is connected to the solar panel 10 by a cable.

[0020] The LED connector 39 is a terminal for connecting the LED illuminator 20, and is an output terminal for outputting the power of the battery 31 to the LED illuminator 20. The LED connector 39 is connected to the LED illuminator 20 by a cable.

[0021] The battery management system 32 is electrically connected to the battery 31 and receives power from the battery 31. The battery management system 32 is also electrically connected to the communication connector 34, the USB terminal 35, the connector 36, and the LED connector 39. Electronic devices connected to the USB terminal 35, the connector 36, and the LED connector 39 can receive power from the battery 31. The LED illuminator 20 and the remote communication unit 50 are also connected to the communication connector 34 and the LED connector 39 and can receive power from the battery 31. The monitor 33 and the solar input terminal 38 are electrically connected to the battery 31 via the BMS 32.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the solar outdoor lamp will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the solar outdoor lamp according to this embodiment comprises a solar panel 10 provided on a pole 1, an LED illuminator 20 provided on the pole 1, and an over-battery box 40 provided on the pole 1. The pole 1 is a long, slender cylindrical member having a length (height) of several meters (for example, 2 to 4 meters). The solar panel 10 generates electricity using solar energy during the day and outputs the generated electricity to a battery 31. The solar panel 10 is installed at the tip of the upper part of the pole 1.

[0023] The LED illuminator 20 is a lighting device that is powered by electricity stored in a battery. The LED illuminator 20 is installed at a high position on the pole 1 so as to illuminate the area around the solar outdoor light. The over-battery box 40 is a container for housing the storage battery box 30 and has a lockable opening window. The over-battery box 40 is installed at a height of several tens of centimeters to 1 meter above the ground. The over-battery box 40 is installed at a height that allows workers to easily open the opening window.

[0024] The configurations of the remote communication unit 50 and the information center 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. The remote communication unit 50 is a communication unit for transmitting battery information of the battery 31, monitored by the battery management system 32, to the information center 60. The remote communication unit 50 is connected to the battery box 30 via a cable 70. The remote communication unit 50 may be an external unit or may be optionally attached to the battery box 30. The remote communication unit 50 includes a board on which a communication circuit is mounted, a communication IC chip (data communication SIM card), and the like, so that communication between the battery box 30 and the information center 60 is performed using a communication network provided by a telecommunications carrier. The remote communication unit 50 includes a housing that houses the board and IC chip. The communication circuit board receives a signal containing battery information of the battery 31 from the battery box 30, processes the received signal so that it conforms to a wireless communication standard, and transmits the data using the communication IC chip. The housing is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be placed on the top surface of the battery box 30 as shown in Fig. 1, or may be placed alongside the battery box 30 as shown in Fig. 2. A handle for carrying is provided on the side of the housing (see Figs. 1 and 2).

[0025] When the remote communication unit 50 is connected to the communication connector 34 via a cable 70, it can obtain power from the BMS 32, and the BMS 32 is connected via a communication network, enabling communication with the BMS 32. The communication connector 34 is connected to the BMS 32 via a communication network such as a CAN. By connecting the remote communication unit 50 to the communication connector 34 via a cable 70, the remote communication unit 50 secures power using the DC 12V output terminal from the BMS 32. In other words, the remote communication unit 50 does not need to obtain power from a power source other than the battery 31 (for example, a commercial power source), and can secure power by connecting to the battery box 30.

[0026] The information center 60 manages the battery status of devices equipped with portable storage batteries, such as solar outdoor lights installed in various locations. The information center 60 is connected to the remote communication unit 50 via a communication network such as the Internet so that wireless communication is possible. The information center 60 is connected to a plurality of remote communication units 50, each connected to a plurality of storage battery boxes 30, so that communication is possible.

[0027] Battery information managed by information center 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an example of a monitor screen in information center 60. For example, portable storage batteries are installed in Yokosuka, Yokohama, Tochigi, Kyushu, and Hiratsuka. The portable storage batteries may be installed in solar outdoor lights, or may be installed in other devices other than solar outdoor lights. The portable storage batteries installed in each location have remote communication units 50, which enable communication with information center 60.

[0028] The information center 60 acquires battery information for the batteries 31 from the battery boxes 30 of the portable storage batteries. The battery information for each battery 31 is displayed on a monitor at the information center 60 in association with the location information of the portable storage battery. As shown in FIG. 5, information indicating the current battery status of the battery 31, such as the battery capacity of the battery 31, is displayed on the monitor screen. The information center 60 communicates with the remote communication unit 50 and acquires the battery information for each battery 31 at predetermined intervals. The information center 60 then updates the battery information at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds) and automatically updates the monitor screen. An administrator managing the battery boxes 30 can grasp the current status of the batteries 31 through the monitor screen at the information center 60.

[0029] For example, if the battery box 30 is installed in a solar outdoor light and sufficient solar energy cannot be obtained due to rain, cloudy weather, etc., the battery capacity of the battery 31 will be consumed quickly, allowing the manager to grasp the power generation status of the solar panel 10. Therefore, the manager can grasp the power generation status of the solar outdoor light before the outdoor light goes out. The manager can also grasp the possibility of an abnormality in the battery 31, such as overcharging of the battery 31.

[0030] The information center 60 makes the battery information received from the remote communication unit 50 available for viewing in an internet environment. A user operates an electronic device terminal such as a smartphone to access a specific URL and connect to the information center 60. The information center 60 performs authentication processing on the user who accesses the specific URL using ID authentication, password authentication, etc., and if access is permitted, sends the battery information to the accessing terminal. This allows the user to view the battery information of the batteries 31 in the storage battery boxes 30 installed in various locations from outside, rather than just checking the information on a monitor at the information center 60.

[0031] As described above, the portable storage battery with remote monitoring function according to this embodiment includes a storage battery box 30 having a battery 31, a communication connector 34, and a battery management system 32 that monitors the battery status of the battery 31, and a remote communication unit 50 connected to the communication connector 34. The storage battery box 30 is portable, and the remote communication unit 50 transmits battery information about the battery 31 to an information center 60. This allows the battery status of the battery 31 inside the portable storage battery to be monitored from outside the portable storage battery. A manager can monitor the battery status of the battery 31 in real time from outside the portable storage battery. Furthermore, because the manager can grasp changes in the battery status, he or she can take preventive measures before an abnormality or the like occurs in the battery 31.

[0032] In this embodiment, the remote communication unit 50 is a unit that can be attached externally to the battery box 30. This allows the communication unit to be attached to the battery box 30 later.

[0033] The storage battery system according to this embodiment also includes a portable storage battery and an information center 60, which makes the battery information received from the remote communication unit 50 available for viewing over the Internet. This allows the administrator to view the battery information of the batteries 31 in the storage battery boxes 30 installed at various locations from outside, rather than just checking it on a monitor at the information center 60.

[0034] The solar outdoor lamp according to this embodiment also includes a solar panel 10 mounted on the pole 1, an LED illuminator 20 mounted on the pole 1, and an over-battery box 40 mounted on the pole 1 and housing a battery box 30. This allows the battery box 30 to be removed from the solar outdoor lamp in an emergency.

Claims

1. a battery box having a battery, a communication connector, and a battery management system that monitors the battery state; a remote communication unit connected to the communication connector; The battery box is portable; The remote communication unit transmits battery information indicating the battery status monitored by the battery management system to an information center.

2. 2. The portable battery according to claim 1, The remote communication unit is a portable battery unit that can be attached externally to the battery box.

3. 3. A storage battery system including the portable storage battery according to claim 1 or 2 and the information center, The information center is a storage battery system that makes the battery information received from the remote communication unit available for viewing in an Internet environment.

4. A solar outdoor lamp including the portable storage battery according to claim 1 or 2, Solar panels mounted on poles, an LED illuminator provided on the pole; and an over-battery box provided on the pole and accommodating the battery box.

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