Charging and discharging device

Abstract

To provide a charging and discharging device capable of managing a larger number of power sources with a simple configuration without increasing costs.SOLUTION: A charging and discharging device 10 includes a plurality of power sources each connectable to a plurality of secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged, and charging and discharging control means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a plurality of individual control units each of which controls the plurality of power sources, and charges and discharges each of the secondary batteries by controlling the power sources with the individual control units by transmitting and receiving the signals to and from the charging and discharging control means. The charging and discharging device includes a communication network A connected to the charging and discharging control means, a plurality of signal transmission modules 11 connected in parallel to the communication network A and for transmitting and receiving the signals, a communication network B connected to each of the signal transmission modules 11, a plurality of signal transmission modules 12 connected in parallel to the communication network B and for transmitting and receiving the signals, and a communication network C which is connected to each of the signal transmission modules 12, and to which each individual control unit is connected in parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging / discharging device for charging / discharging a plurality of secondary batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries have come to be widely used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other electrical products. In manufacturing this battery, as with conventional rechargeable batteries, a charge / discharge test is carried out on the manufactured battery to inspect whether the battery satisfies predetermined performance and characteristics before it is shipped. This charge / discharge test is performed by arranging multiple secondary batteries in the thickness direction and placing them on a tray, and connecting the power source of the charge / discharge device (charge / discharge power source, power supply device) to the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery via charge / discharge probes.

[0003] However, when using differential signal transmission to control charging and discharging devices, it is difficult to link all power sources to a single communications network, and it is more cost-effective to link many power sources to a network managed by a central controller (CTRL). For this reason, as a technique for forming multiple communication networks, for example, the signal transmission module disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an effective means. This signal transmission module is connected between a first communication network and a second communication network, is configured to transmit signals between the first and second communication networks, and includes a receiver for receiving signals and a driver for transmitting the received signals.

[0004] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 employs a standard called RS485 (RS-485). This standard is a communication standard of the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and is adopted in many industrial communication network protocols. In addition, the electrical specifications of RS485 stipulate that the number of nodes that can be connected to one communication network is 32. For example, if the first communication network is an RS485 main communication network and the second communication network is an RS485 sub-communication network, a maximum of 992 (32 x 31) nodes (power supplies) can be connected to the entire second communication network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-78502 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when attempting to apply the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 to a charging / discharging device, due to the structure of the charging / discharging device, it is necessary to connect only, for example, 2 to 10 power sources to the sub-communication network, and the maximum number (31) of power sources is not necessarily connected, so in order to connect more power sources to the network, it is necessary to expand the sub-communication network. Meanwhile, the maximum number of power sources that can be connected to the sub-communication network is limited to 31, making further expansion difficult. This limits the number of power supplies that can be managed by a single central controller, resulting in increased equipment costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a charge / discharge device capable of managing a larger number of power sources with a simple configuration without increasing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention that meets the above objective is a charge / discharge device that includes a plurality of power sources connectable to a plurality of secondary batteries that can be charged / discharged, respectively, and a charge / discharge control means that transmits / receives signals between a plurality of individual control units that control the plurality of power sources, and that controls the power sources by transmitting / receiving signals to / from the charge / discharge control means, thereby charging / discharging each of the secondary batteries, wherein: A communication network A connected to the charge / discharge control means; A plurality of signal transmission modules A connected in parallel to the communication network A for transmitting and receiving signals; A communication network B connected to each of the signal transmission modules A; A plurality of signal transmission modules B connected in parallel to the communication network B for transmitting and receiving signals; and a communication network C connected to each of the signal transmission modules B, with the individual control units being connected in parallel.

[0009] In the charging / discharging device of the first invention, it is preferable that the charging / discharging control means has a plurality of connection ports to which the communication networks A are respectively connected, and that the plurality of communication networks A are connected in parallel to the charging / discharging control means.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention that meets the above objective is a charge / discharge device that includes a plurality of power sources connectable to a plurality of rechargeable secondary batteries, respectively, and a charge / discharge control means that transmits / receives signals between a plurality of individual control units that control the plurality of power sources, respectively, and controls the power sources by transmitting / receiving signals to / from the charge / discharge control means, thereby charging / discharging each of the secondary batteries, the charge / discharge device comprising: A communication network a connected to the charge / discharge control means; A signal transmission module a connected to the communication network a for transmitting and receiving signals; The communication network includes a plurality of communication networks b connected to the signal transmission module a, each of which has the individual control units connected in parallel.

[0011] In the charge / discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the signal transmission modules a are connected in parallel to the communication network a.

[0012] In the charge / discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication network b is connected to each of a plurality of connection ports a included in the signal transmission module a.

[0013] In the charging / discharging device of the second invention, it is preferable that a communication network c is connected to each of the multiple connection ports a of the signal transmission module a, and the communication network b is connected to the communication network c via a signal transmission module c that transmits and receives signals connected to the communication network c.

[0014] In the charge / discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the signal transmission modules c are connected in parallel to the communication network c.

[0015] In the charging / discharging device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the charging / discharging control means has a plurality of connection ports to which the communication networks a are respectively connected, and that the plurality of communication networks a are connected in parallel to the charging / discharging control means. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The charge / discharge device according to the first invention has a plurality of signal transmission modules A connected in parallel to a communication network A connected to a charge / discharge control means and transmitting / receiving signals, a plurality of signal transmission modules B connected in parallel to a communication network B connected to each of the signal transmission modules A and transmitting / receiving signals, and a communication network C connected to each of the signal transmission modules B and having individual control units connected in parallel. As a result, for example, when the communication network A is an RS485 main communication network, the communication network B is an RS485 sub-communication network n (n: maximum 32), and the communication network C is an RS485 sub-communication network nm (m: maximum 31), the communication network can be expanded without being limited by the maximum number of individual control units (power supplies) that can be connected to the RS485 sub-communication network n. The charge / discharge device according to the second invention includes a signal transmission module a connected to a communication network a connected to a charge / discharge control means and transmitting / receiving signals, and a plurality of communication networks b connected to the signal transmission module a and each having an individual control unit connected in parallel. As a result, for example, when the communication network a is an RS485 main communication network and the communication network b is an RS485 sub-communication network, the communication networks can be expanded without being limited by the maximum number of individual control units (power supplies) that can be connected to the RS485 main communication network. Therefore, a larger number of power sources can be managed with a simple configuration without increasing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire communication network of a charging / discharging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a signal transmission module connected to a communication network of the charging / discharging device. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire communication network of a charging / discharging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a signal transmission module connected to a communication network of the charging / discharging device. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a signal transmission module according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire communication network of a charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire communication network of a charging / discharging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire communication network of a charging / discharging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Next, with reference to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described for understanding the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a charging / discharging device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of power sources (60 in this embodiment) that can be connected to a plurality of secondary batteries (60 in this embodiment) that can be charged and discharged, and one central CTRL (an example of a charging / discharging control means) that transmits and receives signals between the plurality of (60) CTRLs (an example of individual control units) of nodes 1 to 60 that control these power sources respectively, and is a device that charges and discharges each secondary battery by controlling the power source at each CTRL by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the central CTRL. The details are explained below.

[0019] The charging / discharging device 10 has a charging / discharging shelf (not shown) provided with a storage section for storing a tray that stores a plurality of secondary batteries. There are various types of secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries, but there is no particular limitation as long as they are rechargeable and dischargeable batteries. Within the storage section, above the multiple secondary batteries arranged side by side on a tray, there are arranged pairs of charge / discharge probe pins (contact pins) that can abut against the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery, and these charge / discharge probe pins are connected to a power source (charge / discharge power source).

[0020] In use, the tray containing the secondary batteries is raised relative to the fixedly positioned charge / discharge probe pins, or the charge / discharge probe pins are lowered relative to the positioned tray, bringing the charge / discharge probe pins into contact with the terminals of the secondary batteries, and the multiple secondary batteries are each connected to their corresponding power sources via power lines and voltage sensing lines. Although one power supply is used for one secondary battery here, for example, one power supply can be used for a plurality of secondary batteries.

[0021] The multiple power sources are each controlled by CTRLs (controllers) of nodes 1 to 60 (60 units) that transmit and receive signals to and from one central CTRL (for example, a control PC). The charge / discharge test program is stored in the central CTRL, and each CTRL receives a signal of the charge / discharge test program sent from the central CTRL to control each power supply. At this time, the central CTRL sends information to all CTRLs, and the CTRL that receives the request returns a response to the central CTRL (that is, the transmission and reception of signals between the central CTRL and CTRL is performed on a one-to-many basis from the central CTRL to CTRL, and one-to-one basis from CTRL to the central CTRL). Although the same charge / discharge test can be performed for each power supply by CTRL of nodes 1 to 60, it is also possible to perform a different charge / discharge test for each power supply.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the central CTRL has a controller equipped with an RS485DR port (an example of a connection port) as an interface, and the main communication network (an example of communication network A) is connected to this controller (RS485DR port). Note that the "DR" in "RS485DR" in Figure 1 is an abbreviation for Driver / Receiver (the same applies to other figures). 1, two signal transmission modules (an example of the signal transmission module A) 11 are connected in parallel to the main communication network. The maximum number of signal transmission modules 11 that can be connected to the main communication network is 31.

[0023] A sub-network n (an example of the network B: n=1, 2) is connected to each signal transmission module 11, and 30 (maximum 31) signal transmission modules (an example of the signal transmission module B) 12 are connected in parallel to each of the sub-networks n (here, 2, maximum 31). A sub-network nm (an example of the network C) is connected to each signal transmission module 12, and two CTRLs are connected in parallel to each of the 30 (maximum 31) sub-networks nm (m=1 to 30) that are the same as the number of signal transmission modules 12 connected to one sub-network n. In the case of the charging / discharging device 10, the number of CTRLs connected to the sub-network nm is at most about 10 (for example, 15 or less).

[0024] Here, the internal configuration of the signal transmission module 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (the same applies to the signal transmission module 12). The main communication network has a terminating resistor 13 connected to both ends of its bus, and the sub-communication network n has a terminating resistor 14 connected to both ends of its bus. In FIG. 2, the left line of the main communication network is LMA and the right line is LMB, and the left line of the sub-communication network n is LSA and the right line is LSB.

[0025] The signal transmission module 11 includes a receiver R1 that receives a signal from a main communication network, a receiver R2 that receives a signal from a sub-communication network n, a driver D1 that transmits a signal received from the sub-communication network n via the receiver R2 to the main communication network, a driver D2 that transmits a signal received from the main communication network via the receiver R1 to the sub-communication network n, and a transmission control circuit 15 that controls the operating states of the receivers R1, R2 and the drivers D1, D2.

[0026] In this signal transmission module 11, the driver D1 and the receiver R1 are components of a first driver / receiver circuit (RS485DR) 16, and the driver D2 and the receiver R2 are components of a second driver / receiver circuit (RS485DR) 17. In the receivers R1 and R2, IN1 indicates a non-inverting input terminal, IN2 indicates an inverting input terminal, and SE1 indicates an inverting control input terminal. In the drivers D1 and D2, OUT1 indicates a non-inverting output terminal, OUT2 indicates an inverting output terminal, and SE2 indicates a non-inverting control input terminal.

[0027] In this signal transmission module 11, the transmission control circuit 15 includes an inverter INV, and a signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main communication network is input to the inverter INV. In this case, when there is a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main communication network, a signal of logic level "1" is input, and when there is no request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main communication network, a signal of logic level "0" is input. The inverter INV inverts and outputs the signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main communication network.

[0028] A signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main communication network, i.e., the signal indicating the presence or absence of a transmission request before being inverted by the inverter INV, is provided to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R1 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D1 via the control signal line SL1. Furthermore, the signal indicating the presence or absence of a transmission request after being inverted by the inverter INV is provided to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R2 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D2 via a control signal line SL2.

[0029] In the signal transmission module 11, a signal occurring on the left line LMA of the main communication network is input to the non-inverting input terminal IN1 of the receiver R1, and a signal occurring on the right line LMB of the main communication network is input to the inverting input terminal IN2 of the receiver R1. A signal occurring on the left line LSA of the sub-network n is input to the non-inverting input terminal IN1 of the receiver R2, and a signal occurring on the right line LSB of the sub-network n is input to the inverting input terminal IN2 of the receiver R2.

[0030] A non-inverted output signal from the driver D1 is output from the non-inverted output terminal OUT1 of the driver D1 to the left line LMA of the main communication network, and an inverted output signal from the driver D1 is output from the inverted output terminal OUT2 of the driver D1 to the right line LMB of the main communication network LM. In addition, a non-inverted output signal from the driver D2 is output from the non-inverted output terminal OUT1 of the driver D2 to the left line LSA of the sub-network n, and an inverted output signal from the driver D2 is output from the inverted output terminal OUT2 of the driver D2 to the right line LSB of the sub-network n.

[0031] In the above-mentioned configuration, when there is a request to transmit a signal from the sub-communication network n to the main communication network, the following operation is performed. In the signal transmission module 11, when there is a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main network, a signal of logic level "1" is input to the inverter INV. As a result, a signal of logic level "1" is sent to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R1 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D1 via the control signal line SL1, so that the driver D1 is in an operating state and the receiver R1 is in an inoperating state. In addition, a signal of logic level "0" is sent to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R2 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D2 via the control signal line SL2, so that the receiver R2 is in an operating state and the driver D2 is in an inoperating state.

[0032] This blocks the signal transmission path from the main communication network to the sub-communication network n, and the signal from the sub-communication network n is sent to the main communication network via the signal transmission path from the sub-communication network n to the main communication network, i.e., via the signal transmission path from receiver R2 to driver D1.

[0033] Moreover, if there is no request for transmission of a signal from the sub-network n to the main network, the operation is as follows. In the signal transmission module 11, when there is no request to transmit a signal from the sub-network n to the main network, a signal of logic level "0" is input to the inverter INV. Therefore, a signal of logic level "0" is sent to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R1 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D1 via the control signal line SL1, so that the receiver R1 is in an operating state and the driver D1 is in an inoperating state. In addition, a signal of logic level "1" is sent to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R2 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D2 via the control signal line SL2, so that the driver D2 is in an operating state and the receiver R2 is in an inoperating state.

[0034] This blocks the transmission path of signals from the sub-network n to the main communication network, and the signals from the main communication network are sent to the sub-network n via the transmission path of signals from the main communication network to the sub-network n, i.e., via the transmission path of signals from receiver R1 to driver D2.

[0035] Next, a charging / discharging device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The same members as those in the charging / discharging device 10 described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Like the charging / discharging device 10 described above, the charging / discharging device 20 has a charging / discharging shelf provided with a storage section for storing a tray on which a plurality of secondary batteries are accommodated, and within this storage section, above the plurality of secondary batteries arranged in a row on the tray, a pair of charging / discharging probe pins are arranged so as to be able to abut against the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery, and these charging / discharging probe pins are connected to a power source (charging / discharging power source).

[0036] Each of the multiple power sources is controlled by CTRLs (controllers, an example of individual control units) of nodes 1 to 10 (10 in total) that transmit and receive signals to and from a central CTRL (an example of a charge / discharge control means). 3, two signal transmission modules (an example of the signal transmission module a) 21 and 22 are connected in parallel to a main communication network (an example of the communication network a) connected to the central CTRL. The maximum number of the signal transmission modules 21 and 22 that can be connected to the main communication network is 31 in total. Two and three sub-networks n (an example of the communication network b: n=1 to 5) are connected to the signal transmission modules 21 and 22, respectively, and two CTRLs are connected in parallel to each sub-network n. Note that the number of CTRLs connected to one sub-network n is at most about 10 (for example, 15 or less) in the charging / discharging device 20.

[0037] Here, the internal configuration of the signal transmission module 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Since the basic configuration is substantially the same as that of the signal transmission module 11 described above, the same members are given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. The signal transmission module 21 has two connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) for connecting two sub-networks n (n=1, 2) in parallel. The signal transmission module 22 has three connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) for connecting three sub-networks n (n=1, 2) in parallel, and has substantially the same configuration as the signal transmission module 21, except that the number of connection ports is different.

[0038] The signal transmission module 21 comprises a first driver / receiver circuit (RS485DR) 16, two second driver / receiver circuits (RS485DR) 17, and a transmission control circuit 23 that controls the operating states of receivers R1, R2 and drivers D1, D2, which are components of the first and second driver / receiver circuits 16, 17. The transmission control circuit 23 includes two inverters INV1 and 2, and a signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network 1 to the main communication network is input to the inverter INV1, and a signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-network 2 to the main communication network is input to the inverter INV2. Note that the inverters INV1 and 2 each invert and output the signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-networks 1 and 2 to the main communication network.

[0039] A signal indicating the presence or absence of a request to transmit a signal from the sub-communication networks 1 and 2 to the main communication network, i.e., a signal indicating the presence or absence of a transmission request before being inverted by the inverters INV1 and INV2, is provided to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R1 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D1 via each control signal line SL1. In addition, the signal indicating the presence or absence of a transmission request after being inverted by inverters INV1 and INV2 is provided to the inverting control input terminal SE1 of the receiver R2 and the non-inverting control input terminal SE2 of the driver D2 via each control signal line SL2.

[0040] As a result, when there is a request to send a signal from sub-communication network 1 or sub-communication network 2 to the main communication network, the signal from sub-communication network 1 or sub-communication network 2 is sent to the main communication network via the signal transmission path from receiver R2 to driver D1. In addition, if there is no request to send a signal from sub-communication network 1 or sub-communication network 2 to the main communication network, the signal from the main communication network is sent simultaneously to sub-communication network 1 and sub-communication network 2 via the signal transmission path from receiver R1 to driver D2.

[0041] 5 (an example of the signal transmission module a) 25 can be used instead of the above-described signal transmission module 21. The basic configuration of this signal transmission module 25 is substantially similar to the above-described signal transmission modules 11 and 21, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The signal transmission module 25 has two connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) for connecting two sub-communication networks n (n=1, 2) in parallel.

[0042] In this signal transmission module 25, a driver D1 and a receiver R1, which are components of a first driver / receiver circuit (RS485DR) 16a, are connected to separate buses of the main communication network, and termination resistors 13 are connected to both ends of each bus. In FIG. 5, the left line of one bus in the main communication network is LMA1 and the right line is LMB1, while the left line of the other bus is LMA2 and the right line is LMB2.

[0043] In addition, in the signal transmission module 25, the driver D2 and receiver R2, which are components of the two second driver / receiver circuits (RS485DR) 17a provided at the two connection ports mentioned above, are connected to individual buses that the sub-communication networks 1 and 2 each have, and a termination resistor 14 is connected to both ends of each bus. In FIG. 5, the left line of one bus in sub-network n is LSA1 and the right line is LSB1, while the left line of the other bus is LSA2 and the right line is LSB2.

[0044] A signal appearing on the left line LMA1 of one of the buses of the main communication network is input to the non-inverting input terminal IN1 of the receiver R1, and a signal appearing on the right line LMB1 of the above-mentioned bus is input to the inverting input terminal IN2 of the receiver R1. In addition, a non-inverted output signal from the driver D1 is output from the non-inverted output terminal OUT1 of the driver D1 to the left line LMA2 of the other bus of the main communication network, and an inverted output signal from the driver D1 is output from the inverted output terminal OUT2 of the driver D1 to the right line LMB2 of the above-mentioned bus.

[0045] A signal appearing on the left line LSA1 of one of the buses of the sub-network n is input to the non-inverting input terminal IN1 of the receiver R2, and a signal appearing on the right line LSB1 of the above-mentioned bus is input to the inverting input terminal IN2 of the receiver R2. In addition, a non-inverted output signal from the driver D2 is output from the non-inverted output terminal OUT1 of the driver D2 to the left line LSA2 of the other bus of the sub-communication network n, and an inverted output signal from the driver D2 is output from the inverted output terminal OUT2 of the driver D2 to the right line LSB2 of the above-mentioned bus.

[0046] The signal transmission module 25 includes a transmission control circuit 26 . The operating states of the receivers R1, R2 and the drivers D1, D2 are not controlled, and the drivers D1, D2 are always in an operating state, and simultaneously send signals from the central CTRL to the sub-communication networks 1 and 2. Here, the CTRL that receives the request returns a response to the central CTRL (only the corresponding CTRL returns a response). Moreover, since the receivers R1 and R2 are always in an operating state, a signal from the corresponding CTRL switches the transmission control circuit 26 and is sent to the central CTRL.

[0047] A charging / discharging device 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The same members as those in the charging / discharging device 20 described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The charging / discharging device 30 has the charging / discharging shelf described above, and within the storage section of this charging / discharging shelf, above a number of secondary batteries arranged side by side on a tray, pairs of charging / discharging probe pins are arranged so as to be able to abut against the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery, and these charging / discharging probe pins are connected to a power source (charging / discharging power source).

[0048] Each of the multiple power sources is controlled by CTRLs (controllers, an example of individual control units) of nodes 1 to 180 (180 in total) that transmit and receive signals to and from a central CTRL (an example of a charge / discharge control means). 6, in the main communication network (an example of communication network a), 30 signal transmission modules (an example of signal transmission module a) 11a (having the same configuration as the signal transmission module 11) and one signal transmission module (an example of signal transmission module a) 21 are connected in parallel. Note that the maximum number of signal transmission modules 11a and 21 that can be connected to the main communication network is 31 in total.

[0049] Each of the 30 signal transmission modules 11a is connected to a sub-communication network n (n = 1, 2, ..., 30, an example of communication network b), and two CTRLs are connected in parallel to each sub-communication network n (30 in this case, the maximum number of signal transmission modules 11a, 21 is 31 in total) (nodes 1 to 60 (60 in total)). Further, sub-networks n (an example of network c: n=31, 32) are connected to two connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) of one signal transmission module 21, and 30 (maximum 31) signal transmission modules (an example of signal transmission modules c) 31 are connected in parallel to each sub-network n. This signal transmission module 31 has the same configuration as the signal transmission modules 11 and 12 described above, and a sub-network nm (an example of network b) is connected to the signal transmission module 31 connected to each sub-network n, and two CTRLs are connected in parallel to each of the 30 sub-networks nm (m=1 to 30).

[0050] A charging / discharging device 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same members as those in the charging / discharging devices 20 and 30 described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The charging / discharging device 40 has the charging / discharging shelf described above, and within the storage section of this charging / discharging shelf, above a number of secondary batteries arranged side by side on a tray, a pair of charging / discharging probe pins are arranged so as to be able to abut against the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery, and these charging / discharging probe pins are connected to a power source (charging / discharging power source).

[0051] Each of the multiple power sources is controlled by a multiple number of CTRLs (controllers, an example of individual control units) of nodes 1 to 186 (186 in total) that transmit and receive signals to and from a central CTRL (an example of a charge / discharge control means). 7, a main communication network (an example of communication network a) is connected to one signal transmission module 22. As described above, this signal transmission module 22 has three connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) for connecting three sub-communication networks n (an example of communication network c: n=1 to 3) in parallel.

[0052] Thirty-one signal transmission modules 31 are connected in parallel to each of the three sub-communication networks n connected to the signal transmission module 22, and a sub-communication network nm (an example of communication network b: m=1 to 31) is connected to the signal transmission module 31 connected to each sub-communication network n, and two CTRLs are connected in parallel to each of the 31 sub-communication networks nm.

[0053] A charging / discharging device 50 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The same members as those in the charging / discharging devices 20 and 30 described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The charging / discharging device 50 has the charging / discharging shelf described above, and within the storage section of this charging / discharging shelf, above a number of secondary batteries arranged side by side on a tray, a pair of charging / discharging probe pins are arranged so as to be able to abut against the terminals (positive and negative electrodes) of each secondary battery, and these charging / discharging probe pins are connected to a power source (charging / discharging power source).

[0054] Each of the multiple power sources is controlled by nodes 1 to 300 (300 units) or more CTRLs (controllers, an example of individual control units) that transmit and receive signals to and from a central CTRL (an example of a charge / discharge control means). As shown in Fig. 8, the central CTRL has two connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a) for connecting two main communication networks (an example of communication network a) in parallel. A plurality of signal transmission modules 21 are connected in series to the main communication network connected to one connection port (left side of Fig. 8), and ten signal transmission modules 11a (an example of signal transmission module a) are connected in parallel to the main communication network connected to the other connection port (right side of Fig. 8).

[0055] Each signal transmission module 21 has two connection ports (RS485DR port: connection port a), one of which (left side of Figure 8) is connected to a main communication network connected to the central CTRL, and the other (right side of Figure 8) is connected to a sub-communication network cn (an example of communication network c: n = 1, 2, ...) in which 10 signal transmission modules (an example of signal transmission modules c) 31 are connected in parallel. In addition, a sub-communication network nm (an example of communication network b: n=1, 2..., m=1 to 10) is connected to the above-mentioned signal transmission modules 11a and 31, and 10 CTRLs are connected in parallel to each of these sub-communication networks nm (nodes 1 to 300 or more).

[0056] Therefore, the charge / discharge device of the present invention can manage a larger number of power sources with a simple configuration without increasing costs.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, and includes other embodiments and modifications that are conceivable within the scope of the matters described in the claims. For example, the case where the charging / discharging device of the present invention is configured by combining part or all of the above-mentioned respective embodiments and modifications is also included in the scope of the rights of the present invention. In the charging / discharging device of the first embodiment, a case has been described in which a charging / discharging control means having one connection port is used, but a charging / discharging control means having multiple (e.g., two or three) connection ports can also be used, in which case multiple communication networks A can be connected in parallel to the charging / discharging control means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: charging / discharging device, 11: signal transmission module (signal transmission module A), 11a: signal transmission module (signal transmission module a), 12: signal transmission module (signal transmission module B), 13, 14: termination resistor, 15: transmission control circuit, 16, 16a, 17, 17a: driver / receiver circuit, 20: charging / discharging device, 21, 22: signal transmission module (signal transmission module a), 23: transmission control circuit, 25: signal transmission module (signal transmission module a), 26: transmission control circuit, 30: charging / discharging device, 31: signal transmission module (signal transmission module c), 40: charging / discharging device, 50: charging / discharging device

Claims

1. A charge / discharge testing device comprising: a plurality of power sources connectable to a plurality of rechargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries, respectively; and a charge / discharge control means for transmitting / receiving a signal for a charge / discharge test between a plurality of individual control units which respectively control the plurality of power sources, the individual control units controlling the power sources by transmitting / receiving the signal for the charge / discharge test with the charge / discharge control means, the charge / discharge testing device performing a charge / discharge test on each of the secondary batteries, A communication network a connected to the charge / discharge control means; A signal transmission module a connected to the communication network a for transmitting and receiving a signal for a charge / discharge test; a plurality of communication networks (b) connected to said signal transmission module (a), each of said communication networks (b) having said individual control units connected in parallel to each other;

2. 2. The charge / discharge test device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said signal transmission modules a are connected in parallel to said communication network a.

3. 3. The charge / discharge test device according to claim 1, wherein the communication network b is connected to a plurality of connection ports a of the signal transmission module a, respectively.

4. 3. The charge / discharge test device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a communication network c is connected to each of the plurality of connection ports a of the signal transmission module a, and the communication network b is connected to the communication network c via a signal transmission module c that transmits and receives signals for the charge / discharge test connected to the communication network c.

5. 5. The charge / discharge test device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said signal transmission modules c are connected in parallel to said communication network c.

6. 6. The charge / discharge test device according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge control means is provided with a plurality of connection ports to which the communication networks a are respectively connected, and the plurality of communication networks a are connected in parallel to the charge / discharge control means.

Images