Electricity storage device and electronic device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device which can downsize an apparatus while cutting out the need of rewriting a control program, and an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: In an electronic apparatus 1, a transmission / reception path PA transmits a detection result outputted from a sensor 22 to a control device 23 and an external device 3 that is connected to a connection terminal Ts1, and transmits an updated program transmitted from the external device via the connection terminal, to the control device. The control device is capable of executing a rewriting process of rewriting a control program stored in a memory unit ME, to the updated program received from the external apparatus via the connection terminal and the transmission / reception path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity storage device and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, microcomputers mounted on electronic devices have a storage unit capable of storing a control program, and control the operation of the electronic device by executing the control program, as shown in Patent Document 1 below. Furthermore, the microcomputer is capable of rewriting the control program stored in the storage unit after the product is completed, due to corrections to calculations or control contents, etc.

[0003] Conventionally, the control program is rewritten by disassembling the electronic device, exposing a connector used for rewriting the control program to the outside, and connecting an external device for updating the control program to the circuit board via the connector. Although the frequency of such a control program rewriting operation is low, it takes time to disassemble the electronic device each time, and therefore there is a demand to avoid disassembly as much as possible. Therefore, the control program can be rewritten when the electronic device is maintained, but in this case, there is a problem that the timing of rewriting is limited.

[0004] Also, for example, as shown in the following Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide an electronic device with a rewriting connector in order to eliminate the need to disassemble the electronic device. However, this increases the number of pins in the connector, which creates a problem in that it is not possible to miniaturize the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-026712 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an energy storage device and electronic device that can achieve miniaturization of the device while eliminating the effort required for rewriting control programs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above problems, and can be realized in the following aspects.

[0008] The power storage device and electronic device according to the present aspect include a battery, a sensor configured to detect the state of the battery, a storage unit that stores a control program, and a control device configured to execute the control program to at least input a detection result regarding the state of the battery output from the sensor and monitor the state of the battery, a connection terminal that can be electrically connected to an external device, and a transmission / reception path that electrically connects the sensor, the control device, and the connection terminal. The transmission / reception path is configured to transmit the detection result output from the sensor to the control device and the external device connected to the connection terminal, and to transmit an update program transmitted from the external device via the connection terminal to the control device, and the control device is further capable of executing a rewrite process to rewrite the control program stored in the storage unit with the update program transmitted from the external device via the connection terminal and the transmission / reception path. Effect of the Invention

[0009] With this configuration, the power storage device and electronic device according to this aspect can reduce the size of the device while eliminating the need for rewriting the control program. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electronic device including the power storage device. [Diagram 2] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a rewriting process for rewriting a control program in the power storage device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention when a rewriting device is connected, and an electronic device including the power storage device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a power storage device and an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment is not limited to the contents described below, and can be modified as desired without changing the gist of the embodiment. In addition, the drawings used in the description of the embodiment are all schematic representations of components, and may be partially emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted to facilitate understanding, and may not accurately represent the scale, shape, etc. of the components.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a power storage device 2 according to the present embodiment and an electronic device 1 including the power storage device 2. The electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that receives power from a built-in battery 21 to perform a predetermined operation. The electronic device 1 includes a power storage device 2 and an operating device (external device) 3. A positive terminal (positive terminal) Tp1 of the power storage device 2 is connected to a positive terminal (positive terminal) Tp2 of the operating device 3. A negative terminal (negative terminal) Tn1 of the power storage device 2 is connected to a negative terminal (negative terminal) Tn2 of the operating device 3. Furthermore, the negative terminal Tn1 and the negative terminal Tn2 are connected to the ground GND (i.e., the power storage device 2 and the operating device 3 are grounded). The power storage device 2 in this embodiment supplies power from a battery 21 built into the power storage device 2 to the operating device 3 via the positive terminal Tp1 and the positive terminal Tp2. Moreover, the actuator 3 in this embodiment receives power from the battery 21 to execute a predetermined operation.

[0013] Here, the battery 21 in this embodiment is a commonly known primary battery such as a manganese battery, an alkaline battery, or a lithium battery, or a commonly known secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The battery 21 may be a single cell or a battery pack. The operating device 3 in this embodiment is a commonly known device such as a power tool or an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle may be a senior car or an electric golf cart.

[0014] Further, the power storage device 2 according to this embodiment includes a sensor 22, a microcomputer (control device) 23, and a switch SW in addition to the battery 21. The sensor 22 is configured to detect the state of the battery 21. For example, the sensor 22 detects changes in temperature, current, voltage, pressure, etc. of the battery 21, and outputs an analog voltage corresponding to the changes in temperature, current, voltage, pressure, etc. of the battery 21 as the detection result. Here, the sensor 22 shown in FIG. 1 includes a series circuit in which a resistor R and a thermistor θ are connected in series, and is connected in parallel in correspondence with the battery 21. The thermistor θ is an electronic component whose resistance value changes with a change in temperature. That is, the sensor 22 shown in FIG. 1 detects a temperature change of the battery 21 based on a change in the resistance value of the thermistor θ, and outputs an analog voltage (a voltage divided by the resistor R and thermistor θ) corresponding to the temperature change of the battery 21 as the detection result.

[0015] Further, the sensor 22 is provided with a switch SW1 on the negative side of the series circuit and a switch SW2 on the positive side of the series circuit, and the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on or off under the control of a microcomputer 23 described later (in other words, in response to a control signal transmitted from a processing unit PU of the microcomputer 23 described later). For example, during normal operation (when power is being supplied from the power storage device 2 to the actuator 3), the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on under the control of the microcomputer 23. Moreover, when a rewrite process described later is executed, the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned off under the control of the microcomputer 23.

[0016] The storage device 2 also has a connection end Ts1 that is provided separately from the positive terminal Tp1 and the negative terminal Tn1 and functions as a connection terminal on the storage device side that is electrically connectable to a connection end Ts2 provided on the actuator 3. The storage device 2 further has a transmission / reception path PA that electrically connects the sensor 22, the microcomputer 23, and the connection end Ts1.

[0017] Specifically, the transmission / reception path PA is connected to an electric path connecting the resistor R and thermistor θ of the sensor 22. The transmission / reception path PA is configured to transmit the detection result (analog voltage) output from the sensor 22 to the microcomputer 23 and the actuator (external device) 3 connected to the connection end Ts1. The transmission / reception path PA is configured to transmit an update program transmitted from the actuator (external device) 3 to the microcomputer 23 via the connection end Ts1. That is, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment do not provide a path for outputting the detection result output from the sensor 22 to the external device and a path for executing communication for updating the control program stored in the memory ME of the microcomputer 23 separately, but share them.

[0018] The microcomputer 23 includes a processor, a memory, and the like as hardware resources. For example, the microcomputer 23 in this embodiment includes a processing unit PU, a memory ME, an input unit AN, and a communication unit DI. The processing unit PU, the memory ME, the input unit AN, and the communication unit DI are electrically and mutually connected via a bus BA provided in the microcomputer 23. The processing unit PU executes arithmetic processing required for the operation of each of the devices constituting the power storage device 2, and transmits control signals to each of the devices for controlling the operation of each of the devices. The memory ME functions as a storage unit that stores a control program. The input unit AN is provided for at least inputting the detection result. The communication unit DI is provided for at least enabling communication with the external device.

[0019] The microcomputer 23 is configured to execute the control program and control each of the devices constituting the power storage device 2 by the processing unit PU. For example, the microcomputer 23 is configured to execute the control program and monitor the state of the battery 21 by inputting at least the detection result output from the sensor 22 by the processing unit PU. Specifically, when the battery 21 is a secondary battery, the microcomputer 23 executes the control program and controls charging and discharging of the battery 21 by the processing unit PU, and inputs the detection result to monitor the state of the battery 21. In addition, the microcomputer 23 turns on or off the switches SW1 and SW2 provided on the sensor 22 by the processing unit PU. For example, during normal operation of the electronic device 1 (when power is supplied from the power storage device 2 to the actuator 3), the microcomputer 23 turns on the switches SW1 and SW2 by the processing unit PU. In addition, when performing a rewrite process described later, the microcomputer 23 turns off the switches SW1 and SW2 by the processing unit PU. That is, the microcomputer 23 turns off the switches SW1 and SW2 to stop output of the detection result (analog voltage) from the sensor 22. The microcomputer 23 is connected to the ground GND (that is, the microcomputer 23 is grounded).

[0020] Here, the input unit AN has a terminal (analog terminal) Ta, an electric path PAa, and a switching element SWa. The terminal Ta is a metal piece forming a part of the electric path, and is electrically connected to the sensor 22 and a connection terminal Ts1 described later via the transmission / reception path PA. The electric path PAa is provided to electrically connect the processing unit PU and memory ME to the terminal Ta together with the bus BA. The switching element SWa is provided on the electric path PAa, and is provided to connect or disconnect the electric path PAa in response to a control signal transmitted from the processing unit PU. Note that the switching element SWa in this embodiment also includes one provided as a component of a device (for example, an A / D converter (not shown)) constituting the input unit AN.

[0021] The communication unit DI has a terminal (digital terminal) Td, an electric path PAd, and a switching element SWd. The terminal Td is a metal piece forming a part of the electric path, and is electrically connected to the sensor 22 and the connection terminal Ts1 via the transmission / reception path PA. The electric path PAd is provided to electrically connect the processing unit PU and memory ME to the terminal Td together with the bus BA. The switching element SWd is provided in the electric path PAd, and is provided to connect or disconnect the electric path PAd in response to a control signal transmitted from the processing unit PU.

[0022] Furthermore, when the microcomputer 23 inputs the detection result output from the sensor 22, the processing unit PU transmits the above-mentioned control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN connects the electrical path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI disconnects the electrical path PAd of the communication unit DI. Furthermore, when the microcomputer 23 communicates with the operating device (external device) 3, the processing unit PU transmits the above-mentioned control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN disconnects the electrical path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI connects the electrical path PAd of the communication unit DI.

[0023] The switch SW accepts a direct or indirect operation from the user, which triggers the rewriting process described later. Note that the switch SW in this embodiment can be one that is generally used in the electronic device 1, and depending on the type of the switch SW, the switch SW accepts a direct or indirect operation from the user, which triggers the rewriting process described later. For example, if the switch SW in this embodiment is a single push button switch, the switch SW is pressed by the user. The pressing operation is, for example, a long press.

[0024] Here, a rewrite process for rewriting the control program stored in the memory ME in the power storage device 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a rewrite process for rewriting the control program in the power storage device 2 according to this embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 shows the flow of a rewrite process for rewriting the control program when the switch SW is operated directly or indirectly by a user during normal operation of the electronic device 1 (when power is supplied from the power storage device 2 to the actuator 3). That is, at the start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer 23 inputs the detection result output from the sensor 22. Furthermore, the processing unit PU transmits the control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN connects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI disconnects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI. In other words, the microcomputer 23 is in a state where it can sense a signal input from the input unit AN and is in a state where it cannot sense a signal input from the communication unit DI.

[0026] First, the switch SW receives a direct or indirect operation from the user as a trigger (step S1). After step S1 is completed, the microcomputer 23 communicates with the actuation device 3 via the transmission / reception path PA, the connection end Ts1, and the connection end Ts2, triggered by the switch SW receiving a direct or indirect operation from the user. When communicating with the actuation device 3, the processing unit PU transmits the control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN temporarily disconnects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN, and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI temporarily connects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI. In other words, the microcomputer 23 is in a state in which it cannot detect a signal input from the input unit AN, and is in a state in which it can detect a signal input from the communication unit DI. The microcomputer 23 communicates with the actuation device 3 and determines whether or not there is an instruction to rewrite the control program (step S2).

[0027] When it is determined through communication with the actuator 3 that there is an instruction to rewrite the control program (Yes in step S2), the microcomputer 23 causes the processing unit PU to turn off the sensor 22 (step S3). That is, the microcomputer 23 causes the processing unit PU to turn off the switches SW1 and SW2. At this time, the processing unit PU transmits the control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN disconnects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI connects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI until the rewrite process is completed.

[0028] If it is determined through communication with the actuator 3 that there is no instruction to rewrite the control program (No in step S2), there is no need to rewrite the control program, and so the processing unit PU ends the series of processes. At this time, in order to resume input of the detection result from the sensor 22, the processing unit PU transmits the control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN connects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI connects or disconnects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI.

[0029] After step S3 is completed, the microcomputer 23 transmits an update permission notification indicating permission to update the control program to the actuator 3 via the transmission / reception path PA, connection end Ts1, and connection end Ts2 (step S4). After step S4 is completed, the microcomputer 23 determines whether or not it has received an update program transmitted from the actuator 3 via the connection end Ts2, connection end Ts1, and transmission / reception path PA in response to the update permission notification (step S5), and repeats the process of step S5 until it receives the update program. If it has received the update program (Yes in step S5), the microcomputer 23 executes a rewrite process to rewrite the control program stored in the memory ME with the update program transmitted from the actuator 3 (step S6). After step S6 is completed, the series of processes ends. At this time, in order to resume input of the detection results from the sensor 22, the processing unit PU transmits the above-mentioned control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so as to connect the electrical path PAa of the input unit AN using the switching element SWa of the input unit AN, and to disconnect the electrical path PAd of the communication unit DI using the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI.

[0030] According to the above configuration, in the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 including the power storage device 2 according to the present embodiment, the transmission / reception path PA is configured to transmit the detection result (analog voltage) output from the sensor 22 to the microcomputer 23 and the actuator (external device) 3 connected to the connection end Ts1. The transmission / reception path PA is also configured to transmit an update program transmitted from the actuator (external device) 3 via the connection end Ts1 to the microcomputer 23. The microcomputer 23 is also capable of executing a rewrite process to rewrite the control program stored in the memory (storage unit) ME to the update program transmitted from the actuator (external device) 3 via the connection end Ts1 and the transmission / reception path PA.

[0031] In the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, the connection end Ts1 is always exposed to the outside of the power storage device 2. That is, in the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to disassemble the electronic device 1 and expose a terminal (connector) used for rewriting the control program to the outside during maintenance of the electronic device 1. Furthermore, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment do not provide separate paths for outputting the detection result output from the sensor 22 to an external device and for executing communication for updating the control program stored in the memory ME of the microcomputer 23, but rather provide them as a common path. That is, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment provide common paths, thereby reducing the number of paths provided separately and realizing space saving.

[0032] Thus, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce the size of the devices while eliminating the need to rewrite the control program. Also, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce costs by sharing paths.

[0033] Further, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a switch SW. The power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment execute the above-mentioned rewriting process when the switch SW is operated directly or indirectly by the user. In other words, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment do not execute the above-mentioned rewriting process unless the switch SW is operated directly or indirectly by the user. That is, the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment can execute the above-mentioned rewriting process at any timing of the user.

[0034] In addition, in the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, when the microcomputer 23 inputs the detection result output from the sensor 22, the processing unit PU of the microcomputer 23 transmits the above-mentioned control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN connects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI disconnects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI. In addition, in the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, when the microcomputer 23 communicates with the operating device (external device) 3, the processing unit PU of the microcomputer 23 transmits the above-mentioned control signal to each of the input unit AN and the communication unit DI so that the switching element SWa of the input unit AN disconnects the electric path PAa of the input unit AN and the switching element SWd of the communication unit DI connects the electric path PAd of the communication unit DI.

[0035] That is, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment can switch the role of the path (role as a path for outputting the detection result output from the sensor 22 to an external device, and role as a path for executing communication for updating the control program stored in the memory ME of the microcomputer 23) without providing a special path switching component (e.g., a switching element) in the transmission / reception path PA. In other words, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the number of components provided in the path. Furthermore, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment can achieve cost reduction and circuit simplification due to the reduction in the number of components.

[0036] In the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, the update program is obtained from the operating device 3. However, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment are not limited to this. For example, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment may be provided with a rewriting device 4 dedicated to rewriting, as shown in FIG. 3. When performing the rewriting process, the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to this embodiment may connect a connection end (connection terminal) Ts3 of the rewriting device 4 to the connection end Ts1, and rewrite the control program into the update program as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0037] In the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensor 22 configured with the resistor R and thermistor θ is shown as an example, and the sensor 22 in the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration. For example, in the power storage device 2 and electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment, any sensor 22 that can detect changes in temperature, current, voltage, pressure, etc. of the battery 21 can be used as appropriate.

[0038] Furthermore, in the power storage device 2 and the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, the trigger for executing the rewrite process is not limited to the switch SW, and the rewrite process may be executed using other parts or operations as a trigger.

[0039] Furthermore, the term "processor" used in the above description refers to, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD)), or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Furthermore, each component (each processing unit) of this embodiment may be realized by multiple processors, not limited to a single processor. Furthermore, multiple components (multiple processing units) may be realized by a single processor.

[0040] Furthermore, the "memory" used in the above explanation refers to various storage media required for the microcomputer, such as the register or cache memory of the "processor", ROM (Read Only Memory), main memory device (RAM (Random Access Memory)), or auxiliary memory device such as HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0041] Although the embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Electronic equipment 2. Energy storage device 3 Actuator (external device) 4 Rewrite device 21 Batteries 22 Sensors 23 Microcomputer (control device) AN input section DI Communication Department ME Memory (storage section) PA transmission and reception path PAa, PAd electrical path PU Processing Unit SW Switch SWa, SWd Switching elements Ta terminal (analog terminal) Td terminal (digital terminal) Ts1 connection end (connection terminal on the storage device side)

Claims

1. Batteries and a sensor configured to detect a condition of the battery; a control device including a storage unit that stores a control program, the control device being configured to execute the control program to input at least a detection result regarding the state of the battery output from the sensor and monitor the state of the battery; A connection terminal capable of being electrically connected to an external device; a transmission / reception path that electrically connects the sensor, the control device, and the connection terminal; Equipped with the transmission / reception path is configured to transmit a detection result output from the sensor to the control device and the external device connected to the connection terminal, and to transmit an update program transmitted from the external device to the control device via the connection terminal; the control device is further capable of executing a rewrite process of rewriting the control program stored in the storage unit with an update program transmitted from the external device via the connection terminal and the transmission / reception path; A processing unit that executes arithmetic processing required for the operation of each of the devices constituting the power storage device and transmits a control signal to each of the devices for controlling the operation of each of the devices; an input unit for inputting the detection result; A communication unit for enabling communication with the external device; Equipped with The input unit and the communication unit a terminal electrically connected to the sensor and the connection terminal via the transmission / reception path; an electrical path for electrically connecting the processing unit and the storage unit to the terminal; a switching element provided in the electrical path for connecting or disconnecting the electrical path in response to a control signal transmitted from the processing unit; having The processing unit includes: When the control device inputs the detection result output from the sensor, the control signal is transmitted to each of the input unit and the communication unit so that the switching element of the input unit connects the electrical path of the input unit and the switching element of the communication unit disconnects the electrical path of the communication unit; When the control device communicates with the external device, the control signal is transmitted to each of the input unit and the communication unit so that the switching element of the input unit disconnects the electrical path of the input unit and the switching element of the communication unit connects the electrical path of the communication unit. Energy storage device.

2. Further comprising a switch, The control device includes: When the switch is operated directly or indirectly by a user, it is determined whether or not an instruction to rewrite the control program is given; When it is determined that an instruction to rewrite the control program is given, the sensor is turned off. After turning off the sensor, an update permission notification indicating permission to update the control program is transmitted to the external device via the transmission / reception path and the connection terminal; In response to the update permission notification, the rewriting process is executed using an update program transmitted from the external device via the connection terminal and the transmission / reception path. The power storage device according to claim 1 .

3. the battery is a secondary battery, 3 . The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the control program is a program for controlling charging and discharging of the secondary battery, and for inputting the detection results to monitor a state of the secondary battery.

4. The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an actuator provided as the external device and operated by receiving power from the battery; An electronic device comprising:

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