Engine start battery protection control device

Abstract

To provide a protection control device for engine starting battery which can properly protect an engine starting battery from over-discharging.SOLUTION: A protection control device for engine starting battery which is a power supply for a cell motor that cranks the engine includes: a control ECU that controls charging / discharging of one or more battery cells constituting the engine starting battery; and a protection circuit that protects the one or more battery cells from overcharging and overdischarging the one or more battery cells. The control ECU limits the supply of electricity to the cell motor when a battery voltage when the engine switch is turned on is lower than a predetermined first predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a protection and control device for an engine starting battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply monitoring device. This power supply monitoring device includes a remaining charge detection means for detecting the remaining charge of a storage battery that serves as a power source when starting a vehicle engine, and a storage means for storing a plurality of remaining charge determination values ​​that are preset for a plurality of on-board devices that use the storage battery as a power source. Each time the remaining charge of the storage battery falls below a remaining charge determination value, this power supply monitoring device restricts the operation of the on-board device that corresponds to the remaining charge determination value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-76509 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the power supply monitoring device (protection control device for an engine start battery) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to suitably suppress over-discharge of the storage battery (engine start battery), and does not adequately protect the storage battery (engine start battery) from over-discharge.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a protection control device for an engine starting battery that can appropriately protect the engine starting battery from over-discharge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the protection control device for an engine start battery according to the present disclosure includes: A protection and control device for an engine starting battery that serves as a power source for a starter motor that cranks an engine, A control ECU that controls charging and discharging of one or more battery cells that constitute the engine start battery; a protection circuit for protecting the one or more battery cells from overcharging and over-discharging; Equipped with The control ECU limits the supply of electricity to the starter motor when the battery voltage when the engine switch is on falls below a first predetermined value. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the engine starting battery protection control device disclosed herein, the control ECU limits the supply of electricity to the starter motor when the battery voltage when the engine switch is on falls below a predetermined first specified value, thereby appropriately protecting the engine starting battery from over-discharge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an engine in which a protection device for an engine starting battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adopted; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a control configuration of the engine illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of a battery unit mounted on the engine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the battery unit shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the battery unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a control configuration of the battery unit illustrated in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of a mounting structure for a battery unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a cover removed; [Figure 8]4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the control process of the protection device for the engine start battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a protection device for an engine starting battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of components described as the embodiment or shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an engine 1 in which a protection device for an engine starting battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adopted, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the engine 1 shown in FIG.

[0011] The protection device for an engine starting battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on the engine 1 or a work machine (not shown) equipped with the engine 1. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a protection device for an engine starting battery mounted on the engine 1 will be described as an example, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and also includes a protection device for an engine starting battery mounted on a work machine equipped with the engine 1.

[0012] The engine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a single-cylinder or two-cylinder air-cooled gasoline engine with a displacement of 80cc to 800cc, and is mounted on work machines such as rice transplanters, cultivators, tillers, pumps, and generators.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a starter motor 3 (see Fig. 2) in addition to a recoil starter 12. The recoil starter 12 is a device that starts the engine 1 by causing a person who wishes to start the engine 1 to grip a starter grip 121 and pull a rope wound around a pulley to rotate the crankshaft of the engine 1. The starter motor 3 is a motor that causes rotation to the crankshaft of the engine 1 in place of the recoil starter 12, and in the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery unit 6 (see Fig. 2) is the electricity supply source for the auxiliary machinery including the starter motor 3.

[0014] Moreover, the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an engine switch 21 and an engine start operation switch 22. The engine switch 21 is a switch for turning on / off the power supply, and is disposed on a side surface of the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The engine switch 21 is configured, for example, as a rocker switch (also called a seesaw switch), and is turned on when starting the engine 1, and is turned off when stopping the operation of the engine 1. The engine start operation switch 22 is a switch for starting the engine 1, and is disposed on a side surface of the engine 1 alongside the engine switch 21 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The engine start operation switch 22 is configured, for example, as a momentary push switch, and is pressed down when starting the engine 1 by the starter motor 3.

[0015] Moreover, the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a switch 23 for an external device. The switch 23 for an external device is, for example, a choke changeover switch 231, which is arranged on the side of the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The choke changeover switch 231 is, for example, configured with a rocker switch, and is capable of switching between auto choke and manual choke.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the engine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a starter relay 4, a charge coil 13, and an ignition coil 15. The starter relay 4 is a relay (magnetic relay switch) that opens and closes a contact 41 provided between the battery unit 6 and the starter 3. When the contact 41 is closed, electricity is supplied from the battery unit 6 to the starter 3. The charge coil 13 is provided inside the flywheel and is a coil for generating electricity by the rotation of the flywheel. The electricity generated by the charge coil 13 is supplied to the battery unit 6 via a regulator 14 and charged. Since the charge coil 13 always generates electricity when the engine 1 is rotating, it may be provided with a function for grasping the operating state of the engine 1 by, for example, monitoring the presence or absence of power generation in the battery unit 6. This function makes it possible to start the engine 1 safely. Ignition coil 15 is provided on the outside of the flywheel and is an integrated generator / transformer device that converts electricity generated inside ignition coil 15 by the rotation of the flywheel into high-voltage electricity, and the high-voltage electricity converted by ignition coil 15 is discharged at spark plug 16.

[0017] The battery unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an electrical supply source for auxiliary equipment including the starter motor 3 as described above, and supplies electricity to the starter motor 3 when the engine 1 is started, while also storing electricity generated by the engine 1 (charge coil 13).

[0018] Fig. 3 is a front view of the battery unit 6 mounted on the engine 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a left side view of the battery unit 6 shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a right side view of the battery unit 6 shown in Fig. 3. Also, Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a control configuration of the battery unit 6 shown in Fig. 3.

[0019] 3, the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a protrusion 6a protruding upward. The battery unit 6 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with a length of 220 mm, a height of 75 mm, and a width of 45 mm excluding the protrusion 6a, for example, and its weight is kept to 800 g or less, making it highly portable.

[0020] The battery unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a battery pack 61 and an engine start control device 7 (see FIG. 6), which are housed in a housing 62 having a horizontally elongated, roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and a protrusion 62a protruding upward.

[0021] The battery pack 61 is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery. In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 61 is composed of one or more battery cells 611. The individual voltage of the battery cell 611 is 3.0 to 4.2 V, and the total capacity is 6000 to 20000 mAH, which ensures portability as the battery unit 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is composed of, for example, four battery cells 611.

[0022] The engine start control device 7 is configured with a control ECU 71 (Electronic Control Unit) that controls charging and discharging of the battery pack 61. The control ECU 71 is configured with, for example, a control board on which a processor including a control device and an arithmetic device, and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) are mounted. In the engine start control device 7 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control ECU 71 manages the temperature (battery temperature) of the battery pack 61, the voltage (total voltage) of the battery pack 61, and the voltage (cell voltage) of each battery cell. In addition, the control ECU 71 protects the battery cell 611 from over-discharging by a protection circuit 711 for each battery cell 611. The protection circuit 711 is configured with, for example, a protection IC (Integrated Circuit).

[0023] In addition, in the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a wiring coupler 63 is connected to the battery unit 6. A paired wiring coupler 24 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the wiring coupler 63, and the battery unit 6 is connected to input / output devices provided outside the battery unit 6 by attaching the paired wiring coupler 24. The input / output devices provided outside the battery unit 6 are, for example, the above-mentioned engine switch 21, engine start operation switch 22, starter relay 4, etc., and are connected to the paired wiring coupler 24 described above via two or more wire harnesses included in the control harness 25. Then, by attaching the paired wiring coupler 24 to the above-mentioned wiring coupler 63, a plurality of input / output devices such as the engine switch 21, engine start operation switch 22, starter relay 4, etc. are connected to the battery unit 6 at one time.

[0024] In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an engine charging input terminal 712, a power supply detection terminal 713, an engine start operation detection terminal 714, a starter relay control terminal 715, an external device output terminal 716, and a constant voltage output terminal 717 are provided in the battery unit 6. The engine charging input terminal 712, the power supply detection terminal 713, the engine start operation detection terminal 714, the starter relay control terminal 715, and the external device output terminal 716 are connected to the control ECU 71, and the charge / discharge current from these terminals is managed by the control ECU 71. The constant voltage output terminal 717 is directly connected to the battery pack 61, and the battery voltage (total voltage) of the battery pack 61 is applied to the constant voltage output terminal 717. The wiring couplers 63 to which these terminals are respectively connected are installed on the protrusions 62a (see FIG. 3) of the housing 62 that have a waterproof / dustproof structure.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the input / output devices connected to the battery unit 6 are the regulator 14 connected to the charge coil 13, the engine switch 21, the engine start operation switch 22, the starter motor relay 4, external devices 5 such as the valve control unit 51 and the choke valve 52, and the engine switch 21 (battery voltage constantly applied), which are each connected to a pair of wiring couplers 24 via an engine charging input line 251, an engine switch operation detection line 252, an engine start operation detection line 253, a starter motor relay control line 254, a valve device output line 255 and a battery voltage constant application line 256.

[0026] In the battery unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, electricity is supplied from the regulator 14 connected to the charge coil 13 through the engine charging input line 251 to the control ECU 71, and the control ECU 71 evenly charges the battery cells 611 while managing the temperature and voltage of the battery pack 61, as well as the voltage of each battery cell 611.

[0027] In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a starter motor power supply terminal 64 is provided on the housing 62 of the battery unit 6. The starter motor power supply terminal 64 is a terminal to which a power line (first power line) 641 for supplying electricity from the battery pack 61 to the starter motor 3 (starter motor relay 4) can be attached and detached, and is installed, for example, on the left side surface of the housing 62 of the battery unit 6 (see FIG. 5 ) and is provided with a rubber cover to provide waterproof / dustproof measures.

[0028] A fuse 642 is provided on a power line 641 connecting the starter motor power supply terminal 64 and the starter motor relay 4. The fuse 642 protects the starter motor relay 4 and the starter motor 3 by melting when an overcurrent exceeding the rated value flows through the power line 641 due to over-discharge of the battery pack 61. As a result, even if the fuse 642 melts due to an overcurrent, the starter motor relay 4 and the starter motor 3 can be easily restored by replacing the power line 641.

[0029] 6, a battery protection relay 65 is provided between the starter motor power supply terminal 64 and the battery pack 61. The battery protection relay 65 has contacts between the battery pack 61 and the starter motor power supply terminal 64, and in response to a command from the control ECU 71, the contacts provided between the battery pack 61 and the starter motor power supply terminal 64 are closed.

[0030] In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an external charging input terminal 66 is provided on the housing 62 of the battery unit 6. The external charging input terminal 66 is a terminal to which a power line (second power line) (not shown) for supplying electricity for charging from an external power source to the battery unit 6 can be attached and detached, and is installed, for example, on the right side surface of the housing 62 of the battery unit 6 (see FIG. 4 ), and is provided with a rubber cover to provide waterproof / dustproof measures.

[0031] The external power source is, for example, a household power source or a battery of an automobile. For example, when the external power source is a household power source, a power line of a dedicated charger is attached to the external charging input terminal 66, and electricity for charging is supplied from the household power source to the external charging input terminal 66. As a result, the control ECU 71 starts from a standby state, and electricity is evenly charged to the battery cells 611 while managing the temperature and voltage of the battery pack 61 and the voltage of each battery cell 611. Also, for example, when the external power source is a battery of an automobile, a power line connected to the cigarette lighter socket of the automobile is attached to the external charging input terminal 66, and electricity for charging is supplied from the battery of the automobile to the external charging input terminal 66. As a result, the control ECU 71 starts from a standby state, and electricity is evenly charged to the battery cells 611 while managing the temperature and voltage of the battery pack 61 and the voltage of each battery cell 611.

[0032] In the battery unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the external charging input terminal 66 is connected to the control ECU 71, and the charging electricity supplied to the external charging input terminal 66 is charged and controlled by the control ECU 71, so that one or more battery cells 611 constituting the battery pack 61 are evenly charged.

[0033] In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging output terminal 67 is connected to the control ECU 71. The charging output terminal 67 is a terminal to which a charging input terminal provided on a portable device can be attached and detached, and by attaching the charging input terminal provided on the portable device, the control ECU 71 provided inside the battery unit 6 and the portable device provided outside the housing are connected, and electricity is supplied from the battery pack 61 to the portable device via the control ECU 71. The portable device is, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, and the charging output terminal 67 is, for example, a USB output terminal 671, which is a female terminal of any one of Types A, B, or C that can obtain an output of up to 2 A.

[0034] In the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging output terminal 67 is arranged to extend from a protrusion 62a provided on the housing 62 of the battery unit 6 to the outside of the battery unit 6, and is provided with waterproof / dustproof measures.

[0035] 3, the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with one or more indicators 68 and a remaining charge check button 69 on the front surface of the housing of the battery unit 6. The one or more indicators 68 and the remaining charge check button 69 are connected to the control ECU 71. The one or more indicators 68 constitute, for example, a remaining charge indicator light and a status indicator light of the control ECU 71.

[0036] The remaining charge indicator lamp is composed of, for example, three to five LED lamps. For example, the three to five LED lamps are composed of two to four LED lamps of the same color and one LED lamp of a different color, and are controlled so that as the remaining charge of the battery pack 61 decreases, the number of LED lamps of the same color that are lit decreases, and finally, an LED lamp of a different color is lit, and when the remaining charge confirmation button 69 is pressed while the control ECU 71 is in a stopped state, the control ECU 71 is started from a standby state, and is controlled so that one or more indicators 68 display the remaining charge of the battery pack 61 at that time.

[0037] Furthermore, the status indicator lamp of the control ECU 71 is composed of one to three LED lamps of different colors, and is controlled to light any of the LED lamps based on the status of the control ECU 71. For example, when the engine switch 21 is turned on and the engine 1 is ready to be started, an LED lamp notifying that the engine 1 is ready to be started lights up, and after the engine 1 has started, an LED lamp notifying that the engine 1 is running lights up.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view that shows a schematic mounting structure for a battery unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which a cover 9 is removed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, in the mounting structure of the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery unit 6 is mounted on the side of the engine 1, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this and includes mounting at any position of the work machine on which the engine 1 is mounted.

[0040] The mounting structure of the battery unit 6 mounted on the engine 1 in which the engine start control device 7 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is adopted includes a case 8 and a cover 9 in addition to the battery unit 6 described above.

[0041] The case 8 is attached to the engine 1 or the working machine on which the engine 1 is mounted. The case 8 is attached to, for example, the front of the engine 1. The case 8 is in the shape of a box with an open front, and the battery unit 6 is housed therein. The case 8 is, for example, in the shape of a horizontally elongated, substantially rectangular box with an open front, and a storage area for storing the battery unit 6 is provided in its lower region, and a connection space for the wiring couplers 24, 63 is provided in its upper region. The storage area has a volume slightly larger than the volume of the battery unit 6, and the battery unit 6 is housed so as to be fitted into the storage area. The connection space has a volume sufficient to connect the wiring coupler 63 and the wiring coupler 24 that is paired with the wiring coupler 63, and the above-mentioned engine switch 21 and engine start operation switch 22 are installed on the right side of the connection space, and the above-mentioned switch 23 for the external device, for example, the choke changeover switch 231, is installed on the left side of the connection space.

[0042] The cover 9 is attached to the case 8 to close the opening of the case 8 in which the battery unit 6 is housed. The cover 9 is, for example, box-shaped with an opening at the rear, and is combined with the case 8 in which the battery unit 6 is housed to close the front opening of the case 8. The cover 9 is, for example, slightly larger than the case 8 in the longitudinal direction of the case 8, and a wiring space is provided in the right side area of ​​the case 8 for the power line 641 (see FIG. 2) that connects the battery unit 6 (starter motor power supply terminal 64) and the starter motor relay 4.

[0043] In addition, the cover 9 is cut out in areas corresponding to, for example, the engine switch 21 and the engine start operation switch 22 described above, and the engine switch 21 and the engine start operation switch 22 are exposed to the outside of the cover 9 when the cover 9 is attached to the case 8. In addition, the cover 9 is provided with a rectangular window 9a in an area corresponding to, for example, the switch 23 for an external device, and the switch 23 for an external device is exposed to the outside of the cover 9 when the cover 9 is attached to the case 8.

[0044] In addition, the cover 9 is provided with a rectangular window 9b, for example, in an area corresponding to one or more indicators 68 and the remaining charge check button 69, and when the cover 9 is attached to the case 8, the one or more indicators 68 and the remaining charge check button 69 are exposed outside the cover 9.

[0045] Cover 9 has through holes at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction, and bolts 91 inserted through the through holes are fitted into screw holes provided in case 8, thereby attaching cover 9 to case 8. For bolts 91 inserted through the through holes, bolts with a slot into which a coin fits or wing bolts are used, for example.

[0046] In the mounting structure of the battery unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned battery unit 6 has a cushioning material 6b attached to the front surface facing the cover 9. This makes it possible to suppress vibrations transmitted from the engine 1 and the work machine to the battery unit 6 and to protect the battery unit 6.

[0047] The engine starting battery protection device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a protection device for an engine starting battery that serves as a power source for a starter motor 3 that cranks an engine 1. The engine starting battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery pack 61 provided in a battery unit 6, and the engine starting battery protection device is composed of a control ECU 71 and a protection circuit 711.

[0048] As described above, the control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure controls the charging and discharging of one or more battery cells 611 constituting the battery pack 61, and the protection circuit 711 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure protects the one or more battery cells 611 from overcharging and overdischarging. The control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure cuts off the supply of electricity to the starter motor 3 when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a first predetermined value. The first predetermined value is, for example, a value at which the remaining charge of the battery pack 61 is 30%, and can be changed depending on the temperature of the battery pack 61 (battery temperature). The first Predetermined value is, for example, 12.9V and is changed to, for example, 12.7V when below 0°C.

[0049] Moreover, the control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure limits discharge from the input / output terminal via the control ECU 71 when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value. The second predetermined value is, for example, a value at which the remaining charge of the battery pack 61 is 5%, for example, 12V. Furthermore, when the control ECU 71 detects that the battery voltage continues to be below the second predetermined value for a predetermined time (first predetermined time), it causes an LED lamp indicating a lower limit state of the remaining charge indicator lamp (indicator 68) to blink. Then, when a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed since the LED lamp started blinking, the control ECU 71 turns off the power of the control ECU 71.

[0050] Furthermore, even if the battery voltage falls below the second predetermined value and discharging from the input / output terminal via the control ECU 71 is restricted, when electricity generated by the engine 1 (charge coil 13) is supplied to the control ECU 71 or electricity is supplied from an external power source to the control ECU 71, the control ECU 71 starts up and begins charging the battery pack 61.

[0051] Furthermore, the control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure electrically disconnects the battery pack 61 from the control ECU 71 when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a third predetermined value that is smaller than the second predetermined value. The third predetermined value is, for example, a value at which the power consumption of the control ECU 71 becomes an issue, such as 10V.

[0052] Furthermore, the battery voltage Third Predetermined Value Even if the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 are electrically disconnected when electricity generated by the engine 1 (charge coil 13) is supplied to the control ECU 71 or electricity is supplied from an external power source to the control ECU 71, the electrical disconnection between the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 is released and charging of the battery pack 61 begins. Third Predetermined Value If the power supply is interrupted before the power supply is restored, the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 are electrically disconnected again.

[0053] Furthermore, the control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure electrically cuts off the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 when the voltage (cell voltage) of at least one of the one or more battery cells 611 falls below a fourth predetermined value. The fourth predetermined value is, for example, a voltage at the time of over-discharge of the battery cell 611, and the input / output terminals other than the power supply detection terminal 713 are cut off, and electricity generated by the engine 1 (charge coil 13) and electricity from an external power supply cannot be supplied (protection circuit 711 is activated).

[0054] Furthermore, the control ECU 71 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure restricts input and output via the control ECU 71 when the temperature rise rate of the battery cell 611 exceeds a predetermined temperature rise rate. The predetermined temperature rise rate is for determining abnormal heat generation in the battery cell 611, and is set, for example, based on the temperature rise rate when heat is generated due to overdischarge. For example, the predetermined temperature rise rate is a rise rate at which the temperature of the battery cell 611 rises by 3°C in three seconds, and when the temperature of the battery cell 611 rises by 3°C in three seconds, all input and output via the control ECU 71 is blocked.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates the control content of the protection device for the engine starting battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, in the protection device for an engine starting battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the engine switch 21 is turned on (step S21: Yes), the power is turned on and the control ECU 71 switches from a standby state to a startup state (step S22).

[0057] Next, the control ECU 71 compares the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 with a first predetermined value (step S23). If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 falls below the first predetermined value (step S23: Yes), the control ECU 71 cuts off the supply of electricity to the starter motor 3 (step S24). As a result, even if the engine start operation switch 22 is operated to start the engine, electricity is not supplied to the starter motor 3, and the starter motor 3 does not crank the engine 1.

[0058] If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 is lower than the first predetermined value (step S23: Yes), the control ECU 71 compares the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 with a second predetermined value (step S25). If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 is lower than the second predetermined value (step S25: Yes), the control ECU 71 limits the discharge from the input / output terminal via the control ECU 71 (step S26). Then, when the control ECU 71 detects that the battery voltage is lower than the second predetermined value for a predetermined time (first predetermined time), the control ECU 71 blinks an LED lamp indicating a lower limit state of the remaining charge indicator lamp (indicator 68) (step S27). Then, when a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed since the blinking of the LED lamp, the control ECU 71 turns off the power of the control ECU 71 (step S28).

[0059] If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 falls below the second predetermined value (step S25: Yes), the control ECU 71 compares the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 with a third predetermined value (step S29). If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 falls below the third predetermined value (step S29: Yes), the control ECU 71 electrically disconnects the battery pack 61 from the control ECU 71 (step S30).

[0060] If the battery voltage of the battery pack 61 is not below the third predetermined value (step S29: No), the voltage (cell voltage) of the battery cell 611 is compared with a fourth predetermined value (step S31). If the voltage (cell voltage) of at least one of the one or more battery cells 611 is below the fourth predetermined value (step S31: Yes), the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 are electrically disconnected (step S30).

[0061] According to the protection control device for the engine starting battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the control ECU 71 can appropriately protect the engine starting battery from over-discharge by limiting the supply of electricity to the starter motor 3 when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a first predetermined value. This allows the control ECU 71 to suppress deterioration of the battery pack 61 (battery cells 611) and also suppress the operation of the protection circuit 711.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the protection control device for an engine starting battery of an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value, the control ECU 71 can appropriately protect the battery pack 61 (battery cell 611) from over-discharge by limiting discharge from the input / output terminal via the control ECU 71.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the protection control device for an engine starting battery of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control ECU 71 can appropriately protect the battery pack 61 from over-discharge by electrically disconnecting the battery pack 61 and the control ECU 71 when the battery voltage when the engine switch 21 is on falls below a third predetermined value that is smaller than the second predetermined value.

[0064] In addition, according to the protection control device for an engine starting battery of an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the temperature rise rate of the battery cell 611 exceeds a predetermined temperature rise rate, the control ECU 71 restricts the input / output via the control ECU 71, thereby preventing accidents such as fire due to abnormal heat generation of the battery cell 611.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes modifications to the above-described embodiment and appropriate combinations of these modifications.

[0066] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0067] The protection and control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack) according to the aspect of [1] is A protection and control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) that serves as a power source for a starter motor (3) that cranks an engine (1), a control ECU (71) for controlling charging and discharging of one or more battery cells (611) constituting the engine starting battery (battery pack 61); a protection circuit (711) for protecting the one or more battery cells (611) from overcharging and over-discharging; Equipped with The control ECU (71) limits the supply of electricity to the starter motor (3) when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a predetermined first predetermined value.

[0068] According to the protection control device for the engine starting battery (battery pack 61) of the present disclosure, the control ECU (71) can appropriately protect the engine starting battery (battery pack) from over-discharge by limiting the supply of electricity to the starter motor (3) when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a predetermined first specified value.

[0069] [2] A protection control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to another aspect is a protection control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to [1], The control ECU (71) limits discharge from an input / output terminal via the control ECU (71) when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value.

[0070] According to this configuration, when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value, the control ECU (71) limits discharge from the input / output terminal via the control ECU (71), thereby appropriately protecting the engine starting battery (battery pack 61) from over-discharge.

[0071] [3] A protection control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to yet another embodiment is a protection control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to [2], The control ECU (71) electrically disconnects the one or more battery cells (611) from the control ECU (71) when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a third predetermined value that is smaller than the second predetermined value.

[0072] According to this configuration, when the battery voltage when the engine switch (21) is on falls below a third predetermined value which is smaller than the second predetermined value, the control ECU (71) electrically disconnects one or more battery cells (611) from the control ECU (71), thereby appropriately protecting the one or more battery cells (611) from over-discharge.

[0073] [4] A protection and control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to yet another embodiment is a protection and control device for an engine starting battery (battery pack 61) according to any one of [1] to [3], The control ECU (71) limits input and output passing through the control ECU (71) when a temperature increase rate of the battery cell (611) exceeds a predetermined temperature increase rate.

[0074] According to this configuration, when the temperature rise rate of the battery cell (611) exceeds a predetermined temperature rise rate, the control ECU (71) limits the input / output via the control ECU (71), thereby preventing accidents such as fire due to abnormal heat generation of the battery cell (611). [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Engine 12 Recoil Starter 121 Starter Grip 13 Charge coil 14 Regulator 15 Ignition coil 16 Spark plug 21 Engine switch 22 Engine start switch 23 Switch for external devices 231 Choke changeover switch 24 Wiring coupler 25 Control Harness 251 Engine charging input line 252 Engine switch operation detection wire 253 Engine start operation detection line 254 Starter motor relay control line 255 Valve equipment output line 256 Battery voltage constant application line 3 Starter motor 4 Starter motor relay 41 Contacts 5 External equipment 51 Valve control unit 52 Choke valve 6 Battery Unit 6a Protrusion 6b Cushioning material 61 Battery Pack 611 Battery Cell 62 Case 62a Protrusion 63 Wiring Coupler 64 Starter motor power supply terminal 641 Power Line (First Power Line) 642 Fuse 65 Battery Protection Relay 66 External charging input terminal 67 Charging output terminal 671 USB output terminal 68 Indicator 69 Battery level check button 7 Starting control device 71 Control ECU 711 Protection circuit 712 Engine charging input terminal 713 Power supply detection terminal 714 Engine start operation detection terminal 715 Starter motor relay control terminal 716 External device output terminal 717 Constant voltage output terminal 8 Cases 9 Cover 9a,9b Windows 91 Volts

Claims

1. A protection and control device for an engine starting battery that serves as a power source for a starter motor that cranks an engine, comprising: A control ECU that controls charging and discharging of one or more battery cells that constitute the engine start battery; a protection circuit for protecting the one or more battery cells from overcharging and over-discharging; Equipped with When an engine switch is turned on, the control ECU switches from a standby state to a start state, and then compares a battery voltage with a first predetermined value. If the battery voltage when the engine switch is turned on falls below the first predetermined value, the control ECU limits the supply of electricity to the starter motor. the control ECU limits discharge from an input / output terminal via the control ECU when a battery voltage at the time when the engine switch is turned on falls below a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value; the control ECU electrically disconnects the one or more battery cells from the control ECU when a battery voltage at the time when the engine switch is turned on falls below a third predetermined value that is lower than the second predetermined value; Even if the control ECU is electrically disconnected from the one or more battery cells, when electricity generated by a charge coil of the engine is supplied to the control ECU, or when electricity is supplied to the control ECU from an external power source, the control ECU releases the electrical disconnection between the one or more battery cells and the control ECU and starts charging the one or more battery cells. Protection control device for engine starting battery.

2. The control ECU limits input / output via the control ECU when a temperature rise rate of the battery cell exceeds a predetermined temperature rise rate. The protection and control device for an engine starting battery according to claim 1.

3. When the supply of electricity is cut off before the battery voltage of the one or more battery cells recovers to the third predetermined value, the control ECU again electrically cuts off the one or more battery cells and the control ECU.

3. The protection and control device for an engine starting battery according to claim 1 or 2.

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