Portable battery switch box

Abstract

To provide a low-cost emergency power supply facility.SOLUTION: A switch 14 in a switch box 1 which is used when mounting a portable storage battery 2 to a target branch switchgear 81 for power supply to a specific load 9 includes: a first selection terminal 141 which is connected to a terminal 100 for a main line connected to the target branch switchgear 81 by an intra-box main line 411; a second selection terminal 142 which is connected to a terminal 104 for storage battery output; and a common terminal 143 which is connected to a terminal 101 for a load. A branch wire 44 for power storage which is branched from the intra-box main line 41 is connected to an input terminal 103 for a storage battery. The switch 14 changes over a first state where the first selection terminal 141 is short-circuited to the common terminal 143 and the second selection terminal 142 is open-circuited from the common terminal 143 and a second state where the first selection terminal 141 is open-circuited from the common terminal 143 and the second selection terminal 142 is short-circuited to the common terminal 143.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention of the present application relates to a technology for retroactively taking measures against power outages that may be caused by large-scale disasters.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, cases where the lifelines of regions have suffered serious damage due to natural disasters such as large earthquakes and floods have occurred frequently, and it has become an urgent task to ensure comprehensive countermeasures. In particular, cases where large-scale power outages occur due to damage to power plants and damage to power transmission and distribution networks have been increasing, and the importance of countermeasures against them has been emphasized. When a power outage due to a disaster occurs, although there are few cases that require a long time to restore, it often takes several days. During that time, an inconvenient life without electricity is inevitable. In many cases, people take refuge in evacuation shelters equipped with emergency power supply equipment, but they often hesitate from the perspective of privacy and end up staying at home without electricity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In consideration of the above problems, measures are being taken to install emergency power supply equipment that takes into account power outages during disasters even in ordinary houses. However, there are problems that the installation must be carried out when building a new house and that it costs several million yen. For general residential use, emergency power supply systems typically consist of solar panels and storage batteries. During normal times (when there is no power outage), the batteries are charged using grid power (electricity supplied by the power company) and solar power, and during disasters (when there is a power outage), the power from the storage batteries is used. In addition, some homes install so-called V2H (Vehicle to Home) systems, which allow electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles to be used as storage batteries. In any case, these conventional emergency power supply measures are costly, require long construction periods, and are installed during new home construction, so they have not become widespread. Similar challenges also exist in non-residential buildings such as offices and government buildings. The present invention was made with the challenges of emergency power supply measures during disasters in mind, and aims to provide low-cost emergency power supply equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems, this specification discloses an invention for a portable battery switch box. The portable battery switch box according to the disclosed invention is used when attaching a portable battery to a target branch switch, which is a branch switch in a distribution board installed in a building and is installed for supplying power to a specific load. This portable battery switch box has a built-in switch and is equipped with a main line terminal that connects to the target branch switch, a load terminal that connects to a specific load, a battery input terminal that connects to the input terminal of the portable battery, and a battery output terminal that connects to the output terminal of the portable battery. The switch includes a first selector terminal connected to the main terminal by the main wire inside the box, a second selector terminal connected to the battery output terminal, and a common terminal connected to the load terminal. A branch wiring for energy storage is provided, extending from the main wiring inside the box, and this branch wiring is connected to the battery input terminal. The switch toggles between a first state, in which the first selection terminal is short-circuited to the common terminal and the second selection terminal is open from the common terminal, and a second state, in which the first selection terminal is open from the common terminal and the second selection terminal is short-circuited to the common terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As explained below, the portable battery switch box according to the disclosed invention allows the portable battery to be charged during normal times (when there is no power outage), and in the event of a power outage, power can be supplied to a specific load by the portable battery. Therefore, electricity can be used for the specific load until the portable battery's charge runs out. This makes it possible to use the minimum necessary amount of electricity during disasters. Furthermore, installation can be completed inexpensively and quickly, and the hardware cost can be significantly reduced. Therefore, power outage countermeasures during disasters can be implemented at a low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a power outage preparedness kit using a portable battery switch box as an example. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the wiring configuration when the portable battery is removed. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a power outage countermeasure set using the portable battery switch box of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which power is stored in a portable battery using both grid power from the target branch switch and solar power panels. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power outage countermeasure set using the portable battery switch box of the reference example. The power outage countermeasure kit shown in Figure 1 is a kit that adds a function to secure power using a storage battery in the event of a power outage. "Add-on" means that it can be installed and added after the building is completed, rather than during the construction of the building. As shown in Figure 1, this power outage countermeasure kit consists of a switch box 1, a portable storage battery 2, a solar power generation panel 3, main wiring 41, 42, etc. The switch box 1 is equipped with a main wiring terminal 100 and a load terminal 101.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, this power outage countermeasure kit is installed on one branch switch 81 in an existing distribution board 8 installed in the building. The power outage countermeasure kit is installed by interposing it between the branch switch 81 and a specific load 9 that is powered by the branch switch 81. Therefore, during installation, the power supply line to the specific load 9 is disconnected from the branch switch 81, one end of the first main wiring 41 is connected to the branch switch 81, and the other end of the first main wiring 41 is connected to the main wiring terminal 100 on the switch box 1. In addition, one end of the second main wiring 42 is connected to the load terminal 101 on the switch box 1, and the other end is connected to the specific load 9.

[0010] In the following explanation, the branch switch 81 to which the power outage countermeasure kit is installed will be referred to as the target branch switch. The specific load 9 supplied by the target branch switch 81 is a load that is powered by the portable battery 2 during a power outage. The building is powered to each room by the distribution board 8, but the specific load 9 is selected from rooms with a high priority for power supply during a power outage (for example, the living room). In other words, the connection to the target branch switch 81 that supplies power to the room with a high priority for power supply during a power outage is disconnected, and the power outage countermeasure kit is installed.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, this power outage countermeasure set basically consists of a portable battery 2 connected in series between the target branch switch 81 and the specific load 9. Specifically, the input terminal 21 of the portable battery 2 is connected to the target branch switch 81 by the first main wiring 41, and the output terminal 22 of the portable battery 2 is connected to the specific load 9 by the second main wiring 42. Therefore, the portable battery 2 and the specific load 9 are in series, with the portable battery 2 being the upstream side. Portable battery 2 is a device equipped with AC100V input and output terminals and a pass-through function. It has a configuration similar to a so-called uninterruptible power supply (UPS). For example, the DELTA2 sold by EcoFlow Technology Japan Co., Ltd. can be used as portable battery 2.

[0012] Two switches 11 and 12 are installed inside switch box 1. One is a switch 11 for ensuring power supply to a specific load 9 when the portable battery 2 is removed (hereinafter referred to as the disconnection switch). The other is a switch 12 for selecting whether or not to use power from the solar power generation panel 3 to charge the portable battery 2 (hereinafter referred to as the panel switch).

[0013] The disconnection switch 11 will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the wiring configuration when the portable battery 2 is disconnected. As shown in Figure 1, the switch box 1 is provided with a battery input terminal 103 for connecting the input wire (hereinafter referred to as the battery input wire) 23 of the portable battery 2, and a battery output terminal 104 for connecting the output wire (hereinafter referred to as the battery output wire) 24 of the portable battery 2. The battery input wire 23 and the battery output wire 24 are bundled cables with dedicated sockets 25 at their ends.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the line from the first main wiring 41 branches in the switch box 1 into an in-box main line 411 that is short-circuited to the battery input terminal 103 and a first bypass line 412. The in-box main line 411 is connected to the battery input terminal 103 via the panel switch 102. Also, as described above, the switch box 1 is provided with a load terminal 101 to which the second main wiring 42 is connected. The first bypass line 412 is connected to the load terminal 101 via the disconnection switch 11.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, when the portable battery 2 is attached to the switch box 1, the disconnection switch 11 opens the first bypass line 412 from the load terminal 101. And as shown in FIG. 2, when the portable battery 2 is removed, the disconnection switch 11 short-circuits the first bypass line 412 to the load terminal 101. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, regarding the disconnection switch 11, the state where the first bypass line 412 is short-circuited to the load terminal 101 is set as on, and the open state is set as off.

[0016] The disconnection switch 11 may be a manual one such as a push-button switch, but it is preferable to use a switch (automatic switch) that operates automatically when the portable battery 2 is removed. As this configuration, for example, a spring member may be provided for the disconnection switch 11, and when the portable battery 2 is removed, the short-circuit plate shifts due to the action of the spring to short-circuit the first bypass line 412 to the load terminal 101 (turn it on). When attaching the portable battery 2, the disconnection switch 11 is pushed in against the elasticity of the spring member to disconnect the first bypass line 412 from the load terminal 101 (turn it off).

[0017] Next, the panel switch 12 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the switch box 1 is provided with panel terminals 102. In this example, the solar power generation panel 3 is attached with an inverter 31, and the inverter 31 is provided on the power supply line from the solar power generation panel 3. The output of the inverter 31 is connected to the panel terminal 102, and it is configured to convert the DC voltage from the solar power generation panel 3 to AC100V and supply power to the panel terminal 102.

[0018] The panel switch 12 is configured to switch whether to short-circuit the battery input terminal 103 to the main line 411 inside the box or to the panel terminal 102. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, regarding the panel switch 12, the state where the battery input terminal 103 is disconnected from the main line 411 inside the box and short-circuited to the panel terminal 102 is set as on, and the state where the battery input terminal 103 is disconnected from the panel terminal 102 and short-circuited to the main line 411 inside the box is set as off. For the panel switch 12, a manual rotary switch is adopted. However, a socket-shaped one into which the cable extending from the inverter 31 is inserted may be adopted as the panel terminal, and an automatic switch that automatically turns on when the cable is connected may be adopted as the panel switch 12.

[0019] Also, as shown in Fig. 1, as a line branched from the line connected to the first main wiring 41 inside the switch box 1, a second bypass line 43 is provided. The second bypass line 43 bypasses the portable battery 2 and the switch 11 for disconnection and is connected to the second main wiring 42, and an interlocking switch 13 is provided on the second bypass line 43. The interlocking switch 13 is a switch that interlocks with the panel switch 12. Normally, it is off (open), but it is a switch that turns on (short-circuits) in conjunction with the panel switch 12 when the panel switch 12 turns on.

[0020] The operation of such a power outage countermeasure set will be described below. The power outage countermeasure kit is installed retrofitting to the building after its construction, as described above. The portable battery 2 is attached to the switch box 1, and the disconnection switch is turned off. The portable battery 2 is connected to the specific load 9 via the second main wiring 42. The panel switch 12 is also turned off, and the solar power generation panel 3 is not connected to the portable battery 2. In this wiring configuration, power is supplied to the specific load 9 while the portable battery 2 is being charged. Since the portable battery 2 has a pass-through function, when it is fully charged, the power from the target branch switch 81 passes through the portable battery 2 and is supplied to the specific load 9.

[0021] In this situation, if a power outage occurs due to a large-scale disaster, the power supply from the grid to the distribution board 8 is interrupted, and the power supply from the target branch switch 81 is lost. The portable battery 2 detects this and starts supplying power through its internal circuitry. That is, power from the portable battery 2 is supplied to the specific load 9, and power supply to the specific load 9 continues. When the power outage is resolved, the internal circuitry of the portable battery 2 detects the restoration of power and returns to a state where it short-circuits the stored energy to the specific load 9.

[0022] When the portable battery 2 is removed for use outdoors, the disconnection switch 11 is activated, causing a short circuit between the first main wiring 41 and the second main wiring 42. This ensures that power is continuously supplied to the specific load 9. Furthermore, when using the solar power generation panel 3 to charge the portable battery 2 during the daytime on a sunny day, the power supply line extending from the inverter 31 is connected to the panel terminal 102 of the switch box 1, and the panel switch 12 is turned on. This turns off the power supply from the target branch switch 81, and instead turns on the power supply from the solar power generation panel 3. At this time, the interlocking switch 13 operates and turns on, and the second bypass line 43 ensures that power is supplied to the specific load 9 from the target branch switch 81. Furthermore, if it is sunny during the daytime when there is a power outage, the panel switch 12 is turned on to simultaneously charge the portable battery 2. This delays the time it takes for the portable battery 2 to run out of power.

[0023] With this type of power outage preparedness kit, the portable battery 2, which is normally charged (when there is no power outage), supplies power to the specific load 9 during a power outage. Therefore, electricity can be used for the specific load 9 until the charge of the portable battery 2 runs out. This makes it possible to use the minimum necessary amount of electricity during a disaster. Furthermore, since the installation is completed simply by attaching the switch box 1, to which the portable battery 2 and solar power generation panel 3 are connected, to the target branch switch 81 via the first main wiring 41, the installation is extremely inexpensive and can be completed in a short period of time. Moreover, because it is a set that combines the relatively simple structure of the switch box 1 with the inexpensive portable battery 2 and solar power generation panel 3, the hardware cost can be made significantly cheaper. As a result, power outage countermeasures during disasters can be implemented at a low cost.

[0024] Furthermore, the portable battery 2 can be detached and used outdoors for leisure activities, offering a double benefit. The portability of the battery also has another advantage: it can be taken to another location within a building and used as needed during a power outage. For example, if the toilet can only be flushed electrically and the power cable is plugged into an outlet, the portable battery 2 can be taken to the toilet, the power cable connected to the portable battery 2, and the toilet can be flushed. In other words, it offers a triple benefit.

[0025] Furthermore, this power outage countermeasure kit is equipped with a solar power generation panel 3, which allows for the storage of power in the portable battery 2. This delays the time it takes for the portable battery 2 to run out of power during a power outage, making it particularly suitable for prolonged power outages. Furthermore, if the detachment switch 11 is configured to operate in conjunction with the panel switch 12, the second bypass wire 43 and the interlocking switch 13 are unnecessary. However, if the detachment switch 11 is configured to operate in conjunction with the removal of the portable charger 2, two interlocking operations will be required, which has the disadvantage of making the structure more complex.

[0026] Next, a power outage countermeasure set using the portable battery switch box of the embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a power outage countermeasure set using the portable battery switch box of the embodiment. This power outage countermeasure set is also a set that is retrofitted to the target branch switch 81 in the distribution board 8 installed in the building, and comprises the switch box 1 of the embodiment, a portable battery 2, and a solar power generation panel 3. The power outage countermeasure set in Figure 3 differs from that in Figure 1 in that the portable battery 2 is connected in parallel to the specific load 9.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, in the switch box 1 of this embodiment, the main wiring inside the box 411 and the energy storage branch wiring 44 are provided by branching off from the first main wiring 41. Similarly, the switch box 1 is also provided with a panel terminal 102 and a panel switch 12. The panel switch 12 switches between short-circuiting the battery input terminal 103 to the energy storage branch wiring 44 or to the panel terminal 102. Similarly, when using the solar power generation panel 3, the panel switch 12 is turned on, and the panel terminal 102 is short-circuited to the battery input terminal 103.

[0028] The main wire 411 inside the box extends from the branch point and is connected to the load terminal 101 via switch 14. The battery output terminal 104 is also connected to the load terminal 101 via switch 14. As shown in Figure 3, switch 14 has a first selection terminal 141, a second selection terminal 142, and a common terminal 143. The main wire 411 inside the box connects the main wire terminal 100 to the first selection terminal 141. The second selection terminal 142 is connected to the battery output terminal 104. The common terminal 143 is connected to the load terminal 101.

[0029] Switch 14 is configured to be in an off state (short circuit) between the main wire 411 inside the box and the load terminal 101 under normal conditions (when there is no power outage), and in the event of a power outage, it disconnects the main wire 411 inside the box from the load terminal 101 and short-circuits the battery output terminal 104 to the load terminal 101 (on state). Switch 14 is a manual switch such as a rotary switch, but it may also be a switch that automatically turns on and off based on a signal from a sensor that detects power outages.

[0030] In this power outage countermeasure kit, the portable battery 2 supplies power to a specific load 9 during a power outage, and by using the solar power generation panel 3 in conjunction, the time until the battery runs out can be extended, making it suitable as a power outage countermeasure during disasters, etc. Moreover, the portable battery 2 can be used for leisure activities, etc., or taken to the necessary location for use during a power outage.

[0031] In this power outage countermeasure set, under normal circumstances (when there is no power outage), the portable battery 2 is energized and stored via the energy storage branch wiring 44. When a power outage occurs, the voltage through the energy storage branch wiring 44 becomes zero, so the internal circuitry of the portable battery 2 generates an output voltage at its output terminal. When the switch 14 is turned on in this state, the battery output terminal 104, which is connected to the output terminal of the portable battery 2, is connected to the load terminal 101, and the portable battery 2 supplies power to the specific load 9.

[0032] According to the switch box 1 of this embodiment, the portable battery 2 is connected in parallel to the specific load 9, so even when it is disconnected, power supply to the specific load 9 continues without any problems during normal operation. Therefore, a disconnection switch 11 is not provided. Instead, a switch 14 is provided, which needs to be operated during a power outage. In the example configuration, the portable battery 2 is connected in series to the specific load 9, so during a power outage, power is automatically supplied by the portable battery 2, and no switch operation is particularly necessary. However, as described above, if the switch 14 is set to an automatic switch in this embodiment, power supply to the specific load 9 by the portable battery 2 can be automatically started when a power outage occurs.

[0033] In each of the above configurations, the solar power generation panel 3 is preferably portable. This has several advantages, including the ease of retrofitting and the ease of installation on a balcony. There is also the advantage of readily available low-cost options. Furthermore, the solar power generation panel 3 can be used for outdoor applications depending on its output voltage. For example, if the inverter 31 is used as is, it can be used with AC 100V, and if the inverter 31 is removed and it can be used with DC voltage, it can be used for various purposes depending on the output voltage, such as charging smartphones. Also, if the portable battery 2 has a DC input terminal that matches the DC output voltage of the solar power generation panel 3, when the portable battery 2 is taken out for leisure activities, the solar power generation panel 3 can be taken out and used together, allowing the portable battery 2 to be used outdoors while being charged. As such a portable solar power generation panel 3, for example, the EcoFlow 110W solar panel sold by EcoFlow Technology Japan Co., Ltd. can be used.

[0034] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the storage of power in the portable battery 3 is selected by the panel switch 12 whether it is powered by grid power from the target branch switch 81 or by the solar power generation panel 3, but it is also possible to store power using both simultaneously. An example of this configuration is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration in which power is stored in the portable battery using both grid power from the target branch switch and the solar power generation panel. In the example shown in Figure 4, a configuration for using both types of inputs is adopted, as in the configuration shown in Figure 1. In this example, the portable battery 2 is equipped with a DC input terminal 26. The solar power generation panel 3 does not have an inverter, and the output of the solar power generation panel 3 is a DC output compatible with the DC input terminal 26.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, in this configuration example, no panel switch is provided. Therefore, there is no interlocking switch that is linked to the panel switch, nor is there a second bypass line that is opened and closed by the interlocking switch. The switch box 1 is provided with a panel DC input terminal 105 to which the DC cable 32 of the solar power generation panel 3 is connected, and a panel DC output terminal 106 that is connected to the DC input terminal 26 of the portable battery 2. In Figure 4, when the solar power generation panel 3 is connected to the panel DC input terminal 105 with the DC cable 32, the solar power generation panel 3 is connected to the DC input terminal 62 of the portable battery 2, and during sunny days, the portable battery 3 is charged by both the power from the target branch switch 81 and the power from the solar power generation panel 3.

[0036] In this example, when a power outage occurs, as mentioned above, the internal circuit of the portable battery 2 generates an output voltage, which is then supplied to the specific load 9 via the second main wiring 42. In this case, if the DC cable 32 is left connected, the portable battery 2 will automatically be charged by the power from the solar power generation panel 3 during sunny periods in the daytime, automatically delaying the depletion of the portable battery 2's power. Note that in the example in Figure 4, simply connecting the DC cable 32 will not allow the solar power generation panel 3 to charge the portable battery 2; a separate panel switch may be provided for operation. Such a panel switch is provided in the switch box 1, but the portable battery 2 may also have such a switch built in. Furthermore, in the above reference example and embodiment, the portable battery 2 may be equipped with a switch equivalent to the panel switch 12, and the switch box 1 may not have a panel switch 12. However, in this case, the reference example requires that the interlocking switch 13 be configured to interlock with the switch on the portable battery 2, which has the disadvantage of making the configuration somewhat more complex.

[0037] Furthermore, the configuration in which the portable battery 3 is charged using both the power from the target branch switch 81 and the power from the solar power generation panel 3 can also be adopted in the embodiment. In this case as well, the panel switch 12 can be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration in which the portable battery 2 is charged using both the power from the target branch switch 81 and the power from the solar power generation panel 3 can also be implemented in a configuration in which the output of the solar power generation panel 3 is converted to AC by the inverter 31. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which a circuit that superimposes two AC powers is provided inside the switch box 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the power outage countermeasure kits described above can be suitably used not only in ordinary homes but also in offices and government offices. For example, government offices that play a central role in responding to disasters need to ensure that a minimum amount of power (such as power for communication with relevant parties) is available even during a power outage. Each power outage countermeasure kit can be used for this purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1 Switch box 100 Main line terminal 101 Load terminal 102 Panel terminals 103 Battery input terminal 104 Battery output terminal 11. Switch for when the device is disconnected. 12 Panel switches 13 Interlocking switch 14 switches 141 First selection terminal 142 Second selection terminal 143 Common terminal 2 Portable battery 3. Solar power panels 31 Inverter 41. First main wiring 411 Main line inside box 412 First Bypass Line 42 Second main wiring 43 Second Bypass Line 44 Branch wiring for energy storage 8 Distribution board 81 Target branch switch 9 Specific load

Claims

[Claim 1] A portable battery switch box used when attaching a portable battery to a target branch switch, which is a branch switch in a distribution panel installed in a building and is installed for supplying power to a specific load, It has a built-in switch, The system is equipped with a main line terminal connected to the target branch switch, a load terminal connected to a specific load, a battery input terminal connected to the input terminal of a portable battery, and a battery output terminal connected to the output terminal of a portable battery. The switch has a first select terminal connected to the main terminal by the main wire inside the box, a second select terminal connected to the battery output terminal, and a common terminal connected to the load terminal. A branch wiring for energy storage is provided, extending from the main wiring inside the box, and this branch wiring for energy storage is connected to the battery input terminal. A switch box for a portable battery storage system, characterized in that the switch switches between a first state in which the first selection terminal is short-circuited to the common terminal and the second selection terminal is open from the common terminal, and a second state in which the first selection terminal is open from the common terminal and the second selection terminal is short-circuited to the common terminal.

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