Apparatus, method, and system for removing lead sulfate film

Abstract

To provide a lead sulphate coating removal device which is low in power consumption and which gives no damage to an electrode of a lead storage battery.SOLUTION: A lead sulfate coating removal device which removes a lead sulfate coating generated on an electrode of the lead storage battery and which comprises: a generation unit which generates, on the basis of a signal extracted from the lead storage battery, a removal signal for the lead sulfate coating having a peak value of 550-750 mA, a pulse width of 5-100 nsec, and a frequency of 5-50 kHz; and a supply unit which supplies the removal signal generated by the generation unit to the electrode of the lead storage battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, method, and system for removing lead sulfate film, and more particularly to an apparatus, method, and system for removing lead sulfate film that forms on the negative electrode of a lead-acid battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lead sulfate film removal device that aims to reduce the time required to remove the lead sulfate film while suppressing the heat generated when removing the lead sulfate film that forms on the positive and negative electrodes of a lead-acid battery. This lead sulfate film removal device drives a switching circuit using a pulse waveform drive signal with a pulse width of 1.6 μsec (16,000 nsec) and a frequency of 20,000 Hz. When the switching circuit is turned on, a current of 500 mA is drawn from the battery (lead-acid battery) via resistor R1. When the switching circuit is turned off, the current is drawn off. When the switching circuit is turned off, a back electromotive force and a negative spike-shaped reverse current of 500 mA are supplied to the lead-acid battery, and this current acts on the electrodes of the lead-acid battery, thereby removing the lead sulfate film deposited on the electrodes of the lead-acid battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-48886 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] However, the lead sulfate film removal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 consumes relatively high amounts of power, and reducing power consumption is essential to achieve the energy targets set forth in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

[0005] Furthermore, the lead sulfate film removal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 supplied a relatively excessive or high amount or level of reverse current to the electrodes of the lead-acid battery, damaging the electrodes. It would be counterproductive if using the lead sulfate film removal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 shortened the lifespan of the lead-acid battery.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a lead sulfate coating removal apparatus and method that consumes little power and does not damage the electrodes of a lead-acid battery.

[0007] Furthermore, for managers of devices equipped with lead-acid batteries, knowing when the lead-acid battery needs replacing is particularly convenient when the battery and the manager are located far apart. Therefore, the objective is to provide a lead sulfate coating removal system that can provide this information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors diligently researched the removal signal for removing the lead sulfate film that forms on the electrodes of a lead-acid battery. As a result, they found that the larger the peak value, the wider the pulse width, and the higher the frequency, the more it contributes to the removal of the lead sulfate film. On the other hand, the smaller the peak value, the narrower the pulse width, and the lower the frequency, the more it contributes to lower power consumption. By adjusting these factors in a balanced manner, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the lead sulfate film removal device and reduce the damage to the electrodes of the lead-acid battery.

[0009] Specifically, in a lead sulfate film removal device that removes the lead sulfate film that forms on the electrodes of a lead-acid battery, A generation unit generates a lead sulfate film removal signal based on the signal extracted from the lead-acid battery, with a peak value of 550mA to 750mA, a pulse width of 5nsec to 100nsec, and a frequency of 5kHz to 50kHz. A supply unit that supplies the removal signal generated by the generation unit to the electrodes of the lead-acid battery, It is equipped with.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for removing lead sulfate film that forms on the electrodes of a lead-acid battery, The steps include generating a lead sulfate film removal signal based on the signal taken from the lead-acid battery, having a peak value of 550mA to 750mA, a pulse width of 5nsec to 100nsec, and a frequency of 5kHz to 50kHz, The steps include supplying the generated removal signal to the electrodes of the lead-acid battery, Includes.

[0011] Here, for example, we confirmed that good results could be obtained when the pulse width and frequency conditions were within the above range, and the peak value was set to 550mA to 750mA. Specifically, the amount of lead sulfate film removed from the negative electrode terminal of the lead-acid battery exceeded the amount of lead sulfate film generated, and the lead sulfate film was effectively removed, while no damage to the lead-acid battery electrode was observed.

[0012] Similarly, we confirmed that good results could be obtained when the frequency and peak value conditions were within the above range, and the pulse width was set to 5 nsec to 100 nsec. In this case as well, the amount of lead sulfate film removed from the negative electrode terminal of the lead-acid battery exceeded the amount of lead sulfate film generated, and the lead sulfate film was effectively removed, while no damage to the lead-acid battery electrode was observed.

[0013] Furthermore, we confirmed that good results could also be obtained when the pulse width and peak value conditions were within the above range, and the frequency was set to 5kHz to 50kHz. In this case as well, the amount of lead sulfate film removed from the negative electrode terminal of the lead-acid battery exceeded the amount of lead sulfate film generated, and the lead sulfate film was effectively removed, while no damage to the lead-acid battery electrode was observed.

[0014] Therefore, by optimizing the peak value, pulse width, and frequency of the removal signal, the present invention can provide a lead sulfate film removal device that consumes little power and does not damage the electrodes of a lead-acid battery.

[0015] In addition, the lead sulfate film removing device of the present invention also achieved the secondary effect of miniaturization. The size of the product sold by the patentee of Patent Document 1 is based on the housing, which is about 11 cm × about 5.5 cm × about 2 cm, but this has been miniaturized to about 6 cm × about 3 cm × about 1.5 cm.

[0016] Furthermore, the lead sulfate film removing device of the present invention can realize a lead sulfate film removing device that greatly exceeds the effect of suppressing the temperature rise, which was an issue in Patent Document 1, by aiming for low power consumption.

[0017] Furthermore, the lead sulfate film removing system of the present invention the lead sulfate film removing device, a measuring device that measures the performance of a lead storage battery to which the lead sulfate film removing device is connected, a transmitting device that transmits the measurement result measured by the measuring device, and includes.

[0018] According to the lead sulfate film removing system of the present invention, in addition to removing the lead sulfate film generated in the lead storage battery of a communication base station used in mountainous areas or the like, for example, measurement results that serve as a reference for determining when to replace the lead storage battery can be transmitted to an administrator in a remote location.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a part of the circuit configuration of the lead sulfate film removing device according to an embodiment of the present invention functionally. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the measurement result of the current value measured in a state where the substrate positive electrode terminal 100A and the substrate negative electrode terminal 100B shown in FIG. 1 and the lead storage battery positive electrode terminal and the lead storage battery negative electrode terminal are connected by a connection line not shown. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the measurement result of the voltage value and the like before and after recovery by the lead sulfate film removing device 10 for the lead storage battery mounted on a vehicle or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0020] 10 Lead sulfate film removal equipment 100A positive terminal on circuit board 100B Board negative terminal 110 Power Supply Unit 120 drive resistor 130, 140 voltage divider resistors 150 Switching Circuits 160 Signal Generation Unit 170 Embodiments of the Pulse Driver Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the lead sulfate film removal apparatus, method, and system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram that partially functionally shows the circuit configuration of a lead sulfate film removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lead sulfate film removal device 10 comprises a substrate positive terminal 100A and a substrate negative terminal 100B, a power supply unit 110, a drive resistor 120, voltage divider resistors 130 and 140, a switching circuit 150, a signal generation unit 160, and a pulse driver 170, as described below.

[0023] The positive terminal 100A and negative terminal 100B of the circuit board are electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of a lead-acid battery (not shown) via connecting wires (not shown). The positive terminal 100A of the circuit board is connected in parallel to the drive resistor 120, the voltage divider resistors 130 and 140, and the power supply unit 110.

[0024] The current flowing through the positive terminal 100A on the circuit board (the signal extracted from the lead-acid battery) flows, in part, through the drive resistor 120 to the pulse driver 170 located downstream. Another portion of this current flows through the voltage divider resistor 130 (one of the voltage divider resistors 130 and 140) to the signal generation unit 160. The remaining current flows to the power supply unit 110.

[0025] The power supply unit 110 includes, for example, a relatively high-voltage pre-stage power supply circuit and a relatively low-voltage post-stage power supply circuit, which are connected in series. Therefore, the relatively high output voltage V of the pre-stage power supply circuit, which is generated using a lead-acid battery as the power source, H This is indirectly applied to the signal generation unit 160 via the switching circuit 150, and the relatively low output voltage V of the subsequent power supply circuit L This is directly applied to the signal generation unit 160. Of course, physically, one power supply circuit is voltage-divided to produce the output voltage V H and output voltage V L It could also be structured in a way that obtains [something].

[0026] The drive resistor 120 defines the current value flowing through the pulse driver 170. The resistance value of the drive resistor 120 can be determined according to the voltage value of the lead-acid battery, the resistance values ​​of the voltage divider resistors 130 and 140, and the input resistance value of the power supply unit 110, etc. If these conditions are as described later, it can be set to approximately 10Ω to 30Ω (for example, about 15Ω).

[0027] The voltage divider resistors 130 and 140 define the value of the current flowing toward the signal generation unit 160. The resistance values ​​of the voltage divider resistors 130 and 140 can be determined according to the voltage of the lead-acid battery, the resistance value of the drive resistor 120, and the input resistance value of the power supply unit 110, but the resistance value of the voltage divider resistor 130 can be around 0Ω to 20kΩ (for example, about 0Ω), and the resistance value of the voltage divider resistor 140 can be around 100Ω to 300kΩ (about 200kΩ).

[0028] In this example, the switching circuit 150 is implemented by a transistor such as an FET and performs switching operations according to the on / off signal output from the signal generation unit 160, as described later. When the switching circuit 150 is in the ON state, the output voltage V of the pre-power supply circuit of the power supply unit 110 H When the signal is applied to the signal generation unit 160 and the switching circuit 150 is in the off state, the output voltage V to the signal generation unit 160 H The application of [the substance] will be stopped.

[0029] The signal generation unit 160 generates the aforementioned on / off signal to be supplied to the switching circuit 150 based on the output voltages V H , V L . This on / off signal is supplied to the switching circuit 150. Also, the signal generation unit 160 includes a constant current source output circuit, an oscillator, a frequency divider circuit, etc., and generates a control signal for generating a removal signal based on the voltages V H , V L . This control signal has a sawtooth waveform and becomes the gate current output to the gate of the pulse driver 170.

[0030] Here, the signal generation unit 160 operates under, for example, the following conditions so that the removal signal finally supplied to the electrodes of the lead-acid battery becomes a pulse signal with a sawtooth waveform having a peak value of 550 mA to 750 mA, a pulse width of 5 nsec to 100 nsec, and a frequency of 5 kHz to 50 kHz.

[0031] That is, the output voltage V H of the front-stage power circuit of the power supply unit 110 is about 9.0 V to 11.0 V (for example, 10.0 V), the output voltage V L of the rear-stage power circuit is about 5.0 V to 6.0 V (for example, 5.5 V), the transmission frequency of the oscillator of the signal generation unit 160 is about 1.0 MHz to about 5.0 MHz (for example, about 2.5 MHz), the frequency divider circuit is composed of, for example, a 2-frequency divider circuit and a synchronous 62-frequency divider circuit, and the former makes the frequency about 0.6 MHz to about 2.5 MHz (for example, about 1.25 MHz), and the latter makes the frequency about 9.67 kHz to about 40.32 kHz (for example, about 20.16 kHz). As a result, the voltage of the lead-acid battery can generate a pulse signal with a pulse width of about 5 nsec to about 100 nsec depending on the frequency after frequency division.

[0032] This pulse signal is based on the voltages V H , V LWhen supplied to a constant current source output circuit composed of PMOS transistors and a switch composed of NMOS transistors, a sawtooth waveform control signal can be generated with a peak value of approximately 550mA to 750mA, a pulse width of approximately 5nsec to 100nsec, and a frequency of approximately 5kHz to 50kHz.

[0033] The pulse driver 170 generates a rejection signal according to the control signal output from the signal generation unit 160. The pulse driver 170 can be implemented using a transistor such as an FET. In this configuration, theoretically, the rejection signal will have the same pulse width and frequency as the control signal. This rejection signal is supplied to the lead-acid battery through the positive terminal 110A and the negative terminal 100B of the substrate, and can remove the lead sulfate coating from the negative electrode of the lead-acid battery.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the measurement results of current and voltage values ​​when the positive terminal 100A and negative terminal 100B of the circuit board shown in Figure 1 are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the lead-acid battery via a general-purpose brass connecting wire that is 60 cm long and 1.4 mm wide. Therefore, each measurement result includes the effect of the impedance of the connecting wire. Also, all measurement results shown in Figure 2 represent the average value of 10 measurement results.

[0035] Each measurement result shown in Figure 2 is defined as follows: "Lead-acid battery voltage value" is the voltage value between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the lead-acid battery. "Peak current value" is the current value flowing from the positive terminal of the lead-acid battery to the negative terminal of the lead-acid battery via the lead sulfate film removal device 10.

[0036] The measurement results shown in the upper part of Figure 2 are for two 12V lead-acid batteries, A and B. The measurement results shown in the lower part of Figure 2 are for two 24V lead-acid batteries, C and D.

[0037] In both the measurement results shown in Figure 2 and the measurement results shown in Figure 3 (described later), all measurements were performed on lead-acid batteries immediately after charging was complete, with conditions such as ambient temperature kept nearly identical, and factors that could affect the measurement results were eliminated as much as possible. Furthermore, the specifications of each element of the lead sulfate film removal device 10 were based on the values ​​exemplified in parentheses in the explanation using Figure 1. That is, for example, the drive resistor 120 was set to approximately 15Ω.

[0038] The measurement results for lead-acid battery A were a voltage of 12.9V and a peak current of 570mA. The measurement results for lead-acid battery B were a voltage of 13.9V and a peak current of 600mA. The measurement results for lead-acid battery C were a voltage of 25.8V and a peak current of 610mA. The measurement results for lead-acid battery D were a voltage of 27.8V and a peak current of 660mA.

[0039] According to the measurement results shown in Figure 2, it can be seen that by using the element with the specifications described using Figure 1, the peak current will be 570mA to 660mA. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the peak current can be easily controlled by changing the resistance value of either the drive resistor 120 or the voltage divider resistors 130 or 140.

[0040] The inventors conducted tests with a peak current in the range of 550mA to 750mA and found that the amount of lead sulfate film removed from the negative electrode terminal of the lead-acid battery exceeded the amount of lead sulfate film generated, demonstrating effective removal of the lead sulfate film while showing no damage to the lead-acid battery electrode.

[0041] Furthermore, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the pulse width and frequency of the pulse signal can be easily controlled by appropriately changing the specifications of the constant current source output circuit, oscillator, and frequency divider circuit in the signal generation unit 160. When the frequency and peak value conditions were within the above range and the pulse width was set to 5 nsec to 100 nsec, and when the peak value and pulse width conditions were within the above range and the frequency was set to 5 kHz to 50 kHz, the amount of lead sulfate film removed from the negative electrode terminal of the lead-acid battery exceeded the amount of lead sulfate film generated, and the lead sulfate film was effectively removed, while no damage to the lead-acid battery electrodes was observed.

[0042] Figure 3 shows the measurement results of lead-acid battery voltage values, etc., before and after recovery by the lead sulfate film removal device 10 on lead-acid batteries installed in vehicles, etc. These voltage values ​​were measured near the positive and negative terminals of the lead-acid battery, and the lead sulfate film removal device 10 used elements with the specifications described in Figure 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the measurement items may differ depending on the type of vehicle, etc., to which the lead sulfate film removal device 10 is installed (for example, sometimes the measurement result of "specific gravity" is shown, and sometimes the internal resistance value is shown). This is because the measurement items that can be used to evaluate the effect of removing the lead sulfate film differ depending on the object being measured, or it may be difficult or impossible to obtain measurement results for specific measurement items for the object being measured in the first place.

[0044] First, let's explain the lead-acid batteries installed in the two forklifts a and b. These forklifts a and b are equipped with 24 2V lead-acid batteries, and the measurement results shown are the average of the individual measurement results for each of the 24 lead-acid batteries.

[0045] The specific gravity values ​​of forklifts a and b were measured by aspirating the electrolyte with a hydrometer. Specific gravity increases with charging and decreases with discharge, but a value of around 1.25 to 1.30 is considered a benchmark, and decreases as the amount of lead sulfate adhering to the lead-acid battery electrodes increases.

[0046] The specific gravity deviation of forklifts a and b is the difference between the maximum and minimum specific gravity values ​​of the electrolyte. Therefore, a smaller value indicates less variation in specific gravity between lead-acid batteries and better battery condition. A specific gravity deviation of approximately 0.04 is considered a benchmark.

[0047] First, let's consider the measurement results for forklift a. The voltage value was 2.16V before recovery and 2.14V after recovery, showing no significant change. The specific gravity value was 1.01 before recovery and 1.31 after recovery, indicating a significant improvement. The specific gravity deviation was 1.25 before recovery and 0.02 after recovery, indicating a reduction in variability.

[0048] Next, we will examine the measurement results for forklift b. The voltage value remained unchanged from 2.14V before recovery to 2.14V after recovery. The specific gravity value remained unchanged from 1.30 before recovery to 1.29 after recovery. The specific gravity deviation decreased from 0.03 before recovery to 0.01 after recovery, indicating a reduction in variability.

[0049] In summary, the measurement results for forklift a showed a significant improvement in specific gravity and a reduction in its deviation, indicating that the lead sulfate coating removal device 10 had a tremendous effect in removing the lead sulfate coating. On the other hand, the measurement results for forklift b showed only a slight removal effect, suggesting that not much lead sulfate was adhering to the negative electrode of the lead-acid battery in forklift b.

[0050] Next, we will describe the lead-acid batteries installed in the two golf carts c and d. These golf carts c and d are equipped with six 12V lead-acid batteries, and the measurement results shown are the average of the individual measurement values ​​for each of the six lead-acid batteries.

[0051] The internal resistance values ​​of golf carts c and d were measured based on the voltage drop between the open-circuit voltage of the lead-acid battery and the load resistance. The internal resistance value increases as the usage period of the lead-acid battery lengthens, and the capacity of the lead-acid battery decreases proportionally. There is no absolute value that can be used as a benchmark for internal resistance; the effectiveness of lead sulfate film removal can be evaluated based on the relative magnitude of the value.

[0052] The resistance difference between golf carts c and d is the difference between the maximum and minimum internal resistance values ​​of the lead-acid batteries. Therefore, a smaller value indicates less variation in resistance between lead-acid batteries and better battery condition.

[0053] First, let's consider the measurement results for golf cart c. The voltage value was 12.65V before recovery and 12.51V after recovery, showing no significant change. The internal resistance value was 12.50 before recovery and 6.14 after recovery, indicating a significant improvement. The resistance difference was 10.76mΩ before recovery and 0.69mΩ after recovery, indicating a reduction in variation.

[0054] Next, let's consider the measurement results for golf cart d. The voltage value, which was 11.85V before recovery, improved slightly to 12.72V after recovery. The internal resistance value, which was 8.78mΩ before recovery, improved to 6.10mΩ after recovery. The resistance difference, which was 1.47mΩ before recovery, improved to 1.35mΩ after recovery, showing a slight reduction in variation.

[0055] In summary, the measurement results for golf cart c showed a significant improvement in internal resistance and resistance difference, indicating that the salt film removal effect of the lead sulfate film removal device 10 was tremendous. On the other hand, the measurement results for golf cart d showed a slight removal effect, which suggests that not much lead sulfate was adhering to the negative electrode of the lead-acid battery in golf cart d.

[0056] Next, we will describe the open-type lead-acid batteries installed in two automobiles, e and f. These automobiles are equipped with a single 12V lead-acid battery, and therefore, the measurement results described are not the "average" of the measurements of the multiple lead-acid batteries described above, but rather the measurement values ​​of the lead-acid battery itself.

[0057] The CCA (Cold Cranking Ampere) value of automobiles e and f is a performance standard value indicating the ability of a lead-acid battery to start an engine. Since the standard value of the CCA varies depending on the manufacturer and type of lead-acid battery, there is no single absolute value that can serve as a benchmark. The relative magnitude of the CCA value can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of removing the lead sulfate coating.

[0058] The internal resistance values ​​of automobiles e and f are the same as those explained for golf carts c and d. Therefore, a relatively smaller internal resistance value indicates a higher effectiveness in removing the lead sulfate coating.

[0059] First, let's examine the measurement results for the vehicle e. The voltage value was 12.61V before recovery and 12.72V after recovery, showing no significant change. The CCA value was 171 before recovery and 297 after recovery, indicating a significant improvement. The internal resistance value was 14.35mΩ before recovery and 8.28mΩ after recovery, indicating a significant improvement.

[0060] Let's examine the measurement results for vehicle f. The voltage value, which was 12.19V before recovery, remained largely unchanged at 12.39V after recovery. The CCA value, which was 402 before recovery, improved to 458 after recovery. The internal resistance value, which was 7.65mΩ before recovery, improved to 6.32mΩ after recovery.

[0061] In summary, the measurement results for vehicle e show a significant improvement in both CCA and internal resistance, indicating that the salt film removal effect of the lead sulfate film removal device 10 is tremendous. On the other hand, while the measurement results for vehicle f also show a significant removal effect, in relation to vehicle e, it can be inferred that there was not much lead sulfate adhering to the negative electrode of the lead-acid battery in vehicle f.

[0062] Next, we will explain the sealed lead-acid batteries installed in the two disaster prevention radio units g and h. These disaster prevention radio units g and h, like those in automobiles e and f, are equipped with a single 12V lead-acid battery. Therefore, the measurements listed are those of the lead-acid battery itself, rather than the average of measurements from multiple lead-acid batteries.

[0063] The internal resistance values ​​of disaster prevention radios g and h are the same as those explained for golf carts c and d. Therefore, it can be said that the smaller the internal resistance value, the higher the effectiveness of removing the lead sulfate coating.

[0064] We will now examine the measurement results of the disaster prevention radio unit g. The voltage value, which was 13.46V before recovery, remained at 13.44V after recovery, showing no significant change. The internal resistance value, which was 9.26mΩ before recovery, became 8.54mΩ after recovery, indicating improvement. The nominal value of the internal resistance value of the disaster prevention radio unit g is 8.55mΩ, meaning it has been restored to its original, like-new condition.

[0065] Let's examine the measurement results for disaster prevention radio unit h. The voltage value, which was 13.56V before recovery, remained unchanged at 13.47V after recovery. The internal resistance value, which was 9.31mΩ before recovery, improved to 8.55mΩ after recovery. The nominal value of the internal resistance value of disaster prevention radio unit g is 8.55mΩ, meaning it has been restored to its original, like-new condition.

[0066] In summary, the measurement results for disaster prevention radio systems g and h show that the internal resistance values ​​were improved in both cases, indicating that the salt film removal effect of using the lead sulfate film removal device 10 is significant.

[0067] The lead sulfate film removal device 10 described above can also be combined with a measuring device that performs measurements indicating the performance of the lead-acid battery to which the lead sulfate film removal device 10 is connected, and a transmitting device that transmits the measurement results measured by the measuring device, to form a lead sulfate film removal system.

[0068] Typical measurement targets for the performance of a lead-acid battery measured by the measuring device include peak voltage, peak current (shown in Figure 2), and internal resistance (shown in Figure 3). Furthermore, since internal resistance is susceptible to temperature fluctuations, ambient temperature can also be included to enable evaluation that takes temperature into account. Therefore, the measuring device should be equipped with sensors to measure some of these parameters.

[0069] The recipients of the measurement results transmitted by the transmitting device could include several people, such as the administrator of the electrical equipment equipped with a lead-acid battery and / or the administrator of the lead sulfate coating removal system of this embodiment. The measurement results may be transmitted directly to these people, or they may be transmitted first to a cloud server (not shown) and then indirectly transmitted from the cloud server to these people. One method of transmission is to use a communication standard such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), and the transmission medium may be wireless or optical fiber, and the transmission frequency may be, for example, once a month, but this is not limited to these.

[0070] According to this embodiment of the lead sulfate film removal system, in addition to removing the lead sulfate film that forms on lead-acid batteries in communication base stations used in mountainous areas, etc., it is also possible for a remote administrator to obtain measurement results that can be used as a basis for determining when to replace the lead-acid batteries.

[0071] In this embodiment, we have described the case of removing the lead sulfate film attached to the negative electrode of a lead-acid battery as an example. However, some lead-acid batteries are composed of multiple cells, and in that case, it is also possible to remove the lead sulfate film attached to the negative electrode of each of those cells.

Claims

1. A power supply unit that uses a lead-acid battery as a power source to generate a first output voltage of 9.0V to 11.0V and a second output voltage of 5.0V to 6.0V, A signal generation unit that generates control signals with frequencies of 0.6 MHz to 2.5 MHz and 9.67 kHz to 40.32 kHz based on the first and second output voltages generated by the power supply unit, A pulse driver that generates a removal signal to remove the lead sulfate film based on the control signal generated by the signal generation unit, A lead sulfate coating removal device equipped with the following features.

2. The power supply unit and the signal generation unit are provided with a switching circuit, The signal generation unit receives the first output voltage via the switching circuit and generates an on / off signal to control the switching operation of the switching circuit based on the first output voltage and the second output voltage. When the switching circuit is ON, the first output voltage is applied to the signal generation unit, and when the switching circuit is OFF, the application of the first output voltage to the signal generation unit is stopped. The lead sulfate coating removal apparatus according to claim 1.

3. It includes a voltage divider resistor that defines the value of the current based on the lead-acid battery that flows toward the signal generation unit, The lead sulfate coating removal apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The pulse driver is equipped with a drive resistor that defines the current value flowing through it, The resistance value of the drive resistor is determined at least according to the voltage value of the lead-acid battery and the input resistance value of the power supply unit. The lead sulfate coating removal apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned rejection signal has a peak value of 550mA to 750mA, a pulse width of 5nsec to 100nsec, and a frequency of 5kHz to 50kHz. The lead sulfate coating removal apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The steps include generating a first output voltage of 9.0V to 11.0V and a second output voltage of 5.0V to 6.0V using a lead-acid battery as a power source, The steps include generating control signals with frequencies of 0.6 MHz to 2.5 MHz and 9.67 kHz to 40.32 kHz based on the first and second output voltages, The steps include generating a removal signal to remove the lead sulfate film based on the control signal, A method for removing lead sulfate coatings, including those containing lead sulfate.

7. The lead sulfate film removal apparatus according to claim 1, A measuring device for performing measurements that indicate the performance of a lead-acid battery to which the lead sulfate film removal device is connected, A transmitting device that transmits the measurement results measured by the aforementioned measuring device, A lead sulfate coating removal system equipped with the following features.

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