Charging control device and water meter reading device having same

Abstract

A water meter reading device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main board; a lithium-based battery electrically connected to the main board; a capacitor for charging and discharging current stored in the battery; a buck / boost converter connected between the battery and the capacitor; a communication module for performing wireless communication by receiving voltage charged in the capacitor from the buck / boost converter; and a coil connected between the capacitor and the buck / boost converter, wherein the buck / boost converter may control charging of the capacitor by fixing a charging current of the battery at a point at which a maximum capacity is reached.

Description

Charging control device and water meter reading device having the same

[0001] The invention relates to a charging control device and a water meter reading device. The invention relates to a charging control device for a wireless reading device of a water meter.

[0002] From small batteries installed in mobile devices to transportation equipment, electric vehicles, and drones, batteries of various capacities are used in a wide range of devices. Batteries are essential components for powering various electronic devices, including electric vehicles and smart devices, and battery storage technology continues to evolve and advance.

[0003] Lithium batteries have limitations in stability, lifespan, and slow response to load fluctuations. To compensate for these limitations, systems using supercapacitors are being implemented. Supercapacitors offer rapid charging and discharging, high charge / discharge efficiency, and a near-permanent cycle life. Battery life management is a key consideration in devices such as water meters and boilers, as it allows for battery operation in sleep and operating modes. In other words, battery life management is becoming increasingly important in devices like water meters and boilers, especially in locations without external power sources.

[0004] An embodiment of the invention provides a charge control device and a water meter reading device that control the charging current of a capacitor by connecting a buck / boost converter between a battery and a capacitor, which can solve the above problems.

[0005] A charging control device according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a lithium-based battery; a capacitor for charging and discharging current stored in the battery; a buck / booster converter connected between the battery and the capacitor; a communication module for wirelessly communicating by receiving a voltage charged in the capacitor from the buck / booster; and a coil connected between the capacitor and the buck / booster converter, wherein the buck / booster converter can control charging of the capacitor by fixing the charging current of the battery to a point where the battery has a maximum capacity.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, a resistor may be connected between the buck / booster converter and the ground terminal to control the charging current. The buck / booster converter may limit the charging current of the capacitor to a reference voltage at which the charging current of the battery reaches its maximum capacity. The battery may have a capacity of 3000 mAh or more.

[0007] A water meter reading device according to an embodiment of the invention comprises: a main board; a battery electrically connected to the main board; a capacitor for charging and discharging current stored in the battery; a buck / booster converter connected between the battery and the capacitor; a communication module for receiving a voltage charged in the capacitor from the buck / booster and performing wireless communication; and a coil connected between the capacitor and the buck / booster converter, wherein the buck / booster converter can control charging of the capacitor by fixing the charging current of the battery to a point where the battery has a maximum capacity.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, a resistor connected between the buck / booster converter and the ground terminal to control the charging current may be included. The buck / booster converter may limit the charging current of the capacitor to a reference voltage at which the charging current of the battery reaches its maximum capacity. The battery may be a lithium-based battery having a capacity of 3000 mAh or more. The metering device may include a connector connected to the main board.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, the charging efficiency can be improved by controlling the current charged from the battery to the capacitor.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, the current charged to the capacitor from the lithium battery can be fixed to a point where the capacity is maximum, thereby enabling the battery to be used with a higher capacity.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, a buck / booster converter can be used to charge a capacitor at a current that maximizes battery capacity, thereby improving charging efficiency. This ensures a battery life of more than 10 years in devices without an external power source.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, the reliability of a wireless meter reading device of a water meter can be improved.

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a water meter reading device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a capacitor charge control device in the metering device of Fig. 1.

[0015] Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the capacity and current of a lithium battery.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a graph of battery voltage, capacitor voltage, and battery charging current when charging the capacitor of Fig. 2.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a drawing showing a method for controlling charging of a capacitor by the charging control device of Fig. 2.

[0018] Hereinafter, an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The described embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereby. In addition, matters expressed in the attached drawings are schematic drawings for easily explaining embodiments of the present invention and may be different from the form actually implemented. In the specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used in the specification, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements mentioned.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be clearly revealed through the attached drawings and descriptions of the embodiments. In the descriptions of the embodiments, when each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is described as being formed "on" or "under" the substrate, each layer (film), region, pad, or pattern, "on" and "under" include both "directly" and "indirectly" formed through another layer. In addition, the reference to above or below each layer is described based on the drawings.

[0020]

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a water meter reading device according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a capacitor charging control device in the reading device of FIG. 1.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the water meter reading device (500) is a wireless reading device that can remotely transmit reading information received from a digital meter (510), which is a water meter, at the request of a meter reader or a meter reading device, thereby detecting tap water usage at a remote location. In addition, the water meter reading device (500) can transmit / receive information to / from the digital meter (510) based on the information received under the control of the meter reader or the meter reading device.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector (115) of the water meter reading device (500) is connected to the digital meter (510) via a signal cable. The water meter reading device (500) includes a main board (141) connected to the connector portion (115), a battery (131) as a power supply unit, a capacitor (133), and an antenna board (143). The reading device (500) may be a case or bracket having the above-described configurations. The case or bracket may have a storage space having the above-described configurations therein.

[0024] The main board (141) includes a system control unit and supplies power stably by controlling the battery (131) and capacitor (133). In addition, the main board (141) is connected to a digital meter (510) through a connector unit (115) and communicates with the digital meter (510) to receive metering information such as tap water usage or control the digital meter (510). The main board (141) is electrically connected to the antenna board (143) and controls transmission and reception of wireless communication signals.

[0025] The battery (131) is a high-capacity lithium-based battery of 3000 mAh or more, and requires a lifespan of 10 years or more without an external power supply. Such a metering device is used without a separate IC installed inside to control charging current, etc. to improve battery lifespan. In addition, if the lifespan of the battery in the metering device is difficult to manage, battery replacement is not easy, and wireless communication errors may occur due to the battery lifespan, which may lower the reliability of the metering device. The battery (131) may be arranged on one side of the main board (141).

[0026] The above capacitor (133) is a supercapacitor, and controls the charging or discharging of the voltage stored in the battery (131) to supply the necessary power to each component. This capacitor (133) has the advantage of a short charging time and a semi-permanent lifespan.

[0027] The antenna substrate (143) includes a wireless communication module, is electrically connected to the main substrate (141), and communicates wirelessly with the outside. When a metering request is received from the outside, the antenna substrate (143) transmits the metering information acquired through the main substrate (141). The antenna substrate (143) can be connected via at least one or more of Bluetooth communication and low-speed or high-speed wireless Internet. The low-speed Internet may include a LoRa (long range radio) network, and the high-speed Internet may include LTE (Long term evolution).

[0028] Since the above-mentioned water meter reading device (500) is installed underground or outdoors, waterproofing is required to protect the internal circuit performance. That is, if moisture or water penetrates the device, various components may be damaged or communication failures may occur due to short circuits between the internal circuits. If such problems occur, product reliability may be reduced. The embodiment of the invention can solve waterproofing or water leakage problems by isolating the inside and outside of the water meter reading device (500) from each other, thereby preventing circuit short circuits or communication failures.

[0029]

[0030] The above antenna substrate (143) may be placed on the main substrate (141). The antenna substrate (143) may be placed orthogonally to the main substrate (141).

[0031] The antenna substrate (143) can be bonded to the pattern of the main substrate (141) by a bonding member. Here, the antenna substrate (143) can protrude from the main substrate (141). The main substrate (141) stably supports the antenna substrate (143), can fix the antenna substrate (143) by the bonding member, and can electrically connect the antenna substrate (143) and the main substrate (141).

[0032] The antenna substrate (143) may have an antenna pattern formed on its upper surface. The antenna pattern may have a conductive pattern arranged for at least one or two of Bluetooth communication, low-speed, or high-speed wireless Internet.

[0033]

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the charging control device includes a battery (131), a capacitor (133), a buck / booster converter (132), and a system control unit (130). The system control unit (130) controls the system of the water meter reading device (500).

[0035] The battery (131) is a high-capacity lithium-based battery within the metering device disclosed above, and the capacitor (133) is a supercapacitor that charges and discharges the current stored in the high-capacity lithium battery. The capacitor (133) can be rapidly charged and discharged due to its high charging current. The buck / booster converter (132) is a DC / DC converter that can step up or step down an input voltage and has a wide input voltage range. The buck / booster converter (132) is connected between the battery (131) and the capacitor (133) and can limit the current charged to the capacitor (133) to a constant level.

[0036] The coil (L1) connected between the buck / booster converter (132) and the capacitor (133) performs filtering and voltage stabilization functions. That is, the coil (L1) can block noise in the power circuit and stabilize the power supply. The resistor (R1) connected between the buck / booster converter (132) and the ground terminal stabilizes or regulates the charging current or voltage. That is, the resistor (R1) can reduce fluctuations in voltage or current generated in the buck / booster converter (132).

[0037] The communication module (136), i.e., the wireless communication module, is connected to the buck / booster converter (132) and operates. The system control unit (130) controls each of the above-described parts. For example, the system control unit (130) controls the battery (131), the capacitor (133), and the buck / booster converter (132), thereby controlling the charging or discharging of the capacitor (133).

[0038] The system control unit (130) checks the charging voltage of the capacitor (133), and if it is lower than the reference voltage, charging is performed. At this time, the buck / booster converter (132) limits or fixes the charging current to a current at which the capacity of the battery (131) becomes maximum. Here, if the battery (131) is a high-capacity lithium battery, the battery capacity varies depending on the current used. As shown in Fig. 3, the battery has a maximum capacity around 5 mA at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees), and it can be seen that the capacity decreases when the current becomes smaller or larger than 5 mA. Therefore, if the charging current of the lithium battery is fixed to a point at which the capacity is maximum, the charging efficiency can be improved, and the high-capacity lithium battery can be used at the maximum capacity.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, when the voltage and current sections during charging are divided into a start section (A), a middle section (B), and an end section (C), it can be seen that the average charging current (i.e., lithium battery current) is 4.68 mA in the start section (A), which is higher than the middle section (B) and the end section (C). That is, the start section (A) is a section charged with a fixed current set by the buck / booster converter (132). In addition, it can be seen that the middle section (B) and the end section (C) gradually decrease the charging current (i.e., the lithium battery current). Therefore, the system control unit (130) can monitor the voltage of the capacitor (133) and, if charging is necessary, limit the charging to the voltage up to the start section (A), that is, the reference voltage (e.g., 3.38 V). In addition, when the charging voltage of the capacitor (133) is higher than the reference voltage, charging of the capacitor is terminated.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, the voltage of the super capacitor is checked (S11), and whether or not to charge is determined (S12). At this time, if the checked voltage is lower than the reference voltage, charging is performed with a fixed charging current using a buck / booster converter (S13), and if it is higher than the reference voltage, the process moves to step S11. Then, the voltage is checked through charging of the super capacitor to determine whether or not it is the reference voltage (S14). If it reaches the reference voltage, charging of the super capacitor is terminated (S15), and if it is lower than the reference voltage, charging is continued.

[0041] The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments above are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to just one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. illustrated in each embodiment can be combined or modified and implemented in other embodiments by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Therefore, the contents related to such combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, although the embodiments have been described above, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and applications not illustrated above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. In addition, the differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Lithium-based batteries; A capacitor that charges and discharges the current stored in the battery; A buck / booster converter connected between the battery and the capacitor; A communication module that receives the voltage charged in the capacitor from the buck / booster converter and performs wireless communication; and A coil connected between the capacitor and the buck / booster converter, The above buck / booster converter is a charge control device that regulates the charging of the capacitor by fixing the charging current of the battery to a point where the battery has a maximum capacity.

2. In paragraph 1, A charge control device including a resistor connected between the above buck / booster converter and a ground terminal to control the charge current.

3. In paragraph 2, The above buck / booster converter is a charge control device that limits the charging current of the capacitor to a reference voltage at which the charging current of the battery reaches its maximum capacity.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, The above battery is a charge control device having a capacity of 3000 mAh or more.

5. Main board; A battery electrically connected to the main board; A capacitor that charges and discharges the current stored in the battery; A buck / booster converter connected between the battery and the capacitor; A communication module that receives the voltage charged in the capacitor from the buck / booster converter and performs wireless communication; and A coil connected between the capacitor and the buck / booster converter, The above buck / booster converter is a water meter reading device that controls the charging of the capacitor by fixing the charging current of the battery to a point where the battery has maximum capacity.

6. In paragraph 5, A water meter reading device including a resistor connected between the above buck / booster converter and ground terminal to control charging current.

7. In paragraph 6, The above buck / booster converter is a water meter reading device that limits the charging current of the capacitor to a reference voltage at which the charging current of the battery reaches its maximum capacity.

8. In any one of paragraphs 5 to 7, The above battery is a water meter reading device that is a lithium-based battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh or more.

9. In any one of paragraphs 5 to 7, A water meter reading device including a connector portion connected to the above main board.

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