Adapter device

Abstract

Provided is an adapter device which make it possible to use a plurality of external devices for a battery device and use the battery device for the plurality of external devices without using adapter devices selectively. An adapter device (1) is detachably attached to a battery device (6) of a moving body (8) and is capable of executing: a charging mode in which the battery device (6) is charged with external power supplied from an external device (7); and a discharging mode in which power stored in the battery device (6) is supplied to the external device (7). The adapter device (1) comprises a power conversion unit (11), a first connection unit (2), and a second connection unit (3). The first connection unit (2) is electrically connected to the external device (7). The second connection unit (3) is electrically connected to the battery device (6). The first connection unit (2) is electrically connected to the second connection unit (3) via the power conversion unit (11). The first connection unit (2) is capable of supplying power to the external device (7) and receiving power from the external device (7) in accordance with the USB-PD standard.

Description

Adapter device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an adapter device, and more particularly to an adapter device to be attached to a battery.

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a charging structure for a battery device, which includes a battery device detachably attachable to an electric vehicle and containing a battery therein, and a charger having a battery mounting portion for charging the battery of the battery device, wherein connection terminals are respectively provided on the battery device and the charger (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-73838

[0004] In the charging structure for a battery device described in Patent Document 1, when charging the battery, it is necessary to connect a power connection cord extending from the charger to an AC power source (alternating current power source) such as a commercial power source. For this reason, the battery cannot be charged in a place without an AC power source. Further, although there are known adapter devices attached to a battery device that can supply power from the battery device to an external device via the adapter device, there is no known adapter device that supplies power from an external device to the battery of the battery device in accordance with a general-purpose standard.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an adapter device that enables a battery device to be used for a plurality of external devices while using a plurality of external devices for the battery device without requiring selective use of different adapter devices.

[0006] An adapter device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is detachably attached to a battery device of a mobile body and is capable of performing a charging mode in which the battery device is charged by external power supplied from an external device, and a discharging mode in which the power stored in the battery device is supplied to the external device. The adapter device comprises a power conversion unit, a first connection unit, and a second connection unit. The first connection unit is electrically connected to the external device. The second connection unit is electrically connected to the battery device. The first connection unit is electrically connected to the second connection unit via the power conversion unit. The first connection unit is capable of supplying power to the external device and receiving power from the external device in accordance with the USB-PD standard.

[0007] Figure 1 is a side view of a mobile device (electric bicycle) having a battery device to which an adapter device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure is attached. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the battery device to which the adapter device is attached according to the same embodiment, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the adapter device, the battery device and external equipment connected via the adapter device, according to the same embodiment. Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a connector according to the USB-TYPE-C standard according to the same embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the battery device to which the adapter device is attached according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the state in Figure 5 where the battery device has been detached upward from the adapter device, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 7 is a block diagram of the adapter device and the battery device connected via the adapter device according to the same embodiment. Figure 8 is a block diagram in charging mode showing an adapter device according to a specific example of the first embodiment, the battery device and external equipment connected via the adapter device. Figure 9 is a block diagram in discharging mode showing an adapter device according to a specific example of the same embodiment, the battery device and external equipment connected via the adapter device.

[0008] The adapter device 1 according to this disclosure is an adapter device 1 that is attached to the battery device 6 of the mobile body 8. The mobile body 8, battery device 6, and adapter device 1 according to each embodiment will be described below.

[0009] (1) First Embodiment (1.1) Mobile Body Figure 1 is a side view of the mobile body 8 in the first embodiment. The mobile body 8 is a bicycle that can be driven using electric power. The mobile body 8 is a so-called electric assist bicycle in which the motor 831 assists the user's pedaling force (sometimes called "pedaling force"), but it may also be a bicycle that can be driven by the motor 831 alone. The mobile body 8 comprises a frame 81, a plurality of wheels 82, a motor unit 83, a handle 84, a saddle 85, a crank 86, pedals 87, a battery mounting section 91, and a battery device 6. The plurality of wheels 82 have a front wheel 821 and a rear wheel 822.

[0010] The frame 81 is a framework capable of holding at least the front wheel 821, the rear wheel 822, and the battery device 6. The front wheel 821 is the front wheel 82 of two wheels 82 arranged in the front-to-rear direction. The rear wheel 822 has a rear sprocket 88 (here, a cassette sprocket) and is connected to the drive sprocket 90 of the motor unit 83 via a power transmission 89 (here, a chain). This allows the power of the motor unit 83 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 822.

[0011] The motor unit 83 is a device that generates electrical power in the mobile body 8. The power generated by the motor unit 83 is transmitted to the wheels 82. The motor unit 83 consists of the motor unit 83 and a battery device 6.

[0012] The motor unit 83 generates a drive assist output when it receives pedaling force input from the pedal 87. "Drive assist output" refers to the force used by the motor 831 to supplement the pedaling force. When the motor unit 83 receives pedaling force input from the pedal 87 and crank 86, it detects the input value of that force and outputs a drive assist output to the power transmission unit 89 if the input value is below a certain value.

[0013] The motor unit 83 includes a motor 831 and a drive sprocket 90 on which a power transmission 89 is mounted. The motor 831 operates by receiving power from the battery device 6. The drive sprocket 90 is provided to transmit power to the rear wheel 822 via the power transmission 89. The drive sprocket 90 rotates with the rotation of the crank 86 and can receive the output of the motor 831. In other words, the motor unit 83 in the first embodiment is a so-called single-axis drive unit that transmits the pedaling force transmitted via the pedal 87 and crank 86, and the output of the motor 831, to the drive sprocket 90, and then transmits power to the power transmission 89. However, in this disclosure, it may also be a so-called two-axis drive unit that transmits the pedaling force to the power transmission 89 and transmits the output of the motor 831 to the power transmission 89.

[0014] (1.2) Battery device The battery device 6 is a device that supplies power to at least the motor 831. The battery device 6 is held in a state where it is mounted on the battery mounting section 91 and is electrically connected to the motor 831 in this state. As a result, the battery device 6 can supply power to the motor 831. In the first embodiment, the battery device 6 is configured to supply power to the motor 831 as well as to the headlights or the motor 831 on / off control unit.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, the battery device 6 includes a power storage unit 61, a battery control unit 62, and a battery connection unit 63. The power storage unit 61 is a secondary battery that stores electrical energy to be supplied to the motor 831. The power storage unit 61 comprises multiple cells.

[0016] The battery control unit 62 controls the charging and discharging of the energy storage unit 61. The battery control unit 62 can be implemented, for example, by a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. In other words, one or more processors execute one or more programs stored in one or more memories to function as the battery control unit 62.

[0017] Charging in the energy storage unit 61 refers to supplying power to the energy storage unit 61 from an external device 7 to store energy in the energy storage unit 61, and discharging in the energy storage unit 61 refers to supplying power from the energy storage unit 61 to the external device 7. The battery connection unit 63 is electrically connected to the second connection unit 3.

[0018] Specifically, the battery connection section 63 has a plurality of terminals that are connected to the adapter device 1. The plurality of terminals are a discharge terminal 631, a charging terminal 632, a voltage detection terminal 633, one or more communication terminals 634 (one communication terminal 634 in the first embodiment), and a GND terminal 635.

[0019] The battery control unit 62 switches between charging and discharging in the energy storage unit 61 according to the voltage applied to the switching input terminal 64, one of the multiple terminals of the battery connection unit 63. The switching input terminal 64 is a terminal for switching between charging and discharging in the energy storage unit 61. Specifically, the switching input terminal 64 is a voltage detection terminal 633. A charging mode voltage corresponding to charging or a discharging mode voltage corresponding to discharging is applied to the switching input terminal 64.

[0020] The charging mode voltage is, for example, 5V, which is higher than the threshold of 3V, and the discharging mode voltage is, for example, 1V, which is lower than the threshold, but the numerical values ​​are not particularly limited, and the relative positions of the charging mode voltage and the discharging mode voltage are also not limited. When the charging mode voltage is applied to the switching input terminal 64, the battery control unit 62 charges the energy storage unit 61, and when the discharging mode voltage is applied to the switching input terminal 64, the battery control unit 62 controls the discharge from the energy storage unit 61.

[0021] When the battery device 6 is attached to the battery mounting section 91 (see Figure 1) of the mobile body 8, the multiple terminals of the battery connection section 63 are connected to the corresponding terminals on the battery mounting section 91, and a discharge mode voltage is applied to the voltage detection terminal 633. As a result, power is supplied from the energy storage section 61 to the motor 831.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery control unit 62 can execute a sleep mode (stop mode) that stops the operation of the battery device 6. After executing the sleep mode initiation operation, the battery control unit 62 stops operating, and there is no output whatsoever from the multiple terminals of the battery connection unit 63. The sleep mode is executed under predetermined conditions, which may include, for example, when there is no input from any of the multiple terminals of the battery connection unit 63 for a predetermined period of time, or when a predetermined voltage is applied to any of the multiple terminals (for example, the voltage detection terminal 633), or any other appropriate condition. By executing the sleep mode, it is possible to suppress natural discharge from the energy storage unit 61 when the battery device 6 is not in use.

[0023] Furthermore, the battery control unit 62 can wake the battery device 6 from sleep mode. For example, appropriate actions can be taken to wake the device from sleep mode, such as applying a predetermined voltage to one of the terminals of the battery connection unit 63. In the first embodiment, the device is woken from sleep mode by applying a predetermined voltage (e.g., 5V) to the voltage detection terminal 633.

[0024] The discharge terminal 631 is the terminal to which external power is input when supplying external power to the energy storage unit 61. The charging terminal 632 is the terminal to which power is output when supplying the power stored in the energy storage unit 61 to the outside. The voltage detection terminal 633 is the terminal to which the applied voltage is detected. The communication terminal 634 is the terminal to which communication is performed between the adapter device 1 and the battery device 6.

[0025] (1.3) Adapter device (outline) As shown in Figure 2, the adapter device 1 is detachably attached to the battery device 6 when supplying power from the battery device 6 to an external device 7. The adapter device 1 can selectively execute either a charging mode or a discharging mode while attached to the battery device 6.

[0026] The charging mode is an operating mode in which the battery device 6 is charged by external power supplied from the external device 7. The discharging mode is an operating mode in which the power stored in the battery device 6 is supplied to the external device 7.

[0027] The adapter device 1 comprises a casing 100 and a mounting portion 101. Various devices, which will be described later, are housed in the casing 100. One or more connection ports 20 (two connection ports 20 in the first embodiment) are formed in the casing 100 and external devices 7 are connected via a cord 74. The adapter device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0028] (1.4) External devices The external devices 7 include, for example, so-called smartphones, tablet terminals, PCs (personal computers), batteries, etc. In this disclosure, the external devices 7 are devices that comply with the USB (Universal Serial Bus)-PD (Power Delivery) standard and the USB-TYPE-C standard. The external devices 7 are connected to the adapter device 1 via a code 74. The code 74 is a code that complies with the USB-PD standard (and the USB-TYPE-C standard). The code 74 has a first connection part 75 and a second connection part 76 at both ends, the first connection part 75 is connected to the external devices 7 and the second connection part 76 is connected to the adapter device 1, but the first connection part 75 and the second connection part 76 are interchangeable and not distinguished from each other.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the external device 7 comprises an external device control unit 71, an external device power storage unit 72, and an external device connection unit 73. The external device control unit 71 controls communication and power supply in accordance with the USB-PD standard (and USB-TYPE-C standard). The external device control unit 71 controls charging to the external device power storage unit 72 and discharging from the external device power storage unit 72. The external device control unit 71, like the battery control unit 62, can be implemented by a computer system including, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0030] If the external device 7 is a smartphone, tablet, or the like, the external device 7 has an input section such as a button, microphone, or touch panel, an output section such as a display or speaker, and a communication interface. In this case, the external device 7 mainly receives power from the battery device 6 via the adapter device 1, but the external device 7 may also supply power to the battery device 6.

[0031] Furthermore, if the external device 7 is a battery, external power (electricity) is supplied to the battery device 6 via the adapter device 1, but the external device 7 may also receive power from the battery device 6.

[0032] (1.5) Adapter device (details) The adapter device 1 comprises a power conversion unit 11, a charge / discharge control unit 12, a first connection unit 2, and a second connection unit 3. The first connection unit 2 is electrically connected to the second connection unit 3 via the power conversion unit 11. Specifically, the first connection unit 2 is electrically connected to the second connection unit 3 via the electric wire 51 and the power conversion unit 11.

[0033] The first connection unit 2 is electrically connected to the external device 7. The first connection unit 2 is capable of supplying power to the external device 7 and receiving power from the external device 7 in accordance with the USB-PD standard. As shown in Figure 4, the first connection unit 2 has a connector compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard. The adapter device 1 has a USB control unit 15 that operates the first connection unit 2 in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard and the USB-PD standard. The USB control unit 15, like the battery control unit 62, can be implemented by a computer system including, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0034] The USB control unit 15 controls communication and power supply in accordance with the USB-PD standard through the first connection unit 2. If the external device 7 connected to the first connection unit 2 does not comply with the USB-PD standard, communication and power supply in accordance with the USB-PD standard will not occur between the adapter device 1 and the external device 7. However, if the external device 7 connected to the first connection unit 2 complies with the USB-TYPE-C standard, communication and power supply in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard will be possible between the adapter device 1 and the external device 7.

[0035] The second connection section 3 is electrically connected to the battery device 6. Specifically, the second connection section 3 has a discharge terminal 31 connected to the discharge terminal 631 of the battery device 6, a charging terminal 32 connected to the charging terminal 632, a voltage detection terminal 33 connected to the voltage detection terminal 633, a communication terminal 34 connected to the communication terminal 634, and a GND terminal 35 connected to the GND terminal 635. The second connection section 3 also has a switching output terminal 36 that is electrically connected to the switching input terminal 64. In the first embodiment, the switching input terminal 64 is the voltage detection terminal 633, and the switching output terminal 36 is the voltage detection terminal 33.

[0036] The power conversion unit 11 is installed in the middle of the electric wire 51. The power conversion unit 11 has a DC / DC converter and can boost or step down the DC power input from the first connection unit 2 and output it from the second connection unit 3. The power conversion unit 11 can boost or step down the DC power input from the second connection unit 3 and output it from the first connection unit 2. The power conversion unit 11 is controlled by the charge / discharge control unit 12.

[0037] The charge / discharge control unit 12 controls the charging mode and discharging mode of the adapter device 1. Similar to the USB control unit 15, the charge / discharge control unit 12 can be implemented by a computer system including, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0038] The adapter device 1 includes an adapter control unit 10. The adapter control unit 10, like the charge / discharge control unit 12, can be implemented by a computer system including, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories. The adapter control unit 10 can control the on / off state of switches (including switching elements) provided in the electrical circuits within the adapter device 1, as well as assist in the control by the charge / discharge control unit 12 and the USB control unit 15.

[0039] Furthermore, the adapter device 1 includes a battery state detection unit 13. The battery state detection unit 13 detects the state of the battery device 6. The state of the battery device 6 (for example, voltage, temperature, remaining power) is transmitted to the battery state detection unit 13 via the communication terminals 634 and 34 of the battery device 6. The battery state detection unit 13 may also be part of the adapter control unit 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the adapter device 1 includes a power calculation unit 14. The power calculation unit 14 calculates the power (especially voltage) to be generated as a result of calculation, according to the state of the battery device 6. Note that the power calculation unit 14 may be part of the adapter control unit 10.

[0041] (1.6) The charge mode charge / discharge control unit 12 and the power conversion unit 11 switch between the charge mode and the discharge mode by outputting a charge mode voltage corresponding to the charge mode or a discharge mode voltage corresponding to the discharge mode to the switching output terminal 36. For example, when the charge mode voltage is 5V, the charge / discharge control unit 12 controls the power conversion unit 11 to apply the charge mode voltage of 5V to the voltage detection terminal 33, which is the switching output terminal 36, when executing the charge mode. In the battery device 6, when the battery control unit 62 detects that the charge mode voltage of 5V has been applied to the voltage detection terminal 633, which is the switching input terminal 64, it initiates the supply of external power to the energy storage unit 61.

[0042] The first connection section 2 has at least one of the CC terminals 21 and 22 of the connector compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard as a mode switching terminal. When the adapter device 1 is in charging mode, the USB control unit 15 applies a voltage lower than the switching threshold voltage to the mode switching terminal. Specifically, in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard, the mode switching terminal of the first connection section 2 is pulled down to ground via a pull-down resistor. In the external device 7, the terminal of the external device connection section 73 corresponding to the mode switching terminal is pulled up to a 5V power supply via a pull-up resistor. In this case, the switching threshold voltage is appropriately set to a voltage greater than 0V and less than 5V.

[0043] Accordingly, power is supplied from the external device power storage unit 72 of the external device 7 to the first connection unit 2 of the adapter device 1 via the cord 74, and supply of power from the external device power storage unit 72 of the external device 7 to the power storage unit 61 of the battery device 6 is executed.

[0044] At this time, the voltage and current of the power supplied from the external device power storage unit 72 of the external device 7 to the power storage unit 61 of the battery device 6 are determined in accordance with the USB-PD standard. First, the state of the battery device 6 (for example, voltage, temperature, remaining power amount) is transmitted to the battery state detection unit 13 via the communication terminal 634 and the communication terminal 34. The battery state detection unit 13 transmits the state of the battery device 6 transmitted from the battery device 6 to the adapter control unit 10, and the adapter control unit 10 transmits necessary information among the transmitted state of the battery device 6 to the USB control unit 15. In accordance with the USB-PD standard, the USB control unit 15 communicates with the external device 7 via the CC terminal 21 or the CC terminal 22 to perform negotiation for power supply, and supplies power via the VBUS terminal at a voltage corresponding to the result of the negotiation. At this time, power is supplied to the power storage unit 61 after being stepped up / down (converted) to an optimal voltage by the power conversion unit 11.

[0045] (1.7) Discharge Mode When executing the discharge mode, the charge / discharge control unit 12 controls the power conversion unit 11 so as to apply the discharge mode voltage of 1 V to the voltage detection terminal 33. In the battery device 6, when it is detected that the discharge mode voltage of 1 V is applied to the voltage detection terminal 633, the battery control unit 62 causes power to be supplied from the power storage unit 61 to the adapter device 1. When the adapter device 1 executes the discharge mode, the USB control unit 15 applies a voltage higher than the switching threshold voltage to the mode switching terminal.

[0046] Specifically, in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard, the mode switching terminal of the first connection portion 2 is pulled up to a 5V power supply via a pull-up resistor. In the external device 7, the terminal of the external device connection portion 73 corresponding to the mode switching terminal is pulled down to ground via a pull-down resistor. Accordingly, power is supplied from the first connection portion 2 of the adapter device 1 to the external device connection portion 73 of the external device 7 via the cord 74, and power supply from the power storage portion 61 of the battery device 6 to the external device power storage portion 72 of the external device 7 is performed.

[0047] Furthermore, the voltage and current of the power supplied from the power storage portion 61 of the battery device 6 to the external device power storage portion 72 of the external device 7 are determined in accordance with the USB-PD standard, similarly to the case in the charging mode. At this time, power is supplied to the external device power storage portion 72 in a state where the voltage is stepped up / down (converted) to an optimal voltage by the power conversion portion 11.

[0048] (1.8) Switching between charging mode and discharging mode by switching button In the first embodiment, the adapter device 1 includes a switching button 16 for a user to select (switch) between the charging mode and the discharging mode.

[0049] As the switching button 16, various components can be appropriately used as needed, including a so-called on / off switch having a heart-shaped cam. Switching performed by the switching button 16 is detected by the adapter control unit 10, the adapter control unit 10 determines whether the mode is the charging mode or the discharging mode and notifies the charge / discharge control unit 12 of the determination result, and the charge / discharge control unit 12 executes the operation in either the charging mode or the discharging mode as described above.

[0050] (1.9) Switching according to the state of the battery device Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the adapter device 1 can switch between the charging mode and the discharging mode without depending on the switching button 16. The charge / discharge control unit 12 can control the power conversion unit 11 such that the power conversion unit 11 generates power according to a calculation result calculated by the power calculation unit 14 in accordance with the state of the battery device 6. As the state of the battery device 6, for example, voltage, temperature, remaining power amount and the like are employed, but one or a plurality of physical quantities including other types of physical quantities can also be employed.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the charge / discharge control unit 12 switches between generating power to supply from the battery device 6 to the external device 7, or generating power to supply from the external device 7 to the battery device 6, that is, executing a charging mode or a discharging mode, depending on the remaining power of the energy storage unit 61.

[0052] As a result, the adapter device 1 can automatically switch between charging mode and discharging mode without the user having to operate the switch button 16, and without the adapter device 1 having a switch button 16.

[0053] In the first embodiment, since the adapter device 1 is equipped with a switch button 16, the user can set whether to prioritize switching between the charging mode and the discharging mode according to the remaining power amount of the power storage unit 61, or to prioritize switching between the charging mode and the discharging mode using the switch button 16.

[0054] (1.10) The charging / discharging control unit 12 can supply external power to the battery control unit 62 to start up the battery control unit 62 when the external device 7 is electrically connected to the first connection unit 2 and the battery device 6 is electrically connected to the second connection unit 3.

[0055] The USB control unit 15 requests power supply from the external device 7 in accordance with the USB-PD standard or USB-TYPE-C standard. If power can be supplied from the external device 7, the adapter device 1 receives power from the external device 7. When the adapter control unit 10 detects that there is no output from any of the terminals of the battery connection section 63 of the battery device 6, it converts the power supplied from the external device 7 to a predetermined voltage for startup (for example, 5V) using the power conversion unit 11 and applies it to the voltage detection terminal 633 via the voltage detection terminal 33, thereby waking the battery device 6 from sleep mode.

[0056] (1.11) Summary of the First Embodiment The adapter device 1 is capable of supplying power from the battery device 6 to an external device 7 and from the external device 7 to the battery device 6 in accordance with the USB-PD standard (and USB-TYPE-C standard). As a result, charging the battery device 6 and discharging the battery device 6 can be performed with a single adapter device 1, without having to use separate adapter devices for charging the battery device 6 and for supplying power from the battery device 6 to the external device 7.

[0057] Furthermore, since the adapter device 1 conforms to the USB-PD standard (and USB-TYPE-C standard), it is possible to charge the battery device 6 and discharge the battery device 6 using multiple external devices 7 that also conform to the USB-PD standard (and USB-TYPE-C standard).

[0058] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control unit 12 and the power conversion unit 11 output a charge mode voltage corresponding to the charge mode or a discharge mode voltage corresponding to the discharge mode to the switching output terminal 36. This allows switching between charging and discharging using existing methods for supplying power from the energy storage unit 61 to the motor 831 and for charging the energy storage unit 61, thus minimizing design changes from existing adapter devices.

[0059] Furthermore, when the adapter device 1 executes the discharge mode, it applies a voltage higher than the switching threshold voltage to the mode switching terminal in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard. This allows for common control of multiple external devices 7 that comply with the USB-TYPE-C standard, simplifying the design.

[0060] Similarly, when the adapter device 1 is in charging mode, it applies a voltage lower than the switching threshold voltage to the mode switching terminal in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard. This allows for common control of multiple external devices 7 that also comply with the USB-TYPE-C standard, simplifying the design.

[0061] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control unit 12 and the adapter control unit 10 control the power conversion unit 11 to generate power according to the calculation result, so the adapter device 1 can automatically generate power without any operation by the user. In particular, the charge / discharge control unit 12 switches between charging mode and discharging mode according to the remaining power amount, so the adapter device 1 can automatically switch between charging mode and discharging mode without the user having to operate the switch button 16 or the adapter device 1 being equipped with a switch button 16.

[0062] Furthermore, the adapter control unit 10 and the battery state detection unit 13 supply external power to the battery control unit 62 and control the battery control unit 62 to wake it up from sleep mode. Therefore, for example, there is no need to wake it up from sleep mode using a conventional adapter device dedicated to charging, and the adapter device 1 has high versatility.

[0063] (2) The second embodiment will be described based on Figures 5 to 7. The battery device 6, external equipment 7, and mobile body 8 in the second embodiment are the same as the battery device 6, external equipment 7, and mobile body 8 in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted. The adapter device 1 in the second embodiment is largely the same as the adapter device 1 in the first embodiment, so the same configuration will be omitted from the description, and the mainly different configuration will be described.

[0064] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the adapter device 1 was an adapter device that was mainly attached only to the battery connection portion 63 of the battery device 6 which was placed in a prone position on a floor or the like. In contrast, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the adapter device 1 is an upright type adapter device that holds the battery device 6 in an upright position. As shown in Figure 6, the battery connection portion 63 is positioned at the lower end of the adapter device 1, and the battery connection portion 63 is attached from above to the first connection portion 2 of the adapter device 1 which is placed on a mounting surface such as a floor. The discharge terminals 631 to GND terminal 635 are connected to the discharge terminals 31 to GND terminal 35, respectively.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the adapter device 1 has a power cord 17 connected to the power conversion unit 11. The end of the power cord 17 is provided with a plug that is inserted into a commercial AC 100V power outlet. Power is input to the power conversion unit 11 via the power cord 17 connected to the commercial power supply, without passing through the first connection unit 2. The power conversion unit 11 has an AC / DC converter in addition to a DC / DC converter, and can convert the AC power input via the power cord 17 into DC power, and can boost or step down the voltage as needed.

[0066] In the adapter device 1 of the second embodiment, if the power cord 17 is not used, the usage is the same as in the adapter device 1 of the first embodiment. In the adapter device 1 of the second embodiment, if the power cord 17 is used, the battery device 6 can be charged without the need for an external device 7.

[0067] (3) Specific Examples Based on Figures 8 and 9, a specific example of the adapter device 1 in the first embodiment will be described. The battery device 6, external equipment 7, and mobile body 8 in the specific example are the same as the battery device 6, external equipment 7, and mobile body 8 in the first embodiment described above, so their description will be omitted. The adapter device 1 in the specific example is largely the same as the adapter device 1 in the first embodiment described above, so the same configurations will be omitted from the description, and the new configurations will be described mainly.

[0068] (3.1) Configuration of the adapter device The first connection part 2 and the second connection part 3 are electrically connected by an electric wire 51, and a first switch 44 is provided between the first connection part 2 and the power conversion unit 11 of the electric wire 51. The following first switches 44 to seventh switches 50 are made up of switching elements. The electric wire 51 is branched into a discharge wire 511 and a charging wire 512 between the power conversion unit 11 and the battery connection part 63. The tip of the discharge wire 511 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 31, and a seventh switch 50 is provided in the middle of the discharge wire 511. The tip of the charging wire 512 is electrically connected to the charging terminal 32, and a sixth switch 49 is provided in the middle of the charging wire 512.

[0069] A wire 52 branches off from the portion of the electric wire 51 between the power conversion section 11 and the battery connection section 63 (the portion closer to the power conversion section 11 than the branching point of the discharge wire 511 and the charging wire 512), with its tip electrically connected to the adapter control unit 10. A first LDO (Low Drop Out, regulator) 41 and a second switch 45 are provided along the electric wire 52, in that order from the electric wire 51 side. The electric wire 52 has a diode element that allows current to flow from the electric wire 51 side toward the adapter control unit 10 side, in the portion of the electric wire 52 closer to the electric wire 51 than the first LDO 41.

[0070] From the portion of the electric wire 51 between the first connection part 2 and the first switch 44, an electric wire 53 branches off, its tip of which is electrically connected to the adapter control unit 10 via the fifth switch 48.

[0071] Electric wire 54 branches off from the portion of electric wire 53 between the branching point from electric wire 51 and the fifth switch 48. Along electric wire 54, a DC / DC converter 42 and a second LDO 43 are provided in order from the electric wire 53 side, and the tip of electric wire 54 is electrically connected to the portion of electric wire 52 between the second switch 45 and the adapter control unit 10. Electric wire 54 has a diode element that allows current to flow from the electric wire 53 side toward the adapter control unit 10 side, in the portion of electric wire 53 that is closer to the DC / DC converter 42. Also, the portion of electric wire 54 closer to the electric wire 53 side of the DC / DC converter 42 and the portion of electric wire 52 closer to the electric wire 51 side of the first LDO 41 intersect.

[0072] A wire 55 extends from the DC / DC converter 42, and a fourth switch 47 and a third switch 46 are provided along the wire 55, in that order from the DC / DC converter 42 side. The portion of the wire 55 between the fourth switch 47 and the third switch 46 intersects with the portion of the wire 53 between the fifth switch 48 and the adapter control unit 10.

[0073] A wire 56 branches off from the point between the intersection of wire 53 and wire 55 and the fifth switch 48, and the tip of wire 56 is electrically connected to the voltage detection terminal 633.

[0074] The USB control unit 15 is electrically connected to the first connection unit 2, can communicate with the charge / discharge control unit 12 and the adapter control unit 10, and can transmit an on / off switching signal to the first switch 44.

[0075] The charge / discharge control unit 12 is capable of transmitting control signals to the power conversion unit 11 and can communicate with the adapter control unit 10.

[0076] The adapter control unit 10 is capable of transmitting control signals to the DC / DC converter 42 and transmitting on / off switching signals to the second switch 45, third switch 46, fourth switch 47, fifth switch 48, sixth switch 49, and seventh switch 50. The adapter control unit 10 is also capable of detecting operations on the switching button 16.

[0077] (3.2) Charging Mode The case of executing the charging mode will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0078] When the battery device 6 and external device 7 are connected to the adapter device 1, and the charging mode is selected using the switch button 16, or when the remaining power of the battery device 6 is less than a predetermined amount, the adapter device 1 executes the charging mode.

[0079] The USB control unit 15 pulls down the mode switching terminal of the first connection part 2 to ground via a pull-down resistor, in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard. In addition, the external device 7 pulls up the terminal of the external device connection part 73 corresponding to the mode switching terminal to a 5V power supply via a pull-up resistor. As a result, 5V power is supplied from the external device power storage part 72 of the external device 7 to the first connection part 2 of the adapter device 1 via the cord 74 and the wire 51 (VBUS).

[0080] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control unit 12 controls the power conversion unit 11 to apply 5V, which is the charge mode voltage corresponding to the charge mode, to the voltage detection terminal 33, which is the switching output terminal 36. In the battery device 6, when it detects that 5V, the charge mode voltage, has been applied to the voltage detection terminal 633, which is the switching input terminal 64, the battery control unit 62 causes the supply of external power to the energy storage unit 61.

[0081] The battery device 6 transmits its status (e.g., voltage, temperature, remaining power) to the battery status detection unit 13 of the adapter control unit 10 via the communication terminals 634 and 34. The battery status detection unit 13 transmits the status of the battery device 6 transmitted from the battery device 6 to the USB control unit 15 via the adapter control unit 10. The USB control unit 15 communicates with the external device 7 via the CC terminal 21 or CC terminal 22 in accordance with the USB-PD standard to negotiate for power supply, and controls the power conversion unit 11 via the charge / discharge control unit 12 to supply power via the VBUS terminal at a voltage (e.g., 30V suitable for charging the energy storage unit 61) according to the result of the negotiation.

[0082] (3.3) Discharge Mode The case of performing the discharge mode will be explained with reference to Figure 9.

[0083] When the battery device 6 and external device 7 are connected to the adapter device 1, and the discharge mode is selected using the switch button 16, or when the remaining power of the battery device 6 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the adapter device 1 executes the discharge mode.

[0084] The USB control unit 15 pulls up the mode switching terminal of the first connection unit 2 to a 5V power supply via a pull-up resistor, in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard. Furthermore, the external device 7 pulls down the terminal of the external device connection unit 73, which corresponds to the mode switching terminal, to ground via a pull-down resistor. This initiates the supply of 5V power from the first connection unit 2 of the adapter device 1 to the external device power storage unit 72 of the external device 7 via the cord 74 and the wire 51 (VBUS).

[0085] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control unit 12 controls the power conversion unit 11 to apply a charge mode voltage of 1V, which corresponds to the discharge mode, to the voltage detection terminal 33, which is the switching output terminal 36. In the battery device 6, when it detects that the charge mode voltage of 1V has been applied to the voltage detection terminal 633, which is the switching input terminal 64, the battery control unit 62 causes the energy storage unit 61 to supply power.

[0086] The battery device 6 transmits its status to the battery status detection unit 13 via communication terminals 634 and 34. The battery status detection unit 13 transmits the status of the battery device 6 transmitted from the battery device 6 to the USB control unit 15 via the adapter control unit 10. The USB control unit 15 communicates with the external device 7 via the CC terminal 21 or CC terminal 22 as a mode switching terminal in accordance with the USB-PD standard, performs negotiation for power supply, and controls the power conversion unit 11 to supply power via the VBUS terminal at a voltage (for example, 20V suitable for the use of power by the external device 7) according to the result of the negotiation.

[0087] (3.4) Starting from sleep mode When the external device 7 is electrically connected to the first connection part 2 and the battery device 6 is electrically connected to the second connection part 3, and the charge / discharge control unit 12 detects that there is no output from any of the terminals of the battery connection part 63 of the battery device 6, it determines that the device is in sleep mode and attempts to start from sleep mode.

[0088] Furthermore, when the battery device 6 and external device 7 are not connected to the adapter device 1, the mode switching terminal of the first connection unit 2 is configured to be pulled down.

[0089] (3.4.1) First starting method With the battery device 6 and the external device 7 not connected to the adapter device 1, the external device 7 is connected to the first connection part 2, and the terminal of the external device connection part 73 of the external device 7 corresponding to the mode switching terminal is pulled down, and the supply of 5V power from the external device power storage part 72 of the external device 7 to the wires 51 and 53 via the cord 74 and the first connection part 2 is started.

[0090] In the initial state, the DC / DC converter 42 does not receive a signal from the adapter control unit 10 and is therefore inoperable. Also in the initial state, the first switch 44 and the third switches 46 to the seventh switches 50 do not receive a signal from the adapter control unit 10 and are therefore off. As a result, only the circuits of wire 51 (up to the branching point of wire 53), wire 53 (up to the branching point of wire 54), wire 54 (up to the intersection with wire 52), and wire 52 (from the intersection with wire 54 to the adapter control unit 10) are established, and the adapter control unit 10 is activated.

[0091] After the adapter control unit 10 is started, the adapter control unit 10 starts the high-efficiency DC / DC converter 42 to establish the circuit of the electric wire 54 and receive power, and turns off the second switch 45 to stop the first LDO 41 that was used during startup.

[0092] Next, the adapter control unit 10 turns on the fourth switch 47, establishing a circuit from the DC / DC converter 42 through the fourth switch 47, consisting of the wire 55 (the portion from the point of intersection between the voltage detection terminal 33 and the connection line between the adapter control unit 10), the wire 53 (the portion between the intersection with the wire 55 and the branching point of the wire 56), and the wire 56. This allows the adapter control unit 10 to apply a predetermined starting voltage (5V) to the voltage detection terminal 633 via the voltage detection terminal 33.

[0093] (3.4.2) Second starting method When the battery device 6 and the external device 7 are not connected to the adapter device 1, the external device 7 is connected to the first connection part 2, and the terminal of the external device connection part 73 of the external device 7 corresponding to the mode switching terminal is pulled down, a supply of 5V power is started from the external device power storage part 72 of the external device 7 to the wires 51 and 53 via the cord 74 and the first connection part 2.

[0094] In the initial state, the DC / DC converter 42 does not receive a signal from the adapter control unit 10 and is therefore not operating. Also in the initial state, the first switch 44, the third switches 46 to the fourth switches 47, the sixth switch 49, and the seventh switch 50 do not receive a signal from the adapter control unit 10 and are therefore turned off.

[0095] Next, by configuring the system to turn on the fifth switch 48 in the initial state, a predetermined voltage (5V) for starting can be applied to the voltage detection terminal 633 via the voltage detection terminal 33 through the electric wire 56.

[0096] (4) Modifications The first embodiment, the second embodiment and specific examples are merely one of the various embodiments and specific examples of the present disclosure. The embodiments and specific examples can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of the present disclosure are achieved. Modifications of the embodiments and specific examples are listed below. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0097] The electric assist bicycle (excluding the battery unit 6) used as the mobile unit 8 is not limited to that of the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the mobile unit 8 may be a bicycle that can be propelled by the motor 831 alone, rather than an electric assist bicycle. Also, the mobile unit 8 is not limited to a bicycle.

[0098] The energy storage unit 61 may contain only one cell instead of multiple cells.

[0099] In the adapter device 1 of this disclosure, even if the external device 7 is not compliant with the USB-PD standard, it can be connected to the adapter device 1 and used as long as it is compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard. For example, when supplying power from the battery device 6 to the external device 7 in discharge mode, it is possible to supply power in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard even if it does not comply with the USB-PD standard.

[0100] The external device 7 does not necessarily have to include an external device power storage unit 72.

[0101] The adapter control unit 10 and the charge / discharge control unit 12, or the adapter control unit 10 and the USB control unit 15, or the charge / discharge control unit 12 and the USB control unit 15 may be implemented by a single processor. Alternatively, the adapter control unit 10, the charge / discharge control unit 12, and the USB control unit 15 may be implemented by a single processor.

[0102] The adapter control unit 10 may have some or all of the functions of the charge / discharge control unit 12. That is, the adapter control unit 10 may include some or all of the functions of the charge / discharge control unit 12. Also, the charge / discharge control unit 12 may have some or all of the functions of the adapter control unit 10. That is, the charge / discharge control unit 12 may include some or all of the functions of the adapter control unit 10.

[0103] The adapter control unit 10 may have some or all of the functions of the USB control unit 15. That is, the adapter control unit 10 may include some or all of the functions of the USB control unit 15. Also, the USB control unit 15 may have some or all of the functions of the adapter control unit 10. That is, the USB control unit 15 may include some or all of the functions of the adapter control unit 10.

[0104] The battery status detection unit 13 can have any configuration, and the adapter device 1 does not necessarily have to include the battery status detection unit 13.

[0105] The power calculation unit 14 has any configuration, and the adapter device 1 does not need to include the power calculation unit 14.

[0106] The toggle button 16 can have any configuration, and the adapter device 1 does not need to be equipped with the toggle button 16.

[0107] The charge / discharge control unit 12 does not need to be able to control the power conversion unit 11 to generate power according to the calculation result. The charge / discharge control unit 12 does not need to be able to supply external power to the battery control unit 62 to start the battery control unit 62.

[0108] (5) Embodiments As described above, the adapter device (1) according to the first embodiment is detachably attached to the battery device (6) of the mobile body (8) and is capable of performing a charging mode in which the battery device (6) is charged by external power supplied from an external device (7), and a discharge mode in which the power stored in the battery device (6) is supplied to the external device (7). The adapter device (1) comprises a power conversion unit (11), a first connection unit (2), and a second connection unit (3). The first connection unit (2) is electrically connected to the external device (7). The second connection unit (3) is electrically connected to the battery device (6). The first connection unit (2) is electrically connected to the second connection unit (3) via the power conversion unit (11). The first connection unit (2) is capable of supplying power to the external device (7) and receiving power from the external device (7) in accordance with the USB-PD standard.

[0109] According to the first embodiment, a single adapter device (1) can be used to charge the battery device (6) and discharge the battery device (6), without having to use separate adapter devices for charging the battery device (6) and for supplying power from the battery device (6) to external devices (7).

[0110] In the second embodiment, the invention is realized by combining it with the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the adapter device (1) further comprises a charge / discharge control unit (12) that controls the charging mode and the discharging mode. The battery device (6) has a power storage unit (61) and a battery control unit (62). The battery control unit (62) controls the charging and discharging of the power storage unit (61) under the control of the charge / discharge control unit (12). The charge / discharge control unit (12) controls the battery control unit (62) to start up the battery control unit (62) when the external device (7) is electrically connected to the first connection unit (2) and the battery device (6) is electrically connected to the second connection unit (3).

[0111] According to the second embodiment, there is no need to wake the device from sleep mode using a conventional charging-only adapter device, and the adapter device (1) is highly versatile.

[0112] In the third embodiment, the device is realized by combination with the first or second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the adapter device (1) further comprises a charge / discharge control unit (12) that controls the charge mode and the discharge mode. The battery device (6) has a power storage unit (61), a battery control unit (62), and a battery connection unit (63). The battery control unit (62) controls charging and discharging in the power storage unit (61). The battery connection unit (63) is electrically connected to the second connection unit (3). The battery connection unit (63) has a switching input terminal (64) for switching between charging and discharging in the power storage unit (61). The second connection unit (3) has a switching output terminal (36) that is electrically connected to the switching input terminal (64). The battery control unit (62) switches between charging and discharging in the power storage unit (61) according to the voltage applied to the switching input terminal (64). The charge / discharge control unit (12) and the power conversion unit (11) output a charge mode voltage corresponding to the charge mode or a discharge mode voltage corresponding to the discharge mode to the switching output terminal (36).

[0113] According to the third embodiment, charging and discharging can be switched using existing methods for supplying power from the energy storage unit (61) to the motor (831), requiring minimal design changes.

[0114] In the fourth embodiment, the device is realized by a combination with any of the first to third embodiments. In the fourth embodiment, the adapter device (1) further comprises a charge / discharge control unit (12), a battery state detection unit (13), and a power calculation unit (14). The charge / discharge control unit (12) controls the charging mode and the discharging mode. The battery state detection unit (13) detects the state of the battery device (6). The power calculation unit (14) calculates the power to be generated as a calculation result according to the state of the battery device (6). The charge / discharge control unit (12) controls the power conversion unit (11) to generate power according to the calculation result.

[0115] According to the fourth embodiment, the adapter device (1) can automatically generate power without any operation by the user.

[0116] The fifth embodiment is realized by combining it with the fourth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the state of the battery device (6) is the remaining power of the battery device (6). The charge / discharge control unit (12) switches between the charge mode and the discharge mode according to the remaining power.

[0117] According to the fifth embodiment, the adapter device (1) can automatically switch between charging mode and discharging mode without the user having to operate a switch button or the adapter device (1) having a switch button.

[0118] In the sixth embodiment, the device is implemented in combination with any of the first to fifth embodiments. In the sixth embodiment, the adapter device (1) further comprises a USB control unit (15) that operates the first connection unit (2) in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard and the USB-PD standard. The first connection unit (2) has at least one of its CC terminals (21, 22) compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard as a mode switching terminal. When the adapter device (1) is performing a discharge mode, the USB control unit (15) pulls up the mode switching terminal.

[0119] According to the sixth aspect, when the discharge mode is executed, common control can be performed on multiple external devices (7) that conform to the USB-TYPE-C standard, simplifying the design.

[0120] The seventh embodiment is realized by a combination with any of the first to fifth embodiments. In the seventh embodiment, the adapter device (1) further comprises a USB control unit (15) that operates the first connection unit (2) in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard and the USB-PD standard. The first connection unit (2) has at least one of its CC terminals (21, 22) compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard as a mode switching terminal. When the adapter device (1) is in charging mode, the USB control unit (15) pulls down the mode switching terminal.

[0121] According to the seventh aspect, when the charging mode is executed, common control can be performed on multiple external devices (7) that conform to the USB-TYPE-C standard, simplifying the design.

[0122] 1 Adapter device 11 Power conversion unit 12 Charge / discharge control unit 13 Battery state detection unit 14 Power calculation unit 15 USB control unit 2 First connection unit 21 CC terminal 22 CC terminal 3 Second connection unit 36 ​​Switching output terminal 6 Battery device 61 Energy storage unit 62 Battery control unit 63 Battery connection unit 64 Switching input terminal 7 External device 8 Mobile unit

Claims

1. An adapter device that is detachably attached to a battery device of a mobile device and is capable of performing a charging mode in which the battery device is charged by external power supplied from an external device, and a discharging mode in which the power stored in the battery device is supplied to the external device, comprising: a power conversion unit; a first connection unit electrically connected to the external device; and a second connection unit electrically connected to the battery device, wherein the first connection unit is electrically connected to the second connection unit via the power conversion unit, and the first connection unit is capable of supplying power to and receiving power from the external device in accordance with the USB-PD standard.

2. The adapter device further comprises a charge / discharge control unit that controls the charging mode and the discharging mode, the battery device comprises an energy storage unit and a battery control unit that is controlled by the charge / discharge control unit to control charging and discharging in the energy storage unit, the charge / discharge control unit controls the supply of external power to the battery control unit to start the battery control unit when the external device is electrically connected to the first connection unit and the battery device is electrically connected to the second connection unit, the adapter device according to claim 1.

3. The adapter device further comprises a charge / discharge control unit for controlling the charge mode and the discharge mode, the battery device comprising a power storage unit, a battery control unit for controlling charging and discharging in the power storage unit, and a battery connection unit electrically connected to the second connection unit, the battery connection unit having a switching input terminal for switching between charging and discharging in the power storage unit, the second connection unit having a switching output terminal electrically connected to the switching input terminal, the battery control unit switching between charging and discharging in the power storage unit according to the voltage applied to the switching input terminal, and the charge / discharge control unit and the power conversion unit outputting a charge mode voltage corresponding to the charge mode or a discharge mode voltage corresponding to the discharge mode to the switching output terminal, the adapter device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The adapter device further comprises a charge / discharge control unit that controls the charging mode and the discharging mode; a battery state detection unit that detects the state of the battery device; and a power calculation unit that calculates the power to be generated as a calculation result according to the state of the battery device, wherein the charge / discharge control unit controls the power conversion unit to generate power according to the calculation result.

5. The adapter device according to claim 4, wherein the state of the battery device is the remaining power of the battery device, and the charge / discharge control unit switches between the charging mode and the discharging mode according to the remaining power.

6. The adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a USB control unit that operates the first connection unit in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard and the USB-PD standard, wherein the first connection unit has at least one CC terminal compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard as a mode switching terminal, and when the adapter device performs the discharge mode, the USB control unit pulls up the mode switching terminal.

7. The adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a USB control unit that operates the first connection unit in accordance with the USB-TYPE-C standard and the USB-PD standard, wherein the first connection unit has at least one CC terminal compliant with the USB-TYPE-C standard as a mode switching terminal, and when the adapter device performs the charging mode, the USB control unit pulls down the mode switching terminal.

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