Description
Title oflnvention
ELECTRICITY STORAGE DEVICE, ELECTRICITY STORAGE SYSTEM, AND
5 METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICITY STORAGE DEVICE
Technical Field
(0001]
The present disclosure relates to, for example, an electricity storage device,
10 an electricity storage system, and a method for controlling an electricity storage
device in which the voltage of a secondary battety is used to start up the power
source.
Background Art
15 (0002]
The uses of lithium ion secondary batteries etc. are expanding to electricity
storage devices for electric power storage, automobile storage batteries, home
electrical appliances, etc. combined with renewable energy systems such as solar
cells and wind power generation. These days, an electricity storage device in which
20 one or a plurality of electricity storage modules (also called assembled batteries etc.)
are connected is used in order to generate large output. The electricity storage
module is formed by, for example, one or a plurality of battery blocks being housed
in an outer case. The battery block is fonned by a plurality of wtit batteries (also
called electric cells or cells; in the following description, simply referred to as
25 batteries as appropriate), which are an example of the electricity storage elemen~,
being connected.
30
(0003]
In Patent Literature 1 below, an electricity storage device in which stattup is
performed using a battery of such an electricity storage device is descrjbed.
Citation List
cl
j
5
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Patent Literature
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: JP 2013-21778A
Sunnnaiy of Invention
Teclmical Problem
[0005]
It is described that the electricity storage device described in Patent
Literature 1 pe1forms startup using au external voltage when the voltage of the
10 battery is low. However, the startup is pe1fonned by detecting the presence of ail
external voltage of a prescribed value or more; hence, when a plurality of electricity
storage devices are connected in parallel, there has been a concern that ail electricity
storage device caunot be shut down at a desired timing because there is a voltage
from another electricity storage device.
15 [0006]
20
Thus, according to the present disclosure, there is provided ail electricity
storage device, au electricity storage system, aild a method for controlling ail
electricity storage device in which the electricity storage device cau be shut down
even in a system in which electricity storage devices are connected in parallel.
Solution to Problem
[0007]
In order to solve the above problem, according to the present disclosure,
there is provided ail electricity storage device including: a first external terminal aud
25 a second external tenninal for cmmection to an outside; au electricity storage ru1it
capable of being charged aud discharged; a first power source line disposed between
a positive electrode side of the electricity storage unit aild the first external terminal;
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of the
electricity storage tmit aild the second extemal tenninal; a power source circuit
30 connected to both the first aild second power source lines aud configured to supply
an output voltage to a control circuit in ail operating state; a power source control
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circuit configured to control an operating state and a non-operating state of the power
source circuit; a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first
control signal corresponding to transition of an extemal voltage applied to the first
external terminal and the second extemal terminal to the power source control circuit
5 to set the power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time; and a
second control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second control
signal that allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state continuously
by the control circuit to which an output voltage of the power source circuit is
supplied.
10 [0008]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an electricity storage
system in which a plurality of electricity storage devices are connected. Each of the
electricity storage devices includes a first extemal terminal and a second extemal
terminal for connection to an outside, an electricity storage unit capable of being
15 charged and discharged, a first power source line disposed between a positive
electrode side of the electricity storage tmit and the first external terminal, a second
power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of the electricity
storage unit and the second extemal terminal, a power source circuit connected to
both the first and second power source lines and configured to supply an output
20 voltage to a control circuit in an operating state, a power source control circuit
configured to control an operating state and a non-operating state of the power source
circuit, a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first control
signal corresponding to transition of an external voltage applied to the first external
terminal and the second external terminal to the power source control circuit to set
25 the power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time, and a second
control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second control signal that
allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state continuously by the
control circuit to which an output voltage of the power source circuit is supplied.
30 Advantageous Effects oflnvention
[0009]
5
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According to at least one embodiment, a problem in that, when a
configuration in which an electricity storage device is started up by an extemal
voltage is employed, the electricity storage device cannot be shut down by a control
device can be solved.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an
electricity storage device.
10 [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of
the electricity storage device.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the specific configuration
of an electricity storage system.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
15 [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a flow chatt showing an example of the processing at the time of
the startup of the electricity storage system.
[FiG. 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing at the time of
the shutdown of the electricity storage system.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a connection diagram of an example of an extemal power source
20 startup unit.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a modification example of the first
embodiment.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a cmmection diagram of an example of a detection circuit that
25 detects an overvoltage and an undervoltage.
30
[FIG. 1!] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for describing an application example of the
electricity storage system in the present disclosure.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram for describing another application example of
the electricity storage system in the present disclosure.
Description of Embodiments
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[0011]
Hereinbelow, embodiments are described. The description is given in the
following order.
<1. First embodiment>
5 <2. Modification example of the first embodiment>
<3. Second embodiment>
<4. Modification examples>
<5. Application examples>
The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples, and
10 various technically preferred limitations are given; however; the scope of the present
disclosure is not limited to these embodiments tmless there is a particular description
of limiting the present disclosure in the following description.
[0012]
<1. First embodiment>
15
When a large number of electricity storage elements, such as battery cells,
are used in order to generate large output, a configuration in which a plurality of
electricity storage units (hereinafter, referred to as electricity storage modules) are
connected and a control device is provided in common for the plurality of electricity
20 storage modules is employed as an example. The electricity storage module is an
unit housed in an outer case in which a battery block and a module controller are
combined. The battery block is, for example, a block in which 8 lithium ion
secondary batteries in a circular cylindrical shape are connected in parallel. In the
outer case of the electricity storage module, for example, 16 battery blocks are
25 connected in series. The number and cmmection configuration of battery blocks
may be altered as appropriate. Furthermore, secondary batteries other than lithium
ion secondary batteries may be used.
[0013]
The electricity storage module includes the outer case. For the outer case,
30 a material having a high thermal conductivity and emissivity is preferably used. By
using a material having a high conductivity and emissivity, good heat dissipation
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properties in the outer case can be obtained. By obtaining good heat dissipation
properties, the temperature increase in the outer case can be suppressed.
Furthennore, the opening of the outer case can be minimized or eliminated, and high
dust-proof and drip-proof properties can be achieved. For the outer case, for
5 example, a material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy is
used.
[OOI4]

An overview of an electricity storage device configured to use a plurality of
10 electricity storage modules will now be described. FIG. I shows an exan1ple of the
electricity storage device. In the electricity storage device, N electricity storage
modules MODI to MODN are connected in series. The munber and connection
configuration of connected electricity storage modules may be altered as appropriate.
The electricity storage modules MODI to MODN are connected to an interface bus
15 BS via an insulating unit IS.
[OOI5)
Each electricity storage module MOD is provided with an insulating
interface IF for making a connection between a module controller CNT and the
interface bus BS in the outside. The insulating interface IF is in charge of the
20 insulation between the electricity storage module MOD and the inte1face bus BS.
Each module controller CNT is connected to a control device (hereinafter, referred to
as an output controller as appropriate) ICNT for the whole, and the output controller
ICNT performs charging management, discharging management, and management
for degradation suppression etc.
25 [OOI6)
As the bus in the electricity storage module and the bus BS connecting the
electricity storage modules MODI to MODN and the output controller ICNT, a serial
inte1face is used. As the serial inte1face, specifically, a system management bus
(SM bus) or the like is used. For example, an I2C bus may be used. The I2C bus
30 is a synchronous serial communication that performs communication using two
signal lines of a serial clock (SCL) and bidirectional serial data (SDA).
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[0017]
The controller CNT of each electricity storage module MOD and the output
controller ICNT communicate with each other. That is, the output controller ICNT
receives the information of the internal state of each electricity storage module MOD,
5 and the charging processing and discharging processing of each electricity storage
module MOD are managed. The output controller ICNT supplies the output of the
series connection of the N electricity storage modules MOD to a load. Connection
can be made between electricity storage modules MOD. When the output voltage
of one electricity storage module MOD is set to, for example, 51.2 V and N = 1 to N
10 = 16, an output voltage of approximately 50 V to approximately 800 Vis generated.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows another example of the electricity storage device. In the
other example, N electricity storage modules MOD 1 to MODN are connected in
senes. Each of the electricity storage modules MODI to MODN includes an
15 insulating interface that provides insulation between electricity storage modules
MOD. The module controller CNT of each electricity storage module MOD
performs the communication with a higher or lower ranked electricity storage
module MOD or the communication with the output controller ICNT in the outside
via photocouplers IFS 1 to IFSN, which are an example of the insulating interface.
20 [0019]
The output controller ICNT is connected to the lowest ranked electricity
storage module MOD I. The output controller ICNT controls the entire battery
system. The output controller ICNT receives the information of the internal state of
each electricity storage module MOD, and supplies and blocks a charging current
25 and a discharging current to each electricity storage module MOD; thereby, the
charging and discharging of each electricity storage module MOD are controlled. A
control signal from the output controller ICNT is transmitted to a higher ranked
electricity storage module MOD via a lower ranked electricity storage module MOD,
for example.
30 [0020]
The electricity storage device composed of a plurality of electricity storage
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modules and the output controller ICNT described above is referred to as a string.
N strings STl to STN are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 3; thus, a power
source system is formed. As an example, each string is composed of 16 electricity
storage modules MODI to MODI6 and the output controller ICNT.
5 [002I]
A power line Lpw that cmmects the output power terminals of the strings
STl to STN in parallel is provided, and electric power (voltage EB+) is extracted to
the outside via the power line Lpw. The output controllers ICNT of the strings STI
to ST4 are connected to each other via a communication channel line Lcom. As the
10 c01mnunication channel line Lcom, CAN, RS485, etc. are used. The
conununication channel line Lcom is connected to a system control unit SYC. The
system control m1it SYC controls an electricity storage m1it composed of the stings
STl to STN. 1l1e system control unit SYC is further connected to a not-illustrated
controller in the outside.
15 [0022]

An example of the specific configuration of the electricity storage device
(string) will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the illustration of
the configuration for communication such as the communication channel line is
20 01nitted as appropriate. A battery m1it BT in the electricity storage device is formed
by, for example, I6 electricity storage modules MODI to MOD16 being c01mected.
The number of connected electricity storage modules MOD is appropriately set in
accordance with the use. Although illustration is omitted, a battery monitor that
detects the voltage of each battery and calculates the state of charge (SOC) may be
25 provided in the battery unit BT. Information such as the voltage value and SOC of
the battery detected by the battery monitor may be supplied to a control unit 11 of the
output controller ICNT.
[0023]
The output controller ICNT, which is an example of the control device, is
30 connected to the batte1y 1mit BT. The control tmit 11 in the output controller ICNT
is, for example, a microcomputer fanned of a central processing unit (CPU). A not-
'
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illustrated read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc. are
com1ected to the control unit 11. Ihe control unit 11 uses the RAM as a work
memmy, and performs control in accordance with the program stored in the ROM.
The control unit 11 uses the information supplied from the battery monitor to
5 perform various controls that manage the battery tmit BT, for example.
[0024]
A positive power source line L1 is disposed between the positive electrode
side of the battery writ BT and a positive tenninal for external output Tl, and a
negative power source line L2 is disposed between the negative electrode side of the
10 battery tmit BT and a negative terminal for external output T2. The terminal Tl and
the ternrinal T2 are connected to the power line Lpw, and are connected in parallel to
another string (illustration is omitted in FIG. 4) via the power line Lpw, as shown in
FIG. 3. At least one of a power source 42 and a load 43 is connected to the power
line Lpw via an output controltmit 41 in the outside, for example. When the power
15 source 42 is cmmected, the battery unit BT is charged by the power source 42.
When the load 43 is connected, the electric power of the battery writ BT is supplied
to the load 43.
[0025]
The power source 42 is a direct current power source formed by rectifying
20 the alternating current power of a power supply network (commercial power source),
or is an electricity generating device utilizing renewable energy (a solar panel, a wind
power generator, etc.). The load 43 is, for example, an electronic device in the
home, and usually the direct current power of the electricity storage device is
converted to alternating current power and supplied to the electronic device. I11e
25 load 43 may be set as appropriate in accordance with the use of the electricity storage
device. The output control tmit 41 controls wlrich of the power source 42 and the
load 43 to connect to the terminals Tl and T2 (the power line Lpw).
[0026]
For example, when a solar panel is used as the power source 42, the
30 electricity generation amount fluctuates with the weather, time period, etc. Hence,
in the daytime when the electricity generation amount of the solar panel is large, the
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battery of the batte1y unit BT of the electricity storage device is charged by the
output of the solar panel, and the output from the solar panel is supplied to the load
43. In the nighttime, since the solar panel does not generate electricity, electric
power is supplied to the load 43 from the battery of the battery unit BT of the
5 electricity storage device. Such control is performed by the output control unit 41.
10
However, this control is an example, and more complicated control may be
performed, in- which the power consumption ammmt of the load 43 is taken into
consideration or the use of a commercial power source is combined.
[0027]
A charging control switch 12 and a discharging control switch 13 are
inserted into one of the positive power source line Ll and the negative power source
line L2, for example into the positive power source line Ll. As the switches, for
example, a semiconductor switch of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a
metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), or the like may be used.
15 A diode 12a is connected in parallel to the charging control switch 12 in the forward
20
direction with respect to the discharging current. A diode 13a is connected in
parallel to the discharging control switch 13 in the forward direction with respect to
the charging current.
[0028]
Each of the charging control switch 12 and the discharging control switch
13 is set to ON or OFF by a control signal from the control unit 11. That is, the
charging control switch 12 and the discharging control switch 13 are set ON during
charging and discharging. At the time of stopping discharging, the discharging
control switch 13 is set to OFF. At this time, a charging current is supplied to the
25 battety of the battery unit BT via the diode l3a and the charging control switch 12;
thus, charging is possible. At the time of stopping charging, the charging control
switch 12 is set to OFF. At this time, a discharging current is supplied to the load
43 via the diode 12a and the discharging control switch 13. TI1e charging control
switch 12 and the discharging control switch 13 may be inserted into the negative
30 power source line L2.
[0029]
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A power source voltage (e.g. +12 V) for operation is supplied to the control
unit 11 from a DC-DC converter 14, which is an example of the control power source
1mit. An input voltage is supplied to the DC-DC conve1ter 14 from the power
source line Ll between the charging control switch 12 and the discharging control
5 switch 13. Therefore, to the DC-DC converter 14, not only the voltage from the
battery unit BT but also the voltage EB+ from the power source 42 connected to the
terminals Tl and T2 can beinputted.
[0030]
The DC-DC converter 14 generates, in the operating state, a power source
10 voltage that operates the control 1mit 11 from the voltage supplied to the DC-DC
converter 14. The DC-DC converter 14 supplies the generated power source
voltage to the control unit 11. When the DC-DC converter 14 is in the nonoperating
state, that is, in the state where the DC-DC converter 14 does not operate,
the power source voltage is not supplied to the control unit 11. The minus side of
15 the DC-DC converter 14 is connected to the negative power source line L2 via a
control switch 15. The control power source unit is not limited to DC-DC
converters, and other configurations such as series regulators are possible.
[0031]
The control switch 15, which is an example of the power source control
20 circuit, is composed of, for example, two switching elements 15a and 15b. The
switching element 15a and the switching element 15b are f01med of, for example, a
MOSFET, an IGBT, or the like. Each of the switching element 15a and the
switching element 15b operates by a voltage not less than the threshold being applied
to its gate. The threshold may be set as appropriate; for example, is set to 6 V.
25 The thresholds of the operating voltages of the switching element Sa and the
switching element Sb may be set to different values.
[0032]
1l1e control switch 15 controls the operating state of the DC-DC converter
14. For example, the DC-DC converter 14 is set in the operating state in a first state
30 of the control switch 15, and the DC-DC converter 14 is set in the non-operating
state in a second state of the control switch 15. Here, the first state of the control
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switch 15 is, for example, a state where at least one of the switching element 15a and
the switching element 15b is ON. The second state is, for example, a state where
both of the switching element 15a and the switching element 15b are OFF. The
configuration of the control switch 15 may be altered as appropriate, and the first and
5 second states may be appropriately set in accordance with the configuration of the
control switch 15.
[0033]
To the switching element 15a of the control switch 15, a voltage Von! is
supplied as a control signal from a power source startup ru1it 16. The power source
10 startup tmit 16 is connected to the power source line LI between the positive
electrode side of the battery unit BT and the charging control switch 12, and the
minus side is connected to the negative power source line L2. That is, the voltage
from the battery of the battery unit BT is supplied to the power source startup unit 16.
The power source startup unit 16 generates a voltage Von1 as a control signal
15 corresponding to the voltage of the battery tmit BT, and the generated Von1 is
supplied to the switching element 15a.
[0034]
The power source startup unit 16 is further connected to the negative power
source line L2 via a switch SWI. The switch SW1 becomes ON/OFF in accordance
20 with the operation of starting up or shutting down the electricity storage device. For
example, the switch SWI becomes OFF upon starting up the electricity storage
device, and becomes ON upon shutting down the electricity storage device. In
accordance with the ON/OFF of the switch SWI, the voltage from the battery of the
battery Wlit BT is supplied or stopped to the power source startup ru1it 16. For
25 example, when the switch SWI is OFF, the voltage from the battery of the battery
unit BT is supplied to the power source startup unit I 6; and when the switch SWI is
ON, the supply of the voltage from the battery Wlit BT is stopped to the power source
startup tmit I 6.
30
[0035]
To the switching element 15b of the control switch 15, a voltage Von2 as a
control signal is supplied via a switch SW3, a diode 17a, and a switch SW2. The
5
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voltage Von2 is a voltage outputted by the DC-DC conve1ter 14. The voltage Von2
is a second control signal for setting the switching element 15b to ON to set the DCDC
converter 14 in the operating state continuously.
[0036]
The' switch SW2 becomes ON/OFF in accordance with the operation of
starting up or shutting down the electricity storage device, and is linked to the
ON/OFF of the switch SWI. The switch SW1 and the switch SW2 may become
ON/OFF independently. For example, the switch SW2 becomes ON at the time of
starting up the electricity storage device, and becomes OFF at the time of shutting
10 down the electricity storage device. By the setting of the switch SW2 to OFF, the
electricity storage device can be shut down safely and surely.
[0037]
The switch SW3 is a switch that is ON/OFF-controlled by the control tmit
11. The switch SW3 is, for example, OFF when the electricity storage device is in
15 the shutdown state. When the electricity storage device has started up and the
control tmit 11 has operated, the switch SW3 is set to ON by the control of the
controltmit 11.
[0038]
The switching element 15b is configured to, when the switching element
20 15a cannot be set to ON by the power source startup tmit 16 due to a small remaining
capacity of the battery unit BT, be set to ON by the voltage of an external power
source.
[0039]
When the electricity storage device is started up, the switch SW1 becomes
25 OFF, and the switch SW2 becomes ON. Here, when the remaining capacity of the
battmy unit BT is small, the voltage Von! cannot be fonned by the power source
startup milt 16, and the switching element 15a does not become ON. Since the
switching element 15a does not become ON, the DC-DC converter 14 does not enter
the operating state. Hence, when the voltage EB+ is applied via the terminal T1 and
30 the terminal T2 (the power line Lpw), a voltage Von3 is generated by an external
power source startup tmit 18. The voltage Von3 is a first control signal, and sets the
:1
j
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switching element 15b to ON to set the DC-DC converter 14 in the operating state
for a relatively small time.
[0040]
The voltage Von3 is supplied to the switching element 15b via a diode 17b.
5 The diode 17b and the diode 17a described above form an OR circuit. When a
high-level signal is inputted to either one of the diode 17a and the diode 7b, the highlevel
signalis supplied to the switch SW2.
[0041]
At the time of the startup of the electricity storage device, since the switch
10 SW3 has been set OFF, it is assessed whether a high-level signal has been supplied
via the diode 17b or not. Since the switch SW2 has been set to ON at the time of
startup, a high-level signal is supplied to the switching element 15b via the switch
SW2. The switching element 15b is set to ON by the supplied high-level signal.
[0042]
15 By the setting of the switching element 15b to ON, a voltage is generated on
the primary side of the DC-DC converter 14, and the DC-DC converter 14 enters the
operating state. The voltage generated on the primary side of the DC-DC converter
14 is supplied to the secondary side of the DC-DC converter 14. The voltage
supplied to the secondary side is supplied to the control unit 11 as a power source
20 voltage. The control unit II operates in accordance with the supplied power source
25
30
voltage. The controltmit 11 sets the charging control switch 12 to ON, for example.
By the setting of the charging control switch 12 to ON, the battery unit BT can be
charged by the voltage from the power source 42. ·
[0043]
Thus, even when the remaining capacity of the battery tmit BT is small, the
switching element 15b can be set to ON using the voltage EB+ supplied from the
outside via the terminal Tl and the terminal T2, and the DC-DC converter 14 can be
set to the operating state.
[0044]
The external power source startup tmit 18 described above is configured to
detect the edge of the moment when an appropriate voltage EB+ is applied to the
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external te1minal and to output a control signal for startup (the voltage Von3). After
startup, when the control unit 11 has assessed that there is some problem with the
battery unit BT of the electricity storage device, it is possible to shut down only the
electricity storage device in question regardless of the presence or absence of the
5 power source 42. \Vhen a configuration in which an electiicity storage device is
started up by detecting the presence of the external voltage EB+ is employed, in an
electricity storage system in which another electricity storage device is connected in
parallel as shown in FIG. 3, a problem that the latter electricity storage device cannot
be shut down occurs because the state where the voltage EB+ is applied continues.
10 Consequently, a situation where the batte1y unit BT of the electricity storage device
enters an overdischarging state may occur. In a first embodiment of the present
disclosure, the problem can be avoided because the voltage Von3 is outputted only at
the moment when the external power source stattup tmit 18 has detected the voltage
EB+.
15 [0045]

An example of the stattup operation performed using the voltage of the
battery unit BT of the electricity storage device \viii now be described with reference
to the flow chart of FIG. 5. In a state where the power source of the electricity
20 storage device is OFF, for example, the switch SWI is set in the state of ON, the
switch SW2 OFF, and the switch SW3 OFF. Furthermore, the charging control
switch 12 and the discharging control switch 13 are set OFF, for example.
[0046]
In step S1, the power source of the electi·icity storage device is set to ON,
25 and the electricity storage device is started up. The setting of the power source of
the electricity storage device to ON is pe1formed )Jy, for example, an operating unit
such as a switch being operated by a user. Not limited to a user's operation, the
power source of the electricity storage device may be set to ON automatically.
When the power source of the electricity storage device is set to ON, the processing
30 goes to step S2.
[0047]
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In step S2, the switch SWI becomes OFF in accordance with the operation
of setting the power source of the electt·icity storage device to ON. The switch
SW2 becomes ON in conjunction with the OFF of the switch SWL Then, the
processing proceeds to step S3.
5 [0048]
10
When the switch SW1 has become OFF, the voltage Von1 is applied to the
gate of the switching element 15a, and the switching element 15a becomes ON.
Then, the processing proceeds to step S4.
[0049]
In step S4, by the entry of the switching element 15a into ON, a voltage is
generated on the primary side of the DC-DC converter 14, and the DC-DC converter
14 enters the operating state. The voltage generated on the primary side of the DCDC
converter 14 is supplied to the secondary side, and the supplied voltage is
supplied to the control unit 11 as a power source voltage. By the supplied power
15 source voltage, the control unit 11 operates. Then, the processing proceeds to step
S5.
[0050]
In step S5, the discharging contt·ol switch 13 is set to ON by the control unit
11. By the setting of the discharging control switch 13 to ON, the voltage of the
20 battery tmit BT is generated between the connection point between the discharging
control switch 13 and the terminal Tl, and the negative power source line L2.
Fmthermore, Von2 is formed as a control signal from the secondary side of the DCDC
converter 14. Then, the processing proceeds to step S6.
25
30
[0051]
ht step S6, the switch SW3 is set to ON by the control mtit I L By the
setting of the switch SW3 to ON, the voltage Von2 is supplied to the gate of the
switching element 15b via the switch SW3 and the switch SW2. The voltage Von2
is, for example, 15 V Then, the processing proceeds to step S7.
[0052]
In step S7, by the supply of the voltage Von2 to the gate, the switching
element 15b becomes ON. By the entry of the switching element !5b into ON, the
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voltage of the battery unit BT is supplied to the DC-DC converter 14 even when the
switching element 15a has become OFF. That is, by the supply of the voltage Von2
to the switching element 15b and the entty of the switching element 15b into ON, the
operating state of the DC-DC convetier 14 is maintained. Then, the processing
5 proceeds to step S8.
[0053]
In step S8, .it is assessed whether a prescribed time has elapsed or not.
When the prescribed time has not elapsed, the processing returns to step S8, and the
processing of step S8 is repeated. When the prescribed time has elapsed, the
10 processing proceeds to step S9.
[0054]
In step S9, the switching element 15a becomes OFF. When the prescribed
time has elapsed, the level of the voltage Von! supplied to the gate of the switching
element 15a becomes below the threshold, and the switching element 15a becomes
15 OFF. Even when the switching element 15a has become OFF, the operating state of
the DC-DC converter 14 is maintained because the switching element 15b is ON.
[0055]

Next, the shutdown operation of the electricity storage device is described
20 with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. In step S 11, the power source of the
electricity storage device is set to OFF, and the electricity storage device is shut
down. The setting of the power source of the electricity storage device to OFF is
performed by, for exantple, an operating unit such as a switch being operated by a
user. Not limited to a user's operation, the power source of the electricity storage
25 device may be set to OFF automatically. When the power source of the electricity
storage device is set to OFF, the processing proceeds to step Sl2.
[0056]
In step Sl2, by the setting of the electricity storage device to OFF, the
switch SWl becomes ON. The switch SW2 becomes OFF in conjunction with the
30 entry of the switch SWI into ON. When the switch SWl has already been set ON
in step Sl2, only the setting of the switch SW2 to OFF is performed. The
ll
"
SP353274WOOO
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processing proceeds to step S l3.
[0057)
In step Sl3, the switching element 15b becomes OFF. That is, by the
setting of the switch SW2 to OFF in step S12, the supply of the voltage Von2 to the
5 switching element 15b is stopped, and the switching element 15b becomes OFF.
Here, as described above, the switching element 15a has become OFF after the lapse
of a prescribed time from when the electricity storage device had started up.
Therefore, the switching element 15a and the switching element 15b enter the state
of OFF. The processing proceeds to step S14.
10 [0058)
In step Sl4, since the switching element 15a and the switching element 15b
become OFF, the DC-DC converter 14 enters the non-operating state. By the entry
of the DC-DC converter 14 into the non-operating state, the supply of the power
source voltage from the DC-DC converter 14 to the control unit 11 is stopped.
15 Then, the processing proceeds to step S15.
[0059)
In step S15, by the stop of the supply of the power source voltage from the
DC-DC converter 14, the operation of the control unit 11 stops. Before the stop of
the operation of the control unit 11, the charging control switch 12, the discharging
20 control switch 13, and the switch SW3 may be set to OFF by the control of the
control tmit 11.
[0060)
As described above, even when there is no external power source, the DCDC
converter 14 can be started up by the voltage of the battery unit BT included in
25 the electricity storage device, and the control unit 11 can be operated. In the first
embodiment, when the voltage of the battery unit BT has fallen and the switching
•
element 15a cannot be set to ON by the power source startup unit 16, the switching
element 15b can be set to ON by the voltage Von3 of the extemal power source
startup unit 18.
30 [0061)

SP353274WOOO
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An example of the extemal power source stattup tmit 18 will now be
described with reference to FIG. 7. An extemal power source (voltage EB+) is
applied between the terminals Tl (the positive power source line Ll) and T2 (the
negative power source line L2). A series circuit of resistances Rl and R2 and a
5 series circuit of a resistance R3 and a Zener diode ZD 1 are connected between the
lines Ll and L2.
[0062]
The voltage of a c01mection point between the resistances Rl and R2 is
supplied to the plus-side input terminal of a comparator CMPI. The voltage of a
10 connection point between the resistance R3 and the Zener diode ZD 1 is supplied to
the plus-side power source tenninal of the comparator CMP 1. TI1e minus-side
power source terminal of the comparator CMP1 is connected to the line L2. TI1e
voltage generated in the Zener diode ZDl is supplied to a series circuit of resistances
R4 and RS, and the voltage of a connection point between the resistances R4 and R5
15 is supplied to the minus-side input temrinal of the comparator CMPl.
[0063]
The values of the resistances Rl to RS and the Zener voltage of the Zener
diode ZDl are selected to appropriate values. When the voltage EB+ from the
outside is an appropriate value, the comparator CMPl generates a high-level output.
20 Timt is, at the moment when the electricity storage device is connected to the power
line Lpw to which another electricity storage device is connected, the voltage EB+
rises, and the output of the comparator CMP1 rises from a low level to a high level.
If the voltage EB+ is smaller than the appropriate value, the output of the comparator
CMP1 does not rise to a high level.
25 [0064]
30
The output of the comparator CMP 1 is supplied to the control electrode of
the switching element lSb (e.g. an IGBT) via a capacitor C, a resistance R6, the
diode 17b, and the switch SW2. In FIG. 7, the diode 17a is omitted.
[0065]
Since a configuration of an altemating current coupling by means of the
capacitor C is employed, the positive voltage Von3 is generated only at the moment
SP353274WOOO
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when the output of the comparator CMP 1 1ises from a low level to a high level.
The switching element 15b becomes ON due to the voltage Von3. Therefore, the
DC-DC converter 14 to which the switching element 15b is connected enters the
operating state, and the electricity storage device starts up. A capacitor etc. may be
5 added so as to widen the pulse width of the positive voltage Von3 generated at the
rising edge.
[0066]
The Von3 outputted from the external power source startup unit 18 becomes
a low level in a short time, such as in several seconds. As described above, when
10 the DC-DC converter 14 has entered the operating state, the control unit ll enters the
operating state, and the switch SW3 is set to ON. The voltage Von2 (the second
control signal) outputted from the DC-DC converter 14 via the switch SW3 is
supplied to the switching element 15b via the diode 17a and the switch SW2.
Therefore, the ON state of the switching element 15b continues.
15 [0067]
<2. Modification example of the first embodiment>
In the first embodiment, a relatively high voltage (e.g. 800 V) is applied to
the power line Lpw. Although illustration is omitted in FIG. 4, the
commtmication channel line Lcom is connected to the control unit 11. The
20 communication charmelline Lcom may be generally connected to/separated from the
control unit main body by a human hand. Therefore, it is preferable in terms of
safety that the control unit 11 be insulated from the high voltage side.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 8, an insulating tmit 19a is inserted between the control
25 unit 11 and the charging control switch 12, and an insulating milt 19b is inserted
between the control unit ll and the discharging control switch 13. An insulating
unit 19c and an insulating unit 19d are inserted between the control unit 11 and the
switch SW3. Since the primary side (high voltage side) and the secondary side Qow
voltage side) of the DC-DC conve1ter 14 are insulated from each other on the inside
30 of them, there is no need to provide an insulating unit on the outside. Thus, by
insulating the control unit II from the high voltage side, safety can be enhanced.
5
SP353274WOOO
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As the insulating units 19a to 19d, a configuration usmg a photocoupler, a
configuration using a transformer, etc. may be used.
[0069]
<3. Second embodiment>
When the extemal voltage EB+ described above is much higher than the
appropriate value, the voltage is inputted to the DC-DC converter 14, and this is very
dangerous. On the other hand, when the extemal voltage EB+ is lower than the
appropriate value, startup at the low voltage may cause the system to be tmstable.
In the second embodiment, in view of this point, as shown in FIG. 9, the diode 13a
10 that is controlled in parallel to the discharging control switch 13 is replaced with a
switch 23, and the switch 23 is set to ON only when the voltage EB+ is a valued in
the appropriate range.
[0070]
TI1e ON/OFF of the switch 23 is controlled by a control signal to which the
15 detection output of a detection circuit 21 that detects an overvoltage and an
undervoltage is supplied via an insulating ooit 22. That is, when the detection
circuit 21 has detected that the external voltage EB+ is not an appropriate value, the
switch 23 is set to OFF; and when the EB+ is an appropriate value, the switch 23 is
set to ON. Therefore, a voltage of an inappropriate value being applied to the DC-
20 DC converter 14 can be prevented.
[0071]
The detection circuit 21 has a configuration shown in FIG. I 0, for example.
A series circuit of resistances R11 and R12, a series circuit of resistances Rl3 and
R 14, and a series circuit of a resistance R15 and a Zener diode ZD2 are inserted
25 between the lines Ll and L2 to which the external voltage EB+ is supplied. TI1e
resistances R12 and R14 are formed as a semi-fixed resistor, as necessary. A series
circuit of resistances R16 and R17 is connected in parallel to the Zener diode ZD2.
[0072]
A comparator CMP2 and a comparator CMP3 are provided. TI1e voltage
30 of a connection point between the resistances Rl3 and R14 is inputted to the plusside
input terminal of the comparator CMP2, and the voltage of a connection point
SP353274WOOO
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between the resistances Rl6 and Rl7 is inputted to the minus-side input terminal of
the comparator CMP2. The voltage of a connection point between the resistances
Rll and Rl2 is inputted to the plus-side input terminal of the comparator CMP4, and
the voltage of a cmmection point between the resistances Rl6 and Rl7 is inputted to
5 the minus-side input terminal of the comparator CMP4. The Zener voltage
generated in the Zener diode ZD2 is used as the power source voltage of each of the
comparators CMP2 and CMP3.
[0073]
The comparators CMP2 and CMP3 generate a high-level output when the
10 voltage inputted to the plus-side input terminal is larger than the voltage inputted to
the minus-side input terminal, and generates a low-level output in the other cases.
The output of the comparator CMP2 is supplied to the source of a P-channel
MOSFET 24. A series circuit of resistances Rl8 and Rl9 is inserted between the
gate of the MOSFET 24 and the line L2. The output of the comparator CMP3 is
15 supplied to a connection point between the resistances Rl8 and Rl9.
[0074]
The source of the MOSFET 24 is connected to the line L2 via a resistance
R20, and is inputted to the insulating unit 22. The insulating unit 22 is configured
to make insulation using a transformer, for example. One end of the secondary coil
20 of the transformer is connected to the gate of the IGBT fonning the switch 23, and
the other end of the secondary coil is co1111ected to the emitter of the IGBT. When a
prescribed voltage, for example +15 V, is applied between the gate and the emitter of
the IGBT, the IGBT becomes ON. By co1111ecting both ends of th!l secondary coil
of the transformer. individually to the gate and the emitter, a high voltage of several
25 hundred volts can be switched using a low voltage, for example+ 15 V, as the voltage
applied between the gate and the emitter of the IGBT.
[0075]
In the detection circuit 21 described above, by appropriately setting the
value of each resistance, when the voltage EB+ is an undervoltage, both of the
30 outputs of the CMP2 and the CMP3 are made a low level. Therefore, the MOSFET
24 is OFF and the output of the MOSFET 24 is a low level, and the switch 23
SP353274WOOO
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(IGBT) is OFF. Therefore, the undervoltage being supplied to the DC-DC
converter 14 is prevented.
[0076]
When the voltage EB+ is an appropriate voltage, the output of the
5 comparator CMP2 is a high level, and the output of the comparator CMP3 is a low
level. Therefore, the MOSFET 24 becomes ON, and its output is a high level.
The high level .is supplied to the insulating tmit 22, and the switch 23 (IGBT)
becomes ON. Therefore, the appropriate voltage is supplied to the DC-DC
converter 14, and the DC-DC convetter 14 operates stably.
10 [0077]
When the voltage EB+ is an ovetvoltage, both of the outputs of the
comparator CMP2 and the comparator CMP3 become a high level. Therefore, the
MOSFET 24 is OFF, and its output is a low level. Therefore, the switch 23 (IGBT)
is OFF. Therefore, the possibility that the overvoltage will be supplied to the DC-
15 DC converter 14 and the DC-DC converter 14 will get out of order can be prevented.
[0078]
<4. Modification examples>
Hereinabove, a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure are
described; but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described
20 above, and various modifications are possible. The types of the circuit elements,
the characteristics such as the resistance values of the circuit elements, and the
arrangement of the circuit elements in the embodiments etc. described above are only
examples, and may be altered as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the
present disclosure.
25 [0079]
The sequence of the processings described above in the present disclosure
may be altered as appropriate to the extent that technical contradiction does not occur.
For example, in FIG. 6, the sequence of the processings of step S5 and step S6 may
be opposite, or the processings may be performed parallel.
30 [0080]
<5. Application examples>
SP353271WOOO
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Application examples of the electricity storage device will now be described.
The application example of the electricity storage device is not limited to the
application examples described below.
[0081]
5
An example in which the present disclosure is applied to an electricity
storage device for houses will now be described with reference to FIG. 11. For
example, in an electr·icity storage device 100 for a house 101, electric power is
supplied to an electticity storage device 103 from a centralized power system 102 of
10 thermal power generation 102a, nuclear power generation 102b, hydroelectric power
generation 102c, etc. via a power network 109, an information network 112, a smrut
meter 107, a power hub 108, etc. Together with this, electric power is supplied to
the electricity storage device 103 from an independent power source such as a home
electricity generating device 104. The electric power supplied to the electricity
15 storage device 103 is stored. The electric power to be used in the house 101 is
supplied using the electricity storage device 103. Similar electricity storage devices
can be used not only in the house 101 but also in large buildings.
[0082]
The house 101 is provided with the electricity generating device 104, an
20 electric power consuming device 105, the electricity storage device 103, a control
device 110 that controls each device, the smart meter 107, and sensors 111 that
acquire various kinds of information. Each device is com1ected by the power
network I 09 and the information network 112. A solar cell, a fuel cell, a windmill,
etc. are used as the electricity generating device I 04, and the generated electric
25 power is supplied to the electric power consuming device 105 and/or the electricity
storage device 103. The electric power consuming device 105 is a refrigerator 105a,
an air conditioner 105b, a television receiver lOSe, a bath 1 OSd, etc. Also an
electric vehicle 106 is included in the electric power constmting device 105. The
electric vehicle I 06 is an electric automobile I 06a, a hybrid car I 06b, and an electric
30 motorcycle 106c. The electric vehicle 106 may be also an electric assisted bicycle
etc.
SP353274WOOO
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[0083]
The electricity storage device 103 is formed of a secondary battery or a
capacitor. For example, it is fonned of a lithium ion secondary battery. The
lithium ion secondaty battery may be of a stationary type or one used in the electric
5 vehicle I 06. The electricity storage device of the present disclosure described
above may be used for the electricity storage device 103. One or a plurality of
electricity storage devices may be used. The smart meter 107 has a function of
detecting the amount of use of the commercial power and transmitting the detected
amowrt of use to the electric power company. For the power network l 09, one or a
10 plurality of direct current power supply, altemating current power supply, atrd noncontact
power supply may be combined.
[0084)
Tire various sensors 111 are, for example, a humatr sensor, an illuminance
sensor, an object detection sensor, a power consumption sensor, a vibration sensor, a
15 contact sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, etc. The information
acquired by the various sensors Ill is transmitted to the control device 110. By the
information from the sensors Ill, the weather conditions, human conditions, etc. can
be grasped, and the electric power consuming device 105 can be automatically
controlled to minimize the energy consumption. The control device 110 can
20' transmit information about the house 101 to the electric power company in the
outside etc. via the Intemet.
[0085]
By the power hub 108, processing such as power line bratrching and direct
current/alternating current conversion is perfonned. As the communication system
25 of the infonnation network 112 connected to the control device 110, a method using
a commtmication interface such as a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter
(UART; a transmitting/receiving circuit for asynchronous serial communication) and
a method using a sensor network based on a wireless communication standard such
as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, or Wi-Fi are given. The Bluetooth
30 (registered trademark) system is applied to multimedia communication, and can
perform communications of one-to-many connection. ZigBee uses the physical
5
SP353274WOOO
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layer of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4. The
IEEE 802.15.4 is the name of a standard of a short distance wireless network called a
personal area network (PAN) or a wireless (W) PAN.
[0086]
The control device 110 is connected to a server 113 in the outside. The
server 113 may be managed by any of the house 101, the electric power company,
and a service provider. The information transmitted and received by the server 113
is, for example, power consumption information, life pattern information, power
rates, weather information, natural disaster information, and information about power
10 transactions. The information may be transmitted and received by a home electric
power consuming device (e.g. a television receiver), or may be transmitted and
received by a device outside the home (e.g. a mobile phone, etc.). The information
may be displayed on a device having a display function, such as television receivers,
mobile phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
15 [0087]
The control device 110 that controls each unit is formed of a CPU, a RAM,
a RO:M, etc., and is included in the electricity storage device 103 in this example.
TI1e control device 110 is connected to the electricity storage device 103, the home
electricity generating device 104, the electric power consuming device 105, the
20 various sensors 111, and the server 113 by the information network 112, and has a
function of, for example, adjusting the amount of use of the commercial power and
the electricity generation amount. In addition, the control device 11 0 may have a
function of performing power transactions in the power market etc.
25
[0088]
As described above, not only the electric power from the centralized power
system 1 02 of the thermal power generation 1 02a, the nuclear power generation 1 02b,
the hydroelectric power generation 102c, etc. but also the electric power generated
by the home electricity generating device 104 (solar power generation and/or wind
power generation) can be stored in the electricity storage device 103. TI1erefore,
30 even when the electric power generated by the home electricity generating device
104 fluctuates, it is possible to perform control of keeping the electric power amow1t
SP353274WOOO
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transferred to the outside constant or performing discharging only as much as needed.
For example, the electricity storage device 103 can be used in a way that electric
power obtained by solar power generation is stored in the electricity storage device
103 and also midnight power with low rates during night is stored in the electricity
5 storage device 103, and the electric power stored by the electricity storage device
103 is discharged and used in the daytime period when the rate is high.
[0089]
Although an example in which the control device 110 is included in the
electric storage device 103 is described in this example, the control device 110 may
10 be included in the smart meter 107 or may be fmmed independently. Furthermore,
the electricity storage device I 00 may be used for a plurality of households in an
apattment house, or may be used for a plurality of detached houses.
[0090]

15 An example in which the present disclosure is applied to an electricity
storage device for vehicles will now be described with reference to FIG. 12. In FIG.
12, an example of the configuration of a hybrid vehicle using a series hybrid system
to which the present disclosure is applied is schematically shown. The series hybrid
system is a car that nms with an electric power/driving force conversion device,
20 using electric power generated by an electricity generator driven by an engine or
electric power thus generated and temporarily stored in a battery.
[0091]
A hybrid vehicle 200 of this example is mounted with an engine 201, an
electricity generator 202, an electric power/driving force conversion device 203, a
25 driving wheel 204a, a driving wheel 204b, a wheel 205a, a wheel 205b, a batte1y 208,
a vehicle control device 209, various sensors 210, and a charging port 211. The
electricity storage device of the present disclosure described above is used for the
battery 208. One or a plurality of electricity storage devices are used.
30
[0092]
The hybrid vehicle 200 nms \\~th the electric power/driving force
conversion device 203 as the motive power source. An example of the electric
tl
j
SP353274WOOO
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power/driving force conversion device 203 is a motor. The electric power/driving
force conversion device 203 is put into operation by the electric power of the battery
208, and the rotational force of the electric power/driving force conversion device
203 is transmitted to the driving wheels 204a and 204b. Either an alternating
5 current motor or a direct current motor may be used as the electric power/driving
force conversion device 203 by using direct current-alternating current (DC-AC) or
the reverse conversion (AC-DC conversion) in a necessaty place. The various
sensors 210 control the engine speed and control the degree of opening of a notillustrated
throttle valve (throttle opening degree), via the vehicle control device 209.
10 A speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an engine speed sensor, etc. are included in
the various sensors 210.
[0093]
TI1e rotational force of the engme 201 is transmitted to the electricity
generator 202, and the electric power generated by the electricity generator 202 using
15 the rotational force can be stored in the battery 208.
[0094]
When the speed of the hybrid vehicle is reduced by a not-illustrated braking
mechanism, the resistance force at the time of the speed reduction is applied to the
electric power/driving force conversion device 203 as rotational force, and the
20 regenerative electric power generated by the electric power/driving force conversion
device 203 using the rotational force is stored in the battery 208.
[0095]
The battery 208 can be comtected to a power source outside the hybrid
vehicle to receive electric power supply from the power source in the outside via the
25 charging port 211 as the input port, and can store the received electric power.
[0096]
Although not illustrated, an information processing device that performs
information processing regarding vehicle control on the basis of information about
the secondary battery may be provided. As such an information processing device,
30 for example, an information processing device that perfotms remaining battery
power display on the basis of information about the remaining battery power etc. are
SP353274WOOO
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given.
[0097]
In the above, a description is given using, as an example, a series hybrid car,
which nms on a motor using electric power generated by an electricity generator
5 driven by an engine or electric power thus generated and temporarily stored in a
battery. However, the present disclosure can be effectively applied also to parallel
hybrid cars, in which both of the outputs of an engine and a motor are used as driving
sources and three modes of nmning only on the engine, running only on the motor,
and nUllling on the engine and the motor are switched as appropriate for use.
10 Moreover, the present disclosure can be effectively applied also to what is called
electric vehicles, which tun by driving based only on a drive motor without using an
[0098]
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
15 (1)
20
An electricity storage device including:
a first external terminal and a second external terminal for connection to an
outside;
an electricity storage tmit capable of being charged and discharged;
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage unit and the first extemal terminal;
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
the electricity storage mut and the second extemal terminal;
a power -source circuit connected to both the first and second power source
25 lines and configured to supply an output voltage to a control circuit in an operating
state;
a power source control circuit configured to control an operating state and a
non-operating state of the power source circuit;
a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first control
30 signal corresponding to transition of an extemal voltage applied to the first external
terminal and the second extemal terminal to the power source control circuit to set
SP353274WOOO
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the power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time; and
a second control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second
control signal that allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state
continuously by the control circuit to which an output voltage of the power source
5 circuit is supplied.
(2)
The electricity storage device according to (1 ),
wherein the first control signal generation circuit includes
a comparator configured to compare the external voltage to a reference
10 voltage, and
a differentiating circuit configured to differentiate an output of the
comparator outputted when the external voltage is larger than the reference voltage.
(3)
The electricity storage device according to any of (1) and (2), wherein an
15 insulating circuit is disposed between the control circuit and a portion of a high
voltage.
(4)
The electricity storage device according to any of (1 ), (2), and (3), wherein
a switch element is inserted into a supply path of the external voltage to the
20 power source circuit, and
the external voltage is supplied to the power source circuit via the switch
element only when a value of the external voltage is in an appropriate range.
(5)
An electricity storage system in which a plurality of electricity storage
25 devices are connected,
30
wherein each of the electricity storage devices includes
a first external terminal and a second extemal tenninal for connection to an
outside,
an electricity storage unit capable of being charged and discharged,
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage nnit and the first external terminal,
SP353274WOOO
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a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
the electricity storage unit and the second external terminal,
a power source circuit connected to both the first and second power source
lines and configured to supply an output voltage to a control circuit in an operating
5 state,
a power somce control circuit configured to control an operating state and a
non-operating state of the power source circuit,
a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first control
signal con·esponding to transition of an extemal voltage applied to the first extemal
10 terminal and the second extemal terminal to the power source control circuit to set
the power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time, and
a second control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second
control signal that allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state
continuously by the control circuit to which an output voltage of the power source
15 circuit is supplied.
(6)
20 outside,
A method for controlling an electricity storage device,
the electricity storage device including
a first extemal terminal and a second extemal terminal for connection to an
an electricity storage tmit capable of being charged and discharged,
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage unit and the first external terminal,
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
25 the electricity storage unit and the second external terminal,
a power source circuit connected to both the first and second power source
lines and configured to supply an output voltage to a control circuit in an operating
state, and
a power source control circuit configured to control an operating state and a
30 non-operating state of the power source circuit,
the method including:
SP353274WOOO
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generating a first control signal corresponding to transition of an extemal
voltage applied to the first extemal terminal and the second extemal terminal and
supplying the first control signal to the power source control circuit to set the power
source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time; and
5 generating a second control signal by the control circuit and using the
second control signal to set the power source circuit in an operating state
continuously.
Reference Signs List
10 (0099]
II control unit
14 DC-DC converter
15 control switch
15a switching element
15 15b switching element
16 power source startup tmit
18 external power source startup unit
19a to 19d, 22 insulating unit
21 detection circuit that detects an overvoltage and an undervoltage
20 Tl positive tenninal
T2 negative tenninal
25
L1 positive power source line
L2 ·negative power source line

CLAIMS
Claim 1
An electricity storage device comprising:
a first external terminal and a second extemal terminal for connection to an
5 outside;
an electricity storage unit capable of being charged and discharged;
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage tmit and the first external terminal;
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
10 the electricity storage unit and the second extemal terminal;
a power source circuit cormected to both the first and second power source
lines and configured to supply an output voltage to a control circuit in an operating
state;
a power source control circuit configured to control an operating state and a
15 non-operating state of the power source circuit;
a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first control
signal corresponding to transition of an extemal voltage applied to the first extemal
terminal and the second external terminal to the power source control circuit to set
the power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time; and
20 a second control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second
control signal that allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state
continuously by the control circuit to which an output voltage of the power source
circuit is supplied.
25 Claim 2
30
The electricity storage device according to claim 1,
wherein the first control signal generation circuit includes
a comparator configured to compare the extemal voltage to a reference
voltage, and
a differentiating circuit configured to differentiate an output of the
comparator outputted when the external voltage is larger than the reference voltage.
5
SP353271WOOO
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Claim 3
The electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein an insulating
circuit is disposed between the control circuit and a portion of a high voltage.
Claim4
The electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein
a switch element is inserted into a supply path of the external voltage to the
power source circuit, and
10 the external voltage is supplied to the power source circuit via the switch
element only when a value of the external voltage is in an appropriate range.
Claim 5
An electricity storage system in which a plurality of electricity storage
15 devices are connected,
20
wherein each of the electricity storage devices includes
a first external tern1inal and a second external terminal for connection to an
outside,
an electricity storage unit capable of being charged and discharged,
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage unit and the first external terminal,
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
the electricity storage unit and the second extemal terminal,
a power source circuit cmmected to both the first and second power source
25 lines and configured to supply an output voltage to a control circuit in an operating
state,
a power source control circuit configured to control an operating state and a
non-operating state of the power source circuit,
a first control signal generation circuit configured to supply a first control
30 signal corresponding to transition of an extemal voltage applied to the first extemal
terminal and the second external tenninal to the power source control circuit to set
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thl) power source circuit in an operating state for a prescribed time, and
a second control signal generation circuit configured to generate a second
control signal that allows the power source circuit to be set in an operating state
continuously by the control circuit to which m1 output voltage of the power source
5 circuit is supplied.
10
15
20
Claim 6
outside,
A method for controlliiig m1 electricity storage device,
the electr·icity storage device including
a first external terminal mid a second external terminal for cmmection to m1
mi electr-icity storage unit capable of being charged m1d discharged,
a first power source line disposed between a positive electrode side of the
electricity storage unit m1d the first extemal terminal,
a second power source line disposed between a negative electrode side of
the electricity storage unit mid the second external terminal,
a power source circuit connected to both the first mid second power source
lines mid configured to supply m1 output voltage to a control circuit in mi operating
state, m1d
a power source control circuit configured to control m1 operating state m1d a
non-operating state of the power source circuit,
the method comprising:
generating a first control signal corresponding to trmisi lion of mi extemal ·,
voltage applied to the first extemal terminal mid the second extemal terminal m1d
25 supplying the first control signal to the power source control circuit to set the power
source circuit in m1 operating state for a prescribed time; and
generating a second control signal by the control circuit and using the
second control signal to set the power source circuit in m1 operating state
continuously.