DESCRIPTION ;
ELECTRIC STORAGE UNIT GROUP, CHARGER, ELECTRONIC DEVICE,
ELECTRIC VEHICLE, METHOD FOR CHARGING ELECTRIC STORAGE
UNIT GROUP, METHOD FOR DISCHARGING ELECTRIC STORAGE UNIT I
I
5 GROUP, METHOD FOR SUPPLYING AND RECEIVING POWER, AND |
METHOD FOR DETERMINING CHARGING/DISCHARGING ROUTE IN |
ELECTRIC STORAGE UNIT GROUP
TECHNICAL FIELD
10 [0001]
The present disclosure relates to an electric
storage unit group, a charger, an electronic device, an
electric vehicle, a method for charging the electric
storage unit group, a method for discharging the electric
15 storage unit group, a method for supplying and receiving
power, and a method for determining a
charging/discharging route in the electric storage unit
group.
20 BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In order to meet requirements for high-power, high- I
capacity devices, a case of utilizing a type of a battery i
pack (assembled battery) configured by connecting a
25 plurality of rechargeable batteries (single cells) in
parallel and connecting a plurality of parallel-connected
rechargeable battery groups in series is increasing.
Such a battery pack is known from, for example, Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-283210. Typically,
30 in such a battery pack, charging power is supplied from
one end of the battery pack. Also, a load is connected
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to the battery pack, and power is supplied to the load. I
CITATION LIST |
PATENT DOCUMENT I
5 [0003]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. H6-283210
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10 PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0004]
By employing the organic connection of a plurality
of battery packs, the field of use of battery packs is
expanding, and it is possible to flexibly cope with
15 various requests in the field of use. However, in the
battery pack disclosed in the above Patent Application
Laid-open Gazette, there is no description about
technology that connects a plurality of battery packs and
charges or discharges the battery packs.
20 [0005]
Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is
to provide an electric storage unit group configured by a
plurality of battery packs (electric storage units)
connected in a desired form, a charger, an electronic
25 device, and an electric vehicle, each of which includes
the electric storage unit group, a method for charging
the electric storage unit group, a method for discharging
the electric storage unit group, a method for supplying
and receiving power, and a method for determining a
30 charging/discharging route in the electric storage unit
group.
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SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
[0006] '
According to a first aspect of the present
5 disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
provided an electric storage unit group including:
a plurality of electric storage units having
rechargeable battery cells and linearly or reticulately
connected,
10 wherein, at an upstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is j
connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
15 single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
20 [0007]
According to a second aspect of the present
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
provided an electric storage unit group including:
a plurality of electric storage units having
25 rechargeable battery cells and linearly or reticulately
connected,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a load, and
30 when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
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to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging |
from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a |
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an |
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is |
5 started. I
[0008] I
According to the first aspect of the present j
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is |
provided a charger including: j
10 an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at an upstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
15 connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an j
20 electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present
25 disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
provided a charger including:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected,
30 wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
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connected to a load, and I
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell I
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal I
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging |
5 from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a |
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an I
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is |
started. j
[0010]
10 According to the first aspect of the present I
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is j
provided an electronic device including:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality I
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
i
15 cells are linearly or reticulately connected; and I
an electronic component that receives power from I
j
the electric storage unit group, ]
i
wherein the electric storage unit group is I
connected to a power supply for charging the electric |
20 storage units at an upstream side of the electric storage
unit group, and is connected to the electronic component
at a downstream side of the electric storage unit, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
25 of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
[0011]
30 According to the second aspect of the present
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
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provided an electronic device including:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality I
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery I
cells are linearly or reticulately connected; and i
5 an electronic component that receives power from I
the electric storage unit group, I
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric I
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to the electronic component, and
10 when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
15 upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present j
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
20 provided an electric vehicle including:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected;
a power generator; and
25 a power/driving force converter,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units at an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and is connected to the
30 power/driving force converter at a downstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and
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when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
5 than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
10 provided an electric vehicle including:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected;
a power generator; and
15 a power/driving force converter,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units at an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and is connected to the
20 power/driving force converter at a downstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
25 from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started.
[0014]
30 According to the present disclosure for achieving
the above object, there is provided a method for charging
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a rechargeable battery cell in an electric storage unit I
group in which a plurality of electric storage units ^
having rechargeable battery cells are linearly or '"
reticulately connected, -
5 wherein, at an upstream side of the electric j
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units, and
the method includes a charging process of, when a
10 rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric
storage unit is fully charged, stopping charging the
single electric storage unit, and charging an electric
storage unit connected to a more downstream side than the
single electric storage unit through the single electric
15 storage unit.
[0015]
According to the present disclosure for achieving
the above object, there is provided a method for
discharging a rechargeable battery cell in an electric
20 storage unit group in which a plurality of electric
storage units having rechargeable battery cells are
linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
25 connected to a load, and
the method includes a discharging process of, when
a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit becomes equal to or lower
than a predetermined voltage, stopping discharging from
30 the single electric storage unit, and starting
discharging an electric storage unit connected to an
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upstream side of the single electric storage unit.
[0016]
According to the first aspect of the present
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
5 provided a method for supplying and receiving power, for
achieving which supplies power from an electric storage
unit group in which a plurality of electric storage units
having rechargeable battery cells are linearly or
reticulately connected, and receives power from a power
10 generator and a power distribution grid,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units through the power distribution
grid at an upstream side of the electric storage unit
15 group, and is connected to a load at a downstream side of
the electric storage unit group, and
the method includes a charging process of, when a
rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric
storage unit is fully charged, stopping charging the
20 single electric storage unit, and charging an electric
storage unit connected to a more downstream side than the
single electric storage unit through the single electric
storage unit.
[0017]
25 According to the second aspect of the present
disclosure for achieving the above object, there is
provided a method for supplying and receiving power,
which supplies power from an electric storage unit group
in which a plurality of electric storage units having
30 rechargeable battery cells are linearly or reticulately
connected, and receives power from a power generator and
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a power distribution grid,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units through the power distribution
5 grid at an upstream side of the electric storage unit
group, and is connected to a load at a downstream side of
the electric storage unit group, and
the method includes a discharging process of, when
a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
10 single electric storage unit becomes equal to or lower
than a predetermined voltage, stopping discharging from
the single electric storage unit, and starting
discharging an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit.
15 [0018] I
According to the present disclosure for achieving
the above object, there is provided a method for
determining a charging/discharging route in an electric
storage unit group, in which a plurality of electric
2 0 storage units having rechargeable battery cells are
linearly or reticulately connected; at an upstream side
of the electric storage unit group, the electric storage
unit group is connected to a power supply for charging
the electric storage units; and, at a downstream side of
25 the electric storage unit group, the electric storage
unit group is connected to a load,
wherein when the number of electric storage units
constituting the electric storage unit group is N, an Nth
order square matrix A is calculated,
30 a case where a value of an element [i, j] of the Nth
order square matrix A (where l2, by calculating a minimum km'+i at which an
element [i, km'+i] (where, m'=l, 2, 3..., m-1, and ki=j)
in a matrix A"'""' , which is the (m-m') -th power of the Nth
order square matrix A, and an element [km'+i, km-] in
20 the N-th order square matrix A are nonzero at the same
time, a km'+i-th electric storage unit is designated as an
electric storage unit that is one ahead of the k^'-th
electric storage unit in electric storage units existing
from the i-th electric storage unit to the km'-th
25 electric storage unit,
the operation is repeated until the value of m'
becomes (m-1) from 1, and the electric storage units
existing from the i-th electric storage unit to the j-th
electric storage unit are designated, and
30 the operation is performed on the entire electric
storage units to determine the charging/discharging route
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from the i-th electric storage unit to the j-th electric I
storage unit.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
5 [0019]
The method for charging the electric storage unit
group of the present disclosure or the method for
supplying and receiving power according to the first
aspect of the present disclosure include a charging
10 process of, when a rechargeable battery cell constituting
a single electric storage unit is fully charged, stopping
charging the single electric storage unit, and charging
an electric storage unit connected to a more downstream
j
side than the single electric storage unit through the I
15 single electric storage unit. Therefore, it is possible
to surely perform the charging of the electric storage
units in the electric storage unit group in which a
plurality of electric storage units having rechargeable
battery cells are linearly or reticulately connected.
20 Furthermore, in the charging of the electric storage
units, it is possible to surely prevent the occurrence of
the charging loop on the charging route within the
electric storage unit group, and it is possible to set a
flexible charging method and an optimal charging route.
25 [0020]
The method for discharging the electric storage
unit group of the present disclosure or the method for
supplying and receiving power according to the second
aspect of the present includes a discharging process of,
30 when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
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to or lower than a predetermined voltage, stopping
discharging from the single electric storage unit, and
starting discharging an electric storage unit connected
to an upstream side of the single electric storage unit.
5 Therefore, it is possible to surely perform the
discharging of the electric storage units in the electric
storage unit group in which a plurality of electric
storage units having rechargeable battery cells are
linearly or reticulately connected. Furthermore, in the
10 discharging of the electric storage units, it is possible
to surely prevent the occurrence of the discharging loop
on the discharging route within the electric storage unit
group, and it is possible to set a flexible discharging
method and an optimal discharging route. Also, it is
15 possible to safely and efficiently use a clustered
electric storage unit. Hence, like the use of the
charging method at. an executing place and the use of the
charging method other places, the charging method can be
used in a single type of specification, without
20 limitation to point of use.
[0021]
In the electric storage unit group, the charger,
the electronic device, or the electric vehicle according
to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when a
25 rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric
storage unit is fully charged, the charging of the single
electric storage unit is stopped, and an electric storage
unit connected to a more downstream side than the single
electric storage unit is charged through the single
30 electric storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to
surely perform the charging of the electric storage units.
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Furthermore, in the charging of the electric storage
units, it is possible to surely prevent the occurrence of
the charging loop on the charging route within the
electric storage unit group, and it is possible to set a
5 flexible charging method and an optimal charging route.
[0022]
In the electric storage unit group, the charger,
the electronic device, or the electric vehicle according
to the second aspect of the present disclosure, when a
10 voltage of a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit becomes equal to or lower
than a predetermined voltage, the discharging from the
single electric storage unit is stopped, and the
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
15 upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started. Therefore, it is possible to surely perform the
discharging of the electric storage units. Furthermore,
in the discharging of the electric storage units, it is
possible to surely prevent the occurrence of the
20 discharging loop on the discharging route within the
electric storage unit group, and it is possible to set a
flexible discharging method and an optimal discharging
route. Also, it is possible to safely and efficiently
use a clustered electric storage unit. Hence, like the
25 use of the charging method at an executing place and the
use of the charging method other places, the charging
method can be used in a single type of specification,
without limitation to point of use.
[0023]
30 The method for determining the charging/discharging
route in the electric storage unit group of the present
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disclosure is a simple method, but can surely determine
the shortest charging/discharging route in the electric
storage unit group.
5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024]
Figs. 1(A) and 1(B) are schematic diagrams viewed
from above electric storage unit groups configured by a
combination of six electric storage units according to
10 the present disclosure. Fig. 1(A) is a diagram
illustrating a power route in a method for charging an
electric storage unit group according to a first
i
embodiment, and Fig. 1(B) is a diagram illustrating a |
power route in a method for charging an electric storage
15 unit group according to a second embodiment.
Figs. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C) are a schematic
perspective view of an electric storage unit group
configured by a combination of three electric storage
units according to the present disclosure, a schematic
20 diagram viewed from above the electric storage unit group,
and a schematic diagram illustrating the interior of the
electric storage unit, respectively.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a rechargeable battery
cell and a charging/discharging control unit of an
25 electric storage unit according to the present disclosure.
Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are a conceptual diagram of a
power distribution grid or the like in method for
supplying and receiving power according to a first
embodiment and a fourth embodiment, and a conceptual
30 diagram of an electric storage unit group according to a
third embodiment and a sixth embodiment, respectively.
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Figs. 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams illustrating power
routes in method for discharging an electric storage unit
group according to a fourth embodiment and a fifth
embodiment, respectively.
5 Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power route in a
method for discharging an electric storage unit group
according to a seventh embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an
electric storage unit including a housing having an
10 equilateral triangular prism shape.
Figs. 8(A) and 8(B) are a schematic perspective
view of an electric storage unit including a housing
having a quadrangular prism shape, and a conceptual diagram viewed from a bottom side of an electric storage
15 unit group configured by a combination of three electric
storage units, respectively.
Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a power route in
an electric storage unit group configured by a
combination of six electric storage units according to an
20 eighth embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration
of a hybrid vehicle according to a ninth einbodiment.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
25 [0025]
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be
described based on embodiments with reference to the
drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to
the embodiments. A variety of niombers or materials in
30 the embodiments are exemplary. Also, the description is
given in the following order.
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1. Overall description about electric storage unit
group, charger, electronic device, electric vehicle,
method for charging the electric storage unit group,
method for discharging the electric storage unit group,
5 method for supplying and receiving power, and method for
determining a charging/discharging route in the electric
storage unit group, according to the present disclosure
2. First embodiment (electric storage unit group
and method for charging the electric storage unit group
10 according to first aspect of the present disclosure,
charger and electronic device according to first aspect
of the present disclosure, and method for supplying and
receiving power according to first aspect of the present
disclosure)
15 3. Second embodiment (Modification of first
embodiment)
4. Third embodiment (modification of first
embodiment)
5. Fourth embodiment (electric storage unit group
20 and method for discharging the electric storage unit
group according to second aspect of the present
disclosure, charger and electronic device according to
second aspect of the present disclosure, and method for
supplying and receiving power according to second aspect
25 of the present disclosure)
6. Fifth embodiment (modification of fourth
embodiment)
7. Sixth embodiment (another modification of fourth
embodiment)
30 8, Seventh embodiment (yet another modification of
fourth embodiment)
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9. Eighth embodiment (method for determining ;
charging/discharging route in electric storage unit ;
group) ;
10. Ninth embodiment (electric vehicles according ;
5 to first aspect and second aspect of the present
disclosure), and others i
[0026]
[Overall description about electric storage unit
group, charger, electronic device, electric vehicle,
10 method for charging the electric storage unit group,
method for discharging the electric storage unit group,
method for supplying and receiving power, and method for
determining charging/discharging route in the electric
storage unit group, according to the present disclosure]
15 In a method for charging an electric storage unit
group of the present disclosure, it is preferable that a
charging process is repeated until rechargeable battery
cells constituting the entire electric storage units are
fully charged.
20 [0027]
An electric storage unit group according to the
first aspect of the present disclosure may be configured
such that each electric storage unit includes a short
circuit, and, when a rechargeable battery cell
25 constituting a single electric storage unit is fully
charged, an electric storage unit connected to a
downstream side of the single electric storage unit is
charged through a short circuit of the single electric
storage unit. Also, in the method for charging the
30 electric storage unit group of the present disclosure,
which includes the preferred form, it may be configured
18
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such that each electric storage unit includes a short
circuit, and, when a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit is fully
charged during a charging process, an electric storage
5 unit connected to a downstream side of the single
electric storage unit is charged through a short circuit
of the single electric storage unit.
[0028]
In addition, in the electric storage unit group of
10 the present disclosure, which includes the preferred
configuration, or in the method for charging the electric
storage unit group of the present disclosure, which
includes the preferred form and configuration, it is
preferable that the outflow of power to the electric
15 storage unit connected to the downstream side of the
single electric storage unit is prohibited until the
single electric storage unit is fully charged, or it is
preferable to prohibit the outflow of power.
[0029]
20 In a method for discharging the electric storage
unit group of the present disclosure, it is preferable
that a discharging process is repeated until a voltage of
rechargeable battery cells constituting the entire
electric storage units becomes equal to or lower than a
25 predetermined voltage.
[0030]
An electric storage unit group according to the
second aspect of the present disclosure may be configured
such that each electric storage unit includes a short
30 circuit, and, when a voltage of a rechargeable battery
cell constituting a single electric storage unit becomes
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equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started through a short circuit of the single electric
5 storage unit. Also, in the method for discharging the
electric storage unit group of the present disclosure,
which includes the preferred form, it may be configured
such that each electric storage unit includes a short
circuit, and, when a voltage of a rechargeable battery
10 cell constituting a single electric storage unit becomes
equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage during a
discharging process, a discharging of an electric storage
unit connected to an upstream side of the single electric
storage unit is started through a short circuit of the
15 single electric storage unit.
[0031]
In addition, in the electric storage unit group
according to the second aspect of the present disclosure,
which includes the preferred configuration, or in the
20 method for discharging the electric storage unit group of
the present disclosure, which includes the preferred form
and configuration, it is preferable that a discharging
from the electric storage unit connected to the upstream
side of the single electric storage unit during a
25 discharging from the single electric storage unit is
prohibited, or it is preferable to prohibit the
discharging.
[0032]
In addition, in the electric storage unit group
30 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure,
which includes the preferred form and configuration, or
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in the method for discharging the electric storage unit group of the present disclosure, it may be configured !
such that the electric storage unit group is connected to ;.
a power supply for charging an electric storage unit at
5 an upstream side of the electric storage unit group, and,
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a single •
electric storage unit is fully charged, the charging of
the single electric storage unit is stopped, or the
charging is stopped, and the electric storage unit
10 connected to a more downstream side than the single
electric storage unit is charged through the single
electric storage unit, or the charging process for
charging the electric storage unit is provided. That is,
either the electric storage unit group according to the
15 first aspect of the present disclosure, which includes
the preferred form and configuration, or the method for
charging the electric storage unit group of the present
disclosure, and either the electric storage unit group
according to the second aspect of the present disclosure,
20 which includes the preferred form and configuration, or
the method for discharging the electric storage unit
group of the present disclosure may be appropriately
combined with each other.
[0033]
25 Furthermore, in the electric storage unit group
according to the first aspect of the present disclosure,
which includes the above-described preferred form and
configuration, or in the method for charging or
discharging the electric storage unit group of the
30 present disclosure, the electric storage unit may include,
but is not limited to:
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(A) a housing having a polygonal prism shape,
(B) rechargeable battery cells stored in the
housing,
(C) a charging/discharging control unit stored in
5 the housing and connected to the rechargeable battery
cell,
(D) at least one power input unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit, and
10 (E) at least one power output unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit. Also, for convenience, the electric storage unit
having such a configuration will be referred to as
"electric storage unit of the present disclosure".
15 [0034]
The housing of the electric storage unit of the
present disclosure has a polygonal prism shape, and a
plurality of electric storage units can be combined.
Furthermore, since at least one power input unit and at
20 least one power output unit are disposed in the housing,
a plurality of electric storage units may be easily
combined by connecting power input units and power output
units of adjacent electric storage units. Furthermore,
for example, a plurality of electric storage units having
25 different capacities may be used as a single electric
storage unit group as a whole by combining the plurality
of electric storage units, that is, in a mixed state.
Therefore, the field of use of the electric storage unit
is expanding, and it is possible to flexibly cope with
30 various requests in the field of use. Moreover, for
example, a plurality of electric storage units having
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different degrees of deterioration and different charge
cycles may be used as a single electric storage unit
group as a whole by combining the plurality of electric
storage units, that is, in a mixed state. Therefore, a
5 single electric storage unit group as a whole may be
constructed by using rechargeable battery cells having
different capacities and voltages.
[0035]
The electric storage unit group according to the
10 first or second aspect of the present disclosure, which
includes the above-described various preferred forms and
configurations, can be applied to a charger according to
a first or second aspect of the present disclosure, an
electronic device according to a first or second aspect
15 of the present disclosure, and an electric vehicle
according to a first or second aspect of the present
disclosure, and can be applied to a method for charging
the electric storage unit group of the present disclosure,
a method for discharging the electric storage unit group
20 of the present disclosure, and a method for supplying and
receiving power and a method for determining a
charging/discharging route in the electric storage unit
group according to a first or second aspect of the
present disclosure.
25 [0036]
There is no special limitation to the number of
power supply units in the electric storage unit group,
the charger, the electronic device, the electric vehicle,
the method for charging the electric storage unit group,
30 the method for discharging the electric storage unit
group, the method for supplying and receiving power, and
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the method for determining a charging/discharging route
in the electric storage unit group according to the first
or second aspect of the present disclosure, which
includes the above-described various preferred forms and
5 configurations, (hereinafter, these may also be referred
to as the present disclosure for simplicity). In the
present disclosure, the upstream side and the downstream
side of the electric storage unit group refer to a side
through which a current flows in and a side through which
10 a current flows out, respectively, when viewing the
electric storage unit group as a whole. Also, the
upstream side and the downstream side of the electric
storage unit group refer to a side through which a |
current flows into the electric storage unit and a side
15 through which a current flows out from the electric
storage unit. In the method for discharging the electric
storage unit group of the present disclosure, the
predetermined voltage may be 12 V as one example, but is
not limited thereto.
20 [0037]
In the present disclosure, the electric storage
unit group is connected to a power consioming device.
However, one or more power consuming devices may be
connected to a single place of the electric storage unit
25 group, or one or more power consuming devices may be
connected to a plurality of places of the electric
storage unit group. The electric storage unit group and
the power consuming device(s) may be connected by using
wires, or may be connected by employing a wireless power
30 transmission method (wireless power transmission circuit),
such as an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic
24
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SP308709WO00
resonance method. Examples of the power consiming
devices may include electronic devices such as a personal
computer, a television receiver, a variety of display
devices, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital still camera, a
5 video camera, a camcorder, or a music player, electric
tools such as an electric drill, lighting fixtures such
as an interior lamp, electric storage units or home
energy servers (electric storage devices for home use),
medical devices, toys, and the like, but the power
10 consuming devices are not limited thereto. Also, the
electronic device of the present disclosure may be these
power consuming devices, and electronic components
provided in the electronic device may be known components
constituting these electronic devices, and the electronic
15 components are driven and operated by, for example, the
electric storage unit group. Examples of the electric
vehicle may include an electric automobile, an electric
motorcycle, an electric bicycle, and Segway (registered
trademark), and the electric storage unit group can also
20 be applied to the driving of a power/driving force
conversion device of an aircraft or vessel (specifically,
for example, power motor) as well as the driving of a
power/driving force conversion device of the electric
vehicle (specifically, for example, power motor).
25 Examples of the power supply in the present disclosure
may include a commercial power supply, a power generator,
a power distribution grid, and a smart grid (nextgeneration
power distribution grid), Examples of the
power generator may include various solar cells, fuel
30 cells, wind power generators, hydroelectric power
generators, and geothermal power generators, but the
25
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SP308709WO00
power generator is not limited thereto. The power
generator may be connected to a single place of the
electric storage unit group, or may be connected to a
plurality of places of the electric storage unit group.
5 Also, the number of the power generators is not limited
to one, but may be multiple. The electric storage unit
group and the power consuming device(s) may be connected
by using wires, or may be connected by employing a
wireless power transmission method (wireless power
10 transmission circuit), such as an electromagnetic
induction method or a magnetic resonance method.
[0038]
In the electric storage unit of the present
disclosure, the charging/discharging control unit may
15 include an integrated circuit for charging/discharging
control and a DC/DC converter. By including the DC/DC
converter in the charging/discharging control unit, an
output voltage of the electric storage unit can be stably
output as a constant voltage to the exterior. Also, the
20 integrated circuit for charging/discharging control and
the DC/DC converter, in themselves, may be configured by
a known integrated circuit for charging/discharging
control and a known DC/DC converter.
[0039]
25 The electric storage unit of the present disclosure,
which includes the preferred form, may further include:
(F) at least one information input unit disposed in
the housing and connected to the charging/discharging
control unit, and
30 (G) at least one information output unit disposed
in the housing and connected to the charging/discharging
26
SP308709WO00
control unit. By employing such a configuration, if all
of a plurality of electric storage units are connected to
a controller by a communication unit, the controller can
control the plurality of electric storage units,
5 transmit/receive or exchange information among the
plurality of electric storage units, check operating
conditions of the plurality of electric storage units,
and display the operating conditions of the plurality of
electric storage units. Also, the power input unit may
10 also be configured to serve as the information input unit,
and the power output unit may also be configured to serve
as the information output unit.
[0040]
In the case where the electric storage units are
15 connected to the controller by the communication unit, or
in the case where the electric storage units are
connected to one another by the communication unit,
examples of the communication unit may include a typical
telephone line or optical fiber line including an
20 Internet communication network, ZigBee, Wireless, LAN,
RC232, USB, infrared light including IrDA, Bluetooth that
is one of wireless LAN protocols, HomeRF, or a
combination thereof, but the communication unit is not
limited thereto. A personal computer may be used as the
25 controller or a part of the controller. Also, a mobile
terminal with a display device may be further included,
and the controller and the mobile terminal may be
connected by the communication unit. Due to such a
configuration, the operating condition of the electric
30 storage unit or the electric storage unit group can be
checked at a distant place. Examples of the mobile
27
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SP308709WO00
terminal may include a mobile phone, a Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), and a notebook persona computer, but the
mobile terminal is not limited thereto.
[0041]
5 In the electric storage unit of the present
disclosure, which includes the preferred form and
configuration, the power input unit may be configured by
a USB terminal portion, and the power output unit may be
configured by a USB terminal portion into which the power
10 input unit configured by the USB terminal portion is
fitted. Alternatively, in the electric storage unit of
the present disclosure, which includes the preferred form
having the above-described configuration with at least
one information input unit and at least one information
15 output unit, the power input unit and the power output
unit may be configured by the wireless power transmission
circuit. Specifically, examples of the wireless power
transmission circuit (wireless power transmission method)
may include the above-described various methods, but the
20 wireless power transmission circuit (wireless power
transmission method) is not limited thereto.
[0042]
In the electric storage unit of the present
disclosure, which includes the above-described various
25 preferred forms and configurations, it is preferable that
the housing is shaped such that a plurality of housings
can be arranged without any gap therebetween.
Specifically, examples of a cross-sectional shape when
cutting the housing on a virtual plane perpendicular to
30 an axis line of the housing having a polygonal prism
shape may include: a triangle including an equilateral
28
SP308709WO00
triangular prism; a quadrangle including a square, a
rectangle, and a parallelogram; a regular hexagon; and an
arbitrary shape surrounded by a line or curve. Also,
when the cross-sectional shape is a square or a rectangle,
5 the shape of the housing can also be referred to as a
cube or a cuboid. The housing may be made of, for
example, a plastic material, for example, a thermoplastic
resin. Specifically, the housing may be made of, for
example, a polyolefin-based resin, such as a polyethylene
10 resin and a polypropylene resin; a polyamide-based resin,
such as polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide MXD6; a
polyoxymethylene (polyacetal, POM) resin; a polyesterbased
resin, such as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
resin and a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin;
15 polyphenylene sulfide resin; a styrene-based resin, such
as a polystyrene resin, an ABS resin, an AES resin, and
an AS resin; a methacrylate-based resin; a polycarbonate
resin; a modified polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin; a
polysulfone resin; a polyethersulfone resin; a
20 polyacrylate resin; a polyether-imide resin; a polyamideimide
resin; a polyimide-based resin; a polyether ketone
resin; a polyether ether ketone resin; a polyester
carbonate resin; and a liquid crystal polymer, but the
material of the housing is not limited thereto.
25 [0043]
Alternatively, in the electric storage unit of the
present disclosure, which includes the above-described
various preferred forms and configurations, it is
preferable that the housing is configured to have a
30 regular hexagonal prism shape. In this case, the power
input unit may be provided on an odd-numbered lateral
29
SP308709WO00
face of the housing having the regular hexagonal prism
shape, and the power output unit may be provided on an
even-numbered lateral face of the housing having the
regular hexagonal prism shape. Also, the power input
5 unit may be provided on all or part of the odd-numbered
lateral faces of the housing having the regular hexagonal
prism shape. Likewise, the power output unit may be
provided on all or part of the even-numbered lateral
faces of the housing having the regular hexagonal prism I
10 shape.
[0044]
In the electric storage unit of the present
disclosure, which includes the above-described various
preferred forms and configurations, an input display unit
15 connected to the charging/discharging control unit to
display the presence or absence of power input may be
disposed near the power input unit, and an output display
unit connected to the charging/discharging control unit
to display the presence or absence of power output may be
20 disposed near the power output unit. In this case, the
input display unit and the' output display unit may
include a display unit made of an arrow-shaped light
transmissive member, and a light emitting element
disposed inside the display unit. Furthermore, the input
25 display unit and the output display unit may be disposed
on the top face of the housing.
[0045]
In the electric storage unit of the present
disclosure, which includes the above-described various
30 preferred forms and configurations, as an arrangement
type of the electric storage unit, a plurality of
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SP308709WO00
electric storage units may be coinbined by connecting the
power input units and the power output units of the
adjacent electric storage units. In this manner, the
electric storage unit group is constituted. The
5 plurality of electric storage units may be combined in a
planar fashion to constitute the electric storage unit
group, or the plurality of electric storage units may be
combined three-dimensionally or by stacking to constitute
the electric storage unit. Alternatively, the plurality
10 of electric storage units may be combined in a planar
fashion and combined three-dimensionally (or by stacking).
The capacity and size of the electric storage units
constituting the electric storage unit group, and the |
number, output voltage or capacity of the rechargeable j
15 battery cells constituting the electric storage unit may
be equal to or different from each other in the electric I
storage units.
First Embodiment
[0046]
20 A first embodiment relates to an electric storage
unit group, a charger, and an electronic device according
to the first aspect of the present disclosure, and a
method for charging the electric storage unit group of
the present disclosure and a method for supplying and
25 receiving power according to the first aspect of the
present disclosure. Fig. 1(A) is a schematic diagram
viewed from above an electric storage unit group
configured by a combination of six electric storage units
of the present disclosure, and illustrates a power route
30 in a method for charging the electric storage unit group
according to a first embodiment and a method for
31
^ SP308709WO00
supplying and receiving power according to a first
embodiment. Also, Fig. 2(A) is a schematic perspective
view of an electric storage unit group configured by a
combination of three electric storage units in the first
5 embodiment. Fig. 2(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from
above the electric storage unit group, and Fig. 2(C) is a
schematic diagram illustrating the interior of the
electric storage unit. Also, Fig. 3 is a block diagram
of a charging/discharging control unit.
10 [0047]
i
The electric storage unit group of the first |
embodiment is an electric storage unit group 10 in which I
a plurality of electric storage units 11 having
rechargeable battery cells 30 are linearly or
15 reticulately connected. At an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group 10, the electric storage unit
group 10 is connected to a power supply for charging the
electric storage units 11. When the rechargeable battery
cell 30 constituting a single electric storage unit 11 is
20 fully charged, the charging of the single electric
storage unit 11 is stopped, and an electric storage unit
11 connected to a more downstream side than the single
electric storage unit 11 is charged through the single
electric storage unit 11,
25 [0048]
Also, the electric storage unit group of the first
embodiment is an electric storage unit group 10 in which
a plurality of electric storage units 11 having
rechargeable battery cells 30 are linearly or
30 reticulately connected. At an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group 10, the electric storage unit
32 j
I
i i
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SP308709WO00
group 10 is connected to a power supply for charging the
electric storage units 11. When the rechargeable battery
cell 30 constituting a single electric storage unit 11 is
fully charged, the charging of the single electric
5 storage unit 11 is stopped, and an electric storage unit
11 connected to a more downstream side than the single j
electric storage unit 11 is charged through the single |
electric storage unit 11. I
[0049] I
10 Also, the electronic device of the first embodiment
is an electronic device including: an electric storage
unit group 10 in which a plurality of electric storage
units 11 having rechargeable battery cells 30 are
linearly or reticulately connected; and an electronic
15 component that receives power from the electric storage
unit group 10. At an upstream side of the electric
storage unit group 10, the electric storage unit group 10
is connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units 11. At a downstream side of the electric
20 storage unit group 10, the electric storage unit group 10
is connected to the electronic component. When the
rechargeable battery cell 30 constituting a single
electric storage unit 11 is fully charged, the charging
of the single electric storage unit 11 is stopped, and an
25 electric storage unit 11 connected to a more downstream
side than the single electric storage unit 11 is charged
through the single electric storage unit 11. Also,
examples of the electronic device may include a personal
computer, and examples of the electronic component
30 provided in the electronic device may include a central
processing unit. The electronic device of'the first
33
SP308709WO00
embodiment can also be equally applied to an electronic
device of a fourth embodiment, which is to be described
below.
[0050]
5 In the first embodiment or second to ninth
embodiments, which are to be described below,
specifically, the electric storage unit group (power
supply unit group) 10, as described above, includes a
plurality of electric storage units (power supply units)
10 11 having rechargeable battery cells 30, and the electric
storage units 11 are reticulately connected to one
another. That is, in each embodiment, the electric
storage unit group 10 includes a plurality of electric
storage units 11 arranged in a planar fashion in a
15 cluster shape. I
[0051] I
The electric storage unit 11 of the first :
embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, includes:
20 (A) a housing 20 having a polygonal prism shape,
(B) rechargeable battery cells 30 stored in the
housing 20,
(C) a charging/discharging control unit 40 stored
in the housing 20 and connected to the rechargeable
25 battery cells 30,
(D) at least one power input unit 51 disposed in
the housing 2 0 and connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40, and
(E) at least one power output unit 53 disposed in
30 the housing 2 0 and connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40. Also, in the first embodiment or the
34
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^ SP308709WO00
second to sixth embodiments, which are to be described
below, the electric storage unit group 10, as illustrated
in Fig. 1(A), is configured by a combination of six
electric storage units llA, IIB, IIC, llD, H E and IIF.
5 In the seventh embodiment, which is to be described below,
the electric storage unit group 10, as illustrated in Fig.
6, is configured by a combination of eight electric
storage units. In the eighth embodiment, which is to be
described below, the electric storage unit group 10, as
i
10 illustrated in Fig. 9, is configured by a combination of
five electric storage units. However, the number of the
electric storage units is not limited thereto.
[0052]
In the electric storage unit 11 of the first
15 embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, the housing 20 is shaped such that
a plurality of housings 20 can be arranged without any
gap therebetween. Specifically, the housing 20 has a
polygonal prism shape. That is, a cross-sectional shape
20 when cutting the housing 20 on a virtual plane
perpendicular to an axis line of the housing 20 is a
regular hexagon. The power input unit 51 is provided on
an odd-numbered lateral face of the.housing 20 having a
regular hexagonal prism shape, and the power output unit
25 53 is provided on an even-niombered lateral face of the
housing 20 having a regular hexagonal prism shape. Also,
in the illustrated example, the number of the power input
units 51 and the n\amber of the power output units 53 are
three, respectively, but are not limited thereto. The
30 power input unit 51 and the power output unit 53 are
connected to the charging/discharging control unit 40
35
I
SP308709WO00
through wires that are not illustrated. Also, in Fig.
2(A), the three electric storage units 11 are different
in height because the three electric storage units 11 are
different in capacity, that is, a different number of the
5 rechargeable battery cells 30 are stored in the housing
20. The housing 2 0 is made of a plastic material, such
as an ABS resin.
[0053]
The electric storage unit 11 of the first
10 embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, further includes:
(F) at least one information input unit disposed in
the housing 20 and connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40, and
15 (G) at least one information output unit disposed
in the housing 20 and connected to the
charging/discharging control unit 40. Specifically, the
information input unit and the information output unit
are configured by USB terminal portions 55. More
20 specifically, for example, the information input unit is
configured by a USB terminal, and the information output
unit is configured by an USB socket. The USB terminal
portions 55 are connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40 through wires that are not illustrated.
25 In the plurality of mutual electric storage units 11,
information exchange between the mutual electric storage
units 11 can be performed by connecting the information
input unit and the information output unit by a USB cable.
[0054]
30 In some cases, the power input unit 51 may be
configured by a USB terminal portion, and the power
36
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SP308709WO00
output unit 53 may be configured by a USB terminal
portion into which the power input unit 51 configured by
the USB terminal portion is fitted. Specifically, for
example, the power input unit 51 and the power output
5 unit 53 may be configured by a micro USB terminal and a
micro USB socket, respectively, or the power output unit
53 and the power input unit 51 may be configured by a
micro USB terminal and a micro USB socket, respectively.
[0055]
10 Also, each of the electric storage units 11
includes a short circuit (not illustrated). Specifically,
each of the power input unit 51 and the power output unit i
53 includes a short circuit. A conduction/non-conduction j
of the short circuit is controlled by the
15 charging/discharging control unit 40. Specifically, for
example, a switch circuit is provided in the short
circuit, and an on/off operation of the switch circuit is
controlled by the charging/discharging control unit 40.
However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a
20 configuration.
[0056]
In the electric storage unit 11 of the first |
embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, the charging/discharging control
25 unit 40 includes a known integrated circuit (charging
circuit) 43 for charging/discharging control, and a known
DC/DC converter (DC/DC converter for output) 44. The
charging/discharging control unit 40 further includes an
MPU 41, a storage unit 42 configured by an EEROM, a DC/DC
30 converter 45 for control system, and a DC/DC converter 4 6
for USB. For example, the integrated circuit (charging
37
i
SP308709WO00
circuit) 43 is supplied with input power of 12-V voltage
from an external power supply, such as a commercial power
supply or a solar cell, through the power input unit 51.
By a known operation of the integrated circuit (charging
5 circuit) 43, the rechargeable battery cell 30 configured
by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is charged. Power
is supplied to the MPU 41 or the storage unit 42 from the
rechargeable battery cell 30 through the DC/DC converter
45 for control system. Also, power is supplied to the
10 exterior from the rechargeable battery cell 30 through
the DC/DC converter 44 for output and the power output
unit 53, and power is supplied from the rechargeable i
battery cell 30 to the USB terminal portion 55 through j
the DC/DC converter 4 6 for USB. Also, the MPU 41 and the
15 like are mounted on a printed wiring board 47.
[0057] j
I
The power input unit 51 and the power output unit j
53 are configured to be fitted into each other. ]
Specifically, for example, the power input unit 51 has a i
20 protruding structure, and the power output unit 53 has a
concave structure. The electric storage unit group 10
configured by a combination of the plurality of electric
storage units 11 can be obtained by fitting the power
input unit 51 into the power output unit 53 in the
25 adjacent electric storage units 11. The
charging/discharging control unit 40 is configured to
detect a fitting state between the power input unit 51
and the power output unit 53 by a detection unit (for
example, switch or the like) which is not illustrated.
30 [0058]
Also, In the electric storage unit 11, an input
38
I I
SP308709WO00
display unit 52 connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40 to display the presence or absence of
power input is disposed near the power input unit 51, and
an output display unit 54 connected to the
5 charging/discharging control unit 40 to display the
presence or absence of power output is disposed near the
power output unit 53. The input display unit 52 and the
output display unit 54 include a display unit made of an
arrow-shaped light transmissive member, and a light
10 emitting element (not illustrated) disposed inside the
display unit. Also, specifically, the light emitting
element may be configured by, for example, an LED. The
input display unit 52 and the output display unit 54 are
disposed on the top face of the housing 20. The light
15 emitting element is connected to the charging/discharging
control unit 40 through wires, and an on/off operation of
the light emitting element is controlled by the
charging/discharging control unit 40. More specifically,
the charging/discharging control unit 40 checks the
20 fitting state between the power input unit 51 and the
power output unit 53, detects a flow of current between
the power input unit 51 and the power output unit 53, and
performs an on/off control of the light emitting element,
based on the result.
25 [0059]
Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) illustrate three input display
units 52 and three output display units 54 in the single
electric storage unit 11. On the other hand. Figs. 1(A)
and 1(B), Figs. 5(A) and 5(B), and Fig. 6 illustrate only
30 the input display units through which power flows in or
can flow in, and the output display units through which
39
^ SP308709WO00
power flows out or can flow out. Also, in Figs. 1(A) and
1(B) and Figs. 5(A) and 5(B), the input display units 52
indicated by black arrows show that power can be supplied
(input) from the external power supply to the power input
5 units 51 located near the input display units 52, and the
output display units 54 indicated by black arrows show
that power can be supplied (output) from the power output
units 53 located near the output display units 54 to the
exterior or the adjacent electric storage units 11. On
10 the other hand, the input display units 52 indicated by
hatched arrows show that power is prohibited from being
supplied (input) from the external power supply to the
power input units 51 located near the input display units
52, and the output display units 54 indicated by hatched
15 arrows show that power is prohibited from being supplied
(output) from the power output units 53 located near the
output display units 54 to the exterior or the adjacent
electric storage units 11.
[0060]
20 In the housing 20 of the electric storage unit 11,
a charging state display unit (not illustrated)
configured by an LED to display a charging state and a
discharging state display unit or remaining battery level
display unit (not illustrated) configured by an LED to
25 display a discharging state may be disposed. The
charging state display unit and the discharging state
display unit or remaining battery level display unit may
be connected to the charging/discharging control unit 40,
and the operations thereof may be controlled by the
30 charging/discharging control unit 40. Alternatively, the
input display unit 52 and the output display unit 54 may
40
i
^ SP308709WO00
I
also serve as the charging state display unit and the i
discharging state display unit or remaining battery level
display unit. In this case, for example, the functions
as the charging state display unit and the discharging |
5 state display unit or remaining battery level display i
unit can be exhibited by a blinking state or the like of j
I
the light emitting element.
[0061] i
In the electric storage unit groups 10 of the first 10 embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, or the chargers and the electronic j
i
devices including either of the electric storage unit
groups 10, power is supplied from the external power i
I
supply through the power input unit 51 of a single place,
15 and the rechargeable battery cells 30 of five, six or
eight electric storage units 11 are charged. Power is
supplied (output) to the power consuming device through
the power output unit 53 of a single place, so that the
power consuming device is driven. However, the present
20 disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.
[0062]
In the first embodiment or the second to ninth
embodiments, which are to be described below, the shape
of the housing 20 of the electric storage unit 11 may be
25 a polygonal prism (specifically, regular hexagonal prism),
and a plurality of electric storage units 11 can be
combined without any gap therebetween. Also, a plurality
of electric storage units 11 can be easily combined by
connecting the power input units 51 and the power output
30 units 53 of the adjacent electric storage units 11. For
example, a plurality of electric storage units 11 having
41 f
I
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SP308709WO00
different capacities can be used as a single electric
storage unit group 10 as a whole by combining the
plurality of electric storage units, that is, in a mixed
state.
5 [0063]
On the other hand, in the electric storage unit
groups 10 of the first embodiment or the second to ninth
embodiments, which are to be described below, or the
chargers and the electronic devices including either of
10 the electric storage unit groups 10, permanent or
temporary identification numbers (IDs) are assigned to
the electric storage units 11. As the method of
assigning the permanent identification niombers, a user
may set a media access control (MAC) address or a DIP
15 switch disposed in the electric storage unit. Also, as
the method of assigning the temporary identification
numbers, for example, the electric storage unit connected
to the power supply or the electric storage unit
connected to the power consuming device may be set as
20 parent electric storage units, and the parent electric
storage units may assign the identification numbers to
other electric storage units. The controller, which is
to be described below, may assign the identification
numbers to the electric storage units.
25 [0064]
In the electric storage unit group 10 of the first
embodiment or the second to ninth embodiments, which are
to be described below, if necessary, under the control of
the charging/discharging control unit 40, each of the I
30 electric storage units 11 performs charging or I
discharging related processing for itself, and performs I
42
I
^ SP308709WO00
control of the short circuit, measures a remaining
battery level, and evaluates the remaining battery level
in n steps for itself. Furthermore, each of the electric
storage units 11, if necessary, mutually transmits and
5 exchanges identification number (ID), information about
remaining battery level, already-charged ID history,
uncharged ID history, already-discharged ID history,
undischarged ID history, completion of charge start
preparation, and the like.
10 [0065]
In the electric storage unit group 10 of the first
embodiment or the charger and the electronic device
including the electric storage unit group 10, the
electric storage unit group 10 is connected to a power
15 supply 12 for charging the electric storage unit 11 at an
I upstream side of the electric storage unit group 10.
Specifically, in the first embodiment, for example, the
power input unit Ai of the electric storage unit llA is
connected to the power supply 12. As the power supply 12,
20 a commercial power supply may be used, and, for example,
a solar cell may also be used. The electric storage unit
group 10 and the power supply 12 may be connected by
using a wire 13, or may be connected by employing a
wireless power transmission method (wireless power
25 transmission circuit), such as an electromagnetic
induction method or a magnetic resonance method. The i
electric storage unit llA is set as a parent electric I
storage unit, and the remaining five electric storage |
units IIB, lie, IID, H E and IIF are set as child |
30 electric storage units. The charging/discharging control I
unit 4 0 performs a variety of processing. However, for I
I
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SP308709WO00
convenience, the following description will be given in a
way that the electric storage unit performs a variety of
processing.
[0066]
5 Also, when a new electric storage unit (for
convenience, referred to as electric storage unit-A) is
connected to the electric storage unit group, an electric
storage unit (for convenience, referred to as electric
storage unit-B) adjacent to the electric storage unit-A
10 (that is, directly connected to the electric storage
unit-A) generates a new identification number with
reference to the identification numbers (IDs) of the
entire electric storage units held by the electric
storage unit group, assigns the identification number to
15 the electric storage unit-A, and notifies the
identification number of the parent electric storage unit
to the electric storage unit-A. Therefore, the electric
storage unit-A can know that the parent electric storage
unit is already determined. The electric storage unit-A
2 0 transmits a signal, which prompts the update of
information, to the parent electric storage unit. The
parent electric storage unit receiving the signal which
prompts the update of information transmits a list of
identification numbers of the entire electric storage
25 units to the entire electric storage units.
[0067]
When an electric storage unit (for convenience,
referred to as electric storage unit-C) is removed from
the electric storage unit group, an electric storage unit
30 (for convenience, referred to as electric storage unit-D)
adjacent to the electric storage unit-C (that is,
44
^ SP308709WO00
directly connected to the electric storage unit-C)
transmits a signal, which prompts the update of
information, to the parent electric storage unit together
with the identification number of the electric storage
5 unit-C. The parent electric storage unit updates the
list of identification numbers, and transmits the list of
identification numbers to the entire electric storage
units. In the case where the parent electric storage
unit is removed, when an electric storage unit directly
10 connected to the parent electric storage unit is multiple,
an electric storage unit having the smallest
identification number becomes a parent electric storage
unit. When an electric storage unit directly connected
to the parent electric storage unit is single, the
15 directly connected electric storage unit becomes a parent
electric storage unit. In this manner, a new unique
parent electric storage unit can be determined. The new
parent electric storage unit deletes the identification
number of the original parent electric storage unit from
20 the list of identification numbers, and transmits its own
identification number to the entire electric storage
units as the identification number of the parent electric
storage unit.
[0068]
25 Hereinafter, a method for charging an electric
storage unit group according to a first embodiment and a
method for supplying and receiving power according to a
first embodiment will be described. However, as
illustrated in a conceptual diagram of Fig. 4(A), the
30 method for supplying and receiving power according to the
•
first embodiment is a method for supplying and receiving
45
SP308709WO00
power, which supplies power from an electric storage unit
group 10 in which a plurality of electric storage units
having rechargeable battery cells are linearly or
reticulately connected, and receives power from a power
5 generator and a power distribution grid (including a
smart grid and a next-generation power distribution grid).
At an upstream side of the electric storage unit group, the electric storage unit group 10 is connected to the |
power generator for charging the electric storage units I
10 through the power distribution grid. At a downstream I
side of the electric storage unit group, the electric I
storage unit group 10 is connected to a load (power |
consuming device) 14. The method for supplying and i
receiving power includes a charging process of: when a |
15 rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric I
storage unit is fully charged, stopping the charging of I;
the single electric storage unit; and charging an I
electric storage unit, connected to a more downstream I
side than the single electric storage unit, through the I
20 single electric storage unit. Also, reference numeral 15 I
denotes wires. I
[0069] I
[Step - 100] I
An electric storage unit llA serving as a parent I;
25 electric storage unit inquires of five child electric I
storage units llB, llC, IID, H E and IIF about completion I
of charge start preparation. When the entire electric I
storage units HA, IIB, IIC, llD, H E and IIF have I
completed the charge start preparation, the charging of f
30 the rechargeable battery cell 30 of the electric storage t
t
unit llA is started. f
z
f
46 I
I
s 1 I
' SP308709WO00
[0070]
In this state, the electric storage unit llA
corresponds to the single electric storage unit. Also,
an electric storage unit having a power input unit 51 I
5 (Bi) connected to a power output unit 53 (A4) of the I
electric storage unit llA is only the electric storage I
unit llB. Therefore, the electric storage unit llB I
corresponds to the electric storage unit connected to the I
more downstream side than the single electric storage I
10 unit. The electric storage unit llA stores IIB as the I
uncharged ID history. Also, the outflow of charging I
power to the electric storage unit llB connected to the I
downstream side of the electric storage unit (single I
electric storage unit) llA is prohibited until the I
15 electric storage unit (single electric storage unit) llA |
is fully charged. Specifically, the outflow of power |
from the power output unit A4 is prohibited. I
[0071] I
[Step - 110] I
20 When the electric storage unit (single electric I
storage unit) llA is fully charged, the charging of the |
I
electric storage unit llA is stopped. The electric |
storage unit llB connected to the more downstream side I
than the electric storage unit (single electric storage I
25 unit) llA is charged through the electric storage unit I
(single electric storage unit) llA. |
[0072] I
Also, before the charging of the electric storage I
unit llB is started, the short circuit of the electric I
30 storage unit (single electric storage unit) llA is set to |
a conduction state. Specifically, the power input unit f
47 I
I
r
k
i ^
I1 '
it
SP308709WO00
Ai and the power output unit A4 are set to a shortcircuit
state.
[0073]
The entire electric storage units store llA as the <.
5 already-charged ID history, and the electric storage unit J
llA selects an electric storage unit, based on the [
content IIB of the uncharged ID history, that is, the ',
electric storage unit llA selects the electric storage
;
unit IIB. Then, the electric storage unit llA starts the |
I
10 charging of the electric storage unit llB, Also, the .
•
full charge of the electric storage unit llA is notified h
to the parent electric storage unit llA. |
[0074] ;
In this state, the electric storage unit llB
15 corresponds to the single electric storage unit. Also, * I electric storage units having power input units 51 (Ci, I I D3) connected to power output units 53 (B4, Bg) of the >,
electric storage unit IIB are the electric storage unit l
i
lie and the electric storage unit IID. Therefore, the •
20 electric storage unit IIC and the electric storage unit
It
1". IID correspond to the electric storage unit connected to
the more downstream side than the single electric storage <
unit. The electric storage unit llB stores llC and IID
as the uncharged ID history. Also, the outflow of
25 charging power to the electric storage unit llC and the
electric storage unit IID connected to the downstream
side of the electric storage unit (single electric I
storage unit) IIB is prohibited until the electric
storage unit (single electric storage unit) llB is fully
30 charged. Specifically, the outflow of power from the
power output units B4 and Bg is prohibited.
\;
48
W SP308709WO00
[0075]
[Step - 120]
When the electric storage unit (single electric j
storage unit) IIB is fully charged, the charging of the j
5 electric storage unit llB is stopped. The electric I
storage unit IIC and the electric storage unit IID j
connected to the more downstream side than the electric I
storage unit (single electric storage unit) llB are |
charged through the electric storage unit (single |
10 electric storage unit) llB. Also, before the charging of 1
the electric storage unit llC and the electric storage |
unit llD is started, the short circuit of the electric I
storage unit (single electric storage unit) IIB is set to |
a conduction state. Specifically, the power input unit |
15 Bi and the power output unit B4 are set to a short- I
circuit state, and the power input unit Bi and the power |
output unit Be are set to a short-circuit state. |
[0076] I
The entire electric storage units store llA and llB I
20 as the already-charged ID history, and the electric I
storage unit llB selects an electric storage unit, based I
on the contents IIC and IID of the uncharged ID history, I
that is, the electric storage unit llB selects the t
electric storage unit IIC and the electric storage unit I
25 IID. Then, the electric storage unit llB notifies the I
parent electric storage unit llA that the electric I
storage unit IIB is fully charged. I
[0077] I
In this state, the electric storage unit IIC and I
30 the electric storage unit llD correspond to the single I
electric storage unit. Also, an electric storage unit I
i
49 I
fc
I.
I
SP308709WO00
having a power input unit 51 (E3) connected to a power
output unit 53 (Ce) of the electric storage unit IIC is
the electric storage unit HE. On the other hand,
electric storage units having power input units 51 (A5,
5 El) connected to power output units 53 {D2, D4) of the j
electric storage unit llD are the electric storage unit j
llA and the electric storage unit H E . j
[0078]
Since llA is contained in the already-charged ID I
10 history stored in the electric storage unit IID, the I
electric storage unit H E corresponds to the electric I
storage unit connected to the more downstream side than I
the single electric storage unit, but the electric I
storage unit H A is excluded from the electric storage j
15 unit connected to the more downstream side than the I
single storage unit. That is, the electric storage unit, I
the charging of which has already been completed, is I
excluded from the electric storage unit connected to the i
more downstream side than the single electric storage |
20 unit. The same is applied to the following description. f
Also, in this manner, it is possible to prevent I
occurrence of charging loop in the charge route. f
[0079] I
As described above, the electric storage unit H E I
25 corresponds to the electric storage unit connected to the I
more downstream side than the single electric storage I
unit. The electric storage unit llC and the electric I
storage unit IID store H E as the uncharged ID history. I
Also, the outflow of charging power to the electric |
30 storage unit H E connected to the downstream side of the I
electric storage unit (single electric storage unit) IIC

CLAIMS
1. An electric storage unit group comprising:
a plurality of electric storage units having
5 rechargeable battery cells and linearly or reticulately
connected,
wherein, at an upstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a power supply for charging the electric
10 storage units, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
15 than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
2. The electric storage unit group according to claim
1, wherein each of the electric storage units includes a
20 short circuit, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, an
electric storage unit connected to a downstream side of
the single electric storage unit is charged through a
25 short circuit of the single electric storage unit.
3. The electric storage unit group according to claim
1, wherein outflow of power to an electric storage unit
connected to a downstream side of the single electric
30 storage unit is prohibited until the single electric
storage unit is fully charged.
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4. The electric storage unit group according to claim
1, wherein the electric storage unit includes:
(A) a housing having a polygonal prism shape;
5 (B) a rechargeable battery cell stored in the
housing;
(C) a charging/discharging control unit stored in
the housing and connected to the rechargeable battery
cell;
10 (D) at least one power input unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit; and
(E) at least one power output unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
15 unit.
5. An electric storage unit group comprising:
a plurality of electric storage units having
rechargeable battery cells and linearly or reticulately
20 connected,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a load, and
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
25 constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
30 started.
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6. The electric storage unit group according to claim
5, wherein each of the electric storage units includes a
short circuit, and
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
5 constituting the single electric storage unit becomes
equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started through a short circuit of the single electric
10 storage unit.
7. The electric storage unit group according to claim
5, wherein a discharging from an electric storage unit
connected to an upstream side of the single electric
15 storage unit is prohibited during discharging from the
single electric storage unit.
8. The electric storage unit group according to claim
5, wherein, at an upstream side of the electric storage
20 unit group, the electric storage unit group is connected
to a power supply for charging an electric storage unit,
and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
25 of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
30 9. The electric storage unit group according to claim
5, wherein the electric storage unit includes:
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SP308709WO00
(A) a housing having a polygonal prism shape;
(B) a rechargeable battery cell stored in the
housing;
(C) a charging/discharging control unit stored in
5 the housing and connected to the rechargeable battery
cell;
(D) at least one power input unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit; and
10 (E) at least one power output unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit,
10. A charger comprising:
15 an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at an upstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
20 connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
11. A charger comprising:
30 an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
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^ SP308709WO00
cells are linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a load, and
5 when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
10 upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started.
12. An electronic device comprising:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
15 of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected; and
an electronic component that receives power from
the electric storage unit group,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
20 connected to a power supply for charging the electric
storage units at an upstream side of the electric storage
unit group, and is connected to the electronic component
at a downstream side of the electric storage unit, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
25 single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
30
13. An electronic device comprising:
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^ SP308709WO00
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected; and
an electronic component that receives power from
5 the electric storage unit group,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to the electronic component, and
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
10 constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
15 started.
14. An electric vehicle comprising:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
20 cells are linearly or reticulately connected;
a power generator; and
a power/driving force converter,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
25 electric storage units at an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and is connected to the
power/driving force converter at a downstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
30 single electric storage unit is fully charged, a charging
of the single electric storage unit is stopped, and an
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^ SP308709WO00
electric storage unit connected to a more downstream side
than the single electric storage unit is charged through
the single electric storage unit.
5 15. An electric vehicle comprising:
an electric storage unit group in which a plurality
of electric storage units having rechargeable battery
cells are linearly or reticulately connected;
a power generator; and
10 a power/driving force converter,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units at an upstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and is connected to the
15 power/driving force converter at a downstream side of the
electric storage unit group, and
when a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell
constituting a single electric storage unit becomes equal
to or lower than a predetermined voltage, a discharging
20 from the single electric storage unit is stopped, and a
discharging of an electric storage unit connected to an
upstream side of the single electric storage unit is
started.
25 16. A method for charging a rechargeable battery cell
in an electric storage unit group in which a plurality of
electric storage units having rechargeable battery cells
are linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at an upstream side of the electric
30 storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a power supply for charging the electric
148
• SP308709WO00
storage units, and
the method comprises a charging process of, when a
rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric
storage unit is fully charged, stopping charging the
5 single electric storage unit, and charging an electric
storage unit connected to a more downstream side than the
single electric storage unit through the single electric
storage unit.
10 17. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 16, wherein the charging process
is repeated until the rechargeable battery cells
constituting the entire electric storage units are fully
charged.
15
18. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 16, wherein each of the electric
storage units includes a short circuit, and
when a rechargeable battery cell constituting the
20 single electric storage unit is fully charged during the
charging process, an electric storage unit connected to a
downstream side of the single electric storage unit is
charged through a short circuit of the single electric
storage unit.
25
19. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 16, wherein outflow of power to
an electric storage unit connected to a downstream side
of the single electric storage unit is prohibited until
30 the single electric storage unit is fully charged.
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SP308709WO00
20. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 16, wherein the electric storage
unit includes:
(A) a housing having a polygonal prism shape;
5 (B) a rechargeable battery cell stored in the
housing;
(C) a charging/discharging control unit stored in
the housing and connected to the rechargeable battery
cell;
10 (D) at least one power input unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit; and
(E) at least one power output unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
15 unit.
21. A method for discharging a rechargeable battery
cell in an electric storage unit group in which a
plurality of electric storage units having rechargeable
20 battery cells are linearly or reticulately connected,
wherein, at a downstream side of the electric
storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is
connected to a load, and
the method comprises a discharging process of, when
25 a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit becomes equal to or lower
than a predetermined voltage, stopping discharging from
the single electric storage unit, and starting
discharging an electric storage unit connected to an
30 upstream side of the single electric storage unit.
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SP308709WO00
22. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 21, wherein the discharging
process is repeated until a voltage of the rechargeable
battery cells constituting the entire electric storage
5 units becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined
voltage.
23. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 21, wherein each of the electric
10 storage units includes a short circuit, and
when a voltage of the rechargeable battery cell
constituting the single electric storage unit becomes
equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage during a
discharging process, a discharging of an electric storage
15 unit connected to an upstream side of the single electric
storage unit is started through a short circuit of the
single electric storage unit.
24. The method for charging an electric storage unit
20 group according to claim 21, wherein a discharging from
an electric storage unit connected to an upstream side of
the single electric storage unit is prohibited during a
discharging from the single electric storage unit.
25 25. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 21, wherein, at an upstream side
of an electric storage unit group, the electric storage
unit group is connected to a power supply for charging an
electric storage unit, and
30 the method comprises a discharging process of, when
a rechargeable battery cell constituting a single
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SP308709WO00
electric storage unit is fully charged, stopping a
charging of the single electric storage unit, and
charging an electric storage unit connected to a more
downstream side than the single electric storage unit
5 through the single electric storage unit.
26. The method for charging an electric storage unit
group according to claim 21, wherein the electric storage
unit includes:
10 (A) a housing having a polygonal prism shape;
(B) a rechargeable battery cell stored in the
housing;
(C) a charging/discharging control unit stored in
the housing and connected to the rechargeable battery
15 cell;
(D) at least one power input unit disposed in the
housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit; and
(E) at least one power output unit disposed in the
2 0 housing and connected to the charging/discharging control
unit.
27. A method for supplying and receiving power, which
supplies power from an electric storage unit group in
25 which a plurality of electric storage units having
rechargeable battery cells are linearly or reticulately
connected, and receives power from a power generator and
a power distribution grid,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
30 connected to the power generator for charging the
electric storage units through the power distribution
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SP308709WO00
grid at an upstream side of the electric storage unit
group, and is connected to a load at a downstream side of
the electric storage unit group, and
the method comprises a charging process of, when a
5 rechargeable battery cell constituting a single electric
storage unit is fully charged, stopping charging the
single electric storage unit, and charging an electric
storage unit connected to a more downstream side than the
single electric storage unit through the single electric
10 storage unit.
28. A method for supplying and receiving power, which
supplies power from an electric storage unit group in
which a plurality of electric storage units having
15 rechargeable battery cells are linearly or reticulately
connected, and receives power from a power generator and
a power distribution grid,
wherein the electric storage unit group is
connected to the power generator for charging the
20 electric storage units through the power distribution
grid at an upstream side of the electric storage unit
group, and is connected to a load at a downstream side of
the electric storage unit group, and
the method comprises a discharging process of, when
25 a voltage of a rechargeable battery cell constituting a
single electric storage unit becomes equal to or lower
than a predetermined voltage, stopping discharging from
the single electric storage unit, and starting
discharging an electric storage unit connected to an
30 upstream side of the single electric storage unit.
153
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SP308709WO00
29. A method for determining a charging/discharging
route in an electric storage unit group, in which a
plurality of electric storage units having rechargeable
battery cells are linearly or reticulately connected; at
5 an upstream side of the electric storage unit group, the
electric storage unit group is connected to a power
supply for charging the electric storage units; and, at a
downstream side of the electric storage unit group, the
electric storage unit group is connected to a load,
10 wherein when the number of electric storage units
constituting the electric storage unit group is N, an Nth
order square matrix A is calculated,
a case where a value of an element [i, j] of the Nth
order square matrix A (where l2, by calculating a minimum km'+i at which an
element [i, km'+i] (where, m'=l, 2, 3..,, m-1, and ki=j)
154
^ SP308709WO0.0
in a matrix A™'"'', which is the (m-m')-th power of the Nth
order square matrix A, and an element [km'+i, km'] in
the N-th order square matrix A are nonzero at the same
time, a k^'+i-th electric storage unit is designated as an
5 electric storage unit that is one ahead of the km'-th
electric storage unit in electric storage units existing
from the i-th electric storage unit to the km'-th
electric storage unit,
the operation is repeated until the value of m'
• 10 becomes (m-1) from 1, and the electric storage units
existing from the i-th electric storage unit to the j-th
electric storage unit are designated, and
the operation is performed on the entire electric
storage units to determine the charging/discharging route
15 from the i-th electric storage unit to the j-th electric
storage unit.