JP7081982B2 - Metal-air battery modules, metal-air battery systems and how to charge metal-air batteries - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a metal-air battery module having a metal-air battery which is a secondary battery, a metal-air battery system having a metal-air battery module and a charger, and a method for charging the metal-air battery.

In recent years, various batteries using chemical reactions of metal for electrodes have been put into practical use, and one of them is a metal-air battery. A metal air battery is composed of an air electrode (positive electrode), a negative electrode, an electrolyte (or an electrolytic solution), etc., and by an electrochemical reaction, zinc, iron, magnesium, aluminum, sodium, calcium, lithium, etc. The electrical energy obtained in the process of converting a metal into a metal oxide is extracted and used.

For example, in a metal-air battery in which zinc is used as the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode, the following reactions occur at the negative electrode and the air electrode during discharge. At the negative electrode, zinc hydroxide, which is the active material of the negative electrode, reacts with hydroxide ions to generate zinc hydroxide, and the emitted electrons flow to the air electrode. The produced zinc hydroxide is decomposed into zinc oxide and water, and water returns to the electrolytic solution. On the other hand, in the air electrode, oxygen contained in the air and electrons flowing from the negative electrode react with water by the air electrode catalyst and change into hydroxide ions. Hydroxide ions conduct ion conduction in the electrolytic solution and reach the negative electrode. Through such a cycle, the metal-air battery utilizes oxygen taken in from the air electrode and realizes continuous power extraction while forming zinc oxide using zinc in the negative electrode as the negative electrode active material.

In a general battery, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte necessary for a reaction are built in a battery (cell), and electric power is taken out from the built-in substance. On the other hand, as described above, the metal-air battery does not contain oxygen, which is a positive electrode active material, in the cell, so that the energy density can be increased by increasing the ratio of other substances. Therefore, in a metal-air battery, the theoretical energy density may be higher than in a lithium-ion battery.

Here, the primary battery of a metal-air battery is often used as a button battery for a hearing aid. On the other hand, regarding the secondary battery of the metal-air battery, there are various problems and research is being conducted. For example, when the secondary battery of a metal-air battery is a two-pole system, there is a problem that even if the negative electrode is regenerated by charging, the air electrode is oxidatively consumed and the service life is shortened. In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a three-pole metal-air battery that does not use an air electrode during charging but uses a third electrode. As a result, in the three-pole type metal-air battery described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to suppress oxidative consumption of the air electrode during charging and prevent the service life from being shortened.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-133328

Further, in the secondary battery of the metal-air battery, there is also a problem that undischarged metal remains in the negative electrode at a place away from the current collector at the time of discharging. Specifically, in the negative electrode, discharge is performed by changing the metal to a metal oxide, but the closer the distance to the current collector, the more likely it is that the change from the metal to the metal oxide will occur, and conversely, the current will be collected. Since a metal located away from the body is unlikely to change to a metal oxide, some metals may be surrounded by the metal oxide and remain as a metal without being discharged. be. When such a phenomenon occurs, there is a problem that the charge capacity of the metal-air battery decreases. Such a problem could not be solved by the metal-air battery described in Patent Document 1.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is a metal-air battery module, metal-air, which can prevent residual undischarged metal in the negative electrode of a metal-air battery and suppress a decrease in charge capacity. It is to provide a metal-air battery system equipped with a battery and a charger as well as a method of charging the metal-air battery.

The metal air battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure is between a plurality of metal air batteries and a positive electrode end and a negative voltage end of an assembled battery to which the plurality of the metal air batteries are connected for discharging the metal air batteries. A module load switch connected in series with the module resistance to connect the metal air battery and the module resistance in order to discharge the provided module resistance and the metal air battery, and the metal air battery. The switch control unit includes a battery voltage detection unit that detects each voltage value and a switch control unit that controls the operation of the module load switch according to the voltage value detected by the battery voltage detection unit . Turns on the module load switch before charging the metal air battery, and the voltage value of any of the metal air batteries detected by the battery voltage detection unit remains in the negative electrode of the metal air battery. The module load switch is turned off when the voltage value for consuming the undischarged metal is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold value set in advance .

As a result, before charging the metal-air battery, the power remaining in the metal-air battery due to the resistance can be consumed and sufficiently discharged before charging can be started. Therefore, the charging capacity of the metal-air battery can be started. Can be suppressed from decreasing. In particular, since the discharge rate can be relatively slowed down by discharging using a resistor, the negative side of the metal air battery is surrounded by metal oxides and is not discharged and remains as metal. It is possible to change the metal into a metal oxide, prevent the undischarged metal from remaining, and suppress the decrease in the charge capacity of the metal air battery. Further, by determining the start or end timing of the discharge and charge according to each voltage value of the metal-air battery, over-discharge and over-charge of the metal-air battery can be prevented, and the charging operation can be efficiently performed in a short time. It can be carried out.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal air battery module, the resistance is a module resistance provided between the positive electrode end and the negative electrode end of the assembled battery to which the plurality of the metal air batteries are connected, and the load switch is the module. A module load switch connected in series with a resistor, wherein the switch control unit turns on the module load switch, and the voltage value of any of the metal air batteries detected by the battery voltage detection unit is a voltage threshold value. In the following cases, the module load switch may be turned off.

As a result, sufficient discharge can be performed at a relatively slow speed before charging, it is possible to prevent the generation of undischarged metal, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity of the metal-air battery.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal air battery module, the resistance is a cell resistance provided between the positive and negative electrodes of each of the plurality of metal air batteries, and the load switch is a plurality of the metal air batteries. It is a cell load switch provided for each cell resistance and connected in series to the cell resistance, and the switch control unit turns on all the cell load switches and the metal detected by the battery voltage detection unit. When the voltage value of the air battery becomes equal to or less than the voltage threshold value, the cell load switch may be turned off for each metal air battery.

As a result, sufficient discharge can be performed at a relatively slow speed before charging each assembled battery to which a plurality of metal-air batteries are connected, preventing the generation of undischarged metal and preventing the metal-air battery from being generated. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal air battery module, the cell resistance provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each of the plurality of the metal air batteries and the cell resistance provided for each of the plurality of the metal air batteries are connected in series with the cell resistance. A connected cell load switch is further provided, and the switch control unit is provided with the metal air battery when the voltage value of each metal air battery becomes equal to or lower than the voltage threshold after the module load switch is turned off. The cell load switch may be turned off.

As a result, sufficient discharge can be performed at a relatively slow speed before charging each assembled battery to which a plurality of metal-air batteries are connected, preventing the generation of undischarged metal and preventing the metal-air battery from being generated. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, a charging switch for connecting a charger arranged externally for charging the metal-air battery and the metal-air battery is further provided, and the switch control unit is described. When the module load switch is turned on and the module load switch is turned off while the charging switch is off, the charging switch may be controlled to be turned on.

As a result, before charging the metal-air battery, the power remaining in the metal-air battery due to the resistance can be consumed and sufficiently discharged before charging can be started. Therefore, the charging capacity of the metal-air battery can be started. Can be suppressed from decreasing.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, a charging switch for connecting an externally arranged charger for charging the metal-air battery and the metal-air battery is further provided, and the charging switch is in a state of being off. When all the cell load switches are turned on and the switch control unit turns off all the cell load switches, the rechargeable battery switch may be controlled to be turned on.

As a result, before charging the metal-air battery, the power remaining in the metal-air battery due to the resistance can be consumed and sufficiently discharged before charging can be started. Therefore, the charging capacity of the metal-air battery can be started. Can be suppressed from decreasing.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, an SOC detection unit for detecting the SOC of the metal-air battery is provided, and the module load switch is turned on and off according to the SOC detected by the SOC detection unit. The upper limit of the elapsed time of may be set.

As a result, the upper limit of the elapsed time from turning the load switch on to turning it off is set according to the SOC, so that over-discharging and over-charging of the metal-air battery can be prevented, and charging operation can be performed in a short time. It can be performed.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, a time measuring unit for measuring the time from the time when the module load switch is turned on is provided, and the switch control unit is the module load switch according to the time measured by the time measuring unit. It may be possible to control the operation of.

As a result, it is possible to determine the timing at which the discharge ends and the charge starts according to the time from the start of the discharge, so that the charging operation can be performed more efficiently.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, a selector that can be operated by an operator to select a charging mode is provided, and when the selector is operated to the quick charging mode, the switch control unit is the module load switch. May be left off.

This allows the operator to select whether or not to perform the discharge operation before charging. For example, when it is necessary to charge the battery in a hurry, it is preferable to omit the discharge operation. Therefore, since it has such a configuration, the metal-air battery module can be charged in a preferable manner depending on the situation.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery module, the plurality of the metal-air batteries may be zinc-air batteries in which the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode, which is the negative electrode, is zinc.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost by using zinc, which is relatively inexpensive.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal air battery module, the plurality of the metal air batteries include an air electrode which is a positive electrode for discharging, a negative electrode, a positive electrode for charging (oxygen generating electrode), and the air electrode and the negative electrode when discharging. It may be a three-pole metal air battery having a charge / discharge changeover switch that electrically connects the positive electrode for charging and the front and negative electrodes at the time of charging.

As a result, it is possible to suppress oxidative consumption of the air electrode during charging and prevent the service life from being shortened.

Further, the metal air battery system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a charging that is connected to a metal air battery module having a plurality of metal air batteries and the metal air battery module to supply power to the metal air battery module. The charger comprises a module resistor for discharging the metal air battery and a module load for connecting the metal air battery and the module resistor in order to discharge the metal air battery. The metal air battery module includes a switch, and the metal air battery module includes a battery voltage detection unit that detects the respective voltage values of the metal air battery, and the module load switch according to the voltage value detected by the battery voltage detection unit. The switch control unit comprises a switch control unit for controlling the above, and the switch control unit turns on the module load switch before the metal air battery is charged, and the switch control unit of the metal air battery detected by the battery voltage detection unit. When any of the voltage values is a voltage value for consuming the undischarged metal remaining in the negative electrode of the metal air battery and is equal to or less than a voltage threshold value which is a preset value, the module load. It is characterized by turning off the switch .

This makes it possible to realize a metal-air battery system capable of consuming the electric power remaining in the metal-air battery due to the module resistance and sufficiently discharging the metal-air battery before charging the metal-air battery. .. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity of the metal-air battery. In particular, since the discharge rate can be relatively slowed down by using a module resistor, undischarged metal that is surrounded by metal oxides and remains as a metal without being discharged is used in the negative electrode of a metal air battery. It can be changed to a metal oxide to prevent undischarged metal from remaining, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity of the metal air battery. Further, by determining the start or end timing of the discharge and charge according to each voltage value of the metal-air battery, the metal-air battery is prevented from being over-discharged or over-charged, and the charging operation is performed in a short time. be able to.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery system, the charger includes a charging switch for being connected to the metal-air battery, and the switch control unit controls the operation of the charging switch to control the operation of the metal -air battery. It may be to control the start of charging of the battery .

As a result, since the charger is equipped with a charging switch, the metal-air battery module can be miniaturized.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery system, either the metal-air battery module or the charger is provided with a selector that can be operated by an operator to select a charging mode, and the selector operates in the quick charging mode. If so, the switch control unit may leave the module load switch off.

This allows the operator to select whether or not to perform the discharge operation before charging. For example, when it is necessary to charge the battery in a hurry, it is preferable to omit the discharge operation. Therefore, since it has such a configuration, the metal-air battery module can be charged in a preferable manner depending on the situation.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery system, the plurality of metal-air batteries may be zinc-air batteries in which the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode is zinc.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost by using zinc, which is relatively inexpensive.

Further, in the above-mentioned metal-air battery system, each of the plurality of metal-air batteries is a three-pole type metal-air battery having an air electrode as a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a positive electrode (oxygen generating electrode) for charging. It may be.

As a result, it is possible to suppress oxidative consumption of the air electrode during charging and prevent the service life from being shortened.

Further, in the method for charging a metal air battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the metal air battery is a negative electrode of the metal air battery by a step of discharging the metal air battery and a step of discharging the metal air battery before charging. It is provided with a step of charging a plurality of the metal air batteries after reaching a predetermined voltage value which is a voltage value for consuming the remaining undischarged metal and is a preset value. It is a feature.

As a result, before charging the metal-air battery, the electric power remaining in the metal-air battery is consumed, and the battery is charged after being sufficiently discharged, so that the charge capacity of the metal-air battery is reduced. Can be suppressed. In addition, the charging operation can be performed efficiently.

According to the present disclosure, a metal-air battery module, a metal-air battery system with a metal-air battery and a charger, and a metal-air battery capable of preventing residual undischarged metal in the negative electrode of the metal-air battery and suppressing a decrease in charge capacity. A charging method can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the zinc-air battery system which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The metal-air battery system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure discharges the metal-air battery at a relatively slow speed before charging, and then charges the metal-air battery. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity of the metal-air battery. In the following embodiment, a zinc-air battery will be described as an example of the metal-air battery.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a zinc-air battery system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the zinc-air battery module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, the configuration of the zinc-air battery system 300 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the zinc-air battery system 300 includes a zinc-air battery module 100 and a charger 200. The charger 200 has a power source 6, and the zinc-air battery module 100 is charged by supplying electric power from the power source 6. When charging, the positive electrode terminal 201 of the charger 200 and the positive electrode terminal 101 of the zinc-air battery module 100 are connected, and the negative electrode terminal 202 of the charger 200 and the negative electrode terminal 102 of the zinc-air battery module 100 are connected. Be connected.

The zinc air battery module 100 includes a control unit 1 that controls the operation of the zinc air battery module 100, a first battery 2 and a second battery 3 that are zinc air batteries and are connected in series with each other, a first battery 2, and a first battery 2. In the assembled battery to which the second battery 3 is connected, the module resistance 4 connected between the positive and negative ends of the assembled battery, and the positive end and zinc of the assembled battery to which the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are connected. A charging switch SW1 arranged between the positive terminal 101 of the air battery module 100, a module load switch SW2 connected in series with the module resistor 4, and a charge for switching electrodes during charging and discharging of the first battery 2. The discharge changeover switch SW3, the charge / discharge changeover switch SW4 that switches the electrodes when the second battery 3 is charged and discharged, the negative end of the assembled battery to which the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are connected, and the zinc air battery module. It is provided with an SOC (State of Charge: a value reflecting the battery capacity of a metal air battery) measurement resistance 5 arranged between the negative terminal 102 of 100 and the negative terminal 102.

The first battery 2 is a zinc-air battery which is a kind of metal-air battery, and has an air electrode 21 which is a positive electrode for discharging, a negative electrode 23 containing a negative electrode active material, and a positive electrode (oxygen generating electrode) 22 for charging. I have. The second battery 3 is a zinc-air battery which is a kind of metal-air battery, and has an air electrode 31 which is a positive electrode for discharging, a negative electrode 33 containing a negative electrode active material, and a positive electrode (oxygen generating electrode) for charging. It has 32 and. The negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrodes 23 and 33 is zinc.

The module resistance 4 is a resistance for discharging the first battery 2 and the second battery 3, and has a resistance value such that these discharges are performed at a relatively slow speed. It may be a variable resistor or a fixed resistor. The resistance value of the module resistance 4 is 1 × NΩ or more and 200 × NΩ or less, more preferably 2 × NΩ or more and 80 × NΩ or less when the number of batteries included in the assembled battery is N. Choose a value. By setting it to 1 × NΩ or more, the current value flowing through one battery (hereinafter, may be referred to as a single cell) included in the assembled battery can be reduced, so that the conversion rate of undischarged zinc to zinc oxide is increased. Further, by setting the value to 200 × NΩ or less, it is possible to prevent the current value flowing through the single cell from becoming too small and taking a long time for refresh discharge.

The charging switch SW1 is a switch for charging the zinc air battery module 100, and is a charging switch SW1 in a state where the positive electrode terminal 101 and the positive electrode terminal 201 are connected and the negative electrode terminal 102 and the negative electrode terminal 202 are connected. When is turned on, a voltage is applied to the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 to charge the battery. Further, when the charging switch SW1 is turned off, the zinc-air battery module 100 and the charger 200 are not electrically connected, so that charging is not performed. In FIG. 1, the charging switch SW1 is arranged between the positive electrode end of the assembled battery and the positive electrode terminal 101 of the zinc-air battery module 100, but may be arranged in the current path of the zinc-air battery module 100, for example, assembling. It may be arranged between the negative electrode end of the battery and the negative electrode terminal 102 of the zinc air battery module 100.

The module load switch SW2 is a switch for discharging the first battery 2 and the second battery 3, and when the charge switch SW1 is off and the module load switch SW2 is on, the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are turned on. And the module resistor 4 are connected in series, and the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are discharged. Further, when the module load switch SW2 is turned off, the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are not connected to the module resistance 4, so that the module resistance 4 does not discharge.

The charge / discharge changeover switch SW3 is connected to the positive electrode 22 for charging so that the positive electrode 22 for charging is used when the first battery 2 charges, and the air electrode 21 is used as the positive electrode for discharging when discharging. It is connected to the air electrode 21 as described above.

The charge / discharge changeover switch SW4 is connected to the positive electrode 32 for charging so that the positive electrode 32 for charging is used when the second battery 3 charges, and the air electrode 31 is used as the positive electrode for discharging when discharging. It is connected to the air electrode 31 as described above.

The SOC measurement resistance 5 is a resistance for detecting the charge capacity and the like of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3. In FIG. 1, the SOC measurement resistance 5 is arranged between the negative electrode end of the assembled battery and the negative electrode terminal 102 of the zinc-air battery module 100, but may be arranged in the current path of the zinc-air battery module 100, for example. It may be arranged between the positive electrode end of the assembled battery and the positive electrode terminal 101 of the zinc air battery module 100.

The power supply 6 of the charger 200 may be a DC power supply. Those equipped with a converter that is connected to an AC power source and converts AC into a power source, or batteries can be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 1 is an electronic circuit such as a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a microcomputer (microcontroller) in which a processor and a storage element such as a memory are mixedly mounted. be. The control unit 1 includes a switch control unit 11, a battery voltage detection unit 12 that detects the overall voltage value of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3, and a voltage value for each battery, and the first battery 2 and the second battery 3. It is provided with a charge capacity detecting unit 13 for detecting the charge capacity of the above.

The control unit 1 is connected to the first battery 2 and the second battery 3, and the battery voltage detection unit 12 detects the voltage values of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3.

Further, the control unit 1 is connected to the SOC measurement resistance 5, and the charge capacity detection unit 13 acquires the potential difference between both ends of the SOC measurement resistance 5, and the first battery 2 is based on the resistance value of the SOC measurement resistance 5 and the like. And the charge capacity of the second battery 3 is detected.

The switch control unit 11 determines the operation of the charge switch SW1 and the module load switch SW2 based on the voltage value, the charge capacity, etc. detected by the battery voltage detection unit 12 and the charge capacity detection unit 13, and determines the operation of the charge switch SW1 and the module load. Controls the on / off of the switch SW2. Further, the switch control unit 11 determines the electrodes used as the positive electrodes in the charge / discharge changeover switch SW3 and the charge / discharge changeover switch SW4, and controls the switching of these electrodes. The switch control unit 11 may consider the resistance value of the module resistance 4 and the resistance value of the SOC measurement resistance 5 in determining the operation of the charge switch SW1 and the module load switch SW2.

Next, the operation in the zinc-air battery system 300 will be described. When charging the zinc-air battery module 100 in the zinc-air battery system 300, FIG. 3 shows a state in which the positive electrode terminal 101 and the positive electrode terminal 201 are connected and the negative electrode terminal 102 and the negative electrode terminal 202 are connected. As described above, the switch control unit 11 switches the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 to the discharge side (step S102). Specifically, the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are connected to the air electrodes 21 and 31 so that the air electrodes 21 and 31 are used as the positive electrodes. At this time, the charge switch SW1 is off.

Next, the switch control unit 11 turns on the module load switch SW2 (step S103). As a result, the first battery and the second battery are discharged (refreshed) at a low current density. Therefore, the unreacted zinc that cannot be discharged and remains in the negative electrodes 23 and 33 can be converted into zinc oxide by discharging at a low current density. It is determined whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V1 (step S104). If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2 nor the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V1 (step S104: No), step S104 is repeated. When the voltage value of either the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S104: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S105) and charges the battery. The discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401). Specifically, the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are connected to the positive electrodes 22 and 32 for charging so that the positive electrodes 22 and 32 for charging are used. Then, the charging switch SW1 is turned on (step S402), and charging is started.

After charging is started, the switch control unit 11 determines whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is equal to or higher than the voltage threshold value V2 (step S403). When the voltage value of either the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is equal to or higher than the voltage threshold value V2 (step S403: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the charging switch SW1 (step S405) to charge the battery. To finish. If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is equal to or higher than the voltage threshold value V2 (step S403: No), the charge capacity of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is equal to or higher than the charge capacity threshold value Q1. It is determined whether or not there is (step S404). When the charge capacity of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is equal to or greater than the charge capacity threshold value Q1 (step S404: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the charge switch SW1 (step S405) to end charging. do. If the charge capacity of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is not equal to or greater than the charge capacity threshold value Q1 (step S404: No), the process returns to step S403.

The zinc-air battery system 300 according to the first embodiment has been described above. According to the zinc-air battery system 300, unreacted zinc that cannot be discharged and remains in the negative electrode 23 can be converted into zinc oxide by discharging (refreshing) at a low current density. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charge capacity of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3.

That is, according to the zinc air battery system 300, unreacted zinc remaining in the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is consumed by the module resistance 4 before charging the first battery 2 and the second battery 3. After the battery is sufficiently discharged, charging can be started. In particular, since the discharge rate can be relatively slowed down by using the module resistance 4, the current collectors of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are surrounded by zinc oxide and remain as zinc without being discharged. It is possible to prevent the remaining portion from being generated and suppress the decrease in the charge capacity of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3. Further, by determining the start or end timing of discharging and charging according to the voltage values of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3, over-discharging and over-charging of the metal-air battery can be prevented and charging can be performed in a short time. Can perform actions.

Further, the voltage threshold value V1, the voltage threshold value V2, and the charge capacity threshold value Q1 may be appropriately set to preferable values according to the performance of the zinc-air battery and the like. In the zinc-air battery system, two zinc-air batteries are used, but the number of zinc-air batteries is not limited to two and may be other than two.

In particular, in the case of the negative electrode 23 containing zinc as an active material, considering that Sn plating is generally used for the current collector of the negative electrode 23, when the negative electrode 23 is polarized by 0.4 V or more, Sn plating is performed. May be oxidatively dissolved. Further, in a zinc-air battery, the discharge voltage drops sharply when the amount of zinc that can contribute to the battery reaction decreases. Under these conditions, the zinc is discharged even though the amount of zinc available for the battery reaction is small, so that the current is concentrated on the available zinc and the local current density on the zinc surface increases, resulting in zinc. A non-guided coating may be formed on the surface, and the non-guided coating is difficult to reduce to zinc. Considering these, the voltage threshold value V1 is preferably about 0.6V, more preferably about 0.8V.

(Second Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. do. The circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment is the same as the circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system 300 according to the first embodiment, but the time from when the module load switch is turned on is measured in the control unit. The difference is that it has a timing unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the zinc-air battery module according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 1a includes a switch control unit 11, a battery voltage detection unit 12, a charge capacity detection unit 13, and a time measuring unit 14 which is a timer for measuring time. ..

The timekeeping unit 14 measures the time from the time when the switch control unit 11 turns on the module load switch SW2, and outputs the measured time to the switch control unit 11.

The operation in the zinc-air battery system 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows that step S106 is added between steps S104 and S105 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the rest is the same as that of FIG. Therefore, only the operations in S104 to S105 will be described, and the description of other operations will be omitted.

The switch control unit 11 determines whether the voltage value of either the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S104), and determines which voltage of the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is. If the value is not equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S104: No), it is determined whether the time measured by the metering unit 14, that is, the time from the time when the module load switch SW2 is turned on is equal to or greater than the time threshold T1. (Step S106). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is equal to or longer than the time threshold value T1 (step S106: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S105). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is not equal to or longer than the time threshold value T1 (step S106: No), the process returns to step S104.

When the voltage value of either the first battery 2 or the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V1 (step S104: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S105). ).

The zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment has been described above. In the zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment, in determining the timing at which discharging is completed and charging is started, not only the determination is made based on the voltage value of each battery, but also the elapsed time from the time when discharging is started. Also, the timing to start charging is determined. This makes it possible to limit the discharge time before charging. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the discharge takes too long and the convenience of the operator is impaired. The time threshold value T1 may be determined in consideration of the time required for charging and the like.

(Third Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. do. The zinc-air battery system according to the third embodiment is different from the zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment in that it includes a selector, and is the same as the zinc-air battery system according to the second embodiment except for that.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the zinc-air battery system 300a according to the third embodiment, the point that the zinc-air battery module 100a includes the selector 7 is that the zinc-air battery system 300 and the zinc-air battery module 100 shown in FIG. 1 are different. Other than this configuration, the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The zinc-air battery module 100a includes a selector 7. Here, the selector 7 is operated by the operator. By operating the selector 7, the operator can select either a quick charge mode in which the charging speed is increased or a normal charging mode in which charging is performed at a normal speed. The selector 7 is connected to the control unit 1a, and the mode selected by the operator is output to the control unit 1a.

The operation in the zinc-air battery system 300a will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 5 except that it is added to determine whether or not the quick charge mode is selected in the selector 7 immediately after the start in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (step S100). Therefore, only step S100 will be described. When charging the zinc-air battery module 100a in the zinc-air battery system 300a, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the positive electrode terminal 101 and the positive electrode terminal 201 are connected, and the negative electrode terminal 102 and the negative electrode terminal 202 are connected. As described above, it is determined whether or not the quick charge mode is selected in the selector 7 (step S100). When the quick charge mode is selected by the selector 7, the quick charge mode is ON (step S100: ON), and step S401 is performed. Further, when the normal charge mode is selected by the selector 7, the quick charge mode is OFF (step S100: OFF), and step S102 is performed. Others are the same as in FIG.

Specifically, when the operator selects the quick charge mode by operating the selector 7, steps S102 to S105 are not performed and discharge is not performed. Therefore, the battery is not discharged before charging, and the charging time is shortened accordingly. If the operator has selected the normal charging mode by operating the selector 7, steps S102 to S105 are performed, and discharging is performed before charging.

The zinc-air battery system according to the third embodiment has been described above, but since the operator can determine whether or not to discharge before charging by having such a configuration, charging is performed according to the situation. The time can be shortened and the convenience of the operator can be prevented from being impaired.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. do. The circuit configuration of the zinc air battery system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the circuit configuration of the zinc air battery system 300a according to the third embodiment, but the SOC is determined by the control unit based on the output from the SOC measurement resistance 5. The difference is that it is provided with an SOC detection unit for detection.

Here, the SOC is specifically a value that reflects the ratio of metallic zinc in the negative electrode active materials contained in the negative electrodes 23 and 33. That is, when the ratio of metallic zinc in the negative electrode active material is 100%, the SOC is 100%, and when the ratio of metallic zinc is 0%, the SOC is 0%.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 1b of the zinc-air battery module according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 1b includes a switch control unit 11, a battery voltage detection unit 12, a charge capacity detection unit 13, a timekeeping unit 14, and SOCs of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3. It includes an SOC detection unit 15 for detecting. The SOC detection unit 15 outputs the detected SOC to the switch control unit 11.

The operation in the zinc-air battery system 300a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows that step S101 is added between steps S100 and S102 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and a step in the case of “No” in step S101 is added, and the other steps are the same as in FIG. 7. .. Therefore, only the added operation will be described, and the description of other operations will be omitted.

When the normal charging mode is selected by the selector 7 (step S100: OFF), it is determined whether the value of the SOC detected by the SOC detection unit 15 is equal to or less than the SOC first threshold value S1% (step S101). When the SOC value is SOC first threshold value S1% or less (step S101: YES), the switch control unit 11 switches the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 to the discharge side (step S102).

When the SOC value is not the SOC threshold value S1% or less (step S101: No), it is determined whether the SOC value is the threshold value S2% or more (step S201). When the SOC value is not the SOC threshold value S2% or more (step S201: No), the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401).

When the SOC value is the SOC second threshold value S2% or more (step S201: Yes), the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the discharge side (step S202). Next, the switch control unit 11 turns on the module load switch SW2 (step S203), and determines whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V1 (step S204). ). If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2 nor the second battery 3 is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V1 (step S204: No), the time from when the module load switch SW2 measured by the time measuring unit 14 is turned on. Is equal to or greater than the time threshold T2 (step S206). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is equal to or longer than the time threshold value T2 (step S206: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S205) and charges the charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4. Switch to the side (step S401). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is not equal to or longer than the time threshold value T2 (step S206: No), the process returns to step S204. When the voltage values of both the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S204: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S205) and charges the battery. The discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401).

Although the zinc-air battery system 300a according to the fourth embodiment has been described above, the time threshold T2, the SOC threshold S1 and the SOC threshold S2 may be appropriately set to preferable values according to the performance of the zinc-air battery and the like. For example, the SOC threshold S1 is smaller than the SOC threshold S2, the SOC threshold S1 is preferably 5 to 10%, and the SOC threshold S2 is preferably 40 to 50%. In the zinc-air battery system 300a according to the fourth embodiment, when the SOC is larger than the SOC threshold S1 and smaller than the SOC threshold S2, charging is performed without discharging. If the SOC is equal to or less than the SOC threshold value S1, discharging is performed before charging. This is because when the SOC is as small as 5 to 10%, the time required for refresh discharge can be shortened, and in order to prevent the charge capacity from decreasing after the charge / discharge cycle elapses, the negative electrodes 23 and 33 cannot be discharged and remain. This is because even if the operation of changing the unreacted zinc to zinc oxide is performed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the discharge takes too long and the convenience of the operator is impaired. When the SOC is equal to or higher than the SOC threshold value S2, discharging is performed before charging. This is because when the SOC is as high as 40 to 50%, the accumulation of unreacted zinc that cannot be discharged and remains in the negative electrodes 23 and 33 is progressing, and the charge capacity is about to decrease, so that the refresh discharge is performed. Therefore, it is possible to perform an operation of changing unreacted zinc to zinc oxide and prevent a decrease in charge capacity. By these operations based on the SOC, the SOCs of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are kept within a predetermined range, and the charging capacities of the first battery 2 and the second battery 3 are stabilized.

In the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that the SOC is equal to or less than the threshold value S1 (step S101: Yes), the process proceeds to the step of S102, and when it is determined that the SOC is equal to or greater than the threshold value S2 (step S201: Yes). Yes), the flowchart for shifting to the step of S202 is illustrated, but as another embodiment, when it is determined that the SOC is equal to or less than the threshold value S1, the process shifts to S401 without shifting to the step of S102, or If it is determined that the SOC is equal to or higher than the threshold value S2, the operation of the refresh discharge based on the determination of the threshold value S1 or the threshold value S2 of the SOC is omitted, such as shifting to the S401 without shifting to the step of S202. There may be.

(Fifth Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. do. The zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment has a different configuration of the first battery and the second battery from the zinc-air battery system 300 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the zinc-air battery module 100b of the zinc-air battery system 300b, the first battery 2a is a cell load 24 connected between the air electrode 21 and the negative electrode 23 to the first battery 2 in FIG. And the cell load switch SW52 connected in series with the cell load 24. Further, the second battery 3a has a cell load 34 connected between the air electrode 31 and the negative electrode 33 and a cell load switch SW53 connected in series with the cell load 34 to the second battery 3 in FIG. It is a prepared configuration. Due to such a configuration, when the cell load switch SW52 is turned on, the air electrode 21 and the negative electrode 23 are connected via the cell load 24. Further, when the cell load switch SW53 is turned on, the air electrode 31 and the negative electrode 33 are connected via the cell load 34. Further, the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 are connected to the control unit 1. The cell loads 24 and 34 may be variable resistors or fixed resistors.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 1 includes a switch control unit 11, a battery voltage detection unit 12, and a charge capacity detection unit 13, but the switch control unit 11 includes a charge switch SW1 and a module. The cell load switch SW52 and the cell load are based on the voltage value, charge capacity, etc. detected by the battery voltage detection unit 12 and the charge capacity detection unit 13, as well as the load switch SW2, charge / discharge changeover switch SW3, and charge / discharge changeover switch SW4. The operation of the switch SW53 is determined to control the on / off of the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53.

Next, the operation in the zinc-air battery system 300b will be described. FIG. 11 shows that steps S301 to S304 are added between steps S105 and S401 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the other steps are the same as in FIG. Therefore, only the operations in S105 to S401 will be described, and the description of other operations will be omitted.

The switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S105), and turns on the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 (step S301). Then, the switch control unit 11 determines whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302), and any one of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a. When the voltage value of is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302: Yes), the cell load switch SW52 (SW53) in the battery 2a (3a) whose voltage value is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 is turned off (step S303). If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2a nor the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V3 (step S302: No), step S302 is performed again until the voltage value of any of the batteries becomes the voltage threshold value V3 or less. Step S302 is repeated.

After step S303, it is determined whether all the cell load switches SW52 and SW53 are turned off (step S304), and if both the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 are off (step S304: Yes). The charge / discharge changeover switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401). If either the cell load switch SW52 or the cell load switch SW53 is not off (step S304: No), the process returns to step S302. That is, wait until a battery whose voltage value becomes the voltage threshold V3 or less is generated, turn off the cell load switch of the battery whose voltage value becomes the voltage threshold V3 or less, and charge when the cell load switch of all the batteries is turned off. Switch the discharge changeover switch to the charging side.

According to the zinc-air battery system 300b according to the fifth embodiment, after discharging by turning on the module load switch SW2, discharging for each battery by turning on the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53. Therefore, it is possible to discharge at a lower current density, and the conversion rate of unreacted residual zinc to zinc oxide is increased. Further, when discharging in two stages in this way, the discharging performed for each battery by turning on the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 is more than the discharging performed by turning on the module load switch SW2. It is preferable that the current value flowing through each battery becomes smaller. This is because the undischarged zinc that cannot be changed to zinc oxide and remains in the negative electrodes 23 and 33 even in the discharge performed by turning on the module load switch SW2 is removed from the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53. This is because it is possible to change to zinc oxide by discharging with a smaller current value in the discharge performed for each single cell by turning on. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the resistance values of the module resistance 4, the cell load 24, and the cell load 34 so as to obtain such a current value. As the resistance values of the cell loads 24 and 34, it is preferable to select a resistance value of 1 Ω or more and 200 Ω or less, more preferably 2 Ω or more and 80 Ω or less. By setting it to 1Ω or more, the current value flowing through the single cell can be reduced, so that the conversion rate of undischarged zinc to zinc oxide increases. Further, by setting it to 200Ω or less, it is possible to suppress that the current value flowing through the single cell becomes too small and the refresh discharge takes a long time. Further, the resistance values of the cell loads 24 and 34 are preferably less than 1/N of the resistance value of the module resistor 4 when the number of batteries included in the assembled battery is N. By making the resistance value of the module resistance 4 less than 1/N, the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 are turned on for each single cell rather than the discharge performed by turning on the module load switch SW2. The current value flowing through each single cell can be reduced in the discharge performed.

Although the zinc-air battery system 300b according to the fifth embodiment has been described above, the voltage threshold V3 may be appropriately set to a preferable value according to the performance of the zinc-air battery and the like. For example, the voltage threshold value V3 may be the same value as the voltage threshold value V1 and may be 0.6V or 0.8V. Further, the two values may be different so that the voltage threshold value V1 is 0.6V and the voltage threshold value V3 is 0.8V, but it is preferable that the voltage threshold value V3 is larger than the voltage threshold value V1. This makes the current value flowing through each battery smaller in the refresh discharge performed for each battery by turning on the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 than the discharge performed by turning on the module load switch SW2. This is because the degree of voltage drop of each of the zinc-air batteries 24 and 34 becomes small.

(Sixth Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. do. The zinc-air battery system according to the sixth embodiment is different from the zinc-air battery system 300b according to the fifth embodiment in that it does not have a module resistor and a module load switch.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 12, the zinc-air battery module 100c of the zinc-air battery system 300c does not have a module resistance and a module load switch.

Next, the operation in the zinc-air battery system 300b will be described. FIG. 13 is obtained by deleting steps S102 to S105 from the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, when charging the zinc-air battery module 100c in the zinc-air battery system 300c, the cell load is in a state where the positive electrode terminal 101 and the positive electrode terminal 201 are connected and the negative electrode terminal 102 and the negative electrode terminal 202 are connected. The switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 are turned on (step S301). The following operation is the same as in FIG.

(7th Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. do. Further, other than the zinc-air battery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, the same components and operations as those of the zinc-air battery system according to the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described. Omit.

The zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment is different from the zinc-air battery system 300b according to the fifth embodiment in that it includes a selector. Further, the control unit of the zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment is different from the control unit 1 of the zinc-air battery system 300b according to the fifth embodiment in that it has a timing unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the zinc-air battery module according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the zinc-air battery system 300d according to the seventh embodiment, the point where the zinc-air battery module 100d includes the selector 7 and the point where the control unit 1b is provided instead of the control unit 1 are shown in FIG. It is different from the zinc-air battery system 300b and the zinc-air battery module 100b. Here, since the selector 7 and the control unit 1b are described in the third embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation in the zinc-air battery system 300d will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B. 15A and 15B are obtained by adding a new process to the flowchart of FIG. 9, and therefore, the parts different from those of FIG. 9 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15A, when the voltage value of either the first battery 2a or the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S104: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2. (Step S107), and further turn on the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 (step S301). Then, the switch control unit 11 determines whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302), and any one of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a. When the voltage value of is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302: Yes), the cell load switch SW52 (SW53) in the battery 2a (3a) whose voltage value is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 is turned off (step S303). If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2a nor the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V3 (step S302: No), the time measured by the time measuring unit 14, that is, from the time when the module load switch SW2 is turned on. It is determined whether or not the time of is equal to or greater than the time threshold T3 (step S305). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is the time threshold T3 or more (step S305: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 (step S306) to switch between charging and discharging. The switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is not equal to or longer than the time threshold value T3 (step S305: No), the process returns to step S302.

If the voltage value of either the first battery 2a or the second battery 3a is also equal to or less than the voltage threshold V1 (step S204: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the module load switch SW2 (step S207). Further, the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 are turned on (step S301). Then, the switch control unit 11 determines whether the voltage value of any of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302), and any one of the first battery 2a and the second battery 3a. When the voltage value of is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 (step S302: Yes), the cell load switch SW52 (SW53) in the battery 2a (3a) whose voltage value is equal to or less than the voltage threshold V3 is turned off (step S303). If neither the voltage value of the first battery 2a nor the second battery 3a is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value V3 (step S302: No), the time measured by the time measuring unit 14, that is, from the time when the module load switch SW2 is turned on. It is determined whether or not the time of is equal to or greater than the time threshold T3 (step S305). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is the time threshold T3 or more (step S305: Yes), the switch control unit 11 turns off the cell load switch SW52 and the cell load switch SW53 (step S306) to switch between charging and discharging. The switches SW3 and SW4 are switched to the charging side (step S401). If the time measured by the timekeeping unit 14 is not equal to or longer than the time threshold value T3 (step S305: No), the process returns to step S302.

(8th Embodiment)
Although the zinc-air battery system according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present disclosure has been described, the zinc-air battery module may have each battery, an SOC measurement resistance, and a control unit, and has a configuration other than these. May be provided externally instead of the zinc-air battery module. For example, the charger may have these configurations.

The zinc-air battery system according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same reference numerals will be given to the same configurations as the zinc-air battery system according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description thereof will be omitted. ..

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 16, the zinc-air battery system 300e according to the eighth embodiment includes a zinc-air battery module 100e and a charger 200a. Further, the zinc-air battery module 100e includes a control unit 1, a first battery 2a, a second battery 3a, and an SOC measurement resistance 5. The charger 200a includes a power supply 6, a charging switch SW1 connected in series with the power supply 6, a module resistor 4 connected in parallel with the power supply 6, and a module load switch SW2 connected in series with the module resistor 4. It is equipped with a selector 7. Further, the zinc-air battery module 100e includes a first terminal 103, a second terminal 104, and a third terminal 105, and the charger 200a includes a first terminal 203, a second terminal 204, and a third terminal 205 corresponding to these. There is. These are connected when charging. By connecting the first terminal 103 and the first terminal 203, the control unit 1 and the charging switch SW1 are connected. Further, the control unit 1 and the module load switch SW2 are connected by connecting the second terminal 104 and the second terminal 204. Further, the control unit 1 and the selector 7 are connected by connecting the third terminal 105 and the third terminal 205. The connection between the first terminal 103 and the first terminal 203, the connection between the second terminal 104 and the second terminal 204, and the connection between the third terminal 104 and the second terminal 204 may be wired or wireless. ..

Since the charger 200a includes the charging switch SW1, the module resistance 4, the module load switch SW2, and the selector 7, the zinc-air battery module 100e can be miniaturized.

The operation of the zinc-air battery system 300e according to the eighth embodiment may be the same as that of the zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment, for example.

(9th Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same reference numerals will be given to the same configurations as the zinc-air battery system according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description thereof will be omitted. ..

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 17, the zinc-air battery system 300f according to the ninth embodiment includes a zinc-air battery module 100f and a charger 200b. Further, the zinc air battery module 100f includes a control unit 1, a first battery 2a, a second battery 3a, an SOC measurement resistance 5, a module resistance 4, and a module load switch SW2 connected in series with the module resistance 4. And a selector 7. The charger 200b includes a power supply 6 and a charging switch SW1 connected in series with the power supply 6.

Since the charger 200b includes the charging switch SW1, the zinc-air battery module 100f can be miniaturized.

The operation of the zinc-air battery system 300f according to the ninth embodiment may be the same as that of the zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment, for example.

(10th Embodiment)
The zinc-air battery system according to the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the same reference numerals will be given to the same configurations as the zinc-air battery system according to the first to seventh embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description thereof will be omitted. ..

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the zinc-air battery system according to the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 18, the zinc-air battery system 300 g according to the eighth embodiment includes a zinc-air battery module 100 g and a charger 200 c. Further, the zinc-air battery module 100 g includes a control unit 1, a first battery 2a, a second battery 3a, an SOC measurement resistance 5, and a selector 7. The charger 200b includes a power supply 6, a charging switch SW1 connected in series with the power supply 6, a module resistor 4 connected in parallel with the power supply 6, and a module load switch SW2 connected in series with the module resistor 4. It is equipped with.

Since the charger 200c includes a charging switch SW1, a module resistance 4, and a module load switch SW2, the zinc-air battery module 100g can be miniaturized.

The operation of the zinc-air battery system 300 g according to the tenth embodiment may be the same as that of the zinc-air battery system according to the seventh embodiment, for example.

(Other embodiments)
In this embodiment, a zinc-air battery is used as the metal-air battery, but other metal-air batteries may be used. For example, the metal-air battery may be one that uses iron, magnesium, aluminum, sodium, calcium, lithium, or the like as the negative electrode active material.

Further, in the present embodiment, a 3-pole zinc-air battery is used, but a 2-pole type may be used. In the case of the two-pole type, an air electrode is used for the positive electrode in both charging and discharging, and switching of the positive electrode in charging and discharging becomes unnecessary.

Further, the circuit configurations of the zinc-air battery module and the charger shown in the present embodiment are not limited to these, and can be appropriately changed.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, such embodiments are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by the scope of claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure.

1, 1a, 1b Control unit 2, 2a 1st battery (metal-air battery)
3, 3a 2nd battery (metal-air battery)
4 Module resistance 5 SOC measurement resistance 6 Power supply 7 Selector 11 Switch control unit 12 Battery voltage detection unit 13 Charge capacity detection unit 14 Time measurement unit 15 SOC detection unit 21, 31 Air electrode 22, 32 Positive electrode for charging 23, 33 Negative electrode 24, 34 Cell load (module resistance)
100, 100a, 100b, 100c Zinc-air battery module (metal-air battery module)
101, 201 Positive electrode terminal 102, 202 Negative electrode terminal 103, 203 First terminal 104, 204 Second terminal 105, 205 Third terminal 200 Charger 300, 300a, 300b, 300c Zinc-air battery system (metal-air battery system)
SW1 Charge switch SW2 Module load switch SW3, SW4 Charge / discharge changeover switch SW52, SW53 Cell load switch (module load switch)

Claims (14)

With multiple metal-air batteries,
A module resistor provided between the positive electrode end and the negative electrode end of the assembled battery to which the plurality of the metal-air batteries are connected for discharging the metal-air battery, and
In order to connect the metal-air battery and the module resistance in order to discharge the metal-air battery , a module load switch connected in series with the module resistance and
A battery voltage detector that detects each voltage value of the metal-air battery,
A switch control unit that controls the operation of the module load switch according to the voltage value detected by the battery voltage detection unit is provided .
The switch control unit turns on the module load switch before the metal air battery is charged, and the voltage value of any of the metal air batteries detected by the battery voltage detection unit is the metal air battery. The module load switch is turned off when the voltage value for consuming the undischarged metal remaining in the negative electrode of the above is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value set in advance . Metal air battery module. The metal-air battery module according to claim 1 .
The cell resistance provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each of the plurality of metal-air batteries,
Further equipped with a cell load switch provided for each of the plurality of the metal-air batteries and connected in series with the cell resistance.
After turning off the module load switch, the switch control unit turns off the cell load switch for each metal-air battery when the voltage value of each metal-air battery becomes equal to or less than the voltage threshold. A metal-air battery module characterized by that. The metal-air battery module according to claim 1 .
Further, a charging switch for connecting a charger arranged externally for charging the metal-air battery and the metal-air battery is provided.
The switch control unit turns on the module load switch while the charge switch is off.
A metal-air battery module characterized in that when the module load switch is turned off, the charging switch is controlled to be turned on. The metal-air battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .
It is provided with an SOC detection unit that detects the SOC of the metal-air battery.
A metal-air battery module characterized in that an upper limit value of an elapsed time from turning on the module load switch to turning it off is set according to the SOC detected by the SOC detection unit. The metal-air battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
It is equipped with a timekeeping unit that measures the time from when the module load switch is turned on.
The switch control unit is a metal-air battery module characterized in that the operation of the module load switch is controlled according to the time measured by the time measuring unit. The metal-air battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
Equipped with an operator-operable selector to select the charging mode
A metal-air battery module characterized in that when the selector is operated to the quick charge mode, the switch control unit leaves the module load switch off. The metal-air battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .
The metal-air battery module is characterized in that the plurality of metal-air batteries are zinc-air batteries in which the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode is zinc. The metal-air battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .
The plurality of metal-air batteries include an air electrode which is a positive electrode for discharging, a negative electrode, and a positive electrode for charging.
A three-pole metal air battery having a charge / discharge changeover switch that electrically connects the air electrode and the negative electrode at the time of discharging and electrically connects the positive electrode for charging and the front negative electrode at the time of charging. A metal air battery module featuring. A metal-air battery module with multiple metal-air batteries ,
A charger, which is connected to the metal-air battery module and supplies power to the metal-air battery module, is provided.
The charger is
The module resistance for discharging the metal-air battery and
In order to discharge the metal-air battery, a module load switch for connecting the metal-air battery and the module resistance is provided.
The metal-air battery module is
A battery voltage detector that detects each voltage value of the metal-air battery,
A switch control unit that controls the module load switch according to the voltage value detected by the battery voltage detection unit is provided .
The switch control unit turns on the module load switch before the metal air battery is charged, and the voltage value of any of the metal air batteries detected by the battery voltage detection unit is the metal air battery. The module load switch is turned off when the voltage value for consuming the undischarged metal remaining in the negative electrode of the above is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value set in advance . Metal air battery system. The metal-air battery system according to claim 9 .
The charger comprises a charging switch for connecting to the metal-air battery.
The metal-air battery system, characterized in that the switch control unit controls the start of charging of the metal-air battery by controlling the operation of the charging switch. The metal-air battery system according to claim 9 or 10 .
Either the metal-air battery module or the charger comprises an operator-operable selector for selecting a charging mode.
A metal-air battery system characterized in that when the selector is operated to a quick charge mode, the switch control unit leaves the module load switch off. The metal-air battery system according to any one of claims 9 to 11 .
The metal-air battery system is characterized in that the plurality of metal-air batteries are zinc-air batteries in which the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode is zinc. The metal-air battery system according to any one of claims 9 to 12 .
The metal-air battery system is characterized in that each of the plurality of metal-air batteries is a three-pole metal-air battery having an air electrode which is a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a positive electrode for charging. The process of discharging the metal-air battery before charging ,
By the step of discharging, the metal air battery has a predetermined voltage value which is a voltage value for consuming the undischarged metal remaining in the negative electrode of the metal air battery, which is a preset value . Later, a method for charging a metal air battery, which comprises a step of charging a plurality of the metal air batteries.

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