JPH0341594A - Automatic vending machine for secondary battery and its managing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the recycling of a chargable type secondary battery by providing a battery rank deciding means which performs the classification of the rank of a cast in battery corresponding to the decision result of the degree of deterioration of a discharged secondary battery cast in from a battery throwing in opening, and a battery charger which maintains a charged state. CONSTITUTION:Storage boxes 2A-2C which store a used chargable type secondary battery whose rank is classified in advance at rank classifications, the battery charger 14 which maintains the charged state of the secondary battery stored in the storage boxes 2A-2C, the battery rank deciding means 4 which decides the degree of deterioration of the discharged secondary battery cast in from the battery throwing in opening and classifies the rank of the cast in battery corresponding to the decision result, and battery carrying out means 12A-12C which carry out the secondary battery with the rank inputted with a push-button 6 from the storage boxes 2A-2C to a battery output port corresponding to the decision result that it is sufficient with an amount deciding means. In such a manner, it is possible to easily obtain an alternate charged secondary battery when the secondary battery of portable equipment is discharged when away from home.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a secondary battery vending machine that enables recycling of used rechargeable secondary batteries, and a method for managing the vending machine. It is something.

[Background Art] In recent years, the demand for portable devices (IP, band-type electric devices) with built-in batteries, such as headphone stereos, pagers, mobile phones, and portable word processors, has increased significantly. The batteries built into these devices are generally rechargeable batteries such as small sealed lead-acid batteries and Ni-Cd batteries.
Second battery is used. For example, with a headphone stereo, a user charges a secondary battery with a charger at home, loads the charged secondary battery into the headphone stereo, and goes out while listening to music. However, if you go out for a long time or if the secondary battery is not sufficiently charged, the battery will discharge and the headphone stereo will stop working, making it impossible to listen to music etc. There is a problem.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] With such a situation in mind, the user either carries an alternative dry cell battery or, if traveling, carries a charger with him or her. However, making it possible to use both secondary batteries and dry batteries has the disadvantage that the device becomes expensive, and carrying extra batteries is itself a hassle. Also,
Even if you purchase a replacement secondary battery, it will be much more expensive than a dry cell battery, and it will be a big financial burden.For reasons such as 0 or more, the secondary battery may discharge while you are out and your mobile device may not work. The reality is that most people give up on using their mobile devices when they run out.

In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is to enable a user of a mobile device to inexpensively and easily obtain a charged alternative secondary battery even if the secondary battery of the mobile device is discharged while going out. An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery vending machine and a method for managing the vending machine.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine of the present invention has two types of rechargeable vending machines that are ranked in advance according to the degree of deterioration.
A storage box that stores rechargeable batteries by rank, a charger that maintains the state of charge of the rechargeable batteries stored in the storage box, and a charger that determines the degree of deterioration of discharged rechargeable batteries inserted through the battery slot. , a battery rank determining means for classifying the inserted batteries into ranks according to the determination results, a push button for inputting the rank of the secondary battery desired to be purchased, and rank data input from the push button and input from the battery rank determining means. a charge determination display means that determines and displays the charge to be paid by the battery purchaser based on the rank data to be determined; and a comparison between the charge determined by the charge determination display means and the amount of cash input from the cash slot. and an amount determination means for determining whether the amount of cash is sufficient compared to the charge, and a second rank manually entered by a push button in accordance with the determination result of the amount determination means that the amount of cash is sufficient compared to the charge. The present invention is characterized by comprising a battery carrying-out means for carrying out the next battery from the storage box to the battery taking-out port.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the vending machine management method of the present invention accepts discharged secondary batteries from the battery slot, and based on the deterioration state of the secondary battery and the input amount, the vending machine management method In a secondary battery vending machine that sells rechargeable batteries with a rank of A step of charging, a step of checking the performance of the recharged secondary batteries and categorizing usable ones according to the degree of deterioration, and a step of storing the ranked secondary batteries in a storage box according to their rank. 2 stored in storage box
The method is characterized by comprising the step of maintaining and charging the secondary battery with a charger.

Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, the battery rank determining means includes an information reading means for reading out information stored in advance in a storage section attached to a secondary battery inserted from the battery insertion port, and and a rank determining means for ranking the secondary battery based on the determination result of the deterioration state determining means. Features.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the information reading means reads the manufacturing date of the battery stored in advance in the storage section, and the deterioration state determining means is based on the manufacturing date and current calendar information. and calculates the age of the battery, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the age.

Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, the capacity and internal impedance of the battery at the time of shipment from the factory are stored in advance in the storage unit, and the deterioration state determining means measures the internal impedance of the inserted secondary battery. the internal impedance measuring means, the internal impedance value measured by the internal impedance measuring means, and the battery capacity and internal impedance value at the time of factory shipment read by the information reading means. and a capacity estimating means for estimating the capacity of the battery, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the capacity estimated by the capacity estimating means.

Further, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the capacity and open circuit voltage value of the battery at the time of shipment from the factory are stored in advance in the storage unit, and the deterioration state determining means is configured to measure the open circuit voltage value of the inserted secondary battery. Based on the open circuit voltage value measuring means for measuring the open circuit voltage value, the open circuit voltage value measured by the open circuit voltage value measuring means, and the battery capacity and open circuit voltage value at the time of factory shipment read by the information reading means. and a capacity estimating means for estimating the capacity of the inserted secondary battery, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the capacity estimated by the capacity estimating means.

Further, in a fifth aspect of the present invention, the battery rank determining means includes:
An internal impedance measuring means for measuring the internal impedance of a discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery input port, and a rank for performing 4J for the rank of the secondary battery based on the internal impedance value measured by the internal impedance measuring means. The method is characterized by comprising a determining means.

Further, in a sixth aspect of the present invention, the battery rank determining means includes:
An open circuit voltage value measuring means measures the open circuit voltage value of a discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery inlet, and the open circuit voltage value measured by the open circuit voltage value measuring means measures the open circuit voltage value of the secondary battery. The present invention is characterized by comprising a rank determining means for performing ranking.

Further, a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a collection box for collecting and recharging secondary batteries inserted from a battery input port, and measuring the performance of the rechargeable batteries recharged in the collection box. It is equipped with a ranking means for ranking usable batteries according to the degree of deterioration C obtained from the measurement results, and a battery transport mechanism for storing the secondary batteries ranked by the ranking means in a storage box according to rank. It is characterized by

Further, an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the step of attaching a storage section for storing information to a part of the secondary battery, and storing the date of manufacture, the capacity of the battery, the value of internal impedance, and the like for the storage section. and an information writing step of writing at least one of the open circuit voltage values.

[Function] The present invention is self-contained! The Ill vending machine sells charged secondary batteries and at the same time collects used secondary batteries and makes it possible to resell them. The next battery can be left in a charged state on the go, easily and inexpensively, and can contribute to resource conservation through recycling.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a secondary battery vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a battery slot for a manager to insert charged batteries into by a company or organization that maintains and manages secondary battery vending machines.

This battery slot 1 is provided, for example, inside a lockable door (not shown) that cannot be operated by a general user. 13A, 1
Reference numerals 3B and 13C are battery ejection ports through which the user takes out the secondary battery, and these are provided at the front of the vending machine as shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. Here, %A, B, and C indicate the rank of each battery. 2A, 28゜2C are ranked high rank, medium rank B, depending on the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery.
The secondary batteries classified into lower C ranks are stored, and upon receiving any one of the battery sending signals 121^, 121B, and 121C, the secondary batteries of the corresponding rank are transferred to the corresponding battery outlet. 138, 138. This is a battery storage box that has a mechanism to send out batteries.

Reference numeral 3 designates a battery slot for a user of a portable device with a built-in battery to insert a discharged secondary battery, and is provided at the front of the vending machine as shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. 4 is a battery rank determiner that determines the degree of deterioration of a discharged secondary battery that the user has inserted into the battery input port 3 as described below, and ranks it as A, B, C, or D; A battery rank signal 41 corresponding to the determined rank is generated. Reference numeral 5 denotes a collection box for collecting and storing the secondary batteries that the user has inserted into the battery slot 3. After the secondary batteries are judged by the battery rank judgment device 3,
It is transported to this collection box 5.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a battery rank push button for manually inputting the rank of the secondary battery desired by the user; in this example, as shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, it is the A rank.

There are three types of buttons: B rank and C rank. 6A is a battery rank signal generation circuit that generates a desired battery rank signal 61 representing the rank corresponding to the press of the push button 6. 7
is an input amount determining circuit which compares the battery rank indicated by the output signal 61 from the battery rank signal generation circuit 6^ and the battery rank indicated by the battery rank signal 41 from the battery rank determiner 4, and calculates the comparison result. The amount to be paid by the user is determined as described below, and an input amount signal 71 indicating the determined amount to be paid is output. Reference numeral 8 denotes an amount display device for displaying the amount of money to be put in according to the amount to be put in signal 71 outputted from the amount to be put in decision circuit 7.

A cash slot 9 into which the user inserts cash is provided near the amount display 8, as shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. 10 is an amount determination circuit that compares the amount indicated by the input amount signal 71 of the input amount determination circuit 7, that is, the official amount displayed on the amount display 8 (referred to as the displayed amount), and the actual cash input slot 9.6. ) and the amount of cash inserted from
It is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the amount, and if it is sufficient, a normal input amount signal 101 indicating sales permission is generated. The IOA is a change dispenser that refunds to the user the difference in change obtained by subtracting the displayed amount from the amount of cash inserted into the cash slot 9 based on the calculation of the amount judgment circuit IO. 11 is change dispenser 10A
This is a change outlet that is opened for the user to take out the change sent out from the machine, and as shown in Fig. 3, which will be described later,
It is installed at the front of the vending machine.

Reference numerals 12^, 12B, and 12G are battery feed signal generation circuits, which output a normal input amount signal 10 from the amount determination circuit 10.
1 and the desired battery rank signal 61 from the battery rank signal generation circuit 6A, the battery storage boxes 2A, 2B, and 2C are instructed to send out the secondary batteries to the battery outlet ports 13A, 13B, and 13G. Battery sending signal 121A
, 121B, 12IC. 14 is battery storage box 2
This is a charger that charges secondary batteries in a timely manner to maintain the charged state of the secondary batteries stored in A, 2B, and 2C.

141, 142, 143 are battery storage boxes 2A and 2, respectively.
[This is power for maintaining and charging secondary batteries stored at 1.2C.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a secondary battery applicable to the present invention. As shown in this figure, Japanese Patent Application No. 62-1 used in this example
Thin secondary battery 20 as proposed in No. 98415
A magnetic storage portion 21 is formed in a certain direction on a part of the outer surface of the magnetic storage device.

For example, the magnetic storage unit 21 stores the date of manufacture of the secondary battery.

For example, the magnetic storage unit 21 stores the capacity and internal impedance of the battery at the time of shipment from the factory.

Furthermore, for example, the magnetic storage unit 21 stores the battery capacity and open circuit voltage value at the time of shipment from the factory.

As will be explained in detail later, the battery rank determiner 4 in FIG.
Based on the above-mentioned information stored in the magnetic storage unit 21, the thin secondary battery 2 inserted into the battery slot 3 by the user
0 deterioration is determined and ranked. In this embodiment, a magnetic storage medium is used as the storage section of the thin secondary battery 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that, for example, a barcode or the like may be used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the front appearance of a secondary battery vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 15 represents the entire vending machine.
As shown in this figure, the front face C of this vending machine 15 includes an explanatory text 16 such as how to insert a battery from above, an amount display 8,
Cash slot 9, battery slot 3, battery rank push button 6,
Explanation of battery rank 17, change outlet 11. And battery ejection ports 13^, 13B, and 13C are arranged. Note that the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. For example, a sold-out display for each rank, a cancel button, etc. may be provided as necessary.

FIG. 4 shows examples of specific texts (messages) of the explanatory text 16 on the battery insertion method, etc., the display surface of the amount display 8, and the explanatory text 17 on the battery rank shown in FIG.

A user stands in front of a secondary battery vending machine 15 and inserts a discharged secondary battery in his or her hand from the battery insertion slot 3. The user then presses the battery rank pushbutton 6 of the desired rank. The amount display 8 displays the amount of money that the user should deposit. Thereby, the user inserts the necessary cash from the cash slot 9.

If there is change, the change comes out at the change outlet 11. Further, a charged secondary battery of the desired rank comes out to one of the battery outlet ports 2A, 2B, and 2G.

Next, a specific example of the battery rank determiner 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the battery rank determiner 4 when ranking secondary batteries based on the date of manufacture.

In this figure, 30 is a thin secondary battery 2 as shown in Figure 2.
This is an information reading section that reads out information stored in advance in the magnetic storage section 21 on the surface of the 0. When the thin secondary battery 20 is inserted into the battery slot 3, it starts and reads out the information from the magnetic storage section 21 at the time of factory shipment. Read out the information on the date of manufacture. 31
32 is a calendar unit that outputs calendar information of the current year, month, and day; the calendar unit 32 is a calendar It has a functional clock circuit.

The elapsed age calculating section 31 calculates the elapsed age (the number of years of use) of the thin secondary battery 20 based on the manufacturing date output from the information reading section 30 and the current date obtained from the calendar section 32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a rank determination unit, which ranks batteries based on the number of years that have passed output from the number of years that have passed since calculation unit 31 . This ranking is a reusable A as described below.
, B, and C, and a rank that cannot be reused. This rank determination unit 33 can be realized by, for example, a lookup table.

By the way, to rank batteries according to the degree of deterioration, for example, the 1989 Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Spring National Conference "
As described in "Characteristics of Small Sealed Lead Acid Batteries After Actual Use", it is effective to determine the battery's internal impedance, open circuit voltage, etc., and to determine the degree of battery deterioration, The most reliable method is to measure the capacity and determine from the decrease in capacity. However, since battery capacity measurement involves actually discharging the battery, it takes a long time to derive a judgment result from the measurement. If the degree of deterioration was determined and ranked, it would be unrealistic because users would be forced to wait in front of the vending machine for a long time. For this reason, it is considered to be practically preferable to estimate the capacitance from the measured values of internal impedance and open circuit voltage, which can be measured in a short time.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the battery rank determiner 4 in the case of ranking the secondary batteries described above based on the internal impedance.

In this figure, the information reading section 30 reads out the battery capacity and internal impedance values stored in the magnetic storage section 21 of the inserted thin secondary battery 20 at the time of shipment from the factory.

34 is an internal impedance measuring device that measures the internal impedance of the inserted thin secondary battery 20; 35 is the battery capacity and internal impedance value at the time of factory shipment output from the information reading section 30, and the internal impedance measuring device. A capacity estimator 34 estimates the capacity of the inserted thin secondary battery 20 from the internal impedance of the battery at the current time outputted from the battery, and 36 ranks the batteries inserted by the user based on the capacity estimated by the capacity estimator 35. This is the rank determination section that performs the following.

Figure 7 shows the above-mentioned 1989 Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers National Conference.
Based on the literature “Characteristics of small sealed lead-acid batteries after actual use”,
This is a qualitative representation of the relationship between internal impedance and capacity of a secondary battery. According to this document, the relationship between internal impedance and capacity of a secondary battery can be approximated to a first order, and the capacity is Q.

If Z is the internal impedance, it is expressed by the following equation (4).

Q=AZ+B...(1) However, A and B are constants. Here, the factory-shipped capacity and internal impedance are each Qt.

2, then Q+=8Z+8'
...(2) becomes. However, 8' is a constant.

If the estimated capacity and internal impedance of the battery inserted by the user are Q2 and Z2, respectively, then Q2=^Z, +8
' ・-(3). here,
2. The internal impedance of is a value that can be measured in a short time,
Capacity Q2 can be estimated.

Equations (2) to (3) are as follows (h= A (Z2-Zl) + Ql
-(4).

Therefore, the factory-shipped capacity Q+ and internal impedance Z
, is stored in the magnetic storage unit 21 of the thin secondary battery 20, read by the information reading unit 30 of the battery rank determiner 4 shown in FIG. , by measuring the internal impedance z2 of the inserted battery, the capacity estimation unit 35 calculates the above equation (
4) allows the capacity q2 to be estimated.

Note that the slope A in equation (4) is determined by measuring the relationship between internal impedance and capacity by degrading the battery at an accelerated pace in advance, and then determining the slope A from the data by statistical processing. Here, the measured internal impedance z2 is Z
By substituting into equation (1) as
It is also possible to estimate However, this method does not take into account the information on the factory capacity Q3 and internal impedance z1, so it has the disadvantage of increasing errors.In order to accurately rank the batteries inserted by the user, (4) The formula method is advantageous.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the circuit tank bottom of the battery rank determiner 4 when ranking is performed based on the open circuit voltage value of the above-mentioned secondary batteries.

In this figure, the information reading section 30 reads out the battery capacity and open circuit voltage value at the time of shipment from the factory, which are stored in the magnetic storage section 21 of the inserted thin secondary battery 20.

37 is an open circuit voltage value measuring device for measuring the open circuit voltage value of the inserted thin secondary battery 20; 38 is an information reading unit 30;
The inserted thin secondary battery 2 is calculated based on the capacity and open circuit voltage value of the battery at the time of factory shipment outputted from the battery, and the current open circuit voltage value of the battery outputted from the open circuit voltage value measuring device 37.
A capacity estimator 39 estimates the capacity of 0, a capacity estimator 38
This is a rank determination unit that ranks the batteries inserted by the user based on the estimated capacity.

The relationship between the open circuit voltage and capacity of a secondary battery is as shown above! Based on the literature from the 1989 Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers National Conference ``Characteristics of Small Sealed Lead Acid Batteries after Actual Use'', the characteristics are qualitatively expressed as shown in Figure 9. The factory capacity is Ql, and the open circuit voltage is vI.
, if the estimated capacity value of the battery inserted by the user is Ql, and the open circuit voltage is v2, then Q2 = A' (V2 - Vl) ”
It is expressed as Ql ・= (5). However, A' is determined in advance by subjecting the battery to accelerated deterioration, measuring the relationship between open circuit voltage and capacity, and statistically processing the data. Factory capacity q1
, the open circuit voltage v1 is the magnetic storage part 21 of the thin secondary battery 20.
By measuring the open circuit voltage v2 of the inserted battery with the open circuit voltage value measuring device 37 shown in FIG. Capacity can be estimated.

With the above configuration, if the battery rank determiner 4 is provided with a calculation function for estimating the capacity of the battery inserted by the user, it is possible to classify the inserted batteries into ranks with high accuracy.

Next, Table 1 shows a specific example of the relationship between the ranking of secondary batteries and the price ranking in the embodiment of the present invention. Here, I~
■“ indicates the fee rank.

, 5A5 Table A secondary battery vending machine according to the present invention has the user of a portable device with a built-in battery insert a discharged battery, that is, a used battery, and ranks the batteries. The sales method is to have users of portable devices with built-in batteries pay a fee commensurate with their rank. As a result, users of portable devices with built-in batteries can easily obtain charged secondary batteries at a low cost while on the go.

In Table 1, for example, A rank is a product equivalent to a new product, B rank is a product that has been used for six months to less than one year, C rank is a product that has been used for two to three years, and D rank is three years or more. Furthermore, in Table 1, when a user of a battery-equipped mobile device inserts a rechargeable battery into a rechargeable battery vending machine, the battery rank determiner 4 determines that the battery is rank A, rank B, rank C, or rank D. are represented as A', B', C', and D', respectively. Further, cases in which the user uses the battery rank pushbutton 6 to set the battery that he or she wishes to purchase to rank rank, rank B, and rank C are designated as A, B, and C, respectively. In Table 1, there are charge ranks from ■ to Vl''.

In charge rank ■, since the battery inserted by the user and the battery desired to purchase are equivalent, the user will be asked to pay only the cost required to charge the battery.

Price rank! In ■, from the secondary battery inserted by the user,
Since the battery you wish to purchase has a higher rank, you will be asked to pay slightly more than for price rank 1. In charge rank III, the user is required to pay a larger amount than in charge rank II.

In charge rank ■, the rank of the battery desired to purchase is lower than that of the inserted battery, so the charge is returned to the user, taking into account the cost required to charge the battery. In charge rank ■, more charges than charge rank IV are returned.

If the battery inserted by the user is determined to be rank D, that is, if it is D' blank in Table 1, it is determined that the battery has deteriorated and cannot be resold after collection, and is classified as rank A or rank B. , the customer will be required to pay a fee equivalent to a charged C-rank battery. In other words, when a person who wants to purchase a battery puts in a D-rank battery, if the desired purchase rank is Pararank, the price rank ■, if it is B rank, the price rank Vl', and if it is C rank, the price rank Vl''
shall be. In this case, it goes without saying that the fee relationship is Vl >Vl'> The decision should be made appropriately, taking into account the interests of the managing company or organization.

It is assumed that the data in Table 1 above is stored in the input amount determining circuit 7 in the form of a look-up table, for example.

Next, an example of the overall operation of the secondary battery vending machine shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

A company or organization that maintains and manages rechargeable battery vending machines inserts rechargeable batteries from battery slot 1, ranks A,
Battery storage box 2A for each rank B and rank C,
Fill 2B and 2C with secondary batteries.

Thereafter, when the user inserts a discharged secondary battery into the battery slot 3, the battery rank determiner 4 determines whether the battery is
For example, the manufacturing date is read and compared with the calendar information in the battery rank determiner 4, and if the battery is less than 6 months old, it is ranked as PA, and if the battery is between 6 months and less than 1 year old, it is ranked as B.
A battery that has been used for more than 2 years but less than 3 years is ranked C, and a battery that has been used for more than 3 years is ranked D. A battery rank signal 41 is sent from the battery rank determiner 4 to the input amount determining circuit. 7 is output.

Here, as an example, the user inputs 2 from the input port 3.
Assume that the next battery is determined to be rank B by the battery rank determiner 4. Next, when the user presses any of the A, B, and C buttons of the battery rank push button 6, the desired battery rank signal 61 is sent from the battery rank signal generation circuit 6^ to the input amount determining circuit 7, and a battery sending signal is generated. circuit 12
It is output to A, 12B, and 12C.

The input amount determining circuit 7 determines the amount of 2 input by the user.
It receives the battery rank signal 41 of the next battery and the desired battery rank signal 61 of the rank desired by the user, and outputs the input amount signal 71 to the amount display 8 and amount determination circuit 10 based on Table 1. For example, if the user presses the B rank push button on the battery rank push button 6, the rank of the battery inserted by the user is B rank, so in Table 1, the charges corresponding to B' and B will be charged. The rank is ■, and since the input amount determination circuit 7 has stored the information in Table 1, it outputs the input amount signal 71 corresponding to the fee rank I.

The amount display 8 receives this input amount signal 71 and displays the amount corresponding to the fee rank I. The user uses the amount display 8
When the amount displayed is inserted into the cash slot 9, the amount determination circuit 10 compares the amount inserted with the charge sent by the input amount signal 71, and if the amount inserted is sufficient, Amount determination circuit 1O indicates input amount normal signal 1
01 as battery sending signal generation circuit 12A, 128, 12
Output to 0. Change is dispensed to the change outlet 11 by the amount determination circuit 10 and the change dispenser 10A.

The battery sending signal generation circuit 12B receives the desired battery rank signal 61 and the input amount normal signal 101, and sends the battery storage box 2.
Insert a charged B-rank secondary battery into battery outlet 1.
It outputs a battery sending signal 121B for sending to 3B. The battery storage box 2B receives the battery sending signal 121B and inserts the charged B-rank secondary battery into the battery outlet 1.
Send it to 3B.

At this time, the battery sending signal generators 12^, 12C receive the input amount normal signal 101, but the desired battery rank signal 6
Since 1 is a signal corresponding to rank B, battery sending signal generators 12A and 12G send signals to battery storage boxes 2^ and 2G.
Battery sending signals 121A and 121G are not output to
As a result, the battery outlets 13A and 13G contain charged A.
Rank and C rank secondary batteries are not sent out.

On the other hand, if the user wishes to purchase a palanque and presses the palanque button using the battery rank pushbutton 6, the inserted battery is of rank B, so the input amount determining circuit 7 uses the stored information in Table 1. Based on this, an input amount signal 71 corresponding to the fee rank H is output, and the amount display 8 receives this signal and displays the amount corresponding to the fee rank 11. The user inserts cash into the cash slot 9 based on this display.

The amount judgment circuit 10 determines the price rank ■ of the amount you put in! It is determined whether or not the amount matches the amount of money, and if it matches, a normal input amount signal 101 is output, and if the amount of input is large, change is delivered from a change dispenser 10A to a change takeout port 11. The battery sending signal generation circuit 12^ receives the desired battery rank signal 61 corresponding to the pal rank and the input amount normal signal 101, and outputs a battery sending signal 121^ for sending the battery from the battery storage box 2A to the battery sending port 13^. do. In response to this signal, the battery storage box 2A sends out the charged secondary battery of Palanc to the battery outlet 13^.

Further, when the user desires C rank and presses the battery rank push button 6 for C rank, since the inserted battery is of B rank, the input amount determination circuit 7
Based on the stored information in Table 1, an input amount signal 71 corresponding to the charge rank ■ is outputted, and the amount display 8 receives this signal and displays the amount corresponding to the charge rank IV. The amount determination circuit IO receives the input amount signal 71 corresponding to the fee rank ■, and sends the change from the change dispenser 10A to the change output port 11.
At the same time, a normal input amount signal 101 is output. The battery sending signal generation circuit 12G receives the desired battery rank signal 61 corresponding to the C rank and the normal input amount signal 101, and outputs a battery sending signal 121C for sending the battery from the battery storage box 2C to the battery removal port 13C. . The battery storage box 2C receives this signal and sends out a C-rank battery to the battery outlet 13C.

On the other hand, if the user does not put a discharged battery into a rechargeable battery vending machine and simply purchases a charged battery, or if the inserted battery is of rank D, the user may, for example, When the push button 6 is pressed, the battery rank signal generation circuit 68 of the battery rank push button 6 outputs a desired battery rank signal 61 corresponding to the PA rank. If the battery is not inserted or if the battery is ranked D, the input amount determining circuit 7 receives a battery rank signal 41 corresponding to D rank and a battery desired rank signal 61 corresponding to PA rank. Since the input amount determining circuit 7 stores the information shown in Table 1, it outputs a signal 71 corresponding to the fee Vl to the amount display 8 and the amount determining circuit IO. The amount display 8 receives the input amount signal 71 and displays the amount corresponding to the fee rank ■. The user inserts cash from the cash slot 9 based on this display. The amount determination circuit 1O compares the input amount electric signal corresponding to the inserted cash with the input amount signal 71 corresponding to the fee rank ■, and outputs the input amount normal signal 101 if the amount of cash is sufficient. When change is required, the amount determination circuit 1O sends the change to the change outlet 11 from the change sender 10A. The battery sending signal generation circuit 12A receives the desired battery rank signal 61 corresponding to rank A and the normal input amount signal 101, and outputs a battery sending signal 121^ to the battery storage box 2A. The battery storage box 2A receives this signal 121^ and sends out a charged A-rank battery to the battery outlet 13A.

Thereafter, the used secondary batteries placed in the collection box 5 are collected by a company or organization that maintains and manages secondary battery vending machines, and after recovery charging, performance checks such as discharge tests are performed. Those with significant deterioration are removed and those in good condition are resold. These 2 items were targeted for resale.
Next batteries are inserted through the input port 1, sorted into ranks, placed in battery storage boxes 13A, 13B, and 13C, and maintained and charged by the charger 14. In this way, a sales management method is adopted in which used products are collected and resold.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, even if the secondary battery inserted into the battery input port 3 is of rank D, it is carried into the collection box 5 as it is, but if the battery rank determiner 4 determines that it is rank D. Or, when it is determined that the battery is not subject to handling, the D-rank battery, etc. is pushed back into the battery slot 3, and a message display (not shown) indicates that it is a D-rank battery, etc. good.

Alternatively, in the above embodiment, the batteries determined by the battery rank determiner 4 are collected together in one collection box 5, but based on the rank determination, the batteries are placed in the collection boxes provided for each rank. It is also possible to classify the items, transport them, and collect them.

FIG. 1O shows the main structure of another embodiment of the present invention, and since the other components are the same as those in FIG. 1, their explanation will be omitted. In this embodiment, 2
The next battery is fully charged for recovery using the charger 14, and then transported to the re-judgment device 52 where a performance check such as a discharge test is performed.

Accurately re-evaluate the three ranks B and C, and according to the results of the evaluation, place the secondary battery in the corresponding battery storage box 13^,
Transport to 13B and 13C. The secondary batteries determined to be rank D by the battery rank determiner 4 and the secondary batteries determined to be rank D by the re-determiner 52 are sent to a waste box 53 and are to be discarded. This example has the advantage of simplifying manual management work and increasing the recycling effect.

Although the battery transport mechanism was not shown in the above description of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to use a known transport mechanism used in in-shell vending machines, ticket vending machines, etc. , rollers, flappers using electromagnetic actuators, and belt conveyors.

This can be easily achieved by combining conventional techniques such as air shooters.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, used secondary batteries can be resold, and the secondary battery discharges when the user goes out and the portable device with a built-in battery stops working. In some cases, users can easily and inexpensively obtain C-charged alternative secondary batteries, allowing them to continue using battery-equipped mobile devices, which in turn can lead to recycling (resource saving, pollution prevention, etc.) .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a thin secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an automatic vending machine of FIG. 6 is a front view showing the front appearance of the vending machine; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the explanatory text in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery rank determiner 4 in FIG. The figure is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the battery rank determiner 4 in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between battery internal impedance and battery capacity. Figure 8 is the battery rank determiner in Figure 1. FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between battery open circuit voltage and battery capacity; FIG. 1O is a main part of a vending machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration. l... Inlet for inserting charged batteries, 2A, 2B,
2C...Battery storage box for storing secondary batteries divided into A rank, B rank, and C rank, 3...Battery input port into which discharged secondary batteries are inserted, 4...Battery rank determiner , 5... Collection box, 6... Battery rank push button, 6A... Battery rank signal generation circuit, 7... Input amount determining circuit, 8... Amount display, 9... Cash insertion mouth, lO...amount determination circuit, lO^...change dispenser, 11...change takeout port, 12A, 12B, 12C-...battery feed signal generation circuit, 13^, 13B, 13C... Battery outlet, 1
4...Charger, 15...Vending machine for secondary batteries, 16...Example of explanatory text on how to insert batteries, etc., 17...
・Example of explanation of battery rank, 20... Thin secondary battery, 21... Magnetic storage section, 30... Information reading section, 31... Elapsed years calculation section, 32... Calendar section, 33.36.39...Rank determining unit, 34...Internal impedance measuring device, 35.38...Capacity estimating unit, 37...Open circuit voltage value measuring device, 51...Collection box, 52 ... Redeterminator, 53... Disposal box.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A storage box for storing rechargeable secondary batteries ranked in advance according to their degree of deterioration, and a charging device for maintaining the state of charge of the secondary batteries stored in the storage box. a battery rank determining means for determining the degree of deterioration of a discharged secondary battery inserted through a battery input port and ranking the inserted batteries according to the determination result; a push button for inputting a rank; and a charge determination display that determines and displays the charge to be paid by the battery purchaser based on the rank data input from the push button and the rank data input from the battery rank determination means. and an amount for determining whether the amount of cash is sufficient compared to the fee by comparing the fee determined by the fee determination display means and the amount of cash inserted from the cash slot. A determination means, and a battery removal means for transporting the secondary battery of the rank input by the push button from the storage box to the battery removal port according to the determination result of the amount determination means that the amount is sufficient. A secondary battery vending machine characterized by: 2) The battery rank determining means includes an information reading means for reading out information pre-stored in a storage unit attached to a secondary battery inserted from the battery input port, and based on the information from the information reading means. The battery is characterized by comprising a deterioration state determining means for determining the deterioration state of the inserted secondary battery, and a rank determining means for ranking the secondary battery based on the determination result of the deterioration state determining means. The secondary battery vending machine according to claim 1. 3) The information reading means reads the date of manufacture of the battery stored in advance in the storage section, and the deterioration state determining means determines the progress of the battery based on the date of manufacture and current calendar information. 3. The secondary battery vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the number of years has been calculated, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the number of years that have passed. 4) The capacity and internal impedance values of the battery at the time of shipment from the factory are stored in advance in the storage unit, and the deterioration state determining means includes internal impedance measuring means for measuring the internal impedance of the inserted secondary battery. , the inserted secondary battery is determined based on the internal impedance value measured by the internal impedance measuring means and the battery capacity and internal impedance value at the time of factory shipment read by the information reading means. and a capacity estimating means for estimating the capacity of the secondary battery, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the capacity estimated by the capacity estimating means. vending machine for secondary batteries. 5) The capacity and open circuit voltage value of the battery at the time of shipment from the factory are stored in advance in the storage unit, and the deterioration state determining means measures the open circuit voltage value of the inserted secondary battery. value measuring means; and the open circuit voltage value measured by the open circuit voltage value measuring means, and the battery capacity and open circuit voltage value at the time of factory shipment read by the information reading means. capacity estimating means for estimating the capacity of the inserted secondary battery, and the rank determining means ranks the secondary battery based on the capacity estimated by the capacity estimating means. The secondary battery vending machine according to claim 2. 6) The battery rank determining means is based on an internal impedance measuring means for measuring the internal impedance of a discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery input port, and a value of the internal impedance measured by the internal impedance measuring means. 2. The secondary battery vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising rank determining means for ranking the secondary batteries. 7) The battery rank determining means includes an open circuit voltage value measuring means for measuring an open circuit voltage value of a discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery input port, and an open circuit voltage value measuring means for measuring the open circuit voltage value of the discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery input port, 2. The secondary battery vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising rank determining means for ranking the secondary batteries based on open circuit voltage values. 8) A collection box for collecting and recharging the secondary batteries inserted from the battery input port, and measuring the performance of the rechargeable batteries recharged in the collection box to identify usable ones. It is characterized by comprising a ranking means for classifying the batteries according to the degree of deterioration obtained from the measurement results, and a battery transport mechanism for storing the secondary batteries ranked by the ranking means in the storage boxes according to the ranks. The secondary battery vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9) A secondary store that accepts discharged secondary batteries from the battery slot and sells them by taking out the secondary batteries of the rank desired by the purchaser from the storage box based on the state of deterioration of the secondary batteries and the amount invested. In a battery vending machine, the steps include: collecting the discharged secondary battery inserted from the battery slot; recharging the collected secondary battery; and determining the performance of the recharged secondary battery. a step of checking the usable batteries and ranking them according to the degree of deterioration; a step of storing the classified secondary batteries in the storage box according to their rank; and a step of storing the secondary batteries stored in the storage box according to their rank. A method for managing a secondary battery vending machine, comprising the steps of maintaining and charging the secondary battery using a charger. 10) A step of attaching a storage section for storing information to a part of the secondary battery, and storing the manufacturing date, battery capacity, internal impedance value, and open circuit voltage value for the storage section. 10. The method of managing a secondary battery vending machine according to claim 9, further comprising: an information writing step of writing either one of the information.