Power supply device having wireless communication function

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to realize a voltage detection function in a power supply device having a wireless communication function. A power supply device 1 is attached in an external load device 11 alone or in series with another external power supply device 13 . A cell holder 2 holds an internal cell in the housing 18 , and includes an inner positive terminal and an inner negative terminal that are brought into contact with a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the held internal cell. An outer positive terminal 3 connected to the inner positive terminal is provided on the housing, and an outer negative terminal 4 connected to the inner negative terminal is provided on the housing. An output transistor 32 is interposed at least one of between the inner negative terminal and the outer negative terminal and between the inner positive terminal and the outer positive terminal. An RFIC 37 generates a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with a signal received via an antenna. Voltage detection units 41 and 43 detect at least one of a voltage between the inner positive terminal and GND, and a voltage between the outer negative terminal and GND.

1 . A power supply device having a wireless communication function and being attachable in an external load device alone or in series with another external power supply device, the power supply device comprising:
 a housing;   a cell holder that holds an internal cell in the housing, and includes an inner positive terminal and an inner negative terminal that are brought into contact with a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the held internal cell;   an outer positive terminal provided on the housing and connected to the inner positive terminal;   an outer negative terminal provided on the housing and connected to the inner negative terminal;   an output transistor interposed at least one of between the inner negative terminal and the outer negative terminal and between the inner positive terminal and the outer positive terminal;   an antenna that communicates with an external information device;   a control unit that generates a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with a signal received via the antenna; and   a voltage detection unit that detects at least one of voltage between the inner positive terminal and GND, and voltage between the outer negative terminal and GND.   
     
     
         2 . The power supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit detects a voltage detected by the voltage detection unit when the output transistor is OFF as an open-circuit voltage of the internal cell alone or an open-circuit voltage of the internal cell and the external cell. 
     
     
         3 . The power supply device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit transmits a signal indicating a decrease in a cell voltage to the external information device when the detected voltage is lower than a threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . The power supply device according to  claim 2 , wherein when the detected open-circuit voltage is lower than a threshold value, the control unit decreases or increases a duty cycle of the control signal below or above a duty cycle of a time when the detected open-circuit voltage is higher than the threshold value. 
     
     
         5 . The power supply device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit decreases a duty cycle of the control signal when the detected open-circuit voltage is higher than a threshold value. 
     
     
         6 . The power supply device according to  claim 2 , wherein when the detected open-circuit voltage is lower than a threshold value, the control unit makes a cycle for communication with the external information device longer than a cycle for communication of a time when the detected open-circuit voltage is higher than the threshold value. 
     
     
         7 . The power supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the external load device includes a motor as a load, and the control unit generates an inspection control signal having a variable duty cycle and determines a duty cycle for rotating the motor based on a change in voltage between the outer positive terminal and the outer negative terminal.