ELECTRIC APPARATUS AND POWER CONTROL METHOD

• US 20180109106A1
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshikoshi, Kazuyuki, Tsuchimoto, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 10,050,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence ; xerographic printers for data processors per se G06K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5004 Power supply control, e.g. power-saving mode, automatic power turn-off
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

An electric apparatus according to an embodiment includes a plurality of connection devices connectable to a plurality of external power supplies; a battery; a charge circuit to charge the battery using electric power supplied from the external power supplies; a plurality of switch sections each connected between the connection devices and the charge circuit; a storage section to store therein a priority degree for supplying power to the battery for each power supply type of the external power supplies; and a controller to control power supply from the external power supplies to the charge circuit. The controller detects power supply types of the external power supplies connected to the connection devices, and compares priority degrees corresponding to the power supply types detected and switches off the switch sections of the connection devices that are connected to the external power supplies except an external power supply having a highest priority degree.

Claims

1. An electric apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of connection devices configured to be connectable to a plurality of external power supplies;

a battery;

a charge circuit configure to charge the battery using electric power supplied from the external power supplies;

a plurality of switch sections each connected between the connection devices and the charge circuit;

a storage section configured to store therein a priority degree for supplying power to the battery for each power supply type of the external power supplies; and

a controller configured to control power supply from the external power supplies to the charge circuit, wherein

the controller is programmed to;

detect power supply types of the external power supplies that are connected to the connection devices, and

compare priority degrees corresponding to the power supply types detected and switch off the switch sections of the connection devices that are connected to the external power supplies except an external power supply having a highest priority degree.

2. The electric apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch section is on in a state in which none of the external power supplies are connected to the corresponding connection device.

3. The electric apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to compare a priority degree corresponding to a power supply type of an external power supply additionally detected with a priority degree corresponding to a power supply type of an external power supply that is currently supplying power to the charge circuit, and switch off a connection device that is connected to either external power supply having a lower priority degree, the external power supply additionally detected or the external power supply that is currently supplying power.

4. The electric apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display section, wherein

the controller is programmed to display, on the display section, the power supply type of the external power supply that is connected to the switch section being on.

5. The electric apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the storage section stores therein a priority degree for each power supply type, the priority degrees being set based on supply capacities of the external power supplies.

6. The electric apparatus according to claim 5, comprising:

a plurality of power load sections;

a power supply circuit configure to supply power supplied from the external power supplies and the battery to the power load sections, the power supply circuit being connected to the switch sections and the battery; and

a power supply controller programmed to;

select a supply destination from the plurality of power load sections based on the supply capacity of the external power supply that is connected to the switch section being on, the supply destination being a power load section to which power of the external power supply is supplied through the power supply circuit, and

supply power of the battery through the power supply circuit to the electrical load sections except the supply destination.

7. The electric apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the power supply controller is programmed to supply the power of the battery to the plurality of power load sections in a state in which none of the external power supplies are connected to any of the connection devices.