Switching device

摘要

In the present invention, a main switch circuit (13) is provided between an electric power line (PL), to which voltage outputted from a solar cell (11) is applied, and a battery module (12). A protection circuit (19) turns OFF the main switch circuit (13) to protect the battery module (12) from overcharging when the voltage (VBAT) of the battery module (12) is equal to or greater than an upper limit voltage. The voltage outputted from the solar cell (11) is set so as to be greater than the upper limit voltage to allow the battery module (12) to be charged to the upper limit voltage. When a charge ON command signal has been received, a control unit (18) turns ON only a sub-switch circuit (14) to introduce current from the solar cell (11) into a parallel circuit (15) and to suppress the voltage (VPL) of the power line (PL) to less than the upper limit voltage before turning ON the main switch circuit (13).

主权项

1. A switching device comprising:
an electric power line for receiving direct current voltage outputted from an electric power supply; a main switch circuit interposed in series between the electric power line and a power receiving unit; a control unit for turning ON or OFF the main switch circuit; a protection unit for forcibly turning OFF the main switch circuit when the voltage inputted to the power receiving unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit voltage; and a suppressor circuit connected to the electric power line; wherein the control unit is structured to suppress the voltage inputted to the electric power line to less than the upper limit voltage using the suppressor circuit prior to switching the main switch circuit from OFF to ON; and wherein the suppressor circuit comprises a sub-switch circuit turned ON and OFF by the control unit and connected to the electric power line, and a current drawing circuit structured to draw in current from the electric power supply when the sub-switch circuit is turned ON.