JP2019030184A - Charge control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge control device capable of shortening charging time without deteriorating the performance of a power storage device. A charging control device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of power storage devices, a plurality of power supply systems, a charging circuit, a detection unit, and a switching unit. The plurality of power supply systems can be connected to an external power supply. The charging circuit is provided so as to be connectable to each of the plurality of power supply systems and charges the plurality of power storage devices with electric power supplied from an external power supply. The detection unit detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply, among the plurality of power systems. The switching unit switches the charging circuit based on the number of systems detected by the detection unit, thereby switching the power supply system to which each of the plurality of power storage devices is connected. [Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a charge control device.

  Conventionally, for example, in an electric vehicle such as a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), there is a charge control device that charges an in-vehicle power storage device by connecting to an external power source. In addition, a technology for charging a plurality of power storage devices based on electric power supplied from an external power source to a single power supply system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-276673

  However, in the conventional technology, for example, when charging is performed with a household power supply (200 V, 15 A), it may take time to charge a plurality of power storage devices. For example, when a quick charger (500 V, 125 A) is used, although the charging time can be shortened, the performance deterioration of the power storage device is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charge control device that can shorten the charging time without deteriorating the performance of the power storage device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a charging control device according to the present invention includes a plurality of power storage devices, a plurality of power supply systems, a charging circuit, a detection unit, and a switching unit. The plurality of power supply systems can be connected to an external power supply. The charging circuit is provided so as to be connectable to each of the plurality of power supply systems, and charges the plurality of power storage devices with electric power supplied from the external power supply. The detection unit detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply among the plurality of power supply systems. The switching unit switches the power supply system to which each of the plurality of power storage devices is connected by switching the charging circuit based on the number of systems detected by the detection unit.

  According to the present invention, the charging time can be shortened without deteriorating the performance of the power storage device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a charge control method according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charge control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a charging circuit when connected to one power supply system. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of switching processing executed by the charge control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charge control device according to a modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a charging control device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

  First, the outline | summary of the charge control method which the charge control apparatus which concerns on embodiment performs using FIG. 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a charge control method according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a scene in which electric power is supplied from an external power supply 100 to a plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b mounted on a vehicle C.

  A vehicle C shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a three-wheeled small mobility for single passengers, and is a vehicle that can be driven by electric power stored in the power storage devices 20a and 20b. In the three-wheeled small mobility, power is supplied independently from each of the power storage devices 20a and 20b. Thus, even when one of the power storage devices 20a and 20b breaks down, the vehicle C can travel with the electric power supplied from the other. The vehicle C is not limited to the three-wheeled small mobility, and may be any vehicle that can travel with electric power such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle.

  The power storage devices 20a and 20b are power storage elements configured to be rechargeable, such as a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. Note that the power storage devices 20a and 20b are not limited to secondary batteries, and may be configured by power storage elements such as capacitors. Hereinafter, the power storage device 20a may be referred to as a first power storage device 20a, and the power storage device 20b may be referred to as a second power storage device 20b.

  In addition, each of the power storage devices 20 a and 20 b is connected to the charging circuit 40. The charging circuit 40 is provided so as to be connectable to a plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b, which will be described later, and is a circuit that charges the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b with power supplied from the external power supply 100. Details of the charging circuit 40 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The external power source 100 is a household power source such as 100V or 200V. The external power supply 100 can be connected to a plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b. Each of the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b is connected to the external power supply 100 by, for example, a charging cable.

  Specifically, the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b are formed by connecting both ends of the charging cable to the external power supply 100 and the power plugs 30a and 30b of the vehicle C. Thereby, power can be supplied from the external power supply 100 to the charging circuit 40 via the power supply systems 10a and 10b.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a case where a plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected to the same external power supply 100, each of the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b may be connected to a different external power supply 100. Hereinafter, the power supply system 10a may be described as a first power supply system 10a, and the power supply system 10b may be described as a second power supply system 10b.

  The charging control device 1 according to the embodiment detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply 100 among the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b, and performs control to switch the charging circuit 40 based on the detected number of systems.

  Here, a conventional charge control method will be described. Conventionally, electric power has been supplied from an external power supply via a single power supply system. For this reason, for example, when a household power source is an external power source, it may take a long time to charge a plurality of power storage devices.

  In addition, when a quick charger having a relatively high voltage value or current value is used as an external power supply, although the charging time can be shortened, there is a risk that the performance deterioration of the power storage device may increase due to a temperature rise during charging.

  Therefore, the charging control apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b that can be connected to an external power supply 100 that is a household power supply. Then, the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment switches the charging circuit 40 based on the number of systems connected to the external power supply 100 among the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b, so that each of the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b. The power supply systems 10a and 10b to which are connected are switched.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment, when two power supply systems 10 a and 10 b are connected, the two power supply systems 10 a and 10 b are respectively connected to the corresponding power storage devices 20 a and 20 b. Switch to the connected charging circuit 40. That is, the charging control device 1 performs charging by supplying electric power one to one from the power supply systems 10a and 10b to the power storage devices 20a and 20b.

  Therefore, the charging time can be halved as compared with the conventional case of charging with a single power supply system. In addition, since a household power source can be used as the external power source 100, performance deterioration of the power storage device can be prevented. That is, the charging time can be shortened without deteriorating the performance of the power storage devices 20a and 20b.

  In addition, when only one of the two power supply systems 10a and 10b is connected, the charge control device 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of power storage devices by the connected power supply system 10a or 10b. It switches to the charging circuit 40 which charges 20a, 20b. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the structure of the charge control apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated in detail. 2 and 3 are block diagrams illustrating the configuration of the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a charging circuit 40 when two power supply systems 10 a and 10 b are connected to the external power supply 100. FIG. 3 shows the charging circuit 40 when one power supply system 10 a is connected to the external power supply 100. First, the case where two power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected to the external power supply 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3, two lines of each power supply system 10a, 10b are shown, and each line has a + side power plug 30a (+), 30b (+) and a − side power plug. 30a (-), 30b (-).

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment includes a detection unit 11, a switching unit 12, a charging circuit 40, and a plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b. Here, the charge control device 1 includes, for example, a computer having various functions such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an input / output port, and the like. including.

  The CPU of the computer functions as the detection unit 11 and the switching unit 12 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM, for example.

  In addition, at least one or all of the detection unit 11 and the switching unit 12 may be configured by hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

  Moreover, the charging control apparatus 1 has memory | storage parts, such as RAM and HDD, for example. The RAM and HDD can store information on various programs. Note that the charging control device 1 may acquire the above-described program and various information via another computer or a portable recording medium connected via a wired or wireless network.

  The detection unit 11 detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply 100 among the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b. For example, the detection unit 11 measures the voltage value of the line to which the power plugs 30a (+) and 30b (−) on the + side of the power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected, and the voltage value becomes a predetermined value or more. In this case, it is detected that the power supply systems 10 a and 10 b are connected to the external power supply 100. Alternatively, the detection unit 11 detects a voltage difference between the + side and the − side, and detects that the power supply systems 10 a and 10 b are connected to the external power supply 100 when the voltage difference becomes a predetermined value or more. Also good.

  For example, the detection unit 11 may include a sensor that detects insertion of the charging cable, and may detect that the power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected based on a signal from the sensor.

  In addition, for example, the detection unit 11 may detect that the power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected by accepting a manual input such as a user's switch operation after the charging cable is inserted.

  The switching unit 12 switches the power supply systems 10a and 10b to which the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected by switching the charging circuit 40 based on the number of systems detected by the detection unit 11.

  Specifically, the switching unit 12 includes a first switch element 12a, a second switch element 12b, and a third switch element 12c, and switches each switch element according to the number of connected systems. . In FIG. 2, each switch element is configured by a contact type switch element such as a mechanical switch, but may be configured by a non-contact type semiconductor switch element such as a transistor.

  The first switch element 12a has one end connected to the first power supply system 10a and the other end on the contact 12aa side connected to the first power storage device 20a. The positions of the first switch element 12a and the contact point 12aa may be interchanged.

  The second switch element 12b has one end connected to the second power storage device 20b and the other end on the contact 12ba, 12bb side connected to the second power supply system 10b or the first power storage device 20a.

  One end of the third switch element 12c is connected to the opposite side of the second power storage device 20b from the second switch element 12b, and the other end on the contact 12ca, 12cb side is the second power supply system 10b or the first power supply system 10b. Are connected to the power supply system 10a.

  When the number of systems detected by the detection unit 11 is plural, the switching unit 12 switches to the charging circuit 40 to which the power storage devices 20a and 20b corresponding to the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, when the number of detected systems is two, the switching unit 12 is turned on by bonding the first switch element 12 a to the contact 12 aa. In addition, the switching unit 12 adheres the second switch element 12b to the contact 12ba. Further, the switching unit 12 adheres the third switch element 12c to the contact 12ca.

  As a result, the first power storage device 20a is charged by the power supplied from the first power supply system 10a, and the second power storage device 20b is charged by the power supplied from the second power supply system 10b. That is, an independent charging circuit 40 is formed for each power storage device 20a, 20b.

  As described above, when two power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected, the power storage systems 20a and 20b are charged on a one-to-one basis by the power supply systems 10a and 10b. The charging time can be reduced to half compared to the case where charging is performed by the system.

  Next, a case where the first power supply system 10a is connected to the external power supply 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the number of systems detected by the detection unit 11 is one, the switching unit 12 is connected to a charging circuit 40 in which a plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected to one power supply system 10a. Switch.

  Specifically, the switching unit 12 is turned off by separating the first switch element 12a from the contact 12aa. In addition, the switching unit 12 adheres the second switch element 12b to the contact 12bb. In addition, the switching unit 12 adheres the third switch element 12c to the contact 12cb.

  Thereby, the second power supply system 10b is electrically disconnected, and the charging circuit 40 is formed in which the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected to the first power supply system 10a. The plurality of power storage devices 20 a and 20 b are connected in series in the charging circuit 40. Therefore, even if only one power supply system 10a, 10b is connected among the plurality of power supply systems 10a, 10b, the plurality of power storage devices 20a, 20b can be charged.

  In the charging circuit 40 shown in FIG. 3, when only the second power supply system 10b is connected without connecting the first power supply system 10a, only the second power storage device 20b may be charged. Good. In other words, the switching unit 12 adheres the second switch element 12b to the contact 12ba and adheres the third switch element 12c to the contact 12ca.

  Alternatively, when the switching unit 12 is connected to the second power supply system 10b, the switching unit 12 notifies the user that the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b cannot be charged and is connected to the first power supply system 10a. Notification may be given prompting the user to redo.

  In addition, even when a fourth switch element 12d (see FIG. 5) is added and only the second power supply system 10b is connected, the charging circuit 40 that can charge the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b is provided. However, this point will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the process procedure of the switching process which the charge control apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment performs is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of switching processing executed by the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, the detection unit 11 determines whether or not the charging cable is connected to the plug-in, that is, the power plugs 30a and 30b of the vehicle C (step S101).

  When there is a plug-in (step S101, Yes), the detection unit 11 detects the number of connected power supply systems 10a and 10b (step S102). Subsequently, the switching unit 12 determines whether or not the number of systems detected by the detection unit 11 is one (step S103).

  When the number of detected systems is one (step S103, Yes), the switching unit 12 switches to the one-system charging circuit 40 (step S104), and ends the process. Specifically, the switching unit 12 switches to the charging circuit 40 in which the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected to one power supply system 10a and 10b.

  On the other hand, in step S103, when the number of detected systems is plural (for example, two) (step S103, No), the switching unit 12 switches to the two-system charging circuit 40 (step S105) and performs processing. Exit. Specifically, the switching unit 12 switches to the charging circuit 40 to which the power storage devices 20a and 20b corresponding to the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b are connected.

  In Step S101, when there is no plug-in (No in Step S101), the switching unit 12 sets the charging circuit 40 in a non-formed state (Step S106) and ends the process.

  As described above, the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment includes the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b, the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b, the charging circuit 40, the detection unit 11, and the switching unit 12. The plurality of power supply systems 10 a and 10 b can be connected to the external power supply 100. The charging circuit 40 is provided so as to be connectable to each of the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b, and charges the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b with electric power supplied from the external power supply 100. The detection unit 11 detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply 100 among the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b. The switching unit 12 switches the power supply systems 10a and 10b to which the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected by switching the charging circuit 40 based on the number of systems detected by the detection unit 11. Thereby, the charging time can be shortened without deteriorating the performance of the power storage devices 20a and 20b.

  In the above-described embodiment, the charging circuit 40 is shown in which the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are charged when the first power supply system 10a is connected (see FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the second power supply system 10b is connected, it is possible to form a charging circuit 40 that charges the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charging control device 1 according to a modification of the embodiment. The charging circuit 40 shown in FIG. 5 is different from the above-described embodiment in that a fourth switch element 12d is further added.

  Specifically, the fourth switch element 12d has one end connected to the second power supply system 10b and the other end on the contact 12da side connected between the first power supply system 10a and the first power storage device 20a. The

  And the detection part 11 detects the presence or absence of a connection about each of the 1st power supply system 10a and the 2nd power supply system 10b. When the first power supply system 10a is not connected to the switching unit 12 and the second power supply system 10b is connected by the detection unit 11, the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b are connected to the second power supply system 10b. Switch to the charging circuit 40.

  Specifically, the switching unit 12 turns off the first switch element 12a. In addition, the switching unit 12 adheres the second switch element 12b to the contact 12bb. Further, the switching unit 12 adheres the third switch element 12c to the contact 12ca. In addition, the switching unit 12 adheres the fourth switch element 12d to the contact 12da.

  As described above, by disposing the fourth switch element 12d, it is possible to charge the plurality of power storage devices 20a and 20b regardless of which of the plurality of power supply systems 10a and 10b is connected.

  In the embodiment described above, the charging circuit 40 in the case where there are two power storage devices 20a, 20b and two power supply systems 10a, 10b has been described. However, the number of power storage devices 20a, 20b and power supply systems 10a, 10b is respectively There may be three or more.

  In such a case, of course, the charging circuit 40 can also be realized by arranging the switch elements in accordance with the number of the power storage devices 20a and 20b and the power supply systems 10a and 10b. Further, when the number of the power storage devices 20a and 20b and the power supply systems 10a and 10b is three, for example, the following three charging circuits 40 can be considered.

  The three charging circuits 40 have a circuit configuration in which three power storage devices are charged by three power supply systems, a circuit configuration in which three power storage devices are charged by one power supply system, and two power storages by one power supply system. A circuit configuration in which the device is charged is conceivable.

  Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Thus, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charge control apparatus 10a, 10b Power supply system 11 Detection part 12 Switching part 12a 1st switch element 12b 2nd switch element 12c 3rd switch element 12d 4th switch element 20a, 20b Power storage device 30a, 30b Power plug 40 Charging circuit 100 External power supply C Vehicle

Claims (5)

A plurality of power storage devices;
Multiple power systems that can be connected to an external power source,
A charging circuit provided to be connectable to each of the plurality of power supply systems, and charging the plurality of power storage devices with electric power supplied from the external power supply;
Among the plurality of power supply systems, a detection unit that detects the number of systems connected to the external power supply,
A charging control device comprising: a switching unit that switches the power supply system to which each of the plurality of power storage devices is connected by switching the charging circuit based on the number of systems detected by the detection unit. The switching unit is
2. The charging according to claim 1, wherein when the number of systems detected by the detection unit is 1, switching to the charging circuit in which the plurality of power storage devices are connected to the one power supply system. Control device. The switching unit is
The switch to the charging circuit to which the power storage device corresponding to each of the plurality of power supply systems is connected when the number of the systems detected by the detection unit is plural. Charge control device. The plurality of power storage devices are:
The charging circuit is arranged to be connectable in series,
The switching unit is
A first switch element having one end connected to the first power storage device and the other end connected to the first power supply system;
A second switch element having one end connected to the second power storage device and the other end connected to the second power supply system or the first power storage device;
A third switch element having one end connected to the side opposite to the second switch element in the second power storage device and the other end connected to the first power supply system or the second power supply system; The charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charge control device is provided. The detector is
Detecting the presence or absence of connection for each of the first power supply system and the second power supply system;
The switching unit is
One end is connected to the second power supply system, and the other end has a fourth switch element connected between the first power supply system and the first power storage device, and is detected by the detection unit The charge control device according to claim 4, wherein the fourth switch element is switched based on the presence or absence of the connection.

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