Power supply unit and mobile unit

Abstract

To provide a power supply unit with larger power supply capability, while suppressing possibility of battery exhaustion to equal to or less than a prior art on-vehicle USB charger.SOLUTION: A power supply unit 10 has a first input end 101 to which a main control signal is inputted, a power supply input end 103 connected to a battery, a power supply output end 105, and a control unit 12. The control unit 12 supplies output power, in which voltage is applied to the power supply input end 103 and the maximum value is controlled, from the power supply output end 105 to the outside. The control unit 12 has at least a first upper limit power mode and a second upper limit power mode. The control unit 12 operates in the first upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in an ON state and operates in the second upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in an OFF state. The maximum value of the output power at the time of the second upper limit power mode is smaller than the maximum value of the output power at the time of the first upper limit power mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply unit and a mobile object equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Various electric and electronic devices are mounted on vehicles such as automobiles equipped with batteries. Patent Document 1 describes a technology relating to reducing power consumption in such vehicles.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1, a vehicle generally has three power modes: (1) an off mode in which the power supply is cut off; (2) an accessory mode in which only the accessory power supply is turned on; and (3) an on mode in which all power supplies are turned on.

[0004] To improve user convenience, vehicles are increasingly being equipped with electrical and electronic devices (accessories) that can be used in accessory mode. USB chargers are one example of such accessories.

[0005] To avoid battery drain, it is desirable to keep power consumption as low as possible in accessory mode. Therefore, the power supply of conventional car USB chargers is limited to a certain power or less. This limit does not depend on the power supply mode. In other words, the power supply capacity of conventional car USB chargers is the same in accessory mode and on mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-43752 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] According to the USB PD standard, power supply devices can have a relatively large power supply capacity. If such a power supply device is used as an in-vehicle USB charger, it will enable quick charging of user devices, improving user convenience. However, simply replacing a conventional in-vehicle USB charger with a power supply device that complies with the USB PD standard increases the possibility of causing the battery to run out.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply unit that has a greater power supply capacity while keeping the possibility of the battery running out to the same level or less than that of conventional in-vehicle USB chargers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention distinguishes between an accessory mode in which there is a concern about battery exhaustion and an on mode in which there is no need to worry about battery exhaustion, and improves user convenience by supplying power with a relatively small power supply capacity in the accessory mode and a relatively large power supply capacity in the on mode.

[0010] In detail, the present invention provides a power supply unit mounted on a moving body having a drive unit as a first power supply unit, a start-up switch operated when starting up the drive unit, the start-up switch switching at least a state of a main control signal, and a battery that is charged when the main control signal is in an on state and the drive unit is operating, The power supply unit has a first input terminal to which the main control signal is input, a power input terminal connected to the battery, a power output terminal, and a control unit; the control unit receives a voltage at the power supply input terminal and supplies a maximum controlled output power from the power supply output terminal to an external device; The control unit has at least a first upper limit power mode and a second upper limit power mode, the control unit operates in the first upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in an ON state, and operates in a second upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in an OFF state; The maximum value of the output power in the second upper limit power mode is smaller than the maximum value of the output power in the first upper limit power mode. A power supply unit is provided.

[0011] The present invention also provides a second power supply unit, which is a first power supply unit, The start switch further switches the state of a sub-control signal, The power supply unit further includes a second input terminal to which the sub control signal is input, The control unit operates when the sub-control signal is in an ON state, and stops operating when the sub-control signal is in an OFF state. A power supply unit is provided.

[0012] The present invention also provides a third power supply unit, which is a second power supply unit, The control unit is compliant with the USB PD standard. A power supply unit is provided.

[0013] The present invention also provides a fourth power supply unit, which is a third power supply unit, The power supply unit has a USB connector, The power output terminal is disposed within the connector. A power supply unit is provided.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides a first moving body including a drive unit, a battery, a start switch, and any one of the first to fourth power supply units, The start switch is operated when starting up the drive unit and switches a state of at least the main control signal, The battery is charged when the main control signal is in an on state and the drive unit is operating. Provide a mobile unit. Effect of the Invention

[0015] In a power supply unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit operates in a first upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in an on state, and operates in a second upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in an off state. Here, the maximum value of the output power in the second upper limit power mode is smaller than the maximum value of the output power in the first upper limit power mode. This allows the power supply unit to supply relatively low power when there is a concern about the battery running out, and to supply relatively high power when there is no risk of the battery running out. In this way, it is possible to improve user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply operation in a moving object including the power supply unit of Fig. 1. The primary control signal is in an OFF state, and the secondary control signal is in an ON state. [Diagram 3] Fig. 2 is another block diagram for explaining a power supply operation in a moving object including the power supply unit of Fig. 1. Both the primary control signal and the secondary control signal are in an ON state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (First embodiment) 1, a power supply unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first input terminal 101, a power input terminal 103, a power output terminal 105, and a control unit 12. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 10 further includes a second input terminal 107. However, the second input terminal 107 is not essential to the present invention.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the power supply unit 10 is mounted on a moving object 20. In this embodiment, the moving object 20 is an engine vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The moving object 20 may be an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a motorcycle, an electric motorcycle, etc.

[0019] 2, the moving object 20 has a drive unit 22, a start switch 24, and a battery 26. In this embodiment, the moving object 20 further has an energy source 28 and electric and electronic equipment 30. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 10 is classified as an accessory 40 together with the electric and electronic equipment 30. The electric and electronic equipment 30 includes various electric and electronic equipment. The power supply unit 10 is used to supply power to an electric and electronic equipment (user equipment) 50 used by a user.

[0020] 2, the energy source 28 is a fuel such as gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen. When the moving body 20 is an electric vehicle, the energy source 28 is a driving battery. In this embodiment, the driving unit 22 is an engine. When the moving body 20 is an electric vehicle, the driving unit 22 is a motor. In this embodiment, the battery 26 is a lead battery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The battery 26 may be another type of battery, such as a lithium ion battery.

[0021] 2, start switch 24 is a switch that is operated by the user when starting drive unit 22. Start switch 24 switches the state of at least a primary control signal. In this embodiment, start switch 24 switches the state of a secondary control signal in addition to the primary control signal. In this embodiment, start switch 24 is an ignition switch. When moving body 20 is an electric vehicle, start switch 24 is a power switch.

[0022] Generally, an ignition switch has an off mode, an accessory mode, and an on mode. The ignition switch also serves as a starter switch that starts the drive unit 22. In the following description, the start switch 24 has an off mode, an accessory mode, and an on mode. When the start switch 24 is in the on state, the drive unit 22 is started and operating.

[0023] In this embodiment, when the activation switch 24 is in the off mode, both the primary control signal and the secondary control signal are in the off state. When the activation switch 24 is operated from the off mode to the accessory mode, the primary control signal remains in the off state, and the secondary control signal is switched from the off state to the on state. When the activation switch 24 is operated from the accessory mode to the on mode, the secondary control signal remains in the on state, and the primary control signal is switched from the off state to the on state.

[0024] 2, when start switch 24 is in the off mode, power supply from battery 26 to accessory 40 is stopped. When start switch 24 is operated from the off mode to the accessory mode, power is supplied from battery 26 to accessory 40. At this time, drive unit 22 is not operating, and power is not supplied from drive unit 22 to battery 26. Therefore, in the accessory mode, if the power consumption of accessory 40 is large, there is a risk that battery 26 will run out.

[0025] 3, when the start switch 24 is operated from the accessory mode to the on mode, power is supplied from the battery 26 to the accessory 40. Also, in the on mode, power is supplied from the drive unit 22 to the battery 26. Normally, the power supply capacity of the drive unit 22 is greater than the power consumption of the accessory 40. Therefore, when the main control signal is in the on state and the drive unit 22 is operating, the battery 26 is charged. Therefore, normally, there is no risk of the battery 26 running out in the on mode.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 1, the control unit 12 of the power supply unit 10 has a main control signal state detection unit 14 and a power supply unit 16. The power supply unit 10 further has a connector 18. In this embodiment, the control unit 12 complies with the USB PD standard. The main control signal state detection unit 14 is connected to the first input terminal 101 and the power supply unit 16. The power supply unit 16 has a DC-DC converter 161 and a USB PD controller 163. The power supply unit 16 is connected to the power input terminal 103, the second input terminal 107, and the power output terminal 105. The connector 18 is attached to the power output terminal 105. In other words, the power output terminal 105 is disposed in the connector 18. In this embodiment, the connector 18 is a connector that complies with the USB standard. The connector 18 may be, for example, a USB Type-C connector. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 18 may be a connector other than a USB Type-C connector.

[0027] 1 and 2, the power supply input terminal 103 is connected to the battery 26. The first input terminal 101 and the second input terminal 107 are connected to the start switch 24. A primary control signal is input to the first input terminal 101, and a secondary control signal is input to the second input terminal 107.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a voltage is applied to the power supply input terminal 103 from the battery 26. When a voltage is applied to the power supply input terminal 103, the control unit 12 supplies a controlled maximum output power to the outside via the power supply output terminal 105. The control unit 12 has at least a first upper limit power mode and a second upper limit power mode in order to control the maximum value of the output power. As described later, the control unit 12 operates in the first upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in the ON state, and operates in the second upper limit power mode when the main control signal is in the OFF state. Compared with the maximum value of the output power in the first upper limit power mode (first maximum value), the maximum value of the output power in the second upper limit power mode (second maximum value) is set to be smaller. As an example, the first maximum value is 60W=20V×3A, and the second maximum value is 27W (9V×3A).

[0029] 1 and 2, in an initial state, the start switch 24 is in the off mode, and at this time, the main control signal and the sub control signal are both in the off state. In the off mode, the control unit 12 is in a stopped state.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 2, when the start switch 24 is operated to transition from the off mode to the accessory mode, the sub-control signal is switched from the off state to the on state. This transitions the control unit 12 from the stopped state to the operating state. The main control signal is still in the off state. The main control signal state detection unit 14 detects that the main control signal is in the off state and notifies the power supply unit 16. The power supply unit 16 operates in the second upper limit power mode based on the detection signal from the main control signal state detection unit 14. In detail, the USB PD controller 163 of the power supply unit 16 controls the DC-DC converter 161 based on the detection signal from the main control signal state detection unit 14 to limit the maximum value of the power supplied to the power output terminal 105 to the second maximum value (<the first maximum value). In this way, the power supply unit 10 supplies power to the user device 50 in a state in which the maximum value is limited to the second maximum value.

[0031] 3, when the start switch 24 is operated again to transition from the accessory mode to the on mode, the primary control signal switches from the off state to the on state. The primary control signal state detection unit 14 detects that the primary control signal is on and notifies the power supply unit 16. The power supply unit 16 operates in the first upper limit power mode based on the detection signal from the primary control signal state detection unit 14. In detail, the USB PD controller 163 of the power supply unit 16 controls the DC-DC converter 161 based on the detection signal from the primary control signal state detection unit 14 to limit the maximum value of power supplied to the power output terminal 105 to the first maximum value (>second maximum value). In this way, the power supply unit 10 supplies power to the user device 50 in a state in which the maximum value is limited to the first maximum value.

[0032] When the start switch 24 is operated to transition from the on mode to the accessory mode, the primary control signal switches from the on state to the off state. The primary control signal state detection unit 14 detects that the primary control signal is in the off state and notifies the power supply unit 16. The power supply unit 16 operates in the second upper limit power mode based on the detection signal from the primary control signal state detection unit 14. That is, the maximum value of power supplied from the power supply unit 10 to the user device 50 is limited to the second maximum value.

[0033] When the start-up switch 24 is further operated to transition from the accessory mode to the off mode, the sub-control signal switches from the on state to the off state. This stops power supply to the accessory 40 including the power supply unit 10. Thus, the control unit 12 of the power supply unit 10 stops its operation when the sub-control signal is in the off state. This stops power supply from the power supply unit 10 to the user device 50.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the maximum value of the power supply of the power supply unit 10 is different between the accessory mode and the on mode. In detail, the maximum value of the power supply in the accessory mode is smaller than the maximum value of the power supply in the on mode. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of the battery 26 running out to the same level or less than that of a conventional in-vehicle USB charger. On the other hand, the maximum value of the power supply in the on mode is larger than the maximum value of the power supply in the accessory mode. This also means that the maximum value of the power supply in the on mode is larger than the maximum value of the power supply of a conventional in-vehicle USB charger. This allows the power supply unit 10 to supply a relatively large amount of power to the user device 50. For example, the power supply unit 10 can perform quick charging of a personal computer (PC) or the like.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 12 of the power supply unit 10 is configured to operate when the secondary control signal is in the ON state, but when the secondary control signal is not present, the control unit 12 may operate at all times. In this case, too, the control unit 12 may operate in the first upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in the ON state, and in the second upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in the OFF state.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the battery 26 is charged by the driving unit 22, but if the moving body 20 is an electric vehicle, power may be supplied to the battery 26 from a driving battery, which is the energy source 28. In that case, the driving unit 22 supplies power to the driving battery during operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10 Power Supply Unit 101 First input terminal 103 Power input terminal 105 Power output terminal 107 Second input terminal 12 Control unit 14 Main control signal status detector 16 Power supply section 161 DC-DC Converter 163 USB PD Controller 18 Connectors 20 Mobile 22 Drive unit 24 Start switch 26 Battery 28 Energy Sources 30 Electrical and Electronic Equipment 40 Accessories 50 Electrical and Electronic Equipment (User Equipment)

Claims

1. A power supply unit mounted on a moving object having a drive unit, an energy source used to drive the drive unit, a start-up switch operated to start the drive unit and configured to switch at least a state of a main control signal, and a battery, the battery is charged from the drive unit or the energy source when the main control signal is in an on state; The power supply unit has a first input terminal to which the main control signal is input, a power input terminal connected to the battery, a power output terminal, and a control unit, the control unit receives a voltage at the power supply input terminal and supplies a maximum controlled output power from the power supply output terminal to an external device; The control unit has at least a first upper limit power mode and a second upper limit power mode, the control unit operates in the first upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in an ON state, and operates in a second upper limit power mode when the primary control signal is in an OFF state; The maximum value of the output power in the second upper limit power mode is smaller than the maximum value of the output power in the first upper limit power mode. Power supply unit.

2. 2. A power supply unit according to claim 1, The start switch further switches the state of a sub-control signal, The power supply unit further includes a second input terminal to which the sub control signal is input, The control unit operates when the sub-control signal is in an ON state, and stops operating when the sub-control signal is in an OFF state. Power supply unit.

3. 3. A power supply unit according to claim 2, The control unit is compliant with the USB PD standard. Power supply unit.

4. 4. A power supply unit according to claim 3, The power supply unit has a USB connector, The power output terminal is disposed within the connector. Power supply unit.

5. A moving body comprising a drive unit, a battery, a start switch, and the power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The start switch is operated when starting up the drive unit and switches a state of at least the main control signal, The battery is charged when the main control signal is in an on state and the drive unit is operating. Mobile body.

6. 2. A power supply unit according to claim 1, The drive unit is a motor. Power supply unit.

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