Power supply unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a power supply device. The power supply device includes a plurality of battery modules and a control unit, and supplies power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load. The control unit performs on-off control, in which the battery module is turned on during an activation time and turned off during an inactivation time, and the activation time and the inactivation time are repeated alternately. The control unit delays the on-off control timing of the battery module adjacent to the lower side by a control delay time compared to the battery module on the upper side. The control unit randomly determines the control delay time for each battery module on the lower side than the uppermost battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device, and more particularly to a device including a plurality of battery modules connected in series. Background Art

[0002] Research and development has been conducted on a power supply device in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series. The battery module includes a battery and a switch circuit, and the switch circuit is switched to either an on state in which the battery voltage is output from a pair of terminals or an off state in which the pair of terminals are short-circuited.

[0003] In a power supply device having a plurality of battery modules connected in series, a load is connected between the uppermost battery module and the lowermost battery module. By switching the on and off states of each battery module, a voltage based on the on-state battery module is applied to the load.

[0004] In the following Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2018-74709, 2018-174029, 2018-174607, 2018-174626, 2018-182782, and 2018-182783, a power supply device in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series is shown. In the power supply devices described in these patent documents, a scanning switch process is performed sequentially from the upper level to the lower level to make the battery module an on state during a predetermined activation time. In the scanning switch process, the battery module adjacent to the downstream side performs on-off control of the switch circuit at a timing delayed by a predetermined delay time compared to the battery module on the upstream side. Through the scanning switch process, the combined output voltage of the batteries in the desired number of battery modules is applied to the load, and power is supplied to the load from each battery in the desired number of battery modules. Summary of the invention

[0005] In a power supply device that connects a plurality of battery modules in series and performs scan switching, noise voltage or noise current is generated by the on / off control of each battery module. The power supply device may not be properly controlled due to the noise.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of noise generated by a power supply device on its own operation in a power supply device in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series.

[0007] The present invention provides a power supply device, comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and a control unit, controlling each of the battery modules to supply power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, wherein the control unit performs on-off control, wherein the battery modules are turned on during an activation time and turned off during an inactivation time, and the activation time and the inactivation time are repeated alternately, and on-off control is performed on the plurality of battery modules so that the on-off control timing of the battery modules adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared to the battery modules on the upper side, and the control delay time is randomly determined for each of the battery modules on the lower side of the uppermost battery module.

[0008] In addition, the present invention provides a power supply device, comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and a control unit, controlling each of the battery modules to supply power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, wherein the control unit performs on-off control, wherein the battery module is turned on during an activation time and turned off during an inactivation time, and the activation time and the inactivation time are repeated alternately, and on-off control is performed on the plurality of battery modules so that the on-off control timing of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared to the battery module on the upper side, and the activation time is randomly determined for each battery module.

[0009] Preferably, the control unit randomly determines a cycle obtained by adding the activation time and the non-activation time for each of the battery modules.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a power supply device, comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and a control unit, controlling each of the battery modules to supply power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, wherein the control unit performs on-off control, wherein the battery module is turned on during an activation time and turned off during an inactivation time, and the activation time and the inactivation time are repeated alternately, and on-off control is performed on the plurality of battery modules so that the on-off control timing of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared to the battery module on the upper side, and a period obtained by adding the activation time and the inactivation time is randomly determined for each battery module.

[0011] Preferably, the control unit randomly determines the control delay time for each of the battery modules on the lower side of the uppermost battery module.

[0012] Preferably, the control unit randomly determines the control delay time for each battery module when controlling the power supply state to the load by changing at least one of the cycle obtained by adding the activation time to the inactivation time, the activation time and the control delay time.

[0013] Preferably, the control unit randomly determines the activation time for each battery module when controlling the power supply state to the load by changing at least one of a cycle obtained by adding the activation time to the inactivation time, the activation time, and the control delay time.

[0014] Preferably, the control unit randomly determines the cycle for each of the battery modules when controlling the power supply state to the load by changing at least one of the cycle obtained by adding the activation time to the inactivation time, the activation time, and the control delay time.

[0015] Preferably, the control unit performs on / off control on the uppermost battery module according to on / off control timing of any of the battery modules on the lowermost side.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence of noise generated by a power supply device on its own operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of a power supply device.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the detailed structure of the battery module.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a diagram conceptually showing a timing chart of each control signal.

[0021] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart of each control signal.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a diagram conceptually showing a timing chart of each control signal in the delay time variation mode.

[0023] Figure 6This is a diagram conceptually showing a timing chart of each control signal in the periodic variation mode.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a diagram conceptually showing a timing chart of each control signal in a delay time and period variation mode.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the structure of a power supply device.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing simulation results when the power supply device operates in the basic mode.

[0027] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing simulation results when the power supply device operates in the delay time variation mode.

[0028] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing simulation results when the power supply device operates in the periodic variation mode.

[0029] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing simulation results when the power supply device operates in the delay time and period variation mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] (1) Structure of power supply device

[0031] The power supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components shown in a plurality of drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0032] exist Figure 1 , the structure of the power supply device of the embodiment of the present invention is shown. The power supply device includes battery modules U0~U13, a control unit 12, a load capacitor CL, a system main relay switch SMR (hereinafter referred to as SMR), a voltmeter V and an ammeter A. The battery modules U0~U13 respectively include main circuits u0~u13. In addition, each battery module Ui includes a battery 10 connected to the main circuit ui at both ends. Here, i is an arbitrary integer from 0 to 13. Figure 1 In the figure, a solid line represents a power line for transmitting power, and a dotted line represents a control line for transmitting a control signal. The battery modules U0 to U13 are connected in series using power lines and control lines according to the circuit structure described later. In the power supply device of this embodiment, 14 battery modules U0 to U13 are used, but the number of battery modules used may be any number of two or more.

[0033] The uppermost battery module U0 is connected to one end of the ammeter A. The other end of the ammeter A is connected to one end of the SMR, and the other end of the SMR is connected to one end of the load 14. The lowermost battery module U13 is connected to the other end of the load 14. In addition, between the power line between the uppermost battery module U0 and the load 14 and the power line between the lowermost battery module U13 and the load 14, a load capacitor CL and a voltmeter V are connected in parallel.

[0034] The voltage measurement value measured by the voltmeter V and the current measurement value measured by the ammeter A are output to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls each battery module Ui based on at least one of the voltage measurement value and the current measurement value. The control unit 12 turns on the SMR when power is supplied to the load 14, and turns off the SMR when power is cut off to the load 14. The state of the power supply device when the SMR is turned on is described below.

[0035] (2) Battery module structure

[0036] exist Figure 2 , the detailed structure of the battery module Ui is shown. The battery module Ui includes a main circuit ui and a battery 10. The main circuit ui includes a control circuit 20, a switch circuit 22, an upstream power terminal 24, a downstream power terminal 26, an upstream control terminal 28, and a downstream control terminal 30. The switch circuit 22 includes a first switch element S1, a second switch element S2, and an in-module capacitor Cm. One end of the first switch element S1 is connected to the upstream power terminal 24. The other end of the first switch element S1 is connected to the downstream power terminal 26. In addition, one end of the second switch element S2 is connected to the upstream power terminal 24, and the other end of the second switch element S2 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 10. The negative terminal of the battery 10 is connected to the downstream power terminal 26. The in-module capacitor Cm is connected between the connection point between the second switch element S2 and the battery 10 and the downstream power terminal 26.

[0037] As each of the first switching element S1 and the second switching element S2, a semiconductor switching element such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), a bipolar transistor, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), etc. can be used. When a MOSFET is used as the first switching element S1, the drain terminal is connected to the upstream power terminal 24, and the source terminal is connected to the downstream power terminal 26. When a MOSFET is used as the second switching element S2, the source terminal is connected to the upstream power terminal 24, and the drain terminal is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 10. Between the drain terminal and the source terminal of each MOSFET, a diode is connected in such a way that the cathode terminal faces the drain terminal side.

[0038] When a bipolar transistor or IGBT is used instead of a MOSFET, the drain terminal and source terminal of the MOSFET correspond to the collector terminal and emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor and IGBT, respectively. A diode is connected between the collector terminal and the emitter terminal with the cathode terminal facing the collector terminal.

[0039] One end of the control circuit 20 is connected to the upstream control terminal 28, and the other end of the control circuit 20 is connected to the downstream control terminal 30. The control signal Fi is output from the control circuit 20 to the first switch element S1, and the control signal Gi is output from the control circuit 20 to the second switch element S2. When the value of the control signal Fi is high, the first switch element S1 is turned on, and when the value of the control signal Fi is low, the first switch element S1 is turned off. Similarly, when the value of the control signal Gi is high, the second switch element S2 is turned on, and when the value of the control signal Gi is low, the second switch element S2 is turned off. The control signal Gi is a signal that inverts the high and low values ​​of the control signal Fi.

[0040] When the first switch element S1 is turned on and the second switch element S2 is turned off, the upstream power terminal 24 and the downstream power terminal 26 are short-circuited, and the battery module Ui is turned off. When the first switch element S1 is turned off and the second switch element S2 is turned on, the positive electrode of the battery 10 is connected to the upstream power terminal 24, and the battery 10 is connected between the upstream power terminal 24 and the downstream power terminal 26. As a result, the battery module Ui is turned on.

[0041] Figure 1The battery modules U0 to U13 shown are connected in series using power lines and control lines as described below. The downstream power terminal 26 of the switch circuit 22 on the upper side is connected to the upstream power terminal 24 of the switch circuit 22 adjacent to the lower side. The upstream power terminal 24 of the uppermost switch circuit 22 is connected to one end of the load 14 via the ammeter A and the SMR. The downstream power terminal 26 of the lowermost switch circuit 22 is connected to the other end of the load 14.

[0042] The downstream control terminal 30 of the upper control circuit 20 is connected to the upstream control terminal 28 of the lower adjacent control circuit 20. The upstream control terminal 28 of the uppermost control circuit 20 and the downstream control terminal 30 of the lowermost control circuit 20 are connected to the control unit 12.

[0043] (3) Control unit and control circuit hardware, etc.

[0044] The control unit 12 and each control circuit 20 may include a processor that executes a program read from the outside or a program stored in the processor. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Although an example in which the control unit 12 and each control circuit 20 are configured by separate hardware is shown, all or any of the control unit 12 and each control circuit 20 may be integrally configured by one piece of hardware.

[0045] In this way, the power supply device includes a plurality of battery modules U0 to U13 connected in series and a control unit 12 for controlling each battery module U0 to U13, and supplies power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules (U0, U13) to the load 14. The control unit 12 performs the following on-off control: during the activation time, the battery module Ui is turned on, and during the inactivation time, the battery module Ui is turned off, and the activation time and the inactivation time are repeated alternately. The control unit 12 performs on-off control on the plurality of battery modules so that the on-off control timing of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared to the battery module on the upper side. Thus, the scanning switch processing for turning the battery module on during the predetermined activation time is sequentially performed from the upper level to the lower level.

[0046] As described later, the control unit 12 may randomly determine the control delay time for each battery module U1 to U13 on the lower side than the uppermost battery module U0. In addition, the control unit 12 may randomly determine the activation time for each battery module U0 to U13. In addition, the control unit 12 may randomly determine the cycle obtained by adding the activation time and the inactivation time for each battery module U0 to U13.

[0047] (4) Each operating mode of the power supply device

[0048] The power supply device of this embodiment operates in one of the basic mode and the noise countermeasure mode. The basic mode is an operation mode in which the control delay time for adjacent battery modules is constant and the cycle of the control signal is constant. The noise countermeasure mode is an operation mode in which the control delay time for adjacent battery modules varies or the cycle of the control signals Gi and Fi varies.

[0049] (4-1) Basic Mode

[0050] Describes the operation in basic mode. Figure 3 , a timing chart of control signals G0 to G13 output from the control circuit 20 to the second switch element S2 in the battery modules U0 to U13 is conceptually shown. Figure 3 (G0), (G1), (G2), (G3) ... (G13) respectively show the control signals G0, G1, G2, G3 ... G13 output from the control circuit 20 to the second switching element S2 in the battery modules U0, U1, U2, U3 ... U13.

[0051] At time t=t0, the value of control signal G0 rises from low to high. The value of control signal G0 drops from high to low when the activation time Ta has passed since time t=t0. The on-off cycle of control signal G0 is T. That is, the value of control signal G0 rises from low to high when the time T has passed since time t0. The value of control signal G0 repeats high and low with a cycle T. The length of the activation time in one cycle is Ta, and the length of the inactivation time in one cycle is T-Ta.

[0052] Control signals G1, G2, G3, ..., G13 are signals that delay control signal G0 by control delay times D, 2D, 3D, ..., 13D, respectively. That is, control signal Gj is a signal that delays control signal G0 by control delay time j·D. Here, j is an integer between 1 and 13.

[0053] When the number of battery modules in the on state is set to n, the control unit 12 sets the cycle T, activation time Ta, and control delay time D as follows. That is, when i+n is less than 13, the control unit 12 sets the cycle T, activation time Ta, and control delay time D for each control circuit 20 so that the control signal G(i+n) rises from low to high at the moment when the value of the control signal Gi falls from high to low. When i+n exceeds 13, the control unit 12 sets the cycle T, activation time Ta, and control delay time D for each control circuit 20 so that the control signal G(i+n-14) rises from low to high at the moment when the value of the control signal Gi falls from high to low. As a result, n battery modules among the battery modules U0 to U13 are in the on state, and 14-n battery modules are in the off state. There is a relationship of T=(14-n)D+Ta among the cycle T, the number n of battery modules set to the on state, the control delay time D, and the activation time Ta. When the output voltage of the battery 10 in each of the battery modules U0 to U13 is E, a voltage of n·E is applied to the load 14 .

[0054] The control unit 12 obtains the voltage measurement value measured by the voltmeter V and the current measurement value measured by the ammeter A. The control unit 12 can obtain the power measurement value based on the voltage measurement value and the current measurement value. The control unit 12 can determine the number n of battery modules set to the on state, the control delay time D, the activation time Ta, and the cycle T in such a way that the voltage measurement value becomes a value within the target range, or in such a way that the current measurement value becomes a value within the target range. Alternatively, the control unit 12 can determine the number n of battery modules set to the on state, the control delay time D, the activation time Ta, and the cycle T in such a way that the power measurement value becomes a value within the target range.

[0055] The load capacitor CL suppresses the variation of the voltage applied to the load 14. The variation of the voltage applied to the load 14 is generated, for example, by the switching process of the switch circuit 22 provided in each battery module Ui. In addition, the intra-module capacitor Cm provided in the switch circuit 22 suppresses the variation of the voltage generated between the upstream power terminal 24 and the downstream power terminal 26. The variation of the voltage generated between the upstream power terminal 24 and the downstream power terminal 26 is generated, for example, by the switching process of the switch element provided in the switch circuit 22.

[0056] exist Figure 4, an example of a timing diagram of control signals G0 to G13 is shown. In this example, the number of battery modules in the on state is n=7, and 7 battery modules among battery modules U0 to U13 are in the on state, and 7 battery modules are in the off state. The cycle T, activation time Ta, and delay time D are determined in such a way that the control signal G0 changes from low to high at the moment when the value of the control signal G7 drops from high to low. When the output voltage of the battery 10 in each of the battery modules U0 to U13 is E, a voltage of 7E is applied to the load 14.

[0057] illustrate Figure 2 The operation of each battery module Ui in the basic mode shown in the figure. The control circuit 20 in each battery module Ui operates as follows according to the control of the control unit 12. When the upstream control voltage input to the upstream control terminal 28 rises from low to high, the control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from off to on and turns the first switch element S1 from on to off when the control delay time i·D has passed since the upstream control voltage rose from low to high. When the activation time Ta has passed since the second switch element S2 was turned from off to on and the first switch element S1 was turned from on to off, the control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from on to off and turns the first switch element S1 from off to on.

[0058] When the upstream control voltage rises from low to high, the control circuit 20 raises the downstream control voltage output from the downstream control terminal 30 from low to high after the control delay time i·D has elapsed since the upstream control voltage rises. Then, when the activation time Ta has elapsed since the downstream control voltage is raised, the downstream control voltage is lowered from high to low.

[0059] The control unit 12 will Figure 3 The control signal G0 shown is input to the upstream control terminal 28 of the battery module U0. The battery module U0 is turned on or off according to the control signal G0. Each battery module Ui is turned on when the control delay time i·D has passed since the value of the control signal G0 rises, and is turned off after maintaining the on state for the activation time Ta.

[0060] As described above, the switch circuit 22 of each battery module U0 to U13 includes a first switch element S1 and a second switch element S2, and these switch elements S1 and S2 are repeatedly turned on and off alternately. As a result, a noise voltage or a noise current (hereinafter referred to as noise) of a specific frequency is sometimes generated in the power line and the control line, and the control unit 12 and each control circuit 20 cannot operate properly. Therefore, the power supply device can also operate in the noise suppression mode described below.

[0061] (4-2) Noise suppression mode

[0062] As noise suppression modes, there are a delay time variation mode and a cycle variation mode. The delay time variation mode is an operation mode in which the control delay time is set to a randomly dispersed value for each of the battery modules U0 to U13. The cycle variation mode is an operation mode in which the cycle of switching between the on state and the off state is set to a randomly dispersed value for each of the battery modules U0 to U13. In the cycle variation mode, the delay time can also be controlled to be constant for each of the battery modules U0 to U13.

[0063] (4-2-1) Delay time variation mode

[0064] exist Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , a timing diagram of control signals G0 to G5 in the delay time variation mode is conceptually shown. The time t=t0 to t5 is the time when the value of control signals G0 to G5 rises from low to high in the basic mode. Figure 5 As shown, the values ​​of the control signals G1 to G5 rise at moments that are randomly deviated from time t = t1 to t5. That is, the moments at which the values ​​of the control signals G1 to G5 rise are randomly dispersed relative to the rising moments in the basic mode. In addition, the moments that are randomly deviated from time t = t1 to t5 also include the moments t = t1 to t5 (the case where the deviation of the rising moment is 0). The values ​​of the control signals G0 to G5 fall when the activation time Ta has passed after rising from low to high.

[0065] exist Figure 5 , control signals G0 to G5 are shown, but control signals G6 to G13 also change in the same manner as control signals G0 to G5. That is, the values ​​of control signals G6 to G13 rise at a time that is randomly deviated from the time when they rise in the basic mode. The values ​​of control signals G6 to G13 fall after the activation time Ta has passed after rising from low to high.

[0066] The period Tx of the control signal G0 is the time Tx obtained by adding the control delay times α1 to αn for the battery modules U1 to Un to the period T in the basic mode. That is, the period of the control signal G0 is determined according to the relationship Tx=T+α1+α2+α3+······+αn=(14-n)D+Ta+Σαj. Here, Σ means adding the total for j=1~n. n is the number of battery modules in the on state. In this way, the value of the control signal G0 decreases when the activation time Ta has passed after rising from low to high, and rises again when Tx=(14-n)D+Ta+Σαj has passed since the previous rising moment.

[0067] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2, the specific operation of the power supply device in the delay time variation mode is described. The control unit 12 determines the reference delay times d1 to d13 for the battery modules U1 to U13, respectively. The reference delay times d1 to d13 are obtained by the same process as the process of obtaining the control delay time in the basic mode. That is, the reference delay time d1 of the battery module U1 is set to D, and there is a relationship of dj=j·D.

[0068] The control unit 12 determines the delay adjustment time δ1 to δ13 for the battery modules U1 to U13 to be randomly distributed positive and negative values. The control unit 12 obtains the value obtained by adding the delay adjustment time δ1 to δ13 to the reference delay time d1 to d13, as the control delay time α1 to α13 for each battery module in the battery modules U1 to U13. That is, the control unit 12 obtains the control delay time αj based on the relationship αj=dj+δj. The control unit 12 outputs the control delay time α1 to α13 to the control circuit 20 of the battery modules U1 to U13, respectively. The delay adjustment time δj can be determined within a range of ±5% relative to the reference delay time dj. That is, there can be a relationship of -0.05dj≤δj≤0.05dj between the delay adjustment time δj and the reference delay time dj.

[0069] The control unit 12 may also determine the delay adjustment coefficients Δ1 to Δ13 multiplied by the reference delay times d1 to d13 to be randomly distributed positive values ​​instead of the delay adjustment times δ1 to δ13 added to the reference delay times d1 to d13. In this case, the control unit 12 obtains the values ​​obtained by multiplying the delay adjustment coefficients Δ1 to Δ13 by the reference delay times d1 to d13, respectively, as the control delay times α1 to α13 for each of the battery modules U1 to U13. That is, the control unit 12 obtains the control delay time αj based on the relationship αj=Δj·dj. The delay adjustment coefficient Δj may be a coefficient that changes the reference delay time dj within the range of ±5%. That is, Δj may be a value greater than 0.95 and less than 1.05.

[0070] The operation of the control circuit 20 of the battery module U0 in the delay time variation mode is the same as that in the basic mode. The control circuit 20 in each of the battery modules U1 to U13 operates as follows according to the control of the control unit 12. When the upstream control voltage input to the upstream control terminal 28 rises from low to high, the control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from off to on and turns the first switch element S1 from on to off after the control delay time αj has passed since the upstream control voltage rose from low to high. The control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from on to off and turns the first switch element S1 from off to on after the activation time Ta has passed since the second switch element S2 was turned from off to on and the first switch element S1 was turned from on to off.

[0071] When the upstream control voltage rises from low to high, the control circuit 20 raises the downstream control voltage output from the downstream control terminal 30 from low to high after the control delay time αj has passed since the upstream control voltage rose from low to high. Then, when the activation time Ta has passed since the downstream control voltage was raised from low to high, the downstream control voltage is lowered from high to low.

[0072] The control unit 12 will Figure 5 The control signal G0 shown is input to the upstream control terminal 28 of the battery module U0. The battery module U0 is turned on or off according to the control signal G0. Each battery module Uj is turned on when the control delay time αj has passed since the value of the control signal G(j-1) rises, and the on state is maintained for the activation time Ta.

[0073] The control unit 12 increases the value of the control signal G0 for the battery module U0 from low to high according to the timing of the voltage drop of the downstream control terminal 30 of the control circuit 20 in the battery module Un. The period of the control signal G0 is Tx=(14-n)D+Ta+Σαj, and the time from the previous rise to the next rise of the control signal G0 is appropriately set according to the dispersion of the control delay time αj of each battery module Uj.

[0074] In addition, the control unit 12 can also identify the timing for causing the value of the control signal G0 for the battery module U0 to rise from low to high based on the timing of the voltage rise or fall of the downstream control terminal 30 of the control circuit 20 in any battery module among the battery modules U1 to U13 on the lower side than the top battery module U0, and cause the value of the control signal G0 to rise from low to high.

[0075] The delay time variation mode controls the delay times α1 to α13 to be randomly dispersed, so the frequency of noise generated in the power line and the control line varies. This reduces the influence of noise of a specific frequency on the control unit 12 or each control circuit 20.

[0076] (4-2-2) Cyclic Change Pattern

[0077] This section describes the periodic variation pattern in the noise suppression mode. Figure 6 , a timing chart of control signals G0 to G5 in the periodic variation mode is conceptually shown.

[0078] like Figure 6 As shown, the activation times Ta0 to Ta5 of the control signals G1 to G5 are randomly dispersed relative to the activation time Ta in the basic mode, and the cycles of the control signals G1 to G5 are randomly dispersed. Figure 6 , control signals G0 to G5 are shown, but control signals G6 to G13 also change in the same manner as control signals G0 to G5. That is, the activation time of control signals G6 to G13 is randomly dispersed relative to the activation time Ta in the basic mode, and the cycles of control signals G1 to G5 are randomly dispersed.

[0079] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , explaining the operation of the power supply device in the cycle variation mode. The control unit 12 determines the control delay time di=i·D for each battery module Ui, which is the same as the control delay time in the basic mode. In addition, the activation time Ta in the reference mode is determined to be the reference activation time TTa in the cycle variation mode.

[0080] The control unit 12 determines the activation adjustment time γ0 to γ13 for the battery modules U0 to U13 to be a randomly dispersed positive or negative value. The control unit 12 obtains the value obtained by adding the activation adjustment time γ0 to γ13 to the reference activation time TTa as the activation time Ta0 to Ta13 for each of the battery modules U0 to U13. That is, the control unit 12 obtains the activation time Tai based on the relationship Tai=TTa+γi. The control unit 12 outputs the control delay time d1 to d13 to the control circuit 20 of the battery modules U1 to 13, respectively. In addition, the control unit 12 outputs the activation time Ta0 to Ta13 to the control circuit 20 of the battery modules U0 to U13, respectively. The activation adjustment time γi can be determined within a range of ±2% relative to the cycle T in the basic mode. That is, there can be a relationship of -0.02T≤γi≤0.02T between the activation adjustment time γi and the cycle T in the basic mode.

[0081] The control unit 12 may also determine the activation adjustment coefficients Γ0 to Γ13 multiplied by the reference activation time TTa to randomly dispersed positive values ​​instead of the activation adjustment times γ0 to γ13 added to the reference activation time TTa. In this case, the control unit 12 obtains the value obtained by multiplying the activation adjustment coefficients Γ0 to Γ13 by the reference activation time TTa as the activation time Ta0 to Ta13 for each of the battery modules U1 to U13. That is, the control unit 12 obtains the activation time Tai based on the relationship Tai = Γi·TTa. The activation adjustment coefficient Γi may be a coefficient that changes the activation time within the range of ±2%. That is, Γi may be a value greater than 0.98 and less than 1.02.

[0082] The control circuit 20 in each of the battery modules U0 to U13 operates as follows under the control of the control unit 12. When the upstream control voltage input to the upstream control terminal 28 rises from low to high, the control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from off to on and turns the first switch element S1 from on to off after the control delay time di has passed since the upstream control voltage rose from low to high. The control circuit 20 turns the second switch element S2 from on to off and turns the first switch element S1 from off to on after the activation time Tai has passed since the second switch element S2 was turned from off to on and the first switch element S1 was turned from on to off.

[0083] When the upstream control voltage changes from low to high, the control circuit 20 causes the downstream control voltage output from the downstream control terminal 30 to increase from low to high after the control delay time di has passed since the upstream control voltage increased from low to high. Then, when the activation time Tai has passed since the downstream control voltage was changed from low to high, the downstream control voltage is decreased from high to low.

[0084] The control unit 12 will Figure 6 The control signal G0 shown is input to the upstream control terminal 28 of the battery module U0. The battery module U0 is turned on or off according to the control signal G0. Each battery module U1 to U13 is turned on when the control delay time d1 to d13 has passed after the value of the control signal G0 rises, and the on state is maintained for the activation time Ta1 to Ta13.

[0085] The control unit 12 causes the value of the control signal G0 for the battery module U0 to rise from low to high according to the timing of the voltage drop of the downstream control terminal 30 of the control circuit 20 in the battery module Un. The period of the control signal G0 is Tx = (14-n)D + Ta + γn. Here, n is the number of battery modules in the on state. In this way, the time from the previous rise of the control signal G0 to the next rise is appropriately set according to the dispersion of the activation time of each battery module.

[0086] In addition, the control unit 12 can also identify the timing for causing the value of the control signal G0 for the battery module U0 to rise from low to high based on the timing of the voltage rise or fall of the downstream control terminal 30 of the control circuit 20 of any battery module among the battery modules U1 to U13 on the lower side than the top battery module U0, and cause the value of the control signal G0 to rise from low to high.

[0087] According to the operation of the periodic variation mode, the activation adjustment time γ0 to γ13 is randomly dispersed, and the cycle of the on-off control of each battery module becomes a dispersed time. Therefore, the frequency of the noise generated in the power line and the control line varies. As a result, the influence of the noise of a specific frequency on the control unit 12 or each control circuit 20 is suppressed.

[0088] (4-2-3) Delay time and cycle change mode

[0089] Next, the delay time and periodic variation mode is described. The delay time and periodic variation mode is a combination of the delay time variation mode and the periodic variation mode. Figure 7 , a timing chart of control signals G0 to G5 in the delay time and period variation mode is conceptually shown.

[0090] The times t=t0 to t5 are the times when the values ​​of the control signals G0 to G5 rise from low to high in the basic mode, and the times t=τ0 to τ5 are the times when the values ​​of the control signals G0 to G5 fall from high to low when the activation time is assumed to be a constant value Ta.

[0091] like Figure 7 As shown, the values ​​of control signals G1 to G5 rise at randomly deviated times before and after time t=t1 to t5. That is, the time when the values ​​of control signals G1 to G5 rise is randomly dispersed relative to the time when each control signal rises in the basic mode. In addition, the activation times Ta0 to Ta5 of control signals G1 to G5 are randomly dispersed relative to the activation time Ta in the basic mode.

[0092] exist Figure 7, control signals G0 to G5 are shown, but control signals G6 to G13 also change in the same manner as control signals G0 to G5. That is, the values ​​of control signals G6 to G13 rise at a time that is randomly deviated from the time when they rise in the basic mode, and the activation time of control signals G6 to G13 is randomly dispersed relative to the activation time in the basic mode.

[0093] According to the operation of the delay time and period variation mode, the control delay time and period of the control signals G0 to G13 become dispersed. Therefore, the frequency of the noise generated in the power line and the control line varies. Thus, the influence of the noise of a specific frequency on the control unit 12 or each control circuit 20 is suppressed.

[0094] (5) Mode switching process

[0095] When the power supply device supplies power to the load 14 through the operation of the basic mode, the control unit 12 can obtain the voltage measurement value measured by the voltmeter V and the current measurement value measured by the ammeter A, and perform the following processing. When the voltage measurement value is not within the target range, the current measurement value is not within the target range, or the power measurement value is not within the target range, the control unit 12 changes at least one of the cycle, activation time, and control delay time in the basic mode (hereinafter, at least one of the cycle, activation time, and control delay time is referred to as parameter time) to change the voltage applied to the load 14. That is, when the voltage measurement value is not within the target range, the current measurement value is not within the target range, or the power measurement value is not within the target range, the control unit 12 changes the number of battery modules set to the on state among the battery modules U0 to U13.

[0096] Thus, in the power control process of changing the control parameter of the basic mode over time to control the power supply state to the load 14, the specific frequency components included in the plurality of control signals in the control signals G0 to G13 may reinforce each other in the process of changing the control parameter over time. As a result, the noise generated in the control line and the power line may increase, and the control unit 12 or each control circuit 20 may not operate properly. Therefore, the power supply device may operate in the basic mode when the power control process is not executed normally, and operate in any mode of the delay time variation mode, the period variation mode, or the delay time and period variation mode when the power control process is executed.

[0097] For example, in the power control process, the control unit 12 changes the control parameter time at a predetermined time interval according to a predetermined scale width so that the voltage measurement value, the current measurement value, or the power measurement value falls within the target range. The control unit 12 operates in any of the delay time variation mode, the period variation mode, or the delay time and period variation mode while changing the control parameter time according to the predetermined scale width. Then, when the control parameter time is made constant, the control unit 12 operates in the basic mode.

[0098] According to such a mode switching process, the noise of a specific frequency generated in the control line and the power line in the process of changing the control parameter time is suppressed. In addition, in the operation of the delay time variation mode, the period variation mode, or the delay time and period variation mode, the ripple component of the current flowing in the power line is sometimes larger than the basic mode. Therefore, the operation is performed in the basic mode in normal times, and the operation is performed in any mode of the delay time variation mode, the period variation mode, or the delay time and period variation mode during the power control process, so as to avoid the large ripple component in the current flowing in the power line flowing for a long time.

[0099] (6) Direct control of each battery module

[0100] In the above, an embodiment in which the control circuits 20 in the battery modules U0 to U13 are connected in series is described. In this embodiment, the control circuit 20 on the upper side outputs the downstream control voltage to the control circuit 20 on the lower side, and the control circuit 20 on the lower side controls the switch circuit 22 according to the downstream control voltage output from the control circuit 20 on the upper side. Instead of connecting the control circuits 20 in series in this way, the control unit 12 may directly control the control circuits 20 in each of the battery modules U0 to U13. Figure 8 , the structure of the power supply device that performs such control is shown. The control unit 12 directly outputs control information such as the cycle, control delay time, activation time, and a timing signal indicating the control timing to the control circuit 20 of each battery module U0 to U13. Each control circuit 20 controls the switch circuit 22 based on the control information provided from the control unit 12 and the timing signal indicating the control timing.

[0101] (7) Simulation results

[0102] exist Fig. 9 , the simulation result of finding the spectrum of the current flowing in the power line when the power supply device operates in the basic mode is shown. The horizontal axis represents the frequency, and the vertical axis represents the level of the frequency component. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis of the following simulation results are also the same. The levels of the 7th harmonic component 50 and the 13th harmonic component 52 in the harmonic components are greater than the levels of other harmonic components.

[0103] exist Fig.10 , shows the simulation result of finding the spectrum of the current flowing in the power line when the power supply device operates in the delay time variation mode. The delay adjustment time δj varies within a range of ±5% relative to the reference delay time dj. In this simulation result, the level of the seventh harmonic component 50 is reduced by 21% relative to the basic mode.

[0104] exist Fig.11 , shows the simulation results of finding the spectrum of the current flowing in the power line when the power supply device operates in the period variation mode. The period varies within a range of ±2% relative to the period T in the basic mode. In this simulation result, the level of the seventh harmonic component 50 is reduced by 42% relative to the basic mode.

[0105] exist Fig.12 , shows the simulation results of finding the spectrum of the current flowing in the power line when the power supply device operates in the delay time and period variation mode. The delay adjustment time δj varies within a range of ±5% relative to the reference delay time dj. In addition, the period varies within a range of ±2% relative to the period T in the basic mode. In this simulation result, the level of the seventh harmonic component 50 is reduced by 45% relative to the basic mode.

[0106] The power supply device of each embodiment described above can be mounted on electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Generally speaking, a DC power supply device that exchanges power with an electric generator for driving and regeneration is mounted on an electric vehicle. The power supply device of each embodiment of the present invention can be used as a DC power supply device mounted on an electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A power supply device comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and A control unit controls each of the battery modules. supplying electric power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, The power supply device is characterized in that The control unit performing on / off control, in which the battery module is turned on during an active time and turned off during an inactive time, and the active time and the inactive time are repeated alternately, The plurality of battery modules are controlled to be turned on and off so that the timing of the on and off control of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared with the battery module on the upper side. The control delay time is randomly determined for each of the battery modules on the lower side of the uppermost battery module.

2. A power supply device comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and A control unit controls each of the battery modules. supplying electric power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, The power supply device is characterized in that The control unit performing on / off control, in which the battery module is turned on during an active time and turned off during an inactive time, and the active time and the inactive time are repeated alternately, The plurality of battery modules are controlled to be turned on and off so that the timing of the on and off control of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared with the battery module on the upper side. The activation time is randomly determined for each of the battery modules.

3. The power supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit randomly determines a cycle obtained by adding the activation time and the non-activation time for each of the battery modules.

4. The power supply device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control unit randomly determines the activation time for each of the battery modules when controlling the power supply state to the load by changing at least one of a cycle obtained by adding the activation time to the inactivation time, the activation time, and the control delay time.

5. A power supply device comprising: a plurality of battery modules connected in series; and A control unit controls each of the battery modules. supplying electric power from the uppermost and lowermost battery modules to a load, The power supply device is characterized in that The control unit performing on / off control, in which the battery module is turned on during an active time and turned off during an inactive time, and the active time and the inactive time are repeated alternately, The plurality of battery modules are controlled to be turned on and off so that the timing of the on and off control of the battery module adjacent to the lower side is delayed by a control delay time compared with the battery module on the upper side. A cycle obtained by adding the activation time and the non-activation time is randomly determined for each of the battery modules.

6. The power supply device according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that: The control unit randomly determines the control delay time for each of the battery modules on the lower side of the uppermost battery module.

7. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: The control unit randomly determines the control delay time for each of the battery modules when changing at least one of a cycle obtained by adding the activation time to the inactivation time, the activation time, and the control delay time to control the power supply state to the load.

8. The power supply device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The control unit randomly determines the cycle for each of the battery modules when changing at least one of a cycle obtained by adding the active time to the inactive time, the active time, and the control delay time to control the power supply state to the load.

9. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that: The control unit performs on / off control on the uppermost battery module according to on / off control timing of any of the battery modules on the lower side of the uppermost battery module.

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