Power generation control device, vehicle, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to a power generation control device, a vehicle, a control method, and a storage medium. A solar ECU as a power generation control device of the present application is provided with: a solar DCDC converter connected at an input side to a solar panel mounted on a vehicle (11); an auxiliary machine DCDC converter connected at an input side to an output side of the solar DCDC converter and connected at an output side to an auxiliary battery; an adjustment section that adjusts output power of the auxiliary machine DCDC converter so that a voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value through control based on a prescribed control parameter; and a correction section that performs correction of the control parameter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a power generation control device, a vehicle, a control method, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-089100, a technique is disclosed in which, in a vehicle-mounted solar power generation system, power generated from a solar panel is supplied to any one of a drive battery, an auxiliary machine battery, and a solar battery in accordance with the state of the vehicle.

[0003] In a case where power generated by a solar panel is charged to a drive battery and an auxiliary machine battery, by using the voltage of a solar battery as a reference voltage in the system of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-089100 to perform step-up and step-down control, stable power supply to the drive battery and the auxiliary machine battery can be performed. However, in a case where the solar battery is discarded in order to reduce costs, in order to achieve efficient charging of the battery based on fluctuating power supplied from the solar panel, it is preferable to constantly control the reference voltage between the solar panel and the battery.

[0004] However, in a case where the reference voltage is constantly controlled, the optimal value changes due to the effects of aging of circuit elements. Also, in a case where the control parameter is not optimal, power loss occurs at the time of charging of the battery. SUMMARY

[0005] An object of the present application is to provide a power generation control device, a vehicle, a control method, and a storage medium that can suppress power loss at the time of charging of a battery by being able to correct a control parameter.

[0006] A power generation control device of a first aspect of the present application includes: a solar DCDC converter connected at an input side to a solar panel mounted on a vehicle; a battery-side DCDC converter connected at an input side to an output side of the solar DCDC converter and connected at an output side to a battery; an adjustment section that adjusts the output power of the battery-side DCDC converter so that the voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value by control based on a prescribed control parameter; and a correction section that performs correction of the control parameter.

[0007] In the power generation control device described above, a solar panel, a solar DCDC converter, a battery-side DCDC converter, and a battery are connected in this order. In this power generation control device, the adjustment section adjusts the output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that the reference voltage, which is the reference of the power supplied to the battery, that is, the voltage on the input side of the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value. Also, the correction section is configured to be able to perform correction of the control parameter. According to this power generation control device, by being able to correct the control parameter, it is possible to suppress the power loss when charging the battery.

[0008] On the basis of the power generation control device described in Technical Solution 1, the power generation control device described above is provided with a capacitor, one side of which is connected to the output side of the solar DCDC converter and the other side of which is connected to the ground of the vehicle.

[0009] The power generation control device described above is provided with a capacitor between the output side of the solar DCDC converter, which is the power supply source to the battery, and the ground. Therefore, according to this power generation control device, by providing the capacitor, it is possible to suppress the variation in the reference voltage caused by the variation in the power generated by the solar panel.

[0010] On the basis of the power generation control device described in Technical Solution 1 or 2, the power generation control device described above is configured so that the correction section performs correction of the control parameter as an opportunity when a prescribed period has elapsed since the execution of the last correction.

[0011] According to the power generation control device described above, by performing correction of the control parameter every prescribed period, it is possible to ensure the quality in the charging operation of the battery.

[0012] On the basis of the power generation control device described in any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 3, the power generation control device described above is configured so that the adjustment section performs feedback control using the control parameter, and the correction section performs correction of the control parameter as an opportunity when the waveform of the voltage at the time of feedback control deviates from an appropriate state.

[0013] According to the power generation control device described above, by performing correction of the control parameter when the waveform of the voltage at the time of feedback control deviates from an appropriate state, it is possible to ensure the quality in the charging operation of the battery.

[0014] On the basis of the power generation control device described in Technical Solution 3 or 4, the power generation control device described above is provided with a plurality of sets of the battery and the battery-side DCDC converter, and the correction section performs correction of the control parameter in the battery-side DCDC converter adjusted by the adjustment section as the opportunity.

[0015] According to the power generation control device described above, it is possible to ensure quality in charging operation for each battery.

[0016] In the power generation control device described in any one of the technical solutions 1 to 5, the power generation control device described above is configured such that the adjustment section performs PID control as feedback control, the control parameter is a gain value in the PID control, the correction section performs a process of storing a gain value after changing the gain value to either one of positive and negative based on the limit sensitivity method and improving overshoot and voltage settling time compared to the gain value before the change, and thereafter, a process of storing a gain value after changing the gain value to the other one of positive and negative based on the limit sensitivity method and improving overshoot and voltage settling time compared to the gain value before the change.

[0017] According to the power generation control device described above, by the correction based on the limit sensitivity method, it is possible to perform correction of a gain value most suitable for performing efficient charging of a battery.

[0018] The vehicle described in the second aspect of the present application is provided with the power generation control device described in any one of the technical solutions 1 to 6, the solar panel provided on the exterior of the vehicle body, and the battery mounted on the vehicle body.

[0019] According to the vehicle described above, by being able to correct the control parameter, it is possible to suppress power loss when charging the battery.

[0020] The control method of the third aspect of the present application is a control method in a power generation control device provided with: a solar DCDC converter connected on the input side to a solar panel mounted on a vehicle; and a battery-side DCDC converter connected on the input side to the output side of the solar DCDC converter and connected on the output side to a battery, wherein a computer executes a process including: a process of adjusting output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value; and a process of performing correction of the control parameter.

[0021] The control method described above is applied to a power generation control device in which a solar panel, a solar DCDC converter, a battery-side DCDC converter, and a battery are connected in this order. In this control method, a computer adjusts output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that a reference voltage that is a reference of power supplied to the battery, that is, a voltage on the input side of the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value. Also, the computer performs correction of the control parameter. According to this control method, by being able to correct the control parameter, it is possible to suppress power loss when charging the battery.

[0022] The storage medium of the third aspect of the present application records a control program that controls a power generation control device that includes a solar DCDC converter to which a solar panel mounted on a vehicle is connected on the input side, and a battery-side DCDC converter to which an output side of the solar DCDC converter is connected on the input side and to which a battery is connected on the output side, wherein the control program causes a computer to execute a process including a process of adjusting output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that a voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value, and a process of performing correction of the control parameter.

[0023] The control program described above is a program that controls a power generation control device in which a solar panel, a solar DCDC converter, a battery-side DCDC converter, and a battery are connected in this order. A computer that executes this control program adjusts output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that a reference voltage that is a reference of power supplied to the battery, that is, a voltage on the input side of the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value. Also, the computer performs correction of the control parameter. According to this control program, by being able to correct the control parameter, it is possible to suppress power loss when charging the battery.

[0024] According to the present application, by being able to correct the control parameter, it is possible to suppress power loss when charging the battery.

[0025] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a brief configuration diagram of a vehicle and a power generation control system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a ROM in the control section of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining a condition table in the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a CPU in the control section of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the power control processing in the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of the monitoring processing in the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the gain correction processing in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, one example of an embodiment of the present application will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [First Embodiment]

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation control system 10 of the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 11. As the vehicle 11, an EV (Electric Vehicle) or an HV (Hybrid Vehicle) is exemplified. The vehicle 11 of the present embodiment is provided with a solar panel 14, and is able to supply electric power generated at the solar panel 14 to a drive device group 30 and an auxiliary machine group 32, and the like of the vehicle 11. In addition, in the present embodiment, the drive battery 16 and an auxiliary battery 18, which will be described later, are able to be charged by electric power generated at the solar panel 14. Figure 1

[0036] The power generation control system 10 is configured to include the solar ECU 12 as a power generation control device, the solar panel 14, the drive battery 16, and the auxiliary battery 18. The solar ECU 12 has a function of controlling electric power generated at the solar panel 14. Details of the solar ECU 12 will be described later.

[0037] The solar panel 14 is a solar cell module as a power generation device that generates electric power by receiving irradiation of sunlight. The solar panel 14 is provided, for example, to a roof or the like as an exterior of the vehicle 11. The solar panel 14 is connected to a solar DCDC converter 22, which will be described later, provided to the solar ECU 12.

[0038] ​The drive battery 16 is a high-voltage battery for operating the drive device group 30, such as a travel motor, involved in driving the vehicle 11, and is constituted by, for example, a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or the like, which is capable of charge and discharge. The drive battery 16 is connected to the boost DCDC converter 24 provided to the solar ECU 12, and receives supply of electric power from the boost DCDC converter 24. In addition, the drive battery 16 is connected to the travel motor via a power control unit constituting the drive device group 30, and supplies electric power to the travel motor at the time of acceleration of the vehicle 11, and receives supply of electric power from the travel motor at the time of deceleration.

[0039] The auxiliary battery 18 is a battery capable of operating the auxiliary devices 32 other than those involved in driving the vehicle 11, and is constituted by, for example, a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lead storage battery, or the like, which is capable of charge and discharge. The auxiliary battery 18 is connected to the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 provided to the solar ECU 12, and receives supply of electric power from the auxiliary DCDC converter 26. In addition, the auxiliary battery 18 is connected to the auxiliary devices 32 of the vehicle 11, and supplies electric power to the auxiliary devices 32.

[0040] The solar ECU 12 is provided between the solar panel 14 and the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary battery 18, and has a function of supplying electric power generated in the solar panel 14 to the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary battery 18. The solar ECU 12 is constituted to include a control section 20, a solar DCDC converter 22, a boost DCDC converter 24, an auxiliary DCDC converter 26, and a capacitor 28. The boost DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 are one example of a battery-side DCDC converter.

[0041] The solar DCDC converter 22 has a function of supplying electric power generated in the solar panel 14 to the boost DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26. For the solar DCDC converter 22, the solar panel 14 is connected on the input side, and the boost DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 are connected on the output side. At the time of electric power supply, the solar DCDC converter 22 converts (boosts / boosts down) the generated voltage of the solar panel 14 as an input voltage to a prescribed voltage based on an instruction from the control section 20, and outputs to the boost DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26.

[0042] The step-up DCDC converter 24 has a function of supplying the power output from the solar DCDC converter 22 to the drive battery 16. For the step-up DCDC converter 24, the solar DCDC converter 22 is connected at the input side, and the drive battery 16 is connected at the output side. At the time of power supply, the step-up DCDC converter 24 converts (steps up) the output voltage of the solar DCDC converter 22 as the input voltage to a prescribed voltage based on an instruction from the control section 20, and outputs to the drive battery 16.

[0043] The auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 has a function of supplying the power output from the solar DCDC converter 22 to the auxiliary machine battery 18. For the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26, the solar DCDC converter 22 is connected at the input side, and the auxiliary machine battery 18 is connected at the output side. At the time of power supply, the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 converts (steps down) the output voltage of the solar DCDC converter 22 as the input voltage to a prescribed voltage based on an instruction from the control section 20, and outputs to the auxiliary machine battery 18.

[0044] The capacitor 28 is interposed between the output side of the solar DCDC converter 22 and the ground line G. If the voltage of the intermediate portion between the solar panel 14 and the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary machine battery 18 is set as an intermediate voltage V, the capacitor 28 suppresses variation of the intermediate voltage V caused by variation of the power generated in the solar panel 14. The intermediate voltage V becomes the voltage of the output side of the solar DCDC converter 22, and the input side of the step-up DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26. That is, the intermediate voltage V becomes the reference voltage at the time of charging the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary machine battery 18.

[0045] The control section 20 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and has a function of controlling the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26. Thereby, the control section 20 supplies the power (voltage, current) generated in the solar panel 14 to the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary machine battery 18, and charges the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary machine battery 18.

[0046] The control section 20 is constituted to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, an input output I / F (InterFace) 20D, and a communication I / F 20E. The CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, the input output I / F 20D, and the communication I / F 20E are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 20F.

[0047] The CPU 20A is a central arithmetic processing unit that executes various programs and controls the various sections. That is, the CPU 20A reads out a program from the ROM 20B and executes the program using the RAM 20C as a work area.

[0048] The ROM 20B stores various programs and various data. As shown in FIG. 1, the ROM 20B of the present embodiment stores a control program 100, a condition table 110, setting data 120, and monitoring data 130. Figure 2

[0049] The control program 100 is a program for controlling the control section 20. The control section 20 controlled by the control program controls the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26.

[0050] The condition table 110 is a table that stores control conditions of the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the condition table 110 stores a plurality of control conditions corresponding to the running state and the power supply state of the vehicle 11. Figure 3

[0051] Specifically, the running state includes a distinction between "parking" and "running" of the vehicle 11. A plurality of power supply states are set in accordance with the running state. First, as the power supply state in parking, there are "charging preparation" indicating that charging by the solar panel 14 is in preparation, and "driving battery charging" indicating charging of the driving battery 16. In addition, as the power supply state in running, there are "auxiliary battery power supply" indicating power supply to the auxiliary battery, and "no sunlight" indicating that power supply is stopped because there is no sunlight.

[0052] Here, the solar DCDC converter 22 is specified to perform MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) control in each of the power supply states of charging preparation other than no sunlight, driving battery charging, and auxiliary battery power supply. MPPT control is control that finds the optimum current value and voltage value that maximize output when the solar panel 14 generates power.

[0053] In addition, the step-up DCDC converter 24 is specified to perform intermediate voltage maintenance control in driving battery charging and to stop control in the other power supply states. Intermediate voltage maintenance control is control that adjusts the power output from the DCDC converter in such a way as to maintain the intermediate voltage V at a specified voltage value. That is, intermediate voltage maintenance control is feedback control that takes the input value as the voltage (intermediate voltage V) and the operation value as the power.

[0054] ​​Furthermore, the auxiliary DC-DC converter 26 is specified to perform intermediate voltage maintenance control during charging preparation and auxiliary battery power supply, power supply maintenance control during drive battery charging, and stop control when there is no sunlight. Power supply maintenance control is a control that adjusts the power output from the DC-DC converter to maintain a constant level. That is, power supply maintenance control uses input values ​​and operating values ​​as feedback control for power.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the setting data 120 stores the control parameters for the PID control used as intermediate voltage sustaining control, namely the gain values ​​of P gain (proportional gain), I gain (integral gain), and D gain (derivative gain). The setting data 120 also stores the gain values ​​of the boost DC-DC converter 24 and the auxiliary DC-DC converter 26, which are used for intermediate voltage sustaining control.

[0056] Monitoring data 130 stores data on the intermediate voltage V, which is fed back in the intermediate voltage maintenance control.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, RAM20C is used as a temporary storage area for programs or data.

[0058] The input / output I / F20D is an interface for communicating with the solar DC-DC converter 22, the boost DC-DC converter 24, and the auxiliary DC-DC converter 26 of the solar ECU12.

[0059] The Communication I / F20E is an interface for connecting to the vehicle driving control ECU 34 that controls the movement of the vehicle 11. This interface uses, for example, a communication standard based on the CAN protocol. The Communication I / F20E is connected to the external bus 20H. Furthermore, the vehicle driving control ECU 34 connected to the Communication I / F20E is not limited to a single ECU, but can be multiple ECUs. Additionally, the Communication I / F20E can also connect to communication modules using communication standards such as 5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). This allows the transmission of intermediate voltage V data to devices outside the vehicle 11.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 20 may include a storage device as a storage unit, either based on or replacing the ROM 20B. This storage device may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, in the control unit 20 of this embodiment, the control program 100 is executed by the CPU 20A, thereby functioning as the setting unit 200, the adjustment unit 210, and the correction unit 220.

[0062] The setting section 200 has a function of setting the control method of the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26. Specifically, the setting section 200 sets the control method corresponding to the running state and the power supply state of the vehicle 11 acquired with reference to the condition table 110.

[0063] The adjustment section 210 has a function of adjusting the respective outputs of the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 based on the control method set by the setting section 200. In particular, in the case where the step-up DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 perform the intermediate voltage maintenance control, the adjustment section 210 adjusts the intermediate voltage V to become a prescribed target value based on each gain value.

[0064] The correction section 220 has a function of correcting each gain value of the P gain, the I gain, and the D gain stored in the setting data 120. The correction section 220 performs correction with the elapse of a prescribed period from the execution of the above-described correction as a trigger.

[0065] (Control Flow)

[0066] Using Figures 5-7 a flowchart, the flow of the processing performed in the control section 20 of the present embodiment will be described. The processing in the control section 20 is realized by the CPU 20A functioning as the above-described setting section 200, adjustment section 210, and correction section 220.

[0067] First, the power control processing of the Figure 5 will be described.

[0068] In step S100 of the Figure 5 , the CPU 20A acquires the running state. Specifically, the CPU 20A acquires the running state of the vehicle 11 from the vehicle running control ECU 34.

[0069] In step S101, the CPU 20A decides the power supply state based on the acquired running state. Specifically, the CPU 20A refers to the condition table 110 to decide any one of (1) “charging preparation” in the case where the running state is in parking, (2) “driving battery charging” in the case where the running state is in parking, (3) “auxiliary machine battery power supply” in the case where the running state is in running, and (4) “no sunlight” in the case where the running state is in running.

[0070] In step S102, the CPU 20A performs control corresponding to the power supply state. That is, the CPU 20A performs respective control of the solar DCDC converter 22, the boost DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 in accordance with the power supply state. Also, the process returns to step S100.

[0071] Next, the monitoring process of the gain value of the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26 will be described. In the monitoring process, the determination of the possibility of the correction of the gain value and the process involved in the correction are performed in the order of the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26, the boost DCDC converter 24. Figure 6

[0072] First, in step S200 of the monitoring process of the gain value of the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26, the CPU 20A determines whether a prescribed period has elapsed from the last correction of the gain value of the auxiliary machine DCDC converter 26. In the case where the CPU 20A determines that the prescribed period has elapsed (in the case where YES in step S200), the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, in the case where the CPU 20A determines that the prescribed period has not elapsed (in the case where NO in step S200), the process proceeds to step S204. Figure 6 In step S201, the CPU 20A acquires the power supply state.

[0073] In step S202, the CPU 20A performs determination of whether the power supply state is the auxiliary battery power supply of supplying power to the auxiliary machine class 32 and the auxiliary battery 18. In the case where the CPU 20A determines that the power supply state is the auxiliary battery power supply (in the case where YES in step S202), the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, in the case where the CPU 20A determines that the power supply state is not the auxiliary battery power supply (in the case where NO in step S202), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0074] In step S203, the CPU 20A performs the gain correction process. Details of the gain correction process will be described later.

[0075] In step S204, the CPU 20A determines whether a prescribed period has elapsed from the last correction of the gain value of the boost DCDC converter 24. In the case where the CPU 20A determines that the prescribed period has elapsed (in the case where YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, in the case where the CPU 20A determines that the prescribed period has not elapsed (in the case where NO in step S204), the monitoring process is ended.

[0076] In step S205, the CPU 20A acquires the power supply state.

[0077]

[0078] ​​In step S206, the CPU 20A performs a determination as to whether the power supply state is the driving battery charging in which the driving battery 16 is being charged. In a case where the CPU 20A determines that the power supply state is the driving battery charging (in a case where YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 20A determines that the power supply state is not the driving battery charging (in a case where NO in step S206), the monitoring process is ended.

[0079] In step S207, the CPU 20A performs a gain correction process. Details of the gain correction process will be described later. Also, the CPU 20A ends the monitoring process.

[0080] Next, the gain correction process of the Figure 7 will be described.

[0081] In step S300 of the Figure 7 , the CPU 20A sets the overshoot value and the voltage settling time in the current feedback control to the optimal solution.

[0082] In step S301, the CPU 20A performs feedback control with the gain value changed to the positive direction based on the limit sensitivity method.

[0083] In step S302, the CPU 20A determines whether the overshoot value and the voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value stored in the ROM 20B. In a case where the CPU 20A determines that the overshoot value and the voltage settling time are improved, the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 20A determines that the overshoot value and the voltage settling time are not improved, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0084] In step S303, the CPU 20A stores the gain value changed in step S301 as the optimal gain value in the ROM 20B.

[0085] In step S304, the CPU 20A determines whether the change of the gain value has been attempted a prescribed number of times. Specifically, the CPU 20A performs a determination as to whether the process of steps S301 to S303 has been performed a prescribed number of times. In a case where the CPU 20A determines that the change of the gain value has been attempted a prescribed number of times, the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 20A determines that the change of the gain value has not been attempted a prescribed number of times, the process returns to step S301.

[0086] In step S305, the CPU 20A performs feedback control with the gain value changed to the negative direction based on the limit sensitivity method.

[0087] In step S306, the CPU 20A determines whether the overshoot value and the voltage settling time have been improved compared to the gain value stored in the ROM 20B. In a case where the CPU 20A determines that the overshoot value and the voltage settling time have been improved, the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 20A determines that the overshoot value and the voltage settling time have not been improved, the process proceeds to step S308.

[0088] In step S307, the CPU 20A stores the gain value changed in step S305 as the optimal gain value in the ROM 20B.

[0089] In step S308, the CPU 20A determines whether the change of the gain value has been attempted a prescribed number of times. Specifically, the CPU 20A makes a determination as to whether the processing of steps S305 to S307 has been performed a prescribed number of times. In a case where the CPU 20A determines that the change of the gain value has been attempted a prescribed number of times, the gain correction processing ends and the process returns to the monitoring processing. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 20A determines that the change of the gain value has not been attempted a prescribed number of times, the process returns to step S305.

[0090] (Summary of Embodiments)

[0091] The solar ECU 12 of the present embodiment includes the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26. In the solar ECU 12, from the solar panel 14 toward the drive battery 16, the solar panel 14, the solar DCDC converter 22, the step-up DCDC converter 24, and the drive battery 16 are connected in this order. In addition, from the solar panel 14 toward the auxiliary battery 18, the solar panel 14, the solar DCDC converter 22, the auxiliary DCDC converter 26, and the auxiliary battery 18 are connected in this order.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the intermediate voltage V of the output side of the solar DCDC converter 22 and the input sides of the step-up DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 is controlled by the intermediate voltage maintenance control performed by the control section 20. That is, the control section 20 controls the output power so that the reference voltage of the output side of the solar DCDC converter 22, which is the power supply source to the drive battery 16 and the auxiliary battery 18, becomes a prescribed target value.

[0093] Here, which of the step-up DCDC converter 24 and the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 the control section 20 performs the intermediate voltage maintenance control is decided in accordance with the power supply state based on the condition table 110. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to generate the reference voltage between the solar panel 14 and each battery. Thereby, in the step-up DCDC converter 24, it is possible to keep the step-up ratio of the voltage constant, and thereby it is possible to achieve efficient power supply toward the drive battery 16. Also, in the auxiliary DCDC converter 26, it is possible to keep the step-down ratio of the voltage constant, and thereby it is possible to achieve efficient power supply toward the auxiliary battery 18.

[0094] In particular, according to the present embodiment, by performing the intermediate voltage maintenance control on the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 in the running of the vehicle 11, it is possible to perform efficient power supply toward the auxiliary class 32. Also, in the case where the vehicle 11 is in the parking and in the charging preparation in which the charging state of the solar panel 14 is confirmed, by performing the intermediate voltage maintenance control on the auxiliary DCDC converter 26, it is possible to perform efficient power supply toward the auxiliary class 32.

[0095] On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the drive battery 16 is in the charging, by performing the intermediate voltage maintenance control on the step-up DCDC converter 24, it is possible to perform efficient power supply toward the auxiliary class 32 from the auxiliary DCDC converter 26.

[0096] Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case of the transient state accompanying the variation of the power supplied from the solar panel 14, it is possible to cope with the overshoot and the oscillation of the intermediate voltage V without mounting the solar cell.

[0097] Also, the adjustment section 210 of the solar ECU 12 of the present embodiment performs the PID control as the intermediate voltage maintenance control. Specifically, the adjustment section 210 adjusts the step-up DCDC converter 24 or the auxiliary DCDC converter 26 in such a manner as to keep the intermediate voltage V constant by the feedback control based on each gain value in the PID control. Further, according to the present embodiment, by the correction section 220 correcting the gain value as the control parameter for each DCDC converter, it is possible to suppress the power loss at the time of charging each battery.

[0098] There are cases where the gain value is not suitable due to the capacity reduction caused by the time passage of the capacitor 28, the individual difference, the deterioration of the solar panel 14, the aging of other circuit elements, and the like. In contrast to this, according to the present embodiment, by performing the correction of the gain value every prescribed period, it is possible to secure the quality in the charging operation of the battery.

[0099] [2nd Embodiment]

[0100] In the first embodiment, the modification of the gain value as the control parameter is executed with the lapse of a prescribed period as the trigger, but the execution trigger of the modification is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, the modification section 220 can be configured to execute the modification with the waveform of the intermediate voltage V at the time of feedback control deviating from an appropriate state as the trigger.

[0101] Specifically, the CPU 20A of the control section 20 monitors the waveform of the intermediate voltage V at the time of feedback control, and executes the gain modification process in a case where the waveform deviates from an appropriate state. Here, the appropriate state of the waveform refers to, for example, a state in which the overshoot value and the voltage settling time satisfy the values set in advance. That is, in the present embodiment, in the feedback control in the intermediate voltage maintenance control, in a case where the intermediate voltage V excessively overshoots with respect to the target value, in a case where it does not converge to the target value, the modification of the gain value is executed.

[0102] According to the present embodiment, by executing the modification of the gain value in a case where the waveform of the intermediate voltage V at the time of feedback control deviates from an appropriate state, the quality in the charging operation of the battery can be ensured.

[0103] (Modified Example)

[0104] In addition, as a modified example of the second embodiment, there is a method in which a device outside the vehicle 11 determines whether the modification of the parameter is required. In the present modified example, by connecting a DCM (Data Communication Module) as a communication module directly with respect to the communication I / F 20E or via another ECU, it is possible to transmit the waveform of the intermediate voltage V outside the vehicle 11 to a server. For example, in a case where the waveform of the intermediate voltage V of the vehicle 11 is acquired by a server managed by a dealer, it is possible to determine whether the modification of the gain value is required on the dealer side. Furthermore, in a case where it is determined that the modification is required, by guiding the user of the vehicle 11 to the warehouse of the dealer, it is possible to implement the modification of the gain value on the dealer side.

[0105] According to the present modified example, by monitoring the state of the feedback of the intermediate voltage V at an external server, it is possible to remotely find the unsuitability of the gain value caused by the aging of the circuit elements. In addition, by having a function of notifying the user of the vehicle 11, it is possible to implement the inspection of the failure of hardware other than the unsuitability of the gain value by the dealer.

[0106] [Notes]

[0107] Further, various processes performed by the CPU 20A in the above-described embodiments by reading in software (programs) can also be performed by various processors other than the CPU. As the processor in this case, a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that can change the circuit structure after manufacture, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and the like that are special electronic circuits as processors having a circuit structure designed specifically to perform a certain process, and the like are exemplified. Further, each of the above-described processes can be performed by one of these various processors, or can be performed by a combination of two or more processors of the same kind or different kinds (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, and the like). Further, more specifically, the hardware configuration of these various processors is an electronic circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

[0108] Further, in the above-described embodiments, the programs are described as being stored (installed) in advance in a non-temporary recording medium that is readable by a computer. For example, the control program 100 in the control section 20 is stored in advance in the ROM 20B. However, this is not limiting, and each of the programs can be provided in a manner of being recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the programs can be provided in a manner of being downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0109] The flow of the processes described in the above-described embodiments is one example, and unnecessary steps can be deleted, new steps can be added, and the order of the processes can be changed without departing from the scope of the gist.

Claims

1. A power generation control device, wherein the power generation control device comprises: a solar DCDC converter to which a solar panel mounted on a vehicle is connected at an input side; a battery-side DCDC converter to which an output side of the solar DCDC converter is connected at an input side and to which a battery is connected at an output side; an adjustment section that adjusts output power of the battery-side DCDC converter so that a voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value by control based on a prescribed control parameter; and a correction section that performs correction of the control parameter, the adjustment section performs PID control as feedback control, the control parameter is a gain value in the PID control, the correction section is configured to: perform, a plurality of times, a process of storing a changed gain value in a case where the gain value is changed to either one of positive and negative based on a limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to a gain value before the change, and thereafter perform, a plurality of times, a process of storing a changed gain value in a case where the gain value is changed to the other one of positive and negative based on the limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value before the change.

2. The power generation control device according to claim 1, wherein a capacitor is provided, one side of the capacitor being connected to the output side of the solar DCDC converter and the other side of the capacitor being connected to a ground of the vehicle.

3. The power generation control device according to claim 1, wherein the correction section performs correction of the control parameter as an opportunity that a prescribed period elapses from execution of the last correction.

4. The power generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the correction section performs correction of the control parameter as an opportunity that a waveform of the voltage at the time of the PID control deviates from an appropriate state.

5. The power generation control device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of groups of the battery and the battery-side DCDC converter are provided, the correction section performs correction of the control parameter in the battery-side DCDC converter adjusted by the adjustment section as the opportunity.

6. The power generation control device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of groups of the battery and the battery-side DCDC converter are provided, the correction section performs correction of the control parameter in the battery-side DCDC converter adjusted by the adjustment section as the opportunity.

7. A vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises: the power generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the solar panel provided on an exterior of a vehicle body; and the battery mounted on the vehicle body.

8. A control method, which is a control method in a power generation control device, the power generation control device comprises: a solar DCDC converter to which a solar panel mounted on a vehicle is connected at an input side; and a battery-side DCDC converter to which an output side of the solar DCDC converter is connected at an input side and to which a battery is connected at an output side, wherein, the following process is performed by a computer: adjusting output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value; and performing processing of correction of the control parameter, wherein PID control as feedback control is performed, the control parameter is a gain value in the PID control, wherein processing of storing a changed gain value is performed a plurality of times in a case where the gain value is changed to either one of positive and negative based on a limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value before the change, and thereafter, processing of storing a changed gain value is performed a plurality of times in a case where the gain value is changed to the other one of positive and negative based on the limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value before the change.

9. A storage medium recording a control program that controls a power generation control device, the power generation control device including: a solar DCDC converter to which a solar panel mounted on a vehicle is connected at an input side; and a battery-side DCDC converter connected at an input side to an output side of the solar DCDC converter and connected at an output side to a battery, wherein the control program causing a computer to execute the following processing: adjusting output power of the battery-side DCDC converter by control based on a prescribed control parameter so that voltage between the solar DCDC converter and the battery-side DCDC converter becomes a prescribed value; and performing processing of correction of the control parameter, wherein PID control as feedback control is performed, the control parameter is a gain value in the PID control, wherein processing of storing a changed gain value is performed a plurality of times in a case where the gain value is changed to either one of positive and negative based on a limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value before the change, and thereafter, processing of storing a changed gain value is performed a plurality of times in a case where the gain value is changed to the other one of positive and negative based on the limit sensitivity method and overshoot and voltage settling time are improved compared to the gain value before the change.

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