Power supply device

Abstract

A power supply device that supplies electric power to an external load includes a generator that can generate electric power using power of an engine, a housing that can house a storage battery, a state determination unit that determines a state of the power supply device, and a control unit that controls charging of the storage battery housed in the housing, supply of electric power to the external load using electric power from the generator, the generator having a tank for storing fuel of the engine, the control unit using electric power from the storage battery housed in the housing as auxiliary, controlling supply of electric power to the external load using electric power from the generator and electric power from the storage battery, in a case where the state determination unit determines that a remaining amount of fuel in the tank is less than a threshold value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electric power supply device capable of supplying electric power to an external load. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a hybrid generator capable of causing electric power from a battery, electric power output from an engine-driven generator driven by an engine, to be output. In the hybrid generator described in Patent Literature 1, whether or not there is a load, a remaining amount of the battery is considered to decide distribution of output from the generator and output from the battery, and output instruction is made to an engine control section and a battery control section in accordance with the distribution.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-224187 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the hybrid generator, it is desired that electric power be stably supplied to an external load for as long as possible even in the case where fuel of the engine in the engine-driven generator is reduced.

[0008] Thus, an object of the present application is to provide a technique that is advantageous in stably supplying electric power to an external load in a hybrid generator.

[0009] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, an electric power supply device according to one aspect of the present application is a stationary installed type electric power supply device that supplies electric power to an external load, and includes: a generator that is capable of generating electric power using power of an engine; a housing that is capable of housing a battery; a state judging unit that judges a state of the electric power supply device; and a control unit that controls charging of the battery housed in the housing and electric power supply to the external load using electric power from the generator, the generator having a tank for storing fuel of the engine, the control unit automatically shifting to a control mode in which electric power from the battery housed in the housing is used as auxiliary and electric power supply to the external load is controlled using electric power from the generator and electric power from the battery in the case where it is judged by the state judging unit that a remaining amount of fuel in the tank is less than a threshold value.

[0011] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the present application, a technology is provided which is advantageous in stably supplying electric power to an external load in a hybrid generator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the application and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application.

[0014] Figure 1 is an external view of the electric power supply device.

[0015] Figure 2 is a structural block diagram of the electric power supply device.

[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a control method of supplying electric power to an external load using the electric power supply device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the embodiments below are not intended to limit the application to which the claims are directed, and the application does not require the combination of all the features described in the embodiments. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar structures, and repeated description is omitted.

[0018] An electric power supply device 10 (electric power supply system) according to an embodiment of the present application will be described. Figure 1 An external view of the electric power supply device 10 of the present embodiment is shown in Figure 2 A structural block diagram of the electric power supply device 10 of the present embodiment is shown. The electric power supply device 10 of the present embodiment is a hybrid generator of a stationary installation type provided with an engine-driven generator 20 capable of generating electric power using the power of an engine, and a housing 30 capable of housing a storage battery 31, and is configured to selectively supply electric power from the engine-driven generator 20 and electric power from the storage battery 31 to an external load 60. The engine-driven generator 20 is disposed inside a housing portion 11a having a cover portion 11b capable of being opened and closed, and the housing 30 is installed in the housing portion 11a. The housing 30 is configured to have a cover portion 30a capable of being opened and closed at an upper portion of the housing 30, and the storage battery 31 can be inserted and removed from the housing 30 in a state in which the cover portion 30a is opened. With regard to the housing 30, in the example shown in the drawing, only one storage battery 31 is illustrated, but preferably, the housing 30 is configured to be capable of housing a plurality of storage batteries 31. In addition, the storage battery 31 can be, for example, a movable storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle (electric two-wheeled vehicle, electric four-wheeled vehicle, etc.). Figure 1 In the example shown in the drawing, only one storage battery 31 is illustrated, but preferably, the housing 30 is configured to be capable of housing a plurality of storage batteries 31. In addition, the storage battery 31 can be, for example, a movable storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle (electric two-wheeled vehicle, electric four-wheeled vehicle, etc.).

[0019] As Figure 2 indicated, the engine-driven generator 20 can include, for example, a fuel tank 21, an engine 22, and a generator 23. The fuel tank 21 is a tank that stores fuel (gasoline or the like) for the engine 22, and fuel can be replenished to the fuel tank 21 in a state where the cover portion 11b of the housing portion 11a is opened. The engine 22 is, for example, an air-cooled engine of an ignition type that uses gasoline or the like as fuel, and has a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder, and a crankshaft that rotates in synchronization with the piston. The power of the engine 22 is output (transmitted) to the generator 23 via the crankshaft. In addition, a starter 24 (starter motor) is provided to the crankshaft, and the starter 24 is driven by power from a storage battery 31, whereby the engine 22 can be started. The generator 23 is, for example, a multipole alternating-current generator that generates alternating-current power by being driven by the power of the engine 22, and has a rotor that is linked to the crankshaft of the engine 22 and rotates integrally with the crankshaft, and a stator that faces the peripheral surface of the rotor and is arranged concentrically with the rotor. A permanent magnet can be provided to the rotor, and coils that are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees in phase angle can be provided to the stator, for example.

[0020] The power generated by the generator 23 is supplied to a power conversion portion 40. The power conversion portion 40 is an assembly that converts the power from the generator 23 and the power from the storage battery 31 into power for supplying to an external load 60. In the case of the present embodiment, the power conversion portion 40 is arranged inside the housing portion 11a, and can be configured to selectively supply the power from the generator 23, the power from the storage battery 31, or both of such powers (combined power) to the external load 60. For example, the power conversion portion 40 rectifies the power from the generator 23 to reduce to a predetermined voltage, and further converts to alternating-current power of a predetermined frequency (for example, a commercial frequency), and then performs a filter process to supply to the external load 60. In addition, the power conversion portion 40 can combine (totalize) the power from the storage battery 31 and the power from the generator 23 after passing the power from the storage battery 31 through an insulation-type DC-DC converter, and supply to the external load 60. Furthermore, as a specific structure of the power conversion portion 40, the structure of the power conversion portion described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-224187) can be applied (adopted).

[0021] In addition, the power supply device 10 can be provided with a processing portion 50. The processing portion 50 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and includes a processor typified by a CPU, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an interface with an external device, and the like. A program executed by the processor, data used by the processor in processing, and the like are saved in the storage device, and the processing portion 50 can read out the program to execute. The processing portion 50 of the present embodiment is arranged inside the housing portion 11a, and can include, for example, a control portion 51 and a state determination portion 52.

[0022] The control section 51 controls charging of the storage battery 31 housed in the housing container 30 using electric power from the generator 23, or selectively uses electric power from the generator 23 and electric power from the storage battery 31 to control electric power supply to the external load 60. In the case of the present embodiment, as a control mode of controlling electric power supply to the external load 60, the control section 51 has a first control mode, a second control mode, and a third control mode, and switches the control mode according to the state of the electric power supply device 10 judged by the state judging section 52. The first control mode is a control mode of controlling electric power supply to the external load 60 using electric power from the generator 23 without using electric power from the storage battery 31 housed in the housing container 30 (i.e., using only the engine-driven generator 20). The second control mode is a control mode of controlling electric power supply to the external load 60 using electric power from the storage battery 31 housed in the housing container 30 without using electric power from the generator 23 (i.e., using only the storage battery 31). The third control mode is a control mode of controlling electric power supply to the external load 60 using both electric power from the generator 23 and electric power from the storage battery 31 housed in the housing container 30 (i.e., using both the generator 23 and the storage battery 31) with auxiliary use of electric power from the storage battery 31.

[0023] The state determination section 52 determines the state of the power supply device 10 based on the detection results of various sensors provided in the power supply device 10. For example, the state determination section 52 can determine whether the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21 (tank inside) is less than a threshold based on the detection result of a sensor for detecting the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21. In addition, the state determination section 52 can determine whether fuel is being replenished into the fuel tank 21 (and / or whether the replenishment of fuel into the fuel tank 21 is started) based on the detection result of a sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the lid portion 1 lb of the housing portion 11a and / or the detection result of a sensor for detecting the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21. The state determination section 52 can also determine whether the battery 31 is being replaced in the housing 30 based on the detection result of a sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the lid portion 30a of the housing 30 and / or the detection result of a sensor for detecting whether the battery 31 is in the housing 30. Further, the state determination section 52 can determine whether the silent operation is requested. For example, the state determination section 52 can determine whether the silent operation is requested in accordance with whether the current time is within a predetermined time during which the silent operation is requested. The predetermined time during which the silent operation is requested can be, for example, nighttime. In this case, the "nighttime" can be defined as the period from sunset to sunrise on the next morning, or as a range of time set in advance (for example, the period from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the next morning). The predetermined time is not limited to nighttime, and can be a range of time arbitrarily set by the user. In addition, in the case where a button (switch) for requesting the silent operation is provided in the power supply device 10, the state determination section 52 can determine whether the silent operation is requested in accordance with whether the button is pressed.

[0024] Next, a control method for supplying electric power from the power supply device 10 of the present embodiment to the external load 60 will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for supplying electric power from the power supply device 10 of the present embodiment to the external load 60. The flowchart can be started in the case where a start instruction is given to the power supply device 10 by the user. For example, the start instruction can be given by pressing a power button provided in the power supply device 10 or a start start signal transmitted from an information terminal of the user through wireless communication or the like. In addition, each process of the flowchart can be performed by the processing section 50 (the control section 51, the state determination section 52). Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for supplying electric power from the power supply device 10 of the present embodiment to the external load 60. The flowchart can be started in the case where a start instruction is given to the power supply device 10 by the user. For example, the start instruction can be given by pressing a power button provided in the power supply device 10 or a start start signal transmitted from an information terminal of the user through wireless communication or the like. In addition, each process of the flowchart can be performed by the processing section 50 (the control section 51, the state determination section 52).

[0025] In step S101, the processing portion 50 (the control portion 51) starts up the engine-driven generator 20. For example, the control portion 51 drives the starter 24 with the electric power from the storage battery 31 to start the engine 22, thereby starting up the engine-driven generator 20 (i.e., causing the generator 23 to start generating electric power). Also, in step S102, the control portion 51 controls the electric power supply to the external load 60 in the first control mode (i.e., with the electric power from the generator 23). In addition, at this time, the control portion 51 can also control the charging of the storage battery 31 housed in the housing 30 with the electric power from the generator 23.

[0026] In step S103, the processing portion 50 (the state judging portion 52) judges whether the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21 is less than a threshold value. For example, the state judging portion 52 can judge whether the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21 is less than a threshold value based on the detection result of a sensor for detecting the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21. The "threshold value" can be arbitrarily set, but as an example, can be set to an amount of fuel for which the operable time of the engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) is several tens of minutes to several hours (e.g., 30 minutes to 2 hours) when the external load 60 is supplied with electric power using only the generator 23. In the case where it is judged that the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21 is less than the threshold value, the processing proceeds to step S104, and in the case where it is judged that the amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing proceeds to step S105.

[0027] In step S104, the processing portion 50 (the control portion 51) shifts to a third control mode and starts controlling the electric power supply to the external load 60 with the electric power from the generator 23 and the electric power from the storage battery 31. In this third control mode, the control portion 51 controls the electric power supply to the external load 60 using the electric power from the storage battery 31 in addition, so that the operable time of the engine 22 based on the fuel stored in the fuel tank 21 is extended compared to the first control mode. In this way, the electric power supply to the external load 60 is controlled in the third control mode, so that the operable time of the engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) based on the fuel stored in the fuel tank 21 can be extended compared to the case where the first control mode is used. Thus, even in the case where the user cannot immediately implement the replenishment of fuel to the fuel tank 21, the electric power supply device 10 can be operated without stopping for as long as possible to stably (continuously) supply electric power to the external load 60. That is, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0028] In step S105, the processing section 50 (state determination section 52) determines whether or not the muting operation is requested. For example, in a case where the current time is within a predetermined time period during which muting is requested (e.g., nighttime), the state determination section 52 determines that the muting operation is requested. As an example, the state determination section 52 has a clock, and in a case where the current time is within a range of a preset time (e.g., a period from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning), it can be determined that the muting operation is requested. In addition, in a case where a button (switch) provided in the power supply device 10 for requesting the muting operation is pressed by the user, the state determination section 52 can also determine that the muting operation is requested. In a case where it is determined that the muting operation is requested, the processing proceeds to step S106, and in a case where it is determined that the muting operation is not requested, the processing proceeds to step S107.

[0029] In step S106, the processing section 50 (control section 51) shifts to the second control mode and starts controlling the power supply to the external load 60 using the electric power from the storage battery 31. In this case, the second control mode can also be understood as a control mode (muting mode, nighttime mode) that is forcibly shifted to in accordance with the user's request for the muting operation. In addition, it can also be that, in the present step S106, the control section 51 stops the engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) as it shifts to the second control mode. At the time of shifting from the second control mode to the first control mode or the third control mode, the engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) can be started again. In general, in the engine-driven generator 20, noise is generated due to the operation of the engine 22, and thus it is desirable to reduce this noise, for example, during nighttime. In a case where the user requests the muting operation as in the present embodiment, the power supply to the external load 60 is controlled using only the storage battery 31, and thus it is possible to reduce this noise.

[0030] In step S107, the processing portion 50 (state determination portion 52) determines whether or not fuel is being replenished into the fuel tank 21. For example, the state determination portion 52 can determine whether or not fuel is being replenished into the fuel tank 21 based on a detection result of a remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 21. Specifically, in a case where the remaining amount of fuel is detected by the remaining amount sensor as being increased, the state determination portion 52 can determine that fuel is being replenished. Alternatively, the state determination portion 52 can determine whether or not fuel is being replenished based on a detection result of an opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the lid portion 1 lb of the housing portion 11a, which is opened and closed when fuel is replenished into the fuel tank 21. Specifically, in a case where the lid portion 1 lb is detected by the opening / closing sensor as being opened, the state determination portion 52 can determine that fuel replenishment is started, and in a case where the lid portion 1 lb is detected by the opening / closing sensor as being closed, the state determination portion 52 can determine that fuel replenishment is ended. That is, during a period in which the opening / closing sensor detects the opened state of the lid portion 1 lb, the state determination portion 52 can determine that fuel is being replenished. In a case where it is determined that fuel is being replenished, the processing proceeds to step S108, and in a case where it is determined that fuel is not being replenished, the processing proceeds to step S109.

[0031] In step S108, the processing portion 50 (control portion 51) shifts to the second control mode and starts controlling the power supply to the external load 60 using the electric power from the storage battery 31. At this time, the control portion 51 can stop the engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) along with the shift to the second control mode. The engine-driven generator 20 (engine 22) can be restarted at the time of shift from the second control mode to the first control mode or the third control mode. In general, in the engine-driven generator 20, it is desirable to reduce the output of electric power during the process of replenishing fuel into the fuel tank 21 for the purpose of improving safety, and it is more desirable to stop the engine 22. As in the present embodiment, the shift to the second control mode or the automatic stop of the engine 22 during the process of replenishing fuel, thereby the safety of the electric power supply device 10 can be improved.

[0032] In step S109, the processing portion 50 (the state determination portion 52) determines whether or not the battery 31 is being replaced in the housing container 30. For example, the state determination portion 52 can determine whether or not the battery 31 is being replaced based on a detection result of a battery presence / absence sensor for detecting whether or not the battery 31 is present in the housing container 30. Specifically, in a case where the battery presence / absence sensor detects that the battery 31 is pulled out from the housing container 30 and the housing container 30 is in a state where the battery 31 is not present, the state determination portion 52 can determine that the battery 31 is being replaced. Alternatively, the state determination portion 52 can determine whether or not the battery 31 is being replaced based on a detection result of an opening / closing sensor for detecting opening / closing of the cover portion 30a that is opened / closed when the battery 31 is replaced. Specifically, in a period during which the opening / closing sensor detects an open state of the cover portion 30a, the state determination portion 52 can determine that the battery 31 is being replaced. In a case where it is determined that the battery 31 is being replaced, the process proceeds to step S110, and in a case where it is determined that the battery 31 is not being replaced, the process proceeds to step S111.

[0033] In step S110, the processing portion 50 (the control portion 51) shifts to the first control mode and starts controlling the power supply to the external load 60 using the electric power from the engine-driven generator 20 (the generator 23). This step S110 can be performed in a case where the power supply apparatus 10 is operating in the second control mode or the third control mode due to steps S104, S106, and S108 described above. In this way, the first control mode is automatically shifted to during replacement of the battery 31, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0034] In step S111, the processing portion 50 (the control portion 51) determines whether or not the power supply to the external load 60 is to be ended. For example, in a case where a user gives an instruction to stop the power supply apparatus 10, the control portion 51 can determine that the power supply to the external load 60 is to be ended. The instruction to stop can be given, for example, by pressing a power button provided in the power supply apparatus 10 or a stop signal transmitted from an information terminal of the user through wireless communication or the like. In a case where it is determined that the power supply to the external load 60 is to be ended, the flowchart is ended, and in a case where it is determined that the power supply to the external load 60 is not to be ended, the process returns to step S103.

[0035] As described above, the power supply apparatus 10 of the present embodiment switches the control mode of the power supply to the external load 60 in accordance with the state of the power supply apparatus 10 determined by the state determination portion 52. Thus, the convenience and safety of the user in the power supply apparatus 10 can be improved.

[0036] <Other Embodiments>

[0037] The power supply device 10 can also be configured to be able to transmit and receive information with an information terminal of a user via a network or the like. In this case, a communication section for transmitting and receiving information with the information terminal of the user can be provided in the processing section 50. As an example, the control section 51 can also notify the information terminal of the user of the control mode (the first control mode, the second control mode, or the third control mode) currently being executed in the power supply device 10 via the communication section.

[0038] <SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS>

[0039] 1. The power supply device of the above embodiment is a power supply device (e.g., 10) that supplies electric power to an external load (e.g., 60), in which:

[0040] a power generator (e.g., 20) that is able to generate electric power using the power of an engine (e.g., 22);

[0041] a housing container (e.g., 30) that is able to house a storage battery (e.g., 31);

[0042] a state judging section (e.g., 52) that judges the state of the power supply device; and

[0043] a control section (e.g., 51) that controls, using electric power from the power generator, the charging of the storage battery housed in the housing container, the supply of electric power to the external load,

[0044] the power generator has a tank (e.g., 21) for storing fuel of the engine,

[0045] in a case where the state judging section judges that the amount of fuel in the tank is less than a threshold value, the control section controls the supply of electric power to the external load using electric power from the power generator and electric power from the storage battery, with the electric power from the storage battery being used in an auxiliary manner.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the operable time of the engine can be extended compared to a case where only the power generator is used. Thus, even in a case where the user is unable to immediately implement refueling of the tank, the power supply device can be operated without stopping for as long as possible to stably supply electric power to the external load, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0047] 2. In the above embodiment,

[0048] In a case where the state judging unit judges that the margin is smaller than a threshold value, the control unit controls the power supply to the external load using the electric power from the storage battery as an auxiliary so that the operable time of the engine based on the fuel stored in the tank is extended as compared with a case where only the electric power from the generator is used.

[0049] According to this embodiment, even in a case where the user cannot immediately implement the refueling of the tank, the electric power can be stably supplied to the external load, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0050] 3. In the above embodiment,

[0051] In a case where the state judging unit judges that the fuel is being refueled into the tank, the control unit controls the power supply to the external load using the electric power from the storage battery without using the electric power from the generator during the refueling of the fuel.

[0052] According to this embodiment, during the refueling of the fuel, the control mode is automatically shifted to a control mode in which the electric power from the generator is not used and the electric power from the storage battery is used to control the power supply to the external load, and thus the safety of the electric power supply device can be improved.

[0053] 4. In the above embodiment,

[0054] In a case where the state judging unit judges that the storage battery is being replaced in the housing, the control unit controls the power supply to the external load using the electric power from the generator without using the electric power from the storage battery during the replacement of the storage battery.

[0055] According to this embodiment, during the replacement of the storage battery, the control mode is automatically shifted to a control mode in which the electric power from the storage battery is not used and the electric power from the generator is used to control the power supply to the external load, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0056] 5. In the above embodiment,

[0057] In a case where the state judging unit judges that the silent operation is requested, the control unit controls the power supply to the external load using the electric power from the storage battery without using the electric power from the generator.

[0058] According to this embodiment, in a case where the silent operation is requested by the user, for example, at night or the like, the noise generated due to the operation of the engine can be reduced.

[0059] 6. In the above-described embodiments,

[0060] In a case where the current time is within a predetermined time during which the muting is requested, and / or a case where a button provided for requesting the muting operation is pressed by the user, the state judging unit judges that the muting operation is requested.

[0061] According to this embodiment, in accordance with the request of the user for the muting operation, the control mode is automatically shifted to a control mode in which the power supply to the external load is controlled using the power from the battery, so that the noise generated due to the operation of the engine can be reduced.

[0062] 7. In the above-described embodiments,

[0063] The housing is configured to be able to house a plurality of the batteries.

[0064] According to this embodiment, in the power supply device, the plurality of batteries can be charged using the power from the generator, and the power supply to the external load can be more efficiently controlled.

[0065] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, in order to disclose the scope of the present application, the following claims are appended.

[0066] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0067] 10: power supply device; 20: engine-driven generator; 21: fuel tank; 22: engine; 23: generator; 30: housing; 31: battery; 40: power conversion section; 50: processing section; 51: control section; 52: state judging section.

Claims

1. A power supply device, wherein the power supply device is a fixedly installed power supply device for supplying power to an external load, the power supply device comprising: A generator is a device that uses the power of an engine to generate electricity. A storage container that can hold the storage battery; A battery presence sensor detects the presence or absence of the battery in the receiving container. A status determination unit, which determines the status of the power supply device; as well as The control unit, using power from the generator, controls the charging of the battery housed in the receiving container and the power supply to the external load. The generator has a tank for storing fuel for the engine. The control unit has a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the power supply to the external load is controlled using power from the generator instead of power from the battery. The second mode is a mode in which the power supply to the external load is controlled using both power from the generator and power from the battery, supplementing the power supply from the battery. When the control unit is controlling the power supply to the external load in the first mode, if the status judgment unit determines that the remaining fuel in the tank is less than a threshold, it automatically switches to the second mode to control the power supply to the external load in the second mode. If the presence or absence sensor detects that the battery has been removed from the receiving container and there is no battery in the receiving container, and the state determination unit determines that the battery is being replaced, the system automatically switches to the first mode, and controls the power supply to the external load in the first mode while the battery is being replaced.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit controls the power supply to the external load in a second mode, such that the engine's operating time based on the fuel stored in the tank is extended compared to the case where the power supply to the external load is controlled in the first mode.

3. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control unit also has a third mode, which controls the power supply to the external load using power from the battery instead of power from the generator. When the control unit controls the power supply to the external load in the first mode or the second mode, if the status judgment unit determines that fuel is being added to the tank, it automatically switches to the third mode. During the fuel replenishment process, the power supply to the external load is controlled in the third mode.

4. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the status determination unit determines that a silent operation has been requested, the control unit switches to a control mode in which power from the battery is used instead of power from the generator to control the power supply to the external load.

5. The power supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that, If there is a current moment within the predetermined time period during which silence is requested, and / or if the button set for requesting silence is pressed by the user, the state determination unit determines that silence has been requested.

6. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving container is configured to accommodate multiple of the batteries.

Images