Power supply device, control method, and non-transitory storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a power supply device, a control method, and a non-transitory storage medium. A power supply device installed in a vehicle includes a relay provided between a high-voltage battery and one or more pieces of vehicle-mounted equipment, and a processor. The processor is configured to switch on or off the relay based on a state of a main switch configured to operate a running system of the vehicle, and configured to control supply of electric power from the high-voltage battery to the one or more pieces of vehicle-mounted equipment. The processor is configured to supply electric power from the high-voltage battery to a specific piece of vehicle-mounted equipment during a period in which the relay is kept on, when the main switch is turned off during the period in which the relay is on, and the one or more pieces of vehicle-mounted equipment include the specific piece of vehicle-mounted equipment. The specific piece of vehicle-mounted equipment is configured to operate after the main switch is turned off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to power supply devices, control methods, and non-transitory storage media installed in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-205275 discloses a power supply device that performs so-called feeding control. In this feeding control, when the main switch of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle cannot move, and the power consumption of the on-board equipment that uses an auxiliary battery as a power source exceeds a predetermined value, power is supplied from a high-voltage battery to the on-board equipment while the power consumption is high. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To perform supply control, the on / off state of the system main relay (SMR), which connects the on-board equipment (powered by its auxiliary battery), needs to be switched each time supply control is executed. To extend the lifespan of this system main relay, it is preferable to minimize the number of times it is operated, thereby reducing the heat generated during switching. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the method of implementing supply control.

[0004] This disclosure provides a power supply device, a control method, and a non-transitory storage medium that can suppress the increase in the number of system main relay operations due to the implementation of supply control and can reduce the impact on the component life of the system main relay.

[0005] The first aspect of this disclosure is a power supply device installed in a vehicle. The power supply device includes a relay disposed between a high-voltage battery and one or more on-board devices, and a processor. The processor is configured to switch the relay on or off based on the state of a main switch configured to operate the vehicle's driving system, and is configured to control the power supply from the high-voltage battery to the one or more on-board devices. The processor is configured to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific on-board device while the relay is on, provided that the main switch is off and the one or more on-board devices include a specific on-board device, while the relay remains on. The specific on-board device is configured to operate after the main switch is off.

[0006] In the first embodiment, the processor may be configured to keep the relay on even when the main switch is turned on after the relay has been turned on to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific on-board device, while a predetermined operation is being performed on the vehicle during the period when the relay is off and the specific on-board device is present.

[0007] In the first embodiment, the processor may be configured to disconnect the relay when power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device for a predetermined period of time.

[0008] In the first scheme, the processor can be configured to determine whether the specific vehicle-mounted device exists at the same time the main switch is turned on.

[0009] In the first scheme, the processor can be configured to determine whether the specific vehicle-mounted device exists based on whether a request is made to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device.

[0010] In the first embodiment, the specific in-vehicle device can be a device configured to operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle.

[0011] In the first embodiment, the specific in-vehicle device can be a device configured to operate when an occupant enters the vehicle.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the specific in-vehicle device may be a device configured to operate when occupants leave and enter the vehicle.

[0013] The second aspect of this disclosure is a control method executed by a computer of a power supply unit installed in a vehicle. The control method includes: determining the state of a main switch configured to operate the vehicle's driving system; determining, based on the state of the main switch, whether a switching relay is turned on or off; when the main switch is off while the relay is on, determining whether a specific vehicle-mounted device exists among one or more vehicle-mounted devices that operates after the main switch is off; and when the specific vehicle-mounted device that operates after the main switch is off exists, determining to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device while the relay remains on. The relay is disposed between the high-voltage battery and one or more vehicle-mounted devices.

[0014] The third aspect of this disclosure is a non-transitory storage medium for storing instructions that can be executed by one or more processors in a computer installed in a vehicle's power supply unit, causing the processors to perform the following functions: determining the state of a main switch configured to operate the vehicle's driving system; determining whether a switching relay is on or off based on the state of the main switch; when the main switch is off while the relay is on, determining whether a specific vehicle-mounted device exists among one or more vehicle-mounted devices that operates after the main switch is off; and when the specific vehicle-mounted device exists and operates after the main switch is off, determining to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device while the relay remains on. The relay is disposed between the high-voltage battery and the one or more vehicle-mounted devices.

[0015] According to the first, second, and third embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of system main relay operations caused by the implementation of supply control, thereby reducing the impact on the component life of the system main relay. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a power supply device and its peripheral components according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of vehicle disembarkation control executed by the power supply unit when the system's main relay is in the ON state.

[0019] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the onboard control process executed by the power supply unit when the system's main relay is in the off state; and

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an application example of vehicle disembarkation control performed by the power supply unit when the system's main relay is in the ON state. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Some vehicle auxiliary loads use an auxiliary battery as their main power source and perform supply control according to the power supply device of this disclosure. In this supply control, when a specific auxiliary load is operated while a vehicle occupant is alighting, power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the specific auxiliary load while the system main relay remains on and is not switched off. This control enables the suppression of the number of times the system main relay is operated when supply control is implemented.

[0022] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Example

[0024] Configuration

[0025] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a power supply device 20 and its peripheral components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The illustrated functional blocks include a high-voltage battery 10, a power supply unit 20, an auxiliary battery 30, and multiple auxiliary loads 41 and 42. Figure 1 It should be noted that signal lines used for power are indicated by solid lines, while signal lines used for control and communication are indicated by dashed lines. For example, the power supply unit 20 can be installed in vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that use an electric motor as a power source.

[0026] The high-voltage battery 10 is a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, and a drive battery that supplies power to so-called main units (omitted from the illustration) installed in the vehicle, such as a starter motor or traction motor. The high-voltage battery 10 can supply power to the main units via the system main relay 21, which will be described later. The high-voltage battery 10 can also supply power to the control unit 22, which will be described later, via the system main relay 21.

[0027] For example, the auxiliary battery 30 is a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lead-acid battery or a lithium-ion battery, and is a battery that supplies power to so-called auxiliary equipment installed in the vehicle, including auxiliary loads 41 and 42. The auxiliary battery 30 can be charged by the power of the high-voltage battery 10. Typically, the rated voltage of the auxiliary battery 30 is set to be lower than the rated voltage of the high-voltage battery 10.

[0028] Auxiliary loads 41 and 42 are devices installed in the vehicle and are appliances, devices, etc., that consume power required to perform predetermined actions. For example, auxiliary loads 41 and 42 include specific on-board equipment (e.g., electronic exterior rearview mirrors, exit assist systems, etc.) that operate in a fixed mode, such as when opening / closing a vehicle door or when turning the ignition switch on / off. Auxiliary loads 41 and 42 operate on power supplied from the power supply unit 20 or power stored in the auxiliary battery 30. Although... Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an example of two auxiliary loads 41 and 42 installed in a vehicle, but does not limit the number of auxiliary loads that can be installed in a vehicle.

[0029] The power supply unit 20 is a device for controlling the charging and discharging of the high-voltage battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 30, thereby managing the vehicle's electrical balance. According to this embodiment, the power supply unit 20 includes a system main relay (SMR) 21 and a control unit 22.

[0030] The system main relay 21 is a switching device for controlling the power exchange state of the high-voltage battery 10, and is located between the high-voltage battery 10 and the control unit 22. The system main relay 21 can switch between the state of electrical connection (on) and the state of de-energization (off) of the input / output terminal based on the command from the control unit 22.

[0031] Control unit 22 is configured to control the power supply from high-voltage battery 10 to auxiliary battery 30 and auxiliary loads 41 and 42. Control unit 22 switches the on / off state of system main relay 21 based on the on / off state of the ignition switch (IG), which serves as the main switch for starting the vehicle's driving-related systems (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle driving system"), and the setting state of auxiliary loads 41 and 42 related to operability / inoperability. Furthermore, when system main relay 21 is on, control unit 22 can supply power at a predetermined voltage from high-voltage battery 10 to auxiliary battery 30 and auxiliary loads 41 and 42. When power is supplied, control unit 22 can convert the voltage of high-voltage battery 10, which is the input voltage, to a predetermined voltage specified by auxiliary battery 30 (DC to DC conversion), and output the converted voltage.

[0032] The control unit 22 may be partially or wholly composed of an electronic control unit (ECU), which typically includes a processor such as a microcontroller, memory, input / output interfaces, etc. The ECU can read and execute programs stored in the memory to achieve some or all of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, the memory is a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium.

[0033] control

[0034] Next, we will refer to Figures 2 to 4 The control performed by the power supply device 20 according to this embodiment is described. The description of the control performed by the power supply device 20 can be divided into a description of alighting control and a description of boarding control. Note that in the following description, when an occupant, such as the driver, alights, this will be referred to as "when the occupant leaves the vehicle", and when an occupant boards the vehicle, this will be referred to as "when the occupant enters the vehicle", and both will be collectively referred to as "when the occupant enters / leaves the vehicle".

[0035] (1) Exit control

[0036] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating the control (exit control) process performed by the control unit 22 of the power unit 20 when an occupant leaves the vehicle, with the vehicle's driving system in operation (in a driving state) and the system main relay 21 (SMR on).

[0037] Step S201

[0038] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether any of the auxiliary loads 41 and 42 installed in the vehicle operate when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle. More specifically, the control unit 22 determines whether any auxiliary load operates after the main switch of the vehicle's driving system is turned off. Examples of auxiliary loads that can be the subject of this determination include electronic exterior rearview mirrors, exit assist systems, etc. Note that in some vehicles, users such as the driver can customize whether the auxiliary loads that can be the subject of the determination operate when an occupant enters and / or exits the vehicle. The control unit 22 of this embodiment can process such customized settings and understand whether a setting has been performed for each auxiliary load such that the auxiliary load operates when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle while the main switch of the vehicle's driving system is turned on. The setting and management of whether each auxiliary load can operate / not operate can be performed by the control unit 22, or by other configurations omitted from the figure.

[0039] When the control unit 22 determines that there is an auxiliary load that is set to operate when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle ("Yes" in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that there is no auxiliary load that is set to operate when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle ("No" in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0040] Step S202

[0041] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 sets a so-called supply request to "yes," thereby requesting power supply from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 side when the occupants enter / leave the vehicle; that is, requesting power supply to the auxiliary load that is set to operate when the occupants enter / leave the vehicle. For example, this supply request can be set to "yes" by setting a predetermined flag. When the control unit 22 sets the supply request to "yes," the process proceeds to step S204.

[0042] Step S203

[0043] When an occupant enters or leaves the vehicle, the control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 sets the power supply request from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 to "No". For example, the supply request can be set to "No" by not setting a predetermined flag. When the control unit 22 sets the supply request to "No", the process proceeds to step S204.

[0044] Note that the supply requirements described above can be set independently for auxiliary loads operated when occupants leave the vehicle and for auxiliary loads operated when occupants enter the vehicle. By setting supply requirements separately for occupants leaving and entering the vehicle, unnecessary supply processing can be avoided.

[0045] Step S204

[0046] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether the main switch for operating the vehicle's driving system has been turned off. In other words, the control unit 22 determines whether the vehicle has been switched to a state where it cannot be driven (parking state, etc.) for the purpose of allowing occupants to leave the vehicle. The vehicle's ignition switch (IG) can serve as an example of this main switch.

[0047] When the control unit 22 determines that the main switch is closed (IG closed) (yes in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the main switch is not closed (IG open) (no in step S204), the process proceeds to step S201.

[0048] Step S205

[0049] During the main switch-on period, the control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether the power supply requirement from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 is set to "yes". When the supply requirement is set separately for when the occupants leave the vehicle and for when the occupants enter the vehicle, it is sufficient for this step to determine whether there is a supply requirement for when the occupants leave the vehicle.

[0050] When the control unit 22 determines that the supply requirement is set to "yes" ("yes" in step S205), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the supply requirement is set to "no" ("no" in step S205), the process proceeds to step S207.

[0051] Step S206

[0052] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 maintains the connection state of the system main relay 21 (SMR on) and simultaneously performs power supply processing from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30, that is, supplies power at least for auxiliary loads that operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle. For example, the timing and other aspects of performing this power supply processing are set for each auxiliary load based on regulations and vehicle specifications. As an example, the electronic exterior rearview mirror needs to operate continuously for a maximum of 7 minutes when the occupant leaves the vehicle and when the occupant enters the vehicle. Moreover, the exit assist system needs to operate continuously for a maximum of 3 minutes only when the occupant leaves the vehicle. Note that from the viewpoint of protecting the auxiliary battery 30 from degradation, the duration of the power supply processing can be set longer than the duration of the operation of the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle. When the control unit 22 performs power supply processing from the high-voltage battery 10 until the operation of the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle ends, the processing proceeds to step S207.

[0053] Step S207

[0054] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 disconnects the system main relay 21 (SMR disconnect). This electrically isolates the high-voltage battery 10 from the system. When the control unit 22 disconnects the system main relay 21, the disembarkation control ends.

[0055] In this disembarkation control, when it is known that supply processing will be required when the occupant leaves the vehicle, the supply processing is performed while the system main relay 21 remains in the ON state, instead of temporarily switching from ON to OFF and then ON again when the disembarkation action (IG is turned on). Therefore, the number of operations of the system main relay 21 can be reduced.

[0056] Note that in the above embodiments, an example of determining whether to set a supply requirement is based on the result of step S201 regarding the existence of even one auxiliary load (specific on-board device) that operates when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle. However, instead of this determination, it is possible to determine whether to set a supply requirement based on whether the total power consumption of more than one auxiliary load that operates when an occupant enters / exits the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

[0057] (2) Boarding control

[0058] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control (entry control) process performed by the control unit 22 of the power unit 20 when an occupant enters the vehicle while the vehicle's driving system is stopped (in a non-driving state) and the system main relay 21 is disconnected (SMR disconnected).

[0059] Step S301

[0060] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether a predetermined operation has been performed on the vehicle. This determination is made to assess the likelihood that a vehicle occupant or other person will enter the vehicle. Examples of predetermined operations include actions that can recognize external access to the vehicle, such as unlocking the door using an electronic key or opening the door by grasping the door handle. The control unit 22 may determine on its own that a predetermined operation has been performed on the vehicle, or the control unit 22 may obtain a determination made by a configuration omitted in the figure.

[0061] When the control unit 22 determines that a predetermined operation has been performed on the vehicle ("Yes" in step S301), the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that a predetermined operation has not been performed on the vehicle ("No" in step S301), the determination in step S301 is repeated.

[0062] Step S302

[0063] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines, during a decision made while the main switch is turned on (such as during the last vehicle trip), whether the power supply requirement from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 is set to "yes". When the supply requirement is set separately for when the occupants leave the vehicle and for when the occupants enter the vehicle, it is sufficient to determine whether there is a supply requirement for when the occupants enter the vehicle for this step.

[0064] When the control unit 22 determines that the supply requirement is set to "yes" ("yes" in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the supply requirement is set to "no" ("no" in step S302), the process proceeds to step S305.

[0065] Step S303

[0066] When the supply requirement is set to "Yes", the control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 connects to the system main relay 21 (SMR is turned on). This electrically connects the high-voltage battery 10 to the system. When the control unit 22 connects to the system main relay 21, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0067] Step S304

[0068] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 begins the supply process for supplying power from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 side (i.e., the auxiliary load operated when the occupant enters the vehicle). When the control unit 22 begins the supply process for the auxiliary load operated when the occupant enters the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0069] Step S305

[0070] When the supply requirement is set to "No", the control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether the vehicle is in a driving state. An example of a driving state is the Ready-ON state.

[0071] When the control unit 22 determines that the vehicle is in a drivable state (Ready-ON) (Yes in step S305), the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the vehicle is not in a drivable state (Ready-OFF) (No in step S305), the determination in step S305 is repeated.

[0072] Step S306

[0073] When the vehicle is ready to drive, the control unit 22 of the power unit 20 connects to the system main relay 21 (SMR is activated). This electrically connects the high-voltage battery 10 to the system. Vehicle control ends when the control unit 22 connects to the system main relay 21.

[0074] Step S307

[0075] After the power supply process begins, the control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether the vehicle is now in a drivable state. An example of a drivable state for the vehicle is the Ready-ON state.

[0076] When the control unit 22 determines that the vehicle is in a drivable state (Ready-ON) (Yes in step S307), the process proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the vehicle is not in a drivable state (Ready-OFF) (No in step S307), the process proceeds to step S309.

[0077] Step S308

[0078] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 maintains the connection state of the system main relay 21 (SMR on) and terminates the supply process for supplying power from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 side (i.e., to the auxiliary loads that operate at least when the occupants enter the vehicle). When the control unit 22 terminates the supply process for the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupants enter the vehicle, the boarding control ends.

[0079] Step S309

[0080] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 determines whether the power supply process for supplying power from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 (i.e., to the auxiliary load that operates when the occupants enter the vehicle) has been continuously performed for a predetermined amount of time. This determination is made to avoid unnecessarily prolonged power supply processes until the vehicle is in a drivable state due to actions such as prolonged opening and closing of vehicle doors. Therefore, this predetermined amount of time can be appropriately set based on factors such as regulations and vehicle specifications, while taking into account the charging state of the high-voltage battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 30.

[0081] When the control unit 22 determines that the supply process has been continuously implemented for a predetermined amount of time ("Yes" in step S309), the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the supply process has not been continuously implemented for a predetermined amount of time ("No" in step S309), the process proceeds to step S307.

[0082] Step S310

[0083] The control unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 disconnects the system main relay 21 (SMR disconnects) and terminates the power supply process for supplying power from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary battery 30 side (i.e., to the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupants enter the vehicle). When the system main relay 21 is disconnected by the control unit 22 and the power supply process for the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupants enter the vehicle is completed, the boarding control ends.

[0084] In this boarding control system, when it is known before the occupant enters the vehicle that the vehicle will require supply processing upon entry, or even if a command to enable the vehicle to move (Ready-ON) exists during the supply processing before the occupant enters the vehicle, the system main relay 21 is not switched from on to off and then back on; instead, it remains on, and the vehicle transitions to a moveable state. Therefore, the number of times the system main relay 21 operates is reduced.

[0085] (3) Application examples of disembarkation control

[0086] Figure 4 To show reference Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating an application example of vehicle disembarkation control performed by the control unit 22 of the power unit 20 when occupants leave the vehicle. Figure 4 The example of alighting control shown is different from the one provided. Figure 2 The disembarkation control shown here involves adding a step S401 after step S201.

[0087] In this example of vehicle exit control application, when a determination is made that an auxiliary load operates when the occupant leaves the vehicle ("Yes" in step S201), a further determination is made regarding whether the supply requirement should be set to "Yes" based on the state of the auxiliary battery 30 (step S401). For example, when the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 30 is fully charged and the power stored in the auxiliary battery 30 is sufficient to supply power to the auxiliary load operating when the occupant leaves the vehicle, a determination is made in step S401 that no supply is needed. Therefore, this determination reduces the number of times the system main relay 21 operates.

[0088] In step S401, a comprehensive determination can be made regarding whether the supply requirement should be set to "yes," taking into account not only the state of the auxiliary battery 30, but also the state of the high-voltage battery 10, the total power consumed by auxiliary loads operating when the occupants leave and / or enter the vehicle, and the operating timing of each auxiliary load. For example, even if the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 30 is fully charged, a determination can be made that supply is required if the total power consumed by auxiliary loads operating when the occupants leave the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value (which can be set based on the performance, capacity, etc. of the auxiliary battery 30). Based on this determination, the depletion of the auxiliary battery 30 can be avoided.

[0089] Note that the control unit 22 of the power supply device 20 can, for example, acquire or calculate physical quantities (voltage value, current value, charging state, etc.) indicating the state of the high voltage battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 30 based on various types of sensors (omitted from the figure) provided with the high voltage battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 30 to detect voltage, current, temperature, etc.

[0090] Functions and effects

[0091] As described above, the power supply device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure turns off the main switch (IG off) when the system main relay 21 is turned on when the occupant leaves the vehicle, and when there are auxiliary loads (specific vehicle-mounted devices) that operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle after the main switch is turned off in the auxiliary loads 41 and 42 that are used as the main power source by the auxiliary battery 30, while keeping the system main relay 21 on, performs supply control to supply power from the high-voltage battery 10 to the auxiliary loads that operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle.

[0092] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the power supply device 20 enters the vehicle, while in a state of performing supply control for supplying power from the high-voltage battery 10 to an auxiliary load (specific vehicle equipment) that operates when the occupant enters the vehicle, and at the same time there is an instruction (Ready-ON) to enable the vehicle to drive, the system main relay 21 is kept in the ON state, and control is performed to switch the vehicle to a driving state.

[0093] Such control can suppress the increase in the number of on / off switching of the system main relay 21 used for supply control, and can reduce the impact on the component life of the system main relay 21.

[0094] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure can be understood as a power supply device, a control method executed by a control unit of the power supply device including a processor and a memory, a control program for executing the control method, a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the control program, and a vehicle equipped with the power supply device.

[0095] The power supply device according to this disclosure can be used in vehicles and the like, which are equipped with auxiliary loads that can be operated when occupants enter / exit the vehicle.

Claims

1. A power supply device installed in a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: A relay, which is positioned between a high-voltage battery and one or more on-board devices; as well as A processor configured to switch the relay on or off based on the state of a main switch configured to operate the vehicle's driving system, and configured to control the power supply from the high-voltage battery to the one or more on-board devices, wherein... The processor is configured to, when the main switch is off during the period the relay is on and the more than one vehicle-mounted device includes a specific vehicle-mounted device, supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device while the relay is on, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the vehicle during the period the relay is off and the specific vehicle-mounted device is present, maintain the relay on even if the main switch is opened after the relay is on to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device, wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation capable of recognizing external access to the vehicle, and The specific vehicle-mounted device is configured to operate after the main switch is turned off.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor is configured to disconnect the relay when power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device for a predetermined period of time.

3. The power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor is configured to determine whether the specific vehicle-mounted device exists at the same time the main switch is turned on.

4. The power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor is configured to determine whether the specific vehicle-mounted device exists based on whether a request is made to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device.

5. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The specific in-vehicle device is a device configured to operate when the occupant leaves the vehicle.

6. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The specific in-vehicle device is a device configured to operate when an occupant enters the vehicle.

7. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The specific in-vehicle device is a device configured to operate when occupants leave and enter the vehicle.

8. A control method executed by a computer of a power supply unit installed in a vehicle, the control method being characterized by comprising: Determine the state of the main switch, which is configured to operate the vehicle's driving system; The state of the main switch determines whether the relay is turned on or off, and the relay is located between the high-voltage battery and one or more vehicle-mounted devices. When the main switch is closed while the relay is on, determine whether there is a specific vehicle-mounted device among the more than one vehicle-mounted devices that operates after the main switch is closed; as well as When the specific vehicle-mounted device is present and operates after the main switch is turned off, it is determined that power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device while the relay is kept on, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the vehicle and the specific vehicle-mounted device is present while the relay is off, the relay is kept on even if the main switch is turned on after the relay is turned on to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device, wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation that can identify external access to the vehicle.

9. A non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer installed in a vehicle's power supply unit, and causing said one or more processors to perform functions, characterized in that... The functions include: Determine the state of the main switch, which is configured to operate the vehicle's driving system; The state of the main switch determines whether the relay is turned on or off, and the relay is located between the high-voltage battery and one or more vehicle-mounted devices. When the main switch is closed while the relay is on, determine whether any of the more than one vehicle-mounted devices operates after the main switch is closed; and When the specific vehicle-mounted device is present and operates after the main switch is turned off, it is determined that power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device while the relay is kept on, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the vehicle and the specific vehicle-mounted device is present while the relay is off, the relay is kept on even if the main switch is turned on after the relay is turned on to supply power from the high-voltage battery to the specific vehicle-mounted device, wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation that can identify external access to the vehicle.

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