Power distribution device

Abstract

The present invention provides a power distribution device capable of suppressing an increase in current flowing to a plurality of loads by a power supply unit. A power distribution device capable of supplying power to a plurality of loads is provided with: a power supply unit serving as a power supply source; a plurality of switch units inserted between the power supply unit and each of the plurality of loads and capable of switching on / off states; and a control unit that controls the operation timing of the plurality of switch units so as to prevent the overlap of the on-state in the plurality of switch units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power distribution device mounted on a vehicle or the like. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an on-board power distribution device (regional ECU) that distributes power from one on-board power source to multiple on-board loads via multiple switching units.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-014748 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle power distribution device described in Patent Document 1, if the timing of the conduction of two or more of the multiple switching units overlaps, a large current value, resulting from the sum of the currents consumed by the vehicle loads connected to those two or more switching units, will flow from the vehicle power supply. However, this large current becomes a major cause of increased damage to the solder or power loss due to heat generated within the circuit board through which the large current flows, and is therefore undesirable.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a power distribution device that can suppress the increase of current flowing through multiple loads by the power supply section.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the present invention is a power distribution device capable of supplying power to multiple loads. The power distribution device comprises: a power supply unit serving as a power source; multiple switching units inserted between the power supply unit and each of the multiple loads, capable of switching between on / off states; and a control unit controlling the timing of the operation of the multiple switching units to prevent overlapping of the on states among the multiple switching units.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to the power distribution device of the present invention described above, the timing of the operation of multiple switching units is controlled so that they do not simultaneously become on, thereby suppressing the increase of current flowing through multiple loads by the power supply unit. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a power distribution device and its peripheral parts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram of a control example of the switching section executed by the power distribution device.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of a power distribution device and its peripheral parts according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] In a power distribution device based on the present invention, which supplies power from one power source to multiple loads via multiple switching units, the timing of the operation of the multiple switching units is controlled so that they do not simultaneously become on. This suppresses an increase in the current flowing from the power source to the multiple loads.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] <Implementation Method>

[0015] [structure]

[0016] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a power distribution device 10 and its peripheral parts according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The illustrated functional block includes a power supply unit 100, a power distribution unit 200, and multiple loads (first load 310, second load 320, third load 330, and fourth load 340). Additionally, in Figure 1 In the diagram, solid lines represent wiring for receiving and transmitting power, while dashed lines represent wiring for controlling signals, etc.

[0017] The power supply unit 100 is a structure for supplying power to the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340 via the power distribution unit 200. The power supply unit 100 includes a power supply unit 110 and an SW control unit 120. Alternatively, as an example, the power supply unit 100 can be implemented using part or all of a vehicle body domain controller (e.g., a Fr B-DC).

[0018] The power supply unit 110 is a power supply source capable of supplying power to the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340. Examples of the power supply unit 110 include batteries such as lithium-ion batteries or lead-acid batteries, or DC-DC converters that convert battery power into a specified voltage.

[0019] The SW control unit 120 is a functional unit that controls the timing of the operation of the multiple switching units (1st SW210, 2nd SW220, 3rd SW230, and 4th SW240) included in the power distribution unit 200 (described later). More specifically, it controls (switches) the on / off state of each of the 1st SW210, 2nd SW220, 3rd SW230, and 4th SW240 to prevent overlapping of on states. Details of this control will be described later.

[0020] The power distribution unit 200 is configured to appropriately distribute and supply power output from the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 to the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340. The power distribution unit 200 includes a first SW210, a second SW220, a third SW230, and a fourth SW240. Alternatively, as an example, the power distribution unit 200 can be implemented using part or all of a vehicle body domain controller (e.g., L / R B-DC).

[0021] SW1210, SW220, SW3230, and SW4240 are switching elements (mechanical relays or semiconductor switches, etc.) capable of switching between on and off states according to the control of the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100. SW1210 is inserted between the power supply unit 110 and the first load 310. SW220 is inserted between the power supply unit 110 and the second load 320. SW3230 is inserted between the power supply unit 110 and the third load 330. SW4240 is inserted between the power supply unit 110 and the fourth load 340.

[0022] The first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340 are electrical devices or systems, such as a vehicle seat heater system. In the case of a seat heater system, the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340 can be heating pads installed on different parts of the seat. These first loads 310, second load 320, third load 330, and fourth load 340 are preferably loads whose heating effect is not impaired even with intermittent control of power supply. Figure 1 Examples are shown where the first load 310 consumes current I1 when it operates, the second load 320 consumes current I2 when it operates, the third load 330 consumes current I3 when it operates, and the fourth load 340 consumes current I4 when it operates.

[0023] In addition, the number of loads is not limited to Figure 1 The four loads shown are the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330, and the fourth load 340. Furthermore, the number of switches is also set according to the load, and is therefore not limited to the four: the first SW210, the second SW220, the third SW230, and the fourth SW240.

[0024] [control]

[0025] Next, further reference Figure 2 The operation of a power distribution device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 2This is a timing diagram illustrating a control example of multiple switching units operated by the power distribution device 10. Figure 2 In the example, the currents I1 to I4 consumed by the first load 310, the second load 320, the third load 330 and the fourth load 340 as the seat heater system are all 3A [Amperes].

[0026] a. Time T0

[0027] The seat heater system is activated by the operation of the vehicle's driver or other personnel. When the seat heater system begins operation, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 controls SW1210 to be ON and SW220, SW3230, and SW4240 to be OFF. Through this control, power is supplied only to the first load 310. Therefore, the current I0 supplied (output) by the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 becomes 3A.

[0028] b. Time T0 + Time t

[0029] If time t elapses after the first SW210 is turned ON, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 will turn the first SW210 OFF and the second SW220 ON. Through this control, power is supplied only to the second load 320. Therefore, the current I0 supplied (output) by the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 remains at 3A.

[0030] c. Time T0 + Time t × 2

[0031] If time t elapses after the second SW220 is turned ON, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 will turn the second SW220 OFF and turn the third SW230 ON. Through this control, power is supplied only to the third load 330. Therefore, the current I0 supplied (output) by the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 remains at 3A.

[0032] d. Time T0 + Time t × 3

[0033] If time t elapses after the third SW230 is turned ON, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 will turn the third SW230 OFF and turn the fourth SW240 ON. Through this control, power is supplied only to the fourth load 340. Therefore, the current I0 supplied (output) by the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 remains at 3A.

[0034] e. Time T1 (= Time T0 + Time t × 4)

[0035] If time t elapses after the fourth SW240 is turned ON, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 will turn the fourth SW240 OFF and turn the first SW210 ON again. Through this control, power is once again supplied only to the first load 310. Therefore, the current I0 supplied (output) by the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 remains 3A.

[0036] f. Time intervals T1 to T3

[0037] The SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 described above, through a. to e., repeatedly performs the on / off control of each switch (time T0 to time T1) at a predetermined period (time t × 4: the total time during which each switch is in the on state (ON)) until the seat heater system stops operating.

[0038] g. Time T3

[0039] Through operation by the vehicle driver or other personnel, the seat heater system is input to be cut off. As a result, the operation of the seat heater system stops. Based on the cessation of operation, the SW control unit 120 of the power supply unit 100 controls all four SWs—1st SW210, 2nd SW220, 3rd SW230, and 4th SW240—to the off state (OFF).

[0040] Thus, by performing timing control that cyclically turns on any one of SW210, SW220, SW230, and SW240 in sequence, only one of the first load 310, second load 320, third load 330, and fourth load 340 consumes power. Therefore, the situation where the first load 310, second load 320, third load 330, and fourth load 340 consume power simultaneously can be avoided, thus preventing the power supply section 110 of the power supply unit 100 from having to carry a large current (maximum 12A = 3A × 4).

[0041] Furthermore, in the control example described above, the time for which the first SW210, the second SW220, the third SW230, and the fourth SW240 are controlled to be in the ON state is set to the same length of time t, but different times are also possible. Also, in the control example described above, the ON state of the first SW210, the second SW220, the third SW230, and the fourth SW240 is switched seamlessly, but a period (dead zone) during which any switch is in the OFF state can also be provided.

[0042] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0043] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of a power distribution device 20 and its peripheral parts according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The example function box shown is, besides Figure 1 In addition to the power distribution device 10 shown, a structure of 5SW250 and 6SW260 is further added to supply power to the 5th load 350 and the 6th load 360.

[0044] Figure 3 The 5th SW250 and the 6th SW260 constitute a power distribution unit for a different system than the power distribution unit 200, which includes the 1st SW210, the 2nd SW220, the 3rd SW230, and the 4th SW240. For example, if the 1st SW210, the 2nd SW220, the 3rd SW230, and the 4th SW240 are configured as power distribution units for a seat heater system, the 5th SW250 can be configured as a power distribution unit for a steering wheel heater system, and the 6th SW260 can be configured as a power distribution unit for a defroster system.

[0045] Such as Figure 3 As shown, even in a power distribution device 20 that comprises multiple switching units across multiple systems (power distribution units), by performing timing control of the operation that cyclically turns on any one of the first load 310, second load 320, third load 330, fourth load 340, fifth load 350, and sixth load 360 in sequence, only one of the loads 110, 220, 330, 440, 550, and 660 consumes power. Therefore, the simultaneous consumption of power by the first load 310, second load 320, third load 330, fourth load 340, fifth load 350, and sixth load 360 is avoided, preventing a situation where the power supply unit 110 of the power supply unit 100 must carry a large current (maximum 18A = 3A × 6).

[0046] <Functions and Effects>

[0047] As described above, in the case of a power distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a structure in which power is supplied to multiple loads from one power source via multiple switching units, the period during which each switching unit is individually in the conducting state is controlled by cyclically switching.

[0048] This control can suppress the large current flowing from the power supply to the circuit board caused by multiple loads consuming power simultaneously, and prevent increased damage to the solder or power loss (proportional to the square of the current value) caused by heat generated within the circuit board. Furthermore, since power loss within the circuit board is reduced, it also helps to improve power efficiency.

[0049] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention can be understood not only as a power distribution device, but also as a control method for a power distribution device, a program for the control method, a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium storing the program, a vehicle equipped with a power distribution device, etc.

[0050] Industrial availability

[0051] The power distribution device of the present invention can utilize a structure that supplies power from one power source to multiple loads via multiple switching units.

[0052] Symbol Explanation

[0053] 10, 20 - Power distribution unit, 100 - Power supply unit, 110 - Power supply unit, 120 - SW control unit, 200 - Power distribution unit, 210-260 - 1st SW to 6th SW, 310-360 - 1st load to 6th load.

Claims

1. A power distribution device capable of supplying electric power to a plurality of loads, characterized by comprising: a power supply section that is an electric power supply source; a plurality of switch sections that are interposed between the power supply section and each of the plurality of loads and capable of switching between on / off states; and a control section that controls the timing of operation of the plurality of switch sections so that the on states do not overlap in the plurality of switch sections.

2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control section controls the timing of operation of the plurality of switch sections so that each of the on states in the plurality of switch sections is reciprocated.

3. The power distribution device according to claim 2, characterized in that the period of the reciprocation is the total time during which the plurality of switch sections are in the on state. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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