POWER DISTRIBUTION DEVICE

Abstract

A power distribution device includes first to seventh lines, a first switch that controls the conduction and interruption of the third line, a second switch that controls the conduction and interruption of the fourth line, a third switch that controls the conduction and interruption of the fifth line, a control unit that controls the conduction and interruption states of the first to third switches, a first fuse provided in the third line, a second fuse provided in the fourth line which has a lower current-carrying capacity than the first fuse, and a third fuse provided in the fifth line which has a lower current-carrying capacity than the first fuse.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power distribution device. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In recent years, with environmental considerations, electric vehicles with high-voltage batteries have appeared, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The voltage of these electric vehicles is increasing year by year, for example, from about 400V to about 800V. As the voltage of electric vehicles increases, the rated voltage of electric vehicle chargers that can be compatible with a vehicle with a high-voltage battery also increases. However, since a high-specification charger requires a large amount of power, it is difficult to deploy the charger in a region with poor power conditions, and it is difficult to replace all currently deployed chargers with one compatible with a voltage of, for example, 800V.

[0003] Therefore, a power distribution device has been proposed that enables switching between direct connection and parallel connection of secondary batteries mounted in an electric vehicle (see, for example, JP2022-064408A). According to the power distribution device, by switching to parallel connection at the time of charging, the voltage at the time of charging can be made lower than in the case of series connection. Thus, the electric vehicle with a high voltage can also be charged at a low voltage.

[0004] In the power distribution device described in JP2022-064408A, a short circuit may occur externally, for example, on the load side or the charger side. Since the power distribution device switches between series connection and parallel connection, it is necessary to handle the external short circuit in both connection states. The power distribution device described in JP2022-064408A must also protect against a battery short circuit, which may occur when a fault occurs in a switch that switches between a series connection and a parallel connection. In particular, the power distribution device described in JP2022-064408A is equipped with a fuse for each switch to cope with a fault in the switch.

[0005] However, since the power distribution device described in JP2022-064408A is implemented so that the paths pass through all secondary batteries, regardless of whether the paths are connected in series or parallel, the fuse must be selected with the maximum current in mind. For example, if the current flow is 300 A in series and 100 A in parallel, a fuse suitable for 300 A is required. If an abnormality occurs in the parallel circuit, the abnormal condition must be endured for a long time, and it is difficult to say whether the handling is appropriate.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a power distribution device that can switch between a series connection and a parallel connection of batteries and that can better handle both an external short circuit and a battery short circuit. SUMMARY

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a power distribution device comprises a first positive battery electrode terminal and a first negative battery electrode terminal, each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a first battery, a second positive battery electrode terminal and a second negative battery electrode terminal, each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a second battery, a positive charging electrode terminal and a negative charging electrode terminal, each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a charger, a positive load electrode terminal and a negative load electrode terminal, each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a load, respectively, a first lead,which connects the positive electrode terminal of the first battery and the positive electrode terminal of the charger, a second line which connects the negative electrode terminal of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal of the charger, a third line which connects the positive electrode terminal of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal of the first battery, a first switch which is configured to control the conduction and interruption of the third line, a fourth line which connects the positive electrode terminal of the second battery and the first line, a second switch which is configured to control the conduction and interruption of the fourth line, a fifth line which connects the second line and the negative electrode terminal of the first battery, a third switch which is configured to control the conduction and interruption of the fifth line, a sixth line,which connects a positive electrode terminal side of the charger of the first line with respect to a connection point between the first line and the fourth line to the positive electrode terminal of the load; a seventh line which connects a negative charging electrode terminal side of the second line with respect to a connection point between the second line and the fifth line to the negative load electrode terminal; a control unit configured to control conductive states and interrupted states of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch; a first fuse provided in the third line; a second fuse provided in the fourth line and having a lower current carrying capacity than the first fuse; and a third fuse provided in the fifth line and having a lower current carrying capacity than the first fuse.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power distribution device that can switch between a series connection and a parallel connection of batteries and that can better cope with both an external short circuit and a battery short circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a secondary battery system with a power distribution device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing details of a Fig. 1 shown control unit; Fig. 3 is a first state diagram showing a control state obtained from a Fig. 1 shown SW control unit; Fig. 4 is a second state diagram showing a control state determined by the Fig. 1 shown SW control unit; Fig. 5 is a state diagram showing the current flows in the short-circuit state, and shows the current flows when an external short circuit occurs on the charging side in series connection; Fig. 6 is a state diagram showing the current flows in the short-circuit states, and shows the current flows when an external short circuit occurs on the high-voltage load side in series connection; Fig. Figure 7 is a state diagram showing the current flows in the short-circuit states and shows the current flows when an external short circuit on the charging side occurs in parallel connection occurs; Fig. 8 is a state diagram showing the current flows in the short-circuit states, and shows the current flows when a first battery is short-circuited; Fig. Figure 9 is a state diagram showing the current flows in the short-circuit states, and shows the current flows when a second battery is short-circuited; Fig. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a secondary battery system according to a modification of the present embodiment; and Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing details of a control unit according to the Fig. 10 shows the modification shown. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below, and the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiment to be described below, there may be portions where the illustration and description of a part of a configuration are omitted, and needless to say, a known or well-known technique is appropriately applied to the details of an omitted technique within a range where no contradiction occurs with the contents to be described below.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a secondary battery system with a power distribution device according to the present embodiment. Fig. The secondary battery system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a high-voltage battery 10, a charging terminal box (hereinafter referred to as J / B) 20, a rapid charger (a charger) 30, a high-voltage J / B 40, a high-voltage load (a load) 50, and a power distribution device 60.

[0011] The high-voltage battery 10 includes a first battery 11, a second battery 12, a first monitoring unit 13, a second monitoring unit 14, and a battery electronic control unit (ECU) 15.

[0012] The first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are implemented as a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are each capable of supplying a high voltage of, for example, 400 V to drive the high-voltage load 50 in an electric vehicle. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 have the same voltage.

[0013] The first monitoring unit 13 monitors the voltage, current, and temperature of the first battery 11. The second monitoring unit 14 monitors the voltage, current, and temperature of the second battery 12. The battery ECU 15 calculates the charging rates of the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 based on the information from the first monitoring unit 13 and the second monitoring unit 14. The battery ECU 15 can calculate the degree of deterioration of the first battery 11 and the second battery 12, detect an abnormality of the first battery 11 and the second battery 12, and the like.

[0014] The charging J / B 20 is a relay device arranged between the power distribution device 60 and the fast charger 30. The charging J / B 20 includes a first charging relay 21 and a second charging relay 22. The first charging relay 21 controls the connection between the positive electrode side of the fast charger 30 and the power distribution device 60. The second charging relay 22 controls the connection between the negative electrode side of the fast charger 30 and the power distribution device 60. The first charging relay 21 and the second charging relay 22 can be implemented as either a mechanical contact or a semiconductor device. The same applies to a first high-voltage relay 41, a second high-voltage relay 42, and a first switch SW1 to a third switch SW3, which will be described later.

[0015] The rapid charger 30 supplies power to charge the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 via the charging J / B 20 and the power distribution device 60. The rapid charger 30 can supply power at a voltage of 400 V or 800 V, for example. The power distribution device 60 determines whether the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 should be in series or parallel according to the supplied power, and charges the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 in the connected state. It is assumed that the secondary battery system 1 according to the present embodiment is charged by the rapid charger 30, but it is not limited to this and can also be charged by a general non-rapid charger.

[0016] The high-voltage J / B 40 is a relay device arranged between the power distribution device 60 and the high-voltage load 50. The high-voltage J / B 40 includes a first high-voltage relay 41 and a second high-voltage relay 42. The first high-voltage relay 41 controls the connection between the positive electrode side of the high-voltage load 50 and the power distribution device 60. The second high-voltage relay 42 controls the connection between the negative electrode side of the high-voltage load 50 and the power distribution device 60. The high-voltage load 50 is a motor or the like that generates driving power for the vehicle.

[0017] The power distribution device 60 sets the connection state of the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 to the series state or the parallel state at the time of charging from the rapid charger 30 through the charging J / B 20 or at the time of discharging to the high-voltage load 50 through the high-voltage J / B 40.

[0018] The power distribution device 60 includes a plurality of terminals 60a to 60h. The first battery positive electrode terminal 60a and the first battery negative electrode terminal 60b are terminals connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the first battery 11, respectively. The second battery positive electrode terminal 60c and the second battery negative electrode terminal 60d are terminals connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the second battery 12, respectively. The charger positive electrode terminal 60e and the charger negative electrode terminal 60f are terminals connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the rapid charger 30, respectively. The load positive electrode terminal 60g and the load negative electrode terminal 60h are terminals connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the high-voltage load 50, respectively.

[0019] The power distribution device 60 further includes a plurality of lines L1 to L7, a plurality of switches SW1 to SW3, a plurality of fuses F1 to F3, a plurality of current sensors 61, a voltage sensor 62, and a control unit 63.

[0020] The first line L1 connects the positive electrode terminal 60a of the first battery and the positive charging electrode terminal 60e. The second line L2 connects the negative electrode terminal 60d of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal 60f of the charger. The third line L3 connects the positive electrode terminal 60c of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal 60b of the first battery. As will be described later, one end side (from the terminal 60c to a connection point P1 in Fig. 1) of the third line L3 is shared with the fourth line L4, and the other end side (from the terminal 60b to a connection point P2 in Fig. 1) The third line L3 is shared with the fifth line L5. The third line L3 connects the negative electrode terminal 60b of the first battery and the positive electrode terminal 60c of the second battery via common portions L34 and L35. The first switch SW1 controls the conduction and interruption of the third line L3 and is provided at a position on the third line L3 except for the common portions L34 and L35.

[0021] The fourth line L4 connects the positive electrode terminal 60c of the second battery and the first line L1. One end of the fourth line L4 is the common portion L34 with the third line L3. The second switch SW2 controls the conduction and interruption of the fourth line L4 and is provided at a position on the fourth line L4 that excludes the common portion L34 with the third line L3.

[0022] The fifth line L5 connects the second line L2 and the first negative electrode terminal 60b of the battery. The other end of the fifth line L5 is the common section L35 with the third line L3. The third switch SW3 controls the conduction and interruption of the fifth line L5 and is provided at a position on the fifth line L5 except for the common section L35 with the third line L3.

[0023] The sixth line L6 connects a connection point P4 of the first line L1, which is located on the positive electrode terminal 60e side of the charger with respect to a connection point P3 with the fourth line L4, to the positive electrode terminal 60g of the load. The seventh line L7 connects a connection point P6 of the second line L2, which is located on the negative electrode terminal 60f side of the charger with respect to a connection point P5 with the fifth line L5, to the negative electrode terminal 60h of the load.

[0024] A first fuse F1 to a third fuse F3 are mechanical fuses that blow when an overcurrent occurs. Among these fuses F1 to F3, the second fuse F2 and the third fuse F3 have a lower current carrying capacity than the first fuse F1. The first fuse F1 is provided in the third line L3, specifically at a position excluding the common portions L34 and L35 in the third line L3. The second fuse F2 is located on the fourth line L4, specifically at a position outside the common portion L34 in the fourth line L4. Furthermore, the third fuse F3 is provided on the fifth line L5, specifically at a position outside the common portion L35 in the fifth line L5. In the present embodiment, the first fuse F1 is provided on the negative electrode terminal 60b side of the first battery with respect to the first switch SW1.The second fuse F2 is located on the side of connection point P3 relative to the second switch SW2. The third fuse F3 is located on the side of connection point P5 relative to the third switch SW3.

[0025] The current sensors 61 are provided on the fourth line L4 and the fifth line L5, and output a signal corresponding to a current in the fourth line L4 and a signal corresponding to a current in the fifth line L5. In the present embodiment, the current sensors 61 are provided on the common portion L34 between the third line L3 and the fourth line L4 and the common portion L35 between the third line L3 and the fifth line L5.

[0026] The voltage sensor 62 outputs a signal corresponding to a potential difference between the first line L1 and the second line L2. More specifically, the voltage sensor 62 outputs a signal corresponding to a potential difference between a connection point P7 located between the connection point P3 and the connection point P4 on the first line L1 and a connection point P8 located between the connection point P5 and the connection point P6 on the second line L2.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the Fig. 1. The control unit 63 controls the entire power distribution device 60 and includes a SW control unit 63a, a voltage measuring unit 63b, a current measuring unit 63c, and a fault determination unit 63d.

[0028] The SW control unit 63a controls the conduction state (ON) and the interruption state (OFF) of the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are state diagrams that show the state of the Fig. 2 shown SW control unit 63a. First, the SW control unit 63a switches, as shown in Fig. 3, the first switch SW1 is turned on and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned off when the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are to be connected in series. Accordingly, for example, at the time of charging, a path (see thick line) is formed by the first line L1, the first battery 11, the third line L3, the second battery 12, and the second line L2. Thus, the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are connected in series. When the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are to be connected in parallel, the SW control unit 63a turns the first switch SW1 off and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned on, as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, at the time of charging, a path (see thick line) of the first line L1, the first battery 11, the fifth line L5, and the second line L2 is formed, and a path (see thick line) of the first line L1, the fourth line L4, the second battery 12, and the second line L2 is formed. Thus, the first battery 11 and the second battery 12 are connected in parallel.

[0029] The voltage measuring unit 63b measures a voltage corresponding to the potential difference between the first line L1 and the second line L2 according to the signal from the voltage sensor 62. The current measuring unit 63c measures a current in the fourth line L4 (specifically, the common section L34) and a current in the fifth line L5 (specifically, the common section L35) according to the signal from the current sensor 61.

[0030] The fault determination unit 63d detects a fault such as an external short circuit or a battery short circuit. Based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 63b and the current measured by the current measurement unit 63c, the fault determination unit 63d determines an external short circuit on the fast charger 30 side or on the high-voltage load 50 side, or a battery short circuit when the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 are faulty.

[0031] For example, in a case where an external short circuit occurs when the first battery 11 and the battery 12 are connected in series, an overcurrent flows in the third line L3. In a case where an external short circuit occurs when the first battery 11 and the battery 12 are connected in parallel, an overcurrent flows in the fourth line L4 and the fifth line L5. Furthermore, in the case of a battery short circuit, an overcurrent flows in the first battery 11 or the second battery 12 at a certain location. The failure determination unit 63d determines whether such a current tendency exists based on the measurement result of the current measurement unit 63c, and determines an external short circuit or a battery short circuit.

[0032] The failure determination unit 63d according to the present embodiment can determine the failure of the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 based on the measurement result of the current measurement unit 63c and the measurement result of the voltage measurement unit 63b. An ON failure in which the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 are always on, and an OFF failure in which the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 are always off, may occur. The failure determination unit 63d can determine such a failure. For example, assume that the SW control unit 63a in the voltage measurement unit 63b detects a voltage of 400V even though all the switches SW1 to SW3 are off. In this case, it can be said that one of the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 has an ON failure.The fault determination unit 63d determines a fault based on such a voltage measurement. In this case, for example, if the current measurement unit 63c measures a predetermined current in the common section L34 and detects a zero current in the common section L35, the fault determination unit 63d identifies an ON fault in the second switch SW2.

[0033] The operation according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. Figures 5 to 9 are state diagrams showing the current flows in the short-circuit states.

[0034] First, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, assume that an external short circuit occurs on the fast charger 30 side at the time of series connection. In this case, an overcurrent flows through the path of the first line L1, the first battery 11, the third line L3, the second battery 12, and the second line L2. In this case, since the first fuse F1 is provided in the third line L3, it is possible to adequately cope with an external short circuit on the fast charger 30 side at the time of series connection by melting the first fuse F1.

[0035] As in Fig. 6, it is assumed that an external short circuit occurs on the high-voltage load 50 side at the time of series connection. In this case, an overcurrent flows through the sixth line L6, the first line L1 (from the positive electrode terminal 60a of the first battery to the connection point P4), the first battery 11, the third line L3, the second battery 12, the second line L2 (from the negative electrode terminal 60d of the second battery to the connection point P6), and the seventh line L7. In this case, since the first fuse F1 is provided in the third line L3, it is also possible to appropriately cope with an external short circuit on the high-voltage load 50 side at the time of series connection by melting the first fuse F1.

[0036] As in Fig. 7, it is assumed that an external short circuit occurs on the fast charger 30 side at the time of parallel connection. In this case, an overcurrent flows through both the path of the first line L1, the first battery 11, the fifth line L5, and the second line L2 (from the connection point P5 to the negative electrode terminal 60f of the charger), and the path of the first line L1 (from the connection point P3 to the positive electrode terminal 60e of the charger), the fourth line L4, the second battery 12, and the second line L2. In this case, since the second fuse F2 is provided in the fourth line L4 and the third fuse F3 is provided in the fifth line L5, it is possible to appropriately handle an external short circuit on the fast charger 30 side at the time of parallel connection by melting both fuses F2 and F3.

[0037] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the parallel connection is performed only at the time of charging, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. In a case where the parallel connection is performed when the high-voltage load 50 is operating, it is possible to cope with an external short circuit on the high-voltage load 50 side in the same way.

[0038] As in Fig. 8, assume that, for example, the SW control unit 63a attempts to perform a series connection when the second switch SW2 has an ON fault. In this case, a path is established between the first line L1 (from the positive electrode terminal 60a of the first battery to the connection point P3), the first battery 11, the third line L3 (from the negative electrode terminal 60b of the first battery to the connection point P1), and the fourth line L4 (from the connection point P1 to the connection point P3), and a battery short circuit occurs. Thus, an overcurrent flows in the path. In this case, since the first fuse F1 and the second fuse F2 are provided in the path, the second fuse F2, which has a lower current capacity, blows relatively early. Thus, a battery short circuit of the first battery 11 can be adequately dealt with.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, it is assumed that the SW control unit 63a attempts to establish a series connection when, for example, the third switch SW3 has an ON fault. In this case, a path is established between the third line L3 (from the connection point P2 to the positive electrode terminal 60c of the second battery), the second battery 12, the second line L2 (from the negative electrode terminal 60d of the second battery to the connection point P5), and the fifth line L5 (from the connection point P5 to the connection point P2), and a battery short circuit occurs. Thus, an overcurrent flows in the path. In this case, since the first fuse F1 and the third fuse F3 are provided in the path, the third fuse F3, which has a lower current capacity, blows relatively early. Thus, a battery short circuit of the second battery 12 can be adequately dealt with.

[0040] In this way, according to the power distribution device 60 in the present embodiment, since the circuit described above is configured, when a series connection is desired, the first switch SW1 is turned on, and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned off. In this case, the first fuse F1 is broken at the time of an external short circuit, and it is possible to appropriately cope with the external short circuit at the time of series connection.

[0041] Since the circuit described above is designed to achieve parallel connection, the first switch SW1 is turned off, and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned on. In this case, both the second fuse F2 and the third fuse F3 will be interrupted in the event of an external short circuit. In particular, since the current carrying capacity of the second fuse F2 and the third fuse F3 is lower than that of the first fuse F1, the time until the external short circuit is interrupted is less likely to be long at the time of parallel connection, and it is possible to adequately cope with the external short circuit at the time of parallel connection.

[0042] When a fault occurs in which both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are turned on due to a switch failure, a path is formed from the positive electrode of the first battery 11 through the second fuse F2 and the first fuse F1 in this order to the negative electrode of the first battery 11. In this case, of the first fuse F1 and the second fuse F2, the second fuse F2, which has the smaller current carrying capacity, is interrupted, and it is possible to adequately cope with a battery short circuit on the first battery 11 side.

[0043] In addition, when a fault occurs in which the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 are both turned on due to a switch failure, a path is formed from the positive electrode of the second battery 12 through the first fuse F1 and the third fuse F3 in this order to the negative electrode of the second battery 12. In this case, of the first fuse F1 and the third fuse F3, the third fuse F3, which has the lower current carrying capacity, is opened, and it is possible to adequately cope with a battery short circuit on the second battery 12 side.

[0044] As described above, it is possible to design the power distribution device 60 so that it can switch between a series connection and a parallel connection of the batteries 11 and 12 and can better cope with both an external short circuit and a battery short circuit.

[0045] Since the common sections L34 and L35 are provided, a portion of the third line L3 and the fourth line L4, and a portion of the third line L3 and the fifth line L5 can be made common to contribute to circuit simplification. Furthermore, the first fuse F1 to the third fuse F3 are provided at locations other than the common sections L34 and L35, and the fuses F1 to F3 can be provided at appropriate locations.

[0046] Although the present disclosure is described above based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, a change may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and the known or well-known techniques may be combined.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the secondary battery system 1 according to a modification of the present embodiment. In the Fig. In the modification shown in Figure 10, in the power distribution device 60, the first fuse F1, the second fuse F2, and the third fuse F3 are not mechanical fuses that blow due to an overcurrent, but are electronic fuses such as a pyroelectric fuse or a semiconductor fuse. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first fuse F1, the second fuse F2, and the third fuse F3 can be interrupted in response to an external signal.

[0048] Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing details of the control unit 63 according to the Fig. 10 shows the modification shown. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the control unit 63 includes an interruption control unit 63e. The interruption control unit 63e can selectively interrupt the first electronic fuse F1 to the third electronic fuse F3 and sends a signal to one of the first fuse F1 to the third fuse F3 that is to be interrupted. Here, if an external short circuit occurs at the time of the interruption shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, an overcurrent flows through the two common sections L34 and L35. Therefore, if a current (a current lower than the overcurrent) flows through the two common sections L34 and L35 that is greater than that in the normal state, the fault determination unit 63d may detect an external short circuit. In such a case, the interruption control unit 63e determines that an overcurrent will flow in the future and interrupts the first fuse F1. Similarly, the interruption control unit 63e interrupts the current in the Fig. 7, the second fuse F2 and the third fuse F3 are interrupted. Furthermore, the interruption control unit 63e interrupts the second fuse F2 or the third fuse F3 in the same manner for the battery short circuit.

[0049] In this way, in the modification, the currents in the common section L34 and the common section L35 are measured, and the first fuse F1, the second fuse F2, and the third fuse F3, which are electronic fuses, are selectively interrupted by the interruption control unit 63e. Therefore, unlike mechanical fuses, an overcurrent flow is not required at the time of interruption, so it is possible to detect an abnormality before an overcurrent flows, and it is possible to interrupt the corresponding location.

[0050] In the above illustration, the first fuse F1 is provided on the third line L3 on the first battery negative terminal 60b side with respect to the first switch SW1, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. Alternatively, the first fuse F1 may also be provided on the second battery positive terminal 60c side. Similarly, the second fuse F2 may be provided on the connection point P1 side with respect to the second switch SW2. Further, the third fuse F3 may be provided on the connection point P2 side with respect to the third switch SW3. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-064408A [0003, 0004, 0005]

Claims

[1] Power distribution device (60) comprising: a positive electrode terminal (60a) of a first battery and a negative electrode terminal (60b) of the first battery, each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a first battery (11); a positive electrode terminal (60c) of a second battery and a negative electrode terminal (60d) of the second battery which are connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a second battery (12), respectively; a positive charging electrode terminal (60e) and a negative charging electrode terminal (60f) connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a charger (30), respectively; a positive load electrode terminal (60g) and a negative load electrode terminal (60h) each connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a load (50); a first line (L1) connecting the positive electrode terminal (60a) of the first battery and the positive charging electrode terminal (60e); a second line (L2) connecting the negative electrode terminal (60d) of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal (60f) of the charger; a third line (L3) connecting the positive electrode terminal (60c) of the second battery and the negative electrode terminal (60b) of the first battery; a first switch (SW1) configured to control conduction and interruption of the third line (L3); a fourth line (L4) connecting the positive electrode terminal (60c) of the second battery and the first line (L1); a second switch (SW2) configured to control conduction and interruption of the fourth line (L4); a fifth line (L5) connecting the second line (L2) and the negative electrode terminal (60b) of the first battery; a third switch (SW3) configured to control conduction and interruption of the fifth line (L5); a sixth line (L6) connecting a positive charging electrode terminal (60e) on the first line (L1) side with respect to a connection point between the first line (L1) and the fourth line (L4) to the positive load electrode terminal (60g); a seventh line (L7) connecting a negative charging electrode terminal (60f) on the second line (L2) side with respect to a connection point between the second line (L2) and the fifth line (L5) to the negative load electrode terminal (60h); a control unit (63) configured to control conducting states and interrupting states of the first switch (SW1), the second switch (SW2) and the third switch (SW3); a first fuse (F1) provided in the third line (L3); a second fuse (F2) provided in the fourth line (L4) and having a lower current carrying capacity than the first fuse (F1); and a third fuse (F3) provided in the fifth line (L5) and having a lower current carrying capacity than the first fuse (F1). [2] The power distribution device (60) according to claim 1, wherein when one end side of the fourth line (L4) is shared with the third line (L3) and connected to the positive electrode terminal (60c) of the second battery and one end side of the fifth line (L5) is shared with the third line (L3) and connected to the negative electrode terminal (60b) of the first battery, the first fuse (F1) is provided at a position in the third line (L3) other than a common portion between the fourth line (L4) and the fifth line (L5), the second fuse (F2) is provided at a position in the fourth line (L4) other than a common portion with the third line (L3), and the third fuse (F3) is provided at a position in the fifth line (L5) other than a common portion with the third line (L3). [3] Power distribution device (60) according to claim 2, wherein the first fuse (F1), the second fuse (F2) and the third fuse (F3) are electronic fuses configured to be interrupted in response to an external signal, and wherein the control unit (63) includes a current measuring unit (63c) configured to measure currents in a common section between the third line (L3) and the fourth line (L4) and a common section between the third line (L3) and the fifth line (L5), and an interruption control unit (63) configured to selectively interrupt the first fuse (F1), the second fuse (F2), and the third fuse (F3) based on the currents measured by the current measuring unit (63c).

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