ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

An electric vehicle control device comprises a power converter (100) that can be mounted on an electric vehicle to obtain power from a power supply (12) and to convert direct current power into alternating current power, an interrupter (10) for switching between connecting and disconnecting a current flowing between the power supply and the power converter, a first contactor (50) connected in series with a resistor (60) between the power converter and the interrupter, and a second contactor (70) connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor for switching between connecting and disconnecting a current flowing between the power converter and the power supply.When the power converter charges a capacitor (30) with power from the power supply by switching off the second contactor and switching on the interrupter and the first contactor, the power converter switches on the second contactor after a control to switch off the interrupter in order to disconnect power from the power supply when an anomaly is detected in the electric vehicle.

Description

Electric vehicle control device and electric vehicle control system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle control device and an electric vehicle control system that are supplied with power from an external power source.

[0002] An electric vehicle converts DC power into three-phase AC power with variable voltage and frequency using an inverter, and supplies the power to an electric motor or an auxiliary power supply. Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a circuit breaker, multiple inverters, multiple connection circuits, and a control unit, and supplies power to the multiple inverters via the circuit breaker. The control unit also discloses that if an abnormality occurs in an AC circuit unit formed by a combination of the connection circuit and the electric motor, the control unit opens the circuit breaker. The inverter in which the abnormality occurred is then stopped, thereby electrically isolating the AC circuit unit in which the abnormality occurred from the power supply system.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-191487

[0004] To maintain a stable DC voltage, electric vehicles have a filter capacitor connected in parallel to the DC side, which is the input side of the inverter. When charging the filter capacitor at the start of the electric vehicle, the amount of current passing through a charging resistor is reduced until a predetermined voltage is reached to prevent an inrush current from flowing through the filter capacitor. If an abnormality occurs while charging the filter capacitor, the electric vehicle controls the circuit breaker to open in order to stop the power supply from the power source. However, when charging through a charging resistor, the amount of current passing through is smaller than when charging without a resistor, which causes a problem that the circuit breaker does not open completely.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an electric vehicle control device that can open a circuit breaker when the amount of current flowing is small compared to when charging without using a resistor.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electric vehicle control device of the present disclosure is an electric vehicle control device that is mounted on an electric vehicle and includes a power conversion device that receives power from a power source and converts DC power to AC power, a circuit breaker that switches between conducting and blocking current flowing between the power source and the power conversion device, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between conducting and blocking current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, wherein when the power conversion device opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge a capacitor with power from the power source, if the power conversion device detects an abnormality in the electric vehicle, it performs control to open the circuit breaker and then closes the second contactor in order to cut off the power supply from the power source.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the electric vehicle control system of the present disclosure is an electric vehicle control system including a first electric vehicle control device and a second electric vehicle control device mounted on an electric vehicle, and a circuit breaker that switches between conducting and cutting off current flowing between a power source and the first electric vehicle control device, and between the power source and the second electric vehicle control device, wherein the first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device each include a power conversion device that receives power from the power source and converts DC power into AC power, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between conducting and cutting off current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, When the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device and the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device each open the second contactor and close the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge the capacitor with power from the power source, the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device controls to open the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply from the power source when it detects an abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device and notifies the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, and when the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device receives a notification from the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, it closes the second contactor of the second electric vehicle control device.

[0008] The electric vehicle control device of the present disclosure is an electric vehicle control device that is mounted on an electric vehicle and includes a power conversion device that receives power from a power source and converts DC power to AC power, a circuit breaker that switches between passing and blocking current flowing between the power source and the power conversion device, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between passing and blocking current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, wherein when the power conversion device opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge a capacitor with power from the power source, if the power conversion device detects an abnormality in the electric vehicle, it performs control to open the circuit breaker and then closes the second contactor in order to cut off the power supply from the power source, thereby being able to open the circuit breaker when the amount of current passing is smaller than when charging without going through a resistor.

[0009] An electric vehicle control system according to the present disclosure is an electric vehicle control system including a first electric vehicle control device and a second electric vehicle control device mounted on an electric vehicle, and a circuit breaker that switches between energizing and interrupting a current flowing between a power source and the first electric vehicle control device, and between the power source and the second electric vehicle control device, wherein the first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device each have a power conversion device that receives power from the power source and converts DC power into AC power, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between energizing and interrupting a current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, When each of the power conversion devices of the first electric vehicle control device opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge the capacitor with power from the power source, the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device, when it detects an abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device, controls to open the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply from the power source and notifies the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, and when the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device receives a notification from the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, it closes the second contactor of the second electric vehicle control device, thereby being able to open the circuit breaker when the amount of current flowing is smaller than when charging without going through a resistor.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric vehicle control device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power conversion device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the electric vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric vehicle control system according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the electric vehicle control system according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a general configuration example of hardware that realizes the electric vehicle control system according to the embodiments.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electric vehicle control system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Furthermore, in the drawings, diagrams showing circuit and device configurations are merely diagrams showing schematic configurations.

[0012] First Embodiment. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric vehicle control device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 1, the electric vehicle control device is configured to include a circuit breaker 10, a first contactor 50, a resistor 60, a second contactor 70, and a power conversion device 100. The power conversion device 100 converts power supplied from a power source 12 into DC power or AC power and supplies the converted power to a load 90. Here, the load is, for example, an electric motor. The power conversion device 100 includes an inverter 20, a filter capacitor 30, and a voltage detector 40. The inverter 20 is, for example, a two-level three-phase inverter circuit or a three-level three-phase inverter circuit.

[0013] The circuit breaker 10 is electrically connected in series between the current collector 11 and the power conversion device 100. One end of the circuit breaker 10 is connected to the current collector 11. The other end of the circuit breaker 10 is connected to the first contactor 50 and the second contactor 70. One end of the first contactor 50 is connected to the circuit breaker 10. The other end of the first contactor 50 is connected to the resistor 60. The first contactor 50 and the resistor 60 are connected in series. One end of the second contactor 70 is connected to the circuit breaker 10. The other end of the second contactor 70 is connected to the resistor 60 and the filter reactor 80. The second contactor 70 and the resistor 60 are connected in parallel. One end of the resistor 60 is connected to the first contactor 50. The other end of the resistor 60 is connected to the second contactor 70 and the filter reactor 80. One end of the filter reactor 80 is connected to the second contactor 70 and the resistor 60. The other end of the filter reactor 80 is connected to the input end of the inverter 20, the filter capacitor 30, and the voltage detector 40. One end of the filter capacitor 30 is connected to the inverter 20, the voltage detector 40, and the filter reactor 80. The other end of the filter capacitor 30 is grounded. One end of the input end of the inverter 20 is connected to the filter capacitor 30, the voltage detector 40, and the filter reactor 80. The other end of the input end of the inverter 20 is grounded. The output end of the inverter 20 is connected to a motor 90, which is a load. The motor 90 is, for example, an induction motor, a synchronous motor, or a reluctance motor. The inverter 20 is connected in parallel with the filter capacitor 30 and the voltage detector 40.

[0014] The circuit breaker 10 is opened when it is necessary to stop the supply of power to the electric vehicle, for example, when a failure occurs in the power conversion device 100. When the circuit breaker 10 is opened, the current collector 11 and the power conversion device 100 are electrically disconnected, and the supply of power from the current collector 11 to the power conversion device 100 is stopped. When it is necessary to supply power to the electric vehicle, the circuit breaker 10 is closed. When the circuit breaker 10 is closed, the current collector 11 and the power conversion device 100 are electrically connected, and power is supplied from the power source 12 to the power conversion device 100.

[0015] The current collector 11 obtains DC power from a substation (not shown), which is an external circuit, via a power source 12, and supplies the power to the power conversion device 100. The current collector 11 is, for example, a pantograph that receives power from an overhead line, or a current collector shoe that receives power from a third rail.

[0016] The power source 12 is connected to a substation and receives DC power from the substation. The power source 12 is, for example, an overhead line or a third rail.

[0017] The first contactor 50 and the second contactor 70 are contactors that electrically connect both ends when closed and electrically interrupt when opened. The resistor 60 is a charging resistor that prevents inrush current when charging the filter capacitor 30. The filter reactor 80 and the filter capacitor 30 form an LC filter circuit and are provided to suppress harmonics generated when the inverter 20 performs power conversion from flowing to the power source 12. The filter reactor 80 smoothes the current flowing from the power source 12 to the inverter 20, and the filter capacitor 30 smoothes the DC side voltage of the inverter 20. The inverter 20 converts DC power supplied from the power source 12 into AC power and supplies the converted AC power to the electric motor 90.

[0018] To supply power to the power conversion device 100, the circuit breaker 10 and the first contactor 50 are closed. At this stage, the second contactor 70 is open. By closing the circuit breaker 10 and the first contactor 50, the current collector 11, the circuit breaker 10, the first contactor 50, the resistor 60, the filter reactor 80, and the filter capacitor 30 are electrically connected, and the filter capacitor 30 is charged. When a predetermined amount of power is charged in the filter capacitor 30, the second contactor 70 is closed and the first contactor 50 is opened. By closing the second contactor 70 and opening the first contactor 50, the current collector 11, the circuit breaker 10, the second contactor 70, the filter reactor 80, and the filter capacitor 30 are electrically connected, and the filter capacitor 30 is charged. By charging the filter capacitor 30 via the first contactor 50 and the resistor 60, an inrush current to the filter capacitor 30 is suppressed. To prevent an inrush current from flowing when charging the filter capacitor 30, the first contactor 50 and the second contactor 70 are switched on and off. Once the filter capacitor 30 is charged, the inverter 20 is able to perform power conversion. The power conversion operation is a common operation, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a power conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The description will be given taking the inverter 20 as an example. The inverter 20 includes a drive unit 501, a conversion unit 502, an abnormality detection unit 504, a communication unit 503, a processing unit 505, a control unit 506, and a storage unit 507.

[0020] The driving unit 501 controls the switching element included in the conversion unit 502. Specifically, the driving unit 501 generates a signal for controlling the gate of the switching element configured by a transistor.

[0021] The converter 502 has switching elements that form a two-level, three-phase inverter circuit. The switching elements form pairs of serially connected positive and negative arms, called legs. The converter 502 forms legs in the U, V, and W phases and converts DC power into AC power. The converter 502 supplies the converted AC power to the electric motor 90.

[0022] The communication unit 503 receives the value of the voltage detector 40. The value of the voltage detector 40 indicates the voltage value of the filter capacitor 30.

[0023] The abnormality detection unit 504 detects a malfunction of the electric vehicle control device. Examples of malfunctions include a charging abnormality in which the filter capacitor 30 is not charged with a predetermined amount of power within a predetermined period, and a short circuit in the electric vehicle control device. The abnormality detection unit 504 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the electric vehicle control device when the value of the voltage detector 40 satisfies the malfunction conditions stored in the storage unit 507. For example, the abnormality detection unit 504 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the charging when the value of the voltage detector 40 does not reach a predetermined value even after a predetermined period stored in the storage unit 507 has elapsed.

[0024] The processing unit 505 is connected to the communication unit 503, and receives the value of the voltage detector 40. The processing unit 505 also sends commands to the control unit 506 to close and open the circuit breaker 10, the first contactor 50, and the second contactor 70.

[0025] When a command to close and open the circuit breaker 10, the first contactor 50, and the second contactor 70 is sent from the processing unit 505, the control unit 506 controls the closing and opening of the circuit breaker 10, the first contactor 50, and the second contactor 70.

[0026] The storage unit 507 is a memory in which fault conditions are recorded, specifically, conditions under which the anomaly detection unit 504 detects a fault, etc.

[0027] Next, the mechanism of the circuit breaker 10 will be described. For example, a magnetic circuit breaker is used as the circuit breaker 10. Even if an attempt is made to forcibly disconnect the current flowing through an electric circuit, the current will continue to flow through the circuit, and an arc will occur between the electrodes when the electrodes are physically separated. Because the arc is conductive, the current will continue to flow through the arc. A magnetic circuit breaker is a circuit breaker that uses electromagnetic force to attract the arc discharge that occurs when the current is interrupted and guide it to the arc chute. However, when the current flowing is small, the electromagnetic force also becomes small, so there is a possibility that the arc will not be guided to the arc chute and the circuit will not be completely interrupted.

[0028] For example, when charging the filter capacitor 30 of the electric vehicle control device, the second contactor 70 is opened and the first contactor 50 connected in series with the resistor 60 is closed, thereby reducing the current flow and charging the filter capacitor 30. At this time, if the power conversion device 100 detects an abnormality such as insufficient charging of the filter capacitor 30 or a short circuit in the electric vehicle control device, the power conversion device 100 needs to open the circuit breaker 10. However, there are cases where the current flow is too small to allow the circuit breaker 10 to open. The invention of the present disclosure can open the circuit breaker 10 even when the amount of current flowing is small. In the present disclosure, the term "small amount of current flowing" refers to the current flowing smaller when charging via the resistor 60 compared to when charging without the resistor 60.

[0029] Next, the operation of the electric vehicle control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the power conversion device 100, the circuit breaker 10, the first contactor 50, and the second contactor 70 in the electric vehicle control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when an abnormality such as a short circuit or a charging abnormality occurs when charging the filter capacitor 30.

[0030] The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to close the circuit breaker 10, close the first contactor 50, and open the second contactor 70 in order to charge the filter capacitor 30 (S101). The circuit breaker 10 is closed (S102), the first contactor 50 is closed (S103), and the second contactor 70 is opened (S104). The abnormality detection unit 504 of the power conversion device 100 detects an abnormality such as a short circuit or a charging abnormality in the electric vehicle control device (S105). The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to open the circuit breaker 10 (S106). The circuit breaker 10 is opened (S107). After the circuit breaker 10 is opened, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to close the second contactor 70 (S108). The second contactor 70 is closed (S109). Closing the second contactor 70 temporarily increases the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10. The increase in the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 increases the electromagnetic force of the circuit breaker 10, leading the arc to the arc chute and enabling the current to be interrupted. The power conversion device 100 confirms, using a current detector (not shown) or a voltage detector (not shown), that the current flowing through the electric vehicle control device has been interrupted (S110). After confirming that the current flowing through the electric vehicle control device has been interrupted, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 controls the first contactor 50 to open (S111). The first contactor 50 is opened (S112). Finally, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 controls the second contactor 70 to open (S113). The second contactor 70 is opened (S114).

[0031] When the electric vehicle control device detects an abnormality such as a short circuit or charging abnormality in the electric vehicle control device while charging the filter capacitor 30, it opens the circuit breaker 10 and then closes the second contactor 70, increasing the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 and cutting off the current flowing through the circuit breaker 10.

[0032] The current increased by closing the second contactor 70 flows to the short-circuited location, the filter capacitor 30, or a discharge circuit (not shown). Other means may be used to pass the current increased by closing the second contactor 70.

[0033] After confirming that no current is flowing to the electric vehicle control device, i.e., that the current flowing to the electric vehicle control device has been interrupted, the electric vehicle control device opens the first contactor 50. Here, the electric vehicle control device confirms that the current flowing to the electric vehicle control device has been interrupted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since closing the second contactor 70. Furthermore, after confirming that the current flowing to the circuit breaker has been interrupted, the electric vehicle control device opens the first contactor 50 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0034] As explained above, when the electric vehicle control device detects an abnormality such as a short circuit or charging abnormality in the electric vehicle control device while the amount of current passing through the circuit breaker 10 is small, such as when charging the filter capacitor 30, the electric vehicle control device opens the circuit breaker 10 and then closes the second contactor 70, thereby temporarily increasing the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 and increasing the electromagnetic force of the circuit breaker 10 to interrupt the current flowing through the circuit breaker 10. In other words, the electric vehicle control device is able to open the circuit breaker 10 even when the amount of current passing through the circuit breaker 10 is small, compared to when charging without using a resistor.

[0035] The electric vehicle control device of the first embodiment is an electric vehicle control device that is mounted on an electric vehicle and includes a power conversion device that receives power from a power source and converts DC power to AC power, a circuit breaker that switches between conducting and blocking current flowing between the power source and the power conversion device, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between conducting and blocking current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, and when the power conversion device opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge a capacitor with power from the power source, if the power conversion device detects an abnormality in the electric vehicle, it performs control to open the circuit breaker and then closes the second contactor in order to cut off the power supply from the power source, so that it can open the circuit breaker when the amount of current flowing is small compared to when charging without going through a resistor.

[0036] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, the current flow was secured by passing the temporarily increased current caused by closing the second contactor 70 to the electric vehicle control device in which an abnormality occurred. In Embodiment 2, the circuit breaker 10 can be opened when the amount of current flow is small, compared to when charging is performed without using a resistor by passing the current to an electric vehicle control device that is not in an abnormal state among multiple electric vehicle control devices installed in the same car or the same trainset.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric vehicle control system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 2, the first electric vehicle control device is configured to include a circuit breaker 10, a first contactor 50, a resistor 60, a second contactor 70, and a power conversion device 100. The second electric vehicle control device is configured to include a circuit breaker 10, a first contactor 51, a resistor 61, a second contactor 71, and a power conversion device 110. The first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device share the circuit breaker 10.

[0038] The basic operation for charging the filter capacitor 30 of the power conversion device 100 of the first electric vehicle control device and the filter capacitor 31 of the power conversion device 110 of the second electric vehicle control device is the same as in embodiment 1. Charging of the filter capacitor 30 of the first electric vehicle control device begins by closing the circuit breaker 10, closing the first contactor 50, and opening the second contactor 70. Charging of the filter capacitor 31 of the second electric vehicle control device begins by closing the first contactor 51 and opening the second contactor 71.

[0039] Here, we will explain the operation when an abnormality is detected in the first electric vehicle control device when charging the filter capacitor 30 of the power conversion device 100 of the first electric vehicle control device and the filter capacitor 31 of the power conversion device 110 of the second electric vehicle control device.

[0040] The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to close the circuit breaker 10, close the first contactor 50, and open the second contactor 70 in order to charge the filter capacitor 30 (S201). The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 110 also performs control to close the first contactor 51 and open the second contactor 71 in order to charge the filter capacitor 31 (S202). The circuit breaker 10 is closed (S203), the first contactor 50 is closed (S204), and the second contactor 70 is opened (S205). The first contactor 51 is closed (S206), and the second contactor 71 is opened (S207). The abnormality detection unit 504 of the power conversion device 100 detects an abnormality, such as a short circuit or charging abnormality, in the electric vehicle control device (S208). The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to open the circuit breaker 10 (S209). The circuit breaker 10 is opened (S210). After the circuit breaker 10 is opened, the communication unit 503 of the power conversion device 100 notifies the communication unit 503 of the power conversion device 110 that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device (S211). After the power conversion device 110 receives the notification that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 110 controls to close the second contactor 71 (S212). The second contactor 71 is closed (S213). Closing the second contactor 71 temporarily increases the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10. The increase in the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 increases the electromagnetic force of the circuit breaker 10, which leads to an arc chute and enables the current to be interrupted. The power conversion devices 100 and 110 confirm that the current flowing through the first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device has been interrupted (S214, S215). After confirming that the current flowing through the electric vehicle control device has been interrupted, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 100 performs control to open the first contactor 50 (S216). The first contactor 50 is opened (S217). The control unit 506 of the power conversion device 110 performs control to open the first contactor 51 (S218). The first contactor 51 is opened (S219). Finally, the control unit 506 of the power conversion device 110 performs control to open the second contactor 71 (S220). The second contactor 71 is opened (S221).

[0041] In the electric vehicle control system, when charging the filter capacitor 30 of the first electric vehicle control device, if the power conversion device 100 of the first electric vehicle control device detects an abnormality such as a short circuit or charging abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device, after opening the circuit breaker 10, the power conversion device 110 of the second electric vehicle control device closes the second contactor 71 of the second electric vehicle control device, thereby increasing the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 and cutting off the current flowing through the circuit breaker 10.

[0042] The current temporarily increased by closing the second contactor 71 of the second electric vehicle control device flows to the filter capacitor 31 of the second electric vehicle control device or to a discharge circuit (not shown) of the second electric vehicle control device. Other means may be used to pass the current temporarily increased by closing the second contactor 71.

[0043] The first electric vehicle control device, after confirming by a current detector (not shown) or a voltage detector (not shown) that no current is flowing through the first electric vehicle control device, opens the first contactor 50. The second electric vehicle control device, after confirming by a current detector (not shown) or a voltage detector (not shown) that no current is flowing through the second electric vehicle control device, opens the first contactor 51.

[0044] As explained above, when the electric vehicle control system detects an abnormality such as a short circuit or charging abnormality in the electric vehicle control device when the amount of current flowing is small, such as when the filter capacitors 30 and 31 are being charged, it opens the circuit breaker 10 and then closes the second contactor 71, thereby temporarily increasing the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker 10 and increasing the electromagnetic force of the circuit breaker 10 to interrupt the current flowing through the circuit breaker 10. In other words, the electric vehicle control system is able to open the circuit breaker 10 even when the amount of current flowing is small, compared to when charging is performed without using a resistor.

[0045] As described above, the electric vehicle control system enables the second electric vehicle control device to control the electric vehicle control system by having the first electric vehicle control device send a notification to the second electric vehicle control device indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, and the second electric vehicle control device receiving a notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device.

[0046] As explained above, the electric vehicle control system can prevent current from flowing to the first electric vehicle control device in which an abnormality has occurred by closing the second circuit breaker 71 of the second electric vehicle control device in which no abnormality has occurred.

[0047] Each of the power conversion apparatus 100 and the power conversion apparatus 110 includes at least a processor, a memory, a receiver, and a transmitter, and the operation of each apparatus can be realized by software. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a typical hardware configuration example for realizing an electric vehicle control apparatus and an electric vehicle control system according to an embodiment. The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a receiver 1003, and a transmitter 1004. The processor 1001 performs calculations and control using software using received data. The memory 1002 stores received data or data required for the processor 1001 to perform calculations and control, and also stores software. The receiver 1003 is an interface that receives signals or information input to the power conversion apparatus 100 and the power conversion apparatus 110. The transmitter 1004 is an interface that transmits signals or information output from the power conversion apparatus 100 and the power conversion apparatus 110. Note that a plurality of each of the processor 1001, the memory 1002, the receiver 1003, and the transmitter 1004 may be provided. In the above description, an example has been described in which the power source is DC power, but the power source may be AC ​​power. When the power source is AC power, a transformer for stepping down the AC voltage received is provided downstream of the current collector 11, and a converter for converting the AC voltage output from the transformer into DC voltage is provided downstream of the transformer. In the above description, the load of the power conversion device 100 and the power conversion device 110 is an electric motor, but the load may be an auxiliary power supply. Furthermore, the electric motor and the auxiliary power supply may share the circuit breaker 10. In the above description, the power conversion device 100 controls the circuit breaker 10 to open. However, the power conversion device 100 may notify the power conversion device 110 of an abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device, and after the power conversion device 110 receives the notification of the abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device from the power conversion device 100, the power conversion device 110 may control the circuit breaker 10 to open.

[0048] An electric vehicle control system according to a second embodiment is an electric vehicle control system including a first electric vehicle control device and a second electric vehicle control device mounted on an electric vehicle, and a circuit breaker that switches between energizing and interrupting a current flowing between a power source and the first electric vehicle control device, and between the power source and the second electric vehicle control device, wherein the first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device each have a power conversion device that receives power from the power source and converts DC power into AC power, a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor, and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between energizing and interrupting a current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, When each of the power conversion devices of the control devices opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge the capacitor with power from the power source, the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device, when it detects an abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device, controls to open the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply from the power source and notifies the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, and when the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device receives a notification from the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, it closes the second contactor of the second electric vehicle control device, thereby making it possible to open the circuit breaker when the amount of current flow is small compared to when charging without going through a resistor.

[0049] 10 Circuit breaker, 11 Current collector, 12 Power source, 20, 21 Inverter, 30, 31 Filter capacitor, 40, 41 Voltage detector, 50, 51 First contactor, 60, 61 Resistor, 70, 71 Second contactor, 80, 81 Filter reactor, 90, 91 Electric motor, 100, 110 Power conversion device, 501 Drive unit, 502 Conversion unit, 503 Abnormality detection unit, 504 Communication unit, 505 Processing unit, 506 Control unit, 507 Storage unit, 1001 Processor, 1002 Memory, 1003 Receiver, 1004 Transmitter 10.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle control device comprising: a power conversion device that is mounted on an electric vehicle and receives power from a power source and converts DC power into AC power; a circuit breaker that switches between conducting and cutting off a current flowing between the power source and the power conversion device; a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and in series with a resistor; and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches between conducting and cutting off a current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, wherein when the power conversion device opens the second contactor and closes the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge a capacitor with power from the power source, the power conversion device, when it detects an abnormality in the electric vehicle, performs control to open the circuit breaker and then closes the second contactor in order to cut off the power supply from the power source.

2. An electric vehicle control system comprising a first electric vehicle control device and a second electric vehicle control device mounted on an electric vehicle, and a circuit breaker that switches on and off the current flowing between a power source and the first electric vehicle control device, and between the power source and the second electric vehicle control device, wherein the first electric vehicle control device and the second electric vehicle control device each have: a power conversion device that receives power from the power source and converts DC power into AC power; a first contactor that is connected in series between the power conversion device and the circuit breaker and is connected in series with a resistor; and a second contactor that is connected in parallel with the resistor and the first contactor and switches on and off the current flowing between the power conversion device and the power source, wherein when the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device and the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device each open the second contactor and close the circuit breaker and the first contactor to charge a capacitor with power from the power source, an electric vehicle control system, wherein the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device, when detecting an abnormality in the first electric vehicle control device, performs control to open the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply from the power source, and notifies the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, and when the power conversion device of the second electric vehicle control device receives a notification from the power conversion device of the first electric vehicle control device indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first electric vehicle control device, it closes the second contactor of the second electric vehicle control device.

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