VEHICLE-OWN CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

An on-board control device (60) is used in an on-board system (100) and controls a charging process performed by a charging unit (20) and a discharging process performed by a discharging unit (30). The on-board control device (60) has a control unit (61) that controls the charging unit (20) and the discharging unit (30). The control unit (61) is capable of executing a first control for causing the discharging unit (30) to perform a discharging process while simultaneously causing the charging unit (20) to perform a charging process, and a second control for causing the discharging unit (30) to perform a discharging process without causing the charging unit (20) to perform a charging process.The control unit (61) executes the first control when a voltage condition that the voltage of a current path (80) is less than or equal to a failure determination voltage is satisfied, but a failure determination condition different from the voltage condition is not satisfied.

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an on-vehicle control device. PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TECHNICAL DOCUMENTSPATENT DOCUMENTS

[0002] Patent Document No. 1: JP 2011 - 024 288 A OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0003] In an on-board system that supplies a load within a vehicle with electrical energy from a power source unit, it is desirable to immediately supply electrical energy from a power storage unit that is different from the power source unit in the event of a power source failure that stops the power supply from the power source unit. To this end, it is desirable to supply electrical energy from the power storage unit as soon as possible when the probability of a power source failure increases.Although the use of a method for supplying electrical energy from the power storage unit early when a power source failure is not yet certain reduces the risk of interrupting the supply of electricity to the load in the event of a power source failure, it is likely that the extent of discharges of the power storage unit due to erroneous determinations caused by noise or the like will increase and the state of charge of the power storage unit will decrease.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a technique that makes it easy to supply electric power to a load early in the event of a power source failure and makes it easy to suppress a decrease in the state of charge of a power storage unit. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE TASK

[0005] An on-vehicle control device which is an aspect of the present disclosure is an on-vehicle control device for use in an on-vehicle system, comprising a power source unit, a power storage unit different from the power source unit, a current path that is a route for supplying a load with electric power from the power source unit, a charging unit configured to perform a charging operation to supply a power to the power storage unit based on the electric power supplied from the power source unit, and a discharging unit configured to perform a discharging operation to cause power to flow to the load side based on the electric power supplied from the power storage unit, wherein the on-vehicle control device is configured to control the charging operation performed by the charging unit and the discharging operation performed by the discharging unit, wherein the on-vehicle control device a control unit configured to control the loading unit and the unloading unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a first control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation and simultaneously causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and a second control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation without causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and executing the first control when a voltage condition that a voltage of the current path is less than or equal to a failure determination voltage is satisfied, but a failure determination condition different from the voltage condition is not satisfied. EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The technique according to the present disclosure makes it easy to supply electrical energy to a load early in the event of a power source failure and makes it easy to counteract a decrease in the state of charge of a power storage unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an on-vehicle system including an on-vehicle control device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reserve response control performed by the on-vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating how a load is supplied with electrical energy from a power source unit when a charging process and a discharging process are stopped. Fig. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating how a load in a charging state is supplied with electrical energy from a power source unit. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating how a charging operation and a discharging operation are performed in a state where the power supply from the power source unit via a first switching unit is stopped. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating how a discharging operation is performed in a state where the power supply from the power source unit via the first switching unit and a charging operation are stopped. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth and illustrated below.

[0008] [1] An on-vehicle control device for use in an on-vehicle system, comprising a power source unit, a power storage unit different from the power source unit, a current path that is a route for supplying electric power from the power source unit to a load, a charging unit configured to perform a charging operation to supply a power to the power storage unit based on the electric power supplied from the power source unit, and a discharging unit configured to perform a discharging operation to cause power to flow to the load based on the electric power supplied from the power storage unit, wherein the on-vehicle control device is configured to control the charging operation performed by the charging unit and the discharging operation performed by the discharging unit, wherein the on-vehicle control device a control unit configured to control the loading unit and the unloading unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a first control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation and simultaneously causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and a second control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation without causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and executing the first control when a voltage condition that a voltage of the current path is less than or equal to a failure determination voltage is satisfied, but a failure determination condition different from the voltage condition is not satisfied.

[0009] The on-board control device described in [1] can discharge the power storage unit early and supply electric power to the load when the power path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, even if the failure determination condition is not met. Accordingly, this on-board control device can reduce the risk of interruption of power supply to the load in the event of a power source failure. On the other hand, the charging operation performed by the charging unit can continue when the power path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, unless the failure determination condition is met. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit even if the discharge of the power storage unit occurs frequently due to noise or the like.

[0010] [2] The vehicle’s own control device according to [1], in which the failure determination condition comprises that the voltage of the current path is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage for a certain period of time, and the control unit executes the second control when the voltage of the current path is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage for the specified period of time.

[0011] The on-vehicle control device described in [2] can continue the charging operation performed by the charging unit when the voltage of the power path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage unless the failure determination condition is met. Therefore, the decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit can be suppressed even when the discharge of the power storage unit increases due to noise and the like. On the other hand, when the voltage of the power path is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage for a certain period of time, that is, when the possibility of power source failure continues to increase, the above-mentioned on-vehicle control device executes the second control and stops the charging operation, thereby suppressing a case where the state of the power path affects the power storage unit side due to the charging operation.

[0012] [3] The vehicle’s own control device according to [2], in which the vehicle's own system has a switching unit provided on the current path, the charging unit supplies power to the power storage unit based on electrical energy supplied from a first power path arranged on the power path relative to the switching unit on the power source unit side, the discharge unit carries out the discharge process in such a way that current is caused to flow via a second current path which is arranged on the current path relative to the switching unit on the side of the load, a bidirectional current flow between the first current path and the second current path is possible when the switching unit is switched on, and a current flow at least from the second current path to the first current path is blocked when the switching unit is switched off, and the control unit keeps the switching unit off until a certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met, turns on the switching unit under a condition that the voltage of the current path is greater than the failure determination voltage before the certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met, and stops the charging process and at the same time keeps the switching unit off when the certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met.

[0013] When the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, the on-board control device described in [3] can prevent current from flowing from the second current path to the first current path by keeping the switching unit off until a certain period of time elapses, during which the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage. Accordingly, when the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage due to a power source failure, it is possible to reliably prevent a discharge current from the power storage unit from flowing into the first current path while supplying the discharge current to the load.On the other hand, the on-vehicle control device can return to supplying the load with electric power from the power source unit by turning on the switching unit under the condition that, after the above-described voltage condition is met, the voltage of the current path again exceeds the failure determination voltage before a certain period of time elapses during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage. Accordingly, even if the voltage of the current path temporarily becomes less than or equal to the failure determination voltage due to noise or the like, normal operation can be quickly restored if the voltage quickly returns.Even if a discharge operation is repeated due to such a temporary voltage drop, charging is likely to be performed each time, and therefore, a decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit is counteracted. Furthermore, this on-vehicle control device turns off the switching unit and stops the charging operation when a certain period of time elapses during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage after the above-described voltage condition is met. Therefore, when the probability of power source failure further increases, the load can be supplied with the discharge current based on the power storage unit, while suppressing a case where the state of the first current path affects the second current path side.

[0014] [4] The vehicle’s own control device according to [1], wherein the failure determination condition includes current flowing from the charging unit side to the current path side, and the control unit executes the second control when current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side.

[0015] The on-vehicle control device described in [4] can continue the charging operation performed by the charging unit when the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, unless the failure determination condition is met. Therefore, the decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit can be suppressed even when the discharge of the power storage unit increases due to noise or the like. On the other hand, the on-vehicle control device described above executes the second control and stops the charging operation when current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side, thereby suppressing a case where the state of the current path affects the power storage unit side due to the charging operation.For example, if a ground fault occurs in the current path and the voltage of the current path due to the ground fault is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, there is a concern that continuing charging will cause a large current to flow to the ground fault location. However, if the second control is performed when current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side, such a problem is less likely to occur.

[0016] [5] The vehicle’s own control device according to [4], in which the vehicle's own system has a switching unit provided on the current path, the charging unit supplies power to the power storage unit based on electrical energy supplied from a first power path arranged on the power path relative to the switching unit on the power source unit side, the discharge unit carries out the discharge process in such a way that current is caused to flow via a second current path which is arranged on the current path relative to the switching unit on the side of the load, a bidirectional current flow between the first current path and the second current path is possible when the switching unit is switched on, and a current flow at least from the second current path to the first current path is blocked when the switching unit is switched off, and the control unit executes the first control under a condition that the voltage condition is satisfied and no current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side, and executes the second control while keeping the switching unit off when the voltage condition is satisfied and current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side.

[0017] The on-board control device described in [5] executes the first control when the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, provided no current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side. Accordingly, when the current path voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage, charging can be performed after confirming that the probability of a ground fault is low.On the other hand, when the voltage of the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage and current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side, that is, when there is a high possibility of a ground fault, the switching unit is put into the off state to execute the second control, and the load can be supplied with a discharge current based on the power storage unit while preventing current from flowing from the second current path to the first current path.

[0018] [6] The vehicle’s own control device according to [1], wherein the failure determination condition comprises that the voltage of the current path is less than or equal to a reference voltage which is less than the failure determination voltage, and the control unit executes the second control when the voltage of the current path is less than or equal to the reference voltage.

[0019] The on-vehicle control device described in [6] can continue the charging operation performed by the charging unit when the voltage of the power path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage unless the failure determination condition is met. Therefore, the decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit can be suppressed even if the discharge of the power storage unit occurs frequently due to noise or the like. On the other hand, the on-vehicle control device described above can stop the charging operation and perform the discharging operation when the voltage of the power path is less than or equal to a reference voltage that is lower than the failure determination voltage. Therefore, when the possibility of power source failure is even higher, it is possible to suppress a case in which the state of the power path affects the power storage unit due to the charging operation. First Example 1. Overview of the vehicle's own system

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an on-board system 100. The on-board system 100 in Fig. 1 mainly includes an on-board power source system 3 and a load 11. The on-board power source system 3 is also referred to as power source system 3 in the following description. The on-board system 100 is a system that supplies the load 11 with electrical energy using the power source system 3 to operate the load 11. In Fig. 1, the load 11 is shown as an example of an on-board load, but the on-board system 100 may also be provided with a different load.

[0021] The load 11 is an electrical component installed in a vehicle. The load 11 is operated by receiving power supplied via a current path 80. The type of the load 11 is not limited. Various known on-vehicle components can be used as the load 11. The load 11 may include multiple electrical components or be a single electrical component. The load 11 is a load that is intended to be operated even when the power supply from a power source unit 10 to the load 11 is cut off, and is, for example, a load that performs an operation necessary for stopping the vehicle (a shift-by-wire control system, an electronically controlled braking system, etc.).

[0022] The power source system 3 is a system that supplies electrical power to the load 11. The power source system 3 supplies electrical power to the load 11 using the power source unit 10 or the power storage unit 13 as a power source. The power source system 3 can supply electrical power to the load 11 from the power source unit 10 and can supply electrical power to the load 11 from the power storage unit 13 when, for example, the power supply from the power source unit 10 is interrupted due to a failure or the like. 2. Overview of the power source system

[0023] The power source system 3 includes a power source unit 10, a power storage unit 13, a charging unit 20, a discharging unit 30, an on-vehicle controller 60, a current path 80, a first switching unit 12, a first voltage detection unit 51, a second voltage detection unit 52, a third voltage detection unit 53, conductive paths 83 and 84, and the like.

[0024] The power source unit 10 is an on-board power source that supplies the load 11 with electrical energy and functions as the main power source that supplies the load 11 with electrical energy. The power source unit 10 is configured as a known on-board battery, for example, a lead-acid battery. The power source unit 10 may be formed by a battery that is not a lead-acid battery and may have a power source means that is not a battery instead of or in addition to a battery. The positive electrode of the power source unit 10 is electrically connected to the first current path 81, which is a portion of the current path 80, for example, being connected to the first current path 81 with a low resistance. The negative electrode of the power source unit 10 is electrically connected to ground, for example, being connected to ground with a low resistance. The power source unit 10 applies a constant DC voltage to the first current path 81.The voltage applied by the power source unit 10 to the first current path 81 may deviate slightly from the constant value described above.

[0025] The power storage unit 13 is a power source different from the power source unit 10. The power storage unit 13 is a power source that serves as a power supply source at least when the power supply from the power source unit 10 is interrupted, and functions as a backup power source that supplies electrical energy to the load 11 when the power supply based on the power source unit 10 becomes insufficient. The power storage unit 13 is formed by a known power storage means, such as an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC). The power storage unit 13 may be formed by a capacitor other than an electric double-layer capacitor, and may include another power storage means (such as a battery) instead of or in addition to a capacitor.The positive electrode of the power storage unit 13 is electrically connected to the conductive path 83, being connected to the conductive path 83 with a low resistance. The negative electrode of the power storage unit 13 is electrically connected to ground, being connected to ground with a low resistance. The output voltage of the power storage unit 13 (the voltage applied by the power storage unit 13 to the conductive path 83) can be greater or less than the output voltage of the power source unit 10 (the voltage applied by the power source unit 10 to the first current path 81).

[0026] Unless otherwise stated, "voltage" in this description refers to a voltage relative to a ground potential (e.g., 0 V) ​​and is a potential difference from the ground potential. For example, the voltage applied to the first current path 81 is the potential difference between the potential of the first current path 81 and the ground potential. The voltage applied to the conductive path 83 is the potential difference between the potential of the conductive path 83 and the ground potential.

[0027] The current path 80 is a route through which electric power is transmitted based on the power source unit 10, and is a route through which the load 11 is supplied with electric power from the power source unit 10. In the example of Fig. 1, the current path 80 includes the first current path 81, which is provided relative to the first switching unit 12 on the power source unit 10 side, and the second current path 82, which is provided relative to the first switching unit 12 on the load 11 side. The first current path 81 is a current path in the current path 80, which is arranged relative to the first switching unit 12 (switching unit) on the power source unit 10 side. A voltage equal to or approximately equal to the output voltage of the power source unit 10 is applied to the first current path 81. One end of the first current path 81 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power source unit 10 with a low resistance. The other end of the first current path 81 is electrically connected to one end of the first switching unit 12. The first current path 81 can be provided with a relay or a fuse.The second current path 82 is a current path located on the load 11 side of the current path 80 relative to the first switching unit 12 (switching unit). One end of the second current path 82 is electrically connected to the other end of the first switching unit 12. In the example of . Fig. 1, the second current path 82 is connected to one end of the load 11 with low resistance.

[0028] The first switching unit 12 is formed, for example, by one or more FETs (field-effect transistors). The first switching unit 12 corresponds to an example of a "switching unit." The first switching unit 12 is provided on the current path 80. The first switching unit 12 may be formed from FETs arranged in opposite directions or may be formed from other semiconductor switches that bidirectionally block current flow. In this case, bidirectional current flow is possible between the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 when the first switching unit 12 is turned on, and the current flow between the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 is bidirectionally blocked when the first switching unit 12 is turned off.The first switching unit 12 may be formed by a single FET having a parasitic diode whose anode is connected to the first current path 81 and whose cathode is connected to the second current path 82. In this case, bidirectional current flow between the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 is possible when the first switching unit 12 is turned on, and current flow from the second current path 82 to the first current path 81 is blocked by the first switching unit 12, but current flow from the first current path 81 to the second current path 82 is possible when the first switching unit 12 is turned off. In any case, current flow from the second current path 82 to the first current path 81 is blocked when the first switching unit 12 is turned off.

[0029] The charging unit 20 is provided between the first current path 81 and the power storage unit 13. The charging unit 20 performs a charging operation to supply a power to the power storage unit 13 based on the power supplied from the power source unit 10 via the first current path 81. In the example of Fig. 1, the charging unit 20 comprises a second switching unit 21 and a resistance unit 22. The second switching unit 21 may be formed by two FETs (field-effect transistors) arranged in opposite directions, or may be formed by other semiconductor switches capable of bidirectionally blocking the current flow. The resistance unit 22 is configured, for example, as a known resistor. In the example of Fig. 1, the second switching unit 21 and the resistance unit 22 are connected in series. The second switching unit 21 is arranged on the side of the power source unit 10 relative to the resistance unit 22. When the charging voltage of the power storage unit 13 is lower than the voltage of the first current path 81, a charging current flows from the first current path 81 to the power storage unit 13 when charging is performed by turning on the second switching unit 21. When the second switching unit 21 is turned off, charging is stopped, no current flows from the first current path 81 to the conductive path 83, and no current flows from the conductive path 83 to the first current path 81. In a representative example of this embodiment, the output voltage applied to the first current path 81 when the power source unit 10 is fully charged is greater than the output voltage applied to the conductive path 83 when the power storage unit 13 is fully charged.

[0030] The discharge unit 30 is provided between the power storage unit 13 and the second current path 82. The discharge unit 30 performs a discharge operation based on the electric power supplied from the power storage unit 13, causing current to flow to the load 11 side via the second current path 82. The discharge unit 30 includes a conductive path 31, a voltage conversion circuit 32, and a blocking unit 14. The conductive path 31 is a conductive path that forms a path for supplying a discharge current to the load 11 side. One end of the conductive path 31 may be electrically connected to the second current path 82 via a conductive path 84 described later. One end of the voltage conversion circuit 32 is electrically connected to the power storage unit 13 via a conductive path 83 and is connected in a low-resistance manner to the conductive path 83 and the positive electrode of the power storage unit 13.The other end of the voltage conversion circuit 32 is electrically connected to the other end of the conductive path 31 in a low-resistance manner. The voltage conversion circuit 32 performs a voltage conversion operation to step up or step down the input voltage based on the power storage unit 13 and apply the output voltage to the conductive path 31. The voltage conversion circuit 32 is, for example, a DC-DC converter (for example, a boost DC-DC converter) and steps up the input voltage based on the power storage unit 13 (specifically, the voltage of the conductive path 83) and applies the output voltage to the conductive path 31. The discharge unit 30 performs a discharge operation when the voltage conversion circuit 32 performs a voltage conversion operation, and stops the discharge operation when the voltage conversion circuit 32 stops the voltage conversion operation.

[0031] The conductive path 84 is provided between the second current path 82 and the discharge unit 30. The blocking unit 14 is provided between the conductive path 84 and the conductive path 31. The blocking unit 14 can be formed, for example, by FETs arranged in opposite directions or can be formed by other semiconductor switches that bidirectionally block the current flow. In this case, the blocking unit 14, in the on state, enables bidirectional current flow between the second current path 82 and the conductive path 31 (specifically, current flow between the second current path 82 and the voltage conversion circuit 32), and in the off state, the blocking unit 14 bidirectionally blocks the current flow between the second current path 82 and the conductive path 31.

[0032] In a representative example, the blocking unit 14 is configured to bidirectionally block the flow of current when the blocking unit 14 is turned off. In this example, the blocking unit 14 alternates between a blocking state (off state), in which it blocks the flow of current from the conductive path 31 to the second current path 82 via the blocking unit 14, and a conducting state (on state), in which it allows the flow of current.

[0033] The first voltage detection unit 51, the second voltage detection unit 52, and the third voltage detection unit 53 are each configured as a known voltage detection circuit. The first voltage detection unit 51 detects the voltage of the current path 80 (more specifically, the first current path 81) and provides the control unit 61 with a voltage signal capable of indicating the voltage of the current path 80. The second voltage detection unit 52 provides the control unit 61 with a voltage signal capable of indicating the voltage of the conductive path 83, i.e., the output voltage of the power storage unit 13. The third voltage detection unit 53 provides the control unit 61 with a voltage signal capable of indicating the voltage of the conductive path 31.

[0034] The on-board control device 60 is a device that controls the charging process performed by the charging unit 20 and the discharging process performed by the discharging unit 30. The on-board control device 60 includes the control unit 61.

[0035] The control unit 61 is a device that controls the charging unit 20 and the discharging unit 30. In the representative example described below, the control unit 61 also controls the first switching unit 12 and the blocking unit 14. The control unit 61 is configured, for example, as an MCU (microcontroller unit). The control unit 61 receives input signals provided by the first voltage detection unit 51, the second voltage detection unit 52, and the third voltage detection unit 53. Based on these signals, the control unit 61 determines the voltage of the current path 80 (more specifically, the first current path 81), the output voltage of the power storage unit 13, and the voltage of the conductive path 31 (i.e., the output voltage of the discharging unit 30).

[0036] When controlling the charging unit 20, the control unit 61, for example, outputs a PWM signal, by which a turn-on signal for turning on the second switching unit 21 is periodically output, to the second switching unit 21 of the charging unit 20 and controls the duty cycle of this PWM signal. Then, the control unit 61 adjusts the PWM signal output to the second switching unit 21 to adjust the charging current supplied to the power storage unit 13. Note that the method for controlling the charging current by the control unit 61 is not limited to this example, and other known methods may be used.

[0037] For example, the control unit 61 may cause the voltage conversion circuit 32 to perform a voltage conversion operation such that the voltage applied to the conductive path 31 is a target voltage.

[0038] The following description refers to the operation of the vehicle's own control device 60.

[0039] The control unit 61 starts the reserve response control as shown in Fig. 2 when a predetermined start condition is met. The above-described start condition may be, for example, that a start switch of the vehicle in which the on-vehicle system 100 is installed is switched from an off state to an on state. In this case, the start switch may be, for example, an ignition switch or a power switch provided in an electric vehicle. The start condition may be a condition different from those mentioned above, such as receiving a predetermined signal from an external ECU (electronic control unit), or it may be another condition.

[0040] If the control in Fig. 2, the control unit 61 determines in step S1 whether the voltage of the current path 80 (specifically, the voltage of the first current path 81) is less than or equal to an undervoltage threshold Vth1. The undervoltage threshold Vth1 corresponds to the first threshold. The undervoltage threshold Vth1 is a value greater than 0 V. The undervoltage threshold Vth1 is a value less than the output voltage of the power source unit 10 when fully charged and a value greater than a failure determination voltage Vth2, which will be described later.

[0041] If the control unit 61 determines in step S1 that the voltage of the first current path 81 is not less than or equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S2. If the first switching unit 12 is turned on immediately before the start of step S2, the control unit 61 maintains the first switching unit 12 in the on state in step S2, and if the first switching unit 12 is turned off immediately before the start of step S2, the control unit 61 turns on the first switching unit 12 in step S2. If the voltage of the first current path 81 is not less than or equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1, the load 11 can be supplied with electrical power from the power source unit 10 when the first switching unit 12 is turned on.

[0042] After step S2, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S3. If the discharging performed by the discharging unit 30 is stopped immediately before the start of step S3, the control unit 61 maintains the "discharging stopped" state in step S3, and if the discharging performed by the discharging unit 30 is taking place immediately before the start of step S3, the control unit 61 switches to the "discharging stopped" state in step S3. The "discharging stopped" state is a state in which no current is supplied from the discharging unit 30 to the second current path 82. The "discharging stopped" state may be a state in which the voltage conversion circuit 32 performs a voltage conversion operation to apply an output voltage to the conductive path 31, and the blocking unit 14 is turned off (in the blocking state).The “discharge stopped” state may be a state in which the voltage conversion circuit 32 has stopped the voltage conversion process and the conductive path 83 and the conductive path 31 are electrically separated.

[0043] After step S3, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S4 and determines whether a predetermined charging condition is met. The charging condition is, for example, "that the output voltage of the power storage unit 13 (the voltage of the conductive path 83) is less than or equal to a threshold voltage Vth4." The threshold voltage Vth4 corresponds to a fourth threshold. The threshold voltage Vth4 is a value greater than 0 V. The threshold voltage Vth4 is desirably, for example, a value less than the undervoltage threshold Vth1. However, the threshold voltage Vth4 may also be a value greater than the undervoltage threshold Vth1, or may be equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1.Note that the charging condition is not limited to the above example and may be, for example, "that the voltage of the first current path 81 is greater than the voltage of the conductive path 83." In a representative example described below, the charging condition is "that the voltage of the conductive path 83 is less than or equal to the threshold voltage Vth4." Where, the threshold voltage Vth4 is a value less than the undervoltage threshold Vth1.

[0044] If the control unit 61 determines in step S4 that the above-described charging condition is satisfied, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S5, and if the control unit 61 determines that the above-described charging condition is not satisfied, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S6. If the charging state exists immediately before the start of step S5, the control unit 61 maintains the charging state in step S5, and if the charging-paused state exists immediately before the start of step S5, the control unit 61 switches to the charging state in step S5. If the charging-paused state exists immediately before the start of step S6, the control unit 61 maintains the charging-paused state in step S6, and if the charging state exists immediately before the start of step S6, the control unit 61 switches to the charging-paused state in step S6.In the example of . Fig. 1, the charging state is a state in which the second switching unit 21 is maintained in the on state. The "charging stopped" state is a state in which the second switching unit 21 is maintained in the off state. When the "charging stopped" state is entered in step S6, the load 11 can be supplied with electrical energy from the power source unit 10 while the charging process is stopped, as shown in Fig. 3. In the charging state, a charging current is supplied to the power storage unit 13 based on the current from the power source unit 10 when the voltage of the first current path 81 is higher than the voltage of the conductive path 83. Therefore, when the charging state is entered in step S5, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is higher than the voltage of the conductive path 83, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, electrical energy is supplied to the power storage unit 13 from the power source unit 10 while the load 11 is supplied with electrical energy. After step S5 or step S6, the control unit 61 returns the processing to step S1.

[0045] If the control unit 61 determines in step S1 that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S7. If the first switching unit 12 is off immediately before the start of step S7, the control unit 61 maintains the first switching unit 12 in the off state in step S7, and if the first switching unit 12 is on immediately before the start of step S7, the control unit 61 turns off the first switching unit 12 in step S7.

[0046] After step S7, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S8. If the discharging operation state exists immediately before the start of step S8, the control unit 61 maintains this discharging operation state in step S8, and if the discharging performed by the discharging unit 30 is stopped immediately before the start of step S8, the control unit 61 switches to the discharging operation state in step S8. The discharging operation state is a state in which the discharging unit 30 performs a discharging operation and in which the discharging unit 30 supplies a discharging current to the second current path 82 based on the electric energy from the power storage unit 13. Specifically, the discharging operation state is a state in which the inhibit unit 14 is turned on and the voltage conversion circuit 32 performs voltage conversion to apply a target voltage to the conductive path 31.The target voltage may be equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1, a value greater than the undervoltage threshold Vth1, or a value less than the undervoltage threshold Vth1. For example, the target voltage described above is a value greater than the failure determination voltage Vth2. When the first switching unit 12 remains off, power is supplied from the voltage conversion circuit 32 to the second current path 82 based on the current supplied from the power storage unit 13 when the above-mentioned discharge operation state exists.

[0047] After step S8, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S9 and determines whether the above-described charging condition is met. If the control unit 61 determines that the above-described charging condition is met in step S9, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S10, and if the control unit 61 determines that the above-described charging condition is not met, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S11. If the charging state exists immediately before the start of step S10, the control unit 61 maintains the charging state in step S10, and if the charging stopped state exists immediately before the start of step S10, the control unit 61 switches to the charging state in step S10.If the "charging stopped" state exists immediately before the start of step S11, the control unit 61 maintains the "charging stopped" state in step S11, and if the charging operation state exists immediately before the start of step S11, the control unit 61 switches to the "charging stopped" state in step S11. Thus, in a representative example, the control unit 61 causes the discharging unit 30 to perform a discharging operation when the voltage of the current path 80 (more specifically, the first current path 81) is less than or equal to the undervoltage threshold Vth1, and causes the charging unit 20 to perform a charging operation when the output voltage of the power storage unit 13 (the voltage of the conductive path 83) is less than or equal to the threshold voltage Vth4.The control in which the control unit 61 causes the discharge unit 30 to perform a discharge operation while causing the charging unit 20 to perform a charging operation corresponds to an example of the first control. When the charging operation state is entered in step S10, if the voltage of the first current path 81 is higher than the voltage of the conductive path 83, the load 11 can be supplied with electric power based on the electric power from the power storage unit 13 side while the power source unit 10 is supplied to the power storage unit 13 side, as shown in FIG. Fig. 5 is shown.

[0048] If the control unit 61 specifies the discharging operation state in step S8 and the charging operation state in step S10, then during the period in which the discharging operation performed by the discharging unit 30 and the charging operation performed by the charging unit 20 are performed in parallel, the control unit 61 performs control such that the electric power supplied from the charging unit 20 to the power storage unit 13 is greater than or equal to the electric power supplied by the discharging unit 30 through discharging. The specific control method is not limited. For example, the control unit 61 may calculate the amount of electric power per time that the discharging unit 30 supplies through discharging and cause the charging unit 20 to perform charging such that the amount of electric power per time that the charging unit 20 supplies to the power storage unit 13 is greater than or equal to the calculated value.The "amount of electrical energy per unit of time supplied by the discharge unit 30 through discharging" can be calculated, for example, based on the voltage of the conductive path 31 and the current flowing through the conductive path 31. The "amount of electrical energy per unit of time supplied by the charging unit 20 to the power storage unit 13" can be calculated, for example, based on the voltage of the path between the charging unit 20 and the conductive path 83 and the current flowing through this path.

[0049] After step S10 or step S11, the control unit 61 continues processing with step S12 and determines in step S12 whether the voltage of the current path 80 (specifically, the voltage of the first current path 81) is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2. The failure determination voltage Vth2 corresponds to a second threshold value. The failure determination voltage Vth2 is a value greater than 0 V. The failure determination voltage Vth2 is a value less than the undervoltage threshold value Vth1. The failure determination voltage Vth2 is a value less than the threshold voltage Vth4.If the control unit 61 determines in step S12 that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S13, and if the control unit 61 determines that the voltage of the first current path 81 is not less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the control unit 61 returns the processing to step S1.

[0050] If the control unit 61 continues processing to step S13, the control unit 61 determines in step S13 whether a predetermined failure determination condition is met. The failure determination condition is, for example, "that the voltage of the first current path 81 is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 for a certain period of time." If the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is met, then processing proceeds to step S14, and if the control unit 61 determines that the failure determination condition is not met, then processing returns to step S1.In this embodiment, when a voltage condition that the voltage of the current path 80 (specifically, the voltage of the first current path 81) is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 is satisfied, but a failure determination condition other than the voltage condition is not satisfied (when the determination result in step S13 is No), the control unit 61 executes the above-mentioned first control when the charging condition is satisfied. Specifically, immediately after step S10, when the determination result in step S12 is Yes and the determination result in step S13 is No, the first control is performed, and when the first control is performed, electric power is supplied in the same manner as in FIG. Fig. 5 supplied.

[0051] If the "charging stopped" state exists immediately before the start of step S14, the control unit 61 maintains the "charging stopped" state in step S14, and if the charging operation state exists immediately before the start of step S14, the control unit 61 switches to the "charging stopped" state in step S14. "Control that causes the discharging unit 30 to perform a discharging operation without causing the charging unit 20 to perform a charging operation" corresponds to an example of the second control.In a representative example, in step S14, after the voltage condition that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 is satisfied, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 for a certain period of time, the control unit 61 executes the second control, causes the charging unit 20 to stop charging, causes the discharging unit 30 to perform discharging, and keeps the first switching unit 12 in the off state. When the second control is performed in this way in step S14, the load 11 is supplied with electric power from the power storage unit 13 in a state where the power supply from the power source unit 10 to the load 11 is stopped and the power supply from the power source unit 10 to the power storage unit 13 is stopped, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6 is shown.

[0052] Thus, in step S14, the control unit 61 performs control such that the charging operation is paused while the discharging operation is performed. However, in addition to or instead of paused the charging operation, the control unit 61 may output a notification signal to an external device (e.g., an ECU other than the on-vehicle control unit 60) to notify that the power source unit 10 has failed. In this example, when the external device receives the notification signal, the external device may notify people in the vehicle compartment of an abnormality (e.g., that a power source failure has occurred) via audio or display.

[0053] In the representative example described above, after the "voltage condition that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2" is satisfied, the control unit 61 maintains the first switching unit 12 in the off state until a certain period of time elapses during which the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 (that is, during which the determination of Yes in steps S1 and S12 and No in step S13 is repeated). Accordingly, during the period when there is a risk of failure, the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 can be electrically disconnected.

[0054] In a representative example, the control unit 61 turns on the first switching unit 12 under the condition that, after the voltage condition that "the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2" is satisfied, the voltage of the first current path 81 exceeds the failure determination voltage Vth2 before a certain period of time elapses during which the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2. For example, the first switching unit 12 is turned on in step S2 when the voltage of the first current path 81 exceeds the undervoltage threshold Vth1 while repeatedly determining Yes in steps S1 and S12 and No in step S13.Accordingly, even if the voltage of the first current path 81 temporarily falls below the failure determination voltage Vth2, normal operation can be restored if the voltage of the first current path 81 exceeds the undervoltage threshold Vth1 again before the elapse of the above-mentioned certain period of time.

[0055] The above description refers to the effects of the vehicle's own control device 60.

[0056] When the voltage of the current path 80 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the on-vehicle control device 60 can discharge the power storage unit 13 and supply electrical power to the load 11 early, even if the failure determination condition is not met. Therefore, the on-vehicle control device 60 can reduce the risk of interrupting the supply of electrical power to the load 11 in the event of a power source failure. On the other hand, when the voltage of the current path 80 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the charging operation performed by the charging unit 20 can continue unless the failure determination condition is met.For this reason, even if the voltage of the current path 80 temporarily drops due to noise or the like, which causes an increased discharge of the power storage unit 13, a reduction in the state of charge of the power storage unit 13 can be suppressed.

[0057] When the voltage of the current path 80 is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 for a certain period of time, that is, when the probability of power source failure has further increased, the on-vehicle controller 60 executes the second control and stops charging, thereby counteracting a case where the state of the current path 80 influences the power storage unit 13 side through the charging. For example, if a ground fault occurs in the first current path 81 and the voltage drops to or below the failure determination voltage Vth2, there is a fear that if the charging is continued for too long, the energy stored in the power storage unit 13 will be lost due to discharge of the power storage unit 13 via the ground fault.However, if the charging is stopped when the voltage is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 for a certain period of time, subsequent discharging can be suppressed.

[0058] When the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the on-vehicle control device 60 can put the first switching unit 12 (switching unit) into the off state to prevent current from flowing from the second current path 82 to the first current path 81 until a certain period of time has elapsed during which the voltage is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2. Accordingly, when a power failure causes the voltage of the first current path 81 to drop to or below the failure determination voltage Vth2, it is possible to reliably prohibit the discharge current from the power storage unit 13 from being supplied to the first current path 81 and simultaneously supply the discharge current to the load 11.On the other hand, when the first current path 81, after the above-described voltage condition is satisfied, again exceeds the failure determination voltage Vth2 before a certain period of time elapses during which the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the on-vehicle control device 60 can return to supplying the load 11 with electric power from the power source unit 10 by turning on the first switching unit 12. Accordingly, even if the voltage of the first current path 81 temporarily drops to or below the failure determination voltage Vth2 due to noise or the like, normal operation can be quickly restored if the voltage returns soon.Even if a discharge operation is repeated due to such a temporary voltage drop, charging is likely to be performed each time, and therefore, a decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit 13 is suppressed. Furthermore, after the above-described voltage condition is satisfied, the on-vehicle controller 60 turns off the first switching unit 12 and stops the charging operation when a certain period of time elapses during which the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage. Therefore, when the probability of power source failure further increases, the load 11 can be supplied with the discharge current from the power storage unit 13 while preventing the state of the first current path 81 from affecting the second current path 82 side. Second embodiment

[0059] The on-board control device 60 according to the second embodiment is—except for the failure determination condition—the same as the on-board control device 60 according to the first embodiment. The on-board system 100 using the on-board control device 60 according to the second embodiment is—except for the failure determination condition—the same as the on-board system 100 using the on-board control device 60 according to the first embodiment, and has a configuration as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the reserve response control performed by the control unit 61 of the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the second embodiment is—except for the specific determination process in step S13—the same as the reserve response control performed by the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0060] In the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the second embodiment, when the control unit 61 executes the reserve response control from Fig. 2, the failure determination condition in step S13 is "that current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side." That is, if the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that "current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side," then the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is satisfied and proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that "no current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side," then the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is not satisfied and returns the processing to step S1. If the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is satisfied (ie,, when current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side), the control unit 61 executes the above-mentioned second control in step S14.

[0061] Whether current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side can be determined in various ways. For example, when the second switching unit 21 is turned on, the voltages at both ends of the resistance unit 22 are detected, and if the voltage of the terminal of the resistance unit 22 on the first current path 81 side is lower than the voltage of the terminal on the conductive path 83 side, then the control unit 61 can determine that "current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side." Alternatively, a current sensor may be provided in a configuration in which the current sensor is connected in series with the second switching unit 21 and the resistance unit 22 on a path on which the second switching unit 21 and the resistance unit 22 are connected in series.In this case, the control unit 61 may obtain a detection value of the above-mentioned current sensor, and when a current equal to or greater than a certain value flows in the direction from the charging unit 20 to the first current path 81, the control unit 61 may determine that “current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side.”

[0062] Also, in the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the second embodiment, the first switching unit 12 (switching unit) is provided on the current path 80. The charging unit 20 supplies power to the power storage unit 13 based on the electric power supplied from the first current path 81 (the current path in the current path 80 on the power source unit 10 side relative to the first switching unit 12). Then, the discharging unit 30 performs a discharging operation to cause current to flow via the second current path 82 (the current path on the current path 80 on the load 11 side relative to the first switching unit 12). Bidirectional current flow between the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 is possible when the first switching unit 12 is turned on, and at least current flow from the second current path 82 to the first current path 81 is prohibited when the first switching unit 12 is turned off.It should be noted that while it is desirable for the current flow between the first current path 81 and the second current path 82 to be bidirectionally blocked when the first switching unit 12 is turned off, the design may also be such that current flow from the first current path 81 to the second current path 82 is possible when the first switching unit 12 is turned off.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the control unit 61 may execute the first control under the condition that the above-mentioned voltage condition (the voltage condition that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2) is satisfied and no current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side. Specifically, after step S10, when the control unit 61 determines Yes in step S12 and No in step S13, the control unit 61 executes the first control such that the first switching unit 12 is placed in the off state and the discharging unit 30 is caused to perform a discharging operation while the charging unit 20 is caused to perform a charging operation.On the other hand, when the voltage condition that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 is met and current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side, the control unit 61 executes the second control while keeping the first switching unit 12 turned off. Specifically, when the control unit 61 determines Yes in step S12 and Yes in step S13, the control unit 61 executes the second control to put the first switching unit 12 in the turned-off state and cause the discharging unit 30 to perform a discharging operation without causing the charging unit 20 to perform a charging operation.

[0064] In the on-vehicle control device 60 according to this embodiment, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the charging operation performed by the charging unit 20 can be continued unless the failure determination condition is met. For this reason, even if the discharge of the power storage unit 13 increases due to noise or the like, a decrease in the state of charge of the power storage unit 13 can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, the on-vehicle control device 60 executes the second control and stops the charging operation when current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side.By performing such control, the on-vehicle control device 60 can prevent the state of the current path 80 due to the charging operation from affecting the power storage unit 13 side. For example, if a ground fault occurs in the current path 80 and the voltage of the current path 80 drops to or below the failure determination voltage Vth2 due to the ground fault, there is a fear that a large current will flow to the ground fault location when the charging operation continues. However, if the second control is executed when current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side, the occurrence of such a problem is less likely.

[0065] The on-vehicle control device 60 according to this embodiment executes the first control under the condition that no current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side when the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2. Accordingly, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2, it is possible to perform charging after confirming that the possibility of a ground fault is low.On the other hand, when the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 and current flows from the charging unit 20 side to the current path 80 side, that is, when there is a high possibility of a ground fault, the first switching unit 12 is set to the off state and the second control is executed, whereby the load 11 can be supplied with a discharge current based on the power storage unit 13 while preventing current from flowing from the second current path 82 to the first current path 81 and current from flowing from the power storage unit 13 to the first current path 81. Third embodiment

[0066] The on-board control device 60 according to the third embodiment is—except for the failure determination condition—the same as the on-board control device 60 according to the first embodiment. The on-board system 100 using the on-board control device 60 according to the third embodiment is—except for the failure determination condition—the same as the on-board system 100 using the on-board control device 60 according to the first embodiment, and has a configuration as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the reserve response control performed by the control unit 61 of the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the third embodiment is the same as the reserve response control performed by the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the first embodiment, except for the specific determination process in step S13. Accordingly, the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0067] In the on-vehicle control device 60 according to the third embodiment, when the control unit 61 executes the reserve response control from Fig. 2, the failure determination condition in step S13 is "that the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to a reference voltage Vth3, which is lower than the failure determination voltage Vth2." The reference voltage Vth3 corresponds to a third threshold value. The reference voltage Vth3 is a value greater than zero. The reference voltage Vth3 is a value less than the threshold voltage Vth4. If the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that "the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the reference voltage Vth3," then the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is met and proceeds to step S14.On the other hand, if the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that "the voltage of the first current path 81 is greater than the reference voltage Vth3," the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is not met and returns the processing to step S1. If the control unit 61 determines in step S13 that the failure determination condition is met (that is, if the voltage of the first current path 81 is less than or equal to the reference voltage Vth3), the control unit 61 executes the above-mentioned second control in step S14 and causes the discharging unit 30 to perform a discharging operation without causing the charging unit 20 to perform a charging operation. Further embodiments

[0068] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the features of the embodiments described above or below can be combined in any way as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, any feature of the embodiments described above or below can be omitted unless expressly stated as essential. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be modified as follows.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, when the above-mentioned charging condition is satisfied, the control unit 61 executes the first control in the case where the voltage condition that the voltage of the current path 80 is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage Vth2 is satisfied, but a failure determination condition other than the voltage condition is not satisfied. However, the control unit 61 may also execute the first control whenever the above-mentioned voltage condition is satisfied but the above-mentioned failure determination condition is not satisfied.

[0070] In the embodiments described above, the vehicle's own control device 60 includes at least the control unit 61. However, the vehicle's own control device 60 may also include the entire power source system 3.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, the power source system 3 includes the power source unit 10 and the power storage unit 13. However, even in the above-described embodiments, even if the on-vehicle control device 60 is configured to include the entire power source system 3, the power source system 3 may be modified to a configuration in which only the power source unit 10 is removed from the configuration of the above-described power source system 3, or modified to a configuration in which only the power storage unit 13 is removed from the configuration of the above-described power source system 3, or modified to a configuration in which the power source unit 10 and the power storage unit 13 are removed from the configuration of the above-described power source system 3.

[0072] In the embodiments described above, as an example of the blocking unit 14, a switching element with a predetermined structure is illustrated, which switches between a state of allowing a bidirectional current flow and a state of blocking the bidirectional current flow, but there is no limitation to this example. For example, the blocking unit 14 can be Fig. 1 may be formed by a single FET with a parasitic diode, the anode of which is connected in such a way that it is connected to the conductive path 31 in a low-resistance manner, and the cathode of which is connected in such a way that it is connected to the second current path 82 in a low-resistance manner. Alternatively, the blocking unit 14 may be Fig. 1 to a diode whose anode is electrically connected in such a way that it is connected in a low-resistance manner to the conductive path 31, and whose cathode is electrically connected in such a way that it is connected in a low-resistance manner to the conductive path 84.

[0073] Although the first switching unit 12 was illustrated as an example of an element provided on the current path 80 in the above-described embodiments, the first switching unit 12 may be changed to an element of a different type capable of blocking the current flow from the load 11 side to the power source unit 10 side. For example, in the embodiment of Fig.1, the first switching unit 12 may be changed to a diode, and in this case, the anode of the diode may be electrically connected such that it is connected to the first current path 81 with low resistance, and the cathode may be electrically connected such that it is connected to the second current path 82 with low resistance.

[0074] In the above-described embodiments, the charging unit 20 has a configuration including the second switching unit 21 and the resistance unit 22, but it may also have a different configuration. For example, the charging unit 20 may be constituted by a voltage conversion circuit (e.g., a DC-DC converter), and in this case, the voltage conversion circuit may perform a boost or buck operation using the voltage applied to the first current path 81 as an input voltage and perform a charging operation (voltage conversion operation) to apply an output voltage to the conductive path 83.

[0075] Although the discharge unit 30 has a configuration including the voltage conversion circuit 32 in the above-described embodiments, the discharge unit 30 may also have a configuration that does not include the voltage conversion circuit 32. For example, the discharge unit 30 may be changed to a switching element.

[0076] It should be noted that the presently disclosed embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the presently disclosed embodiments, but is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or the scope equivalent to the claims. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 3 vehicle's own power source system 10 Power source unit 11 Last 12 first switching unit 13 Power storage unit 14 Locking unit 20 loading units 21 second switching unit 22 resistance units 30 unloading unit 31 conductive path 32 voltage conversion circuit 51 first voltage detection unit 52 second voltage detection unit 53 third voltage detection unit 60 vehicle-specific control device 61 Control unit 80 current path 81 first current path 82 second current path 83 conductive path 84 conductive path 100 vehicle-specific system 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 2011 - 024 288 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] An on-vehicle control device for use in an on-vehicle system, comprising a power source unit, a power storage unit different from the power source unit, a current path that is a route for supplying electric power from the power source unit to a load, a charging unit configured to perform a charging operation to supply a power to the power storage unit based on the electric power supplied from the power source unit, and a discharging unit configured to perform a discharging operation to cause power to flow to the load side based on the electric power supplied from the power storage unit, wherein the on-vehicle control device is configured to control the charging operation performed by the charging unit and the discharging operation performed by the discharging unit, wherein the vehicle's own control device comprises a control unit configured to control the charging unit and the discharging unit, and wherein the control unit is capable of executing a first control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation and simultaneously causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and a second control for causing the discharging unit to perform the discharging operation without causing the charging unit to perform the charging operation, and executing the first control when a voltage condition that a voltage of the current path is less than or equal to a failure determination voltage is satisfied, but a failure determination condition different from the voltage condition is not satisfied. [2] Vehicle-specific control device according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination condition comprises that the voltage of the current path is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage for a certain period of time, and the control unit executes the second control when the voltage of the current path is continuously less than or equal to the failure determination voltage for the specified period of time. [3] Vehicle-specific control device according to claim 2, wherein the on-board system comprises a switching unit provided on the current path, the charging unit supplies power to the power storage unit based on electrical energy supplied from a first power path arranged on the power path relative to the switching unit on the power source unit side, the discharge unit carries out the discharge process in such a way that current is caused to flow via a second current path which is arranged on the current path relative to the switching unit on the side of the load, a bidirectional current flow between the first current path and the second current path is possible when the switching unit is switched on, and a current flow at least from the second current path to the first current path is blocked when the switching unit is switched off, and the control unit keeps the switching unit off until a certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met, turns on the switching unit under a condition that the voltage of the current path is greater than the failure determination voltage before the certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met, and stops the charging process and at the same time keeps the switching unit off when the certain period of time during which the current path is less than or equal to the failure determination voltage has elapsed after the voltage condition has been met. [4] Vehicle-specific control device according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination condition includes current flowing from the charging unit side to the current path side, and the control unit executes the second control when current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side. [5] Vehicle-specific control device according to claim 4, wherein the on-board system comprises a switching unit provided on the current path, the charging unit supplies power to the power storage unit based on electrical energy supplied from a first power path arranged on the power path relative to the switching unit on the power source unit side, the discharge unit carries out the discharge process in such a way that current is caused to flow via a second current path which is arranged on the current path relative to the switching unit on the side of the load, a bidirectional current flow between the first current path and the second current path is possible when the switching unit is switched on, and a current flow at least from the second current path to the first current path is blocked when the switching unit is switched off, and the control unit executes the first control under a condition that the voltage condition is satisfied and no current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side, and executes the second control while keeping the switching unit off when the voltage condition is satisfied and current flows from the charging unit side to the current path side. [6] Vehicle-specific control device according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination condition comprises that the voltage of the current path is less than or equal to a reference voltage that is less than the failure determination voltage, and the control unit executes the second control when the voltage of the current path is less than or equal to the reference voltage.

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