Heating system

Abstract

Task: To provide a heating system that can meet the requirement for instantaneous heating output. Means of solving: Heating device 10 comprises: electrical resistance elements 11 which can generate heat according to several current consumption requirements from the vehicle, an upper layer switching element 121 and a lower layer switching element 122 which are connected in series via the electrical resistance elements 11, a bootstrap capacitor 125 which accumulates an electrical charge to open the upper layer switching element 121, and a control means 13 for controlling the switching on and off of the electrical resistance elements 11 by controlling the opening / closing of the upper layer switching element 121 and the lower layer switching element 122, wherein the control means 13 closes the upper layer switching element 121 and opens the lower layer switching element 122 when it is determined that none of the several current consumption requirements are present, and causesthat the electrical charge accumulates in the bootstrap capacitor 125.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device for a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Conventional vehicle air conditioning systems, whether motor vehicles, EV vehicles, or hybrid vehicles, are provided with a heating device (heating medium heating device) that heats a heating medium circulating through a heat exchanger (heater core) for air conditioning (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, air conditioning systems for vehicles, particularly in EV and hybrid vehicles, are also known, in which the heater of the heating device is used for an air conditioning application in which the heater functions as a heating apparatus in an air conditioner, and for a regeneration application in which the heater functions as a load that consumes regeneration power generated by regeneration (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Specifically, in the air conditioning system for vehicles disclosed in Patent Document 2, a high-voltage auxiliary device (heater) is connected via communication lines to an air conditioning control unit (A / C ECU) and a vehicle control unit (V / ECU), which are external devices. The high-voltage auxiliary device includes a switching unit that, when multiple different requests are received from the external devices, performs switching of the received requests.When an air conditioning request for operating the high-voltage heater for air conditioning purposes is received from the air conditioning ECU and a regeneration request for operating the high-voltage heater for regeneration purposes is received from the vehicle ECU, this mediation part mediates the received requests by adding the indication values ​​included in the two requests or setting priorities for the two requests, etc. LIST OF REFERENCE DOCUMENTSPATENT DOCUMENTS Patent Document 1: JP 2021-54145 A Patent Document 2: JP 2018-114943 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, the problem with conventional heating systems was that the measures taken in the event of an instantaneous heating power requirement were insufficient.

[0005] Specifically, in a vehicle equipped with a regeneration device and a storage device, for example, when the regeneration current generated by the regeneration device exceeds the storage capacity of the storage device, it is desirable to consume the excess current early (instantly) as heating power. A problem exists that the heating power is ultimately controlled by a switching element that energizes the heater, and even if priority is given to the heating power requirement (regeneration requirement in Patent Document 2), the instantaneous power consumption requirement cannot be met if the switching element starts voltage control slowly.

[0006] In view of this fact, the present invention provides a heating device that can meet the requirement for instantaneous heating power. SOLUTION OF THE TASKS

[0007] The present invention relates to a heating device comprising: electrical resistance elements capable of generating heat in accordance with a plurality of power consumption requests from the vehicle, an upper-layer switching element and a lower-layer switching element connected in series across the electrical resistance elements, a bootstrap capacitor accumulating an electrical charge to open the upper-layer switching element, and control means for controlling the switching on and off of the electrical resistance elements by controlling the opening / closing of the upper-layer switching element and the lower-layer switching element, characterized in that the control means closes the upper-layer switching element and opens the lower-layer switching element when it is determined that none of the plurality of power consumption requests exists, and causesthat the electrical charge accumulates in the bootstrap capacitor. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the heating device of the present invention, the excellent effect of providing a heating device that can meet the instantaneous heating power requirement can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a view showing the configuration of a heating device of the present invention, wherein (A) is an overview block diagram, (B) is a plan view showing the overview of the configuration of the device, and (C) is a side view showing the overview of the configuration of the device. Fig. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram in which a control and driving means in the heating device of the present invention are drawn and shown. Fig. Figure 3 shows a functional block diagram illustrating the heating device of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating voltage control in the heating device of the present invention, wherein (A) to (D) show the change in duty cycle over one program processing cycle of a low-speed starting processing part in this order, (E) shows an example of the change over time of the output (current) of the electrical resistance elements by the same low-speed starting processing part, (F) and (G) show the change in duty cycle over one program processing cycle of a high-speed starting processing part in this order, (H) shows an example of the change over time of the output (current) of the electrical resistance elements by the same high-speed starting processing part,and (I) to (J) show an example of the temporal change of the output (current) of the electrical resistance elements when the low-speed starting processing part and the high-speed starting processing part are superimposed. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a precharging means, wherein (A) shows the voltage control and the accumulation state of the electric charge in the bootstrap capacitor when the precharging is performed, and (B) shows the voltage control and the accumulation state of the electric charge in the bootstrap capacitor when the precharging is not performed. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of heating control processing in the heating device of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing the command signals included in the power consumption request in the heater of the present invention and the changes in the state of the heater based on these signals. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 show examples of embodiments of the present invention, wherein parts with the same symbols in the drawings represent the same configuration. In each drawing, some of the configurations are omitted to simplify the drawings. Furthermore, in each drawing, the shape and dimensions of some of the configurations are exaggerated as appropriate. <Gesamtausbildung der Heizeinrichtung>

[0010] Fig. Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a heating device 10 of the present embodiment, wherein Fig. 1(A) is a block diagram showing the overview of the heating device 10, Fig. 1(B) is a plan view showing the outline of the configuration of the heating device 10, and Fig. 1(C) is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of the heater 10.

[0011] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the heating device 10 in the present embodiment forms part of a vehicle air conditioner S. The heating device 10 is a heating medium heating device that heats a heating medium Hm circulating via a heat exchanger (heater core) for air conditioning in a vehicle air conditioner 21. The vehicle in which the heating device 10 of the present embodiment is installed is, for example, an EV or a hybrid vehicle, which has a regeneration device 4 and is configured such that a regeneration current generated by the regeneration device 4 during braking is stored in a storage device 6. The storage device 6 serves as a DC power source for supplying power to the heating device 10.

[0012] In this vehicle air conditioner, the heater 10 is used for an application (air conditioning application) in which the heater 10 consumes power as an air heater inside the vehicle in the vehicle air conditioner 21, and for an application (surplus power consumption application) in which the heater 10 consumes surplus power when the regeneration power exceeds the storage capacity in the storage device 6.

[0013] That is, the heating device 10 accepts: a request for power consumption as air heating in the air conditioner 21 for vehicles sent based on the control of the air conditioner 21 for vehicles (first power consumption request, hereinafter also referred to as “air conditioning power consumption request”), and a request for power consumption as surplus power consumption in the case where the regeneration power generated by the regeneration device 4 during braking exceeds the storage capacity in the storage device 6, sent based on the control of the regeneration device 4 and / or the storage device 6 of the vehicle (second power consumption request, hereinafter also referred to as “surplus power consumption request”), and heats the heating medium Hm based on these requests.

[0014] The first power consumption request is a request signal containing at least one piece of information (first request value) corresponding to the amount of power consumed as an air conditioning application, and the second power consumption request is a request signal containing at least one piece of information (second request value) corresponding to the amount of power consumed as an excess power consumption application.

[0015] In the Fig. In the example shown in Fig. 1(A), the transmitter of the first power consumption request (first request transmission means) is the control part (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) of the air conditioner 21 for vehicles, and the transmitter of the second power consumption request (second request transmission means) is, for example, the control part (ECU) of, for example, a charging control device 22 that controls the regeneration device 4 and / or the storage device 6, which and the heating device 10 are connected by a wired or wireless communication line.

[0016] While a detailed description of the ECU of the air conditioner 21 (hereinafter referred to as the air conditioner ECU 1) and the ECU of the charging control device 22 (hereinafter referred to as the charging ECU 2) will be omitted, they each include a memory such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile storage part such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a communication control part. The CPU, the memory, the storage part, and the communication control part are communicatively connected to each other via an internal bus. The communication control part is connected to the heater 10 via a communication line and can send information (signals), power consumption requests, etc., to the heater 10.

[0017] As in Fig. 1(A) to Fig. 1(C), the heater 10 includes, for example, electrical resistance elements 11 (11a, 11b), a drive means 12 for the electrical resistance elements 11, a control means (control part) 13, a demand receiving means 14, and various sensors not shown. The electrical resistance elements 11 generate heat by applying current according to a plurality of power consumption demands sent from a vehicle-mounted computer, and constitute the heater of the heater 10. In the following explanation and drawings, the term "heater" is sometimes used to refer to the electrical resistance elements 11.

[0018] The drive means 12 (heater drive means 12) of the electrical resistance elements 11, the control means 13, and the request receiving means 14 are arranged as electronic components on a control board 1. The control means 13 is formed of a computing unit (e.g., CPU), a storage means (a volatile memory (RAM, ROM) or a non-volatile storage means (HDD, SDD)), etc. The control means 13 holds various programs in the storage means and executes the programs or various calculations to comprehensively control each part (each configuration) of the heating device 10. The control means 13 may be the ECU of the heating device 10.

[0019] The request receiving means 14 comprises a communication means 19, which in this example communicates with the air conditioning ECU 1 and the charging ECU 2, and accepts a first power consumption request and a second power consumption request as well as various other requests from the air conditioning ECU 1 and the charging ECU 2.

[0020] The heating control means 12 comprises switching elements 121, 122 and their drivers (in Fig. 1 not shown), the details of which will be described later, as in Fig. 1(B) and Fig. 1(C). The control means 13 controls the opening / closing of the switching elements 121, 122 and thereby controls the switching on and off of the electrical resistance elements 11.

[0021] The electrical resistance elements 11 and the control board 1 are housed in a housing 2, and a pipe 3 is provided in the housing 2, connecting the interior and exterior thereof. Two pipes 3 are provided, forming an inlet 3A and an outlet 3B, the interior of which serves as a flow channel for the heating medium Hm. The heating medium Hm is, for example, water, but can also be coolant or oil. The housing 2 consists of an upper housing 2A and a lower housing 2B, each of which has a heater receiving recess 21, as shown in Fig. 1(C), and the electrical resistance elements 11 are accommodated in heater accommodating spaces 22 formed by joining the two.

[0022] A power supply part 5 has a power supply terminal 5A, and the power supply terminal 5A and the control board 1 are connected by a line (not shown). The power supply part 5 is supplied with power from the storage device 6. The voltage applied to the power supply part 5 is, for example, 120 V to 420 V.

[0023] Based on the first power consumption request from the climate control ECU 1 and / or the second power consumption request from the charging ECU 2, the heating device 10 supplies the electrical resistance elements 11 with power from the storage device 6 and generates heat. This consumes power for the amount of heat generated.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a circuit block diagram in which an example of the heater driving means 12 and the control means 13 in the heating device 10 is drawn out and shown.

[0025] The heater driving means (heater driving circuit) 12 includes, for example, an upper layer switching element 121, a lower layer switching element 122, an upper layer driver 123, a lower layer driver 124, an upper layer capacitor 125, and a lower layer capacitor 126, etc.

[0026] Both the switching element 121 of the upper layer and the switching element 122 of the lower layer are, for example, voltage-controlled transistors. Specifically, these are insulated-gate field-effect transistors in which an n-channel is formed by applying a positive gate voltage to the low-potential side terminal, specifically, an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

[0027] For convenience in explanation, the upper-layer switching element 121 is referred to as the upper-layer IGBT 121, and the lower-layer switching element 122 is referred to as the lower-layer IGBT 122. The upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 are connected in series via the electrical resistance elements 11. The high-potential side terminal (collector) of the upper-layer IGBT 121 is connected to the positive electrode of a high-voltage power source 131, and the low-potential side terminal (emitter) is connected to the high-potential side terminal of the electrical resistance elements 11. The low-potential side terminal of the electrical resistance elements 11 is connected to the high-potential side terminal (collector) of the lower-layer IGBT 122, and the low-potential side terminal (emitter) of the lower-layer IGBT 122 is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source 131.

[0028] The upper-layer driver 123 is a circuit that applies a gate-emitter voltage to the gate terminal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 based on a driver drive signal input from the control means 13. The lower-layer driver 124 is a circuit that applies a gate-emitter voltage to the gate terminal of the lower-layer IGBT 122 based on a driver drive signal input from the control means 13.

[0029] The power input terminal of the upper-layer driver 123 is connected to the driver power source 130 via an upper-layer capacitor 125. This upper-layer capacitor 125 is a bootstrap capacitor that accumulates an electrical charge to place the upper-layer IGBT 121 in the open (on) state. The power input terminal of the lower-layer driver 124 is connected to the driver power source 130 via the lower-layer capacitor 126.

[0030] The control means 13 controls the opening (turning on) / closing (turning off) of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 to control the conduction and cutoff of the electrical resistance elements 11. Specifically, the control means 13 supplies a drive drive signal with pulse waveforms at different timings to the respective drive drive signal input terminals of the upper-layer driver 123 and the lower-layer driver 124. The upper-layer driver 123 synchronizes with the drive drive signal and outputs to the gate of the upper-layer IGBT 121 a voltage with the pulse waveform corresponding to the voltage obtained by adding the voltage of the high-voltage power source 131 to the gate-emitter voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121 itself.The lower layer driver 124 synchronizes with the driver drive signal supplied from the control means 13 and outputs to the gate of the lower layer IGBT 122 a voltage having the pulse waveform corresponding to the voltage of the driver power source 130.

[0031] As a result, the respective channels of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 are opened (turned on) and closed (turned off) at predetermined times. During the overlap period in which the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 are turned on, the electrical resistance elements 11 are energized, and the heat generation consumes electricity for the amount of heat generated.

[0032] The heater driving means 12 only needs to be a circuit that drives (energizes and stops) the electrical resistance elements 11 by turning on / off the upper layer IGBT 121 and the lower layer IGBT 122, and unlike the circuit shown in Fig. 2 has a previously known configuration (e.g., diodes, etc.) as a circuit that normally drives the electrical resistance elements 11, the upper layer IGBT 121, and the lower layer IGBT 122 in the heater 10 of the present embodiment. <Funktion der Heizeinrichtung>

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram illustrating the functions of the heating device 10 of the present embodiment. As previously mentioned, the heating device 10 accepts at least one air conditioning power consumption request (first power consumption request) and one surplus power consumption request (second power consumption request), and based on these requests, supplies current to the electrical resistance elements 11 to heat the heating medium Hm.

[0034] In particular, when accepting the excess power consumption request, it is desirable to immediately consume the power of the request value (second request value) because the regeneration current exceeds the storage capacity of the storage device 6. Therefore, the heating device 10 of the present embodiment has several functions for immediately consuming the requested power. Specifically, these several functions are a forced shutdown function, a request maintenance function, a request judgment function, a start-up processing judgment function, a power control function, and a pre-charge function, which are implemented by substantial means (hardware such as electronic components (circuits and elements) provided on the control board 1) of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and by executing the software (program) comprising the control means 13.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating the heating device 10 with respect to means for implementing the above functions. The heating device 10 includes, for example, a forced shutdown means 20, a request maintenance means 14, a request judgment means 15, a start-up processing judgment means 16, a current control means 17, and a pre-charging means 18. These are implemented, for example, by various electronic components arranged on one or more control boards 1 and collectively controlled by the control means 13. That is, some or all of these means also comprise the control means 13. < <zwangsabschaltmittel>>

[0036] The forced shutdown means 20 implements a forced shutdown function and is a means for forcibly stopping the power consumption by the electrical resistance elements 11 based on (judging by) predetermined conditions (forced shutdown conditions) when the forced shutdown conditions are met. Satisfaction of the forced shutdown condition means, for example, that an abnormality occurs in the heater 10, specifically, that (1) a protection / failure sensor detection occurs or (2) the failure detection of an overvoltage sensor is not completed. The heater 10 includes a protection / failure sensor (not shown) that detects that a failure occurs in the control board 1 when the control board 1 is above the allowable temperature of the electrical resistance elements 11 or the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122.The term "protection / fault sensor detection" refers to a condition in which the electrical resistance elements 11 cannot be safely operated. The forced shutdown means 20 forcibly prohibits the power consumption (heating) of the electrical resistance elements 11, regardless of whether there is a power consumption demand or not, because the forced shutdown condition is met when at least one of the above items (1) or (2) applies. < <anforderungserhaltungsmittel>>

[0037] The request receiving means 14 implements a request receiving function, in this example, comprising a communication means 19 for communicating with the air conditioning ECU 1 and the charging ECU 2, and is a receiving means for receiving a first power consumption request from the air conditioning ECU 1 and a second power consumption request from the charging ECU 2, as well as various other requests. The request receiving means 14 can receive multiple power consumption requests (in this case, the first power consumption request from the air conditioning ECU 1 and the second power consumption request from the charging ECU 2) substantially simultaneously. Specifically, the control means 13 executes, for example,executes interrupt processing (hardware interrupt and / or software interrupt or external interrupt and / or timer interrupt) at each program processing cycle (hereinafter referred to as program processing cycle) to cause the request obtaining means 14 to obtain the multiple power consumption requests. The interrupt by the request obtaining means 14 is not limited to being executed in each program processing cycle, but the interruption with multiple program processing cycles as a unit is also possible, which can be defined as an "interrupt cycle." That is, multiple power consumption requests are received synchronously with the interrupt cycle, i.e., both requests are received synchronously (substantially simultaneously).

[0038] The first and second power consumption requests are control commands for the heater 10 and are, in principle, continuously received during the operation of the heater 10. That is, the request (command) that "no request value exists" is received even when there is no substantial power consumption request. Here, the term "no request value exists" means, for example, that the request value is "less than the minimum request threshold value," where the minimum request threshold value is, for example, 200 W. Although the request values ​​are information indicating (or corresponding to) the actual heat generation amount (consumption current) of the electrical resistance elements 11, they are explained as the same numerical value as the heat generation amount for simplicity in the present embodiment.

[0039] By the request obtaining means 14, even if the sender of the first power consumption request (first request transmitting means, in this case, the air conditioning ECU 1) and the sender of the second power consumption request (second request transmitting means, in this case, the charging ECU 2) are different means, the heating device 10 can receive the first and second power consumption requests substantially simultaneously and periodically without any difference due to delay or priority. < <anforderungsbeurteilungsmittel>>

[0040] The demand judging means 15 implements a demand judging function and judges the substantial presence or absence of the power consumption demand based on the multiple power consumption demands obtained by the demand obtaining means 14. Specifically, the demand values ​​included in the multiple power consumption demands are compared, and the maximum demand value is determined. In this example, the first demand value included in the first power consumption demand and the second demand value included in the second power consumption demand are compared, the larger demand value is determined, and this demand value is set as the target value of the actual power consumption (target consumption power G).

[0041] When there is no actual power consumption request (when the request value is less than the minimum request threshold), for example, when a first power consumption request with the first request value set to "0 (W)" and a second power consumption request with the second request value set to "10 (W)" are received, both are less than the minimum request threshold, so the judgment is "no power consumption request."

[0042] In this case, even if "a power consumption request exists" for each of the received multiple power consumption requests, the power consumption is forcibly prohibited by the forcible shutdown means 20 if the above-described conditions for forcible shutdown are met.

[0043] That is, the term "heater off" in the present embodiment, that is, the state in which the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized, may be a case in which the heater is turned off because "the request value is less than the minimum request threshold" or because the forced shutdown condition is satisfied.

[0044] As described above, in the present embodiment, the request judging means 15 determines the largest request value among a plurality of power consumption requests as the target consumption current G, so that when a plurality of power consumption requests are received substantially simultaneously, a shortage of request values ​​(target consumption current G) due to, for example, overwriting a larger request value with a smaller request value, etc., can be avoided. < <startverarbeitungsbeurteilungsmittel>>

[0045] The start processing judging means 16 realizes the start processing judging function and is a means for judging and determining (the degree of) the speed at which the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases (in the case of starting from the off state, the energization is started (increase from the non-energized state)) according to the received power consumption request.

[0046] The current control means 17 (control means 13) includes a high-speed starting processing part 171 and a low-speed starting processing part 172. The high-speed starting processing part 171 is a means for controlling the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT so that the target consumption current G (the specified request value) is reached in a short time as the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases. The low-speed starting processing part 172 is also a means for controlling the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 so that the target consumption current G (the specified request value) is reached in a longer time than the high-speed starting processing part 171 as the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases.

[0047] The startup processing judgment means 16 judges, based on predetermined judgment conditions, whether the received power consumption request should be processed in the high-speed startup processing part 171 or the low-speed startup processing part 172. The predetermined judgment condition is, for example, that if the power consumption request accepted by the request judgment means 15 is a first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request), it is processed in the low-speed startup processing part 172, and if it is a second power consumption request (surplus power consumption request), it is processed in the high-speed startup processing part 171. < <stromsteuermittel>>

[0048] The current control means 17 implements the current control function and controls the voltage applied to the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 to control the conduction of the electrical resistance elements 11. The current control means 17 controls the voltage using, for example, the PWM (pulse width modulation) method. That is, according to the requested current, the voltage applied to the respective gates of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 is controlled by PWM control, and the opening and closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 is controlled.

[0049] The power control means 17 includes, for example, the high-speed startup processing part 171 and the low-speed startup processing part 172. The power control means 17 assigns the assumed power consumption requirements to the high-speed startup processing part 171 or the low-speed startup processing part 172 based on the judgment result of the startup processing judgment means 16.

[0050] When the current (consumption current) supplied to the electrical resistance elements 11 increases, the high-speed start processing part 171 sets the PWM control parameters so that the target consumption current G is reached in a short time from the start of the increase (start of PWM control) or the speed of consumption current increase is high, and controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT.Further, the low-speed starting processing part 172, when the current supplied to the electrical resistance elements 11 increases, sets the PWM control parameters such that the target consumption current G is reached in a longer time than the high-speed starting processing part 171 or the consumption current increase rate is lower than the high-speed starting processing part 171 from the start of the increase, and controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT.

[0051] Fig. For example, Fig. 4 shows an overview of the timing of the control in the high-speed start processing section 171 and the control in the low-speed start processing section 172 for each predetermined number of program processing cycles (hereinafter referred to as a "processing cycle group") when a program processing cycle in which a power consumption request is received (accepted) and PWM control is performed based on it is defined as a program processing cycle. Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(D) show, for example, the change state of Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(D) in each of 800 program processing cycles (800 processing cycle groups), i.e. schematic representations of the time course of a total of 2400 program processing cycles of Fig. 4 (A) to Fig. 4 (D), and show an example of PWM control in the low-speed starting processing part 172, the temporal change of the duty cycle. Fig. 4(E) also shows an example of the temporal change of the output (current) in the electrical resistance elements 11 of Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(D), where the abscissa represents time T and the ordinate represents the output voltage W. Fig. 4(F) and (G), for example, show the change state of Fig. 4(F) to Fig. 4(G) in the program processing cycles (e.g. in each of the 800 processing cycle groups), i.e. schematic representations of the time course of a total of 800 program processing cycles of Fig. 4(F) to Fig. 4(G), and show an example of PWM control in the high-speed starting processing part 171, the temporal change of the duty cycle. Fig. 4(H) also shows an example of the temporal change of the output (current) in the electrical resistance elements 11 of Fig. 4(F) to Fig. 4(G), where the abscissa represents time T and the ordinate represents the output voltage W. The "G'" in Fig. 4(D) and Fig. 4(G) is the overlap amount between the upper layer IGBT 121 and the lower layer IGBT 122, and the sum of these areas is the specified target power consumption G (requirement value). The sum of the areas of the overlap amount G' in Fig. 4(D) is the height and the target consumption current G in Fig. 4(E). Also, the sum of the areas of the overlap amount G' in Fig. 4(G) which in Fig. 4(H), which is the target consumption current G. IGBT1 in Fig. 4 represents the upper layer IGBT121 and IGBT2 represents the lower layer IGBT122.

[0052] As in the Fig. As shown in FIGS. 4(A) to (D), in the present embodiment, the current control means 17 controls the voltage applied to the respective gates of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122, for example, by PWM control, and changes the respective opening (turning on) / closing (turning off) ratios (duty ratios) over time, so that the energization state (current flow amount) of the electrical resistance elements 11 is controlled. As the amount of current flowing to the electrical resistance elements 11 changes, the amount of heat generated by the electrical resistance elements 11 and the amount of consumption current change.

[0053] The low-speed start processing section 172 sets the amount of increase (increase amount) of the duty ratio per program processing cycle (e.g., 1.0 msec), that is, the average rate of duty ratio increase when viewed on a time axis, to a smaller value than the high-speed start processing section 171 described below. As a result, the low-speed start processing section 172, as shown in Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(D), the PWM control of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 121 is performed so that the duty cycle increases more gradually than the high-speed start-up processing part 171, and controls the conduction of the electrical resistance elements 11. This results in a lower (slower) average rate of increase in the consumption current of the electrical resistance elements 11 and a longer time from the start of the increase in the consumption current (start of PWM control) to reaching the target duty cycle Dm corresponding to the assumed power consumption requirement (overlap amount G', target consumption current G), specifically 1 second or more (in the above example, 2400 times × 1.0 sec = 2.4 sec). This control in the low-speed start-up processing part 172 is hereinafter referred to as "low-speed start-up processing." As shown in Fig. 4(E), in this case, with the start SS of the low-speed start processing (after the PWM control start signal is turned on ("H")), the output (consumption current) of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases with an inclination at a predetermined angle (this angle means the average speed of consumption current increase) according to the amount of change (increase amount) of the duty ratio, and reaches the target consumption current G.

[0054] In contrast, the high-speed start processing section 171 sets the amount of increase (increase amount) of the duty ratio per program processing cycle (e.g., 1.0 msec), that is, the average speed of the duty ratio increase when viewed on a time axis, to be greater than the low-speed start processing section 172. As a result, the high-speed start processing section 171, as shown in Fig. 4(F) and Fig. 4 (G), performs the PWM control of the upper layer IGBT 121 and the lower layer IGBT so that the duty cycle increases more than the low-speed start processing part 172, and controls the conduction of the electrical resistance elements 11.This results in a larger (faster) average rate of increase in power consumption of the electrical resistance elements 11, and from the start of the increase in power consumption (start of PWM control), assuming that the target duty cycle Dm corresponding to the request value (overlap amount G', predetermined target consumption current G) in the assumed power consumption request is the same as that of the above-mentioned low-speed start processing part 172, the time required to achieve it is shorter than in the case of low-speed start processing, specifically less than 1 second (in the above example, 800 times × 1.0 sec = 0.8 sec). Hereinafter, this control in the high-speed start processing part 171 is referred to as "high-speed start processing." As shown in FIG. Fig. 4(H), in this case, the output of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases from the starting point FS of the high-speed start processing (after the PWM control start signal is turned on ("H")), according to the amount of change (the increase amount) of the duty ratio, at a steeper angle (this angle means the average speed of current consumption increase) than the low-speed start processing part 172), and reaches the target consumption current G.

[0055] For example, in the current control means 17, when a new second power consumption request (excess power consumption request) is accepted in a state where the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized ("no power consumption request") (the energization (amount of power consumption) of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases (starts)), the high-speed start processing part 171 controls such that the average speed of the power consumption increase of the electrical resistance elements 11 becomes faster from the start of the increase of the energization (amount of power consumption) of the electrical resistance elements 11 until the target consumption current G (request value of the excess power consumption request) is reached.

[0056] In contrast, when a new first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request) is accepted in a state where the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized ("no power consumption request") (the energization (amount of power consumption) of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases (starts)), the low-speed start processing part 172 controls such that the average speed of power consumption increase of the electrical resistance elements 11 becomes smaller than the high-speed start processing part 171 from the start of the increase of the energization (amount of power consumption) (start of PWM control) of the electrical resistance elements 11 until the target consumption current G (request value of the surplus power consumption request) is reached and the increase of the duty cycle is stopped.In the low-speed start processing section 172, the average rate of increase in power consumption of the electrical resistance elements 11 from the start of the increase in the consumption amount of power until the target power consumption G is reached is, for example, the same as the average rate of increase in power consumption of the electrical resistance elements 11 in conventionally known heating devices from the start of the increase in the consumption amount of power until the target power consumption G is reached.

[0057] The term "average duty ratio increase rate" in the present embodiment is "the average value of the duty ratio increase rate in the period from the start of the increase in consumption current (start of PWM control) to the end of the increase in the duty ratio by reaching the target duty ratio Dm corresponding to the predetermined target consumption current G" and is given as an example by the amount of increase (increase amount) of the duty ratio per program processing cycle. Specifically, for example, in high-speed startup processing, assuming that the time from the start of PWM control to reaching the target duty ratio Dm is shorter than a predetermined time (e.g., 1 to 5 seconds), and for example,Under the condition that the program processing cycle is 20.0 msec or less, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is set to 1.0%; under the condition that the program processing cycle is 10.0 msec or less, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is desirably set to 1.0% or more; and under the condition that the program processing cycle is 5.0 msec or less, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is desirably set to 1.0% or more; and under the condition that the program processing cycle is 1.0 msec or less, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is more desirably set to 1.0% or more. For example, assuming that the processing cycle may vary, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per program processing cycle is set to 1.0% or more.This can be expressed as the average rate of duty cycle increase during high-speed processing startup, e.g., 0.05% / msec or more, preferably 0.1% / msec or more, desirably 0.2% / msec or more, and more desirably 1.0% / msec or more. The average rate of duty cycle increase is selected according to the circumstances, so that it is at these speeds in combination with the processing cycle and the amount of duty cycle increase.

[0058] In a similar manner, for example, in low-speed start processing, under the condition that the program processing cycle is 1.0 msec or more, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is desirably set to less than 1.0%; under the condition that the program processing cycle is 5.0 msec or more, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is desirably set to less than 1.0%; further, under the condition that the program processing cycle is 10.0 msec or more, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is desirably set to less than 1.0%; and under the condition that the program processing cycle is 20.0 msec or more, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per processing cycle is more desirably set to less than 1.0%.Assuming that the program processing cycle may vary, the amount of duty cycle increase per program processing cycle is set to 0.2% or less. This can be expressed in terms of the average rate of duty cycle increase during low-speed startup processing, a rate below the average rate of duty cycle increase during high-speed startup processing, e.g., less than 0.2% / msec, preferably less than 0.1% / msec, desirably less than 0.05% / msec, and more desirably less than 0.02% / msec. The average rate of duty cycle increase is selected according to the circumstances so that, in combination with the processing cycle and the amount of duty cycle increase, it is at these rates.

[0059] In the case of high-speed start processing, the amount of increase in the duty ratio per program processing cycle can be changed to 1.0% or more, 5% or more, 10% or more, etc. (the same applies to low-speed start processing).

[0060] The target consumption current G is, for example, 200 W to 10 kW. The target duty cycle Dm varies depending on the assumed power consumption demand, but the maximum value of the assumed duty cycle of the heating device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "maximum duty cycle") is the duty cycle in the case where the target consumption current G (requirement value) is maximum (e.g., 10 kW).

[0061] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when excess power is generated, it is dissipated by the heat generated by the electrical resistance elements 11, so that the excess power can be consumed efficiently and reliably. Furthermore, when excess power is generated, the slope of the output current to the electrical resistance elements 11 can increase steeply, so that the excess power can be consumed early.

[0062] In contrast, the slope of the output current to the electrical resistance elements 11 can be made gentler in the case of consumption current, e.g. for air conditioning (conventional control) than in the case of excess power consumption, so that it can be avoided that the heating device 10 is subjected to a greater load than is necessary for the said consumption current.

[0063] After reaching the target consumption current G, the voltage applied to the electrical resistance elements 11 is controlled using PWM based on the sequentially received power consumption demand, and the current flow to the electrical resistance elements 11 is controlled. In this way, the electrical resistance elements 11 consume the requested current by generating heat.

[0064] During a period in which power is consumed based on a power consumption request (e.g., a first power consumption request), the control means 13 may accept a power consumption request containing a request value greater than this request value. In this case, the control means 13 increases the output current based on the current (largest at that time) request value. This is the case "in which the current supply to the electrical resistance elements 11 increases." That is,Based on the current assumed power consumption demand, the control means 13 judges with the startup processing judging means 16 whether control is performed in either the high-speed startup processing part 171 or the low-speed startup processing part 172, and controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT by either of the two processing parts. In this case, for example, when the current power consumption demand is the second power consumption demand, control is performed by the high-speed startup processing part 171 so that the difference between the current power consumption and the new target consumption current G based on the current demand is achieved in a short time (the output current is ramped up sharply).

[0065] That is, when the control means 13 accepts a second power consumption request including a second request value (current request value) larger than the previous request value during the period in which the control means 13 controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 based on a certain (previous) power consumption request (previous request value) among a plurality of power consumption requests, the control by the high-speed start processing part 171 is started with the current request value (the second request value) as the new target consumption current G.

[0066] When the control means 13 accepts a first power consumption request including a first request value (current request value) larger than the previous request value during the period in which the control means 13 controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 based on a certain (previous) power consumption request (previous request value) among a plurality of power consumption requests, the control by the low-speed start processing part 172 is started with the current request value (the first request value) as the target consumption current G.

[0067] For a concrete explanation, please refer again to Fig. 4. The Fig. 4(I) and Fig. 4(J) show an example of the temporal change of the output (current) at the electrical resistance elements 11 when the target consumption current G increases (increase 2) during the period in which the output (increase 1 of the output) is made based on a certain power consumption request.

[0068] Fig. 4(I) shows an example that, in the period in which the low-speed startup processing is executed based on the first power consumption request and the output is made based on the first request value (the previous request value (target power consumption G1)) from the start point SS (start of the increase in consumption power), the second power consumption request including the second request value (the current request value (target power consumption G2)) greater than the first request value is accepted. In this case, the control means 13 executes the high-speed startup processing, and from the start of the high-speed startup processing (start of the increase in power consumption), the output is made based on the second request value (target consumption power G2) from the start point FS.The amount of increase of the request value to the starting point FS of the high-speed start processing is the difference ΔG between the second request value (target power consumption G2) and the previous first request value (target power consumption G1).

[0069] Fig. 4(J) shows a case where, in the period in which high-speed startup processing is executed based on the second power consumption request and output based on the second request value (the previous request value (target consumption power G2)) from the start point FS (start of power consumption increase), the first power consumption request including a first request value (the current request value (target consumption power G1)) greater than the second request value is accepted. In this case, the control means 13 executes low-speed startup processing, and from the start point SS (start of consumption power increase), output is performed based on the first request value (target consumption power G1).The amount of increase of the request value at the time SS of the low-speed start processing is the difference ΔG between the first request value (target power consumption G1) and the previous second request value (target power consumption G2).

[0070] The Fig. 4(I) and Fig. 4(J) are examples, and the power consumption request at the first increment (increment 1) may be the first or second power consumption request.

[0071] The above example shows a case where the voltage control in the current control means 17 is a PWM control, but it is not limited to this, for example, it may also be a PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) method in which the on-time (or off-time) of the pulse is constant and the off-time (or on-time) is varied and controlled. < <vorlademittel>>

[0072] Referring again to Fig. 3, the precharge means 18 implements the precharge function and closes (turns off) the upper-layer IGBT 121 when the forced shutdown condition is determined by the forced shutdown means 20, or when the demand judgment means 15 determines that "none of the multiple power consumption requests" exists, opens (turns on) the lower-layer IGBT 122 to accumulate a charge in the bootstrap capacitor 125. The "none of the multiple power consumption requests" is a case where the demand obtaining means 14 obtains power consumption requests in a predetermined cycle, but the request value is "0" (below the minimum request value is considered "0"). In this case, the turn-on time overlap of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 122 does not occur, and the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized.

[0073] The pre-charging means 18 controls that the upper-layer IGBT 121 is turned off and the lower IGBT 122 is continuously turned on, while the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized, so that at the start of the "power consumption demand" control that comes afterward, sufficient charge is accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125 (pre-charging). This "sufficient charge at the start of control" is a charge that can generate a gate voltage that allows the upper-layer IGBT 121 to reliably turn on (operate in the short saturation region, i.e., fully turn on) during the period in which the target duty cycle Dm can be achieved. More specifically, it is the amount of electrical charge that can generate a gate voltage that enables the upper-layer IGBT 121 to operate at the maximum duty cycle (e.g., 100 VAC) immediately after the start of PWM control.94%) (hereinafter referred to as "fully switchable charge quantity").

[0074] A further explanation is given with reference to Fig. 5. The diagram is a summary diagram comparing the presence or absence of precharging by the precharging means 18, and a timing chart showing the state of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the lower-layer IGBT 122, and the bootstrap capacitor 125 near the time when the high-speed control of the steep increase in heat generation (power consumption) in the electrical resistance elements 11 by the processing part 171 is started. Fig. Fig. 5(A) shows an example of a case where precharging is performed by the precharging means 18 of the present embodiment while Fig. 5(B) is a comparative example in which no subpoena is issued.

[0075] Fig. 5(A) shows, from the top, the input signal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 (voltage of the pulse waveform output from the upper-layer driver 123), the gate voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the threshold voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the on (H) / off (L) state of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the duty ratio, the input signal of the lower-layer IGBT 122 (voltage of the pulse waveform output from the lower-layer driver 124), the on (H) / off (L) state of the lower-layer IGBT 122.The diagram (B) shows, from the top, the input signal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 (voltage of the pulse waveform output from the upper-layer driver 123), the threshold voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the gate voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the on (H) / off (L) state of the upper-layer IGBT 121, the duty cycle, the input signal of the lower-layer IGBT 122 (voltage of the pulse waveform output from the lower-layer driver 124), and the on (H) / off (L) state of the lower-layer IGBT 122. In . Fig. 5, the upper layer IGBT 121 is abbreviated as IGBT1 and the lower layer IGBT 122 is abbreviated as IGBT2.

[0076] The gate voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121 is generated by the bootstrap capacitor 125 and corresponds to the amount of charge accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125. The duty cycle range (overlap amount) corresponds to the output in the electrical resistance elements 11.

[0077] Referring to Fig. 5(A), when the pre-charging means 18 determines that there is "no demand for any power consumption" during the period T1 (before time t1) in which the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized, the pre-charging means 18 sets the input signal (IGBT2 input signal) of the lower-layer IGBT 122 to "H" to turn the lower-layer IGBT 122 on, and the input signal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 (IGBT1 input signal) to "L" to turn the upper-layer IGBT 121 off, and accumulate charge in the bootstrap capacitor 125.

[0078] The amount of charge to be accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125 is the fully turn-on charge amount. The control means 13 (pre-charging means 18) keeps the upper-layer IGBT 121 off and the lower-layer IGBT 122 on for a period of time until the fully turn-on charge amount is accumulated. After that, if a period of no power consumption demand persists, the electrical charge of the bootstrap capacitor 125 is discharged. Therefore, the control means 13 (pre-charging means 18) keeps the upper-layer IGBT 121 off and the lower-layer IGBT 122 on during the period of no power consumption demand, so that the accumulation of at least the full turn-on charge amount can be maintained.In this way, the upper layer IGBT 121 can be fully turned on immediately in case of "presence of power consumption demand", enabling early response to the power consumption demand.

[0079] For bootstrap capacitor 125, a capacitance is selected that stores the fully turn-on charge of the upper-layer IGBT 121, as appropriate for the product's application. This allows for greater flexibility in circuit design.

[0080] In this example, time t1 is the time when the PWM control start signal in the control means 13 turns on ("H") and high-speed start processing by the current control means 17 begins. When the input signal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 (IGBT1 input signal) turns on "H" at time t1, a gate voltage exceeding the threshold voltage (voltage generated by the electric charge of the fully turn-on charge amount accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125) is applied to the gate of the upper-layer IGBT 121. This turns on the upper-layer IGBT 121, and the electrical resistance elements 11 are supplied with current during the period superimposed on the lower-layer IGBT 122. In diagram (A) the case is shown as an example in which the first pulse is output with the target duty cycle Dm, but in fact the initial pulse (e.g.the first pulse) is slightly smaller than the target duty cycle Dm. The gate voltage gradually decreases as the electrical charge of the bootstrap capacitor 125 is consumed by the continued turning on of the upper layer IGBT 121.

[0081] When the input signal of the lower-layer IGBT 122 becomes "L" at time t2, the upper-layer IGBT 121 is turned on and the lower-layer IGBT 122 is turned off, and the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 is stopped.

[0082] When the input signal of the lower-layer IGBT 122 (IGBT2 input signal) goes to "H" at time t3, the lower-layer IGBT 122 is turned on, and the electrical resistance elements 11 are energized during the period superimposed on the upper-layer IGBT 121. The bootstrap capacitor 125 accumulates a sufficient charge, and although the gate voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121 gradually decreases, it does not fall below the threshold voltage during the period when the IGBT1 input signal is "H," and the upper-layer IGBT 121 remains turned on.

[0083] When the IGBT1 input signal switches to "L" at time t4, the upper layer IGBT 121 is turned off, and charge is accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125 due to the continued turning on of the lower layer IGBT 122.

[0084] When the input signal of the upper-layer IGBT 121 (IGBT1 input signal) goes to "H" at time t5, the upper-layer IGBT 121 is turned on, and the electrical resistance elements 11 are energized during the period superimposed on the lower-layer IGBT 122.

[0085] When the lower-layer IGBTs1 input signal 22 becomes "L" at time t6, the upper-layer IGBTs121 is turned on and the lower-layer IGBTs122 are turned off, and the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 is stopped. When the IGBTs2 input signal goes "H" at time t7, the lower-layer IGBTs122 are turned on and the electrical resistance elements 11 are energized. Thereafter, this control is repeated during the "presence of power consumption demand" period.

[0086] In contrast, the Fig. The comparative example shown in Figure 5(B) illustrates a configuration in which no precharging is performed. In this case, during the period T1 in which there is no power consumption demand and the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized, the bootstrap voltage 125 is (fully) discharged and cannot generate a gate voltage above the threshold voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121.

[0087] Even if the IGBT1 input signal goes to "H" at time t8 in this state, a gate voltage exceeding the threshold voltage cannot be applied to the gate of the upper-layer IGBT 121, and the upper-layer IGBT 121 remains off.

[0088] When the IGBT2 input signal goes to "H" at time t9, the lower layer IGBT122 is turned on. At this time, the upper layer IGBT 121 remains off, and the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized.

[0089] At this time, the upper-layer IGBT 121 is turned off and the lower-layer IGBT 122 is turned on, so the IGBT1 input signal is "H" at this time, although charge is still accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125. This means that the upper-layer IGBT 121 cannot be turned on due to insufficient charge. Even if the amount of electric charge that can generate the threshold voltage of the upper-layer IGBT 121 is accumulated, it will be immediately consumed by turning on the upper-layer IGBT 121. That is, the upper-layer IGBT 121 is turned on for a short time and then turned off, and the bootstrap capacitor 125 remains in a state where it is difficult to accumulate charge.

[0090] At time t10, when the IGBT1 signal goes to "L," the upper-layer IGBT 121 is truly off and the lower-layer IGBT 122 is on, so the electrical charge accumulation in the bootstrap capacitor 125 begins. This process is repeated, and the charge accumulated in the bootstrap capacitor 125 gradually increases until, after a predetermined time, enough charge can be accumulated to turn on the upper-layer IGBT 121.

[0091] For example, even if a gate voltage exceeding the threshold can be generated at time t11, the turn-on time of the upper layer IGBT 121 will not continue as long as the electric charge accumulation in the bootstrap capacitor 125 is small and the electrical resistance elements 11 cannot be sufficiently energized (the actual duty cycle does not reach the target duty cycle Dm).

[0092] Therefore, in the training without precharge, even if the start processing is executed at high speed with command, it takes a certain time until sufficient heat can actually be generated in the electrical resistance elements 11, which is delayed from the start of the processing (time t8).

[0093] In the present embodiment, the bootstrap capacitor 125 can be sufficiently charged while waiting for the receipt of a power consumption request. Specifically, the precharge means 18 accumulates sufficient charge to allow the upper-layer IGBT 121 to fully turn on immediately after the start of processing in the current control means 17 (immediately after the PWM control signal ("H") is turned on) from the first pulse.

[0094] Although this example assumes a case where precharging is performed before high-speed startup processing, precharging means 18 performs precharging even before low-speed startup processing. That is, bootstrap capacitor 125 is sufficiently charged while waiting to receive a power consumption request, regardless of whether control is performed in high-speed startup processing section 171 or low-speed startup processing section 172. This allows high-speed startup processing or low-speed startup processing to start immediately (instantly) when control means 13 detects that a power consumption request is present. <heizungssteuerverarbeitung>

[0095] With reference to Fig. 6, an example of the control processing for the electrical resistance elements 11 (heater) performed by the control means 13 of the heating device 10 is explained. Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the heating control processing. The heating device 10 executes the Fig. 6 repeatedly executes the heating control processing shown during the operation time. That is, in this example, the cycle from step S01 to step S17 (or, for example, the cycle after the execution of step S15 until the execution of the next step S15) can be referred to as the program cycle process described above.

[0096] First, the forced shutdown means 20 determines, for example, in step S01, whether an anomaly is detected or not (success or failure of the forced shutdown condition). Specifically, it determines, for example, (1) whether protection / fault sensor detection has occurred, and (2) whether the overvoltage sensor fault detection has not yet been completed. The forced shutdown means 20 proceeds to step S19 if protection / fault sensor detection has occurred (Yes). The forced shutdown means 20 also proceeds to step S19 if the overvoltage sensor fault detection has not yet been completed (Yes). In contrast, the forced shutdown means 20 proceeds to step S03 if there is no protection / fault sensor detection and if the overvoltage sensor fault detection has been completed (No).

[0097] In step S03, the request obtaining means 14 receives the first power consumption request from the air conditioning ECU 1 and the second power consumption request from the charging ECU 2 synchronously (substantially simultaneously) through periodic interrupt processing. The first power consumption request and the second power consumption request each include a request value. The request value is a value (information) corresponding to the target consumption current G. Even if there is no substantial power consumption request, information indicating that there is no consumption request (e.g., "0" or a value below the minimum request threshold) is included. That is, in a single interrupt processing, the request obtaining means 14 receives at least one pair of the first and second power consumption requests, but it may also receive other requests (commands) in addition to them.

[0098] Steps S01 and S03 may be executed substantially simultaneously, or the order of steps S01 and S03 may be reversed.

[0099] In step S05, the request judging means 15 judges whether the first and second power consumption requests have been successfully received and whether there is a substantial power consumption request based on these requests.

[0100] The demand judging means 15 compares each of the first and second demand values ​​with a predetermined minimum demand threshold (e.g., 200 W) and judges that "no power consumption demand" exists when both the first and second demand values ​​are below the minimum demand threshold, e.g., the demand value "0". If the demand value is above the minimum demand threshold, it is judged that there is a substantial "power consumption demand" from the air conditioning ECU 1 or the charging ECU 2.

[0101] If it is determined in this step S05 that there is a "power consumption request", it proceeds to step S07, and if it is determined that there is "no power consumption request", it proceeds to step S19.

[0102] In step S07, the request determination means 15 compares, for example, the first request value included in the first power consumption request and the second request value included in the second power consumption request, determines the larger value as the actual request value, and sets the actual request value as the target consumption current G to the parameters of the PWM control.

[0103] In step S09, the start processing judging means 16 judges which of the high-speed start processing part 171 / the low-speed start processing part 172 processes the obtained power consumption request based on predetermined judgment conditions.

[0104] For example, if the power consumption request accepted by the request judging means 15 is a second power consumption request (excess power consumption request) (Yes), it is judged that the processing in the high-speed start-up processing part 171 is being performed, and the process proceeds to step S11. If the power consumption request accepted by the request judging means 15 is a first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request) (No), it is judged that the processing in the low-speed start-up processing part 172 is being performed, and the process proceeds to step S13.

[0105] In step S11, control is performed by the high-speed start processing part 171. The high-speed start processing part 171 sets PWM control parameters for the high-speed start processing. One of the PWM control parameters is, for example, a parameter that controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT so that the target consumption current G is reached in a short time when the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases (e.g., from "0"). Specifically, the upper limit of the increase amount (amount of increase) of the duty cycle per program processing cycle is, for example, 15% to 25%, preferably 20%. This increase amount is larger than the increase amount of the duty cycle in the low-speed start processing part 172.

[0106] The high-speed starting processing section 171 sets the PWM control parameters to increase the duty cycle based on this increase amount. As a result, in the PWM control execution step in the following step S15, the duty cycle increases by the predetermined increase amount (e.g., 15%) every predetermined cycle (one cycle), for example, to achieve the target consumption current G in a shorter time than the control in the low-speed starting processing section 172.

[0107] In step S13, control is performed by the low-speed start processing section 172. In the low-speed start processing section 172, PWM control parameters for the low-speed start processing are set. One of the PWM control parameters is a parameter that controls the opening / closing of the upper-layer IGBT 121 and the lower-layer IGBT 121 so that the target consumption current G is reached in a longer time than the control in the high-speed start processing section 171 when the energization of the electrical resistance elements 11 increases (e.g., from "0"). Specifically, the upper limit for the increase amount (amount of increase) of the duty cycle per program processing cycle is, for example, 0.12% to 0.18%, preferably 0.15%, etc.

[0108] The low-speed start processing part 172 sets the PWM control parameters to increase the duty cycle based on this increase amount. This causes the duty cycle to increase by the predetermined increase amount (e.g., 0.2%) every predetermined cycle (one cycle), for example, in the PWM control execution step in the next step S15, and the target consumption current G is reached in a longer time than the control in the high-speed start processing part 171.

[0109] In step S15, the current control means 17 (high-speed start processing part 171 or low-speed start processing part 172) starts PWM control of the voltage applied to the electrical resistance elements 11 based on the predetermined PWM control parameters triggered by turning on the PWM control start signal ("H") to control the current flow to the electrical resistance elements 11. In this way, the electrical resistance elements 11 consume the current required by heat generation (target consumption current G).

[0110] In step S17, the various sensor values ​​(e.g., the current actual consumption current (output) of the electrical resistance elements 11) are updated and the processing returns to step S01.

[0111] Step S19 is the processing in the case where there is no power consumption demand for the electrical resistance elements 11, that is, the period in which the electrical resistance elements 11 are not energized. In this step S19, the precharging means 18 sets the upper-layer IGBT 121 to the off state and the lower-layer IGBT 122 to the on state, and accumulates a charge in the bootstrap capacitor 125 in the amount of charge that can be fully turned on. <Abgewandeltes Beispiel der Verarbeitung der Heizungssteuerung>

[0112] In the assessment (step S09) of the Fig. 6, an example will be explained in which the control by the high-speed start processing part 171 (step S11) is performed in the case of a second power consumption request (surplus power consumption request) and the control by the low-speed start processing part 172 (step S13) is performed in the case of a first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request).

[0113] However, this is not limited to this, and the control by the high-speed start-up processing part 171 and the control by the low-speed start-up processing part 172 may be divided based on a predetermined start-up processing judgment flag. For example, a "high-speed flag" indicating that fast start-up processing should be executed may be set for the first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request). Then, when determining high-speed start-up processing (step S09), even if it is the first power consumption request (air conditioning power consumption request), if the high-speed flag is enabled (on, set, "1"), the high-speed flag is enabled (on, set, "1"), etc.), it is judged that it is controlled by the high-speed start processing part 171 (step S11), and when the high-speed flag is deactivated (off, no setting, "0", etc.), it can be determined that it is controlled by the low-speed start processing part 172 (step S13). The high-speed flag may also be set for the second power consumption request (excess power consumption request), and steps S11 and S13 may be assigned according to the high-speed flag.

[0114] According to this design, when the air inside the vehicle needs to be heated early, for example, because the outside temperature is low, the slope of the output flow can increase steeply, thereby accelerating the temperature rise inside the vehicle cabin.

[0115] In this case too, the control by the processing part 171 for high-speed starting and the control by the processing part 172 for low-speed starting can be selected (the control is not limited to only the control by the processing part 171 for high-speed starting), so that an excessive load on the heater 10 can be prevented.

[0116] When determining the PWM control parameters in step S11 and / or step S13, the amount of duty cycle increase can be assessed in each individual case by combining the power consumption request (setpoint) and the current actual consumption current of the electrical resistance elements 11 (sensor value).

[0117] Fig. 7 is an example of a timing chart showing a command signal with the request value included in the maximum power consumption request assumed by the request judging means 15 and the change in the state of the heater 10 based thereon.

[0118] In this example, the power consumption request includes a "high-speed flag" that, when "1" is selected, executes control by the processing part 171 to start at high speed (control at which the output rises steeply), and when "0" is selected, executes control by the processing part 172 to start at low speed (control at which the output rises smoothly). The "high-speed flag" and the "request value" in the figure indicate changes in the command signal included in the power consumption request, while the "PWM control start signal" and the "heater power consumption" indicate changes in the control (judgment) or output in the heater 10.

[0119] First, the time t12 is the time at which the forced shutdown condition has failed and the request obtaining means 14 has received the first set of power consumption requests (first power consumption request or second power consumption request) (step S03 in Fig. 6). The power consumption request (command signal) with the higher request value includes the upper limit of the requested power (e.g., 10 kW) as the request value and "1" as the high-speed flag. By this, the request judging means 15 judges that a power consumption request exists. 10 kW is then set as the consumption power set value G, and the high-speed flag "1" (valid) is assumed (steps S05, S07).

[0120] At time t13, the control in the high-speed starting processing part 171 is judged by the start-up processing judging means 16 (step S11), and the target consumption current G is set to 10 kW (the target duty ratio Dm is set to, for example, 94%, and the increase amount of the duty ratio per unit cycle is set to, for example, 20%). This is the time at which the PWM control (step S15) in the high-speed starting processing part 171 starts. The time t13 starts, for example, at most 4 ms after the time t12. That is, the time between the receipt of the power consumption request (step S03) and the execution of the PWM control (step S15) in the Fig. The flow shown in Figure 6, for example, is at most 4 msec.

[0121] Thereafter, the target consumption current G is reached at time t14 by the control in the current control means 17 (high-speed start processing section 171). That is, at this time, the electrical resistance elements 11 generate heat at 10 kW. The time from the start of the control in the high-speed start processing section 171 (time t13) to reaching the target consumption current G (time t14) is, for example, approximately 200 ms.

[0122] Thereafter, the power consumption request is repeatedly accepted with the same command (10 kW as the request value and "1" as the high-speed flag) for a period until time t15. The electrical resistance elements 11 continue to generate heat at 10 kW under the control of the current control means 17. The high-speed flag is then judged when the request value (target consumption current G) increases. That is, when the target consumption current G does not increase (when the target duty cycle Dm is reached), the control is not affected even if the high-speed flag is included in the power consumption request.

[0123] Time t15 is the time at which the demand judging means 15 determines that there is "no power consumption demand." This is, for example, the case where the demand values ​​of a set of power consumption demands obtained by the demand obtaining means 14 are all "0 (less than the minimum demand threshold)." At time t15, the demand value is "0," and the consumption current of the electrical resistance elements 11 is also 0 W.

[0124] The time t16 is the time at which the request obtaining means 14 receives the power consumption request (first power consumption request or second power consumption request) (step S03 in Fig. 6). The power consumption request (command signal) for the one with the higher request value includes 10 kW as the request value and "0" as the high-speed flag.

[0125] The request judging means 15 determines that the relevant "power consumption request exists." It then sets 10 kW as the target consumption power G and assumes the high-speed flag "0" (invalid) (steps S05, S07).

[0126] At time t17, the control in the low-speed starting processing section 172 is determined by judgment by the start-up processing judgment means 16 (step S13), and the target consumption current G is set to 10 kW (the target duty cycle Dm is set to, for example, 94%, and the increase amount of the duty cycle per unit cycle is set to, for example, 0.2%). This is the time at which PWM control (step S15) in the low-speed starting processing section 172 begins. Time t17 also begins, for example, at most 4 msec after time t16.

[0127] Thereafter, the target consumption current G is reached at time t18 through the control in the current control means 17 (low-speed start processing section 172). That is, at this time, the electrical resistance elements 11 generate heat at 10 kW. The time from the start of the control in the low-speed start processing section 172 (time t16) to reaching the target consumption current G (time t18) is, for example, approximately 6 seconds. At time t19, the target value is again "0," and the consumption current of the electrical resistance elements 11 is also 0 W.

[0128] An example of the heating device 10 of the present embodiment has been explained above, and the Fig. The request maintenance means 14, the request judgment means 15, the start-up processing judgment means 16, the current control means 17, and the precharge means 18 explained in Figure 3 are an example, and these can at least realize the request maintenance function, the request judgment function, the start-up processing judgment function, the current control function, and the precharge function of the heater 10. For example, a plurality of these means (e.g., request maintenance means 14 and request judgment means 15, start-up processing judgment means 16 and current control means 17, etc.) may be formed from a single means, or a single means (e.g., start-up processing judgment means 16, current control means 17, etc.) may be divided into a plurality of means.

[0129] The hardware of these means may consist partially or entirely of software, or vice versa. Furthermore, these means may not be limited to a configuration realized by electronic components, etc., on one control board 1, but may include electronic components, etc., on multiple control boards.

[0130] In the above embodiments, an example is illustrated in which the transmitter of the first power consumption request (first request transmission means) and the transmitter of the second power consumption request (second request transmission means) are the air conditioning ECU 1 and the charging ECU 2, which are external devices of the heating device 10. However, this is not limited to this, and the transmitter of the first power consumption request (first request transmission means) and / or the transmitter of the second power consumption request (second request transmission means) may be a means included in the heating device 10.

[0131] For example, the heating device 10 may be configured to receive information from a vehicle air conditioner, which is an external device, generate a first power consumption request in the first request transmission means within the heating device 10, and transmit the request to the request receiving means 14 of the heating device 10. Similarly, the heating device 10 may receive information from a vehicle control part, which is an external device, generate a second power consumption request in a second request transmission means within the heating device 10, and transmit the request to the request receiving means 14 of the heating device 10.

[0132] The transmitter of the first power consumption request is not limited to the control part of the vehicle air conditioning system (air conditioning ECU 1), but may be a control part (ECU) of another device, and the transmitter of the second power consumption request is not limited to the vehicle control part (charging ECU 2), but may be a control part (ECU) of another device.

[0133] The upper-layer switching element 121 and the lower-layer switching element 122 are not limited to IGBTs, but can be other voltage-controlled transistors. For example, they can be field-effect transistors, specifically enhancement-mode n-channel insulated-gate field-effect transistors (e.g., MOSFETs: metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors).

[0134] The voltage control in the current control means 17 can be specified by selecting both PWM control and PFM control as required, for example, at the beginning of use of the heater 10, or it is possible to switch between the two (selected at any time) during operation of the heater 10. Other voltage control methods can also be used.

[0135] The heating device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is of course possible to make various changes without departing from the gist of the present invention. INSUTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0136] The heating device 10 of the present invention can be used in the field of vehicle accessories. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 control board 2 housings 3 pipe 4 Regeneration facility 5 Power supply unit 6 Storage device 10 Heating device 11 electrical resistance element 12 Control means (heating control means) 13 Control means (control part) 14 Requirements maintenance resources 15 requirements assessment tools 16 Start Processing Assessment Tools 17 electricity tax means 18 Pre-loading devices 19 means of communication 121 Upper layer switching element 122 Lower layer switching element 123 upper layer drivers 124 Lower Layer Drivers 125 Upper layer capacitor (bootstrap capacitor) 126 Lower layer capacitor 130 Driver power source 171 processing part for starting at high speed 172 Processing part for starting at low speed Dm target duty cycle G Target consumption current 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 2021-54145 A

[0003] JP 2018-114943 A

[0003] < / heizungssteuerverarbeitung> < / vorlademittel> < / stromsteuermittel> < / startverarbeitungsbeurteilungsmittel> < / anforderungsbeurteilungsmittel> < / anforderungserhaltungsmittel> < / zwangsabschaltmittel>

Claims

[1] Heating device, comprising: electrical resistance elements that can generate heat according to several power consumption requirements of the vehicle, a switching element of the upper layer and a switching element of the lower layer, which are connected in series via the electrical resistance elements, a bootstrap capacitor that accumulates an electrical charge to open the upper layer switching element, and a control means for controlling the switching on and off of the electrical resistance elements by controlling the opening / closing of the upper layer switching element and the lower layer switching element, characterized bythat the control means closes the upper layer switching element and opens the lower layer switching element when it is determined that none of the plurality of power consumption requirements is present and causes the electrical charge to accumulate in the bootstrap capacitor. [2] Heating device according to claim 1, characterized by that the plurality of power consumption requests comprise a first power consumption request and a second power consumption request, wherein the first power consumption request is a consumption request for power as air heating in the air conditioning system, which is sent based on the control of the vehicle's air conditioning system, the second power consumption request is a request sent based on the control of a regeneration device and / or a power storage device of the vehicle, and is a consumption request of power as surplus power consumption in the case where the regeneration current generated by the regeneration device during braking exceeds the storage capacity in the power storage device, and the control means, when it is determined that a second power consumption request exists, energizes the electrical resistance elements to generate heat. [3] Heating device according to claim 2, characterized by that the tax means has: a high-speed starting processing section that allows the opening and Controls the closing of the upper layer switching element and the lower layer switching element so that the average rate of consumption current increase of the electrical resistance elements is increased as the current supply to the electrical resistance elements increases, a low-speed start-up processing part that controls the opening and closing of the upper-layer switching element and the lower-layer switching element so that the average rate of consumption current increase of the electrical resistance elements becomes smaller than the high-speed start-up processing part as the current flow to the electrical resistance elements increases. [4] Heating device according to claim 3, characterized by that the control means performs control by the processing part to start at high speed when at least the second power consumption request is accepted. [5] Heating device according to claim 3, characterized by that the control means performs control by the processing part to start at high speed when the second power consumption request is accepted, and performs control by the processing part to start at low speed when the first power consumption request is accepted. [6] Heating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a demand maintaining means is provided for synchronously maintaining the plurality of power consumption demands, wherein the control means heats the electrical resistance elements on the basis of the maximum demand value among the demand values ​​included in the plurality of power consumption demands, respectively. [7] Heating device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat, when the control means accepts a second power consumption request including a request value larger than the request value included in the power consumption request during the period of execution of the opening / closing control based on a certain power consumption request, control by the high-speed start processing part is started with the large request value as a new target consumption current. [8] Heating device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat, when the control means accepts a first power consumption request including a request value larger than the request value included in the power consumption request during the period of execution of the opening / closing control based on a specific power consumption request, control by the low-speed start processing part is started with the large request value as a new target consumption current. [9] Heating device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the first power consumption request includes a start processing judgment flag, and when the start processing judgment flag indicates a high-speed start, the control means executes control by the high-speed start processing part. [10] Heating device according to claim 3, characterized bythat the control means performs PWM control of the conduction of the electrical resistance elements, the high-speed start-up processing part performs control to achieve the target duty cycle corresponding to the power consumption requirement in a short time, and the low-speed start-up processing part performs control to achieve the target duty cycle corresponding to the power consumption requirement in a longer time than the high-speed start-up processing part.

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