Abnormality determination device

Abstract

To confirm whether a relay is switched into an OFF-state while restricting power supply to loads from being interrupted.SOLUTION: An abnormality determination device 1 is the device for a vehicle 100 including: a battery 10 for supplying power to loads 11; a relay 12 arranged between the battery 10 and the loads 11; a battery case 13 for storing the battery 10 and the relay 12; and a power source 14 arranged on an outer side of the battery case 13. The abnormality determination device 1 includes control sections (first control section 2 and second control section 3) for controlling the relay 12 to be an ON-state in a start state and parking state of the vehicle 100. The control sections perform control to switch the relay 12 into an OFF-state while the power is supplied from the power source 14 to the loads 11, and then determines whether the relay 12 is switched into the OFF-state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an abnormality determination device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in consideration of the environment, lithium-ion batteries and the like are sometimes used as an alternative to lead batteries. A difference between lithium-ion batteries and lead batteries is that lithium-ion batteries have a built-in protective relay to prevent smoke and fire. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack to be mounted on an automobile. This battery pack includes a battery module and a switch that switches on and off the power supply from this battery module to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 191679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to always supply power from the battery module to the load regardless of whether the vehicle is started or parked, the switch must be always on. If the switch is always on, there is a problem that even if a fault occurs in which the switch does not turn off, it cannot be detected. In addition, if the switch is turned off to check whether the switch turns off, there is a problem that the power supply to the load is interrupted.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique capable of checking whether a relay is switched to an off state while preventing interruption of power supply to a load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The abnormality determination device of the present disclosure is a battery for powering the load; A relay provided between the battery and the load; a battery case that houses the battery and the relay; A power supply unit provided outside the battery case. A control unit is provided that controls the relay to be in an on state when the vehicle is started and when the vehicle is parked. The control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state while power is being supplied from the power supply unit to the load, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technique disclosed herein, it is possible to check whether the relay is switched to the off state while preventing interruption of the power supply to the load. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including an abnormality determination device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the second control unit in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the first control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a first process performed by a second control unit in the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a second process performed by a second control unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the second control unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle including an abnormality determination device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the second control unit in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] [1] A battery that supplies power to a load; A relay provided between the battery and the load; a battery case that houses the battery and the relay; A power supply unit provided outside the battery case. A control unit is provided that controls the relay to be in an on state when the vehicle is started and when the vehicle is parked. The control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state while power is being supplied from the power supply unit to the load, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. Abnormality determination device.

[0011] The abnormality determination device controls the relay to be in the ON state in the starting state and the parking state, thereby supplying power from the battery to the load in the starting state and the parking state. Furthermore, the abnormality determination device controls the relay to be in the OFF state in a state in which power is being supplied to the load from the power supply unit, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the OFF state. In other words, the abnormality determination device can check whether the relay has been switched to the OFF state while preventing the power supply to the load from being interrupted.

[0012] [2] When the vehicle is switched to the start state and the power supply from the power supply unit is started, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to [1].

[0013] The abnormality determination device can check whether the relay is switched to the OFF state at an early stage after the vehicle is switched to the starting state.

[0014] [3] When the vehicle is switched to the start state, power supply from the power supply unit is started, and the control unit determines that the shift range of the vehicle is a parking range, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state and determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state. The abnormality determination device according to [2].

[0015] The abnormality determination device can check whether or not the relay is switched to the OFF state before the vehicle starts to travel.

[0016] [4] The load includes a running load that is stopped in the parking state, When the vehicle is switched to the parked state, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state while maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit, determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state, and after the determination, switches the relay to an on state and then stops the power supply from the power supply unit. An abnormality determination device according to any one of [1] to [3].

[0017] When the vehicle is switched to a parked state, the abnormality determination device checks whether the relay is switched to the off state and then stops the power supply from the power supply unit. In the parked state, the load for driving is stopped, so the load current is small, and even if the relay is switched to the off state for battery diagnosis, the power supply unit can maintain the power supply to other loads. Therefore, the abnormality determination device can check whether the relay is switched to the off state while suppressing an increase in processing while the vehicle is running.

[0018] [5] When it is determined that the power supply unit has a margin of power equal to or greater than a predetermined margin of power, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state and determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state. An abnormality determination device according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0019] The abnormality determination device checks whether the relay is switched to the off state when it is determined that the power margin of the power supply unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined margin, and therefore the abnormality determination device can easily prevent a shortage of power supply to the load caused by the relay being switched to the off state.

[0020] [6] When it is determined that the power margin of the power supply unit is less than a predetermined power margin, the control unit suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit to the load, and then performs control to switch the relay to an off state, and determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state. An abnormality determination device according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0021] When the abnormality determination device determines that the power margin of the power supply unit is less than a predetermined power margin, the abnormality determination device suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit to the load and then checks whether the relay is switched to the off state. Therefore, the abnormality determination device can easily prevent a shortage of power supply to the load due to the relay being switched to the off state.

[0022] [7] The control unit starts the power supply from the power supply unit in the parked state and controls the relay to be switched to an off state, and determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state. An abnormality determination device according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0023] The abnormality determination device described above can check whether the relay switches to the off state while preventing the power supply to the load from being interrupted in the parked state.

[0024] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] First Embodiment FIG. 1 discloses an abnormality determination device 1 included in a vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 is an engine-equipped vehicle. The vehicle 100 switches between a start state and a parked state. The start state is when a start switch of the vehicle 100 is in an on state. The parked state is when a start switch of the vehicle 100 is in an off state. In this embodiment, the start switch is an ignition switch.

[0025] The vehicle 100 includes a battery 10, a load 11, a relay 12, a battery case 13, a power supply unit 14, current detection units 15 and 16, a first power path 21, a second power path 22, and a branch path 23.

[0026] The battery 10 is a power supply source that supplies power to the load 11. The battery 10 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The battery 10 is, for example, a low-voltage battery. A positive terminal of the battery 10 is electrically connected to a first power path 21. An output voltage of the battery 10 is applied to the first power path 21. A negative terminal of the battery 10 is electrically connected to ground.

[0027] The load 11 includes a driving load that stops when the vehicle 100 is parked, and a specific load that operates by receiving a supply of a dark current when the vehicle 100 is parked. The specific load is, for example, a car navigation system, an audio system, a drive recorder, etc.

[0028] The relay 12 is provided between the battery 10 and the load 11. The relay 12 may be a mechanical relay having contacts, or may be a relay configured by a semiconductor switching element. The relay 12 is, for example, of a normally-on type. A first power path 21 is provided between the relay 12 and the battery 10. A second power path 22 is provided between the relay 12 and the load 11. When the relay 12 is in an on state, the relay 12 allows a current to flow from the first power path 21 to the second power path 22, and allows a current to flow from the second power path 22 to the first power path 21. When the relay 12 is in an off state, the relay 12 blocks a current from flowing from the first power path 21 to the second power path 22, and blocks a current from flowing from the second power path 22 to the first power path 21.

[0029] The battery case 13 accommodates the battery 10 and the relay 12 .

[0030] The power supply unit 14 is provided outside the battery case 13. The power supply unit 14 is electrically connected to a branch path 23 branching off from the second power path 22. The output voltage of the power supply unit 14 is applied to the branch path 23. The power supply unit 14 supplies power to the load 11 via the branch path 23 and the second power path 22. The power supply unit 14 has an engine 31 and an alternator 32. The alternator 32 is driven by the engine 31. The alternator 32 supplies generated power to the branch path 23. The alternator 32 includes a regulator and outputs a regulated voltage. The power supply unit 14 starts supplying power when the engine 31 starts.

[0031] The current detection unit 15 detects the current flowing through the relay 12. The current detection unit 15 is, for example, a known current sensor. The current detection unit 15 outputs a signal indicating a detection value.

[0032] The current detection unit 16 detects the output current of the power supply unit 14. The current detection unit 16 is, for example, a known current sensor. The current detection unit 16 outputs a signal indicating the detection value.

[0033] The abnormality determination device 1 is included in a vehicle 100. The abnormality determination device 1 includes a first control unit 2 and a second control unit 3. The first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3 correspond to examples of a control unit. The first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3 are each configured to include a microcomputer. The first control unit 2 is housed in a battery case 13. The second control unit 3 is provided outside the battery case 13. The first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3 are capable of communicating with each other.

[0034] The first control unit 2 controls the relay 12. The first control unit 2 detects the current flowing through the relay 12 based on a signal output from the current detection unit 15. The first control unit 2 switches the relay 12 to the off state when it determines that a protection condition is satisfied. The protection condition is, for example, that the current flowing through the relay 12 exceeds an overcurrent threshold, that the output voltage of the battery 10 falls below a low voltage threshold, etc.

[0035] An on / off signal indicating the on / off state of the start switch is input to the second control unit 3. The second control unit 3 detects the on / off state of the start switch based on the on / off signal.

[0036] The second control unit 3 controls the power supply unit 14 via the power supply control unit 4 provided in the vehicle 100. The second control unit 3 starts the engine 31 when the start condition is satisfied, and stops the engine 31 when the stop condition is satisfied. In other words, the second control unit 3 starts the power supply from the power supply unit 14 when the start condition is satisfied, and stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14 when the stop condition is satisfied. The start condition may be, for example, that the start switch is switched to the on state, that the depression amount of the brake pedal becomes shallow from the idling stop state, or other conditions. The stop condition may be that the start switch is switched to the off state, that the depression amount of the brake pedal becomes equal to or greater than a certain amount and the state is switched to the idling stop state, or other conditions.

[0037] The second control unit 3 controls the output voltage of the power supply unit 14 (specifically, the alternator 32). The second control unit 3 receives a signal output from the current detection unit 16 via the power supply control unit 4. The second control unit 3 detects the output current of the power supply unit 14 based on the signal output from the current detection unit 16.

[0038] The first control unit 2 controls the relay 12 to be in the on state when the vehicle 100 is in the starting state and the parking state.

[0039] The second control unit 3 outputs a diagnostic command to the first control unit 2 in a state in which power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11. The second control unit 3 determines whether or not power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11 based on the output current of the power supply unit 14. Specifically, the second control unit 3 determines that power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11 when the output current of the power supply unit 14 is greater than a supply determination value (for example, 0 A). The second control unit 3 determines that power is not being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11 when the output current of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or less than the supply determination value (for example, 0 A). The second control unit 3 outputs a diagnostic command to the first control unit 2 when it determines that power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11.

[0040] The second control unit 3 outputs a diagnostic command when the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state and power supply from the power supply unit 14 is started. The second control unit 3 determines whether the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state based on the on / off signal. The second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state when the start switch is switched from the off state to the on state. The second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state and that power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11 when it determines that the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state and that power supply from the power supply unit 14 is started. The second control unit 3 outputs a diagnostic command when it determines that the vehicle 100 is switched to the start state and that power supply from the power supply unit 14 is started.

[0041] When a diagnostic command is input, the first control unit 2 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the off state and determines whether the relay 12 has been switched to the off state. Specifically, the first control unit 2 outputs an off signal to the relay 12 and detects a current flowing through the relay 12. Then, the first control unit 2 determines whether the relay 12 has been switched to the off state based on the current flowing through the relay 12. The first control unit 2 determines that the relay 12 has been switched to the off state when the current flowing through the relay 12 is equal to or less than an off determination value (for example, 0 A). The first control unit 2 determines that the relay 12 has not been switched to the off state when the current flowing through the relay 12 is greater than the off determination value. After determining whether the relay 12 has been switched to the off state, the first control unit 2 returns the relay 12 to the on state.

[0042] The following description relates to a specific example of the operation of the first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3. The first control unit 2 maintains the relay 12 in an on state regardless of whether the vehicle 100 is in a starting state or a parking state. The second control unit 3 starts the process shown in FIG. 2 when the vehicle 100 switches to a parking state. In step S11, the second control unit 3 determines whether the vehicle 100 has switched to a starting state. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S11 until it determines that the vehicle 100 has switched to a starting state. When the second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle 100 has switched to a starting state, it determines in step S12 whether or not the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S12 until it determines that the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started. When the second control unit 3 determines that the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started, it outputs a diagnosis command to the first control unit 2 in step S13.

[0043] After outputting the diagnosis command, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the diagnosis result has been received from the first control unit 2 in step S14. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S14 until the diagnosis result is received. If the second control unit 3 determines that the diagnosis result has been received, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the relay 12 is normal based on the diagnosis result in step S15. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is normal, the second control unit 3 outputs information indicating that the diagnosis has been completed to an external device in step S16. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is not normal, the second control unit 3 performs an abnormality response process in step S17. The abnormality response process is, for example, a process of notifying an external device or a driver that an abnormality has occurred. After step S16 or step S17, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] The first control unit 2 always performs the process shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, the first control unit 2 resumes the process shown in FIG. 3 immediately after the process shown in FIG. 3 ends. The first control unit 2 determines whether or not a diagnostic command is received in step S21. The first control unit 2 repeats the process of step S21 until the diagnostic command is received. When the first control unit 2 receives the diagnostic command, the first control unit 2 switches the relay 12 to the OFF state in step S22, and determines whether or not the relay 12 has switched to the OFF state in step S23. When the first control unit 2 determines that the relay 12 has switched to the OFF state, the first control unit 2 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the ON state in step S24, and notifies the second control unit 3 of a diagnosis result indicating normality in step S25. When the first control unit 2 determines that the relay 12 has not switched to the OFF state, the first control unit 2 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the ON state in step S26, and notifies the second control unit 3 of a diagnosis result indicating abnormality in step S27. After step S25 or step S27, the first control unit 2 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0045] The following description relates to the effects of the abnormality determination device 1 of the first embodiment. The abnormality determination device 1 controls the relay 12 to the ON state in the starting state and the parking state, thereby making it possible to supply power from the battery 10 to the load 11 in the starting state and the parking state. Furthermore, in a state in which power is being supplied from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11, the abnormality determination device 1 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the OFF state, and determines whether or not the relay 12 has switched to the OFF state. In other words, the abnormality determination device 1 can check whether or not the relay 12 has switched to the OFF state while preventing the power supply to the load 11 from being interrupted.

[0046] The abnormality determination device 1 can check whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state at an early stage after the vehicle 100 is switched to the starting state.

[0047] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which it is confirmed whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state, on the condition that the shift range is the parking range when the vehicle 100 is switched to the starting state. Also, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which it is confirmed whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parking state. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and therefore will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0048] In the second embodiment, the second control unit 3 outputs a diagnosis command when the vehicle 100 switches to a start state, power supply from the power supply unit 14 starts, and the second control unit 3 determines that the shift range of the vehicle 100 is the parking range. A shift signal indicating the selected shift range is input to the second control unit 3. The second control unit 3 determines whether the current shift range is the parking range or not based on the shift signal. The operation of the first control unit 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0049] If the abnormality determination device 1 is unable to confirm whether or not the relay 12 switches to the off state when the vehicle 100 switches to the starting state, the abnormality determination device 1 confirms whether or not the relay 12 switches to the off state when the vehicle 100 switches to the parking state.

[0050] When the start switch is switched to the OFF state, the second control unit 3 stops the engine 31 and stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14. However, when the start switch is switched to the OFF state, the second control unit 3 outputs a diagnosis command and stops the engine 31 after receiving the diagnosis result. Specifically, when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parked state, the second control unit 3 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the OFF state while maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit 14, determines whether the relay 12 has been switched to the OFF state, and after the determination, switches the relay 12 to the ON state and stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14. In other words, when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parked state, the abnormality determination device 1 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14 after checking whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state. In the parked state, the load for driving included in the load 11 is stopped, so the load current is small, and even if the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state for diagnosing the battery 10, the power supply unit 14 can maintain the power supply to the other loads 11. Therefore, the abnormality determination device 1 can check whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state while suppressing an increase in the processing while the vehicle is traveling.

[0051] When the second control section 3 does not output a diagnosis command when switching to the parking state, the second control section 3 stops the engine 31 immediately after the start switch is switched to the off state.

[0052] When the vehicle 100 is switched to the parking state, the second control unit 3 starts the process shown in FIG. 4. In step S31, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the vehicle is switched to the starting state. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S31 until the vehicle is switched to the starting state. When the second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle is switched to the starting state, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the diagnosis for the day has not been performed in step S32. When the second control unit 3 determines that the diagnosis for the day has been performed, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG. 4. When the second control unit 3 determines that the diagnosis for the day has not been performed in step S33, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S33 until it determines that the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started. When the second control unit 3 determines that the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the current shift range is the parking range in step S34. When the second control unit 3 determines that the current shift range is not the parking range, in step S40, it outputs information indicating that the diagnosis has not been performed to an external device. After that, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0053] If the second control unit 3 determines that the current shift range is the parking range, it outputs a diagnosis command to the first control unit 2 in step S35. After outputting the diagnosis command, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not it has received a diagnosis result from the first control unit 2 in step S36. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S36 until it receives the diagnosis result. If it determines that it has received the diagnosis result, it determines whether or not the relay 12 is normal based on the diagnosis result in step S37. If it determines that it is normal, the second control unit 3 outputs information indicating that the diagnosis is completed to an external device in step S38. If it determines that it is not normal, the second control unit 3 performs an abnormality response process in step S39. The abnormality response process is, for example, a process of notifying an external device that an abnormality has occurred. After step S38 or step S39, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG. 4.

[0054] The second control unit 3 performs the process shown in FIG. 5 when the vehicle 100 is in a start state. In step S41 of FIG. 5, the second control unit 3 determines whether the vehicle 100 has switched to a parked state. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S41 until it determines that the vehicle 100 has switched to a parked state. When the second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle 100 has switched to a parked state, it determines whether or not a diagnosis has been performed for the day in step S42. When the second control unit 3 determines that a diagnosis has been performed for the day, it stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14 in step S43 without outputting a diagnosis command. When the second control unit 3 determines that a diagnosis has not been performed for the day, it outputs a diagnosis command in step S45 while maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit 14 in step S44.

[0055] After outputting the diagnostic command, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the diagnostic result has been received from the first control unit 2 in step S46. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S46 until the diagnostic result is received. If the second control unit 3 determines that the diagnostic result has been received, it stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14 in step S47, and determines whether or not the relay 12 is normal based on the diagnostic result in step S48. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is normal, it outputs information indicating that the diagnosis has been completed to an external device in step S49. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is not normal, it performs an abnormality response process in step S50. The abnormality response process is, for example, a process of notifying an external device that an abnormality has occurred. After step S49 or step S50, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG. 5.

[0056] As described above, when the vehicle 100 switches to the start state, the power supply from the power supply unit 14 starts, and the abnormality determination device 1 of the second embodiment determines that the shift range of the vehicle 100 is the parking range, the abnormality determination device 1 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the off state and determines whether the relay 12 has switched to the off state. With this configuration, the abnormality determination device 1 can check whether the relay 12 will switch to the off state before the vehicle 100 starts traveling.

[0057] Furthermore, the abnormality determination device 1 checks whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parking state. Specifically, in the abnormality determination device 1, the second control unit 3 performs control to switch the relay 12 to the OFF state while maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit 14 when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parking state, determines whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state, and after making the determination, switches the relay 12 to the ON state and then stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14. In other words, when the vehicle 100 is switched to the parking state, the abnormality determination device 1 checks whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state and then stops the power supply from the power supply unit 14. In the parking state, the load for driving included in the load 11 is stopped, so the load current is small, and even if the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state for diagnosing the battery 10, the power supply unit 14 can maintain the power supply to the other loads 11. Therefore, the abnormality determination device 1 can check whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state while suppressing an increase in processing during vehicle driving.

[0058] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which it is determined whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the off state when it is determined that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined margin of power. Note that the configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in Fig. 1 described in the first embodiment, and therefore will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0059] In the third embodiment, the second control unit 3 determines whether the margin of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined margin, and outputs a diagnostic command when it is determined that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than the predetermined margin. The second control unit 3 calculates, for example, a ratio of a current output current to a peak output current of the power supply unit 14 in a normal state. If the calculated ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, the second control unit 3 determines that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than the predetermined margin, and if the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio, it determines that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is less than the predetermined margin.

[0060] When the second control unit 3 determines that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is less than a predetermined margin, it suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11 and then outputs a diagnostic command. The second control unit 3 suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11, for example, by stopping a part of the load 11 that is in operation. Note that the operation of the first control unit 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0061] The second control unit 3 starts the process shown in Fig. 6 when the vehicle 100 switches to the parked state. In step S61, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the vehicle has switched to the started state. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S61 until the vehicle has switched to the started state. When the second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle has switched to the started state, the second control unit 3 determines in step S62 whether or not the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S62 until it determines that the power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started.

[0062] When the second control unit 3 determines that power supply from the power supply unit 14 has started, the second control unit 3 determines in step S63 whether the margin from the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined margin. When the second control unit 3 determines that the margin from the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than the predetermined margin, the second control unit 3 outputs a diagnostic command in step S64. Thereafter, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0063] If the second control unit 3 determines that the margin of power from the power supply unit 14 is less than a predetermined margin of power, then in step S65, it suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11, and then in step S64, it outputs a diagnostic command.

[0064] After outputting the diagnostic command, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the diagnostic result has been received from the first control unit 2 in step S66. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S66 until the diagnostic result is received. If the second control unit 3 determines that the diagnostic result has been received, the process proceeds to step S67. If the second control unit 3 has restricted the power supply in step S65, the second control unit 3 releases the restriction on the power supply in step S67. If the second control unit 3 has not performed the process of step S65, the second control unit 3 does not change the state of the power supply in step S67 and proceeds to step S68. In step S68, the second control unit 3 determines whether or not the relay 12 is normal based on the diagnostic result. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is normal, the second control unit 3 outputs information indicating that the diagnosis has been completed to an external device in step S69. If the second control unit 3 determines that the relay 12 is not normal, the second control unit 3 performs an abnormality response process in step S70. The abnormality response process is, for example, a process of notifying an external device that an abnormality has occurred. After step S69 or step S70, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0065] As described above, the abnormality determination device 1 of the third embodiment checks whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state when it is determined that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined margin of power. Therefore, the abnormality determination device 1 can easily prevent a shortage of power supply to the load 11 caused by switching the relay 12 to the OFF state.

[0066] Furthermore, when the abnormality determination device 1 determines that the margin of the power supply unit 14 is less than a predetermined margin, it suppresses the power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the load 11, and then checks whether the relay 12 is switched to the OFF state. Therefore, the abnormality determination device 1 can easily prevent a shortage of power supply to the load 11 by switching the relay 12 to the OFF state.

[0067] <Fourth embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which it is determined whether or not the relay 12 is switched to the off state in the parked state. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] 7 discloses an abnormality determination device 601 included in a vehicle 600. In this embodiment, the vehicle 600 is an automobile equipped with a high-voltage battery 631 that is a drive source for a traveling motor, and is, for example, a plug-in hybrid automobile or an electric automobile. The vehicle 600 switches between a starting state and a parking state. The starting state is a state in which a start switch of the vehicle 600 is on. The parking state is a state in which a start switch of the vehicle 600 is off. In this embodiment, the start switch is a power switch.

[0069] The vehicle 600 includes a battery 10, a load 11, a relay 12, a battery case 13, a power supply unit 614, current detection units 15 and 16, a first power path 21, a second power path 22, and a branch path 23.

[0070] The power supply unit 614 is provided outside the battery case 13. The power supply unit 614 is electrically connected to the branch path 23 branching from the second power path 22. The output voltage of the power supply unit 614 is applied to the branch path 23. The power supply unit 614 supplies power to the load 11 via the branch path 23 and the second power path 22. The power supply unit 614 has a high-voltage battery 631 and a DCDC converter 632. The output voltage of the high-voltage battery 631 when fully charged is higher than the output voltage of the battery 10 when fully charged. The DCDC converter 632 performs a conversion operation of converting and outputting a voltage input from the high-voltage battery 631 side. The conversion operation is a step-down operation. The output voltage of the DCDC converter 632 is applied to the branch path 23.

[0071] The second control unit 3 controls the power supply unit 614 (specifically, the DCDC converter 632) via the power supply control unit 4. The second control unit 3 starts the power supply from the power supply unit 614 by making the DCDC converter 632 perform a conversion operation. The second control unit 3 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 614 by stopping the conversion operation by the DCDC converter 632.

[0072] The second control unit 3 starts the power supply from the power supply unit 614 when the vehicle 600 is switched to the start state, and stops the power supply from the power supply unit 614 when the vehicle 600 is switched to the parking state. However, the second control unit 3 starts the power supply from the power supply unit 614 and outputs a diagnosis command when a judgment condition is satisfied in the parking state. The judgment condition may be, for example, that a predetermined judgment time has elapsed since the vehicle was switched to the parking state, that a predetermined judgment time has arrived, or other conditions. The operation of the first control unit 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0073] The second control unit 3 always performs the process shown in FIG. 8, for example. That is, the second control unit 3 resumes the process shown in FIG. 8 immediately after the process shown in FIG. 8 ends. The second control unit 3 determines whether the vehicle 600 is in a parked state in step S81. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S81 until it determines that the vehicle 600 is in a parked state. When the second control unit 3 determines that the vehicle 600 is in a parked state, it determines whether the determination condition is satisfied in step S82. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S82 until it determines that the determination condition is satisfied. When the second control unit 3 determines that the determination condition is satisfied, it starts the power supply from the power supply unit 614 in step S83. Then, the second control unit 3 outputs a diagnosis command in step S84.

[0074] After outputting the diagnosis command, the second control unit 3 judges whether or not the diagnosis result has been received from the first control unit 2 in step S86. The second control unit 3 repeats the process of step S86 until the diagnosis result is received. If the second control unit 3 judges that the diagnosis result has been received, the second control unit 3 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 614 in step S87, and judges whether or not the relay 12 is normal based on the diagnosis result in step S88. If the second control unit 3 judges that the relay 12 is normal, the second control unit 3 outputs information indicating that the diagnosis has been completed to an external device in step S89. If the second control unit 3 judges that the relay 12 is not normal, the second control unit 3 performs an abnormality response process in step S90. The abnormality response process is, for example, a process of notifying an external device that an abnormality has occurred. After step S89 or step S90, the second control unit 3 ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

[0075] As described above, when the determination condition is satisfied in the parked state, the abnormality determination device 1 of the fourth embodiment performs control to start the power supply from the power supply unit 614 and switch the relay 12 to the off state, and determines whether or not the relay 12 has switched to the off state. Thus, in the parked state, the abnormality determination device 1 can check whether or not the relay 12 has switched to the off state while preventing the power supply to the load 11 from being interrupted.

[0076] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, the features of the above or later described embodiments can be combined in any combination within a range that does not contradict. In addition, any feature of the above or later described embodiments can be omitted unless it is clearly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0077] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the power supply unit 14 may be replaced with the power supply unit 614 described in the fourth embodiment.

[0078] In each of the above-described embodiments, the first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3 are configured to correspond to an example of a control unit, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, the control unit may be configured only by the first control unit 2 housed in the battery case 13. Also, the control unit may be configured only by the second control unit 3 provided outside the battery case 13. In this case, the first control unit 2 may be omitted. Also, the power supply control unit 4 may be included in the control unit.

[0079] In the second embodiment described above, only when it is not possible to confirm whether the relay 12 is switched to the off state when the vehicle is switched to the starting state, it is confirmed whether the relay 12 is switched to the off state when the vehicle is switched to the parking state. In contrast, it may be confirmed whether the relay 12 is switched to the off state when the vehicle is switched to the parking state, regardless of whether it is confirmed whether the relay 12 is switched to the off state when the vehicle is switched to the starting state.

[0080] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...Abnormality determination device 2...First control unit (control unit) 3...Second control section (control section) 4. Power supply control section 10. Battery 11. Load 12…Relay 13…Battery case 14...Power supply section 15...Current detection section 16...Current detection section 21…1st power path 22…Second power path 23...Fork in the road 31…Engine 32…Alternator 100…Vehicle 600…Vehicle 601...Abnormality determination device 614...Power supply section 631…High voltage battery 632…DCDC converter

Claims

1. a battery for powering the load; A relay provided between the battery and the load; a battery case that houses the battery and the relay; A power supply unit provided outside the battery case. A control unit is provided that controls the relay to be in an on state when the vehicle is started and when the vehicle is parked. The control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state while power is being supplied from the power supply unit to the load, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. Abnormality determination device.

2. The control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state when the vehicle switches to the start state and power supply from the power supply unit starts, and determines whether the relay has switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to claim 1 .

3. When the vehicle is switched to the start state, power supply from the power supply unit is started, and the control unit determines that the shift range of the vehicle is a parking range, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to claim 2 .

4. The load includes a traveling load that is stopped in the parking state, When the vehicle is switched to the parked state, the control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state while maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit, determines whether the relay has been switched to an off state, and after the determination, switches the relay to an on state and then stops the power supply from the power supply unit. The abnormality determination device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit performs control to switch the relay to an off state when it is determined that the power supply unit has a margin equal to or greater than a predetermined margin, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When it is determined that the margin of the power supply unit is less than a predetermined margin of the power supply unit, the control unit suppresses power supply from the power supply unit to the load, and then performs control to switch the relay to an off state, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The control unit starts power supply from the power supply unit in the parked state and performs control to switch the relay to an off state, and determines whether the relay has been switched to the off state. The abnormality determination device according to claim 1 .

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