Scan control device

Abstract

To provide a scan control device that suitably controls execution of scan processing and improve the power generation efficiency of an entire solar charging system.SOLUTION: A scan control device controls scan processing executed by a power generation control unit for scanning the output voltage of a solar panel and searching for a maximum power point in a solar module including a solar panel mounted on a vehicle and a power generation control unit for controlling the power generation of the solar panel. The scan control device comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to the traveling of the vehicle; and an indication unit for indicating the execution frequency of scan processing by the power generation control unit on the basis of information related to the traveling of the vehicle. The indication unit sets a first frequency representing the frequency of scan processing to be executed by the power generation control unit when the vehicle speed included in information related to the traveling of the vehicle is equal to or less than a first threshold, to be lower than a second frequency representing the frequency of scan processing executed by the power generation control unit when the vehicle speed exceeds the first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a scan control device provided in a solar charging system mounted on a vehicle or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an on-vehicle solar charging system equipped with a solar panel. In the solar charging system described in Patent Document 1, a solar control device executes maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control for the solar panel. In this MPPT control, in order to search for the maximum power point with high accuracy when the output voltage of the solar panel changes due to environmental changes such as changes in solar radiation conditions, a scan process is performed to scan the output voltage of the solar panel and find the optimal point on the PV curve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-141545 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The maximum power that a solar panel can generate is constantly changing depending on the environment in which the solar panel is placed, such as the solar radiation conditions and outside temperature. In particular, when a solar charging system is installed in a vehicle, the amount of sunlight irradiated onto the solar panel is thought to change depending on the driving conditions of the vehicle (in a tunnel, in the shadow of a building, etc.).

[0005] While the solar panel scanning process is being performed, the amount of power that can be obtained is smaller than during normal power generation. Therefore, depending on the solar radiation conditions on the solar panel, performing a new scanning process may increase the amount of power that can be generated, or may not change the amount of power that can be generated. In particular, in the latter case, if the power obtained by the new scanning process is almost the same as the power obtained by the previous scanning process, the amount of power lost (not obtained) due to the scanning process becomes greater than the amount of power obtained by the new scanning process, resulting in a problem of a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar charging system as a whole.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a scan control device that can appropriately control the implementation of scanning processing and improve the power generation efficiency of the entire solar charging system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the disclosed technology is a scan control device that controls a scan process performed by the power generation control unit to scan the output voltage of the solar panel to search for a maximum power point in a solar module equipped with a solar panel mounted on a vehicle and a power generation control unit that controls the power generation of the solar panel, and the scan control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information related to the vehicle's traveling, and an instruction unit that instructs the frequency of the scan process to be performed by the power generation control unit based on the information related to the vehicle's traveling, and the instruction unit sets a first frequency, which is the frequency of the scan process that the power generation control unit is caused to perform when the vehicle speed included in the information related to the vehicle's traveling is equal to or lower than a first threshold, lower than a second frequency, which is the frequency of the scan process that the power generation control unit is caused to perform when the vehicle speed exceeds the first threshold. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the scanning control device disclosed herein, the frequency of performing the scanning process of the solar panel is controlled based on information regarding the vehicle's driving, thereby reducing the generated power lost due to the scanning process and improving the power generation efficiency of the solar charging system as a whole. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a solar charging system including a scan control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart of a first example of scan processing control performed by a scan control device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flowchart of a second example of scan processing control performed by the scan control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The scanning control device of the present disclosure reduces the frequency of scanning the solar panel when the vehicle equipped with the solar charging system is stopped (parked) and generating high-output power stably, thereby reducing the amount of generated power that cannot be obtained during the scanning process and improving the power generation efficiency of the entire solar charging system. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment> [composition] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a solar charging system 1 including a scan control device 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The solar charging system 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a solar module 10, a battery 30, a load device 40, and a scan control device 50. In Fig. 1, a connection line through which power is transmitted is indicated by a thick solid line, and a connection line through which control signals and detection values ​​other than power are transmitted and received is indicated by a dotted line. In this embodiment, the solar charging system 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and an electric vehicle (BEV).

[0012] The solar module 10 is a power generation device that generates power when exposed to sunlight, and can output the generated power to a battery 30 and a load device 40 that are connected to the solar module 10. The solar module 10 includes a solar panel 11, a DCDC converter 12, a sensor 13, and a control unit 14.

[0013] 1 illustrates an example in which the solar charging system 1 includes only one solar module 10. However, the solar charging system 1 may include two or more solar modules.

[0014] The solar panel 11 is a device capable of generating power according to the amount of sunlight irradiated, and is typically an assembly of solar cells. The solar panel 11 is installed on the roof, hood, back door, trunk, window, etc. of the vehicle. When there are multiple solar panels, they may be installed side by side in a plane or stacked in a three-dimensional manner.

[0015] The DCDC converter 12 is a component for controlling the power generation of the solar panel 11. The DCDC converter 12 is a power converter for inputting the power generated by the solar panel 11, converting the input power to a predetermined voltage, and outputting it. The DCDC converter 12 controls the conversion and output of the generated power according to control (instructions) from the control unit 14. The output of the DCDC converter 12 is supplied to the battery 30 and the load device 40.

[0016] The sensor 13 is a component for acquiring the power generation state of the solar panel 11. The sensor 13 can acquire physical quantities such as the output voltage, output current, temperature, and generated power of the solar panel 11 as the power generation state of the solar panel 11. Various detection elements such as a voltage sensor and a current sensor can be used for this sensor 13. Note that the sensor 13 may be configured integrally with the solar panel 11.

[0017] The control unit 14 is configured to control the operation of the DCDC converter 12. The control unit 14 controls (and instructs) the DCDC converter 12 based on the power generation state of the solar panel 11 acquired by the sensor 13. This control includes control for outputting a voltage command value for power generation to the DCDC converter 12, and MPPT control for performing a scan process for searching for the maximum power point of the solar panel 11. Well-known technology can be used for the MPPT control of this embodiment. The control unit 14 constitutes a power generation control unit that controls the power generation of the solar panel 11 together with the above-mentioned DCDC converter 12.

[0018] The battery 30 is a secondary battery configured to be chargeable and dischargeable, such as a lithium ion battery or a lead storage battery. The battery 30 is connected to the solar module 10, and is configured to be charged with the power generated by the solar panel 11 via the DCDC converter 12.

[0019] The load devices 40 are various types of devices that are connected to the battery 30 and operate on power supplied from the battery 30.

[0020] The scan control device 50 monitors the vehicle's driving conditions and the power generation state of the solar panel 11 in the solar module 10, and appropriately controls the scanning process of the MPPT control performed by the DCDC converter 12. This scan control device 50 is typically configured as an electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) including a processor, memory, and an input / output interface, and the processor reads and executes a program stored in the memory to realize each function of the acquisition unit 51 and the instruction unit 52 described below.

[0021] The acquisition unit 51 acquires information related to the traveling of the vehicle. Examples of the information related to the traveling of the vehicle include the speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle, the traveling direction, and the road gradient. The acquisition unit 51 also acquires information related to the power generation of the solar panel 11. Examples of the information related to the power generation of the solar panel 11 include information related to the current power generation status (voltage, current) of the solar panel 11. In addition, the acquisition unit 51 can acquire, as information related to the power generation of the solar panel 11, information related to the temperature of the solar panel 11, information related to the past power generation status of the solar panel 11, and information related to the location where the solar panel 11 is located and the environment including at least the weather at that location, and the like.

[0022] The instruction unit 52 instructs the frequency of the scanning process to be performed by the solar module 10 based on the information related to the vehicle traveling acquired by the acquisition unit 51. The instruction unit 52 can also instruct the frequency of the scanning process to be performed by the solar module 10 based on the information related to the power generation of the solar panel 11 acquired by the acquisition unit 51. Details of the control of the scanning process by the instruction unit 52 will be described later.

[0023] In the above configuration example, the solar module 10 and the scan control device 50 are described as separate independent components, but they may be integrated into one unit. The control functions realized by the scan control device 50 are not limited to the division into the blocks of the acquisition unit 51 and the instruction unit 52 described above, and the division can be set arbitrarily.

[0024] [control] The control performed in the solar charging system 1 will be described with further reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a first example of scan process control performed by the scan control device 50 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a second example of scan process control performed by the scan control device 50 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] (1) First Example The scan process control of the first example shown in FIG. 2 is started, for example, when the solar charging system 1 is started, and is repeatedly executed until the solar charging system 1 is stopped.

[0026] (Step S201) The acquisition unit 51 of the scan control device 50 acquires information related to the traveling of the vehicle equipped with the solar charging system 1. The acquisition unit 51 acquires, for example, information such as the vehicle speed that allows one to know whether the vehicle is moving or stopped (whether it is traveling or not) as information related to the traveling of the vehicle. The vehicle speed can be acquired from a speed sensor or the like mounted on the vehicle.

[0027] When the acquisition unit 51 acquires information related to the traveling of the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0028] (Step S202) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 judges whether the vehicle is moving or stopped based on the information on the vehicle's traveling acquired by the acquisition unit 51. Typically, the instruction unit 52 judges whether the vehicle's speed V, which is the information on the vehicle's traveling, is greater or smaller than a first threshold value V1. The first threshold value V1 can be set to 0 km / h, for example.

[0029] If the instruction unit 52 determines that the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the first threshold value V1 and the vehicle is stopped (step S202, V≦V1), the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if the instruction unit 52 determines that the vehicle speed V exceeds the first threshold value V1 and the vehicle is moving (running) (step S202, V>V1), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0030] (Step S203) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to set a first frequency as the frequency at which to perform the scan process of the solar panel 11. In this first example, the first frequency is set lower than a second frequency, which will be described later. By issuing this instruction, the number of times the scan process is performed in a predetermined period of time becomes smaller than when this control is not performed.

[0031] When the instructing unit 52 instructs the first frequency as the frequency for performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 on the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0032] (Step S204) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to set a second frequency as the frequency for performing the scan process of the solar panel 11. In this first example, the second frequency is set higher than the above-mentioned first frequency. By issuing this instruction, the number of times the scan process is performed in a predetermined period of time becomes greater than when this instruction is not issued.

[0033] When the instructing unit 52 instructs the second frequency as the frequency for performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 on the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0034] In this way, in the first example of scanning process control, since it is assumed that the power generation state of the solar panel 11 is stable while the vehicle is stopped (or parked), the frequency of performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 is reduced to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar charging system 1 as a whole.

[0035] (2) Second Example The scan process control of the second example shown in FIG. 3 is started, for example, when the solar charging system 1 is started, and is repeatedly executed until the solar charging system 1 is stopped.

[0036] (Step S301) The acquisition unit 51 of the scan control device 50 acquires information related to the traveling of the vehicle equipped with the solar charging system 1. The acquisition unit 51 acquires, for example, information such as the vehicle speed that allows one to know whether the vehicle is moving or stopped (whether it is traveling or not) as information related to the traveling of the vehicle. The vehicle speed can be acquired from a speed sensor or the like mounted on the vehicle.

[0037] When the acquisition unit 51 acquires information related to the traveling of the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0038] (Step S302) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 judges whether the vehicle is moving or stopped based on the information on the vehicle's traveling acquired by the acquisition unit 51. Typically, the instruction unit 52 judges whether the vehicle's speed V, which is the information on the vehicle's traveling, is greater or smaller than a first threshold value V1. The first threshold value V1 can be set to 0 km / h, for example.

[0039] When the instruction unit 52 determines that the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the first threshold value V1 and the vehicle is stopped (step S302, V≦V1), the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, when the instruction unit 52 determines that the vehicle speed V exceeds the first threshold value V1 and the vehicle is moving (running) (step S302, V>V1), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0040] (Step S303) The acquisition unit 51 of the scan control device 50 acquires information regarding power generation by the solar panel 11. The acquisition unit 51 acquires the current power generation status of the solar panel 11 as information regarding power generation by the solar panel 11, but may also acquire other information, such as information regarding the temperature of the solar panel 11, information regarding the past power generation status (power generation performance) by the solar panel 11, and / or information regarding the location where the solar panel 11 is located and the environment including the weather at that location.

[0041] The current power generation status (voltage, current) and temperature of the solar panel 11 can be acquired from the sensor 13, etc. The past power generation status of the solar panel 11 can indicate, for example, the actual maximum power generation, average power generation, and total power generation amount collected so far (hourly, daily, etc.). Information on this past power generation status may be stored in a memory unit (not shown) provided in the solar module 10 or the scan control device 50. The location where the solar panel 11 is located may be the vehicle's location (travel location, parking location, etc.). Information on the vehicle's location and the weather at that location may be acquired from a navigation device equipped with a GPS function or from a predetermined external facility (information center, server, etc.).

[0042] When the acquisition unit 51 acquires information regarding power generation by the solar panel 11, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0043] (Step S304) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 judges whether the solar panel 11 is generating power in a predetermined state. Power generation in this predetermined state means that the solar panel 11 is stably generating power close to a target power preset as a target value for the power to be generated by the solar panel 11. More specifically, the instruction unit 52 judges that the solar panel 11 is generating power in a predetermined state when a state in which the difference between the target power and the actual power generated by the solar panel 11 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (second threshold) and the fluctuation value of the power generated by the solar panel 11 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (third threshold) continues for a predetermined time.

[0044] If the instruction unit 52 determines that the solar panel 11 is capable of generating power in a predetermined state (Yes in step S304), the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, if the instruction unit 52 determines that the solar panel 11 is not capable of generating power in a predetermined state (No in step S304), the process proceeds to step S306.

[0045] (Step S305) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to set a first frequency as the frequency at which to perform the scan process of the solar panel 11. In this second example, the first frequency is set lower than a second frequency, which will be described later. By issuing this instruction, the number of times the scan process is performed in a predetermined period of time becomes smaller than when this control is not performed.

[0046] When the instructing unit 52 instructs the first frequency as the frequency for performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 on the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S301.

[0047] (Step S306) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to set a second frequency as the frequency for performing the scan process of the solar panel 11. In this second example, the second frequency is set higher than the above-mentioned first frequency. By performing this control, the number of times the scan process is performed in a predetermined period becomes greater than when this control is not performed.

[0048] When the instructing unit 52 instructs the second frequency as the frequency for performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 on the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S301.

[0049] (Step S307) The instruction unit 52 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to set a third frequency as the frequency at which to perform the scan process of the solar panel 11. In this second example, the third frequency is set lower than the above-mentioned second frequency. The third frequency may be the same as the first frequency, or may be a frequency different from the first frequency. By performing this control, the number of times the scan process is performed in a predetermined period is reduced compared to the case where control is performed to set the second frequency.

[0050] When the instructing unit 52 instructs the third frequency as the frequency for performing the scanning process of the solar panel 11 on the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S301.

[0051] In this way, compared to the scanning process control of the first example described above, the scanning process control of the second example reduces the frequency of scanning the solar panel 11 as long as the solar panel 11 is able to output stable power close to the target power even while the vehicle is traveling, thereby suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar charging system 1 as a whole.

[0052] The target power of the solar panel 11 used in the scan process control of the first and second examples described above may be variably set based on information on the power generation of the solar panel 11 acquired by the acquisition unit 51. As a method for setting this target power, for example, a map or an arithmetic expression showing the relationship between the temperature of the solar panel 11 and the maximum power that can be output may be used to set the maximum power derived from the temperature of the solar panel 11 as the target power. Also, using data on the past power generation status of the solar panel 11, power derived from a past power generation status that is similar to the current status may be set as the target power. Also, for example, using weather information of the parking location of the vehicle received from an external information center, power derived by coordinating this environmental information with information on the temperature of the solar panel 11 and information on the past power generation status may be set as the target power.

[0053] Other possible cases in which the instruction unit 52 instructs the first frequency as the frequency at which the scanning process of the solar panel 11 for the solar module 10 is to be performed include when the temperature of the solar panel 11 is higher than a predetermined value, when the past power generation conditions in the area in which the vehicle is traveling have been poor, and when the weather at the parking location is expected to worsen in the future.

[0054] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the scan control device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the vehicle is in a state such as stopped and not moving, based on information regarding the driving of the vehicle in which the solar charging system is installed, the frequency of performing the solar panel scanning process is relatively low compared to when the vehicle is moving and driving.

[0055] This control can reduce the number of scan processes performed while the vehicle is stopped (parked), when it is assumed that the power generation status of the solar panel will continue stably, and can suppress the loss of opportunities to obtain power generation due to the scan process being performed under stable conditions where it is unlikely that new useful results will be obtained. Therefore, the scan control device according to this embodiment can improve the power generation efficiency of the entire solar charging system (improved controllability, improved power generation).

[0056] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure can be understood as a scan control device, a solar charging system equipped with a scan control device, a method executed by the scan control device, a program for executing the method, a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the program, and a vehicle equipped with a solar charging system including a scan control device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The scan control device of the present disclosure can be used in a solar charging system mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Solar charging system 10 Solar Module 11. Solar Panels 12 DC-DC converter 13 Sensors 14 Control section 30 Battery 40 Load equipment 50 Scan control device 51 Acquisition Department 52 Instruction section

Claims

1. A scan control device for controlling a scan process executed by the power generation control unit in a solar module including a solar panel mounted on a vehicle and a power generation control unit that controls power generation of the solar panel, the scan control unit scanning an output voltage of the solar panel to search for a maximum power point, An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the traveling of the vehicle; an instruction unit that instructs the power generation control unit to perform the scanning process on a frequency basis based on information related to the running of the vehicle; The instruction unit sets a first frequency, which is the frequency of the scanning process that the power generation control unit is to perform when the vehicle speed included in the information regarding the vehicle's travel is equal to or lower than a first threshold, lower than a second frequency, which is the frequency of the scanning process that the power generation control unit is to perform when the vehicle speed exceeds the first threshold.

2. The acquisition unit further acquires information regarding power generation by the solar panel, 2. The scan control device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit controls the frequency of the scanning process to be performed by the power generation control unit to a third frequency lower than the second frequency when a difference between a target power set as a target value for the power to be generated by the solar panel and the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or less than a second threshold value and a fluctuation value of the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or less than a third threshold value for a predetermined period of time.

3. 3. The scan control device according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to power generation includes at least one of information on the temperature of the solar panel, information on past power generation by the solar panel, and information on the location of the solar panel and the environment at the location, including the weather.

Images