Scan control device

Abstract

To provide a scan control device that suitably controls execution of scan processing and improves 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 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 power generation of the solar panel; a setting unit for setting target electric power representing the target value of electric power generated by the solar panel on the basis of information related to the power generation of the solar panel; and an indication unit for permitting execution of scan processing by the power generation control unit when the difference between the target electric power and the generated electric power of the solar panel exceeds a first threshold, and prohibiting execution of scan processing by the power generation control unit when the difference is less than or equal to the first threshold. The setting unit changes the target electric power to be set in accordance with a change in information related to power generation.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] In the solar charging system described in Patent Document 1, the maximum power generation of the solar panel that is ultimately desired to be obtained in the scanning process is preset as the target power for control. The maximum power generation of the solar panel that is the target power is derived in a fixed manner based on the standard value of the solar panel, etc.

[0005] The maximum power that a solar panel can generate constantly changes depending on the environment in which the solar panel is placed, such as the solar radiation conditions and the outside temperature. For this reason, in the solar charging system described in Patent Document 1, which performs control using a fixed target power, even if ideal power generation according to the changing environment is possible and scanning processing is not required, scanning processing may be performed if the power generated by the solar panel deviates from the target power. Since the power that can be obtained during this scanning processing is smaller than during normal power generation, excessive scanning processing reduces the power generation efficiency of the entire solar charging system.

[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 executed 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 having a solar panel and a power generation control unit that controls the power generation of the solar panel, the scan control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the power generation of the solar panel; a setting unit that sets a target power that is a target value for the power to be generated by the solar panel based on the information regarding the power generation of the solar panel; and an instruction unit that allows the power generation control unit to perform the scan process if the difference between the target power and the power generation power of the solar panel exceeds a first threshold, and prohibits the power generation control unit from performing the scan process if the difference is equal to or less than the first threshold, and the setting unit changes the target power that is set in accordance with changes in the information regarding the power generation. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the scanning control device disclosed herein, a target for the power generated by the solar panel is set based on information regarding the power generation of the solar panel, thereby reducing the frequency of scanning processing 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 showing the scan process control performed by the scan control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The scanning control device disclosed herein variably sets the target power generated by the solar panel based on the temperature of the solar panel, etc., and reduces the deviation between the power that the solar panel can generate in the actual environment and the target power, thereby reducing the frequency of scanning processes that reduce the amount of power generated, thereby 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. This solar charging system 1 can be mounted on vehicles 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. In the case of a vehicle, the solar panel 11 is installed on the roof, hood, back door, trunk, window, etc. 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, a current sensor, and a temperature 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 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 the functions of an acquisition unit 51, a setting unit 52, and an instruction unit 53 described below.

[0021] The acquisition unit 51 acquires information related to power generation by the solar panel 11. Examples of the information related to power generation by the solar panel 11 include information related to the current power generation status (voltage, current) of the solar panel 11, information related to the temperature of the solar panel 11, information related to past power generation status by the solar panel 11, and information related to the location of the solar panel 11 and the environment including at least the weather at that location. Details of these pieces of information will be described later.

[0022] The setting unit 52 sets a target power, which is a target value of the power to be generated by the solar panel 11, based on the information on the power generation of the solar panel 11 acquired by the acquisition unit 51. The setting unit 52 can also reset the target power, which was set based on the information on the power generation of the solar panel 11, based on the power actually generated by the solar panel 11. The method of setting the target power by the setting unit 52 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The instruction unit 53 instructs the solar module 10 to permit or prohibit the execution of the scanning process based on whether the power generation of the solar panel 11 is occurring near the target power set by the setting unit 52. Details of the control of the execution of the scanning process by this instruction unit 53 will be described later.

[0024] 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, the setting unit 52, and the instruction unit 53 described above, and the division can be set arbitrarily.

[0025] [control] Further referring to Fig. 2, the control performed in the solar charging system 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the scan process control executed by the scan control device 50 according to the present embodiment. The scan process control illustrated 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 regarding power generation by the solar panel 11. In addition to the current power generation status of the solar panel 11, the acquisition unit 51 acquires, as information regarding power generation by the solar panel 11, for example, 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 of the solar panel 11 and the environment including the weather at that location.

[0027] 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. For example, when the solar charging system 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the location where the solar panel 11 is located may be the location of the vehicle (travel location, parking location, etc.). Information on the vehicle location and the weather at that location may be acquired from a navigation device equipped with a GPS function or a predetermined external facility (information center, server, etc.).

[0028] When the acquisition unit 51 acquires information regarding power generation by the solar panel 11, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0029] (Step S202) The setting unit 52 of the scan control device 50 sets a target power Wt to ​​be generated by the solar panel 11 based on the information on the power generation of the solar panel 11 acquired by the acquisition unit 51.

[0030] For example, in the case where a map or an arithmetic expression showing the relationship between the panel temperature and the maximum power that can be output for the solar panel 11 is stored in advance, the setting unit 52 can set the maximum power derived from the map or the arithmetic expression based on the temperature of the solar panel 11 as the target power Wt. In addition, for example, in the case where data on the past power generation state of the solar panel 11 is cumulatively stored, the setting unit 52 can set the power derived based on the past power generation state that is similar to the current state as the target power Wt. The above-mentioned map, arithmetic expression, and data may be stored in the solar charging system 1. In addition, for example, in the case where environmental information on the change in the weather at the parking location of the vehicle can be received from an external information center, the setting unit 52 can set the power derived by coordinating this environmental information with the above-mentioned information on the temperature of the solar panel 11 and the information on the past power generation state as the target power Wt.

[0031] Furthermore, when the difference ΔW (=Wt-Ws) between the set target power Wt and the power generation power Ws of the solar panel 11 exceeds a first threshold T1 determined in advance, and the power generation power of the solar panel 11 is stable in a predetermined state, the setting unit 52 can reset the target power Wt. More specifically, when the power difference ΔW exceeds the first threshold T1, the setting unit 52 resets the target power Wt if the fluctuation value of the power generation power of the solar panel 11 (the change width from the maximum power Wmax to the minimum power Wmin) is equal to or less than a second threshold T2 determined in advance (Wmax-Wmin≦T2), that is, if a stable power generation state with little power fluctuation continues for a predetermined period. Examples of the target power Wt after resetting include the average value of the power generation power of the solar panel 11 in the predetermined period, the median value ((Wmax+Wmin) / 2) between the maximum power Wmax and the minimum power Wmin of the solar panel 11, and the like.

[0032] Once the target power Wt to ​​be generated by the solar panel 11 has been set by the setting unit 52, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0033] The processing of steps S201 and S202 described above may be performed constantly while the solar charging system 1 is operating, or may be performed based on a predetermined timing (such as a fixed cycle or when a specific event occurs).

[0034] (Step S203) The instruction unit 53 of the scan control device 50 determines whether the solar panel 11 is generating power close to the target power Wt set by the setting unit 52. More specifically, the instruction unit 53 determines whether the difference ΔW between the target power Wt and the generated power Ws of the solar panel 11 is larger or smaller than the first threshold value T1.

[0035] If the instruction unit 53 determines that the power difference ΔW is equal to or less than the first threshold T1 (step S203, ΔW≦T1), the process proceeds to step S204. The transition to step S204 may be performed only when the state in which the power difference ΔW is equal to or less than the first threshold T1 (ΔW≦T1) continues for a predetermined time (e.g., several seconds). On the other hand, if the instruction unit 53 determines that the power difference ΔW exceeds the first threshold T1 (step S203, ΔW>T1), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0036] (Step S204) The instruction unit 53 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to prohibit (not permit) the execution of a scan process of the solar panel 11. Due to this instruction, the scan process will not be executed in the solar module 10 even if the timing for executing the scan process arrives.

[0037] When the instruction unit 53 issues an instruction to prohibit the execution of the scanning process of the solar panel 11 for the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0038] (Step S205) The instruction unit 53 of the scan control device 50 instructs the solar module 10 to permit the execution of a scan process of the solar panel 11. In response to this instruction, the solar module 10 executes the scan process when the timing for executing the scan process arrives.

[0039] When the instruction unit 53 issues an instruction to permit the execution of a scanning process of the solar panel 11 for the solar module 10, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0040] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to one embodiment of the scanning control device of the present disclosure, the target power to be generated by the solar panel, which is set to achieve efficient power generation, is dynamically changed in response to changes in information related to power generation by the solar panel.

[0041] This control can suppress the occurrence of deviation between the actual power generation power of the solar panel and the target power under an ideal power generation environment, and can reduce the frequency of performing the scan process under an ideal power generation environment. 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 amount).

[0042] 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]

[0043] The scan control device of the present disclosure can be used in a solar charging system mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 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 Setting section 53 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 and a power generation control unit for controlling 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 power generation by the solar panel; a setting unit that sets a target power, which is a target value of the power generated by the solar panel, based on the information about the power generation; an instruction unit that permits the power generation control unit to perform the scanning process when a difference between the target power and the power generation power of the solar panel exceeds a first threshold, and prohibits the power generation control unit from performing the scanning process when the difference is equal to or smaller than the first threshold, The setting unit changes the target power set in response to a change in the information related to the power generation.

2. The scan control device according to claim 1 , wherein the information regarding power generation includes information regarding a temperature of the solar panel.

3. The scan control device according to claim 1 , wherein the information regarding power generation includes information regarding past power generation conditions by the solar panel.

4. The scan control device according to claim 1 , wherein the information relating to power generation includes information about a position where the solar panel is located and an environment including at least weather at the position.

5. 5. The scanning control device according to claim 1, wherein when the difference exceeds the first threshold and the fluctuation value of the power generation of the solar panel is equal to or less than a second threshold for a predetermined period of time, the setting unit sets the average or median value of the power generation of the solar panel during the predetermined period of time as the target power.

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