Power system
The power system efficiently performs welding checks on relays by using check voltages across relays, addressing the lack of efficient relay checks in existing systems and ensuring continuous power supply to electric vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023119248
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing power systems for electric vehicles lack an efficient method to perform welding checks on relays, particularly for positive and negative electrode relays, during system launch and end-of-use processing.
A power system with a control device that manages the switching and welding checks of relays by using check voltages across relays to verify their proper operation, ensuring seamless power supply to electric vehicles.
Enables effective welding checks of relays during mode transitions, maintaining power supply continuity and ensuring relay integrity in electric vehicle systems.
Smart Images
Figure 2025016158000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to power systems. [Background technology]
[0002] A conventional technique of this type has been proposed for an electric vehicle having a first relay set for opening and closing a pair of power supply lines and a second relay set for opening and closing a pair of branch lines branched from the pair of power supply lines, in which a relay of either the first or second relay set is operated and a voltage between the pair of branch lines is inspected to perform a welding diagnosis of the second relay set (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this electric vehicle, during a processing period for starting up the system of the electric vehicle and / or during a processing period for ending use of the branch lines, a welding diagnosis is performed for each relay included in the second relay set, and a welding diagnosis is performed for up to one relay during one processing period. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-54160 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] A multi-outlet type power device has been devised which includes a first connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to a first positive and negative line, a second connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to a second positive and negative line, N power supply units respectively connected to N third positive and negative lines, N first positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the first positive and negative line to the N third positive and negative lines, and N second positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the second positive and negative line to the N third positive and negative lines. In this power device, when switching from a state in which a predetermined first positive electrode, negative electrode relay corresponding to a predetermined third positive electrode, negative electrode line connected to a predetermined power supply unit among N power supply units is on and a predetermined second positive electrode, negative electrode relay corresponding to a predetermined third positive electrode, negative electrode line is off to a state in which the predetermined first positive electrode, negative electrode relay is off and the predetermined second positive electrode, negative electrode relay is on, the problem is how to perform a welding check of the predetermined first positive electrode, negative electrode relay. The main object of the power system disclosed herein is to more appropriately perform a welding check of the predetermined first positive electrode, negative electrode relay. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The power system of the present disclosure employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object. The power system of the present disclosure is a power system including a first connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to first positive and negative lines, a second connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to second positive and negative lines, N power supply units respectively connected to N third positive and negative lines, N first positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the first positive and negative lines to the N third positive and negative lines, N second positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the second positive and negative lines to the N third positive and negative lines, and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control a predetermined first positive and negative relay corresponding to a predetermined third positive and negative line connected to a predetermined power supply unit among the N power supply units when the predetermined first positive and negative relays are turned on. When switching from an off state of the predetermined second positive and negative relay corresponding to the predetermined third positive and negative line to a state in which the predetermined first positive and negative relay is off and the predetermined second positive and negative relay is on, one of the predetermined first positive and negative relays is turned off, a welding check is performed on the one of the predetermined first positive and negative relays using a check voltage that is the voltage between the predetermined third positive and negative lines, the other of the predetermined first positive and negative relays is turned off, and while continuing to turn off the one of the predetermined first positive and negative relays, both lines are connected via the one of the predetermined first positive and negative relays, and a welding check is performed on the other of the predetermined first positive and negative relays using the check voltage.
[0006] In the power system of the present disclosure, the power system includes: a first connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to a first positive and negative line; a second connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to a second positive and negative line; a first power supply unit connected to a third positive and negative line; a second power supply unit connected to a fourth positive and negative line; a first positive and negative relay that connects and cuts off the first positive and negative line and the third positive and negative line; a second positive and negative relay that connects and cuts off the second positive and negative line and the third positive and negative line; a third positive and negative relay that connects and cuts off the first positive and negative line and the fourth positive and negative line; a fourth positive and negative relay that connects and cuts off the second positive and negative line and the fourth positive and negative line; and a control device, When switching from a state in which the first positive, negative relay and the third positive, negative relay are on and the second positive, negative relay and the fourth positive, negative relay are off to a state in which the first positive, negative relay and the fourth positive, negative relay are on and the second positive, negative relay and the third positive, negative relay are off, the control device may turn off one of the third positive, negative relays, and perform a welding check of the one of the third positive, negative relays using a check voltage that is a voltage between the fourth positive, negative lines, turn off the other of the third positive, negative relays, and connect the lines on both sides via the one of the third positive, negative relays while continuing to turn off the one of the third positive, negative relays, and perform a welding check of the other of the third positive, negative relays using the check voltage. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power system 20 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing routine. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing routine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power system 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power system 20 according to the embodiment is configured as a multi-outlet type power device having two connectors 22A, 22B, and when an electric vehicle (electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell vehicle) is connected to at least one of the connectors 22A, 22B, the power system 20 is capable of converting AC power of a power grid 10 into DC power, adjusting the power, and supplying it to the electric vehicle. As shown in the figure, the power system 20 includes, in addition to the two connectors 22A, 22B, four converters 24A-24D, six relays 41-46, and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU") 70.
[0009] The connectors 22A, 22B are each configured to be connectable to a connector of an electric vehicle. The connectors 22A, 22B are connected to the positive lines 31p, 32p and the negative lines 31n, 32n of the power lines 31, 32, respectively. The converters 24A-24D are connected to the power system 10 and the positive lines 33p-36p and the negative lines 33n-36n of the power lines 33-36, respectively, and are capable of converting AC power of the power system 10 into DC power, adjusting the power, and supplying it to the power lines 33-36.
[0010] The positive relays 41p, 42p and negative relays 41n, 42n of the relays 41, 42 respectively connect and cut off the positive lines 31p, 32p and negative lines 31n, 32n of the power lines 31, 32 and the positive lines 33p, 34p and negative lines 33n, 34n of the power lines 33, 34 by being turned on and off. The positive relays 43p, 44p and negative relays 43n, 44n of the relays 43, 44 respectively connect and cut off the positive lines 33p, 34p and negative lines 33n, 34n of the power lines 33, 34 and the positive line 35p and negative line 35n of the power line 35 by being turned on and off. The positive relays 45p, 46p and negative relays 45n, 46n of the relays 45, 46 respectively connect and disconnect the positive lines 33p, 34p and negative lines 33n, 34n of the power lines 33, 34 to the positive line 36p and negative line 36n of the power line 36 by being turned on and off.
[0011] The ECU 70 includes a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, input / output ports, etc. The voltages V3-V6 of the power lines 33-36 (voltages between the positive lines 33p-36p and the negative lines 33n-36n) from the voltage sensors 33v-36v are input to the ECU 70. The ECU 70 outputs control signals for the converters 24A-24D and control signals for the relays 41-46 (positive relays 41p-46p and negative relays 41n-46n) via the output port.
[0012] In the power system 20 of the embodiment thus configured, the converters 24A-24D and the relays 41-46 are controlled according to the first to third modes. The first mode is a mode in which power is supplied only to the electric vehicle A connected to the connector 22A of the connectors 22A and 22B. The second mode is a mode in which power is supplied only to the electric vehicle B connected to the connector 22B of the connectors 22A and 22B. The third mode is a mode in which power is supplied to both the electric vehicles A and B connected to the connectors 22A and 22B. In the first mode, the converters 24A, 24C, 24D are driven with the relays 41, 43, 45 turned on and the relays 42, 44, 46 turned off, thereby supplying power from the converters 24A, 24C, 24D to the electric vehicle A via the power lines 33, 31 and the connector 22A. In the second mode, converters 24B, 24C, 24D are driven with relays 42, 44, 46 turned on and relays 41, 43, 45 turned off, thereby supplying power from converters 24B, 24C, 24D to electric vehicle B via power lines 34, 32 and connector 22B. In the third mode, converters 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D are driven with relays 41, 42, 43, 46 turned on and relays 44, 45 turned off, thereby supplying power from converters 24A, 24C to electric vehicle A via power lines 33, 31 and connector 22A, and supplying power from converters 24B, 24D to electric vehicle B via power lines 34, 32 and connector 22B.
[0013] Next, the operation of the power system 20 of the embodiment will be described. In particular, when switching from the first mode to the third mode, specifically, when switching from a state in which the relays 41, 43, 45 (positive relays 41p, 43p, 45p and negative relays 41n, 43n, 45n) are on and the relays 42, 44, 46 (positive relays 42p, 44p, 46p and negative relays 42n, 44n, 46n) are off to a state in which the relays 41, 42, 43, 46 (positive relays 41p, 42p, 43p, 46p and negative relays 41n, 42n, 43n, 46n) are on and the relays 44, 45 (positive relays 44p, 45p and negative relays 44n, 45n) are off, the operation will be described. At that time, the converter 24D is temporarily stopped.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed by the ECU 70. This routine is executed when switching from the first mode to the third mode. When this routine is executed, the ECU 70 first turns off the negative relay 45n (step S100), and executes a welding check of the negative relay 45n using the voltage V6 of the power line 36 from the voltage sensor 36v (step S110). Since the voltage V6 differs depending on whether the negative relay 45n is normally turned off (the negative line 33n and the negative line 36n are normally disconnected), the welding check of the negative relay 45n can be executed using the voltage V6. Next, the positive relay 45p is turned off (step S120), the negative relays 44n and 46n are turned on (step S130), and the welding check of the positive relay 45p is executed using the voltage V6 of the power line 36 from the voltage sensor 36v (step S140). By turning on the negative relays 44n and 46n, the negative line 33n, the negative line 35n, the negative line 34n, and the negative line 36n are connected. Therefore, since the voltage V6 differs depending on whether the positive relay 45p is normally turned off (the positive line 33p and the positive line 36p are normally disconnected), the voltage V6 can be used to perform a welding check on the positive relay 45p. Then, the negative relay 44n is turned off and the positive relay 46p is turned on (step S150), the positive relay 42p and the negative relay 42n are turned on (step S160), and this routine is terminated. With this method, when switching from the first mode to the third mode, it is possible to perform a welding check on the positive relay 45p and the negative relay 45n while supplying power to the electric vehicle A connected to the connector 22A.
[0015] In the power system 20 of the present embodiment described above, when switching from the first mode to the third mode, the negative relay 45n is turned off, and a welding check of the negative relay 45n is performed using the voltage V6 of the power line 36. Next, the positive relay 45p is turned off, the negative relays 44n and 46n are turned on, and a welding check of the positive relay 45p is performed using the voltage V6 of the power line 36. Then, the negative relay 44n is turned off, the positive relay 46p is turned on, and the positive relay 42p and the negative relay 42n are turned on. This makes it possible to perform a welding check of the positive relay 45p and the negative relay 45n while supplying power to the electric vehicle A connected to the connector 22A.
[0016] In the above-described embodiment, the ECU 70 executes the processing routine of FIG. 2 when switching from the first mode to the third mode. Instead of this, the ECU 70 may execute the processing routine of FIG. 3. When this routine is executed, the ECU 70 first turns off the positive relay 45p (step S200), and executes a welding check of the positive relay 45p using the voltage V6 of the power line 36 from the voltage sensor 36v (step S210). Since the voltage V6 differs depending on whether the positive relay 45p is normally turned off (the positive line 33p and the positive line 36p are normally disconnected), the welding check of the positive relay 45p can be executed using the voltage V6. Next, the negative relay 45n is turned off (step S220), the positive relays 44p and 46p are turned on (step S230), and the welding check of the negative relay 45n is executed using the voltage V6 of the power line 36 from the voltage sensor 36v (step S240). By turning on the positive relays 44p and 46p, the positive line 33p, the positive line 35p, the positive line 34p, and the positive line 36p are connected. Therefore, since the voltage V6 differs depending on whether the negative relay 45n is normally turned off (the negative line 33n and the negative line 36n are normally disconnected), the voltage V6 can be used to perform a welding check on the negative relay 45n. Then, the positive relay 44p is turned off and the negative relay 46n is turned on (step S250), the positive relay 42p and the negative relay 42n are turned on (step S260), and this routine is terminated. With this method, when switching from the first mode to the third mode, it is possible to perform a welding check on the positive relay 45p and the negative relay 45n while supplying power to the electric vehicle A connected to the connector 22A.
[0017] In the processing routines of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the welding check of the positive relay 45p and the negative relay 45n when switching from the first mode to the third mode has been described. In this case, the connector 22A corresponds to the "first connector", the connector 22B corresponds to the "second connector", the converters 24C and 24D correspond to the "N power supply units", the positive relays 43p and 45p and the negative relays 43n and 45n correspond to the "N first positive and negative relays", and the positive relays 44p and 46p and the negative relays 44n and 46n correspond to the "N second positive and negative relays". However, the welding check of the positive relay 44p and the negative relay 44n when switching from the second mode to the third mode can be considered in the same way. In this case, connector 22B corresponds to the "first connector", connector 22A corresponds to the "second connector", converters 24C, 24D correspond to "N power supply units", positive relays 44p, 46p and negative relays 44n, 46n correspond to "N first positive, negative relays", and positive relays 43p, 45p and negative relays 43n, 45n correspond to "N second positive, negative relays".
[0018] In the above-described embodiment, power system 20 includes converter 24C and relays 43, 44, and converter 24D and relays 45, 46. That is, two sets of a converter and two relays that connect and disconnect power lines 33, 34 to and from the converter are provided. However, three or more sets of such sets may be provided.
[0019] In the above-described embodiment, the power system 20 includes the converters 24A and 24B. However, it is not necessary to include one or the other of these converters.
[0020] The above describes embodiments for implementing the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]
[0021] The present disclosure is applicable to the power system manufacturing industry and the like. [Explanation of symbols]
[0022] 20 Power system, 22A,22B connectors, 24A~24D converter, 31~36 power lines, 31n~36n negative lines, 31p~36p positive lines, 41~46 relays, 41n~46n negative relays, 41p~46p positive relays, 70 ECU.
Claims
[Claim 1] a first connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to first positive and negative lines; a second connector connectable to an electric vehicle and connected to second positive and negative lines; N power supply units respectively connected to N third positive and negative lines; N first positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the first positive and negative lines to the N third positive and negative lines; N second positive and negative relays respectively connecting and disconnecting the second positive and negative lines to the N third positive and negative lines; and a control device, When switching from a state in which the first positive and negative relays corresponding to the third positive and negative lines connected to a predetermined power supply unit among the N power supply units are on and the second positive and negative relays corresponding to the third positive and negative lines are off to a state in which the first positive and negative relays are off and the second positive and negative relays are on, the control device turns off one of the first positive and negative relays, and performs a welding check of the one of the first positive and negative relays using a check voltage that is a voltage between the third positive and negative lines, turns off the other of the first positive and negative relays, and connects the lines on both sides via the one of the first positive and negative relays while continuing the one of the first positive and negative relays to be off, and performs a welding check of the other of the first positive and negative relays using the check voltage. Power system.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Relay diagnostic device for electric vehicle
JP2020054160A