External charging control device

Abstract

To provide an external charging control device that enables external charging again even in the case of an overheat protection mode.SOLUTION: An external charging control device (vehicle 1) includes a heating element (pre-charge resistor 154) that generates heat when energized, is capable of selecting one of an overheat protection mode for protecting the heating element from overheating and a current prohibition mode for prohibiting a current from being applied to the heating element, is capable of controlling whether to permit or prohibit execution of external charging, and includes an ECU 3. A processor CPU 31 of the ECU 3 performs control to permit execution of external charging when the overheat protection mode is selected, and performs control to prohibit execution of external charging when the current prohibition mode is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an external charging control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method for suppressing the supply of power when external charging is resumed after external charging has been stopped and the temperature of the charging relay exceeds a threshold temperature, compared to when the temperature of the charging relay is below the threshold temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-046517 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the control content is based on the assumption that external charging can be resumed after external charging is stopped, so in the case of an overheat protection mode for preventing overheating of heating elements such as resistors, it is not anticipated that external charging will be resumed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide an external charging control device that is capable of re-establishing external charging even in the case of an overheat protection mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the external charging control device of the present disclosure is an external charging control device that has a heating element that generates heat when current is applied, is capable of selecting either an overheat protection mode for protecting the heating element from overheating or a current prohibition mode for prohibiting current from being applied to the heating element, and is capable of controlling whether to allow or prohibit the execution of external charging, and is equipped with a processor, which performs control to allow the execution of external charging when the overheat protection mode is selected, and performs control to prohibit the execution of external charging when the current prohibition mode is selected. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure the amount of power transmitted from a power supply device to a vehicle while taking into consideration pedestrians around the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle and a charging facility according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the external charging control according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] [Overall configuration of charging system] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of a charging system according to one embodiment. The charging system 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a vehicle 1, a charging facility 5, and a charging cable 6. Fig. 1 shows a situation during external charging (so-called plug-in charging) in which power is supplied from the charging facility 5 to the vehicle 1 via the charging cable 6.

[0011] The vehicle 1 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Note that the vehicle 1 may be, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as long as the vehicle is configured to be externally charged.

[0012] The charging facility 5 is a charger provided at a public charging stand (for example, also called a charging station or a charging spot).

[0013] [General configuration of vehicle and charging equipment] Next, there will be described a schematic configuration of the vehicle 1 and the charging facility 5. FIG 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle 1 and the charging facility 5.

[0014] First, a schematic configuration of the charging facility 5 will be described. The charging equipment 5 is a DC (Direct Current) charger, a so-called quick charger, compatible with a charging method that supplies large power at high voltage and large current. The charging equipment 5 converts AC power supplied from a system power supply 7 into DC power for charging the battery 2 mounted on the vehicle 1. The charging equipment 5 includes a power line ACL, an AC / DC converter 51, a voltage sensor 52, power feeders PL0 and NL0, and a control circuit 50.

[0015] The power line ACL is electrically connected to the power system 7. The power line ACL transmits AC power from the power system 7 to the AC / DC converter 51.

[0016] The AC / DC converter 51 converts the AC power on the power line ACL into DC power for charging the battery 2 mounted on the vehicle 1. The power conversion by the AC / DC converter 51 may be performed by a combination of AC / DC conversion for power factor correction and DC / DC conversion for voltage level adjustment. The DC power output from the AC / DC converter 51 is supplied by a positive power feed line PL0 and a negative power feed line NL0.

[0017] The voltage sensor 52 is electrically connected between the power feeder line PL0 and the power feeder line NL0. The voltage sensor 52 detects the voltage between the power feeder line PL0 and the power feeder line NL0, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 50.

[0018] The control circuit 50 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a ROM. (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and The control circuit 50 controls the power conversion operation by the AC / DC converter 51 based on the voltage detected by the voltage sensor 52, a signal from the vehicle 1, and a map and program stored in the memory.

[0019] Next, the schematic configuration of the vehicle 1 will be described. Vehicle 1 includes an inlet 11, charging lines PL1, NL1, a voltage sensor 121, a current sensor 122, charging relays 131, 132, a temperature sensor 14, system main relays (SMR: System Main Relay) 151, 152, a system main pre-charge relay (SMRP: System Main Pre-charge Relay) 153, a pre-charge resistor 154, power lines PL2, NL2, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 16, a motor generator 17, a power transmission gear 18, driving wheels 19, a battery 2, a voltage sensor 21, a current sensor 22, a temperature sensor 23, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 3.

[0020] The inlet 11 is configured so that a charging connector 61 of the charging cable 6 can be inserted thereinto by mechanical connection such as fitting. With the insertion of the charging connector 61, an electrical connection is established between the power feeder PL0 and a positive contact of the inlet 11, and an electrical connection is established between the power feeder NL0 and a negative contact of the inlet 11. Furthermore, by connecting the inlet 11 and the charging connector 61 via the charging cable 6, the ECU 3 of the vehicle 1 and the control circuit 50 of the charging equipment 5 transmit and receive various signals (commands, requests, messages, data, etc.) to and from each other through communication conforming to a communication standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0021] The voltage sensor 12 is electrically connected between the charging lines PL1 and NL1 on the inlet 11 side of the charging relays 131, 132. The voltage sensor 12 detects a DC voltage between the charging lines PL1 and NL1 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 3.

[0022] The charging relay 131 is connected to the charging line PL1. The charging relay 132 is connected to the charging line NL1. The closing / opening of the charging relays 131, 132 is controlled in response to a command from the ECU 3. When the charging relays 131, 132 are closed and the SMRs 151, 152 are closed, power transmission between the inlet 11 and the battery 2 is enabled.

[0023] The temperature sensor 14 is, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor 14 detects the temperatures of the charging relays 131, 132, and outputs the detection result to the ECU 3. Specifically, the temperature sensor 14 detects the temperatures of the relay terminals of the charging relays 131, 132, and outputs the detection result to the ECU 3.

[0024] One end of SMR 151 is electrically connected to node ND1, and the other end is electrically connected to the battery 2. One end of SMR 152 is electrically connected to node ND2, and the other end is electrically connected to the battery 2. The closing / opening of SMRs 151, 152 is controlled in response to a command from ECU 3. When charging relays 131, 132 are closed and SMRs 151, 152 are closed, power transmission between inlet 11 and battery 2 is enabled.

[0025] The SMRP 153 is electrically connected to the precharge resistor 154. The SMRP 153 and the precharge resistor 154 are connected in parallel to the contacts of the SMRs 151 and 152. When the SMRs 151 and 152 are in an open state, the SMRP 153 is switched on to precharge a smoothing capacitor (not shown) while limiting an inrush current. The precharge resistor 154 is an inrush prevention resistor (for example, 100Ω) that limits an inrush current of the smoothing capacitor. The precharge resistor 154 prevents a large inrush current from flowing immediately after the SMRs 151 and 152 are switched to a closed state, and when the SMRs 151 and 152 are in an open state, the smoothing capacitor is precharged via the precharge resistor 154. In one embodiment, the precharge resistor 154 corresponds to a heating element.

[0026] The battery 2 is a battery pack including a plurality of cells 20. Each cell 20 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. The battery 2 supplies electric power for generating a driving force for the vehicle 1. The battery 2 also stores electric power generated by the motor generator 17. The positive electrode of the battery 2 is electrically connected to a node ND1 via an SMR 151. The node ND1 is electrically connected to a charging line PL1 and a power line PL2. Similarly, the negative electrode of the battery 2 is electrically connected to a node ND2 via an SMR 152. The node ND2 is electrically connected to a charging line NL1 and a power line NL2. The closing / opening of the SMRs 151 and 152 is controlled in response to a command from the ECU 3.

[0027] The voltage sensor 21 detects the voltage VB of the battery 2. The current sensor 22 detects the current IB input to and output from the battery 2. The temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature TB of the battery 2. Each sensor outputs the detection result to the ECU 3.

[0028] PCU 16 is electrically connected between power lines PL2, NL2 and motor generator 17. PCU 16 includes a converter and an inverter (neither shown), and drives motor generator 17 in accordance with a command from ECU 3.

[0029] The motor generator 17 is an AC rotating electric machine, for example a permanent magnet type synchronous motor with a rotor in which a permanent magnet is embedded. The output torque of the motor generator 17 is transmitted to the drive wheels 19 through the power transmission gear 18 to drive the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the motor generator 17 can generate power by the rotational force of the drive wheels 19 when the vehicle 1 is braking. The generated power by the motor generator 17 is converted by the PCU 16 into charging power for the battery 2.

[0030] The ECU 3 includes a processor 31 such as a CPU, a memory 32 such as a ROM and a RAM, and an input / output port 33, similar to the control circuit 50. The ECU 3 controls the devices so that the vehicle 1 is in a desired state in response to signals from each sensor and the like. Specifically, the ECU 3 monitors the temperatures of the charging relays 131 and 132 based on the detection result detected by the temperature sensor 14. In addition, when the mode of the vehicle 1 is selected to be an overheat protection mode for protecting the precharge resistor 154, which is a heating element, from overheating, the ECU 3 performs control to permit execution of external charging. In contrast, when the mode of the vehicle 1 is selected to be a current prohibition mode for prohibiting current from being applied to the precharge resistor 154, which is a heating element, the ECU 3 performs control to prohibit execution of external charging. In one embodiment, the ECU 3 functions as a processor. In addition, the ECU 3 may be configured by dividing it into a plurality of ECUs for each function. For example, ECU 3 may be divided into a charging ECU, a battery ECU, an MG-ECU, a mode selection ECU that selects either the overheat protection mode or the power supply prohibition mode, and an ECU that controls whether to permit or prohibit the execution of external charging.

[0031] [ECU processing] Next, the processing executed by the ECU 3 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of external charging control. The processing according to this flowchart is called from the main routine and executed, for example, at predetermined intervals, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during external charging. Each step is realized by software processing by the ECU 3, but may also be realized by hardware (electrical circuitry) arranged in the ECU 3.

[0032] 3, when the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the power supply mode (step S101: Yes) and an SMR immediate shutoff request is made (step S102: Yes), the ECU 3 makes a start-up request for the HV system (step S103). Specifically, the ECU 3 outputs a signal to turn off the start-up request for the HV system.

[0033] Next, the ECU 3 requests high voltage preparation in the power supply mode (step S104), and requests the shutoff operation of the SMRs 151 and 152 (step S105). Specifically, the ECU 3 outputs a signal to turn off the high voltage preparation request in the power supply mode. After step S105, this process ends.

[0034] In step S101, if the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the power supply mode (step S101: Yes), and if an SMR immediate shutoff request has not been made (step S102: No), the ECU 3 proceeds to step S106, which will be described later.

[0035] In step S101, if the mode state of the vehicle 1 is not the power supply mode (step S101: No), the ECU 3 ends this process.

[0036] In step S106, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the user has plugged out the charging cable 6 by pulling it out from the inlet 11 of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the user has plugged out the charging cable 6 by pulling it out from the inlet 11 of the vehicle 1, based on various signals from the control circuit 50 of the charging equipment 5. If the ECU 3 determines that the user has plugged out the charging cable 6 by pulling it out from the inlet 11 of the vehicle 1 (step S106: Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the ECU 3 determines that the user has not plugged out the charging cable 6 by pulling it out from the inlet 11 of the vehicle 1 (step S106: No), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0037] In step S107, the ECU 3 determines whether the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the overheat protection mode. If the ECU 3 determines that the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the overheat protection mode (step S107: Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if the ECU 3 determines that the mode state of the vehicle 1 is not the overheat protection mode (step S105: No), the process proceeds to step S103. Specifically, if the ECU 3 determines that the mode state of the vehicle 1 is not the overheat protection mode, i.e., the power supply prohibition mode, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0038] In step S108, the ECU 3 issues a high voltage preparation request in the power supply mode. Specifically, the ECU 3 outputs a signal to turn on the high voltage preparation request in the power supply mode in order to perform control to permit execution of external power reception.

[0039] Next, the ECU 3 issues a request to operate the SMRs 151 and 152 (step S109). Specifically, the ECU 3 outputs a signal to close the SMRs 151 and 152. This allows external charging to be performed again even in the overheat protection mode. After step S109, the ECU 3 ends this process.

[0040] In step S110, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the user has plugged in the vehicle 1 by inserting the charging cable 6 into the inlet 11. Specifically, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the user has plugged in the vehicle 1 by inserting the charging cable 6 into the inlet 11, based on various signals from the control circuit 50 of the charging equipment 5. If the ECU 3 determines that the user has plugged in the vehicle 1 by inserting the charging cable 6 into the inlet 11 (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if the ECU 3 determines that the user has not plugged in the vehicle 1 by inserting the charging cable 6 into the inlet 11 (step S110: No), the ECU 3 ends this process.

[0041] In step S111, the ECU 3 requests activation of the power supply mode. Specifically, the ECU 3 outputs a signal to close the charging relays 131 and 132.

[0042] Next, the ECU 3 issues a request for high voltage preparation in the power supply mode (step S112), and issues a request for operating the SMRs 151 and 152 (step S113). The ECU 3 outputs a signal to close the SMRs 151 and 152. After step S113, the ECU 3 ends this process.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, when the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the overheat protection mode, the ECU 3 performs control to permit external charging to be performed, whereas when the mode state of the vehicle 1 is the power supply prohibited mode, the ECU 3 performs control to prohibit the execution of external charging. Therefore, even in the overheat protection mode, external charging can be performed again.

[0044] In addition, in the charging system according to the embodiment, the above-mentioned "control circuit" can be read as "means" or "device." For example, the control circuit can be read as power receiving means or power receiving device.

[0045] In the description of the flowcharts in this specification, the order of processing between steps is clearly indicated using expressions such as "first," "then," and "continue," but the order of processing required to implement this embodiment is not uniquely determined by these expressions. In other words, the order of processing in the flowcharts described in this specification can be changed as long as there is no contradiction.

[0046] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Thus, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0047] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the disclosure of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 vehicle 2 Battery 3 ECU 5 Charging equipment 6 Charging cable 7 Grid power supply 11 Inlet

Claims

[Claim 1] An external charging control device that includes a heating element that generates heat when energized, is capable of selecting one of an overheat protection mode for protecting the heating element from overheating and a current prohibition mode for prohibiting current from being applied to the heating element, and is capable of controlling whether to permit or prohibit execution of external charging, A processor is provided. The processor, When the overheat protection mode is selected, control is performed to permit execution of the external charging, When the current conduction prohibition mode is selected, control is performed to prohibit execution of the external charging. External charging control device.

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