Electronic control unit

Abstract

To provide an electronic control unit capable of increasing the battery charging efficiency even in low-temperature environments.SOLUTION: A power management unit 11 individually controls the current of multiple batteries 23a-23c which are parallel connected. A current control unit 11a controls the current of the multiple batteries 23a-23c respectively. A temperature acquisition unit 11b acquires the temperature of the multiple batteries 23a-23c respectively. A current control unit 11a controls the current of battery 23a with the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 11b is lower than the specified value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a technology has been proposed to reduce the variation in battery life when a DC power supply system charges batteries (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the capacity of the batteries is leveled out, preventing the variation in deterioration caused by the variation in the number of charge / discharge cycles for each battery connected in parallel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 145997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, the inventors have been studying the battery performance when the battery is exposed to a low-temperature environment. When considering the battery performance, the charging efficiency of the battery is relatively low in a low-temperature environment, and it takes a long time to charge. If a heater or the like is used to increase the environmental temperature of the battery, it will complicate the system and require extra parts, which is not preferable.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device that can improve the efficiency of charging a battery even in a low-temperature environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention of claim 1 is directed to an electronic control device that individually controls the current of multiple batteries connected in parallel. The current control unit controls the current of each of the multiple batteries. The temperature acquisition unit acquires the temperature of each of the multiple batteries. The current control unit selectively controls the current of a battery whose temperature, as measured by the temperature acquisition unit, is lower than a predetermined temperature.

[0007] When the current control unit selectively controls the current of the parallel-connected batteries, it can preferentially increase the current flowing through the batteries that are lower in temperature than a predetermined temperature. As a result, it is possible to heat up all the batteries more quickly than if the parallel-connected batteries were simply controlled by current control, and it is possible to increase the charging efficiency of the batteries even when they are exposed to a low-temperature environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Electrical configuration block diagram of the system in the first embodiment [Diagram 2] Flowchart showing the operation in the first embodiment [Diagram 3] 1 is a time chart illustrating a flow of current control in the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of charging power according to a difference in a current control method in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of charging power according to a difference in a current control method in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the operation in the second embodiment [Figure 7] 13 is a time chart illustrating a flow of current control in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Flowchart showing the operation in the third embodiment [Figure 9] 13 is a time chart illustrating a flow of current control in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the operation in the fourth embodiment [Figure 11] 13 is a time chart illustrating a flow of current control in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the electronic control device will be described. In the respective embodiments, parts having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system 10. The system 10 is mainly configured with a power management device 11. The system 10 includes a DC / DC converter 12 and its load device 13, a power conditioner 31 and a power generation device 32, batteries 23a to 23c, contactors 21a to 21b, and bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a to 22c. The power management device 11 is configured as an electronic control device. In Fig. 1, a DC power supply line L1 is indicated by a thick line, and a control line L2 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0011] The DC power supply line L1 is connected between the DC / DC converter 12 and the load device 13. The DC power supply line L1 is also connected between the power conditioner 31 and the power generation device 32. The DC power supply line L1 also connects between the power conditioner 31, the DC / DC converter 12, and the multiple contactors 21a to 21c.

[0012] Each of the multiple contactors 21a-21c is connected to a power conditioner 31 on one side through a DC power line L1, and is connected to bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c on the other side. The multiple batteries 23a-23c are connected in parallel to each other through the contactors 21a-21c and the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c. The multiple batteries 23a-23c are composed of stationary batteries installed in a battery exchange station, a battery rack, or the like.

[0013] The batteries 23a-23c are connected to BMUs 24a-24c, respectively. BMU stands for Battery Management Unit. The BMUs 24a-24c are configured as monitoring devices that monitor the batteries 23a-23c, respectively. The contactors 21a-21c are configured so that they can be turned on and off by the BMUs 24a-24c, respectively. The BMUs 24a-24c can control the connection between the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c and the DC power line L1 by controlling the contactors 21a-21c on and off.

[0014] On the other hand, a power generation device 32 is connected to the power conditioner 31. The power generation device 32 includes a renewable energy source such as a solar power generation system or wind power generation. The power conditioner 31 converts the power generated by the power generation device 32 into a DC voltage and outputs it to the DC power supply line L1.

[0015] A load device 13 is connected to the DC / DC converter 12. The load device 13 is a stationary electric load or electronic device that requires power supply. When the DC / DC converter 12 operates, it converts the level of the DC voltage input through the DC power supply line L1 and supplies a stable DC voltage to the load device 13.

[0016] The power management device 11 connects a control line L2 to the power conditioner 31, the DC / DC converter 12, and the BMUs 24a-24c, and controls the operation of the power conditioner 31, the DC / DC converter 12, and the BMUs 24a-24c through the control line L2. The control line L2 may be connected between the power management device 11 and the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c, so that the power management device 11 can control the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c. Alternatively, the control line L2 may be connected between the BMUs 24a-24c and the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c, so that the BMUs 24a-24c can control the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c.

[0017] The power management device 11 is configured as an electronic control device equipped with a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer"), a memory, a communication unit, etc. The power management device 11 functions as a current control unit 11a and a temperature acquisition unit 11b by executing a program stored in the memory by the microcomputer. The memory therein is configured by a non-transient substantial recording medium such as a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

[0018] Among the components of a computer, a microcomputer includes a processing unit that performs data calculations and conversions, executes programs, controls other devices, etc. Typically, a microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire computer.

[0019] The current control unit 11a has a function of individually controlling the current of each of the multiple batteries 23a to 23c. In this embodiment, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 has a function of turning on and off the current supply to the contactors 21a to 21c by issuing commands to the respective BMUs 24a to 24c.

[0020] The temperature sensors 25a-25c are installed near the batteries 23a-23c, respectively, and measure the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c. The temperature acquisition unit 11b acquires information on the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c from the BMUs 24a-24c. The temperature acquisition unit 11b may acquire the information on the temperatures Ta-Tc periodically, or may acquire the information on the temperatures Ta-Tc from the BMUs 24a-24c in response to a request from the power management device 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature Ta indicates the temperature of the battery 23a, the temperature Tb indicates the temperature of the battery 23b, and the temperature Tc indicates the temperature of the battery 23c.

[0021] <Normal control> Next, the contents of the control normally executed by power management device 11 will be described. <<Charging control of batteries 23a to 23c>> For example, when a predetermined operation instruction is given by the user, the power management device 11 controls charging of the batteries 23a to 23c from the power generation device 32. In this case, the power management device 11 operates the power conditioner 31 and stops the operation of the DC / DC converter 12. Then, when a certain BMU (24a in this case) turns on the contactor 21a, the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a inputs DC power from the DC power supply line L1.

[0022] When DC power is input through the DC power line L1, the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a converts the level of the power and inputs it to the battery 23a. This allows the battery 23a to be charged. The method of charging the batteries 23b and 23c is similar, so a description thereof will be omitted. The multiple BMUs 24a to 24c can charge the multiple batteries 23a to 23c by turning on the contactors 21a to 21c in charge of each.

[0023] <<Power supply control to load device 13>> On the other hand, when the power management device 11 stops the operation of the power conditioner 31 and operates the DC / DC converter 12 based on a user instruction, power can be supplied to the load device 13. For example, when a certain BMU 24a turns on the contactor 21a, the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a converts the level of the voltage output from the battery 23a and outputs the voltage to the DC power supply line L1. The DC / DC converter 12 converts the voltage level of the supply power of the DC power supply line L1 and supplies it to the load device 13.

[0024] In addition to the normal control described above, the control content of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Here, the description will be made on the premise that the charge amount of each of the batteries 23a-23c has not reached full charge. If the charge amount of the batteries 23a-23c has not reached full charge, the power management device 11 executes the normal control described above to charge the batteries 23a-23c.

[0025] In this case, prior to normal control, power management apparatus 11 periodically executes the control routine shown in Fig. 2 at a predetermined cycle of timing t0 to t12. Power management apparatus 11 starts executing the control routine shown in Fig. 2 by generating a start-up signal at timing t0 shown in Fig. 3.

[0026] 2, in S1, power management apparatus 11 acquires information on temperatures Ta-Tc of each of batteries 23a-23c through BMUs 24a-24c. In S2 of FIG. 2, power management apparatus 11 determines whether or not temperatures Ta-Tc of each of batteries 23a-23c have reached target temperature Tt.

[0027] If the temperatures Ta to Tc of all the batteries 23a to 23c have not reached the target temperature Tt in S2, the power management device 11 identifies the battery 23a with the lowest temperature in S3. Here, it is assumed that the battery 23a is identified as the battery with the lowest temperature. In this case, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 applies current only to the battery 23a with the lowest temperature in S4.

[0028] It is desirable that the current control unit 11a selectively controls the current of the battery 23a that is cooler than all the other batteries 23b, 23c, that is, the battery 23a that is the coolest, among the batteries 23a-23c that are lower than the predetermined temperature. The "predetermined temperature" may be set to the target temperature Tt of the batteries 23a-23c itself, or may be set to a temperature lower than the target temperature Tt. The technical significance of this will be described later. The control routine shown in FIG. 2 is repeated until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt in S2 and normal current is switched to.

[0029] For example, at timing t0 in FIG. 3, the temperature Ta of the battery 23a is the lowest. Therefore, the current control unit 11a applies a current only to the battery 23a. At this time, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 applies current to the batteries 23a-23c through the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c by turning on the contactors 21a-21c using the BMUs 24a-24c. Note that the maximum control current I applied from the power conditioner 31 to all the batteries 23a-23c is predetermined, and the maximum current values ​​Imax1, Imax2, and Imax3 that the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c can supply to the batteries 23a-23c, respectively, are predetermined. Here, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 controls the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a to apply a current of the maximum current value Imax1 (≦I) to the battery 23a.

[0030] At the next execution timing t1 of the control routine, the temperature Tb of the battery 23b is at its lowest, so the current control unit 11a controls the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22b to apply a current of the maximum current value Imax2 (≦I) only to the battery 23b. At the next execution timing t2, the temperature Ta of the battery 23a is at its lowest, so the current control unit 11a applies a current only to the battery 23a.

[0031] Furthermore, at the next execution timing t3, because the temperature Tc of battery 23c is the lowest, current control unit 11a controls bidirectional DC / DC converter 22c to apply a current of maximum current value Imax3 (≦I) only to battery 23c. Similarly, current control unit 11a controls to apply a current only to the battery (any of 23a to 23c) with the lowest temperature at execution timings t4 to t11 shown in Fig. 3. If temperatures Ta to Tc of all batteries 23a to 23c reach target temperature Tt in S2, power management device 11 switches to normal control in S5.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, at execution timing t12, the temperatures Ta to Tc of all the batteries 23a to 23c have reached the target temperature Tt. Therefore, the power management device 11 switches to normal control as shown in S5 of Fig. 2. As described above, the power management device 11 executes <<charging control of the batteries 23a to 23c>> or <<power supply control to the load device 13>> as normal control based on an instruction from the user.

[0033] <Explanation of technical significance> An explanation of the technical significance is shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in the comparative example in the upper part of Figure 4, when all of the batteries 23a to 23c connected in parallel through the DC power supply line L1 are charged, the charging current is distributed to each of the batteries 23a to 23c.

[0034] For example, when three batteries 23a-23c are connected in parallel and the total predetermined maximum control current amount supplied by power conditioner 31 is I, a current of I / 3 can be supplied to each of batteries 23a-23c. Therefore, if the internal resistance of each of batteries 23a-23c is R, the heat generated by batteries 23a-23c is (I / 3)^2×R. Therefore, the temperatures Ta-Tc of batteries 23a-23c rise in response to this heat generation.

[0035] In contrast, as shown in the lower part of Figure 4, if a current is selectively applied to only one battery 23a, the maximum control current amount I can be applied intensively to only one battery 23a. The heat generated by this battery 23a is I^2×R, and the temperature Ta of the battery 23a rises in response to this heat generation. As shown in the image of the amount of heat generation in Figure 5, the amount of heat generation depends on the product of the power P and the time t. If the power P is high, the temperature of the battery 23a can be raised quickly.

[0036] When the current control unit 11a controls the current to be applied intensively to the battery 23a, the gradient of increase in the temperature Ta becomes higher than in the comparative example. If the time required to heat one battery 23a to the target temperature Tt is T, then in principle, the time required to heat all three batteries 23a to the same target temperature Tt is 3T.

[0037] On the other hand, when the batteries 23a-23c are connected in parallel, the heat generation is (I / 3)^2×R as described above, so the time required to heat all the batteries 23a-23c connected in parallel to the target temperature Tt is 9T. That is, by the current control unit 11a selectively charging the batteries 23a-23c, the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c can be increased more rapidly than if the batteries were heated while connected in parallel. Although three batteries 23a-23c connected in parallel are illustrated here, it goes without saying that the current control unit 11a may be applied to two or four or more batteries connected in parallel. Also, although the current control unit 11a has been described as applying a current intensively to one battery (for example, 23a) among all the batteries 23a-23c, the current control unit 11a may selectively apply a current to two or more of all the batteries 23a-23c.

[0038] <Summary of this embodiment> According to this embodiment, the current control unit 11a selectively controls the current of a battery (any of 23a to 23c) whose temperature Ta to Tc is lower than a predetermined temperature. Then, when the current control unit 11a selectively controls the current of the parallel-connected batteries 23a to 23c, it can preferentially increase the current flowing through the battery (any of 23a to 23c) whose temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.

[0039] As a result, all of the batteries 23a-23c can be heated more quickly than if the parallel-connected batteries 23a-23c were directly subjected to current control, and the charging efficiency of the batteries 23a-23c can be improved even if the batteries are exposed to a low-temperature environment. Also, the batteries 23a-23c can be heated quickly without requiring any additional equipment.

[0040] Furthermore, since the current control unit 11a periodically controls the current of the batteries 23a to 23c which are the coldest, the temperatures of the batteries 23a to 23c connected in parallel can be raised uniformly.

[0041] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Only the different parts will be described below.

[0042] The bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c of this embodiment have a function of controlling the charging current of the batteries 23a-23c. The current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 issues a command to the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c through the BMUs 24a-24c. Then, the bidirectional DC / DC converters 22a-22c can control the charging current of the batteries 23a-23c. The other configurations are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

[0043] The operation will be described below. Fig. 6 shows a flow chart replacing Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 shows a time chart replacing Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 6, current control unit 11a of power management device 11 acquires temperatures Ta-Tc of each of batteries 23a-23c in S1, and identifies the battery with the lowest temperature (e.g., 23a) in S3 on the condition that all temperatures Ta-Tc have not reached target temperature Tt in S2.

[0044] The current control unit 11a controls the battery 23a, which has the lowest temperature in S4a, to supply current thereto. At this time, as shown at timings t20 to t21 in Fig. 7, the current control unit 11a supplies current to the battery 23a via the BMUs 24a to 24c until the battery temperature reaches the target temperature Tt.

[0045] The bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a supplies a current of a maximum current value Imax1 to the battery 23a. The BMU 24a transmits a detection value of the current flowing through the battery 23a to the power management device 11. The power management device 11 receives the detection value of the maximum current value Imax1.

[0046] Power management apparatus 11 determines whether or not the maximum controlled current amount I has been reached in S6 of Fig. 6. For example, if the maximum controlled current amount I is greater than the sum of the current values ​​received from BMUs 24a to 24c, power management apparatus 11 determines in S6 that the maximum controlled current amount I has not been reached (NO in S6).

[0047] If power management device 11 determines in S6 that the maximum control current amount I has not been reached, it passes current through the next coldest battery (23b in this case) in S7, returns the process to S6, and repeats the process of passing current through the coldest battery until the maximum control current amount I is reached. In the example of Fig. 7, power management device 11 determines that the maximum control current amount I has been reached at timing t20 by passing current I11 and current I21 through two batteries 23a, 23b, respectively, of the three parallel-connected batteries 23a-23c.

[0048] The current control unit 11a also simultaneously controls the current of the battery 23b, which has the next lowest temperature Tb after the battery 23a. The power management device 11 transitions to S8 when it determines that the maximum control current amount I has been reached. In the example of FIG. 7, between timings t20 and t21, a current I11 of maximum current value Imax1 is applied to the target battery 23a, and a current I21 is applied to the battery 23b. The current I21 is calculated by subtracting the current I11 from the maximum control current amount I.

[0049] In S8, the power management device 11 acquires the temperature of the target battery. In this case, the battery 23a determined to be the coldest battery in S3 is treated as the target battery and the temperature Ta is acquired. In S8, the temperatures Ta to Tc may be acquired for all the batteries 23a to 23c as the target batteries, or the temperature Ta and Tb of the batteries 23a and 23b may be acquired by regarding the current-carrying battery as the target battery.

[0050] Then, in S9, the power management apparatus 11 determines whether the temperature of the target battery (here, battery 23a) has reached the target temperature Tt, and waits until the temperature reaches the target temperature Tt (NO in S9).

[0051] When the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23a from the control targets, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. The power management device 11 obtains the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and repeats the processing of S3, S4a, S6, S7, S8, S9, and S10 until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt.

[0052] After timing t21 in Fig. 7, battery 23a is excluded from the control targets. For this reason, current control unit 11a of power management device 11 controls battery 23b, which has the lowest temperature Tb at timing t21, to pass maximum current value Imax2. Between timings t21 and t22 in Fig. 7, current I22 of maximum current value Imax2 is applied to battery 23b, and current I32 is applied to battery 23c.

[0053] When the temperature Tb of the target battery 23b reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23b from the control targets, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. The power management device 11 obtains the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and repeats the processing of S3, S4a, S6, S7, S8, S9, and S10 until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt.

[0054] After timing t22 in Fig. 7, battery 23b is excluded from the control targets along with battery 23a. Therefore, current control unit 11a of power management device 11 controls battery 23c, which has the lowest temperature Tc at timing t22, to supply maximum current value Imax3. Between timings t22 and t23 in Fig. 7, current I33 of maximum current value Imax3 is applied to battery 23c.

[0055] When the temperature Tc of the target battery 23c reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23c from the control targets, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. The power management device 11 acquires the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and when it is confirmed that the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c have reached the target temperature Tt, it judges YES in S2 and transitions to normal control in S5. After this, the processing is the same as in the previous embodiment. According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the previous embodiment are achieved. According to this embodiment, the temperature of each of the batteries 23a-23c can be raised early while increasing the amount of current applied to each of the batteries 23a-23c as much as possible so as to reach the maximum control current amount I.

[0056] Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The same parts as those in the first or second embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Below, only the different parts will be described. Figure 8 shows a flow chart replacing Figure 2, and Figure 9 shows a time chart replacing Figure 3.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 8, the power management device 11 acquires the temperatures Ta to Tc of the batteries 23a to 23c in S1, and then identifies the order of the temperatures Ta to Tc of the batteries 23a to 23c in S3a on the condition that none of the temperatures Ta to Tc of the batteries 23a to 23c have reached the target temperature Tt in S2. Then, the current control unit 11a controls the distribution of the control current in accordance with the temperatures Ta to Tc of the batteries 23a to 23c in S4a. More specifically, if the temperatures Ta to Tc are high, the control current is a relatively small current, and if the temperatures Ta to Tc are low, the control current is a relatively large current. Then, the current control unit 11a applies current to each of the batteries 23a to 23c in S4b.

[0058] As shown at timings t30 to t31 in FIG. 9, the power management device 11 assigns the current control amount to the batteries 23a to 23c via the BMUs 24a to 24c in multiple stages, namely, "large," "medium," and "small," and energizes the batteries 23a until the temperature Ta of the batteries 23a reaches the target temperature Tt. "Large" is a current control amount set to a first predetermined maximum value of the control current of the batteries 23a. "Medium" is a current control amount set to a second predetermined value lower than the maximum predetermined value and higher than the minimum control current amount. "Small" is a current control amount set to a third predetermined value lower than "medium" and higher than the minimum control current amount. Here, a form in which a plurality of predetermined stages of current control amounts are assigned will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ratio of the control current amounts to each other may be adjusted according to the ratio of the temperatures Ta to Tc to each other.

[0059] 9, at timing t30, the bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a passes a "large" control current to the battery 23a. The bidirectional DC / DC converter 22b passes a "medium" control current to the battery 23b. The bidirectional DC / DC converter 22c passes a "small" control current to the battery 23c.

[0060] 8, when the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt, in S10a, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23a from the targets of the control current distribution, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. In S1, the power management device 11 obtains the temperatures Ta-Tc of each of the batteries 23a-23c, and repeats the processing of S3a, S4a, S4b, S8, S9, and S10a until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt.

[0061] After timing t31 in Fig. 9, battery 23a is excluded from the targets of control current distribution. Therefore, power management device 11 distributes the control current to batteries 23b and 23c at timing t31.

[0062] When distributing the control current, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 may distribute the control current according to the values ​​of the temperature Tb of the battery 23b and the temperature Tc of the battery 23c at the time when the temperature Ta reaches the target temperature Tt. Between timings t31 and t32 in Fig. 9, a "large" control current is passed through the battery 23b, and a "medium" control current is passed through the battery 23c.

[0063] When the temperature Tb of the target battery 23b reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23b from the targets of the control current distribution, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. The power management device 11 obtains the temperatures Ta-Tc of each of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and repeats the processing of S3a, S4a, S4b, S8, S9, and S10a until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt.

[0064] After timing t32 in Fig. 9, battery 23b is excluded from the distribution of the control current together with battery 23a. Therefore, power management device 11 applies the control current to battery 23c at timing t32. In this manner, the process is repeated. The process thereafter is the same as in the above embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 distributes the control current in accordance with the temperatures Ta to Tc of the batteries 23a to 23c. This allows the temperature to be raised quickly while ensuring the total output current of all the batteries 23a to 23c connected in parallel. In this embodiment, for example, a form has been described in which the control current is redistributed to the batteries 23b and 23c at the timing when the battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control current may be distributed to the batteries 23a to 23c in real time.

[0066] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted. Below, only the different parts will be described. Fig. 10 shows a flow chart replacing Fig. 2, and Fig. 11 shows a time chart replacing Fig. 3.

[0067] 10, the power management device 11 acquires the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and then identifies the battery with the lowest temperature (23a in this example) in S3 on the condition that the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c have not all reached the target temperature Tt in S2, and applies current only to the battery 23a with the lowest temperature in S4. The current control unit 11a then acquires the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a in S8, and waits until the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt in S9.

[0068] 11, the current control unit 11a of the power management device 11 passes current until the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt. The bidirectional DC / DC converter 22a passes a control current of a maximum current value Imax1 to the battery 23a.

[0069] When the temperature Ta of the target battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 exits the processing routine. After that, the power management device 11 acquires the temperatures Ta-Tc of each of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and repeats the processes of S3, S4, S8, and S9 until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all of the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt.

[0070] After timing t41 in Fig. 11, the battery 23a is excluded from the battery to be controlled. Therefore, the power management device 11 performs control so as to selectively supply the control current to the battery 23b with the next lowest temperature Tb at the point of time t41.

[0071] When the temperature Tb of the target battery 23b reaches the target temperature Tt in S9, the power management device 11 removes the battery 23b from the control targets, exits the processing routine, and repeats the processing from S1 again. The power management device 11 acquires the temperatures Ta-Tc of the batteries 23a-23c in S1, and repeats the processing of S3, S4, S8, and S9 until the temperatures Ta-Tc of all the batteries 23a-23c reach the target temperature Tt. The processing is repeated in this manner. The processing thereafter is the same as in the above embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the current control unit 11a performs current control on the battery 23a, which is the coldest among the batteries 23a-23c, until the battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt, without performing current control on the other batteries 23b, 23c, and when the temperature Ta of the battery 23a reaches the target temperature Tt, performs current control so that the temperature Tb of the next coldest battery 23b reaches the target temperature Tt, and then repeats current control on the battery 23c, which is the next coldest. According to this embodiment, the temperatures Ta-Tc can be raised to the target temperature Tt quickly using simple logic.

[0073] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications and extensions are possible. Although the embodiment in which the control line L2 is provided by a wire has been described, the power management device 11 and the BMUs 24a to 24c may be connected wirelessly. Although the embodiment in which the power management device 11 is configured as an electronic control device has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the functions of the current control unit 11a and the temperature acquisition unit 11b may be provided in another device on the hardware side, or may be provided in separate devices. For example, the functions of the current control unit 11a and the temperature acquisition unit 11b may be provided in the BMUs 24a to 24c, or the BMUs 24a to 24c and the power management device 11 may be provided in separate devices. Furthermore, the power management device 11 and the BMUs 24a to 24c may be integrated together to form an electronic control device.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, as the <<normal control>>, <<charging control of batteries 23a-23c>> or <<power supply control to load device 13>> is executed, but this is not limited to this, and a pass-through method may be applied in which power is supplied from batteries 23a-23c to load device 13 while each battery 23a-23c is being charged.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the embodiment is described as being applied to a stationary charging unit, but the power generating device 32 may be installed in a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV). For example, the power generating device 32 may be configured with a converter that converts the rotation of a motor for driving the vehicle mounted on the vehicle into electric power. When the power generating device 32 is applied to a vehicle, the batteries 23a-23c may be an auxiliary battery and / or an assembled battery that serves as a driving source for the vehicle. When the batteries 23a-23c are configured with an assembled battery, the assembled battery is configured by connecting battery cells in parallel or in series and parallel. In other words, the power generating device 32 may be applied to a vehicle-mounted unit.

[0076] The techniques described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a microcomputer and a memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the techniques described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a microcomputer with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Also, the computer program may be stored on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer.

[0077] The invention according to the present disclosure includes the following inventions in addition to the inventions described in the claims. [1] An electronic control device (11) that individually controls the current of a plurality of batteries connected in parallel, a current control unit (11a) that controls the current of each of the plurality of batteries; a temperature acquisition unit (11b) that acquires the temperature of each of the plurality of batteries; The current control unit is an electronic control device that selectively controls current to a battery whose temperature, as detected by the temperature acquisition unit, is lower than a predetermined temperature.

[0078] [2] When the current control unit determines that the current flowing through the battery that is the subject of current control has reached a maximum current value but has not yet reached a total predetermined maximum control current amount for current control, The current control unit simultaneously controls current to the battery having the next lowest temperature after the battery that is the target of the current control until the maximum control current amount is reached [1].

[0079] [3] The current control unit is an electronic control device that distributes a control current in response to a temperature of the plurality of batteries.

[0080] [4] The electronic control device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the current control unit controls current in a battery having the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries.

[0081] [5] The electronic control device described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the current control unit performs current control on the coldest battery among the batteries until the battery reaches a target temperature, without performing current control on the other batteries, and when the temperature of the battery reaches the target temperature, performs current control on the next coldest battery so that the battery reaches the target temperature, and then repeats the current control on the next coldest battery.

[0082] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or the structure described in the embodiment. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] In the drawing, 11 indicates a power management device (electronic control device), 11a indicates a current control unit, 11b indicates a temperature acquisition unit, and 24a to 24c indicate BMUs (electronic control units).

Claims

1. An electronic control device that controls the current of a plurality of batteries connected in parallel, A current control unit (11a) that controls the current of each of the plurality of batteries; a temperature acquisition unit (11b) that acquires the temperature of each of the plurality of batteries; The current control unit is an electronic control device that selectively controls current to a battery whose temperature, as detected by the temperature acquisition unit, is lower than a predetermined temperature.

2. When the current control unit determines that the current flowing through the battery that is the subject of current control has reached a maximum current value but has not reached a total predetermined maximum control current amount for current control, 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the current control section simultaneously controls current to the battery having the second lowest temperature after the battery that is the object of the current control until the maximum control current amount is reached.

3. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the current control section distributes a control current in accordance with temperatures of the plurality of batteries.

4. The electronic control device according to claim 1 , wherein the current control unit selectively controls the current of a battery that is at the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries.

5. The electronic control device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the current control unit performs current control on the coldest battery among the batteries until the battery reaches a target temperature, without performing current control on the other batteries, and when the temperature of the battery reaches the target temperature, performs current control on the next coldest battery so that the battery reaches the target temperature, and then repeats the current control on the next coldest battery.

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