Power control device for on-vehicle solar panel

Abstract

To suppress battery power consumption in a solar panel-mounting vehicle.SOLUTION: A power control device 14 for an on-vehicle solar panel includes a switch unit 20 and a control unit 24. The control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 between a supply state and a cut state. The control unit 24 monitors power being generated by a solar panel 13 in a state where the battery management system 12 is stopped. If the power being generated by the solar panel 13 is below a set threshold which is equal to or greater than necessary power for startup of the battery management system 12, the switch unit 20 is kept in the cut state. If the power being generated by the solar panel 13 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the switch unit 20 is switched to the supply state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a solar power generation system mounted on a vehicle. Electricity generated by the solar power generation system is charged into a battery mounted on the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-62841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The power generated by a solar power generation system is easily affected by sunlight conditions. When trying to operate electrical equipment when the power generated by the solar power generation system is low, the power generated by the solar power generation system alone may not be enough, and it may be necessary to draw power from the battery.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing battery power consumption in a vehicle equipped with a solar panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel of the present disclosure includes: A power control device for an on-board solar panel used in a vehicle equipped with a battery, a battery management system that receives power supplied from the battery and manages a state of the battery, and a solar panel that supplies power to the battery via a power path, comprising: a switch unit provided between the solar panel and the battery, the switch unit being switched between a supply state for supplying power from the solar panel to the battery and a cut-off state for cutting off the power; a control unit that switches the switch unit between the supply state and the cut-off state, the battery management system operates when the switch unit is in the supply state and stops when the switch unit is in the cut-off state; The control unit monitors the power generated by the solar panel when the battery management system is stopped, and maintains the switch unit in the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel falls below a threshold set to be equal to or higher than the power required to start the battery management system, and switches the switch unit to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or higher than the threshold. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce battery power consumption in a vehicle equipped with a solar panel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an on-vehicle system including a power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an on-vehicle system including a power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an on-vehicle system including a power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to the third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an on-vehicle system including a power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated.

[0010] [1] A power control device for an on-board solar panel used in a vehicle equipped with a battery, a battery management system that receives power supplied from the battery and manages the state of the battery, and a solar panel that supplies power to the battery via a power path, comprising: a switch unit provided between the solar panel and the battery, the switch unit being switched between a supply state for supplying power from the solar panel to the battery and a cut-off state for cutting off the power; a control unit that switches the switch unit between the supply state and the cut-off state, the battery management system operates when the switch unit is in the supply state and stops when the switch unit is in the cut-off state; The control unit monitors the power generated by the solar panel when the battery management system is stopped, and maintains the switch unit in the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel falls below a threshold set to be equal to or higher than the power required to start the battery management system, and switches the switch unit to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or higher than the threshold. Power control device for vehicle-mounted solar panels.

[0011] When the power generated by the solar panel falls below a threshold, the power generated by the solar panel alone is insufficient to activate the battery management system, and so the battery power is consumed. In this regard, the power control device maintains the switch unit in an off state when the power generated by the solar panel falls below a threshold, so that the battery management system is maintained in a stopped state and power consumption of the battery can be suppressed.

[0012] [2] A power conversion unit that performs a step-up or step-down operation on input power based on the power supplied from the solar panel and supplies output power; The switch unit is provided between the power conversion unit and the battery, When causing the power conversion unit to perform a step-up operation or a step-down operation, the control unit switches the switch unit to the supply state to enable power supply from the power conversion unit to the battery, and then causes the power conversion unit to perform the step-up operation or the step-down operation. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in [1].

[0013] The power control device causes the power conversion unit to perform a conversion operation after the switch unit is switched to a supply state to enable power supply from the power conversion unit to the battery. Therefore, the power control device does not require a storage means such as a capacitor for storing the output power of the power conversion unit between the power conversion unit and the switch unit.

[0014] [3] When the battery management system is operating, the control unit controls the switch unit to the supply state when the generated power of the solar panel is greater than the power required to control the switch unit to the supply state. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in [1] or [2].

[0015] The power control device described above can prevent a situation in which the amount of power in the battery decreases due to the power supply from the solar panel.

[0016] [4] A power conversion unit is provided that performs a conversion operation of stepping down or stepping up the input voltage input from the solar panel side and outputting the input voltage to the battery side; the power path is provided between the power conversion unit and the battery, A power storage unit electrically connected to the power path A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in any one of [1] to [3].

[0017] In the above power control device, the power supplied from the power conversion unit to the battery is likely to be stabilized by the storage and discharge of electricity by the electricity storage unit.

[0018] [5] When the battery management system is operating, the control unit controls the switch unit to the supply state when the generated power of the solar panel is greater than the power required to control the switch unit to the supply state. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel as described in [4].

[0019] The power control device can prevent a situation in which the amount of power in the battery decreases due to the power supply from the solar panel.

[0020] [6] a power conversion unit that performs a conversion operation of stepping down or stepping up an input voltage input from the solar panel side and outputting the input voltage to the battery side; a first conductive path different from the power path; a second conductive path provided between the first conductive path and the power conversion unit; a third conductive path provided between the first conductive path and the battery; a diode, The anode of the diode is electrically connected to the second conductive path; The cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the first conductive path. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in any one of [1] to [5].

[0021] The above power control device enables power to be supplied to the first conductive unit from both the power conversion unit and the battery, while preventing reverse current from the battery to the power conversion unit by the diode.

[0022] [7] The control unit controls the power conversion unit so that the voltage of the anode is within a voltage range in which a current flows from the anode to the cathode. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel as described in [6].

[0023] The power control device can set the power supply from the power converter to the first conductive path in priority over the power from the battery, thereby more reliably suppressing the power consumption of the battery.

[0024] [8] The battery includes a first battery and a second battery different from the first battery; Power from the solar panel is supplied to both the first battery and the second battery. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in any one of [1] to [7].

[0025] The power control device can supply power from the solar panel to both the first battery and the second battery.

[0026] [9] The switch section is made of a semiconductor. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel described in any one of [1] to [8].

[0027] The power control device described above can reduce power consumption as compared to a case in which the switch section is configured using a mechanical circuit breaker.

[0028] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] First Embodiment 1-1. Overview of in-vehicle systems 1 shows an on-vehicle system 1 mounted on a vehicle. The on-vehicle system 1 includes a battery 11, a battery management system 12, a solar panel 13, and a power control device 14 for the on-vehicle solar panel (hereinafter also referred to as the power control device 14).

[0029] The battery 11 is, for example, a lead battery, a lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, or the like.

[0030] The battery management system 12 is a device that manages the state of the battery 11. The battery management system 12 has functions such as a function to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the cells that make up the battery 11, a function to prevent overcurrent in the cells, a function to manage the temperature of the cells, a function to calculate the remaining battery capacity, and a function to equalize the cell voltages (cell balancing). The battery management system 12 is operable by receiving power supplied from the battery 11.

[0031] The solar panel 13 is configured by connecting a plurality of solar cells that convert light energy into electric power, and outputs electric power generated by these solar cells in response to irradiated light to the electric power control device 14. Although only one solar panel 13 is shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of such solar panels 13 are provided on the vehicle. Each of the plurality of solar panels 13 is electrically connected to the electric power control device 14.

[0032] The power control device 14 receives power from the solar panel 13 and can supply output power based on this power to the battery 11.

[0033] 1-2. Basic configuration of power control device The power control device 14 includes a switch unit 20, a first diode 21, a second diode 22, a BMS starting means 23, a control unit 24, a first power path 31, a second power path 32, a first conductive path 34, a second conductive path 35, and a third conductive path 36.

[0034] The switch unit 20 is provided between the solar panel 13 and the battery 11. The switch unit 20 switches between a supply state in which power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the battery 11 and a cut-off state in which power is cut off. The switch unit 20 is in a permissive state when in an on state, and in a cut-off state when in an off state. The switch unit 20 is composed of a semiconductor.

[0035] The first power path 31 is provided between the solar panel 13 and the switch unit 20. The first power path 31 corresponds to an example of a power path. The second power path 32 is provided between the switch unit 20 and the battery 11. Power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the battery 11 via the first power path 31 and the second power path 32.

[0036] The first conductive path 34, the second conductive path 35, and the third conductive path 36 are paths different from the first power path 31 and the second power path 32. The first conductive path 34 is provided in parallel with the switch unit 20 between the solar panel 13 and the battery 11. The second conductive path 35 is provided between the first conductive path 34 and the first power path 31. The third conductive path 36 is provided between the first conductive path 34 and the second power path 32.

[0037] The anode of the first diode 21 is electrically connected to the second conductive path 35. The cathode of the first diode 21 is electrically connected to the first conductive path 34. The first diode 21 corresponds to an example of a diode.

[0038] The anode of the second diode 22 is electrically connected to the third conductive path 36. The cathode of the second diode 22 is electrically connected to the first conductive path 34.

[0039] The first conductive path 34 is connected to the BMS activation means 23, a power supply circuit (not shown), etc., and functions as a path for supplying power to the BMS activation means 23, the power supply circuit, etc. The power supply circuit generates and supplies power required to drive the switch unit 20 and the control unit 24. Power is supplied to the first conductive path 34 from the solar panel 13 via the second conductive path 35. The flow of current from the first conductive path 34 to the second conductive path 35 is prevented by the first diode 21. Power is supplied to the first conductive path 34 from the battery 11 via the third conductive path 36. The flow of current from the first conductive path 34 to the third conductive path 36 is prevented by the second diode 22.

[0040] The BMS activation means 23 is configured with, for example, a communication circuit, a signal output circuit, and the like. The BMS activation means 23 is electrically connected to the first conductive path 34. The BMS activation means 23 activates the battery management system 12 based on the power supplied from the first conductive path 34. The BMS activation means 23 activates the battery management system 12 when the switch unit 20 is in a supply state, and stops the battery management system 12 when the switch unit 20 is in a cut-off state. As a result, the battery management system 12 operates when the switch unit 20 is in a supply state, and stops when the switch unit 20 is in a cut-off state. The BMS activation means 23 may be configured to be controlled by the control unit 24, or may be configured not to be controlled by the control unit 24.

[0041] Whether or not switch unit 20 is in a supply state may be determined based on the control state of switch unit 20 by control unit 24, or may be determined based on the voltage of second power path 32 or the current flowing through second power path 32. The determination of whether or not switch unit 20 is in a supply state may be performed by BMS activation means 23, or may be performed by a device other than BMS activation means 23 (e.g. control unit 24).

[0042] The control unit 24 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and memories such as a ROM and a RAM.

[0043] The control unit 24 controls the switch unit 20. The control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 between an enabling state and a blocking state.

[0044] 1-3. Functions and Effects of Power Control Device The control unit 24 monitors the power generated by the solar panel 13 while the battery management system 12 is stopped. Then, the control unit 24 maintains the switch unit 20 in the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below a threshold value set to be equal to or higher than the power required to start the battery management system 12. The control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel 13 is equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[0045] When the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below a threshold, the power generated by the solar panel 13 alone is insufficient to activate the battery management system 12, and so the power of the battery 11 is consumed. In this regard, the power control device 14 maintains the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below the threshold, so the battery management system 12 is maintained in a stopped state and power consumption of the battery 11 can be suppressed.

[0046] When the battery management system 12 is operating, and the power generated by the solar panel 13 is greater than the power required to control the switch unit 20 to the supply state, the control unit 24 controls the switch unit 20 to the supply state. Therefore, the power control device 14 can avoid a situation in which the power supply from the solar panel 13 conversely reduces the power of the battery 11. <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] 2-1. Overview of in-vehicle systems 2 shows an on-board system 201 mounted on a vehicle. The on-board system 201 includes a battery 211, a battery management system 12, a solar panel 13, and a power control device 214 for the on-board solar panel (hereinafter also referred to as the power control device 214).

[0048] The battery 211 includes a first battery 211A and a second battery 211B. The first battery 211A is a high-voltage battery having a higher output voltage than the second battery 211B. The first battery 211A is configured as, for example, a lithium-ion battery or a sodium-ion battery. The output voltage of the first battery 211A is, for example, 400V or 800V.

[0049] The second battery 211B is a low-voltage battery having a lower output voltage than the first battery 211A. The second battery 211B is configured as, for example, a lead battery or a lithium-ion battery. The output voltage of the second battery 211B is, for example, 12V or 24V.

[0050] The battery management system 12 manages the state of at least one of the first battery 211A and the second battery 211B. The battery management system 12 is operable by receiving power supplied from the first battery 211A and is operable by receiving power supplied from the second battery 211B.

[0051] The power control device 214 can receive power from the solar panel 13 and supply output power based on this power to the first battery 211A and the second battery 211B. The power control device 214 has a function of controlling the power input from the solar panel 13, and can perform voltage step-down and voltage step-up operations internally.

[0052] 2-2. Basic configuration of power control device Like the power control device 14 of the first embodiment, the power control device 214 includes a switch unit 20, a first diode 21, a second diode 22, a BMS activation means 23, a control unit 24, a first power path 31, a second power path 32, a first conductive path 34, a second conductive path 35, and a third conductive path 36. In addition, the power control device 214 includes a power conversion unit 25, a charging unit 26, a step-down unit 27, a power storage unit 28, a third power path 37, and a fourth power path 38.

[0053] The switch unit 20 is provided between the solar panel 13 and the battery 211. The switch unit 20 switches between a supply state in which power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the battery 211 and a cut-off state in which power is cut off.

[0054] The first power path 31 is provided between the solar panel 13 and the switch unit 20. The first power path 31 corresponds to an example of a power path. The second power path 32 is provided between the switch unit 20 and the battery 11. The third power path 37 is provided between the second power path 32 and the first battery 211A. The fourth power path 38 is provided between the second power path 32 and the second battery 211B. Power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the first battery 211A via the first power path 31, the second power path 32, and the third power path 37. Power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the second battery 211B via the first power path 31, the second power path 32, and the fourth power path 38.

[0055] The power conversion unit 25 is provided corresponding to each solar panel 13. The power conversion unit 25 is provided between the solar panel 13 and the first power path 31. The power conversion unit 25 includes an MPPT circuit. The MPPT circuit is, for example, configured by a DCDC converter. The DCDC converter is, for example, configured by a semiconductor switching element. The power conversion unit 25 performs a conversion operation of stepping down or stepping up the input voltage input from the solar panel 13 side and outputting it to the battery 211 side. The power conversion unit 25 supplies output power to the first power path 31.

[0056] The charging unit 26 is provided between the first power path 31 and the switch unit 20. The charging unit 26 performs a charging operation of boosting the voltage input from the power conversion unit 25 side and outputting the boosted voltage to the battery 211 side. The charging unit 26 is configured, for example, by a DCDC converter. The DCDC converter is configured, for example, to include a semiconductor switching element. The charging unit 26 boosts the power supplied from the first power path 31 and supplies the boosted power to the battery 211 side.

[0057] The step-down unit 27 is provided between the second power path 32 and the third power path 37 and the fourth power path 38 and the third conductive path 36. The step-down unit 27 performs a step-down operation of stepping down a voltage input from the second power path 32 and the third power path 37 side and outputting the voltage to the fourth power path 38 and the third conductive path 36 side. The step-down unit 27 is configured by, for example, a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter is configured to include, for example, a semiconductor switching element. The step-down unit 27 steps down the power supplied from the second power path 32 and the third power path 37 side and supplies the power to the second battery 211B via the fourth power path 38.

[0058] The above-mentioned solar panel 13 supplies generated power to the first battery 211A via the first power path 31, the second power path 32, and the third power path 37. In addition, the solar panel 13 supplies generated power to the second battery 211B via the first power path 31, the second power path 32, and the fourth power path 38.

[0059] Power conversion unit 25 performs a conversion operation, charging unit 26 performs a charging operation, and switch unit 20 enters an allowable state, whereby power is supplied from solar panel 13 to first battery 211A. Also, power conversion unit 25 performs a conversion operation, charging unit 26 performs a charging operation, step-down unit 27 performs a step-down operation, and switch unit 20 enters an allowable state, whereby power is supplied from solar panel 13 to second battery 211B.

[0060] The power storage unit 28 is configured by, for example, a capacitor. One end of the power storage unit 28 is electrically connected to the first power path 31. The other end of the power storage unit 28 is electrically connected to the ground. The power storage unit 28 functions as a smoothing capacitor that smoothes the output voltage of the power conversion unit 25.

[0061] The first conductive path 34, the second conductive path 35, and the third conductive path 36 are paths different from the first power path 31, the second power path 32, the third power path 37, and the fourth power path 38. The first conductive path 34 is provided in parallel with the switch unit 20 between the solar panel 13 and the battery 211. The second conductive path 35 is provided between the first conductive path 34 and the first power path 31. The third conductive path 36 is provided between the first conductive path 34 and the second power path 32 and the step-down unit 27. The third conductive path 36 is provided between the first conductive path 34 and the fourth power path 38.

[0062] The control unit 24 controls the power conversion unit 25. The control unit 24 performs maximum power point tracking control on the power conversion unit 25. The maximum power point tracking control is a control for varying the operating point of the solar panel 13 so that the input power from the solar panel 13 becomes the maximum power point.

[0063] The control unit 24 controls the charging unit 26. The control unit 24 performs charging control to cause the charging unit 26 to perform a charging operation.

[0064] The control unit 24 controls the step-down unit 27. The control unit 24 performs step-down control to cause the step-down unit 27 to perform a step-down operation.

[0065] The control unit 24 performs maximum power point tracking control on the power conversion unit 25, performs charging control on the charging unit 26, and controls the switch unit 20 to a supply state, whereby power is supplied from the solar panel 13 to the first battery 211A.

[0066] The control unit 24 performs maximum power point tracking control on the power conversion unit 25, performs charging control on the charging unit 26, performs step-down control on the step-down unit 27, and controls the switch unit 20 to a supply state, thereby supplying power from the solar panel 13 to the second battery 211B.

[0067] 2-3. Functions and Effects of Power Control Device The control unit 24 monitors the power generated by the solar panel 13 while the battery management system 12 is stopped. Then, the control unit 24 maintains the switch unit 20 in the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below a threshold set to be equal to or higher than the power required to start the battery management system 12. The control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel 13 is equal to or higher than the threshold. Specifically, when the power generated by the solar panel 13 is equal to or higher than the threshold, the control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 to the supply state, performs maximum power point tracking control on the power conversion unit 25, performs charging control on the charging unit 26, and performs step-down control on the step-down unit 27.

[0068] When the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below a threshold, the power generated by the solar panel 13 alone is insufficient to start the battery management system 12, and so the power of the battery 211 is consumed. In this regard, when the power generated by the solar panel 13 falls below a threshold, the power control device 214 maintains the switch unit 20 in an interrupted state, so that the battery management system 12 is maintained in a stopped state and power consumption of the battery 211 can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, when the control unit 24 causes the power conversion unit 25 to perform a step-up operation or a step-down operation, the control unit 24 switches the switch unit 20 to a supply state, and causes the power conversion unit 25 to perform the step-up operation or the step-down operation after it becomes possible to supply power from the power conversion unit 25 to the battery 211. In other words, the power control device 214 switches the switch unit 20 to a supply state, and causes the power conversion unit 25 to perform a conversion operation after it becomes possible to supply power from the power conversion unit 25 to the battery 211. For this reason, the power control device 214 does not require a storage means such as a capacitor for storing the output power of the power conversion unit 25 between the power conversion unit 25 and the switch unit 20.

[0070] The power storage unit is electrically connected to the first power path 31. Therefore, the power supplied from the power conversion unit 25 to the battery 211 is likely to be stabilized by the power storage unit storing and discharging the power.

[0071] When the battery management system 12 is operating, if the power generated by the solar panel 13 is greater than the power required for controlling the switch unit 20 to a supply state, performing maximum power point tracking control for the power conversion unit 25, performing charging control for the charging unit 26, and performing step-down control for the step-down unit 27, the control unit 24 controls the switch unit 20 to a supply state, performs maximum power point tracking control for the power conversion unit 25, performs charging control for the charging unit 26, and performs step-down control for the step-down unit 27. Therefore, the power control device 14 can avoid a situation in which the power supply from the solar panel 13 conversely reduces the power of the battery 211.

[0072] The control unit 24 controls the power conversion unit 25 so that the voltage of the anode of the first diode 21 falls within a voltage range in which a current flows from the anode to the cathode of the first diode 21. Specifically, the control unit 24 controls the power conversion unit 25 so that the output voltage of the power conversion unit 25 becomes higher than a voltage VA calculated by the following formula (1). VA=VB-VT2+VT1...Formula (1) VB is the voltage of the third conductive path 36. VT1 is the voltage drop across the first diode 21. VT2 is the voltage drop across the second diode 22. As a result, the power from the power conversion unit 25 is supplied to the first conductive path 34 with priority over the power from the battery 211. Therefore, the power control device 214 can suppress the power consumption of the battery 211 more reliably.

[0073] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the second battery 211B described in the second embodiment is not installed. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] 3, the in-vehicle system 301 of the third embodiment includes a battery 311, a battery management system 12, a solar panel 13, and a power control device 314 for the in-vehicle solar panel (hereinafter also referred to as the power control device 314). The battery 311 has the same configuration as the first battery 211A described in the second embodiment.

[0075] The power control device 314 differs from the power control device 214 of the second embodiment in that the second battery 211B described in the second embodiment is not connected, but has other points in common. The operation of the power control device 314 is the same as that of the power control device 214 of the second embodiment.

[0076] <Fourth embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which the first battery 211A described in the second embodiment is not installed. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] 4, the in-vehicle system 401 of the fourth embodiment includes a battery 411, a battery management system 12, a solar panel 13, and a power control device 414 for the in-vehicle solar panel (hereinafter also referred to as the power control device 414). The battery 411 has the same configuration as the second battery 211B described in the second embodiment.

[0078] The power control device 414 differs from the power control device 214 of the second embodiment in that the first battery 211A described in the second embodiment is not connected, but has other points in common. The operation of the power control device 414 is the same as that of the power control device 214 of the second embodiment.

[0079] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the various features of the above-mentioned embodiments and the embodiments to be described later may be combined in any combination as long as they are not contradictory.

[0080] In the above-described fourth embodiment, at least one of the charging unit 26 and the step-down unit 27 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0081] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. In-vehicle systems 11. Battery 12…Battery management system 13...Solar panel 14...Power control device 20...Switch section 21…First diode (diode) 22…Second diode 23…BMS startup method 24...Control section 25…Power conversion section 26...Charging part 27…Step-down section 28…Electricity storage unit 31...1st power path (power path) 32…Second power path 34…First conductive path 35…Second conductive path 36…Third conductive path 37...Third power path 38…4th power path 201…In-vehicle systems 211…Battery 211A…1st battery 211B…Second battery 214...Power control device 301…In-vehicle systems 311…Battery 314...Power control device 401…In-vehicle systems 411…Battery 414...Power control device

Claims

1. A power control device for an on-board solar panel used in a vehicle equipped with a battery, a battery management system that receives power supplied from the battery and manages a state of the battery, and a solar panel that supplies power to the battery via a power path, comprising: a switch unit provided between the solar panel and the battery, the switch unit being switched between a supply state for supplying power from the solar panel to the battery and a cut-off state for cutting off the power; a control unit that switches the switch unit between the supply state and the cut-off state, the battery management system operates when the switch unit is in the supply state and stops when the switch unit is in the cut-off state; The control unit monitors the power generated by the solar panel when the battery management system is stopped, and maintains the switch unit in the cut-off state when the power generated by the solar panel falls below a threshold set to be equal to or higher than the power required to start the battery management system, and switches the switch unit to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or higher than the threshold. Power control device for vehicle-mounted solar panels.

2. a power conversion unit that performs a step-up operation or a step-down operation on input power based on the power supplied from the solar panel and supplies output power; The switch unit is provided between the power conversion unit and the battery, When causing the power conversion unit to perform a step-up operation or a step-down operation, the control unit switches the switch unit to the supply state to enable power supply from the power conversion unit to the battery, and then causes the power conversion unit to perform the step-up operation or the step-down operation.

2. The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the switch unit to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel is greater than the power required to control the switch unit to the supply state while the battery management system is operating.

2. The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel according to claim 1.

4. a power conversion unit that performs a conversion operation of stepping down or stepping up an input voltage input from the solar panel side and outputting the input voltage to the battery side; the power path is provided between the power conversion unit and the battery, A power storage unit electrically connected to the power path 2. The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel according to claim 1.

5. The control unit controls the switch unit to the supply state when the power generated by the solar panel is greater than the power required to control the switch unit to the supply state while the battery management system is operating.

5. The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel according to claim 4.

6. a power conversion unit that performs a conversion operation of stepping down or stepping up an input voltage input from the solar panel side and outputting the input voltage to the battery side; a first conductive path different from the power path; a second conductive path provided between the first conductive path and the power conversion unit; a third conductive path provided between the first conductive path and the battery; a diode; The anode of the diode is electrically connected to the second conductive path; The cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the first conductive path.

5. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to claim 1 or 4.

7. The control unit controls the power conversion unit so that the voltage of the anode is within a voltage range in which a current flows from the anode to the cathode.

7. The power control device for a vehicle-mounted solar panel according to claim 6.

8. the battery includes a first battery and a second battery different from the first battery; Power from the solar panel is supplied to both the first battery and the second battery. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The switch section is made of a semiconductor. A power control device for an on-vehicle solar panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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