Control device, vehicle refrigeration system, and refrigerated vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control device, a vehicle refrigeration system, and a refrigeration vehicle capable of using many kinds of power supply devices as a power supply for refrigeration while suppressing the increase of the size of a communication circuit of the control device and the scale of communication software.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a control device that is provided in a vehicle refrigeration system having a refrigeration device, and performs supply control of power supplied to the refrigeration device from a power supply device connected to the refrigeration device. The control device includes: a main connection circuit that has a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method, and when the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminal, transmits and receives a control signal related to the supply control of power via the communication connection terminal; and an auxiliary connection circuit that has a digital output terminal and a digital input terminal, and when the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, outputs a digital signal indicating an operating state of the refrigeration device from the digital output terminal and takes in a digital signal specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a vehicle refrigeration system, and a refrigerated vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle refrigeration system mounted on a vehicle to refrigerate the loaded cargo, a high-voltage power supply device is attached to the vehicle so as to obtain stable and sufficient cooling capacity, and the power supply device supplies power to the vehicle refrigeration system. In recent years, electrification has also been promoted in vehicles such as trucks on which vehicle refrigeration systems are mounted. In the case of an electric vehicle, since the power supply device for vehicle driving mounted on the electric vehicle is high voltage, it is also possible to use the power supply device as the power source for the vehicle refrigeration system.

[0003] Thus, while the types of power supply devices that can be used as the power source for the vehicle refrigeration system are diversified, the communication method of the control signal transmitted and received by the power supply device for power supply control may not match the communication method supported by the vehicle refrigeration system. As a means for preparing for such a case, for example, like the pump device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a means is considered in which the vehicle refrigeration system is provided with all communication interfaces compatible with the communication methods supported by each of the power supply devices assumed as connection destinations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the vehicle refrigeration system as described above, in order to include a plurality of communication interfaces, there is a problem that the size of the communication circuit of the control device of the vehicle refrigeration system increases. Further, since the control signals transmitted and received by each of the plurality of communication interfaces have different data formats, there is also a problem that the scale of the communication software for generating each control signal or reading the data included in the control signal also increases.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a control device, a vehicle refrigeration system, and a refrigerated vehicle that can be used as a power source when refrigerating many types of power supply devices while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit of the control device and the scale of the communication software.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to the present disclosure is provided in a vehicle refrigeration system having a refrigeration device, and is a control device that performs supply control of electric power supplied from a power supply device connected to the refrigeration device to the refrigeration device, and has a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method. When the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminal, a main connection circuit that transmits and receives a control signal related to the supply control of the electric power via the communication connection terminal, a digital output terminal, and a digital input terminal, and when the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device is output from the digital output terminal, and an auxiliary connection circuit that captures a digital signal designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal.

[0008] The vehicle refrigeration system according to the present disclosure is a vehicle refrigeration system including a refrigeration device and a control device. The control device has a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method. When a power supply device connected to the refrigeration device is connected to the communication connection terminal, a main connection circuit for transmitting and receiving a control signal related to the supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device to the refrigeration device via the communication connection terminal, a digital output terminal, and a digital input terminal are provided. When the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device is output from the digital output terminal, and an auxiliary connection circuit for capturing a digital signal for designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal is provided.

[0009] The refrigerated vehicle according to the present disclosure is a refrigerated vehicle including a vehicle body having a power supply device and a vehicle refrigeration system. The vehicle refrigeration system includes a refrigeration device connected to the power supply device and a control device. The control device has a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method. When the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminal, a main connection circuit for transmitting and receiving a control signal related to the supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device to the refrigeration device via the communication connection terminal, a digital output terminal, and a digital input terminal are provided. When the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device is output from the digital output terminal, and an auxiliary connection circuit for capturing a digital signal for designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the control device, the vehicle refrigeration system, and the refrigerated vehicle of the present disclosure, it is possible to use various types of power supply devices as power sources when refrigerating while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit and the scale of the communication software of the control device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a control device, a vehicle refrigeration system, and a refrigerated vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the respective drawings. In the respective drawings, the same or corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] <First Embodiment> (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment. The refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1 includes a communication network 2, a remote monitoring device 3, and a refrigerated vehicle 4. The communication network 2 is, for example, a communication network operated by a communication carrier and is a communication network connectable by wire and wirelessly. The remote monitoring device 3 is connected to the communication network 2 by wire, for example, and monitors the operating state of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 provided in the refrigerated vehicle 4.

[0014] The refrigerated vehicle 4 includes a vehicle body 10 and a vehicle refrigeration system 20. The vehicle body 10 is, for example, a truck or a trailer, and may be an electric vehicle or an engine-driven vehicle such as a diesel vehicle. The vehicle body 10 includes a cabin 11 where a driver rides, a container 13 for loading goods, a chassis 12 that supports the cabin 11 and the container 13, and a power supply device 500. When the vehicle body 10 is an electric vehicle, it further has a configuration provided in a general electric vehicle, such as a motor for vehicle driving (not shown). When the vehicle body 10 is an engine-driven vehicle, it further has a configuration provided in a general engine-driven vehicle, such as an engine (not shown).

[0015] The power supply device 500 is attached to the chassis 12, for example. The power supply device 500 supplies DC high-voltage power and can be charged by the power supplied from a commercial power supply. Here, the high voltage is, for example, a voltage of 200V to 400V. When the vehicle body 10 is an engine-driven vehicle, the power supply device 500 serves as a power supply for supplying power to the vehicle refrigeration system 20. When the vehicle body 10 is an electric vehicle, the power supply device 500 may be mainly a power supply for supplying power for vehicle driving, or may be a power supply device provided separately from the power supply device for supplying power for vehicle driving.

[0016] The vehicle refrigeration system 20 includes a control device main body 31, a cabin controller 32, a refrigeration device 40, and a communication device 50. The control device main body 31 is attached to, for example, the chassis 12, connected to the power supply device 500, and controls the supply of power supplied from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40. The cabin controller 32 is provided inside the cabin 11 and connected to the control device main body 31. The cabin controller 32 receives operations by the driver and monitors and displays, for example, the temperature inside the container 13 on a monitor.

[0017] The refrigeration device 40 includes, for example, an outdoor unit 41 attached above the cabin 11 and outside the container 13, and an indoor unit 42 attached inside the container 13. The outdoor unit 41 is connected to the power supply device 500 and receives power supply from the power supply device 500. The outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 are connected by a pipe through which a refrigerant circulates. The outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and air through a refrigeration cycle, and cool the air inside the container 13. As a result, the container 13 functions as a refrigerator.

[0018] The communication device 50 is connected to the cabin controller 32 and wirelessly connected to the communication network 2. The communication device 50 relays a control signal for remote monitoring transmitted and received between the control device main body 31 connected to the cabin controller 32 and the remote monitoring device 3.

[0019] (Configuration of Vehicle Refrigeration System) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration and connection configuration of the vehicle refrigeration system 20. In Figure 2, the configuration including the control device main body 31 and the cabin controller 32 is shown as the control device 30. Also, in Figure 2, electrical signals such as control signals and data, and the wiring through which low-voltage power flows are shown by solid lines, the wiring through which high-voltage power flows is shown by a dashed arrow, and the pipe through which the refrigerant flows is shown by a dotted arrow.

[0020] (Configuration of Refrigeration Device) In the refrigeration device 40, the outdoor unit 41 includes a power conversion unit 81, a compression unit 82, and a condensation unit 83. The indoor unit 42 includes an evaporation unit 84. The compression unit 82, the condensation unit 83, and the evaporation unit 84 are connected by pipes, and the pipes are filled with a refrigerant.

[0021] In the outdoor unit 41, the power conversion unit 81 includes an inverter that converts the high-voltage DC power supplied from the power supply device 500 into three-phase AC power with a frequency according to a control signal received from the control device main body 31 and supplies it to the compression unit 82.

[0022] The compression unit 82 includes an accumulator, an electric compressor, and a pipe connecting the accumulator and the electric compressor. Vapor refrigerant flows into the accumulator through a pipe connected to the evaporation unit 84. The accumulator separates the gas and liquid contained in the vapor refrigerant, and the separated gas refrigerant flows out to the electric compressor. The electric compressor is driven by the three-phase AC power supplied from the power conversion unit 81. The electric compressor inhales the gas refrigerant flowing out from the accumulator, compresses the inhaled gas refrigerant, and discharges it into the pipe connected to the condensation unit 83.

[0023] The condensation unit 83 includes a condenser, a fan, a receiver, a pipe connecting the condenser and the receiver, and a solenoid type electronic valve inserted into the pipes connected to the condenser and the receiver respectively to adjust the refrigerant flow rate. The opening degree of the electronic valve is adjusted according to a control signal received from the control device main body 31. The condenser is connected to the electric compressor of the compression unit 82 through a pipe. When the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged by the electric compressor flows in, the flowing-in gas refrigerant is cooled by the outside air supplied by the fan and condensed into a liquid refrigerant. The receiver removes water from the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, separates the gas remaining in the flowing-in refrigerant, and extracts the liquid refrigerant.

[0024] The evaporation unit 84 includes an evaporator, a fan, an electronic expansion valve, and a pipe connecting the evaporator and the electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve is connected to the receiver of the condensing unit 83 via the pipe, and by injecting the liquid refrigerant extracted by the receiver, it reduces the pressure and vaporizes the refrigerant. The opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is adjusted according to the control signal received from the control device main body 31. The evaporator cools the air inside the container 13 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant vaporized by the electronic expansion valve and the air inside the container 13 supplied by the fan. The refrigerant that has become vapor due to the heat exchange in the evaporator flows out to the accumulator of the compression unit 82 via the pipe.

[0025] That is, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2, a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compression unit 82, the condensing unit 83, the evaporation unit 84, and the compression unit 82 is constituted by the compression unit 82, the condensing unit 83, and the evaporation unit 84.

[0026] Various sensors such as temperature sensors and pressure sensors are attached to the compression unit 82, the condensing unit 83, and the evaporation unit 84, and these sensors output the measurement data obtained by measurement to the control device main body 31.

[0027] The following power is applied as the DC low-voltage power required for electrical equipment such as the control device 30 of the vehicle refrigeration system 20, the communication device 50, the motor that drives the fans of the condensing unit 83 and the evaporation unit 84, the solenoid valve of the condensing unit 83, the electronic expansion valve of the evaporation unit 84, and the sensors attached to the compression unit 82, the condensing unit 83, and the evaporation unit 84. Here, the low voltage is, for example, a voltage of 12V or 24V.

[0028] For example, a lead-acid battery provided in the vehicle body 10 that supplies power to a lamp or the like of the vehicle body 10 may be applied as the above-described DC low-voltage power. Further, the power conversion unit 81 may be provided with a step-down converter, and the DC low-voltage power obtained by stepping down the DC high-voltage power supplied from the power supply device 500 by the step-down converter may be applied as the above-described DC low-voltage power. Note that power is directly supplied to the control device 30 and the communication device 50 from the lead-acid battery or the step-down converter, but power from the lead-acid battery or the step-down converter is supplied to the electrical equipment provided in the refrigeration device 40 via the control device main body 31.

[0029] (Configuration of the control device) In the control device 30, the control device main body 31 includes a control circuit 71 and a communication circuit 72. The control circuit 71 and the communication circuit 72 may be constructed on the same printed circuit board, or each may be constructed on a different printed circuit board.

[0030] When the control circuit 71 receives, via the communication circuit 72, a set temperature set by an operator operating the cabin controller 32, for example, the control circuit 71 controls the operation of the refrigeration device 40 so that the temperature inside the container 13 approaches the set temperature. Specifically, based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40, the control circuit 71 generates a control signal for causing the temperature inside the container 13 to approach the set temperature, and outputs the generated control signal to the inverter of the power conversion unit 81, the solenoid valve of the condenser unit 83, the electronic expansion valve of the evaporation unit 84, and the like. Based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40, the control circuit 71 determines the rotational speeds of the motors of the fans of the condenser unit 83 and the evaporation unit 84 so that the temperature inside the container 13 approaches the set temperature, and supplies low-voltage power corresponding to the determined rotational speeds to the motors of the fans of the condenser unit 83 and the evaporation unit 84.

[0031] When the control circuit 71 receives a signal from the power supply device 500 via the communication circuit 72, it performs supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 according to the information indicated by the received signal, for example, controls to start, stop, or reduce the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40. The control circuit 71 determines whether the refrigeration device 40 is operating or stopped as the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40.

[0032] The communication circuit 72 includes a board connector 73 and a board connector 74. The board connector 73 is provided with, for example, two communication connection terminals 101A and 101B, two digital output terminals 111 and 112, and three digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123. The board connector 74 is provided with a connection terminal 130 used for connection with the cabin controller 32, and a connection wire for connecting to the cabin controller 32 is connected to the connection terminal 130.

[0033] The communication connection terminal 101A is a communication interface of the CAN (Controller Area Network) communication method widely used as a communication method for control signals transmitted and received between devices in the vehicle. A circuit that processes control signals related to the CAN communication method including the communication connection terminal 101A is hereinafter referred to as the main connection circuit 100A.

[0034] The communication connection terminal 101B is a communication interface of the RS232C (Recommended Standard 232 version C) communication method widely used as a communication method for control signals transmitted and received between a personal computer and peripheral devices. A circuit that processes control signals related to the RS232C communication method including the communication connection terminal 101B is hereinafter referred to as the main connection circuit 100B.

[0035] The two digital output terminals 111 and 112 output a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 by, for example, a two-valued digital value of High and Low. When it is determined by the control circuit 71 that the refrigeration device 40 is operating, the digital output terminal 111 outputs a High digital signal, and the digital output terminal 112 outputs a Low digital signal. When it is determined by the control circuit 71 that the refrigeration device 40 is stopped, the digital output terminal 111 outputs a Low digital signal, and the digital output terminal 112 outputs a High digital signal. If the determination by the control circuit 71 shows that the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 does not correspond to either the operating state or the stopped state, the digital output terminals 111 and 112 output a Low digital signal.

[0036] The three digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 capture a digital signal specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 by, for example, a two-valued digital value of High and Low. The digital input terminal 121 captures, for example, a digital signal that becomes High when the operation of the refrigeration device 40 is permitted and becomes Low when such permission is not specified. The digital input terminal 122 captures, for example, a digital signal that becomes High when the operation of the refrigeration device 40 is to be stopped and becomes Low when such specification is not made. The digital input terminal 123 captures, for example, a digital signal that becomes High when a reduction in the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40 is specified and becomes Low when such specification is not made.

[0037] A circuit that includes the digital output terminals 111 and 112 and the digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 and performs processing on the digital signals input and output by the digital output terminals 111 and 112 and the digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 is hereinafter referred to as the auxiliary connection circuit 110.

[0038] Incidentally, in order to perform processing corresponding to each of the control signals in the CAN communication system transmitted and received in the main connection circuit 100A, the control signals in the RS232C communication system transmitted and received in the main connection circuit 100B, and the digital signals input and output in the auxiliary connection circuit 110, communication software corresponding to each signal is required. Here, the processing corresponding to each signal is, for example, processing for generating a signal to be transmitted or specifying information indicated by a received signal.

[0039] Programs of these communication softwares are created in advance and written, for example, in a ROM (Read Only Memory) of a microcontroller (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) (not shown) provided in the control circuit 71. When the control device main body 31 is activated, the program of the communication software stored in the ROM of the microcomputer is loaded into the RAM (Random Access Memory) of the microcomputer, and according to the program loaded into the RAM, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the microcomputer performs processing corresponding to each of the control signal and the digital signal.

[0040] The cabin controller 32 includes a connection line connected to the connection terminal 130 and a communication connection terminal 140 for the RS232C communication system. The communication device 50 includes a communication connection terminal 51 for the RS232C communication system. The communication connection terminal 140 and the communication connection terminal 51 are connected by a communication connection line for the RS232C communication system.

[0041] (When the power supply device includes a communication connection terminal for the CAN communication system) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection configuration between the vehicle refrigeration system 20 and the power supply device 500 when the power supply device 500 has a communication connection terminal 201 for the CAN communication system. The power supply device 500 includes a battery management unit 501 and a battery 502. The battery 502 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 to supply DC high voltage power to the power conversion unit 81.

[0042] The battery management unit 501 is a so-called battery management system that manages the discharge and charging of the battery 502. The communication connection terminal 201 of the battery management unit 501 and the communication connection terminal 101A of the main connection circuit 100A of the control device main body 31 are connected by a communication connection line of the CAN communication method. Thereby, it becomes possible to transmit and receive control signals of the CAN communication method regarding the supply control of electric power via the main connection circuit 100A between the control circuit 71 and the battery management unit 501. This control signal of the CAN communication method includes at least data indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 and data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40.

[0043] (Example of power supply control by the control device) For example, when the control circuit 71 determines that the refrigeration device 40 is operating based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40, the control circuit 71 generates a control signal including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 is operating. The control circuit 71 transmits the generated control signal to the power supply device 500 via the main connection circuit 100A.

[0044] When the battery management unit 501 receives a control signal including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 is operating via the communication connection terminal 201, it detects the state of the battery 502. When the battery management unit 501 detects that the amount of electric power stored in the battery 502 is sufficient and there is no abnormality in the battery 502, it generates a control signal including data specifying permission to operate the refrigeration device 40. The battery management unit 501 transmits the generated control signal to the control device main body 31 via the communication connection terminal 201. When the control circuit 71 receives a control signal including data specifying permission to operate the refrigeration device 40 via the main connection circuit 100A, for example, based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40 described above, it continues control to bring the temperature inside the container 13 closer to the set temperature.

[0045] In the detection of the state of the battery 502 described above, assume that the battery management unit 501 detects that there is an abnormality in the battery 502. In this case, the battery management unit 501 generates, for example, a control signal including data specifying the stop of the operation of the refrigeration device 40. The battery management unit 501 transmits the generated control signal to the control device main body 31 via the communication connection terminal 201. When the control circuit 71 receives a control signal including data specifying the stop of the operation of the refrigeration device 40 via the main connection circuit 100A, the control circuit 71 performs control to stop the refrigeration device 40.

[0046] In the detection of the state of the battery 502 described above, assume that the battery management unit 501 detects that the amount of electric power stored in the battery 502 is insufficient. In this case, the battery management unit 501 generates, for example, a control signal including data specifying a reduction in the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40. The battery management unit 501 transmits the generated control signal to the control device main body 31 via the communication connection terminal 201. When the control circuit 71 receives a control signal including data specifying a reduction in the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40 via the main connection circuit 100A, the control circuit 71 performs control to generate, for example, three-phase alternating current power with a reduced frequency for the inverter of the power conversion unit 81. As a result, the rotational speed of the electric compressor in the compression unit 82 decreases, and the power consumed by the refrigeration device 40 decreases.

[0047] For example, assume that an abnormality occurs in the refrigeration device 40 and the control circuit 71 determines that the refrigeration device 40 is in a stopped state based on the measurement data acquired from the refrigeration device 40. In this case, the control circuit 71 generates a control signal including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 is stopped. The control circuit 71 transmits the generated control signal to the power supply device 500 via the main connection circuit 100A. When the battery management unit 501 receives a control signal including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 is stopped via the communication connection terminal 201, the battery management unit 501 performs control to stop the power supply to the power conversion unit 81 for the battery 502, for example.

[0048] Note that the above process is an example of the power supply control process for the power supply device 500 supplied from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 by the control device 30. A control process for power supply different from the above-described process may be performed by the control device main body 31 and the power supply device 500.

[0049] (When the power supply device includes a communication connection terminal for the RS232C communication method) Assume that the vehicle body 10 includes a power supply device 500a having a communication connection terminal 202 for the RS232C communication method shown in FIG. 4 instead of the power supply device 500. Hereinafter, the vehicle body including the power supply device 500a instead of the power supply device 500 is referred to as the vehicle body 10a, the refrigerated vehicle including the vehicle body 10a instead of the vehicle body 10 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle 4a, and the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system including the refrigerated vehicle 4a instead of the refrigerated vehicle 4 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1a.

[0050] The power supply device 500a includes a battery management unit 501a and a battery 502. The battery 502 is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 in the same manner as in the case of the power supply device 500.

[0051] The configuration of the battery management unit 501a is a configuration in which, in the configuration of the battery management unit 501, a communication connection terminal 202 for the RS232C communication method is provided instead of the communication connection terminal 201 for the CAN communication method. The communication connection terminal 202 of the battery management unit 501a and the communication connection terminal 101B of the main connection circuit 100B of the control device main body 31 are connected by a communication connection line for the RS232C communication method. Thereby, transmission and reception of a control signal of the RS232C communication method regarding the power supply control via the main connection circuit 100B are possible between the control circuit 71 and the battery management unit 501. This control signal of the RS232C communication method includes at least data indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 and data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40. Therefore, also in the case of the power supply device 500a, it is possible to perform the same control as the example of the power supply control of the power supply device 500 supplied from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 by the control device 30 between the control device main body 31 and the power supply device 500a.

[0052] (When the power supply device has digital input terminals and digital output terminals) Suppose that the vehicle body 10 is provided with a power supply device 500b having digital input terminals 211 and 212 and digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223 shown in FIG. 5 instead of the power supply device 500. Hereinafter, the vehicle body provided with the power supply device 500b instead of the power supply device 500 is referred to as the vehicle body 10b, the refrigerated vehicle provided with the vehicle body 10b instead of the vehicle body 10 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle 4b, and the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system provided with the refrigerated vehicle 4b instead of the refrigerated vehicle 4 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1b.

[0053] The power supply device 500a includes a battery management unit 501a and a battery 502. The battery 502 is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 in the same manner as in the case of the power supply device 500.

[0054] The configuration of the battery management unit 501a is a configuration in which, in the configuration of the battery management unit 501, digital input terminals 211 and 212 and digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223 are provided instead of the communication connection terminal 201 for the CAN communication method. Between the digital output terminal 111 and the digital input terminal 211, between the digital output terminal 112 and the digital input terminal 212, between the digital input terminal 121 and the digital output terminal 221, between the digital input terminal 122 and the digital output terminal 222, and between the digital input terminal 123 and the digital output terminal 223 in the auxiliary connection circuit 110 and the battery management unit 501b are connected by, for example, connection lines for digital signals.

[0055] The battery management unit 501b captures a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 with a two-valued digital value of High and Low via two digital input terminals 211 and 212. The battery management unit 501b captures the digital signal output from the control circuit 71 via the digital output terminal 111 through the digital input terminal 211. When the captured digital signal is High, it is determined that the refrigeration device 40 is operating. The battery management unit 501b captures the digital signal output from the control circuit 71 via the digital output terminal 112 through the digital input terminal 212. When the captured digital signal is High, it is determined that the refrigeration device 40 is stopped.

[0056] The battery management unit 501b outputs a digital signal specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 with a two-valued digital value of High and Low via three digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223. When the battery management unit 501b specifies permission to operate the refrigeration device 40, it outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 221 and Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 222 and 223. When the battery management unit 501b specifies stopping the operation of the refrigeration device 40, it outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 222 and Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221 and 223. When the battery management unit 501b specifies reducing the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40, it outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 223 and Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221 and 222. When the battery management unit 501b does not specify any of permission to operate, stopping the operation, or reducing the power consumption, it outputs Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223.

[0057] Between the power supply devices 500 and 500a and the power supply device 500b, there is a difference in whether the signals transmitted and received with the control device main body 31 are control signals or digital signals represented in binary values. However, in that the control device main body 31 outputs data indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 to the power supply device 500b and the power supply device 500b outputs data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 to the control device main body 31, the power supply devices 500 and 500a and the power supply device 500b are common. Therefore, also in the case of the power supply device 500b, it becomes possible to perform control similar to the example of the power supply control from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 by the control device 30 described above between the control device main body 31 and the power supply device 500b.

[0058] (Operations and Effects of the First Embodiment) The control device main body 31 included in the control device 30 of the first embodiment includes, in the communication circuit 72, a main connection circuit 100A having a communication connection terminal 101A for the CAN communication method, a main connection circuit 100B having a communication connection terminal 101B for the RS232C communication method, and an auxiliary connection circuit 110 having digital output terminals 111 and 112 and digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123.

[0059] The CAN communication method and the RS232C communication method are communication methods that are generally widely used, and there are many power supply devices such as the power supply devices 500 and 500a. Here, when the CAN communication method and the RS232C communication method are referred to as a predetermined communication method, for the battery management units 501 and 501a having communication connection terminals 201 and 202 for the predetermined communication method like the power supply devices 500 and 500a, the control device main body 31 can be connected by the main connection circuits 100A and 100B to transmit and receive control signals. The scale of the communication software corresponding to these control signals becomes a fixed scale determined by the CAN communication method and the RS232C communication method.

[0060] On the other hand, there is also known a power supply device that does not include communication connection terminals 201 and 202 for a predetermined communication method like the power supply device 500b, and can handle general-purpose digital signals such as a digital signal indicating the operating state of a device connected to the battery 502 and a digital signal designating the operating state of a device connected to the battery 502. For such a power supply device 500b, the control device main body 31 can be connected by the digital output terminals 111 and 112 and the digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 of the auxiliary connection circuit 110 to input and output digital signals.

[0061] Since the information that can be transmitted by a digital signal depends on the number of terminals, in order to transmit a large amount of information like a control signal of a predetermined communication method, a large number of terminals are required. However, by setting the number of terminals to the minimum number required to transmit the minimum amount of information necessary for controlling the device connected to the battery 502, an increase in the size of the communication circuit 72 can be suppressed, and an increase in the scale of the communication software that performs processing corresponding to each of the digital signals input and output in the auxiliary connection circuit 110 can be suppressed.

[0062] In the control device 30 of the first embodiment, after selecting, as the minimum necessary information, the information indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 and the information designating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40, the number of terminals of the digital signal required for transmitting these information is limited to five. Therefore, by using the control device 30 of the first embodiment, while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software, it is possible to use many types of power supply devices 500, 500a, and 500b as power supplies when refrigerating.

[0063] In addition, since the vehicle refrigeration system 20 improves the selectivity of connectable power supply devices 500, 500a, and 500b, it can be attached to various types of vehicle bodies 10 regardless of engine drive or electric drive. In the vehicle refrigeration system 20, improving the selectivity of connectable power supply devices 500 to 500b also facilitates the power supply to the refrigeration device 40. Therefore, by using the vehicle refrigeration system 20, the environmental performance as a refrigerated vehicle 4 can be improved.

[0064] In the control device 30 of the first embodiment, as main connection circuits corresponding to a predetermined communication method, a main connection circuit 100A and a main connection circuit 100B are provided. On the contrary, a control device 30 that excludes the RS232C communication method from the predetermined communication method and does not include the main connection circuit 100B may be used. By doing so, while the power supply device 500a cannot be made a connection target, furthermore, the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software can be reduced.

[0065] Conversely, the CAN communication method may be excluded from the predetermined communication method so that the control device 30 does not include the main connection circuit 100A. In this case, in addition to obtaining the same effect as in the case where the main connection circuit 100B is not provided, the communication method between the communication connection terminal 101B of the control device main body 31 of the control device 30 and the communication connection terminal 140 of the cabin controller 32 can be unified to the same RS232C communication method. In other words, the communication method when the control device main body 31 of the control device 30 transmits and receives control signals to and from the power supply device 500a and the communication method when the cabin controller 32 positioned as an auxiliary control unit in the control device 30 is connected to the communication device 50 can be unified, thereby facilitating the communication setting on the control device 30 side.

[0066] In the control device main body 31 of the first embodiment, although it is provided with three digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123, if the digital signal specifying the reduction of the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40 to be captured at the digital input terminal 123 is not essential for the control of the refrigeration device 40, the digital input terminal 123 may not be provided. Thereby, further, the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software can be reduced.

[0067] Note that in the above, as the predetermined communication method, both or either one of the CAN communication method and the RS232C communication method may be used. However, as long as the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software remain within the allowable scale range, any communication method and any number of communication methods may be used as the predetermined communication method so that more types of power supply devices can be used. In this case, for each communication method included in the predetermined communication method, main connection circuits such as the main connection circuits 100A and 100B will be constructed in the communication circuit 72.

[0068] Also, as long as the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software remain within the allowable scale range, the number of digital output terminals 111 and 112 or the number of digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 may be increased. Thereby, more information can be transmitted between the control circuit 71 and the battery management unit 501b.

[0069] <Second Embodiment> The vehicle refrigeration system 20a of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the vehicle refrigeration system 20 of the first embodiment, and further includes a conversion device 90 shown in FIG. 6. In the second embodiment, the vehicle body 10 includes a power supply device 500c shown in FIG. 6 instead of the power supply device 500. Hereinafter, the vehicle body including the power supply device 500c instead of the power supply device 500 is referred to as the vehicle body 10c. A refrigerated vehicle including the vehicle body 10c instead of the vehicle body 10 and the vehicle refrigeration system 20a instead of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 is referred to as a refrigerated vehicle 4c. A refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system including the refrigerated vehicle 4c instead of the refrigerated vehicle 4 is referred to as a refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1c.

[0070] The power supply device 500c includes a battery management unit 501c and a battery 502. The battery 502 is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 in the same manner as in the case of the power supply device 500.

[0071] The configuration of the battery management unit 501c is a configuration including a communication connection terminal 230 instead of the communication connection terminal 201 of the CAN communication method in the configuration of the battery management unit 501. The communication method of the communication connection terminal 230 of the battery management unit 501c is a communication method different from the above-described predetermined communication method. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the communication method of the communication connection terminal 230 is a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication method.

[0072] In this case, since the communication circuit 72 of the control device main body 31 does not include a communication connection terminal corresponding to the LIN communication method, the battery management unit 501c and the control device main body 31 cannot be directly connected.

[0073] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the battery management unit 501c and the control device main body 31 are connected via a conversion device 90 including a communication connection terminal 91 for the LIN communication system, digital input terminals 211 and 212, and digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223. The communication connection terminal 91 for the LIN communication system of the conversion device 90 and the communication connection terminal 230 are connected by a communication connection line for the LIN communication system. The digital input terminals 211 and 212 and the digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223 of the conversion device 90 and the digital output terminals 111 and 112 and the digital input terminals 121, 122, and 123 of the auxiliary connection circuit 110 of the communication circuit 72 are connected so as to have the same connection configuration as the connection configuration between the battery management unit 501b and the auxiliary connection circuit 110 shown in FIG. 5.

[0074] When the digital signal captured via the digital input terminal 211 of the conversion device 90 indicates High, the conversion device 90 generates a control signal for the LIN communication system including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 is operating. When the digital signal captured via the digital input terminal 212 of the conversion device 90 indicates High, the conversion device 90 generates a control signal for the LIN communication system including data indicating that the refrigeration device 40 has stopped. The conversion device 90 transmits the generated control signal to the battery management unit 501c via the communication connection terminal 91 for the LIN communication system.

[0075] When the conversion device 90 captures the LIN communication system control signal output from the battery management unit 501c via the communication connection terminal 230 through the communication connection terminal 91, the conversion device 90 performs the following processing according to the data included in the captured control signal. When the data included in the control signal indicates that the operation permission of the refrigeration device 40 is specified, the conversion device 90 outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 221 and outputs Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 222 and 223. When the data included in the control signal indicates that the operation stop of the refrigeration device 40 is specified, the conversion device 90 outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 222 and outputs Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221 and 223. When the data included in the control signal indicates that the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40 is to be reduced, the conversion device 90 outputs a High digital signal from the digital output terminal 223 and outputs Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221 and 222.

[0076] When what the data included in the control signal indicates does not correspond to any of specifying the operation permission of the refrigeration device 40, specifying the operation stop of the refrigeration device 40, and specifying the reduction of the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40, the conversion device 90 outputs Low digital signals from the digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223.

[0077] The conversion device 90 cannot relay all the information transmitted and received between each of the battery management units 501 and 501a shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the control circuit 71 by the control signal, but can relay the information input and output by the battery management unit 501b shown in FIG. 5 and the control circuit 71 by the digital signal. Therefore, also in the case of the power supply device 500c, it is possible to perform the same control as the example of the power supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 by the control device 30 described in the first embodiment between the control device main body 31 and the power supply device 500c.

[0078] <Third Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the vehicle refrigeration system 20b according to the third embodiment is a configuration in which the communication device 50 is replaced with a communication device 50a in the configuration of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 according to the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the vehicle body 10 is provided with a power supply device 500d shown in FIG. 7 instead of the power supply device 500. Hereinafter, the vehicle body provided with the power supply device 500d instead of the power supply device 500 is referred to as a vehicle body 10d. A refrigerated vehicle provided with the vehicle body 10d instead of the vehicle body 10 and the vehicle refrigeration system 20b instead of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 is referred to as a refrigerated vehicle 4d. A refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system provided with the refrigerated vehicle 4d instead of the refrigerated vehicle 4 is referred to as a refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1d.

[0079] In addition to the communication connection terminal 51, the communication device 50a includes a communication connection terminal 52 of a specific communication method used for connection to the battery management unit 501d.

[0080] The power supply device 500d includes a battery management unit 501d and a battery 502. The battery 502 is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 in the same manner as in the case of the power supply device 500.

[0081] The configuration of the battery management unit 501d is a configuration in which, in the configuration of the battery management unit 501, a communication connection terminal 240 of the same communication method as the communication connection terminal 52 of the communication device 50a is provided instead of the communication connection terminal 201 of the CAN communication method. The communication connection terminal 240 and the communication connection terminal 52 are connected by a communication connection line of the same communication method common to the communication connection terminal 240 and the communication connection terminal 52.

[0082] (When transfer is performed within the communication device) In communication device 50a, for example, assume that when a control signal with predetermined specific identification information is received at communication connection terminals 51 and 52, the control signal is transferred as follows. That is, when a control signal with specific identification information is received at communication connection terminal 51, the received control signal is transmitted from communication connection terminal 52. Assume that communication device 50a has a transfer setting such that when a control signal with specific identification information is received at communication connection terminal 52, the received control signal is transmitted from communication connection terminal 51.

[0083] In this case, when control circuit 71 generates a control signal to be transmitted to battery management unit 501d, it attaches specific identification information to the generated control signal and outputs it to cabin controller 32 via communication circuit 72. When cabin controller 32 captures a control signal with specific identification information, it transmits the captured control signal to communication device 50a. When communication device 50a receives at communication connection terminal 51 a control signal with specific identification information transmitted by cabin controller 32, it transmits the received control signal from communication connection terminal 52. Battery management unit 501d receives at communication connection terminal 240 the control signal transmitted by communication device 50a. Thereby, battery management unit 501d can acquire the control signal from control circuit 71.

[0084] When battery management unit 501d transmits a control signal to control circuit 71, the control signal is transmitted through a path opposite to the path when control circuit 71 transmits a control signal to battery management unit 501d as described above.

[0085] (When transfer is performed via a remote monitoring device) Rather than the communication device 50a relaying the control signal transmitted and received between the control circuit 71 and the battery management unit 501d as described above, the remote monitoring device 3 may relay the control signal. In this case, for example, the control signal is transmitted according to the following procedure. The control circuit 71 transmits the control signal to the communication device 50a via the communication circuit 72 and the cabin controller 32. When the communication device 50a receives the control signal via the communication connection terminal 51, it generates transmission data having the identification information of the control device 30 as the transmission source and the identification information of the remote monitoring device 3 as the transmission destination, and including the received control signal.

[0086] The communication device 50a sends the generated transmission data to the communication network 2 to which the remote monitoring device 3 is connected. The communication network 2 transfers the transmission data to the remote monitoring device 3 according to the identification information of the transmission destination of the transmitted transmission data. The remote monitoring device 3 receives the transmission data via the communication network 2.

[0087] In the internal storage area of the remote monitoring device 3, for example, a path table associating the identification information of the control device 30 with the identification information of the power supply device 500d that supplies power to the refrigeration device 40, which is the control target of the control device 30, is stored in advance. The remote monitoring device 3 detects the identification information of the power supply device 500d associated with the identification information of the control device 30 based on the identification information of the control device 30 indicated as the transmission source in the received transmission data and the path table.

[0088] The remote monitoring device 3 rewrites the transmission source of the received transmission data to the identification information of the remote monitoring device 3, rewrites the transmission destination to the identification information of the power supply device 500d, and then sends the transmission data to the communication network 2. The communication network 2 transfers the transmission data to the communication device 50a according to the identification information of the transmission destination of the transmitted transmission data. The communication device 50a receives the transmission data via the communication network 2.

[0089] The communication device 50a transmits the control signal included in the received transmission data from the communication connection terminal 52 according to the identification information of the power supply device 500d which is the destination of the received transmission data. The battery management unit 501d receives the control signal transmitted by the communication device 50a at the communication connection terminal 240. Thereby, the battery management unit 501d can acquire the control signal from the control circuit 71.

[0090] When the battery management unit 501d transmits a control signal to the control circuit 71, the control signal is transmitted through a path opposite to the path when the control circuit 71 transmits a control signal to the battery management unit 501d.

[0091] Therefore, between the control circuit 71 and the battery management unit 501d, it becomes possible to transmit and receive control signals related to power supply control via the communication device 50a or the remote monitoring device 3. This control signal includes at least data indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device 40 and data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device 40. Therefore, also in the case of the power supply device 500d, it becomes possible to perform the same control as the example of the power supply control from the power supply device 500 to the refrigeration device 40 by the control device 30 described in the first embodiment between the control device main body 31 and the power supply device 500d.

[0092] Note that the specific communication method which is the communication method between the communication connection terminal 52 included in the communication device 50a and the communication connection terminal 240 included in the battery management unit 501d may be a CAN communication method, may be an RS232C communication method, or may be a communication method different from the CAN communication method and the RS232C communication method.

[0093] (Operations and Effects of the Second and Third Embodiments) As described above, in the vehicle refrigeration systems 20a and 20b of the second and third embodiments, even for the power supply devices 500c and 500d that do not include the communication connection terminals 201 and 202, digital input terminals 211 and 212, and digital output terminals 221, 222, and 223 of a predetermined communication method, by using the conversion device 90 and the communication device 50a, it becomes possible to transmit and receive control signals to and from the control device 30. As a result, in the vehicle refrigeration systems 20a and 20b of the second and third embodiments, it becomes possible to connect more types of power supply devices 500, 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d and the control device 30 than in the vehicle refrigeration system 20 of the first embodiment. That is, also in the second and third embodiments, while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software, it is possible to use many types of power supply devices 500, 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d as power sources when refrigerating.

[0094] <Fourth Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 8, the configuration of the vehicle refrigeration system 20c of the fourth embodiment is a configuration in which the refrigeration device 40 is replaced with a refrigeration device 40a in the configuration of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 of the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the vehicle body 10 includes the power supply device 500e shown in FIG. 8 instead of the power supply device 500. Hereinafter, the vehicle body including the power supply device 500e instead of the power supply device 500 is referred to as the vehicle body 10e, the refrigerated vehicle including the vehicle body 10e instead of the vehicle body 10 and including the vehicle refrigeration system 20c instead of the vehicle refrigeration system 20 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle 4e, and the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system including the refrigerated vehicle 4e instead of the refrigerated vehicle 4 is referred to as the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 1e.

[0095] The power supply device 500e includes a battery management unit 501e and a battery 502. The battery 502 is connected to the power conversion unit 81 of the refrigeration device 40 in the same manner as in the case of the power supply device 500. The battery management unit 501e manages the discharge and charging of the battery 502 in the same manner as the battery management unit 501 in the first embodiment, but does not include the communication connection terminals 201, 202, 230, 240, the digital input terminals 211, 212, and the digital output terminals 221, 222, 223 shown in the first to third embodiments. Therefore, since the battery management unit 501d and the control circuit 71 cannot transmit and receive control signals or input and output digital signals, the supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device 500e to the refrigeration device 40 cannot be performed.

[0096] In the vehicle refrigeration system 20c, the refrigeration device 40a includes an outdoor unit 41a and an indoor unit 42. The configuration of the outdoor unit 41a is a configuration in which the power conversion unit 81 is replaced with a power conversion unit 81a in the configuration of the outdoor unit 41 in the first embodiment. The power conversion unit 81a includes an inverter in the same manner as the power conversion unit 81 in the first embodiment. However, the inverter of the power conversion unit 81a operates as follows, which is different from the inverter of the power conversion unit 81. When the inverter of the power conversion unit 81a receives a control signal from the control device main body 31, it converts the high-voltage DC power supplied from the battery 502 of the power supply device 500e into three-phase AC power with a frequency corresponding to the control signal and supplies it to the compression unit 82, in the same manner as the inverter of the power conversion unit 81.

[0097] When the inverter of the power conversion unit 81 in the first embodiment does not receive a control signal from the control device main body 31, it does not convert the high-voltage DC power supplied from the battery 502 of the power supply device 500e into three-phase AC power even if the high-voltage DC power is being supplied. On the other hand, when the inverter of the power conversion unit 81a in the fourth embodiment detects that power is being supplied from the battery 502 of the power supply device 500e even when it does not receive a control signal from the control device main body 31, it converts the power into three-phase AC power with a predetermined frequency and supplies it to the compression unit 82.

[0098] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, although the power supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device 500e to the refrigeration device 40 cannot be performed, the refrigeration device 40a can operate the refrigeration cycle if power is supplied from the battery 502 of the power supply device 500e.

[0099] (Operation and Effect of the Fourth Embodiment) As described above, even when the power conversion unit 81a of the outdoor unit 41a of the refrigeration device 40a included in the vehicle refrigeration system 20c of the fourth embodiment does not receive a control signal from the control device main body 31, when it detects that power is being supplied from the battery 502, it converts the power into three-phase AC power of a predetermined frequency and supplies it to the compression unit 82. Therefore, even if the power supply device does not include communication connection terminals 201, 202, 230, 240, digital input terminals 211, 212, and digital output terminals 221, 222, 223 like the power supply device 500e, the refrigeration device 40a can start operating independently. Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to use it as a power source when refrigerating many types of power supply devices 500, 500a, 500b, 500e while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software.

[0100] (Other Configuration Examples of the Embodiment) As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and designs and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.

[0101] (Other Configuration Examples Regarding the Control Device Main Body) In the vehicle refrigeration systems 20 to 20c of the first to fourth embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration devices 40, 40a and the control device main body 31 are separated and provided. In this case, by housing the control device main body 31 in, for example, a low-voltage electrical box separated from the refrigeration devices 40, 40a, the control device main body 31 can be attached to any location including a location close to the high-voltage portion of the vehicle bodies 10 to 10e. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the connectivity with the power supply devices 500 to 500e and the communication devices 50, 50a. In addition to this, in the control device main body 31, the control circuit 71 and the communication circuit 72 are housed in the low-voltage electrical box, and the communication connection terminal 101A and the communication connection terminal 101B are respectively provided as separate harnesses connected to the communication circuit 72, and the digital output terminals 111, 112 and the digital input terminals 121, 122, 123 are connected to the communication circuit 72 as one harness, whereby it becomes possible to further improve the connectivity with the power supply devices 500 to 500e.

[0102] (Another configuration example regarding control via the driver of the refrigerated vehicle) In the first to third embodiments, the control circuit 71 directly controls the refrigeration device 40 based on the control signal or digital signal received from the battery management units 501 to 501d and the processes incorporated therein. On the other hand, instead of directly controlling the refrigeration device 40, the control circuit 71 may be configured to perform control via the driver of the refrigerated vehicles 4 to 4d.

[0103] For example, the control circuit 71 converts the information indicated by the data included in the control signals received from the battery management units 501 to 501d, or the information indicated by the digital signals, into data of a sentence indicating the content of the information, and causes the monitor of the cabin controller 32 to display the converted sentence data. The driver refers to the sentence displayed on the monitor of the cabin controller 32, and, according to the referred sentence, performs an operation of transmitting a control signal indicating the next process to be performed to, for example, the control circuit 71, on a button or the like provided on the cabin controller 32. As a result, it is not necessary to incorporate the process to be performed when the control circuit 71 receives a control signal or a digital signal, and the process will be determined by the driver.

[0104] (Another configuration example regarding control via the operator of the remote monitoring device) In the first to third embodiments, when the control circuit 71 or the battery management units 501 to 501d receive a control signal or a digital signal, they may transmit all of the received control signal or digital signal to the remote monitoring device 3 via the communication devices 50 and 50a. In this case, the remote monitoring device 3 converts, for example, the information indicated by the data included in the control signal received from the control circuit 71 or the battery management units 501 to 501d, or the information indicated by the digital signal, into data of a sentence indicating the content of the information, and displays the converted sentence data on the monitor it has. The operator refers to the sentence displayed on the monitor of the remote monitoring device 3, and, according to the referred sentence, performs an operation of transmitting a control signal indicating the next process to be performed to, for example, the control circuit 71 or the battery management units 501 to 501d, on an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse provided on the remote monitoring device 3. As a result, it is not necessary to incorporate the process to be performed when the control circuit 71 or the battery management units 501 to 501d receive a control signal or a digital signal, and the process will be determined by the operator of the remote monitoring device 3.

[0105] In the third embodiment, the remote monitoring device 3 has a configuration for relaying the received control signal. On the other hand, the remote monitoring device 3 may not relay the received control signal, but instead convert the information indicated by the data included in the received control signal into data of a sentence indicating the content of the information, and display the converted sentence data on a monitor provided by itself. In this case, the operator refers to the sentence displayed on the monitor of the remote monitoring device 3, and based on the referred sentence, for example, performs an operation of transmitting a control signal indicating the next process to be performed to the control circuit 71 or the battery management units 501 to 501d on the input device provided in the remote monitoring device 3. As a result, it is not necessary for the remote monitoring device 3 to have a route table.

[0106] (Other configuration examples) The vehicle refrigeration system 20a of the second embodiment, the vehicle refrigeration system 20b of the third embodiment, and the vehicle refrigeration system 20c of the fourth embodiment may be arbitrarily combined.

[0107] In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, the control device 30 includes the cabin controller 32, but the control device 30 may not include the cabin controller 32.

[0108] In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, a configuration without remote monitoring may be adopted. In this case, the vehicle refrigeration systems 20, 20a, and 20c may not include the communication device 50, and the refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring systems 1 to 1e may not include the communication network 2 and the remote monitoring device 3.

[0109] <Supplementary Note> The control device 30 and the vehicle refrigeration systems 20 to 20c described in the embodiments according to the present disclosure are understood as follows, for example.

[0110] (1) The control device 30 according to the first aspect is provided in vehicle refrigeration systems 20a to 20c having refrigeration devices 40, 40a, and is a control device that performs supply control of electric power supplied from power supply devices 500 to 500e connected to the refrigeration devices to the refrigeration devices. It has communication connection terminals (for example, communication connection terminals 101A, 101B) of a predetermined communication method (for example, CAN communication method, RS232C communication method). When the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminals, a main connection circuit (for example, main connection circuits 100A, 100B) that transmits and receives control signals related to the supply control of the electric power via the communication connection terminals, a digital output terminal (for example, digital output terminals 111, 112), and a digital input terminal (for example, digital input terminals 121, 122, 123). When the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device is output from the digital output terminal, and an auxiliary connection circuit 110 that captures a digital signal designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal is provided. According to this aspect and the following aspects, while suppressing an increase in the size of the communication circuit 72 of the control device 30 and the scale of the communication software, it is possible to use many types of power supply devices 500 to 500e as power sources when refrigerating.

[0111] (2) The control device 30 according to the second aspect is the control device of (1). The auxiliary connection circuit has the first and second digital output terminals 111, 112 and the first and second digital input terminals 121, 122. A digital signal indicating that the refrigeration device is operating is output from the first digital output terminal, a digital signal indicating that the refrigeration device is stopped is output from the second digital output terminal, a digital signal designating permission to operate the refrigeration device is captured at the first digital input terminal, and a digital signal designating stop of operation of the refrigeration device is captured at the second digital input terminal. According to this aspect, the control device 30 can notify the power supply devices 500 to 500d whether the refrigeration device 40 is operating or stopped, and the power supply devices 500 to 500d can instruct the control device 30 to operate or stop the refrigeration device 40.

[0112] (3) The control device 30 according to the third aspect is the control device of (2), and the auxiliary connection circuit further has the third digital input terminal 123 for taking in a digital signal specifying a reduction in the power consumption of the refrigeration device. According to this aspect, the power supply devices 500 to 500d can instruct the control device 30 to reduce the power consumption of the refrigeration device 40.

[0113] (4) The control device 30 according to the fourth aspect is the control device of any one of (1) to (3). When there are a plurality of the predetermined communication methods, the main connection circuits 100A and 100B are provided for each of the plurality of the predetermined communication methods. According to this aspect, as long as the size of the communication circuit 72 and the scale of the communication software remain within the allowable scale range, the number of the predetermined communication methods can be adjusted, and thereby the types of the power supply devices 500 to 500e that can be connected can be increased or decreased.

[0114] (5) The control device 30 according to the fifth aspect is the control device of any one of (1) to (4), and includes an auxiliary control unit (for example, the cabin controller 32) having a communication connection terminal of the predetermined communication method for connecting to the communication devices 50 and 50a provided in the vehicle refrigeration system. According to this aspect, since the communication interfaces of the devices connected to the control device 30 can be unified to a predetermined communication method, the communication setting on the control device 30 side can be facilitated.

[0115] (6) The control device 30 according to the sixth aspect is the control device of any one of (1) to (5), and the self-device is housed in a low-voltage electrical box separated from the refrigeration device. According to this aspect, the control device 30 can be attached to any location of the vehicle body 10 to 10e.

[0116] (7) The vehicle refrigeration systems 20 to 20c according to the seventh aspect are vehicle refrigeration systems including a refrigeration device 40, 40a and a control device 30. The control device has communication connection terminals (for example, communication connection terminals 101A, 101B) of a predetermined communication method (for example, CAN communication method, RS232C communication method). When a power supply device 500 to 500e connected to the refrigeration device is connected to the communication connection terminals, a main connection circuit (for example, main connection circuits 100A, 100B) that transmits and receives a control signal related to the supply control of the power supplied from the power supply device to the refrigeration device via the communication connection terminals, a digital output terminal (for example, digital output terminals 111, 112), and a digital input terminal (for example, digital input terminals 121, 122, 123). When the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, an auxiliary connection circuit 110 that outputs a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device from the digital output terminal and captures a digital signal specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal is provided.

[0117] (8) The vehicle refrigeration system 20a according to the eighth aspect is the vehicle refrigeration system of (7), and includes a conversion device 90 that is connected to the communication connection terminal of the power supply device 500c having a communication connection terminal of a communication method different from the predetermined communication method, the digital output terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit, and the digital input terminal. The conversion device 90 converts the digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device output from the digital output terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit into a control signal of the communication method of the communication connection terminal provided in the power supply device and outputs it to the power supply device. When data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device is included in the control signal transmitted by the power supply device, the conversion device 90 converts the data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device into a digital signal and outputs it to the digital input terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit. According to this aspect, even for a power supply device 500c that cannot be connected to the communication connection terminals 101A, 101B, the digital output terminals 111, 112, and the digital input terminals 121, 122, 123, it is possible to transmit and receive a control signal related to the supply control of power to and from the control device 30 via the conversion device 90.

[0118] (9) The vehicle refrigeration system 20b according to the ninth aspect is the vehicle refrigeration system of (7) or (8), and includes a communication device 50a. The power supply device and the control device are connected to the communication device. The communication device relays, within its own device, a control signal regarding the supply control of the power transmitted and received between the power supply device and the control device, or the communication device is connected to a remote monitoring device 3, and the power supply device and the control device transmit and receive a control signal regarding the supply control of the power via the remote monitoring device. According to this aspect, even for a power supply device 500d that cannot be connected to the communication connection terminals 101A, 101B, the digital output terminals 111, 112, and the digital input terminals 121, 122, 123, it is possible to transmit and receive a control signal regarding the supply control of the power to and from the control device 30 via the communication device 50a or the remote monitoring device 3.

[0119] (10) The vehicle refrigeration system 20c according to the tenth aspect is any one of the vehicle refrigeration systems from (7) to (9). When the refrigeration device 40a receives the power supply control by the control device, it operates according to the power supply control. When the refrigeration device 40a does not receive the power supply control by the control device, when it detects the power supplied from the power supply device, it operates with the supplied power. According to this aspect, even for a power supply device 500e that cannot be connected to the communication connection terminals 101A, 101B, the digital output terminals 111, 112, and the digital input terminals 121, 122, 123, the refrigeration device 40a can use the power supply device 500e as a power source.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0120] 1… Refrigerated vehicle remote monitoring system 2… Communication network 3… Remote monitoring device 4… Refrigerated vehicle 10… Vehicle body 11… Cabin 12… Chassis 13… Container 20… Vehicle refrigeration system 30... Control device 31... Control device main body 32... Cabin controller 40... Refrigeration device 41... Outdoor unit 42... Indoor unit 50... Communication device 71... Control circuit 72... Communication circuit 73, 74... Board connectors 81... Power conversion section 82... Compression section 83... Condensing section 84... Evaporation section 100A, 100B... Main connection circuit 51, 101A, 101B, 140, 201... Communication connection terminals 110... Auxiliary connection circuit 111, 112... Digital output terminals 121, 122, 123... Digital input terminals 130... Connection terminal 500... Power supply device 501... Battery management section 502... Battery

Claims

1. A control device provided in a vehicle refrigeration system having a refrigeration device, for performing supply control of electric power supplied from a power supply device connected to the refrigeration device to the refrigeration device, having a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method, and when the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminal, a main connection circuit for transmitting and receiving a control signal related to the supply control of the electric power via the communication connection terminal, having a digital output terminal and a digital input terminal, and when the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, outputting a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device from the digital output terminal, and capturing a digital signal for designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal, an auxiliary connection circuit, A control device comprising:

2. The auxiliary connection circuit, has the first and second digital output terminals and the first and second digital input terminals, outputs a digital signal indicating that the refrigeration device is operating from the first digital output terminal, and outputs a digital signal indicating that the refrigeration device is stopped from the second digital output terminal, captures a digital signal for designating permission to operate the refrigeration device at the first digital input terminal, and captures a digital signal for designating stop of operation of the refrigeration device at the second digital input terminal, The control device according to claim 1.

3. The auxiliary connection circuit further, has a third digital input terminal for capturing a digital signal for designating a reduction in power consumption of the refrigeration device, The control device according to claim 2.

4. When there are a plurality of the predetermined communication methods, The main connection circuit, is provided for each of the plurality of the predetermined communication methods, The control device according to claim 1.

5. An auxiliary control unit having a communication connection terminal for the predetermined communication method connected to a communication device provided in the vehicle refrigeration system The control device according to claim 1, comprising:

6. The self-device is housed in a low-voltage electrical box separated from the refrigeration device, The control device according to claim 1.

7. A vehicle refrigeration system comprising a refrigeration device and a control device, The control device, has a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method, and when a power supply device connected to the refrigeration device is connected to the communication connection terminal, a main connection circuit for transmitting and receiving a control signal related to the supply control of the electric power supplied from the power supply device to the refrigeration device via the communication connection terminal, It has a digital output terminal and a digital input terminal. When the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, it outputs a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device from the digital output terminal, and captures a digital signal specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal. An auxiliary connection circuit A vehicle refrigeration system comprising the same.

8. Connect the communication connection terminal of the power supply device provided with a communication connection terminal of a communication method different from the predetermined communication method to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit, and convert the digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device output from the digital output terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit into a control signal of the communication method of the communication connection terminal provided in the power supply device and output it to the power supply device. When the data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device is included in the control signal transmitted by the power supply device, the data specifying the operating state of the refrigeration device is converted into a digital signal and output to the digital input terminal of the auxiliary connection circuit. A conversion device The vehicle refrigeration system according to claim 7, comprising the same.

9. Equipped with a communication device, The power supply device and the control device Are connected to the communication device, The communication device relays the control signal regarding the supply control of the power transmitted and received between the power supply device and the control device within its own device, or The communication device is connected to a remote monitoring device, and the power supply device and the control device transmit and receive the control signal regarding the supply control of the power via the remote monitoring device. The vehicle refrigeration system according to claim 7.

10. The refrigeration device When receiving the power supply control by the control device, it operates according to the power supply control. When not receiving the power supply control by the control device, when detecting the power supplied from the power supply device, it operates according to the supplied power. The vehicle refrigeration system according to claim 7.

11. A refrigerated vehicle comprising a vehicle body equipped with a power supply device and a vehicle refrigeration system, The vehicle refrigeration system Comprises a refrigeration device connected to the power supply device and a control device, The control device A main connection circuit having a communication connection terminal for a predetermined communication method, and when the power supply device is connected to the communication connection terminal, transmitting and receiving a control signal related to power supply control of power supplied from the power supply device to the refrigeration device via the communication connection terminal; An auxiliary connection circuit having a digital output terminal and a digital input terminal, and when the power supply device is connected to the digital output terminal and the digital input terminal, outputting a digital signal indicating the operating state of the refrigeration device from the digital output terminal and capturing a digital signal designating the operating state of the refrigeration device at the digital input terminal; A refrigerated vehicle comprising the same.

Images