Charging device, charging method, and program

Abstract

To avoid enlarging a power supply facility and to compensate for insufficient charging in low temperature environment.SOLUTION: A charging device includes a charging current control unit and a heater current control unit. The charging current control unit is configured to control a charging current adjustment circuit so that a charging current for charging a battery becomes an available current when the available current is equal to or less than a charging stage current value previously set for every charging stage, and a temperature measured at a predetermined portion of a power storage device is within a low temperature range previously set, and when the available current is equal to or less than a charging current threshold value set according to the temperature of the power storage device. The heater current control unit is configured to control a heater current adjusting circuit so that a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery becomes a current obtained by subtracting the charging current from the available current when the available current is equal to or less than the charging stage current value, and the temperature is within the low temperature range, and when the available current is equal to or less than the charging current threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device, a charging method, and a program for controlling charging. [Background technology]

[0002] When operating electrical equipment (load devices) outdoors, power is supplied to the electrical equipment from power supply equipment such as solar panels (power generation equipment) and lithium-ion batteries (power storage devices).However, lithium-ion batteries have high internal resistance in low-temperature environments, so they cannot be charged to their original battery capacity and become insufficiently charged.

[0003] To address this issue, air conditioning equipment is installed to maintain the appropriate temperature for the lithium-ion battery, solar panels are installed to compensate for the lack of charge, and lithium-ion batteries are installed to compensate for the lack of charge. However, installing new equipment such as air conditioning equipment, solar panels, and lithium-ion batteries increases the size of the power supply equipment.

[0004] As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a stand-alone photovoltaic power generation system that extends the life of a power storage device, ensures discharge capacity, and makes effective use of surplus power. In the stand-alone photovoltaic power generation system of Patent Document 1, when the generated power is greater than the sum of the power consumed by the load and the power charged to the power storage means, the difference in surplus power is used to operate a temperature control means that adjusts the temperature of the power storage means. Also, when the generated power is greater than the power consumed by the load and the power storage means does not require charging power, the difference in surplus power is used to operate the temperature control means.

[0005] Furthermore, as a related technique, Patent Document 2 discloses a charging method in which the charging time at low temperatures is made less susceptible to the influence of ambient temperature by making the charging time closer to the charging time at room temperature. According to the charging method in Patent Document 2, if the temperature of the secondary battery is lower than a predetermined temperature when charging starts, the heater is energized, and charging starts after the secondary battery reaches the set temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-102192 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-150885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the stand-alone solar power generation system of Patent Document 1 extends the life of the power storage device, ensures discharge capacity, and effectively utilizes surplus power. Furthermore, the charging method of Patent Document 2 brings the temperature of the secondary battery to room temperature when the ambient temperature is low, thereby bringing the charging time close to that at room temperature even at low temperatures. In other words, it does not compensate for insufficient charging in low-temperature environments while avoiding the need for larger power supply equipment.

[0008] An example of an object of the present disclosure is to avoid an increase in the size of power supply equipment and to compensate for insufficient charging in a low-temperature environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a power supply unit that acquires generated power from a power generation device that generates power using natural energy and supplies the power to a load device and a power storage device; an available current calculation unit that calculates available power that can be used by the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculates available current by dividing the calculated available power by a battery voltage of a battery included in the power storage device; a charging current control unit that controls a charging current adjustment circuit so that a charging current for charging the battery becomes the available current when the available current is equal to or less than a charging stage current value that is preset for each charging stage, the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the power storage device is within a preset low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than a charging current threshold that is set according to the temperature of the power storage device; a heater current control unit that controls a heater current adjustment circuit so that, when the available current is equal to or less than the charging stage current value, the temperature is within the low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than the charging current threshold, a heater current supplied to a heater for warming the battery becomes a current obtained by subtracting the charging current from the available current; The present invention is characterized by having the following.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a charging method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: An information processing device provided in a charging device having a power supply unit that acquires generated power from a power generation device that generates power using natural energy and supplies the power to a load device and a power storage device, The information processing device, calculating available power available to the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculating available current by dividing the calculated available power by a battery voltage of a battery included in the power storage device; controlling a charging current adjustment circuit so that a charging current for charging the battery becomes equal to the available current when the available current is equal to or less than a charging stage current value preset for each charging stage, the temperature measured at a predetermined location on the power storage device is within a preset low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than a charging current threshold value set according to the temperature of the power storage device; controlling a heater current adjustment circuit so that, when the available current is equal to or less than the charging stage current value, the temperature is within the low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than the charging current threshold, a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery is equal to the available current minus the charging current; The present invention is characterized by carrying out the following.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a program according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: A computer provided in a charging device having a power supply unit that acquires generated power from a power generation device that generates power using natural energy and supplies the power to a load device and a power storage device, The computer, calculating available power available to the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculating available current by dividing the calculated available power by a battery voltage of a battery included in the power storage device; controlling a charging current adjustment circuit so that a charging current for charging the battery becomes equal to the available current when the available current is equal to or less than a charging stage current value preset for each charging stage, the temperature measured at a predetermined location on the power storage device is within a preset low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than a charging current threshold value set according to the temperature of the power storage device; controlling a heater current adjustment circuit so that, when the available current is equal to or less than the charging stage current value, the temperature is within the low temperature range, and the available current is equal to or less than the charging current threshold, a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery is equal to the available current minus the charging current; The present invention is characterized in that the following is executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the power supply equipment and to compensate for insufficient charging in a low-temperature environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system having a charge control device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the charging device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the control unit of the charging device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the control unit of the charging device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the charging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, elements having the same or corresponding functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof may be omitted.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) The configuration of the charge control device in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system including a charge control device.

[0016] [System Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 according to the first embodiment includes a charging device 10, a power generation device 20, a load device 30, and a power storage device 40.

[0017] Charging device 10 charges power storage device 40 using power (generated power) output from power generation device 20. As shown in Fig. 1, charging device 10 includes control unit 11, power supply unit 12, monitoring unit 13, monitoring unit 14, monitoring unit 15, charging current adjusting unit 16, heater current adjusting unit 17, switch SW1, and switch SW2.

[0018] In the following, the power consumed by the load device 30 will be referred to as power consumption, the power for charging the battery 41 will be referred to as charging power, and the power supplied to generate heat from the heater 42 will be referred to as heater power.

[0019] The power generation device 20 supplies generated power to a power supply unit 12 provided in the charging device 10 via a power line POW1. The power generation device 20 is a power generation device that generates power using natural energy, such as a solar power generation device or a wind power generation device. The power line POW1 is a power line for supplying the generated power from the power generation device 20 to the power supply unit 12.

[0020] Power is supplied to the load device 30 from the power supply unit 12 via a power line POW2. The load device 30 is, for example, a telemeter installed outdoors. However, the load device 30 is not limited to a telemeter. The power line POW2 is a power line for supplying power from the power supply unit 12 to the load device 30 and the power storage device 40.

[0021] For example, if the power generation device 20 is a solar power generation device, power is supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the load device 30 during a time period when generated power can be supplied (for example, during sunshine hours, etc.). On the other hand, during a time period when generated power is not supplied from the power generation device 20 (for example, during the nighttime, etc.), power is supplied from the power storage device 40 to the load device 30 using a power line not shown in FIG.

[0022] Charging power and heater power are supplied to the power storage device 40 from the power supply unit 12 via a power line POW2. The power storage device 40 includes a battery 41, a heater 42, a temperature sensor 43, and a measurement unit 44.

[0023] The battery 41 is charged using charging power supplied from the power supply unit 12. The battery 41 also supplies power to the load device 30. The battery 41 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a lead storage battery, or the like.

[0024] The heater 42 adjusts the temperature of the battery 41 to a preset temperature. The heater 42 is attached to the surface of the battery 41. When heater power is supplied to the heater 42, the heater 42 generates heat in accordance with the current flowing through the heater 42. The heater 42 may be, for example, a rubber heater, a ribbon heater, or a band heater. However, the heater is not limited to the heaters mentioned above.

[0025] The temperature sensor 43 measures the temperature at a predetermined location of the battery 41. Specifically, the temperature sensor 43 is a measuring device that measures the ambient temperature near the housing of the battery 41, the surface temperature outside the housing of the battery 41, or the temperature of a cell included in the battery 41. The temperature sensor 43 outputs temperature information indicating the measured temperature to the control unit 11.

[0026] The measuring unit 44 is a measuring device that measures at least the battery voltage and SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 41. The measuring unit 44 outputs battery voltage information indicating the battery voltage of the battery 41 and SOC information indicating the SOC of the battery 41 to the control unit 11.

[0027] [Device configuration] The charging device 10 will now be described in detail. The control unit 11 is an information processing device having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a programmable device such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a circuit equipped with one or more of these.

[0028] The control unit 11 includes an acquisition unit 1101, an available current calculation unit 1102, a charging current control unit 1103, a charging switch control unit 1104, a heater current control unit 1105, a heater switch control unit 1106, and a correction unit 1107. Details of the control unit 11 will be described later.

[0029] The power supply unit 12 (power supply means) acquires generated power obtained from the power generation device 20 that generates power using natural energy, and supplies the power to the load device 30 and the power storage device 40.

[0030] Specifically, when power generated by power generation device 20 is supplied to power supply unit 12 via power line POW1, power supply unit 12 converts the power into power with a voltage and current usable by load device 30 and power storage device 40, and supplies the converted power to load device 30 and power storage device 40 via power line POW2. Power supply unit 12 is, for example, a switching power supply such as a DC (Direct Current) / DC converter.

[0031] The monitoring unit 13 (a voltmeter / current meter for monitoring the power generation unit) is a measuring instrument used to measure the output voltage and output current output from the power generation device 20. The monitoring unit 13 outputs power generation output information indicating the output voltage Vp and output current Ip output from the power generation device 20 via the power line POW1 to the control unit 11. Note that the monitoring unit 13 may calculate the power generation power Wp (=Vp×Ip) using the output voltage Vp and the output current Ip, and include the calculated power generation power Wp in the power generation output information.

[0032] The monitoring unit 14 (a voltmeter / current meter for monitoring the power supply unit) is a measuring device used to measure the output voltage and output current output from the power supply unit 12. The monitoring unit 14 outputs power supply output information indicating the output voltage Vo and output current Io output from the power supply unit 12 via the power line POW2 to the control unit 11. Note that the monitoring unit 14 may calculate the power supply output power Wo (=Vo×Io) using the output voltage Vo and output current Io, and include the calculated power supply output power Wo in the power supply output information.

[0033] The monitoring unit 15 (an ammeter for monitoring a load current) is a measuring device used to measure the current flowing from the power supply unit 12 to the load device 30 via the power line POW2. The monitoring unit 15 outputs current consumption information indicating the measured current (current consumption Ic) to the control unit 11.

[0034] The charging current adjusting unit 16 (charging current adjusting circuit) is a circuit that limits the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41. Details of the charging current adjusting unit 16 will be described later.

[0035] The heater current adjusting unit 17 (heater current adjusting circuit) is a circuit that limits the heater current Ih for charging the heater 42. The heater current adjusting unit 17 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The switch SW1 (for charging on / off) is in a connected state (on) when charging the battery 41, and current flows to the battery 41. On the other hand, when charging is not performed, the switch SW1 is in a disconnected state (off), and the current flowing to the battery 41 is cut off.

[0037] The switch SW2 (for turning the heater on and off) is in a connected state (on) when the heater 42 is to generate heat, and current flows through the heater 42. On the other hand, when heat generation is not to be performed, the switch SW2 is in a disconnected state (off), and the current flowing through the heater 42 is cut off.

[0038] The control unit 11 will now be described in detail. The control unit 11 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the charging device.

[0039] The acquisition unit 1101 acquires temperature information from a temperature sensor 43 provided in the power storage device 40. The acquisition unit 1101 also acquires battery voltage information and SOC information from a measurement unit 44 provided in the power storage device 40.

[0040] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 1101 acquires power generation unit output information from the monitoring unit 13. When the information included in the power generation unit output information is only information indicating the output voltage Vp and the output current Ip output from the power generation device 20, the acquisition unit 1101 calculates the generated power Wp (=Vp×Ip) using the output voltage Vp and the output current Ip.

[0041] The acquiring unit 1101 also acquires power supply output information from the monitoring unit 14. The acquiring unit 1101 also acquires current consumption information from the monitoring unit 15. Thereafter, the acquiring unit 1101 calculates the power consumption Wc (=Vo×Ic) using the output voltage Vo output from the power supply unit 12 included in the power supply output information and the current consumption Ic included in the current consumption information.

[0042] The available current calculation unit 1102 calculates the available power Wu (=Wp-Wc) available to the storage device 40 by subtracting the power consumption Wc consumed by the load device 30 from the generated power Wp, and then divides the calculated available power Wu by the battery voltage Vb of the battery 41 of the storage device 40 to calculate the available current Iu (=Wu / Vb).

[0043] The charging current control unit 1103 calculates a charging adjustment value used to adjust the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41, based on the charging stage indicating the charging method for the battery 41 and the temperature measured at a predetermined point on the battery 41. The charging stages are constant current charging (CC charging), constant voltage charging (CV charging), and trickle charging.

[0044] Thereafter, the charging current control unit 1103 outputs an adjustment signal Ref1 for controlling the charging current adjustment unit 16 used to adjust the charging current Ich based on the calculated charging adjustment value. As a result, the charging current Ich is adjusted to a current according to the adjustment signal Ref1 corresponding to the charging adjustment value, and the battery 41 is charged with the adjusted charging current Ich.

[0045] The charging current adjusting unit 16 is a circuit configured with, for example, an operational amplifier OP1, resistors R1, R2, R3, a capacitor C1, a FET1 (Field Effect Transistor), etc. as shown in Fig. 2. In the example of Fig. 2, when an adjustment signal Ref1 (DC level) output from the charging current control unit 1103 is input to the positive terminal (+) of the operational amplifier OP1, a charging current Ich corresponding to the level of the adjustment signal Ref1 is output from FET1.

[0046] It should be noted that charging current adjusting section 16 is not limited to the circuit shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, resistor 3 may be a resistor provided in series with battery 41, or an internal resistance of battery 41 may be used.

[0047] The charging switch control unit 1104 determines whether or not to charge the battery 41 according to the SOC state, and if the determination result is to charge, it sets the switch SW1 to a connected state (ON). Conversely, if the determination result is not to charge, the charging switch control unit 1104 sets the switch SW1 to a disconnected state (OFF).

[0048] The heater current control unit 1105 calculates a heater adjustment value used to adjust the heater current Ih for charging the heater 42, depending on the charging stage of the battery 41 and the temperature measured at a predetermined point of the battery 41.

[0049] Thereafter, the heater current control unit 1105 outputs an adjustment signal Ref2 for controlling the heater current adjustment unit 17 used to adjust the heater current Ih based on the calculated heater adjustment value. As a result, the heater current Ih is adjusted to a current according to the adjustment signal Ref2 corresponding to the heater adjustment value, and the adjusted heater current Ih is supplied to the heater 42.

[0050] The heater current adjustment unit 17 is a circuit configured with, for example, an operational amplifier OP2, resistors R4, R5, R6, a capacitor C2, a FET2, etc. as shown in Fig. 2. In the example of Fig. 2, when an adjustment signal Ref2 (DC level) output from the heater current control unit 1105 is input to the positive terminal (+) of the operational amplifier OP2, a heater current Ih corresponding to the level of the adjustment signal Ref2 is output from FET2.

[0051] The heater switch control unit 1106 determines whether the temperature measured at a predetermined point on the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and if the determination result is within the low temperature range, it turns the switch SW2 on (connected). Conversely, if the determination result is outside the low temperature range, the heater switch control unit 1106 turns the switch SW2 off (disconnected).

[0052] The low temperature range may be, for example, a range in which the temperature at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is below 25°C. However, the low temperature range is not limited to a range below 25°C. Furthermore, since the control of the switch SW2 needs to respond to temperature changes, hysteresis is set.

[0053] If the measured charging current (measured charging current value) is outside a preset allowable range, the correction unit 1107 corrects the measured charging current value to be within the allowable range.

[0054] Specifically, the correction unit 1107 first acquires a charging current measurement value using an ammeter (not shown). Next, the correction unit 1107 determines whether the difference between the charging adjustment value representing the charging current and the charging current measurement value is within an allowable range. Next, if the difference is not within the allowable range, the correction unit 1107 corrects the charging adjustment value so that the difference is within the allowable range.

[0055] The tolerance range is, for example, ±5% of the charge adjustment value, but is not limited to ±5%.

[0056] The operation of the charge current control unit in the low temperature range (1-1 to 1-4) will be explained. (1-1) When the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging stage current value Ith preset for each charging stage (in the case of CV charging or CC charging), and the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within a preset low temperature range, and the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging current threshold Ithc set according to the temperature of the storage device 40, the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the available current Iu.

[0057] The charge stage current value is a threshold value of the charge current set for each charge stage (CV charge, CC charge, trickle charge). Note that the charge current Ich that can be passed through the battery 41 varies depending on the charge stage, so the charge current Ich must not exceed the charge stage current value.

[0058] The charging current threshold is, for example, a value determined in advance based on the specifications of the battery 41, experiments, simulations, etc. for each temperature of the battery 41. For example, the charging current threshold uses the maximum value of the charging current for each charging stage (CV charging, CC charging, trickle charging) in the specifications of the battery 41.

[0059] (1-2) When the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging stage current value Iths preset for each charging stage (in the case of CV charging or CC charging), the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the available current Iu is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc, the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the charging current threshold Ithc.

[0060] (1-3) When the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith preset for each charging stage (in the case of trickle charging), and the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the charging stage current value Iths is equal to or less than the charging current threshold value Ithc, the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the charging stage current value Iths.

[0061] (1-4) When the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith preset for each charging stage (in the case of trickle charging), and the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the charging stage current value Iths is greater than the charging current threshold value Ithc, the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the charging current threshold value Ithc.

[0062] The operation of the heater current control unit in the low temperature range (2-1) to (2-4) will be explained. (2-1) When the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging stage current value Iths preset for each charging stage (in the case of CV charging or CC charging), the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging current threshold value Ithc (when the conditions are the same as in (1-1)), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih is obtained by subtracting the charging current Ich from the available current Iu (= available current Iu - charging current Ich (= available current Iu)).

[0063] (2-2) When the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charging stage current value Iths preset for each charging stage (in the case of CV charging or CC charging), the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the available current Iu is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc (when the conditions are the same as in (1-2)), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih becomes the available current Iu minus the charging current threshold Ithc (= available current Iu - charging current threshold Ithc).

[0064] (2-3) When the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith preset for each charging stage (in the case of trickle charging), and the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the charging stage current value Iths is equal to or less than the charging current threshold value Ithc (when the conditions are the same as in (1-3)), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih (= available current Iu - charging stage current value Iths) is obtained by subtracting the charging stage current value Iths from the available current Iu.

[0065] (2-4) When the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith preset for each charging stage (in the case of trickle charging), and the temperature measured at a predetermined location of the battery 41 is within the low temperature range, and the charging stage current value Iths is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc (when the conditions are the same as in (1-4)), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih becomes the available current Iu minus the charging current threshold Ithc (= available current Iu - charging current threshold Ithc).

[0066] [Device operation] The operation of the charging device in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the control unit of the charging device. In the following description, the diagram will be referenced as appropriate. In addition, in the embodiment, a method for controlling the charging device is implemented by operating the charging device. Therefore, the description of the charging method in the embodiment will be replaced with the description of the operation of the charging device below.

[0067] 3, first, the control unit 11 acquires various measurement information (step A1). Specifically, in step A1, the acquisition unit 1101 of the control unit 11 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 43 provided in the power storage device 40. The acquisition unit 1101 also acquires battery voltage information and SOC information from the measurement unit 44 provided in the power storage device 40.

[0068] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 1101 acquires power generation unit output information from the monitoring unit 13. When the information included in the power generation unit output information is only information indicating the output voltage Vp and the output current Ip output from the power generation device 20, the acquisition unit 1101 calculates the generated power Wp (=Vp×Ip) using the output voltage Vp and the output current Ip.

[0069] The acquiring unit 1101 also acquires power supply output information from the monitoring unit 14. The acquiring unit 1101 also acquires current consumption information from the monitoring unit 15. Thereafter, the acquiring unit 1101 calculates the power consumption Wc (=Vo×Ic) using the output voltage Vo output from the power supply unit 12 included in the power supply output information and the current consumption Ic included in the current consumption information.

[0070] Next, the control unit 11 controls the charging current Ich and the heater current Ih (step A2). Details of step A2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the control unit of the charging device.

[0071] 4, the available current calculation unit 1102 first calculates the available current (step A201). Specifically, in step A201, the available current calculation unit 1102 calculates the available power Wu (=Wp-Wc) available to the power storage device 40 by subtracting the power consumption Wc consumed by the load device 30 from the generated power Wp, and then divides the calculated available power Wu by the battery voltage Vb of the battery 41 included in the power storage device 40 to calculate the available current Iu (=Wu / Vb).

[0072] Next, the charging current control unit 1103 and the heater current control unit 1105 determine whether the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (step A202). If the determination result shows that the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (Iu>Ith) (step A202: Yes), the charging current control unit 1103 and the heater current control unit 1105 set the charging stage current value Ith to the charging current (1) (step A203). On the other hand, if the available current Iu is less than or equal to the charging stage current value Ith (Iu≦Ith) (step A202: No), the charging current control unit 1103 and the heater current control unit 1105 set the available current Iu to the charging current (1) (step A204).

[0073] Next, the charging current control unit 1103 and the heater current control unit 1105 determine whether the temperature measured at a predetermined point on the battery 41 is within a preset low temperature range (step A205). If it is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), the processes of steps A206, A207, and A208 are executed. That is, the processes of (1-1) to (1-4) and (2-1) to (2-4) described above are executed.

[0074] If the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Ith (step A202: No), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the available current Iu (charge current (1)) is equal to or less than the charge current threshold Ithc (step A206: Yes), the charge current control unit 1103 controls the charge current adjustment unit 16 so that the charge current Ich (charge current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the available current Iu (charge current (1)) (step A207). That is, the charge current control unit 1103 performs the process of (1-1) described above.

[0075] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Iths (step A202: No), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the available current Iu (charging current (1)) is equal to or less than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: Yes), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih (≈0) is obtained by subtracting the charging current Ich (charging current (2)) from the available current Iu (step A207). That is, the heater current control unit 1105 performs the process of (2-1) described above.

[0076] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Iths (step A202: No), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the available current Iu (charge current (1)) is greater than the charge current threshold Ithc (step A206: No), the charge current control unit 1103 controls the charge current adjustment unit 16 so that the charge current Ich (charge current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the charge current threshold Ithc (step A208). That is, the charge current control unit 1103 performs the process of (1-2) described above.

[0077] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Iths (step A202: No), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the available current Iu (charging current (1)) is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: No), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih is obtained by subtracting the charging current threshold Ithc (charging current (2)) from the available current Iu (step A208). That is, the heater current control unit 1105 performs the process of (2-2) described above.

[0078] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (step A202: Yes), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) is equal to or less than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: Yes), the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich (charging current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) (step A207). That is, the charging current control unit 1103 performs the process (1-3) described above.

[0079] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (step A202: Yes), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) is equal to or less than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: Yes), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih is obtained by subtracting the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (2)) from the available current Iu (step A207). That is, the heater current control unit 1105 performs the process of (2-3) described above.

[0080] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (step A202: Yes), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: No), the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich (charging current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes equal to the charging current threshold Ithc (step A208). That is, the charging current control unit 1103 performs the process (1-4) described above.

[0081] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is greater than the charging stage current value Ith (step A202: Yes), the measured temperature is within the low temperature range (step A205: Yes), and the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) is greater than the charging current threshold Ithc (step A206: No), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 so that the heater current Ih becomes the available current Iu minus the charging current threshold Ithc (charging current (2)) (step A208). That is, the heater current control unit 1105 performs the process of (2-4) described above.

[0082] Next, if the temperature measured at a predetermined point of the battery 41 is higher than the low temperature range (step A205: No), the charging current control unit 1103 and the heater current control unit 1105 execute the process of step A210.

[0083] If the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Ith (step A202: No) and the measured temperature is higher than the low temperature range (step A205: No), the charge current control unit 1103 controls the charge current adjustment unit 16 so that the charge current Ich (charge current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes the available current Iu (charge current (1)) (step A209).

[0084] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Ith (step A202: No) and the measured temperature is higher than the low temperature range (step A205: No), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 not to supply the heater current Ih to the heater 42 (step A209). Also, the heater switch control unit 1106 sets the switch SW2 to a disconnected state (off).

[0085] In addition, if the available current Iu is less than or equal to the charging stage current value Ith (step A202: Yes) and the measured temperature is higher than the low temperature range (step A205: No), the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 so that the charging current Ich (charging current (2)) for charging the battery 41 becomes the charging stage current value Iths (charging current (1)) (step A209).

[0086] Furthermore, if the available current Iu is equal to or less than the charge stage current value Ith (step A202: No) and the measured temperature is higher than the low temperature range (step A205: No), the heater current control unit 1105 controls the heater current adjustment unit 17 not to supply the heater current Ih to the heater 42 (step A209). Also, the heater switch control unit 1106 sets the switch SW2 to a disconnected state (off).

[0087] 3, the control unit 11 first determines whether the measured charging current (measured charging current value) is within a preset allowable range (step A3). If the measured charging current value is outside the preset allowable range (step A3: Yes), the control unit 11 corrects the measured charging current value to be within the allowable range (step A4). If the measured charging current value is within the preset allowable range (step A3: No), the process ends.

[0088] Specifically, in step A3, the correction unit 1107 first acquires a charging current measurement value using an ammeter (not shown). Next, in step A3, the correction unit 1107 determines whether the difference between the charging adjustment value representing the charging current and the charging current measurement value is within an allowable range. Next, in step A4, if the difference is outside the allowable range, the correction unit 1107 corrects the charging adjustment value so that the difference is within the allowable range. As a result, the charging current control unit 1103 controls the charging current adjustment unit 16 based on the corrected charging adjustment value (step A209).

[0089] In this way, the battery 41 is charged by repeatedly executing the processes from steps A1 to A4 described above.

[0090] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to the embodiment, in a system in which a load device 30 and a power storage device 40 are connected to the output of a charging device 10 that uses a power generation device 20 as a power source, when the temperature of a battery 41 is in the low temperature range, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the power supply equipment and compensate for insufficient charging in a low temperature environment by controlling the charging current that charges the battery 41 and the heater current that is supplied to the heater 42. In other words, it is possible to efficiently charge a battery with power generated using natural energy in a low temperature environment.

[0091] [program] The program in the embodiment may be a program that causes a computer to execute steps A1 to A4 shown in Figures 3 and 4. By installing and executing this program in a computer, the charging device and charging method in the embodiment can be realized. In this case, the processor of the computer functions as an acquisition unit 1101, an available current calculation unit 1102, a charging current control unit 1103, a charging switch control unit 1104, a heater current control unit 1105, a heater switch control unit 1106, and a correction unit 1107, and performs processing.

[0092] The program in the embodiment may be executed by a computer system constructed by a plurality of computers. In this case, for example, each computer may function as one of the acquisition unit 1101, available current calculation unit 1102, charging current control unit 1103, charging switch control unit 1104, heater current control unit 1105, heater switch control unit 1106, and correction unit 1107.

[0093] [Physical configuration] A computer that realizes the charging device by executing a program in the embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a computer that realizes the charging device in the embodiment.

[0094] 5, the computer 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a main memory 112, a storage device 113, an input interface 114, a display controller 115, a data reader / writer 116, and a communication interface 117. These components are connected to each other via a bus 121 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. Note that the computer 110 may include a GPU or an FPGA in addition to or instead of the CPU 111.

[0095] The CPU 111 loads a program in the embodiment, which is composed of a group of codes and stored in the storage device 113, into the main memory 112 and executes each code in a predetermined order to perform various calculations. The main memory 112 is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0096] The program in the embodiment is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 120. The program in the embodiment may be distributed over the Internet connected via the communication interface 117.

[0097] Specific examples of the storage device 113 include a hard disk drive and a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory. The input interface 114 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and input devices 118 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display controller 115 is connected to a display device 119 and controls the display on the display device 119.

[0098] The data reader / writer 116 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and the recording medium 120, reads programs from the recording medium 120, and writes processing results from the computer 110 to the recording medium 120. The communication interface 117 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and other computers.

[0099] Specific examples of the recording medium 120 include general-purpose semiconductor storage devices such as CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) and SD (Secure Digital), magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, or optical recording media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory).

[0100] Note that the charging device 10 in the embodiment can be realized not by a computer with a program installed, but by hardware corresponding to each part, for example, an electronic circuit. Furthermore, the charging device 10 may be partially realized by a program and the remaining part by hardware. In the embodiment, the computer is not limited to the computer shown in FIG. 5.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] According to the above description, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the power supply equipment and compensate for insufficient charging in low-temperature environments. Furthermore, it is useful in fields where charging using natural energy is required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10 Charging device 11 Control section 12 Power supply section 13 Monitoring Department 14 Monitoring Department 15 Monitoring Department 16 Charging current adjustment section 17 Heater current adjustment section 20 Power generating equipment 30 Load device 40 Power storage device 41 Batteries 42 Heater 43 Temperature Sensor 44 Measurement section 100 systems 110 Computer 111 CPU 112 main memory 113 Storage device 114 Input Interface 115 Display Controller 116 Data Reader / Writer 117 Communication Interface 118 Input Devices 119 Display Device 120 Recording Media 121 Bus SW1 and SW2 switches 1101 Acquisition Department 1102 Available current calculation unit 1103 Charging current control unit 1104 Charging switch control unit 1105 Heater current control section 1106 Heater switch control unit 1107 Correction Unit

Claims

1. power supply means for acquiring power generated by a power generation device and supplying the power to a load device and a power storage device; an available current calculation means for calculating available power available to the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculating an available current from the calculated available power; a current control means for controlling a charging current for charging a battery included in the power storage device and a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery based on a correlation between the available current, a charging stage current value preset for each charging stage, and a temperature measured at a predetermined location in the power storage device; A charging device having:

2. An information processing device provided in a charging device having a power supply unit that acquires generated power from a power generation device and supplies the power to a load device and a power storage device, The information processing device, calculating available power available to the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculating an available current from the calculated available power; controlling a charging current for charging a battery included in the power storage device and a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery based on a correlation between the available current, a charging stage current value preset for each charging stage, and a temperature measured at a predetermined location in the power storage device; Charging method to perform.

3. A computer provided in a charging device having a power supply unit that acquires generated power from a power generation device and supplies the power to a load device and a power storage device, The computer, calculating available power available to the power storage device by subtracting power consumption by the load device from the generated power, and calculating an available current from the calculated available power; controlling a charging current for charging a battery included in the power storage device and a heater current supplied to a heater for heating the battery based on a correlation between the available current, a charging stage current value preset for each charging stage, and a temperature measured at a predetermined location in the power storage device; A program that executes the following.

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