Power device, information processing method, program and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a power device capable of continuing operation even if a temperature of an electronic component constituting a power conversion section exceeds an operation upper limit temperature due to an abnormality, etc., of the power conversion section.SOLUTION: In a power device 10, while DC power is inputted to or outputted from a plurality of batteries 18, based on an internal component temperature of an AC / DC converter which is included in a power converter 40 and connected to a high voltage circuit 108, a control section 180 of a housing control board 88 determines an input / output stop count which is the number of DC / DC converters 42 (batteries 18) to stop inputting or outputting DC power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power device, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery station (power device) capable of charging multiple mobile batteries (power storage devices). The battery station has an AC / DC converter (power conversion unit) and a control unit. The input side of the AC / DC converter is connected to a power source such as a power system external to the battery station. The output side of the AC / DC converter is connected to multiple mobile batteries. The AC / DC converter receives AC power from the external power source and converts the received AC power into DC power. The converted DC power charges the multiple mobile batteries. The converted DC power is also supplied to the control unit. The control unit is driven by the supply of DC power. The control unit controls each unit within the battery station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 132695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the environment where the power device is installed, the operating status of the power device, or an abnormality in a temperature control unit such as a fan that regulates the temperature within the power device, the temperature of the electronic components constituting the power conversion unit may exceed a preset upper operating temperature limit for the electronic components. If the temperature of the electronic components exceeds the upper operating temperature limit, it is necessary to stop the operation of the power conversion unit or to cut off electrical continuity between the power conversion unit and an external power source in order to protect the power conversion unit. If the operation of the power conversion unit stops or electrical continuity between the power conversion unit and an external power source is cut off, the supply of DC power to the control unit and the multiple power storage devices is stopped. As a result, the power device immediately stops operating.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a power device comprising at least two multiple power storage devices, a power conversion unit connected to the multiple power storage devices, and a control unit that controls the input or output of power to the multiple power storage devices, wherein when power is being input or output to the multiple power storage devices, the control unit determines an input / output stop number, which is the number of power storage devices from which the input or output of power is to be stopped, based on an internal temperature of the power device that correlates with the temperature of the power conversion unit.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for an electric power device comprising at least two plurality of power storage devices and a power conversion unit connected to the plurality of power storage devices, the information processing method comprising the steps of: acquiring an internal temperature of the electric power device that correlates with the temperature of the power conversion unit when the power conversion unit is inputting or outputting power to or from the plurality of power storage devices; and determining, based on the acquired internal temperature, an input / output stop number, which is the number of power storage devices from which the input or output of power is to be stopped.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the second aspect.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium that stores the program according to the third aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the control unit determines the number of power storage devices to be stopped based on the internal temperature of the power device, and controls the input or output of power to the multiple power storage devices according to the determined number of power storage devices to be stopped. In other words, rather than controlling the input or output of power to all power storage devices included in the power device, the control unit determines the number of power storage devices to stop the input or output of power from among the multiple power storage devices currently in operation. By stopping the power storage devices according to the determined number of power storage devices to be stopped, the number of power storage devices that can input or output power can be maximized while appropriately protecting the power conversion unit. Therefore, according to the present invention, the power device can continue to operate even if the temperature of the electronic components constituting the power conversion unit exceeds the upper operating temperature due to an abnormality or the like in the power conversion unit. As a result, the operation of the power device can be continued while minimizing the impact of an abnormality or the like in the power conversion unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the power device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the power device with the front wall of the housing of FIG. 1 removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the power device. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are circuit configuration diagrams of the power converter. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a suppression execution condition map. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a suppression release condition map. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a stop count map. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a stop count map. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a power device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0013] The power device 10 is installed outdoors, for example. The power device 10 has a housing 12. The housing 12 is generally rectangular in shape. The housing 12 has a plurality of slots 14. Each of the plurality of slots 14 opens to a front surface 16 of the housing 12. In the following explanation, when viewed from the front of FIG. 1 , the direction from the front surface 16 of the housing 12 to the front of the paper is defined as the front (forward direction), and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will be explained.

[0014] Batteries 18 (power storage devices) can be attached to and detached from the plurality of slots 14. A user can attach and detach batteries 18 to and from the plurality of slots 14.

[0015] It is sufficient that at least two of the plurality of batteries 18 are attached to the housing 12. In other words, the power device 10 has at least two of the plurality of batteries 18. In this case, it is sufficient that at least one of the plurality of batteries 18 is detachable from the housing 12. It is more preferable that the battery 18 is detachable from the housing 12 without using a separate work tool or the like. In other words, the battery 18 is configured to be detachable from the housing 12 without using a work tool or the like. Furthermore, "detachable from the housing 12 (power device 10)" includes the case where the battery 18 is attached to the housing 12 and the case where the battery 18 is detached from the housing 12. In the following explanation, a case where the plurality of batteries 18 are detachable from the housing 12 will be explained.

[0016] The battery 18 is a mobile battery that is detachable from the housing 12. The shape of the battery 18 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The battery 18 is a mobile battery that can be charged and discharged. For example, the battery 18 is preferably a battery pack of a detachable lithium-ion battery.

[0017] An operation panel 22 is provided on the front surface 16 of the housing 12 above the multiple slots 14. The operation panel 22 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation panel 22 can display various information such as the remaining capacity of the battery 18. The user can operate the operation panel 22 to input various instructions.

[0018] An air intake 24 is provided on the front surface 16 of the housing 12 above the plurality of slots 14. The air intake 24 draws outside air into the housing 12.

[0019] The housing 12 is provided with four slots 14 in the vertical direction. In addition, the housing 12 is provided with three slots 14 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the housing 12 is provided with a total of 12 slots 14. In this embodiment, batteries 18 do not have to be installed in all 12 slots 14. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where batteries 18 are installed in 10 of the 12 slots 14. In this embodiment, batteries 18 may be installed in all slots 14.

[0020] 2 is a front view of the power device 10 with the front wall 26 (see FIG. 1) of the front surface 16 of the housing 12 removed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power device 10 taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0021] The interior of the housing 12 is divided into two chambers by a horizontally extending partition plate 28. Within the interior of the housing 12, the chamber above the partition plate 28 is a first chamber 30. The chamber below the partition plate 28 is a second chamber 32. An opening / closing door 34 is provided at the rear of the housing 12. When a user opens the opening / closing door 34, the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 32 are exposed to the outside. An exhaust port 36 is formed in the part of the opening / closing door 34 facing the first chamber 30.

[0022] The first chamber 30 is provided with a breaker 38, a power converter 40 (power conversion section), multiple DC / DC converters 42, one DC / DC converter 44, a power supply unit 46, a control box 48, and multiple fans 50 (air-generating section). When the multiple fans 50 are driven, an airflow is generated inside the first chamber 30. That is, air (outside air) is taken into the first chamber 30 from the outside of the housing 12 through the air intake 24. The taken-in air flows from the front to the rear inside the first chamber 30, as shown by the arrows. The air that flows rearward is exhausted from the multiple fans 50 to the outside of the housing 12 through the exhaust vent 36.

[0023] A plurality of slots 14 are arranged in the second chamber 32. Each of the plurality of slots 14 extends obliquely downward from the front face 16 of the housing 12 toward the rear. A fan 52 (air generating portion) and a slot substrate 54 are arranged at the rear of each of the plurality of slots 14.

[0024] The fan 52 generates an airflow inside the slot 14, thereby promoting the flow of air inside and outside the slot 14. When the fan 52 is driven, air is drawn into the slot 14 via the fan 52, as indicated by the arrows. The drawn-in air flows forward from the rear of the slot 14. The air that flows forward is exhausted to the outside of the housing 12 through the opening of the slot 14.

[0025] The slot substrate 54 controls the driving of the fan 52. Note that a plurality of slot substrates 54 may be arranged in the first chamber 30.

[0026] A bottom plate 56 is disposed below the second chamber 32. A frame 58 is disposed in the second chamber 32 between the partition plate 28 and the bottom plate 56. The frame 58 has a plurality of support columns 60 and a plurality of trays 62. The plurality of support columns 60 are disposed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 56 at intervals in the horizontal direction (front-rear and left-right directions). The plurality of support columns 60 extend in the vertical direction. The plurality of trays 62 are fixed to the plurality of support columns 60 at intervals in the vertical direction. In FIG. 2, five trays 62 are fixed to the plurality of support columns 60.

[0027] Storage spaces are formed between the support columns 60 and the trays 62, in which the slots 14 can be placed. Each of the slots 14 is placed in one of the storage spaces. Each of the slots 14 is placed on the upper surface of one of the trays 62 so as to fit into one of the storage spaces. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which 12 storage spaces are formed and a slot 14 is placed in each of the 12 storage spaces.

[0028] 3, a cooler 64 is provided in a portion of the opening / closing door 34 facing the second chamber 32. The cooler 64 has a case 66, two fans 68 and 70 (air-generating sections), and a heat exchanger 72.

[0029] The case 66 is arranged so as to sandwich the opening and closing door 34. The interior of the case 66 is divided into two internal spaces (an internal space 74 on the second chamber 32 side, and an internal space 76 on the outside of the housing 12). Two fans 68, 70 and a heat exchanger 72 are housed inside the case 66. The heat exchanger 72 extends in the vertical direction. The fan 68 is disposed in the internal space 74 on the second chamber 32 side of the case 66. The fan 68 is disposed below the heat exchanger 72. The fan 70 is disposed in the internal space 76 on the outside of the housing 12 of the case 66. The fan 70 is disposed above the heat exchanger 72.

[0030] An intake port 78 and an exhaust port 80 are formed in the case 66 in the portion of the second chamber 32. The intake port 78 and the exhaust port 80 are formed with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The intake port 78 is formed in the case 66 so as to face the upper part of the heat exchanger 72. The exhaust port 80 is formed in the case 66 so as to face the fan 68.

[0031] An intake port 82 and an exhaust port 84 are formed in the case 66 in a portion outside the housing 12. The intake port 82 and the exhaust port 84 are formed with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The intake port 82 is formed in the case 66 so as to face the lower part of the heat exchanger 72. The exhaust port 84 is formed in the case 66 so as to face the fan 70.

[0032] When the fan 68 is driven, air in the second chamber 32 is drawn into the internal space 74 through the air intake port 78. The air drawn into the internal space 74 flows downward along the heat exchanger 72 as shown by the arrows. The air that flows downward is exhausted to the second chamber 32 through the air exhaust port 80.

[0033] When the fan 70 is driven, air outside the housing 12 (outside air) is drawn into the internal space 76 through the air intake 82. The air drawn into the internal space 76 flows upward along the heat exchanger 72 as shown by the arrows. The air flowing upward is exhausted to the outside of the case 66 through the air exhaust 84.

[0034] The heat exchanger 72 includes a compressor (not shown). The heat exchanger 72 exchanges heat between the air flowing through the internal space 74 (air taken in from the second chamber 32) and the air flowing through the internal space 76 (outside air). In the second chamber 32, the plurality of batteries 18 and the plurality of slot substrates 54 operate and generate heat, causing the air in the second chamber 32 to become relatively hot. The heat exchanger 72 absorbs heat from the air taken in from the second chamber 32 to the internal space 74. The heat exchanger 72 transfers the absorbed heat to the air flowing through the internal space 76 (outside air). This cools the air flowing through the internal space 74. The cooled air is exhausted to the second chamber 32 through the exhaust port 80, thereby adjusting the temperature within the second chamber 32.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of the power device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The power device 10 further includes a speaker 86 .

[0037] The control box 48 has a housing control board 88, an overall control board 90, and two communication units 92, 94. The housing control board 88 has a calculation unit 98. The calculation unit 98 has a memory 100 (storage medium). The overall control board 90 has a calculation unit 104. The calculation unit 104 has a memory 106 (storage medium).

[0038] In the power device 10, an electrical transmission path 107 capable of transmitting power is arranged between an external power source of the power device 10 and the battery 18. A breaker 38, a power converter 40, a DC / DC converter 42, etc. are arranged on the electrical transmission path 107. The external power source may be an external power system, an external generator, an external natural energy power generation device, etc.

[0039] The breaker 38 is electrically connected to the outside of the housing 12 (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The power converter 40 is electrically connected to the breaker 38. The multiple DC / DC converters 42 and 44 are electrically connected in parallel to the power converter 40. The section from the outside of the housing 12 to the multiple DC / DC converters 42 and 44 is a relatively high-voltage circuit portion (high-voltage circuit 108). Note that in FIG. 4, the wiring of the high-voltage circuit 108 is shown by thick lines.

[0040] Breaker 38 is a large-current circuit breaker. When an excessive current exceeding a predetermined value occurs in high-voltage circuit 108, breaker 38 cuts off the electrical continuity between the outside of housing 12 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) and power converter 40. This provides appropriate protection to power device 10.

[0041] AC power flows through the portion of high-voltage circuit 108 from breaker 38 to power converter 40. That is, when power (external power) is supplied from outside housing 12, relatively high-voltage AC power is supplied to power converter 40 via breaker 38. Power converter 40 converts the AC power into relatively high-voltage DC power. The converted DC power is supplied to a plurality of DC / DC converters 42 and a DC / DC converter 44. Each of the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 and a DC / DC converter 44 converts a relatively high DC voltage into a low DC voltage.

[0042] The battery 18 has a connector 110. The slot 14 has a connector 118 that can be mated with the connector 110 of the battery 18. When the battery 18 is attached to the slot 14, the connector 110 of the battery 18 and the connector 118 of the slot 14 are connected.

[0043] In this case, one of the connector 110 of the battery 18 and the connector 118 of the slot 14 is a male connector and the other is a female connector. The male connector is also called a plug. The female connector is also called a receptacle. Figure 4 illustrates a case where the connector 110 of the battery 18 is a female connector and the connector 118 of the slot 14 is a male connector.

[0044] As described above, the power converter 40 is disposed on the electrical transmission path 107. The multiple DC / DC converters 42 are disposed on the electrical transmission path 107 between the power converter 40 and the multiple batteries 18. In other words, the power converter 40 is disposed on the electrical transmission path 107 on the opposite side of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 from the multiple batteries 18.

[0045] When power is supplied from an external power source to the power device 10, the power converter 40 side of each of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 becomes the input side of the DC / DC converter 42. The battery 18 side of the DC / DC converter 42 becomes the output side of the DC / DC converter 42.

[0046] Furthermore, when DC power is supplied from the battery 18, for each of the multiple DC / DC converters 42, the battery 18 side of the DC / DC converter 42 becomes the input side of the DC / DC converter 42. Furthermore, the power converter 40 side of the DC / DC converter 42 becomes the output side of the DC / DC converter 42.

[0047] Each of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 is connected to the connector 118 of the slot 14 via a power transmission path 134. The power transmission path 134 is a power line capable of transmitting DC power.

[0048] As described above, the multiple DC / DC converters 42 are housed in the first chamber 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The multiple slots 14 are housed in the second chamber 32. Each of the multiple power transmission paths 134 penetrates the partition plate 28 and connects one of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 to the connector 118 of one of the multiple slots 14. Note that FIG. 2 representatively illustrates two power transmission paths 134 connecting two DC / DC converters 42 and two slots 14. Also, FIG. 3 representatively illustrates one power transmission path 134 connecting one DC / DC converter 42 and one slot 14.

[0049] 5A is a circuit configuration diagram of the power converter 40. The power converter 40 has an AC / DC converter 160 (AC / DC conversion unit), a transformer 162 (voltage transformer), a controller 164, and two temperature sensors 166 and 168.

[0050] The AC / DC converter 160 and the transformer 162 are arranged on the high-voltage circuit 108 (electrical transmission path 107) between the breaker 38 and the multiple DC / DC converters 42, 44. More specifically, on the electrical transmission path 107, the AC / DC converter 160 and the transformer 162 are arranged in this order between the breaker 38 and the multiple DC / DC converters 42. The transformer 162 is arranged on the electrical transmission path 107 between the AC / DC converter 160 and the multiple DC / DC converters 42.

[0051] The AC / DC converter 160 converts AC power supplied from outside the power device 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) via the breaker 38 into DC power. Therefore, the DC power converted by the AC / DC converter 160 is supplied to the plurality of DC / DC converters 42, 44. When AC power is supplied from a power source external to the power device 10 in this manner, the breaker 38 side of the AC / DC converter 160 becomes the input side of the AC / DC converter 160. Furthermore, the transformer 162 side of the AC / DC converter 160 becomes the output side of the AC / DC converter 160.

[0052] Furthermore, when DC power is supplied from a plurality of batteries 18 via a plurality of DC / DC converters 42, the AC / DC converter 160 converts the supplied DC power into AC power. As a result, the AC / DC converter 160 can output the converted AC power to the outside of the power device 10. In this way, when a plurality of batteries 18 supply DC power as a power source, the DC / DC converter 42 side of the AC / DC converter 160 becomes the input side of the AC / DC converter 160. Furthermore, the breaker 38 side of the AC / DC converter 160 becomes the output side of the AC / DC converter 160.

[0053] When the plurality of batteries 18 supplies DC power as a power source, the AC / DC converter 160 may be replaced with an inverter. This allows the inverter to convert the DC power supplied from the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 into AC power.

[0054] The transformer 162 is an isolation transformer that electrically isolates the AC / DC converter 160 from the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 and 44.

[0055] The temperature sensor 166 detects the temperature of the AC / DC converter 160 (internal temperature). More specifically, the temperature sensor 166 detects the temperature of the electronic components that make up the AC / DC converter 160 (internal component temperature). Specifically, the temperature sensor 166 is a thermistor whose internal resistance changes with temperature. As described above, the AC / DC converter 160 is disposed inside the power converter 40. As the internal component temperature changes, the temperature of the power converter 40 also changes. Therefore, the internal component temperature is a temperature that correlates with the temperature of the power converter 40.

[0056] The temperature sensor 168 detects the temperature of the transformer 162 (temperatures inside other devices). More specifically, the temperature sensor 168 detects the temperature of the transformer 162 itself or the temperature near the transformer 162. Specifically, the temperature sensor 168 is a thermistor whose internal resistance changes with temperature. In the following description, for convenience, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 168 will be referred to as the transformer temperature. As described above, the transformer 162 is disposed inside the power converter 40. As the transformer temperature changes, the temperature of the power converter 40 also changes. Therefore, the transformer temperature is a temperature that correlates with the temperature of the power converter 40. Furthermore, the transformer temperature is different from the internal component temperatures.

[0057] The internal component temperatures detected by the temperature sensor 166 may be affected by the transformer temperature. That is, when the transformer 162 operates and generates heat, the heat from the transformer 162 is transferred to the AC / DC converter 160. When the AC / DC converter 160 and the transformer 162 are operating, the internal component temperatures may rise due to the heat from the circuit components that make up the AC / DC converter 160 and the heat transferred from the transformer 162 to the AC / DC converter 160. Therefore, the internal component temperatures can be considered to be temperatures correlated with the transformer temperature. Because the internal component temperatures can be considered to be temperatures correlated with the transformer temperature, the temperature sensor 168 is not an essential component.

[0058] The controller 164 is a computer such as a processor, etc. The controller 164 reads and executes programs stored in the memory 170 to realize various functions.

[0059] The controller 164 controls the driving of the AC / DC converter 160 .

[0060] Furthermore, the controller 164 determines whether to suppress the operation of the power converter 40 based on the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperature. In other words, the controller 164 determines whether to suppress (reduce) the load on the power converter 40 based on the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperature. A suppression implementation condition map 170a shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the memory 170 of the controller 164. The controller 164 (see FIG. 5A) determines whether to suppress the operation of the power converter 40 based on the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperature detected by the temperature sensors 166, 168.

[0061] The suppression execution condition map 170a is a map that stores conditions for determining whether to suppress the operation of the power converter 40. The suppression execution condition map 170a stores a temperature, a derating level, and an OTP (Over Temperature Protection).

[0062] The temperature T stored in the suppression execution condition map 170a is the internal component temperature, or the temperature T may be both the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature.

[0063] The derating level is an index indicating whether the operating AC / DC converter 160 is approaching its upper rated limit. The closer the AC / DC converter 160 is to its upper rated limit, the greater the heat generated. In other words, the closer the operating AC / DC converter 160 is to its upper rated limit, the higher the temperature of its internal components becomes. Therefore, the higher the temperature of its internal components becomes, the greater the derating level becomes. In other words, a higher derating level indicates that the operating AC / DC converter 160 is approaching its upper rated limit. Therefore, the higher the derating level, the closer it is to a situation where operation of the power converter 40 should be suppressed. In FIG. 6, three derating levels, 0, 1, and 2, are set.

[0064] The derating level is set to at least two levels (0 and 1). To avoid the influence of the detection accuracy of the temperature sensors 166, 168 present in the power device 10, it is desirable to set a wide detection range for each derating level level. If the detection accuracy of the temperature sensors 166, 168 is high, it is desirable to set the derating level levels finely.

[0065] In Fig. 6, in the temperature region where the temperature T is 77°C or less, the derating level is set to 0. In addition, in the temperature region where the temperature T is greater than 77°C and less than or equal to 83°C, the derating level is set to 1. Furthermore, in the temperature region where the temperature T is greater than 83°C, the derating level is set to 2.

[0066] When the controller 164 acquires the internal component temperature from the temperature sensor 166, it refers to the suppression implementation condition map 170a and determines the derating level corresponding to the internal component temperature.

[0067] The OTP is an index that indicates whether the operation of the AC / DC converter 160 should be stopped from the viewpoint of overheat protection. In other words, the higher the internal component temperature or the transformer temperature, the closer it is to a situation where the operation of the AC / DC converter 160 should be stopped in order to protect the AC / DC converter 160. Therefore, the higher the internal component temperature or the transformer temperature, the larger the OTP is set. In FIG. 6, two levels, 0 and 1, are set as the OTP. When the OTP is 0, it indicates that the operation of the AC / DC converter 160 can continue. When the OTP is 1, it indicates that the operation of the AC / DC converter 160 should be stopped.

[0068] The OTP is a flag that indicates whether the internal component temperature or the transformer temperature exceeds the upper operating temperature limit. Therefore, the OTP is set to at least two levels (0 and 1).

[0069] 6, in the temperature range where the temperature T is equal to or lower than 89° C., the OTP is set to 0. In addition, in the temperature range where the temperature T exceeds 89° C., the OTP is set to 1.

[0070] When the controller 164 acquires the internal component temperature from the temperature sensor 166 or the transformer temperature from the temperature sensor 168, it refers to the suppression implementation condition map 170a to determine the OTP corresponding to the internal component temperature or the transformer temperature.

[0071] Furthermore, controller 164 determines whether or not to release the restriction on the operation of power converter 40 based on the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperature. As shown in Fig. 5A, a restriction release condition map 170b is stored in memory 170 of controller 164. Controller 164 refers to restriction release condition map 170b and determines whether or not to release the restriction on the operation of power converter 40 based on the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperature detected by temperature sensors 166, 168.

[0072] 7, the suppression release condition map 170b is a map that stores conditions for determining whether or not to release the suppression of the operation of the power converter 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5A). The suppression release condition map 170b stores a temperature threshold that is a criterion for releasing the suppression, a change in the derating level when the suppression is released, and a change in the OTP when the suppression is released.

[0073] The temperature T stored in the suppression release condition map 170b is the internal component temperature, or the temperature T stored in the suppression release condition map 170b may be both the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature.

[0074] When the temperature T drops below 80°C, the derating level transitions (drops) from 2 to 1. When the temperature T drops below 74°C, the derating level transitions from 1 to 0. When the temperature T drops below 74°C, the OTP transitions from 1 to 0.

[0075] The power converter 40 may be configured as shown in FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5B, a transformer 162 and an AC / DC converter 160 are arranged in this order from a breaker 38 toward the multiple DC / DC converters 42 and 44. The transformer 162 serves as both an isolation transformer and a step-up / step-down transformer. That is, in FIG. 5B, the transformer 162 electrically insulates the breaker 38 from the AC / DC converter 160. The transformer 162 steps down an AC voltage supplied from a power source external to the power device 10 and outputs the voltage to the AC / DC converter 160. The AC / DC converter 160 converts the AC voltage stepped down by the transformer 162 into a DC voltage. Alternatively, the transformer 162 steps up the AC voltage converted by the AC / DC converter 160 and outputs the voltage to the outside of the power device 10.

[0076] 4, the power supply unit 46 is connected to the power converter 40. The power supply unit 46 supplies power to the cooler 64 to drive the cooler 64 (fans 68, 70, and heat exchanger 72).

[0077] The DC / DC converter 44 converts a relatively high DC voltage into a low DC voltage. The DC / DC converter 44 supplies the converted low DC voltage to the control box 48 and the plurality of slot boards 54. The control box 48 and the plurality of slot boards 54 are each driven by the DC voltage supplied from the DC / DC converter 44.

[0078] The section from the multiple DC / DC converters 42 to the multiple batteries 18 and the section from the DC / DC converter 44 to the control box 48, the multiple slot boards 54, and the multiple fans 50, 52 constitute a low-voltage circuit 152. The low-voltage circuit 152 is a circuit portion inside the housing 12 that has a relatively lower voltage than the high-voltage circuit 108. Note that in FIG. 4, the wiring of the low-voltage circuit 152 is shown with thin lines.

[0079] In the following description, the power device 10 is a charging device that charges DC power to multiple batteries 18. In this embodiment, the power device 10 can operate as a power supply device that outputs the power of the multiple batteries 18 to the outside.

[0080] In the control box 48 , the housing control board 88 and the general control board 90 are driven by a DC voltage supplied from the DC / DC converter 44 .

[0081] The housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90 are each an ECU (electronic control unit) mounted on the housing 12. The housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90 are each a computer that may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). In other words, the housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90 may each be configured with processing circuitry.

[0082] Although detailed description will be omitted, the slot board 54 is also an ECU mounted on the housing 12. A CPU is also mounted on the power converter 40, the plurality of DC / DC converters 42, the DC / DC converter 44, and the power supply unit 46. For example, the controller 164 of the power converter 40 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) is a CPU.

[0083] The arithmetic unit 98 of the housing control board 88 is an embedded microcomputer. The arithmetic unit 98 realizes the functions of the control unit 180 and the timing unit 182 by reading and executing programs stored in a memory 100. The arithmetic unit 104 of the overall control board 90 is also an embedded microcomputer. The arithmetic unit 104 realizes various functions by reading and executing programs stored in a memory 106.

[0084] At least a portion of each of the housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Also, at least a portion of each of the housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90 may be configured by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0085] The memories 100, 106 are volatile or non-volatile memories in the housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90. The memories 100, 106 are also used as working memories for the calculation units 98, 104, and temporarily store data necessary for processing or calculation.

[0086] The control unit 180 controls the various units arranged inside the housing 12. Specifically, the control unit 180 controls the power converter 40, the multiple DC / DC converters 42, the DC / DC converter 44, and the multiple slot boards 54 via a communication line 154 such as a CAN communication line. The control unit 180 transmits and receives signals or information to and from the power converter 40, the multiple DC / DC converters 42, the DC / DC converter 44, and the multiple slot boards 54 via the communication line 154.

[0087] Specifically, the controller 164 of the power converter 40 transmits the determination results (decision results) of derating and OTP via the communication line 154. The control unit 180 acquires the determination results (decision results) of derating and OTP. The control unit 180 also supplies control signals to the power converter 40, the multiple DC / DC converters 42, the DC / DC converter 44, and the multiple slot boards 54 via the communication line 154. The control unit 180 can output sound to the outside of the housing 12 via the speaker 86.

[0088] Therefore, each of the multiple slot boards 54 can control the operation of the fan 52 based on a control signal from the housing control board 88. When the fan 52 is driven, an airflow is generated inside the slot 14, making it possible to adjust the temperature of the battery 18 attached to the slot 14 to a desired level. Note that a communication line 154 passes through the partition plate 28 to connect the control box 48 and the multiple slot boards 54. FIG. 3 shows a case in which the control box 48 is connected to one slot board 54 and one DC / DC converter 42 via the communication line 154.

[0089] The timekeeping unit 182 is a timer that starts counting time from an arbitrary time.

[0090] The overall control board 90 receives the results of a user's operation of the operation panel 22. The overall control board 90 can transmit and receive signals or information to and from the outside of the power device 10 (for example, an external remote device such as a server) via the communication unit 94. The calculation unit 104 can display information on the outside of the housing 12 via the operation panel 22.

[0091] The power device 10 can be connected to other power devices. In this case, the power device 10 can transmit and receive signals or information to and from the other power devices via the communication unit 92. Therefore, the calculation unit 104 of the overall control board 90 can control the other power devices via the communication unit 92. The other power devices do not need to have the overall control board 90.

[0092] As described above, the overall control board 90 has the calculation unit 104. Therefore, the overall control board 90 may perform the above functions of the housing control board 88. Alternatively, the control box 48 may be provided with a single control board that has the functions of both the housing control board 88 and the overall control board 90. In the following explanation, a case will be described in which the housing control board 88 controls each part of the power device 10 and the battery 18.

[0093] Next, a characteristic function of this embodiment will be described. The characteristic function is a function that determines, based on the determination results of the derating level and OTP, the number of DC / DC converters 42 to be stopped (number of input / output stopped) among the DC / DC converters 42 that are currently inputting (charging) or outputting (discharging) DC power to the battery 18, and that should stop the input or output of DC power. Specifically, the control unit 180 refers to a stop number map 184 stored in the memory 100 and determines the number to be stopped based on the determination results of the derating level and OTP.

[0094] 4 and 5A, the multiple DC / DC converters 42 and the multiple batteries 18 are loads on the AC / DC converter 160. When the AC / DC converter 160 is operating, the multiple DC / DC converters 42 adjust the DC voltage converted by the transformer 162 via the AC / DC converter 160 to a desired DC voltage and charge the battery 18. Increasing the number of operating DC / DC converters 42 increases the number of DC / DC converters 42 that input DC power to (charge) the battery 18. This increases the load (output) on the AC / DC converter 160, causing the AC / DC converter 160 to approach the upper limit of its expected operating output.

[0095] Furthermore, reducing the number of operating DC / DC converters 42 reduces the number of DC / DC converters 42 that input (charge) DC power to battery 18. This reduces the load on AC / DC converter 160. In other words, reducing the number of operating DC / DC converters 42 can suppress the operation (output) of AC / DC converter 160.

[0096] Furthermore, when all of the operating DC / DC converters 42 are stopped, the number of DC / DC converters 42 that input (charge) DC power to the battery 18 becomes zero. As a result, the AC / DC converter 160 supplies DC power only to the DC / DC converter 44 and the power supply unit 46. As a result, the supply of DC power from the DC / DC converter 44 to the control box 48 continues, and the supply of power from the power supply unit 46 to the cooler 64 continues. Therefore, even if the operation of all of the DC / DC converters 42 is stopped, the power device 10 can continue to operate with the AC / DC converter 160 under a minimal load.

[0097] Therefore, the control unit 180 adjusts the number of operating DC / DC converters 42 based on the number of stopped converters, thereby suppressing the output of the AC / DC converters 160 and appropriately protecting the power converter 40 including the AC / DC converters 160. Furthermore, when the OTP becomes 1, the control unit 180 stops all DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating. In this way, the output of the AC / DC converters 160 is suppressed to a minimum, allowing the power device 10 to continue operating, while appropriately protecting the power converter 40 including the AC / DC converters 160.

[0098] 8 shows the stop count map 184. The stop count map 184 is a map that stores conditions for determining the number of DC / DC converters 42 that are to be stopped from operating among the DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating. The stop count map 184 stores derating, OTP, elapsed time, the stop count, and the additional stop count.

[0099] In the stop count map 184, when both the derating and the OTP are 0, the stop count is not set. In this case, the DC / DC converter 42 that is currently operating remains in operation.

[0100] In the stop count map 184, when the derating is 1 and the OTP is 0, the stop count is set to 2. That is, of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating, the operation of two DC / DC converters 42 is stopped.

[0101] In stop number map 184, when derating is 2 and OTP is 0, the stop number changes according to the transition time (elapsed time) from the time when derating changes from 0 to 1 to the time when it transitions from 1 to 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the shorter the elapsed time, the greater the stop number. In this case, timing unit 182 starts timing when the derating level changes from 0 to 1, and continues timing until the derating level transitions from 1 to 2. That is, timing unit 182 measures the elapsed time.

[0102] The additional number of stopped states is the number of DC / DC converters 42 added to the number of stopped states when the derating level is 1 ("2" in FIG. 8). In the number-of-stops map 184, when the derating level is "2" and the OTP is "0", the number of stopped states changes as follows:

[0103] In the time region where the elapsed time is longer than 50 seconds, the number of stops is "2". That is, the number of additional stops is "0" (2=2+0).

[0104] In the time region where the elapsed time is longer than 40 seconds and less than or equal to 50 seconds, the number of stops is "4." That is, the number of additional stops is "2" (4=2+2).

[0105] In the time region where the elapsed time is longer than 30 seconds and shorter than 40 seconds, the number of stops is "6." That is, the number of additional stops is "4" (6=2+4).

[0106] In the time region where the elapsed time is longer than 20 seconds and less than or equal to 30 seconds, the number of stops is "8." That is, the number of additional stops is "6" (8=2+6).

[0107] In the time region where the elapsed time is longer than 10 seconds and less than or equal to 20 seconds, the number of stops is "10." That is, the number of additional stops is "8" (10=2+8).

[0108] In the time region where the elapsed time is 10 seconds or less, the number of stops is "12." That is, the additional number of stops is "10" (12 = 2 + 10). As described above, the power device 10 has 12 slots 14. Therefore, when the number of stops is "12," the operation of all DC / DC converters 42 is stopped.

[0109] Furthermore, in the stop number map 184, when the derating level is "2" and the OTP is "1", the stop number becomes "12". That is, the operation of all DC / DC converters 42 stops.

[0110] Therefore, when the control unit 180 acquires each determination result of the derating level and the OTP, the control unit 180 refers to the stop number map 184 and determines the number of stops according to each acquired determination result. Furthermore, when the derating level transitions from 1 to 2, the control unit 180 refers to the stop number map 184 and determines the number of stops according to the elapsed time measured by the timing unit 182.

[0111] The control unit 180 stops operation of the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating by the number of stops. That is, the control unit 180 selects the DC / DC converter 42 that corresponds to the number of stops from the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating. The control unit 180 supplies a control signal to the selected DC / DC converter 42 instructing it to stop operation. The DC / DC converter 42 that has received the control signal stops operation. As a result, the DC / DC converter 42 stops inputting or outputting DC power to or from the connected battery 18.

[0112] When selecting a DC / DC converter 42 to be stopped, control unit 180 may randomly select a DC / DC converter 42 to be stopped from among a plurality of DC / DC converters 42 currently in operation.

[0113] Alternatively, the control unit 180 may select a DC / DC converter 42 to be stopped from among the multiple DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating, in accordance with a predetermined rule. For example, the control unit 180 selects, from among the multiple DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating, the DC / DC converter 42 that is charging the battery 18 with the most power. Alternatively, the control unit 180 assigns numbers to all DC / DC converters 42 in advance, and selects, from among the multiple DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating, the DC / DC converter 42 with the smallest number first.

[0114] Alternatively, control unit 180 may determine in advance which DC / DC converters 42 are to be stopped for each number of stops. In this case, when control unit 180 determines the number of stops by referring to stop number map 184, it instructs DC / DC converters 42 that are to be stopped according to the number of stops to stop operation.

[0115] As described above, the calculation unit 104 of the overall control board 90 may perform the functions of the calculation unit 98 of the housing control board 88, and therefore the calculation unit 104 may determine in advance the DC / DC converters 42 to be stopped for each number of stops.

[0116] 2, multiple fans 50 are arranged inside the power device 10. If the number of operating fans 50 decreases due to a failure of a fan 50 or the like, the air flow in the first chamber 30 of the housing 12 decreases. This may cause the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature to rise, the derating level to increase in a short period of time, and the OTP to transition from 0 to 1 in a short period of time. Therefore, the number of stopped fans in the stopped number map 184 may be changed depending on the number of operating fans 50.

[0117] FIG. 9 shows another example of the stop count map 184. The stop count map 184 shown in FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the elapsed time and the number of stoppages. In this stop count map 184, the number of stoppages increases as the elapsed time decreases. Furthermore, in this stop count map 184, when the number of operating fans 50 decreases due to a failure of a fan 50 or the like, the number of stoppages increases, as shown by the change from the solid line to the dashed line. The solid line in FIG. 9 illustrates a case where all fans 50 are operating. The dashed line illustrates a case where some of all fans 50 have stopped operating due to a failure or the like. By increasing the stop count in response to a decrease in the number of operating fans 50, it is possible to prevent the OTP from transitioning from 0 to 1 in a short period of time and all DC / DC converters 42 from stopping operation.

[0118] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power device 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0119] In step S1, the temperature sensor 166 of the power converter 40 detects the temperature of the internal components, and the temperature sensor 168 detects the temperature of the transformer. The controller 164 acquires the temperatures of the internal components and the transformer.

[0120] In step S2, the controller 164 refers to the suppression execution condition map 170a and determines a derating level according to the acquired internal component temperature.

[0121] In step S3, the controller 164 refers to the suppression implementation condition map 170a and determines an OTP according to the acquired internal component temperature or transformer temperature.

[0122] In step S4, the controller 164 transmits the derating level and the OTP via the communication line 154. This allows the control unit 180 of the housing control board 88 to acquire the derating level and the OTP.

[0123] In the housing control board 88, the timing unit 182 starts timing from the point when the derating level switches from 0 to 1. In step S5, if the derating level acquired this time is 2, the control unit 180 determines the time from the point when the timing unit 182 started timing to the current point in time as the elapsed time. As will be described later, the flowchart in FIG. 10 is executed repeatedly. Therefore, if the derating level acquired this time is 2, the control unit 180 can determine that the derating level has currently transitioned from 1 to 2. Note that if the derating level remains at 0 or 2, the processing of step S5 is skipped.

[0124] In step S6, the control unit 180 determines the number of stops according to the acquired derating level by referring to the stop number map 184. Furthermore, if the elapsed time is specified, the control unit 180 determines the number of stops according to the elapsed time and the derating level.

[0125] In step S7, control unit 180 stops the operation of the number of DC / DC converters 42 to be stopped out of the plurality of DC / DC converters 42 that are currently operating. This stops the input (charging) of DC power from the number of DC / DC converters 42 to be stopped to battery 18, thereby reducing the load on AC / DC converter 160. As a result, operation of power device 10 can be continued.

[0126] Thereafter, the power device 10 returns to step S1 and repeats the processing of steps S1 to S7.

[0127] In steps S2 and S3, the controller 164 may refer to the suppression release condition map 170b to change the derating level and the OTP, thereby making it possible to appropriately determine the derating level and the OTP according to the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature.

[0128] In the above description, the calculation unit 98 performs the above determination process. In this embodiment, the controller 164 of the power converter 40 or the calculation unit 104 of the overall control board 90 may perform the processing of the calculation unit 98. Alternatively, the slot board 54 may perform each of the above processes. Alternatively, the power device 10 may be connected to a server (not shown) via a network, and the server may perform each of the above processes. Alternatively, the housing control board 88 and another device may perform the above processes in a distributed or cooperative manner. In this case, examples of the other device include the controller 164, the overall control board 90, the slot board 54, another power device, or a server.

[0129] In the above description, the operation of all DC / DC converters 42 is stopped when the OTP becomes 1. In the present embodiment, the operation of only one DC / DC converter 42 may continue when the OTP becomes 1. This allows DC power to be supplied from the battery 18 to the DC / DC converter 44 via the DC / DC converter 42. As a result, the operation of the power device 10 can continue even when power cannot be supplied from outside the power device 10.

[0130] In the above description, the power converter 40 includes the transformer 162. The power converter 40 does not necessarily have to include the transformer 162.

[0131] In this way, in this embodiment, by controlling the operation of the DC / DC converter 42 depending on the number of stops, it is possible to continue inputting (charging) DC power to the multiple batteries 18 while appropriately protecting the power converter 40 having the AC / DC converter 160.

[0132] The present embodiment can also be applied to determining the number of DC / DC converters 42 to be stopped when a plurality of batteries 18 are discharging (outputting DC power) to a plurality of DC / DC converters 42. By controlling the driving of the DC / DC converters 42 in accordance with the number of stops, it is possible to continue outputting (discharging) DC power from the plurality of batteries 18 while appropriately protecting the power converter 40 having the AC / DC converter 160.

[0133] The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0134] The control unit 180 determines the number of shutdowns (number of inputs / outputs to be stopped) based on the internal component temperatures and transformer temperatures of the power device 10, and controls the operation of the multiple DC / DC converters 42 according to the determined number of shutdowns, thereby controlling the input or output of DC power to the multiple batteries 18. In other words, rather than controlling the input or output of DC power to all batteries 18 included in the power device 10, the control unit 180 determines the number of DC / DC converters 42 connected to the batteries 18 for which the input or output of DC power is to be stopped from among the multiple DC / DC converters 42 (batteries 18 connected to them) currently operating. By stopping the DC / DC converters 42 (batteries 18) for the determined number of shutdowns, the number of batteries 18 that can input or output DC power can be maximized while appropriately protecting the power converter 40. Therefore, in this embodiment, the power device 10 can continue operating even if the temperature of the electronic components constituting the power converter 40 exceeds the upper operating temperature limit due to an abnormality or the like in the power converter 40. As a result, the operation of the power device 10 can be continued while minimizing the impact of an abnormality or the like in the power converter 40.

[0135] The number of shutdowns is set for each of a plurality of ranges of the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature, thereby making it possible to appropriately determine the number of shutdowns in accordance with the internal component temperature and the transformer temperature.

[0136] The number of stops increases as the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperatures increase. This reduces the load on the power converter 40, and effectively suppresses increases in the internal component temperatures and the transformer temperatures.

[0137] Since the number of stops is determined taking the transition time into consideration, the number of stops can be set appropriately.

[0138] The shorter the transition time, the more outages there are. Therefore, the degree of influence of the load on the power converter 40 can be properly understood based on the transition time, which can lead to effective suppression.

[0139] Since the number of stopped fans increases as the number of operating fans 50 decreases, the number of stopped fans can be determined more appropriately.

[0140] In addition to the above disclosure, the following additional notes are disclosed.

[0141] (Appendix 1) An electric power device (10) comprising at least two of a plurality of electric storage devices (18), a power conversion unit (40) connected to the plurality of electric storage devices, and a control unit (180) that controls the input or output of electric power to the plurality of electric storage devices, wherein when electric power is being input or output to the plurality of electric storage devices, the control unit determines an input / output stop number, which is the number of electric storage devices from which the input or output of electric power is to be stopped, based on an internal temperature of the electric power device that correlates with the temperature of the power conversion unit.

[0142] According to the present invention, the control unit determines the number of power storage devices to be stopped based on the internal temperature of the power device, and controls the input or output of power to the multiple power storage devices according to the determined number of power storage devices to be stopped. In other words, rather than controlling the input or output of power to all power storage devices included in the power device, the control unit determines the number of power storage devices to stop the input or output of power from among the multiple power storage devices currently in operation. By stopping the power storage devices according to the determined number of power storage devices to be stopped, the number of power storage devices that can input or output power can be maximized while appropriately protecting the power conversion unit. Therefore, according to the present invention, the power device can continue to operate even if the temperature of the electronic components constituting the power conversion unit exceeds the upper operating temperature limit due to an abnormality in the power conversion unit, etc. As a result, the power device can continue to operate while minimizing the impact of an abnormality in the power conversion unit, etc.

[0143] (Appendix 2) In the power device according to Supplementary Note 1, the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped may be set for each of a plurality of ranges of the temperature inside the device.

[0144] This makes it possible to appropriately determine the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped in accordance with the temperature inside the device.

[0145] (Appendix 3) In the power device according to Supplementary Note 2, the number of inputs and outputs stopped may increase as the temperature inside the device increases.

[0146] This reduces the load on the power conversion unit, and effectively prevents the temperature inside the device from rising.

[0147] (Appendix 4) In the power device described in Supplementary Note 2 or 3, the power device includes a timing unit (182) that measures a transition time, which is the time required for a transition from one of the plurality of ranges to the next of the ranges, and the control unit may determine the second number of input / output outages based on the transition time required for a transition from a first range having a first number of input / output outages to a second range having a second number of input / output outages that is greater than the first number of input / output outages.

[0148] This allows the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped to be determined taking the transition time into consideration, so that the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped can be set appropriately.

[0149] (Appendix 5) In the power device described in Appendix 4, the second range may be a range in which the temperature inside the device is higher than the first range, and the second number of input / output stops may be greater as the transition time is shorter.

[0150] This allows the degree of load influence on the power conversion unit to be properly understood based on the transition time, leading to effective suppression.

[0151] (Appendix 6) In the power device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, when the power is being input or output to or from a plurality of the power storage devices, the control unit may stop the input or output of the power to or from all of the power storage devices to which the power is being input or output, based on another internal device temperature that is correlated with the temperature of the power conversion unit but different from the internal device temperature.

[0152] This allows for a more appropriate determination of the number of inputs / outputs to be stopped by taking into consideration both the temperature inside the device and the temperature inside other devices.

[0153] (Appendix 7) In the electric power device described in Supplementary Note 6, the electric power conversion unit includes an AC / DC conversion unit (160) arranged on an electric transmission path connected to the plurality of electric storage devices, and a transformer (162) arranged between the AC / DC conversion unit and the plurality of electric storage devices in the electric transmission path, or on the opposite side of the plurality of electric storage devices from the AC / DC conversion unit, and when the transformer is arranged on the opposite side of the plurality of electric storage devices from the AC / DC conversion unit, it is connected to an electric power source external to the electric power device, and the internal temperature of the electric power device may be the temperature of the AC / DC conversion unit, and the other internal temperature may be the temperature of the transformer.

[0154] This makes it possible to effectively determine the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped by taking into consideration both the temperature of the AC / DC converter and the temperature of the transformer.

[0155] (Appendix 8) In the electric power device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, the electric power device further includes a plurality of wind generating sections (50) that promote the flow of air between the inside and outside of the electric power device, and the control section may increase the number of input / output stopped sections when the number of operating wind generating sections decreases while the electric power is being input or output to or from the plurality of power storage devices.

[0156] This allows the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped to be appropriately determined in accordance with a decrease in the number of operating units of the wind generating section.

[0157] (Appendix 9) An information processing method for a power device comprising at least two multiple power storage devices and a power conversion unit connected to the multiple power storage devices, the information processing method comprising: a step (S1) of acquiring an internal temperature of the power device that correlates with the temperature of the power conversion unit when the power conversion unit is inputting or outputting power to or from the multiple power storage devices; and a step (S6) of determining, based on the acquired internal temperature, the number of input / output stoppages, which is the number of power storage devices from which the input or output of power is to be stopped.

[0158] (Appendix 10) A program for causing a computer (98, 104, 164) to execute the information processing method described in Supplementary Note 9.

[0159] (Appendix 11) A storage medium (100, 106) that stores the program described in Supplementary Note 10.

[0160] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 10…Power equipment 18...Battery (electricity storage device) 40...Power converter (power conversion section) 98, 104...Calculation unit (computer) 100, 106...Memory (storage medium) 164...Controller (computer) 180...Control unit

Claims

1. At least two of the plurality of power storage devices; a power conversion unit connected to the plurality of power storage devices; a control unit that controls the input or output of electric power to the plurality of power storage devices; A power device comprising: The control unit When the power is being input or output to or from a plurality of the power storage devices, the power storage device determines the number of input / output stoppages, which is the number of power storage devices to stop the input or output of power from among the power storage devices to which the power is being input or output, based on an internal temperature of the power storage device that correlates with the temperature of the power conversion unit.

2. 2. The power device according to claim 1, The power device, wherein the number of inputs and outputs to be stopped is set for each of a plurality of ranges of the temperature inside the device.

3. 3. The power device according to claim 2, The power device, wherein the number of input / output stops increases as the temperature inside the device increases.

4. 4. The power device according to claim 2 or 3, a timer that measures a transition time that is a time required for a transition from one of the plurality of ranges to the next range, The control unit determines the second number of input / output stoppages based on the transition time required for transition from a first range having a first number of input / output stoppages among the multiple ranges to a second range having a second number of input / output stoppages that is greater than the first number of input / output stoppages.

5. 5. The power device according to claim 4, the second range is higher than the first range in the temperature inside the device, The second number of input / output outages increases as the transition time decreases.

6. The power device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, When the power is being input or output to or from a plurality of the power storage devices, the control unit stops the input or output of the power to or from all of the power storage devices to which the power is being input or output based on another internal temperature of the device that is correlated with the temperature of the power conversion unit but different from the internal temperature of the device.

7. 7. The power device according to claim 6, The power conversion unit an AC / DC converter disposed on an electrical transmission path connected to the plurality of power storage devices; a transformer disposed in the electrical transmission path between the AC / DC conversion unit and the plurality of power storage devices, or on an opposite side of the plurality of power storage devices with respect to the AC / DC conversion unit; and When the transformer is disposed on the opposite side of the plurality of power storage devices with respect to the AC / DC conversion unit, the transformer is connected to an external power source of the power device, the internal temperature of the power device is the temperature of the AC / DC converter, The electric power device, wherein the temperature inside the other device is the temperature of the transformer.

8. The power device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The power device further includes a plurality of airflow generating sections for promoting airflow between the inside and outside of the power device, The control unit increases the number of inputs / outputs stopped when the number of operating wind generating units decreases while the power is being input or output to the plurality of power storage devices.

9. An information processing method for an electric power device including at least two power storage devices and a power conversion unit connected to the power storage devices, acquiring an internal temperature of the power device correlated with a temperature of the power conversion unit while the power conversion unit is inputting or outputting electric power to or from the plurality of power storage devices; determining, based on the acquired internal temperature, a number of power storage devices to which the input or output of power is to be stopped, the number being the number of power storage devices to which the input or output of power is to be stopped; An information processing method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 9.

11. A storage medium that stores the program according to claim 10.

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