Control device for charging system

Abstract

To suitably select whether or not to output power from a low-voltage battery according to a state related to deterioration of the low-voltage battery.SOLUTION: The electronic control unit is configured to execute a first supplying process of controlling the voltage converter such that electric power from the solar panel is supplied to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter while setting input / output electric power of the low-voltage battery to zero, on condition that the supplied electric power is equal to or greater than the specified electric power (S31). The electronic control unit is configured to execute a second supplying process of controlling the voltage converter such that the electric power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery is supplied to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter, on condition that the supplied electric power is less than the specified electric power (S32). The electronic control unit is configured to set the specified power value based on one or more of a first index value indicating a degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery and a second index value indicating a degree of whether or not a state in which the low-voltage battery is placed is a state in which the low-voltage battery is likely to deteriorate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a charging system. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle in Patent Document 1 includes a solar panel, a high-voltage battery, a low-voltage battery, an electric motor, auxiliary equipment, a DC-DC converter, and a control device. The solar panel generates electricity when exposed to sunlight. The high-voltage battery receives power from the solar panel and is charged. The high-voltage battery is a secondary battery for supplying power to the electric motor, which is the drive source of the vehicle. The low-voltage battery receives power from the solar panel and is charged. The low-voltage battery is a secondary battery for supplying power to the auxiliary equipment. The rated voltage of the low-voltage battery is lower than that of the high-voltage battery. The DC-DC converter is capable of converting the voltage of the power from the solar panel and outputting it.

[0003] The control device controls the DC-DC converter to supply power from the solar panel to the high-voltage battery, the low-voltage battery, and the auxiliary equipment. Specifically, the control device determines whether the supply power value from the solar panel is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified power value. Then, the control device supplies the power from the solar panel to the auxiliary equipment and the low-voltage battery, provided that the supply power value from the solar panel is less than the specified power value. On the other hand, the control device supplies the power from the solar panel not only to the auxiliary equipment and the low-voltage battery, but also to the high-voltage battery, provided that the supply power value from the solar panel is equal to or greater than the specified power value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-083248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a charging system such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to supply power from a low-voltage battery to a high-voltage battery via a DC-DC converter. In this case, it is conceivable to select whether or not to supply power from the low-voltage battery to the high-voltage battery depending on the magnitude of the power supply value supplied from a solar panel, for example. However, if a fixed value is set as a criterion for determining the magnitude of the power supply value of the solar panel, it is not always possible to appropriately select whether or not to supply power from the low-voltage battery to the high-voltage battery depending on the state of the low-voltage battery, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device for a charging system for solving the above problems is directed to a charging system including a solar panel that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight, a low-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the solar panel, a voltage converter that can boost and output power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery, and a high-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the voltage converter, and the control device acquires a supply power value supplied from the solar panel, determines whether the acquired supply power value is equal to or greater than a specified power value, and, when it is determined that the supply power value is equal to or greater than the specified power value, zeroes out the input / output power of the low-voltage battery. The method can execute a first supply process that controls the voltage converter to supply power from the solar panel to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter while maintaining the specified power value; a second supply process that controls the voltage converter to supply power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter, with the necessary condition being that the supplied power value is determined to be less than the specified power value; and setting the specified power value based on one or more of a first index value that indicates the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery and a second index value that indicates the degree to which the low-voltage battery is in a state that is prone to deterioration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to increase the probability that a suitable selection will be made as to whether or not to output power from the low-voltage battery depending on the state of deterioration of the low-voltage battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing power generation control. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the setting control. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of power in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Vehicle Overview> An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. First, a schematic configuration of a vehicle 100 to which a charging system is applied will be described.

[0010] 1, the vehicle 100 includes a solar panel 10, a solar converter 20, a low-voltage battery 30, a bidirectional converter 40, a high-voltage battery 50, and an auxiliary machinery group 60. The vehicle 100 also includes a first power line 71, a second power line 72, a third power line 73, a fourth power line 74, and a fifth power line 75.

[0011] The solar panel 10 is configured as a panel by arranging a plurality of solar cells that generate electricity when irradiated with sunlight. Therefore, the solar panel 10 generates electricity when irradiated with sunlight. In this embodiment, the solar panel 10 is attached to the roof of the vehicle 100.

[0012] A first end of the first power line 71 is connected to the solar panel 10. A second end of the first power line 71 is connected to the solar converter 20. Thus, the solar converter 20 is electrically connected to the solar panel 10.

[0013] The solar converter 20 is a device that converts the voltage of DC power input from the solar panel 10 and outputs the converted voltage. Therefore, the solar converter 20 can convert the voltage of the power from the solar panel 10 and output the converted voltage. The solar converter 20 can both step down and step up the voltage of the power generated by the solar panel 10.

[0014] A first end of the second power line 72 is connected to the solar converter 20. A second end of the second power line 72 is connected to the auxiliary machinery group 60. Therefore, the auxiliary machinery group 60 is electrically connected to the solar converter 20.

[0015] The auxiliary equipment group 60 includes a plurality of auxiliary equipment, such as an electric oil pump, a navigation system, a display device, an audio device, an air conditioning system, lighting devices such as headlights, various sensors, etc. The auxiliary equipment group 60 receives a supply of power via a second power line 72.

[0016] A first end of the third power line 73 is connected to the middle of the second power line 72. A second end of the third power line 73 is connected to the low-voltage battery 30. Therefore, the low-voltage battery 30 is electrically connected to the solar converter 20 and the like.

[0017] The low-voltage battery 30 is a secondary battery. The low-voltage battery 30 can be charged by receiving power from the solar panel 10 via the solar converter 20. The low-voltage battery 30 is a battery for supplying power to the auxiliary machinery group 60. An example of the rated voltage of the low-voltage battery 30 is approximately 12V to 48V.

[0018] A first end of the fourth power line 74 is connected to the middle of the second power line 72. A second end of the fourth power line 74 is connected to the bidirectional converter 40. Therefore, the bidirectional converter 40 is electrically connected to the solar converter 20, etc. A first end of the fifth power line 75 is connected to the bidirectional converter 40. A second end of the fifth power line 75 is connected to the high-voltage battery 50. Therefore, the high-voltage battery 50 is electrically connected to the bidirectional converter 40.

[0019] The high-voltage battery 50 is a secondary battery. The high-voltage battery 50 can be charged by receiving power from the bidirectional converter 40. The high-voltage battery 50 is a battery for supplying power to an electric motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source for the vehicle 100. The rated voltage of the high-voltage battery 50 is higher than the rated voltage of the low-voltage battery 30. An example of the rated voltage of the high-voltage battery 50 is approximately 200V to 250V.

[0020] The bidirectional converter 40 is a device that converts DC power input thereto into a voltage and outputs the converted power. The bidirectional converter 40 is also a device that can switch the direction of power supply. Therefore, the bidirectional converter 40 can boost the power input thereto via the fourth power line 74 and supply it to the high-voltage battery 50. That is, the bidirectional converter 40 can boost the power input thereto from one or more of the solar converter 20 and the low-voltage battery 30 and supply it to the high-voltage battery 50. The bidirectional converter 40 can also step down the power input thereto from the high-voltage battery 50 via the fifth power line 75 and supply it to one or more of the low-voltage battery 30 and the auxiliary machinery group 60. In this embodiment, the bidirectional converter 40 is an example of a voltage converter that can boost and output power from the solar panel 10 and the low-voltage battery 30.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 is equipped with a first current sensor 81A, a first voltage sensor 81B, a second current sensor 82A, a second voltage sensor 82B, and a temperature sensor 83. The first current sensor 81A detects a first current IS, which is the current output from the solar converter 20. The first voltage sensor 81B detects a first voltage VS, which is the voltage output from the solar converter 20. The second current sensor 82A detects a second current IB, which is the current input to or output from the low-voltage battery 30. In this embodiment, when a current is output from the low-voltage battery 30, the second current IB has a positive value. On the other hand, when a current is input to the low-voltage battery 30, the second current IB has a negative value. The second voltage sensor 82B detects a second voltage VB, which is the voltage between the terminals of the low-voltage battery 30. The temperature sensor 83 detects a battery temperature TB, which is the temperature of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0022] The vehicle 100 includes a control device 90. The control device 90 acquires various types of information from a first current sensor 81A, a first voltage sensor 81B, a second current sensor 82A, a second voltage sensor 82B, and a temperature sensor 83.

[0023] The control device 90 includes an execution device 91 and a storage device 92. An example of the execution device 91 is a CPU. The storage device 92 includes a read-only ROM, a readable and writable volatile RAM, and a readable and writable non-volatile storage. The storage device 92 stores various programs and various data in advance. Specifically, the storage device 92 stores a control program 92A in advance as one of the various programs. The execution device 91 executes the control program 92A stored in the storage device 92 to perform various processes described below.

[0024] The execution device 91 of the control device 90 can control the solar converter 20, the bidirectional converter 40, the auxiliary machinery group 60, etc. by outputting control signals to the solar converter 20, the bidirectional converter 40, the auxiliary machinery group 60, etc.

[0025] <Power generation control> Next, the power generation control executed by the control device 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This power generation control is control for supplying the power generated by the solar panel 10 to each component. In this embodiment, the execution device 91 of the control device 90 starts the power generation control at each predetermined control cycle, with the necessary condition being that the solar panel 10 is generating power.

[0026] 2, when the executing device 91 of the control device 90 starts power generation control, it executes the processing of step S11. In step S11, the executing device 91 acquires the supply power value PG supplied from the solar panel 10. Specifically, the executing device 91 acquires the supply power value PG by calculating it based on the first current IS and the first voltage VS. Therefore, in this embodiment, the supply power value PG is the value of the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72. Note that the supply power value PG changes depending on, for example, the sunlight irradiating the solar panel 10. After step S11, the executing device 91 proceeds to step S12.

[0027] In step S12, the execution device 91 determines whether the supply power value PG is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified power value PGA. In this embodiment, the bidirectional converter 40 tends to have a higher conversion efficiency, which is the ratio of output power to input power of the bidirectional converter 40, as the input power of the bidirectional converter 40 increases. Therefore, a lower limit value that can be tolerated as the conversion efficiency of the bidirectional converter 40 is predetermined. The specified power value PGA is set as a threshold value of the supply power value PG necessary for the bidirectional converter 40 to achieve a conversion efficiency equal to or greater than the lower limit value. Specifically, the specified power value PGA is set by setting control, which will be described later. The conversion efficiency of the bidirectional converter 40 is the value obtained by dividing the output power of the bidirectional converter 40 by the input power of the bidirectional converter 40. If the execution device 91 determines in step S12 that the supply power value PG is equal to or greater than the specified power value PGA (S12: YES), the execution device 91 proceeds to step S31. In other words, the execution device 91 determines that the supply power value PG is equal to or greater than the specified power value PGA as a necessary condition, and proceeds to step S31.

[0028] In step S31, the executing device 91 executes a first supply process. Specifically, as indicated by the solid arrow in Fig. 4, the executing device 91 controls the bidirectional converter 40 so as to supply power from the solar panel 10 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 while setting the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 to zero. At this time, when setting the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 to zero, the executing device 91 controls the bidirectional converter 40 so as to set the second current IB detected by the second current sensor 82A to zero. As shown in Fig. 2, after step S31, the executing device 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0029] On the other hand, if the execution device 91 determines in step S12 above that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA (S12: NO), the execution device 91 proceeds to step S21.

[0030] In step S21, the execution unit 91 acquires the charging rate SOC of the low-voltage battery 30. Specifically, the execution unit 91 acquires the charging rate SOC of the low-voltage battery 30 by calculating the charging rate SOC of the low-voltage battery 30 based on the second current IB, the second voltage VB, and the battery temperature TB. The charging rate SOC of the low-voltage battery 30 is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0031] Formula (1): Charging rate SOC [%] = remaining capacity of low-voltage battery 30 [Ah] / battery capacity of low-voltage battery 30 [Ah] × 100 [%] After step S21, the execution device 91 advances the process to step S22.

[0032] In step S22, the executing unit 91 determines whether the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified state of charge SOCA. Here, the specified state of charge SOCA is a threshold value for determining whether the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 30 is high enough to allow power to be supplied from the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50. An example of the specified state of charge SOCA is approximately 60%. In step S22, if the executing unit 91 determines that the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 30 is equal to or greater than the specified state of charge SOCA (S22: YES), the executing unit 91 proceeds to step S32. In other words, the executing unit 91 proceeds to step S32 on the condition that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA and that the state of charge of the low-voltage battery 30 is equal to or greater than the specified state of charge SOCA.

[0033] In step S32, the executing unit 91 executes a second supply process. Specifically, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig. 4, the executing unit 91 controls the bidirectional converter 40 so as to supply power from the solar panel 10 and the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40. At this time, when outputting power from the low-voltage battery 30, the executing unit 91 controls the bidirectional converter 40 so as to make the second current IB detected by the second current sensor 82A a positive value. As shown in Fig. 2, after step S32, the executing unit 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0034] On the other hand, if the execution unit 91 determines in step S22 that the state of charge SOC of the low-voltage battery 30 is less than the specified state of charge SOCA (S22: NO), the execution unit 91 proceeds to step S33. In other words, the execution unit 91 proceeds to step S33 on the condition that it has determined that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA and that the state of charge SOC of the low-voltage battery 30 is less than the specified state of charge SOCA.

[0035] In step S33, the executing device 91 executes a third supply process. Specifically, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig. 4, the executing device 91 controls the bidirectional converter 40 so as to supply power from the solar panel 10 to the low-voltage battery 30 while setting the input / output power of the high-voltage battery 50 to zero. At this time, the executing device 91 stops the operation of the bidirectional converter 40 in setting the input / output power of the high-voltage battery 50 to zero. As shown in Fig. 2, after step S33, the executing device 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0036] <Settings Control> Next, the setting control executed by the control device 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. This setting control is control for setting the specified power value PGA. In this embodiment, the execution device 91 of the control device 90 starts the setting control at each predetermined control cycle.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, when the execution unit 91 of the control device 90 starts the setting control, it executes the process of step S61. In step S61, the execution unit 91 acquires a first index value IV1 indicating the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30. Here, the value of the first index value IV1 increases as the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30 increases. In this embodiment, the execution unit 91 acquires the first index value IV1 by calculating it based on the battery capacity of the low-voltage battery 30 and the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30. Specifically, the execution unit 91 calculates the battery capacity of the low-voltage battery 30 based on the second current IB, the second voltage VB, and the battery temperature TB. Then, the smaller the battery capacity of the low-voltage battery 30, the larger the value calculated as the first index value IV1. In addition, the execution unit 91 acquires, as the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30, the number of times the second supply process of step S32 has been executed in the power generation control from the time of manufacture of the low-voltage battery 30 until the time of the process of step S61. Furthermore, the executing device 91 acquires the number of times the third supply process of step S33 was executed during the power generation control from the time the low-voltage battery 30 was manufactured until the time step S61 was executed, as a usage history of the low-voltage battery 30. The executing device 91 then calculates a larger value as the first index value IV1 the greater the acquired number of times the second supply process was executed and the greater the acquired number of times the third supply process was executed. After step S61, the executing device 91 proceeds to step S62.

[0038] In step S62, the execution unit 91 acquires a second index value IV2 indicating the degree to which the state in which the low-voltage battery 30 is placed is prone to deterioration. Here, the more prone the state in which the low-voltage battery 30 is placed to deterioration, the larger the value of the second index value IV2. In this embodiment, the execution unit 91 acquires the second index value IV2 by calculating the second index value IV2 based on the battery temperature TB. Specifically, the execution unit 91 acquires the second index value IV2 by calculating the second index value IV2 based on the battery temperature TB. Specifically, the further the battery temperature TB at the time of processing step S62 deviates from a predetermined appropriate temperature range, the larger the value calculated as the second index value IV2. Note that the appropriate temperature range defines a temperature range that is preferable for the environment in which the low-voltage battery 30 is used. After step S62, the execution unit 91 proceeds to step S63.

[0039] In step S63, the execution device 91 sets the specified power value PGA based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Specifically, the execution device 91 sets a smaller value as the specified power value PGA, the larger the first index value IV1 and the larger the second index value IV2. In other words, when the first index value IV1 is a first value, the execution device 91 sets a smaller value as the specified power value PGA than when the first index value IV1 is a second value indicating that the low-voltage battery 30 is less deteriorated than the first value. Furthermore, when the second index value IV2 is a first value, the execution device 91 sets a smaller value as the specified power value PGA than when the second index value IV2 is a second value indicating that the low-voltage battery 30 is less likely to deteriorate than the first value. After step S63, the execution device 91 ends the current setting control.

[0040] <Operation of this embodiment> 3, in step S61 of the setting control, the execution unit 91 of the control device 90 acquires a first index value IV1 indicating the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30. In step S62, the execution unit 91 acquires a second index value IV2 indicating the degree to which the state in which the low-voltage battery 30 is placed is prone to deterioration. In step S63, the execution unit 91 sets the specified power value PGA based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2.

[0041] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) According to this embodiment, the specified power value PGA is set based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the smaller the specified power value PGA set in the setting control, the more likely a positive determination is made in step S12 of the power generation control. Therefore, the ease with which the first supply process in step S31 is performed and the ease with which the second supply process in step S32 and the third supply process in step S33 are performed can be adjusted according to the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Here, in the first supply process in step S31, the execution device 91 supplies power from the solar panel 10 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 while setting the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 to zero, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 4. Therefore, in the first supply process in step S31, no power is input to or output from the low-voltage battery 30. On the other hand, in a second supply process in step S32, the execution device 91 supplies power from the solar panel 10 and the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40, as indicated by the dashed-line arrow in FIG. 4 . In addition, in a third supply process in step S33, the execution device 91 supplies power from the solar panel 10 to the low-voltage battery 30 while reducing the input / output power of the high-voltage battery 50 to zero, as indicated by the dashed-line arrow in FIG. 4 . Therefore, in the second supply process in step S32 and the third supply process in step S33, power is input to and output from the low-voltage battery 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the ease with which power is input to and output from the low-voltage battery 30 in accordance with the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. In other words, it is possible to increase the likelihood that a suitable selection will be made as to whether or not to output power from the low-voltage battery 30 in accordance with the degradation state of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0042] (2) As shown in FIG. 2 , the execution unit 91 executes the second supply process in step S32, assuming that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA and that the state of charge (SOC) of the low-voltage battery 30 is equal to or greater than the specified state of charge (SOCA). The execution unit 91 also executes the third supply process in step S33, assuming that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA and that the state of charge (SOC) of the low-voltage battery 30 is less than the specified state of charge (SOCA). As described above, according to this embodiment, the specified power value PGA is set based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the ease of execution of not only the second supply process in step S32 but also the third supply process in step S33. This increases the likelihood that the selection of whether to input or output power to or from the low-voltage battery 30 will be performed appropriately depending on the degradation state of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0043] (3) In the vehicle 100, the more times the second supply process of step S32 is performed, the greater the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30. Also, the more times the third supply process of step S33 is performed, the greater the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0044] In this regard, in step S61, the executing device 91 acquires the number of times the second supply process of step S32 was executed to acquire the first index value IV1 indicating the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30. The executing device 91 also acquires the number of times the third supply process of step S33 was executed. The executing device 91 then calculates a larger value as the first index value IV1, the greater the acquired number of times the second supply process was executed and the greater the acquired number of times the third supply process was executed. This makes it possible to acquire the first index value IV1 based on a value closely related to the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0045] (4) In step S63, when the first index value IV1 is the first value, the execution device 91 sets a smaller value as the specified power value PGA than when the first index value IV1 is the second value, which indicates that the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is smaller than the first value. Therefore, when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is large, the specified power value PGA is smaller than when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is small. This makes it possible to reduce the specified power value PGA when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is large, in other words, when further degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is difficult to tolerate. Note that, when the specified power value PGA is small as described above, the second supply process of step S32 and the third supply process of step S33 are less likely to be executed than when the specified power value PGA is large. As a result, degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 caused by the input / output of power to / from the low-voltage battery 30 can be suppressed.

[0046] (5) In step S63, when the second index value IV2 is the first value, the execution device 91 sets a smaller value as the specified power value PGA than when the second index value IV2 is the second value, which indicates that the low-voltage battery 30 is less susceptible to degradation than the first value. Therefore, when the low-voltage battery 30 is prone to degradation, the specified power value PGA is smaller than when the low-voltage battery 30 is less susceptible to degradation. This makes it possible to reduce the specified power value PGA when the low-voltage battery 30 is prone to degradation, in other words, in a situation where the load on the low-voltage battery 30 should be suppressed.

[0047] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the power generation control may be changed. For example, the method of acquiring the supply power value PG in step S11 may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 may acquire the value of the power supplied from the solar panel 10 to the solar converter 20 via the first power line 71 as the supply power value PG.

[0049] For example, in step S31, the control configuration for reducing the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 to zero may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 first obtains the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72, the power flowing from the second power line 72 to the high-voltage battery 50, and the power flowing from the second power line 72 to the auxiliary machinery group 60. Next, the execution device 91 estimates the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 based on the obtained three powers. Then, the execution device 91 may control the bidirectional converter 40 to reduce the estimated input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 to zero.

[0050] For example, in step S32, the control configuration for outputting power from the low-voltage battery 30 may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 first acquires the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72, the power flowing from the second power line 72 to the high-voltage battery 50, and the power flowing from the second power line 72 to the auxiliary machinery group 60. Next, the execution device 91 estimates the input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30 based on the acquired three powers. Then, the execution device 91 may control the bidirectional converter 40 to output power from the low-voltage battery 30 based on the estimated input / output power of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0051] For example, the third supply process in step S33 may be omitted. As a specific example, if power is supplied to the low-voltage battery 30 by control other than power generation control, the third supply process in step S33 may be omitted. In this case, if the execution device 91 determines in step S12 that the supply power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA (S12: NO), the execution device 91 may proceed with the process to step S32.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the setting control may be changed. For example, the method for acquiring the first index value IV1 in step S61 may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 may acquire the first index value IV1 by calculating the first index value IV1 based on only one of the battery capacity of the low-voltage battery 30 and the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30. As another specific example, the execution device 91 may acquire the first index value IV1 by calculating the first index value IV1 based on another value instead of or in addition to the battery capacity of the low-voltage battery 30 and the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30. Note that an example of the other value is the total number of times power is input and output to and from the low-voltage battery 30 from the time of manufacture of the low-voltage battery 30 to the time of processing step S61, or the history of current input and output to and from the low-voltage battery 30. Also, an example of the other value is the history of the terminal voltage of the low-voltage battery 30 and the history of the battery temperature TB from the time of manufacture of the low-voltage battery 30 to the time of processing step S61. An example of the other value is the internal resistance of the low-voltage battery 30 at the time of the processing in step S61.

[0053] For example, the method for acquiring the second index value IV2 in step S62 may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 may acquire the second index value IV2 by calculating the second index value IV2 based on another value instead of or in addition to the battery temperature TB. Note that examples of the other value include the terminal voltage of the low-voltage battery 30, the state of charge SOC of the low-voltage battery 30, and the ambient temperature of the low-voltage battery 30 at the time of processing step S62.

[0054] For example, the manner in which the specified power value PGA is set in step S63 may be changed. Specifically, the execution device 91 may set the specified power value PGA smaller when the first index value IV1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value than when the first index value IV1 is less than the first reference value. Specifically, the execution device 91 may set the specified power value PGA smaller when the second index value IV2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value than when the second index value IV2 is less than the second reference value. Specifically, the execution device 91 may set the specified power value PGA based on only one of the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Specifically, the execution device 91 may set the specified power value PGA based on another value in addition to one or more of the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the vehicle 100 may be changed. For example, the configuration of the control device 90 may be changed. Specifically, the control device 90 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). The control device 90 may also be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the charging system may be applied to other devices than the vehicle 100. For example, the charging system may be applied to devices other than the vehicle 100, buildings, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10...Solar panel 20...Solar converter 30...Low voltage battery 40...Bidirectional converter 50...High voltage battery 60...Auxiliary equipment group 71...First power line 72...Second power line 73...Third power line 74...Fourth power line 75...Fifth power line 81A...First current sensor 81B...First voltage sensor 82A...Second current sensor 82B...Second voltage sensor 83...Temperature sensor 90...Control device 91...Execution device 92...Storage device 92A...Control program 100...Vehicle PG...Supply power value PGA...Specified power value

Claims

1. A solar panel that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight, a low-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the solar panel; a voltage converter capable of boosting and outputting power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery; a high-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the voltage converter; The present invention relates to a charging system including: Obtaining a power supply value supplied from the solar panel; determining whether the acquired supply power value is equal to or greater than a specified power value; a first supply process that controls the voltage converter to supply power from the solar panel to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter while setting input / output power of the low-voltage battery to zero, based on the necessary condition that the supply power value is determined to be equal to or greater than the specified power value; a second supply process for controlling the voltage converter so that power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery is supplied to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter, with the determination that the supply power value is less than the specified power value being a necessary condition; setting the specified power value based on at least one of a first index value indicating a degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery and a second index value indicating a degree to which the low-voltage battery is in a state prone to deterioration; is feasible Charging system control device.

2. obtaining a charging rate of the low-voltage battery; determining whether the acquired charging rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined charging rate; the second supply process controlling the voltage converter to supply power from the solar panel and the low-voltage battery to the high-voltage battery via the voltage converter, when it is determined that the supply power value is less than the specified power value and that the charging rate is equal to or greater than the specified charging rate as necessary conditions; a third supply process for controlling the voltage converter to supply power from the solar panel to the low-voltage battery while setting input / output power of the high-voltage battery to zero, when it is determined that the supply power value is less than the specified power value and that the charging rate is less than the specified charging rate as necessary conditions; is feasible The control device for a charging system according to claim 1 .

3. When obtaining the first index value, calculating the first index value based on the number of times the second supply process has been executed and the number of times the third supply process has been executed; is feasible The control device for a charging system according to claim 2 .

4. When the first index value is a first value, a smaller value is set as the specified power value compared to when the first index value is a second value indicating that the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery is smaller than the first value. is feasible The control device for a charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the second index value is a first value, a smaller value is set as the specified power value compared to when the second index value is a second value indicating that the low-voltage battery is less susceptible to deterioration than the first value. is feasible The control device for a charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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