Control device for charging system

Abstract

To adjust input / output power to / from a low-voltage battery.SOLUTION: The charging system includes a solar panel, a first converter, a low-voltage battery, a second converter, a high-voltage battery, and a control device. The solar panel generates power by receiving irradiation of sunlight. The first converter is configured to convert a voltage of electric power from the solar panel and output the converted voltage. The low-voltage battery can be charged by receiving electric power from the first converter. The second converter is configured to convert a voltage of the electric power from the first converter and the low-voltage battery and output the electric power. The high-voltage battery can be charged by receiving electric power from the second converter. The control device acquires a first index value that indicates a degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery, and a second index value that indicates 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 (S61 to S62). The control device sets a range of input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery based on the first and second index values (S63).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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 power generation value of the solar panel is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified power value. Then, the control device supplies power from the solar panel to the auxiliary equipment and the low-voltage battery, provided that the power generation value is less than the specified power value. On the other hand, the control device supplies power from the solar panel to the high-voltage battery as well as the auxiliary equipment and the low-voltage battery, provided that the power generation value 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 the charging system of Patent Document 1, whether or not to supply power from the solar panel to the low-voltage battery and the high-voltage battery is determined based on the power generation value of the solar panel. On the other hand, the charging system of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the state of the battery when inputting or outputting power to or from the battery. Therefore, the charging system of Patent Document 1 does not necessarily charge or discharge the battery in an optimal state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charging system control device for solving the above problem targets a charging system that includes a solar panel that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight, a first converter that can convert the power from the solar panel into a voltage and output it, a low-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the first converter, a second converter that can convert the power from the first converter and the low-voltage battery into a voltage and output it, and a high-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the second converter, and performs the following operations: obtain a first index value that indicates the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery; obtain a second index value that indicates the degree to which the low-voltage battery is in a state that is prone to deterioration; and set a specified range that is the range of input and output power to the low-voltage battery based on the first index value and the second index value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above configuration, the input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery can be adjusted according to the first index value and the second index value, in other words, according to 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 step down or step up the voltage of the power generated by the solar panel 10. In this embodiment, the solar converter 20 corresponds to the first converter.

[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 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 the voltage of DC power input thereto 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 second converter that can convert the voltage of power from the first converter and the low-voltage battery 30 and output the converted power.

[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 a current input to the solar converter 20. The first voltage sensor 81B detects a first voltage VS, which is a voltage input to the solar converter 20. The second current sensor 82A detects a second current IB, which is a current input to or output from the low-voltage battery 30. The second voltage sensor 82B detects a second voltage VB, which is a 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 power generation control is started, the executing device 91 of the control device 90 executes the process of step S11. In step S11, the executing device 91 acquires a generated power value PG, which is the value of the power generated by the solar panel 10. In this embodiment, the executing device 91 acquires the generated power value PG by calculating it based on the first current IS and the first voltage VS. After step S11, the executing device 91 proceeds to step S12.

[0027] In step S12, the executing device 91 determines whether the generated 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 is acceptable for the conversion efficiency of the bidirectional converter 40 is predetermined. The specified power value PGA is predetermined as the lower limit value of the generated power value PG necessary for the bidirectional converter 40 to achieve a conversion efficiency equal to or greater than the lower limit value. The conversion efficiency of the bidirectional converter 40 is calculated by dividing the output power of the bidirectional converter 40 by the input power of the bidirectional converter 40. If the executing device 91 determines in step S12 that the generated power value PG is equal to or greater than the specified power value PGA (S12: YES), the executing device 91 proceeds to step S21.

[0028] In step S21, the execution device 91 operates the bidirectional converter 40 by outputting a control signal to the bidirectional converter 40. Specifically, the execution device 91 boosts the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 via the fourth power line 74 and supplies the boosted power to the high-voltage battery 50. After step S21, the execution device 91 advances the process to step S22.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, in step S22, the execution device 91 determines whether power is being input to the low-voltage battery 30. For example, the execution device 91 determines whether power is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 based on the second current IB at the time of processing step S22. The input and output of power to the low-voltage battery 30 changes as follows. As a premise, at the time of processing step S22, as indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 4, power generated by the solar panel 10 is supplied to the second power line 72 via the first power line 71 and the solar converter 20. Furthermore, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 4, power is supplied to the high-voltage battery 50 via the fourth power line 74 and the bidirectional converter 40. Therefore, if the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 is greater than the sum of the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60, power is input to the low-voltage battery 30, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 4. On the other hand, when the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 is smaller than the sum of the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60, power is output from the low-voltage battery 30, as shown by the dashed double-dashed arrow in FIG. 4.

[0030] 2, if the execution device 91 determines in step S22 that power is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 (S22: YES), the execution device 91 proceeds to step S31. In other words, if power is being input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 and power from the solar panel 10 is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20, the execution device 91 proceeds to step S31.

[0031] In step S31, the executing unit 91 outputs a control signal to the bidirectional converter 40 to adjust the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 by the bidirectional converter 40. Specifically, the executing unit 91 controls the power input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40, thereby adjusting the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than an input upper limit value LI, which will be described later. After step S31, the executing unit 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0032] On the other hand, if the execution device 91 determines in step S22 that power is not being input to the low-voltage battery 30 (S22: NO), the execution device 91 proceeds to step S32. In other words, if power is being input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 and power from the solar panel 10 is not being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20, the execution device 91 proceeds to step S32.

[0033] In step S32, the executing unit 91 outputs a control signal to the bidirectional converter 40, thereby adjusting the power output from the low-voltage battery 30 by the bidirectional converter 40. Specifically, the executing unit 91 controls the power input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40, thereby adjusting the power output from the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than an output upper limit value LO, which will be described later. After step S32, the executing unit 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0034] On the other hand, if the execution device 91 determines in step S12 that the generated power value PG is less than the specified power value PGA (S12: NO), the execution device 91 proceeds to step S41.

[0035] In step S41, the execution device 91 outputs a control signal to the bidirectional converter 40 to stop the operation of the bidirectional converter 40. Specifically, the execution device 91 stops the supply of power via the bidirectional converter 40. After step S41, the execution device 91 proceeds to step S51. In other words, the execution device 91 proceeds to step S51 when the bidirectional converter 40 is not operating and power from the solar panel 10 is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20.

[0036] In step S51, the executing device 91 adjusts the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 by the solar converter 20 by outputting a control signal to the solar converter 20. Specifically, the executing device 91 adjusts the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than an input upper limit value LI, which will be described later, by controlling the power output from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72. After step S51, the executing device 91 ends the current power generation control.

[0037] <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 a specified range RS, which is a range of input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery 30. In this embodiment, the execution device 91 of the control device 90 starts the setting control at each predetermined control cycle.

[0038] 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 history of the battery temperature TB and the history of use of the low-voltage battery 30. Specifically, the execution unit 91 calculates, as the history of the battery temperature TB, the accumulated period during which the low-voltage battery 30 was used with the battery temperature TB outside a predetermined appropriate temperature range from the time of manufacture of the low-voltage battery 30 to the time of processing step S61. Then, the execution unit 91 calculates a larger value as the first index value IV1 the longer the accumulated period. Note that the appropriate temperature range defines a temperature range that is preferable as an environment in which the low-voltage battery 30 is used. The executing device 91 also acquires, as the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30, a first count, which is the number of times that power was supplied from the solar panel 10 to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20 during power generation control from the time the low-voltage battery 30 was manufactured to the time the processing of step S61 was performed. Furthermore, the executing device 91 acquires, as the usage history of the low-voltage battery 30, a second count, which is the number of times that power was supplied from the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 during power generation control from the time the low-voltage battery 30 was manufactured to the time the processing of step S61 was performed. The executing device 91 then calculates a larger value as the first index value IV1 the larger the first count and the larger the second count. After step S61, the executing device 91 proceeds to the process at step S62.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In step S63, the executing unit 91 sets a specified range RS, which is the range of input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery 30, based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Specifically, the executing unit 91 calculates a smaller input upper limit value LI, which is the upper limit value of power input to the low-voltage battery 30, as the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2 are larger. Here, when the flow of power input to the low-voltage battery 30 is used as a reference, the value of the input upper limit value LI is a positive value. Furthermore, the executing unit 91 calculates a smaller output upper limit value LO, which is the upper limit value of power output from the low-voltage battery 30, as the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2 are larger. Here, when the flow of power output from the low-voltage battery 30 is used as a reference, the value of the output upper limit value LO is a positive value. In other words, when the flow of power input to the low-voltage battery 30 is used as a reference, the value of the output upper limit value LO is a negative value. Therefore, when the flow of power input to the low-voltage battery 30 is used as a reference, the input upper limit value LI corresponds to the upper limit of the specified range RS. The output upper limit value LO corresponds to the lower limit of the specified range RS. Therefore, the executing unit 91 narrows the specified range RS as the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2 increase. In other words, when the first index value IV1 is a first value, the executing unit 91 narrows the specified range RS compared to 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 executing unit 91 narrows the specified range RS compared to 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 executing unit 91 ends the current setting control.

[0041] <Operation of this embodiment> As shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 4, during power generation control, it is assumed that power generated by the solar panel 10 is supplied to the second power line 72 via the first power line 71 and the solar converter 20. Also, as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 4, it is assumed that power is supplied to the high-voltage battery 50 via the fourth power line 74 and the bidirectional converter 40. Here, if the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 is greater than the sum of the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60, power is input to the low-voltage battery 30, as shown by the dash-dot arrow in Fig. 4. On the other hand, if the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 is smaller than the sum of the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60, power is output from the low-voltage battery 30, as shown by the dash-dot arrow in Fig. 4. In this way, the input and output power to and from the low-voltage battery 30 varies depending on the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72, the power input to the bidirectional converter 40, and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60. Also, assume that the operation of the bidirectional converter 40 is stopped. In this case, the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 varies depending on the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 and the power input to the auxiliary machinery group 60. Therefore, in the vehicle 100, the magnitude of the input and output power to and from the low-voltage battery 30 can vary depending on various factors.

[0042] 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 a specified range RS, which is the range of input / output power for the low-voltage battery 30, based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2.

[0043] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) According to this embodiment, in the setting control, the specified range RS is set based on the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2. Then, in the power generation control, the input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery 30 is adjusted in accordance with the specified range RS. This makes it possible to adjust the input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery 30 in accordance with the first index value IV1 and the second index value IV2, in other words, in accordance with the state of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0044] (2) In the setting control, when the first index value IV1 is a first value, the execution device 91 narrows the specified range RS compared to when the first index value IV1 is a second value indicating that the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is less than the first value. Therefore, when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is large, the specified range RS is narrower compared to when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is small. This makes it possible to narrow the specified range RS when the degree of degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is large, in other words, in a situation where further degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 is difficult to tolerate. Note that narrowing the specified range RS in this way can suppress degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 compared to when the specified range RS is large.

[0045] (3) In the vehicle 100, the more times that power is supplied from the solar panel 10 to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20, the greater the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30. Also, the more times that power is supplied from the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40, the greater the degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery 30.

[0046] In this regard, in the setting control, when acquiring the first index value IV1, the executing device 91 acquires a first count, which is the number of times that power was supplied from the solar panel 10 to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20 during the power generation control. Furthermore, the executing device 91 acquires a second count, which is the number of times that power was supplied from the low-voltage battery 30 to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 during the power generation control. The executing device 91 then calculates a larger value as the first index value IV1 the greater the first count and the larger the second count. 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.

[0047] (4) In the setting control, when the second index value IV2 is a first value, the execution device 91 narrows the specified range RS compared to when the second index value IV2 is a second value indicating 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 range RS is narrower compared to when the low-voltage battery 30 is less susceptible to degradation. This makes it possible to narrow the specified range RS 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. Note that when the specified range RS is narrowed in this way, degradation of the low-voltage battery 30 can be suppressed compared to when the specified range RS is wide.

[0048] (5) As shown in FIG. 2 , in the setting control, the executing device 91 proceeds to step S31 if power is being input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 and power from the solar panel 10 is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20. In step S31, the executing device 91 controls the power input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 to adjust the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than an input upper limit value LI. Furthermore, if power is being input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 and power from the solar panel 10 is not being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20, the executing device 91 proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the executing device 91 controls the power input to the high-voltage battery 50 via the bidirectional converter 40 to adjust the power output from the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than an output upper limit value LO. When the bidirectional converter 40 is operating in this manner, the bidirectional converter 40 is controlled to adjust the input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery 30. Therefore, compared to when the solar converter 20 is controlled, for example, changes in the conversion efficiency of the solar converter 20 caused by adjustments to the input / output power to the low-voltage battery 30 are suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power supplied from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 caused by adjustments to the input / output power to the low-voltage battery 30.

[0049] Furthermore, if the bidirectional converter 40 is not operating and power from the solar panel 10 is being input to the low-voltage battery 30 via the solar converter 20, the execution device 91 proceeds to step S51. In step S51, the execution device 91 controls the power output from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72, thereby adjusting the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than the input upper limit value LI. In this way, when the bidirectional converter 40 is not operating, the solar converter 20 is controlled to adjust the power input to the low-voltage battery 30. Therefore, even when the bidirectional converter 40 is not operating, the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 can be adjusted.

[0050] <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.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the power generation control may be changed. For example, the way in which the generated power value PG is acquired 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 converter 20 to the second power line 72 as the generated power value PG.

[0052] For example, in step S31, the way in which the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 is adjusted may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 may control the solar converter 20 instead of or in addition to controlling the bidirectional converter 40. That is, the execution device 91 may adjust the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than the input upper limit value LI by controlling the power output from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72.

[0053] For example, the way in which the power output from the low-voltage battery 30 is adjusted in step S32 may be changed. As a specific example, assume that there is room to increase the power output from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72 at the time of processing in step S32. In this case, the execution device 91 may control the solar converter 20 instead of or in addition to controlling the bidirectional converter 40. In other words, the execution device 91 may adjust the power output from the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than the output upper limit value LO by controlling the power output from the solar converter 20 to the second power line 72.

[0054] For example, in step S41, the bidirectional converter 40 may be operated. As a specific example, if the auxiliary machinery group 60 requires a relatively large amount of power, in step S41, the execution device 91 may step down the power input to the bidirectional converter 40 via the fifth power line 75 and supply it to the fourth power line 74. In the above case, in step S51, the execution device 91 may control the bidirectional converter 40 instead of or in addition to controlling the solar converter 20. That is, the execution device 91 may adjust the power input to the low-voltage battery 30 to be equal to or less than the input upper limit value LI by controlling the power output from the bidirectional converter 40 to the fourth power line 74.

[0055] 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 history of the battery temperature TB and the history of the use 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 history of the battery temperature TB and the history of the use of the low-voltage battery 30. Note that examples of the other value include the total number of times power has been 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, the history of current input and output to and from the low-voltage battery 30, and the history of the terminal voltage of the low-voltage battery 30. Also, examples of the other value include the battery capacity and internal resistance of the low-voltage battery 30 at the time of processing step S61.

[0056] 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 charging rate of the low-voltage battery 30, and the ambient temperature of the low-voltage battery 30 at the time of processing step S62.

[0057] For example, the way in which the specified range RS is set in step S63 may be changed. As a specific example, the execution device 91 may make the specified range RS smaller when the first index value IV1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value, compared to when the first index value IV1 is less than the first reference value. Also, as a specific example, the execution device 91 may make the specified range RS smaller when the second index value IV2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value, compared to when the second index value IV2 is less than the second reference value.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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]

[0060] 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 IV1...First index value IV2...Second index value LI...Input upper limit value LO...Output upper limit value RS...Specified range

Claims

1. A solar panel that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight, a first converter capable of converting the voltage of the power from the solar panel and outputting the converted voltage; a low-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the first converter; a second converter capable of converting voltages of the electric power from the first converter and the low-voltage battery and outputting the converted voltages; a high-voltage battery that can be charged by receiving power from the second converter; The present invention relates to a charging system including: obtaining a first index value indicating a degree of deterioration of the low-voltage battery; obtaining a second index value indicating whether the state of the low-voltage battery is prone to deterioration; setting a specified range that is a range of input / output power to / from the low-voltage battery based on the first index value and the second index value; Run Charging system control device.

2. When the first index value is a first value, the specified range is narrowed 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. Run 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 that power is supplied from the solar panel to the low-voltage battery via the first converter and the number of times that power is supplied from the low-voltage battery to the high-voltage battery via the second converter; Run The control device for a charging system according to claim 2 .

4. When the second index value is a first value, the specified range is narrower than when the second index value is a second value indicating that the low-voltage battery is less susceptible to deterioration than the first value. Run The control device for a charging system according to claim 1 .

5. When power is input to the high-voltage battery via the second converter and power from the solar panel is input to the low-voltage battery via the first converter, adjusting the power input to the low-voltage battery by controlling the power input to the high-voltage battery via the second converter; When power is input to the high-voltage battery via the second converter and power from the solar panel is not input to the low-voltage battery via the first converter, adjusting the power output from the low-voltage battery by controlling the power input to the high-voltage battery via the second converter; When the second converter is not operating and the power from the solar panel is being input to the low-voltage battery via the first converter, adjusting the power input to the low-voltage battery by controlling the power output from the first converter; Run The control device for a charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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