Vehicle-mounted power supply device

The in-vehicle power supply system uses switch units and a control unit to manage current flow, addressing the risk of reverse current from external batteries, ensuring safe and controlled power transfer and charging.

JP2026055131APending Publication Date: 2026-03-31AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD +3
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-18
Publication Date
2026-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing in-vehicle power supply systems face challenges in safely connecting external batteries due to the risk of current flowing into the external battery when the negative terminal is accidentally connected to the rescue terminal, which can lead to potential damage.

Method used

The system incorporates a first and second switch unit between the power supply and energy storage units, an intermediate conductive path, and a rescue terminal, with switch units controlling current flow to prevent reverse current from entering the external battery, and a control unit managing switch states based on voltage detection.

Benefits of technology

Prevents current from flowing into the external battery, ensuring safe and controlled power transfer from the external battery to the in-vehicle system, while allowing normal voltage output and charging operations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026055131000001_ABST
    Figure 2026055131000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This technology provides a way to prevent current from flowing into an external battery. [Solution] The in-vehicle power supply device 10 includes a first switch unit 11 provided between the power supply unit 2 and the energy storage unit 3, a second switch unit 12 provided between the first switch unit 11 and the energy storage unit 3, an intermediate conductive path 35 provided between the first switch unit 11 and the second switch unit 12, and a rescue terminal 17 connected to the intermediate conductive path 35. When the first switch unit 11 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the power supply unit 2 to the intermediate conductive path 35, and when it is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the power supply unit 2 to the intermediate conductive path 35. When the second switch unit 12 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the energy storage unit 3 to the intermediate conductive path 35, and when it is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the energy storage unit 3 to the intermediate conductive path 35.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle power supply device.

Background Art

[0002] The power supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first system and a second system as power systems. The first system includes a first power output part, and the second system includes a second power output part. The first power output part and the second power output part are each a power storage device. The power supply system includes a first path and a second path as main paths. The first path and the second path connect the first power output part and the second power output part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the first power output part or the second power output part runs out of battery, it is necessary to get help from a battery outside the vehicle. However, depending on the position and structure of the battery, it may be difficult to directly connect a booster cable to the terminals of the battery that constitutes the first power output part or the second power output part. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a rescue terminal for connecting an external battery to the first path or the second path. However, in this configuration, if the negative terminal of the external battery is accidentally connected to the rescue terminal, there is a risk of current flowing into the external battery.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of preventing current from flowing into an external battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The in-vehicle power supply device of this disclosure is A first switch unit is provided between the power supply unit and the energy storage unit, A second switch unit is provided between the first switch unit and the energy storage unit, An intermediate conductive path provided between the first switch section and the second switch section, It comprises a rescue terminal connected to the intermediate conductive path, The first switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path. The second switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side, and when in the OFF state, it interrupts the current flowing from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the technology disclosed herein, it is possible to prevent current from flowing into an external battery. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle system 1 equipped with an in-vehicle power supply device 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the positive terminal 91 of the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the third switch unit 13, the fourth switch unit 14, and the load-side switch unit 16A are switched to the ON state in the state shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the power supply unit 2 starts supplying power in the state shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the external battery 90 is disconnected from the rescue terminal 17 in the state shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the first switch unit 11, the second switch unit 12, and the fifth switch unit 15 are switched to the ON state in the state shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the current flow when the negative terminal 92 of the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] [1] A first switch unit provided between the power supply unit and the energy storage unit, A second switch unit is provided between the first switch unit and the energy storage unit, An intermediate conductive path provided between the first switch section and the second switch section, It comprises a rescue terminal connected to the intermediate conductive path, The first switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path. The second switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side, and when in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side. In-vehicle power supply device.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the positive terminal of an external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, power from the external battery is supplied to the in-vehicle power supply device. However, if the negative terminal of the external battery is accidentally connected to the rescue terminal, there is concern that current may flow from the power supply unit or the power storage unit into the external battery. However, according to the above configuration, the first switch unit can prevent current from flowing from the power supply unit into the external battery, and the second switch unit can prevent current from flowing from the power storage unit into the external battery.

[0012] 〔2〕When the second switch unit is in the on state, it allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path side to the power storage unit side. It includes a control unit that is activated upon receiving power supply from the external battery when the external battery is connected to the rescue terminal. When the control unit is activated, it switches the first switch unit and the second switch unit to the on state. The in-vehicle power supply device according to 〔1〕.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when an external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, it is possible to allow current to flow from the power supply unit side to the power storage unit side via the first switch unit and the second switch unit.

[0014] 〔3〕When the external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, the power supply unit starts power supply. After the control unit is activated, when the external battery is removed from the rescue terminal, it switches the first switch unit and the second switch unit to the on state upon receiving power supply from the power supply unit. The in-vehicle power supply device according to 〔2〕.

[0015] If the first and second switches are switched to the ON position while the external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, and power is supplied from the power supply unit to the energy storage unit, there is a risk that current from the power supply unit may flow into the external battery. With the above configuration, the control unit switches the first and second switches to the ON position after startup when the external battery is disconnected from the rescue terminal. Therefore, it is possible to allow current to flow from the power supply unit to the energy storage unit while preventing current from flowing from the power supply unit to the external battery.

[0016] [4] The power supply unit comprises a battery and a voltage conversion unit that performs a conversion operation to increase or decrease the voltage input from the battery and output it, and the power supply is provided by the voltage conversion unit performing the conversion operation. The vehicle-mounted power supply device described in [3].

[0017] With the above configuration, the output voltage of the power supply unit can be adjusted by the voltage conversion unit.

[0018] [5] A third switch section provided between the rescue terminal and the intermediate conductive path, A terminal-side conductive path is provided between the third switch section and the rescue terminal, A branch path that branches off from the aforementioned terminal-side conductive path, When an external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, the control unit starts up by receiving power from the external battery via the branch circuit, Equipped with, The third switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the rescue terminal side to the intermediate conductive path side, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the rescue terminal side to the intermediate conductive path side. The aforementioned third switch section is of the normally-off type, The control unit switches the third switch unit to the ON state when the voltage of the rescue terminal is within the normal range. An in-vehicle power supply device as described in any of [1] to [4].

[0019] According to the above configuration, the third switch is in the off state before the control unit is started. Therefore, even if an abnormal voltage is output from the external battery when it is connected to the rescue terminal, the third switch prevents the abnormal voltage from being output to the intermediate conductive path. Furthermore, after the external battery is connected to the rescue terminal and the control unit is started, the third switch is switched to the on state if the voltage at the rescue terminal is within the normal range. This prevents the abnormal voltage from being output to the intermediate conductive path and allows a normal voltage to be output to the intermediate conductive path.

[0020] [6] The first switch section and the second switch section are FETs. An in-vehicle power supply device as described in any of [1] to [5].

[0021] With the above configuration, when the first switch unit is in the off state, it is possible to allow current to flow from the intermediate conductive path side to the power supply unit side, and when the second switch unit is in the off state, it is possible to allow current to flow from the intermediate conductive path side to the energy storage unit side.

[0022] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Configuration of In-Vehicle System 1 The in-vehicle system 1 shown in Figure 1 is a system mounted on a vehicle. The in-vehicle system 1 comprises a power supply unit 2, an energy storage unit 3, loads 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and an in-vehicle power supply device 10. The power supply unit 2 and loads 4A, 4B, 4C constitute a first power supply system. The energy storage unit 3 and loads 4D, 4E, 4F constitute a second power supply system.

[0023] The power supply unit 2 includes a battery 2A, a voltage conversion unit 2B, and a relay 2C. Battery 2A is, for example, a high-voltage battery. The fully charged voltage of battery 2A is greater than the fully charged voltage of the energy storage unit 3. The voltage conversion unit 2B performs a conversion operation to boost or step down the voltage input from the battery 2A and output it. The voltage conversion unit 2B is, for example, a DC-DC converter. The power supply unit 2 supplies power to the first conductive path 31 by the conversion operation of the voltage conversion unit 2B. The relay 2C is, for example, a system main relay. The relay 2C is installed between the battery 2A and the voltage conversion unit 2B. When the relay 2C is ON, it allows current to flow from the battery 2A to the voltage conversion unit 2B, and when it is OFF, it cuts off the current flowing from the battery 2A to the voltage conversion unit 2B. The relay 2C is a normally-off type.

[0024] The energy storage unit 3 is, for example, a low-voltage battery. The positive terminal of the energy storage unit 3 is electrically connected to the second conductive path 32. The negative terminal of the energy storage unit 3 is electrically connected to the ground 30.

[0025] The in-vehicle power supply device 10 includes a first switch unit 11, a second switch unit 12, a third switch unit 13, a fourth switch unit 14, a fifth switch unit 15, load-side switch units 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, a rescue terminal 17, a ground terminal 18, a first conductive path 31, a second conductive path 32, an intermediate conductive path 35, a terminal-side conductive path 36, a first branch path 41, a second branch path 42, a third branch path 43, load-side conductive paths 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, voltage detection units 51, 52, and a control unit 53.

[0026] The first switch section 11, the second switch section 12, the third switch section 13, the fourth switch section 14, the fifth switch section 15, and the load-side switch sections 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F (hereinafter also referred to as switch sections 11-16F) are, for example, FETs (Field Effect Transistors). Switch sections 11-16F are normally-off type.

[0027] The first switch unit 11 is provided between the power supply unit 2 and the energy storage unit 3. The second switch unit 12 is provided between the first switch unit 11 and the energy storage unit 3. A first conductive path 31 is provided between the first switch unit 11 and the power supply unit 2. A second conductive path 32 is provided between the second switch unit 12 and the energy storage unit 3. An intermediate conductive path 35 is provided between the first switch unit 11 and the second switch unit 12.

[0028] When the first switch unit 11 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the power supply unit 2 to the intermediate conductive path 35 through itself, and allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the power supply unit 2 through itself. When the first switch unit 11 is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the power supply unit 2 to the intermediate conductive path through itself, and allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the power supply unit 2 through itself.

[0029] When the second switch unit 12 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the energy storage unit 3 to the intermediate conductive path 35 through itself, and also allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the energy storage unit 3 through itself. When the second switch unit 12 is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the energy storage unit 3 to the intermediate conductive path 35 through itself, and also allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the energy storage unit 3 through itself.

[0030] The rescue terminal 17 is electrically connected to the intermediate conductive path 35. The rescue terminal 17 and the ground terminal 18 are electrically connected to the external battery 90. The ground terminal 18 is electrically connected to the ground 30.

[0031] The third switch unit 13 is provided between the rescue terminal 17 and the intermediate conductive path 35. When the third switch unit 13 is ON, it allows current to flow from the rescue terminal 17 to the intermediate conductive path 35 through it, and also allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the rescue terminal 17 through it. When the third switch unit 13 is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the rescue terminal 17 to the intermediate conductive path 35 through it, and also allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the rescue terminal 17 through it.

[0032] The fourth switch unit 14 is provided in the first conductive path 31. When the fourth switch unit 14 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the first switch unit 11 to the power supply unit 2 through itself, and allows current to flow from the power supply unit 2 to the first switch unit 11 through itself. When the fourth switch unit 14 is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the first switch unit 11 to the power supply unit 2 through itself, and allows current to flow from the power supply unit 2 to the first switch unit 11 through itself.

[0033] The fifth switch unit 15 is provided in the second conductive path 32. When the fifth switch unit 15 is in the ON state, it allows current to flow from the second switch unit 12 to the energy storage unit 3 through itself, and allows current to flow from the energy storage unit 3 to the second switch unit 12 through itself. When the fifth switch unit 15 is in the OFF state, it blocks the current flowing from the second switch unit 12 to the energy storage unit 3 through itself, and allows current to flow from the energy storage unit 3 to the second switch unit 12 through itself.

[0034] The first branch line 41 branches off from the first conductive line 31 and is electrically connected to the control unit 53. The first branch line 41 branches off from the first conductive line 31 on the power supply unit 2 side of the fourth switch unit 14. The second branch line 42 branches off from the second conductive line 32 and is electrically connected to the control unit 53. The second branch line 42 branches off from the second conductive line 32 on the energy storage unit 3 side of the fifth switch unit 15. A terminal-side conductive line 36 is provided between the third switch unit 13 and the rescue terminal 17. The third branch line 43 branches off from the terminal-side conductive line 36 and is electrically connected to the control unit 53. The third branch line 43 is an example of a branch line.

[0035] Each of the load-side conductive paths 44A, 44B, and 44C branches off from the first conductive path 31 on the side of the first switch section 11 rather than the fourth switch section 14.

[0036] Load 4A is electrically connected to the first conductive path 31 via load-side conductive path 44A. A load-side switch unit 16A is provided on the load-side conductive path 44A. When the load-side switch unit 16A is ON, it allows current to flow from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4A through it. When the load-side switch unit 16A is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4A through it.

[0037] Load 4B is electrically connected to the first conductive path 31 via load-side conductive path 44B. A load-side switch unit 16B is provided on the load-side conductive path 44B. When the load-side switch unit 16B is ON, it allows current to flow from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4B through it. When the load-side switch unit 16B is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4B through it.

[0038] Load 4C is electrically connected to the first conductive path 31 via load-side conductive path 44C. A load-side switch unit 16C is provided on the load-side conductive path 44C. When the load-side switch unit 16C is ON, it allows current to flow from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4C through it. When the load-side switch unit 16C is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the first conductive path 31 to the load 4C through it.

[0039] Each of the load-side conductive paths 44D, 44E, and 44F branches off from the second conductive path 32 on the side of the second switch section 12 rather than the fifth switch section 15.

[0040] Load 4D is electrically connected to the second conductive path 32 via load-side conductive path 44D. A load-side switch unit 16D is provided on the load-side conductive path 44D. When the load-side switch unit 16D is ON, it allows current to flow from the second conductive path 32 to the load 4D through it. When the load-side switch unit 16D is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the second conductive path 32 to the load 4D through it.

[0041] Load 4E is electrically connected to the second conductive path 32 via load-side conductive path 44E. A load-side switch unit 16E is provided on the load-side conductive path 44E. When the load-side switch unit 16E is ON, it allows current to flow from the second conductive path 32 to the load 4E through it. When the load-side switch unit 16E is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the second conductive path 32 to the load 4E through it.

[0042] Load 4F is electrically connected to the second conductive circuit 32 via load-side conductive circuit 44F. A load-side switch unit 16F is provided on the load-side conductive circuit 44F. When the load-side switch unit 16F is ON, it allows current to flow from the second conductive circuit 32 to the load 4F through it. When the load-side switch unit 16F is OFF, it blocks the current flowing from the second conductive circuit 32 to the load 4F through it.

[0043] The voltage detection unit 51 detects the voltage of the rescue terminal 17. The voltage detection unit 51 also detects, for example, the voltage of the terminal-side conductive path 36. The voltage detection unit 52 detects the output voltage of the power supply unit 2. The output voltage of the power supply unit 2 is the output voltage of the voltage conversion unit 2B. The voltage detection unit 52 also detects the voltage of the first conductive path 31, for example, on the power supply unit 2 side of the fourth switch unit 14. The voltage detection units 51 and 52 are configured, for example, by known voltage detection circuits. The voltage detection units 51 and 52 output signals indicating the detection results.

[0044] The control unit 53 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer. The microcomputer has memory, a CPU, and the like. The control unit 53 is implemented, for example, by the CPU executing a computer program stored in memory. However, the control unit 53 is not limited to this software-based configuration; it may also be configured by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0045] The control unit 53 identifies the voltage of the rescue terminal 17 based on the signal output from the voltage detection unit 51. The control unit 53 identifies the output voltage of the power supply unit 2 based on the signal output from the voltage detection unit 52.

[0046] The control unit 53 can receive power from the power supply unit 2 via the first branch line 41. The control unit 53 can receive power from the energy storage unit 3 via the second branch line 42. When the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17, the control unit 53 can receive power from the external battery 90 via the third branch line 43. The control unit 53 starts up when it receives power. The control unit 53 controls the switch units 11 to 16F.

[0047] 1-2. Example of operation of in-vehicle system 1 The in-vehicle system 1 is a system that can charge the power storage unit 3 using an external battery 90 if the vehicle fails to switch to the starting state due to insufficient charge in the power storage unit 3. The operation when the power storage unit 3 is insufficiently charged will be described below.

[0048] If the vehicle does not switch to the starting state due to insufficient charge in the power storage unit 3, the power storage unit 3 does not supply the control unit 53 with the power necessary for starting. Also, since the voltage conversion unit 2B is stopped and the relay 2C is off, the power supply unit 2 also does not supply the control unit 53 with the power necessary for starting. Therefore, the control unit 53 remains in the off state.

[0049] In this state, as shown in Figure 2, the positive terminal 91 of the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17 via cable 93, and the negative terminal 92 of the external battery 90 is connected to the ground terminal 18 via cable 94. As a result, power is supplied from the external battery 90 to the control unit 53 via the terminal-side conductive path 36 and the third branch path 43, and the control unit 53 starts up.

[0050] When the control unit 53 is activated, it determines whether the voltage at the rescue terminal 17 is within the normal range. For example, the control unit 53 determines that the voltage at the rescue terminal 17 is within the normal range if it is below the overvoltage threshold. If the control unit 53 determines that the voltage at the rescue terminal 17 is not within the normal range, it keeps the third switch unit 13 in the off state. If the control unit 53 determines that the voltage at the rescue terminal 17 is within the normal range, it switches the third switch unit 13 and the load-side switch unit 16A to the on state, as shown in Figure 3. As a result, power is supplied from the external battery 90 to the load 4A. The control unit 53 also switches the fourth switch unit 14 to the on state.

[0051] In this embodiment, load 4A is an ECU that controls the power supply unit 2 (specifically, the voltage conversion unit 2B and the relay 2C). When load 4A is started by receiving power from the external battery 90, it switches the relay 2C to the ON state, as shown in Figure 4, causing the voltage conversion unit 2B to perform the conversion operation. As a result, power from the power supply unit 2 is supplied to the first conductive path 31, and then supplied to the control unit 53 via the first conductive path 31. The current flowing from the power supply unit 2 is interrupted by the first switch unit 11 and is not supplied to the external battery 90.

[0052] If the external battery 90 is disconnected from the rescue terminal 17 in this state, the control unit 53 and load 4A will maintain their running state by receiving power from the power supply unit 2, as shown in Figure 5.

[0053] After startup, the control unit 53 repeatedly determines whether the external battery 90 has been disconnected from the rescue terminal 17. For example, the control unit 53 determines whether the external battery 90 has been disconnected from the rescue terminal 17 based on the voltage of the rescue terminal 17. For example, the control unit 53 determines that the external battery 90 has been disconnected from the rescue terminal 17 when the voltage of the rescue terminal 17 falls below a connection determination threshold. The connection determination threshold is, for example, 0V.

[0054] When the control unit 53 determines that the external battery 90 has been disconnected from the rescue terminal 17, it switches the first switch unit 11, the second switch unit 12, and the fifth switch unit 15 to the ON state, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the energy storage unit 3, and the energy storage unit 3 is charged.

[0055] 1-3. Effects of the vehicle-mounted power supply device 10 According to the in-vehicle power supply device 10, power from the external battery 90 is supplied to the in-vehicle power supply device 10 when the positive terminal 91 of the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17 and the negative terminal 92 is connected to the ground terminal 18. However, if, by mistake, as shown in Figure 7, the negative terminal 92 is connected to the rescue terminal 17 and the positive terminal 91 is connected to the ground terminal 18, there is a concern that current will flow from the power supply unit 2 or the energy storage unit 3 to the external battery 90. However, according to the in-vehicle power supply device 10, the first switch unit 11 can prevent current from flowing from the power supply unit 2 to the external battery 90, and the second switch unit 12 can prevent current from flowing from the energy storage unit 3 to the external battery 90.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 53 starts up when the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17 and receives power from the external battery 90. When the control unit 53 starts up, it switches the first switch unit 11, the second switch unit 12, and the fifth switch unit 15 to the ON state. With this configuration, when the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17, it is possible to allow current to flow from the power supply unit 2 to the energy storage unit 3 via the first switch unit 11, the second switch unit 12, and the fifth switch unit 15.

[0057] Furthermore, the power supply unit 2 starts supplying power when the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17. After startup, if the external battery 90 is disconnected from the rescue terminal 17, the control unit 53 receives power from the power supply unit 2 and switches the first switch unit 11 and the second switch unit 12 to the ON state. If the first switch unit 11 and the second switch unit 12 are switched to the ON state and power is supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the energy storage unit 3 while the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17, there is a risk that current from the power supply unit 2 will flow into the external battery 90. With this configuration, after startup, if the external battery 90 is disconnected from the rescue terminal 17, the control unit 53 switches the first switch unit 11 and the second switch unit 12 to the ON state. Therefore, it is possible to allow current to flow from the power supply unit to the energy storage unit while avoiding current from the power supply unit 2 flowing into the external battery 90.

[0058] Furthermore, the power supply unit 2 includes a battery 2A and a voltage conversion unit 2B that performs a conversion operation to boost or step down the voltage input from the battery 2A and output it. Power is supplied by the voltage conversion unit 2B performing the conversion operation. With this configuration, the output voltage of the power supply unit 2 can be adjusted by the voltage conversion unit 2B.

[0059] Furthermore, the third switch unit 13 is in the off state before the control unit 53 is activated. Therefore, even if an abnormal voltage is output from the external battery 90 when it is connected to the rescue terminal 17, the third switch unit 13 prevents the abnormal voltage from being output to the intermediate conductive path 35. In addition, after the external battery 90 is connected to the rescue terminal 17 and activated, the control unit 53 switches the third switch unit 13 to the ON state if the voltage at the rescue terminal 17 is within the normal range. This prevents an abnormal voltage from being output to the intermediate conductive path 35 and allows a normal voltage to be output to the intermediate conductive path 35.

[0060] Furthermore, the first switch section 11 and the second switch section 12 are FETs. With this configuration, when the first switch section 11 is in the off state, it is possible to allow current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the power supply section 2, and when the second switch section 12 is in the off state, it is possible to allow current to flow from the intermediate conductive path 35 to the energy storage section 3.

[0061] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, any combination of the features of the embodiments described above or below is possible as long as it does not contradict each other. Furthermore, any feature of the embodiments described above or below may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. In addition, the embodiments described above may be modified as follows.

[0062] In the first embodiment described above, the power supply unit 2 had a configuration that included a battery 2A and a voltage conversion unit 2B, but it may have a different configuration. For example, the power supply unit may have a configuration that includes an alternator.

[0063] If the external battery 90 is disconnected from the rescue terminal 17 before the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is sufficient, the control unit 53 will turn off. To avoid this situation, the user may be notified that the external battery 90 should not be removed when the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is insufficient. The determination of whether the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is sufficient may be made, for example, based on the output voltage of the power supply unit 2. For example, the control unit 53 may determine that the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is insufficient when the output voltage of the power supply unit 2 is below the target voltage, and determine that the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is sufficient when the output voltage of the power supply unit 2 is equal to or greater than the target voltage. When the control unit 53 determines whether the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is sufficient, it is preferable to keep the fourth switch unit 14 in the off state so that current from the external battery 90 does not flow into the power supply unit 2. In this case, the control unit 53 may, for example, switch the fourth switch unit 14 to the ON state at the same time that the first switch unit 11, the second switch unit 12, and the fifth switch unit 15 are switched to the ON state after the external battery 90 has been disconnected from the rescue terminal 17. Alternatively, when the power supply from the power supply unit 2 is sufficient, the control unit 53 may stop the notification prohibiting the removal of the external battery 90, or it may notify the user of information prompting the removal of the external battery 90. As a notification method, for example, the load 4B may be designated as the notification unit, and the control unit 53 may switch the load-side switch unit 16B to the ON state to make a notification from the notification unit. The notification unit may be, for example, a display or a speaker.

[0064] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1…In-vehicle systems 2…Power supply section 2A… Battery 2B...Voltage conversion section 2C… Relay 3…Energy storage unit 4A...Load 4B...Load 4C...Load 4D...Load 4E…Load 4F...Load 10…In-vehicle power supply device 11…First switch section 12…Second switch section 13…Third switch section 14…4th switch section 15…5th switch section 16A...Load-side switch section 16B...Load-side switch section 16C...Load-side switch section 16D...Load-side switch section 16E...Load-side switch section 16F...Load-side switch section 17…Relief terminal 18...Ground terminal 30… Ground 31…First conductive path 32...Second conductive circuit 35…Intermediate conductive path 36...Conductive path on the terminal side 41...First fork in the road 42...Second fork in the road 43...Third junction (junction) 44A…Load-side conductive path 44B…Load side conductive path 44C…Load side conductive path 44D…Load side conductive path 44E…Load side conductive path 44F…Load side conductive path 51...Voltage detection unit 52...Voltage detection unit 53…Control Unit 90…External battery 91... Positive terminal 92... Negative terminal 93… Cable 94… Cable

Claims

1. A first switch unit is provided between the power supply unit and the energy storage unit, A second switch unit is provided between the first switch unit and the energy storage unit, An intermediate conductive path is provided between the first switch section and the second switch section, It comprises a rescue terminal connected to the intermediate conductive path, The first switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the power supply unit to the intermediate conductive path. The second switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the energy storage unit side to the intermediate conductive path side. In-vehicle power supply device.

2. The second switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the intermediate conductive path side to the energy storage unit side. The control unit is equipped with a power supply from an external battery that activates when an external battery is connected to the rescue terminal. When the control unit is activated, it switches the first switch unit and the second switch unit to the ON state. The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to claim 1.

3. The power supply unit starts supplying power when the external battery is connected to the rescue terminal. After startup, if the external battery is disconnected from the rescue terminal, the control unit receives power from the power supply unit and switches the first switch unit and the second switch unit to the ON state. The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to claim 2.

4. The power supply unit comprises a battery and a voltage conversion unit that performs a conversion operation to boost or lower the voltage input from the battery and output it, and the voltage conversion unit supplies power by performing the conversion operation. The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to claim 3.

5. A third switch section is provided between the rescue terminal and the intermediate conductive path, A terminal-side conductive path is provided between the third switch section and the rescue terminal, A branch path that branches off from the aforementioned terminal-side conductive path, When an external battery is connected to the rescue terminal, the control unit starts up by receiving power from the external battery via the branch circuit, Equipped with, The third switch unit, when in the ON state, allows current to flow from the rescue terminal side to the intermediate conductive path side, and when in the OFF state, blocks the current flowing from the rescue terminal side to the intermediate conductive path side. The aforementioned third switch section is of the normally-off type. The control unit switches the third switch unit to the ON state when the voltage of the rescue terminal is within the normal range. An in-vehicle power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first switch section and the second switch section are FETs. An in-vehicle power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Power supply system

    JP2019062727A