control device

Abstract

This prevents the battery from starting to charge against the user's intention while it is in charging standby mode with a set charging start time. [Solution] The control device includes a setting unit that sets the battery charging start time by user operation, an acquisition unit that acquires the temperature of the battery, and a control unit that, if the charging start time is set, waits to start charging the battery until the charging start time, and if the temperature of the battery falls below a predetermined temperature during the waiting period and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, drives a heater that raises the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, while keeping the charging of the battery on standby, and performs temperature adjustment control so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery charging system for an electric vehicle that includes a charging connector to which a charging plug of an external power source is connected and is capable of external charging for charging a battery with the external power source, the battery charging system including a charging control unit that controls the external charging, an external charging timer that can set an external charging start time by a user's operation, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires a battery temperature, and a heater that raises the temperature of the battery. When the external charging start time is set in the external charging timer at the time of plug-in when the charging plug is connected to the charging connector, the charging control unit sets standby for external charging before the external charging start time and transitions to a standby state, intermittently starts during a timer charging setting period from the standby period start time when transitioning to the standby state to the external charging start time, and can execute a temperature-raising mode of operating the heater to raise the temperature of the battery when the battery temperature at startup is below a predetermined temperature. Further, when executing the temperature-raising mode, the charging control unit cancels the standby setting of the external charging and executes a temperature-raising charging mode for performing the external charging. A battery charging system for an electric vehicle is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, for example, a timer is used to set the start time for charging a vehicle's drive battery. If the battery temperature falls below a predetermined temperature while charging is in standby mode, the timer is released to start charging and the battery temperature is raised to prevent battery degradation. In this case, there was a problem in that charging started at a time contrary to the user's intention.

[0005] This disclosure provides a control device that can prevent charging from starting against the user's intention while the battery is in charging standby mode with a set charging start time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a setting unit that sets a charging start time for a battery by user operation; an acquisition unit that acquires the temperature of the battery; and, if the charging start time has been set, a control unit that waits to charge the battery until the charging start time, and if the temperature of the battery falls below a predetermined temperature and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, a control unit that, while keeping charging of the battery on standby, drives a heater to raise the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, and performs temperature adjustment control so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent charging from starting against the user's intention while the battery is in charging standby mode with a set charging start time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control device. [Figure 2] This is a configuration diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device. [Figure 3] This is a timing chart of the charging state and temperature control when a charging start time is set according to a conventional example. [Figure 4]This is a timing chart of the charging state and temperature control when the charging start time according to this embodiment is set and the battery capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity. [Figure 5] This is a timing chart of the charging state and temperature control when the battery capacity is less than a predetermined capacity, while the charging start time according to this embodiment is set. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the control process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, one aspect of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described below, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the control device 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the control device 10 is, as an example, a device that controls the charging of a battery for driving an electric vehicle, and is described as a device mounted on a vehicle. Note that the battery controlled by the control device 10 is not limited to a battery for driving an electric vehicle.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the control device 10 includes a controller 12. The controller 12 consists of a device including a general-purpose computer.

[0013] The controller 12 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 12D. The CPU 12A, ROM 12B, RAM 12C, and I / O 12D are connected to each other via a bus 12E. The bus 12E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus.

[0014] Also, a memory unit 14, a battery 16, a power supply 18, and a heater 20 are connected to I / O 12D.

[0015] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile external storage device. As shown in FIG. 1, the memory unit 14 stores a control program 14A, charge start time data 14B, and the like.

[0016] The battery 16 is a battery that supplies power to a motor or the like for driving an electric vehicle (not shown). For example, it includes a lithium-ion battery, a temperature detection sensor for detecting the temperature of the lithium-ion battery, a SOC sensor for detecting the remaining capacity (SOC: State Of Charge) of the battery 16, and the like.

[0017] The power supply 18 is connected to the control device 10 when charging the battery 16 and is a power supply for normal charging or rapid charging.

[0018] The heater 20 is a heating device for raising the temperature of the battery 16. Also, the heater 20 is driven by the power supplied from the battery 16. The control device 10 drives the heater 20 so that the temperature of the battery 16 does not drop too much in order to prevent deterioration of the battery 16.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration realized by the CPU 12A of the control device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 12A functionally includes each functional unit of a setting unit 30, an acquisition unit 32, and a control unit 34.

[0020] The CPU 12A functions as each functional unit shown in FIG. 2 by reading and executing the control program 14A stored in the memory unit 14.

[0021] The setting unit 30 sets the charge start time of the battery 16 according to the user's operation. The set charge start time is stored in the memory unit 14 as charge start time data 14B.

[0022] The acquisition unit 32 acquires the temperature Tb of the battery 16 from a temperature sensor (not shown) included in the battery 16.

[0023] If a charging start time is set, the control unit 34 waits until the charging start time to begin charging the battery 16. If the temperature of the battery 16 falls below a predetermined temperature TH1 and the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity ST, the control unit 34 continues to wait to begin charging the battery 16 and drives the heater 20 to raise the temperature of the battery 16 with power corresponding to the remaining capacity SOC, performing temperature control so that the temperature Tb of the battery 16 becomes greater than or equal to the threshold temperature TH2.

[0024] Conventionally, as shown in Figure 3, for example, when the charging start time of the battery 16 is set to time t2 by a timer, if the temperature Tb of the battery 16 gradually decreases and falls below a predetermined temperature at time t1, a timer cancellation request is turned on to prevent degradation of the battery 16, the timer is canceled, and charging may start regardless of the user's intention. Here, the predetermined temperature TH1 is set to a range of, for example, -10℃ or higher and 0℃ or lower, but is not limited to this.

[0025] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, even if the temperature Tb of the battery 16 gradually decreases and falls below a predetermined temperature TH1 at time t1, the timer cancellation request remains off and the timer is not canceled, maintaining a standby state for charging. Therefore, charging of the battery 16 is delayed until the charging start time as intended by the user. If, during the charging standby period, the temperature Tb of the battery 16 falls below the predetermined temperature TH1 and the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity ST, the heater 20 is driven to raise the temperature of the battery 16 with power corresponding to the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16, while charging of the battery 16 remains on standby, and temperature control is performed so that the battery 16 reaches a threshold temperature TH2 or higher. Here, the predetermined capacity ST is set to, for example, 20%, but is not limited to this. Also, the threshold temperature TH2 is set to, for example, a range of 10°C or higher and 20°C or lower, but is not limited to this.

[0026] Thus, in this embodiment, even if the temperature of the battery 16 falls below a predetermined temperature TH1 during charging standby, if the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity ST, charging to the battery 16 is kept in standby mode, and temperature control is performed so that the temperature Tb of the battery 16 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2. This prevents charging from starting against the user's intention during charging standby, when a charging start time has been set. It also prevents the user from incurring unnecessary electricity costs.

[0027] As mentioned above, the heater 20 is powered by electricity supplied from the battery 16. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce power consumption while the battery is in standby mode.

[0028] Therefore, the control unit 34 may, during charging standby, terminate the temperature adjustment control at a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature TH2 when not charging standby, if the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is below a predetermined temperature TH1 and the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is above a predetermined capacity ST. At this time, the temperature adjustment control may be performed so that the remaining capacity SOC is maintained above a predetermined capacity ST until the charging start time. In other words, the temperature adjustment control may be performed so as to maintain the minimum temperature at which degradation of the battery 16 can be prevented. Here, the minimum temperature at which degradation of the battery 16 can be prevented is set to a range of, for example, 5°C or higher and 10°C or lower. Furthermore, the minimum temperature at which degradation of the battery 16 can be prevented may be a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature TH2 when not charging standby.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 34 may perform temperature control using power that allows it to perform temperature control without charging the battery 16.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 34 may control the power of the battery 16 used in temperature control based on the remaining capacity (SOC) of the battery 16 and the time until charging starts.

[0031] Furthermore, if the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is below a predetermined temperature TH1, and the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined capacity ST, performing the same temperature control as when the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity ST may cause the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 to become zero in a short time.

[0032] Therefore, the control unit 34 may, while in standby mode for charging, start charging the battery 16 if the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is below a predetermined temperature TH1 and the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined capacity ST, and stop charging the battery 16 when the temperature Tb of the battery 16 becomes above a threshold temperature TH2.

[0033] For example, as shown in Figure 5, when the temperature Tb of the battery 16 gradually decreases and falls below a predetermined temperature TH1 at time t1, if the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined capacity ST, the timer cancellation request is turned on at time ta to start charging and to start temperature control of the battery 16.

[0034] Then, if the temperature of the battery 16 exceeds the threshold temperature TH2 at time tb during charging, the timer cancellation request is turned off and charging is stopped. As a result, charging starts at the user-set charging start time at time t2.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 5, charging begins at time ta, a short time after time t1, but charging could also begin immediately at time t1.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 34 may also notify the terminal device owned by the user who set the charging start time that charging of the battery 16 has started while it is in standby mode. This makes it easy to know if charging has started before the charging start time set by the user.

[0037] Furthermore, if the battery 16 is the vehicle's drive battery, and the vehicle's navigation system has set a route to a charging location where the battery 16 will be charged, the control unit 34 may perform the above-mentioned temperature control until the vehicle reaches the charging location. This ensures that the battery 16 is kept at an appropriate temperature until it reaches the charging location, and prevents charging from starting unintentionally between the time of arrival at the charging location and the scheduled start time of charging.

[0038] Next, the control processing performed by the CPU 12A of the control device 10 will be described. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the control processing according to this disclosure. The processing shown in Figure 6 is performed when charging of the battery 16 is in a standby state and is repeatedly performed when the current time is before the charging start time.

[0039] In step S100, the CPU 12A determines whether a charging start time for the battery 16 is set by a timer. If a charging start time is set, the process proceeds to step S101; otherwise, the routine terminates.

[0040] In step S101, the CPU 12A determines whether the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature TH1. If the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is less than or equal to the predetermined temperature TH1, the process proceeds to step S102. If the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is higher than the predetermined temperature TH1, the routine terminates.

[0041] In step S102, the CPU 12A determines whether the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity ST. If the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity ST, the process proceeds to step S103; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0042] In step S103, the CPU 12A drives the heater 20 to control the temperature so that the battery 16 reaches a threshold temperature TH2 or higher, and also puts it into a charging standby state.

[0043] In step S104, the CPU 12A determines whether the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2. If the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2, the process proceeds to step S108. If the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is less than the threshold temperature TH2, the temperature control is continued.

[0044] In step S108, CPU12A stops temperature control and enters a charging standby state.

[0045] Meanwhile, in step S105, the CPU 12A performs temperature control and also charges the battery 16.

[0046] In step S106, the CPU 12A determines whether the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity ST. If the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity ST, the process proceeds to step S107; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0047] In step S107, the CPU 12A determines whether the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2. If the temperature Tb of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2, the process proceeds to step S108; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0048] Thus, in this embodiment, even if the temperature of the battery 16 falls below a predetermined temperature TH1 during charging standby, if the remaining capacity SOC of the battery 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity ST, charging to the battery 16 is kept in standby mode, and temperature control is performed so that the temperature Tb of the battery 16 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold temperature TH2. This prevents charging from starting against the user's intention during charging standby, when a charging start time has been set. It also prevents the user from incurring unnecessary electricity costs.

[0049] The control unit and method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer comprising a processor programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the apparatus and method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer comprising a processor composed of dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the apparatus and method described herein may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers comprising a combination of a processor that executes a computer program and one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by the computer on a computer-readable non-transitional tangible recording medium.

[0050] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0051] (Note) (Additional note 1) A setting unit that allows the user to set the start time for battery charging, The unit that acquires the temperature of the battery, If the charging start time is set, the control unit waits until the charging start time to begin charging the battery. If the battery temperature falls below a predetermined temperature during the waiting period and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, the control unit drives a heater to raise the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, while keeping the charging of the battery on standby, and performs temperature control so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher. A control device equipped with the following features. (Additional note 2) If, during the charging standby period, the battery temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the remaining battery capacity is above a predetermined capacity, the control unit terminates the temperature adjustment control at a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature when not in charging standby mode. The control device described in Appendix 1. (Additional note 3) The control unit, during the charging standby period, starts charging the battery if the battery temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the remaining capacity of the battery is less than a predetermined capacity, and stops charging the battery when the battery temperature rises above the predetermined temperature. The control device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Additional note 4) The control unit notifies the terminal device owned by the user who set the charging start time that charging of the battery has started during the charging standby period. The control device described in Appendix 3. (Additional note 5) The control unit performs the temperature control with power that allows it to perform the temperature control without charging the battery. The control device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Additional note 6) The control unit controls the power of the battery used in the temperature control based on the remaining capacity of the battery and the time until the start of charging. A control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5. (Additional note 7) The battery is a vehicle drive battery, and if a route to a charging location for charging the battery is set in the vehicle's navigation system, the control unit performs the temperature control until the vehicle reaches the charging location. A control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6. (Additional note 8) Computers The user can set the start time for battery charging. The temperature of the aforementioned battery is obtained, If the charging start time is set, charging of the battery is delayed until the charging start time. If the battery temperature falls below a predetermined temperature during the charging delay and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, the heater is driven to raise the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, while charging of the battery remains delayed, and temperature control is performed so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher. A control method for executing a process that includes the following. (Additional note 9) On the computer, The user can set the start time for battery charging. The temperature of the aforementioned battery is obtained, If the charging start time is set, charging of the battery is delayed until the charging start time. If the battery temperature falls below a predetermined temperature during the charging delay and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, the heater is driven to raise the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, while charging of the battery remains delayed, and temperature control is performed so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher. A control program that executes a process that includes the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Control device 12 controllers 14 Storage section 14A Control Program 14B Charging start time data 16 batteries 18 Power supply 20 Heaters 30 Setting section 32 Acquisition Department 34 Control Unit

Claims

1. A setting unit that allows the user to set the start time for battery charging, The unit that acquires the temperature of the battery, If the charging start time is set, the control unit waits until the charging start time to begin charging the battery. If the battery temperature falls below a predetermined temperature during the waiting period and the remaining capacity of the battery is above a predetermined capacity, the control unit drives a heater to raise the temperature of the battery with power corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery, while keeping the charging of the battery on standby, and performs temperature control so that the battery reaches a threshold temperature or higher. A control device equipped with the following features.

2. If, during the charging standby period, the battery temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the remaining battery capacity is above a predetermined capacity, the control unit terminates the temperature adjustment control at a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature when not in charging standby mode. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, during the charging standby period, starts charging the battery if the battery temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the remaining capacity of the battery is less than a predetermined capacity, and stops charging the battery when the battery temperature rises above the predetermined temperature. The control device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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