Electrical equipment

Abstract

To provide a power device that appropriately protects the entire power device including a battery and an operation unit.SOLUTION: In a power device 10, an ECU 20 includes: a first control path 48 for switching a contactor 14 or switches 60a and 60b of a battery 12 to a disconnected state or a connected state; and a second control path 50 that is provided in parallel with the first control path 48 and switches the contactor 14 or the switches 60a and 60b of the battery 12 to a disconnected state or a connected state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power device that establishes or breaks electrical connection between a power storage unit and an operating unit using an interrupter. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply device mounted on a vehicle, the power supply device including an auxiliary power supply having a storage battery and a BMU (battery management system). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-175864 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The BMU controls the output of the storage battery by turning on and off a switch (interrupter) built into the auxiliary power supply (power storage unit, power storage device).The BMU also performs self-diagnosis of abnormalities in the power storage unit, and if an abnormality is detected, it can stop charging and discharging the power storage unit by turning off the switch.

[0005] In addition, in recent years, the importance of the protection function of the BMU has increased as the capacity of the storage unit has increased and the size has become smaller. In this case, in addition to the self-protection function of the BMU, it is desirable to build a protection function for the entire system (power device), including the contactor (interrupter) installed externally.

[0006] That is, the power storage unit is electrically connected to an operating unit such as a motor via a power transmission path. In this case, a contactor is provided in the power transmission path as an interrupting unit, and when an abnormality occurs in the power storage unit, the interrupting unit is switched from a connected state to a disconnected state to interrupt the electrical connection between the power storage unit and the operating unit, thereby making it possible to appropriately protect the power storage unit and the operating unit.

[0007] Meanwhile, the BMU transmits a digital signal indicating the state of the power storage unit to the vehicle's ECU (electronic control unit) via a communication line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), and transmits an analog signal (voltage signal) indicating the state of the power storage unit to the ECU via another cable. This enables the BMU to notify the outside of an abnormality in the power storage unit. Therefore, the vehicle and the user can prohibit the use of the power storage unit by switching the interrupter to a cut-off state based on the notification from the BMU, without relying on the self-diagnosis function of the BMU. As a result, the safety of the power device can be improved.

[0008] However, conventionally, the ECU (control unit) processes the abnormality signal from the BMU using one microcomputer, and switches the interrupting unit from a connected state to a disconnected state based on the processing result. Therefore, if a failure or the like occurs in the microcomputer, even if a signal indicating an abnormality in the power storage unit is supplied to the control unit, it is not possible to appropriately determine whether to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state. As a result, it becomes impossible to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a power device that is capable of appropriately protecting the entire system, including the storage unit and the operating unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An aspect of the present invention relates to a power device including a power storage unit, an operating unit electrically connected to the power storage unit via a power transmission path, an interrupting unit switchable between a disconnected state and a connected state, interrupting the power transmission path in the disconnected state and connecting the power transmission path in the connected state, and a control unit controlling the interrupting unit. In this case, the control unit has a first control path that switches the interrupting unit to the disconnected state or the connected state, and a second control path that is provided in parallel with the first control path and switches the interrupting unit to the disconnected state or the connected state. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, each of the two control paths determines whether to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state. As a result, even if a failure or the like occurs in one control path, it is possible to determine whether to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state in the other control path. As a result, the interrupting unit can be appropriately switched to a disconnected state or a connected state. Therefore, with the present invention, it is possible to appropriately protect the entire power device including the storage unit and the operating unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a power device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the ECU in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a specific circuit configuration diagram of the power device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a specific internal configuration diagram of the ECU in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 13 is a timing chart of an alert signal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of an ECU of a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a specific circuit configuration diagram of a power device of a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific internal configuration of an ECU of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a power device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [1. Configuration of this embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, a power device 10 according to this embodiment includes two batteries 12 (power storage units), a contactor 14 (interrupter unit), a load 16, a motor 18 (operating unit), and an ECU 20 (control unit).

[0015] In the following description, the two batteries 12 may be referred to as the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. In the following description, the components of the first battery 12a, the components connected to the first battery 12a, and the components related to the first battery 12a may be described with the letter "a" added after the reference numeral. Furthermore, the components of the second battery 12b, the components connected to the second battery 12b, and the components related to the second battery 12b may be described with the letter "b" added after the reference numeral.

[0016] At least one battery 12 may be provided in the power device 10. The battery 12 is a chargeable and dischargeable power storage unit provided in the power device 10. The battery 12 may be a mobile battery that is detachable from the power device 10, or may be a battery that is fixed to the power device 10. When the battery 12 is a mobile battery, a battery pack of a detachable lithium-ion battery, for example, is preferable. The power device 10 is applied to the power supply system of various vehicles such as a unicycle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0017] The power device 10 is not limited to vehicles, but can be applied to various power supply systems that supply power from the battery 12 to a load 16 or the like, or charge the battery 12. Therefore, the power device 10 can be installed not only in vehicles, but also in homes, offices, public facilities, and the like.

[0018] The power device 10 can also be applied to power supply systems of various mobile bodies such as vehicles, aircraft, flying objects, ships, etc., which may or may not be boarded by humans. In this case, the power supply system of the vehicle can be applied to a power supply system of an electric vehicle, or a power supply system of a vehicle equipped with a drive motor such as a hybrid vehicle.

[0019] Furthermore, the power device 10 can also be applied to the power supply systems of various general-purpose devices that do not have people riding on them, specifically, (1) various chargers, (2) various dischargers, (3) various working machines such as general-purpose working machines, lawnmowers, tillers, and blowers, (4) electric devices that do not have electric motors such as floodlights and lighting equipment, and (5) various devices installed in houses and buildings. In this case, examples of the above (5) include (A) devices that operate on DC power, such as audio equipment such as clocks and radio cassette recorders, (B) devices that operate on AC power, such as electric fans, juicers, mixers, incandescent lights, (C) devices that operate on DC power converted from AC power, such as televisions, radios, stereos, and personal computers, and (D) devices that operate on AC power that is converted from AC power to DC power and then further converted from the DC power, such as inverter-type devices including washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, and fluorescent lights.

[0020] In the power device 10, the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b are electrically connected to the input side of the load 16 via a power transmission path 22, which is a power line. In addition, a contactor 14 is provided in the power transmission path 22 at a location between the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where a series circuit of the first battery 12a, the contactor 14, and the second battery 12b is electrically connected to the input side of the load 16. Therefore, in the case where the power device 10 includes a plurality of batteries 12, these batteries 12 and the contactor 14 are connected in series and electrically connected to the input side of the load 16. On the other hand, a motor 18 is electrically connected to the output side of the load 16.

[0021] When the contactor 14 is in a connected state, DC power is supplied (discharged) from the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the load 16 via the power transmission path 22. The load 16 is a motor controller including an inverter. The load 16 converts the DC power supplied from the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b into AC power, and supplies the converted AC power to the motor 18 to drive the motor 18. Alternatively, when the motor 18 functions as a generator, the load 16 converts the AC power generated by the motor 18 into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power to the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to charge them.

[0022] Therefore, the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b are electrically connected to the motor 18 via the power transmission path 22 and the load 16. In FIG. 1, the wiring for transmitting power between the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b and the motor 18 is illustrated by a thick line, as in the power transmission path 22. Furthermore, the contactor 14 may be any device that electrically connects or disconnects the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b from the load 16 and the motor 18 by switching between a connected state or a disconnected state. Therefore, the contactor 14 may be provided between the first battery 12a and the load 16 in the power transmission path 22, or between the second battery 12b and the load 16 in the power transmission path 22.

[0023] In the power device 10, instead of the motor 18, another electric load may be electrically connected to the output side of the load 16. Specifically, a power consumption unit, a power generation unit, or a power conversion unit may be connected to the output side of the load 16.

[0024] The first battery 12a and the second battery 12b are capable of transmitting and receiving digital signals to and from the ECU 20 via a communication line 24 (first communication line) such as a CAN. In this case, the digital signals sent from the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the ECU 20 include signals indicating that the battery 12 is normal or abnormal.

[0025] The case where the battery 12 is normal refers to a state where the battery 12 can normally perform a predetermined operation, and the case where the battery 12 is abnormal refers to a state where some kind of failure or the like has occurred in the battery 12 and the battery 12 cannot normally perform a predetermined operation.

[0026] On the other hand, signals sent from the ECU 20 to the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b via the communication line 24 include control signals for controlling the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b.

[0027] Furthermore, the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b transmit analog voltage signals indicating the states of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the ECU 20 via a cable 26 (cables 26a, 26b) different from the communication line 24. In this case, the analog signals transmitted from the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the ECU 20 are voltage signals (alert signals) indicating that the battery 12 is normal or abnormal. In other words, the alert signal is an analog signal for notifying the outside of the battery 12 that the battery 12 is normal or abnormal.

[0028] The ECU 20 switches the contactor 14 between a connected state and a disconnected state based on a digital signal received via the communication line 24 and a voltage signal received via the cable 26. The ECU 20 also controls the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b via the communication line 24. Furthermore, the ECU 20 controls the load 16 to control the exchange of power between the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b and the motor 18.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the ECU 20. Fig. 2 illustrates, among the internal configuration of the ECU 20, a configuration related to a function of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the multiple batteries 12 (see Fig. 1) and a function of controlling the contactor 14 based on the result of the determination of the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0030] The ECU 20 has a transceiver 30, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) 32 (first receiving unit, first calculation unit, first transmitting unit), multiple battery abnormality detection units 34, a logic circuit 36 ​​(second receiving unit, second calculation unit, second transmitting unit, third receiving unit, third calculation unit, third transmitting unit), a drive circuit power supply 38, and a contactor drive circuit 40.

[0031] The transceiver 30 receives digital signals (first signals) sent from the multiple batteries 12. The MCU 32 judges whether the multiple batteries 12 are abnormal based on the digital signals. If all of the multiple batteries 12 are normal, the MCU 32 decides (determines) whether to switch the contactor 14 to a connected state or to maintain the connected state of the contactor 14, and outputs a signal (second signal) indicating the judgment result (calculation result) to the contactor drive circuit 40. Furthermore, if any of the batteries 12 is abnormal, the MCU 32 decides whether to switch the contactor 14 to a disconnected state or to maintain the disconnected state of the contactor 14, and outputs a signal (second signal) indicating the judgment result to the contactor drive circuit 40.

[0032] Meanwhile, the ECU 20 is provided with battery abnormality detection units 34 in the same number as the number of batteries 12 (for example, n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1)). In Fig. 2, a first battery abnormality detection unit 34a, a second battery abnormality detection unit 34b, ..., an n-th battery abnormality detection unit 34n are illustrated.

[0033] Each of the battery abnormality detection units 34 receives a voltage signal (third signal, sixth signal) sent from the corresponding battery 12, and determines whether the corresponding battery 12 is abnormal based on the received voltage signal. For example, the first battery abnormality detection unit 34a determines whether the first battery 12a is abnormal based on the voltage signal sent from the first battery 12a. Also, the second battery abnormality detection unit 34b determines whether the second battery 12b is abnormal based on the voltage signal sent from the second battery 12b.

[0034] 2, V1 denotes a voltage signal input to the first battery abnormality detection unit 34a, V2 denotes a voltage signal input to the second battery abnormality detection unit 34b, and Vn denotes a voltage signal input to the n-th battery abnormality detection unit 34n.

[0035] If the signal level (voltage value) of the voltage signal is within a predetermined range, the multiple battery abnormality detection units 34 determine that the corresponding battery 12 is normal, and output a signal indicating the determination result that the battery is normal to the logic circuit 36. If the voltage value indicated by the voltage signal is outside the predetermined range, the multiple battery abnormality detection units 34 determine that the corresponding battery 12 is abnormal, and output a signal indicating the determination result that the battery is abnormal to the logic circuit 36.

[0036] The logic circuit 36 ​​is a logical operation unit having a plurality of AND circuits 42 and one OR circuit 44. The logic circuit 36 ​​is provided with the same number of AND circuits 42 as the number of batteries 12 and the number of battery abnormality detection units 34. In FIG. 2, a first AND circuit 42a, a second AND circuit 42b, ..., an n-th AND circuit 42n are illustrated.

[0037] Incidentally, the battery 12 is configured by mounting a power storage device as a mobile battery in a mounting section provided in the power device 10. Here, in a memory (not shown) in the MCU 32 or an external storage unit 46 such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), information (fifth signal, seventh signal) on whether or not a power storage device is mounted in the mounting section for each of the batteries 12 is stored in advance.

[0038] Each of the multiple AND circuits 42 receives as input a signal from the corresponding battery abnormality detection unit 34 and the above information stored in the MCU 32 or the external storage unit 46. Here, when the signal from the battery abnormality detection unit 34 is a signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12 and the input information is information that a power storage device is attached to the attachment portion of the battery 12, the AND circuit 42 outputs a signal that the battery 12 is abnormal.

[0039] On the other hand, if either or both of the signal from the battery abnormality detection unit 34 and the information from the MCU 32 or the external memory unit 46 are not as described above, the AND circuit 42 outputs a signal indicating that the battery 12 is not abnormal, i.e., is normal.

[0040] The outputs of the multiple AND circuits 42 are input to the OR circuit 44. In this case, if the output from any of the AND circuits 42 is a signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12, the OR circuit 44 outputs a signal (fourth signal, eighth signal) indicating that any of the batteries 12 is abnormal to the drive circuit power supply 38. Specifically, the OR circuit 44 outputs a 0 level (ground level) signal to the drive circuit power supply 38 as a signal indicating an abnormality, for stopping the power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38 to the contactor drive circuit 40.

[0041] Furthermore, if the outputs from all of the AND circuits 42 are signals indicating that the batteries 12 are normal, the OR circuit 44 outputs a signal (fourth signal) indicating that all of the batteries 12 are normal to the drive circuit power supply 38. Specifically, the OR circuit 44 outputs a signal of a predetermined level to the drive circuit power supply 38 as a signal indicating normality, for instructing the drive circuit power supply 38 to supply power to the contactor drive circuit 40.

[0042] The drive circuit power supply 38 is a power supply for driving the contactor drive circuit 40. If the signal output from the OR circuit 44 is a signal indicating that the battery 12 is normal, the drive circuit power supply 38 supplies power to the contactor drive circuit 40. In other words, the supply of power from the drive circuit power supply 38 to the contactor drive circuit 40 indicates that the battery 12 is normal.

[0043] Furthermore, if the signal output from the OR circuit 44 indicates that the battery 12 is abnormal, the drive circuit power supply 38 stops the power supply to the contactor drive circuit 40. In other words, the stop of the power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38 to the contactor drive circuit 40 indicates that the battery 12 is abnormal.

[0044] The contactor driving circuit 40 switches the contactor 14 between a connected state and a disconnected state based on the determination result of the MCU 32 and the presence or absence of power supply from the driving circuit power supply 38. In this case, if the determination result of the MCU 32 is that the battery 12 is normal and there is power supply from the driving circuit power supply 38, the contactor driving circuit 40 supplies a control signal to the contactor 14 and switches the contactor 14 to a connected state or maintains the connected state. In other words, if the determination results of both the MCU 32 and the logic circuit 36 ​​are that the battery 12 is normal, the contactor 14 switches to a connected state or maintains the connected state.

[0045] Furthermore, if the MCU 32 determines that the battery 12 is abnormal and there is no power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38, the contactor drive circuit 40 stops supplying the control signal to the contactor 14. This causes the contactor 14 to switch to a cut-off state or to maintain the cut-off state. In other words, if the MCU 32 and the logic circuit 36 ​​both determine that the battery 12 is abnormal, the contactor 14 switches to a cut-off state or to maintain the cut-off state.

[0046] Furthermore, even if the MCU 32 determines that the battery 12 is normal, if there is no power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38, the contactor drive circuit 40 stops supplying the control signal to the contactor 14. In this case as well, the contactor 14 switches to the cut-off state or maintains the cut-off state.

[0047] Furthermore, even if the MCU 32 determines that the battery 12 is abnormal, if there is power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38, the contactor drive circuit 40 supplies a control signal to the contactor 14. In this case, the contactor 14 switches to a connected state or maintains the connected state.

[0048] That is, when the determination result of the MCU 32 and the determination result of the logic circuit 36 ​​differ, the contactor drive circuit 40 supplies a control signal to the contactor 14 or stops the supply of the control signal according to the presence or absence of power supply from the drive circuit power supply 38 according to the determination result of the logic circuit 36. That is, the contactor drive circuit 40 gives priority to the determination result of the logic circuit 36.

[0049] In this way, two control paths 48, 50 for switching the contactor 14 to a disconnected state or a connected state are provided in the ECU 20. That is, the transceiver 30, the MCU 32, and the contactor drive circuit 40 form a first control path 48 for switching the contactor 14 to a disconnected state or a connected state. In addition, the plurality of battery abnormality detection units 34, the logic circuit 36, the drive circuit power supply 38, and the contactor drive circuit 40 form a second control path 50 for switching the contactor 14 to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0050] As described above, the battery abnormality detection units 34 and the AND circuits 42 are provided in the same number as the batteries 12. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1, if there are two batteries 12, two battery abnormality detection units 34 (first battery abnormality detection unit 34a, second battery abnormality detection unit 34b) and two AND circuits 42 (first AND circuit 42a, second AND circuit 42b) are provided in the ECU 20. If there is one battery 12, the logic circuit 36 ​​may be configured with only one AND circuit 42, and the OR circuit 44 may be omitted.

[0051] 3 and 4 show a specific configuration of the power device 10 incorporating the ECU 20 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 also shows the configuration of the ECU 20 other than that for detecting an abnormality in the battery 12. FIG. 3 and 4 show a case where the ECU 20 is applied to a power source device for driving a vehicle. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the description of the components also shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is simplified or omitted. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the case where the power device 10 includes a first battery 12a and a second battery 12b is described as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0052] 3 and 4, the power device 10 further includes a sub-battery 52. ​​In addition, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the load 16 is a PDU (Power Drive Unit) 54. Furthermore, the contactor 14 is disposed between the first battery 12a and the PDU 54.

[0053] The first battery 12a and the second battery 12b have the same configuration. That is, the first battery 12a has a battery main body 56a, a BMU 58a, a switch 60a (interrupter), an insulating unit 62a, a transceiver 64a, a power supply unit 66a, and a connector 68a. The second battery 12b has a battery main body 56b, a BMU 58b, a switch 60b (interrupter), an insulating unit 62b, a transceiver 64b, a power supply unit 66b, and a connector 68b.

[0054] The battery main bodies 56a, 56b constitute a secondary battery made up of a plurality of cells connected in series. The switches 60a, 60b are provided in series with the battery main bodies 56a, 56b, and the conductive state is determined by the control of the BMUs 58a, 58b. The BMUs 58a, 58b detect the state of the battery main bodies 56a, 56b, and notify the ECU 20, etc. of the detected state. In this case, the operating state of the BMUs 58a, 58b is determined by the control of the ECU 20, etc., and the BMUs 58a, 58b control the conductive state of the switches 60a, 60b in accordance with the determined operating state.

[0055] The insulating sections 62a, 62b are provided between the BMUs 58a, 58b and the transceivers 64a, 64b. Light The insulators 62a and 62b are couplers or the like, and electrically insulate the BMUs 58a and 58b side from the connectors 68a and 68b side with respect to signals between the BMUs 58a and 58b and the connectors 68a and 68b. For example, the insulators 62a and 62b electrically insulate and convert activation signals supplied from the A terminals 70a and 70b of the connectors 68a and 68b toward the BMUs 58a and 58b, and supply the converted signals to the BMUs 58a and 58b. Therefore, the BMUs 58a and 58b and the transceivers 64a and 64b are electrically insulated via the insulators 62a and 62b. The A terminals 70a and 70b are connected to the ECU 20 via the activation signal transmission lines 72a and 72b.

[0056] The transceivers 64a, 64b are provided between the connectors 68a, 68b and the insulating units 62a, 62b, and convert signals used for communication between the BMUs 58a, 58b and the ECU 20, and relay the converted signals in both directions. In this case, the B terminals 74a, 74b and the C terminals 76a, 76b of the connectors 68a, 68b connected to the transceivers 64a, 64b are connected to the communication line 24. The power supply units 66a, 66b receive power from the battery main bodies 56a, 56b, and supply part of the power to the BMUs 58a, 58b and the insulating units 62a, 62b. In this case, the power supply units 66a, 66b are provided closer to the battery main bodies 56a, 56b than the insulating units 62a, 62b, and are electrically insulated from the connectors 68a, 68b.

[0057] As described above, the connectors 68a, 68b include a plurality of signal terminals for transmitting and receiving signals for controlling the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. For example, signals transmitted and received via the connectors 68a, 68b include an activation signal for activating the battery 12 and a signal for the BMUs 58a, 58b to communicate with the ECU 20. The connectors 68a, 68b include ground terminals 78a, 78b and the like in addition to the terminals for these signals. The connectors 68a, 68b are an example of a case where electrical signals are transmitted and received, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and signals may be transmitted and received optically.

[0058] The BMUs 58a, 58b monitor the charging and discharging status of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b, the amount of stored electricity of the battery bodies 56a, 56b, the temperature, etc. The monitoring results are shared with the ECU 20. The BMUs 58a, 58b also control the charging and discharging of the battery bodies 56a, 56b, etc., by controlling the switches 60a, 60b, etc., based on a control command from the ECU 20 or the above monitoring results.

[0059] The ECU 20 further includes an activation signal generating unit 80. In FIG. 4, the management unit 82 of the ECU 20 corresponds to the above-mentioned MCU 32 (see FIG. 2). The activation signal generating unit 80 generates an activation signal for making the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b (see FIG. 3) available for use. The activation signal generating unit 80 supplies the generated activation signal to the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b via the activation signal transmission lines 72a and 72b. In this case, the activation signal transmission lines 72a and 72b are different wirings for the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. This allows the activation signal generating unit 80 to activate (start) the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b individually.

[0060] The activation signal generating unit 80 determines that a voltage equivalent to the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 52 to the ECU 20 indicates that the activation signal is in a significant state. In other words, when the activation signal indicates a significant state, the activation signal generating unit 80 outputs a voltage equivalent to the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 52 to the ECU 20 as the activation signal. For example, the activation signal generating unit 80 may include a switch (not shown) and generate the activation signal by controlling the conductive state of this switch. In addition, the activation signal generating unit 80 generates an activation signal for each of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. This makes it possible to individually control the activation states of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b.

[0061] The transceiver 30 converts signals used for communication between the BMUs 58a, 58b and the ECU 20 and relays the converted signals in both directions. The management unit 82 associates the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b that have received the activation signal with the identification information of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b, and assigns the identification information to the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b, respectively. The management unit 82 transmits the identification information of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the BMUs 58a, 58b via the transceivers 64a, 64b that are activated by the activation signal.

[0062] Furthermore, output request information from a throttle sensor 84 (accelerator sensor) provided in the vehicle is input to the ECU 20. After completing the initialization process of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b by supplying an activation signal, the management unit 82 controls the contactor 14, the first battery 12a, the second battery 12b, the PDU 54, etc. based on the output request information input to the ECU 20. The ECU 20 controls the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to control charging and discharging of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the BMUs 58a and 58b include activation processing units 86a and 86b, battery control units 88a and 88b, and communication processing units 90a and 90b.

[0064] The activation processing units 86a, 86b set the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to an activated state in which power can be output based on an activation signal supplied from the ECU 20. For example, the activation processing units 86a, 86b detect that the activation signal is in an active state and set the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to an activated state in which power can be output. The activation processing units 86a, 86b detect that the activation signal has become inactive and set the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to a deactivated state in which power is not output.

[0065] The battery control units 88a, 88b detect, for example, changes in the state (voltage, SOC, etc.) of each cell of the battery main bodies 56a, 56b and adjust the charge state of each cell to be uniform. In addition, the battery control units 88a, 88b control the switches 60a, 60b under control of the ECU 20 or the like to make the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b available for use.

[0066] The communication processing units 90a, 90b communicate with the ECU 20 according to a predetermined protocol. For example, the communication processing units 90a, 90b communicate information for controlling charging and discharging of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b with the ECU 20. The communication processing units 90a, 90b communicate the above information by including identification information for the ECU 20 to identify the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b. The communication processing units 90a, 90b store the identification information notified from the ECU 20 in a storage area (not shown) in the BMUs 58a, 58b.

[0067] Then, the battery control units 88a, 88b of the BMUs 58a, 58b output alert signals notifying of abnormalities in the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the ECU 20 via the insulating units 62a, 62b, the D terminals 92a, 92b of the connectors 68a, 68b, and the cables 26a, 26b. In this case, the alert signals are voltage signals (analog signals) obtained by dividing the voltages of the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b, and when an abnormality such as a breakdown occurs in the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b, a voltage signal with a signal level outside a predetermined normal range is output to the ECU 20.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, when the first battery 12a or the second battery 12b is abnormal, the power transmission path 22 connecting the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b to the PDU 54 is cut off to stop the exchange of power between the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b and the PDU 54, thereby appropriately protecting the first battery 12a, the second battery 12b, the PDU 54, the motor 18, and the like. Therefore, instead of switching the contactor 14 to the cut-off state, the contactor drive circuit 40 may control the activation signal generator 80 to stop the generation and transmission of the activation signal to the normal battery 12. In this case, in the normal battery 12, when the supply of the activation signal to the BMUs 58a and 58b is stopped, that is, when the activation signal becomes insignificant, the operation of the BMUs 58a and 58b is stopped. As a result, the switches 60a and 60b are turned off, and the power transmission path 22 can be cut off.

[0069] 2. Operation of this embodiment The power device 10 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described next with reference to Fig. 5. Here, the description will also refer to Figs. 1 to 4 as necessary. This operation is an operation for detecting an abnormality in the battery 12 (for example, the first battery 12a or the second battery 12b) and switching the contactor 14 to an interrupted state based on the detection result.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the change over time of the alert signal (voltage signal) output from the battery control units 88a and 88b (see FIG. 3).

[0071] In this case, the activation signal generating unit 80 starts supplying the activation signal to the BMUs 58a, 58b at time t1, i.e., makes the activation signal active. Therefore, in the time period before time t1, the battery 12 (e.g., the first battery 12a and the second battery 12b) is in a standby state (state A) in which the activation signal is not supplied. In state A, the battery 12 is not started, so the alert signal is at level 0 (0V). Also, in state A, the switches 60a, 60b are off, and the power transmission path 22 between the battery 12 and the PDU 54 is cut off. In other words, the battery 12 is not connected to the power transmission path 22.

[0072] When the activation signal generator 80 starts supplying the activation signal to the BMUs 58a and 58b at time t1, the BMUs 58a and 58b receive the activation signal and perform an initialization process for the battery 12, i.e., a start-up process for the battery 12. The start-up process is executed during a time period from time t1 to time t2. This enables various signals to be transmitted and received between the BMUs 58a and 58b and the ECU 20. Here, if the voltage value of the battery 12 is Va, during this time period, the battery controllers 88a and 88b output an alert signal of a voltage value Vb (Va>Vb) obtained by dividing the voltage of the battery 12. This state is referred to as state B.

[0073] During the time period from time t2 when the start-up process is completed to time t3, the battery 12 executes a charging and discharging process. During this time period, the battery control units 88a and 88b output a pulse of voltage value Vb as an alert signal at a predetermined time interval. This state is called state C. That is, in state C, the alert signal is a pulse signal whose maximum value is voltage value Vb and whose minimum value is voltage value Ve (Vb>Ve). Note that the voltage value Ve is a low-level voltage value close to 0V. In state C, the activation signal generation unit 80 continues to supply the activation signal to the BMUs 58a and 58b.

[0074] At time t3, when the activation signal generation unit 80 stops supplying the activation signal to the BMUs 58a and 58b, i.e., when the activation signal becomes insignificant, the BMUs 58a and 58b transition to a state in which they wait for the activation signal generation unit 80 to resume supplying the activation signal.

[0075] Then, if no activation signal is supplied at time t4, a certain time after time t3, the BMUs 58a and 58b stop driving the battery 12. As a result, the alert signals output from the battery control units 88a and 88b become level 0. That is, the battery 12 transitions to state A after time t4.

[0076] Here, if the battery 12 is in a normal state during the time period from time t3 to time t4, the alert signal is output as a voltage signal with a voltage value Vb, as shown by the dashed line. On the other hand, if the battery 12 is in an abnormal state such as a breakdown during the time period from time t3 to time t4, the alert signal is output as a voltage signal with a voltage value Ve that is lower than the voltage value Vb, as shown by the dashed line.

[0077] That is, if the battery 12 is in a normal state, the time period from time t3 to time t4 will be in state B, just like the time period from time t1 to time t2 during the startup process. However, if the battery 12 is in an abnormal state, the alert signal will be a low-level voltage signal that is different from the normal signal level. This state will be referred to as state E.

[0078] As described above, on the ECU 20 side, the logic circuit 36 ​​directly reads the alert signal. Therefore, when the logic circuit 36 ​​receives the alert signal of state E, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality in the battery 12. Furthermore, based on the determination result of the logic circuit 36, the drive circuit power supply 38 stops the power supply to the contactor drive circuit 40, i.e., directly cuts off the operation of the contactor drive circuit 40, thereby quickly switching the contactor 14 to the cut-off state and stopping the system operation of the power device 10.

[0079] 5, as an example, whether the battery 12 is abnormal is determined based on the signal level of the alert signal in the time period from t3 to t4. In this embodiment, the logic circuit 36 ​​directly reads the alert signal transmitted from the battery 12 to monitor the state of the battery 12. Therefore, the logic circuit 36 ​​can switch the contactor 14 to the cut-off state even in the following cases. That is, even when the state of the battery 12 is an unconnected state or a standby state (state A) before time t1, when the state of the battery 12 is in a startup process (state B) in the time period from t1 to t2, or when the state of the battery 12 is in a stop process (standby process) (state B) in the time period from t3 to t4, the logic circuit 36 ​​can detect these states and switch the contactor 14 to the cut-off state.

[0080] 6 to 8 show a comparative example of a power device 100. In the comparative example of the power device 100, the same components as those in the power device 10 according to the present embodiment (see Figs. 1 to 6) are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] In the power device 100 of the comparative example, the logic circuit 36 ​​and the drive circuit power supply 38 are not provided in the ECU 20. Therefore, in the comparative example, the MCU 32 in the ECU 20 determines whether to switch the contactor 14 to a connected state or a disconnected state based on the digital signal received by the transceiver 30 and the detection result of each battery abnormality detection unit 34.

[0082] That is, in the comparative example, whether to switch the contactor 14 to the connected state or the disconnected state is determined only by the MCU 32. Therefore, if the MCU 32 has a malfunction or the like, even if a digital signal and an analog signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12 are sent to the ECU 20, the MCU 32 cannot appropriately determine whether to switch the contactor 14 to the disconnected state. As a result, even if the battery 12 has an abnormality, the contactor 14 cannot be switched to the disconnected state.

[0083] In contrast, in the power device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, even if the MCU 32 has a malfunction or the like, the logic circuit 36 ​​is used to determine whether to switch the contactor 14 to a disconnected state or a connected state, so that the contactor 14 can be appropriately switched to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0084] [3. Effects of this embodiment] As described above, the power device 10 of this embodiment includes the battery 12 (12a, 12b) (power storage unit), the motor 18 (operating unit) electrically connected to the battery 12 via the power transmission path 22, an interrupting unit (contactor 14, switches 60a, 60b) that can be switched between a disconnected state and a connected state, interrupting the power transmission path 22 in the disconnected state and connecting the power transmission path 22 in the connected state, and an ECU 20 (control unit) that controls the interrupting unit.

[0085] In this case, the ECU 20 has a first control path 48 that switches the interrupting unit between a disconnected state and a connected state, and a second control path 50 that is arranged in parallel with the first control path 48 and switches the interrupting unit between a disconnected state and a connected state.

[0086] According to this configuration, each of the two control paths 48, 50 determines whether to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state. As a result, even if a failure or the like occurs in one control path 48, it is possible to determine whether to switch the interrupting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state in the other control path 50. Therefore, the interrupting unit can be appropriately switched to a disconnected state or a connected state. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately protect the entire power device 10 including the battery 12 and the motor 18.

[0087] In this case, when the first control path 48 and the second control path 50 instruct different states for the intermittent portion, the ECU 20 gives priority to the instruction of the second control path 50.

[0088] As a result, even if the first control path 48 is unable to determine whether to switch the intermittent portion to a disconnected state or a connected state due to a failure or the like, the second control path 50 can correctly determine whether to switch the intermittent portion to a disconnected state or a connected state, so that the intermittent portion can be appropriately switched to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0089] In the first control path 48, the MCU 32 functions as a first receiving unit that receives a digital signal (first signal) sent from the battery 12, a first calculation unit that performs calculation processing to determine whether to switch the disconnecting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state based on the received digital signal, and a first transmitting unit that transmits a signal (second signal) indicating the calculation result to the disconnecting unit. Meanwhile, in the second control path 50, the logic circuit 36 ​​functions as a second receiving unit that receives an analog signal (third signal) sent from the battery 12, a second calculation unit that performs calculation processing to determine whether to switch the disconnecting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state based on the received analog signal, and a second transmitting unit that transmits a signal (fourth signal) indicating the calculation result to the disconnecting unit.

[0090] As a result, even if the MCU 32 fails and is unable to determine whether to switch the intermittent unit to a disconnected state or a connected state, the logic circuit 36 ​​can directly read the analog signal sent from the battery 12 and use the analog signal to accurately perform the determination process (calculation process) of whether to switch the intermittent unit to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0091] Furthermore, when the analog signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12, the logic circuit 36 ​​determines to instruct the switching of the interrupter to the interrupted state based on the signal indicating the abnormality.

[0092] This allows the logic circuit 36 ​​to reliably switch the interrupter to the disconnected state based on a signal indicating an abnormality when the battery 12 is abnormal.

[0093] The battery 12 has a mounting portion to which the power storage device is detachably mounted. The logic circuit 36 ​​receives an analog signal (third signal) sent from the battery 12 of the power storage device mounted in the mounting portion and information (fifth signal) indicating whether the power storage device is mounted in the mounting portion, and determines, based on the analog signal and the information, to switch the interrupter to a cut-off state when the power storage device is mounted in the mounting portion and the analog signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the power storage unit.

[0094] As a result, when an abnormality occurs in battery 12 having a power storage device attached to the attachment portion, the interrupting portion can be accurately switched to the interrupted state.

[0095] In addition, the battery 12 transmits a digital signal (first signal) to the MCU 32 via the communication line 24 (first communication line) and transmits an analog signal (third signal) to the logic circuit 36 ​​via the cable 26 (26a, 26b) (second communication line).

[0096] In this case, the analog signal is an alert signal for notifying the outside of the battery 12 that the battery 12 is normal or abnormal. Therefore, the alert signal is directly read by the logic circuit 36, and it is determined whether the battery 12 is abnormal based on the analog signal, so that it is possible to accurately determine whether to switch the disconnecting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state. In addition, since the digital signal and the analog signal are transmitted to the ECU 20 via different paths, even if the MCU 32 cannot receive the digital signal, the logic circuit 36 ​​can determine whether the battery 12 is abnormal based on the received analog signal. It is possible to reliably switch the disconnecting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0097] Furthermore, the battery 12 has a mounting portion to which the power storage device is detachably mounted. In the second control path 50, the logic circuit 36 ​​functions as a third receiving portion that receives a plurality of analog signals (sixth signal) sent from the plurality of batteries 12 including a plurality of power storage devices mounted on the plurality of mounting portions and information (seventh signal) indicating whether a plurality of power storage devices are mounted on the plurality of mounting portions, a third calculating portion that performs a calculation process to determine whether to switch the disconnecting portion to a disconnected state or a connected state based on the plurality of analog signals received by the logic circuit 36 ​​and the information, and a third transmitting portion that transmits a signal (eighth signal) indicating the calculation result to the disconnecting portion.

[0098] As a result, even when the power device 10 includes a plurality of batteries 12, it is possible to appropriately determine whether to switch the disconnecting unit to a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0099] In this case, the logic circuit 36 ​​determines whether or not the analog signal (sixth signal) is a signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12 and the above information is a signal indicating that a power storage device is attached to the attachment section for each of the multiple batteries 12. Then, when the analog signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the battery 12 and the above information is a signal indicating that a power storage device is attached to the attachment section for at least one battery 12, the logic circuit 36 ​​decides to switch the interrupter to the interrupted state.

[0100] As a result, even when the power device 10 includes a plurality of batteries 12, the interrupting portion can be reliably switched to the interrupted state.

[0101] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted based on the contents of this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10…Power equipment 12, 12a, 12b...battery (electric storage unit) 14...Contactor (interrupter) 18...Motor (operating part) 20...ECU (control unit) 22...Power transmission path 48...First control path 50...Second control path 60a, 60b...switch (intermittent part)

Claims

1. A power device including: a power storage unit; an operating unit electrically connected to the power storage unit via a power transmission path; a disconnecting unit switchable between a disconnected state and a connected state, disconnecting the power transmission path in the disconnected state and connecting the power transmission path in the connected state; and a control unit for controlling the disconnecting unit, the power storage unit transmits a digital signal indicating a state of the power storage unit to the control unit via a first communication line different from the power transmission path, and transmits an analog signal indicating a state of the power storage unit to the control unit via a second communication line different from the power transmission path and the first communication line; the analog signal is an analog voltage signal obtained by dividing the voltage of the power storage unit, The control unit is a first control path that determines whether or not an abnormality exists in the power storage unit based on the digital signal received via the first communication line, and switches the interrupter unit to the disconnected state or the connected state based on a result of the determination of the presence or absence of the abnormality; a second control path that is provided in parallel with the first control path, and that determines that the power storage unit is normal and switches the interrupting unit to the connected state if the value of the analog signal received through the second communication line is within a predetermined range, and that determines that the power storage unit is abnormal and switches the interrupting unit to the cut-off state if the value of the analog signal received through the second communication line is out of the predetermined range; A power device having

2. 2. The power device according to claim 1, the first control path includes a first receiving unit that receives a first signal that is the digital signal, a first calculation unit that performs calculation processing to determine whether to switch the intermittent unit to the disconnected state or the connected state based on the first signal received by the first receiving unit, and a first transmitting unit that transmits a calculation result by the first calculation unit as a second signal to the intermittent unit; The second control path includes a second receiving unit that receives a third signal which is an analog signal, a second calculation unit that performs calculation processing to determine whether to switch the interruption unit to the disconnected state or the connected state based on the third signal received by the second receiving unit, and a second transmitting unit that transmits the calculation result of the second calculation unit as a fourth signal to the interruption unit.

3. 3. The power device according to claim 2, The second calculation unit determines, when the third signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the storage unit, to instruct the interrupter unit to switch to the interrupted state based on the signal indicating the abnormality.

4. 4. The power device according to claim 2, the power storage unit has a mounting portion to which a power storage device is detachably mounted, the second receiving unit receives the third signal transmitted from the power storage device attached to the attachment part and a fifth signal indicating whether or not the power storage device is attached to the attachment part; The second calculation unit determines, based on the third signal and the fifth signal, to switch the interrupting unit to the cut-off state when the storage device is attached to the attachment unit and the third signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the storage unit.

5. In the power device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a plurality of power storage units each having a mounting portion to which the power storage device is detachably mounted; The second control path is a third receiver that receives a plurality of sixth signals transmitted from the plurality of power storage devices attached to the plurality of attachment parts and a seventh signal indicating whether the plurality of power storage devices are attached to the plurality of attachment parts; a third calculation unit that performs calculation processing to determine whether to switch the intermittent unit to the disconnected state or the connected state based on the sixth signals and the seventh signal received by the third receiving units; a third transmitting unit configured to transmit a calculation result of the third calculating unit as an eighth signal to the intermittent unit; A power device having

6. 6. The power device according to claim 5, The third calculation unit is determining whether or not the sixth signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the power storage unit and whether or not the seventh signal is a signal indicating that the power storage device is attached to the attachment unit, for each of the plurality of power storage units; A power device that decides to switch the interrupting unit to the cut-off state for at least one of the storage units when the sixth signal is a signal indicating an abnormality in the storage unit and the seventh signal is a signal indicating that the storage unit is attached to the attachment unit.

Images