Power supply control system and target devices

Abstract

To achieve more suitable protection by suppressing a time of electric power supply to an electronic component provided in a circuit if a battery becomes abnormal.SOLUTION: An electric power supply control system comprises a plurality of batteries which are connected in series, an electric power control part which controls supply of electric power from the plurality of batteries to a load, a switching part which switches to determine whether to block the output of electric power from the plurality of batteries, and a voltage measurement part which measures a voltage value of the electric power control part, which controls the switching part to block the output of the electric power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement part is less than a threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply control system and a target device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted on secondary batteries that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy. In this regard, a technology is known that, when an abnormality in a secondary battery is detected, cuts off one connection circuit and maintains power supply using the other connection circuit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-145446 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology related to secondary batteries, when multiple batteries are connected in series in a circuit configuration and an abnormality occurs in one battery, it may be better to immediately cut off the power supply from the other batteries. However, since it takes time for the control side to perform power cut-off control after receiving an abnormality notification from the battery abnormality detection unit, there is a problem that the current flow during that time may cause problems such as a load on the electronic components installed in the circuit.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present application aims to provide more appropriate protection by reducing the time that current is applied to electronic components provided in a circuit when an abnormality occurs in a battery, and thereby contribute to improving energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power supply control system and target device according to the present invention employ the following configuration. (1): A power supply control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of batteries connected in series, a power control unit that controls the supply of power from the plurality of batteries to a load, a switching unit that switches whether or not to cut off the output of power from the plurality of batteries, and a voltage measurement unit that measures a voltage value in the power control unit, wherein the power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than a threshold value.

[0007] (2): In the above aspect (1), the device further includes an abnormality detection unit that outputs abnormality detection information indicating the detection of an abnormality to the power control unit when an abnormality in the battery is detected, and the power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than a threshold value, regardless of whether the abnormality detection information has been obtained from the abnormality detection unit.

[0008] (3): In the above aspect (1), the power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of the power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than the threshold value and the voltage value is greater than 0.

[0009] (4): In the above aspect (1), when the voltage value is 0, the power control unit does not execute control to cut off the output of the power even if the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than the threshold value.

[0010] (5): In the above aspect (2), when the abnormality detection unit acquires abnormality detection information for at least one battery among the multiple batteries, the power control unit outputs the abnormality detection information to the other batteries.

[0011] (6): In the above aspect (2), the abnormality detection unit is provided for each of the plurality of batteries, and the abnormality detection unit provided in a battery among the plurality of batteries in which an abnormality is detected outputs the abnormality detection information to the other batteries.

[0012] (7) In the above aspect (6), the other battery that has received the abnormality detection information cuts off its own power output.

[0013] (8): In the above aspect (7), the cutting off of the output of its own power by the other battery is executed regardless of whether or not control of the switching unit is executed by the power control unit, and the control of the switching unit by the power control unit is executed regardless of whether or not cutting off of the output of its own power by the other battery is executed.

[0014] (9) A target device according to another aspect of the present invention is a target device including a power supply control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the above aspects (1) to (9), when an abnormality occurs in the battery, the time during which current is applied to the electronic components provided in the circuit can be reduced, thereby providing more appropriate protection. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle 10 to which a power supply control system 100 according to an embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery 150. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a power supply control system 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram for explaining a current flow immediately after an abnormality occurs in a battery 150A in the power supply control system 100. FIG. [Diagram 5]4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the power supply control system 100 of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power supply control system and a target device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following example, the power supply control system will be described as being mounted on a vehicle. A vehicle is an example of a target device. The target device is not limited to a vehicle, and may include, for example, any device that operates with power supplied from a plurality of batteries (secondary batteries).

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 10 to which a power supply control system 100 according to an embodiment is applied. The vehicle 10 includes, for example, a motor (electric motor) 12, driving wheels 14, a braking device 16, a vehicle sensor 20, a communication device 50, a control device 60, and the power supply control system 100. The vehicle 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) that runs on an electric motor (electric motor) driven by power supplied from a battery (secondary battery) for running. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that is a hybrid vehicle with an external charging function. Vehicle 10 is, for example, a saddle-type two-wheeled vehicle, but is not limited to this and may include four-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one wheel in front and two wheels in the rear, as well as vehicles with two wheels in front and one wheel in the rear), assisted bicycles, and even electric boats, as well as any other mobile body that runs on an electric motor powered by power supplied from a battery.

[0019] The motor 12 is, for example, a three-phase AC motor. A rotor of the motor 12 is connected to the drive wheels 14. The motor 12 is driven by power supplied from a power storage unit included in the battery 150, and transmits rotational power to the drive wheels 14. In addition, the motor 12 generates power by using the kinetic energy of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 decelerates.

[0020] The braking device 16 includes, for example, a brake caliper, a cylinder that transmits hydraulic pressure to the brake caliper, and an electric motor that generates hydraulic pressure in the cylinder. The braking device 16 may include, as a backup, a mechanism that transmits hydraulic pressure generated by the operation of a brake pedal (not shown) by a user (driver) of the vehicle 10 to the cylinder via a master cylinder. Note that the braking device 16 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be an electronically controlled hydraulic brake device that transmits hydraulic pressure from a master cylinder to the cylinder.

[0021] The vehicle sensor 20 includes, for example, an accelerator opening sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake depression sensor. The accelerator opening sensor is attached to the accelerator pedal, detects the amount of accelerator pedal operation by the driver, and outputs the detected amount of operation as the accelerator opening to the control device 60 described below. The vehicle speed sensor includes, for example, wheel speed sensors attached to each wheel of the vehicle 10 and a speed calculator, and combines the wheel speeds detected by the wheel speed sensors to derive the speed of the vehicle 10 (vehicle speed), and outputs it to the control device 60. The brake depression sensor is attached to the brake pedal, detects the amount of brake pedal operation by the driver, and outputs the detected amount of operation as the brake depression to the control device 60.

[0022] The communication device 50 includes a wireless module for connecting to a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network. The communication device 50 may include a wireless module for using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. The communication device 50 transmits and receives various information related to the vehicle 10 to and from an external device (for example, an information management device or a battery exchange device) through communication in the wireless module. The communication device 50 transmits measurement data such as a current value, a voltage value, and a temperature of the battery 150 measured by the battery sensor 160 and a SOC calculated by the control device 60 to the external device, by linking the measurement data to, for example, a vehicle identification number (VIN) that identifies the vehicle 10 or a battery ID that identifies the battery 150.

[0023] The control device 60 controls each component of the vehicle 10 based on information obtained from the vehicle sensor 20, the communication device 50, the power supply control system 100, etc. For example, the control device 60 controls the driving of the motor 12 based on the output from an accelerator opening sensor provided in the vehicle sensor 20. The control device 60 also controls the brake device 16 based on the output from a brake depression sensor provided in the vehicle sensor 20. The control device 60 also outputs control information related to power supply to the PCU 120, and controls the communication device 50 to transmit various information related to the vehicle 10.

[0024] The power supply control system 100 includes, for example, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 120, a battery 150, a battery sensor 160, and a voltage sensor 170. Note that in FIG. 1, these components are collectively configured as the power supply control system 100, but this is merely an example, and these components in the power supply control system 100 may be arranged in a distributed manner. The power supply control system 100 may also include other components. The PCU 120 is an example of a "power control unit." The voltage sensor 170 is an example of a "voltage measurement unit."

[0025] The PCU 120 controls the supply (discharge) of power from the battery 150 to the load. The load is, for example, the motor 12, but may include other devices (for example, the vehicle sensor 20, the communication device 50, the control device 60, etc.) mounted on the vehicle 10 and operated by the supply of power. In addition, the load in the embodiment may be a device operated by the total voltage value of the batteries 150 connected in series when a plurality of batteries 150 are connected to the vehicle 10. In addition, the PCU 120 may perform charging control of the battery 150, control of the current flow and voltage in the power supply control system 100, and switching control between a conductive state (on state) and a cutoff state (off state) in the system. The PCU 120 may be configured to include, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a storage unit. In the PCU 120, the CPU reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit to realize various control functions in the PCU 120.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 1, the PCU 120 includes, for example, a converter 130 and a VCU (Voltage Control Unit) 34, but may include other configurations (circuits, etc.). The converter 130 is, for example, an AC-DC converter. A DC side terminal of the converter 130 is connected to a DC link DL. A battery 150 is connected to the DC link DL via the VCU 140. The converter 130 converts AC generated by the motor 12 into DC and outputs the DC to the DC link DL. The VCU 140 is, for example, a DC-DC converter. The VCU 140 boosts the power supplied from the battery 150 and outputs the power to the DC link DL.

[0027] For example, the control device 60 calculates, for example, a SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 150 based on an output from a battery sensor 160 connected to the battery 150, and outputs the SOC to the VCU 140. In response to an instruction from the control device 60, the VCU 140 increases the voltage of the DC link DL.

[0028] The battery 150 is a battery that can be utilized as a power source for the vehicle 10, for example, as well as a power source at home. The battery 150 is, for example, a removable battery such as a cassette type that is detachably attached to the vehicle 10, and may be called an MPP (Mobile Power Pack). The vehicle 10 is equipped with a plurality of batteries 150, and is configured to be able to supply power from each battery 150. The plurality of batteries 150 may be integrated into a battery pack. The battery 150 stores power supplied from a charging facility (not shown) outside the vehicle 10, and discharges the power for the vehicle 10 to travel. The battery 150 may store power by regenerative energy generated by the vehicle 10. The battery 150 equipped in the vehicle 10 is replaceable with another battery 150.

[0029] The battery sensor 160 measures physical quantities such as the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery 150. The battery sensor 160 includes, for example, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor for the battery 150. The battery sensor 160 measures the current of the battery 150 using a current sensor, measures the voltage of the battery 150 using a voltage sensor, and measures the temperature of the battery 150 using a temperature sensor. The battery sensor 160 outputs data on the measured physical quantities such as the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery 150 to the control device 60 and the communication device 50. The battery sensor 160 may be provided inside the battery 150.

[0030] Voltage sensor 170 measures the voltage in PCU 120 (hereinafter referred to as "PCU voltage"). The PCU voltage is, for example, the voltage between the positive terminal (+) and the negative terminal (-) of PCU 120 (between the positive and negative terminals). If a capacitor is provided in PCU 120, the PCU voltage may be the voltage of the capacitor. For example, voltage sensor 170 measures the PCU voltage repeatedly at a predetermined cycle, or measures the PCU voltage upon receiving an instruction from PCU 120 or the like. The measured PCU voltage is output to PCU 120.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the battery 150 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery 150. The battery 150 shown in FIG. 2 is a removable battery. The battery 150 includes, for example, a power storage unit 151, a BMU (Battery Management Unit) 152, and a connection unit 153. The BMU 152 is an example of a "battery management unit."

[0032] The power storage unit 151 includes a storage battery that stores charged power and discharges the stored power. Examples of the storage battery included in the power storage unit 151 include secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and all-solid-state batteries, capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors, and composite batteries that combine secondary batteries and capacitors.

[0033] The BMU 152 controls charging and discharging of the power storage unit 151, controls the direction of current flow and the voltage value, detects abnormalities in the battery 150, and performs on-off control to switch the battery circuit between a conductive state and a cut-off state. The BMU 152 may perform the above-mentioned various controls under the control of the PCU 120, for example.

[0034] The BMU 152 includes, for example, an abnormality detection unit 152A and a switching control unit 152B. The abnormality detection unit 152A detects an abnormality in the power storage unit 151 (or in other words, determines whether an abnormality occurs) based on a measurement value indicating a state of the power storage unit 151, such as a voltage of the power storage unit 151 measured by the battery sensor 160, a current flowing from the power storage unit 151, and a temperature when the power storage unit 151 is charged or discharged. For example, the abnormality detection unit 152A determines that an abnormality occurs in the battery 150 when at least one of the measured current value, voltage value, and temperature is an abnormal value (a value that is not included in a predetermined usable range). The abnormality detection unit 152A may also determine that an abnormality occurs in the battery 150 when a measurement value from the battery sensor 160 cannot be acquired for a predetermined period of time or more (sensor abnormality). Furthermore, the abnormality detection unit 152A may detect the degree of abnormality according to the magnitude of the abnormal value (degree of deviation from the usable range) and the type and number of the abnormal values. When an abnormality is detected, the abnormality detection unit 152A outputs information indicating that an abnormality has been detected (abnormality detection information) to the PCU 120. The abnormality detection information may include identification information of the battery 150, the type of abnormality, the degree of the abnormality, and the like. Note that the abnormality detection unit 152A may output the abnormality detection information to another battery 150 mounted on the vehicle 10 instead of (or in addition to) the PCU 120.

[0035] The switching control unit 152B switches the internal switch circuit of the battery 150 between a conductive state (ON state) and a cut-off state (OFF state). For example, when the abnormality detection unit 152A detects an abnormality (when it is determined that there is an abnormality), the switching control unit 152B switches the internal switch circuit of the battery 150 from a conductive state to a cut-off state, and executes cut-off control to cut off the power supply to the load. Furthermore, when no abnormality is detected or when the abnormality is resolved, the abnormality detection unit 152A may switch the internal switch circuit from a cut-off state to a conductive state, and perform conduction control to enable the power supply to the load. Furthermore, the switching control unit 152B may switch the ON / OFF state of each of a plurality of elements included in the internal switch circuit, and adjust the direction and magnitude (amount) of the current.

[0036] The connection unit 153 is a connection unit that supplies the electric power stored in the power storage unit 151 to a load such as the motor 12 when the battery 150 is mounted on the vehicle 10. The connection unit 153 may be configured to be connectable to a connection unit in a slot when the battery 150 is accommodated in a slot provided in an external battery exchange device (not shown) and to be capable of being charged by power supply from the battery exchange device after the battery 150 is accommodated. The connection unit 153 may be a connection unit for transmitting information such as a battery ID, the number of times charged, and a measurement value indicating the state of the power storage unit 151 exchanged between the battery 150 and the battery exchange device, and for transmitting electric power.

[0037] [Circuit configuration] Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the power supply control system 100 will be specifically described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the power supply control system 100. Note that, although Fig. 3 shows an example in which two batteries 150A and 150B are connected in series, in the embodiment, three or more batteries 150 may be connected in series. Also, for convenience of explanation, the circuit configuration of Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of the power supply control system 100, and the circuit configuration of the battery 150A is not limited to this.

[0038] 3 shows a PCU 120, a voltage sensor 170, a main switch circuit (an example of a switching unit) 180, and batteries 150A and 150B as circuit configurations of the power supply control system 100. FIG. 3 also shows a motor 12 as an example of a load to which power is supplied from the batteries 150A and 150B. The main switch circuit 180 is provided between the batteries 150A and 150B connected in series. The motor 12 is connected in series to the batteries 150A and 150B. The PCU 120 and the voltage sensor 170 are connected in parallel between the motor 12 and the two batteries 150A and 150B, respectively. These components are connected to each other by, for example, a multiplex communication line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line, a serial communication line, a wireless communication network, or the like.

[0039] The PCU 120 outputs a control signal to the main switch circuit 180 for switching the on / off state of the main switch circuit 180 based on the PCU voltage measured by the voltage sensor 170. The main switch circuit 180 switches between an on state (conductive state) and an off state (cut-off state) under the control of the PCU 120. For example, when the main switch circuit 180 is in the on state, power from the normal battery out of the batteries 150A and 150B (both batteries if both are normal) is supplied to the PCU 120 and the motor 12, and when the main switch circuit 180 is in the off state, power from the battery is cut off. The main switch circuit 180 may perform on / off control based on information obtained from other connected batteries in addition to the control from the PCU 120.

[0040] Next, an example of the internal circuit configuration of the batteries 150A and 150B will be described. Since the batteries 150A and 150B have the same components, the batteries 150A and 150B will be collectively referred to as "battery 150" hereinafter, unless otherwise specified. The same applies to each circuit component described below. The battery 150 includes, for example, a power storage unit 210, an adjustment circuit 220, a fluctuation suppression circuit 230, and a rectification circuit 240. For example, the adjustment circuit 220, the fluctuation suppression circuit 230, and the rectification circuit 240 are examples of electronic components. The electronic components may be one or more elements provided in each circuit. The adjustment circuit 220 is connected in series with the power storage unit 210. The fluctuation suppression circuit 230 and the rectification circuit 240 are each connected in parallel with the power storage unit 210. The power storage unit 210 corresponds to the above-mentioned power storage unit 151.

[0041] The adjustment circuit 220 adjusts the voltage and current of the power passing through the circuit. The adjustment circuit 220 also adjusts the current flow (direction) when the power storage unit 210 is being charged and the current flow (direction) when the power storage unit 210 is being discharged. The adjustment circuit 220 also has a function of switching between a conductive state (on state) and a cutoff state (off state) in the circuit. The adjustment circuit 220 is an example of the internal switch circuit described above. Each function of the adjustment circuit 220 is executed by, for example, the control of the BMU 152.

[0042] In the example of Fig. 3, the adjustment circuit 220 includes a first adjustment circuit 222, a second adjustment circuit 224, and a third adjustment circuit 226, and each circuit includes a FET (Field Effect Transistor). For example, the first adjustment circuit 222 includes a C-FET (Complementary - FET) and a diode, the second adjustment circuit 224 includes a D-FET (Dual gate - FET) and a diode, and the third adjustment circuit 226 includes a P-FET (p channel - FET) and a resistor, but the configuration of the elements in each circuit is not limited to this. The second adjustment circuit 224 and the third adjustment circuit 226 are connected in parallel, and the first adjustment circuit 222 is connected in series with the second adjustment circuit 224 and the third adjustment circuit 226 that are connected in parallel.

[0043] For example, when charging or discharging the power storage unit 210, the BMU 152 causes the first adjustment circuit 222 and the second adjustment circuit 224 to be in the on state (conductive state) and the third adjustment circuit 226 to be in the off state (cut-off state) by the switching control unit 152B. When the abnormality detection unit 152A detects an abnormality in the battery 150, the BMU 152 causes at least the first adjustment circuit 222 and the second adjustment circuit 224 to be in the off state by the switching control unit 152B, thereby preventing charging or discharging of the power storage unit 210. When the temperature of the power storage unit 210 becomes high (above a threshold), for example, the BMU 152 may perform control such that only the supply (discharge) of power to the motor 12 is possible by cutting off the current in the charging direction of the first adjustment circuit 222 (C-FET off state) and allowing the current flow in the discharging direction of the second adjustment circuit 224 (D-FET on state). The third adjustment circuit 226 is used, for example, when charging (precharging) a smoothing capacitor in an external inverter with power from the power storage unit 210. For example, when charging the smoothing capacitor, the BMU 152 turns on the first adjustment circuit 222 and the third adjustment circuit 226 and turns off the second adjustment circuit 224 using the switching control unit 152B. Note that, since a large current flows when an uncharged smoothing capacitor is charged via a P-FET, the third adjustment circuit 226 is provided with a resistor to suppress the current.

[0044] The fluctuation suppression circuit suppresses voltage fluctuations due to charging and discharging in the battery 150. In the example of Fig. 3, the fluctuation suppression circuit 230 includes three capacitors 232, 234, and 236, but the configuration is not limited to this. The capacitor 232 is connected to the positive and negative sides of the battery circuit in the battery 150. One end of the capacitor 234 is connected to the positive side, and the other end is connected to the capacitor 236. Also, one end of the capacitor 236 is connected to the negative side, and the other end is connected to the capacitor 234. Also, the space between the capacitors 234 and 236 is connected to earth.

[0045] The rectifier circuit 240 adjusts the current flow to one direction, adjusts the magnitude of the current, controls the voltage, etc. The rectifier circuit 240 is, for example, a diode, but is not limited to this.

[0046] For example, when an abnormality occurs in one of the batteries 150A, 150B, the PCU 120 acquires abnormality detection information output from the battery 150 in which the abnormality occurs via the CAN communication line, and after acquiring the information, performs control (power cutoff control) to turn the main switch circuit 180 to the OFF state and cut off the power supply to the motor 12. Here, the flow of current immediately after the abnormality occurs (before the main switch circuit 180 is turned to the OFF state) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that an abnormality occurs in the battery 150A of the batteries 150A, 150B.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a current flow immediately after an abnormality occurs in the battery 150A in the power supply control system 100. The example of Fig. 4 shows a state in which the first adjustment circuit 222 and the second adjustment circuit 224 included in the adjustment circuit 220A of the battery 150A are turned off (cut off) by the switching control unit 152B due to abnormality detection by the abnormality detection unit 152A.

[0048] When an abnormality in the battery 150A is detected, abnormality detection information is output from the battery 150A to the PCU 120, and the PCU 120, which receives the abnormality detection information via the CAN communication line, executes control to turn the main switch circuit 180 to the OFF state to cut off the flow of current. However, in the above-mentioned control, there is a delay from when the abnormality is detected until the power cutoff control is completed, so that the current flows through the rectifier circuit 240A in the battery 150A due to the power supplied from the normally operating battery 150B. In this way, even if an abnormality is detected, the rectifier circuit 240A is in a conductive state until the main switch circuit 180 is turned off, so there is a possibility that an abnormality or deterioration will occur in the rectifier circuit 240A.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, the PCU 120 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the battery 150A from information other than the abnormality detection information output from the battery 150A, and turns off the main switch circuit 180 without waiting for the abnormality detection information to be acquired.

[0050] To perform the above control, for example, the PCU 120 determines whether or not an abnormality occurs in the batteries 150A, 150B based on the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor 170. For example, when the batteries 150A and 150B are connected in series, the PCU voltage is the sum of the power supply voltages (power storage units 210A, 210B) of the batteries. Therefore, the PCU 120 sets a threshold based on the sum (total voltage value) of the voltages of the batteries 150A, 150B connected in series, and when the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor 170 is less than the threshold, it determines that an abnormality occurs in at least one of the batteries 150A, 150B connected in series. The threshold may be set based on the number of batteries 150 connected, may be set based on a voltage value that decreases when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the batteries 150, or may be a fixed value. The threshold may also be set based on a voltage value required by the load (minimum voltage value for operation). The threshold value may also be adjusted based on the degree of deterioration of each battery 150, which may be determined by the number of times it has been charged.

[0051] When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the battery 150A out of the multiple batteries 150A and 150B, the PCU 120 performs control to switch the main switch circuit 180 to the off state without waiting for abnormality detection information output from the battery 150A to be acquired, thereby enabling the PCU 120 to execute power cutoff control earlier than waiting for the acquisition of the abnormality detection information. Therefore, since the time during which the current flows can be reduced as shown in FIG. 4, the current-carrying time of the rectifier circuit 240A can be reduced, and the load on the rectifier circuit 240A can be reduced. Therefore, abnormalities and deterioration of electronic components in the circuit of the battery 150 can be suppressed, and the electronic components (the rectifier circuit 240A in the example of FIG. 4) can be protected.

[0052] In addition, when the main switch circuit 180 is in the ON state and the PCU voltage measured by the voltage sensor 170 is 0 [V], the PCU 120 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in all the batteries 150 in the power supply control system 100 and may not control the main switch circuit 180 to the OFF state. In other words, when the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor 170 is less than the threshold value and greater than 0 [V], the PCU 120 turns the main switch circuit 180 to the OFF state and performs power cut-off control, and when the voltage measured by the voltage sensor 170 is 0 [V], the PCU 120 does not perform power cut-off control (does not turn the main switch circuit 180 to the OFF state) even if the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor 170 is less than the threshold value. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary ON / OFF control of the main switch circuit 180 and perform more appropriate switching control.

[0053] <Modification> Furthermore, when an abnormality is detected in at least one of the multiple batteries 150 connected to the PCU 120 and abnormality detection information is acquired from the battery 150 in which the abnormality is detected, the PCU 120 may output the abnormality detection information to the other battery (normal battery). The information output to the other battery may be information simply indicating the presence of a battery in which an abnormality has occurred, instead of the abnormality detection information. For example, the BMU 152 of the other battery (normal battery) that has acquired the abnormality detection information performs control to put an internal switch circuit (for example, the rectifier circuit 240) in a cutoff state (off state). This cuts off the output of power from the normal battery, thereby preventing current from flowing to the battery 150 in which the abnormality is detected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the time that power is applied to the electronic components of the battery in which the abnormality is detected, and to protect the electronic components. Furthermore, the battery 150 in which the abnormality is detected may directly output the abnormality detection information to the other battery (normal battery) connected in series, without going through the PCU 120. In this case, the BMU 152 of the other battery (normal battery) to which the abnormality detection information has been notified performs control to switch the internal switch circuit (e.g., rectifier circuit 240) to a cut-off state (off state), thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

[0054] For example, in the power supply control system 100, the shutoff of the output of the battery's own power (shutoff of the internal switch circuit) by another battery (normal battery) is executed regardless of whether or not the shutoff control of the main switch circuit 180 by the PCU 120 has been executed, and the control of the main switch circuit 180 by the PCU 120 is executed regardless of whether or not the shutoff of the output of the battery's own power (shutoff of the internal switch circuit) by the other battery (normal battery) has been executed. This makes it possible to suppress (or prevent) the output of power (current flow) more quickly when an abnormality is detected, and to suppress abnormalities and deterioration of electronic components. This can therefore further improve safety when an abnormality in the battery is detected.

[0055] In addition, in the embodiment, the PCU 120 may continuously monitor the PCU voltage repeatedly measured at a predetermined cycle by the voltage sensor 170, and when the voltage value is continuously below the threshold value for a predetermined number of times or more, determine that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the batteries 150. This allows the state of the battery 150 to be grasped more accurately, although there is some delay, and allows more appropriate power supply control to be performed.

[0056] [Processing flow] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the power supply control system 100 of the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 5, the control processing executed by the power supply control system 100 when an abnormality in the battery 150 is detected will be mainly described. Also, before the processing shown in Fig. 5 is started, a plurality of batteries 150 are connected in series to the power supply control system 100, and each battery 150 is normally supplying power to the load. The processing of Fig. 5 may be executed continuously at a predetermined cycle, for example.

[0057] 5, the voltage sensor 170 measures the voltage (PCU voltage) in the PCU 120 (step S100). Next, the PCU 120 determines whether the measured voltage value is less than a threshold value (step S110). If it is determined that the voltage value is not less than the threshold value, the PCU 120 maintains the power supply state (conductive state within the system) so that the power of the battery 150 is supplied to a load such as the motor 12 (step S120).

[0058] Furthermore, if it is determined that the voltage value is less than the threshold value, PCU 120 determines whether or not the voltage value is greater than 0 [V] (step S130). If it is determined that the voltage value is greater than 0 [V], control is executed to cut off the supply of power from battery 150 (power cutoff control) (step S140). This ends the processing of this flowchart. Furthermore, if it is determined in the processing of step S130 that the voltage value is not greater than 0 [V] (is 0 [V]), power is no longer being supplied to the load (current is not flowing in the system), so the processing ends as it is.

[0059] According to the embodiment described above, the power supply control system 100 includes a plurality of batteries 150 connected in series, a PCU (an example of a power control unit) 120 that controls the supply of power from the plurality of batteries 150 to a load, a main switch circuit (an example of a switching unit) 180 that switches whether or not to cut off the output of power from the plurality of batteries 150, and a voltage sensor (an example of a voltage measurement unit) that measures the voltage value in the PCU 120. When the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor 170 is below a threshold value, the PCU 120 controls the main switch circuit 180 to cut off the output of power, thereby reducing the time that current is applied to electronic components provided in the circuit when an abnormality occurs in the battery, thereby providing more appropriate protection.

[0060] For example, according to the embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in some of the batteries 150 connected in series, the internal switch circuit is turned off, and the voltage in the PCU 120 decreases. Therefore, when this decrease is acquired, the abnormality of the battery 150 is detected and the power cut-off control is performed using the main switch circuit 180, so that the power cut-off control can be executed at an earlier timing than when the cut-off control is performed after waiting for the abnormality detection information output from the battery 150 to be acquired. Therefore, the time from when the battery abnormality occurs to when the power cut-off control is completed can be shortened, and the current-carrying time of the electronic components can be further minimized, and the electronic components can be protected. Furthermore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to contribute to energy efficiency.

[0061] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Vehicles 12 Motor 14 Drive wheels 16 Brake device 20 Vehicle Sensors 50 Communication equipment 60 Control device 100 Power supply control system 120 PCU 130 Converter 140 VCU 150 Battery 151, 210 Power storage unit 152 BMU 153 Connection 160 Battery Sensor 170 Voltage Sensor 180 Main switch circuit 220 Adjustment circuit 230 Fluctuation Suppression Circuit 240 Rectifier circuit

Claims

1. A plurality of batteries connected in series; a power control unit that controls the supply of power from the plurality of batteries to a load; a switching unit that switches between cutting off and not cutting off the output of power from the plurality of batteries; a voltage measurement unit that measures a voltage value in the power control unit, The power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of the power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than a threshold value. Power supply control system.

2. an abnormality detection unit that outputs abnormality detection information indicating that an abnormality has been detected to the power control unit when an abnormality in the battery is detected; When the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than a threshold value, the power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of the power, regardless of whether the abnormality detection information has been acquired from the abnormality detection unit. The power supply control system according to claim 1 .

3. the power control unit controls the switching unit to cut off the output of the power when the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than the threshold value and is greater than 0. The power supply control system according to claim 1 .

4. the power control unit does not execute control to cut off the output of the power when the voltage value is 0 even if the voltage value measured by the voltage measurement unit is less than the threshold value. The power supply control system according to claim 1 .

5. When the abnormality detection unit acquires abnormality detection information for at least one battery among the plurality of batteries, the power control unit outputs the abnormality detection information to the other batteries. The power supply control system according to claim 2 .

6. the abnormality detection unit is provided for each of the plurality of batteries, an abnormality detection unit provided in a battery in which an abnormality is detected among the plurality of batteries outputs the abnormality detection information to the other batteries; The power supply control system according to claim 2 .

7. The other battery that has received the abnormality detection information cuts off its own power output. The power supply control system according to claim 6.

8. The cut-off of the output of the power of the other battery is executed regardless of whether or not the control of the switching unit is executed by the power control unit, The control of the switching unit by the power control unit is executed regardless of whether or not the output of the power of the other battery has been cut off. The power supply control system according to claim 7.

9. A target device comprising the power supply control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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