Heating System

Abstract

To provide a heating system capable of raising the temperature of a secondary battery when necessary by generating heat by applying a high-frequency alternating current while suppressing heat generated by the current that flows during normal charging and discharging of the secondary battery.SOLUTION: A heating system includes an alternating current generation circuit connected to a storage battery containing one or more power storage bodies and generating an alternating current, and a conductive member that is made of a metal conductor that is connected between the terminals of a power storage unit and an AC generating circuit, or between multiple power storage bodies, and has a first path and a second path that generates heat by passing an alternating current, and in which the first path has a larger inductance component than the second path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating system. [Background technology]

[0002] Efforts to reduce adverse effects on the global environment (for example, reducing NOx, SOx, or CO2) are underway. For this reason, in recent years, from the perspective of improving the global environment, and in order to reduce CO2, there has been growing interest in electric vehicles that run on at least an electric motor driven by power supplied from a battery (secondary battery), such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The use of lithium-ion secondary batteries as batteries for vehicle use is being considered. In these electric vehicles, it is important to fully utilize the performance of the secondary battery. It is known that the charge and discharge performance of a secondary battery decreases when the temperature during use falls below a moderate range. The decrease in the charge and discharge performance of a secondary battery can be suppressed by raising the temperature to a suitable temperature during use.

[0003] Incidentally, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a technique for cooling the inside of a battery by cooling the terminal part of the battery. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that by abutting a heat dissipation member against the end face of the terminal part of the battery, the contact area between the terminal part and the heat dissipation member is increased, and heat is transferred from the terminal part to the heat dissipation member more efficiently. These conventional techniques utilize the good heat transfer between the terminal part of the battery and the inside of the battery to efficiently dissipate heat from the battery. From this, it is considered that, conversely, when raising the temperature of a secondary battery, it is possible to efficiently raise the temperature by warming the terminal part.

[0004] Meanwhile, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technology related to a temperature raising device for raising the temperature of a secondary battery. The temperature raising device disclosed in Patent Document 3 raises the temperature of the secondary battery by actively generating in the secondary battery a ripple current of a predetermined frequency in a frequency range where the absolute value of the impedance is relatively decreased, based on the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the secondary battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4940490 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5096842 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5293820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when considering how to heat a secondary battery by combining conventional technologies, it is conceivable to pass a high-frequency alternating current through a metal member (a heat dissipation member in Patent Documents 1 and 2) that is in contact with the terminal portion of the secondary battery, thereby causing the metal member to heat up. In this case, in order to pass an alternating current through the metal member to generate more heat, it is necessary to increase the resistance value of the metal member. However, increasing the resistance value of the metal member may affect the normal charge / discharge characteristics of the secondary battery. For example, if the metal member heats up due to the current that flows during normal charge / discharge, the temperature of the secondary battery will rise even when it is not necessary to warm it up.

[0007] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of the above problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a heating system that can generate heat by passing a high-frequency alternating current through a secondary battery while suppressing heat generation due to the current that flows during normal charging and discharging of the secondary battery, thereby raising the temperature of the secondary battery when necessary and improving energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The heating system according to the present invention employs the following configuration. (1): A heating system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a heating system comprising: an AC generating circuit connected to a storage battery including one or more power storage units and generating an AC current; and a conductive member made of a metal conductor connected between a terminal portion of the power storage unit and the AC generating circuit or between a plurality of the power storage units, the conductive member having a first path and a second path that generates heat by passing the AC current therethrough, the first path having a larger inductance component than the second path.

[0009] (2): In the above aspect (1), the conductive member has a first resistance component and an inductance component arranged in the first path, and a second resistance component arranged in the second path, and the resistance value of the second resistance component is higher than the resistance value of the first resistance component.

[0010] (3): In the above aspect (2), a reactor having the first resistance component and the inductance component is provided in the first path, and a resistor having the second resistance component is provided in the second path.

[0011] (4): In the above embodiment (2), the first path includes a metal conductor having the first resistance component and a magnetic body surrounding the metal conductor, and the second path includes a resistor having the second resistance component.

[0012] (5): A heating system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a heating system including: an AC generating circuit connected to a storage battery including one or more power storage units and generating an AC current; and a conductive member made of a metal conductor connected between a terminal portion of the power storage unit and the AC generating circuit or between a plurality of the power storage units, the conductive member including a magnetic body surrounding the metal conductor and generating heat due to an AC magnetic field based on the AC current.

[0013] (6): A heating system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an AC generating circuit connected to a storage battery including one or more power storage units and generating an AC current, and a conductive member made of a metal conductor connected between a terminal portion of the power storage unit and the AC generating circuit or between a plurality of the power storage units, the conductive member having a first path and a second path branching from the first path and generating heat by passing the AC current therethrough, the conductive member having a resistor provided in the second path.

[0014] (7): In any one of the above aspects (1) to (6), the AC generating circuit has a first capacitor having one end connected to the positive electrode side of the power storage unit, and a second capacitor having one end connected to the negative electrode side of the power storage unit. By switching the connection of the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the power storage unit between a series connection or a parallel connection, the AC current is generated by a resonance operation between an inductance component of the power storage unit and at least the first capacitor. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the above-mentioned aspects (1) to (7), while suppressing heat generation due to the current flowing during normal charging and discharging of the secondary battery, heat is generated by passing a high-frequency alternating current, thereby making it possible to raise the temperature of the secondary battery when necessary and improve energy efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heating system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an AC generating circuit included in the heating system. [Diagram 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure of a bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is an example of an equivalent circuit of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of heat generation characteristics of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating another example of the structure of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure of a bus bar according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure of a bus bar according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an application example of the bus bar according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heating system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Heating system configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a temperature raising system according to an embodiment. The temperature raising system 1 includes, for example, an AC generating unit 10 including an AC generating circuit 12, and a bus bar 20. Fig. 1 also shows a battery 30 whose temperature is raised in the temperature raising system 1. Fig. 1 shows a state in which bus bars 20 (bus bars 20a and 20b) are connected to the respective terminal portions of the positive and negative sides of the battery 30.

[0019] The battery 30 is a battery (secondary battery) for driving mounted on a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) (hereinafter, simply referred to as "vehicle M") that runs by combining driving of an electric motor (electric motor) by supplied electric power or driving of an internal combustion engine using fuel such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine as an energy source. The battery 30 includes a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium ion battery, as an electric storage unit Ba. The battery 30 discharges electric power stored in the electric storage unit Ba and supplies it to an electric motor connected to the terminals V0 and V1, and the electric motor operates as a regenerative brake using kinetic energy during deceleration of the vehicle M to generate electric power and charge the electric power supplied from the terminals V0 and V1. The battery 30 is an example of a "power storage unit" or a "storage battery" in the claims.

[0020] The warming system 1 raises (heats) the temperature of the battery 30 to a temperature suitable for use in order to suppress deterioration of the charge / discharge performance of the battery 30. The start and stop of the warming system 1 is controlled by, for example, a control device such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) provided in the vehicle M.

[0021] The AC generating unit 10 generates a high-frequency AC current for heating the busbar 20 by the AC generating circuit 12. The busbar 20 is a conductive member mainly made of a metal conductor such as copper. The busbar 20 is connected to a terminal portion of the battery 30. In normal charging and discharging of the battery 30, the busbar 20 passes a current (charge and discharge current) between the battery 30 and the terminal V0 and the terminal V1. The charge and discharge current is a direct current or an AC current having a lower frequency than the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10. When the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 is applied (passed) to the battery 30, the battery 30 generates heat in response to the AC current. The heat generated by the busbar 20 is transferred to the terminal portion of the battery 30, and the heat is further transferred to the inside of the battery 30, and the temperature of the battery 30 is raised. This is because the terminal portion of the battery 30 is connected to the inside of the battery 30 by a metal material, and therefore heat is transferred well to the entire battery 30. The bus bar 20 is an example of a "conductive member" in the claims.

[0022] [Example of AC generating section configuration] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an AC generating unit 10 included in the temperature raising system 1. The AC generating unit 10 includes, for example, an AC generating circuit 12 and a control unit 14. Fig. 2 also shows busbar 20 (busbar 20a and busbar 20b) and battery 30 included in the temperature raising system 1. In the battery 30, for example, a resistance Ra and an inductance La are connected in series to the positive electrode side of a power storage unit Ba. The inductance La is an example of an "inductance component possessed by a power storage unit" in the claims.

[0023] The AC generating circuit 12 includes, for example, a capacitor C1, a capacitor C2, a switch S1, a switch S2, and a switch S3. The capacitors C1 and C2 are capacitors having the same capacitance. The switches S1, S2, and S3 are each controlled to a conductive state in which both terminals are connected (closed state) or a non-conductive state in which both terminals are not connected (open state) in response to a control signal output by the control unit 14. The switches S1, S2, and S3 may each be a semiconductor switching element that is controlled to be in either an on or off state, such as an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0024] In the AC generating circuit 12, a first terminal of the capacitor C1 is connected to the positive electrode side of the battery 30, and a first terminal of the capacitor C2 is connected to the negative electrode side of the battery 30. Furthermore, in the AC generating circuit 12, a first terminal of the switch S2 is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor C1, and a second terminal of the switch S1 is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor C2. In the AC generating circuit 12, a first terminal of the switch S1 and a second terminal of the switch S3 are connected to the second terminal of the capacitor C1, and a second terminal of the switch S2 and a first terminal of the switch S3 are connected to the second terminal of the capacitor C2. In the AC generating circuit 12, the capacitor C1 is an example of a "first capacitor" in the claims, and the capacitor C2 is an example of a "second capacitor" in the claims.

[0025] When the temperature increasing system 1 is started, the control unit 14 switches the connection of the capacitors C1 and C2 to the battery 30 side between a parallel connection or a series connection by turning on or off each switch of the AC generating circuit 12. More specifically, the control unit 14 alternates between a state in which the capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in parallel to the battery 30 side by turning on the switches S1 and S2 and turning on the switch S3, and a state in which the capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series to the battery 30 side by turning on the switches S1 and S2 and turning on the switch S3.

[0026] The control unit 14 operates by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). The control unit 14 may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The control unit 14 may be realized by a dedicated LSI. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device having a non-transitory storage medium) such as a flash memory provided in the AC generating unit 10.

[0027] The AC generating circuit 12 generates an AC current by a resonance operation between the inductance La of the battery 30 and at least the capacitor C1, by switching the connection of the capacitors C1 and C2 to the battery 30 side to a parallel connection or a series connection by the control unit 14. More specifically, the AC generating circuit 12 generates a high-frequency AC current based on the power stored in the battery 30 by a resonance operation that alternately exchanges magnetic energy stored in the inductance La of the battery 30 and electrostatic energy stored in at least the capacitor C1.

[0028] The AC generating unit 10 applies (passes) the AC current generated by the AC generating circuit 12 to the bus bar 20, thereby causing the bus bar 20 to generate heat and raising the temperature of the battery 30.

[0029] First Embodiment [Example of busbar structure] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a busbar 20 (hereinafter referred to as "busbar 20-1") according to the first embodiment. The busbar 20-1 is mainly formed of a metal conductor 21, and two terminal holes (terminal hole A and terminal hole B) are formed at both ends of the metal conductor 21 to which a terminal portion of the battery 30, a terminal to which the AC generating unit 10 outputs AC current, a terminal to which a power supply terminal for the vehicle M can be connected, etc. The busbar 20-1 has two current paths, P1 and P2, between the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B. In the busbar 20-1, a reactor 22 is provided in the current path P1, and a resistor 23 is provided in the current path P2.

[0030] The reactor 22 is, for example, a reactor for a large current, having a resistance component and an inductance component. The resistance value of the resistance component of the reactor 22 is low enough to be negligible. The resistor 23 is a resistor having a resistance value higher than the resistance value of the resistance component of the reactor 22. Although the resistor 23 may also include an inductance component, the inductance component of the resistor 23 is small enough to be negligible.

[0031] With this configuration, in the busbar 20-1, a charging / discharging current of the battery 30 flows via the current path P1 during normal charging / discharging operations of the battery 30. On the other hand, when the temperature of the battery 30 is raised by the busbar 20-1, the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 flows via the current path P2.

[0032] In the bus bar 20-1, the current path P1 is an example of a "first path" in the claims, and the current path P2 is an example of a "second path" in the claims.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an example of an equivalent circuit of the busbar 20-1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the resistance component of the reactor 22 is indicated as "Rs" and the inductance component is indicated as "Ls". In FIG. 4, the resistance component of the resistor 23 is indicated as "Rm". When a charge / discharge current flows between the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B, in the busbar 20-1, the current flows through the current path P1 having a lower resistance value with characteristics according to the resistance component Rs and the inductance component Ls of the reactor 22. On the other hand, when an AC current flows between the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B, in the busbar 20-1, the AC current, which is a high frequency, is prevented from flowing to the current path P1 by the inductance component Ls of the reactor 22, and flows through the current path P2 having a higher resistance value with characteristics according to the resistance component Rm of the resistor 23. As a result, in the busbar 20-1, the resistor 23 generates heat in response to the AC current flowing therethrough.

[0034] In the busbar 20-1, the resistance component Rs is an example of a "first resistance component" in the claims, the inductance component Ls is an example of an "inductance component" in the claims, and the resistance component Rm is an example of a "second resistance component" in the claims.

[0035] Here, the relationship between the frequency of the current flowing through the busbar 20-1 and the amount of heat generation will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of heat generation characteristics in the busbar 20-1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 5(a) shows an example of a circuit in which the power supply PS applies currents with the same current value but different frequencies to the equivalent circuit of the busbar 20-1 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5(b) shows an example of changes in the current flowing through each current path and the amount of heat generation with respect to frequency in the circuit example shown in FIG. 5(a). More specifically, FIG. 5(b) shows changes in the current I1 flowing through the current path P1, the current I2 flowing through the current path P2, the amount of heat generation W1 in the current path P1, the amount of heat generation W2 in the current path P2, and the amount of heat generation in the entire busbar 20-1 with respect to frequency. FIG. 5(a) shows an example of the direction in which the current I1 and the current I2 flow. The example shown in Figure 5 is an example when a power source PS applies a sinusoidal current I with a current amplitude of 20 [A] to a bus bar 20-1 in which the inductance component Ls of the reactor 22 is 100 [nH], the resistance component Rs is 1 [mΩ], and the resistance component Rm of the resistor 23 is 1 [Ω].

[0036] As shown in the lower part of FIG. 5B, when the power supply PS applies a current I having a frequency of, for example, 50 [kHz] or less to the busbar 20-1, a current I1 corresponding to the applied current I flows through the current path P1, but a current I2 hardly flows through the current path P2 due to the resistor 23. For this reason, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 5B, when a current I having a frequency of 50 [kHz] or less is applied, the heat generation amount W1 in the current path P1 through which the current I1 flows is the main amount, and the heat generation amount W2 in the current path P2 is almost negligible. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5B, the total heat generation amount of the busbar 20-1 is the heat generation amount corresponding to the heat generation amount W1. In other words, when a current I having a frequency of 50 [kHz] or less is applied, the busbar 20-1 hardly generates heat.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5B, when the power supply PS applies a current I having a frequency exceeding 50 kHz to the busbar 20-1, the current I2 flowing through the current path P2 gradually increases as the frequency increases. On the other hand, in the current path P1, as the frequency of the current I increases further, the current I1 gradually decreases. For this reason, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 5B, when the frequency exceeds 50 kHz, the current path that mainly generates heat is switched. More specifically, in the current path P1, the inductance component Ls of the reactor 22 suppresses the flow of the current I having a frequency exceeding 50 kHz, so that the heat generation amount W1 in the current path P1 remains unchanged, but the heat generation amount W2 in the current path P2 in which the resistor 23 having a high resistance value is provided increases as the frequency increases, and becomes the main heat generation in the busbar 20-1 when the frequency exceeds 50 kHz. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5(b), the total heat generation amount of bus bar 20-1 gradually increases from the point where the frequency reaches approximately 50 [kHz].

[0038] In this way, busbar 20-1 has heat generation characteristics in which when the frequency of the applied current I is 50 kHz or less, the heat generation amount W1 in current path P1 dominates, and when the frequency exceeds 50 kHz, the heat generation amount W2 in current path P2 dominates.

[0039] Generally, in the vehicle M, the frequency of the current accompanying the charging and discharging of the battery 30 is DC to about several Hz. The frequency of the current fluctuation (so-called ripple of the current waveform) accompanying the rotation of the electric motor for driving is limited to about several kHz. Furthermore, the frequency of the ripple of the current waveform due to switching of, for example, an inverter mounted on the vehicle M is limited to about several tens of kHz.

[0040] From this, it can be seen that in the temperature-raising system 1, when the AC generating unit 10 does not generate an AC current or generates an AC current with a frequency lower than 50 [kHz], the heat generation in the busbar 20-1 is the same as in the conventional case in the normal charging and discharging operation in the vehicle M, the rotation of the electric motor for driving, and the fluctuation of the current waveform accompanying the switching of the inverter, etc. Furthermore, it can be seen that in the temperature-raising system 1, if the AC generating unit 10 generates an AC current with a frequency higher than 50 [kHz] and applies it to the busbar 20-1, the temperature of the battery 30 can be intentionally raised by the heat generation of the busbar 20-1 (more specifically, the heat generation of the resistor 23). Moreover, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5, the amount of heat generated by the busbar 20-1 when the current I has a frequency higher than 50 [kHz] increases as the frequency of the current I increases. Therefore, the temperature-raising system 1 can efficiently raise the temperature of the battery 30 to an intended temperature.

[0041] [Another example of a busbar structure] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the structure of the busbar 20 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the other busbar 20 is referred to as "busbar 20-2." Like the busbar 20-1, the busbar 20-2 is mainly formed of a metal conductor 21, and a terminal hole A and a terminal hole B are formed at both ends of the metal conductor 21. And, like the busbar 20-1, the busbar 20-2 also has two current paths P1 and P2 between the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B. In the busbar 20-2, a magnetic body 24 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the metal conductor 21 of the current path P1. Like the busbar 20-1, a resistor 23 is provided in the current path P2 in the busbar 20-2.

[0042] The equivalent circuit of busbar 20-2 is similar to the equivalent circuit of busbar 20-1 shown in Fig. 4. In busbar 20-2, the resistance component of current path P1 is replaced by the resistance component of metal conductor 21 itself, and the inductance component is replaced by an inductance component generated by a current flowing (passing) inside the area surrounded by magnetic body 24. In busbar 20-2, similar to busbar 20-1, when a charge / discharge current is passed between terminal hole A and terminal hole B, the current flows through current path P1, which has a lower resistance value. In busbar 20-2, similar to busbar 20-1, when an AC current is passed between terminal hole A and terminal hole B, the flow of the AC current to current path P1 is suppressed by the inductance component generated by magnetic body 24, and resistor 23 generates heat in response to the AC current that has flowed through current path P2.

[0043] With this configuration, in the busbar 20-2, similarly to the busbar 20-1, in a normal charging / discharging operation of the battery 30, a charging / discharging current of the battery 30 flows through the current path P1, and when the temperature of the battery 30 is increased, the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 flows through the current path P2, thereby generating heat. In the busbar 20-2, the relationship between the frequency of the current flowing and the amount of heat generated is equivalent to the relationship between the frequency of the current and the amount of heat generated in the busbar 20-2 shown in FIG. 5, although it is possible that the frequency of the current I at which the current path that mainly generates heat is changed may differ. Therefore, in the busbar 20-2, similarly to the busbar 20-1, in the temperature increasing system 1, the AC generating unit 10 generates a high-frequency AC current and applies it to the busbar 20-2, thereby intentionally increasing the temperature of the battery 30 by the heat generated by the busbar 20-2 (more specifically, the heat generated by the resistor 23).

[0044] As described above, in the busbar 20 of the first embodiment, the current path P1 is provided with an inductance component Ls and a resistance component Rs with a resistance value that is low enough to be negligible, and the current path P2 is provided with a resistor 23 with a resistance component Rm with a resistance value higher than the resistance component Rs. In the busbar 20 of the first embodiment, in normal charging and discharging operations of the battery 30, a charging / discharging current is caused to flow through the current path P1 to generate no heat, but a high-frequency AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 included in the temperature-raising system 1 is caused to flow through the current path P2, causing the resistor 23 to heat up. As a result, in the busbar 20 of the first embodiment, it is possible to intentionally raise the temperature of the battery 30.

[0045] <Second embodiment> [Example of busbar structure] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a busbar 20 according to the second embodiment. Like the busbars 20-1 and 20-2 according to the first embodiment, the busbar 20 according to the second embodiment is mainly formed of a metal conductor 21, and a terminal hole A and a terminal hole B are formed at both ends of the metal conductor 21. In the busbar 20 according to the second embodiment, there is one current path through which a current flows between the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B. In the following description, the one current path in the busbar 20 according to the second embodiment is referred to as a "current path P1." In the busbar 20 according to the second embodiment, a magnetic body 25 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the metal conductor 21 of the current path P1. FIG. 7 shows two examples of the busbar 20 according to the second embodiment, which have different structures, in which the magnetic body 25 is provided. More specifically, Figure 7(a) shows a second embodiment of a busbar 20 (hereinafter referred to as "busbar 20-3") in which a magnetic body 25 is provided so as to surround a portion of the metal conductor 21 of the current path P1, and Figure 7(a) shows a second embodiment of a busbar 20 (hereinafter referred to as "busbar 20-4") in which a magnetic body 25 is provided so as to cover the surface of the metal conductor 21 of the current path P1.

[0046] When a high-frequency magnetic field (AC magnetic field) is applied to the magnetic body 25, the magnetic body 25 has a characteristic of generating heat due to the high-frequency magnetic flux passing through the inside of the magnetic body 25. The material of the magnetic body 25 is equivalent to a magnetic material called magnetic nanoparticles that is used in the medical field for cancer treatment (hyperthermia treatment), for example.

[0047] In busbar 20-3, for example, magnetic material 25 made of magnetic nanoparticles is formed in close contact with metal conductor 21. In busbar 20-4, for example, powdered magnetic nanoparticles are mixed with a binder and applied to the surface of metal conductor 21. As a result, in busbar 20-3 and busbar 20-4, magnetic material 25 itself generates heat due to a high-frequency magnetic flux corresponding to a high-frequency magnetic field generated by a high-frequency AC current flowing (passing) between terminal hole A and terminal hole B. In busbar 20-3 and busbar 20-4, the heat generated by magnetic material 25 is transferred to metal conductor 21, thereby increasing the temperature of busbar 20-3 itself and busbar 20-4 itself.

[0048] With this configuration, in busbars 20-3 and 20-4, magnetic body 25 does not generate heat due to a direct current or a low-frequency alternating current flowing in normal charging and discharging of battery 30, but generates heat due to the high-frequency alternating current generated by alternating current generating unit 10. The relationship between the frequency of the current flowing in busbars 20-3 and 20-4 and the amount of heat generated may differ from the relationship between the frequency of the current flowing in busbar 20-2 and the amount of heat generated in busbar 20-2 shown in FIG. 5 in terms of the temperature at which heat is generated and the frequency of current I, but it is easy to confirm the heat generation characteristics of busbars 20-3 and 20-4. Therefore, in busbars 20-3 and 20-4, similar to busbars 20-1 and 20-2, by having alternating current generating unit 10 generate and apply a high-frequency alternating current in temperature-raising system 1, it is possible to intentionally raise the temperature of battery 30 by the heat generated by busbars 20-3 and 20-4 (more specifically, the heat generated by magnetic body 25).

[0049] In this manner, in the busbar 20 of the second embodiment, the magnetic body 25 is provided in the current path P1. In the busbar 20 of the second embodiment, the magnetic body 25 does not generate heat during normal charging and discharging operations of the battery 30, but generates heat when a high-frequency AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 included in the temperature-raising system 1 is passed through the current path P1. As a result, the busbar 20 of the second embodiment can also intentionally raise the temperature of the battery 30.

[0050] <Third embodiment> [Example of busbar structure] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a busbar 20 according to a third embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "busbar 20-5"). Like the busbars 20-1 and 20-2 according to the first embodiment and the busbars 20-3 and 20-4 according to the second embodiment, the busbar 20-5 is mainly formed of a metal conductor 21, and terminal holes A and B are formed at both ends of the metal conductor 21. In the busbar 20-5, a metal conductor 26 provided with a resistor 23 is connected to, for example, the center portion of the metal conductor 21, and the busbar 20-5 is formed into a T-shape as a whole. In the busbar 20-5, the connection portion between the metal conductor 21 and the metal conductor 26 (i.e., the branch portion from the metal conductor 21) is connected in a state in which the thermal resistance between the metal conductor 21 and the resistor 23 is reduced. A terminal hole C similar to the terminal hole A and the terminal hole B is formed at the end of the metal conductor 26 opposite to the branch portion. Bus bar 20-5 has three current paths: current path P1 between terminal holes A and B, current path P3 between terminal holes A and C, and current path P4 between terminal holes B and C.

[0051] With this configuration, in the busbar 20-5, the charge / discharge current of the battery 30 flows through the current path P1 during normal charge / discharge operations of the battery 30, and when the temperature of the battery 30 is increased, the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 flows through the current path P3 or the current path P4, causing heat generation. In the busbar 20-5, unlike the busbar 20-1 and the busbar 20-2 of the first embodiment, the reactor 22 and the magnetic body 24 are not provided on the current path P1. For this reason, the charge / discharge current of the battery 30 that flows through the current path P1 during normal charge / discharge operations of the battery 30 does not generate heat, and the resistor 23 generates heat when the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 flows through the current path P3 or the current path P4. Therefore, in the case of busbar 20-5, as in the case of busbars 20-1 to 20-4, in the temperature-raising system 1, the AC generating unit 10 generates an AC current and applies it to current path P3 and current path P4 of busbar 20-5, thereby intentionally raising the temperature of battery 30 by the heat generated by busbar 20-5 (more specifically, the heat generated by resistor 23).

[0052] In the bus bar 20-5, the current path P1 is an example of a "first path" in the claims, and the current path P3 and the current path P4 are an example of a "second path" in the claims.

[0053] Moreover, the bus bar 20-5 has a T-shape, which makes the bus bar 20-5 more applicable to a configuration in which the temperature of each battery 30 is increased individually when, for example, the battery 30 mounted on the vehicle M is configured by combining a plurality of batteries 30 (for example, two batteries 30).

[0054] [Application examples of busbars] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an application example of bus bar 20-5 of the third embodiment. Fig. 9 shows an example in which bus bar 20-5 (bus bar 20-5a, bus bar 20-5b, and bus bar 20-5c) are connected when battery 30 is configured by combining two batteries 30 (battery 30a and battery 30b).

[0055] When the battery 30 is a combination of the battery 30a and the battery 30b, one AC generating circuit 12 (AC generating circuit 12a and AC generating circuit 12b) is connected to each battery 30, and the control unit 14 controls the generation of AC current in each AC generating circuit 12. That is, the control unit 14 alternates between parallel connection and series connection to the battery 30 side of the capacitors C1 and C2 included in the AC generating circuit 12 to which the battery 30 to be heated is connected. The method of switching between parallel connection and series connection of the capacitors C1 and C2 in the control unit 14, that is, the method of controlling the conductive state and non-conductive state of the switches included in each AC generating circuit 12, is the same as the control method of the control unit 14 described using FIG. 2, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0056] As a result, in the heating system 1, the busbar 20-5 corresponding to either or both of the AC generating circuit 12a and the AC generating circuit 12b in which the control unit 14 generates an AC current generates heat (more specifically, resistors 23a, 23b, and 23c generate heat), and the battery 30 (either or both of the battery 30a and the battery 30b) to which the heated busbar 20-5 is connected can be intentionally heated.

[0057] In the application example of busbar 20-5 shown in FIG. 9, battery 30a and battery 30b are an example of a "power storage unit" in the claims, and the combined configuration of battery 30a and battery 30b is an example of a "storage battery" in the claims.

[0058] In this manner, in the busbar 20 of the third embodiment, the resistor 23 is provided on the metal conductor 26 branching off from the metal conductor 21. As a result, in the busbar 20 of the third embodiment, during normal charging and discharging operations of the battery 30, the charge / discharge current flows through the current path P1 to generate no heat, but the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10 included in the temperature-raising system 1 flows through the current path P3 or current path P4, causing the resistor 23 to heat up. As a result, the busbar 20 of the third embodiment can also intentionally raise the temperature of the battery 30.

[0059] As described above, the busbar 20 of each embodiment is configured to generate heat in response to the AC current generated by the AC generating unit 10. As a result, in the heating system 1 including the busbar 20 of each embodiment, a charge / discharge current can be passed in normal charging / discharging operations of the battery 30, and the AC generating unit 10 can generate an AC current to intentionally heat the battery 30. Moreover, since the busbar 20 of each embodiment is connected to a terminal portion that has good heat transfer to the entire battery 30, the battery 30 can be heated more efficiently. As a result, in the vehicle M in which the heating system 1 including the busbar 20 of each embodiment is adopted, the battery 30 can be used in a state where it is heated to a suitable temperature, and deterioration in the charge / discharge performance of the battery 30 can be suppressed.

[0060] According to the heating system 1 of each embodiment described above, the AC generating circuit 12 is connected to one or more batteries 30 and generates an AC current, and the bus bar 20 is a metal conductor 21 connected between a terminal portion of the battery 30 and the AC generating circuit 12 or between a plurality of batteries 30, and has a current path P1 and a current path P2 that generates heat by passing an AC current, and the current path P1 has a larger inductance component than the current path P2, so that the battery 30 for driving mounted on the vehicle M can be intentionally heated. As a result, in the vehicle M in which the heating system 1 of each embodiment is adopted, the battery 30 can be used in a state in which it is heated to a suitable temperature, and a decrease in the charge / discharge performance of the battery 30 can be suppressed. As a result, in the vehicle M equipped with the heating system 1 of each embodiment, the marketability of the vehicle M can be improved, such as by improving durability. From these points of view, the vehicle M equipped with the heating system 1 of each embodiment is expected to contribute to improving energy efficiency and reducing adverse effects on the global environment.

[0061] In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration has been described in which a control device such as an ECU provided in the vehicle M controls the start or stop of the heating system 1, and the control unit 14 provided in the AC generating unit 10 controls each switch provided in the AC generating circuit 12 to a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The function of the control device provided in the vehicle M may include the function of the control unit 14 described above. In this case, the control unit 14 may be omitted in the heating system 1.

[0062] 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]

[0063] 1. Heating system 10,10-2...AC generating section 12, 12a, 12b...AC generating circuit 14. Control section 20, 20a, 20b, 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-5, 20-5a, 20-5b, 20-5c... Busbar 21 Metal conductor 22 Reactor 23,23a,23b,23c...Resistor 24...Magnetic material 25...Magnetic material 26 Metal conductor 30, 30a, 30b... Battery C1, C1a, C1b... Capacitors C2, C2a, C2b... Capacitors S1, S1a, S1b, S2, S2a, S2b... Switches S3, S3a, S3b... Switch P1...Current path P2, P3, P4...current path Rs...Resistance component Ls: Inductance component Rm...resistance component

Claims

1. an AC generating circuit connected to a storage battery including one or more power storage units and configured to generate an AC current; A conductive member made of a metal conductor connected between a terminal portion of the power storage unit and the AC generating circuit or between a plurality of the power storage units, A first pathway; and a second path through which heat is generated by passing the AC current; a conductive member having an inductance component larger than that of the second path; Equipped with The conductive member is a first resistance component and an inductance component are provided in the first path; a second resistance component is provided in the second path; The resistance value of the second resistance component is higher than the resistance value of the first resistance component. Heating system.

2. a reactor having the first resistance component and the inductance component is provided in the first path, a resistor having the second resistance component is provided in the second path; The heating system of claim 1 .

3. the first path includes a metal conductor having the first resistance component and a magnetic body surrounding the metal conductor; a resistor having the second resistance component is provided in the second path; The heating system of claim 1 .

4. The AC generating circuit includes: a first capacitor having one end connected to the positive electrode side of the power storage unit, and a second capacitor having one end connected to the negative electrode side of the power storage unit, and the AC current is generated by a resonance operation between an inductance component of the power storage unit and at least the first capacitor by switching the connection of the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the power storage unit between a series connection or a parallel connection; The heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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