Vehicle battery charging control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle battery charging control device capable of preventing a time until external charging starts from becoming longer while enabling supplementary charging and external charging.SOLUTION: A supplementary charging device is provided that performs supplementary charging for charging a low-voltage battery with output power of a high-voltage battery. When an external charging start condition is established during implementation of supplementary charging, stop control for stopping the supplementary charging device, information erasure control for erasing multiple pieces of information including signals for achieving CAN communication between a control device and a CAN communication apparatus after the end of the stop control, and update control for updating at least a part of the erased information are carried out. The external charging start control is started after the end of the stop control and the information erasure control and before the end of the update control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery charging control device for a vehicle that includes a motor as a driving source, a high-voltage battery that supplies power to the motor, a low-voltage battery with a lower output voltage than the high-voltage battery, and a charging connection device that is connected to a power supply device having a charger installed outside the vehicle to realize external charging, in which the high-voltage battery is charged by the power supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in vehicles equipped with a motor as a drive source, a high-voltage battery and a low-voltage battery with a lower output voltage are mounted, with the high-voltage battery supplying power to the motor and the low-voltage battery supplying power to devices such as a controller and audio equipment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a motor generator as a drive source, a high-voltage battery (main battery in Patent Document 1) that supplies power to the motor generator, and a low-voltage battery (auxiliary battery in Patent Document 1) with a lower output voltage, configured so that the low-voltage battery is charged by the high-voltage battery at regular intervals after the ignition switch is turned off.

[0003] In addition, in the past, some vehicles equipped with a motor as a drive source and a high-voltage battery that supplies power to the motor have been known to be capable of external charging, in which the high-voltage battery is charged by an external power supply device using an external charger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-174619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a vehicle equipped with a motor as a drive source, a high-voltage battery, and a low-voltage battery, if both auxiliary charging, in which the high-voltage battery charges the low-voltage battery, and the above-mentioned external charging are possible, the charge amount of both the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery can be ensured.

[0006] However, if a control sequence for supplementary charging and a control sequence for external charging are simply constructed and configured to be executed, there is a risk that if a condition for starting external charging is met while supplementary charging is being performed, the control sequence for supplementary charging and the control sequence for external charging will interfere with each other, resulting in the possibility that supplementary charging or external charging will not be performed appropriately. Therefore, if a condition for starting external charging is met while supplementary charging is being performed, it is desirable to first end supplementary charging and then start external charging. On the other hand, if a long time passes between when a condition for starting external charging is met by a user operating an external charger, and when external charging actually starts, the user may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is desirable to end supplementary charging and then start external charging when a condition for starting external charging is met while supplementary charging is being performed, while preventing the long time until external charging starts.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a battery charging control device for a vehicle that enables auxiliary charging and external charging while preventing the time until external charging begins from becoming long. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To address the above-mentioned issues, the present inventors focused on control for resetting the control device. Specifically, it is desirable to appropriately reset the information (signals) held by the control device. That is, it is desirable to appropriately execute reset control, in which the control device erases the information (signals) it holds and then recalculates (regenerates) or reacquires and updates the information. The timing of this reset control is ideally right after supplementary charging ends. However, if an external charging start condition for starting external charging is met during supplementary charging, stopping supplementary charging and executing the above-mentioned reset control, followed by starting external charging, erases the signal output from the control device to the charger for realizing CAN communication between them. As a result, the signal must be regenerated and retransmitted to the charger, which takes time and delays the start of external charging. Based on the above findings, the present inventors invented the following vehicle battery charging control device.

[0009] That is, the present invention provides a battery charging control device for a vehicle including a motor as a drive source, a high-voltage battery that supplies power to the motor, a low-voltage battery that has an output voltage lower than that of the high-voltage battery, and a charging connection device that is connected to a power supply device having a charger provided outside the vehicle to realize external charging in which the high-voltage battery is charged by the power supply device, the battery charging control device comprising: a supplementary charging device that performs supplementary charging in which the low-voltage battery is charged by the output power of the high-voltage battery; and a control device that controls each device including the supplementary charging device and communicates via CAN with a plurality of CAN communication devices including the charger, the control device comprising a determination unit that determines whether an external charging start condition, which is a condition for starting the external charging, is satisfied; and a determination unit that determines whether the external charging start condition is satisfied. and a charging control unit that, when it is determined that the external charging start condition is established, generates a signal for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger, transmits it to the charger, and performs external charging start control that issues a command to the charger to start the external charging, and when it is determined by the determination unit that the external charging start condition is established during the performance of the supplementary charging, the charging control unit performs stop control to stop the supplementary charging device, information erasure control to erase multiple pieces of information including a signal for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the CAN communication device after the stop control has ended, and update control to update at least a part of the erased information, and starts the external charging start control after the stop control and the information erasure control have ended and before the update control has ended (claim 1).

[0010] This device realizes external charging, in which the high-voltage battery is charged by an external power supply, and supplemental charging, in which the low-voltage battery is charged by the output power of the high-voltage battery, thereby ensuring sufficient charge for both the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery.

[0011] Furthermore, if an external charging start condition is satisfied during supplemental charging, the supplemental charging device is stopped, supplemental charging is terminated, and then external charging is started. This prevents interference between the control sequence for performing supplemental charging and the control sequence for starting external charging.

[0012] Furthermore, since the information erasure control and the information update control are performed after supplementary charging ends in response to the establishment of the external charging start condition, the control device can be reset using the timing at which supplementary charging ends.

[0013] Moreover, the external charging start control is started after the information erasure control ends and before the update control ends, and the signal generation process for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger is performed for the first time after the information erasure control ends and before the update control ends. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the signal generation and transmission process for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger twice, once before and after the information erasure control. This reduces the time spent on the above process. Also, CAN communication between the control device and the charger starts without waiting for the update control to end. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay from the time when the external charging start condition is satisfied until external charging starts.

[0014] In the above configuration, it is preferable to include a temporary memory device capable of storing information about the auxiliary charging device only while the auxiliary charging device is operating, a memory device capable of storing information about the auxiliary charging device both while the auxiliary charging device is operating and while it is stopped, and a write processing device that performs a write process to write and store the information stored in the temporary memory device in the memory device, and when the auxiliary charging device is stopped, the control device stops the auxiliary charging device after having the write processing device perform the write process (Claim 2).

[0015] According to this configuration, information about the auxiliary charging device is written to a storage device that can store information even after the auxiliary charging device is stopped, and then the auxiliary charging device is stopped, so that the above information can continue to be retained even after the auxiliary charging device is stopped.

[0016] However, if the above-described writing process is performed before the auxiliary charging device is stopped, when the auxiliary charging device is stopped as a result of the external charging start condition being satisfied during auxiliary charging, the time from when the external charging start condition is satisfied until external charging starts will be extended by the time taken for this writing process. In contrast, in the present invention, the time spent generating and transmitting signals for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger is shortened as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the start time of external charging from being excessively delayed while performing the above-described writing process.

[0017] In the above configuration, it is preferable to provide a disconnecting device capable of disconnecting the electrical connection between the high-voltage battery and a high-voltage circuit including the low-voltage battery, and a forced opening command output device capable of outputting a forced opening command to the disconnecting device to forcibly open it, and the charging control unit determines whether or not the forced opening command is output from the forced opening command output device when the update control is performed (Claim 3).

[0018] According to this configuration, the timing at which the auxiliary charging device is stopped can be used to determine whether a forced open command can be output, i.e., whether it is possible to forcibly open the disconnecting device and forcibly disconnect the electrical connection between the high-voltage circuit and the high-voltage battery. Furthermore, in the present invention, when the auxiliary charging device is stopped in response to the satisfaction of an external charging start condition during auxiliary charging, the time spent generating and transmitting signals for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger is reduced, thereby shortening the time from the satisfaction of the external charging start condition to the start of external charging. Therefore, in the above case, the above determination can be made while preventing the start time of external charging from being excessively delayed.

[0019] In the above configuration, it is preferable that a disconnecting device be provided that can disconnect the electrical connection between the high-voltage battery and a high-voltage circuit including the low-voltage battery, and when the charging control unit performs the external charging start control, it closes the disconnecting device and starts the auxiliary charging device to start the auxiliary charging, and when stopping the auxiliary charging device, it opens the disconnecting device and then stops the auxiliary charging device (Claim 4).

[0020] In this configuration, when the external charging start condition is met, the disconnecting device is closed and the auxiliary charging device is activated to start auxiliary charging. In other words, auxiliary charging is performed while external charging is being performed. This ensures that the charge amounts of both the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery are kept high.

[0021] Furthermore, with this configuration, when the external charging start condition is met during supplemental charging, the disconnector device is opened and the supplemental charging device is stopped, and then the disconnector device is closed and the supplemental charging device is started. This prevents interference between the control of opening the disconnector device and stopping the supplemental charging device, which is performed when supplemental charging ends, and the control of closing the disconnector device and starting the supplemental charging device, which is performed when external charging starts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] As described above, the vehicle battery charge control device of the present invention makes it possible to perform supplemental charging and external charging, while preventing the time until external charging begins from becoming long. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle battery charge control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the controllers. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of supplementary charging termination control and external charging control. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for switching control patterns for supplementary charging end control and external charging start control. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow when external charging is started in a state where supplementary charging is not being performed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the control contents of each controller when external charging is started in a state in which supplementary charging is not being performed. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow when supplementary charging is terminated in a state in which an external charging start condition is not satisfied. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the control contents of each controller when supplementary charging is terminated in a state where an external charging start condition is not satisfied. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main contactor forced opening system. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow when an external charging start condition is met during supplemental charging. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the control contents of each controller when an external charging start condition is met during supplemental charging. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] (Overall vehicle configuration) A battery charge control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a battery charge control device 100 according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheeled automobile.

[0025] The vehicle 1 (battery charge control device 100) has a high-voltage battery 2, a low-voltage battery 3 with a lower output voltage than the high-voltage battery 2, a high-voltage circuit 30 having multiple electrical devices and electrically connected to the high-voltage battery 2, and a charge connection device 50. The vehicle 1 also has multiple controllers including microprocessors and the like that control each part of the vehicle 1.

[0026] (battery) In this embodiment, a Li battery (lithium battery) is mounted on the vehicle 1 as the high-voltage battery 2. For example, the high-voltage battery 2 has a plurality of battery modules, each consisting of 12 battery cells connected in two parallel connections and six in series, and these battery modules are connected in series. Also, in this embodiment, a lead battery is mounted on the vehicle 1 as the low-voltage battery 3. For example, the nominal voltage of the high-voltage battery 2 is 24 V, and the nominal voltage of the low-voltage battery 3 is 12 V.

[0027] The high-voltage battery 2 is provided with detection devices such as a battery current sensor SN1 that detects the current of the high-voltage battery 2 and a battery temperature sensor SN2 that detects the temperature of the high-voltage battery 2. In addition, although not shown, the high-voltage battery 2 is provided with a battery heater for raising the temperature of the battery module.

[0028] (High voltage circuit) The high-voltage circuit 30 includes, as electrical equipment, a motor 4, a generator 5, an inverter 6, a converter 7, a DC / DC converter 8, a PTC heater 9, an electric compressor 10, etc. The high-voltage circuit 30 also includes a high-voltage line 31 that connects these electrical equipment together.

[0029] The inverter 6, the converter 7, the DC / DC converter 8, the PTC heater 9, and the electric compressor 10 are each connected to a high-voltage line 31. The motor 4 is connected to the high-voltage line 31 via the inverter 6. The generator 5 is connected to the high-voltage line 31 via the converter 7.

[0030] The motor 4 rotates by receiving power supply from the high-voltage battery 2. The motor 4 is mounted on the vehicle 1 as a drive source for the vehicle 1, and the output of the motor 4 is transmitted to wheels (not shown) via a drive force transmission device 12.

[0031] The generator 5 is a power generation device for charging the high-voltage battery 2. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a series hybrid vehicle. That is, the vehicle 1 is equipped with an engine 22 that drives the generator 5, and the generator 5 is rotated and driven by the engine 22 to generate electricity, and the electricity generated by the generator 5 is supplied to the high-voltage battery 2. The engine 22 is, for example, a rotary engine. The generator 5 is also connected to the wheels via a driving force transmission device 12, so that the vehicle 1 can regenerate energy during deceleration.

[0032] The inverter 6 is a device that converts DC current into AC current, and converts the DC current from the high-voltage battery 2 into AC current and supplies it to the motor 4. The converter 7 is a device that converts AC current into DC current, and converts the AC current generated by the generator 5 into DC current and supplies it to the high-voltage battery 2.

[0033] DC / DC converter 8 is a device that steps down input power and outputs it. Vehicle 1 is capable of supplemental charging, in which low-voltage battery 3 is charged using the output voltage of high-voltage battery 2. DC / DC converter 8 is incorporated into high-voltage circuit 30 so that the output voltage of high-voltage battery 2 can be stepped down and supplied to low-voltage battery 3.

[0034] The PTC heater 9 and the electric compressor 10 constitute a heating and cooling device 11 of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the PTC heater 9 is a device for heating the interior of the vehicle 1, and the electric compressor 10 is a device for cooling the interior of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, a cooling plate (not shown) is provided for cooling the high-voltage battery 2, and the electric compressor 10 also cools this cooling plate.

[0035] (Main contactor) A pair of main contactors 71, 71 are provided between the high-voltage battery 2 and the high-voltage circuit 30. The main contactors 71, 71 are contactors, i.e., electromagnetic switches including an electromagnet, and are devices that make and break the electrical connection between two contacts in response to supplied power. When the contactors are closed, the two contacts are electrically connected and energized, and when the contactors are opened, the two contacts are electrically cut off and not energized. The main contactors 71, 71 make and break the electrical connection between the high-voltage battery 2 and the high-voltage circuit 30. Specifically, one main contactor 71 makes and breaks the electrical connection between the positive line of the high-voltage battery 2 and the positive line of the high-voltage circuit 30, and the other main contactor 71 makes and breaks the electrical connection between the negative line of the high-voltage battery 2 and the negative line of the high-voltage circuit 30. The main contactors 71, 71 correspond to the "connection / disconnection device" in the claims.

[0036] (Charging connection device) The charging connection device 50 is a device that electrically connects the power supply device 310 and the high-voltage battery 2 by being connected to the power supply device 310 having a charger 312 provided outside the vehicle. By electrically connecting the power supply device 310 and the high-voltage battery 2 via the charging connection device 50, external charging is achieved in which the high-voltage battery 2 is charged by the power supply device 310. Starting and stopping external charging, that is, switching between outputting and stopping power from the power supply device 310 to the high-voltage battery 2 and adjusting the current output from the power supply device 310 to the high-voltage battery 2, are performed by the charger 312 of the power supply device 310. In the present embodiment, the power supply device 310 is a DC power supply. Hereinafter, the charging connection device 50 will be referred to as the DC charging connection device 50, the power supply device 310 to which it is connected will be referred to as the DC power supply device 310, and the charger for the DC power supply device 310 will be referred to as the DC charger 312.

[0037] The DC charging connection device 50 is configured to fit into a connector (hereinafter referred to as a DC connector) provided at the end of a cable connected to the DC charger 312 (DC power supply device 310), and this fitting electrically connects the DC charger 312 (DC power supply device 310) and the high-voltage battery 2.

[0038] The DC charging connection device 50 is connected to the DC charger 312 (DC power supply device 310) by a power line and also by a CAN-BUS. The DC charging connection device 50 is connected to the C-BCM 200 (described later) by a CAN-BUS, and by fitting the DC charging connection device 50 to a DC connector, the C-BCM 200 and the DC charger 312 (DC power supply device 310) are connected so as to be able to communicate via CAN.

[0039] Between the DC charge connection device 50 and the high-voltage circuit 30, QBC contactors 73, 73 are provided that establish and disconnect the electrical connection therebetween, and the DC charge connection device 50 is electrically connected to the high-voltage battery 2 via the QBC contactors 73, 73, the high-voltage circuit 30, and the main contactors 71, 71. One QBC contactor 73 establishes and disconnects the electrical connection between the positive line of the high-voltage circuit 30 and the positive line of the DC charge connection device 50, and the other QBC contactor 73 establishes and disconnects the electrical connection between the negative line of the high-voltage circuit 30 and the negative line of the DC charge connection device 50.

[0040] (controller) 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between controllers mounted on vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 is equipped with the following controllers: C-BCM (Center-Body Control Module) 200, PCM (Power Control Module) 201, ECM (Engine Control Module) 202, DMCM (Driver Moor Control Module) 203, SGCM (Starter Generator Control Module) 204, BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) 205, ESU (Electric Supply Unit) 206, and DC / DC control unit 207. Vehicle 1 is also equipped with HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 210, which is a device including a display for displaying various information. The PCM 201 corresponds to the "control device" in the claims.

[0041] The C-BCM 200 mainly controls doors and windows. The PCM 201 mainly controls the drivetrain devices of the vehicle 1. The ECM 202 mainly controls the engine 22. The DMCM 203 controls the inverter 6. The SGCM 204 controls the converter 7. The ESU 206 controls the air conditioning and heating device 11.

[0042] The DC / DC control unit 207 controls the DC / DC converter 8. The DC / DC converter 8 and the DC / DC control unit 207 that controls it constitute an auxiliary charging device 20 that realizes auxiliary charging, in which the low-voltage battery 3 is charged by the output voltage of the high-voltage battery 2.

[0043] The BECM 205 performs various calculations related to the high-voltage battery 2. Specifically, the BECM 205 calculates the SOC of the high-voltage battery 2. More specifically, the BECM 205 calculates an initial value of the SOC of the high-voltage battery 2 based on the detection values ​​of the battery current sensor SN1 and the battery temperature sensor SN2 while the main contactors 71, 71 are open. The BECM 205 then updates the battery SOC by integrating the increase or decrease in the battery SOC per unit time calculated based on the detection values ​​with respect to this initial value. The BECM 205 also performs fault determinations for the high-voltage battery 2, the battery current sensor SN1, and the battery temperature sensor SN2.

[0044] Each of the controllers 200 to 207 operates by receiving power from the low-voltage battery 3. Furthermore, each of the controllers 200 to 207 is connected to one another by a CAN (Controller Area Network) BUS so that they can communicate with one another.

[0045] 3, which will be described later, at least the DC / DC control unit 207 of the controller has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 207A, a volatile memory 207B that can store information only while power is being supplied, that is, only while the auxiliary charging device 20 including the DC / DC control unit 207 is operating, and a non-volatile memory 207C that can continue to store information even when power supply is stopped, that is, both while the auxiliary charging device 20 including the DC / DC control unit 207 is operating and while it is stopped. In this embodiment, the CPU 207A of the DC / DC control unit 207 corresponds to the "write processing device" in the claims, the volatile memory 207B corresponds to the "temporary storage device" in the claims, and the non-volatile memory 207C corresponds to the "storage device" in the claims.

[0046] (Charging control) Control related to external charging and supplemental charging is mainly performed by the PCM 201. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram related to these controls. The PCM 201 functionally has a determination unit 211, an external charging control unit 212, and a supplemental charging control unit 213. The determination unit 211 determines whether an external charging start condition, which is a condition for starting external charging, and a supplemental charging end condition, which is a condition for ending supplemental charging, are met. The external charging control unit 212 performs external charging start control to start external charging. The supplemental charging control unit 213 performs supplemental charging end control to end supplemental charging. The external charging control unit 212 and supplemental charging control unit 213 described above correspond to the "charging control units" in the claims.

[0047] 3, the PCM 201 is electrically connected to the DC charge connection device 50, and receives signals from the DC charge connection device 50. In addition, the PCM 201 receives, via CAN communication, information such as the battery SOC calculated by the BECM 205 and the detected values ​​of the battery current sensor SN1 and the battery temperature sensor SN2 input to the BECM 205.

[0048] The PCM 201 is electrically connected to and opens and closes the main contactors 71 and the QBC contactors 73. Specifically, the PCM 201 opens and closes the contactors 71 and 73 by switching between supplying and stopping power from the low-voltage battery 3 to each of the contactors 71 and 73.

[0049] The PCM 201 is electrically connected to the auxiliary charging device 20, and switches between starting (operating) and stopping the auxiliary charging device 20 (the DC / DC control unit 207 and the DC / DC converter 8). Specifically, the auxiliary charging device 20 is configured to start (operate) when power is supplied from the low-voltage battery 3, and the PCM 201 switches between supplying and stopping power from the low-voltage battery 3 to the auxiliary charging device 20.

[0050] The PCM201 communicates with the DC charger 312 via the C-BCM200 and the DC charging connection device 50 via a CAN bus. As shown in Fig. 2, the PCM201 also communicates with the ECM202, the DMCM203, the SGCM204, the BECM205, and the DC / DC control unit 207 (auxiliary charging device 20) via a CAN bus. In other words, the C-BCM200, the DC charger 312, the PCM201, the ECM202, the DMCM203, the SGCM204, the BECM205, and the DC / DC control unit 207 (auxiliary charging device 20) are CAN communication devices that communicate with the PCM201 via a CAN bus.

[0051] (External charging start control and supplementary charging end control) After supplemental charging begins, the PCM 201 determines that a supplemental charging termination condition, which is a condition for terminating supplemental charging, is met when the low-voltage battery 3 is fully charged, a request to activate the PTC heater 9 is issued, or a request to activate the battery heater is issued. The PCM 201 also determines that a supplemental charging termination condition is met when an external charging start condition is met while supplemental charging is being performed. The PCM 201 then performs different control depending on whether the external charging start condition is met while supplemental charging is being performed, whether the external charging start condition is met when supplemental charging is not being performed, or whether the supplemental charging termination condition is met without the external charging start condition being met. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for switching between these control patterns.

[0052] (External charging start control: supplementary charging not in progress) This section describes external charging start control when supplemental charging is not being performed, that is, when the PCM 201 determines in the flowchart of FIG. 4 that supplemental charging is not being performed (NO in step S101) and determines that the external charging start condition is satisfied (YES in step S102). FIG. 5 is a flowchart (continued from 1 in FIG. 4) showing the control content of the PCM 201 when the external charging start condition is satisfied when supplemental charging is not being performed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the control content of each controller when the external charging start condition is satisfied when supplemental charging is not being performed. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the PCM 201 determines that the external charging start condition is satisfied when it receives a charging start signal from the DC charging connection device 50. The charging start signal is transmitted from the DC charging connection device 50 to the PCM 201 when the DC charging connection device 50 and the DC connector are mated.

[0053] When the external charging start condition is met while supplementary charging is not being performed, the PCM 201 first generates a CAN request signal, which is a signal for realizing CAN communication with the DC charger 312, and transmits this to the DC charger 312 in order to start CAN communication with the DC charger 312 (step S2). As shown in Fig. 6 , when the PCM 201 transmits the CAN request signal to the DC charger 312, the DC charger 312 receives it. As a result, CAN communication is started between the PCM 201 and the DC charger 312 via the C-BCM 200 and the DC charging connection device 50.

[0054] When CAN communication is started between the PCM 201 and the DC charger 312, the PCM 201 transmits pre-external charging information, which is information for more appropriately performing external charging, to the DC charger 312 via CAN communication (step S3).

[0055] Specifically, the PCM 201 calculates the maximum charging time, which is the maximum time required to fully charge the high-voltage battery 2, based on the battery SOC received from the BECM 205 and the detected values ​​of the battery current sensor SN1 and the battery temperature sensor SN2. Then, the PCM 201 transmits information such as this maximum charging time and the temperature of the high-voltage battery 2 to the DC charger 312. Upon receiving the pre-external charging information, the DC charger 312 adjusts the power output to the high-voltage battery 2 based on this information. For example, the power output is stopped when the maximum charging time has elapsed since the start of power output, and the output current is reduced when the temperature of the high-voltage battery 2 detected by the battery temperature sensor SN2 is high.

[0056] After step S3, the PCM 201 closes each contactor (step S4). Specifically, the PCM 201 closes the main contactors 71, 71 and the QBC contactors 73, 73. This electrically connects the high-voltage battery 2 to the high-voltage circuit 30, and electrically connects the high-voltage battery 2 to the DC charger 312 via the high-voltage circuit 30.

[0057] In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, supplemental charging is performed while external charging is being performed. Thus, after step S4, the PCM 201 starts the supplemental charging device 20 and starts its operation (step S5). Specifically, the PCM 201 starts the supply of power from the low-voltage battery 3 to the DC / DC converter 8, starts the DC / DC converter 8, and allows power to be input thereto. The PCM 201 also starts the supply of power from the low-voltage battery 3 to the DC / DC control unit 207, and starts it up.

[0058] 6, when the startup of the auxiliary charging device 20 is completed, the auxiliary charging device 20 transmits a startup completion signal to the PCM 201. The PCM 201 waits for the startup completion signal to be input (waits for the determination in step S6 to become YES), and then performs the next step S7.

[0059] In step S7, the PCM 201 issues a command to the DC charger 312 to start external charging, causing the external charging to start (allowing the DC power supply device 310 to output power to the vehicle 1), and ends the external charging start control. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the PCM 201 transmits a charge start signal to the DC charger 312. Upon receiving the charge start signal from the PCM 201, the DC charger 312 starts supplying power from the DC power supply device 310 to the high-voltage battery 2.

[0060] (Supplementary charging end control: When external charging start conditions are not met) Next, we will explain the supplementary charging termination control that is performed when the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied without the external charging start condition being satisfied, that is, the control when the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied without the external charging start condition being satisfied, without the external charging start condition being satisfied. In other words, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the PCM 201 determines that supplementary charging is being performed (YES in step S101), determines that the external charging start condition is not satisfied (NO in step S103), and determines that the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied due to a factor other than the start of external charging (YES in step S105). FIG. 7 is a flowchart (continued from 2 in FIG. 4) showing the control content of the PCM 201 when the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied without the external charging start condition being satisfied. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the control content of each controller when the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied without the external charging start condition being satisfied.

[0061] If the supplementary charging end condition is satisfied when the external charging start condition is not satisfied, the PCM 201 first opens the main contactors 71 (step S22). That is, during supplementary charging, the main contactors 71 are closed, and in step S22, the main contactors 71 are switched from the closed state to the open state.

[0062] Next, the PCM 201 transmits a cutoff request signal to the auxiliary charging device 20 to stop the auxiliary charging device 20 (step S23).

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, upon receiving a cutoff request signal (step Q21), the auxiliary charging device 20 performs a write process to write various information stored in the volatile memory 207B to the nonvolatile memory 207C (step Q22).

[0064] For example, while vehicle 1 is traveling or during supplemental charging and supplemental charging device 20 is operating (receiving power supply), CPU 207A of supplemental charging device 20 determines whether or not each component of supplemental charging device 20, such as DC / DC converter 8, has failed, and stores the determination result in volatile memory 207B. Upon receiving a shutoff request signal from PCM 201, CPU 207A of supplemental charging device 20 writes information about supplemental charging device 20, including the determination result stored in volatile memory 207B, to non-volatile memory 207C.

[0065] When the above writing process is completed, the auxiliary charging device 20 (CPU 207A) transmits a cutoff permission signal to the PCM 201 to permit the auxiliary charging device 20 to be stopped (step Q23).

[0066] Returning to FIG. 7, the PCM 201 waits until a cutoff permission signal is input from the auxiliary charging device 20 (waits until the determination in step S24 becomes YES), and then proceeds to the next step S25.

[0067] In step S25, the PCM 201 stops the auxiliary charging device 20. Specifically, the PCM 201 stops the power supply from the low-voltage battery 3 to the auxiliary charging device 20 (the DC / DC control unit 207 and the DC / DC converter 8).

[0068] After step S25, the PCM 201 starts the post-supplementary charging stop process (step S26).

[0069] The processing after stopping auxiliary charging includes processing to reset part of the PCM 201. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, the processing after stopping auxiliary charging includes an information erasure processing (step S26A) in which the PCM 201 erases part of the information (signals) generated by its own calculations and information (signals) acquired from other controllers, etc., and a recalculation / reacquisition processing (step S26B) in which at least part of the erased information is calculated (regenerated) or reacquired to update it.

[0070] In the above information erasure process, the PCM 201 erases at least the following two pieces of information: (1) The PCM 201 erases the information (signals) that was transmitted to the CAN communication device to realize CAN communication. (2) The PCM 201 erases the previously stored determination results of the abnormality determination of the main contactor forced opening system. Then, in the above recalculation and reacquisition process, the PCM 201 recalculates and reacquires this information. That is, (1) the PCM 201 recalculates (regenerates) the erased information (signals) for realizing CAN communication and retransmits them to the CAN communication device, thereby resuming CAN communication with the CAN communication device. (2) The PCM 201 performs an abnormality determination of the main contactor forced opening system and updates the abnormality determination result. Details of the abnormality determination of the main contactor forced opening system will be described later.

[0071] The post-supplement charging stop processing also includes a battery information update process (step S26C) that updates information about the high-voltage battery 2 stored in the PCM 201. Specifically, the PCM 201 requests the BECM 205 to transmit the latest battery SOC and the latest detected values ​​of the battery current sensor SN1 and the battery temperature sensor SN2, receives this information from the BECM 205, and updates the information that has been stored up to that point. Specifically, when the main contactors 71, 71 are switched from the closed state to the open state in step S22, the BECM 205 calculates an initial value of the battery SOC and transmits this initial value of the battery SOC to the PCM 201.

[0072] The abnormality determination of the main contactor forced opening system will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, the PCM 201 includes a microcomputer (a microcomputer including a CPU, memory, etc.) 201A and a system LSI 201C for monitoring the microcomputer 201A. The system LSI 201C outputs a signal SS5 indicating whether the microcomputer 201A is operating normally. The PCM 201 also includes an output driver 201B that generates an output signal SS1 to the main contactors 71, 71. The main contactors 71, 71 are opened or closed in response to the output signal SS1 from the output driver 201B. The output signal SS1 from the output driver 201B is input to the microcomputer 201A as a monitor signal SS2, allowing the microcomputer 201A to monitor the output signal SS1 from the output driver 201B. The microcomputer 201A also outputs a normal drive signal SS3 for opening or closing the main contactors 71, 71, as well as a shutoff signal SS4 for opening the main contactors 71, 71. The above output driver 201B corresponds to the "forced open command output device" in the claims.

[0074] When the system LSI 201C outputs a signal indicating that the microcomputer 201A is normal and when the microcomputer 201A does not output a shutoff signal SS4, the output driver 201B outputs a drive signal SS3. As a result, in this case, the main contactors 71, 71 are opened and closed in response to the drive signal SS3. On the other hand, when the system LSI 201C outputs a signal indicating that the microcomputer is abnormal (or when the system LSI 201C does not output a signal indicating that the microcomputer is normal), or when the microcomputer 201A outputs a shutoff signal SS4, the output driver 201B outputs a signal to the main contactors 71, 71 to forcibly open them, regardless of the drive signal SS3. As a result, in this case, the main contactors 71, 71 are forcibly opened regardless of the drive signal SS3.

[0075] Abnormality determination in the main contactor forced opening system is a process of determining whether the main contactors 71, 71 can be forcibly opened by the signal output from the system LSI 201C and the output of the shutdown signal SS4, that is, whether a command to forcibly open the main contactors 71, 71 can be correctly output from the output driver 201B to the main contactors 71, 71. This determination is performed for both the system LSI 201C and the shutdown signal SS4. Hereinafter, a signal that opens the main contactors 71, 71 will be referred to as an open signal, and a signal that closes them will be referred to as a close signal.

[0076] As a specific procedure for determining whether the system LSI 201C is abnormal, the PCM 201 first sets the drive signal SS3 to an open signal and sets the output signal SS5 of the system LSI 201C to a signal used when the microcomputer 201A is abnormal. Note that the main contactors 71, 71 are open in step S22. That is, the drive signal SS3 has already become an open signal and is maintained as such. The PCM 201 also stops outputting the shutoff signal SS4.

[0077] Next, the PCM 201 sets the drive signal SS3 to a close signal while maintaining the output signal of the system LSI 201C at the signal when the microcomputer 201A is abnormal.

[0078] At this time, if the system LSI 201C properly outputs a signal indicating that the microcomputer 201A is abnormal, the signal output from the output driver 201B remains an open signal even when the drive signal SS3 switches from an open signal to a close signal. On the other hand, if the system LSI 201C does not properly output a signal indicating that the microcomputer 201A is abnormal, the drive signal SS3 switches from an open signal to a close signal, causing the output signal SS1 of the output driver 201B to switch to a close signal. Thus, the PCM 201 determines whether the monitor signal SS2 has switched from an open signal to a close signal in response to the drive signal SS3 switching to a close signal. If the monitor signal SS2 has switched, the PCM 201 determines that the system LSI 201C did not properly output a signal indicating that the microcomputer 201A is abnormal, and therefore did not properly output a command to the main contactors 71, 71 to forcibly open them. On the other hand, if the monitor signal SS2 is switched in response to the drive signal SS3 being switched to a close signal, the PCM 201 determines that the command is correctly output.

[0079] As a specific procedure for determining whether the shutoff signal SS4 is present, the PCM 201 first sets the drive signal SS3 to an open signal (while maintaining the open signal) and outputs the shutoff signal SS4. At this time, the system LSI outputs a signal that indicates when the microcomputer 201A is normal. Next, the PCM 201 sets the drive signal SS3 to a close signal while maintaining the output of the shutoff signal SS4.

[0080] At this time, if the tripping signal SS4 is output appropriately, the signal output from the output driver 201B remains an open signal even when the drive signal SS3 switches from an open signal to a close signal. On the other hand, if the tripping signal SS4 is not output appropriately, the drive signal SS3 switches from an open signal to a close signal, causing the signal output from the output driver 201B to switch to a close signal. As a result, the PCM 201 determines whether the monitor signal SS2 has switched from an open signal to a close signal in conjunction with the switching of the drive signal SS3 to a close signal. If the monitor signal SS2 has switched, the PCM 201 determines that the tripping signal SS4 has not been output appropriately, that is, that a command to forcibly open the main contactors 71, 71 has not been output correctly. On the other hand, if the monitor signal SS2 has switched, the PCM 201 determines that the command has been output correctly.

[0081] Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, after the above-described post-auxiliary charging stop processing is started, the PCM 201 determines whether a predetermined reference time has elapsed since the start of the post-auxiliary charging stop processing (step S27). This reference time is set to a time equal to or longer than the time required for the post-auxiliary charging stop processing, and when the determination in step S27 is YES, all of the post-auxiliary charging stop processing has ended. Thus, when the determination in step S27 is YES, the PCM 204 determines that the post-auxiliary charging stop processing has ended (step S28) and ends the supplementary charging end control. The reference time is set in advance through experiments or the like and stored in the PCM 201.

[0082] (Control when external charging start conditions and supplementary charging end conditions are met) Next, we will explain the control that occurs when the external charging start condition is satisfied during supplemental charging and when the supplemental charging end condition is satisfied as a result of the external charging start condition being satisfied. That is, in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the PCM 201 determines that supplemental charging is being performed (YES in step S101) and that the external charging start condition is satisfied (YES in step S103), and then determines that the supplemental charging end condition is satisfied (step S104). Fig. 10 is a flowchart (continued from 3 in Fig. 4) showing the control content of the PCM 201 when the external charging start condition is satisfied during supplemental charging. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the control content of each controller when the external charging start condition is satisfied during supplemental charging.

[0083] If the external charging start condition is met while supplementary charging is being performed, unlike when the external charging start condition is met when supplementary charging is not being performed, the PCM 201 does not immediately generate and transmit a CAN request signal to realize CAN communication with the DC charger 312, but rather starts supplementary charging end control beforehand.

[0084] As in the case where the supplementary charging termination condition is satisfied when the external charging start condition is not satisfied, the PCM 201 first opens the main contactors 71, 71 (step S32). Next, the PCM 201 transmits a cutoff request signal to the supplementary charging device 20 to stop the supplementary charging device 20 (step S33). As described above, when the supplementary charging device 20 receives the cutoff request signal (step Q21), it performs the writing process (step Q22), and when the writing process is completed, it transmits a cutoff permission signal to the PCM 201 (step Q23). Then, when the cutoff permission signal is input from the supplementary charging device 20 (when the determination in step S34 is YES), the PCM 201 stops the supplementary charging device 20 (step S35).

[0085] After stopping the auxiliary charging device 20, the PCM 201 starts post-auxiliary charging stop processing (step S36). However, if the auxiliary charging end condition is met as a result of the external charging start condition being met during auxiliary charging, the PCM 201 does not perform the battery SOC update process, but only performs the information erasure process and the recalculation and reacquisition process. In other words, after stopping the auxiliary charging device 20, the PCM 201 performs the information erasure process (step S36A), and then performs the recalculation and reacquisition process (step S36B).

[0086] Furthermore, when the information erasure process is completed, the PCM201 starts external charging start control before the recalculation / reacquisition process is completed, that is, without waiting for the completion of the recalculation / reacquisition of information (signals) such as the abnormality determination results of the main contactor forced opening system that were erased by the information erasure process, and the recalculation / reacquisition of other information.

[0087] Specifically, when the information erasure process is completed, the PCM 201 performs recalculation and reacquisition processes while also performing the first step of the external charging start control, which is a step of generating a CAN request signal for realizing CAN communication with the DC charger 312 and transmitting the signal to the DC charger 312 (step S41), thereby starting CAN communication with the DC charger 312. The PCM 201 then performs the steps of the external charging start control after the CAN request signal generation and transmission step. That is, the PCM 201 transmits pre-external charging information to the DC charger 312 via CAN communication (step S42), closes the contactors 71 and 73 (step S43), starts the auxiliary charging device 20 (step S44), waits for a start completion signal to be input from the auxiliary charging device 20 (waits for the determination in step S45 to become YES), and then transmits a charging start signal to the DC charger 312 (step S46), causing the DC charger 312 to start external charging.

[0088] If the external charging start condition is met during supplemental charging, the battery SOC update process is omitted as described above. Therefore, the PCM 201 transmits the information already stored as pre-external charging information to the DC charger 312.

[0089] Here, the steps of stopping the auxiliary charging device 20 in steps S25 and S35 correspond to "stop control" in the claims, the information deletion process in steps S26A and S36A corresponds to "information deletion control" in the claims, and the recalculation and reacquisition process in steps S26B and S36B corresponds to "update control" in the claims. Also, the steps S2 to S7 and S41 to S46 correspond to "external charging start control" in the claims.

[0090] (effect, etc.) As described above, in the above embodiment, auxiliary charging, in which the low-voltage battery 3 is charged by the high-voltage battery 2, and external charging, in which the high-voltage battery 2 is charged by the power supply device 310 outside the vehicle, are realized. Therefore, the charge amounts of both the high-voltage battery 2 and the low-voltage battery 3 can be ensured.

[0091] Furthermore, if the external charging start condition is met while supplemental charging is being performed, the external charging start control is started after the information erasure process is completed. The information erasure process is performed after the supplemental charging device 20 is stopped. As a result, if the external charging start condition is met while supplemental charging is being performed, the external charging start control is performed after the supplemental charging device 20 is stopped, and external charging is started. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the control for performing supplemental charging and the control for starting external charging, and to start external charging appropriately.

[0092] Furthermore, when the supplementary charging termination condition is met, the supplementary charging device 20 is stopped, and then an information erasure process and a recalculation / reacquisition process are performed, thereby resetting a part of the PCM 201. This ensures an opportunity to reset the PCM 201 and allows the information in the PCM 201 to be updated appropriately.

[0093] Furthermore, when the external charging start condition is met, the DC charger 312 and the PCM 201 communicate via CAN, and pre-external charging information, which is information necessary for external charging, is sent from the PCM 201 to the DC charger 312. This allows the high-voltage battery 2 to be charged more appropriately.

[0094] Furthermore, when the external charging start condition is met during supplementary charging, external charging start control is started after the information erasure process is completed, and only after the information erasure process is completed is a CAN request signal for realizing CAN communication between the PCM 201 and the DC charger 312 generated and transmitted from the PCM 201 to the DC charger 312. This reduces the time required for generating and transmitting the CAN request signal.

[0095] Specifically, if a CAN request signal is generated and transmitted before the information erasure process is performed, the CAN request signal is erased by the information erasure process, and the CAN request signal must be generated again and transmitted to the DC charger 312. In other words, in this case, the CAN request signal is generated and transmitted twice, once before and once after the information erasure process, resulting in a long time spent generating and transmitting the CAN request signal. In contrast, in the above embodiment, the CAN request signal is generated and transmitted from the PCM 201 to the DC charger 312 only after the information erasure process is completed. This reduces the time spent generating and transmitting the CAN request signal by limiting the number of times the CAN request signal is generated and transmitted to the DC charger 312. Furthermore, by starting the external charging start control before the recalculation / reacquisition process is completed, the start time of the external charging start control and therefore the start time of external charging can be shortened compared to waiting for the completion of the recalculation / reacquisition process. Therefore, when the external charging start condition is satisfied during supplementary charging, a long time from the satisfaction of the external charging start condition to the start of external charging can be prevented.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the supplementary charging termination condition is met, a write process is performed before stopping supplementary charging device 20, and information about supplementary charging device 20, such as the result of a failure determination for supplementary charging device 20, is written from volatile memory 207B to non-volatile memory 207C. Therefore, information about supplementary charging device 20 can be continuously stored in supplementary charging device 20 even after supplementary charging device 20 is stopped and supplementary charging is terminated.

[0097] The write process is also performed when the supplementary charging end condition is satisfied in response to the external charging start condition being satisfied while supplementary charging is being performed. Therefore, if the external charging start condition is satisfied while supplementary charging is being performed, the start time of external charging is delayed by the time required for the write process. In contrast, in the above embodiment, as described above, if the external charging start condition is satisfied while supplementary charging is being performed, the time spent generating and transmitting the CAN request signal is reduced, thereby preventing the start time of external charging from being delayed. Therefore, in the above case, the write process can be performed while preventing the start time of external charging from being excessively delayed.

[0098] In the above embodiment, as the post-auxiliary charging stop processing, the PCM 201 erases the abnormality determination results of the main contactor forced opening system that have been stored up to that point, and then performs the abnormality determination again. In other words, the main contactor forced opening system abnormality determination is performed when the post-auxiliary charging stop processing is performed. This ensures an opportunity to perform the abnormality determination of the main contactor forced opening system.

[0099] In the above embodiment, when the external charging start condition is met, the main contactors 71 are closed and the auxiliary charging device 20 is activated to start auxiliary charging. In other words, auxiliary charging is performed while external charging is being performed. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient charge amount for both the high-voltage battery 2 and the low-voltage battery 3.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the external charging start condition is met and the supplementary charging end condition is accordingly met while supplementary charging is being performed, the main contactors 71, 71 are opened and the supplementary charging device 20 is stopped, and then the main contactors 71, 71 are closed and the supplementary charging device 20 is started. This prevents interference between the control of opening the main contactors 71, 71 and stopping the supplementary charging device 20, which is performed when supplementary charging is finished, and the control of closing the main contactors 71, 71 and starting the supplementary charging device 20 when external charging is started.

[0101] (Variation) In the above first and second embodiments, the case has been described in which the external power supply device that supplies power to the high-voltage battery 2 outputs DC current, but the external power supply device may also output AC power.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the case where both the volatile memory 207B and the nonvolatile memory 207C are provided in the auxiliary charging device 20 has been described, but the volatile memory 207B and the nonvolatile memory 207C may be provided in another controller (for example, the PCM 201). The device that performs the write process is not limited to the CPU 207A of the auxiliary charging device 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 2 High Voltage Battery 3 Low voltage battery 4 motors 8 DC / DC converters 20 Auxiliary charging device 30 High Voltage Circuit 50 DC charging connection device 71 Main contactor (disconnector) 201 PCM (controller) 201B Output driver (forced open command output device) 207A Volatile memory (temporary storage device) 207B Non-volatile memory (storage device) 207C CPU (write processing unit) 310 DC power supply (power supply) 312 DC Charger (Charger)

Claims

1. A battery charge control device for a vehicle includes a motor as a drive source, a high-voltage battery that supplies power to the motor, a low-voltage battery having an output voltage lower than that of the high-voltage battery, and a charge connection device that is connected to a power supply device having a charger provided outside the vehicle to realize external charging, in which the high-voltage battery is charged by the power supply device, an auxiliary charging device that performs auxiliary charging by charging the low-voltage battery with output power from the high-voltage battery; a control device that controls each device including the auxiliary charging device and communicates via CAN with a plurality of CAN communication devices including the charger; The control device a determination unit that determines whether an external charging start condition, which is a condition for starting the external charging, is satisfied; a charging control unit that, when it is determined by the determination unit that the external charging start condition is met, generates a signal for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the charger, transmits the signal to the charger, and performs external charging start control by issuing a command to the charger to start the external charging, When the determination unit determines that the external charging start condition is met during the supplementary charging, the charging control unit performs stop control to stop the supplementary charging device, information erasure control to erase multiple pieces of information including signals for realizing CAN communication between the control device and the CAN communication device after the stop control ends, and update control to update at least a portion of the erased information, and starts the external charging start control after the stop control and the information erasure control end and before the update control end.

2. 2. The vehicle battery charge control device according to claim 1, a temporary storage device capable of storing information about the auxiliary charging device only while the auxiliary charging device is in operation; a storage device capable of storing information about the auxiliary charging device both when the auxiliary charging device is in operation and when the auxiliary charging device is stopped; a write processing device that performs a write process to write the information stored in the temporary storage device into the storage device, 10. A vehicle battery charging control device, comprising: a control device that, when stopping the auxiliary charging device, causes the writing processing device to perform the writing process, and then stops the auxiliary charging device.

3. 3. The vehicle battery charge control device according to claim 1, a disconnecting device capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the high-voltage battery to a high-voltage circuit including the low-voltage battery; a forced opening command output device capable of outputting a forced opening command to the disconnecting device, the forced opening command being a command to forcibly open the disconnecting device; The vehicle battery charge control device, wherein the charge control unit determines whether or not the forced open command is output from the forced open command output device when the update control is performed.

4. 3. The vehicle battery charge control device according to claim 1, a disconnecting device capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the high-voltage battery to a high-voltage circuit including the low-voltage battery, The charging control unit When the external charging start control is performed, the disconnecting device is closed and the auxiliary charging device is activated to start the auxiliary charging.

10. A vehicle battery charge control device, comprising: a battery charge control device for a vehicle, wherein, when the auxiliary charging device is stopped, the auxiliary charging device is stopped after the disconnecting device is opened.

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