Power System

Abstract

To provide a power supply system that is capable of preventing power from being unintentionally supplied to a load as a contactor switches from a disconnected state into a connected state in a state where a switching element has a short-circuit fault.SOLUTION: A power supply system 1 includes: a high-voltage battery BAT-H; a heating element 41 that operates by power supplied from the high voltage battery BAT-H; a main contactor 51 that can electrically connect / disconnect the high-voltage battery BAT-H and the heating element 41 to / from each other; a switching element 42 that controls the power supplied to the heating element 41; a shutoff device 43 that operates to shut off the power supply to the heating element 41 when temperature of the heating element 41 rises to a predetermined temperature or above; and a control device ECU capable of controlling the main contactor 51. When switching element 42 has a short circuit fault, the control device ECU performs control to maintain the main contactor 51 in a connected state until the shutoff device 43 operates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply system mounted on an electric vehicle or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency have been gaining momentum in an effort to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society. As a result, the electrification of various devices, including vehicles, is progressing, and research and development of power supply systems for electrifying various devices, including vehicles, is being actively conducted.

[0003] In this type of power supply system, it is important to ensure electrical safety. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a power supply system that can reliably cut off current to an electric heater in the event of an abnormality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-045498 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the power supply system of Patent Document 1, if the IGBT short-circuits and fails, the user turns the power supply system off before the electric heater reaches a predetermined temperature, and the bimetal switch does not perform a cut-off operation and the power supply system remains in an off state. If this happens, the next time the user turns the power supply system on, and the power supply system returns to an on state, there is a problem in that power will be unintentionally supplied to the short-circuited electric heater.

[0006] The present invention provides a power supply system that contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy efficiency, and that can prevent power from being unintentionally supplied to a load when a contactor switches from a disconnected state to a connected state when a switching element has a short-circuit fault. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides Power supply and a load that operates using power supplied from the power source; a contactor capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the power supply and the load by switching between a connected state and a disconnected state; a switching element for controlling the power supplied to the load; a cutoff device that operates to cut off power supply to the load when the temperature of the load reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature; a control device capable of switching the contactor between a connected state and a disconnected state, The control device If the switching element has a short circuit fault, The contactor is controlled to maintain the connected state until the interrupter operates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the contactor from switching from the disconnected state to the connected state when a switching element has a short-circuit fault, thereby preventing power from being unintentionally supplied to a load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of a power supply system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be viewed in the direction indicated by the reference numerals. The power supply system of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle.

[0011] <Power supply system configuration> First, the configuration of a power supply system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 1 includes a high-voltage circuit 10, a low-voltage circuit 20, and a DC-DC converter 30 that connects the high-voltage circuit 10 and the low-voltage circuit 20 and is capable of reducing the power flowing through the high-voltage circuit 10 and supplying it to the low-voltage circuit 20.

[0013] The high voltage circuit 10 is electrically connected to a high voltage battery BAT-H mounted on the vehicle and a battery heater 40 that heats the high voltage battery BAT-H.

[0014] The high-voltage battery BAT-H is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery. In this embodiment, the output voltage of the high-voltage battery BAT-H is 400 V.

[0015] The battery heater 40 includes a heating element 41, a switching element 42, and a breaker device 43. In the battery heater 40, the heating element 41, the switching element 42, and the breaker device 43 are connected in series.

[0016] The heating element 41 is, for example, a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heater, or the like, and is a load having a predetermined electrical resistance value.

[0017] The switching element 42 controls the power supplied to the heating element 41. In this embodiment, the switching element 42 is an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The switching element 42 has a gate electrode 42a electrically connected to a gate driver 83 connected to the low-voltage circuit 20. When a control current is supplied from the gate driver 83 to the gate electrode 42a, the switching element 42 is in a connected state, and power is supplied to the heating element 41. On the other hand, when a control current is not supplied from the gate driver 83 to the gate electrode 42a, the switching element 42 is in a cut-off state, and the power supply to the heating element 41 is cut off.

[0018] The interrupter 43 operates to cut off the power supply to the heating element 41 when the temperature of the heating element 41 reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature T0. In this embodiment, the interrupter 43 is a bimetal switch. The bimetal switch interrupter 43 is a normally closed switch that is normally in an energized state. When the temperature of the heating element 41 reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature T0, the bimetal disc of the interrupter 43 operates to drive the rod, thereby switching to an interrupted state and cutting off the power supply to the heating element 41. Note that the interrupter 43 may also be a thermal fuse that cuts off the power supply to the heating element 41 when the temperature of the heating element 41 reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature T0.

[0019] The switching element 42 and the breaker device 43 may be arranged on either the high potential side or the low potential side of the heating element 41. In this embodiment, the switching element 42 is arranged on the low potential side of the heating element 41, and the breaker device 43 is arranged on the high potential side of the heating element 41.

[0020] The high voltage circuit 10 is provided with a main contactor 51 that is connected in series with the battery heater 40 and can be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state.

[0021] The main contactor 51 is provided between the high potential side of the high voltage battery BAT-H in the high voltage circuit 10 and the battery heater 40. The main contactor 51 is switched between a connected state and a disconnected state by a first switch driver 81 connected to the low voltage circuit 20. When the main contactor 51 is in the connected state, the high voltage battery BAT-H and the battery heater 40 are electrically connected.

[0022] In this embodiment, a first high-voltage power line 11 is connected to the high-voltage circuit 10. One end 11a of the first high-voltage power line 11 is connected between the high-potential side of the high-voltage battery BAT-H and the main contactor 51 in the high-voltage circuit 10, and the other end 11b of the first high-voltage power line 11 is connected between the main contactor 51 and the battery heater 40 in the high-voltage circuit 10.

[0023] A pre-charge contactor 52 is provided on the first high-voltage power line 11. Therefore, the pre-charge contactor 52 is connected in parallel with the main contactor 51.

[0024] The precharge contactor 52 has a contactor portion 52a that can be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state by a second switch driver 82 connected to the low-voltage circuit 20, and a precharge resistor portion 52b that is an electrical resistor.

[0025] In this embodiment, a second high-voltage power line 12 is connected to the high-voltage circuit 10. One end 12a of the second high-voltage power line 12 is connected in the high-voltage circuit 10 between the other end 11b of the first high-voltage power line 11 and the battery heater 40, and the other end 12b of the second high-voltage power line 12 is connected in the high-voltage circuit 10 between the battery heater 40 and the low-potential side of the high-voltage battery BAT-H.

[0026] A power storage device CP is provided on the second high-voltage power line 12. Therefore, the power storage device CP is connected in series with the main contactor 51 and in parallel with the battery heater 40 in the high-voltage circuit 10.

[0027] The capacitor CP is an element that can store and discharge power as electrostatic energy. In this embodiment, the capacitor CP is a capacitor.

[0028] If the capacitor CP is not provided, when the power supply system 1 transitions from the off state to the on state and the main contactor 51 is accordingly switched from the disconnected state to the connected state, high-voltage, large-current power from the high-voltage battery BAT-H rushes into the main contactor 51, which could damage the main contactor 51. Therefore, as described above, the pre-charge contactor 52 and the capacitor CP are provided, and when the power supply system 1 transitions from the off state to the on state, first, the pre-charge contactor 52 is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state while the main contactor 51 is maintained in the disconnected state. Then, power is stored in the capacitor CP while the amount of current output from the high-voltage battery BAT-H is adjusted by the pre-charge resistor 52b of the pre-charge contactor 52. When a predetermined amount of power is stored in the capacitor CP, the potential difference between the high potential side and the low potential side of the main contactor 51 becomes small, so that by switching the main contactor 51 from a disconnected state to a connected state after a predetermined amount of power has been stored in the capacitor CP, damage to the main contactor 51 can be prevented.

[0029] In this embodiment, a third high-voltage power line 13 is connected to the high-voltage circuit 10. One end 13a of the third high-voltage power line 13 is connected in the high-voltage circuit 10 between one end 11a of the second high-voltage power line 12 and the battery heater 40, and the other end 13b of the third high-voltage power line 13 is connected in the high-voltage circuit 10 between the battery heater 40 and the other end 12b of the second high-voltage power line 12.

[0030] An air conditioning heater 61 is provided on the third high-voltage power line 13. Therefore, in the high-voltage circuit 10, the air conditioning heater 61 is connected in parallel with the battery heater 40 and the power storage device CP.

[0031] The air conditioning heater 61 is a load that heats the air to be supplied to the vehicle interior in an air conditioning device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

[0032] The low-voltage circuit 20 is connected to a low-voltage battery BAT-L mounted on the vehicle and a control device ECU, which is connected to a system power switch PWR.

[0033] The low-voltage battery BAT-L is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery or a lead-acid battery. In this embodiment, the output voltage of the low-voltage battery BAT-L is 12 V.

[0034] The system power switch PWR is an operating unit mounted on a vehicle and capable of switching the power supply system 1 between an on state and an off state. The system power switch PWR can be turned on and off by a user. The user is, for example, a passenger in the vehicle equipped with the power supply system 1. Here, the on state of the power supply system 1 refers to a state in which the system power switch PWR is turned on, the vehicle's drive source is activated, and power necessary for driving the vehicle is supplied to the auxiliary equipment required for driving, and refers to a state in which the vehicle is running or a state in which the vehicle can run immediately. Furthermore, the off state of the power supply system 1 refers to a state in which the system power switch PWR is turned off, the vehicle's drive source is not activated, and power necessary for driving the vehicle is not supplied to the auxiliary equipment required for driving.

[0035] In the low voltage circuit 20, a first contact 20a is formed between the control device ECU and the high potential side of the low voltage battery BAT-L, and a second contact 20b is formed between the control device ECU and the low potential side of the low voltage battery BAT-L.

[0036] Furthermore, the low-voltage circuit 20 is connected to a first low-voltage power line 21 provided with a first switch driver 81, a second low-voltage power line 22 provided with a second switch driver 82, a third low-voltage power line 23 provided with a gate driver 83, and a fourth low-voltage power line 24 provided with a battery heater cooling device 90. One end of the first low-voltage power line 21, the second low-voltage power line 22, the third low-voltage power line 23, and the fourth low-voltage power line 24 is all connected to the first contact 20a and the other end is connected to the second contact 20b.

[0037] Therefore, in the low-voltage circuit 20, the control device ECU, the first switch driver 81, the second switch driver 82, the gate driver 83, and the battery heater cooling device 90 are connected in parallel with one another.

[0038] The control device ECU can control the first switch driver 81, the second switch driver 82, the gate driver 83, and the battery heater cooling device 90. Furthermore, the control device ECU can control the DC-DC converter 30 and the air conditioning heater 61. The control device ECU also includes a storage medium M that can store various types of information.

[0039] As described above, the first switch driver 81 is controlled by the control unit ECU and is capable of supplying a control current to the main contactor 51. The main contactor 51 is switched between a connected state and a disconnected state based on the control current supplied from the first switch driver 81. Therefore, the control unit ECU is capable of controlling the main contactor 51 to be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state via the first switch driver 81.

[0040] As described above, the second switch driver 82 is controlled by the control unit ECU and is capable of supplying a control current to the contactor portion 52a of the precharge contactor 52. The contactor portion 52a of the precharge contactor 52 is switched between a connected state and a disconnected state based on the control current supplied from the second switch driver 82. Therefore, the control unit ECU is capable of controlling the precharge contactor 52 to be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state via the second switch driver 82.

[0041] As described above, the gate driver 83 is controlled by the control unit ECU and is capable of supplying a control current to the gate electrode 42a of the switching element 42. The switching element 42 is switched between a connected state and a disconnected state based on the control current supplied to the gate electrode 42a from the gate driver 83. Therefore, the control unit ECU can control the switching element 42 to be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state via the gate driver 83.

[0042] The battery heater cooling device 90 is a device that cools the battery heater 40. The battery heater cooling device 90 is a device that cools the battery heater 40 by, for example, circulating a refrigerant and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the battery heater 40. The control device ECU is capable of controlling the battery heater 40.

[0043] The DC-DC converter 30 is provided on a step-up / step-down power line 31. One end 31a of the step-up / step-down power line 31 is connected between one end 12a of the second high-voltage power line 12 and one end 13a of the third high-voltage power line 13 in the high-voltage circuit 10. The other end 31b of the step-up / step-down power line 31 is connected to a first contact 20a in the low-voltage circuit 20. The DC-DC converter 30 is capable of stepping down the power flowing through the high-voltage circuit 10 and supplying it to the low-voltage circuit 20 from the first contact 20a of the low-voltage circuit 20.

[0044] <Power supply system operation> Next, the operation of power supply system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] First, the control device ECU determines whether the switching element 42 has a short-circuit failure (step S101). For example, a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting whether the switching element 42 has a short-circuit failure is connected to the control device ECU. The sensor outputs an electrical signal indicating whether the switching element 42 has a short-circuit failure. The control device ECU determines whether the switching element 42 has a short-circuit failure based on the electrical signal output from the sensor. A short-circuit failure is a failure that causes the switching element 42 to be in a conductive state. A short-circuit failure includes, for example, a failure in which the gate electrode 42 a of the switching element 42 is stuck while the switching element 42 remains in a connected state. In this way, the state in which the gate electrode 42 a of the switching element 42 is stuck while the switching element 42 remains in a connected state is also referred to as a stuck-on state.

[0046] If the control device ECU determines in step S101 that the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault (step S101: YES), the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if the control device ECU determines that the switching element 42 has not a short-circuit fault (step S101: NO), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0047] In step S102, the control device ECU determines whether the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user. If the control device ECU determines in step S102 that the system power switch PWR has not been turned off by the user, the control device ECU returns to step S101 (step S102: NO), and if the control device ECU determines that the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user (step S102: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S501.

[0048] In step S501, the control unit ECU switches the main contactor 51 from the connected state to the disconnected state, and ends the series of operations.

[0049] On the other hand, in step S201, the control unit ECU stores information indicating that the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault in the storage medium M. Then, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0050] In step S202, the control device ECU notifies the user of information indicating that the battery heater 40 needs to be replaced. For example, a warning light that turns on when the battery heater 40 needs to be replaced is connected to the control device ECU, and the control device ECU turns on the warning light in step S202. Also, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel that can display various information is connected to the control device ECU, and in step S202, the control device ECU displays information indicating that the battery heater 40 needs to be replaced on the display device. Then, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0051] In step S203, the control unit ECU starts cooling suppression control, which controls the battery heater cooling device 90 to suppress cooling of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40. More specifically, the cooling suppression control controls the battery heater cooling device 90 so that the temperature of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T0 and lower than an upper limit temperature Tmax that is higher than the predetermined temperature T0. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0052] In this way, when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, the control unit ECU starts cooling suppression control that controls the battery heater cooling device 90 to suppress cooling of the heat-generating element 41 of the battery heater 40, which makes it easier for the temperature of the heat-generating element 41 of the battery heater 40 to rise. As a result, when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, the cutoff device 43 can perform a cutoff operation earlier, which makes it possible to cut off the power supply to the heat-generating element 41 of the battery heater 40 earlier, thereby improving the safety of the power supply system 1.

[0053] Furthermore, in the cooling suppression control that controls the battery heater cooling device 90 to suppress the cooling of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40, the battery heater cooling device 90 is controlled so that the temperature of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T0 and lower than an upper limit temperature Tmax that is higher than the predetermined temperature T0. This prevents the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40 from excessively increasing in temperature, while allowing the cut-off device 43 to perform the cut-off operation earlier.

[0054] In step S204, the control device ECU determines whether the cutoff device 43 has operated. For example, a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting whether the cutoff device 43 has operated is connected to the control device ECU. The sensor outputs an electrical signal indicating whether the cutoff device 43 has operated. The control device ECU determines whether the cutoff device 43 has operated based on the electrical signal output from the sensor.

[0055] When the control device ECU determines in step S204 that the cutoff device 43 has operated (step S204: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S301.

[0056] In step S301, the control unit ECU ends the cooling suppression control for controlling the battery heater cooling device 90 to suppress the cooling of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0057] In step S302, the control device ECU stores information indicating that the cutoff device 43 has been activated in the storage medium M. Then, the process proceeds to step S303.

[0058] In step S303, the control device ECU determines whether the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user. If it is determined in step S303 that the system power switch PWR has not been turned off by the user, the control device ECU enters a standby state until the system power switch PWR is turned off by the user (step S303: NO loop), and if it is determined that the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user (step S303: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S501.

[0059] In step S501, the control unit ECU switches the main contactor 51 from the connected state to the disconnected state, and ends the series of operations.

[0060] On the other hand, when the control device ECU determines in step S204 that the cutoff device 43 is not operating (step S204: NO), the control device ECU proceeds to step S205.

[0061] In step S205, the control device ECU determines whether the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user. If the control device ECU determines in step S205 that the system power switch PWR has been turned off by the user (step S205: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S206, and if the control device ECU determines in step S205 that the system power switch PWR has not been turned off by the user (step S205: NO), the control device ECU returns to step S204.

[0062] In step S206, the control unit ECU prohibits the main contactor 51 from switching to the disconnected state and controls the main contactor 51 to maintain the connected state, and then proceeds to step S207.

[0063] In step S207, the control unit ECU starts counting the elapsed time t, and then proceeds to step S208.

[0064] In step S208, the control device ECU determines whether the cutoff device 43 has operated. For example, a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting whether the cutoff device 43 has operated is connected to the control device ECU. The sensor outputs an electrical signal indicating whether the cutoff device 43 has operated. The control device ECU determines whether the cutoff device 43 has operated based on the electrical signal output from the sensor.

[0065] When the control device ECU determines in step S208 that the cutoff device 43 has operated (step S208: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S401.

[0066] In step S401, the control unit ECU ends the cooling suppression control for controlling the battery heater cooling device 90 to suppress the cooling of the heat generating element 41 of the battery heater 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0067] In step S402, the control device ECU stores information indicating that the cutoff device 43 has been activated in the storage medium M. Then, the process proceeds to step S501.

[0068] In step S501, the control unit ECU switches the main contactor 51 from the connected state to the disconnected state, and ends the series of operations.

[0069] If the switching element 42 is short-circuited and the user turns off the system power switch PWR, causing the main contactor 51 to switch to the cut-off state even though the circuit breaker 43 has not performed the cut-off operation. In this state, the next time the user turns on the system power switch PWR and the main contactor 51 switches to the connected state, power will be unintentionally supplied to the heating element 41.

[0070] In this embodiment, when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, even if the user turns off the system power switch PWR, the control unit ECU prohibits the main contactor 51 from switching to the disconnected state until the circuit breaker 43 performs a circuit breaker operation, and controls the main contactor 51 to maintain the connected state. As a result, when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, even if the user turns off the system power switch PWR, power is supplied to the heating element 41 until the circuit breaker 43 performs a circuit breaker operation, and the main contactor 51 switches to the disconnected state with the circuit breaker 43 performing a circuit breaker operation. Therefore, even if the user turns on the system power switch PWR and switches the main contactor 51 to the connected state, power is not supplied to the heating element 41 because the circuit breaker 43 is in the disconnected state. This prevents the main contactor 51 from switching from the disconnected state to the connected state when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, thereby preventing power from being unintentionally supplied to the heating element 41.

[0071] On the other hand, when the control device ECU determines in step S208 that the cutoff device 43 is not operating (step S208: NO), the control device ECU proceeds to step S209.

[0072] In step S209, the control unit ECU determines whether the elapsed time t since counting began in step S207 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time tset. The predetermined time tset is stored in the storage medium M of the control unit ECU.

[0073] If the control device ECU determines in step S209 that the elapsed time t is equal to or greater than the predetermined time tset (step S209: YES), the control device ECU proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, if the control device ECU determines in step S209 that the elapsed time t is less than the predetermined time tset (step S209: NO), the control device ECU returns to step S208.

[0074] In step S210, the control unit ECU prohibits the main contactor 51 from switching to the connected state, and then proceeds to step S501.

[0075] In step S501, the control unit ECU switches the main contactor 51 from the connected state to the disconnected state, and ends the series of operations.

[0076] In this way, when the elapsed time t after the system power switch PWR is turned off exceeds the preset time tset, the main contactor 51 is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, thereby ensuring the safety of electrical devices other than the heating element 41 connected to the power supply system 1.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the elapsed time t after the system power switch PWR is turned off exceeds a predetermined time tset, the main contactor 51 is prohibited from switching to the connected state and is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, so that the main contactor 51 will not switch to the connected state even if the user turns on the system power switch PWR next time. This prevents the main contactor 51 from switching from the disconnected state to the connected state when the switching element 42 has a short-circuit fault, thereby preventing power from being unintentionally supplied to the heating element 41, and ensures the safety of electrical devices other than the heating element 41 connected to the power supply system 1 when the elapsed time t after the system power switch PWR is turned off exceeds a predetermined time tset.

[0078] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0079] For example, in this embodiment, the power supply system 1 is mounted on a vehicle, but it may also be mounted on something other than a vehicle.

[0080] This specification describes at least the following: In parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0081] (1) Power supply (high voltage battery BAT-H) a load (heating element 41) that operates using power supplied from the power source; a contactor (main contactor 51) that can electrically connect and disconnect the power source and the load by switching between a connected state and a disconnected state; a switching element (switching element 42) that controls the power supplied to the load; a circuit breaker (43) that operates to cut off the power supply to the load when the temperature of the load becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (predetermined temperature T0); a control device (control device ECU) capable of switching the contactor between a connected state and a disconnected state, The control device If the switching element has a short circuit fault, a power supply system that controls the contactor to maintain the connected state until the interrupter operates;

[0082] According to (1), it is possible to prevent the contactor from switching from the disconnected state to the connected state when the switching element is short-circuited, thereby preventing power from being unintentionally supplied to the load.

[0083] (2) The power supply system according to (1), The power supply system further includes a cooling device (battery heater cooling device 90) that cools the load, the control device is capable of controlling the cooling device; The control device If the switching element has a short circuit fault, The power supply system controls the cooling device to suppress cooling of the load.

[0084] According to (2), when a switching element has a short-circuit fault, the circuit breaker can be operated to cut off the power supply to the load more quickly, thereby improving the safety of the power supply system.

[0085] (3) The power supply system according to (2), The control device When the switching element is short-circuited, The power supply system controls the cooling device so that the temperature of the load is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and lower than an upper limit temperature (upper limit temperature Tmax) that is higher than the predetermined temperature.

[0086] According to (3), when a short circuit occurs in the switching element, the temperature of the load can be prevented from rising excessively and the breaker can be caused to perform a breaker operation earlier.

[0087] (4) The power supply system according to any one of (1) to (3), the power supply system further includes an operation unit (system power switch PWR) that can switch the power supply system between an on state and an off state; The control device When the switching element has a short circuit failure and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation unit was operated to turn off the power supply system, A power supply system that controls the contactor to be in the interrupted state.

[0088] According to (4), if the switching element has a short-circuit fault and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operating unit was operated to turn the power supply system off, the contactor is controlled to be in a cut-off state, thereby ensuring the safety of electrical equipment other than the load connected to the power supply system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Power System 41 Heat generating element (load) 42 Switching element 43 Circuit Breaker 51 Main contactor (contactor) 90 Battery heater cooling device (cooling device) BAT-H High voltage battery (power supply) ECU control unit PWR System power switch (operation section) T0 Predetermined temperature Tmax upper limit temperature

Claims

1. Power supply and a load that operates using power supplied from the power source; a contactor capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the power supply and the load by switching between a connected state and a disconnected state; a switching element for controlling the power supplied to the load; a cutoff device that operates to cut off power supply to the load when the temperature of the load reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature; a control device capable of switching the contactor between a connected state and a disconnected state, The control device If the switching element has a short circuit fault, a power supply system that controls the contactor to maintain the connected state until the interrupter operates;

2. 2. The power supply system of claim 1, the power supply system further includes a cooling device that cools the load; the control device is capable of controlling the cooling device; The control device If the switching element has a short circuit fault, The power supply system controls the cooling device to suppress cooling of the load.

3. 3. The power supply system according to claim 2, The control device When the switching element is short-circuited, The power supply system controls the cooling device so that the temperature of the load is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and lower than an upper limit temperature that is higher than the predetermined temperature.

4. 4. The power supply system according to claim 1, the power supply system further includes an operation unit that can switch the power supply system between an on state and an off state; The control device When the switching element has a short circuit failure and a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation unit was operated to turn off the power supply system, A power supply system that controls the contactor to be in the interrupted state.

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