Heater heating control device, heater heating control method, and heater heating control program

Abstract

Conventional control devices have posed a problem in that the devices involve a large mounting volume. A heater heating control device according to the present invention has: a drive circuit (21); a first switch (SW0) for selecting either one of a battery voltage (Vbat) and a capacitor voltage (Vc1) so as to apply the selected voltage to the drive circuit (21); a capacitor (24) having one terminal from which the capacitor voltage (Vc1) is outputted; a second switch (SW2) for selecting either one of a ground voltage and a battery voltage (Vbat) applied from the outside as to apply the selected voltage to the other terminal of the capacitor (24); and a control unit (22). The control unit (22) controls the second switch (SW2) so that the battery voltage (Vbat) is applied to the other terminal of the capacitor (24) during a rapid heating period designated by a host system to thereby apply the capacitor voltage (Vc1) to the drive circuit (21). During a steady control period in which a heater (31) is controlled at a temperature of or close to a target value, electric power is supplied from the drive circuit (21) to the heater (31) on the basis of the battery voltage (Vbat).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater heating control device, a heater heating control method, and a heater heating control program, and more particularly to a heater heating control device, a heater heating control method, and a heater heating control program that perform rapid heating control in the initial heating stage of a heater, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] Some heaters have a quick-heating function that shortens the time it takes to reach a target temperature. Technologies relating to heaters with such quick-heating functions are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a temperature-controlled device, a primary energy source, and an electronic device, an electromechanical device, or both, where the electronic device, the electromechanical device, or both, includes a secondary energy source, a switching device, a measuring device, and in some cases, a controller, in which when the temperature-controlled device is turned on, the temperature-controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source, the measuring device measures a predetermined state, and when the temperature-controlled device reaches the predetermined state, the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source, and the predetermined state is reached within approximately 60 seconds.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a system including (a) a temperature controlled device, (b) a primary energy source, and (c) an electronic device, an electromechanical device, or both, where the (c) electronic device, the electromechanical device, or both (22) includes (i) a secondary energy source, (ii) a switching device, (iii) a measuring device, and (iv) optionally a controller, where when the temperature controlled device is turned on, the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source, the measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and when the temperature controlled device reaches the predetermined condition, the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source, and the predetermined condition is reached within approximately 60 seconds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6310508 Specification [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5961324 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, for example, in a heater system installed in an automobile or the like, there is a problem that the space for arranging a heater heating control device that controls the heating of the heater is limited. Here, when constructing a heater system with a fast heating function, it is necessary to generate a secondary energy source that generates a voltage higher than that of the primary energy source. While the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose this secondary energy source, they do not mention reducing the volume of the secondary energy source, and even if Patent Documents 1 and 2 are referenced, there is a problem that the secondary energy source cannot be accommodated in a mountable volume. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the heater heating control device of the present invention includes a drive circuit that supplies power to a heater, a first switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit, a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end, a capacitor charging power source that stores power in the capacitor, a second switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a ground voltage that is externally supplied to the other end of the capacitor, and a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power source, the first switch, and the second switch, wherein the control circuit controls the second switch so that the battery voltage is supplied to the other end of the capacitor during a rapid heating period specified by a host system, and controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, and during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value, controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage.

[0008] One aspect of the heater heating control method of the present invention is a heater heating control method for a heater heating control device having a drive circuit that supplies power to a heater, a first switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit, a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end, a capacitor charging power source that stores power in the capacitor, a second switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a ground voltage that is externally supplied to the other end of the capacitor, and a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power source, the first switch, and the second switch, wherein during a rapid heating period specified by a host system, the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is supplied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, and during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value, the drive circuit controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage.

[0009] One aspect of the heater heating control program of the present invention is a heater heating control program executed by the control circuit of a heater heating control device having: a drive circuit that supplies power to a heater; a first switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit; a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end; a capacitor charging power source that stores power in the capacitor; a second switch that selects and supplies either a battery voltage or a ground voltage that is externally supplied to the other end of the capacitor; and a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power source, the first switch, and the second switch, wherein the heater heating control program controls the second switch so that the battery voltage is supplied to the other end of the capacitor during a rapid heating period specified by a host system, and controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, and controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the heater heating control device, heater heating control method, and heater heating control program of the present invention, the capacitance required for the capacitor that supplies power during the rapid heating period can be reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the mounting area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram illustrating a control sequence of the heater heating control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating a control sequence of the heater heating control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating a control sequence of a heater heating control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating a control sequence of a heater heating control device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. Furthermore, each element shown in the drawings as a functional block performing various processes can be configured in hardware with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other circuits, and in software with a program loaded into memory, etc. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any one of these. In addition, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals in each drawing, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0013] The above-described program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The program can also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can supply the program to a computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0014] Embodiment 1 In the following embodiment, a heater system 1 including a heater heating control device 20 will be described. Although an example in which the heater system 1 is applied to a seat heater of an automobile will be described, the heater system 1 can be applied not only to seats but also to heaters attached to steering wheels and other vehicle parts, heaters used in products other than automobiles, and various other products.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a heater system 1 including a heater heating control device 20 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the heater system 1 includes a vehicle power supply 10, a heater heating control device 20, and a heater unit 30. The vehicle power supply 10 is a battery of the vehicle in which the heater system 1 is mounted. The heater unit 30 is controlled by the heater heating control device 20. The heater unit 30 is provided with a heater 31 and a temperature sensor 32. One end of the heater 31 is connected to the drive circuit 21 of the heater heating control device 20, and the other end is connected to a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is applied. The temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature of the non-heated object heated by the heater 31.

[0016] The heater heating control device 20 controls the temperature of the heater unit 30 to be controlled. This heater heating control device 20 has a rapid heating control function that rapidly increases the temperature of the heater 31 in the initial stage of heating. The heater heating control device 20 has a drive circuit 21, a control circuit 22, a capacitor charging power supply 23, and a capacitor 24. The heater heating control device 20 also has a switching circuit that switches the connections between each block. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the switching circuit has a first switch (switch SW0), a second switch (switch SW2), and a switch SW1.

[0017] The heater heating control device 20 obtains power for heating the heater 31 from the vehicle power supply 10 via the battery wiring W1. The voltage output by the vehicle power supply 10 is referred to as the battery voltage Vbat. The capacitor charging power supply 23 converts the battery voltage Vbat to a voltage required to charge the capacitor 24, and charges the capacitor 24.

[0018] The switch SW0 is a three-terminal switch having a P terminal, an N terminal, and a common terminal. The switch SW0 selects either the P terminal or the N terminal and connects it to the common terminal in accordance with instructions from the control circuit 22. In the heater heating control device 20, the P terminal of the switch SW0 is connected to the battery wire W1, to which the battery voltage Vbat is applied. Furthermore, one end (e.g., the positive terminal) of the capacitor 24 is connected to the N terminal of the switch SW0, to which the capacitor voltage Vc1 is applied. In the heater heating control device 20, when the switch SW0 selects the N terminal, the capacitor voltage Vc1 becomes the boost voltage. The common terminal of the switch SW0 is connected to the drive circuit 21, and the voltage applied to the selected terminal is applied to the drive circuit 21 as the input voltage Vs1. In other words, in the heater heating control device 20, the switch SW0 selects either the battery voltage Vbat or the boost voltage and applies it to the drive circuit.

[0019] The drive circuit 21 is supplied with an input voltage Vs1, and in accordance with instructions from the control circuit 22, supplies power to one end of the heater 31 for heating the heater 31. The other end of the heater 31 is connected to a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is applied.

[0020] The switch SW1 is a two-terminal switch that switches whether or not the output terminal of the capacitor charging power supply 23 is connected to one end of the capacitor 24 according to instructions from the control circuit 22. The switch SW2 is a three-terminal switch that has a P terminal, an N terminal, and a common terminal. According to instructions from the control circuit 22, the switch SW2 selects either the P terminal or the N terminal and connects it to the common terminal. In the heater heating control device 20, the P terminal of the switch SW2 is connected to the battery wire W1 and is supplied with the battery voltage Vbat. Furthermore, the N terminal of the switch SW2 is connected to a ground terminal and is supplied with the ground voltage. The common terminal of the switch SW2 is connected to the other end (e.g., the negative terminal) of the capacitor 24. In other words, the switch SW2 selects either the battery voltage Vbat or the ground voltage and supplies it to the other end of the capacitor 24.

[0021] Capacitor 24 stores power while capacitor charging power supply 23 is electrically connected to one end, and releases the stored power while drive circuit 21 is electrically connected to one end. In heater heating control device 20, it is preferable to use a lithium ion capacitor or an electric double layer capacitor as capacitor 24. In the following explanation, an example in which a lithium ion capacitor is used as capacitor 24 will be described. A lithium ion capacitor outputs power while maintaining a constant output voltage.

[0022] The control circuit 22 acquires the voltage value of the capacitor voltage Vc1 from the capacitor 24, and acquires a detected temperature value, which is the temperature of the non-heated object, from the temperature sensor 32. The control circuit 22 also controls the switches SW0, SW1, SW2, the drive circuit 21, and the capacitor charging power supply 23 based on the acquired values ​​and an operation instruction signal (not shown) input from the outside.

[0023] In the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 22 controls the switches SW0 to SW2 so that, during a rapid heating period designated by a higher-level system (not shown), a boosted voltage generated by adding the battery voltage Vbat to the capacitor voltage Vc1 is provided as the input voltage Vs1 to the drive circuit 21. More specifically, during the rapid heating period that begins when the heater 31 starts heating, the control circuit 22 controls the switch SW2 so that the battery voltage Vbat is provided to the other end of the capacitor 24, and also controls the drive circuit 21 and the switch SW0 so that the drive circuit 21 supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage Vc1.

[0024] In the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 22 applies the battery voltage Vbat as the input voltage Vs1 to the drive circuit 21 during a steady control period in which the heater 31 is controlled at a temperature close to the target value. More specifically, the control circuit 22 controls the drive circuit 21 and the switch SW0 so that the drive circuit 21 supplies power to the heater 31 based on the battery voltage Vbat during the steady control period in which the heater 31 is controlled at a temperature close to the target value.

[0025] In addition, in the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 22 controls the drive circuit 21, the capacitor charging power supply 23, and the switches SW0 to SW2 so that the capacitor charging power supply 23 charges the capacitor 24 with power while the drive circuit 21 is stopped.

[0026] Here, the operation of the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the control sequence of the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the state transitions during the control sequence and the switch states in each state. The control sequence shown in FIG. 2 shows the transitions of the circuit states based on the control performed by the control circuit 22.

[0027] 2, when the power is turned on, the heater heating control device 20 enters a standby state (state A). In state A, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects the P terminal, switch SW1 is turned off, and switch SW2 selects the N terminal. In this standby state, the drive circuit 21 is in a stopped state.

[0028] Next, the rapid heating sequence performed during the rapid heating period will be described. This rapid heating sequence is performed when the heater control signal PF, which controls the temperature of the heater 31 using the temperature sensor 32, the control circuit 22, and the drive circuit 21, is on (enabled), the boost signal BOOST, which commands the execution of the rapid heating sequence, is on, and the difference between the boost voltage (Vboost) and the battery voltage Vbat is equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1. In the first embodiment, the boost voltage Vboost is calculated as the battery voltage Vbat plus the capacitor voltage Vc1. The first threshold value V1 is the output voltage of the capacitor 24 when the charge of the capacitor 24 is sufficient to execute the rapid heating sequence. When a lithium ion capacitor is used as the capacitor 24, its capacitance can be made larger than that of a typical capacitor (such as an electrolytic capacitor or a ceramic capacitor). Therefore, the voltage change due to the charge amount is smaller than that of a typical capacitor. Therefore, the voltage output from a single lithium ion capacitor when fully charged is an upper limit voltage of approximately 3.8 V. Therefore, the first threshold value V1 is determined by the number of stages of lithium ion capacitors connected in series in the capacitor 24.

[0029] The fast warm-up sequence continues until one of the following conditions is met: the heater control signal PF is in the OFF (disabled) state, or the boost signal BOOST is in the OFF state. The fast warm-up sequence performs heater control in state F while controlling switches SW0 to SW2 using states C1, D1, and E1. State F continues until one of the following conditions is met: the heater control signal PF is in the OFF (disabled) state, the boost signal BOOST is in the OFF state, the difference between the boost voltage (Vboost) and the battery voltage Vbat is equal to or less than the second threshold V2, or the thermistor temperature, which is the detected temperature value, is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold T1. The fast warm-up sequence ends while controlling switches SW0 to SW2 using states E2, D2, and C2.

[0030] The second threshold V2 is the voltage at which further discharge of the capacitor 24 becomes difficult. The temperature threshold T1 is a preset value, for example, the target temperature of the heater 31 or a temperature slightly lower than the target temperature.

[0031] In states C1 and C2, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that the switch SW0 selects neither the P terminal nor the N terminal, the switch SW1 is in the OFF state, and the switch SW2 selects neither the P terminal nor the N terminal. In this state, the drive circuit 21 is in a stopped state.

[0032] In states D1 and D2, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects neither the P terminal nor the N terminal, switch SW1 is in the OFF state, and switch SW2 selects the P terminal. Note that in this state, the drive circuit 21 is in a stopped state. As a result, the voltage applied to the N terminal of switch SW0 becomes a boosted voltage obtained by adding the battery voltage Vbat to the capacitor voltage Vc1.

[0033] In states E1 and E2, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects the N terminal, switch SW1 is in the OFF state, and switch SW2 selects the P terminal. In these states, the drive circuit 21 is in a stopped state. This causes the drive circuit 21 to be supplied with a boosted voltage, obtained by adding the battery voltage Vbat to the capacitor voltage Vc1, as the input voltage Vs1. In state F, the drive circuit 21 is operated, thereby controlling the heater based on the boosted voltage.

[0034] Next, the steady-state control sequence will be described. The steady-state control sequence controls the drive circuit 21 to control the heater 31 to a temperature near the target temperature based on the thermistor temperature obtained from the temperature sensor 32. This state is referred to as state PF. State PF is performed while the heater control signal PF is in the ON state. In state PF, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects the P terminal, switch SW1 is in the OFF state, and switch SW2 selects the N terminal. In other words, while the steady-state control sequence is being performed, the other end of the capacitor 24 is grounded, and one end is disconnected from the drive circuit 21 and the capacitor charging power supply 23. Furthermore, during the steady-state control sequence, the drive circuit 21 supplies power to the heater 31 based on the battery voltage Vbat.

[0035] Next, the charging sequence will be described. The charging sequence is performed when the heater control signal PF is in the OFF state, the charging instruction signal CHARGE is in the ON state, and the difference between the boost voltage (Vboost) and the battery voltage Vbat is equal to or less than the third threshold value V3. The charging instruction signal CHARGE is a signal transmitted from a higher-level system. Because the charging sequence is performed when the heater control signal PF is in the OFF state, neither the quick warm-up sequence nor the steady-state control sequence is performed, and the charging sequence is performed during a period when the drive circuit 21 is stopped.

[0036] The third threshold V3 is, for example, a value smaller than the first threshold V1 and larger than the second threshold V2. More preferably, the third threshold V3 is a value approximately 0.1 lower than the first threshold V1. This is because setting the third threshold V3 to such a value makes it possible to maintain a state in which a large amount of discharge is possible in the fast warm-up sequence.

[0037] The charging sequence passes through state A21 and reaches state B, which is the charging state. In state B, the sequence ends via state A22 when the charge instruction signal CHARGE is in the OFF state or when the difference between the battery voltage Vbat and the boosted voltage Vboost becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1.

[0038] In states A21 and A22, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects the P terminal, switch SW1 is in the OFF state, and switch SW2 selects the N terminal. Thereafter, in state B, the control circuit 22 controls each switch so that switch SW0 selects the P terminal, switch SW1 is in the ON state, and switch SW2 selects the N terminal, and also controls the capacitor charging power supply 23 to the ON state. As a result, in the charging sequence, the capacitor charging power supply 23 enters a state in which it charges the capacitor 24 connected between the output terminal of the capacitor charging power supply 23 and the ground terminal.

[0039] As explained above, in the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment, during a rapid heating period in which the heater 31 is rapidly heated, the boosted voltage generated by raising the capacitor voltage Vc1 with the battery voltage Vbat is supplied to the drive circuit 21, thereby improving the heating rate of the heater 31. As a result, in the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment, the voltage generated by the capacitor 24 during the boosted voltage generation can be reduced by the amount of the battery voltage Vbat, and therefore the capacity of the capacitor 24 or the number of series stages can be reduced.

[0040] When a lithium ion capacitor is used as capacitor 24, the voltage that can be generated by one lithium ion capacitor is small, and to generate a large boost voltage, the number of lithium ion capacitor stages must be increased. However, in heater system 1 according to embodiment 1, voltage generation by a lithium ion capacitor is not necessary for the battery voltage Vbat, and the number of lithium ion capacitors can be reduced relative to the magnitude of the boost voltage. Because lithium ion capacitors are large in volume, reducing the number of lithium ion capacitors has a significant effect on reducing the mounting volume of heater heating control device 20.

[0041] Furthermore, the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment charges the capacitor 24 while the drive circuit 21 is stopped. As a result, the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment can distribute the timing at which power is consumed and suppress peak power consumption.

[0042] Furthermore, if multiple small capacitors are used as capacitor 24, the capacitors can be stored in separate spaces. When multiple capacitors are used, even if a specific capacitor is in a discharged state, power can be used from another capacitor. The present invention does not limit the shape or type of capacitor to a specific form. A capacitor can be selected to suit the storage space, such as a cube, a cylinder, or a thin film. The term "capacitor" as used in this invention refers to an electricity storage device, and is not limited to any particular type, as long as it is a device with electricity storage function, such as an electrolytic capacitor, a film capacitor, a ceramic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, a mica capacitor, an air capacitor, a glass capacitor, a non-polar electrolytic capacitor, or an oil capacitor.

[0043] Furthermore, power from the capacitor may be added only to specific parts of the heater, improving the heating characteristics of only that part. In applications involving warming the human body, the heating can be felt more quickly in specific parts of the body. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by using the heater heating control device 20 shown in FIG. 1 for a part of the heater with high heating characteristics, excluding the capacitor charging power supply 23 and the capacitor 24 from the heater heating control device 20, and further providing another heater control device with a drive circuit 21 that receives power only from the vehicle power source 10, and using this other heater control device to heat a heater other than heater 31.

[0044] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, a heater system 2 will be described, which is another embodiment of the heater system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a heater system 2 including a heater heating control device according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the heater system 2 according to embodiment 2 has a heater heating control device 40 and a heater unit 50 instead of the heater heating control device 20 and the heater unit 30.

[0046] The heater heating control device 40 has a first drive circuit (e.g., drive circuit 41) and a second drive circuit (e.g., drive circuit 42) instead of the drive circuit 21. The heater heating control device 40 also uses a switch SW3 as the first switch and has a switch SW4 as a third switch. Furthermore, the heater heating control device 40 has a control circuit 43 instead of the control circuit 22. The control circuit 43 is a computing device that can execute programs, such as a microcomputer, like the control circuit 22, and controls the blocks and switches within the heater heating control device 40 based on instructions from a higher-level system (not shown), the thermistor temperature obtained from the temperature sensor 32, and the capacitor voltage Vc1 of the capacitor 24.

[0047] Furthermore, the heater unit 50 has a heater 51 instead of the heater 31. The heater 51 has a first heater 511 and a second heater 512. The first heater 511 and the second heater 512 are obtained by dividing the heater provided in the heater 31 into two, and have, for example, the same resistance value. One end of the first heater 511 is connected to an output terminal of the drive circuit 41, and the other end is connected to one end of the second heater 512. The other end of the second heater 512 is connected to a ground terminal. The connection point between the first heater 511 and the second heater 512 is connected to the output terminal of the drive circuit 42.

[0048] In the heater heating control device 40, the battery voltage Vbat is directly input to the drive circuit 41. Furthermore, in the heater heating control device 40, the drive circuit 41 is controlled to a stopped state in which the output terminal is set to high impedance during the rapid heating period. A capacitor voltage Vc1 boosted by the battery voltage Vbat is applied as an input voltage Vs2 to the drive circuit 42 via a first switch SW3. The switch SW3 switches whether or not to apply the boosted capacitor voltage Vc1 to the drive circuit 42. More specifically, the switch SW3 selectively applies the boosted capacitor voltage Vc1 to the drive circuit 42 as the input voltage Vs2 during the rapid heating period.

[0049] The heater heating control device 40 also has a switch SW4, which serves as a third switch. The switch SW4 switches whether or not to apply a ground voltage to one end (the end connected to the output terminal of the drive circuit 41) of the first heater 511. More specifically, the switch SW4 applies the ground voltage to one end of the first heater 511 during the rapid heating period.

[0050] That is, in the heater system 2 according to the second embodiment, the heater heating control device 40 includes a first drive circuit (e.g., drive circuit 41) and a second drive circuit (e.g., drive circuit 42) as drive circuits, and the heater unit 50 includes a first heater 511 and a second heater 512 connected in series between an output terminal of the drive circuit 41 and a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is applied. The output terminal of the drive circuit 42 is connected between the other end of the first heater 511 and one end of the second heater 512. The heater heating control device 40 further includes a third switch that switches whether or not to apply a ground voltage to the one end of the second heater 512. During the rapid heating period, the control circuit 43 stops the drive circuit 41 and controls the switches SW3, SW2, and SW4 so that the drive circuit 42 supplies power to the parallel-connected first heater 511 and second heater 512 based on the capacitor voltage Vc1. In addition, during the steady control period, the control circuit 43 stops the drive circuit 42 and controls the switches SW3, SW2, and SW4 so that the drive circuit 41 supplies power to the first heater 511 and the second heater 512 connected in series based on the battery voltage Vbat.

[0051] Here, the operation of the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the control sequence of the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the state transition of the control sequence is the same in the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment. However, in the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment, the switch states in each state differ from those in the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the on / off switching of the switches in each state of the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

[0052] First, in state A, which is a standby state, and state PF during the steady control sequence, the control circuit 43 sets switch SW1 to the off state, switch SW2 to the N terminal connected to the ground terminal, switch SW3 to the off state, the drive circuit 42 to the stopped state, and switch SW4 to the off state. By setting the switches in these states, state A and state PF enable the drive circuit 42 to supply power to the first heater 511 and the second heater 512 connected in series. Note that in state A, the drive circuit 42 is stopped, and the supply of power to the heater 51 is stopped.

[0053] Next, in states C1 and C2 during the quick warm-up sequence, the control circuit 43 sets switch SW1 to the off state, switch SW2 to the off state where neither the P terminal nor the N terminal is selected, switch SW3 to the off state, the drive circuit 42 to the stopped state, and switch SW4 to the off state.

[0054] In addition, in states D1 and D2 during the quick warm-up sequence, the control circuit 43 sets switch SW1 to the off state, connects switch SW2 to the P terminal side to which the battery voltage Vbat is applied, sets switch SW3 to the off state, stops the drive circuit 42, and sets switch SW4 to the off state.

[0055] In addition, in states E1 and E2 during the quick warm-up sequence, the control circuit 43 sets switch SW1 to the off state, connects switch SW2 to the P terminal side to which the battery voltage Vbat is applied, sets switch SW3 to the on state, stops the drive circuit 42, and sets switch SW4 to the on state.

[0056] In state F, which controls the heaters in the fast warm-up sequence, control circuit 43 turns switch SW1 off, connects switch SW2 to terminal P to which battery voltage Vbat is applied, turns switch SW3 on, drives drive circuit 42 in an operating state, and turns switch SW4 on. In this way, by transitioning through states C1, D1, and E1 to state F, the drive circuit 42 drives the first heater 511 and second heater 512, which are connected in parallel, based on the boosted capacitor voltage Vc1.

[0057] Next, in states A21 and A22 during the charging sequence, the control circuit 43 keeps switch SW1 off, connects switch SW2 to the N terminal connected to the ground terminal, keeps switch SW3 off, stops the drive circuit 42, and keeps switch SW4 off. Also, in state B, which is a charging state during the charging sequence, the control circuit 43 keeps switch SW1 on, connects switch SW2 to the N terminal connected to the ground terminal, keeps switch SW3 off, stops the drive circuit 42, keeps switch SW4 off, and keeps the capacitor charging power supply 23 on. As a result, the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment enters a state in which the capacitor 24 is charged by the capacitor charging power supply 23 with the drive circuits 41 and 42 stopped.

[0058] As explained above, the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment can supply power to the first heater 511 and the second heater 512, whose resistance values ​​have been reduced by being connected in parallel, during the rapid heating period. The heating temperature of a heater is proportional to the amount of power supplied to the heater. However, if the resistance value of the heater is small, even if the voltage output by the drive circuit 42 is low, it is possible to output a current greater than the current output by the drive circuit 21 during the rapid heating period. In other words, the heater system 2 according to the second embodiment can generate heat to the same extent as the heater system 1 while setting the output voltage of the drive circuit 42 lower than that of the drive circuit 21.

[0059] As a result, in the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment, the voltage of the capacitor voltage Vc1 can be made lower than in the first embodiment. That is, in the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment, the number of serially connected lithium ion capacitors constituting the capacitor 24 can be reduced, and the mounting volume of the capacitor 24 can be made smaller than that of the capacitor 24 according to the first embodiment. For example, while five serially connected lithium ion capacitors are required to constitute the capacitor 24 in the first embodiment, one serially connected lithium ion capacitor is sufficient to generate heat in the second embodiment.

[0060] Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, a heater heating control device 60 will be described, which is another embodiment of the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment. In the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device 60 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the heater heating control device 60 is the same as the heater heating control device 20 according to the first embodiment except that switch SW2 is removed. In the heater heating control device 60, the other end of the capacitor 24 is directly connected to the ground terminal. That is, in the heater heating control device 60 according to the third embodiment, the capacitor voltage is not boosted by the battery voltage Vbat. Therefore, in the heater heating control device 60, the capacitor 24 is configured so that it can output a boosted voltage Vc2, which is the sum of the battery voltage Vbat and the capacitor voltage Vc1.

[0062] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the heater heating control device 60 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the control sequence of the heater heating control device 60 according to the third embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the control sequence of the heater heating control device 60 according to the third embodiment does not include states A21 and A22 and states D1 and D2 required for switching the switch SW2 in the first embodiment.

[0064] In the heater system 3 according to the third embodiment, a higher voltage is required as the boost voltage Vc2 generated by the capacitor 24 than in the first embodiment, but the capacitor 24 is charged while the drive circuit 21 is stopped, and the heater 31 is heated only by the power output from the capacitor 24 during the rapid heating period. That is, in the heater system 3 according to the third embodiment, the heater 31 is caused to generate heat only by the heater heating control device 60 during the rapid heating period. As a result, in the heater system 3 according to the third embodiment, no current flows through the battery wiring W1 during the rapid heating period, so the battery wiring W1 can have a wiring diameter equivalent to that in the case where only the battery voltage is supplied to the drive circuit 21 to drive the heater 31.

[0065] Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, a heater heating control device 70 will be described, which is another embodiment of the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those described in the first and second embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a heater system including a heater heating control device 70 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the heater heating control device 70 is the heater heating control device 40 according to the second embodiment without the switch SW2. In the heater heating control device 70, the other end of the capacitor 24 is directly connected to the ground terminal. That is, in the heater heating control device 70 according to the fourth embodiment, the capacitor voltage is not boosted by the battery voltage Vbat. Therefore, in the heater heating control device 70, the capacitor 24 is configured so that it can output a boosted voltage Vc2, which is the voltage value obtained by adding the battery voltage Vbat and the capacitor voltage Vc1 to the capacitor 24.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the heater heating control device 70 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the control sequence of the heater heating control device 70 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the control sequence of the heater heating control device 70 according to the fourth embodiment does not include states A21 and A22 and states D1 and D2 required for switching the switch SW2 in the second embodiment.

[0069] In the heater system 4 according to the fourth embodiment, a higher voltage is required as the boost voltage Vc2 generated by the capacitor 24 than in the second embodiment, but the capacitor 24 is charged while the drive circuits 41, 42 are stopped, and the heater 51 is heated only by the power output from the capacitor 24 during the rapid heating period. That is, in the heater system 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the heater 51 is caused to generate heat only by the heater heating control device 70 during the rapid heating period. As a result, in the heater system 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the amount of current flowing through the battery wiring W1 during the rapid heating period and the amount of current flowing through the battery wiring W1 during the steady control period can be reduced, and therefore the battery wiring W1 can be made thinner than when the heater 51 is driven by supplying only the battery voltage to the drive circuits 41, 42.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiment includes the viewpoints described in the following supplementary notes.

[0071] (Appendix 1) a capacitor that outputs a boosted voltage higher than an externally applied battery voltage from one end; a capacitor charging power supply that stores power in the capacitor; a drive circuit for supplying power to the heater; a switching circuit that switches connections among the capacitor, the capacitor charging power supply, the battery terminal that supplies the battery voltage, and the drive circuit; a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power supply, and the switching circuit; The control circuit controlling the drive circuit and the switching circuit so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the boosted voltage during a rapid heating period designated by a host system; During a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature close to a target value, the drive circuit controls the drive circuit and the switching circuit so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage; a heater heating control device that controls the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power supply, and the switching circuit so that power is charged to the capacitor from the capacitor charging power supply during a pause period in which the drive circuit is stopped;

[0072] (Appendix 2) 2. The heater heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit has a first switch that selects one of the battery voltage and the boosted voltage and applies the selected voltage to the drive circuit.

[0073] (Appendix 3) 3. The heater heating control device according to claim 2, wherein the switching circuit further includes a second switch that selects one of the battery voltage and the ground voltage and applies the selected voltage to the other end of the capacitor.

[0074] (Appendix 4) 3. The heater heating control device according to claim 2, wherein the other end of the capacitor is connected to a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is supplied.

[0075] (Appendix 5) the drive circuit includes a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit; the switching circuit has a first switch that switches whether or not the boosted voltage is applied to the second drive circuit; 2. The heater heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the first drive circuit is supplied with the battery voltage.

[0076] (Appendix 6) 6. The heater heating control device according to claim 5, wherein the switching circuit further includes a second switch that selects one of the battery voltage and the ground voltage and applies the selected voltage to the other end of the capacitor.

[0077] (Appendix 7) the heater includes a first heater and a second heater connected in series between an output terminal of the first drive circuit and a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is applied, an output terminal of the second driving circuit is connected between the other end of the first heater and one end of the second heater; the heater heating control device further includes a third switch that switches whether or not the ground voltage is applied to one end of the first heater; The control circuit during the rapid heating period, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are controlled so that the first drive circuit is stopped and the second drive circuit supplies power to the first heater and the second heater connected in parallel based on the capacitor voltage; 7. The heater heating control device according to claim 6, wherein during the steady control period, the second drive circuit is stopped, and the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are controlled so that the first drive circuit supplies power to the first heater and the second heater connected in series based on the battery voltage.

[0078] (Appendix 8) 6. The heater heating control device according to claim 5, wherein the other end of the capacitor is connected to a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is supplied.

[0079] (Appendix 9) 9. The heater heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is a lithium ion capacitor that outputs power while maintaining a constant output voltage.

[0080] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-181170, filed on October 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1~4 Heater System 10 Vehicle power supply 20, 40, 60, 70 heater heating control device 21, 41, 42 Drive circuit 22, 43 Control circuit 23 Capacitor charging power supply 24 Capacitor 30, 50 heater unit 31, 51 heater 32 Temperature Sensor 511 First Heater 512 Second Heater SW0~SW4 switches W1 Battery wiring Vbat Battery Voltage Vc1 capacitor voltage Vc2 boost voltage Vs1 input voltage Vs2 input voltage PF heater control signal BOOST Boost signal CHARGE Charging instruction signal

Claims

1. a drive circuit for supplying power to the heater; a first switch for selectively applying either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit; a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end; a capacitor charging power supply that stores power in the capacitor; a second switch that selectively applies an externally applied battery voltage or a ground voltage to the other end of the capacitor; a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power supply, the first switch, and the second switch; The control circuit During a rapid heating period designated by a host system, when the capacitor voltage is equal to or higher than a first threshold value at which it is determined that the amount of charge of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a specified amount, the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage; in a state in which the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, when the capacitor voltage becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold voltage at which it is determined that the charge amount of the capacitor has reached a lower limit, the first switch and the second switch are turned off; A heater heating control device that controls the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value.

2. 2. The heater heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls the second switch to charge the capacitor with power from the capacitor charging power source and apply the ground voltage to the other end of the capacitor during a pause period in which the drive circuit is stopped.

3. 3. The heater heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is a lithium ion capacitor that outputs power while maintaining a constant output voltage.

4. a drive circuit for supplying power to the heater; a first switch for selectively applying either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit; a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end; a capacitor charging power supply that stores power in the capacitor; a second switch that selectively applies an externally applied battery voltage or a ground voltage to the other end of the capacitor; a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power supply, the first switch, and the second switch; During a rapid heating period designated by a host system, when the capacitor voltage is equal to or higher than a first threshold value at which it is determined that the amount of charge of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a specified amount, the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage; in a state in which the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, when the capacitor voltage becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold voltage at which it is determined that the charge amount of the capacitor has reached a lower limit, the first switch and the second switch are turned off; A heater heating control method, comprising: controlling the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value.

5. a drive circuit for supplying power to the heater; a first switch for selectively applying either a battery voltage or a capacitor voltage to the drive circuit; a capacitor that outputs the capacitor voltage from one end; a capacitor charging power supply that stores power in the capacitor; a second switch that selectively applies an externally applied battery voltage or a ground voltage to the other end of the capacitor; a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit, the capacitor charging power supply, the first switch, and the second switch; The heater heating control program During a rapid heating period designated by a host system, when the capacitor voltage is equal to or higher than a first threshold value at which it is determined that the amount of charge of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a specified amount, the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage; in a state in which the second switch is controlled so that the battery voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor, and the drive circuit and the first switch are controlled so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the capacitor voltage, when the capacitor voltage becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold voltage at which it is determined that the charge amount of the capacitor has reached a lower limit, the first switch and the second switch are turned off; a heater heating control program for controlling the drive circuit and the first switch so that the drive circuit supplies power to the heater based on the battery voltage during a steady control period in which the heater is controlled at a temperature near a target value;

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