Processing device and processing method for power management system, power management system

Abstract

The present invention eliminates a low charge state of a vehicle battery by means of a simple method. The processing device (40) comprises: a charging state monitoring unit (41) for monitoring the charging level of a vehicle battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on a vehicle (100); a connection authentication unit (42) for authenticating a connection between an external device (10) and a USB (universal serial bus) port (20) having an interface corresponding to a DRP (dual role power) that can be on either a power supply side or a power reception side; and a current switching unit (46) for switching a current direction to either of a direction in which the external device (10) is charged and a direction in which power is supplied from the external device (10) according to the charging level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device and a processing method of a power management system capable of charging an in-vehicle battery in a simple manner when the charge level of the in-vehicle battery is low, and a power management system including the processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a dedicated rapid charging device for vehicles that converts AC power into DC power and supplies power to an in-vehicle battery. According to this device, since it includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the charging cable, after the rapid charging by the previous user ends, it is possible to know in advance an approximate time until the cable cools from a high-temperature state to a predetermined low temperature at which the next charging becomes possible. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, such a rapid charging device requires a power converter, a special cable and connector for connecting to the vehicle, so the equipment is large-scale and the installation location of the rapid charging device is limited. On the other hand, in a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, once the engine is started, the in-vehicle battery can be charged through a generator such as an alternator. Therefore, even if the in-vehicle battery is in a low charge state, if the in-vehicle battery is charged to such an extent that the engine can be started, the low charge state of the in-vehicle battery can be eliminated.

[0005] The present invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a processing device and processing method for a power management system that can resolve the low charge state of an on-board battery in a simple manner, and a power management system equipped with the processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The processing device according to the present invention comprises: a charge state monitoring unit that monitors the charge level of an on-board battery that supplies power to electronic devices mounted in a vehicle; a connection authentication unit that authenticates the connection between an external device and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port having an interface compatible with DRP (Dual Role Power), which can be either a power supply side or a power receiving side; and a current switching unit that switches the direction of the current to either a direction that charges the external device or a direction that supplies power from the external device, depending on the charge level.

[0007] Furthermore, the power management system according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned processing unit, a USB port, a power transmission device that controls the charging and discharging of the vehicle battery based on commands from the processing unit, a vehicle battery, and electronic equipment.

[0008] Furthermore, the processing method according to the present invention includes a monitoring step of monitoring the charge level of an on-board battery that supplies power to electronic devices mounted in a vehicle; an authentication step of authenticating the connection between an external device and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port having an interface compatible with DRP (Dual Role Power), which can be either a power supply side or a power receiving side; a determination step of determining whether the charge level is greater than a predetermined level; and a switching step of switching the current direction to either a direction of charging the external device or a direction of supplying power from the external device, depending on the result of the determination step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The processing apparatus, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention can charge an on-board battery or supply power to electronic devices installed in a vehicle using a USB port compatible with DRP installed in the vehicle. This allows users to resolve low battery levels in their vehicles without having to drive them to a location where a fast-charging station is available. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle. [Figure 2] This figure shows the system configuration of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The processing apparatus, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The configurations and operations described below are examples only, and the processing apparatus, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations and operations.

[0013] For example, in the following, the case where the vehicle is a motorcycle is described. However, the vehicle is not limited to a saddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle as long as it is a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle battery, and may be a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0014] Also, in the following, the same or similar descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Also, in each figure, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, the illustration of fine structures is appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0015] Embodiment 1. The power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0016] <Configuration of the power management system> The configuration of the power management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the mounted state of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention on a motorcycle. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the system configuration of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power management system 1 mainly includes a USB port 20 mounted on a motorcycle 100, a processing device 40, a power transmission device 50, an in-vehicle battery 60, and electronic devices 70 and 80.

[0018] The USB port 20 has a USB Type-C interface. The USB port 20 connects the external device 10 and the power transmission device 50 via a power line 21. Also, the USB port 20 connects the external device 10 and the processing device 40 via a communication line 22. Hereinafter, the power line and the communication line will be collectively referred to as a USB cable.

[0019] The power transmission device 50 corresponds to a charge-discharge control circuit that controls the charging and discharging of the in-vehicle battery 60 according to commands from the processing device 40. Specifically, the power transmission device 50 can selectively execute a charging operation of storing the power supplied from the external device 10 in the in-vehicle battery 60, a power supply operation of supplying the power supplied from the external device 10 to the electronic devices 70 and 80, and a discharging operation of supplying the power stored in the in-vehicle battery 60 to the external device 10.

[0020] The in-vehicle battery 60 is a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the electronic devices 70 and 80. For the in-vehicle battery 60, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion polymer secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery, a lead-acid battery, etc. are used.

[0021] The processing device 40 provides a USB port compliant with the USB Type-C standard and corresponding to DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either a power supply side or a power receiving side. That is, the processing device 40 functions as a DRP and manages communication, charging, and power supply operations with a connection destination via a USB cable. In the example of FIG. 1, the processing device 40 is arranged in an instrument cluster panel 30 mounted on the motorcycle 100 and integrating various meters. The more specific configuration of the processing device 40 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The electronic devices 70 and 80 are devices that execute various functions in the vehicle by being supplied with power from the in-vehicle battery 60. The electronic device 70 is, for example, a keyless entry device that controls locking and unlocking of the vehicle. In the case of a motorcycle, it controls locking and unlocking of the handle lock, and in the case of a four-wheeled vehicle, it controls locking and unlocking of the vehicle door. The electronic device 80 is, for example, an engine management device that performs start control of the engine and fuel injection control.

[0023] External device 10 refers to a device that functions as a power source capable of supplying power to charge the vehicle battery 60 and is connectable to a connector having a USB Type-C interface. Specifically, this includes portable chargers that can connect to USB Type-C or mobile devices that have a USB Type-C interface. Furthermore, the external device 10 may be not only a portable charger or mobile device, but also a household power supply connected via a USB Type-C interface.

[0024] Next, the details of the processing unit 40 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The processing unit 40 mainly includes a charge state monitoring unit 41, a connection authentication unit 42, a determination unit 43, an instruction unit 44, a selection unit 45, a current switching unit 46, a communication unit 47, and a storage unit 48. Each part of the processing unit 40 may be housed together in one housing, or it may be housed in multiple housings. Furthermore, some or all of the processing unit 40 may be composed of, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor unit, or an updatable firmware, or a program module executed by commands from a CPU, etc.

[0025] The charge status monitoring unit 41 monitors the charge status of the vehicle battery 60. Specifically, it acquires the measurement result of the charge level of the vehicle battery 60 via the in-vehicle LAN and stores the value in the storage unit 48. Monitoring by the charge status monitoring unit 41 may be set to be performed at regular intervals, or the measurement result of the charge level may be acquired each time the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates the connection with the external device 10.

[0026] The connection authentication unit 42 performs connection authentication with the external device 10 via the USB port 20. Specifically, when the external device 10 is connected via the USB port 20, the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates that the external device 10 and the processing unit 40 are connected. When the connection is authenticated, it may also be determined whether the power supply capability of the external device 10 has a power output sufficient to charge the vehicle battery 60.

[0027] The determination unit 43 reads the charge level of the onboard battery 60 acquired by the charge state monitoring unit 41 from the storage unit 48 and determines whether it is greater than a predetermined threshold Th_01 indicating a low charge state of the onboard battery 60, and whether the charge level of the onboard battery 60 is in a fully charged state, etc. The threshold Th_01 may be set to, for example, the charge level required to start an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the threshold Th_01 may be set to a level sufficient to unlock the vehicle by the keyless entry device.

[0028] The instruction unit 44 generates a command to determine the direction of the current in response to user input. Specifically, through the input interface, the user can instruct whether to set the current direction to charge the external device 10 or to supply power from the external device 10. The input interface may be, for example, the touch panel (not shown) of the instrument cluster panel 30. Alternatively, if the external device 10 is a mobile terminal, the input interface may be provided on the operation panel (not shown) of the mobile terminal.

[0029] The selection unit 45 generates a command to select whether the power source from the external device 10 should be the vehicle battery 60 or the electronic devices 70, 80, in response to user input. Similar to the instruction unit 44, the user input interface may be provided on the touch panel (not shown) of the instrument cluster panel 30 or on the operation panel (not shown) of a mobile terminal.

[0030] The current switching unit 46 generates a command to control the current direction executed by the power transmission device 50, taking into consideration at least one of the determination result determined by the determination unit 43, the instruction by the instruction unit 44, and the selection by the selection unit 45. Specifically, the current switching unit 46 determines whether the current direction executed by the power transmission device 50 should be from the external device 10 to the onboard battery 60, from the external device 10 to the electronic devices 70 and 80, or from the onboard battery 60 to the external device 10, and generates a command to switch the current direction.

[0031] The communication unit 47 transmits the command generated by the current switching unit 46 to the power transmission device 50. The transmission to the power transmission device 50 is performed via the in-vehicle LAN.

[0032] The memory unit 48 temporarily stores measurement results, generated commands, and judgment results measured in each functional unit.

[0033] <Operation of the power management system> The operation of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] The processing unit 40 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 3.

[0035] (Monitoring step) In step S101, the charge status monitoring unit 41 checks the charge level of the onboard battery 60.

[0036] (Authentication step) In step S102, the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates whether the processing unit 40 and the external device 10 are connected via the USB port 20.

[0037] (Judgment step) In step S103, the determination unit 43 compares the charge level of the on-board battery 60 measured in step S101 with a predetermined threshold Th_01 to determine whether the measured charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01. If the charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), the process ends. If the charge level is not greater than the threshold Th_01 (N), that is, if it is less than the threshold Th_01, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0038] (Switching step) If it is determined in step S103 that the charge level of the onboard battery 60 is not greater than the threshold Th_01, the current switching unit 46 generates a command in step S104 to switch the current direction to the direction of power supply from the external device 10.

[0039] (Communication step) In step S105, the communication unit 47 transmits the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S104 to the power transmission device 50.

[0040] (Charging step) In step S105, when a command is transmitted to the power transmission device 50 by the communication unit 47, in step S106, the power transmission device 50 switches the direction of the current to the direction of supplying power from the external device 10 based on the command, thereby starting charging of the vehicle battery 60 from the external device 10.

[0041] (Full charge monitoring step) In step S107, the charge state monitoring unit 41 checks whether the charge level of the onboard battery 60 is fully charged. If it is determined that it is not fully charged, the (N) process returns to step S106 and continues charging the onboard battery 60. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is fully charged, the (Y) process proceeds to step S108.

[0042] (Charging completion step) If it is determined in step S107 that the onboard battery 60 is fully charged (Y), then in step S108, charging to the onboard battery 60 is forcibly terminated. This protects the onboard battery 60 from overcharging.

[0043] <Effects of Power Management Systems> The effects of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be explained. The processing unit of the power management system includes a charge status monitoring unit that monitors the charge level of the onboard battery that supplies power to electronic devices mounted in the vehicle, a connection authentication unit that authenticates the connection between an external device (10) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port having an interface compatible with DRP (Dual Role Power), which can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side, and a current direction switching unit that switches the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device or the direction of power supply from the external device, depending on the charge level. Therefore, depending on the charge level of the vehicle's battery, it becomes possible to selectively either charge the vehicle's battery from an external device such as a mobile terminal, or charge the external device from the vehicle's battery. Furthermore, if the charge level falls below a predetermined threshold (Th_01), the current switching unit switches the current direction to supply power from an external device. This makes it possible to charge the on-board battery necessary to start the vehicle's internal combustion engine via an external device without having to move the vehicle to a location with large-scale charging equipment. Furthermore, if the vehicle's battery is fully charged, charging by external devices will cease. This protects the vehicle's battery from overcharging.

[0044] Embodiment 2. The following describes a power management system according to Embodiment 2. In the power management system according to Embodiment 2, the only difference from the power management system according to Embodiment 1 is the operation flow of the processing unit 40 from step 107 (full charge monitoring step) onward. Descriptions that overlap or are similar to those of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 have been simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0045] <Operation of the power management system> The operation of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0046] The processing unit 40 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 4. Steps S201-S206 are the same as steps S101-S106 in Embodiment 1, so their explanation is omitted.

[0047] (Engine start confirmation step) In step S206, charging of the onboard battery 60 begins, and then in step S207, it is determined whether the vehicle's engine has started. If it is determined that the engine has not started (N), charging of the onboard battery 60 continues; if it is determined that the engine has started (Y), the process proceeds to step S208. At this point, it can be determined whether the engine has started by obtaining a signal from the engine management device.

[0048] In step S207, if it is determined that the engine has been started (Y), in step S208, the current switching unit 46 generates a command to switch the current direction to the direction that charges the external device 10, and the transmission unit transmits the command to the power transmission device 50.

[0049] <Effects of Power Management Systems> The effects of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 will be explained. According to Embodiment 2, while the vehicle engine is not started, the current switching unit switches the current direction to supply power from an external device, and when the vehicle engine is started, the current switching unit switches the current direction to charge the external device. Therefore, when the vehicle engine is started and the onboard battery is charged by the engine's operation, the current direction can be automatically switched to charge the external device, improving user convenience.

[0050] Embodiment 3. The following describes a power management system according to Embodiment 3. In the power management system according to Embodiment 3, the only difference from the power management system according to Embodiment 1 is the operation flow of the processing unit 40 from step 104 (switching step) onward. Descriptions that overlap or are similar to those of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 have been simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0051] <Operation of the power management system> The operation of the emergency notification system according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing unit of the alarm system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0052] The processing unit 40 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 5. Steps S301-S303 are the same as steps S101-S103 in Embodiment 1, so their explanation is omitted.

[0053] (Instruction Steps) In step S303, if the measured charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), in step S304, the current switching unit 46 checks whether the current direction of the command generated by the instruction unit 44 is instructed to supply power from the external device 10. If the command from the instruction unit 44 is in the direction of supplying power from the external device 10 (Y), the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if the command from the instruction unit 44 is not in the direction of supplying power from the external device 10 (N), the process ends.

[0054] (Switching step) If the command issued by the instruction unit 44 in step S304 is in the direction of supplying power from the external device 10, the current switching unit 46 generates a command in step S305 to switch the current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device 10.

[0055] (Communication step) In step S306, the communication unit 47 transmits the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S305 to the power transmission device 50.

[0056] <Effects of Power Management Systems> The effects of the power management system according to Embodiment 3 will be explained. According to Embodiment 3, the current direction switching unit has an indicator unit that indicates the current direction based on user operation, and even if the charge level is greater than a predetermined threshold, the current direction switching unit switches the current direction according to the indication of the indicator unit. Therefore, even if the charge level of the on-board battery is sufficient to start the internal combustion engine or to unlock the vehicle using the keyless entry device, if it is not sufficient to operate other on-board equipment (e.g., on-board lamps, instrument panel, etc.), the current direction can be switched to a direction to supply power from an external device based on user operation, and charging of the on-board battery can be continued.

[0057] Embodiment 4. The following describes a power management system according to Embodiment 4. In the power management system according to Embodiment 4, the only difference from the power management system according to Embodiment 1 is the operation flow of the processing unit 40 from step 104 (switching step) onward. Descriptions that overlap or are similar to those of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 have been simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0058] <Operation of the power management system> The operation of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing unit of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0059] The processing unit 40 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 6. Steps S401-S403 are the same as steps S101-S103 in Embodiment 1, so their explanation is omitted.

[0060] (Selection step) In step S403, if the measured charge level is not greater than the threshold Th_01 (N), in step S404, it is confirmed whether the power supply destination of the command generated by the selection unit 45 is the onboard battery 60 or the electronic devices 70, 80. The command generated by the selection unit 45 is determined by the user's operation of the input unit (not shown). If the command from the selection unit 45 selects the onboard battery or electronic devices as the power supply destination (Y), the process proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if there is no command from the selection unit 45 (N), the process proceeds to step S406. In step S403, if the measured charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), the process terminates.

[0061] (Switching step) If the command from the selection unit 45 in step S404 selects the onboard battery or electronic device as the power source (Y), the current switching unit 46 generates a command in step S405 to switch the current direction from the external device 10 to the onboard battery 60 if the power source is selected as the onboard battery, or to switch the current direction from the external device 10 to the electronic device if the power source is selected as the electronic device. On the other hand, if there is no command from the selection unit 45 in step S404, the current switching unit 46 generates a command in step S406 to switch the current direction to the default power source (e.g., the onboard battery).

[0062] (Communication step) In step S407, the communication unit 47 transmits the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S405 or step S406 to the power transmission device 50.

[0063] <Effects of Power Management Systems> The effects of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 will be explained. According to Embodiment 4, the system has a selection unit that allows the user to select the power supply destination as either an onboard battery or an electronic device. When the current direction is such that power is supplied from an external device, power is supplied from the external device according to the selection in the selection unit. Therefore, when power can be supplied from an external device, the user can decide whether to charge the onboard battery from the external device or supply power to an electronic device. Specifically, if the user simply wants to unlock the vehicle, they can select the power supply destination from the external device to be the keyless entry device. Alternatively, if the user simply wants to start the engine, they can select the power supply destination from the external device to be the engine management device.

[0064] Although Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of each embodiment. For example, only a part of each embodiment may be implemented, or all or part of each embodiment may be combined. Also, all or part of each step of the operation flow may be performed in a different order. For example, steps S106 to S108 in Embodiment 1 may be performed in Embodiments 2, 3, and 4. Also, steps S206 to S208 in Embodiment 2 may be performed in Embodiments 1, 3, and 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Power management system, 10 External devices, 20 USB ports, 21 Power lines, 22 Communication lines, 40 Processing units, 50 Power transmission devices, 60 Vehicle batteries, 70-80 Electronic devices, 100 Motorcycles.

Claims

1. A charge state monitoring unit (41) monitors the charge level of an onboard battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on a vehicle (100), A connection authentication unit (42) authenticates the connection between a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port (20) having an interface compatible with DRP (Dual Role Power), which can be either a power supply or a power receiving side, and an external device (10), A current switching unit (46) switches the current direction to either a direction that charges the external device (10) or a direction that supplies power from the external device (10) according to the charge level, Equipped with, The system has a selection unit (45) that allows the user to select the power supply destination to either the onboard battery (60) or the electronic devices (70, 80). When the current direction is the direction in which power is supplied from the external device (10), power is supplied from the external device (10) according to the selection in the selection unit (45). Processing apparatus (40).

2. The processing apparatus (40) according to claim 1, wherein if the charge level is lower than a predetermined threshold (Th_01), the current switching unit (46) switches the direction of the current to the direction of supplying power from the external device (10).

3. The device has an indicator unit (44) that indicates the direction of the current based on user operation, Even if the charge level is greater than the predetermined threshold, the current switching unit (46) switches the current direction according to the instructions of the instruction unit (44), the processing apparatus (40) according to claim 2.

4. The processing apparatus (40) according to claim 1, wherein, when the current direction is in the direction of power supply from the external device (10), the on-board battery (60) is charged by the power of the external device (10).

5. The processing apparatus (40) according to claim 4, wherein if the charge level of the on-board battery (60) is in a fully charged state, the external device (10) terminates charging of the on-board battery (60).

6. The processing apparatus (40) according to claim 1, wherein, when the current direction is in the direction of power supply from the external device (10), power is supplied from the external device (10) to the electronic devices (70, 80).

7. The processing device (40) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic devices (70, 80) are a keyless entry device that controls the unlocking and locking of the vehicle (100).

8. The processing device (40) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic devices (70, 80) are an engine management device that controls the starting of the engine of the vehicle (100).

9. The processing apparatus (40) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) is a saddle-type vehicle.

10. Apparatus apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The aforementioned USB port (20) and, A power transmission device (50) controls the charging and discharging of the on-board battery (60) based on a command from the processing device (40), The above-mentioned onboard battery (60) and, The aforementioned electronic devices (70, 80) and A power management system (1) having the following:

11. Monitoring steps (S101, S201, S301) to monitor the charge level of the onboard battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on the vehicle (100), Authentication steps (S102, S202, S302) for authenticating the connection between a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port (20) having an interface compatible with DRP (Dual Role Power), which can be either a power supply or a power receiving side, and an external device (10), A determination step (S103, S203, S303) to determine whether the charge level is greater than a predetermined level, Depending on the result of the determination steps (S103, S203, S303), a switching step (S104, S206, S305) is performed to switch the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device (10) or the direction of supplying power from the external device (10), The system includes a selection step in which the user selects the power supply destination to either the onboard battery (60) or the electronic devices (70, 80), If the current direction is the direction in which power is supplied from the external device (10), then, according to the selection in the selection step, power is supplied from the external device (10). Processing method.

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