JP2009159698A - Power generation control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform power generation control gentle for a battery, in a power generation device mounted to a saddle-type vehicle such as a two-wheeled motor vehicle and a three-wheeled motor vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The power generation device 10 includes: a magnet type generator 11; a power generation current control means 12 which feeds electricity to an electric load 14 by converting a current generated by the magnet-type generator 11 into a power generation current Ix of an arbitrary current value; and the battery 13 connected to the electric load 14 in parallel therewith. The power generation current control means 12 determines whether the battery 13 is deteriorated or not, and when the battery 13 is deteriorated, the control means controls the battery so as to reduce the power generation current Ix compared with the case that the battery 13 is not deteriorated. By this, when the battery 13 is deteriorated, a power generation level can be lowered. Therefore, the progress of the deterioration of the battery 13 is suppressed, a life of the battery 13 is elongated, a battery voltage hardly reaches an overvoltage protection threshold, and thus the continuation of charging becomes possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation control device that is particularly suitable for use in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle.

  FIG. 4 shows a conventional power generation control device.

  Conventionally, as this type of power generation control device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, a three-phase magnet generator (magnet) 11 is used to utilize rotational energy of a crankshaft (not shown) of an engine (internal combustion engine). An alternating current is generated, this three-phase alternating current is rectified by the regulator 9 and converted into a direct current, and this direct current is converted into a direct current Ix to generate a battery 13 and an electric load 14 (head lamp 14a, brake lamp 14b, other electric Devices configured to supply power to the device 14c) are widely used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The regulator 9 performs on / off switching control of the generated current Ix according to the magnitude of the battery voltage Vbtry so as to supply power to the battery 13 and the electric load 14 while preventing overvoltage (overcharge) of the battery 13. ing.

  That is, when the battery voltage Vbtry is equal to or lower than the overvoltage protection threshold value (threshold value) V1 (for example, V1 = 14.5V for the battery 13 having the rated voltage of 12V) (Vb ≦ V1), the battery 13 may be overvoltaged. Therefore, the regulator 9 is switched on to supply the generated current Ix. Then, the generated current Ix is supplied to the battery 13 as the charging current Iq, or is supplied to the electric load 14 as the load current Iy. At this time, if the load current Iy is equal to or greater than the generated current Ix, the generated current Ix is all supplied to the electric load 14 as the load current Iy, and the charging current Iq to the battery 13 becomes negative, that is, the discharging current from the battery 13. Ir. Further, if the load current Iy is smaller than the generated current Ix, a part of the generated current Ix flows to the battery 13 as the charging current Iq and the battery 13 is charged, and the remaining portion of the generated current Ix is the electric current as the load current Iy. The load 14 flows.

Conversely, when the battery voltage Vbtry exceeds the overvoltage protection threshold V1 (V1 <Vbtry), there is a possibility that an overvoltage may be generated in the battery 13, so the regulator 9 is switched off and the supply of the generated current Ix is stopped. Then, since the generated current Ix is not output from the regulator 9, the battery 13 is not charged, and the discharge current Id is supplied from the battery 13 to the electric load 14. As a result, overvoltage of the battery 13 can be prevented beforehand.
JP-A-5-312029 No. 2003-65566

  However, in this case, since the battery 13 is charged through the regulator 9 that can only control the on / off switching of the generated current Ix, even when the battery 13 is deteriorated, the battery 13 is charged with the power generation amount determined by the rotational speed of the engine 1. Continue. As a result, the deterioration of the battery 13 further proceeds, and the life of the battery 13 is shortened. Further, since the voltage drop due to the charging current increases due to the increase in the internal resistance due to the deterioration of the battery 13, the battery voltage Vbtry easily reaches the overvoltage protection threshold value V1, and the charging cannot be continued.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention extends the life of the battery by suppressing the progress of the battery deterioration and charges the battery so that the battery voltage does not easily reach the overvoltage protection threshold. An object of the present invention is to provide a power generation control device that can continue the operation.

  In order to achieve this object, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to a magnet generator that generates a three-phase alternating current using the rotational energy of the crankshaft of the engine, and the magnet generator generates electric power. The generated current control means for rectifying the three-phase alternating current and converting it to a direct current, converting the direct current into a generated current of an arbitrary current value by phase angle control, and supplying power, and the generated current from the generated current control means A power generation control device provided with an electric load that consumes power and a battery that is charged by the generated current from the generated current control means and discharged to the electric load, wherein the generated current control means includes the battery When the battery is deteriorated, the control is performed so that the generated current is reduced as compared with the case where the battery is not deteriorated. Characterized in that the control device.

  In addition to the configuration of claim 1, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the generated current control means is configured to reduce the generated current when the battery is deteriorated only when the battery is in a semi-full charge state. A reduction operation is performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the generated current control means determines whether or not the battery is charged when determining whether or not the battery is deteriorated. It is characterized in that the deterioration of the battery is determined on the basis of the decrease gradient of the battery voltage under the canceled state.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configurations of the first to third aspects, the generated current control means sets the degree of reduction of the generated current according to the degree of deterioration of the battery. And

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the battery is deteriorated, the generated current level can be lowered. Therefore, the battery deterioration is suppressed by suppressing the progress of the battery deterioration and the battery voltage is reduced. It becomes possible to continue charging by making it difficult to reach the overvoltage protection threshold. As a result, battery-friendly power generation control can be performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the low current level control operation is performed only when the battery is in a semi-full charge state, the traveling safety of the saddle riding type vehicle can be ensured.

  Moreover, according to the invention of Claim 3, there exists the same effect as the invention of Claims 1 and 2.

  In addition, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, fine power generation control according to the degree of deterioration of the battery is possible, so that power generation control that is easier on the battery can be performed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 of the Invention

  1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a power generation control device 10 mounted on a motorcycle includes a magnet generator (generator) 11, a generated current control means 12, a battery 13 having a rated voltage of 12 V, and an electric load 14. .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the magnet generator 11 has three stator coils 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c, and a permanent magnet (not shown) attached to the rotor is a crank of the engine 1. By rotating using the rotational energy of the shaft 2, a three-phase alternating current can be generated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the generated current control means 12 includes a rectification unit 12a, a phase detection circuit 12b, a control unit 12c such as a microcomputer, and a gate circuit 12d. It is configured to output a generated current Ix having an arbitrary current value.

  That is, the rectification unit 12a is a circuit unit that converts a three-phase alternating current generated by the magnet generator 11 into a direct current, and a diode and a thyristor constitute a three-phase mixed bridge circuit. The AC current induced in each of the stator coils 11a to 11c is inputted to the midpoint position of the diode and the thyristor, and the gate of each thyristor is turned on by the phase angle control current to variably output the generated current Ix. Yes.

  Further, the phase detection circuit 12b receives the three-phase voltage of the rectifying unit 12a and converts it into a voltage waveform for detecting the phase angle reference timing of each phase. Specifically, the voltage of each phase is input and shaped into a voltage waveform that can be recognized by the control unit 12c, and the control unit 12c determines when the input voltage reaches a predetermined reference voltage when the input voltage starts to rise. Be able to set with timing.

  In addition, the control unit 12c receives a three-phase signal from the phase detection circuit 12b, sets the timing for starting the output of the gate signal (trigger signal) for each phase, and uses the generated current Ix as a reference. The load current Iy and the battery voltage Vbtry are detected and input, necessary calculations are performed, and the power demand situation is appropriately determined to determine the count time. When the time elapses, the gate signal output instruction signal is sent to the gate circuit 12d. Output to.

  Further, when the current request is small (for example, during acceleration operation or constant speed operation), the control unit 12c performs control so that the generation time of the generated current Ix is reduced in the thyristor by increasing the count time. When it is large (for example, when the engine 1 is started, idling, or decelerating), the count time is shortened to control the generation of the generated current Ix in the thyristor. At this time, control is performed such that no further charging is performed in a fully charged state in which the battery 13 has an allowable maximum voltage.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 12c includes a program memory 12e, and the power generation control program PRG shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the program memory 12e so as to be readable.

  In addition, the control unit 12c includes a data memory 12f, and a battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1 and a semi-full charge lower limit value Vth2 are stored in the data memory 12f so as to be readable.

  Here, when the amount of decrease in the battery voltage Vbtry when the battery 13 is discharged for a predetermined discharge time ta (for example, ta = 5 s) is equal to or greater than the battery deterioration determination threshold Vth1, the battery 13 is deteriorated. judge. Various methods for determining the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1 are conceivable. For example, for a new battery 13 that has not deteriorated, the amount of decrease in the battery voltage Vbtry when the battery 13 is discharged for a predetermined discharge time ta is calculated in advance, and twice the amount of decrease in the battery voltage Vbtry is determined as battery deterioration. The threshold value Vth1 can also be used.

  Further, when the battery voltage Vbtry is equal to or higher than the semi-full charge lower limit value Vth2 and equal to or lower than 14.5V, it is determined that the battery 13 is in a semi-full charge state. The semi-full charge state means a state close to a full charge state.

  Further, the phase angle map is stored in the data memory 12f so as to be readable, and the phase angle map has a shape corresponding to the driving mode (idling state, acceleration state, deceleration state, constant speed state, etc.). Is stored in.

  Also, the gate circuit 12d receives the trigger signal output instruction signal from the control unit 12c, and outputs a trigger signal that is a current that is large enough to turn on the gate of the thyristor of the rectifying unit 12a based on this signal. Therefore, the rectification unit 12a increases or decreases the generated current Ix by controlling the phase angle.

  The battery 13 and the electric load 14 are connected in parallel to the generated current control means 12 as shown in FIG. The electrical load 14 includes a headlamp (headlamp) 14a, a brake lamp 14b, and other electrical equipment 14c. Examples of the other electric equipment 14c include an ignition control controller, an engine control unit, an FI controller, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a neutral indicator, a speedometer, a tachometer, and an electric pump.

  Further, the voltage of the battery 13, that is, the battery voltage Vbtry is detected in the generated current control means 12, and the detection signal is output to the control unit 12c.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the power generation control device 10 having the above-described configuration, when performing power generation control friendly to the battery 13, the control unit 12c of the power generation current control unit 12 reads the power generation control program PRG shown in FIG. 2 from the program memory 12e. The following power generation control operation is executed based on this power generation control program PRG.

  FIG. 3A is a graph showing an example of the change over time of the battery voltage Vbtry during the power generation control, where the vertical axis represents the battery voltage Vbtry (unit: V), and the horizontal axis represents time. FIG. 3B is a graph showing an example of the change over time of the generated current Ix during the power generation control. The vertical axis represents the generated current Ix (unit: A), and the horizontal axis represents time.

  First, in the main switch monitoring step, the control unit 12c monitors the on / off state of a motorcycle main switch (not shown) (step S1 of the power generation control program PRG), and when the main switch is turned on, By the phase angle control, the generated current Ix is set to a specified value (for example, 10 A) during normal control (step S2 of the power generation control program PRG).

  Next, the process proceeds to the battery deterioration determination step, and the control unit 12c detects the battery voltage Va at this time, that is, immediately before the start of power generation stop (step S3 of the power generation control program PRG). Next, the control unit 12c stops power generation for a predetermined discharge time ta (for example, ta = 5 s) (step S4 of the power generation control program PRG). Then, since the generated current Ix becomes zero, the battery 13 is not charged, and the discharge current Id is supplied from the battery 13 to the electric load 14. As a result, the battery voltage Vbtry decreases. In this state, when the discharge time ta has elapsed since the stop of power generation, the control unit 12c detects the battery voltage Vb at this time, that is, immediately after the end of power generation stop (step S5 of the power generation control program PRG).

  Next, the control unit 12c determines whether or not the battery 13 has deteriorated (step S6 of the power generation control program PRG). For this purpose, the control unit 12c reads the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1 from the data memory 12f, and at the same time, the difference between the battery voltage Va immediately before the start of power generation stop and the battery voltage Vb immediately after the end of power generation stop, that is, the voltage drop amount ΔV (= Va -Vb) is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the voltage drop amount ΔV is larger than the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1.

  As a result of this determination, if the voltage drop amount ΔV is equal to or less than the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1, it is considered that the decrease gradient of the battery voltage Vbtry is gentler than a predetermined reference value, and the battery 13 is not deteriorated. The unit 12c sets the generated current Ix to a specified value (for example, 10A) during normal control by phase angle control so as to execute the normal control operation (step S7 of the power generation control program PRG). Then, if the load current Iy is equal to or greater than the generated current Ix, the generated current Ix is all supplied to the electric load 14, and the charging current Iq becomes negative, that is, the discharge current Ir from the battery 13. Further, if the load current Iy is smaller than the generated current Ix, a part of the generated current Ix flows to the electric load 14 and the remaining portion of the generated current Ix flows as the charging current Iq to the battery 13 to perform the charging operation of the battery 13. .

  On the other hand, when the voltage drop amount ΔV is larger than the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1, it is considered that the drop slope of the battery voltage Vbtry is steeper than a predetermined reference value, and the battery 13 is deteriorated. Appropriate operations (overvoltage control operation, low current level control operation, reference current level control operation) are executed according to the magnitude of the battery voltage Vbtry.

  First, in the full charge confirmation step, the control unit 12c detects the current battery voltage Vbtry (step S8 of the power generation control program PRG), and whether or not the battery voltage Vbtry is 14.5V (overvoltage protection threshold V1) or less. (Step S9 of the power generation control program PRG).

  As a result of this determination, if the current battery voltage Vbtry exceeds 14.5V, it is considered that the battery 13 is in a fully charged state, so the control unit 12c performs phase angle control in order to execute the overvoltage control operation. Thus, the generated current Ix is set to a specified value (= 0A) during overvoltage control (step S10 of the power generation control program PRG).

  On the other hand, when the current battery voltage Vbtry is 14.5 V or less, the process proceeds to the semi-full charge confirmation step, and the control unit 12c determines whether or not the current battery voltage Vbtry exceeds the semi-full charge lower limit value Vth2. Determine (step S11 of the power generation control program PRG).

  As a result of this determination, if the current battery voltage Vbtry exceeds the semi-full charge lower limit value Vth2, it is considered that the battery 13 is in a semi-full charge state. In order to execute the low current level control operation with priority given to the suppression of the deterioration of 13, the generated current Ix is set to a current value (for example, 8 A) smaller than a specified value by phase angle control to reduce the generated current level (power generation) Step S12 of the control program PRG).

  Here, the semi-fully charged state means a state close to a fully charged state, and includes a fully charged state. For example, in the battery 13 with the rated voltage of 12V, the fully charged state is set when the voltage is 14.5V, whereas the semi-fully charged state is set when the voltage is 13.0V or more.

  When the low current level control operation is performed in this way, the progress of deterioration of the battery 13 is suppressed, and the life of the battery 13 is extended. Further, even when the internal resistance increases with the deterioration of the battery 13 and the voltage drop due to the charging current increases, the battery voltage Vbtry does not easily reach 14.5 V, and charging can be continued.

  On the other hand, when the current battery voltage Vbtry is less than the semi-full charge lower limit value Vth2, the control unit 12c executes the reference current level control operation so that the charging of the battery 13 is prioritized over the suppression of the deterioration of the battery 13. Therefore, by the phase angle control, the generated current Ix is set to a specified value (for example, 10 A) at the time of normal control and the generated current level is restored (step S13 of the power generation control program PRG).

  When the reference current level control operation is thus performed, the charging of the battery 13 proceeds and the battery voltage Vbtry is recovered early.

  Here, the power generation control in the power generation control device 10 ends.

  As described above, in the power generation control in the power generation control device 10, when the battery 13 is not deteriorated, the battery 13 is appropriately charged by the normal power generation operation and the battery 13 is deteriorated. In order to reduce the generation current level, the battery 13 can be prevented from progressing to extend the life of the battery 13, and the battery voltage Vbtry can hardly reach 14.5V so that the charging can be continued. . As a result, it is possible to perform power generation control that is easy on the battery 13.

Further, since the low current level control operation (step S12 of the power generation control program PRG) is performed only when the battery 13 is in a semi-full charge state, it is necessary for lighting the headlamp 14a and the brake lamp 14b during traveling. Can maintain the electric power and ensure the safety of the motorcycle.
[Other Embodiments of the Invention]

  In the first embodiment described above, after the battery deterioration determination process (steps S3 to S6 of the power generation control program PRG), the full charge confirmation process (steps S8 and S9 of the power generation control program PRG) and the semi-full charge confirmation process ( The case of shifting to step S11) of the power generation control program PRG has been described. However, these steps can be reversed, and the full charge confirmation step and the semi-full charge confirmation step can be incorporated before the battery deterioration determination step.

  In the first embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the battery 13 is deteriorated based on the magnitude relationship between the voltage drop amount ΔV when the power generation is stopped for the predetermined discharge time ta and the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1. (Step S6 of the power generation control program PRG), and the case where the control is performed so as to reduce the generated current Ix when the battery 13 is deteriorated has been described. However, it is also possible to determine the deterioration level according to the degree of deterioration of the battery 13 and set the degree of reduction of the generated current Ix corresponding to this deterioration level. For example, the deterioration level is determined in three stages of “1”, “2”, “3” depending on the difference between the voltage drop amount ΔV and the battery deterioration determination threshold value Vth1, and when the deterioration level is “1”, the generated current Ix Is set to 8A, when the deterioration level is "2", the generated current Ix is set to 6A, and when the deterioration level is "3", the generated current Ix is set to 4A. Thus, if the degree of reduction of the generated current Ix is set according to the degree of deterioration of the battery 13, it is possible to perform power generation control that is easier on the battery 13.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, when the overvoltage protection threshold V1 is determined to be 14.5V for the battery 13 having the rated voltage of 12V, and the battery voltage Vbtry exceeds 14.5V, it is determined that the battery is fully charged. Explained. However, the overvoltage protection threshold value V1 is not limited to 14.5V, and can be appropriately changed according to conditions such as the rated voltage of the battery 13.

  In the first embodiment described above, the power generation control device 10 mounted on a motorcycle has been described. However, the power generation control device 10 is a straddle-type vehicle other than a motorcycle, such as a motor tricycle or a straddle-type four-wheel vehicle. Of course, it can also be mounted on an ATV (rough terrain vehicle).

  The present invention can be widely applied to motorcycles, motor tricycles, straddle-type four-wheel vehicles (such as ATV (rough terrain vehicle)) and other straddle-type vehicles.

It is a circuit diagram which shows the electric power generation control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a power generation control program according to the first embodiment. 4 is a graph illustrating battery voltage and generated current fluctuations during power generation control according to the first embodiment, where (a) shows a change with time of the battery voltage and (b) shows a change with time of the generated current. It is a circuit diagram which illustrates the conventional power generation control device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine 2 ... Crankshaft 9 ... Regulator 10 ... Power generation control device 11 ... Magnet type generator (generator)
11a, 11b, 11c ... Stator coil 12 ... Generated current control means 12a ... Rectification unit 12b ... Phase detection circuit 12c ... Control unit 12d ... Gate circuit 12e ... Program memory 12f ... Data memory 13 ... Battery 14 …… Electric load 14a …… Head lamp 14b …… Brake lamp 14c …… Other electric devices 15, 16 …… Current sensor Id …… Discharge current Iq …… Charge current Ix …… Generated current Iy …… Load current PRG …… Power generation control program ta …… Discharge time Vth1 …… Battery deterioration judgment threshold Vth2 …… Semi-full charge lower limit value Vbtry …… Battery voltage

Claims (4)

A magnet generator that generates the three-phase alternating current using the rotational energy of the crankshaft of the engine;
The three-phase alternating current generated by the magnet generator is rectified and converted into a direct current, and the direct current is converted into a generated current of an arbitrary current value by phase angle control, and the generated current control means supplies power.
An electric load that consumes the generated current from the generated current control means;
A power generation control device provided with a battery that is charged by the generated current from the generated current control means and discharged to the electric load;
The generated current control means determines whether or not the battery has deteriorated, and reduces the generated current when the battery is deteriorated compared to when the battery has not deteriorated. A power generation control device characterized by controlling.   2. The power generation control device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation current control unit performs a power generation current reduction operation when the battery is deteriorated only when the battery is in a semi-full charge state.   When determining whether or not the battery is deteriorated, the generated current control means determines the deterioration of the battery based on a decrease gradient of the battery voltage under a situation where charging of the battery is stopped. The power generation control device according to claim 1 or 2.   The power generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the generated current control means sets a reduction degree of the generated current in accordance with a degree of deterioration of the battery.

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