JP2011068283A - Power switching control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power switching control device for a vehicle capable of stably supplying power to electric loads while adopting a configuration capable of directly supplying the generated power of a solar battery to the electric loads. <P>SOLUTION: The power switching control device 1 for a vehicle includes a battery 12 and a solar battery 13 as power sources which are mounted on the vehicle and connected so as to be able to supply power to predetermined electric loads 11, power selector switches 14 (power switching means) for selectively switching the power source to which the electric loads are connected so that power can be supplied from he power source of either the battery 12 or the solar battery 13 to the electric loads 11, and a power switching control part 21 (power switching control means) for controllably switching the power selector switches 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle power supply switching control device, and more particularly to a vehicle power supply switching control device including a battery and a solar cell as a power supply for the vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle that includes a battery and a solar cell as a power source for the vehicle and is configured to charge the battery with generated power (solar power) of the solar cell is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the battery charge amount when stopping the driving of the generator that charges the battery is set as the target charge amount, and the target charge amount is changed according to the weather condition or the vehicle posture. Thus, more power generated by the solar cell is supplied to the battery.

Japanese Patent No. 3613663

However, even if the target charge amount is changed as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the battery life may be reduced due to overcharge or overdischarge of the battery. Therefore, a system for monitoring the battery charge amount is required so that the battery is not overcharged, and there is a problem that the system is likely to be complicated and costly.
On the other hand, instead of using the generated power of the solar cell to charge the battery, it may be used directly as a power source for an electric load. However, in a configuration that simply uses a solar cell, if the generated power of the solar cell fluctuates due to changes in the amount of solar radiation, it may not be possible to supply the necessary electric power to the electric load, and the electric load being driven suddenly There is a problem of stopping.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to adopt a configuration that can directly supply the generated power of the solar cell to the electric load, and to stably supply the electric power to the electric load. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular power supply switching control device that can be supplied.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle power supply switching control device according to the present invention includes a battery and a solar battery as a vehicle power supply mounted on a vehicle and connected to be able to supply power to a predetermined electric load, A power source switching means for selectively switching the power source of the connection destination so that power is supplied from the power source of either the battery or the solar battery to the electric load, and a power source switching control means for switching and controlling the power source switching means. It is characterized by that. In this case, the power source switching control means, on the condition that the generated power amount of the solar cell at the current time or the generated power amount of the solar cell predicted after the current time exceeds the necessary power amount required for driving the electric load, The power supply switching means may be switched so that the electric load is connected to the solar battery. The electrical load may include an air conditioner device, an audio device, or a brake lamp, for example.

  In the vehicle power source switching control device of the present invention, the power source switching means is selectively switched so that power is supplied to the electric load from either the battery or the solar cell.

  According to this, when the solar power can be supplied to the electric load, the electric load is connected to the solar cell by the power supply switching means, and when the solar power cannot be supplied to the electric load, the electric load is supplied by the power supply switching means. Can be configured to be connected to a battery. Therefore, while stably supplying power to the electric load, reducing the amount of power supplied from the battery and reducing the amount of charge to the battery, that is, the driving time of the generator driven for battery charging By shortening the fuel consumption, the fuel consumption can be improved satisfactorily.

  In addition, a plurality of electrical loads are provided, and the power source switching control unit selects an electrical load from the plurality of electrical loads, and switches the power source switching unit so that only the selected electrical load is connected to the solar cell. It is good to have a configuration.

  According to this, solar power is supplied to the selected electrical load, and battery power is supplied to the unselected electrical load. For this reason, it becomes possible to use the power of the solar cell more efficiently while suppressing the amount of power supplied from the battery as much as possible.

  The electric load is configured to be driven and controlled by a load drive control unit connected to the power source switching control unit so as to be able to transmit and receive, and the power source switching control unit is a load drive corresponding to the electric load scheduled to be connected to the solar cell. Only when the switch confirmation information is transmitted to the control means and the switchable information is received from the load drive control means, the power supply switching means may be switched so as to be connected to the solar cell.

  When switching the connection from the battery to the solar cell, depending on the type of the electric load, there is a possibility that the occupant may feel uncomfortable due to the fact that the supply of electric power is once interrupted. Therefore, after the load drive control means corresponding to the electrical load to be connected to the solar cell receives the switching confirmation information from the power supply switching control means, for example, preparation / standby for temporarily reducing the power supplied to the electrical load, etc. By performing the process, returning the switchable information to the power supply switching control means after performing the process, so that the power supply switch control means is connected to the solar cell only when the switchable information is received, The connection from the battery to the solar cell can be switched more naturally, and the uncomfortable feeling given to the occupant when switching the connection can be alleviated.

  The power supply switching control means may be connected to the navigation device so as to be able to transmit and receive, and may be configured to predict the power generation amount of the solar cell after the current time based on information from the navigation device.

  When the electric load is connected to the solar battery, for example, when traveling in a tunnel or a building town, a situation may occur in which the electric load generated by the solar battery drops instantaneously and the electric load being driven suddenly stops. Therefore, based on the information from the navigation device, for example, when it is planned to travel in a tunnel or a building street, it is assumed that the electric load is not easily connected to the solar cell in advance, or the generated electric energy of the solar cell is By identifying a point where there is a risk of falling in an instant and connecting the electric load to the battery before reaching that point, the occurrence of a situation where the electric load suddenly stops can be prevented in advance. be able to.

The block diagram which shows the vehicle power supply switching control apparatus which concerns on Example 1 and Example 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the switching control program which concerns on Example 1 of this invention and is performed by the power supply switching control part of FIG. The change amount table which shows the relationship between various judgment items and the predicted value change amount for calculating the power generation amount predicted value. The table which shows the predicted value change amount for every travel time zone. The electric energy determination table which shows the relationship between the present solar power generation electric power and use permission electric energy. An electrical load selection table showing combinations of electrical loads corresponding to the amount of permitted power consumption. An electric load restriction table showing an electric load in which the supply of solar power is restricted by a predicted power generation amount. The flowchart which concerns on Example 2 of this invention and shows the switching control program performed by the power supply switching control part of FIG. The flowchart which concerns on Example 2 of this invention and shows the switching prediction control program performed by the power supply switching control part of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle power supply switching control device 1 according to the present invention. The vehicle power supply switching control device 1 is connected to a plurality of electric loads 11 (three electric loads 11 are illustrated in FIG. 1) mounted on the vehicle so as to be able to supply power via power supply lines L, respectively. The battery 12 and the solar cell 13 as power sources connected to the power supply line L so that power is supplied from the power source of either the battery 12 or the solar cell 13 to the individual electric loads 11. A power source switch 14 that selectively switches the previous power source and a power source switching control unit 21 that individually controls each power source switch 14 are provided.

  Each electric load 11 is, for example, an air conditioner device (for example, a blower motor), an audio device, a brake lamp (stop lamp), and the like, and is connected to the power supply switching control unit 21 via the load drive control unit 22.

  Charging power is supplied to the battery 12 from a generator 15 driven by the internal combustion engine, and charging is performed. Further, the charge / discharge power amount of the battery 12 is detected by the charge / discharge amount detection unit 12 a, and the detected value is output to the power supply switching control unit 21. In this embodiment, since the battery 12 and the solar cell 13 function as independent power sources, the power generated by the solar cell 13 (hereinafter also referred to as power generation amount or solar power) is simply charged by the battery 12. This is different from the prior art in which the configuration is used only as electric power.

  The solar cell 13 can generate electric power by sunlight, and is incorporated in a portion that receives sunlight, such as an upper part of an instrument panel (not shown) or a sunroof. The power generation amount of the solar cell 13 is detected by the power generation amount detection unit 13a, and the detected value is stored in the RAM 21c or the like of the power supply switching control unit 21.

  Each power source switch 14 (power source switching means) is, for example, a well-known electromagnetic switch, and a battery-side connection position where the power source of the electrical load 11 is connected to the battery 12 in accordance with a control signal from the power source switching control unit 21. And the solar battery side connection position on the solar battery 13 side. In the initial state, all the power supply changeover switches 14 are set to the battery side connection positions.

  The power switching control unit 21 (power switching control means) includes a microcomputer including a CPU 21a, a ROM 21b, a RAM 21c, an I / O (input / output circuit) 21d, a communication circuit 21e, and the like as main components. 2 is repeatedly executed every predetermined short time, and a control signal corresponding to the execution is output to the power switch 14.

  The power supply switching control unit 21 is connected to the navigation device 31 via a communication circuit 21e and a multiple communication line (not shown) so as to be able to transmit and receive, and the current speed information and planned travel route information with the navigation device 31. , Exchange weather information of the planned driving route. The scheduled travel route information is, for example, tunnel information, three-dimensional intersection, building street information, or the like. In addition, an eco mode setting switch (SW) 23 is connected to the power supply switching control unit 21. The eco mode setting switch 23 (eco mode setting means) is a switch for preferentially supplying solar power to the electric load 11 even when the power generation amount predicted value α described later is relatively small.

  The load drive control unit 22 (load drive control means) includes a drive circuit and a communication circuit, and drives the corresponding electric load 11. Further, the load drive control unit 22 is connected to the power supply switching control unit 21 via a multiplex communication line (not shown) so as to be able to transmit and receive, and exchanges switching confirmation information described later with the power supply switching control unit 21. Do.

  Next, the operation of the vehicular power supply switching control device 1 configured as described above based on the switching control program of FIG. 2 will be described. As described above, all the electric loads 11 are connected to the battery 12 in the initial state.

First, the power supply switching control unit 21 calculates a power generation amount prediction value α for predicting the power generation amount of the solar cell 13 after the current time based on the following equation (1) (S11).
α = 1.0−Σ (Δα _n ) (1)
Here, the power generation amount predicted value α is a numerical value that becomes a guideline that can cover more electric loads 11 with solar power after the current time as the value is closer to the maximum value 1.0, and the amount of change Δα _n It changes depending on the size. Variation [Delta] [alpha] _n, as shown in the stored e.g. variation table of FIG. 3 in the ROM, and provided corresponding to the plurality of judgment items, four Δα ₁ ~Δα ₄ in this embodiment is Is provided.

The change amount Δα ₁ is for determining the stability of the power generation amount by comparing the power generation amount of the solar cell 13 in the past 5 minutes with a predetermined reference amount. The numerical value of the change amount Δα ₁ is set to increase as the amount of change from the reference amount increases from small to large.

The change amount Δα ₂ defines the change amount based on the scheduled travel route information from the navigation device 31. The numerical value of the change amount Δα ₂ is set so as to increase as the degree of the decrease in the amount of solar radiation increases in buildings and tunnels.

The change amount Δα ₃ defines a change amount based on the weather information of the planned travel route from the navigation device 31. The numerical value of the change amount Δα ₃ is set so as to increase as the degree of decrease in the amount of solar radiation increases as the weather collapses from clear weather to cloudy weather.

The change amount Δα ₄ defines a change amount based on the travel time zone. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the numerical value of the change amount Δα ₄ is determined based on a table in which the change amount is associated with the time, and is set to a large value when there is almost no amount of solar radiation, such as in the morning or at night. Yes.

  Based on the power generation amount predicted value α calculated in S11, the power supply switching control unit 21 refers to, for example, the power amount determination table in FIG. S12). The power amount determination table of FIG. 5 defines the relationship between the current solar power generation power and the permitted power usage amount, and the usage permitted power amount of a different magnitude is set according to the power generation prediction value α. .

  Next, the power source switching control unit 21 switches the power source of the connection destination to the solar cell 13 with reference to, for example, the electrical load selection table of FIG. The electrical load 11 is selected (S13). In the electrical load selection table of FIG. 6, combinations (including one case) of electrical loads 11 corresponding to the amount of permitted power consumption are set in priority order.

  In this case, the power supply switching control unit 21 refers to, for example, the electric load restriction table of FIG. 7 stored in the ROM, and restricts the electric load 11 that supplies the solar power according to the predicted power generation amount α. Specifically, when the power generation amount predicted value α is, for example, 0.4 to 0.7, solar power is supplied to a brake lamp or the like representing a traveling system load if the eco mode setting switch 23 is on. However, solar power is not supplied if the eco mode setting switch 23 is off.

  On the other hand, when the power generation amount predicted value α is, for example, 0.1 to 0.4, solar power is supplied to an air conditioner device, an audio device, and the like representing a comfortable load if the eco mode setting switch 23 is on. However, solar power is not supplied if the eco mode setting switch 23 is off. The reason why the supply of solar power is limited as shown in FIG. 7 is to secure the driving state of the load while taking into consideration the load characteristics of the traveling system or the comfort system.

  Thus, by performing the process of S11-S13, the generated electric power of the solar cell 13 can be used efficiently, and the electric energy supplied from the battery 12 can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Thereafter, the power supply switching control unit 21 transmits the switching confirmation information to the load drive control unit 22 corresponding to the electrical load 11 scheduled to be connected to the solar cell 13 (S14). In response to this, the load drive control unit 22 executes a preparation / standby process such as temporarily reducing the power supplied to the electric load 11. When the preparation / standby process is completed, the power supply switching control unit 21. Returns switchable information to

  Here, the preparation / standby process varies depending on the type of the electric load 11. For example, in the case of an air conditioner device, the preparation is a process of adjusting the air volume so as to reduce the air volume level. This process is to adjust the volume so as to reduce the level, or wait until the boundary between songs. Further, for example, in the case of a brake lamp, the process waits until the brake lamp is turned from on to off.

  By executing the processes of S14 and S15 in this way, the power supply can be switched more naturally, and the feeling of discomfort to the occupant when the power is switched is mitigated.

  When the switchable information is returned (S15: YES), the power supply switch control unit 21 is connected to the solar cell 13 so that the electric load 11 corresponding to the load drive control unit 22 that has returned the switchable information is returned. The corresponding power switch 14 is switched (S16).

  As is clear from the above description, in the first embodiment, the corresponding power supply selector switch 14 is alternatively selected so that power is supplied from the power source of either the battery 12 or the solar cell 13 to each electric load 11. Can be switched to.

  Thereby, when electric power can be supplied from the solar cell 13 to the electric load 11, the electric load 11 is connected to the solar cell 13 by the power switch 14, and electric power cannot be supplied from the solar cell 13 to the electric load 11. In this case, the electric load 11 is connected to the battery 12 by the power source changeover switch 14. Therefore, while stably supplying power to the electric load 11, the amount of power supplied from the battery 12 is reduced, and the amount of charge to the battery 12 is reduced, that is, the generator 15 driven for battery charging. By shortening the driving time, fuel consumption can be improved satisfactorily.

  In the first embodiment, the predicted power generation amount α is obtained, and the electric load 11 that supplies solar power is selected based on the predicted power generation amount α. Instead of this, for example, the switching control in FIG. The electric load 11 that supplies solar power can also be selected by executing the program and the switching prediction control program of FIG. In addition, about the structure of the vehicle power supply switching control apparatus 1, since it is the same as the said Example 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the case where the power supply switch 14 is switched from the initial state, that is, the state in which all the electric loads 11 are connected to the battery 12, so that all or part of the electric loads 11 are connected to the solar battery 13 will be described. .

  In this case, it is assumed that the execution of the prediction switching process is not determined by the execution of the switching prediction control program of FIG. 9 (S32: NO). The prediction switching process will be described later.

  First, the power supply switching control unit 21 acquires the power generation amount of the solar cell 13 from the power generation amount detection unit 13a (S21: NO, S22), and further drives the required power amount of the electrical load 11 that is currently in the driving state to each load. Obtained from the control unit 22 (S23). Then, the power source of the connection destination is switched from the electric load 11 in the drive state to the solar cell 13 so that the subtracted value between the acquired power generation amount and the required power amount satisfies a predetermined reference value or more. The electrical load 11 to be selected is selected (S24).

  Specifically, the power supply switching control unit 21 refers to the electric load selection table shown in FIG. 6, for example, and the generated electric energy of the solar cell 13 and the necessary electric energy of all the electric loads 11 in the driving state. When the subtracted value is equal to or greater than the reference value, all of the electric loads 11 are selected. On the other hand, when the subtraction value between the power generation amount of the solar cell 13 and the required power amount of all the electric loads 11 in the driving state is less than the reference value, the electric load 11 whose subtraction value is equal to or greater than the reference value. The electrical load 11 is selected in accordance with a predetermined priority order from among the combinations (including one case). Here, the “reference value” is a value that allows for fluctuations (noise, detection error, etc.) in the amount of power generated by the solar cell 13.

  For example, when the electric load 11 cannot be selected because the amount of solar radiation is insufficient because the weather is lightly cloudy or the like (S25: NO), this is the initial state (S29: NO). This process is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when the weather is fine and the amount of solar radiation is sufficient and the electrical load 11 can be selected (S25: YES), the power supply switching control unit 21 performs the same processes of S26 and S27 as the processes of S14 and S15 described above. When the process is executed and the switchable information is returned (S27: YES), the electric load 11 corresponding to the load drive control unit 22 that has returned the switchable information is connected to the solar cell 13. The power switch 14 is switched (S28).

  Thereafter, “NO” in S21, that is, the execution of the prediction switching process is not determined based on the execution of the switching prediction control program of FIG. 9, and “YES”, that is, the electrical load 11 can be selected in S25. As long as the state (the number and combination of the selected electrical loads 11 can be changed as appropriate according to the amount of power generated by the solar cell 13) continues, the processes of S21 to S28 are repeatedly executed and the connection with the solar cell 13 is established. Will be allowed.

  When the connection with the solar cell 13 is allowed, for example, the weather changes from clear sky to cloudy as it travels to the destination, and the amount of power generated by the solar cell 13 gradually decreases. The subtraction value between the electric energy and the required electric energy becomes less than the reference value, and the connection with the solar cell 13 is prohibited. In this case, the power switch control unit 21 determines that the electrical load 11 cannot be selected (S25: NO), and switches the power switch 14 so as to return the connection to the battery 12 (S29: YES, S28).

  Thus, by performing the processing of S24, S25, and S29, the generated power of the solar cell 13 can be used efficiently, and the amount of power supplied from the battery 12 can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Next, the switching prediction control program in FIG. 9 will be described. The power switching control unit 21 predicts the amount of power generated by the solar cell 13 after the current time (S31). Specifically, the power supply switching control unit 21 acquires current speed information, planned travel route information (tunnel information, three-dimensional intersection and building street information), weather information of the planned travel route, and the like from the navigation device 31. Based on the information, it is determined whether or not there is a point where the amount of power generated by the solar cell 13 is expected to drop instantaneously within a predetermined area.

  Then, the power supply switching control unit 21 determines to execute the prediction switching process when it is determined that the above-described predicted point exists. In S21 of FIG. 8, by referring to a flag or the like indicating that the execution of the prediction switching process is determined, when the execution of the prediction switching process is determined, the switching control is immediately performed without executing the processes after S22. The execution of the program is terminated (S21: YES).

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the power supply switching control unit 21 does not determine the execution of the prediction switching process in S <b> 31 (S <b> 32: NO), it immediately ends the execution of this switching prediction control program. On the other hand, when the execution of the prediction switching process is determined in S31 (S32: YES), the standby mode (S33: NO) is entered while the distance to the predicted point is equal to or greater than the set value, and the distance is less than the set value. (S33: YES), the power switch 14 is switched so that all the electric loads 11 are connected to the battery 12 (S34).

  When it is predicted that the amount of sunshine will decrease sharply by executing the processes of S31 to S34 in this way, a situation in which the electric load 11 receiving the power supply from the solar cell 13 suddenly stops. Can be prevented from occurring.

  In the first embodiment, the process of S14 and S15 in FIG. 2 is performed, and in the second embodiment, the process of S26 and S27 in FIG. However, in addition to or instead of this, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, for example, an informing unit 24 for informing the occupant that the power source of the connection destination is to be switched may be provided. The notification unit 24 (notification unit) can be configured as, for example, an indicator (such as one that illuminates a display mark with an LED) provided in a combination meter (not shown), and is connected to the power supply switching control unit 21. The notification unit 24 is configured to make the current connection destination power supply visible for each electric load 11 by lighting, and when switching the connection destination power supply, the indicator corresponding to the electric load 11 scheduled to be switched blinks. Can do. Providing such a notification unit 24 can also effectively relieve the sense of discomfort given to the passenger.

  Moreover, in the said Example 2, when execution of a prediction switch process is determined in S31 of FIG. 9, it can also comprise so that a passenger | crew may be notified of an estimated point through the navigation apparatus 31. FIG. Also by this, the discomfort given to a passenger | crew can be relieve | moderated effectively similarly to the case where the alerting | reporting part 24 is provided.

  In the second embodiment, when the execution of the prediction switching process is determined in S31 of FIG. 9, the switching timing of the power switch 14 is set by paying attention to the distance to the predicted point. In addition to or instead of this, for example, the time until the predicted point is reached may be calculated based on the speed information, and the switching timing of the power switch 14 may be set based on the calculated time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle power supply switching control apparatus 11 Electric load 12 Battery 13 Solar cell 14 Power supply switch (Power supply switching means)
21 Power switch control unit (power switch control means)
22 Load drive control unit (load drive control means)

Claims (6)

A battery and a solar battery as a vehicle power source mounted on the vehicle and connected so as to be able to supply power to a predetermined electric load;
A power source switching means for selectively switching the power source of the connection destination so that power is supplied to the electric load from any power source of the battery and the solar cell;
Power supply switching control means for switching and controlling the power supply switching means;
A vehicle power supply switching control device comprising:   The power source switching control means is provided on the condition that the generated power amount of the solar cell at the present time or the generated power amount of the solar cell predicted after the current time exceeds the necessary power amount required for driving the electric load. The vehicle power source switching control device according to claim 1, wherein the power source switching unit is switched so that the electric load is connected to the solar cell.   A plurality of the electrical loads are provided, and the power source switching control unit selects an electrical load from the plurality of electrical loads, and the power source switching is performed so that only the selected electrical load is connected to the solar cell. The vehicle power supply switching control device according to claim 2, wherein the means is switched.   The electric load is configured to be driven and controlled by a load drive control unit connected to the power source switching control unit so as to be able to transmit and receive, and the power source switching control unit corresponds to the electric load scheduled to be connected to the solar cell. The switch confirmation information is transmitted in advance to the load drive control means, and the power supply switch means is switched so as to be connected to the solar cell only when the switchable information is received from the load drive control means. Or the vehicle power supply switching control device according to 3.   5. The power supply switching control unit is connected to a navigation device so as to be able to transmit and receive, and predicts the amount of power generated by the solar cell after the current time based on information from the navigation device. 6. The vehicle power supply switching control device described in 1.   The vehicle power supply switching control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric load includes an air conditioner device, an audio device, or a brake lamp.

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