JP2014165979A - Power unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power unit which is comprised of a plurality of battery packs and in which complication of electric shock prevention structure is suppressed and a fail safe function is provide for dealing with a fail in a part of a plurality of control devices in the power unit, when the fail occurs.SOLUTION: In a connection circuit to which ECUs 15 of respective battery packs 11a-11d are connected, safe switches are provided which are connected in series with the respective ECU. A first ECU 15a includes a first signal detector 21a for detecting a signal transmitted from a signal transmitter 20a via another ECU 15 and a second signal detector 22a for receiving a signal via the first signal detector 21a. ECUs 15b-15d include at least first signal detectors 21b-21d for detecting signals transmitted from the signal transmitter 20a. The fourth ECU 15d includes a second signal detector 22d and, when any of the first signal detectors 21a-21d and the second signal detector 22a do not detect signals, connects the first signal detector 21d to the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device, and more particularly to an electric shock prevention structure during maintenance work of the power supply device.

  For example, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are equipped with a high-voltage power supply device as a drive source. The power supply device includes a battery stack in which a plurality of battery modules are connected, and a control device that controls charge / discharge of the battery and the like. In vehicles equipped with such a power supply device, simply providing a power switch that opens and closes an energization circuit from the power supply device may cause the switch to be accidentally closed during maintenance work. In addition to the switch, an interlock mechanism is provided as an electric shock prevention structure.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an interlock mechanism including a plurality of safety switches in one battery pack. The battery of the battery pack is connected to an inverter and a DC / DC converter to constitute an energization circuit. The switch that constitutes the safety switch is a switch that works in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the cover of the high voltage device including the battery pack and the inverter and the high voltage device including the converter, and turns off the energization circuit when the cover is removed. These switches are connected to the controller of the battery pack, the controller of the inverter, and the controller of the DC / DC converter to constitute a closed circuit different from the battery energization circuit. The controller includes a signal transmitter and a signal detector connected to a closed circuit, and determines that the cover is removed when the signal transmitted from the signal transmitter is not received by the signal detector, and each terminal of the battery The relay connected to is controlled to open, and the energization circuit is cut off.

JP 2009-54329 A

  On the other hand, when the power supply unit is composed of a plurality of battery packs, the connection state between the battery pack and the safety switch is monitored for each battery pack, and the battery in the battery pack is disconnected from the energized open circuit when the safety switch is opened. There is a need. However, in the case of a conventional battery pack, a closed circuit is constituted by a controller, a safety switch, and a controller of a high voltage device. For this reason, in the case of configuring the power supply device from a plurality of battery packs with the conventional configuration, safety switches are required for the number of battery pack controllers, but a large number of safety switches must be mounted on the power supply device. It is difficult. For example, even if it is possible to provide a connection terminal that constitutes a switch of a safety switch for each cover of a battery pack, it is difficult to provide a connection terminal that constitutes a switch for the number of controllers on the cover on the high voltage device side. However, the control becomes complicated by a plurality of battery packs, and a part of the control device may break down.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress complication of an electric shock prevention structure in a power supply device including a plurality of battery packs, and the power supply device includes one of a plurality of control devices. This is to provide a fail-safe function corresponding to when a part breaks down.

  A power supply device that solves the above problems is a power supply device in which a plurality of battery packs are connected. Each battery pack includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes a current-carrying circuit of the battery, and a control device. The connection circuit to which the device is connected is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device, and the main control device, which is one of the control devices, sends a certain signal downstream to the control device. A signal transmitter for transmitting to the device, a first signal detector for detecting the signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and a first signal detector for detecting the signal via the first signal detector. The control device other than the main control device includes at least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the downstream control device, The device is Opening the switch of the energization circuit of the battery when detecting an open state of at least the safety switch based on the state, and among the control devices other than the main control device, the connection to the main control device The control device arranged at the most downstream side of the circuit includes a first signal detector and a second signal detector connected to the first signal detector of the main control device, and the first signal of each control device. When the detector and the second signal detector do not detect signals, the first signal detector and the second signal detector are connected.

  According to this aspect, the battery pack control devices are connected to each other, and the safety switches that open and close the connection circuit are connected in series to each control device. For this reason, when the safety switch cover is removed, or when a safety switch connection failure occurs, all control devices can detect the situation and open the battery energizing circuit switch. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide safety switches for the number of control devices. Furthermore, since only the minimum configuration (first signal detector) is normally used except for the main control device, the interlock mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration. In addition, among the control devices other than the main control device, the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect all signals in the control device arranged most downstream with respect to the main control device. Sometimes a second signal detector is provided which can be connected to its own first signal detector. That is, if each control device and the safety switch are connected in series, the safety switch cannot be monitored when a failure occurs in the second signal detector. However, in the above configuration, the second signal detector of the main control device cannot be monitored. Even when a failure or the like occurs, monitoring of the safety switch can be continued.

  In the power supply device, each of the signal transmitter, each of the first signal detectors, and each of the second signal detectors includes a current detection unit, and in the main control device, each of the current detection units does not detect a current. When the second signal detector of the most downstream control device is connected to the connection circuit, the second signal detector is connected to the connection circuit, and then is in a normal state based on the current detection units. It is preferable to determine that the second signal detector of the main control device is in a failure state.

  According to this aspect, when the current detector does not detect the current, the second signal detector is switched to continue monitoring the safety switch, while the failure state of the second signal detector included in the main control device is identified. be able to.

  A power supply device that solves the above problem is a power supply device in which a plurality of battery packs are connected, wherein each of the battery packs includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes a current-carrying circuit of the battery, and a control device. The connected connection circuit is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device, and the main control device which is one of the control devices sends a certain signal downstream to the control device. A signal transmitter for transmitting to the first signal detector for detecting the signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and a second for detecting the signal via the first signal detector. A control device other than the main control device, the control device including at least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the control device downstream; Signal detection When the open state of the safety switch is detected based on the state, the switch of the battery energization circuit is opened, and the control device other than the main control device is closest to the main control device. The control device disposed downstream includes a signal transmitter in addition to the first signal detector, and the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect all signals. Connects its own signal transmitter and the first signal detector.

  According to this aspect, the battery pack control devices are connected to each other, and the safety switches that open and close the connection circuit are connected in series to each control device. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a safety switch for each control device.When the safety switch cover is removed or a connection failure of the safety switch occurs, all control devices detect the situation. Thus, the switch of the battery energization circuit can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide as many safety switches as the number of control devices, and the complexity of the interlock mechanism can be suppressed. In addition, among the control devices other than the main control device, the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device all receive signals in the control device arranged immediately downstream of the main control device. A signal transmitter is provided that connects to its own first signal detector when not detecting. That is, if each control device and safety switch are connected in series, the safety switch cannot be monitored when a failure occurs in the signal transmitter. However, in the above configuration, a failure occurs in the signal transmitter of the main control device. Even if it is a case, the monitoring of the safety switch can be continued.

  In the power supply device, each of the signal transmitters, each of the first signal detectors, and the second signal detectors includes a current detection unit, and in the main control device, each of the current detection units does not detect a current. When the signal transmitter included in the control device immediately downstream is connected to the connection circuit, the signal transmitter is connected to the connection circuit, and then determined to be in a normal state based on the current detection units. It is preferable to determine that the signal transmitter of the main controller is in a fault state.

  According to this aspect, when the current detection unit does not detect current, the signal transmitter is switched to continue monitoring the safety switch, while the failure state of the signal transmitter included in the main control device can be identified.

  A power supply device that solves the above problems is a power supply device in which a plurality of battery packs are connected, wherein each of the battery packs includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes a current-carrying circuit of the battery, and a control device. The connected connection circuit is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device, and the main control device which is one of the control devices sends a certain signal to the control device downstream. A signal transmitter for transmission, a first signal detector for detecting a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and a second signal for detecting the signal via the first signal detector The control device other than the main control device includes at least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the downstream control device; Based on signal detection status When the open state of the safety switch is detected at least, the switch of the battery energization circuit is opened, and among the control devices other than the main control device, the connection circuit is connected to the main control device. The most downstream control device includes a first signal detector and a second signal detector connected to the first signal detector of the main control device, and the first signal detector of each control device. And when the second signal detector does not detect all signals, the first signal detector and the second signal detector are connected to each other, and the main control device among the control devices other than the main control device. The control device disposed immediately downstream of the control device includes a signal transmitter in addition to the first signal detector, and the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device are all signals. Does not detect its own signal Transmitter and connects the first signal detector.

  According to this aspect, the battery pack control devices are connected to each other, and the safety switches that open and close the connection circuit are connected in series to each control device. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a safety switch for each control device.When the safety switch cover is removed or a connection failure of the safety switch occurs, all control devices detect the situation. Thus, the switch of the battery energization circuit can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide as many safety switches as the number of control devices, and the complexity of the interlock mechanism can be suppressed. Further, among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device arranged most downstream with respect to the main control device includes a case where the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect all signals. A second signal detector that can be substituted for is provided. Furthermore, among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device arranged immediately downstream of the main control device has a case where the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect any signals. Is provided with a signal transmitter connectable to its own first signal detector. That is, if each control device and the safety switch are connected in series, the safety switch cannot be monitored when a failure occurs in the signal transmitter and the second signal detector of the main control device. Even when a failure or the like occurs in the signal transmitter and the second signal detector of the apparatus, the monitoring of the safety switch can be continued.

  With respect to the power supply device, the signal transmitter transmits a certain current, and the second signal detector includes a constant current circuit that suppresses to a specific value when the detected current value is a specific value or more. It is preferable to have.

  According to this aspect, since the second signal detector includes the constant current circuit that suppresses the current value to a specific value, the current value detected by the first signal detector or the like when the second signal detector fails. Fluctuates. Therefore, whether or not the second signal detector has failed can be determined based on whether or not the current value varies.

  According to the power supply device of the present invention, the complexity of the electric shock prevention structure can be suppressed in the power supply device including a plurality of battery packs, and a fail-safe function corresponding to a case where a part of the plurality of control devices breaks down is provided. Can be made.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment which actualized the power supply device in this invention. The figure which shows the loop circuit which comprises the power supply device. The table | surface which shows the electric current detection pattern in the control apparatus of the power supply device. The flowchart explaining the abnormality determination procedure of the power supply device. The table | surface which shows the electric current detection pattern in the control apparatus of the power supply device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the power supply device of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the power supply device will be described as being mounted on a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 10 includes first to fourth battery packs 11 a to 11 d. The first to fourth battery packs 11a to 11d include first to fourth battery stacks 12a to 12d, respectively.

  Among the first to fourth battery packs 11a to 11d, the first battery stack 12a and the fourth battery stack 12d are connected in series, and the second battery stack 12b and the third battery stack 12c are connected in series. Furthermore, the first battery stack 12a and the fourth battery stack 12d, and the second battery stack 12b and the third battery stack 12c are connected in parallel. The first to fourth battery stacks 12a to 12d have the same configuration, and are configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules to which a single cell or a plurality of single cells are connected. Hereinafter, when the first to fourth battery stacks 12a to 12d are described without being distinguished from each other, the battery stack 12 is simply described.

  A plus terminal and a minus terminal of the battery stack 12 are connected to a high voltage device including an inverter, a high voltage device including a DC / DC converter, and the like via relays 13a and 13b as switches.

  The first to fourth battery packs 11a to 11d include first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d as control devices. The first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d perform abnormality determination such as charging / discharging of the first to fourth battery stacks 12a to 12d, management of the battery state, and short circuit, but the illustration and description of the charging / discharging circuit and the like are omitted. Hereinafter, when the first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d are described without being distinguished from each other, they are simply described as the ECU 15.

  The first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d are connected to a controller (not shown) of the high voltage device of the vehicle side system 14 via switches SW1 and SW2 as safety switches constituting the electric shock prevention structure, and a loop circuit as a connection circuit 13 is configured. The switches SW1 and SW2 are switches that are linked to the attachment and removal of the battery pack cover, service plug, and cover on the high-voltage device side. Such a switch may not be two, but may be one, or three or more. The switch SW1 is, for example, a switch that is turned off when the cover of the second battery pack 11b is removed. When the cover is removed, the loop circuit 13 connecting the first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d is shut off. Similarly, the switch SW2 is also a switch that is turned off when the cover on the high-voltage device side is removed. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth ECUs 15a to 15d have the same configuration from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture. However, it has a configuration in which some of its own circuits do not function by changing the connection state for each ECU 15. In FIG. 1, a configuration that does not function is omitted for convenience.

  The first ECU 15a as the main control device controls the opening and closing of the relays 13a and 13b connected to the respective terminals of the first battery stack 12a. The first ECU 15a includes a signal transmitter 20a, a first signal detector 21a, a second signal detector 22a, and a control unit 23a. The signal transmitter 20a is a constant current circuit having a constant current source, and is connected to the second ECU 15b.

  A relay 25a is provided between the first signal detector 21a and the second signal detector 22a, and the relay 25a is controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 23a. The relay 25a is normally turned on, and the first signal detector 21a and the second signal detector 22a are connected.

  The second signal detector 22a is a constant current circuit including a constant current source, and when a current greater than a specific value is input, the second signal detector 22a suppresses the specific value. The constant current source of the second signal detector 22a supplies a constant current smaller than the current value set in the constant current source of the signal transmitter 20a.

  The signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detector 21a, and the second signal detector 22a include a current detector, and the controller 23a is based on the signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detector 21a, and the second signal detector 22a. The presence / absence of an abnormality, the connection state of a safety switch, the identification of a short circuit and a circuit failure, etc., and the location where an abnormality has occurred are determined. The signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detector 21a, and the second signal detector 22a constitute a first loop portion 26a that is a part of the loop circuit 13.

  The second ECU 15b controls the relays 13a and 13b connected to the terminals of the second battery stack 12b. The second ECU 15b includes a signal transmitter 20b, a first signal detector 21b, and a control unit 23b. The signal transmitter 20b has the same configuration as the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a. A relay 24b is provided between the signal transmitter 20b and the first signal detector 21b. The relay 24b is controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 23b, and is turned off in the normal state so that the signal transmitter 20b and the first signal detector 21b are not connected. The control unit 23b detects the current value supplied to the first signal detector 21b at the normal time. The signal transmitter 20 b and the first signal detector 21 b constitute a second loop unit 26 b that is a part of the loop circuit 13.

  The third ECU 15c controls the relays 13a and 13b connected to the terminals of the third battery stack 12c. The third ECU 15c includes a first signal detector 21c and a control unit 23c. The first signal detector 21c is connected to the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b via the switches SW1 and SW2 and the controller of the high-voltage device of the vehicle-side system 14. The control unit 23c detects the current value supplied to the first signal detector 21b. The first signal detector 21 c constitutes a third loop unit 26 c that is a part of the loop circuit 13.

  The fourth ECU 15d controls the relays 13a and 13b connected to the terminals of the fourth battery stack 12d. The fourth ECU 15d includes a first signal detector 21d, a second signal detector 22d, and a control unit 23d. A relay 25d is provided between the first signal detector 21d and the second signal detector 22d. The relay 25d is controlled by the control unit 23d, and is normally turned off. The first signal detector 21d is connected to the first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c. Further, the first signal detector 21d is connected to the first signal detector 21a of the first ECU 15a. The second signal detector 22d has the same configuration as the second signal detector 22a provided in the first ECU 15a. The control unit 23d detects a current value flowing through the first signal detector 21d and the second signal detector 22a. The first signal detector 21 d and the second signal detector 22 d constitute a fourth loop unit 26 d that is a part of the loop circuit 13.

  That is, in the normal state, the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a, the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b, the first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c, the first signal detector 21d of the fourth ECU 15d, and the first signal of the first ECU 15a. The loop circuit 13 is configured by the detector 21a and the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a.

  The control units 23a to 23d of the ECUs 15a to 15d are connected to each other via a communication line (not shown). Among these, the first ECU 15a serves as a main ECU (main control device), and commands the second to fourth ECUs 15b to 15d. Send. In addition, when it demonstrates without distinguishing control part 23a-23d of each ECU15a-15d, it demonstrates as the control part 23 only.

  Next, the configuration of the first to fourth loop portions 26a to 26d will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the loop portions 26a to 26d has the same circuit configuration, and a relay or the like transmits a signal transmitter of the third to fourth ECUs 15c to 15d, a second signal detector of the second ECU 15b to third ECU 15c, and the like. The above-described loop circuit 13 is configured by separating. The manufacturing cost concerning the power supply device 10 is reduced by making the first to fourth loop portions 26a to 26d have the same configuration.

  Each of the loop units 26 a to 26 d includes signal transmitters 20 a to 20 d, of which the signal transmitters 20 a and 20 b can be connected to the loop circuit 13. During normal operation, the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a is connected to the loop circuit 13, and the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b is disconnected by turning off the relay 24b. When the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a fails and the loop circuit 13 cannot keep the closed circuit, the relay 24b of the second ECU 15b is turned on to replace the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a with the second ECU 15b. The signal transmitter 20b supplies a constant current as a signal. Hereinafter, when the signal transmitters 20a to 20d are described without being distinguished, they are simply referred to as the signal transmitter 20.

  The signal transmitter 20 includes a constant current circuit including a power source 30, a first constant current source 31, a current detection amplifier 32 constituting a current detection unit, and a current detection resistor 33. The signal transmitter 20 detects the load current with the current detection amplifier 32 based on the voltage drop of the current detection resistor 33. An output terminal of the current detection amplifier 32 is connected to the control unit 23. The first constant current source 31 supplies a constant current of “current value A” using a direct current supplied from the power supply 30.

  The first signal detectors 21a to 21d are connected in series. Since the first signal detectors 21a to 21d have the same configuration, the first signal detector 21 is simply referred to as the first signal detector 21 in the description without distinction, and some of the reference numerals are omitted in the drawing.

  The first signal detector 21 includes a current detection amplifier 35 and a current detection resistor 36 constituting a current detection unit, and an output terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 is connected to the control unit 23. The positive input terminal of the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b is connected to the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a. The negative input terminal of the first signal detector 21b is connected to the positive input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the third ECU 15c. Further, the negative input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the third ECU 15c is connected to the positive input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the fourth ECU 15d. The negative input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the fourth ECU 15d is connected to the positive input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the first ECU 15a.

  Of the second signal detectors 22a to 22d, the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a and the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d can be connected to the loop circuit 13. When normal, the relay 25a is turned on to connect the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a to the loop circuit 13, and the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d is disconnected when the relay 25d is turned off. It becomes a state. Hereinafter, when the second signal detectors 22a to 22d are not distinguished, the second signal detector 22 will be simply described.

  The second signal detector 22 includes a constant current circuit including a second constant current source 40, a current detection amplifier 41 that constitutes a current detection unit, and a current detection resistor 42. The second constant current source 40 supplies a constant current of “current value B” using a direct current supplied from the power supply 30 through the loop circuit 13. The “current value B” is smaller than the “current value A” that is the set value of the first constant current source 31 of the signal transmitter 20. The positive input terminal of the current detection amplifier 41 of the second signal detector 22a is connected to the negative input terminal of the current detection amplifier 35 of the first signal detector 21a via the second constant current source 40. Has been. The negative input terminal of the current detection amplifier 41 is connected to the ground.

Next, the operation of the power supply device of this embodiment will be described. The normal operation when the safety switch is closed and no circuit failure or short circuit occurs will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detector 21b, the first signal detector 21c, the first signal detector 21d, the first signal detector 21a, and the second signal detector 22a are connected during normal operation. Thus, the loop circuit 13 is configured. At this time, the control units 23a to 23d detect current values based on the outputs of the current detection amplifiers 32, 35, and 41 of the signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detectors 21a to 21d, and the second signal detector 22a. Here, since the “current value B” is set smaller than the “current value A” as described above, a current of “current value B” flows through the loop circuit 13. Thereby, as shown in the table of FIG. 3, the “current value B” is detected by the signal transmitter 20 a, the first signal detectors 21 a to 21 d, and the second signal detector 22 a.

  On the other hand, when the current values detected by the signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detectors 21a to 21d, and the second signal detector 22a are all “0A” (first detection pattern), the cover of the battery pack 11b, etc. It is necessary to identify whether the safety switch is disconnected or not due to removal or a circuit failure. The circuit failure here is a failure of the signal transmitter 20a or the signal detectors 21a to 21d, 22a.

  A fail-safe function that works when the first detection pattern occurs and an abnormality determination procedure will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when detecting the first detection pattern, the first ECU 15a connects the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b to the loop circuit 13 (step S1). At this time, the first ECU 15a transmits a command to the second ECU 15b, and the second ECU 15b turns on its own relay 24b based on this command. As a result, the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b is connected to the loop circuit 13. Therefore, even if the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a fails, the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b can supply a constant current instead of the signal transmitter 20a.

  Next, the first ECU 15a determines whether or not the current detection values of the signal transmitter 20b, the first signal detectors 21a to 21d, and the second signal detector 22a correspond to the second detection pattern (step S2). As shown in FIG. 3, the second detection pattern includes the first signal detector 21a and the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a, the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b, and the first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c. And the “current value B” is detected by the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d, which is in a normal state.

  If the first ECU 15a determines that the current detection result corresponds to the second detection pattern (YES in step S2), it has become normal by switching the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a to the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b. It is determined that the constant current circuit of the signal transmitter 20a has failed (step S3). The determination result is output to an ECU (not shown) that notifies a driver or the like, for example.

  When it is determined that the current detection result does not correspond to the second detection pattern (NO in step S2), the first ECU 15a has the current detection result when the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b is connected as the first detection pattern. Is again determined (step S4). When the current detection result in the state where the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b is connected corresponds to the first detection pattern, it is estimated that the generation factor of the first detection pattern is not caused by the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a. . For this reason, if it is determined that the current detection result is the first detection pattern (YES in step S4), the first ECU 15a disconnects the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b (step S5). That is, the first ECU 15a transmits a command to the second ECU 15b, and when the second ECU 15b receives the command, the relay 24b is turned off and the signal transmitter 20b is disconnected.

  Next, the first ECU 15a connects the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a to the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d to the loop circuit 13 (step S6). At this time, the first ECU 15a transmits a command to the fourth ECU 15d to turn on the relay 25d that connects the first signal detector 21d and the second signal detector 22d. As a result, the loop circuit 13 includes a signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a, a first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b, a first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c, a first signal detector 21d and a second signal detector of the fourth ECU 15d. A device 22d is connected.

  When the second signal detector is switched, the first ECU 15a determines whether or not the current detection result in the state where the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d is connected corresponds to the third detection pattern (step S7). ). As shown in FIG. 3, the third detection pattern is generated by the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a, the first signal detectors 21b to 21d of the second to fourth ECUs 15b to 15d, and the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d. This is a normal state in which a constant current of “current value B” is detected.

  If it is determined that the current detection result of the loop circuit 13 in which the second signal detector has been switched does not correspond to the third detection pattern (NO in step S7), the first ECU 15a determines that the current detection result is the first detection result. It is determined whether or not the pattern remains as it is (step S8). That is, it is determined whether or not the detected current value remains “0A” despite the switching from the second signal detector 22d of the first ECU 15a to the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d.

  If it is determined that the current detection result remains the first detection pattern (YES in step S8), the second signal detector 22d is disconnected (step S9). That is, the first ECU 15a transmits a command to the fourth ECU 15d, and the fourth ECU 15d disconnects the second signal detector 22d from the loop circuit 13 by turning off its own relay 25d based on the command. Then, the first ECU 15a determines that the switches SW1 and SW2 constituting the safety switch are not normally connected (step S10). At this time, the ECUs 15a to 15d turn off the relays 13a and 13b connected to the terminals of the battery packs 11a to 11d, and disconnect the battery from the energization circuit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the current detection result does not correspond to the first detection pattern (NO in step S8), the first ECU 15a switches the second signal detector and the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d. Is disconnected (step S11). The first ECU 15a determines that a circuit other than the signal transmitters 20a and 20b and the second signal detectors 22a and 22d including the constant current circuit has failed (step S12).

  If it is determined in step S4 that the current detection result with the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b connected does not correspond to the first detection pattern (NO in step S4), the first ECU 15a transmits a command to the second ECU 15b, The 2ECU 15b sets its own signal transmitter 20b in a disconnected state based on the command (step S13). Then, the first ECU 15a determines that a circuit other than the signal transmitters 20a and 20b including the constant current circuit has failed as in step S12.

  If the first ECU 15a determines in step S7 that the current detection result corresponds to the third detection pattern (YES in step S7), the relay 25a is turned off to disconnect the second signal detector 22a (step S14). ) And determines that its own second signal detector 22a is out of order (step S15).

  In FIG. 4, the procedure when the first detection pattern is generated has been described. However, when a pattern other than the first detection pattern is detected, the type of abnormality can be specified by the pattern. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the current detection values in the signal transmitter 20a, the first signal detector 21a, and the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a is “0A”, When the current detection value is not “0A”, it is possible to identify the GND short circuit and the power supply short circuit based on the current detection value of only the first ECU 15a. For example, when the current detection value of the signal transmitter 20a is “0A” and the current detection value of at least one of the first signal detector 21a and the second signal detector 22a is not “0A”, any of the loop circuits 13 It is determined that a power supply short circuit has occurred at that point. When the current detection value of the signal transmitter 20a is “current value A”, it is determined that a GND short circuit has occurred.

  In addition, the abnormality occurrence location can be specified by using the current detection results of all the ECUs 15a to 15d. As shown in FIG. 1, point a is any point between the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a and the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b, and point b is the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b. And the first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c. The point c is between the first signal detector 21c of the third ECU 15c and the first signal detector 21d of the fourth ECU 15d, and the point d is the first signal detector 21d of the fourth ECU 15d and the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a. Between. The point e is an output terminal of the first signal detector 21a of the first ECU 15a.

  As shown in the table of FIG. 5, the location where the power supply short circuit or the GND short circuit occurs can be estimated from the current detection results of the ECUs 15 a to 15 d. For example, when the current detection value of the signal transmitter 20a is “0A” and the current detection values of the other first signal detectors 21a to 21d and the second signal detector 22a are “current value B”, point a It is determined that a power supply short circuit has occurred. The current detection values of the signal transmitter 20a and the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b are “0A”, and the current detection values of the other first signal detectors 21a, 21c to 21d and the second signal detector 22a are detected. When the value is “current value B”, it is determined that a power supply short-circuit has occurred at point b.

  Further, for example, when the current detection value of the signal transmitter 20a is “current value A” and the current detection values of the other first signal detectors 21a to 21d and the second signal detector 22a are “0A”, a It is determined that a GND short has occurred at a point. Further, the current detection value of the signal transmitter 20a and the first signal detector 21b of the second ECU 15b is “current value A”, and the other first signal detectors 21a, 21c to 21d and the second signal detector 22a. When the current detection value is “0 A”, it is determined that a GND short-circuit has occurred at point b. For this reason, abnormality determination can be performed at an early stage.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) According to the above embodiment, the ECUs 15a to 15d included in the battery packs 11a to 11d are connected in series to form the loop circuit 13, and the loop circuit 13 is connected to the ECUs 15a to 15d in series. The switches SW1 and SW2 constituting the device are provided. For this reason, when the cover of the safety switch is removed or a connection failure of the safety switch occurs, all the ECUs 15a to 15d detect the situation and open and close the energization circuits of the battery stacks 12a to 12d. The relays 13a and 13b, which are devices, can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide as many safety switches as the number of ECUs 15a to 15d. Furthermore, since only the minimum configuration (the first signal detector 21) is used except for the first ECU 15a in normal times, the interlock mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, the fourth ECU 15d has its own first signal detector 21d connected to the first signal detector 21a of the first ECU 15a, and the first signal detector 21 and the second signal detector 22 of each ECU 15 do not detect all signals. Sometimes, a second signal detector 22d that can be connected to its own first signal detector 21d is provided. That is, if each of the ECUs 15a to 15d and the safety switch are connected in series, the safety switch cannot be monitored when a failure occurs in the second signal detector 22a. Even when a failure or the like occurs in 22a, it is possible to continue monitoring the safety switch.

  (2) In the above embodiment, when the first signal detector 21 and the second signal detector 22 of each ECU 15 do not detect any signals, the second ECU 15b disposed immediately downstream of the first ECU 15a A signal transmitter 20b that transmits a signal to the first signal detector 21b is provided. That is, if each of the ECUs 15a to 15d and the safety switch are connected in series, the safety switch cannot be monitored when a failure occurs in the signal transmitter 20a. However, in the above configuration, the signal transmitter 20a of the first ECU 15a has a failure or the like. Even if this occurs, monitoring of the safety switch can be continued.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the signal transmitters 20a and 20b, the first signal detectors 21a to 21d, and the second signal detectors 22a and 22d are current detection amplifiers 32, 35, and 41 and current detection resistors 33 and 36, respectively. , 42 are provided. Further, when the first ECU 15a connects the second signal detector 22d of the fourth ECU 15d to the loop circuit 13, and determines that the first ECU 15a is in a normal state based on the detection value of each current detection unit, the first ECU 15a It is determined that the two-signal detector 22a is in a failure state. That is, the failure state of the second signal detector 22a of the first ECU 15a can be identified while the monitoring of the safety switch is continued by switching the second signal detectors 22a and 22d.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b is connected to the loop circuit 13 and it is determined that the signal is in the normal state based on the detection value of each current detection unit, the signal of the first ECU 15a It is determined that the transmitter 20a is in a failure state. That is, the failure state of the signal transmitter 20a included in the first ECU 15a can be identified while the signal transmitters 20a and 20b are switched to continue monitoring the safety switch.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the signal transmitter 20 supplies the current of “current value A”, and the second signal detector 22 determines that “current value B” when the detected current value is equal to or greater than “current value B”. A constant current circuit for suppressing For this reason, when the second signal detector 22 fails, the current value detected by the first signal detector 21 and the like varies. Therefore, whether or not the second signal detector 22 has failed can be determined based on whether or not the current value varies.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be suitably changed and implemented as follows.
The signals transmitted from the signal transmitters 20a and 20b are not particularly limited, and the signal transmitters 20a and 20b may be ordinary power supplies, constant voltage sources, and pulse generation sources.

  The current detection unit included in the first signal detectors 21a to 21d and the second signal detectors 22a and 22d is not limited to the configuration including the current detection amplifier and the current detection resistor, but may be another known configuration. Also good. For example, a configuration including a current transformer, a Hall element type magnetic sensor, or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the second ECU 15b includes the substitute signal transmitter 20b, and the fourth ECU 15d includes the substitute second signal detector 22d, but either one may be used. For example, in the power supply device 10, the fourth ECU 15d may include only the alternative second signal detector 22d, and the signal transmitter 20b of the second ECU 15b may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the power supply device 10 is configured by changing the connection state of the ECU 15 having the same configuration. However, the power supply device 10 may be configured by connecting an ECU 15 having a different configuration. For example, the second ECU 15b and the third ECU 15c may have a configuration in which the second signal detector 22 is omitted. Further, the third ECU 15c and the fourth ECU 15d may have a configuration in which the signal transmitter 20 is omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the second constant current source 40 is provided in the second signal detector 22, and the constant current supplied by the second constant current source 40 is smaller than the constant current value supplied by the signal transmitter 20. However, the second constant current source 40 of the second signal detector 22 may be omitted. Even in this case, at least the failure state of the signal transmitter 20, the first signal detector 21, and the second signal detector 22 can be detected.

  In the above embodiment, the “current value A” that is the value of the current supplied from the first constant current source 31 is larger than the “current value B” that is the value of the current supplied from the second constant current source 40. However, “current value B” may be larger than “current value A”, and “current value A” and “current value B” may be the same. Even in such a case, the failure state of the first signal detector 21 and the second signal detector 22 and the power supply short / GND short can be detected as in the above embodiment. When “current value B” is larger than “current value A”, “current value A” and “current value B” are interchanged in the table of FIG.

  In the above embodiment, both the replacement of the signal transmitters 20a and 20b and the replacement of the second signal detectors 22a and 22d are performed in order in the abnormality determination of the power supply apparatus, but only one of them may be performed. Good. In the abnormality determination, a step of simultaneously performing both the substitution of the signal transmitters 20a and 20b and the substitution of the second signal detectors 22a and 22d may be added.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although the power supply device 10 was provided with the four battery packs 11a-11d, what is necessary is just two or more, and the number of battery packs 11a-11d is not limited. In addition, each battery stack 12 connects two battery stacks 12 connected in series in parallel, but is not limited to this connection method. For example, the plurality of battery stacks 12 may be simply connected in series or in parallel.

  The power supply device may be applied to a power supply device that supplies electric power to a ship other than a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a moving body such as an airplane, an electric device, or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power supply device, 11a-11d ... Battery pack, 13 ... Loop circuit as a connection circuit, 13a, 13b ... Relay as a switch, 15, 15a-15d ... ECU as a control device, 15a ... As a main control device 1st control device, SW1, SW2 ... switch constituting safety switch, 20, 20a-20d ... signal transmitter, 21, 21a-21d ... first signal detector, 22, 22a-22d ... second signal detector , 32, 35, 41... Current detection amplifier constituting the current detection unit, 33, 36, 42... Current detection resistor constituting the current detection unit, 30... First constant current source, 40.

Claims (6)

In a power supply unit connected with multiple battery packs,
Each of the battery packs includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes an energization circuit of the battery, and a control device,
The connection circuit to which each control device is connected is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device,
The main control device which is one of the control devices,
A signal transmitter for transmitting a certain signal to the downstream control device, a first signal detector for detecting a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and the first signal detector A second signal detector for detecting the signal via
The control device other than the main control device is:
At least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the downstream control device;
Each of the control devices opens the switch of the battery energization circuit when detecting at least the open state of the safety switch based on the signal detection state,
Among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device arranged on the most downstream side of the connection circuit with respect to the main control device,
A first signal detector and a second signal detector connected to the first signal detector of the main control device are provided, and the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device are all signals. The power supply apparatus is characterized in that the first signal detector and the second signal detector are connected to each other when no signal is detected. The signal transmitter, the first signal detectors and the second signal detectors each include a current detector.
The main controller is
When each of the current detection units does not detect a current, the second signal detector of the most downstream control device is connected to the connection circuit,
After the second signal detector is connected to the connection circuit, it is determined that the second signal detector of the main controller is in a failure state when it is determined that the second signal detector is in a normal state based on the current detection units. The power supply device according to claim 1. In a power supply unit connected with multiple battery packs,
Each of the battery packs includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes an energization circuit of the battery, and a control device,
The connection circuit to which each control device is connected is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device,
The main control device which is one of the control devices,
A signal transmitter for transmitting a certain signal to the downstream control device, a first signal detector for detecting a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and the first signal detector A second signal detector for detecting the signal via
The control device other than the main control device is:
At least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the downstream control device;
Each of the control devices opens the switch of the battery energization circuit when detecting at least the open state of the safety switch based on the signal detection state,
Among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device disposed immediately downstream with respect to the main control device,
In addition to the first signal detector, a signal transmitter is provided, and when the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect all signals, the signal transmitter and the second A power supply apparatus comprising a single signal detector. Each of the signal transmitters, the first signal detectors, and the second signal detectors each include a current detector.
The main controller is
When each of the current detectors does not detect a current, the signal transmitter included in the nearest downstream control device is connected to the connection circuit,
4. After determining that the signal transmitter is in a normal state based on each of the current detectors after connecting the signal transmitter to the connection circuit, it is determined that the signal transmitter of the main controller is in a fault state. The power supply device described in 1. In a power supply unit connected with multiple battery packs,
Each battery pack includes a battery, a switch that opens and closes an energization circuit of the battery, and a control device.
The connection circuit to which each control device is connected is provided with a safety switch connected in series with each control device,
The main control device which is one of the control devices,
A signal transmitter for transmitting a certain signal to the downstream control device, a first signal detector for detecting a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter via the other control device, and the first signal detector A second signal detector for detecting the signal via
The control device other than the main control device is:
At least a first signal detector that detects a signal transmitted from the signal transmitter and outputs the signal to the downstream control device;
Each of the control devices opens the switch of the battery energization circuit when detecting at least the open state of the safety switch based on the signal detection state,
Among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device arranged on the most downstream side of the connection circuit with respect to the main control device,
A first signal detector connected to the first signal detector of the main controller, and a second signal detector;
Among the control devices other than the main control device, the control device disposed immediately downstream with respect to the main control device,
A signal transmitter in addition to the first signal detector;
When the first signal detector and the second signal detector of each control device do not detect all signals, the first signal detector and the second signal detector of the control device arranged on the most downstream side , And connecting at least one of the signal transmitter and the first signal detector of the control device arranged immediately downstream. The signal transmitter transmits a certain current,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal detector includes a constant current circuit that suppresses the detected current value to a specific value when the detected current value is a specific value or more.

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