JP2015042075A - On-vehicle battery charger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle battery charger constituted so that an on-vehicle battery is not connected to it at a state that a charging gun is not connected to a charging port.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle battery 2 is connected with a charging port 3 via a charging relay 4. A control apparatus 7 turns the charging relay 4 on to charge the on-vehicle battery 2 when a charging gun 6 is fitted (connected) to the charging port 3 and a charging request signal is received. A fitting state of the charging port 3 is detected during drive that a driving motor 11 of an electric automobile 1 rotates, it is considered as normal when the charging port 3 is not at the fitting state, and it is considered as abnormal when the fitting state is detected. Thus, fitting of the charging gun 6 to the charging port 3 can be detected, and turning on the charging relay 4 by erroneous detection can be prevented.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle battery charging device.

  An electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and the like include a charging device for an in-vehicle battery serving as a power source. In these in-vehicle battery charging devices, when a charging gun provided in an external power supply device is connected to a charging port provided on the vehicle side, a charging relay is controlled to connect the charging port and the in-vehicle battery to the in-vehicle battery. Can be charged.

  In this case, the in-vehicle battery charging device is in a state where there is a charge request and a state where the charging gun is connected to the charging port (a signal indicating that it is “fitted state” is output from the charging port) ), The charging relay is controlled to be in the ON state. Further, when the “fitted state” is OFF, the in-vehicle battery charging device does not control the charging relay to be ON even if there is a charging request.

  However, in the above configuration, the in-vehicle battery charging device can detect a switch contact failure or a sensor malfunction even if the charging gun is not connected to the charging port when the battery is charged. It is also assumed that a signal indicating “fitted state” is output due to some erroneous detection. In this case, when there is a charge request, the in-vehicle battery charging device has already received a signal indicating the “fitted state” from the charging port, so the charging relay is turned on to electrically connect the in-vehicle battery and the charging port. Behaves like a connection.

  As a result, since the vehicle-mounted battery is connected to the charging port without the user connecting the charging gun to the charging port, the voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery is applied to the electrode of the charging port. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, in order to prevent the user from touching the electrode of the charging port, for example, a means for detecting the “fitting state” of the charging gun is doubled. It was necessary to ensure safety by installing it.

JP 2009-106053 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an in-vehicle battery electrically to the charging port without a special configuration and without a charging gun fitted to the charging port. It is providing the vehicle-mounted battery charger which can prevent being connected to.

  The on-vehicle battery charging device according to claim 1 is a charging port that can be charged from the outside with respect to a battery mounted on a vehicle, a relay unit that electrically connects the charging port and the battery, and the charging A fitting detecting means for detecting a state in which the charging connecting portion is fitted and connected to the port; a moving state detecting means for detecting the moving state of the vehicle; and the charging connecting portion by the fitting detecting means. Receiving a fitting state signal indicating that the battery is connected to the charging port and receiving a charging request to the battery, the control means switching the relay unit to a connected state, the control means, When the moving state detecting means detects the moving state of the vehicle, the fitting detecting means detects the fitting state of the charging connection portion to the charging port. A determination operation performed, when determining the abnormal state by the determination operation and inhibits switching to the connection state of the relay unit.

  According to the above configuration, it is determined that the vehicle is in a traveling state when the moving state of the vehicle is detected based on the detection result of the movement state detecting means. This is because the charging connection part of the external power supply device cannot be connected to the charging port when the vehicle is moving, so the detection result by the fitting detecting means for detecting the fitting state of the charging port is It should have detected that it is not a fitting state. Accordingly, when the control means performs a determination operation in the moving state of the vehicle and the fitting detection means detects the fitting state, this is determined to be an abnormal state, that is, an abnormal state. Switch control to the connected state is prohibited.

  As a result, when the battery mounted on the vehicle is charged, when the fitting detection means is functioning normally, the battery is fitted when the connecting portion for charging the external power supply is connected to the charging port. A state is detected. When the control means receives a charge request for the battery, the control means controls the relay unit to electrically connect the charge port and the battery, and the battery can be charged from the outside via the charge port and the relay unit Switch to control.

  In addition, when the fitting detection unit is not functioning normally and the fitting state is detected despite the state where the charging port of the external power supply device is not connected to the charging port Since it is in a normal state, switching control of the relay unit to the connected state by the control means is prohibited. As a result, when charging the battery mounted on the vehicle, the control means can be connected even if a charging request for the battery is received after the connecting portion for charging the external power source is connected to the charging port. Holds the state where the electrical parts are not connected. As a result, the battery voltage is not applied to the charging port in a state where the charging connection portion of the external power supply device is not connected to the charging port.

Electrical block diagram showing the first embodiment Charging relay control flowchart Flow chart of ON sticking detection for fitting state determination Flow chart of notification operation Flowchart of ON sticking detection for fitting state determination showing the second embodiment

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an electric vehicle 1 as a vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle battery 2 serving as a power source. The in-vehicle battery 2 is connected to the charging port 3 via a charging relay 4 as a relay unit, and a charging gun 6 that is a connecting portion for charging the external power supply device 5 is fitted (connected) to the charging port 3. By doing so, the battery is charged as a “fitted state” (connected state). The charging port 3 includes a switch or a sensor that outputs a detection signal Sc corresponding to this state when the “fitting state” of the charging gun 6 is detected, and has a function as a fitting detection means. .

  The control device 7 performs a control operation for charging the in-vehicle battery 2 and includes an ECU (electronic control unit) mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control device 7 gives a control signal for switching between the ON state and the OFF state to the charging relay 4. Further, the control device 7 receives a signal Sc indicating the “fitted state” output from the charging port 3 when the charging gun 6 is fitted (connected).

  The electric vehicle 1 is provided with a charge request switch 8 for instructing the start of charging, and outputs a charge request signal Sra by a user operation. The ECU 9 receives the charge request signal Sra from the charge request switch 8 and outputs it to the control device 7 as the charge request signal Sr. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 10 is mounted in the electric vehicle 1 and reservation of charge of the vehicle-mounted battery 2 can be made. When the reservation for charging is set, the navigation device 10 outputs a charging request signal Srb to the ECU 9 when the charging time comes. When the ECU 9 receives the charging reservation signal Srb from the navigation device 10, the ECU 9 similarly outputs the charging request signal Sr to the control device 7.

  The drive motor 11 serving as a driving source for traveling of the electric vehicle 1 has a function as a moving state detection unit, and outputs vehicle speed information vs corresponding to the rotational speed to the ECU 12. The ECU 12 outputs the vehicle speed information vs from the drive motor 11 to the control device 7 as a vehicle speed signal Ss. Further, a warning lamp 13 as a notification unit is provided on the dashboard in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 1, and lighting control is performed by the control device 7. The warning lamp 13 is controlled to be turned on as a notification operation to the user when the charging operation to the in-vehicle battery 2 is hindered as described later.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the control operation when charging the in-vehicle battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1 will be mainly described. As a basic operation, the control device 7 is connected so that the charging gun 6 of the external power supply device 5 is fitted to the charging port 3 while the electric vehicle 1 is stopped, and the charging request signal Sr is received. Execute the charging operation.

  In the charging control of the in-vehicle battery 2, the control unit (not shown) determines the charging state of the in-vehicle battery 2, and when charging is completed, a control signal for the charging relay 4 is transmitted to the control device 7 to shift to the OFF state. Further, when the charging operation is artificially canceled or stopped by the timer operation, a charging operation stop signal is separately transmitted to the control device 7 so that the charging relay 4 shifts to the OFF state. Be controlled.

  The control device 7 repeatedly executes the charging relay drive control program shown in FIG. 2 at appropriate time intervals in order to execute the above-described charging operation. That is, after starting the program, the control device 7 determines whether or not the charging request signal Sr has been received (A1), and if the charging request signal Sr has not been received (NO in A1), the charging is performed. The relay 4 is kept OFF (A2) and the program is terminated. In addition, when there is a charge request signal Sr (YES in A1), the control device 7 receives a signal indicating whether or not the charging gun 6 is fitted to the charging port 3, that is, the “fitted state”. (A3). If the control device 7 does not receive the signal Sc indicating the “fitted state” from the charging port 3 (NO in A4), the control device 7 holds the OFF state of the charging relay 4 (A5) and ends the program.

  In addition, when the control device 7 receives the signal Sc indicating the “fitted state” from the charging port 3 (YES in A4), the control device 7 determines whether or not the charging port 3 is stuck on in advance during traveling. The detected result is read to determine whether there is “abnormal” or “normal” (A6). Here, the control device 7 turns on the charging relay 4 (A7) to electrically connect the charging port 3 to the in-vehicle battery 2 when it is detected as “normal” in which ON sticking is not detected. . Thereby, the vehicle-mounted battery 2 can be charged from the external power supply device 5 through the charging gun 6, the charging port 3, and the charging relay 4.

  On the other hand, if “abnormal” is detected by the detection operation of the charging port 3 being stuck on by the control device 7, the control device 7 proceeds to a branch of the “abnormal” state in step A6 and turns off the charging relay 4. The state is maintained (A8) and the program is terminated. The “abnormality” here corresponds to an abnormal state, that is, an “unnormal state”, and is expressed as “abnormal”. The above operation is the content of processing by the control device 7 performed when the vehicle-mounted battery 2 is charged by the user.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, the operation for detecting the ON fixation of the charging port 3 by the control device 7 will be described. When detecting the “fitted state” of the charging gun 6 to the charging port 3, the detection unit of the charging port 3 outputs a detection signal Sc indicating the “fitted state” when the charging gun 6 is fitted. To do. This detection of ON fixation is performed as a process for determining that such a normal operation is performed.

  That is, in the case where the “fitting state” is detected even though the detection part of the charging port 3 is broken due to contact fixation or malfunction and the charging gun 6 is not fitted (unconnected state). The terminal voltage of the in-vehicle battery 2 is applied to the electrode portion of the charging port 3. The ON sticking detection operation is performed in order to avoid such a situation.

  The control device 7 repeatedly executes the ON sticking detection processing program shown in FIG. 3 at appropriate time intervals. The control device 7 receives the speed signal Ss detected from the speed information signal vs of the drive motor 11 through the ECU 12, and determines the traveling state of the electric vehicle 1 (B1). Here, for example, the control device 7 determines that the electric vehicle 1 is in a moving state, that is, is in a traveling state when the traveling speed of the electric vehicle 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. The condition that the speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed is to exclude a case where a slight movement occurs on a slope.

  If it is not determined that the electric vehicle 1 is moving (NO in B1), the control device 7 ends the program without performing the detection operation. On the other hand, when it is determined that the electric vehicle 1 is moving (YES in B1), the control device 7 reads the “fitted state” of the charging port 3 (B2). In this case, since the electric vehicle 1 is moving, that is, in a running state, it is impossible to assume that the charging gun 6 of the external power supply device 5 is fitted to the charging port 3. Accordingly, in this state, if the “fitted state” of the charging port 3 is not detected, the charging port 3 functions normally.

  When the read result is not “fitted” (NO in B3), the control device 7 determines whether or not there is a detection result of “abnormal” so far (B4). (NO in B4) The detection result is determined to be “normal” and the program is terminated. This is a state in which no abnormality has occurred as a result of running the electric vehicle 1, that is, a result that should normally be obtained. In this case, charging is performed in the above-described charge relay drive control program (FIG. 2) This is a condition under which the operation can be performed.

  Note that the determination of “normal” in step B4 is tentatively determined as “normal” even when the value of an abnormal counter, which will be described later, is less than or equal to a predetermined number of times and has not yet been determined as “abnormal”. ing.

  On the other hand, if the detection result of “abnormal” already exists in step B4 (YES in B4), the control device 7 ends the program as it is. This is a case where the “abnormality” determination process described below has already been performed, and if “abnormal” is once determined in this way, even if the “fitted state” is not detected, It is assumed that the state is “abnormal” and is regarded as a general state. This is because it is assumed that after the “abnormal” is determined, the “fitted state” is not detected due to the influence of noise or the like, and this does not cause “normal”.

  Next, when the reading result of the fitting state is “fitting state” (YES in B3), the control device 7 determines whether or not the value of the abnormality counter set inside is a predetermined number of times or less. (B6). When the value of the abnormality counter is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number of times (YES in B6), the control device 7 increments the value of the abnormality counter by “1” (B7) and ends the program. If the value of the abnormality counter exceeds the predetermined number (NO in B6) while the program is repeatedly executed in this way, the control device 7 stores the detection result as “abnormal”.

  As described above, when the value of the abnormality counter exceeds the predetermined number of times, the control device 7 determines that it is “abnormal” when the fitting state is read (B2). This is to prevent erroneous detection when there is a signal Sc indicating the “fitted state”. Therefore, the detection of the “fitted state” signal Sc due to noise in succession a plurality of times (predetermined number of times) is performed on the assumption that the signal Sc becomes very small in probability.

  Note that when “abnormal” is detected in the ON sticking detection process as described above, the control device 7 performs a notification operation. Here, the control device 7 repeatedly executes the notification operation program shown in FIG. 4 at appropriate time intervals to notify the user that the state is abnormal. That is, if no abnormality is detected (NO in C1), the control device 7 holds the warning lamp 13 in the extinguished state (C2). If an abnormality is detected (YES in C1), the control device 7 warns. The lamp 13 is turned on (C3).

  Thereby, the user can recognize that the abnormal state has occurred by visually recognizing the lighting state of the warning lamp 13 arranged on the dashboard. This allows the user to recognize that repair is necessary. In addition, by notifying that it is “abnormal”, it is possible to understand the situation where the charging operation is not performed, so that it is possible to quickly cope with the abnormal state.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, when the electric vehicle 1 is in the running state, the detection process for detecting the ON fixation of the charging port 3 is executed. Thus, when the charging gun 6 is not fitted to the charging port 3. In addition, it is possible to prevent the terminal voltage of the in-vehicle battery 2 from being applied to the electrode portion of the charging port 3. Therefore, a safe state can be ensured without taking double safety measures so that the user's hand does not touch the charging port 3.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, since the detection process of ON fixation of the charge port 3 can be automatically detected during the driving | running | working of the electric vehicle 1, a user confirms in the state in which the charge gun 6 is not made. Such a troublesome procedure is not required, and it is possible to prevent the user from inadvertently forgetting the detection operation.

  When “abnormal” is detected in the detection process of the ON fixation of the charging port 3, the warning lamp 13 performs a notification operation, so that the user can recognize that it is “abnormal” and perform actions such as repair. Can be done quickly.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that it can be reliably operated even in an environment where disturbances such as noise frequently occur. That is, in the above-described embodiment, when a disturbance such as noise occurs when the fitting state is read out continuously several times at the time of determination, there is a possibility of erroneously detecting an ON sticking abnormality. Despite not being able to charge. In this embodiment, such a situation can be avoided.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program replacing the program for detecting the ON sticking shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The control device 7 repeatedly executes the detection processing program shown in FIG. 5 at appropriate time intervals. The control device 7 receives the speed signal Ss from the ECU 12 in the same manner as described above, and determines the traveling state of the electric vehicle 1 (B1). When it is determined that the electric vehicle 1 is moving (YES in B1), the control device 7 reads the “fitted state” of the charging port 3 (B2).

  When the read result is not “fitted state” (NO in B3), the control device 7 determines whether there is a detection result of “abnormal” so far by omitting the same (B4), If not (NO in B4), the detection result is determined to be “normal” and the program is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the detection result of “abnormal” already exists in step B4 (YES in B4), the control device 7 determines whether or not the value of the normal counter is equal to or less than the predetermined number (B10). ). Here, even if “abnormal” is determined once, if it is determined as “abnormal” due to noise or the like, a normal counter is set as a process for returning this to “normal” This is because when it is detected that there is no abnormality for a predetermined number of times, this is determined as “normal”. Therefore, when it is determined YES in step B10, the control device 7 increments the value of the normal counter by “1” and ends the program.

  When the value of the normal counter exceeds the predetermined number in this way, the control device 7 determines NO in step B10, clears the value of the abnormal counter to “0” (B12), and sets the detection result to “normal”. (B13).

  Further, when the result of reading the fitting state is “fitting state” (YES in B3), the control device 7 determines whether or not the value of the abnormality counter set inside is a predetermined number of times or less. Is determined (B6). When the value of the abnormality counter is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number of times (YES in B6), the control device 7 increments the value of the abnormality counter by “1” (B7) and ends the program. Then, while the program is repeatedly executed in this way, if the value of the abnormality counter exceeds the predetermined number (NO in B6), the control device 7 clears the value of the normal counter to “0” (B9), The detection result is stored as “abnormal” (B8).

  According to the second embodiment as described above, after the controller 7 once determines “abnormal”, it considers the case where there is an erroneous determination due to noise or the like, and “normal” based on the detection result thereafter. Because it is possible to reverse the judgment, it is possible to prevent erroneous judgment as much as possible even in an environment where noise or the like is likely to occur, and avoid situations where the in-vehicle battery cannot be inadvertently charged. Can do.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited only to one embodiment mentioned above, It can apply to various embodiment in the range which does not deviate from the summary, For example, it can deform | transform or expand as follows. .

  In the step of determining the movement state of the electric vehicle 1 when detecting the ON sticking, the condition is that the speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. However, in principle, if the state is not zero, the movement state can be determined. The predetermined speed is set from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection, but this speed can be set to an appropriate value.

  Further, instead of detecting the moving speed of the electric vehicle 1, the moving state can be determined when the rotational speed of the driving motor 11 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rotational speed, or the moving state is determined when the rotational speed is not zero. The state can also be determined.

  In addition to the driving motor, the moving state detecting means can use means for detecting the rotation speed of the wheel, and can also detect the moving state based on a change in position information obtained by a navigation device or the like.

  When an abnormal state is detected in the ON fixing detection operation, the warning light 13 is turned on in the notification operation. However, instead of or in addition to this, a sound notification is given. You can also. Further, the occurrence of an abnormal state may be automatically notified to the outside using a communication means.

  Although the electric vehicle 1 has been described as an example, the present invention can be applied to any vehicle-mounted battery charging device in a vehicle that includes a vehicle-mounted battery and can be charged from the outside by a charging port.

  The programs shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 are assumed to be executed at appropriate time intervals, and the time intervals may be set in units of seconds, or may be set in units of seconds or longer. . The predetermined number of times used for the determination of the abnormality counter and the normal counter at the time of detecting “abnormal” or “normal” is not set once, but is set as a plurality of times for the purpose of eliminating the adverse effect of noise. It can be set to 5 times or more than 10 times, and can be set in association with the program execution time interval so that the time required for determination can be set appropriately.

  Although the charging relay 4 is used as the relay unit, a configuration in which a semiconductor switching element or the like is electrically connected and disconnected by controlling ON / OFF switching may be employed.

  In the drawings, 1 is an electric vehicle (vehicle), 2 is an in-vehicle battery (battery), 3 is a charging port (fitting detection means), 4 is a charging relay (relay unit), 5 is an external power supply device, and 6 is a charging gun. , 7 is a control device (control means), 8 is a charge request switch, 11 is a drive motor (movement state detection means), and 13 is a warning light (notification means).

Claims (4)

A charging port (3) capable of being charged from the outside with respect to a battery (2) mounted on the vehicle (1);
A relay section (4) for electrically connecting the charging port and the battery;
A fitting detection means (3) for detecting a state in which the charging connecting portion is fitted and connected to the charging port;
A moving state detecting means (11) for detecting a moving state of the vehicle;
When the fitting detection means receives a fitting state signal indicating that the connecting portion for charging is connected to the charging port and receives a request for charging the battery, the relay portion is switched to a connected state. Control means (7),
When the control means detects the fitting state of the connecting portion for charging to the charging port by the fitting detection means when the movement state detecting means detects the moving state of the vehicle. Implements a determination operation for determining an abnormal state, and when the abnormal state is determined by the determination operation, switching to the connection state of the relay unit is prohibited. The on-vehicle battery charging device according to claim 1,
In the determination operation, the control means counts the number of detections by a non-normal counter when the fitting detection means detects the fitting state of the charging connection portion to the charging port, The in-vehicle battery charging device, wherein the abnormal state is determined when the number of times counted by the normal counter exceeds a predetermined number. In the in-vehicle battery charging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means performs the determination operation after determining the abnormal state, and is normal when the fitting detection means does not detect the fitting state of the charging connection portion to the charging port. A vehicle-mounted battery charging device, wherein the number of detections is counted by a counter, and the determination of the abnormal state is canceled when the number of counts by the normal counter exceeds a predetermined number. In the in-vehicle battery charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Provided with an informing means (13) for informing the abnormal state;
The in-vehicle battery charging device, wherein the control unit notifies the normal state by the notification unit when the abnormal state is determined.

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