JP2015136251A - Power supply unit and driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply unit and a load driving method, capable of rapidly lowering electric power stored by a capacitor.SOLUTION: Electric power is supplied from a first capacitor 23 to a high power device 28 and an electrical apparatus 29 through a DC-DC converter 21. A voltage detector 30 detects an output voltage of the first capacitor 23. A controller 31 determines whether or not an output voltage detected by the voltage detector 30 is at least a threshold voltage. The controller 31, when it is determined that the output voltage is at least the threshold value, drives a cooler 27 or a high power device 28.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply apparatus in which a capacitor supplies power to a load and a method for driving the load.

  Currently, vehicles equipped with a generator that converts kinetic energy into regenerative power when braking are in widespread use. Such a vehicle is equipped with a power supply device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that stores regenerative power generated by a generator in a capacitor and supplies the power stored in the capacitor to an in-vehicle device that functions as a load. . In a vehicle equipped with this power supply device, energy can be used efficiently, and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is good.

JP 2009-17659 A

In the conventional power supply device as described in Patent Document 1, since the period during which regenerative power is generated is a short period during which the vehicle is decelerating, a capacitor suitable for rapid charging as a capacitor that stores regenerative power For example, an electric double layer capacitor is used. Such a capacitor has a problem that the higher its own temperature, and the higher the storage rate, the greater the deterioration of charge / discharge characteristics, for example, the greater the decrease in capacitance.
For this reason, when the storage battery stores a large amount of power in a state where the temperature is high due to a rise in the temperature around the storage battery, it is necessary to quickly reduce the power stored in the storage battery in order to suppress deterioration of charge / discharge characteristics. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply apparatus and a load driving method capable of quickly reducing the electric power stored in the battery.

  The power supply device according to the present invention is a power supply device that supplies power to one or a plurality of loads from a capacitor, and whether or not the output voltage detected by the voltage detector is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Voltage determining means for determining whether or not, and load driving means for driving at least one of the one or a plurality of loads when it is determined that the voltage determining means is equal to or greater than the threshold value. To do.

  The power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the battery and setting means for setting the threshold to low / high according to the high / low temperature detected by the temperature detection means. It is characterized by.

  The power supply device according to the present invention comprises storage means for storing a voltage in association with the temperature of the battery, and reading means for reading out a voltage corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means from the storage means, The setting means is configured to set the voltage read by the reading means to the threshold value.

  The power supply device according to the present invention generates power and supplies the generated power to the battery, and the power that is generated by the generator when the voltage determination means determines that the threshold is greater than or equal to the threshold. And a power generation stopping means for stopping the generation.

  A power supply apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a switching determination unit that determines whether or not an ignition switch of the vehicle has been switched from on to off, and the voltage determination unit includes: It is characterized in that a determination is made when it is determined that the switch has been switched from on to off.

  The power supply device according to the present invention includes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the battery, and temperature determination means for determining whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The plurality of loads includes a cooler that cools the power storage device and a high power device that consumes higher power than the cooler, and the load driving means is configured such that the voltage determination means is greater than or equal to the threshold value. When it is determined that there is, the cooler is driven when the temperature determination unit determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and when the temperature determination unit determines that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the high power unit It is comprised so that it may drive.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, the one or more loads include a cooler that cools the battery, and the load driving means is configured to drive the cooler. And

  The power supply device according to the present invention is housed in a housing portion of a vehicle covered with an openable / closable lid, and the open / close determination means for determining whether or not the lid is opened, and the load driving means is the one or more. An operation stop means for stopping the operation of the load driven by the load drive means when it is determined that the open / close determination means is opened while driving at least one of the loads. Features.

  The power supply device according to the present invention includes a discharge circuit that discharges the electric power stored in the battery, and a circuit drive unit that drives the discharge circuit when the operation stop unit stops the operation. To do.

  The driving method according to the present invention is a method for driving one or a plurality of loads fed by a capacitor, detects an output voltage of the capacitor, determines whether the detected output voltage is equal to or higher than a threshold, and outputs the output When it is determined that the voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold value, at least one of the one or more loads is driven.

In the power supply device and the driving method according to the present invention, the output voltage of a capacitor, for example, a capacitor, that supplies power to one or a plurality of loads increases as the storage rate increases. The output voltage of the battery is detected. And when it determines with the detected output voltage of the electrical storage device being more than a threshold value, at least 1 in one or several load is driven.
As a result, the number of loads supplied by the capacitor increases, and the power stored in the capacitor quickly decreases.

In the power supply device according to the present invention, the temperature of the battery, specifically, the temperature inside or on the surface of the battery is detected, and the threshold is set to low / high according to the detected high / low temperature. The allowable amount of electric power stored in the electric storage device varies depending on the temperature of the electric storage device. The lower the temperature of the electric storage device, the larger the allowable electric power amount.
For this reason, by setting the threshold value to low / high according to the high / low temperature of the battery, the threshold used for determining whether to drive the load is set to a threshold suitable for the temperature of the battery.

In the power supply device according to the present invention, the storage unit stores a voltage in advance in association with the temperature of the battery. A low voltage is associated with a high voltage, and a high voltage is associated with a low voltage. Then, a voltage corresponding to the detected temperature of the battery is read from the storage unit, and the read voltage is set as a threshold value.
For this reason, a threshold suitable for the temperature of the battery is set with a simple configuration.

In the power supply device according to the present invention, the electric power generated by the generator is supplied to the capacitor. When it is determined that the detected output voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the power generation performed by the generator is stopped.
For this reason, the electric power which the electrical storage device has stored falls more quickly.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, the device is mounted on a vehicle. When it is determined that the ignition switch of the vehicle has been switched from on to off, the output voltage of the battery is detected, and it is determined whether or not the detected output voltage is greater than or equal to a threshold value. And when it determines with the detected output voltage being more than a threshold value, at least 1 load in one or several load is driven.

A typical example of the situation where the ignition switch is off is a situation where the vehicle is parked. In this situation, a capacitor, for example, a capacitor is left for a long period of time with electric power stored. At this time, when the power stored in the battery is large, the charge / discharge characteristics are greatly deteriorated.
The output voltage of the battery is detected when the ignition switch is switched from on to off. And when the output voltage of a capacitor | condenser, ie, the electrical storage rate, is high, since the electric power which the capacitor | condenser has stored rapidly falls, it is prevented that a capacitor | condenser is left in the state where much electric power is stored.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, the temperature of the battery is detected. In the case where the detected output voltage of the capacitor is equal to or higher than the threshold value, when the detected temperature of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, a cooler that cools the capacitor, for example, a fan is driven as a load. For this reason, the electric power stored in the capacitor is quickly reduced, and the temperature of the capacitor is also reduced.

  Further, in the case where the detected output voltage of the capacitor is equal to or higher than the threshold value, when the detected temperature of the capacitor is lower than a predetermined temperature, a high power device that consumes higher power than the cooler is driven as a load. The power stored in the battery drops more quickly.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, when the detected output voltage of the capacitor is equal to or higher than the threshold value, a cooler that cools the capacitor is driven as a load. For this reason, the electric power stored in the capacitor is quickly reduced, and the temperature of the capacitor is also reduced.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, the device is housed in the housing portion of the vehicle, and the housing portion is covered with an openable / closable lid. If it is determined that the lid has been opened while driving at least one of the one or more loads, the operation of the driving load is stopped. For this reason, the load during driving does not come into contact with a person and does not hurt the contacted person.

  In the power supply device according to the present invention, when at least one of one or a plurality of loads stops when the cover covering the opening of the housing portion is opened, the discharge circuit is driven and the electric power stored in the capacitor is discharged. Release into circuit. Thereby, it becomes possible to discharge the electric power stored in the battery without hurting people.

  According to the present invention, the electric power stored in the battery can be quickly reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of a power supply device. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the memory content of a memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which a control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which a control part performs. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating one effect which a power supply device show | plays. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other effect which a power supply device show | plays. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a power supply device according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operations executed by a control unit according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operations executed by a control unit according to Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in the first embodiment. An engine 10 and a power supply device 11 are mounted on the vehicle 1. A housing portion 12 is provided in front of the vehicle 1, and the engine 10 and the power supply device 11 are housed in the housing portion 12. The housing portion 12 is provided with an opening 12a. The opening 12a is covered by a flat bonnet 13 functioning as a lid so as to be opened and closed.

  A light emitting portion 14 a that emits light on the upper side of the vehicle 1 is provided at an edge portion of the housing portion 12, and a light receiving portion 14 b that receives light emitted from the light emitting portion 14 a is provided on one surface of the bonnet 13. .

  When the bonnet 13 is closed, the light receiving unit 14b is positioned above the light emitting unit 14a, and the light receiving unit 14b receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 14a. When the bonnet 13 is opened, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 14a is not received. The light receiving unit 14 b outputs an open / close signal indicating opening / closing of the hood 13 to the power supply device 11. The light receiving unit 14b outputs an opening / closing signal indicating the closing of the hood 13 when receiving light, and outputs an opening / closing signal indicating opening of the bonnet when not receiving light. The light emitting unit 14 a and the light receiving unit 14 b function as sensors that detect the opening and closing of the bonnet 13.

  In addition, the structure which detects opening / closing of the bonnet 13 is not limited to the structure using the sensor mentioned above. For example, when the bonnet 13 is configured to be opened and closed by operating an operation unit (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1, the opening and closing of the bonnet 13 may be detected based on an operation received by the operation unit. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the power supply device 11. The power supply device 11 includes an alternator 20, a DCDC converter 21, an electric wire 22, a first capacitor 23, a discharge circuit 24, a second capacitor 25, a starter 26, a cooler 27, a high power device 28, an electric device 29, a voltage detector 30, The control part 31, the temperature detection part 32, the alerting | reporting part 33, and the memory | storage part 34 are provided. The discharge circuit 24 includes a switch 40 and a resistor R1.

  One end of the alternator 20 is connected to one end of each of the DCDC converter 21 and the electric wire 22, and the other end of the electric wire 22 is connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor 23 and one end of the resistor R <b> 1 of the discharge circuit 24. The other end of the resistor R1 is connected to one end of the switch 40. The other end of the alternator 20, the negative electrode of the first battery 23, and the other end of the switch 40 are grounded.

  The other end of the DCDC converter 21 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery 25 and one end of each of the starter 26, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29. The negative electrode of the second battery 25 and the other end of each of the starter 26, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 are grounded.

  A voltage detection unit 30 is further connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor 23, and the voltage detection unit 30 is also connected to the control unit 31. The voltage detection unit 30 is also grounded. The control unit 31 is connected to the temperature detection unit 32, the notification unit 33, and the storage unit 34 in addition to the voltage detection unit 30.

  The alternator 20 receives from the control unit 31 a power generation stop instruction for instructing to stop power generation and a stop cancellation instruction for instructing to cancel the stop of power generation. When a power generation stop instruction is input, the alternator 20 does not generate power until a stop cancellation instruction is input. The alternator 20 converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1 into regenerative power when it is possible to generate regenerative power in a state where the stop of power generation is released.

  Whether or not regenerative electric power can be generated is determined using at least one of the depression amounts of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and the speed of the vehicle 1. For example, regenerative electric power is generated when the brake pedal is depressed and the speed of the vehicle 1 is decelerated while the accelerator pedal is not depressed.

  The alternator 20 converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1 into AC regenerative power, and rectifies the AC regenerative power into DC regenerative power. Thus, the alternator 20 generates DC regenerative power. The alternator 20 supplies the generated regenerative power to the first battery 23 via the electric wire 22 and applies a DC voltage related to the generated regenerative power to one end of the DCDC converter 21 as an output voltage. The alternator 20 functions as a generator.

The first capacitor 23 is a capacitor, for example, an electric double layer capacitor. The output voltage of the first capacitor is lower than the output voltage of the alternator 20. For this reason, the first battery 23 is supplied with power from the alternator 20 when the alternator 20 is generating power. Further, the first battery 23 applies an output voltage to one end of the DCDC converter 21 via the electric wire 22 when the alternator 20 is not generating power.
The switch 40 of the discharge circuit 24 is turned on / off by the control unit 31. In the discharge circuit 24, when the switch 40 is on, the current flows in the order of the resistor R1 and the switch 40 from the positive electrode of the first capacitor 23 and returns to the negative electrode of the first capacitor 23, and the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 is stored. discharge. When the switch 40 is off, the discharge circuit 24 does not release the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23.

  The DCDC converter 21 transforms the output voltage of the alternator 20 or the first capacitor 23, and applies the transformed voltage to the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29. Thereby, the 2nd electrical storage device 25, the cooler 27, the high electric power device 28, and the electric equipment 29 are supplied with electric power. A DC / DC converter 21 receives a voltage transformation stop instruction that instructs to stop the voltage transformation. The DCDC converter 21 starts voltage transformation when the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on from off, and stops voltage transformation when a voltage transformation stop instruction is input.

The second battery 25 is, for example, a lead storage battery and is supplied with power by the DCDC converter 21. The second battery 25 mainly supplies power to the starter 26. The second battery 25 also supplies power to the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 when the DCDC converter 21 stops the transformation. The voltage output from the DCDC converter 21 to the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power unit 28, and the electric device 29 is higher than the output voltage of the second capacitor 25. For this reason, when the DCDC converter 21 is operating, the power generated by the alternator 20 or the power stored in the first capacitor 23 is consumed in preference to the power stored in the second capacitor 25. The
The starter 26 is a motor for operating the engine 10 and operates using the electric power of the second battery 25.

The cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 are loads mounted on the vehicle 1, and are supplied with power from the alternator 20 and the first capacitor 23 through the DCDC converter 21.
The cooler 27 is a fan, for example, and cools the engine 10, the first capacitor 23, the second capacitor 25, and the like disposed in the housing portion 12. A cooling instruction for instructing cooling and a cooling stop instruction for instructing to stop cooling are input from the control unit 31 to the cooler 27. The cooler 27 performs cooling when a cooling instruction is input, and stops cooling when a cooling stop instruction is input.

The high power device 28 is a device that consumes higher power than the cooler 27, and is an air conditioner, a defogger, or the like. An operation instruction for instructing an operation and an operation stop instruction for instructing an operation stop are input from the control unit 31 to the high power device 28. The high power device 28 operates when an operation instruction is input, and stops operating when an operation stop instruction is input.
The electric device 29 is a device such as a lamp or a wiper mounted on the vehicle 1.

  The voltage detector 30 detects the output voltage of the first battery 23. The output voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 30 is acquired by the control unit 31. Since the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 becomes high / low according to the magnitude of the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23, the first voltage according to the high / low of the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 The storage rate of the battery 23 is also high / low. The voltage detection unit 30 functions as voltage detection means. The amount of electricity stored when the first capacitor 23 is fully charged is the amount of electricity stored in the first capacitor 23 when a predetermined rate of withstand voltage, for example, a voltage of 80% is applied. Therefore, the output voltage having a predetermined rate of withstand voltage means that the first battery 23 is fully charged.

The temperature detector 32 detects the temperature of the first capacitor 23, specifically, the temperature of the inside or surface of the first capacitor 23, and the detected temperature is acquired by the controller 31. The temperature detection unit 32 functions as temperature detection means.
The notification unit 33 performs notification according to an instruction from the control unit 31.

The storage unit 34 stores the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 in association with the temperature of the first capacitor 23.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the stored contents of the storage unit 34. FIG. 3 shows a graph showing the correspondence between the temperature of the first capacitor 23 and the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 allowed at each temperature (hereinafter referred to as the allowable voltage).

  Regarding the first battery 23, the charge / discharge characteristics are greatly deteriorated as the charge amount is large and as the temperature is high. The deterioration of the charge / discharge characteristics is, for example, a decrease in capacitance. The output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is high when the first capacitor 23 stores a large amount of power, and is low when the first capacitor 23 stores a small amount of power. Therefore, when the temperature of the first capacitor 23 is high, it is necessary to maintain the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 at a low voltage. When the temperature of the first capacitor 23 is low, the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is It may be relatively high.

  The allowable voltage is low / high in accordance with the high / low temperature of the first battery 23. The storage unit 34 stores the correspondence relationship between the allowable voltage and the temperature shown in FIG. The storage unit 34 functions as a storage unit.

  The controller 31 receives an ignition signal indicating the on / off of the ignition switch from the outside, and receives an open / close signal from the light receiving unit 14b. Based on the output voltage and temperature acquired from the voltage detection unit 30 and the temperature detection unit 32, the content indicated by the input ignition signal and the open / close signal, and the storage content of the storage unit 34, the control unit 31 includes the alternator 20, The operations of the DCDC converter 21, the discharge circuit 24, the cooler 27, and the high power unit 28 are controlled.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the procedure of operations executed by the control unit 31. FIG. The control unit 31 starts the processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with the switch 40 of the discharge circuit 24 being OFF. Moreover, while the control part 31 is performing the process shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, the DCDC converter 21 is transforming.
The control part 31 acquires the temperature of the 1st electrical storage device 23 from the temperature detection part 32 (step S1), and reads the allowable voltage corresponding to the acquired temperature from the memory | storage part 34 (step S2). Thereafter, the control unit 31 sets the allowable voltage read from the storage unit 34 to a threshold voltage for determining whether to drive the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 (step S3). As described above, the permissible voltage becomes low / high according to the high / low temperature of the first battery 23. Therefore, in step S3, the control unit 31 responds to the high / low temperature acquired in step S1. To set the threshold voltage to low / high. The control unit 31 functions as a reading unit and a setting unit, and the threshold voltage corresponds to the threshold value.

Next, the control part 31 determines whether the output voltage of the 1st electrical storage 23 acquired from the voltage detection part 30 is more than the threshold voltage set by step S3 (step S4). The control unit 31 also functions as a voltage determination unit.
When it is determined that the output voltage of the first battery 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage (S4: YES), the control unit 31 outputs a power generation stop instruction to the alternator 20, thereby stopping the power generation performed by the alternator 20 (step) S5). As a result, the alternator 20 does not generate power even when regenerative power can be generated, and the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power unit 28, and the electric device 29 are not connected to the first capacitor. The electric power stored in 23 is supplied through the DCDC converter 21. The control unit 31 also functions as power generation stopping means.

  After executing Step S5, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the temperature of the first battery 23 acquired in Step S1 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature stored in the storage unit 34 in advance (Step S6). The control unit 31 also functions as a temperature determination unit.

When it determines with the temperature of the 1st electrical storage device 23 being more than reference temperature (S6: YES), the control part 31 drives the cooler 27 by outputting a cooling instruction | indication to the cooler 27 (step S7).
Thereby, the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 is consumed by the cooler 27 and quickly decreases. Further, the temperature of the first capacitor 23 is lowered by the cooling performed by the cooler 27.

When it is determined that the temperature of the first capacitor 23 is lower than the reference temperature (S6: NO), the control unit 31 drives the high power device 28 by outputting an operation instruction to the high power device 28 (step S8). ).
Thereby, the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 can be reduced more quickly than when the cooler 27 is driven. The control unit 31 also functions as load driving means.

After executing Step S7 or Step S8, the control unit 31 instructs the notification unit 33 to notify the drive of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 (Step S9). When step S7 is being executed, the control unit 31 notifies the notification unit 33 that the cooler 27 is being driven, and when step S8 is being executed, the control unit 31 is high. The notification unit 33 is informed that the power unit 28 is being driven. The notification unit 33 notifies the drive of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 by displaying a message on a display unit (not shown) or turning on a lamp (not shown).
As a result, the user can be notified that the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 has not failed.

  After executing step S9, the control unit 31 newly acquires the temperature of the first battery 23 from the temperature detection unit 32 (step S10), and reads the allowable voltage corresponding to the acquired temperature from the storage unit 34 (step S11). ), The read allowable voltage is set to the threshold voltage (step S12). And the control part 31 determines whether the output voltage of the 1st battery 23 newly acquired from the voltage detection part 30 is less than the threshold voltage set by step S12 (step S13).

  Control part 31 returns processing to Step S10, when it judges with the output voltage of the 1st battery 23 being more than a threshold voltage (S13: NO). The control part 31 repeats the process of step S10-S13 until the output voltage of the 1st electrical storage device 23 becomes less than a threshold voltage in the state which is driving the cooler 27 or the high electric power device 28.

  When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is less than the threshold voltage (S13: YES), the controller 31 stops driving the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 (step S14). When step S7 is being executed, the control unit 31 stops the driving of the cooler 27 by outputting a cooling stop instruction to the cooler 27 in step S14. When step S8 is being executed, the control unit 31 outputs an operation stop instruction to the high power unit 28, thereby stopping the driving of the high power unit 28 in step S14.

  After executing Step S14, the control unit 31 outputs a stop cancellation instruction to the alternator 20, thereby canceling the power generation stop (Step S15). Thereby, the alternator 20 generates regenerative power when it is possible to generate regenerative power, applies the output voltage to one end of the DCDC converter 21, and supplies power to the first capacitor 23.

When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is less than the threshold voltage set in step S3 (S4: NO), or after executing step S15, the control unit 31 is based on the input ignition signal. Then, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 has been switched from on to off (step S16). Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the content indicated by the ignition signal has been switched from on to off. The control unit 31 also functions as a switching determination unit.
When the ignition switch is off, the engine 10 is stopped and the vehicle 1 is not traveling, so the alternator 20 does not generate power. Therefore, the power stored in the first capacitor 23 is supplied to the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 via the DCDC converter 21.

  When it is determined that the ignition switch has not been switched off (S16: NO), the control unit 31 ends the process and executes step S1 again. The control unit 31 repeats the determinations of steps S4 and S16 while the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is less than the threshold voltage and the ignition switch is on, and the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage. Or wait until the ignition switch switches from on to off.

  When the control unit 31 determines that the ignition switch has been switched off (S16: YES), the reference voltage in which the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 newly acquired from the voltage detection unit 30 is stored in the storage unit 34 in advance is stored. It is determined whether or not the voltage is higher than the voltage (step S17). Similarly to the threshold voltage, the reference voltage corresponds to the threshold value. When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage (S17: YES), the control unit 31 newly acquires the temperature of the first capacitor 23 from the temperature detection unit 32 (step S18). It is determined whether or not the temperature of the first battery 23 acquired in step S is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (step S19).

When it determines with the temperature of the 1st electrical storage device 23 being more than reference temperature (S19: YES), the control part 31 drives the cooler 27 by outputting a cooling instruction | indication to the cooler 27 (step S20). As a result, the electric power stored in the first battery 23 is consumed and quickly decreases, and the temperature of the first battery 23 can be decreased.
When it is determined that the temperature of the first battery 23 is lower than the reference temperature (S19: NO), the control unit 31 drives the high power device 28 by outputting an operation instruction to the high power device 28 (step S21). ). Thereby, the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 can be reduced more quickly than when the cooler 27 is driven.

  A typical example of the situation where the ignition switch is off is a situation where the vehicle 1 is parked. Therefore, when the ignition switch is off, the first capacitor 23 is left for a long time in a state where the power is stored without consuming the power. When the first battery 23 is left in a state where a large amount of power is stored, the charge / discharge characteristics of the first battery 23 are greatly deteriorated.

  As described above, when the ignition switch is switched from on to off, the control unit 31 reduces the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage. This prevents the first battery 23 from being left in a state where a large amount of power is stored. Further, the lower the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 is, the more the deterioration of the charge / discharge characteristics is suppressed, and the number of loads to be supplied when the ignition switch is off is the number of loads to be supplied when the ignition switch is on. Less than the number of loads to be supplied. For this reason, the reference voltage is preferably lower than the threshold voltage set in step S3 or step S12.

  After executing step S20 or step S21, the control unit 31 instructs the notification unit 33 to notify the drive of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 as in step S9 (step S22). When step S20 is being executed, the control unit 31 informs the notification unit 33 that the cooler 27 is being driven, and when step S21 is being executed, the control unit 31 is The notification unit 33 is informed that the power unit 28 is being driven.

  After executing Step S22, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the hood 13 has been opened based on the input opening / closing signal (Step S23). Specifically, the control unit 31 determines that the hood 13 is opened when the content indicated by the open / close signal is switched from closed to open. The control unit 31 also functions as an open / close determination unit.

  When it is determined that the bonnet 13 is not opened (S23: NO), the control unit 31 determines whether or not the output voltage of the first battery 23 newly acquired from the voltage detection unit 30 is less than the reference voltage. (Step S24). When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage (S24: NO), the control unit 31 returns the process to step S23, and the hood 13 is opened or the first capacitor 23 The determinations of steps S23 and S24 are repeated until the output voltage becomes less than the reference voltage. While the control unit 31 repeats the determinations of steps S23 and S24, the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 continues to operate.

  When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is less than the reference voltage (S24: YES), the controller 31 stops driving the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 as in step S14 (step S25). ). In step S25, the cooler 27 is stopped when step S20 is being executed, and the high power unit 28 is stopped when step S21 is being executed.

  When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is less than the reference voltage (S17: NO), or after executing step S25, the control unit 31 outputs a transformation stop instruction to the DCDC converter 21. The transformation performed by the DCDC converter 21 is stopped (step S26), and the process is terminated. Thereafter, when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, the DCDC converter 21 resumes voltage transformation, and the control unit 31 executes Step S1 again.

When it determines with the bonnet 13 having been open | released (S23: YES), the control part 31 stops the drive of the cooler 27 or the high electric power device 28 similarly to step S25 (step S27).
As described above, when the control unit 31 determines that the bonnet 13 is opened while the determinations of steps S23 and S24 are repeated, that is, while the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 is being driven, The operation of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 that is being driven is stopped. For this reason, the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 that is being driven does not come into contact with a person and the contacted person is not damaged. The control unit 31 also functions as operation stop means.

After executing step S27, the control unit 31 stops the transformation (step S28) and turns on the switch 40 to cause the discharge circuit 24 to start discharging (step S29), as in step S26. As a result, the discharge circuit 24 releases the electric power stored in the first battery 23.
As described above, the control unit 31 drives the discharge circuit 24 when driving of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 is stopped in step S27. Thereby, the electric power stored in the first battery 23 can be released without hurting people. The control unit 31 also functions as a circuit driving unit.

  Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the output voltage of the first battery 23 newly detected from the voltage detection unit 30 is less than the reference voltage (step S30). When it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage (S30: NO), the control unit 31 returns the process to step S30, and steps until the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 becomes less than the reference voltage. Repeat the determination of S30.

  When the output voltage of the first battery 23 is less than the reference voltage (S30: YES), the control unit 31 ends the discharge performed by the discharge circuit 24 by turning off the switch 40 (step S31). This processing is also terminated. Thereafter, when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, the DCDC converter 21 resumes voltage transformation, and the control unit 31 executes Step S1 again.

  In the power supply device 11 configured as described above, when it is determined in step S4 or step S17 that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage or the reference voltage, the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 is driven. Then, the number of loads supplied by the first capacitor 23 is increased. For this reason, the electric power stored in the first battery 23 can be quickly reduced.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining one effect produced by the power supply device 11. In FIG. 6, an example of the transition of the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 in the power supply device 11 is indicated by a thick line, and the power source that stops only the alternator 20 when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage. The transition of the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 in the device is indicated by a thin line. The common part in the transition of the two output voltages is indicated by a bold line. In the following, it is assumed that the electric device 29 is operating.

  In a state where the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is maintained at a constant voltage, when the threshold voltage decreases due to the temperature rise in the first capacitor 23 and the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, In the configuration in which only the power generation of the alternator 20 is stopped, the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 is consumed only by the electric device 29. For this reason, as shown by the thin line in FIG. 6, the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 gradually decreases. On the other hand, in the power supply device 11, similarly, when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 becomes less than the threshold voltage, the control unit 31 stops the power generation of the alternator 20 and the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28. Therefore, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 6, the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 can be rapidly reduced.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another effect produced by the power supply device 11. In FIG. 7, the transition of the temperature of the first battery 23 when the cooler 27 is driven is indicated by a thick line, and when the output voltage of the first battery 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, The transition of the temperature of the first capacitor 23 in the power supply device that does not have the function of driving the fed load is shown by a thin line. The common part of the two temperature transitions is indicated by a bold line.

  Even when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, in the configuration in which the load fed from the first capacitor 23 is not driven, the first capacitor 23 has a configuration as shown by a thin line in FIG. The temperature does not decrease. On the other hand, in the power supply device 11, the control unit 31 drives the cooler 27 when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage while the temperature of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature. To do. For this reason, in the power supply device 11, while reducing the electric power which the 1st electrical storage 23 has stored, as shown by the thick line of FIG. 7, the temperature of the 1st electrical storage 23 can also be reduced rapidly.

  In the power supply device 11, the control unit 31 sets the threshold voltage to low / high according to the high / low temperature of the first battery 23 in step S <b> 3. For this reason, the threshold voltage used for determining whether or not the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 should be driven can be set to a value suitable for the temperature of the first capacitor 23. Furthermore, the control unit 31 reads the allowable voltage corresponding to the temperature of the first battery 23 from the storage unit 34, and sets the threshold voltage to the read allowable voltage. For this reason, the control part 31 can set the threshold voltage suitable for the temperature of the 1st electrical storage device 23 with simple structure.

  In the power supply device 11, when the control unit 31 determines that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, the control unit 31 stops the power generation performed by the alternator 20. For this reason, the electric power stored in the first battery 23 can be reduced more quickly.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the power supply apparatus according to the second embodiment. The power supply device 5 is a power supply device in which the connection positions of the alternator 20 and the starter 26 are switched in the power supply device 11 according to the first embodiment.
In the following, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Since the other configuration except the configuration to be described later is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  Similarly to power supply device 11 in the first embodiment, power supply device 5 is housed in housing portion 12 of vehicle 1 and includes the same components as power supply device 11. Among these components, the other components except the alternator 20 and the starter 26 are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. One end of the starter 26 is connected to one end of each of the DCDC converter 21 and the electric wire 22, and one end of the alternator 20 is connected to the other end of the DCDC converter 21. The other ends of the starter 26 and the alternator 20 are grounded.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the alternator 20 receives a power generation stop instruction and a stop release instruction from the control unit 31. The alternator 20 is in accordance with the input power generation stop instruction and the stop release instruction according to the first embodiment. Works as well. The alternator 20 supplies the generated DC regenerative power to the second battery 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29, and uses the DC voltage related to the regenerative power as an output voltage to the other end of the DCDC converter 21. Apply to. The output voltage of the alternator 20 is higher than the output voltage of the second battery 25.

  When the alternator 20 is generating power, the DCDC converter 21 transforms the output voltage of the alternator 20 and applies the transformed voltage to the first capacitor 23 via the electric wire 22. Thereby, the first battery 23 is supplied with power. The voltage output from the DCDC converter 21 to the first capacitor 23 is higher than the output voltage of the first capacitor 23.

The first battery 23 is supplied with power from the alternator 20 via the DCDC converter 21 when the alternator 20 is generating power. Further, the first battery 23 applies an output voltage to one end of the DCDC converter 21 via the electric wire 22 when the alternator 20 is not generating power.
The discharge circuit 24 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The starter 26 operates mainly using the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 and operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When the alternator 20 is not generating power, the DCDC converter 21 transforms the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 and applies the transformed voltage to the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29. As a result, the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 are supplied with power from the first capacitor 23. The voltage output from the DCDC converter 21 to the second capacitor 25, the cooler 27, the high power unit 28, and the electric device 29 is higher than the output voltage of the second capacitor 25. For this reason, when the power generation of the alternator 20 is stopped, the power stored in the first capacitor 23 is consumed with priority over the power stored in the second capacitor 25.

  The second battery 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 are fed from the alternator 20 when the alternator 20 is generating power, and from the first capacitor 23 to the DCDC converter when the alternator 20 is not generating power. Power is supplied via 21. The second battery 25, the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The DCDC converter 21 receives a transformation stop instruction as in the first embodiment. The DCDC converter 21 starts the above-described transformation when the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, and stops the transformation when a transformation stop instruction is input.

The voltage detection unit 30, the temperature detection unit 32, the notification unit 33, and the storage unit 34 operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
The control unit 31 performs the processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as in the first embodiment. As a supplement, after the control unit 31 executes step S5 and stops the power generation performed by the alternator 20, the cooler 27, the high power unit 28, and the electric device 29 are fed from the first capacitor 23 via the DCDC converter 21. The
Power supply device 5 configured as described above has the same effects as power supply device 11 in the first embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the hood 13 is opened while the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 is being driven, the driving of the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 is stopped and the discharge is performed. The process of causing the circuit 24 to discharge may be performed in a state where the ignition switch is on. Specifically, when it is determined that the hood 13 has been opened while repeatedly executing Steps S10 to S13, the control unit 31 sequentially executes Steps S27 and S29 to S31, and then performs Step S15. May be executed. In step S30 executed by the control unit 31 when the ignition switch is on, the reference voltage is read as the threshold voltage set in the processes in steps S10 to S13.

(Embodiment 3)
The power supply device 11 according to the first embodiment is configured to drive one of the cooler 27 and the high power unit 28 when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage or the reference voltage. However, the power supply device 11 may be configured to drive the cooler 27 regardless of the temperature of the first capacitor 23 when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage or the reference voltage.
In the following, the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of power supply device 11 in the third embodiment is the same as that of power supply device 11 in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. Below, the process which the control part 31 performs is demonstrated.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the operation executed by the control unit 31 in the third embodiment. Steps S41 to S45, S46, S47 to S56, S57, and S58 to S67 executed by the control unit 31 in the third embodiment are steps S1 to S5, S7, and S9 to S18 executed by the control unit 31 in the first embodiment. , S20, and S22 to S31, the description thereof is omitted.

After executing step S45, the control unit 31 sequentially executes steps S46 and S47. Therefore, when it is determined that the output voltage of the first battery 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, the control unit 31 drives the cooler 27 by outputting a cooling instruction to the cooler 27.
Thereby, the electric power stored in the first capacitor 23 is consumed by the cooler 27 and quickly decreases. Furthermore, the temperature of the 1st electrical storage device 23 falls by the cooling which the cooler 27 performs.

After executing step S56, the control unit 31 sequentially executes steps S57 and S58. Therefore, the control unit 31 drives the cooler 27 by outputting a cooling instruction to the cooler 27 when it is determined that the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage.
Also by this, the electric power stored in the first battery 23 can be quickly reduced and the temperature of the first battery 23 can be lowered.

  The power supply device 11 according to the third embodiment has effects other than the effects obtained by the control unit 31 executing steps S6 to S8 and S19 to S21 among the effects exhibited by the power supply device 11 according to the first embodiment. Is played in the same way.

  In the third embodiment, the load driven by steps S46 and S47 is not limited to the cooler 27 but may be the high power device 28 or the electric device 29. Also in power supply device 11 in Embodiment 3 configured as described above, when the output voltage of first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage or the reference voltage, the power stored in first capacitor 23 is quickly reduced. Can do.

  Further, the control unit 31 in the second embodiment may execute the process in the same manner as the control unit 31 in the third embodiment. In this case, the power supply device 5 has the same effect as that of the third embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, the control unit 31 may reduce the output voltage of the alternator 20 instead of stopping the power generation of the alternator 20 in step S5 or step S45. Even in this case, the control unit 31 can reduce the electric power stored in the first battery 23 more quickly.

Moreover, when the output voltage of the 1st electrical storage device 23 is more than a threshold voltage or a reference voltage, the number of the apparatuses which the control part 31 drives is not limited to one, Two or more may be sufficient. For example, the controller 31 may drive the electric device 29 simultaneously when driving the cooler 27 or the high power device 28.
Furthermore, the high power device 28 may not be configured by a single electric device. For example, the high power device 28 may be configured by a plurality of electric devices that consume less power than the cooler 27. In this case, the total power consumed by the plurality of electrical devices is greater than the power consumed by the cooler 27.

  Further, the configuration for setting the threshold voltage is not limited to the configuration for setting the threshold voltage by reading the allowable voltage from the storage unit 34. For example, the control unit 31 calculates the allowable voltage by substituting the temperature of the first capacitor 23 detected by the temperature detection unit 32 into the calculation formula of the temperature and the allowable voltage of the first capacitor 23, and calculates the threshold voltage, The calculated allowable voltage may be set. In this case, the arithmetic expression is an arithmetic expression in which a low allowable voltage is calculated when a high temperature is substituted and a high allowable voltage is calculated when a low temperature is substituted.

  Further, the reference voltage may be set to be low / high according to the high / low of the temperature of the first battery 23 as the threshold voltage. Further, when the output voltage of the first capacitor 23 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage or the reference voltage, the load to be driven by the control unit 31 is not limited to the cooler 27 or the high power unit 28 but is supplied by the first capacitor 23. Any load can be used. The threshold voltage may be a constant voltage.

  Furthermore, the configuration of each of the power supply devices 11 and 5 is not limited to the configuration in which the first capacitor 23 supplies power to the cooler 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 via the DCDC converter 21. Alternatively, the cooling device 27, the high power device 28, and the electric device 29 may be supplied with power. The first capacitor 23 is not limited to a capacitor, and may be any capacitor that can store the regenerative power generated by the alternator 20.

  The disclosed first to third embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 11, 5 Power supply device 12 Storage part 12a Opening 13 Bonnet (lid)
20 Alternator (generator)
23 First capacitor (capacitor)
24 Discharge circuit 27 Cooler 28 High power device 29 Electric equipment 30 Voltage detection part (voltage detection means)
31 Control part (voltage determination means, load drive means, setting means, readout means, power generation stop means, switching determination means, temperature determination means, open / close determination means, operation stop means, circuit drive means)
32 Temperature detector (temperature detection means)
34 Storage section (storage means)

Claims (10)

In a power supply device that feeds one or more loads from a capacitor,
Voltage detection means for detecting the output voltage of the capacitor;
Voltage determination means for determining whether the output voltage detected by the voltage detection means is equal to or higher than a threshold;
And a load driving unit that drives at least one of the one or a plurality of loads when the voltage determination unit determines that the voltage determination unit is greater than or equal to the threshold value. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the capacitor;
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting unit that sets the threshold value to low / high according to high / low of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. Storage means for storing a voltage in association with the temperature of the battery;
A reading means for reading out a voltage corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means from the storage means;
The power supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit is configured to set the voltage read by the reading unit to the threshold value. A generator for generating electric power and supplying the generated electric power to the battery;
The power generation stop means for stopping generation of electric power performed by the generator when the voltage determination means determines that the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The power supply device described in 1. Mounted on the vehicle,
A switching determination means for determining whether the ignition switch of the vehicle has been switched from on to off;
5. The voltage determination unit is configured to perform determination when it is determined that the switching determination unit has been switched from on to off. 5. Power supply. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the capacitor;
Temperature determining means for determining whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and
The one or more loads include a cooler that cools the battery, and a high power device that consumes higher power than the cooler,
The load driving means includes
When it is determined that the voltage determination means is greater than or equal to the threshold value,
Driving the cooler when the temperature determining means determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature;
The power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the high power unit is driven when the temperature determination unit determines that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature. apparatus. The one or more loads include a cooler that cools the capacitor.
The power supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the load driving unit is configured to drive the cooler. It is housed in the vehicle compartment covered by an openable lid,
Open / close determining means for determining whether or not the lid is opened;
When it is determined that the open / close determining means is released while the load driving means is driving at least one of the one or more loads, the operation of the load driven by the load driving means is stopped. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: an operation stop unit that performs the operation stop. A discharge circuit for discharging the electric power stored in the battery;
The power supply device according to claim 8, further comprising: circuit driving means for driving the discharge circuit when the operation stopping means stops the operation. In a method for driving one or more loads fed by a capacitor,
Detecting the output voltage of the capacitor;
Determine whether the detected output voltage is above the threshold,
When it is determined that the output voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold, at least one of one or a plurality of loads is driven.

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