JP4140191B2 - Vehicle power generation control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicular power generation control device mounted on a passenger car, a truck, etc., and more particularly to a vehicular power generation control device capable of transmitting identification information for specifying characteristics of a power generator to be mounted to an external in-vehicle device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The electric power generated by the generator mounted on the vehicle is supplied to various electric loads as necessary, and the vehicle battery is charged with surplus electric power. The output current characteristics and torque characteristics of the generator are determined according to the vehicle size and the electric load mounted, and are usually different for each vehicle type. Further, even if the same vehicle is manufactured by different generator manufacturers, the output current characteristics and torque characteristics of the generators are different.
[0003]
Naturally, if the output current characteristics and torque characteristics of the generator are different, the control constant of an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the amount of power generated by the generator needs to be changed according to the generator.
[0004]
For this reason, conventionally, it is necessary to prepare the vehicle-side electronic control device for the type of the generator, which causes a significant burden on manufacturing costs and maintenance costs.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the number of types of electronic control devices on the vehicle side is reduced, making it much easier to change the type of generator to be controlled than before. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle power generation control device that can be realized.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle power generation control device that is fixed to a generator that generates electric power by rotation of an engine and adjusts an output voltage of the generator, and is disposed outside the voltage regulator. In a vehicle power generation control device comprising a communication means for performing communication between an in-vehicle device and the voltage regulator,
The voltage regulator transmits generator identification information for specifying a characteristic or type of the generator to the in-vehicle device.
[0007]
According to the present invention, the voltage regulator transmits the generator identification information to the external vehicle equipment, so that the received vehicle equipment can identify the type of the generator based on the received data. That is, even if the type of generator is changed, the in-vehicle device can recognize the characteristics of the generator, so that a control signal can be sent to the voltage regulator in accordance with the type of generator.
[0008]
According to the configuration of the second aspect, in the vehicle power generation control device according to the first aspect, the voltage regulator further includes an identification information storage unit that stores the generator identification information input from the outside in a rewritable manner. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
That is, according to this configuration, the voltage regulator includes a storage unit for identification information corresponding to the characteristics of the generator, and the identification information can be rewritten from the outside. Therefore, when changing the type of generator, It is only necessary to write the identification information to the voltage regulator from the outside. As a result, it is not necessary to change the voltage regulator every time the generator is changed, and the number of necessary types of voltage regulators can be reduced. That is, since it is not necessary to change the voltage regulator in accordance with the model change or model change of the generator, manufacturing and maintenance become simpler than before.
[0010]
According to the configuration of claim 3, in the vehicle power generation control device according to claim 1, the voltage regulator further receives from the in-vehicle device a control signal created by the in-vehicle device based on the generator identification information. The power generation amount of the generator is controlled based on the control signal.
[0011]
According to this configuration, the voltage regulator transmits the generator identification information to the in-vehicle device and receives a control signal from the in-vehicle device. That is, since the in-vehicle device can recognize the characteristics of the generator, a control signal that matches the type of the generator can be sent to the voltage regulator.
[0012]
For example, if the in-vehicle device stores in advance a power generation control mode that matches the characteristics of multiple types of generators so that it can be selected and used, if the generator type is changed, the power generation control mode is adjusted accordingly. In-vehicle devices can perform optimal power generation amount control only by changing them, and it is not necessary to change the in-vehicle devices every time the generator is changed, and the number of necessary types of in-vehicle devices can be reduced. Necessary labor and cost can be significantly reduced. Note that the above-described change in the characteristics of the generator is also effective when the same generator is changed in accordance with the application and place of use, in addition to changing the model of the generator. For example, even with the same generator, the characteristics are different in cold regions and extremely hot regions. Also, different generators have different characteristics. Therefore, the power generation control mode of the in-vehicle device can be appropriately selected in accordance with it.
[0013]
According to the configuration of claim 4, in the vehicle power generation control device according to claims 1 and 3, the voltage regulator further transmits generator state information indicating a state of the generator to the in-vehicle device. It is characterized by that.
[0014]
According to this configuration, the voltage regulator transmits generator identification information that identifies the characteristics of the generator and generator state information that indicates the state of the generator. For this reason, the vehicle equipment which received them can ask | require the state of a generator based on reception information. Therefore, the in-vehicle device can correct the control signal for controlling the operation state of the other in-vehicle device whose characteristics vary depending on the state of the generator based on the obtained state of the generator.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the vehicle power generation control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the following embodiments.
[0016]
[Example 1]
Example 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a vehicle charging system.
[0017]
The vehicle charging system includes a generator (alternator) 1 and an electronic control device (on-vehicle equipment) 5 that controls power generation of the alternator 1. The alternator 1 includes a regulator 6, a three-phase armature winding 7, a field winding 8, and a three-phase full-wave rectifier 9.
[0018]
The field winding 8 is attached to a rotor (not shown), and rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the engine when energized to generate a rotating magnetic field.
[0019]
The armature winding 7 is wound around a stationary iron core (not shown) opposed to the rotor with a gap, and receives AC power corresponding to the strength of the field magnetic field formed by the field winding 8. appear.
[0020]
The three-phase full-wave rectifier 9 performs full-wave rectification on the AC power and supplies power to the battery 2 through the output terminal B of the alternator 1 and simultaneously supplies power to the electric load 3 such as a lamp through the output terminal B and the load switch 4.
[0021]
The regulator 6 includes a switching transistor 63 that controls a field current supplied to the field winding 8, and a flywheel diode that is connected in parallel with the field winding 8. The regulator 6 includes a power generation control unit 61 that intermittently controls the switching transistor 63 based on a command signal (control signal) of the electronic control device 5 input through an IF (interface) circuit unit 60. For example, the power generation control unit 61 intermittently controls the switching transistor 63 based on the target voltage Vref and the field current control value (Duty) input from the electronic control device 5, and changes the power generation state of the alternator 1 to the electronic control device 5. To match the command signal commanded by.
[0022]
The electronic control unit 5 calculates the target voltage Vref of the alternator 1, the control value (Duty) of the field current, and the like, and uses them as a command signal (control signal), the communication line 100, the communication terminal C, IF (interface) ) The power is transmitted to the power generation control unit 61 of the regulator (voltage regulator) 6 through the circuit unit 60.
[0023]
Since the circuit configuration of the alternator 1 and the power generation control operation itself are already well known, further detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
Next, a preferred mode of power generation control mode change control, which is a control operation specific to this embodiment, will be described below.
[0025]
The output current-rotational speed characteristics of the two types of alternators are shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the alternator (Type 1) has a large output in the high rotation range, and the alternator (Type 2) has a large output in the low rotation range. In FIG. 2, a case is considered where the output current is limited to a current value A or less at the engine speed N1.
[0026]
a is the current value A, and b is the maximum current value of the alternator (Type 2) at the engine speed N1. That is, the field current control value (Duty) transmitted from the electronic control unit 5 to the regulator 6 does not need to be limited by the alternator (Type 2), and may be output at 100%, but the alternator (Type 1) outputs the output. It is necessary to limit to a / b × 100% or less.
[0027]
Eventually, the electronic control unit 5 needs to change the command signal (control signal) transmitted to the regulator 6 of the alternator 1 in accordance with the change in the output current characteristics of the alternator.
[0028]
Therefore, in this embodiment, by changing the control characteristics of the in-vehicle electronic control device 5 in accordance with the change in the characteristics of the alternator 1 by the following circuit system, various alternators 1 can be used without any problems by the common electronic control device 5. I can control it.
[0029]
First, the regulator 6 includes a generator identification information storage unit 62 that stores alternator identification information that identifies the output current characteristics (model) of the alternator 1.
[0030]
This identification information is transmitted to the electronic control unit 5 through the I / F circuit unit 60 and the communication line 100 based on a request from the electronic control unit 5, regularly or every time the power is turned on.
[0031]
The alternator identification information read by the electronic control unit 5 is sent to the power generation control mode selection unit 51 of the electronic control unit 5 through the I / F circuit unit 50 of the electronic control unit 5.
[0032]
The power generation control mode selection unit 51 selects a power generation control mode that matches the read alternator identification information from the power generation control mode storage unit 52 of the electronic control unit 5.
[0033]
The power generation control mode storage unit 52 stores the power generation control modes of all or predetermined types of alternators that may be installed in the vehicle on which the electronic control unit 5 is mounted in pairs with the alternator identification information. The power generation control mode selection unit 51 selects a power generation control mode that forms a pair with the alternator identification information that matches the read alternator identification information.
[0034]
The selected power generation control mode is sent to the power generation control signal output unit 53, and the power generation control signal output unit 53 generates the power generation amount control value (alternator 1) of the alternator 1 based on the selected power generation control mode. The target voltage Vref and field current control value (Duty) are calculated, and the calculation result is transmitted to the regulator 6.
[0035]
That is, in this embodiment, by transmitting the alternator identification information as information relating to the output current characteristics of the alternator 1 from the regulator 6 to the electronic control device 5 of the vehicle in advance, the electronic control device 5 is based on the received alternator identification information. In addition, the internal control constant is switched, and the power generation amount control signal optimum for the output current characteristic of the alternator 1 can be transmitted to the regulator 6.
[0036]
As a result, a single electronic control device 5 mounted on the vehicle can optimally control many types of alternators having various different output current characteristics.
[0037]
In this embodiment, the generator identification information storage unit 62 is constituted by a microcomputer device incorporating a nonvolatile electrical rewritable memory (EEPROM). In addition, even if it is not a microcomputer apparatus, what is necessary is just a circuit and memory which can transmit the model identification information of the alternator 1 to the electronic control apparatus 5 through the communication line 100. FIG. A non-rewritable memory (PROM, ROM, etc.) may be used instead of the nonvolatile electric rewritable memory (EEPROM). In addition, if there are a few types of alternators that can be mounted on one type of vehicle (for example, 16 types or less), the four lead terminals coming out of the IC resin package can be cut, or the printed circuit board Alternator identification information may be stored by punching and cutting the conductive pattern with a punching press.
[0038]
In the EEPROM of the generator identification information storage unit 62 employed in this embodiment, model identification information is written from a write terminal (not shown) of the regulator 6. Preferably, this writing is preferably performed before the regulator 6 is mounted on the alternator 1, but it can also be performed after mounting. Instead of the memory, the model can be printed on the printed circuit board by changing the printed wiring pattern. Identification information may be written. The transmission of the model identification information to the electronic control unit 5 can be performed in time division with other communications, can be performed on the same line using various multiplex communication techniques, or can be performed using a plurality of serial lines. Also good.
[0039]
[Example 2]
Another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing a vehicle charging system including an engine. Components having the same main functions as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0040]
The regulator 6 includes a power generation state detection unit 64.
[0041]
The power generation state detection unit 64 detects the on-duty of the switching element 63 that interrupts the field current and transmits it to the electronic control unit 5 through the communication line 100.
[0042]
The electronic control unit 5 calculates the load torque of the alternator based on this signal and performs engine feedback control described below. That is, the field current can be calculated from the on-duty of the switching element 63, and the load torque of the alternator can be estimated from the alternator speed and the field current proportional to the engine speed. 5 can calculate the load torque. FIG. 3 shows torque-rotational speed characteristics of two different types of alternators.
[0043]
Therefore, if information regarding the torque characteristics of the alternator 1 (on duty in this embodiment) is sent from the regulator 6 to the electronic control device 5 in advance, the electronic control device 5 switches the internal control constant based on the information. An engine feedback control signal corresponding to the torque characteristics of the alternator 1 can be sent to the engine 10. That is, the alternator 1 controls the engine 10 to generate an engine torque corresponding to the load torque based on the load torque of the alternator calculated based on the received on-duty.
[0044]
In order to execute this control, the regulator 6 stores alternator identification information for specifying the torque characteristics (model) of the alternator in the generator identification information storage unit 62. This alternator identification information is transmitted in advance to the electronic control unit 5 via the I / F circuit unit 60 and the communication line 100.
[0045]
The electronic control unit 5 reads this signal with the I / F circuit unit 50 and sends it to the control mode selection unit 54. The control mode selection unit 54 stores an engine feedback control mode (a constant or a map necessary for calculation different for each alternator in the alternator torque calculation routine) that matches the input alternator identification information. And output to the engine control signal output unit 56. Therefore, the control mode storage unit 55 stores a required number of pairs of alternator identification information and engine feedback control mode.
[0046]
The engine control signal output unit 56 calculates a control signal for the engine 10 based on the selected engine feedback control mode, and controls the engine 10 based on the control signal.
[0047]
In other words, alternator identification information as information on the characteristics of the alternator 1 is transmitted from the regulator 6 to the electronic control unit 5 in advance, and the electronic control unit 5 switches the internal control constant based on the alternator identification information. Based on the read data regarding the power generation state (on duty in this case), the engine 10 whose characteristics are affected by the type of the alternator 1 can also be controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the alternator 1.
[0048]
Although the electronic control unit (ECU) 5 is constituted by a microcomputer device, its configuration and operation are already well known, and it is easily understood that the control operation of this embodiment described above can be implemented. Illustrations of software and programs are omitted.
[0049]
Since the power generation state detection unit 64 can be configured by a circuit that converts an input voltage into a pulse signal by a comparator or a binarization circuit, the circuit illustration is omitted.
[0050]
The pulse signal output from the power generation state detection unit 64 can be directly output to the electronic control unit 5, but may be converted into a digital signal and transmitted.
[0051]
The alternator identification information output from the generator identification information storage unit 62 and the pulse signal output from the power generation state detection unit 64 can be multiplexed and output via a single communication line, or transmitted via separate communication lines. You can also. Various techniques are known for signal multiplexing and are not the gist of the present invention. For example, transmission is directly performed as a pulse signal (including 0% level and 100% level) indicating the on-duty, and transmission from the power generation state detection unit 64 is interrupted until a predetermined period has elapsed after the ignition switch is turned on. The transmission mode of the alternator identification information may be interrupted with this period as the alternator identification information transmission period.
(Modification)
Although the alternator control and the engine control according to the first and second embodiments are performed separately, it is natural that they can be performed together. In this case, it is obvious that the alternator identification information can be shared by both controls. is there.
[0052]
In the first embodiment, the regulator 6 can monitor the generated voltage B, compare it with the target voltage Vref transmitted from the electronic control unit 5, and control the converged generated voltage B to the target voltage Vref.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle power generation control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing an output current-rotation speed characteristic of the vehicle generator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a load torque-rotational speed characteristic of a vehicular generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle power generation control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Alternator 2 ... Battery 3 ... Electric load 4 ... Switch 5 ... Electronic controller 6 ... Regulator 7 ... Armature winding 8 ... Field winding 9 ... Three-phase full-wave rectifier 50 ... I / F circuit part 51 ... Electric power generation Control mode selection unit 52 ... Power generation control mode storage unit 53 ... Power generation control signal output unit 60 ... I / F circuit unit 61 ... Power generation control unit 62 ... Generator identification information storage unit 63 ... Switching element 100 ... Communication line

Claims (4)

A voltage regulator that is fixed to a generator that generates electric power by rotating the engine and adjusts the output voltage of the generator;
A communication means for performing communication between the in-vehicle device disposed outside the voltage regulator and the voltage regulator;
In a vehicle power generation control device comprising:
The voltage regulator is
A generator control device for a vehicle, wherein generator identification information for specifying characteristics or types of the generator is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. The vehicle power generation control device according to claim 1,
The voltage regulator is
A vehicular power generation control device comprising: an identification information storage unit that stores the generator identification information input from the outside in a rewritable manner. The vehicle power generation control device according to claim 1,
The voltage regulator is
A vehicle power generation control device that receives a control signal created by the vehicle-mounted device based on the generator identification information from the vehicle-mounted device, and performs power generation amount control of the generator based on the control signal. In the vehicle power generation control device according to claim 1 and claim 3,
The voltage regulator is
A generator control device for a vehicle, wherein generator state information indicating a state of the generator is transmitted to the in-vehicle device.

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