JP5110363B2 - Power supply - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device, and more particularly to a power supply device that supplies electric power to an electric load mounted on a vehicle.

  Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with electronic devices such as headlights and audio. Electric power is supplied to these electronic devices from a battery or an alternator mounted on the automobile. On the other hand, a vehicle is equipped with a device having a drive motor, such as an electric power steering device (EPS) for assisting the driver's steering and an electronically controlled brake device (ECB) for finely controlling the braking force of the automobile. ing. Since these devices require a large amount of electric power when driven, the voltage of the battery may suddenly drop due to this. For this reason, in addition to the battery, a dual power supply system including an auxiliary power supply has been put into practical use.

  Hereinafter, a conventional dual power supply system for supplying power to an electronic device, EPS, or ECB mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventionally known dual power supply system power supply system. As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply system includes an alternator 51, a main power supply 52, a normal load 53, a control unit 54, a voltage converter 55, an auxiliary power supply 56, and a large power load 57. The alternator 51 is a generator driven by a vehicle engine. The main power source 52 is a so-called in-vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle. An electronic device as described above (hereinafter referred to as a normal load 53) or a device having a drive motor (hereinafter referred to as a high power load 57) operates when power is supplied from the alternator 51 and the main power source 52. ing. In general, the large power load 57 is an electric load of a higher voltage system than the normal load 53, so that the power from the main power supply 52 is boosted by the voltage converter 55 and supplied to the large power load 57. Yes. Further, when the voltage of the main power supply 52 decreases, power is also supplied from the auxiliary power supply 56 to the large power load 57.

As such a power supply system, for example, there is a power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a system that can supply power to a large power load, and includes a main power source and an auxiliary power source as described above. The power supply device mainly supplies power from the main power source to the high power load when the high power load is driven. When the power of the main power source is insufficient, the auxiliary power source also supplies power to the high power load. Is supplied.
JP 2007-153079 A

  However, the above-described dual power supply system power supply system and the power supply apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 include a control unit, a voltage converter, and an auxiliary power supply separately, and an installation space for that is necessary. Met.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply apparatus that can save space in the vehicle in a dual power supply system that supplies power to two or more types of electric loads.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features. 1st invention is a power supply device provided in the vehicle by which the 1st electric load and the 2nd electric load were mounted. The power supply device includes a housing, a control unit, a power supply unit, and a power storage unit. A control part is provided in a housing | casing and controls operation | movement of a vehicle. The power supply unit is provided in the housing and supplies power for driving the first electric load to the second electric load in the forward direction. The power storage unit is provided in the housing, and stores power supplied from the power supply unit to the second electric load.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the control unit is arranged in parallel with the control circuit unit and the control circuit unit for controlling the operation of the vehicle, and the control circuit unit can drive the electric power for driving the first electric load. And a power supply circuit unit that converts the power into a control circuit unit and supplies it to the control circuit unit. The power storage unit and the power supply unit are installed in a space generated in the housing due to a difference between the height of the power supply circuit unit and the height of the control circuit unit.

  In a third aspect based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the power storage unit is configured by a power storage device capable of changing an electric capacity.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the power storage device is composed of a plurality of thin plate capacitors, and is arranged in a stacked manner by being stacked in a casing.

  In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the power storage unit is an electric double layer capacitor.

  In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the power supply unit includes a DC / DC converter. A DC / DC converter changes the voltage of the electric power which drives the 1st electric load, and supplies it to the 2nd electric load.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the DC / DC converter boosts the power for driving the first electrical load and supplies the boosted power to the second electrical load.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the power supply unit is provided on a supply line that supplies power for driving the first electrical load to the second electrical load. It consists of diodes arranged in a direction that can be supplied to an electrical load.

  In a ninth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the power storage unit and the power supply unit are mounted on the same printed circuit board and provided in the housing.

  According to the first aspect, since the control unit, the power supply unit, and the power storage unit are installed in one housing, compared to when the control unit, the power supply unit, and the power storage unit are individually installed. Since the installation space in the vehicle is reduced, space saving can be achieved. In addition, since the control unit, the power supply unit, and the power storage unit are provided in one housing, it is easy to attach the control unit, the power supply unit, and the power storage unit to the vehicle.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to install a power supply unit and a power storage unit in the casing as long as the casing has a capacity capable of installing the control unit therein. The power supply unit and the power storage unit can be installed in the control unit housing space.

  According to the third aspect, the electric capacity of the power storage unit can be varied, and an arbitrary electric capacity can be obtained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the thin plate type capacitors are arranged in a stacked manner to constitute the power storage unit, an arbitrary electric capacity can be obtained by adjusting the number of loads.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by configuring the power storage unit with an electric double layer capacitor, rapid charging / discharging is possible, and it is also desirable for an electric load that has a high power density and requires a large amount of power at start-up. Electric power can be supplied.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, even when the rated voltages of the first electric load and the second electric load are different, the electric power corresponding to the rated voltage is obtained by stepping up or down the electric power that drives the first electric load. Supply becomes possible.

  According to the seventh aspect, since the power supplied to the second electric load is boosted, a load that requires a large amount of power during driving can be included as the second electric load. Moreover, since the voltage of the electric power supplied to the second electric load is relatively high, the power loss from the electric power supply unit to the second electric load is reduced.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the electric power stored in the power storage unit can be prevented from being discharged to the first electric load side, and the power stored in the power storage unit is secured for the second electric load. be able to.

  According to the ninth aspect, when the power supply unit and the power storage unit are installed in the housing, the power supply unit and the power storage unit are mounted on one printed wiring board and unitized. It is not necessary to install the supply unit and the power storage unit separately, and the assembling property is improved.

  Hereinafter, a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to make the description more specific, the following description uses an example in which the power supply system is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power supply system including the power supply device 19.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a power supply system mounted on a vehicle is a system for supplying power to an electric load installed in the vehicle. The power supply system includes an alternator 11, a main power supply 12, a low voltage system load 13, a power supply device 19, and a high voltage system load 17.

  The low voltage system load 13 is an electric load that operates by being directly supplied with electric power from the alternator 11 and the main power source 12. For example, the low voltage system load 13 is an electronic device such as a headlight or audio installed in a vehicle, and is an electric load that operates at a relatively low voltage (for example, 12 V). The low voltage system load 13 corresponds to an example of the first electric load of the present invention.

  The high voltage system load 17 is an electric load that is driven by the power supplied from the alternator 11 and the main power supply 12 being supplied via the power supply device 19. For example, the high voltage system load 17 is a device such as an electric power steering device (EPS) for assisting the driver's steering or an electronically controlled brake device (ECB) for finely controlling the braking force of the vehicle. This is an electrical load that is driven at a high voltage (for example, 36 V). The high voltage system load 17 corresponds to an example of the second electric load of the present invention.

  The alternator 11 is an AC generator driven by the engine of the vehicle. The alternator 11 has a rectifier inside, and converts the generated AC power into DC power and outputs it.

  The main power supply 12 is a so-called in-vehicle battery installed in the vehicle, for example, a secondary battery such as a 12V lead storage battery. The main power supply 12 is connected to the alternator 11 and is charged with DC power output from the alternator 11. The main power supply 12 supplies the electric power stored in the low voltage system load 13 and the power supply device 19 when the alternator 11 is not generating power.

  The power supply device 19 includes a control unit 14 and a power supply module 18. Further, the power supply module 18 includes a voltage converter 15 and an auxiliary power supply 16.

  The voltage converter 15 boosts the power supplied from the alternator 11 and the main power supply 12 and supplies the high voltage system load 17 with power. Here, as described above, since the operating voltages of the low voltage system load 13 and the high voltage system load 17 are different, the low voltage system load 13 and the high voltage system load 17 are connected via the voltage converter 15. The voltage boosted to a predetermined voltage by the voltage converter 15 is supplied to the high voltage system load 17. As an example, the voltage converter 15 is a step-up DC / DC converter. In this case, the operation of the voltage converter 15 is controlled by the control unit 14 described later. The voltage converter 15 corresponds to an example of the power supply unit of the present invention.

  In the above description, the voltage converter 15 is a step-up DC / DC converter, but may be a step-down DC / DC converter. That is, the voltage converter 15 may be selected according to the voltage required for each load device installed in the vehicle. Further, when neither step-up nor step-down is performed, a rectifier element (diode) or the like may be used. For example, the rectifying element and the like are installed on a supply line for supplying power from the alternator 11 and the main power supply 12 to the high voltage system load 17 so as to be forward from the low voltage system load 13 to the auxiliary power supply 16. In this way, the power stored in the auxiliary power supply 16 can be prevented from flowing to the low voltage system load 13 and can be secured for the high voltage system load 17.

  The auxiliary power supply 16 is chargeable / dischargeable storage means, and stores the power output from the voltage converter 15. Then, the auxiliary power supply 16 increases the power stored therein in response to the shortage of power to the high voltage system load 17 via the voltage converter 15 or the start of driving of the high voltage system load 17. Supply to voltage system load 17. Thereby, the voltage drop of the main power supply 12 can be prevented. Here, since the auxiliary power supply 16 supplies electric power to the high voltage system load 17, the characteristics of the high voltage system load 17 are considered in the electromotive force of the auxiliary power supply 16. The auxiliary power supply 16 corresponds to an example of the power storage unit of the present invention.

  The control unit 14 is a general ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and comprehensively controls any of the devices included in the mounted vehicle. In addition, the control unit 14 acquires information such as the charge amount and voltage of the main power supply 12 and the auxiliary power supply 16 and controls the operation of the voltage converter 15 based on the information.

  In this way, the power supply system constitutes a dual power supply system that supplies power of different voltages to the low voltage system load 13 and the high voltage system load 17. The control unit 14, the voltage converter 15, and the auxiliary power supply 16 are provided in the same power supply device 19. Hereinafter, an internal structure of the power supply device 19 in which the control unit 14, the voltage converter 15, and the auxiliary power supply 16 are installed in one housing will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the power supply device 19. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply device 19 includes a housing 21, a lid 22, a control unit 14, and a power supply module 18.

  The casing 21 is, for example, a box-shaped container member whose upper surface is opened, and a lid 22 is attached to the upper surface. Typically, the housing | casing 21 and the lid | cover 22 are comprised with a metal material with high heat dissipation. Note that the casing 21 and the lid 22 may be made of a synthetic resin having heat resistance and impact resistance.

  The casing 21 has the control unit 14 and the power supply module 18 mounted therein. The power supply module 18 includes a voltage converter 15, an auxiliary power supply 16, and a printed wiring board 25, and the voltage converter 15 and the auxiliary power supply 16 are mounted on the printed wiring board 25. As described above, the power supply device 19 is configured such that the control unit 54, the auxiliary power supply 56, and the voltage converter 55 are built in one housing 21.

  Here, the control unit 14 and the power supply module 18 will be described. The control unit 14 is roughly divided into a control circuit unit 23 and a power supply circuit unit 24. The control circuit unit 23 performs a control calculation mainly based on the acquired information, and controls each device using the calculation result. The power supply circuit unit 24 converts power supplied mainly from the main power supply 12 into power that can be driven by the control circuit unit 23 (for example, 3 V to 5 V), and supplies the control circuit unit 23 with power. The control circuit unit 23 is configured by relatively small electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs control calculations and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various predetermined processing programs are stored. On the other hand, the power supply circuit unit 24 includes a coil, a capacitor, and the like, and is configured by a relatively large mounting component as compared with the electronic components that configure the control circuit unit 23.

  Next, the detailed structure of the power supply module 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a detailed structure of the power supply module 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply module 18 is configured by mounting the voltage converter 15 and the auxiliary power supply 16 on the same printed wiring board 25.

  As the auxiliary power supply 16 used in the power supply module 18, for example, a secondary battery such as a chargeable / dischargeable lithium ion battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like is used. Among them, the electric double layer capacitor is generally characterized by being capable of rapid charge / discharge and having a high power density (an index capable of instantaneously discharging power) as compared with an electrolytic capacitor. Due to this feature, the electric double layer capacitor is suitable as a power storage means for supplying necessary power to the high voltage system load 17 that requires large power (inrush current) at startup. Further, since the electric double layer capacitor is maintenance-free and has a long life, it can be installed in the housing 21 because it is not premised on replacement.

  The shape of the electric double layer capacitor used as the auxiliary power source 16 is preferably a laminate type. Laminate type electric double layer capacitors have the advantage that they can be formed thinner than other types of electric double layer capacitors. .

  As described above, the voltage converter 15 is a small DC / DC converter as an example. The voltage converter 15 may be a step-up type or a step-down type.

  Next, an arrangement example in which the control unit 14 and the power supply module 18 are installed in one casing 21 will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, description will be made assuming that each component constituting the control unit 14 is first installed in the housing 21 and then the power supply module 18 is installed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply device 19 when the cross-section A-AA shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from the B direction.

  In FIG. 4, as described above, the control unit 14 is roughly divided into the control circuit unit 23 and the power supply circuit unit 24, and is configured by components having different sizes. The components constituting the power supply circuit unit 24 are relatively taller than the components of the control circuit unit 23. Therefore, when the parts constituting the control unit 14 are arranged on the same bottom surface in the housing 21, the height of the housing 21 tends to be determined in consideration of the height of the power supply circuit unit 24. In addition, since the power supply circuit unit 24 includes components that generate heat by driving, a predetermined heat dissipation space is provided between the power supply circuit unit 24 and the lid 22 in consideration of heat dissipation (FIG. Gap S1) shown in FIG. That is, the height of the housing 21 is determined in consideration of the height of the power supply circuit unit 24 and the gap S1. Therefore, a space corresponding to the difference in component height and the gap S1 is formed in the upper portion of the control circuit unit 23 in the housing 21.

  The power supply module 18 is disposed in the upper space of the control circuit unit 23 and installed in a space formed between the control circuit unit 23 and the lid 22. Here, when the power supply module 18 is installed in the housing 21, the space between the control circuit unit 23 and the power supply module 18 (gap S3 shown in FIG. 4) and between the lid 22 and the power supply module 18 (shown in FIG. 4). If a space is provided in the gap S2), the heat dissipation of the control circuit unit 23 and the power supply module 18 is not impaired.

  The auxiliary power supply 16 is a laminate type electric double layer capacitor as an example. In this case, the electric double layer capacitors may be stacked and disposed in a stacked manner within the range of the gap S2 between the auxiliary power supply 16 and the lid 22 and within the range that does not impair the heat dissipation of the auxiliary power supply 16. It doesn't matter. In this case, the capacity of the auxiliary power supply 16 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of stacked electric double layer capacitors, and an arbitrary capacity can be obtained.

  As described above, since the power supply module 18 is arranged in the space generated when the control unit 14 is installed in the casing 21, the casing 21 that is assumed to install each component constituting the control unit 14 includes: A voltage converter 15 and an auxiliary power supply 16 can also be installed. That is, it is possible to further install the voltage converter 15 and the auxiliary power supply 16 in the same casing 21 by using the casing 21 having a volume that is assumed to install the control unit 14. Thereby, when the control part 14, the voltage converter 15, and the auxiliary power supply 16 are assembled | attached in a vehicle, compared with the conventional power supply system (refer FIG. 5), a number of parts decreases. That is, the power supply device 19 can be expected to reduce the number of components and save space while realizing the same functions as the control unit 54, the voltage converter 55, and the auxiliary power supply 56 in the conventional power supply system. Further, as compared with the operation of mounting the control unit 54, the voltage converter 55, and the auxiliary power source 56 on the vehicle, the work man-hours are remarkably reduced, so that the assembling property is improved.

  The aspect described in the above embodiment is merely a specific example, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is possible to employ any configuration within the range where the effects of the present application are achieved.

  In the embodiment described above, a laminated electric double layer capacitor is shown as an example of the auxiliary power supply 16, but a capacitor of another shape such as a spiral type (cylindrical type), a laminated square type, a laminated coin type or the like may be used. It doesn't matter. Further, the auxiliary power source 16 may be a capacitor or a secondary battery as long as a desired electric capacity can be obtained, or these may be used in combination.

  In addition, the shape, size, and the like of the casing 21 and the lid 22 may be appropriately changed in consideration of the space in the vehicle.

  In addition, the voltage converter 15 and the auxiliary power supply 16 are mounted on the printed wiring board 25 and installed in the casing 21. However, for example, the printed wiring board 25 is not used and the voltage converter 15 and the auxiliary power supply 16 are mounted on the wall surface in the casing 21. May be implemented.

  Further, the high voltage system load 17 may be an electric load driven at a voltage lower than that of the low voltage system load 13. At this time, the voltage converter 15 may be composed of a step-down DC / DC converter or the like. Further, the high voltage system load 17 may be an electric load driven by the same voltage as the low voltage system load 13. At this time, the voltage converter 15 may be composed of a diode or the like.

  The power supply apparatus according to the present invention is useful as a power supply apparatus that can power an electric load mounted on a vehicle.

The block diagram which shows an example of the electric power supply system containing the power supply device 19 The perspective view which shows an example of the internal structure of the power supply device 19 The perspective view which shows an example of the detailed structure of the power supply module 18 Sectional drawing of the power supply device 19 which looked at the cross section A-AA shown in FIG. 2 from the B direction Block diagram showing an example of a conventionally known dual power supply system power supply system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Alternator 12 Main power supply 13 Low voltage system load 14 Control part 15 Voltage converter 16 Auxiliary power supply 17 High voltage system load 18 Power supply module 19 Power supply device 21 Case 22 Lid 23 Control circuit part 24 Power supply circuit part 25 Printed wiring board

Claims (8)

A power supply device provided in a vehicle on which a first electric load and a second electric load are mounted,
A housing,
A control circuit unit provided in the housing for controlling the operation of the vehicle;
A power supply circuit unit that is arranged in parallel with the control circuit unit in the housing, converts power for driving the first electrical load into power that can be driven by the control circuit unit, and supplies the power to the control circuit unit;
A power supply unit provided in the housing and configured to supply power for driving the first electric load to the second electric load in a forward direction;
A power storage unit that is provided in the housing and stores power supplied from the power supply unit to the second electrical load ;
The power supply unit and the power storage unit are provided between the control circuit unit and the lid of the housing in a space generated in the housing due to a difference between the height of the power supply circuit unit and the height of the control circuit unit. each Ru is installed by providing a gap, power supply between. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit includes a power storage device capable of changing an electric capacity. The power storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the power storage device includes a plurality of thin plate capacitors, and is arranged in a stacked manner by being stacked in the housing. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit includes an electric double layer capacitor. The power supply unit includes a DC / DC converter,
2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the DC / DC converter changes a voltage of electric power for driving the first electric load and supplies the changed voltage to the second electric load. The power supply apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the DC / DC converter boosts electric power for driving the first electric load and supplies the boosted electric power to the second electric load. The power supply unit is a diode provided on a supply line that supplies power for driving the first electric load to the second electric load, and is arranged in a direction in which the power can be supplied to the second electric load. The power supply device according to claim 1 configured. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit and the power supply unit are mounted on the same printed wiring board and provided in the housing.

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