JP5589976B2 - Vehicle charging unit structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle charging unit structure.

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle equipped with an electric motor driven by electric power supplied from a battery is provided with a charging unit structure for charging the battery with electric power from an external power supply source. Examples of such a power supply source include a quick charger or a household outlet.
As the charging unit structure, there is provided a power receiving connector including a positive connector terminal and a negative connector terminal for charging electric power to a battery, and a lid that is detachably attached to the power receiving connector. .
By the way, a switch called a contactor is connected between the power receiving connector and the battery, and the battery charging operation is controlled by opening and closing the contactor.
Since the contactor may be welded due to a cause such as an overcurrent flowing therethrough, it is necessary to determine whether or not the contactor is welded.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 13 of Patent Document 1, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the voltage at both ends of the contactor is provided, and welding occurs when the voltage at both ends of the contactor is zero with the contactor off signal supplied to the contactor. The technology that is determined to be.

JP 2010-187467 A

However, in the above prior art, it is necessary to provide a voltage measuring unit for each contactor.
Therefore, for example, a positive charging contactor is provided between the positive connector terminal of the power receiving connector and the positive terminal of the battery, and the negative charging contactor is provided between the negative connector terminal of the power receiving connector and the negative terminal of the battery. If two are provided, two voltage measuring units must be provided, resulting in a problem that the configuration becomes complicated and the cost of parts increases.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging unit structure capable of determining contactor welding with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a positive-side connector terminal and a negative-side connector terminal, and receives power from an external device different from the vehicle in order to charge the battery mounted on the vehicle. A charging part structure of a vehicle comprising a connector and a lid that is mounted so that the power receiving connector can be opened and closed, wherein the lid includes a positive contact connected to the positive connector terminal, and the negative side A negative contact connected to the connector terminal; and a resistor for electrically connecting the positive contact and the negative contact; and the lid is in a closed state covering the power receiving connector. When this is done, the battery and the lid are electrically connected to form a closed circuit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a closed circuit can be formed by using the positive connector terminal, the negative connector terminal and the lid of the power receiving connector. Therefore, it is possible to determine the welding of a plurality of contactors connected to the battery based on the current of the battery flowing in the closed circuit, which is advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the lid is swingably attached to the power receiving connector, the positive contact and the positive connector terminal are attached and detached, and the negative contact and the negative connector are connected. Since attachment / detachment with the terminal is performed at the same time, it is advantageous for smoothly attaching / detaching the lid to / from the power receiving connector.
According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to determine the welding of the two contactors with a simple configuration of detecting the current flowing through the closed circuit, which is more advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost. It becomes.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the contactor is welded based on whether or not a current flows in the closed circuit, which is more advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.

1 is a system configuration diagram around a battery 30 including a charging unit structure 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state which has the cover body 14 in an open position in the charging part structure 10 of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view as seen from an arrow A in FIG. 2. It is the figure which looked at the state in which the cover body 14 exists in a mounting position from the B direction of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the welding determination of the contactor 34 for positive side charge, and the contactor 36 for negative side charge. (A) is a diagram showing the start and stop of the high voltage system, (B) is a diagram showing the detection result of the lid switch 29, (C) is an on / off of the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing ON / OFF of a drive signal supplied to the negative charge contactor 36, and FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a detected current detected by the current sensor 46. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, a case where the charging unit structure of the vehicle is applied to a vehicle equipped with an electric motor driven by electric power supplied from a battery will be described.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram around a battery 30 including a vehicle charging unit structure 10 according to an embodiment. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the lid 14 is in the open position in the charging unit structure 10 of the vehicle according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the arrow A in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is the figure which looked at the state from the B direction of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the charging unit structure 10 includes a power receiving connector 12 and a lid body 14.
The power receiving connector 12 is for charging power to the battery 30 (FIG. 1) by connecting a power feeding connector of a quick charging device provided outside. For example, the power receiving connector 12 is an outer panel panel (not shown) constituting the vehicle. It is accommodated in the recess.
The power receiving connector 12 includes a housing 16, a positive connector terminal 18, and a negative connector terminal 20.
In the present embodiment, the housing 16 has a cylindrical shape.
The positive connector terminal 18 and the negative connector terminal 20 are embedded in the upper surface of the housing 16 with a space therebetween.
In the present embodiment, the positive connector terminal 18 and the negative connector terminal 20 have the same shape and the same cylindrical shape and are exposed on the upper surface of the housing 16.

The lid 14 protects the power receiving connector 12 when the power receiving connector 12 is not used, and is attached to the power receiving connector 12 so as to be opened and closed. That is, the lid 14 is mounted on the outer surface of the vehicle.
The lid body 14 is configured to cover the upper surface of the housing 16, and is mounted on the housing 16 via the hinge 22 so as to be swingable between a mounting position that covers the power receiving connector 12 and an open position that opens the power receiving connector 12. Has been.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the lid body 14 includes a positive contact 24, a negative contact 26, and a current limiting resistor (resistance) 28.
The positive side contactor 24 and the negative side contactor 26 project from the inner surface of the lid body 14 facing the upper surface of the housing 16 when the lid body 14 is attached to the power receiving connector 12, and protrude from the positive side. The connector terminal 18 and the negative connector terminal 20 are disposed at corresponding positions.

In the present embodiment, the dimension from the rotation axis of the hinge 22 to the positive connector terminal 18 and the dimension from the rotation axis of the hinge 22 to the negative connector terminal 20 are configured to be equal.
Therefore, when the lid 14 is swung via the hinge 22, the attachment / detachment of the positive contact 24 and the positive connector terminal 18 and the attachment / detachment of the negative contact 26 and the negative connector terminal 20 are performed. Since these are performed simultaneously, the attachment / detachment of the lid 14 to / from the power receiving connector 12 can be performed smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the current limiting resistor 28 is connected between the positive contact 24 and the negative contact 26. The current limiting resistor 28 is set to a value such that when the current of the battery 30 flows, the components and wirings constituting the closed circuit are not damaged and the current can be detected by the current sensor 46 described later.
The current limiting resistor 28 and the connection point between the current limiting resistor 28 and the positive contact 24 and the negative contact 26 are disposed inside the lid body 14.
The lid 14 is connected to the positive contact 24 and the positive connector terminal 18 in a state where the lid 14 is attached to the power receiving connector 12, and the negative contact 26 and the negative connector terminal 20. Is connected to form a closed circuit in which the current of the battery 30 flows through the current limiting resistor 28, as will be described later.

The lid body 14 is provided with a lid body switch 29 (FIG. 1) for detecting whether or not the lid body 14 is located at the mounting position (FIG. 4).
The lid switch 29 is configured to supply a detection signal, which is turned on when the lid body 14 is located at the mounting position and turned off when the lid body 14 is removed from the mounting position, to an ECU (to be described later).

As shown in FIG. 1, a battery 30, a high voltage load 32, and peripheral circuits are mounted on the vehicle.
The battery 30 is charged by the power supplied via the power receiving connector 12, and supplies the charged power to the high voltage load 32.
The high voltage load 32 is operated by electric power supplied from the battery 30 via a positive load contactor 38 and a negative load contactor 40, which will be described later, and drives a motor as a vehicle drive source. Includes auxiliary equipment such as inverters and air conditioners.

The peripheral circuit includes a positive charge contactor 34, a negative charge contactor 36, a positive load contactor 38, a negative load contactor 40, a charge contactor 42, a resistor 44, a current sensor 46, a warning light 48, and an ECU 50. It consists of
The positive terminal of the battery 30 is connected to the positive connector terminal 18 of the power receiving connector 12 via the positive load contactor 38 and the positive charging contactor 34.
A charge contactor 42 and a resistor 44 connected in series are connected in parallel to both ends of the positive load contactor 38.
The negative terminal of the battery 30 is connected to the negative connector terminal 20 of the power receiving connector 12 via the negative load contactor 40 and the negative charge contactor 36.

  The current sensor 46 constitutes current detection means in claims, and detects the current flowing from the battery 30 and supplies the detection result to the ECU 50. In the present embodiment, the current sensor 46 is provided on a connection path between the positive terminal of the battery 30 and the positive load contactor 38.

  The warning lamp 48 displays a warning by a control signal supplied from the ECU 50 when it is determined that the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are welded, and is displayed on the instrument panel or the like. Is provided.

The ECU 50 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores a control program, a RAM as an operation area of the control program, an interface unit that interfaces with peripheral circuits and the like.
The ECU 50 opens and closes the five contactors, that is, the positive charging contactor 34, the negative charging contactor 36, the positive load contactor 38, the negative load contactor 40, and the charge contactor 42 when the CPU executes a control program. Control is performed to control power supply to the high voltage load 32 and charge control to the battery 30 described below. Furthermore, an operation for determining the welding of a positive charging contactor 34 and a negative charging contactor 36 which will be described later is performed.

1) When power is supplied from the battery 30 to the high voltage load 32:
In the initial state, the five contactors of the positive charge contactor 34, the negative charge contactor 36, the positive load contactor 38, the negative load contactor 40, and the charge contactor 42 are all off.
When starting the power supply to the high voltage load 32, the ECU 50 turns on only the charge contactor 42. As a result, the current from the battery 30 charges the capacitor provided in the inverter of the high voltage load 32 via the charge contactor 42 and the resistor 44.
If the voltage of the capacitor becomes equal to the voltage of the battery 30, the ECU 50 turns on the positive load contactor 38 and the negative load contactor 40, thereby supplying power from the battery 30 to the high voltage load 32. .
Thus, by turning on the charge contactor 42 in advance, it is possible to prevent an excessive inrush current from flowing through the capacitor and welding the positive load contactor 38 and the negative load contactor 40.

2) When charging power to the battery 30 via the power receiving connector 12:
The ECU 50 turns off the charge contactor 42 and turns on the positive load contactor 38, the negative load contactor 40, the positive charging contactor 34, and the negative charging contactor 36, whereby the power receiving connector 12 and the battery 30. Connect the positive terminal and the negative terminal.
As a result, the power from the rapid charging device connected to the power receiving connector 12 is supplied to the battery 30 via the positive charging contactor 34, the positive load contactor 38, the negative charging contactor 36, and the negative load contactor 40. Supplied to the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

Next, the welding determination of the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in the initial state, the positive charge contactor 34, the negative charge contactor 36, and the charge contactor 42 are off, and the positive load contactor 38 and the negative load contactor 40 are on. The high voltage load 32 is in a stopped state.

The ECU 50 determines whether or not the high voltage system is being activated (step S10).
The high voltage system being activated means a state in which the high voltage load 32 can be driven by the electric power from the battery 30. That is, both the positive load contactor 38 and the negative load contactor 40 are on while the charge contactor 42 is off.
If the determination result in step S10 is negative, step S10 is repeated. If the determination result is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the lid body 14 is in the mounting position based on the detection result of the lid body switch 29 (step S12).
If the determination result in step S12 is negative, step S12 is repeated. If the determination result is affirmative, whether or not the detected current detected by the current sensor 46 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold current (5A in the present embodiment). Is determined (step S14).
If the determination result in step S14 is affirmative, the ECU 50 supplies a drive signal to the positive charging contactor 34 to turn it on (step S16).

Next, it is determined whether or not the detected current detected by the current sensor 46 is equal to or less than the threshold current (step S18).
If the determination result in step S18 is negative, the ECU 50 starts the timer T1 and determines whether or not the timer T1 is equal to or longer than a predetermined standby time (200 msec in the present embodiment) (steps S20 and S22). . If the determination result of step S22 is negative, the process returns to step S18.
If the determination result in step S22 is affirmative, the ECU 50 stops the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34 and turns it off (step S24). The reason why the determination result in step S18 is confirmed after waiting for the waiting time is to prevent erroneous determination.
Next, the ECU 50 supplies a drive signal to the negative charging contactor 36 to turn it on (step S26).

Next, it is determined whether or not the detected current detected by the current sensor 46 is equal to or less than the threshold current (step S28).
If the determination result in step S28 is negative, the ECU 50 starts the timer T3 and determines whether or not the timer T3 is equal to or longer than a predetermined standby time (200 msec in the present embodiment) (steps S30 and S32). . If the determination result of step S32 is negative, the process returns to step S28.
If the determination result in step S32 is affirmative, then both the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are not welded. Therefore, the ECU 50 stops and turns off the drive signal supplied to the negative charging contactor 36 (step S34), and ends the series of processes. The reason why the determination result in step S28 is fixed after waiting for the waiting time is to prevent erroneous determination.

If the determination result in step S28 is negative, since the detected current exceeds the threshold current, the ECU 50 activates the timer T4 and is the timer T4 equal to or longer than a predetermined standby time (100 msec in the present embodiment)? It is determined whether or not (steps S36 and S38). If the determination result of step S38 is negative, the process returns to step S28.
If the determination result in step S38 is affirmative, a closed circuit in which the current of the battery 30 flows through the current limiting resistor 28 is formed, and the positive charging contactor 34 is welded. Therefore, the ECU 50 stops the drive signal supplied to the negative charging contactor 36 and turns it off (step S40).
The reason why the determination result in step S28 is fixed after waiting for the waiting time is to prevent erroneous determination.
Next, the failure flag of the positive charging contactor 34 is turned on, the warning lamp 48 warns that the positive charging contactor 34 is welded (steps S42 and S44), and the series of processes is terminated.

If the determination result in step S18 is negative, the detected current exceeds the threshold current, so the ECU 50 starts the timer T2 and is the timer T2 equal to or longer than a predetermined standby time (100 msec in the present embodiment). It is determined whether or not (steps S46 and S48). If the determination result of step S48 is negative, the process returns to step S18.
If the determination result in step S48 is affirmative, a closed circuit in which the current of the battery 30 flows through the current limiting resistor 28 is formed, and the negative charging contactor 36 is welded. Accordingly, the ECU 50 stops and turns off the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34 (step S50).
The reason why the determination result in step S18 is confirmed after waiting for the waiting time is to prevent erroneous determination.
Next, the failure flag of the negative charging contactor 36 is turned on, the warning lamp 48 warns that the negative charging contactor 36 is welded (steps S52 and S54), and the series of processing ends.

If the determination result in step S14 is negative, a closed circuit in which the current of the battery 30 flows through the current limiting resistor 28 is formed, and both the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are welded. become.
Therefore, the ECU 50 turns on the failure flag of the two contactors 34 and 36, warns that the two contactors 34 and 36 are welded by the warning lamp 48 (steps S56 and S58), and ends the series of processes. .

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 50 opens and closes the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 in a state where the closed circuit is formed, and positive charging is performed based on the current flowing through the closed circuit. This constitutes a welding determination means for determining whether or not the contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are welded.

Next, the operation of each unit controlled by the ECU 50 will be further described with reference to FIG.
6A is a diagram showing the start and stop of the high-voltage system, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the detection result of the lid switch 29, and FIG. 6C is an on-state of the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing on / off of a drive signal supplied to the negative charge contactor 36, and FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a detected current detected by the current sensor 46. FIG.

  As shown at time t1 in FIG. 6A, when a detected current exceeding the threshold is detected as shown by a broken line in FIG. 5E when the high-voltage system is activated, that is, step S14 in FIG. If the determination result is affirmative and the determination result is confirmed, the two contactors 34 and 36 are welded.

As shown at time t2 in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34 is once turned on with the lid switch 29 turned on (closed), but at time t3. As shown, when the lid switch 29 is turned off (opened), the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34 is turned off. That is, when the lid 14 is removed from the mounting position during the welding determination operation, the determination operation is stopped.
As shown after time t4 in FIGS. 6B and 6C, when the lid switch 29 is turned on (closed) again, the determination operation is performed again.
Here, when the drive signal supplied to the positive charging contactor 34 is ON and the drive signal supplied to the negative charging contactor 36 is OFF, the threshold value is as shown by a broken line in FIG. If the detected current exceeding the value is detected, that is, if the determination result in step S18 of FIG. 5 is affirmative and the determination result is confirmed, the negative charging contactor 36 is welded.

Further, as shown after time t5 in FIG. 6D, when the lid switch 29 is turned on again (closed), the determination operation is performed again.
Here, when the drive signal supplied to the positive charge contactor 34 is OFF and the drive signal supplied to the negative charge contactor 36 is ON, the threshold value is as shown by a broken line in FIG. If the detected current exceeding the value is detected, that is, if the determination result in step S28 of FIG. 5 is affirmative and the determination result is confirmed, the positive charging contactor 34 is welded.

As described above, according to the charging unit structure 10 of the present embodiment, by using the positive connector terminal 18, the negative connector terminal 20, and the lid body 14 of the power receiving connector 12, the current of the battery 30 is current limited. A closed circuit that flows through the resistor 28 is formed.
Therefore, it is possible to determine the welding of the plurality of contactors 34 and 36 connected to the battery 30 with a simple configuration in which the positive contact 24, the negative contact 26 and the current limiting resistor 28 are provided on the lid 14. This is advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.

In the present embodiment, the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are opened and closed in the state where the closed circuit is formed, and the current flowing through the closed circuit detected by the current sensor 46 is used. Thus, the presence or absence of welding of the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 is determined.
Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the plurality of contactors 34 and 36 are welded with a simple configuration of detecting the current flowing through the closed circuit, which is advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.

Further, in the present embodiment, whether or not the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 are welded is determined based on whether or not a current flows in the closed circuit by the current sensor 46. This is more advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.
In the present embodiment, the determination of welding of the plurality of contactors 34 and 36 is made based on the detection result by the current sensor 46.
Therefore, since only one current sensor 46 is required, it is further advantageous in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.

The shapes of the positive charging contactor 34 and the negative charging contactor 36 may be any shapes that can be attached to the positive connector terminal 18 and the negative connector terminal 20 of the power receiving connector 12, and various conventionally known shapes. Can be used.
The position where the current sensor 46 is disposed may be any position as long as the current flowing through the closed circuit can be detected by the current sensor 46.
In the present embodiment, the case where the power feeding connector of the quick charging apparatus is connected to the power receiving connector 12 has been described. However, the power receiving connector 12 is connected to the power feeding connector connected to the household outlet via a cable. Even in this case, the present invention can of course be applied.
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the warning light 48 is used to warn that the contactors 34 and 36 have been welded has been described.
Further, the present invention has been described with respect to a power receiving lid for receiving charging from the outside of the vehicle, but is not limited to the power receiving lid, and is a discharging lid for supplying power from the vehicle to the outside. Is of course applicable.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Charge part structure, 12 ... Power receiving connector, 14 ... Cover, 30 ... Battery, 16 ... Housing, 18 ... Positive side connector terminal, 20 ... Negative side connector terminal, 24 ... Positive side Contact, 26 ... Negative contact, 28 ... Current limiting resistor (resistance), 22 ... Hinge, 29 ... Lid switch, 34 ... Positive charge contactor, 36 ... Negative charge contactor , 46... Current sensor (current detection means), 48... Warning light, 50.

Claims (4)

A power receiving connector having a positive side connector terminal and a negative side connector terminal, for receiving power from an external device different from the vehicle for charging power to a battery mounted on the vehicle, and the power receiving connector being detachably mounted. A charging part structure of a vehicle comprising a lid body,
The lid is
A positive contact connected to the positive connector terminal;
A negative contact connected to the negative connector terminal;
A resistor for electrically connecting the positive contact and the negative contact;
When the lid is closed to cover the power receiving connector, the battery and the lid are electrically connected to form a closed circuit;
The charging part structure of the vehicle characterized by the above-mentioned. The lid is swingably attached to the outer surface of the vehicle via a hinge so as to open and close the power receiving connector,
The positive side contactor and the negative side contactor are provided so as to protrude from the lid body, and the dimension from the rotation axis of the hinge to the positive side contactor and the rotation axis of the hinge to the negative side contactor. Arranged side by side so that the dimensions up to
The charging part structure for a vehicle according to claim 1. A positive charging contactor provided between the positive connector terminal and the positive terminal of the battery;
A negative charging contactor provided between the negative connector terminal and the negative terminal of the battery;
Current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through the closed circuit;
The positive charging contactor and the negative charging contactor are opened and closed in a state where the closed circuit is formed, and the positive charging contactor and the negative charging contactor are controlled based on the current flowing through the closed circuit. Welding determination means for determining the presence or absence of welding;
The charging unit structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: The determination of the presence or absence of the welding by the welding determination unit is made based on a detection result of whether or not a current flows through the closed circuit by the current detection unit.
The vehicle charging part structure according to claim 3.

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