JP5977658B2 - Charge control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage battery, a power storage device capable of storing electrical energy, a solar power generation means for performing solar power generation, a power conversion circuit interposed between the solar power generation means and the power storage device, and the power storage device It is related with the charge control apparatus applied to a charging system provided with the pressure | voltage rise circuit which can pressure | voltage-boost the voltage and output to the said storage battery.

  Conventionally, as seen in the following Patent Document 1, the present invention is applied to an electric vehicle including a main battery that is a power supply source of a drive motor as an in-vehicle main machine and an auxiliary battery having a terminal voltage lower than the terminal voltage of the main battery. A charging system that charges a main battery or an auxiliary battery with power generated by an in-vehicle solar panel is known. Specifically, in this system, when the output voltage of the solar panel is high, the generated power of the solar panel is directly charged to the auxiliary battery, and when the output voltage of the solar panel is low, the output voltage is boosted by a booster circuit. To charge the main battery.

JP-A-7-123510

  By the way, when the main battery is charged / discharged, power is supplied to a monitoring device that monitors the state of the main battery, so that power consumption of an electronic device that constitutes the charging system and is a power supply target increases. For this reason, there is a concern that the charging efficiency when charging the main battery with the generated power of the solar panel is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is applied to a charging system for charging photovoltaic power to a storage battery, and charging efficiency when charging the photovoltaic power to the storage battery is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a charge control device that can be enhanced.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a storage battery (14), a power storage device (22) capable of storing electrical energy, a solar power generation means (18) for performing solar power generation, the solar power generation means, The power conversion circuit is applied to a charging system comprising: a power conversion circuit (24a) interposed between the power storage devices; and a boost circuit (26a) capable of boosting the voltage of the power storage device and outputting the boosted voltage to the storage battery. The first charge control means (24b) that temporarily charges the power storage device with the power generated by the solar power generation means by operating the power, and the power stored in the power storage device by operating the booster circuit When the power storage device is charged by the second charge control means (26b) for charging the storage battery and the first charge control means, the output current of the power conversion circuit and the output voltage of the power conversion circuit Estimation means for estimating a charge amount of the power storage device using at least one of them as an input parameter, wherein the second charge control means indicates that the charge amount estimated by the estimation means is equal to or greater than a specified value. As a condition, charging of the storage battery is started, and a plurality of electronic devices (16, 24b, 26b, 32) to which electric power is supplied when the storage battery is charged by the second charge control means, An electronic device (16, 26b, 32) that cuts off the supply of power when the power storage device is charged by the charge control means and the storage battery is not charged by the second charge control means. And a power supply control means (38) for performing power supply control on the plurality of electronic devices.

  In the above invention, after the electric power generated by the solar power generation means is once charged in the power storage device by the first charge control means, the charge amount estimated by the estimation means is stored in the storage battery on the condition that the charge amount is equal to or greater than a specified value. The storage battery is charged by the second charge control means. On the premise of such a configuration, in the above invention, power feeding control is performed on a plurality of electronic devices by the power feeding control means. For this reason, the power consumption of an electronic device can be reduced in the period from the start of charging of the power storage device to the start of charging of the storage battery. For this reason, the charging efficiency in the case of charging photovoltaic power to the storage battery can be increased.

The figure which shows the structure of the charging system concerning one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the charging rate estimation process by SBECU concerning one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the charging process by the pressure | voltage fall side control part concerning one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a charging control device according to the present invention is applied to a charging system including an in-vehicle solar panel will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the overall configuration of the charging system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the main machine rotating machine (motor generator 10) is an in-vehicle main machine, and is connected to drive wheels (not shown). The motor generator 10 is connected to a main battery 14 as a storage battery via an inverter 12. The main battery 14 is an assembled battery as a series connection body of battery cells, and is a power supply source of the motor generator 10. In the present embodiment, a lithium ion storage battery is used as the main battery 14. The main battery 14 is insulated from the vehicle body. Specifically, the median value of the positive electrode potential and the negative electrode potential of the main battery 14 is the vehicle body potential. This can be realized, for example, by connecting a pair of resistors between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the main battery 14 and connecting the connection points of these resistors to the vehicle body.

  The state of the main battery 14 (the state of each battery cell) is monitored and adjusted by a main battery electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as MBECU 16). Specifically, the MBECU 16 monitors whether or not the battery cells constituting the main battery 14 are overcharged or overdischarged, and performs a process of equalizing the charging rate (SOC) of these battery cells. These treatments are performed because there is a concern that the lithium ion secondary battery may deteriorate in reliability due to overcharge or overdischarge. The charging rate is the ratio of the actual charge amount to the full charge amount.

  The charging system is provided with a solar panel 18 as “photovoltaic power generation means”. The solar panel 18 is connected to an electronic control device for solar power generation (hereinafter, SECU 20). The SECU 20 includes a step-down unit 24 and a step-up unit 26. Specifically, the step-down unit 24 includes a step-down chopper circuit 24a that can step down the output voltage of the solar panel 18 and output it to the sub-battery 22, and a step-down side control unit 24b that operates the step-down chopper circuit 24a. The step-down control unit 24b includes a first voltage sensor 25 that detects an output voltage of the solar panel 18 (an input voltage of the step-down chopper circuit 24a) and a second voltage sensor 28 that detects an output voltage of the step-down chopper circuit 24a. Furthermore, the detection value of the first current sensor 30 that detects the output current of the step-down chopper circuit 24a is input.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the step-down chopper circuit 24a corresponds to a “power conversion circuit” interposed between the solar panel 18 and the sub-battery 22, and the step-down side control unit 24b corresponds to a “first charge control unit”. To do. Further, a detection value of a sensor (not shown) that detects the output current of the solar panel 18 is further input to the step-down control unit 24b. The step-down control unit 24b operates the step-down chopper circuit 24a to perform maximum power point tracking control based on the detected value of the output current of the solar panel 18 and the detected value of the first voltage sensor 25.

  On the other hand, the boost unit 26 includes a boost chopper circuit 26a (corresponding to a “boost circuit”) that can boost its own input voltage and output it to the main battery 14, and a boost side control unit 26b that operates the boost chopper circuit 26a. I have. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the boost side control unit 26b corresponds to a “second charge control unit”.

  The sub-battery 22 is an assembled battery as a series connection body of battery cells, and in the present embodiment, is a lithium ion secondary battery similarly to the main battery 14. In the present embodiment, a storage battery whose terminal voltage is lower than the terminal voltage of the main battery 14 is used as the sub battery 22. That is, the full charge amount of the sub-battery 22 is smaller than the full charge amount of the main battery 14.

  The state of the sub-battery 22 (the state of each battery cell) is monitored and adjusted by a sub-battery electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as SBECU 32). Specifically, the SBECU 32 monitors whether or not the battery cells constituting the sub-battery 22 are overcharged or overdischarged, and performs a process of equalizing the charging rate of the battery cells. The SBECU 32 has a function of taking in the voltage of the sub-battery 22 (inter-terminal voltage of each battery cell), and also detects the second current sensor 34 that detects the input current of the sub-battery 22 and the temperature of the sub-battery 22. The detected value of the temperature sensor 36 is captured.

  The charging system further includes a power supply ECU 38 as “power supply control means”. The power supply ECU 38 operates using the auxiliary battery 40 (for example, a lead storage battery) having a terminal voltage sufficiently lower than the terminal voltages of the main battery 14 and the sub battery 22 as a power source with the vehicle body potential as a reference potential. The power supply ECU 38 includes an MPU 38a, a first switching element 38b, and a second switching element 38c, and has a function of switching power supply and interruption to the MBECU 16, the step-down side control unit 24b, the step-up side control unit 26b, the SECU 20, and the like. .

  Specifically, the MPU 38a turns on the first changeover switch 41 by turning on the first switching element 38b. As a result, electric power is supplied to the MBECU 16, the boost side control unit 26b, the SBECU 32, and a host electronic control unit (not shown) that supervises vehicle control. The MPU 38a turns on the second changeover switch 42 by turning on the second switching element 38c. Thereby, electric power is supplied to the step-down control unit 24b.

  FIG. 1 illustrates that power can be supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 to the MBECU 16, the boost side control unit 26b, and the SBECU 32 via the first changeover switch 41, and the second changeover switch from the auxiliary battery 40 is illustrated. It is illustrated that power can be supplied to the step-down control unit 24b via 42. Further, the first switching element 38b and the second switching element 38c are turned on not only by the MPU 38a but also when an ignition switch to be operated by the user is turned on.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the interruption of the supply of power from the auxiliary battery 40 to the MBECU 16, the step-down side control unit 24b, the step-up side control unit 26b, the SBECU 32, and the like means the interruption of the power to all the electronic devices constituting them. Does not necessarily mean. This will be described, for example, when the step-down control unit 24b includes a memory (backup RAM) in which the power supply state is always maintained regardless of the operation state of the first changeover switch 41. That is, in this case, for example, when the first changeover switch 41 is turned off, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is substantially not supplied to the majority of electronic devices constituting the step-down control unit 24b. Although interrupted, the power supply is continued for the backup RAM included in the step-down control unit 24b.

  The MBECU 16, the SECU 20, the SBECU 32, and the power supply ECU 38 can communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, these can be wired communication (CAN communication). In FIG. 1, the CAN communication line is indicated by “44”. The MBECU 16, the SECU 20, the SBECU 32, and the power supply ECU 38 are actually communicable with each other via a CAN driver. Here, in FIG. 1, the CAN driver provided in the SECU 20 is indicated by “46”, and the CAN driver provided in the SBECU 32 is indicated by “48”.

  Then, the charging rate estimation process of the sub battery 22 performed by SBECU 32 is demonstrated using FIG. This processing corresponds to “second estimation means” in the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the estimation process. This process is repeatedly executed by the SBECU 32 at a predetermined cycle, for example.

  In this series of processing, first, in step S10, the input current Ia, voltage Va, and temperature Ta of the sub battery 22 are acquired. Here, the input current Ia is a detection value of the second current sensor 34, and the temperature Ta is a detection value of the temperature sensor 36. Here, the reason why the temperature Ta is used for the estimation of the charging rate SOC1 is to increase the estimation accuracy of the charging rate SOC1 because the charging rate SOC1 depends on the temperature Ta as is well known.

  In the subsequent step S12, the charging rate SOC1 of the sub battery 22 is estimated based on the integrated value ΣIa of the input current Ia of the sub battery 22, the voltage Va, and the temperature Ta.

  In addition, when the process of step S12 is completed, this series of processes is once complete | finished.

  The above-described estimation process of the charging rate SOC1 by the SBECU 32 is actually performed regardless of the operation state of the first changeover switch 41 (in other words, from the auxiliary battery 40 to the SBECU 32 via the first changeover switch 41). (With or without power supply).

  Next, a charging process for charging the main battery 14 with the generated power of the solar panel 18 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when the main battery 14 is charged, the generated power of the solar panel 18 is temporarily charged into the sub-battery 22 using the step-down unit 24. This is to increase the charging efficiency when the main battery 14 is charged with the power generated by the solar panel 18.

  That is, when the main battery 14 is charged, it is necessary to activate the MBECU 16 and the like, so that the first changeover switch 41 is required to be turned on. In this case, not only the MBECU 16 but also other electronic devices are activated. For this reason, in the charging process period of the main battery 14, electric power is consumed by these electronic devices. On the other hand, the power generated by the solar panel 18 depends on the weather and the like. Although the maximum generated power itself of the solar panel 18 is larger than the power consumed by the electronic device, the generated power of the solar panel 18 may be less than the power consumed by the electronic device depending on the weather.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, the sub-battery 22 is temporarily charged with the generated power of the solar panel 18. At this time, the power of the auxiliary battery 40 is supplied to the step-down side control unit via the second changeover switch 42 different from the first changeover switch 41 so that the first changeover switch 41 does not have to be turned on. The structure which can be supplied to 24b was employ | adopted.

  FIG. 3 shows the procedure of the charging process according to the present embodiment. This process is repeatedly executed, for example, at a predetermined cycle by the step-down side control unit 24b included in the SECU 20. In the present embodiment, the power of the auxiliary battery 40 is supplied to the step-down control unit 24b by turning on the second switching element 38c by the power supply ECU 38 under a situation where the solar panel 18 can generate power. I will do it. In the present embodiment, the SECU 20 and the power supply ECU 38 can communicate with each other under a situation where the solar panel 18 can generate power.

  In this series of processes, first, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is parked.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S20, the process proceeds to step S22 to determine whether solar power generation by the solar panel 18 is possible. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the voltage Vb detected by the first voltage sensor 25 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that solar power generation is possible.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24, and a process for charging the sub battery 22 by operating the step-down chopper circuit 24a is performed.

  In subsequent step S26, it is determined whether or not the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 estimated by the step-down control unit 24b is equal to or higher than a second specified value TH2 (for example, 70%, which corresponds to the “specified value”). To do. This process is a process for determining whether or not the charging rate of the sub-battery 22 has become a value sufficient for charging the main battery 14. Here, a charging rate estimation method by the step-down side control unit 24b according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Specifically, first, the output current Ib of the step-down chopper circuit 24a detected by the first current sensor 30 and the output voltage Vb of the step-down chopper circuit 24a detected by the second voltage sensor 28 are acquired (see step S44). . Then, the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 is estimated as an added value of the reference charging rate Sα (corresponding to the reference charging amount) and the charging increase amount ΔSOC (see step S46). Here, the charge increase amount ΔSOC is obtained by adding the multiplication value ΣIb of the output current Ib and the first coefficient α, and the multiplication value of the output voltage Vb and the second coefficient β (α + β = 1). It is the value. In the present embodiment, the estimation process performed by the step-down control unit 24b corresponds to a “first estimation unit”.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S26, the charge increase amount ΔSOC is initialized (set to “0”), and the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the power supply ECU 38 is instructed to switch the first switching element 38b to the on state while maintaining the on state of the second switching element 38c. Accordingly, the power supply ECU 38 performs power supply control in which the first switching element 38b is switched to the on state and the first switch 41 is switched to the on state. As a result, supply of power from the auxiliary battery 40 to the MBECU 16, the boost side control unit 26b, the SBECU 32, and the like is started, and communication between the SECU 20 and the SBECU 32 becomes possible.

  In the subsequent step S30, the charging rate SOC2 estimated by the step-down side control unit 24b is fixed at the second specified value TH2. In step S32, the charging rate SOC1 of the sub-battery 22 transmitted from the SBECU 32 is acquired.

  In the following step S34, the first specified value TH1 (for example, 75%), which is higher than the second specified value TH2 at least once, is received during the period from the resumption of communication with the SBECU 32 to the present. , Corresponding to “predetermined value”) or not. This process is a process for determining whether to start charging the main battery 14. Hereinafter, this process will be described in connection with the setting method of the first specified value TH1 and the second specified value TH2.

  In the present embodiment, the number of parameters (current Ib, voltage Vb) used for estimating the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 in the step-down control unit 24b, for example, due to cost increase due to the addition of a sensor and wiring space restrictions, The number is set smaller than the number of parameters (current Ia, voltage Va, temperature Ta) used for estimating the charging rate SOC1 in the SBECU 32. For this reason, the estimation accuracy of the charging rate SOC2 in the step-down control unit 24b can be lower than the estimation accuracy of the charging rate SOC1 in the SBECU 32. In this case, since the charging rate SOC2 estimated by the step-down control unit 24b is lower than the actual charging rate of the sub battery 22, the actual charging rate of the sub battery 22 can maintain the reliability of the sub battery 22. There is a concern that the sub-battery 22 may be charged beyond the upper limit. In order to deal with such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to set the second specified value TH2 lower. However, in this case, since the electric power that can be supplied from the sub battery 22 to the main battery 14 at a time is reduced, the frequency of starting and stopping charging of the main battery 14 is increased. As a result, for example, the frequency of switching the operation state of the first changeover switch 41 is increased, so that there is a concern that the power consumption of the electronic devices constituting the charging system is increased.

  In order to avoid such a situation, the processing of this step is provided. In the present embodiment, the first specified value TH1 is set to an upper limit value that can maintain the reliability of the sub-battery 22. According to such settings, it is possible to avoid an increase in power consumption accompanying an increase in the frequency of starting and stopping charging of the main battery 14 while maintaining the reliability of the sub-battery 22.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S34, the process proceeds to step S36, where the main battery 14 is charged with the electric power stored in the sub-battery 22 by the operation of the boosting unit 26.

  In the subsequent step S38, the charging rate SOC1 of the sub-battery 22 received from the SBECU 32 is equal to or lower than a third specified value TH3 (for example, 20%, corresponding to a “predetermined threshold value”) lower than the second specified value TH2. Judge whether or not. This process is a process for determining whether or not to stop charging the main battery 14. The third specified value TH3 may be set to a lower limit value of the charging rate that can maintain the reliability of the sub-battery 22, for example. In this embodiment, the process of this step corresponds to “stop means”.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S38, the charging rate SOC2 is released, and the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, when the charging of the main battery 14 is stopped, the current charging rate SOC1 of the sub battery 22 transmitted from the SBECU 32 is acquired. Then, the reference charging rate Sα is updated with the acquired charging rate SOC1. This process corresponds to “acquisition means” in the present embodiment, and is a process for increasing the estimation accuracy of the charging rate SOC2 of the sub battery 22 in the step-down control unit 24b.

  That is, in the present embodiment, basically, charging of the main battery 14 is stopped when an affirmative determination is made in step S38. Here, the charging of the main battery 14 can be stopped not only by the estimated charging rate SOC2 being equal to or higher than the third specified value TH3 but also by other factors. As such a factor, for example, the fact that the charging rate of the main battery 14 has reached the upper limit value that can maintain the reliability of the main battery 14 is notified from the MBECU 16. In this case, for example, if a configuration in which the reference charging rate Sα is set to a fixed value is adopted, the estimation accuracy of the charging rate SOC2 of the sub battery 22 in the step-down control unit 24b after the communication between the SBECU 32 and the SECU 20 is stopped is increased. May decrease. In order to avoid such a situation, the processing of this step is provided.

  In the subsequent step S42, the power supply ECU 38 is instructed to switch the first switching element 38b to the off state while maintaining the second switching element 38c in the on state. Thereby, the power supply ECU 38 performs power feeding control in which the first switching element 38b is switched to the off state and the first switch 41 is switched to the off state. Incidentally, when the process of this step is completed or when a negative determination is made in step S26, the process proceeds to step S44.

  When a negative determination is made in steps S20, S22, S34, and S38, or when the process of step S46 is completed, the series of processes is temporarily terminated.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) When the sub-battery 22 is temporarily charged with the generated power of the solar panel 18 and then it is determined that the charging rate SOC2 estimated by the step-down control unit 24b is equal to or higher than the second specified value TH2, the sub-battery 22 The main battery 14 was charged with the electric power stored in the battery. According to such a configuration, the power supply of the auxiliary battery 40 to the MBECU 16, the boost side control unit 26b, the SBECU 32, and the like is interrupted until the charging of the main battery 14 is started. The power consumption of the device can be reduced. For this reason, the charging efficiency in the case of charging the main battery 14 with the generated power of the solar panel 18 can be suitably increased.

  (2) In the step-down control unit 24b, the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 is estimated as an added value of the reference charging rate Sα and the charging increase amount ΔSOC. In particular, in the present embodiment, the charging rate SOC1 transmitted from the SBECU 32 when charging of the main battery 14 is stopped is used as the reference charging rate Sα. For this reason, it can avoid that the estimation precision of charge rate SOC2 of the sub battery 22 falls in the period when communication between SECU20 and SBECU32 is stopped.

  (3) The number of parameters used in the estimation of the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 in the step-down control unit 24b is set to be smaller than the number of parameters used in the estimation of the charging rate SOC1 in the SBECU 32. On the premise of such setting, after the charging rate SOC2 estimated by the step-down control unit 24b becomes equal to or higher than the second specified value TH2, the charging rate SOC1 estimated by the SBECU 32 becomes equal to or higher than the first specified value TH1. If determined, charging of the main battery 14 is started. For this reason, it can avoid suitably that the reliability of the sub battery 22 falls or the power consumption of the electronic device which comprises a charging system increases.

  In the present embodiment, the use of a lithium ion storage battery as the sub battery 22 contributes to avoiding a decrease in reliability of the sub battery 22 and an increase in power consumption of the electronic device. That is, when using a lithium ion storage battery, since a charge rate can be greatly fluctuated compared with a lead storage battery, for example, the power supplied once to the main battery 14 can be increased. For this reason, the first specified value TH1 and the third specified value TH3 can be set sufficiently apart from each other, and the switching frequency of starting and stopping charging of the main battery 14 can be lowered.

(Other embodiments)
The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

  Whether or not solar power generation is possible in step S22 of FIG. 3 is not limited to determining based on the detection value of the first voltage sensor 25. For example, the charging system may be provided with a solar radiation sensor that detects the amount of solar radiation on the solar panel, and it may be determined whether solar power generation is possible based on the detection value of the solar radiation sensor.

  -You may remove the process of step S34 of previous FIG.

  The “reference charging amount” is not limited to the charging rate SOC1 of the sub battery 22 transmitted from the SBECU 32 when the charging of the main battery 14 is stopped. For example, a reference charge rate Sα (fixed value) having the same value as the third specified value TH3 is stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the step-down side control unit 24b, and the stored reference charge rate Sα is stored in the step-down side control unit 24b. May be used to estimate the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22. In this case, the process of step S40 in FIG.

  The configuration for supplying power to the step-down side control unit 24b is not limited to the configuration in which the second changeover switch 42 is turned on by turning on the second switching element 38c by the power supply ECU 38. For example, the charging system includes a comparator having an inverting input terminal to which a power source having a specified voltage as a terminal voltage is connected and a non-inverting input terminal to which a detection value of the first voltage sensor 25 is input. The configuration may be such that it is connected to the gate of the second switching element 38c. According to such a configuration, when the output voltage of the solar panel 18 exceeds the specified voltage, the logic of the output signal of the comparator becomes “H”, and the second switching element 38c is turned on. As a result, electric power is supplied to the step-down control unit 24b regardless of the power supply ECU 38.

  The “estimating means” (first estimating means) is not limited to estimating the charging rate SOC2 of the sub-battery 22 using both the output current and output voltage of the step-down chopper circuit 24a as input parameters. For example, the charging rate SOC2 may be estimated using only the output current (current integrated value) as an input parameter.

  Further, for example, the charging rate SOC2 may be estimated using only the output voltage as an input parameter. Since there is a correlation between the open-circuit voltage of the sub-battery 22 (lithium ion storage battery) and the charging rate of the sub-battery 22, the step-down chopper circuit 24a is temporarily stopped when the charging rate SOC2 is estimated. The charge rate SOC2 can be estimated using the output voltage of the chopper circuit 24a as an input parameter. That is, the “estimating means” is not limited to the one that estimates the charging rate SOC2 as an added value of the reference charging rate Sα and the charging increase amount ΔSOC of the sub-battery 22.

  The “storage battery” is not limited to a lithium ion storage battery but may be a nickel hydride storage battery.

  The sub-battery 22 as the “power storage device” is not limited to being used only for charging the main battery 14, and may be used for other purposes together with the charging of the main battery 14. Examples of such applications include charging of the auxiliary battery 40.

  The “power storage device” is not limited to the one having a full charge amount smaller than that of the main battery, and may be more than that.

  The “power storage device” is not limited to a lithium ion storage battery, and may be a nickel hydride storage battery. Further, the “power storage device” is not limited to a lithium ion storage battery or a nickel metal hydride storage battery, but may be a lead storage battery. Even in this case, the power that can be supplied to the main battery 14 at a time is reduced, but the power storage device is once charged, so that the power consumption of the electronic devices constituting the charging system can be reduced. Furthermore, the “power storage device” is not limited to a storage battery, and may be a capacitor, for example.

  The “power conversion circuit” is not limited to the step-down chopper circuit but may be a step-up chopper circuit or a step-up / step-down chopper circuit. When the input voltage is boosted and output, the sub-battery 22 can be charged with the generated power of the solar panel 18 even when the output voltage of the solar panel 18 is lower than the terminal voltage of the sub-battery 22. it can.

  The “charge amount” estimated by the “estimator” is not limited to the charge rate, and may be, for example, the charge amount.

  -The "charging system" is not limited to that installed in the vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Main battery, 16 ... MB ECU, 18 ... Solar panel, 22 ... Sub battery, 24a ... Step-down chopper circuit, 24b ... Step-down chopper circuit, 26a ... Step-up chopper circuit, 26b ... Step-up side control unit, 32 ... SBECU, 38 ... Power supply ECU.

Claims (4)

A storage battery (14);
A power storage device (22) capable of storing electrical energy;
Solar power generation means (18) for performing solar power generation;
A power conversion circuit (24a) interposed between the solar power generation means and the power storage device;
A booster circuit (26a) capable of boosting the voltage of the power storage device and outputting the boosted voltage to the storage battery;
Applied to a charging system comprising
A first charge control means (24b) for temporarily charging the power storage device with the power generated by the solar power generation means by operating the power conversion circuit;
Second charge control means (26b) for charging the storage battery with the electric power stored in the power storage device by operating the booster circuit;
When the power storage device is charged by the first charge control unit, the charge amount of the power storage device is estimated using at least one of the output current of the power conversion circuit and the output voltage of the power conversion circuit as an input parameter. First estimating means;
Regardless of whether or not the storage battery is charged by the second charge control means, second estimation means for estimating the charge amount of the power storage device using the input current of the power storage device as an input parameter;
With
The first estimating means uses, as input parameters, a reference charge amount that is a charge amount of the power storage device when charging of the storage battery is started by the second charge control means, and an output current of the power conversion circuit. By adding the estimated increase in the charge amount of the power storage device, the charge amount of the power storage device is estimated,
The second charge control means starts charging the storage battery on the condition that the charge amount estimated by the first estimation means is equal to or greater than a specified value,
When the storage battery is charged by the second charge control means, the power storage device is charged by the first charge control means to a plurality of electronic devices (16, 24b, 26b, 32) to which power is supplied. In addition, power supply control is performed on the plurality of electronic devices so as to include electronic devices (16, 26b, 32) that are blocked from supplying power when the storage battery is not charged by the second charge control unit. A charge control device comprising a power supply control means (38). While the storage battery is being charged by the second charge control means, the second charge is estimated on the condition that the amount of charge estimated by the second estimation means is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value smaller than the specified value. Stop means for stopping charging of the storage battery by the charge control means;
An acquisition unit that acquires a charge amount estimated by the second estimation unit when charging is stopped by the stop unit;
With
It said first estimation means, as the reference charge amount, the charge control device according to claim 1, characterized in that a charge amount obtained by the obtaining means. The number of input parameters used in the estimation of the charge amount by the first estimation means and including the input current is the input parameter used in the estimation of the charge amount by the second estimation means and includes the input current. Set to be less than the number of
The second charge control means is configured such that the charge amount estimated by the second estimation means is greater than the specified value after the charge amount estimated by the first estimation means becomes equal to or greater than the specified value. The charge control device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein charging of the storage battery is started on condition that the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The charging system is mounted on a vehicle,
The storage battery is a power supply source of a main machine rotating machine (10) mounted on the vehicle,
The first charge control means charges the power storage device once when the vehicle is stopped,
The second charging control means, the charging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that to charge the battery at the time of stopping the vehicle.

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