JPH11146505A - Control device for charging battery for motorized vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controlling device for charging the battery for a motorized vehicle which is capable of achieving almost full charging, even if an interval from a charge starting command to the expected time of starting the vehicle is short, and also capable of suppressing memory effects. SOLUTION: This control device is provided with a required charging time calculating means 51, which obtains a required charging time from the residual capacity of a battery 10 and a preset reference charging current value, a maximum controllable time calculating means 52, which obtain a maximum controllable time from the present time and an expected time of starting a vehicle, and a charging current value control means 53, which increases a charging current value within the range of a preset allowable maximum current value, when the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for controlling charging of a battery serving as a power source of a driving motor in an electric vehicle such as an electric scooter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The battery of an electric vehicle is composed of lead, Ni-C
d, a secondary battery typified by Ni-MH, which is repeatedly charged and used by a charging device as the discharge proceeds. In charging this type of battery, there is a problem in that if the battery is left for a long time from the end of charging to the start of traveling, self-discharge occurs. Therefore, it is desirable that charging be completed immediately before the scheduled traveling time.

A conventional charge control device which can prevent self-discharge caused by leaving it for a long time from the end of charging to the ride is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-8-214412. The required charging time is obtained based on the discharge amount at the time when the start instruction key is turned on and the preset charging current value, and charging is completed at the scheduled traveling time based on the required charging time and the scheduled traveling time. The charging start time is calculated so as to perform the charging, and the charging is started with the charging current value from the charging starting time.

[0004]

However, the charging of the battery for an electric vehicle generally requires a relatively long time. In the conventional charging control device, the vehicle starts traveling from the ON operation of the charging start instruction key. If the time until the scheduled time is short, there is a problem that the battery cannot be fully charged.

Further, in the above-described conventional apparatus, when a charge start instruction is given by the user, the battery is always charged regardless of the remaining capacity of the battery. There is a possibility that a so-called memory effect may occur, which causes a problem that the cruising distance is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional apparatus. Even when the time from the charging start instruction to the scheduled driving time is short, it is possible to approach full charge and suppress the memory effect. It is an object to provide a charge control device for a vehicle battery.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The first aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a required charging time calculating means 51 for determining a required charging time from the remaining capacity of the battery 10 and a preset reference charging current value, and a maximum control for determining a maximum controllable time from the current time and the scheduled traveling time. Possible time calculation means 52
And a charging current value control means 53 for increasing a charging current value within a range of a preset allowable maximum current value when the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time. Battery charging control device.

As shown in FIG. 8, a second aspect of the present invention is a charge / discharge history accumulating means 61 for accumulating charge / discharge history information including the depth of discharge and the number of times of charging when the battery 10 is charged. An electric vehicle comprising: a refresh necessity judging means for judging necessity of refresh discharge based on discharge history information; and a refresh executing means 63 for performing refresh discharge when it is judged that refresh is necessary. It is a battery charge control device.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the refresh necessity judging means 62 judges that the refresh discharge is necessary for each smaller number of charges as the discharge depth is smaller.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, when it is determined that refreshing is required, the refresh time calculating means 64 determines a refresh time required for refresh discharge from the remaining capacity of the battery and the refresh discharge current value. And a shortest charge time calculating means 65 for obtaining a shortest charge time required from the refresh discharge end state to the end of charging at the maximum allowable current value, and a maximum controllable time calculation for obtaining a maximum controllable time from the current time and the scheduled travel time. Means 66 and refresh execution determination means 67 for instructing execution of the refresh discharge only when the required post-refresh charge time, which is the sum of the refresh time and the shortest charge time, is shorter than the maximum controllable time. It is characterized by.

Here, the "maximum controllable time" in the present invention means the maximum time that can be used for charging the battery and performing refresh discharge as necessary. Means up to the time.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the required charging time obtained from the remaining capacity of the battery and the reference charging current value is shorter than the maximum controllable time obtained from the current time and the scheduled driving time. Sometimes, the charging current value was increased within a range of a preset allowable maximum current value.
Even when the time from the current time to the scheduled driving time is short, the battery can be fully charged without deteriorating the battery, or can be charged to a state close to full charge, even when the time from the current time to the scheduled driving time is short.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the necessity of refresh discharge is determined based on charge / discharge history information including the depth of discharge at the time of charging the battery and the number of times of charging, and when it is determined that refresh discharge is required, refresh is performed. Since the discharging is performed, it is possible to avoid a problem that the battery is repeatedly charged with a small depth of discharge, and it is possible to suppress a memory effect that a battery voltage and a capacity decrease.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the depth of discharge becomes shallower, the refresh discharge is performed for each smaller number of charges, so that the refresh discharge can be performed at an optimal time, and the memory effect can be further suppressed. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the refresh time required is the sum of the refresh time obtained from the remaining capacity of the battery and the refresh discharge current value, and the shortest charge time required from the refresh discharge end state to the end of charge. The refresh discharge is performed only when the charging time is shorter than the maximum controllable time obtained from the current time and the scheduled travel time. Therefore, a problem occurs such that the battery cannot be fully charged by the scheduled travel time due to the refresh. Can be prevented.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 6 are views for explaining a battery charge control device for an electric scooter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric scooter provided with the charge control device, and FIG. Configuration diagrams, FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric scooter provided with a charging control device according to the present embodiment. A body frame 2 of the scooter 1 has a left end, a lower end of one main pipe 2b connected to a head pipe 2a. Right pair of side pipes 2c,
2c, and a pair of left and right side pipes 2c, 2c
Are extended right and left, and the lower end is bent rearward to extend rearward so as to form a low-floor footrest 2d, and further obliquely upward and rearward.

The head pipe 2 of the vehicle body frame 2
A front wheel 4 is pivotally supported at the lower end of a front fork 3 supported to be steerable left and right by a, and a steering handle 5 is fixed to the upper end. A power unit 6 is supported on the rear extension 2e of the vehicle body frame 2 via a suspension bracket 2g so as to be vertically swingable. The power unit 6 includes a drive motor 7 arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction, a transmission case 9 which extends rearward from the left end of the drive motor 7 and includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the rear wheel 8. Is a unit swing type united integrally.

A support bracket 2f is suspended from the footrest 2d of the vehicle body frame 2, and a battery 10 is mounted on the side of the support bracket 2f.
The battery 10 is an assembled battery in which a number of unit cells 11 are accommodated and arranged in a battery case 12 and connected in series.

A cooling fan 13 is provided above the rear end of the battery case 12, and a charger 14 is provided adjacent to the cooling fan 13. An ECU 15 is provided at the upper part. The ECU 15 controls the output of the drive motor 7 and controls the start, interruption, and termination of charging by the charger 14 and a charging control device 15 'for controlling a charging current value.
Also works as

The charge control device 15 'is provided with an interface 16 for inputting a scheduled travel time and the like set by a user, and is connected to a battery capacity calculation unit 17 for obtaining the remaining capacity of the battery 10 from the battery voltage and battery current. The required charge capacity calculating section 18 calculates the capacity to be charged before the full charge based on the remaining capacity from the calculating section 17.
And a required charging time calculating unit (required charging time calculating means) 20 for obtaining a required charging time required for full charging from the required charging capacity and the reference charging current value calculated by the charging current value calculating unit 19. I have.

The charge control device 15 'functions as means for obtaining a maximum controllable time from the current time calculated by the current time calculation unit 21 and the scheduled travel time input by the user. A charging start time calculating unit 22 for obtaining a charging start time from the time and the calculated required charging time; a charging start time calculated by the charging start time calculating unit 22; ) The charging current value and the current time from 19 are input,
When the charging start time is reached, the charging command signal is sent to the charger 1
4 and a charge instruction output unit 23 for outputting the output to the control unit 4.

When the charging start time calculated by the charging start time calculating unit 22 is earlier than the current time, that is, when the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time, the charging current value calculating unit 19 The charging current value is increased within a range of a preset maximum allowable current value.

The charge control unit 15 'includes a battery history storage unit 24 functioning as a means for storing charge / discharge history information including the amount of charge / discharge of the battery 10 and the number of times of charge / discharge. ) And a preset refresh discharge current value, a refresh time calculation unit 25 functioning as a means for calculating the time required for the refresh discharge, and whether or not the refresh is necessary is determined from the charge / discharge history information stored in the battery history storage unit 24. Judgment is performed, and refresh discharge is executed based on the refresh time from the refresh time calculator 25 and the shortest charge time (fixed value for each battery) required from the refresh discharge end state to the maximum allowable charge current value to full charge. A refresh discharge necessity / execution determining unit 26 for determining whether or not to perform the refresh discharge.

Further, the charge control device 15 'outputs a refresh discharge signal to a refresh discharge device (refresh execution means) 27 when a refresh execution instruction is output from the refresh discharge necessity / execution determination section 26. The control unit 28 is provided.
The refresh discharge device 27 is generally configured by a resistor that converts the current of the battery 10 into heat. However, a method of flowing a current to auxiliary equipment originally provided in the vehicle, for example, a headlight, or It is also possible to adopt a method in which a current flows through the motor 7 through a path in which the rotor does not rotate.

Here, the refresh discharge necessity / execution judging section 26 performs the refresh only when the required refresh time, which is the sum of the required refresh time and the required charge time, is shorter than the maximum controllable time. Perform discharge.

Next, the operation and effects of the apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. In the charging of the battery 10 in the charging control device 15 'of the present embodiment, when the scheduled traveling time is input by the user, the required charging time is determined from the remaining capacity of the battery 10 and the reference charging current value. The maximum controllable time is determined from the scheduled traveling time, and when the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time, charging is performed by increasing the charging current value within the range of the allowable maximum current value.

The necessity of the refresh discharge is determined based on the charge / discharge history information of the battery 10. When the necessity of the refresh discharge is determined, the refresh required for the refresh discharge is determined from the remaining capacity of the battery and the refresh discharge current value. The minimum required charging time required from the end of the refresh discharge to the full charge at the allowable maximum current value is determined, and the required charging time after refreshing which is the sum of the refresh time and the minimum required charging time is the maximum required. The refresh discharge is performed only when the time is shorter than the controllable time.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.
This will be described in more detail according to the flowchart of FIG. Here, FIG. 3 shows a charge control without refresh discharge, which corresponds to claim 1. In FIG. 3, when the charging control flow starts, the scheduled travel time set by the user is read (step S1), and the maximum controllable time T which is a value obtained by subtracting the current time from the scheduled travel time is read.
cnt is calculated (step S2), the required charging time Tc is calculated from the current remaining capacity of the battery and the reference charging current (step S3), and the maximum controllable time Tcnt is compared with the required charging time Tc (step S2). S4).

If the maximum controllable time Tcnt is shorter than the required charging time Tc in step S4, Tcnt =
A charging current value is calculated to be Tc or as close as possible (step S5). That is, the charging current value is set to a larger value as the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time. However, this charging current value is set within the range of the maximum allowable charging current value.

A charging start time for fully charging the battery is calculated from the charging current value. When the charging starting time is reached, charging is started, and until just before the scheduled driving time or until a predetermined charging end condition is reached. Charging is performed (steps S6, S7).

FIGS. 4 to 6 show charge control involving refresh discharge, which corresponds to claims 2 and 3. FIG. In FIG. 4, when the charge control flow starts,
The scheduled travel time by the user is read (step S1).
0) First, it is determined whether or not refresh discharge is necessary (step S11). When it is determined that refresh discharge is necessary, whether or not refresh discharge processing is actually possible, that is, whether or not to perform refresh discharge is performed. It is determined whether or not refresh discharge is performed (step S12). If execution of refresh discharge is selected, refresh discharge is performed (steps S14 and S15), and charging is performed after the completion of the refresh discharge (steps S16 and S17). . This refresh discharge is performed, for example, by passing the current of the battery 10 through a refresh discharge device including a resistor. When the voltage of the battery 10 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the refresh discharge has ended.

When execution of charging is selected in step S13, charging is immediately performed without performing refresh discharge (steps S16 and S17). The details of the charging control in this case are performed according to the flow of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the determination of the necessity of the refresh discharge in the step S11 is performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, the count N of the charge number counter is increased each time the charge is performed (step S20), and the discharge in each charge is performed. Depth M
And when the discharge depth M is M3% or less, M
If it is larger than 2% (hereinafter referred to as M3 to M2%), the count of the necessity determination counter 3 is increased (steps S21 to S23), and if it is M2% to M1%, the necessity determination counter 2 is increased. The count number is increased (step S2
4, S25), if it is M1% or less, the count of the necessity determination counter 1 is increased (step S26).

Here, the discharge depth M is M3>M2> M
M3, M2, and M1 are, for example, 3 respectively.
It is set to about 0%, 20%, and 10%. Note that these numbers are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these numbers. The same applies hereinafter.

When the count number N of the charge number counter reaches a predetermined value P (step S2).
7) If the count of the necessity determination counter 1 is larger than p1, an instruction is issued to indicate that refresh discharge is required (steps S28 and S29). Even when the count of the necessity determination counter 1 does not reach p1, the count of the necessity determination counter 2 is larger than p2 (step S3).
0) or the count of the necessity determination counter 3 is p3
When the value is larger (step S31), an instruction to require refresh discharge is also issued (step S29).

Here, the count number of the necessity determination counter has a relationship of p3>p2> p1.
When set to about 0 times, p3, p2, and p1 are set to, for example, about 15, 10, and 5, respectively.

That is, in the present embodiment, when charging is performed 30 times, charging at a discharge depth M of 30 to 20% is 15%.
It is determined that one refresh discharge is necessary when the number of charges is 10 or more, the charge at a depth of discharge of 20 to 10% is 10 or more, or the charge at a depth of discharge of 10% or less is 5 or more.

As described above, in this embodiment, the refresh discharge is frequently performed in the use situation where the charge is repeated while keeping the shallow discharge depth, and the refresh discharge is performed in the use situation where the discharge is performed after discharging to the deep discharge depth. Either increase the discharge interval or do not perform refresh discharge.

When it is instructed in step S29 that refresh discharge is required, when the discharge depth M is larger than M3% in step S21, and when step S3 is executed.
When the count of the necessity determination counter 3 at step 1 is smaller than p3, the counts of the necessity determination counters 1 to 3 are cleared (step S32), and the count N of the charge number counter is cleared (step S33). ), The refresh discharge necessity determination process ends.

The refresh discharge execution determination process in step S12 is performed according to FIG. That is, when it is instructed in step S29 of FIG. 5 that refresh discharge is required, it is determined that there is a refresh discharge request in step S30 of FIG. 6, and the current time is subtracted from the scheduled travel time set by the user. Maximum controllable time Tcn
t is calculated (step S31), the required discharge time TR is calculated from the current remaining capacity of the battery and the reference discharge current value (step S32), and the battery is fully charged from the refresh discharged state at a predetermined maximum allowable charging current value. Is calculated (step S33), and the required refresh time TC ', which is the sum of the required discharge time TR and the minimum charge time TCmin, is compared with the maximum controllable time Tcnt. (Step S34).

If the maximum controllable time Tcnt is longer than the required post-refresh charge time TC 'in step S34, execution of refresh discharge is instructed, and FIG.
In step S13, execution of refresh discharge is selected, and in steps S14 and S15, refresh discharge is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the battery 10
When the required charging time Tc obtained from the remaining capacity of the vehicle and the reference charging current value is shorter than the maximum controllable time Tcnt obtained from the current time and the scheduled traveling time, the charging current value is set to a preset allowable maximum current value. , The charge amount increases by the amount corresponding to the increase in the charging current value, and even when the time from the current time to the scheduled driving time is short, the battery 10 is fully charged without deteriorating the battery 10. Can,
Alternatively, the battery can be charged to a state close to full charge.

Further, the necessity of the refresh discharge is determined based on the discharge history information including the depth of discharge at the time of charging the battery and the number of times of charging, and the refresh discharge is executed when the necessity of the refresh discharge is determined. It is possible to avoid the problem that the battery is repeatedly charged with a shallow depth of discharge, and it is possible to suppress the memory effect that the battery voltage and the capacity are reduced.

In the determination of the necessity of the refresh discharge, the refresh discharge is performed at a smaller number of charges as the depth of discharge is smaller, that is, more frequent, so that the refresh discharge can be performed at an optimal time. The memory effect can be suppressed.

In determining whether or not to perform the refresh discharge, the refresh time TR obtained from the remaining capacity of the battery 10 and the refresh discharge current value, and the shortest charge time Tcmin required from the refresh discharge end state to the end of charge are determined. The refresh discharge is performed only when the required post-refresh charge time Tc ′, which is the sum of the above, is shorter than the maximum controllable time Tcnt obtained from the current time and the scheduled run time. The problem that the battery cannot be fully charged by the time can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric scooter provided with a charge control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the invention of claim 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Battery 14 Charger 51 Necessary charge time calculation means 52 Maximum controllable time calculation means 53 Charge current value control means 61 Charge / discharge history accumulation means 62 Refresh necessity determination means 63 Refresh execution means 64 Refresh time calculation means 65 Minimum time calculation means 66 Maximum controllable time calculation means 67 Refresh execution determination means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H02J 7/04 H02J 7/04 B 7/10 7/10 H

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A required charging time calculating means for determining a required charging time from a remaining capacity of a battery and a preset reference charging current value, and a maximum controllable time for determining a maximum controllable time from a current time and a scheduled traveling time. An electric motor comprising: an arithmetic unit; and a charging current value control unit that increases a charging current value within a range of a preset allowable maximum current value when the maximum controllable time is shorter than the required charging time. Charge control device for vehicle battery. 2. A charge / discharge history accumulating means for accumulating charge / discharge history information including a depth of discharge at the time of charging of a battery and the number of times of charging, and judging whether refresh discharge is necessary based on the accumulated charge / discharge history information. Refresh necessity determination means;
A battery charging control device for an electric vehicle, comprising: refresh execution means for performing refresh discharge when it is determined that refresh is necessary. 3. An electric vehicle battery charge control device according to claim 2, wherein said refresh necessity determining means determines that refresh discharge is necessary for each smaller number of charges as the discharge depth is smaller. 4. A refresh time calculating means for calculating a refresh time required for refresh discharge from a remaining capacity of a battery and a refresh discharge current value when it is determined that refresh is necessary, and a refresh discharge end state. A shortest charging time calculating means for calculating a shortest charging time required to complete charging at an allowable maximum current value; a maximum controllable time calculating means for obtaining a maximum controllable time from a current time and a scheduled traveling time; and Refresh execution determining means for instructing the execution of the refresh discharge only when the required refresh time after the refresh which is the sum of the shortest charge time is shorter than the maximum controllable time. Charge control device.