JP2014204541A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a control device capable of quickly charging a storage battery and storing a large amount of power in the storage battery. A control device controls charging from a generator to a storage battery. The switch 10 is provided in a first charging path through which the generator 22 charges the storage battery 23, and the DCDC converter 11 is provided in a second charging path through which the generator 22 charges the storage battery 23. The DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage generated by the generator 22 and applies the boosted voltage to the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21. The control unit 14 charges the storage battery 23 when the charge current value detected by the current detection unit 12 becomes less than a predetermined value while the storage battery 23 is charged via the first charging path. The switch 10 and the DCDC converter 11 are controlled so as to switch to the charging via the. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device that controls charging performed by supplying electric power generated by a generator to a storage battery.

  Currently, vehicles such as HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or EV (Electric Vehicle) are widely used. Such a vehicle is equipped with a power supply device that includes a generator that generates electric power by converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric power when the vehicle decelerates, and a storage battery that stores the electric power generated by the generator. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In such a power supply device, the storage battery supplies the stored power to an in-vehicle load such as an audio device or a meter, so that the kinetic energy of the vehicle is not consumed by friction between the tire and the ground when the vehicle is decelerated. Used efficiently.

JP 2012-240487 A

  However, in the power supply device described in Patent Document 1, the generator and the storage battery are directly connected by electric wires. The charging voltage applied to the storage battery increases as electric power is stored in the storage battery by charging. For this reason, as the charging of the storage battery proceeds, the voltage difference between the voltage generated by the generator and the charging voltage of the storage battery decreases, and the current flowing from the generator to the storage battery decreases. For this reason, the power supply device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it takes a long time to charge the storage battery.

  Moreover, in the storage battery described in Patent Document 1, since a voltage higher than the voltage generated by the generator is not applied to the storage battery, there is a problem that the power that can be stored in the storage battery is small.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The place made into the objective is providing the control apparatus which can charge a storage battery quickly and can make a storage battery store a lot of electric power. It is in.

  The control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls charging from a generator to a storage battery. First and second charging paths for the generator to charge the storage battery, and a switch provided in the first charging path And a booster circuit that is provided in the second charging path, boosts the voltage generated by the generator, applies the boosted voltage to the storage battery, a current detection unit that detects a charging current to the storage battery, and When the storage battery is charged via the first charging path and the charging current value detected by the current detection unit is less than a predetermined value, charging to the storage battery is charging via the second charging path. And a control unit for controlling the switch and the booster circuit so as to be switched to each other.

  In the present invention, a switch is provided in the first charging path for the generator to charge the storage battery, and the voltage generated by the generator is boosted to the second charging path for the generator to charge the storage battery. Is provided to the storage battery. The current detection unit detects a charging current flowing into the storage battery. The control unit is configured such that the charging current value detected by the current detection unit in a state where the storage battery is charged via the first charging path, for example, a state where the switch is off and the boosting circuit stops boosting is a predetermined value. The switch and the booster circuit are controlled so that the charging of the storage battery is switched to the charging via the second charging path when it becomes less than the value. At this time, for example, the control unit turns off the switch and causes the booster circuit to start boosting.

  After the charging current value becomes less than the predetermined value and the charging of the rechargeable battery is switched to the charging via the second charging path, the control unit appropriately controls the boosting width of the boosting circuit to determine the charging current value. It becomes possible to maintain more than a value, and it becomes possible to charge a storage battery quickly. Furthermore, since the voltage generated by the generator is boosted, a voltage higher than the voltage generated by the generator can be applied to the storage battery. Thereby, the electric power stored in the storage battery is not limited to the voltage generated by the generator, and a large amount of electric power can be stored in the storage battery.

  The control device according to the present invention is characterized in that the value of the current generated by the generator is limited to the predetermined value or less.

  In the present invention, the generator generates a current equal to or less than a predetermined value. When the storage battery is charged via the first charging path, when the power stored in the storage battery is small and the voltage applied to the storage battery is low, the voltage that can be generated by the generator is high. The resistance value of the electric wire used for connecting the generator and the storage battery and the internal resistance value of the storage battery are usually sufficiently small. For this reason, current limiting is performed and a predetermined value of current flows from the generator to the storage battery. When the value of the current flowing into the storage battery becomes less than a predetermined value due to an increase in the voltage applied to the storage battery, the charge to the storage battery is switched to the charge through the second charging path, and the booster circuit boosts the voltage. . At this time, for example, the control unit can maintain the charging current value at a predetermined value by appropriately controlling the boosting width of the boosting circuit.

  The control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls charging from a generator to a storage battery. First and second charging paths for the generator to charge the storage battery, and a switch provided in the first charging path And a booster circuit that is provided in the second charging path, boosts the voltage generated by the generator, and applies the boosted voltage to the storage battery; and an electric wire connected to the first and second charging paths A voltage detection unit that detects a voltage at each of both ends, and a calculated value calculated based on a voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit in a state where the storage battery is charged via the first charging path is a predetermined value. And a control unit that controls the switch and the booster circuit so that charging to the storage battery is switched to charging via the second charging path when the battery charge becomes less than the lower limit.

  In the present invention, a switch is provided in the first charging path for the generator to charge the storage battery, and the voltage generated by the generator is boosted to the second charging path for the generator to charge the storage battery. Is provided to the storage battery. A voltage detection part detects the voltage in each of the both ends of the electric wire connected to the 1st and 2nd charging path, for example, the electric wire provided in the path | route of the electric current from a 1st and 2nd charging path to a storage battery. The control unit is based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit in a state where the storage battery is charged via the first charging path, for example, in a state where the switch is off and the boosting circuit stops boosting. When the calculated value calculated, for example, the difference value of the voltage value detected by the voltage detector becomes less than a predetermined value, the switch and the booster circuit are switched so that the charging to the storage battery is switched to the charging via the second charging path. Control. At this time, for example, the control unit turns off the switch and causes the booster circuit to start boosting.

  When the calculated value is a difference value between the voltage values at both ends of the electric wire, the control unit boosts the voltage after the calculated value is less than the predetermined value and the charging of the rechargeable battery is switched to the charging via the second charging path. By appropriately controlling the step-up width of the circuit, the calculated value can be maintained at a predetermined value or more. Thereby, since a charging current value can be maintained more than a fixed value, it becomes possible to charge a storage battery quickly. Furthermore, since the voltage generated by the generator is boosted, a voltage higher than the voltage generated by the generator can be applied to the storage battery. Thereby, the electric power stored in the storage battery is not limited to the voltage generated by the generator, and a large amount of electric power can be stored in the storage battery.

  In the control device according to the present invention, an upper limit value is provided for a value of current generated by the generator, and the predetermined value is detected by the voltage detection unit when the current of the upper limit value flows through the electric wire. The calculated value is calculated based on the measured voltage value.

  In the present invention, an upper limit is provided for the value of the current generated by the generator. When the voltage stored in the storage battery is low and the voltage applied to the storage battery is low when the rechargeable battery is charged via the first charging path, the voltage that can be generated by the generator is high, Furthermore, the resistance value of the electric wire connected to the generator and the storage battery and the internal resistance value of the storage battery are usually sufficiently small. For this reason, current limitation is performed, and an upper limit current flows from the generator to the storage battery. The voltage value detected by the voltage detector when the calculated value is, for example, the difference between the voltage values at both ends of the wire and the value of the current flowing into the storage battery is below the upper limit due to the increase in the voltage applied to the storage battery. The calculated value based on is less than a predetermined value. Thereby, the charge to the storage battery is switched to the charge via the second charging circuit, and the boosting circuit boosts the voltage. At this time, the control unit can maintain the calculated value at a predetermined value by appropriately controlling the boosting width of the boosting circuit, for example, and can maintain the charging current value at the upper limit value.

  According to the present invention, since charging to the storage battery is appropriately switched from charging via the first charging path to charging via the second charging path, the storage battery can be charged quickly and a large amount of charge is stored in the storage battery. Electric power can be stored.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which a control part performs while accepting a charge signal. It is explanatory drawing of the effect in a control apparatus. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply device control device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which a control part performs while accepting a charge signal.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply device according to the first embodiment. This power supply device is suitably mounted on a vehicle and includes a control device 1, electric wires 20 and 21, a generator 22, storage batteries 23 and 24, and a load 25. The control device 1 is connected between one ends of the electric wires 20 and 21, the other end of the electric wire 20 is connected to one end of the generator 22, and the other end of the electric wire 21 is connected to the positive terminal of the storage battery 23. The control device 1 is connected to one end of each of the storage battery 24 and the load 25 separately from the electric wires 20 and 21. The other end of each of the generator 22 and the load 25 and the negative terminal of each of the storage batteries 23 and 24 are grounded.

The generator 22 generates electric power in conjunction with the engine, and generates regenerative electric power by converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric power when the vehicle decelerates. Specifically, the generator 22 generates AC power and rectifies the generated AC power into DC power. The power, voltage, and current generated by the generator 22 are the rectified power, voltage, and current, respectively.
The value of the current generated by the generator 22 is limited to a preset upper limit value or less.

The storage battery 23 is charged by supplying regenerative power from the generator 22 via the control device 1. Further, the storage battery 23 supplies the stored power to the storage battery 24 and the load 25 via the control device 1.
The storage battery 24 is, for example, a lead battery, stores the power generated by the generator 22, and supplies the stored power to the load 25.
The load 25 is an in-vehicle device such as a light or blower motor, and is supplied with electric power generated by the generator 22 and electric power stored by the storage battery 24.

  While the vehicle is decelerated and the generator 22 is generating regenerative power, the control device 1 receives a charge signal for instructing charging of the storage battery 23 from the outside. The control device 1 charges the storage battery 23 by supplying power generated by the generator 22 to the storage battery 23 while receiving the charging signal.

The control device 1 supplies the power generated by the generator 22 and the power stored in the storage battery 23 to the storage battery 24 and the load 25 while not receiving the charging signal.
As described above, the control device 1 controls charging from the generator 22 to the storage battery 23.

The control device 1 includes a switch 10, a DCDC converter 11, a current detection unit 12, a voltage detection unit 13, and a control unit 14.
One end of the switch 10 is connected to one end of each of the storage battery 24 and the load 25, and further connected to one end of the generator 22 via the electric wire 20. The other end of the switch 10 is connected to the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21.

  The DCDC converter 11 has three terminals, and the first terminal is connected to one end of each of the storage battery 24 and the load 25, and is further connected to one end of the generator 22 via the electric wire 20. A second terminal of the DCDC converter 11 is connected to the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21. A third terminal of the DCDC converter 11 is connected to the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 is connected to the current detection unit 12 and the voltage detection unit 13 in addition to the DCDC converter 11. The voltage detection unit 13 is further connected to one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side.

  As described above, in the control device 1 to which the respective components are connected, the generator 22 charges the storage battery 23 via the switch 10 and the generator 22 charges the storage battery 23 via the DCDC converter 11. A second charging path.

The switch 10 is configured by an FET (Field Effect Transistor), a bipolar transistor, a relay contact, or the like, and is turned on / off by the control unit 14.
A voltage generated by the generator 22 is applied to the DCDC converter 11 via the electric wire 20, and the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage applied by the generator 22, and the boosted voltage is supplied to the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21. Apply to. The DCDC converter 11 functions as a booster circuit.

  Moreover, the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is applied to the DCDC converter 11 via the electric wire 21, and the DCDC converter 11 performs step-up and step-down of the voltage applied by the storage battery 23 to convert the voltage, and the converted voltage Is applied to the storage battery 24 and the load 25.

  The operation of the DCDC converter 11 is controlled by the control unit 14. Specifically, the control unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to convert a voltage by repeatedly turning on / off a plurality of switches (not shown) that the DCDC converter 11 has with a coil (not shown). The control unit 14 can adjust the step-up width and the step-down width of the DCDC converter 11 by changing the on / off duty in each of one or a plurality of switches (not shown). Furthermore, the control unit 14 can also stop the operation of the DCDC converter 11 by operating each of a plurality of switches (not shown).

The current detection unit 12 detects the charging current flowing into the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21 and notifies the control unit 14 of the detected charging current value.
The voltage detection unit 13 detects the applied voltage applied to one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side, and notifies the control unit 14 of the detected applied voltage value.

  The control part 14 receives a charge signal from the outside. The control unit 14 turns on / off the switch 10 based on whether the charging signal is received, the charging current value detected by the current detection unit 12, and the applied voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 13, and The operation of the DCDC converter 11 is controlled.

  The control unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to convert the voltage output from the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21 while the switch 10 is turned off while the charging signal is not received. As described above, the DCDC converter 11 applies the converted voltage to the storage battery 24 and the load 25.

  The control unit 14 controls charging from the generator 22 to the storage battery 23 while receiving the charging signal. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations performed by the control unit 14 while receiving a charge signal.

  When the control unit 14 receives the charge signal and charges the storage battery 23, first, the control unit 14 turns on the switch 10 with the operation of the DCDC converter 11 stopped (step S1). As a result, the voltage generated by the generator 22 is applied to the storage battery 23 via the switch 10, and the storage battery 23 is charged via the first charging path. Here, when the storage battery 23 is sufficiently discharged and the power stored in the storage battery 23 is sufficiently small, the voltage that can be generated by the generator 22 is high, and the resistance value of the electric wire 21 is sufficiently small. Therefore, the current is limited and the upper limit charging current flows from the generator 22 to the storage battery 23.

  For example, the voltage that can be generated by the generator 22 is 16V, the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is zero V, the resistance value of each of the electric wires 20 and 21 is 6 mΩ, and the internal resistance value of the storage battery 23 Is 4 mΩ, the generator 22 can pass a charging current of 1000 A (= 16 / 0.016) to the storage battery 23. However, when the value of the current flowing through the generator 22 is limited to 100 A, for example, the charging current value is 100 A. In this case, the generator 22 generates a voltage of 1.6 V (= 100 × 0.016).

  When the storage battery 23 is charged and the output voltage of the storage battery 23 becomes 4 V, for example, the generator 22 can flow a charging current of 750 A (= (16−4) /0.016) to the storage battery 23. However, the charging current value is limited to 100 A, and the generator 22 generates 5.6 V (= 100 × 0.16 + 4). In this way, the charging current value is limited to 100 A until the output voltage of the storage battery 23 exceeds 14.4 (= 16-1.6) V. When the output voltage of the storage battery 23 exceeds 14.4 V, the value of the charging current that flows when the generator 22 generates a voltage of 16 V is less than 100 A, so the restriction on the charging current is released.

  After executing Step S1, the control unit 14 reads the charging current value detected by the current detection unit 12 (Step S2), and determines whether or not the read charging current value is less than the upper limit value of the charging current ( Step S3). When it is determined that the charging current value is the upper limit value (step S3: NO), the control unit 14 returns the process to step S2 and keeps the switch 10 turned on until the charging current value becomes less than the upper limit value. The determination in step S3 is repeated. While the control unit 14 repeats the determinations of steps S2 and S3, the upper limit charging current flows into the storage battery 23 via the first charging path provided with the switch 10, and the output voltage of the storage battery 23 increases.

  When it is determined that the charging current value is less than the upper limit value (step S3: YES), the control unit 14 turns off the switch 10 (step S4). When the switch 10 is turned off in step S4, the control unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to boost the voltage applied by the generator 22 (step S5). Here, the control unit 14 increases the charging current value to the storage battery 23 by increasing the step-up width of the DCDC converter 11 as the difference between the charging current value read in step S2 and the upper limit value is larger. To maintain.

  As described above, when the charging current value detected by the current detection unit 12 is less than the upper limit value while the storage battery 23 is being charged via the first charging path, the control unit 14 supplies the storage battery 23 to the storage battery 23. The switch 10 and the DCDC converter 11 are controlled so that the charging is switched to the charging via the second charging path in which the DCDC converter 11 is provided.

  After executing step S5, the control unit 14 reads the applied voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 13 (step S6), and the read applied voltage value indicates that the storage battery 23 is fully charged. It is determined whether it is less than (step S7). Here, the full charge voltage value is a value set based on the withstand voltage value of the storage battery 23. For example, as described above, the upper limit value of the current generated by the generator 22 is 100 A, the resistance value of the electric wire 21 and the internal resistance value of the storage battery 23 are 6 mΩ and 4 mΩ, respectively, and the withstand voltage value of the storage battery 23 is 15. In the case of 8V, the full charge voltage value is 16.8V (= 15.8 + 100 × 0.010).

  When it determines with the applied voltage value being less than a full charge voltage value (step S7: YES), the control part 14 reads the charging current value which the electric current detection part 12 detected (step S8), and returns a process to step S5. . In step S5 performed after executing step S8, the control unit 14 increases the step-up width of the DCDC converter 11 by increasing the difference between the charging current value read in step S8 and the upper limit value, thereby storing the storage battery 23. The charging current value is maintained at the upper limit value.

  The control unit 14 repeats the processing of steps S5 to S8 until the applied voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 13 reaches the full charge voltage value, and causes the DCDC converter 11 to boost the charging current value to the upper limit value. maintain. For example, when the upper limit value of the current value generated by the generator 22 is 100 A, the resistance value of the electric wire 21 and the internal resistance value of the storage battery 23 are 6 mΩ and 4 mΩ, respectively, and the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is 15 V, the control is performed. The unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to boost the voltage applied by the generator 22 via the electric wire 20 to 16 V (= 15 + 100 × 0.010). Thereby, a charging current of 100 A flows into the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21.

  When it is determined that the applied voltage value is the full charge voltage value (step S7: NO), the control unit 14 stops the boosting of the DCDC converter 11 (step S9) and ends the process.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effect of the control device 1. FIG. 3 shows changes in applied voltage and charging current when the control unit 14 receives a charging signal and charges the storage battery 23 whose output voltage is zero V by discharging. In FIG. 3, transitions of the applied voltage and the charging current in the power supply device including the control device 1 are indicated by bold lines, and the generator 22 and the storage battery 23 are connected by the electric wires 20 and 21 without using the control device 1. Transitions of the applied voltage and the charging current in the power supply apparatus are shown by thin lines.

  In FIG. 3, portions common to the transitions of the applied voltage and the charging current in the power supply device including the control device 1 and the transitions of the applied voltage and the charging current in the conventional power supply device are indicated by bold lines.

  In the conventional power supply device, while the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is low, the upper limit current flows from the generator 22 into the storage battery 23 and is applied to one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side, that is, the storage battery. The output voltage of 23 rises. After the current limit of the generator 22 is released due to the increase in the output voltage of the storage battery 23, the charging current value decreases with time. Thereby, the rate of increase of the applied voltage continues to decrease until the applied voltage reaches the full charge voltage.

  On the other hand, when the control device 1 is used to charge the storage battery 23 from the generator 22, while the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is low, the upper limit current flows from the generator 22 into the storage battery 23 as in the conventional power supply device. Thereby, the applied voltage applied to one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side, that is, the output voltage of the storage battery 23 increases.

  In the control device 1, the current limit of the generator 22 is released due to the increase in the output voltage of the storage battery 23, and then the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage to maintain the charging current value at the upper limit value. For this reason, the increasing rate of the applied voltage does not decrease until the applied voltage reaches the full charge voltage value. Therefore, by using the control device 1 to charge the storage battery 23 from the generator 22, the charging time of the storage battery 23 can be shortened and the storage battery 23 can be charged quickly.

  While the vehicle is decelerating, the generator 22 generates regenerative power, and the vehicle is decelerating for a short time. Since the storage battery 23 can be quickly charged by using the control device 1, it is particularly effective to use the control device 1 when charging the storage battery 23 with regenerative power.

  Further, in the control device 1, the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage generated by the generator 22, so the power stored in the storage battery 23 is not limited to the voltage generated by the generator 22. For example, even when the voltage generated by the generator 22 is 16V, it is possible to apply a voltage of 16V or more to the storage battery 23 by boosting the DCDC converter 11. Therefore, it is possible to fully charge the storage battery 23 having a withstand voltage of 18 V, for example. For this reason, the electric power stored in the storage battery 23 is not limited to the voltage generated by the generator 22, and a large amount of electric power can be stored in the storage battery 23.

  Note that the charging current value maintained by the control unit 14 turning off the switch 10 and causing the DCDC converter 11 to boost the voltage is not limited to the upper limit value of the current generated by the generator 22, and is a current value less than the upper limit value. It may be. Even in this case, since the charging current value is maintained at a certain value or higher until the applied voltage value reaches the full charge voltage value, the storage battery 23 can be charged quickly. Furthermore, since boosting by the DCDC converter 11 is also performed, a large amount of power can be stored in the storage battery 23.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply device according to the second embodiment. This power supply device includes a control device 3 instead of the control device 1 in the power supply device according to the first embodiment. The power supply device in the first embodiment is configured to maintain the charging current value to the storage battery 23 at the upper limit value. On the other hand, the power supply device according to the second embodiment is configured to maintain a constant voltage between both ends of the electric wire 21.

  Hereinafter, the power supply device according to the second embodiment will be described while referring to differences from the power supply device according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations of the second embodiment common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The power supply device according to the second embodiment is suitably mounted on a vehicle similarly to the power supply device according to the first embodiment, and includes a control device 3, electric wires 20 and 21, a generator 22, storage batteries 23 and 24, and a load 25. The control device 3 is individually connected to one end of the electric wire 20 and one end and the other end of the electric wire 21. The other end of the electric wire 20 is connected to one end of the generator 22, and the other end of the electric wire 21 is further connected to the positive terminal of the storage battery 23. The control device 3 is connected to one end of each of the storage battery 24 and the load 25 separately from the electric wires 20 and 21. The other end of each of the generator 22 and the load 25 and the negative terminal of each of the storage batteries 23 and 24 are grounded.

Control device 3 accepts a charge signal that instructs charging of storage battery 23. The control device 3 charges the storage battery 23 by supplying the power generated by the generator 22 to the storage battery 23 and receives the charge signal while receiving the charge signal, similarly to the control device 1 in the first embodiment. In the meantime, the electric power generated by the generator 22 and the electric power stored in the storage battery 23 are supplied to the storage battery 24 and the load 25.
As described above, the control device 3 also controls charging from the generator 22 to the storage battery 23.

  The control device 3 includes a switch 10, a DCDC converter 11, and a control unit 14 as in the control device 1, and these are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For this reason, the control device 3 also charges the storage battery 23 via the DCDC converter 11 and the first charging path through which the generator 22 charges the storage battery 23 via the switch 10, as in the control device 1. A second charging path. One end of the electric wire 21 is connected to the first and second charging paths.

The control device 3 further includes a voltage detection unit 30. The voltage detection unit 30 is connected to each of both ends of the electric wire 21, and is also connected to the control unit 14.
The voltage detection unit 30 detects the voltage at both ends of the electric wire 21. Specifically, the voltage detection unit 30 detects the voltage at one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side and the charging voltage applied to the storage battery 23. The voltage detection unit 30 notifies the detected two voltage values to the control unit 14.

  Each of switch 10 and DCDC converter 11 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For this reason, the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage generated by the generator 22 and applied via the electric wire 20, and applies the boosted voltage to the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21. The DCDC converter 11 functions as a booster circuit.

  The control unit 14 in the second embodiment controls the on / off of the switch 10 and the operation of the DCDC converter 11 as in the first embodiment. Further, the control unit 14 in the second embodiment performs control in the same manner as the control unit 14 in the first embodiment while not receiving the charge signal, and from the generator 22 to the storage battery 23 while receiving the charge signal. Control charging.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations performed by the control unit 14 while receiving a charge signal. When the control unit 14 receives the charge signal and charges the storage battery 23, first, the control unit 14 turns on the switch 10 with the operation of the DCDC converter 11 stopped (step S10). As a result, the voltage generated by the generator 22 is applied to the storage battery 23 via the switch 10, and the storage battery 23 is charged via the first charging path.

  Here, the value of the current generated by the generator 22 is provided with an upper limit value as in the first embodiment, and the storage battery 23 is sufficiently discharged and the power stored in the storage battery 23 is sufficiently small. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, the upper limit charging current flows from the generator 22 into the storage battery 23.

  After executing Step S10, the control unit 14 reads the voltage value at one end of the electric wire 21 on the DCDC converter 11 side from the voltage detection unit 30 (Step S11), and further reads the charging voltage value from the voltage detection unit 30 (Step S11). S12). Next, the control unit 14 calculates the difference value between the voltage value read in step S11 and the charging voltage value read in step S12, that is, the difference value between the voltage values at both ends of the electric wire 21 detected by the voltage detection unit 30. Calculate (step S13). The difference value between the voltage values detected by the voltage detection unit 30 corresponds to a calculated value calculated based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 30.

  Next, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the difference value calculated in step S13 is less than a preset reference value (step S14). Here, the reference value is a difference value between the voltage values at both ends of the electric wire 21 detected by the voltage detection unit 30 when the upper limit current flows through the electric wire 21.

  For example, when the upper limit value of the current generated by the generator 22 is 100 A and the resistance value of the electric wire 21 is 6 mΩ, the reference value of the difference value of the voltage value at both ends of the electric wire 21 is 0.6 V (= 100 × 0.006).

  When it determines with the difference value being a reference value (step S14: NO), the control part 14 returns a process to step S11, and step S11 until the difference value of the voltage value in each both ends of the electric wire 21 becomes less than a reference value. To S14 are repeated. Since the difference value of the electric wire 21 is the reference value while the control unit 14 repeats the processing of steps S11 to S14, the upper limit charging current flows into the storage battery 23 via the first charging path, and the storage battery 23 is charged. As a result, the output voltage of the storage battery 23 increases.

  When the limit of the charging current value is released due to the increase in the output voltage of the storage battery 23 and the charging current value decreases, the difference value of the voltage value at each end of the electric wire 21 decreases. As an example, the voltage that can be generated by the generator 22 is 16V, the resistance value of each of the electric wires 20 and 21 is 6 mΩ, the internal resistance value of the storage battery is 4 mΩ, and the current generated by the generator 22 is A case where the value is limited to 100 A will be described.

  When the switch 10 is on and the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is zero V, the generator 22 can generate a current of 1000 A (= 16 / 0.016), but is limited to 100 A. . At this time, the difference value of the voltage value at both ends of the electric wire 21 is 0.6 V (= 100 × 0.006).

  When the storage battery 23 is charged and the output voltage of the storage battery 23 exceeds 14.4V, the charging current flowing when the generator 22 generates a voltage of 16V becomes less than 100A, so the restriction on the charging current is released. Is done. For example, when the output voltage of the storage battery 23 is 14.72 V, the value of the charging current that flows when the generator 22 generates a voltage of 16 V is 80 A (= (16-14.72) /0.016). . At this time, the difference value of the voltage value at both ends of the electric wire 21 is 0.48V, which is less than the reference value 0.6V.

  When it is determined that the difference value is less than the reference value (step S14: YES), the control unit 14 turns off the switch 10 (step S15). When the switch 10 is turned off in step S15, the control unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to boost the voltage applied by the generator 22 (step S16). Here, the control unit 14 increases the step-up width of the DCDC converter 11 as the difference between the difference value calculated in step S13 and the reference value is larger, thereby obtaining the difference value at both ends of the electric wire 21 as the reference value. To maintain.

  As described above, when the difference value of the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 30 is less than the reference value when the storage battery 23 is charged via the first charging path, the control unit 14 stores the storage battery 23. The switch 10 and the DCDC converter 11 are controlled so that the charging of the battery is switched to the charging via the second charging path provided with the DCDC converter 11.

  After executing step S16, the control unit 14 reads the charge voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 13 (step S17), and the read charge voltage value indicates that the storage battery 23 is fully charged. It is determined whether it is less than (step S18). Here, the full charge voltage value is a value set based on the withstand voltage value of the storage battery 23. For example, as described above, when the upper limit value of the current generated by the generator 22 is 100 A, the internal resistance value of the storage battery 23 is 4 mΩ, and the withstand voltage value of the storage battery 23 is 15.8 V, the full charge voltage value Is 16.2 V (= 15.8 + 100 × 0.004).

  When it is determined that the charging voltage value is less than the full charging voltage value (step S18: YES), the control unit 14 reads the voltage value at one end on the DCDC converter 11 side of the electric wire 21 from the voltage detection unit 30 (step S19). . Next, the control unit 14 calculates the difference value between the charging voltage value read in step S17 and the voltage value read in step S19, that is, the difference value between the voltage values at both ends of the electric wire 21 detected by the voltage detection unit 30. Calculate (step S20). After executing Step S20, the control unit 14 returns the process to Step S16.

  In step S16 performed after executing step S20, the control unit 14 increases the step-up width of the DCDC converter 11 by increasing the difference between the difference value calculated in step S20 and the reference value. The voltage difference value at both ends is maintained.

  The control unit 14 repeats the processing from step S16 to step S20 until the charging voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 13 reaches the full charging voltage value, and causes the DCDC converter 11 to boost the voltage at each end of the electric wire 21. The difference value is maintained at the reference value. For example, when the upper limit value of the current value generated by the generator 22 is 100 A, the resistance value of the electric wire 21 is 6 mΩ, and the charging voltage value is 15.4 V, the control unit 14 causes the DCDC converter 11 to generate power. The voltage applied by the machine 22 through the electric wire 20 is increased to 16 V (= 15.4 + 100 × 0.006).

  When it is determined that the charging voltage value is the full charging voltage value (step S18: NO), the control unit 14 stops the boosting of the DCDC converter 11 (step S21) and ends the process.

  In the control device 1 configured as described above, the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage value at both ends of the electric wire 21 after the current limitation of the generator 22 is released due to the increase in the output voltage of the storage battery 23. The difference value is maintained at the reference value. Thereby, the charging current value flowing into the storage battery 23 via the electric wire 21 is maintained at the upper limit value, and the amount of power stored in the storage battery 23 per unit time is reduced until the charging voltage value reaches the fully charged voltage value. Absent. Therefore, the charging time of the storage battery 23 is short, and the storage battery 23 is quickly charged.

  While the vehicle is decelerating, the generator 22 generates regenerative power, and the vehicle is decelerating for a short time. For this reason, using the control device 3 is particularly effective when the regenerative power is charged to the storage battery 23, as in the case of using the control device 1 in the first embodiment.

  In the control device 3, as in the control device 1 of the first embodiment, the DCDC converter 11 boosts the voltage generated by the generator 22, so that the power stored in the storage battery 23 is limited to the voltage generated by the generator 22. Not. For this reason, the electric power stored in the storage battery 23 is not limited to the voltage generated by the generator 22, and a large amount of electric power can be stored in the storage battery 23.

The reference value is not limited to the difference value between the voltage values at both ends of the electric wire 21 detected by the voltage detection unit 30 when the upper limit current generated by the generator 22 flows through the electric wire 21. A lower difference value may be used. Even in this case, the difference value of the voltage value at both ends of the electric wire 21 is maintained at a certain value or more and the charging current value is also kept at a certain value or more until the charging voltage value becomes the full charging voltage value. The storage battery 23 can be charged quickly. Furthermore, since boosting by the DCDC converter 11 is also performed, a large amount of power can be stored in the storage battery 23. Moreover, you may use the other calculated value calculated based on the voltage value which the voltage detection part 13 detected instead of the difference value.
Moreover, the structure which has the electric wire 21 inside may be sufficient as the control apparatus 3. FIG.

  The disclosed embodiments 1 and 2 should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,3 Control apparatus 10 Switch 11 DCDC converter 12 Current detection part 14 Control part 21 Electric wire 22 Generator 23 Storage battery 30 Voltage detection part

Claims (4)

In the control device that controls charging from the generator to the storage battery,
First and second charging paths through which the generator charges the storage battery;
A switch provided in the first charging path;
A booster circuit provided in the second charging path, boosting a voltage generated by the generator, and applying the boosted voltage to the storage battery;
A current detector for detecting a charging current to the storage battery;
When the storage battery is charged through the first charging path and the charging current value detected by the current detection unit becomes less than a predetermined value, charging to the storage battery is performed through the second charging path. And a control unit that controls the switch and the booster circuit so as to switch to charging. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a value of a current generated by the generator is limited to the predetermined value or less. In the control device that controls charging from the generator to the storage battery,
First and second charging paths through which the generator charges the storage battery;
A switch provided in the first charging path;
A booster circuit provided in the second charging path, boosting a voltage generated by the generator, and applying the boosted voltage to the storage battery;
A voltage detector that detects voltages at both ends of the electric wires connected to the first and second charging paths;
In a state where the storage battery is charged via the first charging path, when the calculated value calculated based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit becomes less than a predetermined value, the storage battery is charged. And a control unit that controls the switch and the booster circuit so as to switch to charging via the second charging path. An upper limit is provided for the value of the current generated by the generator,
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined value is a calculated value calculated based on a voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit when the current of the upper limit value flows through the electric wire. .

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