JP7418308B2 - vehicle power system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle power supply system.

Conventionally, as a vehicle power supply system, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a charging connector connected to an external power source, a main battery provided in the vehicle that supplies power to a load section, and a main battery that is provided to the vehicle and supplies power to the load section from the external power source. An electric vehicle is described that includes a relay for switching to a first supply route or a second supply route for supplying the load from the main battery.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-225587

Incidentally, in the electric vehicle described in Patent Document 1, for example, it is desired to optimally use each of the external power source and the main battery depending on the status of the external power source and the main battery to supply power to the load section.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle power supply system that can appropriately supply electric power to a load section.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, a vehicle power supply system according to the present invention includes: a power supply connection section provided in a vehicle and connectable to an external power supply provided outside the vehicle; a battery capable of charging and discharging electric power; a battery power transmission path that connects the battery and the load section to enable power transmission; and a battery power transmission path that connects the external power source and the load section via the power supply connection section an external power transmission path connected to enable transmission; a power supply switching section capable of switching the power transmission path to the load section to the battery power transmission path or the external power transmission path; a communication section capable of receiving information; a control unit that controls the power supply switching unit based on information received by the communication unit, the communication unit receiving external power related information regarding the power supplied by the external power source from outside the vehicle. , the control unit controls the power supply switching unit based on the external power related information received by the communication unit and the amount of charge of the battery, and prioritizes the battery over the external power supply and switches the power from the battery. A battery priority mode in which power is supplied to the load section via the battery power transmission path, or power is given to the external power source over the battery and power is supplied from the external power source to the load section via the external power transmission path. The present invention is characterized in that power is supplied to the load section by switching to an external power supply priority mode that supplies power.

In the vehicle power supply system, the external power related information includes at least supply and demand information representing the supply and demand status of commercial power supplied from the external power source, price information representing the electricity rate of the commercial power, and power generation of the commercial power. Preferably, the resource information includes one of resource information representing the resources used for the resource information.

In the vehicle power supply system, the control unit tends to give priority to the battery priority mode when the supply and demand information indicates that the ratio of the amount of demanded electricity to the amount of electricity supplied is relatively high; When the ratio indicates that the electricity rate is relatively low, the external power source priority mode tends to be prioritized, and when the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively high, the battery priority mode is prioritized. When the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively low, the external power source priority mode tends to be prioritized, and the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is fossil fuel. If the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation represents renewable energy, the external power source priority mode tends to be prioritized, and the supply and demand information , the rate information, and the resource information are preferably combined to switch to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode.

In the vehicle power supply system, the control unit controls the power supply switching unit based on the power request of the load unit in addition to the external power related information received by the communication unit and the amount of charge of the battery; It is preferable to switch to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode.

The vehicle power supply system further includes a power supply cutoff unit capable of switching between a supply state in which power from the battery and the external power source is supplied to the load unit and a cutoff state in which the supply of the power is cut off, and the load unit , a high-priority load section having a relatively high priority, and a low-priority load section having a relatively low priority, and the power supply cutoff section includes a high-priority load section and a low-priority load section. The supply state and the cutoff state can be individually switched to each other, and the control section controls the power supply cutoff section in the external power supply priority mode, and controls the power supply cutoff section and the high priority load section and the low priority load section. and in the case of the battery priority mode, controls the power supply cutoff section, supplies power to the high priority load section, and supplies power to the low priority load section. It is preferable not to do so.

The vehicle power supply system according to the present invention can appropriately supply power to the load section by switching to the battery priority mode or the external power supply priority mode based on external power related information and the amount of charge of the battery.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle power supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power supply switching unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing ON/OFF patterns of each relay according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating criteria for prioritizing an external power source or battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a switching example (abnormal current generation) of the power supply switching unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a switching example (battery charging) of the power supply switching unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a switching example (external power supply priority mode) of the power supply switching unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a switching example (battery priority mode) of the power supply switching unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the vehicle power supply system according to the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Further, the constituent elements described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Further, various omissions, substitutions, or changes in the configuration can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Embodiment]
A vehicle power supply system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle power supply system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the power supply switching unit 81 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing ON/OFF patterns of each relay according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating criteria for prioritizing the external power source P or the battery 20 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a switching example (abnormal current generation) of the power supply switching unit 81 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a switching example (battery charging) of the power supply switching unit 81 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a switching example (external power supply priority mode) of the power supply switching unit 81 according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a switching example (battery priority mode) of the power supply switching unit 81 according to the embodiment.

The vehicle power supply system 1 supplies electric power supplied from an external power supply P or a battery 20 to an electric device (load unit) LD. The vehicle power supply system 1 is used, for example, in a kitchen car (food truck) equipped with refrigeration equipment, etc., a camper van equipped with home appliances such as lighting, a sales vehicle equipped with advertising displays, etc., a campsite, etc. It is installed in general vehicles, vehicles used for living rooms and offices, etc., and supplies power to the electrical equipment installed in each vehicle. The vehicle power supply system 1 will be explained in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle power supply system 1 includes an external power supply inlet 10 as a power supply connection part, a battery 20, a battery monitoring unit 30, an AC/DC converter 40, a power transmission line 50, and an AC power supply branch. Box BX.

The external power supply inlet 10 is a power supply port into which power supplied from the external power supply P is input. The external power inlet 10 is provided in the vehicle V and can be connected to an external power source P provided outside the vehicle V. Here, the external power source P is, for example, a power generation system installed at an electric power company (power station), and supplies power to the charging target via chargers installed at charging stations in various places. The external power inlet 10 is electrically connected to the external power source P by inserting the connector of the charger, and receives AC power (also simply referred to as "electric power") supplied from the external power source P. Ru. The external power supply inlet 10 is connected to the AC power supply branch box BX, and supplies AC power input from the external power supply P to the AC power supply branch box BX.

The battery 20 is a storage battery that can charge and discharge DC power, and is provided in the vehicle V. The battery 20 is, for example, a lithium ion battery and includes a plurality of battery cells. The battery 20 is connected to an AC power branch box BX via an AC/DC converter 40. The battery 20 is charged with power from an external power supply P supplied via the AC power branch box BX and the AC/DC converter 40. Further, the battery 20 supplies the charged power to the electric device LD via the AC/DC converter 40 and the AC power supply branch box BX.

The battery monitoring unit 30 monitors the state of the battery 20. The battery monitoring unit 30 is, for example, what is called a battery management system (BMS), and monitors the voltage, current, temperature, and charge amount (state of charge: SOC) of the battery 20, and also monitors a plurality of Perform cell balancing of battery cells. The battery monitoring unit 30 is connected to the AC power branch box BX, and outputs information representing the monitoring result to the AC power branch box BX.

The AC/DC converter 40 is a converter that is capable of converting alternating current power to direct current power, and converting direct current power to alternating current power. The AC/DC converter 40 is provided between the battery 20 and the AC power branch box BX, and is connected to the battery 20 and the AC power branch box BX. The AC/DC converter 40 converts AC power supplied from the external power supply P via the AC power branch box BX into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power to the battery 20. Furthermore, the AC/DC converter 40 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 20 into AC power, and supplies the converted AC power to the electrical equipment LD via the AC power supply branch box BX.

The power transmission path 50 is a path through which power can be transmitted. The power transmission path 50 is configured to include a charging power transmission path 51, an external power transmission path 52, and a battery power transmission path 53.

The charging power transmission path 51 is a power transmission path when charging the battery 20. The charging power transmission path 51 is a path that connects the external power source P and the battery 20 so that power can be transmitted, and for example, from the external power source P to the external power inlet 10, the AC power branch box BX, and the AC/DC This is a route that passes through the converter 40 and reaches the battery 20. The charging power transmission path 51 transmits power supplied from the external power source P to the battery 20.

The external power transmission path 52 is a power transmission path when power supplied from the external power source P is supplied to the electrical device LD. The external power transmission path 52 is a path that connects the external power source P and the electric device LD via the external power inlet 10 so that power can be transmitted, and for example, from the external power source P to the external power inlet 10 and the AC This is a route that passes through the power supply branch box BX and reaches the electrical equipment LD. The external power transmission path 52 transmits power supplied from the external power source P to the electrical device LD.

The battery power transmission path 53 is a power transmission path when power supplied from the battery 20 is supplied to the electrical device LD. The battery power transmission path 53 is a path that connects the battery 20 and the electric device LD so that power can be transmitted. For example, the battery power transmission path 53 connects the battery 20 to the electric device LD via the AC/DC converter 40 and the AC power supply branch box BX. This is the route leading to the LD. The battery power transmission path 53 transmits the power supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD.

The AC power branch box BX switches the supply route of AC power. The AC power branch box BX is configured to include a measuring section 60, a communication I/F 70, and a switching section 80. The measurement unit 60 measures current and voltage. The measurement section 60 includes a current measurement section 61 and a voltage measurement section 62.

The current measurement unit 61 measures current. The current measurement unit 61 is provided between the external power inlet 10 and the switching unit 80 and measures the alternating current flowing between the external power inlet 10 and the switching unit 80. That is, the current measuring section 61 measures the alternating current of the alternating current power supplied from the external power supply P to the switching section 80. Further, the current measurement unit 61 is provided between the battery 20 and the switching unit 80 and measures the alternating current flowing between the battery 20 and the switching unit 80. That is, the current measurement unit 61 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 20 into AC power by the AC/DC converter 40, and then measures the AC current of the AC power supplied to the switching unit 80. The current measurement unit 61 is connected to the control unit 90 and outputs the current value of the measured alternating current to the control unit 90.

The voltage measurement unit 62 measures voltage. Voltage measuring section 62 is provided between external power inlet 10 and switching section 80 and measures the voltage applied between external power inlet 10 and switching section 80 . That is, the voltage measurement section 62 measures the AC voltage of the AC power supplied from the external power supply P to the switching section 80 . Further, the voltage measurement unit 62 is provided between the battery 20 and the switching unit 80 and measures the voltage applied between the battery 20 and the switching unit 80. That is, the voltage measurement unit 62 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 20 into AC power by the AC/DC converter 40, and then measures the AC voltage of the AC power supplied to the switching unit 80. The voltage measurement unit 62 is connected to the control unit 90 and outputs the voltage value of the measured AC voltage to the control unit 90.

The communication I/F 70 is for transmitting and receiving information. The communication I/F 70 includes an in-vehicle communication I/F 71 and an external communication I/F 72 as a communication section.

The in-vehicle communication I/F 71 performs communication within the vehicle V. The in-vehicle communication I/F 71 is connected to the battery monitoring unit 30 and the control section 90 and outputs information representing the monitoring result output from the battery monitoring unit 30 to the control section 90. Further, the in-vehicle communication I/F 71 is connected to the in-vehicle ECU 101, and performs communication between the control unit 90 and the in-vehicle ECU 101. The in-vehicle communication I/F 71 performs communication between the control unit 90 and the in-vehicle ECU 101 regarding, for example, the power consumed in the vehicle V, the state of the battery 20, the control of the switching unit 80, and the like.

The external communication I/F 72 is for communicating with the outside of the vehicle V. The external communication I/F 72 is connected to, for example, the control unit 90 and communicates with the control unit 90, as well as wirelessly communicates with an external device of the vehicle V (for example, the management device M). Here, the management device M as an external device is installed at an electric power company that manages electric power (commercial electric power) supplied from an external power source P, for example. The management device M transmits, for example, external power related information regarding the power supplied by the external power source P (for example, information including power shortage). The external communication I/F 72 receives this external power related information from the management device M, and outputs the received external power related information to the control unit 90. Note that the external communication I/F 72 may transmit power consumption information representing the power consumed within the vehicle V to an electric power company, a business entity that manages the vehicle V, or the like. The business operator can manage the power consumption of the vehicles V based on this power consumption information and efficiently use the battery 20 of each vehicle V.

The switching unit 80 switches the power transmission path and supplies or cuts off the power supplied to the electric device LD. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit 80 includes a power supply switching unit 81, a power supply cutoff unit 82, and a current measurement unit 83. The power supply switching unit 81 switches the power transmission path to the electrical device LD. The power supply switching section 81 includes a first relay unit 81A and a second relay unit 81B.

The first relay unit 81A switches between a supply state in which power is supplied and a cutoff state in which power is cut off, and includes a relay 81a and a relay 81b. The relay 81a is provided on the upstream side of the external power transmission path 52 that connects the external power supply P and the electric device LD. Relay 81b is provided downstream of external power transmission path 52. The relays 81a and 81b are connected to a control section 90 and turned on/off based on a control signal output from the control section 90. When the relays 81a and 81b are turned ON, the external power transmission path 52 is placed in a supply state, and when turned OFF, the external power transmission path 52 is placed in a cutoff state.

The second relay unit 81B is configured to switch between a supply state in which power is supplied and a cutoff state in which power is cut off, and includes a relay 81c and a relay 81d. The relay 81c is provided on the upstream side of the battery power transmission path 53 that connects the battery 20 and the electrical device LD. Relay 81d is provided downstream of battery power transmission path 53. Relays 81c and 81d are connected to a control section 90 and turned on/off based on a control signal output from the control section 90. When the relays 81c and 81d are turned ON, the battery power transmission path 53 is placed in a supply state, and when turned OFF, the battery power transmission path 53 is placed in a cutoff state.

Then, the power supply switching unit 81 switches the power transmission path to the electrical device LD to the battery power transmission path 53 or the external power transmission path 52 by turning on/off the first relay unit 81A and the second relay unit 81B. The power supply switching unit 81 switches the power transmission path to the electric device LD to the external power transmission path 52 by, for example, turning on the first relay unit 81A and turning off the second relay unit 81B. On the other hand, the power supply switching unit 81 switches the power transmission path to the electric device LD to the battery power transmission path 53 by turning off the first relay unit 81A and turning on the second relay unit 81B.

The power supply cutoff unit 82 supplies or cuts off power supplied to the electrical device LD. The power supply cutoff section 82 includes a plurality of relay units 82A and 82B. The plurality of relay units 82A and 82B are provided corresponding to each electric device LD.

Relay unit 82A includes a relay 82a and a relay 82b. The relay 82a is provided on the upstream side of the power transmission path that connects the battery 20 and external power source P to the electrical device LD1. Relay 82b is provided on the downstream side of the power transmission path. The relays 82a and 82b are connected to a control section 90 and are turned on/off based on a control signal output from the control section 90. When the relays 82a and 82b are turned ON, the relays 82a and 82b enter a supply state in which power from the battery 20 and the external power source P is supplied to the electrical device LD1, and when they are turned OFF, the relays 82a and 82b enter a cutoff state in which the supply of the power is cut off. Here, the electrical equipment LD1 is a high-priority electrical equipment that has a relatively high priority. For example, if the vehicle V is a vehicle equipped with a refrigeration equipment, such as a food truck, when the power to the refrigeration equipment is lost, Since food cannot be stored, the refrigeration equipment corresponds to high-priority electrical equipment. Note that the electrical device LD1 may also be referred to as a high-priority electrical device LD1.

Relay unit 82B includes a relay 82c and a relay 82d. The relay 82c is provided on the upstream side of the power transmission path that connects the battery 20 and external power source P to the electrical device LD2. Relay 82d is provided on the downstream side of the power transmission path. The relays 82c and 82d are connected to a control section 90 and turned on/off based on a control signal output from the control section 90. When the relays 82c and 82d are turned ON, the relays 82c and 82d enter a supply state in which power from the battery 20 and the external power source P is supplied to the electrical device LD2, and when they are turned OFF, the relays 82c and 82d enter a cutoff state in which the supply of the power is cut off. Here, the electric device LD2 is a low-priority electric device that has a relatively low priority. For example, if the vehicle V is a vehicle selling goods equipped with an advertising display etc., the power to the advertising display is lost. The advertising display corresponds to a low-priority electrical device because the product can continue to be sold even if the product is sold. Note that the electric device LD2 may also be referred to as a low priority electric device LD2.

In this way, the power supply cutoff unit 82 supplies power from the battery 20 and the external power source P to the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2 by switching ON/OFF of the relay units 82A and 82B. Or, the power is cut off and not supplied to the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2. The power supply cutoff unit 82 can individually switch between a supply state and a cutoff state for the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2. That is, the power supply cutoff unit 82 can supply power to the high priority electrical device LD1 and cut off power supplied to the low priority electrical device LD2, depending on the power supply status.

The current measurement unit 83 measures current. The current measurement unit 83 is provided between the power supply cutoff unit 82 and the electric device LD, and measures the alternating current flowing between the power supply cutoff unit 82 and the electric device LD. That is, the current measuring unit 83 measures the alternating current of the alternating current power supplied from the external power supply P to the electrical device LD. The current measurement unit 83 is connected to the control unit 90 and outputs the current value of the measured alternating current to the control unit 90.

The control section 90 controls the switching section 80 based on various information. The control unit 90 is configured to include an electronic circuit mainly including a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM constituting a storage unit, a RAM, and an interface. The control unit 90 calculates power consumption based on the current value output from the current measurement unit 61 and the voltage value output from the voltage measurement unit 62, and transmits power consumption information representing the power consumption to the external communication I/F 72. The information is transmitted to the electric power company, the business operator that manages the vehicle V, etc. via the host computer.

The control unit 90 controls the switching unit 80 based on information acquired from the battery monitoring unit 30, the in-vehicle ECU 101, and the current measurement unit 83. The control unit 90 controls the switching unit 80 based on the current value of the electrical device LD acquired from the current measurement unit 83, for example. When the current value of the electrical device LD obtained from the current measuring section 83 is abnormal, the control section 90 controls the power supply cutoff section 82 to cut off the power supply to the electrical device LD indicating the abnormality. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the current value of the electrical device LD1 is abnormal, the control unit 90 turns off the relay unit 82A and cuts off the power supply to the electrical device LD1. At this time, the control unit 90 keeps the relay unit 82B ON and supplies power to the normal electric device LD2. Thereby, the control unit 90 can electrically disconnect the abnormal electrical device LD1 from the circuit, and then continue to supply power to the normal electrical device LD2.

The control unit 90 charges the battery 20 with the power supplied from the external power source P when the amount of charge of the battery 20 is relatively small, that is, when the amount of charge of the battery 20 is less than a predetermined reference amount of charge. . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 90 turns on the first and second relay units 81A and 81B, and charges the battery 20 with the power supplied from the external power supply P via the charging power transmission path 51. . At this time, the control unit 90 turns on the relay unit 82A and turns off the relay unit 82B, thereby supplying power to the high-priority electric device LD1 and not supplying power to the low-priority electric device D2. As a result, the control unit 90 does not supply power to the low-priority electric device D2, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the charging efficiency of the battery 20.

The control unit 90 acquires the amount of charge of the battery 20 from the battery monitoring unit 30, and further receives external power related information from the management device M via the external communication I/F 72. Here, the external power related information is information regarding the power supplied by the external power source P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the external power related information includes at least supply and demand information representing the supply and demand situation (tight situation) of commercial power supplied from the external power source P, and rate information representing the electricity rate of commercial power. , and one piece of resource information representing resources used to generate commercial power. Here, the supply and demand status of commercial power is determined based on the ratio of the amount of demanded power to the amount of power supplied by the power company. The electricity rate for commercial power is determined based on the unit price of commercial power (for example, the rate per 1 kWh). Resources used to generate commercial electricity are classified as renewable energy or fossil fuels. Renewable energy is, for example, solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, or the like. Fossil fuels include, for example, oil, coal, and natural gas.

The control unit 90 controls the power supply switching unit 81 based on external power related information received by the external communication I/F 72, the amount of charge of the battery 20, and request information representing the required power requested from the electrical device LD. Here, the required power from the electrical device LD is determined based on the measurement results of the current measuring section 61 and the voltage measuring section 62, for example. The control unit 90 switches to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode and supplies power to the electric device LD based on the above information. Here, the battery priority mode is a mode in which the battery 20 is prioritized over the external power source P and power is supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD via the battery power transmission path 53. Here, in the battery priority mode, power is supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD, and power is not supplied from the external power source P to the electrical device LD. The external power source priority mode is a mode in which the external power source P is prioritized over the battery 20 and power is supplied from the external power source P to the electric device LD via the external power transmission path 52. Here, in the external power source priority mode, power is supplied from the external power source P to the electrical device LD, and power is not supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 90 sets the battery priority mode when the supply and demand information indicates that the ratio of the amount of demanded power to the amount of supplied power is relatively high (that is, when commercial power is in short supply). When the supply and demand information indicates that the ratio is relatively low (that is, when commercial power is not in short supply), there is a tendency to give priority to the external power source priority mode. The control unit 90 tends to give priority to the battery priority mode when the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively high, and when the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively low, the control unit 90 tends to prioritize the battery priority mode. There is a tendency to prioritize the priority mode. The control unit 90 tends to give priority to the battery priority mode when the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is fossil fuel, and when the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation represents renewable energy, the control unit 90 tends to prioritize the battery priority mode. There is a tendency to give priority to power priority mode. The control unit 90 tends to give priority to the battery priority mode when the request information representing the required power of the electrical device LD indicates that the required power of the electrical device LD is relatively small, and When the request information indicating that the electric power required by the electrical device LD is relatively large, the external power source priority mode tends to be given priority. The control unit 90 then switches to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode by combining the supply and demand information, rate information, resource information, and request information while giving priority to each mode as described above. For example, when switching to the external power priority mode, the control unit 90 turns on the first relay unit 81A and turns off the second relay unit 81B, as shown in FIGS. The power source P is given priority and power is supplied from the external power source P to the electric device LD via the external power transmission path 52. At this time, the control unit 90 supplies power to both the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2 by turning on the relay unit 82A and the relay unit 82B. On the other hand, when switching to the battery priority mode, the control unit 90 turns off the first relay unit 81A and turns on the second relay unit 81B, as shown in FIGS. The battery 20 is given priority and power is supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD via the battery power transmission path 53. At this time, the control unit 90 turns on the relay unit 82A and turns off the relay unit 82B, thereby supplying power to the high-priority electric device LD1 and not supplying power to the low-priority electric device LD2.

As described above, the control unit 90 combines the supply and demand information, rate information, resource information, and request information to switch to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode, and there are two switching methods. The first method is to switch each mode based on the evaluation value of each piece of information. For example, the control unit 90 sets evaluation values in advance for each of supply and demand information, rate information, resource information, and request information, and compares the total value of the evaluation values with a predetermined reference value. switch to battery priority mode or external power source priority mode based on the This evaluation value is set relatively high, for example, when it is appropriate to use the external power supply priority mode in each piece of information. Then, the control unit 90 compares the total evaluation value of each information with a predetermined reference value, and when the total evaluation value is equal to or greater than the reference value, switches to the external power supply priority mode, and controls the total evaluation value. If the value is less than the reference value, switch to battery priority mode. Note that the evaluation value may be weighted according to the importance of each piece of information.

The second method is to switch each mode based on the priority of each information. The control unit 90 sets a priority for each piece of information in advance, and determines each mode in the order of the highest priority. The control unit 90 sets the priorities in advance, for example, in the order of request information, supply and demand information, charge information, and resource information so that request information has the highest priority and resource information has the lowest priority. . When information with a relatively high priority (for example, request information) indicates that priority is given to the external power source P, the control unit 90 switches to the external power source priority mode. In other words, even if information with a relatively low priority (for example, resource information) indicates that priority is given to the battery 20, the control unit 90 determines that information with a relatively high priority (for example, request information) indicates that the external power supply When indicating that priority is given to P, the mode is switched to external power supply priority mode. Note that the priority order can be changed as appropriate by the user.

Next, an example of the operation of the vehicle power supply system 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle power supply system 1 according to the embodiment. In the vehicle power supply system 1, the control unit 90 determines whether the amount of charge of the battery 20 is equal to or greater than the reference amount of charge (step S1). When the amount of charge of the battery 20 is equal to or greater than the reference amount of charge (Step S1; Yes), the control unit 90 performs a process of determining the operation mode (Step S2). The control unit 90 determines the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode, for example, by combining supply and demand information, rate information, resource information, and request information. If the control unit 90 determines that the mode is the external power priority mode (Step S3; Yes), it switches to the external power source priority mode (Step S4). The control unit 90 switches to the external power supply priority mode, for example, by turning on the first relay unit 81A and turning off the second relay unit 81B. Next, the control unit 90 supplies power to both the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2 by turning on the relay unit 82A and the relay unit 82B (step S5), and ends the switching process. . When the control unit 90 determines that the mode is the battery priority mode in step S3 described above (step S3; No), it switches to the battery priority mode (step S6). The control unit 90 switches to the battery priority mode, for example, by turning off the first relay unit 81A and turning on the second relay unit 81B. Next, the control unit 90 turns on the relay unit 82A and turns off the relay unit 82B, thereby supplying power to the high-priority electrical device LD1, cutting off power supplied to the low-priority electrical device LD2, and switching. Finish the process. Note that in step S1 described above, if the amount of charge of the battery 20 is less than the reference amount of charge (step S1; No), the control unit 90 moves to step S4 and switches to the external power source priority mode.

As described above, the vehicle power supply system 1 according to the embodiment includes the external power inlet 10, the battery 20, the battery power transmission path 53, the external power transmission path 52, the power supply switching unit 81, and the external communication I/F 72. and a control section 90. The external power supply inlet 10 is a power supply port provided in the vehicle V and connectable to an external power supply P provided outside the vehicle V. The battery 20 is a storage battery provided in the vehicle V and capable of charging and discharging electric power. The battery power transmission path 53 connects the battery 20 and the electric device LD so that power can be transmitted therebetween. The external power transmission path 52 connects the external power supply P and the electric device LD via the external power supply inlet 10 so that power can be transmitted therebetween. The power supply switching unit 81 switches the power transmission path to the electric device LD to the battery power transmission path 53 or the external power transmission path 52. The external communication I/F 72 is a communication device that can receive information. The control unit 90 controls the power supply switching unit 81 based on information received by the external communication I/F 72. In the above configuration, the external communication I/F 72 receives external power related information regarding the power supplied by the external power source P from outside the vehicle V. The control unit 90 controls the power supply switching unit 81 based on the external power related information received by the external communication I/F 72 and the amount of charge of the battery 20, and gives priority to the battery 20 over the external power supply P. Battery priority mode in which power is supplied from the external power source P to the electrical device LD via the battery power transmission path 53, or the external power source P is given priority over the battery 20 and the electrical device LD is supplied from the external power source P via the external power transmission path 52. The external power supply priority mode is switched to supply power to the electric device LD, and power is supplied to the electric device LD.

With this configuration, the vehicle power supply system 1 switches to the external power source priority mode when the external power related information indicates that it is appropriate to use the external power source P; If it indicates that it is not appropriate to use it, it is possible to switch to battery priority mode and supply power to the electrical device LD. Thereby, the vehicle power supply system 1 can optimally use the external power supply P and the battery 20. That is, the vehicle power supply system 1 can accurately distribute the power supplied from the external power supply P and the power supplied from the battery 20. As a result, the vehicle power supply system 1 can appropriately supply power to the electrical device LD.

In the vehicle power supply system 1, the external power related information includes at least supply and demand information representing the supply and demand status of commercial power supplied from the external power source P, price information representing the electricity rate of the commercial power, and information used for the generation of the commercial power. Contains one piece of resource information representing the resource to be used. With this configuration, the vehicle power supply system 1 can switch from the external power source priority mode to the battery priority mode, for example, when the charge amount of the battery 20 is sufficient and the supply and demand information indicates that the power supply from the external power source P is tight. By switching, even if the power supply from the external power source P becomes tight, power can be continuously supplied to the electric device LD. On the other hand, when the charge amount of the battery 20 is sufficient and the external power related information indicates that the power supply from the external power source P is not tight, the vehicle power supply system 1 maintains the external power source priority mode. Electric power can be supplied to the electrical device LD while preserving the charge amount of the battery 20.

In the vehicle power supply system 1, the control unit 90 tends to prioritize the battery priority mode when the supply and demand information indicates that the ratio of the amount of demanded electricity to the amount of electricity supplied is relatively high; When the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively low, the external power priority mode tends to be prioritized, and when the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively high, the battery priority mode tends to be prioritized. , when the electricity rate is relatively low, the external power source priority mode tends to be prioritized, and when the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is fossil fuel, the battery priority mode tends to be prioritized, When the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is renewable energy, the external power source priority mode tends to be prioritized, and the request information indicating the required power of the electrical device LD indicates that the required power of the electrical device LD is relative. If the required power of the electrical device LD indicates that the required power of the electrical device LD is relatively large, the battery priority mode tends to be prioritized. After setting the mode as a priority mode, supply and demand information, rate information, resource information, and request information are combined to switch to battery priority mode or external power source priority mode. With this configuration, the vehicle power supply system 1 can comprehensively judge each piece of information and switch between each mode.

The vehicle power supply system 1 further includes a power supply cutoff section 82 that can switch between a supply state in which power from the battery 20 and external power source P is supplied to the electrical device LD and a cutoff state in which the supply of the power is cut off. The electrical equipment LD includes a high-priority electrical equipment LD1 that has a relatively high priority, and a low-priority electrical equipment LD2 that has a relatively low priority. The power supply cutoff unit 82 can individually switch between a supply state and a cutoff state for the high-priority electric device LD1 and the low-priority electric device LD2. In the external power priority mode, the control unit 90 controls the power supply cutoff unit 82 to supply power to both the high priority electrical device LD1 and the low priority electrical device LD2, and in the battery priority mode, the power supply cutoff unit 82 to supply power to the high-priority electrical device LD1 and not to supply power to the low-priority electrical device LD2. With this configuration, the vehicle power supply system 1 does not supply power to the low-priority electric device LD2 in the battery priority mode, so that the limited power of the battery 20 can be effectively utilized.

[Modified example]
In the above description, the external communication I/F 72 is provided in the AC power branch box BX, but it may be provided outside the AC power branch box BX.

Although an example has been described in which the control unit 90 communicates with the outside via the external communication I/F 72, the control unit 90 is not limited to this, and may communicate with the outside via another wireless communication device installed in the vehicle V. good. In this case, the external communication I/F 72 can be omitted from the AC power supply branch box BX.

Although an example has been described in which the vehicle power supply system 1 supplies power from the battery 20 to the electrical device LD in the battery priority mode and does not supply power from the external power source P to the electrical device LD, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the battery priority mode, the vehicle power supply system 1 adjusts the balance between the power supplied from the battery 20 and the power supplied from the external power supply P, and supplies power to the electrical device LD from both the battery 20 and the external power supply P. You may also do so. In this case, in the battery priority mode, the vehicle power supply system 1 supplies more power from the battery 20 than the power supplied from the external power source P to the electric device LD.

Although the vehicle power supply system 1 has been described as an example in which, in the external power supply priority mode, power is supplied from the external power supply P to the electric device LD, and power is not supplied from the battery 20 to the electric device LD, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the external power supply priority mode, the vehicle power supply system 1 adjusts the balance between the power supplied from the external power supply P and the power supplied from the battery 20, and supplies power to the electrical device LD from both the external power supply P and the battery 20. It may also be supplied. In this case, in the external power supply priority mode, the vehicle power supply system 1 supplies more power from the external power supply P than the power supplied from the battery 20 to supply power to the electric device LD.

Although an example has been described in which the control unit 90 switches to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode based on the external power related information, the amount of charge of the battery 20, and the request information of the electrical device LD, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 90 may switch to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode based on the external power related information and the amount of charge of the battery 20, without using the request information of the electrical device LD. In this case, the control unit 90 combines the supply and demand information, rate information, and resource information and switches to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode.

Although an example has been described in which the resources used to generate commercial power are classified as renewable energy or fossil fuel, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, resources used to generate commercial power may be classified as fossil fuels or non-fossil fuels. In this case, renewable energy, nuclear power, etc. are included in addition to fossil fuels.

Although an example has been described in which the external power related information includes at least one of supply and demand information, rate information, and resource information, the external power related information is not limited to this, and may include other information.

The control unit 90 supplies power to both the high-priority electrical device LD1 and the low-priority electrical device LD2 in the external power priority mode, and supplies power to the high-priority electrical device LD1 in the battery priority mode. , and an example in which power is not supplied to the low-priority electric device LD2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the external power supply priority mode, the control unit 90 may supply power to either the high priority electrical device LD1 or the low priority electrical device LD2, or in the battery priority mode, the control unit 90 may supply power to the high priority electrical device LD1 or the low priority electrical device LD2. Power may be supplied to both the LD1 and the low priority electric device LD2.

Although the example in which the external power source P is a power generation system provided at an electric power company (power plant) has been described, the external power source P is not limited to this, and may be a portable generator using gasoline, natural gas, or the like as fuel. In this case, the portable generator or the like transmits external power-related information regarding the power to be supplied (for example, information on remaining amount of fuel, etc.).

1 Vehicle power system 10 External power inlet (power connection part)
20 Battery 52 External power transmission path 53 Battery power transmission path 72 External communication I/F (communication department)
81 Power supply switching section 82 Power supply cutoff section 90 Control section V Vehicle P External power supply LD Electrical equipment (load section)

Claims (5)

a power supply connection part provided in a vehicle and connectable to an external power supply provided outside the vehicle;
A battery provided in the vehicle and capable of charging and discharging electric power;
a battery power transmission path that connects the battery and the load section to enable power transmission;
an external power transmission path that connects the external power source and the load section via the power supply connection section to enable power transmission;
a power supply switching unit capable of switching a power transmission path to the load unit to the battery power transmission path or the external power transmission path;
a communication section capable of receiving information;
a control unit that controls the power supply switching unit based on information received by the communication unit,
The communication unit receives external power related information regarding the power supplied by the external power source from outside the vehicle,
The control unit controls the power supply switching unit based on the external power related information received by the communication unit and the amount of charge of the battery, and switches the battery from the battery with priority over the external power supply. A battery priority mode in which power is supplied to the load section via a battery power transmission path, or a battery priority mode in which power is given to the external power source over the battery and power is supplied from the external power source to the load section via the external power transmission path. A vehicle power supply system characterized by switching to an external power supply priority mode and supplying power to the load section. The external power related information includes at least supply and demand information representing the supply and demand status of commercial power supplied from the external power source, rate information representing the electricity rate of the commercial power, and resources used to generate the commercial power. The vehicle power system of claim 1, including one of resource information. The control unit tends to give priority to the battery priority mode when the supply and demand information indicates that the ratio of the amount of demanded electricity to the amount of electricity supplied is relatively high; If it indicates that the external power supply priority mode is low, the external power supply priority mode is given priority;
When the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively high, the battery priority mode tends to be given priority, and when the rate information indicates that the electricity rate is relatively low, the external There is a tendency to prioritize power priority mode,
When the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is fossil fuel, the battery priority mode tends to be prioritized, and when the resource information indicates that the resource used for power generation is renewable energy, the battery priority mode tends to be prioritized. Based on the tendency to prioritize external power supply priority mode,
The vehicle power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the supply and demand information, the charge information, and the resource information are combined to switch to the battery priority mode or the external power source priority mode. The control unit controls the power supply switching unit based on the power request of the load unit in addition to the external power related information received by the communication unit and the amount of charge of the battery, and controls the power supply switching unit to switch to the battery priority mode or the battery priority mode. The vehicle power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle power supply system switches to an external power supply priority mode. further comprising a power supply cutoff unit capable of switching between a supply state in which power from the battery and the external power source is supplied to the load unit and a cutoff state in which the supply of the power is cut off;
The load section includes a high priority load section having a relatively high priority and a low priority load section having a relatively low priority,
The power supply cutoff unit can individually switch between the supply state and the cutoff state for the high priority load unit and the low priority load unit,
In the case of the external power priority mode, the control unit controls the power supply cutoff unit and supplies power to both the high priority load unit and the low priority load unit,
5. In the case of the battery priority mode, the power supply cutoff section is controlled to supply power to the high priority load section and not to supply power to the low priority load section. Vehicle power system described in.

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