JP7649971B2

JP7649971B2 - Power System

Info

Publication number: JP7649971B2
Application number: JP2021081350A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 洋一影山; 一雄竹中; 久雄平城; 克則愛宕; 大貴西中; 司小野寺
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-13
Filing date: 2021-05-13
Publication date: 2025-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-13
Also published as: JP2022175148A

Description

本発明は、各種電気機器に使用される電源システムに関するものである。 The present invention relates to a power supply system used in various electrical devices.

以下、従来の電源装置について説明する。従来の電源装置では、負荷を駆動させるための第１電源と、第１電源で電力不足が生じた際に負荷へ電力を供給する冗長動作のための第２電源とが設けられていた。また、負荷と第１電源、第２電源の間にはスイッチが設けられ、負荷に供給する電力は第１電源あるいは第２電源の何れかから選択されるようにスイッチが切り替えられる制御が実行されていた。 A conventional power supply device will be described below. In a conventional power supply device, a first power supply for driving a load and a second power supply for redundant operation that supplies power to the load when a power shortage occurs in the first power supply are provided. In addition, a switch is provided between the load and the first and second power supplies, and control is performed in which the switch is switched so that the power supplied to the load is selected from either the first power supply or the second power supply.

なお、この出願の発明に関連する先行技術文献情報としては、例えば特許文献１が知られている。 Note that, for example, Patent Document 1 is known as prior art literature related to the invention of this application.

国際公開第２０１８／０５６１９０号International Publication No. 2018/056190

しかしながら、従来の電源装置では負荷へ供給する電力を第１電源から第２電源へと切り替える際には、一時的に負荷へ供給する電圧が不安定化するおそれがあり、この結果として負荷の動作も不安定化するおそれがあるという課題を有するものであった。 However, in conventional power supply devices, when the power supplied to a load is switched from the first power supply to the second power supply, there is a risk that the voltage supplied to the load may temporarily become unstable, which may result in the operation of the load becoming unstable.

そこで本発明は、負荷に供給する電圧を安定させることを目的とするものである。 Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to stabilize the voltage supplied to the load.

そして、この目的を達成するために本発明は、
第１電源部と、
第２電源部と、
前記第２電源部よりも、内部抵抗が低く電力容量が小さい第３電源部と、
前記第１電源部と前記第２電源部と前記第３電源部との少なくともいずれかからの電力によって駆動される負荷と、
前記第１電源部と前記負荷とを、接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする第１スイッチと、
前記第２電源部と前記負荷とを、接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする第２スイッチと、
前記第３電源部と前記負荷とを、接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする第３スイッチと、
前記第１電源部の電圧の検出、および起動信号の受信が可能で、
かつ、前記第１スイッチと前記第２スイッチと前記第３スイッチとの動作の制御が可能な、制御部と、
を備え、
前記制御部は、前記起動信号の受信時に、
前記第１電源部の出力電圧が第１電圧よりも低いことを検出すると、前記第１スイッチを遮断状態とし、
前記第２スイッチと前記第３スイッチとを接続状態として、
前記第３スイッチは所定接続期間を経過した時点で遮断状態に切り替える、
ことを特徴としたものである。 To achieve this object, the present invention provides
A first power supply unit;
A second power supply unit;
a third power supply unit having a lower internal resistance and a smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit;
a load driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit;
a first switch that connects or disconnects the first power supply unit and the load;
a second switch that connects or disconnects the second power supply unit and the load;
a third switch that connects or disconnects the third power supply unit and the load;
The first power supply unit is capable of detecting a voltage and receiving a start signal;
a control unit capable of controlling the operations of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
Equipped with
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
when detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, turning the first switch into an interrupted state;
The second switch and the third switch are connected to each other,
the third switch is switched to a cut-off state after a predetermined connection period has elapsed;
The feature of this invention is that

本発明によれば、第１電源部から負荷への電力供給がなくなった場合においても、第２電源部と第３電源部とから負荷へ供給される電圧は安定し、電源の切り替え後も負荷の駆動状態は安定して継続されることができるものである。 According to the present invention, even if the power supply from the first power supply unit to the load is cut off, the voltage supplied to the load from the second power supply unit and the third power supply unit is stable, and the load can continue to be driven stably even after the power supply is switched.

本発明の実施の形態における電源システムの構成を示す第１回路ブロック図FIG. 1 is a first circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 本発明の実施の形態における電源システムの動作を示す第１タイミングチャート1 is a first timing chart showing an operation of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 本発明の実施の形態における電源システムの動作を示す第２タイミングチャート2 is a second timing chart showing the operation of the power supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

以下、本発明の実施の形態について図面を用いて説明する。 The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

（実施の形態）
図１は本発明の実施の形態における電源システムの構成を示す回路ブロック図である。電源システム１は、第１電源部２と第２電源部３と第３電源部４と負荷５と第１スイッチ６と第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８と制御部９とを含む。 (Embodiment)
1 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power supply system 1 includes a first power supply unit 2, a second power supply unit 3, a third power supply unit 4, a load 5, a first switch 6, a second switch 7, a third switch 8, and a control unit 9.

負荷５は、第１電源部２と第２電源部３と第３電源部４との少なくとも何れか１つからの電力によって駆動される。第１スイッチ６は第１電源部２と負荷５とを接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする。第２スイッチ７は第２電源部３と負荷５とを接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする。第３スイッチ８は第３電源部４と負荷５とを接続状態もしくは遮断状態とする。制御部９は、第１電源部２の電圧の検出、および起動信号の受信が可能である。さらに制御部９は、第１スイッチ６と第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８との動作に対する制御が可能である。そして、第３電源部４は第２電源部３よりも内部抵抗が低く電力容量が小さい電源としている。 The load 5 is driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit 2, the second power supply unit 3, and the third power supply unit 4. The first switch 6 connects or disconnects the first power supply unit 2 and the load 5. The second switch 7 connects or disconnects the second power supply unit 3 and the load 5. The third switch 8 connects or disconnects the third power supply unit 4 and the load 5. The control unit 9 can detect the voltage of the first power supply unit 2 and receive a start-up signal. The control unit 9 can also control the operation of the first switch 6, the second switch 7, and the third switch 8. The third power supply unit 4 is a power supply with lower internal resistance and smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit 3.

制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１の受信時に、第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低いことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を遮断状態とする。そして、制御部９は、第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とを接続状態とする。制御部９はさらに、第３スイッチ８を所定接続期間Ｔ１が経過した時点で遮断状態に切り替える。 When the control unit 9 receives the start-up signal S1 and detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 is lower than the first voltage V11, the control unit 9 sets the first switch 6 to a cut-off state. The control unit 9 then sets the second switch 7 and the third switch 8 to a connected state. The control unit 9 further switches the third switch 8 to a cut-off state when a predetermined connection period T1 has elapsed.

以上の構成及び動作により、電源システム１が起動中に、第１電源部２から負荷５への電力供給がなくなると、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とから負荷５への電力が供給される。ここで、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とから負荷５へ電力が供給され始めると、内部抵抗が低く大きな電流密度での出力が可能な第３電源部４は、第３電源部４に比較して急速で負荷５への電力供給ができる。このため、第２電源部３が負荷５へ電力を供給し始めたときに一時的に第２電源部３の電圧が低下してしまう場合であっても、第３電源部４が期間を限定して電力を供給して第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。いいかえると、第３電源部４が電源の切り替え当初に大きな電流を供給することで、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、これにより第２電源部３の電圧の低下が抑制される。 With the above configuration and operation, when the power supply from the first power supply unit 2 to the load 5 is cut off during startup of the power supply system 1, power is supplied from the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5. Here, when power starts to be supplied from the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5, the third power supply unit 4, which has a low internal resistance and can output at a large current density, can supply power to the load 5 more quickly than the third power supply unit 4. Therefore, even if the voltage of the second power supply unit 3 temporarily drops when the second power supply unit 3 starts supplying power to the load 5, the third power supply unit 4 supplies power for a limited period of time to compensate for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3. In other words, the third power supply unit 4 supplies a large current at the beginning of the power supply switching, thereby suppressing the current output by the second power supply unit 3, and thereby suppressing the voltage drop of the second power supply unit 3.

この結果として、第１電源部２から負荷５への電力供給がなくなった場合においても、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とから負荷５へ供給される電圧は安定し、電源の切り替え後も負荷５の駆動状態は安定して継続される。 As a result, even if the power supply from the first power supply unit 2 to the load 5 is cut off, the voltage supplied to the load 5 from the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 is stable, and the driving state of the load 5 continues stably even after the power supply is switched.

以下において、電源システム１の構成および動作の詳細について、図１および図２の本発明の実施の形態における電源システムの動作を示す第１タイミングチャートを用いて説明する。 The configuration and operation of the power supply system 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the first timing chart of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing the operation of the power supply system in the embodiment of the present invention.

ここでは、車両１０に搭載した電源システム１を一例として説明する。先のも述べたように電源システム１は、第１電源部２と第２電源部３と第３電源部４と負荷５と第１スイッチ６と第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８と制御部９とを含む。例えば第１電源部２は補機バッテリーとしてＰｂバッテリーを蓄電素子１２に、第２電源部３は補助バッテリーとしてリチウムバッテリーを蓄電素子１３に、第３電源部４は補償蓄電部として電気二重層コンデンサやリチウムイオンキャパシタを蓄電素子１４に、それぞれ適用するとよい。負荷５は、アクチュエータをはじめとして電力によって駆動する装置であればよい。そして負荷５は、特に安全性を確保するために第１電源部２が失陥した後でも一定期間に動作の継続が必要な装置である。 Here, the power supply system 1 mounted on the vehicle 10 will be described as an example. As described above, the power supply system 1 includes a first power supply unit 2, a second power supply unit 3, a third power supply unit 4, a load 5, a first switch 6, a second switch 7, a third switch 8, and a control unit 9. For example, the first power supply unit 2 may use a Pb battery as an auxiliary battery for the storage element 12, the second power supply unit 3 may use a lithium battery as an auxiliary battery for the storage element 13, and the third power supply unit 4 may use an electric double layer capacitor or a lithium ion capacitor as a compensation storage unit for the storage element 14. The load 5 may be any device that is driven by electricity, such as an actuator. The load 5 is a device that needs to continue operating for a certain period of time even after the first power supply unit 2 fails, particularly to ensure safety.

第２電源部３の補助バッテリーと第３電源部４の補償蓄電部とは、第１電源部２が失陥した際に負荷が継続して駆動可能となるために用いられ、短時間に大きな電流密度の出力が必要な第３電源部４の補償蓄電部は、第２電源部３の補助バッテリーよりも内部抵抗が小さい。また、短時間の出力でよい第３電源部４の補償蓄電部は、一定の時間において継続して電力を出力する必要がある第２電源部３の補助バッテリーよりも電力容量は小さい。 The auxiliary battery of the second power supply unit 3 and the compensation storage unit of the third power supply unit 4 are used to enable the load to continue to operate when the first power supply unit 2 fails, and the compensation storage unit of the third power supply unit 4, which requires a high current density output for a short period of time, has a smaller internal resistance than the auxiliary battery of the second power supply unit 3. In addition, the compensation storage unit of the third power supply unit 4, which only requires a short output, has a smaller power capacity than the auxiliary battery of the second power supply unit 3, which needs to output power continuously for a certain period of time.

ここで、特に第２電源部３と第３電源部４とは、蓄電素子１３、１４だけでなくＤＣＤＣコンバータなどの電力変換回路１５、１６を有していてもよい。そして第２電源部３と第３電源部４とは、蓄電素子に蓄えられた電力を制御部９からの制御に応じて所望の電圧で出力する。 Here, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 may have not only the storage elements 13 and 14 but also power conversion circuits 15 and 16 such as DCDC converters. The second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 output the power stored in the storage elements at the desired voltage according to the control from the control unit 9.

また、第１電源部２と第１スイッチ６との間、第２電源部３と第２スイッチ７との間、第３電源部４と第３スイッチ８との間には、それぞれダイオード（図示せず）が電力の逆流防止のために設けられてよい。それぞれのダイオード（図示せず）は負荷５側がカソードとして接続されるとよい。 In addition, diodes (not shown) may be provided between the first power supply unit 2 and the first switch 6, between the second power supply unit 3 and the second switch 7, and between the third power supply unit 4 and the third switch 8 to prevent reverse current of power. The load 5 side of each diode (not shown) may be connected as the cathode.

電源システム１が車両１０に搭載される場合、制御部９は電源システム１だけに用いられる制御装置であっても、あるいは、車両１０全体を制御する制御装置の一部が制御部９に相当する形態の何れであってもよい。 When the power supply system 1 is mounted on a vehicle 10, the control unit 9 may be a control device used only for the power supply system 1, or a part of a control device that controls the entire vehicle 10 may correspond to the control unit 9.

第１スイッチ６と第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とには電界効果型トランジスタ（ＦＥＴ）が用いられるとよい。望ましくは、酸化金属皮膜型電界効果型トランジスタ（ＭＯＳＦＥＴ）が用いられ、ＭＯＳＦＥＴが有するボディダイオードのカソードが負荷５側に接続されるとよい。 The first switch 6, the second switch 7, and the third switch 8 may be field-effect transistors (FETs). Preferably, metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are used, and the cathode of the body diode of the MOSFET is connected to the load 5.

制御部９は、第１スイッチ６の接続、あるいは遮断の制御、第２スイッチ７の接続、あるいは遮断の制御、第３スイッチ８の接続、あるいは遮断の制御、第２スイッチ７の接続あるいは遮断の制御が可能である。さらに制御部９は、第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２、第３電源部４の出力電圧Ｖ３、負荷５に供給される電圧ＶＬの検出が可能となっている。さらに制御部９は、電源システム１の外部で発信された起動信号Ｓ１を受信することが可能となっている。制御部９が駆動するための電力は、第１電源部２と第２電源部３と第３電源部４とのうち、少なくとも何れかから供給される。 The control unit 9 can control the connection or disconnection of the first switch 6, the connection or disconnection of the second switch 7, the connection or disconnection of the third switch 8, and the connection or disconnection of the second switch 7. Furthermore, the control unit 9 can detect the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2, the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3, the output voltage V3 of the third power supply unit 4, and the voltage VL supplied to the load 5. Furthermore, the control unit 9 can receive a start-up signal S1 transmitted from outside the power supply system 1. The power for driving the control unit 9 is supplied from at least one of the first power supply unit 2, the second power supply unit 3, and the third power supply unit 4.

制御部９は図２のタイミングチャートに示すように電源システム１の動作を制御する。 The control unit 9 controls the operation of the power supply system 1 as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 2.

Ｔ０の時点では車両１０が正常に起動しているときに相当し、制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信している。そして、第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１は、第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも高い値を維持している。いいかえると、第１電源部２の補機バッテリーの電力によって負荷５が駆動されることができる状態である。 At time T0, the vehicle 10 is normally started, and the control unit 9 receives the start-up signal S1. The output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 is maintained at a value higher than the first voltage V11. In other words, the load 5 can be driven by the power of the auxiliary battery of the first power supply unit 2.

第１電圧Ｖ１１は、負荷５を駆動することが可能な水準の電圧や、第１電源部２が正常な状態のときには起こりえない低い水準の電圧として決定されるとよい。あるいは、上記の二つの水準の共に満たされる電圧として決定されてよい。 The first voltage V11 may be determined as a voltage level capable of driving the load 5, or as a low voltage level that does not occur when the first power supply unit 2 is in a normal state. Alternatively, it may be determined as a voltage that satisfies both of the above two levels.

また、Ｔ０の時点では制御部９は、第１スイッチ６を接続状態とさせ、第２スイッチ７および第３スイッチ８を遮断させるように制御する。 Also, at time T0, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to be in a connected state and the second switch 7 and the third switch 8 to be in a disconnected state.

Ｔ０の時点では第２スイッチ７は遮断されているので、第２電源部３は電力を出力していないが、Ｔ０の時点における第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２であって無負荷状態で出力可能な電圧ＶＬ０は、第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも高い値に設定され、かつ、後述するＴ２の時点以降で定常的に負荷５へ供給する電圧ＶＬＣよりも高い電圧に設定されるとよい。これにより、第２電源部３は安定的に動作することが可能となる。 At time T0, the second switch 7 is cut off, so the second power supply unit 3 is not outputting power, but the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3 at time T0, which is the voltage VL0 that can be output in an unloaded state, is set to a value higher than the first voltage V11, and is also set to a voltage higher than the voltage VLC steadily supplied to the load 5 from time T2 onwards, which will be described later. This allows the second power supply unit 3 to operate stably.

同様に、Ｔ０の時点では第３スイッチ８は遮断されているので、第３電源部４は電力を出力していないが、Ｔ０の時点における第３電源部４の出力電圧Ｖ３であって無負荷状態で出力可能な電圧Ｖ３０は、第１電圧Ｖ１１や電圧ＶＬＣと同じ値、あるいは、第１電圧Ｖ１１や電圧ＶＬＣよりも高い電圧に設定されるとよい。 Similarly, since the third switch 8 is cut off at time T0, the third power supply unit 4 is not outputting power, but the output voltage V3 of the third power supply unit 4 at time T0, which is the voltage V30 that can be output in an unloaded state, may be set to the same value as the first voltage V11 or voltage VLC, or to a voltage higher than the first voltage V11 or voltage VLC.

次に、Ｔ１の時点では車両１０が起動中の状態で、制御部９が起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態で、第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低い値に低下した状態となる。これはいいかえると、車両１０や第１電源部２に何らかの異常が発生して第１電源部２が失陥状態となり、第１電源部からの電力では負荷５を駆動することができない状態に相当する。 Next, at time T1, the vehicle 10 is in a start-up state, and the control unit 9 has received or is receiving the start-up signal S1, and the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 has dropped to a value lower than the first voltage V11. In other words, this corresponds to a state in which some abnormality has occurred in the vehicle 10 or the first power supply unit 2, causing the first power supply unit 2 to fail, and the power from the first power supply unit cannot drive the load 5.

制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態で第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は、それまで遮断状態であった第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とを遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。したがって、Ｔ１の時点では第２電源部３と第３電源部４とが負荷５に対して電力を供給し始める。そして、Ｔ２の時点もしくはＴ３の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 When the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 has become lower than the first voltage V11 while receiving or in the receiving state of the start-up signal S1, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 and the third switch 8, which were previously in the disconnected state, to switch from the disconnected state to the connected state. Therefore, at time T1, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 start supplying power to the load 5. Then, at time T2 or time T3, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state.

ここで、第２電源部３は、第２電源部３が有する電力容量は大きいものの、内部抵抗の値が大きな蓄電素子を用いている。このため、Ｔ１の時点で第２電源部３が負荷５へ電力を供給し始めると、例えば負荷５に流れる電流が大きい場合などでは、一時的に第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２は、Ｔ１からＴ２の時点にかけて、定常的に第２電源部３から出力が可能な電圧値に比較して低下してしまう場合がある。 Here, the second power supply unit 3 has a large power capacity, but uses a storage element with a large internal resistance. For this reason, when the second power supply unit 3 starts to supply power to the load 5 at time T1, for example, if the current flowing through the load 5 is large, the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 may temporarily drop from time T1 to time T2 compared to the voltage value that can be steadily output from the second power supply unit 3.

しかしながら、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点にかけての第１接続時間、もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点の後のＴ３の時点にかけての第２接続時間の、何れかの期間において第３電源部４が第２電源部３に並列した接続状態で負荷５へ電力を供給する。 However, during either the first connection time from time T1 to time T2, or the second connection time from time T1 to time T3 after time T2, the third power supply unit 4 supplies power to the load 5 in a state of being connected in parallel to the second power supply unit 3.

これにより、第３電源部４による出力電圧Ｖ３が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３、第３電源部４へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられた、当初のＴ１からＴ２の期間もしくはＴ１からＴ３の期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, the output voltage V3 from the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, during the initial period from T1 to T2 or the period from T1 to T3, when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 to the third power supply unit 4, a large current can be supplied to the load 5 from the third power supply unit 4. This suppresses the current output by the second power supply unit 3, and suppresses the drop in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3.

Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点にかけての第１接続時間、もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点の後のＴ３の時点にかけての第２接続時間は、予め決定されたうえで制御部９に記憶されて実行されてよい。あるいは、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点にかけての第１接続時間、もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点の後のＴ３の時点にかけての第２接続時間は、第２電源部３の内部抵抗に基づいて制御部９が決定してもよい。例えば、車両１０が起動しているＴ０の時点で、制御部９が第２電源部３の内部抵抗を検出し、第２電源部３の内部抵抗に基づいて第１接続時間や第２接続時間が決定されるとよい。 The first connection time from time T1 to time T2, or the second connection time from time T1 to time T3 after time T2, may be determined in advance and stored in the control unit 9 for execution. Alternatively, the first connection time from time T1 to time T2, or the second connection time from time T1 to time T3 after time T2, may be determined by the control unit 9 based on the internal resistance of the second power supply unit 3. For example, at time T0 when the vehicle 10 is started, the control unit 9 may detect the internal resistance of the second power supply unit 3, and the first connection time or the second connection time may be determined based on the internal resistance of the second power supply unit 3.

制御部９はさらに、第２電源部３の温度検出が可能であるとよい。このとき、温度検出部１１は制御部９に接続されていて、第２電源部３の特に蓄電素子１２の温度を検出できるように設けられているとよい。制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信しているときに、常時あるいは定期的に第２電源部３の温度を検出するとよい。 The control unit 9 may further detect the temperature of the second power supply unit 3. In this case, the temperature detection unit 11 may be connected to the control unit 9 and may be provided so as to be able to detect the temperature of the second power supply unit 3, particularly the storage element 12. When the control unit 9 receives the start-up signal S1, it may detect the temperature of the second power supply unit 3 constantly or periodically.

先に説明した際と同様に、Ｔ１の時点で制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していた時に第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は、それまで遮断状態であった第２スイッチ７を遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 As explained above, when the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 has become lower than the first voltage V11 while receiving the start-up signal S1 at time T1, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7, which was previously in the disconnected state, to switch from the disconnected state to the connected state.

ここで、第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態に切り替える判断は第２電源部３の温度、いいかえると温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度を基準として判断する。そして温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度が基準温度ＴＰ１よりも低い場合、制御部９はそれまで遮断状態であった第３スイッチ８を第２スイッチ７とともに遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。そして、Ｔ２の時点もしくはＴ３の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 The decision to switch the third switch 8 from a disconnected state to a connected state is made based on the temperature of the second power supply unit 3, in other words, the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11. If the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11 is lower than the reference temperature TP1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8, which was previously in a disconnected state, to be switched from a disconnected state to a connected state together with the second switch 7. Then, at time T2 or time T3, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to be switched from a connected state to a disconnected state.

これにより、特に第２電源部３に用いられている蓄電素子１３が低温での動作特性の劣化を伴って電力供給の立ち上がりが悪い場合には、第３電源部４が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられるときに環境温度が極端に低く、第２電源部３の放電特性が劣化する場合に、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とが並列した接続形態で負荷５へ電力を供給する。当初のＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点までの期間もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ３の時点までの期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, especially when the power supply start-up is poor due to the deterioration of the operating characteristics at low temperatures of the storage element 13 used in the second power supply unit 3, the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, when the environmental temperature is extremely low when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 and the discharge characteristics of the second power supply unit 3 deteriorate, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 supply power to the load 5 in a parallel connection form. During the period from the initial time T1 to the time T2 or the period from the time T1 to the time T3, a large current can be supplied from the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5. As a result, the current output by the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed, and the decrease in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed.

この結果として、第１電源部２から負荷５への電力供給がなくなった場合においても、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とから負荷５へ供給される電圧は安定し、電源の切り替え後も負荷５の駆動状態は安定して継続される。そして、第２電源部３に用いられている蓄電素子１３がリチウムバッテリーであるときには特に上記の動作は有効となる。 As a result, even if the power supply from the first power supply unit 2 to the load 5 is cut off, the voltage supplied to the load 5 from the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 is stable, and the driving state of the load 5 continues stably even after the power supply is switched. The above operation is particularly effective when the storage element 13 used in the second power supply unit 3 is a lithium battery.

ここで、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点にかけての第１接続時間、もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点の後のＴ３の時点にかけての第２接続時間は、温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度によって調整されるとよい。例えば、蓄電素子１２の温度が基準温度ＴＰ１よりも低いＴＰ２のときの第１接続時間よりも、蓄電素子１２の温度がＴＰ２よりも低いＴＰ３のときの第１接続時間は制御部９によって長く設定されるとよい。 Here, the first connection time from time T1 to time T2, or the second connection time from time T1 to time T3 after time T2, may be adjusted based on the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11. For example, the first connection time when the temperature of the storage element 12 is at TP3, which is lower than TP2, may be set by the control unit 9 to be longer than the first connection time when the temperature of the storage element 12 is at TP2, which is lower than the reference temperature TP1.

制御部９はさらに、負荷５に印加される電圧を用いて、負荷５へ供給する電力の安定化を図ってもよい。 The control unit 9 may further stabilize the power supplied to the load 5 using the voltage applied to the load 5.

先に説明した際と同様に、Ｔ１の時点で制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していた時に第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は、それまで遮断状態であった第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とを遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 As explained above, when the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 has become lower than the first voltage V11 while receiving the start-up signal S1 at time T1, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 and the third switch 8, which were previously in the disconnected state, to switch from the disconnected state to the connected state.

Ｔ１の時点で制御部９はさらに、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを検出し始める。そして制御部９は負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持するように制御する。より具体的には、Ｔ１の時点で制御部９は第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行い、第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させることなどによって第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節することで、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持する。制御部９が第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させ、第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節する制御や動作は、Ｔ２の時点もしくはＴ３の時点まで実施されるとよい。そして、Ｔ２の時点もしくはＴ３の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 At the time T1, the control unit 9 further starts to detect the voltage VL applied to the load 5. The control unit 9 then controls the voltage VL applied to the load 5 to be maintained at or above the first load voltage VL1. More specifically, at the time T1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8 to be switched from the disconnected state to the connected state, and adjusts the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4 by starting the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4, thereby maintaining the voltage VL applied to the load 5 at or above the first load voltage VL1. The control unit 9 controls and operates to start the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4 and adjust the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4 until the time T2 or T3. Then, at the time T2 or T3, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to be switched from the connected state to the disconnected state.

これにより、第３電源部４が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３、第３電源部４へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられた、当初のＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点までの期間もしくはＴ１の時点からＴ３の時点までの期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, during the period from the initial time T1 to time T2 or the period from time T1 to time T3, when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 to the third power supply unit 4, a large current can be supplied to the load 5 from the third power supply unit 4. This suppresses the current output by the second power supply unit 3, and suppresses the drop in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3.

ここではさらに、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを検出したうえで、制御部９は、第３スイッチ８を接続状態に制御している間にわたって第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させ、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持するように制御する。 Here, furthermore, after detecting the voltage VL applied to the load 5, the control unit 9 activates the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4 while controlling the third switch 8 to the connected state, and controls the voltage VL applied to the load 5 to be maintained at or above the first load voltage VL1.

この結果として、第１電源部２から負荷５への電力供給がなくなった場合においても、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とから負荷５へ供給される電圧はさらに安定し、電源の切り替え後も負荷５の駆動状態は安定して継続される。 As a result, even if the power supply from the first power supply unit 2 to the load 5 is cut off, the voltage supplied to the load 5 from the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 becomes even more stable, and the driving state of the load 5 continues stably even after the power supply is switched.

以上の説明では、第３電源部４から負荷５の電力が供給されている期間は予め決定されていた時間や温度に対応した時間として設定されている。これに対して、第３電源部４から負荷５へ電力を供給する期間、いいかえると第３スイッチ８の遮断状態と接続状態との切り替えは、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２を基準にして実行されてよい。 In the above description, the period during which power is supplied from the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5 is set as a time corresponding to a predetermined time or temperature. In contrast, the period during which power is supplied from the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5, in other words, the switching between the disconnected state and the connected state of the third switch 8, may be performed based on the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3.

ここで、電源システム１における、第１電源部２と第２電源部３と第３電源部４と負荷５と第１スイッチ６と第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８と制御部９とについては、動作を除いては先に説明した内容と同じである。 Here, the first power supply unit 2, the second power supply unit 3, the third power supply unit 4, the load 5, the first switch 6, the second switch 7, the third switch 8, and the control unit 9 in the power supply system 1 are the same as those described above, except for their operations.

制御部９は図３のタイミングチャートに示すように電源システム１の動作を制御する。 The control unit 9 controls the operation of the power supply system 1 as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 3.

制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態で第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は、それまで遮断状態であった第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とを遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。したがって、Ｔ１の時点では第２電源部３と第３電源部４とが負荷５に対して電力を供給し始める。そして、Ｔ２の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 When the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 has become lower than the first voltage V11 while receiving or in the receiving state of the start-up signal S1, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 and the third switch 8, which were previously in the disconnected state, to switch from the disconnected state to the connected state. Therefore, at time T1, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 start supplying power to the load 5. Then, at time T2, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state.

しかしながら、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点にかけて、第３電源部４が第２電源部３に並列した接続状態で負荷５へ電力を供給する。 However, from time T1 to time T2, the third power supply unit 4 supplies power to the load 5 while connected in parallel to the second power supply unit 3.

これにより、第３電源部４による出力電圧Ｖ３が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３、第３電源部４へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられた、当初のＴ１からＴ２の期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, the output voltage V3 from the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, during the initial period from T1 to T2, when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 to the third power supply unit 4, a large current can be supplied to the load 5 from the third power supply unit 4. This suppresses the current output by the second power supply unit 3, and suppresses the drop in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3.

ここで、Ｔ２の時点は、Ｔ１の時点から一時的に第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が低下したあとに上昇を始め、第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が第２電圧Ｖ１２よりも高くなったこと、あるいは第２電圧Ｖ１２と同じ値に達したことを制御部９が検出した時点に相当する。 The time T2 corresponds to the time when the control unit 9 detects that the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 has temporarily decreased since the time T1 and then started to increase, and that the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 has become higher than the second voltage V12 or has reached the same value as the second voltage V12.

ここで、第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態に切り替える判断は第２電源部３の温度、いいかえると温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度を基準として判断する。そして温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度が基準温度ＴＰ１よりも低い場合、制御部９はそれまで遮断状態であった第３スイッチ８を第２スイッチ７とともに遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。そして、Ｔ１の時点から一時的に第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が低下したあとに上昇を始め、第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が第２電圧Ｖ１２よりも高くなったこと、あるいは第２電圧Ｖ１２と同じ値に達したことを制御部９が検出したＴ２の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 Here, the decision to switch the third switch 8 from the disconnected state to the connected state is made based on the temperature of the second power supply unit 3, in other words, the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11. If the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11 is lower than the reference temperature TP1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8, which was in the disconnected state until then, to be switched from the disconnected state to the connected state together with the second switch 7. Then, at the time T2 when the control unit 9 detects that the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 has temporarily decreased from the time T1 and then started to increase, and that the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 has become higher than the second voltage V12 or has reached the same value as the second voltage V12, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to be switched from the connected state to the disconnected state.

これにより、特に第２電源部３に用いられている蓄電素子１３が低温での動作特性の劣化を伴って電力供給の立ち上がりが悪い場合には、第３電源部４が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられるときに環境温度が極端に低く、第２電源部３の放電特性が劣化する場合に、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とが並列した接続形態で負荷５へ電力を供給する。当初のＴ１からＴ２の期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, especially when the power supply start-up is poor due to the deterioration of the operating characteristics at low temperatures of the storage element 13 used in the second power supply unit 3, the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, when the environmental temperature is extremely low when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 and the discharge characteristics of the second power supply unit 3 deteriorate, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 supply power to the load 5 in a parallel connection form. During the initial period from T1 to T2, the third power supply unit 4 can supply a large current to the load 5. As a result, the current output by the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed, and the decrease in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed.

Ｔ１の時点で制御部９はさらに、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを検出し始める。そして制御部９は負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持するように制御する。より具体的には、Ｔ１の時点で制御部９は第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行い、第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させることなどによって第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節することで、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持する。制御部９が第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させ、第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節する制御や動作は、Ｔ１の時点から一時的に第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が低下したあとに上昇を始め、第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が第２電圧Ｖ１２よりも高くなったこと、あるいは第２電圧Ｖ１２と同じ値に達したことを制御部９が検出するＴ２の時点まで実施されるとよい。そして、Ｔ２の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 At the time T1, the control unit 9 further starts to detect the voltage VL applied to the load 5. The control unit 9 then controls the voltage VL applied to the load 5 to be maintained at or above the first load voltage VL1. More specifically, at the time T1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8 to be switched from the cut-off state to the connected state, and adjusts the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4 by starting the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4, thereby maintaining the voltage VL applied to the load 5 at or above the first load voltage VL1. The control unit 9 starts the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4 and controls and operates to adjust the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4, and the control and operation are preferably performed until the time T2 when the control unit 9 detects that the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 has temporarily decreased from the time T1, then started to increase, and has become higher than the second voltage V12 or has reached the same value as the second voltage V12. Then, at time T2, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state.

これにより、第３電源部４が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３、第３電源部４へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられた、当初のＴ１からＴ２の期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ１の低下は抑制される。 As a result, the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 during at least the first connection period. In other words, during the initial period from T1 to T2, when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 to the third power supply unit 4, a large current can be supplied to the load 5 from the third power supply unit 4. This suppresses the current output by the second power supply unit 3, and suppresses the drop in the output voltage V1 of the second power supply unit 3.

ここで説明に用いた第２電圧Ｖ１２は、第１電圧Ｖ１１と同様に負荷５を駆動することが可能な水準の電圧としてよい。あるいは、第３スイッチ８での電力損失を考慮して第２電圧Ｖ１２は第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも高い値としてもよい。 The second voltage V12 used in the description here may be a voltage of a level capable of driving the load 5, similar to the first voltage V11. Alternatively, the second voltage V12 may be a value higher than the first voltage V11, taking into account the power loss in the third switch 8.

ここまでの説明では、Ｔ２の時点で制御部９が再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御の基準について述べているが、制御部９は、図２におけるＴ１からＴ２の期間と、図３におけるＴ１からＴ２の期間との双方の条件を満たした時点で、制御部９が再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を実行してもよい。 The explanation so far has described the criteria for the control by the control unit 9 to switch the third switch 8 again from the connected state to the disconnected state at time T2, but the control unit 9 may also execute control to switch the third switch 8 again from the connected state to the disconnected state when both conditions of the period from T1 to T2 in FIG. 2 and the period from T1 to T2 in FIG. 3 are satisfied.

ここで、第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態に切り替える判断は第２電源部３の温度、いいかえると温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度を基準として判断する。そして温度検出部１１で検出された蓄電素子１２の温度が基準温度ＴＰ１よりも低い場合、制御部９はそれまで遮断状態であった第３スイッチ８を第２スイッチ７とともに遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 The decision to switch the third switch 8 from a disconnected state to a connected state is made based on the temperature of the second power supply unit 3, in other words, the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11. If the temperature of the storage element 12 detected by the temperature detection unit 11 is lower than the reference temperature TP1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8, which was previously in a disconnected state, to be switched from a disconnected state to a connected state together with the second switch 7.

Ｔ１の時点で制御部９はさらに、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを検出し始める。そして制御部９は負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持するように制御する。より具体的には、Ｔ１の時点で制御部９は第３スイッチ８を遮断状態から接続状態へと切り替える制御を行い、第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させることなどによって第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節することで、負荷５に印加される電圧ＶＬを第１負荷電圧ＶＬ１以上に維持する。制御部９が第３電源部４の電力変換回路１６を起動させ、第３電源部４から出力される電圧を調節する制御や動作は、Ｔ２の時点まで実施されるとよい。 At time T1, the control unit 9 further starts to detect the voltage VL applied to the load 5. The control unit 9 then controls the voltage VL applied to the load 5 to be maintained at or above the first load voltage VL1. More specifically, at time T1, the control unit 9 controls the third switch 8 to switch from the disconnected state to the connected state, and adjusts the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4 by starting the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4, thereby maintaining the voltage VL applied to the load 5 at or above the first load voltage VL1. The control unit 9 starts the power conversion circuit 16 of the third power supply unit 4 and controls and operates to adjust the voltage output from the third power supply unit 4 until time T2.

そして、Ｔ２の時点で制御部９は再び第３スイッチ８を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。 Then, at time T2, the control unit 9 again controls the third switch 8 to switch from the connected state to the disconnected state.

これにより、特に第２電源部３に用いられている蓄電素子１３が低温での動作特性の劣化を伴って電力供給の立ち上がりが悪い場合には、第３電源部４が少なくとも第１接続期間において第２電源部３で生じる電圧の低下を補償する。これはいいかえると、第１電源部２から第２電源部３へと負荷５への電力供給の経路が切り替えられるときに環境温度が極端に低く、第２電源部３の放電特性が劣化する場合に、第２電源部３と第３電源部４とが並列した接続形態で負荷５へ電力を供給する。当初のＴ１の時点からＴ２の時点までの期間においては、第３電源部４から大きな電流の供給が負荷５に対して可能となる。これによって、第２電源部３が出力する電流が抑制され、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２の低下は抑制される。 As a result, especially when the power supply start-up is poor due to the deterioration of the operating characteristics at low temperatures of the storage element 13 used in the second power supply unit 3, the third power supply unit 4 compensates for the voltage drop that occurs in the second power supply unit 3 at least during the first connection period. In other words, when the environmental temperature is extremely low when the path of the power supply to the load 5 is switched from the first power supply unit 2 to the second power supply unit 3 and the discharge characteristics of the second power supply unit 3 deteriorate, the second power supply unit 3 and the third power supply unit 4 supply power to the load 5 in a parallel connection form. In the period from the initial time T1 to the time T2, a large current can be supplied from the third power supply unit 4 to the load 5. As a result, the current output by the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed, and the decrease in the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3 is suppressed.

ここで上記のＴ２の時点は、以下の第１条件と第２条件とを満たした時点とすればよい。 Here, the above-mentioned time T2 may be defined as the time when the following first and second conditions are satisfied.

第１条件は、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点までの間で、所定接続期間である第１接続時間が経過することである。第１接続時間は予め決定されたうえで制御部９に記憶された値や、第２電源部３の内部抵抗に基づいて決定された値である。 The first condition is that a first connection time, which is a predetermined connection period, elapses between time T1 and time T2. The first connection time is a value that is determined in advance and stored in the control unit 9, or a value that is determined based on the internal resistance of the second power supply unit 3.

第２条件は、Ｔ１の時点からＴ２の時点までの間で、一時的に第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が低下したあとに上昇を始め、第２電源部３が出力する電圧Ｖ２が第２電圧Ｖ１２よりも高くなる、あるいは第２電圧Ｖ１２と同じ値に達することである。 The second condition is that between time T1 and time T2, the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 temporarily drops and then starts to rise, and the voltage V2 output by the second power supply unit 3 becomes higher than the second voltage V12 or reaches the same value as the second voltage V12.

電源システム１において、第２電源部３と第２スイッチ７との間にダイオード１７が接続されてもよい。このときダイオード１７のアノードは第２電源部３に接続され、ダイオード１７のカソードは第２スイッチ７に接続される。 In the power supply system 1, a diode 17 may be connected between the second power supply unit 3 and the second switch 7. In this case, the anode of the diode 17 is connected to the second power supply unit 3, and the cathode of the diode 17 is connected to the second switch 7.

これにより、第２スイッチ７と第３スイッチ８とが共に接続状態となった場合に、第２電源部３の電圧Ｖ２が低下して第２電源部３の電圧Ｖ２が第３電源部４の電圧Ｖ３よりも低くなったときに、第３電源部４から出力される電力が第２電源部３へ吸収されることが抑制される。 As a result, when the second switch 7 and the third switch 8 are both in a connected state, if the voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3 drops and becomes lower than the voltage V3 of the third power supply unit 4, the power output from the third power supply unit 4 is prevented from being absorbed by the second power supply unit 3.

電源システム１で、第３電源部４から出力される電力が第２電源部３へ吸収されることを抑制するため、以下の動作が実行されてもよい。 In the power supply system 1, the following operations may be performed to prevent the power output from the third power supply unit 4 from being absorbed by the second power supply unit 3.

制御部９は、第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２、第３電源部４の出力電圧Ｖ３の検出が可能である。 The control unit 9 is capable of detecting the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2, the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3, and the output voltage V3 of the third power supply unit 4.

制御部９は、は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態で第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態検出されている出力電圧Ｖ２と出力電圧Ｖ３とを比較する。 When the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 becomes lower than the first voltage V11 while the start signal S1 is being received or in a receiving state, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from a connected state to a disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 compares the output voltage V2, which is detected while the start signal S1 is being received or in a receiving state, with the output voltage V3.

そして、出力電圧Ｖ２が出力電圧Ｖ３以上であると制御部９が判定したときには、制御部９は第２スイッチ７をそれまでの遮断状態から接続状態へと切り換える制御と、第３スイッチ８をそれまでの遮断状態を継続させる制御とを行う。 When the control unit 9 determines that the output voltage V2 is equal to or greater than the output voltage V3, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 to switch from the previous disconnected state to the connected state, and controls the third switch 8 to maintain the previous disconnected state.

これに対して、出力電圧Ｖ２が出力電圧Ｖ３よりも低いと制御部９が判定したときには、制御部９は第２スイッチ７をそれまでの遮断状態を継続させる制御と、第３スイッチ８をそれまでの遮断状態から接続状態へと切り換える制御とを行う。そしてその後、制御部９は所定接続期間が経過した時点で、第２スイッチ７を遮断状態から接続状態へと切り換え第３スイッチ８遮断状態に切り替える。 In contrast, when the control unit 9 determines that the output voltage V2 is lower than the output voltage V3, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 to continue in the previously disconnected state and controls the third switch 8 to switch from the previously disconnected state to a connected state. Then, after a predetermined connection period has elapsed, the control unit 9 switches the second switch 7 from the disconnected state to a connected state and switches the third switch 8 to the disconnected state.

これにより、第３電源部４から出力される電力が第２電源部３へ吸収されることを抑制し、かつ、所定接続時間の経過後には第２電源部３が電力を出力することができる。 This prevents the power output from the third power supply unit 4 from being absorbed by the second power supply unit 3, and allows the second power supply unit 3 to output power after a specified connection time has elapsed.

また、制御部９は、は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態で第１電源部２の出力電圧Ｖ１が第１電圧Ｖ１１よりも低くなったことを検出すると、制御部９は第１スイッチ６を接続状態から遮断状態へと切り替える制御を行う。さらに制御部９は起動信号Ｓ１を受信していたときや受信状態検出されている出力電圧Ｖ２と出力電圧Ｖ３とを比較する。 When the control unit 9 detects that the output voltage V1 of the first power supply unit 2 becomes lower than the first voltage V11 while the start signal S1 is being received or in a receiving state, the control unit 9 controls the first switch 6 to switch from a connected state to a disconnected state. Furthermore, the control unit 9 compares the output voltage V2, which is detected while the start signal S1 is being received or in a receiving state, with the output voltage V3.

これに対して、出力電圧Ｖ２が出力電圧Ｖ３よりも低いと制御部９が判定したときには、制御部９は第２スイッチ７をそれまでの遮断状態を継続させる制御と、第３スイッチ８をそれまでの遮断状態から接続状態へと切り換える制御とを行う。そしてその後、第２電源部３の出力電圧Ｖ２が第２電圧（Ｖ１２）以上となった時点で第２スイッチ７を遮断状態から接続状態に切り替えて第３スイッチ８を遮断状態に切り替える。 In contrast, when the control unit 9 determines that the output voltage V2 is lower than the output voltage V3, the control unit 9 controls the second switch 7 to continue in the previous disconnected state and controls the third switch 8 to switch from the previous disconnected state to the connected state. Then, when the output voltage V2 of the second power supply unit 3 becomes equal to or higher than the second voltage (V12), the control unit 9 switches the second switch 7 from the disconnected state to the connected state and switches the third switch 8 to the disconnected state.

これにより、第３電源部４から出力される電力が第２電源部３へ吸収されることを抑制し、かつ、第２電源部３が負荷５を駆動することが可能な電圧である第２電圧（Ｖ１２）を出力することができる時点からは第２電源部３が電力を供給することができる。 This prevents the power output from the third power supply unit 4 from being absorbed by the second power supply unit 3, and allows the second power supply unit 3 to supply power from the point in time when the second power supply unit 3 can output the second voltage (V12), which is a voltage capable of driving the load 5.

以上の説明では、車両に適用した電源システム１を一例としているが、電源システム１の適用は車両に限られるものではない。 In the above explanation, the power supply system 1 applied to a vehicle is used as an example, but the application of the power supply system 1 is not limited to vehicles.

本発明の電源システムは、負荷に供給する電圧を安定させることができるという効果を有し、各種電気機器において有用である。 The power supply system of the present invention has the effect of stabilizing the voltage supplied to the load, and is useful in various electrical devices.

１電源システム
２第１電源部
３第２電源部
４第３電源部
５負荷
６第１スイッチ
７第２スイッチ
８第３スイッチ
９制御部
１０車両
１１温度検出部
１２蓄電素子
１３蓄電素子
１４蓄電素子
１５電力変換回路
１６電力変換回路
１７ダイオード REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Power supply system 2 First power supply unit 3 Second power supply unit 4 Third power supply unit 5 Load 6 First switch 7 Second switch 8 Third switch 9 Control unit 10 Vehicle 11 Temperature detection unit 12 Storage element 13 Storage element 14 Storage element 15 Power conversion circuit 16 Power conversion circuit 17 Diode

Claims

A first power supply unit;
A second power supply unit;
a third power supply unit having a lower internal resistance and a smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit;
a load driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit;
a first switch that connects or disconnects the first power supply unit and the load;
a second switch that connects or disconnects the second power supply unit and the load;
a third switch that connects or disconnects the third power supply unit and the load;
The first power supply unit is capable of detecting a voltage and receiving a start signal;
a control unit capable of controlling the operations of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
Equipped with
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
When detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into a cut-off state, and the second switch and the third switch are brought into a connect state,
switching the third switch to a cut-off state when a predetermined connection period has elapsed;
Power supply system.

the control unit is further capable of detecting a temperature of the second power supply unit;
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
when detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into a cut-off state and the second switch is brought into a connect state;
Furthermore, when it is detected that the temperature of the second power supply unit is lower than a predetermined temperature, the third switch is turned on,
switching the third switch to a cut-off state when the predetermined connection period has elapsed;
The power supply system of claim 1 .

The control unit is further capable of detecting a voltage applied to the load,
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
when detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into an interrupted state, and the second switch and the third switch are brought into a connected state, thereby maintaining a voltage supplied to the load at a first load voltage or higher;
switching the third switch to a cut-off state when a predetermined connection period has elapsed;
The power supply system of claim 1 .

A first power supply unit;
A second power supply unit;
a third power supply unit having a lower internal resistance and a smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit;
a load driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit;
a first switch that connects or disconnects the first power supply unit and the load;
a second switch that connects or disconnects the second power supply unit and the load;
a third switch that connects or disconnects the third power supply unit and the load;
The voltage of the first power supply unit and the voltage of the second power supply unit can be detected, and a start-up signal can be received.
a control unit capable of controlling the operations of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
Equipped with
The control unit is
Upon receiving the activation signal,
When detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into a cut-off state, and the second switch and the third switch are brought into a connect state,
the third switch is switched to a cut-off state when the voltage of the second power supply unit becomes equal to or higher than a second voltage.
Power supply system.

the control unit is further capable of detecting a temperature of the second power supply unit;
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
when detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into a cut-off state and the second switch is brought into a connect state;
Furthermore, when it is detected that the temperature of the second power supply unit is lower than a predetermined temperature, the third switch is turned on,
the third switch is switched to a cut-off state when the voltage of the second power supply unit becomes equal to or higher than a second voltage.
5. The power supply system of claim 4.

The control unit is further capable of detecting a voltage applied to the load,
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
when detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into an interrupted state, and the second switch and the third switch are brought into a connected state, thereby maintaining a voltage supplied to the load at a first load voltage or higher;
the third switch is switched to a cut-off state when the voltage of the second power supply unit becomes equal to or higher than a second voltage.
5. The power supply system of claim 4.

the control unit is further capable of detecting a temperature of the second power supply unit and a voltage applied to the load;
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
When detecting that the output voltage of the first power supply unit is lower than a first voltage, the first switch is brought into a cut-off state and the second switch is brought into a connect state,
and when it is detected that the temperature of the second power supply unit is lower than a predetermined temperature, the third switch is brought into a connected state to maintain a voltage supplied to the load equal to or higher than a first load voltage.
switching the third switch to a cut-off state when a predetermined connection period has elapsed and the voltage of the second power supply unit has become equal to or higher than a second voltage;
5. The power supply system of claim 4.

Further comprising a diode having an anode connected to the second power supply and a cathode connected to the third switch.
The power supply system according to claim 1 or 4.

A first power supply unit;
A second power supply unit;
a third power supply unit having a lower internal resistance and a smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit;
a load driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit;
a first switch that connects or disconnects the first power supply unit and the load;
a second switch that connects or disconnects the second power supply unit and the load;
a third switch that connects or disconnects the third power supply unit and the load;
The first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit are capable of detecting output voltages thereof and receiving a start-up signal;
a control unit capable of controlling the operations of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
Equipped with
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
Detecting a first output voltage which is an output voltage of the first power supply unit, a second output voltage which is an output voltage of the second power supply unit, and a third output voltage which is an output voltage of the third power supply unit;
when detecting that the first output voltage is lower than a first threshold voltage, turning off the first switch;
further, comparing the second output voltage with the third output voltage, and when the second output voltage is equal to or higher than the third output voltage, bringing the second switch into a connected state and the third switch into a cut-off state, and when the second output voltage is lower than the third output voltage, bringing the second switch into a cut-off state and the third switch into a connected state, and when a predetermined connection period has elapsed, switching the second switch into the connected state and the third switch into the cut-off state;
Power supply system.

A first power supply unit;
A second power supply unit;
a third power supply unit having a lower internal resistance and a smaller power capacity than the second power supply unit;
a load driven by power from at least one of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit;
a first switch that connects or disconnects the first power supply unit and the load;
a second switch that connects or disconnects the second power supply unit and the load;
a third switch that connects or disconnects the third power supply unit and the load;
The first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the third power supply unit are capable of detecting output voltages thereof and receiving a start-up signal;
a control unit capable of controlling the operations of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
Equipped with
The control unit, upon receiving the activation signal,
Detecting a first output voltage which is an output voltage of the first power supply unit, a second output voltage which is an output voltage of the second power supply unit, and a third output voltage which is an output voltage of the third power supply unit;
when detecting that the first output voltage is lower than a first threshold voltage, turning off the first switch;
and when the second output voltage is equal to or higher than the third output voltage, the second switch is brought into a connected state and the third switch is brought into a disconnected state, and when the second output voltage is lower than the third output voltage, the second switch is brought into a disconnected state and the third switch is brought into a connected state, and when the voltage of the second power supply unit becomes equal to or higher than the second voltage, the second switch is switched into a connected state and the third switch is switched into a disconnected state.
Power supply system.