Patent Publication Number: US-2023158913-A1

Title: Vehicle power control device, power control method, and vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-188841 filed on Nov. 19, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a power control device mounted on a vehicle provided with a solar panel. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-038248 (JP 2018-038248 A) discloses a charging system in an electrified vehicle. The electrified vehicle includes a battery charging function using power generated by a solar panel and a battery charging function using power supplied from an external power source. 
     In the charging system described in JP 2018-038248 A, charging by the generated power of the solar panel for only a predetermined time from when the charging of a battery by the power supplied by the external power supply is completed is prohibited. Thus, an estimation accuracy of a full charge capacity of the battery based on an open-circuit voltage is suppressed from being decreased. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the charging system described in JP  2018 - 038248  A, during a period in which the charging by the generated power of the solar panel is prohibited, it is not possible to charge the battery even when power is generated by the solar panel. Thus, power generated by the solar panel is wasted, and power is not utilized effectively. 
     The present disclosure provides a vehicle power control device that can effectively utilize power generated by a solar panel. 
     In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a vehicle power control device includes: a solar panel; a first battery that is able to charge power generated by the solar panel; and a power output control unit that controls an output destination of the power generated by the solar panel to either the first battery or an outside of a vehicle, in which when the first battery satisfies a predetermined condition, the power output control unit outputs the power generated by the solar panel to the outside of the vehicle. 
     According to the vehicle power control device of the present disclosure, when the first battery satisfies the predetermined condition, power generated by the solar panel is output to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, power generated by the solar panel is effectively utilized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a processing flow chart of the power output control (first example) executed by the power output control unit; and 
         FIG.  3    is a processing flow chart of the power output control (second example) executed by the power output control unit 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the power control device for a vehicle equipped with a solar panel of the present disclosure, when the battery mounted on the vehicle becomes a state that cannot be charged, the power generated by the solar panel is output to a facility outside the vehicle or the like. By this output control, the power generated by the solar panel is effectively utilized. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     Embodiment 
     Configuration 
       FIG.  1    is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle power control device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle power control device  10  illustrated in  FIG.  1    includes a solar panel  11 , a power output control unit  12 , a high-voltage battery  13 , an auxiliary battery  14 , a processing control unit  15 , and a notification unit  16 . 
     Vehicle power control device  10  according to the present embodiment can be mounted on a vehicle capable of performing Vehicle to Home (V2H) connecting. The V2H connection allows the vehicle to supply power stored, for example, in a high-voltage battery  13  for household use. In the present embodiment, the vehicle for mounting the vehicle power control device  10 , by performing the outer-vehicle facility  20  and V2H connection, illustrating an example of supplying power from the vehicle power control device  10  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . Outer-vehicle facility  20 , for example, a house or the like, is a facility that consumes power provided outside the vehicle. 
     The solar panel  11  is a power generation device that generates power by receiving the irradiation of sunlight. The solar panel  11  is a solar cell module that is typically an aggregate of solar cells. Power generated by the solar panel  11  is output to the power output control unit  12 . The solar panel  11  may be installed, for example, in a roof of a vehicle. 
     The high-voltage battery  13  is a high-voltage battery (first battery) that supplies the power required to operate a device (not shown) such as a traveling motor associated with driving the vehicle. High-voltage battery  13 , for example, such as a lithium battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, is constituted by a rechargeable battery. The high-voltage battery  13  is chargeable by the power generated by the solar panel  11  is connected to the power output control unit  12 . As the high-voltage battery  13 , a so-called driving battery can be exemplified. 
     The auxiliary battery  14  is a low-voltage battery (second battery) that provides the power necessary to operate equipment (not shown) such as headlamps and air conditioners, which are not involved in driving the vehicle. Auxiliary battery  14 , for example, a lithium battery or a lead-acid battery, and is composed of a rechargeable battery. The auxiliary battery  14  is chargeable by the power generated by the solar panel  11  is connected to the power output control unit  12 . 
     The power output control unit  12  is connected to a solar panel  11 , a high-voltage battery  13 , an auxiliary battery  14 , a processing control unit  15 , and a notification unit  16 , respectively. Further, the power output control unit  12  can be electrically connected to the vehicle outer-vehicle facility  20 . The power output control unit  12  includes a DCDC converter for performing power conversion or a relay circuit for switching the electrical connection/shut-off (not shown). The power output control unit  12  is an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) capable of controlling the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11 . 
     Further, the power output control unit  12  monitors various states (voltage, current, storage rate, temperature, etc.) of the high-voltage battery  13 . The power output control unit  12  controls the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  based on State Of Charge (SOCs) and the temperature of the high-voltage battery  13 . The output destinations of the generated power are a high-voltage battery  13 , an outer-vehicle facility  20 , and an auxiliary battery  14 . The power output control unit  12  can acquire various states of the high-voltage battery  13  from information of various sensors (not shown) provided in the high-voltage battery  13 . The power output control unit  12  also monitors the power generation state of the solar panel  11 . The power output control unit  12  may determine whether or not the solar panel  11  is generating electric power that can be charged. 
     The power output control unit  12  typically includes a processor, a memory, an input/output interface, and the like. The above-described functions are realized by the processor reading and executing a program stored in the memory. 
     The processing control unit  15  is a functional unit capable of controlling execution of the power output control performed by the power output control unit  12  based on predetermined information. As the predetermined information, is instructed by an input from the user of the vehicle, etc., the storage rate of the high-voltage battery  13  (e.g., the storage rate based on the amount of charge required to travel a predetermined distance) and, the period of outputting power to the outer-vehicle facility  20  (e.g., time zone such as from 7 a.m. to 10 o&#39;clock) information of the schedule indicating, also special situations (e.g., emergency such as power failure) it can be exemplified such as information indicating. The instruction from the user or the like may be directly input to the vehicle or may be input to the vehicle via a smart phone. Further, the schedule for outputting power to the outer-vehicle facility  20  may be set in advance for the vehicle. Also, information indicating a special situation, the vehicle power control device  10  can be obtained from the vehicle outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     Notifying unit  16  is a functional unit capable of notifying such contents of the control the power output control unit  12  is executed to the user of the vehicle. The content to be notified, for example, the amount of power generated by the solar panel  11  supplied to the home, such as the cost of power saved by the power supply, can be exemplified. The content of the notification is displayed on, for example, a screen of an in-vehicle navigation or a smartphone. The notification unit  16 , in addition to notifying the contents of the control the power output control unit  12  is executed to the user or the like, may be a notification prompting the selection of the control from this power output control unit  12  executes to the user or the like. 
     Control 
     Next, with further reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , some control performed by the vehicle power control device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.  FIG.  2    is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the first example of the power output control performed by the power output control unit  12  of the vehicle power control device  10 .  FIG.  3    is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the second example of the power output control performed by the power output control unit  12  of the vehicle power control device  10 . 
     1. Power Output Control of the First Example 
     Power output control process of the first example shown in  FIG.  2    is executed when the vehicle power control device  10  (vehicle) is a state (V2H connection state) which is connected to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the power supply possible. 
     S 201  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  determines whether or not the solar panel  11  is generating electric power that can be charged. Here, the power that can be charged, the device such as an ECU which requires operation for charging process and supply process, power more than power consumption is required to execute the charging process and supply process. If the power generated by the solar panel  11  is less than the power consumption of the device that executes the charging process or the supply process, the power is taken out from the battery (e.g., the auxiliary battery  14 ). In other words, rather the charging efficiency deteriorates. 
     If the solar panel  11  is generating power that can be charged (step S 201 , Yes), the process proceeds to step S 202 . On the other hand, if the solar panel  11  is not generating power that can be charged (step S 201 , no), the determination of the step S 201  is repeated until the rechargeable power is generated. 
     S 202  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  determines whether or not the high-voltage battery  13  satisfies a predetermined condition. Specifically, the power output control unit  12  determines whether or not the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge power. The state in which it is impossible to charge power to the high-voltage battery  13  is, for example, a state in which the storage rate of the high-voltage battery  13  is fully charged, a state in which the storage rate of the high-voltage battery  13  has reached the storage rate specified by the user of the vehicle or the like, or a state in which the charging action is stopped (or limited) due to the temperature of the high-voltage battery  13  being too high, or the like. This determination can be made based on various states acquired from the high-voltage battery  13  or instructions from the processing control unit  15 . Therefore, the predetermined condition determined by the power output control unit  12  may be a condition that the charge rate of the high-voltage battery  13  is equal to or higher than the first threshold (for example, the upper limit of full charge), a condition that the temperature of the high-voltage battery  13  is equal to or higher than the second threshold (for example, the temperature of the charge continuation limit), or the like. 
     If the high-voltage battery  13  is ready to charge power (step S 202 , no), the process proceeds S 203  the step. On the other hand, if the high-voltage battery  13  is not able to charge power (step S 202 , Yes), the process proceeds to step S 204 . 
     S 203  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  sets (switches) the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the high-voltage battery  13 . The power output control unit  12  executes control to charge the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the high-voltage battery  13 . With this control, the generated power of the solar panel  11  is stored in the high-voltage battery  13  without waste. When the charge control to the high-voltage battery  13  using the generated power of the solar panel  11  is performed, the process proceeds S 205  steps. 
     S 204  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  sets (switches) the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . The power output control unit  12  executes control for outputting (supplying) electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . By this control, the generated power of the solar panel  11  is provided to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . The following four approaches can be exemplified for the method of outputting (supplying) the electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     Method 1-1: Automatic Output 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, the power output control unit  12  is a method of automatically outputting the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     Method 1-2: Output in Response to User&#39;s Answer 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, the power output control unit  12  inquires to the user or the like. Then, after receiving the answer (instruction) to the inquiry from the user or the like, the power output control unit  12  is a method of outputting the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     Methodology 1-3: Output According to a Specified Schedule 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the electric power, and when there is a preset schedule relating to the output to the outer-vehicle facility  20  from the user of the vehicle or the like, the power output control unit  12  outputs the electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  in accordance with this schedule. This method 1-3 differs from the method 1-1 in that the output of power is performed intermittently on the basis of a specified schedule. 
     Method 1-4: Output to Minimize Power Cost 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, a method of outputting the generated power of the solar panel  11  so that the power cost in the outer-vehicle facility  20  is minimized. For example, when the outer-vehicle facility  20  is such as a house, so that the power cost calculated based on the total amount of power supplied from the vehicle to the house and the household power price determined by the power company is minimized, the output of the power is controlled. The power cost may be the product of the total amount of power and the household power price. More specifically, during the daytime when the home power price is high, it consumes the power supplied from the solar panel  11  exclusively, during the nighttime when the home power price is cheap, it uses a large amount of commercial power of the electric power company. Thus, the power output control unit  12  appropriately controls the supply amount and time zone for supplying power to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     When the power output control unit  12  or the like detects that a special situation (emergency situation) requiring electric power such as a power failure has occurred in the outer-vehicle facility  20 , the control of immediately outputting (supplying) electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  may be executed regardless of whether the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which electric power can be charged or in a state in which electric power cannot be charged, and regardless of any of the methods described above. 
     When the charge control to the outer-vehicle facility  20  using the generated power of the solar panel  11  is performed, the process proceeds S 205  steps. 
     S 205  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  instructs the notification unit  16  to notify the user of the vehicle or the like of the state of the charge control indicating whether the power generated by the solar panel  11  is output to the high-voltage battery  13  or to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . Further, the power output control unit  12 , so as to notify the user or the like of the vehicle such as the power cost and cost reduction effect in the outer-vehicle facility  20 , an instruction is given to the notification unit  16 . This notification is not essential and may be omitted. In addition, with respect to the notification of the power cost, the cost reduction effect, and the like, the timing of the notification and the content of the notification (the previous actual result, the accumulated value up to now, and the like) can be set arbitrarily. When notifications such as the status of the charge control by the vehicle and the power cost of the outer-vehicle facility  20  is performed, the process proceeds S 201  steps. 
     In the power output control of this first example, when the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state where it is impossible to charge power, the power generated by the solar panel  11  is output (supplied) to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . With this control, the power generated by the solar panel  11  can be effectively utilized. 
     2. Power Output Control of the Second Example 
     Power output control process of the second example shown in  FIG.  3    is executed when the vehicle power control device  10  (vehicle) is a state (V2H connection state) which is connected to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the power supply possible. S 301  of steps 
     The power output control unit  12  determines whether or not the solar panel  11  is generating electric power that can be charged. The electric power that can be charged is as described in the first example. If the solar panel  11  is generating power that can be charged (step S 301 , Yes), the process proceeds to step S 302 . On the other hand, if the solar panel  11  is not generating power that can be charged (step S 301 , no), the determination of the step S 301  is repeated until the rechargeable power is generated. 
     S 302  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  determines whether or not the high-voltage battery  13  satisfies a predetermined condition, that is, whether or not the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge power. The state in which it is impossible to charge the high-voltage battery  13  with electric power and the predetermined conditions are as described in the first example. If the high-voltage battery  13  is ready to charge power (step S 302 , no), the process proceeds S 303  the step. On the other hand, if the high-voltage battery  13  is not able to charge power (step S 302 , Yes), the process proceeds to step S 304 . S 303  of steps 
     The power output control unit  12  sets (switches) the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the high-voltage battery  13  and executes control to charge the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the high-voltage battery  13 . With this control, the generated power of the solar panel  11  is stored in the high-voltage battery  13  without waste. When the charge control to the high-voltage battery  13  using the generated power of the solar panel  11  is performed, the process proceeds S 305  steps. 
     S 304  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  sets (switches) the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . The power output control unit  12  executes control for outputting (supplying) electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . By this control, the generated power of the solar panel  11  is provided to both the vehicle outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . The following four approaches can be exemplified for the method of outputting (supplying) the electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     Method 2-1: Automatic Output 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, the power output control unit  12  automatically outputs the power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . 
     Method 2-2: Output in Response to User&#39;s Answer 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, the power output control unit  12  inquires to the user or the like. Then, after receiving the answer (instruction) to the inquiry from the user or the like, the power output control unit  12  is a method of outputting the power generated by the solar panel  11  to one or both of the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . 
     Method 2-3: Output According to the Specified Schedule 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the electric power, and when there is a preset schedule relating to the output to the outer-vehicle facility  20  from the user of the vehicle or the like, or to the vehicle, the power output control unit  12  outputs the electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to one or both of the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14  in accordance with this schedule. This method 2-3 performs power output intermittently based on a specified schedule compared to the above method 2-1 in which power output is performed continuously. 
     Method 2-4: Output to Minimize Power Cost 
     When it is determined that the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, a method of outputting the generated power of the solar panel  11  so that the power cost in the outer-vehicle facility  20  is minimized. For example, when the outer-vehicle facility  20   20  is such as a house, so that the power cost calculated based on the total amount of power supplied from the vehicle to the house and the household power price determined by the power company is minimized, the output of power to the outer-vehicle facility  20  is controlled. The power cost may be the product of the total amount of power and the household power price. More specifically, during the daytime when the home power price is high, the power supplied from the solar panel  11  is consumed exclusively (e.g., limiting the output to the auxiliary battery  14 ), during the nighttime when the home power price is low, to use a large amount of commercial power of the electric power company (e.g., giving priority to the output to the auxiliary battery  14 ), and the like, the power output control unit  12  appropriately controls the amount and time period for supplying power to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . 
     When the power output control unit  12  or the like detects that a special situation (emergency situation) requiring electric power such as a power failure has occurred in the outer-vehicle facility  20 , the control of immediately outputting (supplying) electric power generated by the solar panel  11  to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14  may be executed regardless of whether the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which electric power can be charged or in a state in which electric power cannot be charged, and regardless of any of the methods described above. 
     Further, prior to performing the process of the above-described stepped S 304 , such as the power output control unit  12 , the auxiliary battery  14  may be further determined whether or not it is impossible to charge the power state (such as a full charge state). In this determination, if the auxiliary battery  14  is in a state where it is impossible to charge the power, the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  may be set only to the outer-vehicle facility  20 . 
     When the charge control to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14  using the generated power of the solar panel  11  is performed, the process proceeds S 305  steps. 
     S 305  of Steps 
     The power output control unit  12  instructs the notification unit  16  to notify the user of the vehicle or the like of the state of the charge control indicating whether the power generated by the solar panel  11  is output to the high-voltage battery  13  or to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . Further, the power output control unit  12 , so as to notify the user or the like of the vehicle such as the power cost and cost reduction effect in the outer-vehicle facility  20 , an instruction is given to the notification unit  16 . This notification is as described in the first example above. When notifications such as the status of the charge control by the vehicle and the power cost of the outer-vehicle facility  20  is performed, the process proceeds S 301  steps. 
     In the power output control of this second example, when the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state where it is impossible to charge power, the power generated by the solar panel  11  is output (supplied) to one or both of the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . With this control, the power generated by the solar panel  11  can be more effectively utilized than the first example described above. 
     Effects 
     As described above, according to the vehicle power control device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the high-voltage battery  13  is in a state in which it is impossible to charge the power, the output destination of the power generated by the solar panel  11  is set to the outer-vehicle facility  20 , and the power generated by the solar panel  11  is output to only the outer-vehicle facility  20 . Alternatively, the output destination of the electric power generated by the solar panel  11  is set to the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 , and output to one or both of the outer-vehicle facility  20  and the auxiliary battery  14 . 
     By this control, the vehicle power control device  10  according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively utilize the power generated by the solar panel  11 . 
     While one embodiment of the disclosed technology has been described above, the present disclosure can be viewed not only as a power control device, but also as a power control method performed by the power control device, a program of the power control method, a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium storing the program, a vehicle equipped with a power control device, and the like. 
     The power control device of the present disclosure is available for vehicles and the like that utilize power generated by solar panels.