Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a relay drive circuit including a single relay. In the relay drive circuit of Patent Literature <NUM>, the relay includes a switching element, and a pulse voltage is applied to a control terminal of the switching element.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a control device comprising an output unit configured to output a pulse current to a plurality of relays to be driven, at shifted output timings in a case where the number of relays is plural, wherein the output unit is configured to determine a difference in output timing of the pulse current.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a control device comprising an output unit configured to output a current to a plurality of relays to be driven, at shifted output timings in a case where the number of relays is plural.

When the relay drive circuit of Patent Literature <NUM> includes a plurality of relays and all the relays are turned on and off simultaneously, an amount of current supplied to the relays increases in proportion to the number of relays. In this case, charging and discharging of a power supply that supplies the current to the relays increase, and ripple of the power supply may undesirably increase.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device and a control method capable of controlling a plurality of relays while suppressing ripple of a power supply.

A control device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes:.

A control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes:.

According to the control device according to the aspect, it is possible to realize a control device capable of controlling a plurality of relays while suppressing ripple of a power supply.

According to the control method according to the aspect, it is possible to realize a control method capable of controlling a plurality of relays while suppressing ripple of a power supply.

Hereinafter, an example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its use. The drawings are schematic, and ratios of dimensions and the like do not necessarily match actual ones.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a control device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure constitutes a part of a circuit <NUM> configured to drive a plurality of relays <NUM> having an identical specification. In the present embodiment, the circuit <NUM> includes five relays <NUM>, a power supply <NUM> configured to supply a current to each relay <NUM>, five switching elements <NUM>, five diodes D1, and a generation circuit <NUM>. Each switching element <NUM> is connected in series with a coil <NUM> of a corresponding one of the relays <NUM>. Each diode D1 is connected in antiparallel with the coil <NUM> of a corresponding one of the relays <NUM>. The control device <NUM> is configured to control the switching element <NUM> corresponding to the relay <NUM> to be driven, to output a pulse current to the coil <NUM> of the relay <NUM> to be driven.

Each relay <NUM> includes the coil <NUM> and a contact <NUM>. For example, the contact <NUM> is switched from an off state to an on state when a pulse current is input to the coil <NUM>. Each relay <NUM> is a relay having optionally-selected specifications (for example, input voltage, load voltage, and maximum load current). The power supply <NUM> includes, for example, a battery, and each switching element <NUM> includes, for example, an npn transistor. The generation circuit <NUM> generates, for example, a pulse voltage having a constant amplitude. A pulse width and the amplitude of the pulse voltage are set so that a maximum value of a current flowing through the coil <NUM> of each relay <NUM> becomes equal to or larger than a value necessary for turning on the relay <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, and a communication device <NUM>. Examples of the processor <NUM> include a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, and an ASIC. The storage device <NUM> includes, for example, an internal recording medium or an external recording medium. Examples of the internal recording medium include a non-volatile memory. Examples of the external recording medium include a hard disk (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and an optical disk device. The communication device <NUM> includes, for example, a communication circuit or a communication module for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as a server.

The control device <NUM> includes an acquisition unit <NUM> and an output unit <NUM>. The acquisition unit <NUM> and the output unit <NUM> are realized, for example, by execution of a program stored in the storage device <NUM> by the processor <NUM>.

The acquisition unit <NUM> is configured to acquire the number of relays <NUM> to be driven having an identical specification. The number of relays <NUM> to be driven may be acquired, for example, from a voltage of the circuit <NUM> at a time of output of a pulse current to each switching element <NUM> or may be acquired, for example, from data concerning the relay <NUM> to be driven input by a user or the like.

The output unit <NUM> is configured to output a pulse current to a plurality of relays <NUM> to be driven, at shifted or different output timings in a case where the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is plural (that is, two or more). In the present embodiment, the output unit <NUM> is configured to apply the pulse voltage generated by the generation circuit <NUM> to each switching element <NUM> and configured to output the pulse current to the coil <NUM> of the corresponding relay <NUM>.

The output unit <NUM> is configured to determine a difference in output timing of the pulse current between the relays <NUM> adjacent in an order of output of the pulse current on the basis of a duty ratio of the pulse current and the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>. For example, the output unit <NUM> determines the difference in output timing of the pulse current by at least one of the following methods (A) to (C).

In a case of × = <NUM>, A = <NUM>%, and B = <NUM>, the difference in timing of the pulse current is <NUM>/(<NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>) = <NUM>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pulse current is always concurrently output to one relay <NUM> or two relays <NUM>. That is, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM>.

In a case of λ = <NUM>, A = <NUM>%, and B = <NUM>, the difference in timing of the pulse current is <NUM>/(<NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>) = <NUM>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pulse current is output to two relays <NUM>, and the pulse current is not simultaneously output to three or more relays <NUM>. That is, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to be smaller than ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM>.

In a case of λ = <NUM>, A = <NUM>%, and B = <NUM>, the difference in timing of the pulse current is <NUM>/(<NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>) = <NUM>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pulse current is simultaneously output to two or three relays <NUM>. That is, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM>.

The output unit <NUM> determines an amount by which output timings are shifted, assuming that the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is a threshold value in a case where the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is larger than the threshold value. In a case where the number of relays <NUM> is larger than the threshold value, an excess relay <NUM> is regarded as any of relays <NUM> within the threshold value.

For example, in a case where the threshold value is <NUM> and B = <NUM>, the output unit <NUM> determines the difference in timing of the pulse current assuming that B = <NUM>. Excess relays, that is, the ninth to thirteenth relays <NUM> are each regarded as any of relays <NUM> within the threshold value. That is, the output unit <NUM> outputs the pulse current assuming that there are two relays <NUM> as each of the first to fifth relays <NUM> and there is one relay <NUM> as each of the sixth to eighth relays <NUM>. As a result, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM> at a maximum.

The threshold value may be optionally set. It is preferable to set the threshold value so as not to make it difficult to divide or subdivide a cycle of the pulse current in consideration of a length of the cycle of the pulse current and the like.

An example of a method for controlling the relays <NUM> by using the control device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The method for controlling the relays <NUM> described below is realized, for example, by execution of a predetermined program by the processor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when output timing determination processing is started, the acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the number of relays <NUM> to be driven (step S1).

When the number of relays <NUM> to be driven is acquired, the output unit <NUM> determines whether or not the acquired number of relays <NUM> is two or more (step S2).

In a case where it is determined that the acquired number of the relays <NUM> is two or more, the output unit <NUM> determines a difference in output timing of the pulse current between the relays <NUM> adjacent in an order of output of the pulse current on the basis of a duty ratio of the pulse current and the acquired number of relays <NUM> (step S3).

In a case where the acquired number of relays <NUM> is two or more, the output unit <NUM> outputs the pulse current to the plurality of relays <NUM> to be driven at shifted output timings on the basis of the difference in output timing of the pulse current determined in step S3 (step S4), and the pulse current output process ends. In a case where it is not determined that the number of relays <NUM> acquired in step S2 is two or more, the output unit <NUM> outputs a pulse current of a preset duty ratio to one relay <NUM> to be driven (step S4), and the pulse current output process ends.

The control device <NUM> can exhibit the following advantageous effects.

The control device <NUM> includes the acquisition unit <NUM> configured to acquire the number of relays <NUM> to be driven having an identical specification, and the output unit <NUM> configured to output a pulse current to a plurality of relays <NUM> to be driven, at shifted output timings in a case where the number of relays <NUM> to be driven acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is plural. The output unit <NUM> is configured to determine a difference in output timing of the pulse current between relays <NUM> adjacent in an order of output of the pulse current on the basis of a duty ratio of the pulse current and the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>. According to such a configuration, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM> at a maximum. As a result, it is possible to realize the control device <NUM> capable of controlling the plurality of relays <NUM> while suppressing the ripple of the power supply <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> may optionally adopt any one or more of the following plurality of configurations. That is, any one or more of the following plurality of configurations can be optionally deleted when included in the embodiment, and can be optionally added when not included in the embodiment. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to realize the control device <NUM> capable of controlling the plurality of relays <NUM> while suppressing the ripple of the power supply <NUM> with more certainty.

In a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is smaller than one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by Expression (<NUM>): λ/B [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, and B is the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>] as the difference in output timing of the pulse current.

In a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is equal to one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by Expression (<NUM>): λ × A [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, and A is the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current] as the difference in output timing of the pulse current.

In a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is larger than one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by Expression (<NUM>): λ/(A × B × <NUM>) [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, A is the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current, and B is the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>] as the difference in output timing of the pulse current.

In a case where the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is larger than a threshold value, the output unit <NUM> determines the difference in output timing of the pulse current assuming that the number of relays <NUM> acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is the threshold value.

The control method can exhibit the following advantageous effects.

The control method includes acquiring the number of relays <NUM> to be driven having an identical specification and outputting a pulse current to a plurality of relays <NUM> to be driven, at shifted output timings in a case where the acquired number of relays <NUM> is plural, and a difference in output timing of the pulse current between relays <NUM> adjacent in an order of output of the pulse current is determined on the basis of a duty ratio of the pulse current and the acquired number of relays <NUM>. According to such a configuration, the ripple of the power supply <NUM> is suppressed to ripple in a case where the pulse current is output to one relay <NUM> at a maximum. As a result, it is possible to realize the control method capable of controlling the plurality of relays <NUM> while suppressing the ripple of the power supply <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> may be configured as follows.

The difference in output timing of the pulse current between the relays <NUM> adjacent in the order of output of the pulse current may be determined by any method based on the duty ratio of the pulse current and the acquired number of relays <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> may be applied not only to the circuit <NUM>, but also to a circuit having any configuration in which a plurality of relays <NUM> having an identical specification are driven by a pulse current.

The present disclosure encompasses a program for causing a computer to execute the control method.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings. Finally, various aspects of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, as an example, reference signs are also added.

A control device <NUM> according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes:.

The control device <NUM> according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that in a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is smaller than one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by the following Expression (<NUM>) as the difference in output timing: <MAT> [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, and B is the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>].

The control device <NUM> according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that in a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is equal to one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by the following Expression (<NUM>) as the difference in output timing: <MAT> [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, and A is the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current].

The control device <NUM> according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that in a case where the product of the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current and the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is larger than one hundred, the output unit <NUM> determines a time defined by the following Expression (<NUM>) as the difference in output timing: <MAT> [in Expression (<NUM>), λ is a cycle "ms" of the pulse current, A is the duty ratio (%) of the pulse current, and B is the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>].

The control device <NUM> according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that in a case where the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is larger than a threshold value, the output unit <NUM> determines the difference in output timing assuming that the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM> is the threshold value.

A control method according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes:.

By appropriately combining any embodiments or modifications among the various embodiments or modifications, effects of the embodiments or modifications can be produced. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of an embodiments and an example are possible, and combinations of features in different embodiments or examples are also possible.

Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications should be understood as being encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A control device (<NUM>) for driving a number of relays, the control device comprising:
an acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire the number of relays to be driven having an identical specification; and
an output unit (<NUM>) configured to output a pulse current to a plurality of relays to be driven, at shifted output timings in a case where the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit (<NUM>) is plural, wherein
the output unit (<NUM>) is configured to determine a difference in output timing of the pulse current between relays adjacent in an order of output of the pulse current based on a duty ratio of the pulse current and the number of relays acquired by the acquisition unit (<NUM>).