JP2013158202A - Device for detecting charge connection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge connection detecting device capable of precisely detecting whether a charging connector and a charging port are connected.SOLUTION: When a transistor 34 is turned on, a voltage of 12 V output by a first DC-DC converter 18 is lowered by a resistor 35, and the lowered voltage, as a detection voltage, is supplied from a first detection voltage supply line 33 to a connection detection signal line 26. Even when the transistor 34 is not turned on due to a failure or the like, when an ignition switch 15 is turned on, an output voltage of a low-voltage battery 8 is supplied to a second detection voltage supply line 36. The voltage supplied to the second detection voltage supply line 36 is lowered by a resistor 37, and the lowered voltage is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting whether or not a charging connector is connected to a charging port of a rechargeable vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid car.

  In an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid car, a battery is charged with electric power from an external power source such as a quick charging DC power source and a household power source (commercial AC power source).

  The vehicle body is provided with a charging port electrically connected to the battery. When charging the battery, a charging cable connector (charging connector) connected to an external power source is connected to the charging port. Thereby, the external power source is electrically connected to the battery, and power can be supplied from the external power source to the battery.

  Since charging the battery takes a certain amount of time, the charging connector is left connected to the charging port until the charging of the battery is completed. For this reason, the user may forget to remove the charging connector from the charging port after the charging of the battery is completed. If the vehicle is started with the charging connector connected to the charging port, the charging cable may be dragged and damaged, or the connector and / or the charging port may be damaged.

  Therefore, a configuration has been proposed in which a detection circuit for detecting the presence or absence of connection between the charging connector and the charging port is provided, and the vehicle can run when it is confirmed that the charging connector is not connected to the charging port. Yes.

JP 2009-65728 A

  The detection circuit includes, for example, a signal line connected to a microcomputer provided in the ECU (electronic control unit) and a charging port, and a power line connected to the signal line and an internal power supply circuit provided in the ECU. Including. In a state where the charging connector is connected to the charging port, the signal line is grounded via a circuit provided in the external power source. A transistor is interposed in the power line.

  When the ignition switch is turned on, the transistor is turned on, and the signal line and the internal power supply circuit are electrically connected. When the charging connector is connected to the charging port, since the signal line is grounded, the potential of the signal line becomes 0 when the signal line and the internal power supply circuit are electrically connected. On the other hand, when the charging connector and the charging port are not connected, when the signal line and the internal power supply circuit are electrically connected, the potential of the signal line becomes the potential output from the internal power supply circuit. Thereby, the presence or absence of the connection between the charging connector and the charging port can be detected.

  However, when the transistor does not turn on due to a failure or the like, the detection voltage is not supplied from the internal power supply circuit even though the charging connector and the charging port are connected. And the charging port may be determined not to be connected.

  The objective of this invention is providing the charge connection detection apparatus which can detect accurately whether the charge connector and the charge port are connected.

  In order to achieve the above object, a charging connection detection device according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle including a charging port to which a charging connector provided on a charging cable extending from an external power source can be connected / disconnected, and the charging connector. And a charging connection detecting device for detecting whether or not the charging port is connected. The charge detection device has one end connected to the charge port, and a signal line grounded via a circuit provided in the external power source in a state where the charge connector and the charge port are connected, and the signal line A first detection voltage supply line for supplying a predetermined detection voltage to the signal line, and a middle part of the first detection voltage supply line, and the first detection voltage supply A connection detecting switch for turning on / off the current flowing through the line, and a second detecting voltage having one end connected to the auxiliary battery of the vehicle via the vehicle ignition switch and the other end connected to the signal line A supply line and the other end of the signal line are connected, and determination means for determining whether or not the charging connector and the charging port are connected based on the potential of the signal line.

  One end and the other end of the signal line are connected to a charging port and a determination unit, respectively. When the charging connector and the charging port are connected, the signal line is grounded via a circuit provided in the external power source. A first detection voltage supply line and a second detection voltage supply line are connected to the signal line. The first detection voltage supply line is connected to a detection voltage supply source via a connection detection switch. The second detection voltage supply line is connected to the auxiliary battery via an ignition switch.

  When the connection detection switch is turned on, the detection voltage is supplied from the first detection voltage supply line to the signal line.

  When the connection detection switch does not turn on due to a failure or the like, the detection voltage is not supplied from the first detection voltage supply line to the signal line. Even in this case, when the ignition switch is turned on, the output voltage of the auxiliary battery is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line to the signal line.

  Since the signal line is grounded when the charging connector and the charging port are connected, the potential of the signal line is 0 even when the connection detection switch and the ignition switch are turned on. On the other hand, when the charging connector and the charging port are not connected, the signal line is not grounded, so even if the connection detection switch is turned on or the connection detection switch is not turned on, the ignition When the switch is turned on, the potential of the signal line is not zero.

  Therefore, whether or not the charging connector and the charging port are connected can be accurately determined based on whether or not the potential of the signal line is 0. Then, when the connection between the charging connector and the charging port is detected, the vehicle can be prevented from starting while the charging connector remains connected to the charging port by prohibiting the vehicle from starting.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the charging connector and the charging port are connected. When the connection between the charging connector and the charging port is detected, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being started while the charging connector remains connected to the charging port by prohibiting the vehicle from starting. As a result, the charging cable, the charging connector, and the charging port can be prevented from being damaged.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a vehicle equipped with a charging connection detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection determination process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a vehicle equipped with a charging connection detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle 2 on which the charging connection detection device is mounted is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid car. The vehicle 2 includes, for example, a motor generator (not shown) that functions as a traveling motor and a generator, and a high-voltage battery (not shown) that stores electric power supplied to the motor generator. In the vehicle 2, the high voltage battery can be charged with electric power supplied from the external power source 3. The external power supply 3 is a DC power supply for quick charging, for example.

  In order to charge the high voltage battery, the vehicle 2 is provided with a charging port 4 electrically connected to the high voltage battery. A plug provided at one end of the charging cable 5 is connected to the external power source 3. At the other end of the charging cable 5, a charging connector 6 that can be connected / disconnected to the charging port 4 is provided. By connecting the charging connector 6 to the charging port 4, the external power source 3 and the high voltage battery are electrically connected, and the high voltage battery can be charged with the electric power supplied from the external power source 3.

  Further, the vehicle 2 is provided with an ECU (electronic control unit) 7 for controlling each part and a low voltage battery 8 for supplying electric power to an auxiliary machine or the like.

  The ECU 7 is provided with an IG port 11, an IGCT port 12, and a connection detection port 13.

  An IG voltage supply line 14 for supplying the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is connected to the IG port 11 outside the ECU 7. An ignition switch 15 is interposed in the middle of the IG voltage supply line 14.

  Further, one end of an IG voltage supply line 16 is connected to the IG port 11 inside the ECU 7. A diode 17 is interposed in the middle of the IG voltage supply line 16. The diode 17 allows current to flow through the IG voltage supply line 16 from the IG port 11 side, and prevents current from flowing in the opposite direction. The IG voltage supply line 16 is branched into two at the tip side from the diode 17 and is connected to the first DC-DC converter 18 and the second DC-DC converter 19.

  An IGCT voltage supply line 20 for supplying the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is connected to the IGCT port 12 outside the ECU 7. An IGCT relay 21 is interposed in the middle of the IGCT voltage supply line 20.

  Further, one end of an IGCT voltage supply line 22 is connected to the IGCT port 12 inside the ECU 7. A diode 23 is interposed in the middle of the IGCT voltage supply line 22. The diode 23 allows current to flow through the IGCT voltage supply line 22 from the IGCT port 12 side, and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction. The other end of the IGCT voltage supply line 22 is connected between the diode 17 and the branch portion in the IG voltage supply line 16.

  Thus, when the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is input to the IG port 11 via the IG voltage supply line 14. The voltage input to the IG port 11 is input to the first DC-DC converter 18 and the second DC-DC converter 19 via the IG voltage supply line 16.

  When the IGCT relay 21 is on, the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is input to the IGCT port 12 via the IGCT voltage supply line 20. The voltage input to the IGCT port 12 is input to the first DC-DC converter 18 and the second DC-DC converter 19 via the IGCT voltage supply line 22.

  The first DC-DC converter 18 and the second DC-DC converter 19 convert the input voltage into a DC voltage of 12V and 5V, respectively.

  One end of a connection detection signal line 23 is connected to the connection detection port 13 outside the ECU 7. The other end of the connection detection signal line 23 is held by the charging port 4. When the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4, the wiring 24 held by the charging connector 6 is connected to the other end of the connection detection signal line 23. The wiring 24 is grounded via a circuit 25 provided in the external power supply 3.

  Further, one end of a connection detection signal line 26 is connected to the connection detection port 13 inside the ECU 7.

  The ECU 7 is provided with a microcomputer 31.

  The other end of the connection detection signal line 26 is connected to the microcomputer 31. A diode 32 is interposed in the middle of the connection detection signal line 26 to allow current to flow through the connection detection signal line 26 toward the connection detection port 13 and to prevent backflow.

  A first detection voltage supply line 33 is branched and connected to the connection detection signal line 26 between the microcomputer 31 and the diode 32. The first detection voltage supply line 33 is supplied with a 12V voltage output from the first DC-DC converter 18. In the middle of the first detection voltage supply line 33, a transistor 34 and a resistor 35 are interposed in this order from the first DC-DC converter 18 side. The resistor 35 is provided to step down the voltage supplied from the first detection voltage supply line 33 to the connection detection signal line 26.

  The connection detection signal line 26 has a second detection voltage supply in which one end is connected to the IG voltage supply line 16 between the connection detection port 13 and the connection portion of the first detection voltage supply line 33. The other end of the line 36 is connected. In the middle of the second detection voltage supply line 36, a resistor 37 and a diode 38 are interposed in this order from the IG voltage supply line 16 side. The resistor 37 is provided to step down the voltage supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26. The diode 38 allows current to flow through the second detection voltage supply line 36 from the IG voltage supply line 16 side to the connection detection signal line 26 side, and prevents current from flowing in the opposite direction.

  Further, the connection detection signal line 26 is provided with a resistor 39 between the connection portion of the microcomputer 31 and the first detection voltage supply line 33.

  Further, one end of the branch signal line 40 is connected to the connection detection signal line 26 between the connection detection port 13 and the diode 32. The other end of the branch signal line 40 is connected to the OR circuit 41.

  An IG signal is input to the OR circuit 41. The IG signal is a signal that is at a high level when the ignition switch 15 is on. For example, the IG signal is generated by appropriately lowering the voltage supplied to the IG voltage supply line 16. Further, the vehicle 2 is configured to be able to charge a high voltage battery with electric power supplied from a household power source (single-phase 100V or single-phase 200V commercial AC power source). The OR circuit 41 includes a high-voltage battery. A signal that becomes a high level when it is electrically connected to a household power supply is input. When any of the input signals to the OR circuit 41 becomes high level, a signal is output from the OR circuit 41 to a circuit for starting the microcomputer 31, and the microcomputer 31 is started.

  An IG signal is input to the microcomputer 31.

  The microcomputer 31 controls on / off of the IGCT relay 21 based on the IG signal. Specifically, the microcomputer 31 turns on the IGCT relay 21 in response to the ignition switch 15 being turned on. Further, when the ignition switch 15 is turned off, the microcomputer 31 turns off the IGCT relay 21 after a predetermined time has passed since the ignition switch 15 was turned off. As a result, the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is input to the IGCT port 12 through the IGCT voltage supply line 20 until a predetermined time elapses after the ignition switch 15 is turned off. The operation of each part can be continued.

  In addition, the microcomputer 31 executes a connection determination process for determining whether or not the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection determination process.

  The connection determination process is started in response to the ignition switch 15 being turned on and the IG signal becoming high level.

  When the IG signal becomes high level (YES in step S1), the microcomputer 31 turns on the transistor 34 (step S2). When the transistor 34 is turned on, the voltage of 12V output from the first DC-DC converter 18 is stepped down by the resistor 35, and the voltage after the step-down is detected as a detection voltage from the first detection voltage supply line 33. Supplied to line 26.

  In a state where the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4, the connection detection signal line 23 is grounded via the wiring 24 and the circuit 25 provided in the external power supply 3, and the connection detection is detected via the connection detection port 13. The connection detection signal line 26 electrically connected to the service signal line 23 is grounded. Therefore, even when a detection voltage is supplied from the first detection voltage supply line 33 to the connection detection signal line 26, the potential of the connection detection signal line 26 is 0, and the microcomputer 31 receives a connection detection signal. A low level charging connector connection signal is input from the line 26.

  On the other hand, in a state where the charging connector 6 is not connected to the charging port 4, if a detection voltage is supplied from the first detection voltage supply line 33 to the connection detection signal line 26, the potential of the connection detection signal line 26. Becomes equal to the detection voltage. At this time, the detection voltage is stepped down by the resistor 39 and input to the microcomputer 31 from the connection detection signal line 26 as a high-level charge connector connection signal.

  When the transistor 34 is not turned on due to a failure or the like, the detection voltage is not supplied from the first detection voltage supply line 33 to the connection detection signal line 26. Even in this case, since the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is supplied to the second detection voltage supply line 36. The voltage supplied to the second detection voltage supply line 36 is stepped down by the resistor 37, and the voltage after the step-down is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26.

  In the state where the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4, the connection detection signal line 26 is grounded, so that the detection voltage is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26. However, the potential of the connection detection signal line 26 is 0, and a low-level charging connector connection signal is input to the microcomputer 31 from the connection detection signal line 26.

  On the other hand, in a state where the charging connector 6 is not connected to the charging port 4, when a voltage is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26, the potential of the connection detection signal line 26 is Equal to the supply voltage. At this time, the voltage supplied to the connection detection signal line 26 is stepped down by the resistor 39 and input to the microcomputer 31 from the connection detection signal line 26 as a high-level charging connector connection signal.

  Thereafter, the microcomputer 31 determines whether or not the charging connector connection signal is at a high level (step S3).

  If the charging connector connection signal is at a high level (YES in step S3), the microcomputer 31 determines that the charging connector 6 is not connected to the charging port 4, and permits the vehicle 1 to travel ( Step S4). That is, when the charging connector connection signal is at a high level, the microcomputer 31 allows the power supply from the high voltage battery to the motor generator.

  On the other hand, when the charging connector connection signal is at a low level (NO in step S3), the microcomputer 31 determines that the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4 and prohibits the vehicle 1 from traveling. (Step S5). That is, when the charging connector connection signal is at a low level, the microcomputer 31 prohibits the supply of power from the high voltage battery to the motor generator.

  As described above, when the transistor 34 is turned on, the voltage of 12V output from the first DC-DC converter 18 is stepped down by the resistor 35, and the voltage after the step-down is used as the detection voltage. To the connection detecting signal line 26. Even when the transistor 34 is not turned on due to a failure or the like, when the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the output voltage of the low voltage battery 8 is supplied to the second detection voltage supply line 36. The voltage supplied to the second detection voltage supply line 36 is stepped down by the resistor 37, and the voltage after the step-down is supplied from the second detection voltage supply line 36 to the connection detection signal line 26.

  As a result, even if a failure has occurred so that the transistor 34 does not turn on, when the charging connector 6 is not connected to the charging port 4, the charging connector connection signal becomes high level.

  Therefore, it can be accurately determined whether or not the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4.

  When the charging connector 6 is connected to the charging port 4, the vehicle 1 is prohibited from traveling, so that the vehicle 1 can be prevented from being started while the charging connector remains connected to the charging port. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the charging port 4, the charging cable 5, and the charging connector 6 from being damaged.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, the external power source 3 is not limited to a DC power source for quick charging, but may be a household power source (single-phase 100V or single-phase 200V commercial AC power source).

  Further, the transistor 34 is provided as a connection detection switch. However, the transistor 34 may be, for example, an FET (field effect transistor) or a bipolar transistor. Instead of the transistor 34, a semiconductor switch other than the transistor may be provided.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

2 Vehicle 3 External Power Supply 5 Charging Cable 6 Charging Connector 4 Charging Port 7 ECU (Charge Connection Detection Device)
8 Low voltage battery (auxiliary battery)
15 Ignition switch 26 Connection detection signal line (signal line)
31 Microcomputer (determination means)
33 First detection voltage supply line 34 Transistor (switch for connection detection)
36 Second detection voltage supply line

Claims (1)

Charge connection detection applied to a vehicle including a charge port that can be connected / disconnected to a charge connector provided on a charge cable extending from an external power source, and detects whether the charge connector and the charge port are connected A device,
One end is connected to the charging port, and the signal line grounded via a circuit provided in the external power source in a state where the charging connector and the charging port are connected,
A first detection voltage supply line connected to the signal line for supplying a predetermined detection voltage to the signal line;
A connection detection switch interposed in the middle of the first detection voltage supply line to turn on / off a current flowing through the first detection voltage supply line;
A second detection voltage supply line having one end connected to the auxiliary battery of the vehicle via an ignition switch of the vehicle and the other end connected to the signal line;
A charging connection detection device comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the other end of the signal line is connected and the charging connector and the charging port are connected based on a potential of the signal line.

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