Charging control device, solar power generation system and charging control method

• US 9,337,682 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2012
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Takeo, Okada, Wataru, Yamada, Junichiro, Ohashi, Makoto, Sunahata, Yoshinori
• Primary Examiner(s): Memula, Suresh
• Application Number:
  US14/348,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a charging control device, a solar power generation system and a charging control method which allow more efficient charging. The charging control device includes: a charging converter which takes electric power out of a solar panel and converts the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and a controlling CPU which adjusts an output voltage that is outputted from the charging converter. The charging converter takes electric power out of the solar panel at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the solar panel with a certain output voltage, and charges the storage battery. The controlling CPU adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points. The present technique is applicable, for example, to the charging control device of the solar power generation system.

Claims

1. A charging control device, comprising:

a converter configured to take electric power out of an electric power generator that generates electric power, and configured to convert the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and

an adjuster configured to adjust an output voltage output from the converter,

wherein

the converter takes electric power out of the electric power generator at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the electric power generator with the output voltage adjusted by the adjuster and output from the converter, and charges the storage battery,

wherein the two operation points are defined by intersection points between a voltage-current curve of the electric power generator and a curve defined by Ii=a/Vi and a =Vo×

Io/η

,

where Ii is an input current input from the electric power generator into the convertor,

Vi is an input voltage input from the electric power generator into the converter,

Io is an output current of the converter,

Vo is the output voltage that is output from the converter, and

η

is a conversion efficiency of the converter,

wherein the converter determines the two operation points by scanning the input voltage, and

wherein the adjuster adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between the input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points.

2. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a predetermined function with the voltage difference between the input voltages regarded as a variable.

3. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster adjusts the output voltage so as to

decrease the output voltage when the voltage difference between the input voltages is smaller than a first set value, and

increase the output voltage when the voltage difference between the input voltages is larger than a second set value.

4. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the converter scans the input voltage of the electric power that is taken out of the electric power generator, to detect the two operation points, at which the output voltage becomes the output voltage adjusted by the adjuster.

5. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein, after detecting the two operation points, the converter repeats processing of changing the input voltage of the electric power that is taken out of the electric power generator in the vicinities of the input voltages corresponding to the two operation points and newly detecting two operation points to adjust the output voltage.

6. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein only the converter is disposed to convert electric power, on wiring that connects the electric power generator and the storage battery at the time of charging the electric power generated by the electric power generator into the storage battery.

7. A solar power generation system, comprising the charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the converter takes the electric power of the generator configured as a solar panel, which generates electric power in accordance with irradiation by sunlight.

8. A charging control method for a charging control device which includes a converter configured to take electric power out of an electric power generator that generates electric power, and configured to convert the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery, and an adjuster configured to adjust an output voltage output from the converter, the method comprising:

taking, by the converter, electric power out of the electric power generator at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the electric power generator with the output voltage adjusted by the adjuster and output from the converter; and

charging, by the converter, the storage battery,

wherein the two operation points are defined by intersection points between a voltage-current curve of the electric power generator and a curve defined by Ii=a/Vi,

where a =Vo×

Io/η

,

Ii is an input current input from the electric power generator into the convertor,

Vi is an input voltage input from the electric power generator into the converter,

Io is an output current of the converter,

Vo is the output voltage that is output from the converter, and

η

is a conversion efficiency of the converter,

the method further comprising;

determining, by the converter, the two operation points by scanning the input voltage;

and

adjusting, by the adjuster, the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between the input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points.