Control device and control method

Abstract

The present application relates to a control device and a control method. A control device (60) mounted on a vehicle (20; 120) provided with an electrical storage device (36) includes a processor. The processor is configured to, when external charging and updating of software used in the vehicle are performed in parallel, reduce the charging power in the external charging in a manner such that an update prediction time required for the updating of the software is less than a charging prediction time required for the external charging, in a case where a time condition that the update prediction time is equal to or more than the charging prediction time is satisfied. The external charging is charging of the electrical storage device using power from an external power supply (90) provided outside the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a control device and a control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In International Publication No. 2011 / 161778, a software update device mounted on a vehicle capable of charging a power storage device from an external power source (external charging) updates software used in the vehicle, and in the software update device, software that takes less time to update than the external charging time is updated. SUMMARY

[0003] Due to an increase in the amount of rewrite data, or the like, there is a tendency for the update time of software to become longer. Due to the long software update time, in the above-described technology, there is a possibility that necessary updates of software will not be able to be performed. In addition, when the update of software is ended after the external charging is ended, power is consumed due to the update of software after the external charging is ended, and thus the power storage ratio of the power storage device can decrease. Furthermore, in a public charging station, or the like, in the case where external charging is started again after temporarily ending the external charging, for example, in the case where the update of software is ended after the external charging is ended, and the external charging is started again in order to compensate for the power consumption due to the update, there is a possibility that authentication will need to be performed again. Therefore, in the case where charging of a power storage device and updating of software are performed in parallel, it is required that the update of software be able to be ended during external charging.

[0004] The present application provides a control device and a control method that enable the update of software to be ended during external charging.

[0005] The present application provides a control device and a control method that enable the update of software to be ended during external charging.

[0006] In the control device of the present application, when the external charging that is charging of the electric storage device using electric power from an external power supply and the update of the software used in the vehicle are performed in parallel, in a case where the time condition that the update prediction time required for the update of the software is a time equal to or longer than the charging prediction time required for the external charging is satisfied, the charging electric power in the external charging is reduced in a manner such that the update prediction time is shorter than the charging prediction time. Thus, it is possible to end the update of the software during the external charging. As a result, it is possible to suppress the electric power consumption due to the update of the software after the end of the external charging, and suppress the decrease in the charge level of the electric storage device. In particular, in a case where authentication (e.g., billing authentication, etc.) needs to be performed again when the external charging is started again after being temporarily ended, for example, in a case where the update of the software is ended after the end of the external charging, and the external charging is started again in order to compensate for the electric power consumption due to the update, the authentication needs to be performed again. By the above processing, it is possible to perform the authentication without performing it again.

[0007] In the above aspect, the vehicle can further include a second electric storage device having a lower rated voltage than the electric storage device, and a converter configured to step down electric power of a first power line connected to the electric storage device and supply the stepped-down electric power to a second power line connected to the second electric storage device. The processor can be configured to, in a case where the time condition is satisfied when the external charging and the update of the software are performed in parallel, cause the charging electric power in the external charging to be a predetermined electric power and increase a target charge level of the second electric storage device when the update prediction time is not shorter than the charging prediction time in a range where the charging electric power in the external charging is equal to or higher than the predetermined electric power. If so, the second electric storage device is easily charged during the external charging, and thus the time until the end of the external charging is easily lengthened. Thus, it is possible to easily end the update of the software during the external charging.

[0008] In the above aspect, the processor can be configured to, in a case where the external charging and the update of the software are performed in parallel, not reduce the charging electric power in the external charging when the time condition is satisfied in a case where the external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended. In this case, as the case where the external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended, for example, there can be mentioned a case where authentication (e.g., billing authentication, etc.) does not need to be performed again when the external charging is started again.

[0009] Other aspects of the present application relate to a control method of a vehicle provided with an electrical storage device. The control method includes: performing, by a processor, an external charging and an update of software used in the vehicle in parallel, wherein the external charging is charging of the electrical storage device using electric power from an external power supply provided outside the vehicle; and reducing, by the processor, a charging electric power in the external charging in a manner such that an update prediction time required for the update of the software is less than a charging prediction time required for the external charging, in a case where a time condition that the update prediction time is above the charging prediction time is established. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the specification. The application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric vehicle and a charging device provided with a control device as one embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a processing routine executed by a vehicle ECU.

[0013] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a processing routine executed by a vehicle ECU.

[0014] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating one example of an electric vehicle of a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Next, a specific embodiment of the present application will be described using an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric vehicle 20 and a charging device 80 provided with a control device as one embodiment of the present application. As illustrated in the drawing, the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment is provided with a motor 32 for running, an inverter 34, a high-voltage battery assembly 36 as an electrical storage device, a high-voltage power line (one example of a first power line) 38, a system main relay 40, a low-voltage battery assembly 42 as a second electrical storage device, a low-voltage power line (one example of a second power line) 44, a DC / DC converter 46, a charging power line 50, a vehicle-side connector 52, a charging relay 54, and a vehicle electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle ECU") 60 as a control device.

[0017] The motor 32 is configured as a synchronous motor, for example, and a rotor of the motor 32 is connected to a drive shaft DS that is linked to a drive wheel DW via a differential gear. The inverter 34 is connected to the motor 32 and to a high-voltage power line 38. The motor 32 is rotationally driven by switching control of a plurality of switching elements (not shown) of the inverter 34.

[0018] The high-voltage battery assembly 36 is configured as a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, or the like, having a rated voltage of several tens to several hundreds of V, for example, and is connected to the high-voltage power line 38. A system main relay 40 is provided to the high-voltage power line 38 and performs connection and disconnection between the inverter 34 side and the high-voltage battery assembly 36 side.

[0019] The low-voltage battery assembly 42 is configured as a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, a lead storage battery, or the like, having a rated voltage of several tens of V, which is lower than that of the high-voltage battery assembly 36, and is connected to a low-voltage power line 44. Various electronic control units such as the vehicle ECU 60, various lamps, an audio device, and the like are also connected to the low-voltage power line 44. A DC / DC converter 46 is connected to the low-voltage power line 44 on the inverter 34 side relative to the system main relay 40 of the high-voltage power line 38 and reduces the voltage of the high-voltage power line 38 to supply the low-voltage power line 44.

[0020] One end of a charging power line 50 is connected to the inverter 34 side relative to the system main relay 40 of the high-voltage power line 38, and the other end is connected to a vehicle-side connector 52. The vehicle-side connector 52 is configured to be connectable to a device-side connector 82 of a charging device 80 such as a home, a charging station, or the like. A charging relay 54 is provided to the charging power line 50 and performs connection and disconnection between the vehicle-side connector 52 side and the high-voltage power line 38 side.

[0021] The vehicle ECU 60, although not shown, has a microprocessor having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and input and output ports. Signals from various sensors are input to the vehicle ECU 60 via the input ports. As the signals input to the vehicle ECU 60, for example, the rotational position θm of the rotor of the motor 32 from a rotational position detection sensor 32a (e.g., resolver) that detects the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 32 can be cited. The voltage Vbh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 from a voltage sensor 36a mounted between the terminals of the high-voltage battery assembly 36, the current Ibh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 from a current sensor 36b mounted to the output terminal of the high-voltage battery assembly 36, and the voltage Vbl of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 from a voltage sensor 42a mounted between the terminals of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 can also be cited. The connection signal from a connection sensor 52a provided to the vehicle-side connector 52 can also be cited. Furthermore, the vehicle ECU 60 also functions as a drive control device for the vehicle, so information required for travel control is also input to the vehicle ECU 60. As this information, for example, the ignition signal from the ignition switch, the shift position from a shift position sensor that detects the operation position of the shift lever, the accelerator opening degree from an accelerator pedal position sensor that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal position from a brake pedal position sensor that detects the amount of depression of the brake pedal, and the vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor can be cited.

[0022] Various control signals are output from the vehicle ECU 60 via the output ports. As the signals output from the vehicle ECU 60, for example, the switching control signals to the plurality of switching elements of the inverter 34, the control signal to the system main relay 40, the control signal to the DC / DC converter 46, and the control signal to the charging relay 54 can be cited. The vehicle ECU 60 calculates the state of charge SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 from the current Ibh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 from the current sensor 36b. The vehicle ECU 60 can perform wireless communication with a device electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "device ECU") 86 of the charging device 80 in the home, the charging station, and the like, and can perform wireless communication with a management center 92. The management center 92 manages various software used in the vehicle.

[0023] The charging device 80 is provided with a device-side connector 82, a power conditioning section 84, and a device ECU 86. The device-side connector 82 is configured to be connectable with the vehicle-side connector 52 of the electric vehicle 20. The power conditioning section 84 is connected to an external power source 90 configured as an alternating-current power source such as a household power source or a commercial power source, and the device-side connector 82, and when the vehicle-side connector 52 and the device-side connector 82 are connected and charging of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 is instructed, converts alternating-current power from the external power source 90 to direct-current power, and adjusts the power (voltage, current) to supply to the electric vehicle 20.

[0024] The device ECU 86, although not shown, is provided with a microprocessor having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and an input / output port. Signals from various sensors are input to the device ECU 86 via the input port. Various control signals are output from the device ECU 86 via the output port. As the signals output from the device ECU 86, for example, a control signal to the power conditioning section 84 or the like can be cited. The device ECU 86 is able to communicate with the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 20.

[0025] In the electric vehicle 20 and the charging device 80 of the embodiment thus configured, when the vehicle-side connector 52 and the device-side connector 82 are connected in parking with the system turned off, a connection signal is sent from the connection sensor 52a to the vehicle ECU 60, and the vehicle ECU 60 detects the connection of the vehicle-side connector 52 and the device-side connector 82. Next, when external charging as charging of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 using power from the external power source 90 (the charging device 80) is instructed by the user along with a predetermined authentication (for example, billing authentication or the like), the vehicle ECU 60 turns on the system main relay 40 and the charging relay 54, and the device ECU 86 controls the power conditioning section 84, whereby external charging is performed. At the time of external charging, the vehicle ECU 60 sends a power instruction Pc* for external charging to the device ECU 86, and when the voltage Vbl of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 is less than a target voltage Vbl*, controls the DC / DC converter 46 in such a manner that the power of the high-voltage power line 38 is stepped down and supplied to the low-voltage power line 44. In addition, at this time, the device ECU 86 controls the power conditioning section 84 in such a manner that the power of the power instruction Pc* is supplied to the electric vehicle 20. Then, when the charge ratio SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 reaches a predetermined ratio Sch (for example, about 80% to 95%), the vehicle ECU 60 sends an end instruction of external charging to the device ECU 86, and the device ECU 86 stops the power conditioning section 84 when receiving the instruction. Thus, external charging ends. Thereafter, the vehicle ECU 60 turns off the system main relay 40 and the charging relay 54.

[0026] In addition, in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, for addition, correction, deletion, or the like of the function of the software used in the vehicle, in parking with the system turned off, in the electronic control unit of the object, sometimes the update of the software, so-called OTA (Over-The-Air) reprogramming, is performed in conjunction with wireless communication with the management center 92.

[0027] Next, the operation of the vehicle ECU 60 provided in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment thus configured, particularly the processing of setting the electric power command Pc* for external charging and the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 when external charging and the update of the software are executed in parallel, will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing one example of a processing routine executed by the vehicle ECU 60. This routine is executed when external charging and the update of the software are executed in parallel.

[0028] When the processing routine of Figure 2 is executed, the vehicle ECU 60 initially inputs data such as the update prediction time Tup required for the update of the software, the charge storage ratio SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 (step S100). Here, as for the update prediction time Tup of the software, the time received from the management center through wireless communication is input. As for the charge storage ratio SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36, a value calculated from the current Ibh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 detected by the current sensor 36b is input.

[0029] Next, the electric power Pc1 as an initial value is set as the electric power command Pc* for external charging (step S110), and the voltage Vbl1 as an initial value is set as the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 (step S120). Then, the charge prediction time Tch required for external charging is estimated from the electric power command Pc* for external charging and the charge storage ratio SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 (step S130). Here, the charge prediction time Tch can be estimated, for example, as a value obtained by dividing the amount of electric power based on the difference (Sch-SOCh) between the predetermined ratio Sch and the charge storage ratio SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 by the electric power command Pc* for external charging, a value in which correction required therefor is implemented.

[0030] When the charging prediction time Tch is thus estimated, the update prediction time Tup is compared with the charging prediction time Tch (step S140). This process is a process of determining whether or not the update of the software can be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* of the set power Pc1. When the update prediction time Tup is less than the charging prediction time Tch, it is determined that the update of the software can be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* of the set power Pc1, and the present routine is ended. When the present routine is ended, the power command Pc* is transmitted to the device ECU 86, and the target voltage Vbl* is used in the determination of whether or not the charging of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 (whether or not the DC / DC converter 46 is driven) is required.

[0031] When the update prediction time Tup is equal to or more than the charging prediction time Tch in step S140, it is determined that the update of the software cannot be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* of the set power Pc1, and a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined power ΔPc from the power command Pc* is newly set as the power command Pc* (step S150). Here, the predetermined power ΔPc is appropriately set.

[0032] Next, the newly set power command Pc* is compared with the minimum power Pcmin with which the external charging can be performed (step S160). Here, the minimum power Pcmin is set in accordance with the specifications of the electric vehicle 20 or the like. When the power command Pc* is equal to or more than the minimum power Pcmin, similarly to the processes of steps S130 and S140, the charging prediction time Tch is estimated from the power command Pc* and the state of charge SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36, and the update prediction time Tup is compared with the charging prediction time Tch (steps S170 and S180). Here, the process of step S180 is a process of determining whether or not the update of the software can be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* newly set in step S150. When the update prediction time Tup is equal to or more than the charging prediction time Tch, it is determined that the update of the software cannot be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* newly set in step S150, and the process returns to step S150.

[0033] When the updated prediction time Tup is less than the charge prediction time Tch in step S180, it is determined that the software update can be completed during the external charging when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* re-set in step S150, and the routine is ended. In the embodiment, in a case where the updated prediction time Tup is Tch or more when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* set to the power Pc1 (a case where the software update cannot be completed during the external charging), the power command Pc* is decreased so that the updated prediction time Tup is less than the charge prediction time Tch, so that the software update can be completed during the external charging. Thus, it is possible to suppress the power consumption due to the software update after the external charging is completed. Further, it is possible to suppress a situation where the voltage Vbl of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 drops due to the power consumption by the software update after the external charging is completed, so that the power is supplied from the high-voltage battery assembly 36 to the low-voltage battery assembly 42 via the DC / DC converter 46, so that the state-of-charge SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36 drops. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the travelable distance in the next trip. In particular, in a case where the authentication (e.g., billing authentication, etc.) needs to be performed again when the external charging is started again after the temporary completion of the external charging, for example, in a case where the authentication needs to be performed again when the external charging is started again in order to compensate for the power consumption due to the software update when the software update is completed after the external charging is completed, the processing of the embodiment is performed, so that it is possible to perform the authentication without performing it again.

[0034] When the power command Pc* is less than the minimum power Pcmin in step S160, the minimum power Pcmin is set as the power command Pc* (step S190), and a voltage Vbl2 higher than the above voltage Vbl1 is set as the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42 (step S200), and the routine is ended. By increasing the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42, it is easy to charge the low-voltage battery assembly 42 with at least a part of the power from the external power supply 90 (the charging device 80) during the external charging, so that it is easy to lengthen the time until the completion of the external charging. Thus, it is easy to complete the software update during the external charging.

[0035] In the vehicle ECU 60 of the control device provided in the electric vehicle 20 of the above-described embodiment, when the external charging and the software update are performed in parallel, in a case where the time condition that the updated prediction time Tup is Tch or more when the external charging is performed with the power command Pc* set to the power Pc1 is satisfied, the power command Pc* is decreased so that the updated prediction time Tup is less than the charge prediction time Tch. Thus, it is possible to complete the software update during the external charging.

[0036] In the vehicle ECU 60 provided in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, when the external charging and the update of the software are executed in parallel, when the update prediction time Tup is not lower than the charging prediction time Tch in a range where the power command Pc* is higher than or equal to the minimum power Pcmin, the minimum power Pcmin is set as the power command Pc* and the voltage Vbl2 higher than the voltage Vbl1 is set as the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42. However, in this case, the minimum power Pcmin can be set as the power command Pc* and the voltage Vbl1 can be set as the target voltage Vbl* of the low-voltage battery assembly 42.

[0037] In the vehicle ECU 60 provided in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the processing routine of Figure 2 is executed. However, the processing routine of Figure 2 may not be executed and the processing routine of Figure 3 may be executed. The processing routine of Figure 3 differs from the processing routine of Figure 2 in that the processing of step S145 is added. Thus, as for the processing in the processing routine of Figure 3 which is the same as the processing routine of Figure 2 , the same step number is added and detailed description is omitted.

[0038] In the processing routine of Figure 3 , the vehicle ECU 60 determines whether or not the external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended when the update prediction time Tup is longer than the charging prediction time Tch in step S140 (step S145). Here, as the case where the external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended, for example, a case where authentication (for example, billing authentication and the like) does not need to be performed again when the external charging is started again can be given.

[0039] When it is determined that the external charging cannot be automatically started again after being temporarily ended in step S145, the processing after step S150 is executed. This is based on the following reason. At this time, when the update of the software is ended after the external charging is ended, the external charging is desired to be started again in order to compensate for the power consumption (decrease in the state of charge SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36) due to the update, authentication (for example, billing authentication and the like) needs to be performed again, the user feels troublesome, or further cost burden is generated. In consideration of this, as in the embodiment, it is preferable to decrease the power command Pc* in such a manner that the update prediction time Tup is smaller than the charging prediction time Tch. Thus, the processing after step S150 is executed.

[0040] When it is determined in step S145 that external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended, the process after step S150 is not executed and the routine is ended. This is based on the following reason. At this time, when external charging is desired to be started again in order to compensate for the power consumption (decrease in the state of charge SOCh of the high-voltage battery assembly 36) due to the update of the software after ending external charging, external charging can be started again without performing authentication again. Therefore, the power command Pc* does not need to be reduced in such a manner that the update prediction time Tup is smaller than the charging prediction time Tch, and thus the routine is ended without executing the process after step S150.

[0041] In the process routine of the first embodiment, the vehicle ECU 60 is configured to execute the process of determining whether external charging can be automatically started again after being temporarily ended (step S145) when the update prediction time Tup is longer than the charging prediction time Tch in step S140. However, the process of step S145 can be executed between the process of step S120 and the process of step S130. Figure 3 In the electric vehicle 20 of the first embodiment, the charging power line 50, the vehicle-side connector 52, and the charging relay 54 for charging based on direct current (DC charging) are provided. However, as shown in the electric vehicle 120 of the modified example of the first embodiment, in addition to the same hardware configuration as the electric vehicle 20, a charging power line 150, a vehicle-side connector 152, and a charger 154 for charging based on alternating current (AC charging) are provided.

[0042] Figure 4

[0043] One end portion of the charging power line 150 is connected to the high-voltage battery assembly 36 side than the system main relay 40 of the high-voltage power line 38, and the other end portion is connected to the vehicle-side connector 152. The vehicle-side connector 152 is configured to be connectable to a power source-side connector that is connectable to an external power source (the same power source as the external power source 90) such as a home, a charging station, and the like. The charger 154 is provided to the charging power line 150 and is configured to be able to convert alternating current power from the external power source into direct current power and adjust the voltage (power) to be supplied to the high-voltage battery assembly 36 side.

[0044] In addition to the same signals as the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 20 being input to the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 120, a connection signal from the connection sensor 152a provided to the vehicle-side connector 152 is input to the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 120. In addition to outputting the same signals as the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 20, the vehicle ECU 60 of the electric vehicle 120 outputs a control signal to the charger 154.

[0045] ​​In the modified example of the electric vehicle 120 thus configured, when the vehicle-side connector 52 is connected to the device-side connector 82 in the parking with the system turned off and external charging (DC charging) is instructed by the user, DC charging is performed. In addition, when the vehicle-side connector 152 is connected to a power source-side connector connected to an external power source (a power source identical to the external power source 90) of alternating current in the parking with the system turned off and external charging (AC charging) is instructed by the user, AC charging is performed. In the case of performing DC charging, the electric power command Pc* set in the processing routine of Figure 2 , Figure 3 is transmitted to the device ECU 86, and in the case of performing AC charging, the electric power command Pc* set in the processing routine of Figure 2 , Figure 3 is used to control the charger 154. Thus, the same effects as described above can be obtained not only in the case of performing DC charging but also in the case of performing AC charging.

[0046] In the modified example of the electric vehicle 120, the charging electric power line 50 for DC charging, the vehicle-side connector 52, the charging relay 54, the charging electric power line 150 for AC charging, the vehicle-side connector 152, and the charger 154 are provided. However, the charging electric power line 50 for DC charging, the vehicle-side connector 52, and the charging relay 54 can not be provided, and the charging electric power line 150 for AC charging, the vehicle-side connector 152, and the charger 154 can be provided.

[0047] In the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the high-voltage battery assembly 36 is provided as the electric storage device. However, a capacitor can be used as the electric storage device.

[0048] In the embodiment, the vehicle ECU 60 mounted on the electric vehicle 20 provided with the motor 32, the high-voltage battery assembly 36, the low-voltage battery assembly 42, and the DC / DC converter 46 is provided. However, the vehicle ECU mounted on a vehicle other than the electric vehicle 20, such as a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine in addition to the same structure as the electric vehicle 20, a fuel cell vehicle provided with a fuel cell in addition to the same structure as the electric vehicle 20, or the like can be provided.

[0049] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of "Main elements of the invention and technical means for solving the problem" will be described. In the embodiment, the high-voltage battery assembly 36 is an example of the "electric storage device", the electric vehicle 20 is an example of the "vehicle", and the vehicle ECU 60 is an example of the "control device". In addition, the low-voltage battery assembly 42 is an example of the "second electric storage device", and the DC / DC converter 46 is an example of the "converter".

[0050] Furthermore, the embodiment is one example for specifically explaining a manner of implementing the invention described in the column of "Technical means for solving the problem", and thus a correspondence relationship of main elements of the embodiment and the invention described in the column of "Technical means for solving the problem" is not limited to elements of the invention described in the column of "Technical means for solving the problem". That is, the explanation of the invention described in the column of "Technical means for solving the problem" should be made according to the description of the column, and the embodiment is only one specific example of the invention described in the column of "Technical means for solving the problem".

[0051] The above describes a manner of implementing the invention using the embodiment, but the invention is not at all limited to such an embodiment, and of course can be implemented in various manners without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0052] The invention can be utilized in the manufacturing industry of an in-vehicle control device or the like.

Claims

1. A control device (60) mounted on a vehicle (20; 120) equipped with an energy storage device (36), the control device (60) being characterized in that, The device includes a processor configured to, while performing external charging and software updates used in the vehicle (20; 120) in parallel, reduce the charging power under external charging in a manner that minimizes the update prediction time to the charging prediction time if a time condition is met that the predicted update time for the software update is greater than the predicted charging time for the external charging. The external charging refers to the charging of the energy storage device (36) using electricity from an external power source (90) located outside the vehicle (20; 120). The vehicle (20; 120) also includes: a second energy storage device (42) with a rated voltage lower than that of the energy storage device (36); and a converter (46) capable of reducing the voltage of the power supply from the first power line (38) connected to the energy storage device (36) to the second power line (44) connected to the second energy storage device (42). The processor is configured such that when the time condition is met while the external charging and the software update are performed in parallel, and when the update prediction time is not less than the charging prediction time, the charging power under the external charging is set to the minimum power that can be externally charged, and the target charging level of the second energy storage device (42) is increased, thereby charging the second energy storage device (42) with at least a portion of the power from the external power source (90).

2. The control device (60) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor is configured such that, when performing the external charging and the software update in parallel, it can automatically restart the external charging after temporarily ending it, and when the time condition is met, it does not reduce the charging power under the external charging.

3. A control method for a vehicle (20; 120) equipped with an energy storage device (36), characterized in that, include: The processor performs external charging and software updates used in the vehicles (20; 120) in parallel, wherein the external charging is charging of the energy storage device (36) using power from an external power source (90) located outside the vehicles (20; 120); and The external charging and software update are performed in parallel. If the predicted update time for the software update is greater than the predicted charging time for the external charging, the processor reduces the charging power under external charging by making the predicted update time less than the predicted charging time. The vehicle (20; 120) also includes: a second energy storage device (42) with a rated voltage lower than that of the energy storage device (36); and a converter (46) capable of reducing the voltage of the power supply from the first power line (38) connected to the energy storage device (36) to the second power line (44) connected to the second energy storage device (42). The control method further includes: when the time condition is met while the external charging and the software update are performed in parallel, and when the update prediction time is not less than the charging prediction time if the charging power under the external charging is within the range of the minimum power that can be used for external charging, setting the charging power under the external charging to the minimum power that can be used for external charging, and increasing the target charging level of the second energy storage device (42), thereby using at least a portion of the power from the external power source (90) to charge the second energy storage device (42).

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