Apparatus and method for controlling state of charge of battery of hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: set the battery SOC at the end of vehicle operation by activating a SOC setting function when a set destination is reached; determine whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that allows for efficient charging; and perform battery SOC control to adjust the battery SOC in response to determining that the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that allows for efficient charging, thereby achieving the set battery SOC when the vehicle arrives at its destination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the growth of camping groups, there has been an increasing trend of carrying heavy-duty batteries to use electricity during camping trips or to run vehicle engines to generate and use the necessary power. However, with the large-scale expansion of hybrid vehicles in recent years, unlike conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, large-capacity, high-voltage batteries are installed in hybrid vehicles, allowing them to supply power during camping trips.

[0003] However, even when a high-capacity battery is installed in a hybrid vehicle, it cannot be used when the high-capacity battery is not charged. In the hybrid vehicle's battery, the controller determines the charge / discharge level of the high-voltage battery and manages the battery's state of charge (SOC) to improve the vehicle's fuel economy. Therefore, there are situations where, upon arriving at a campsite, even if the user wants to use the high-voltage battery's power, they cannot.

[0004] Upon arrival at the destination, the battery must be charged by running the engine to prevent it from discharging, thus allowing the battery to be used while the vehicle is parked. However, when the engine is driven at its highest operating curve while parked, the engine and exhaust pipe generate a large amount of heat and can damage the vehicle, making it impossible to drive the engine for an extended period of time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is proposed to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art while fully retaining the advantages achieved through the prior art. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle, which enables the setting of the battery SOC at a point in time when vehicle operation ends. Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the battery SOC of a hybrid vehicle, which controls the battery SOC during driving such that the battery SOC reaches the user's desired battery SOC upon arrival at the destination.

[0006] The technical problems solved by the concepts of this invention are not limited to those described above, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle includes at least one processor configured to: set the battery SOC at the end of vehicle operation by activating a SOC setting function when a destination is set; determine whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that can be charged efficiently; and perform battery SOC control when the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that can be charged efficiently, such that the battery SOC reaches the set battery SOC when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

[0008] In one implementation, the processor can be configured to display on a screen the settable SOC range and the rechargeable SOC range during the journey to the destination when the SOC setting function is activated. The processor can also be configured to automatically set the battery SOC at the end of operation by referring to a SOC setting history stored in a storage device when the SOC setting function is activated. The SOC capable of efficient charging can be the battery SOC expected when the engine reaches the destination at its optimal operating line (OOL).

[0009] Furthermore, when the driving distance to the destination is equal to or greater than a reference distance, the State of Charge (SOC) for efficient charging can be set to the maximum set SOC, where the reference distance changes based on information about the vehicle's destination altitude and current location altitude. The processor can be configured to: when the set battery SOC exceeds the SOC balance level, utilize driving route information to set a charging curve; and adjust the engine operating point based on the set charging curve to charge the battery.

[0010] In one implementation, the processor can be configured to prevent switching the driving mode to electric vehicle (EV) mode and operate the engine at an optimal operating curve when the driving load is low and the current battery SOC is lower than a set battery SOC, thereby utilizing the remaining energy beyond the energy required for driving to charge the battery. The processor is also configured to set the set battery SOC to a SOC balance level when the current battery SOC is higher than the set battery SOC, thereby controlling the battery SOC to converge to the set battery SOC.

[0011] Furthermore, the processor is configured to: when the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, set the SOC balance level to be less than the set battery SOC to perform battery SOC adjustment; and when the vehicle approaches its destination, charge the battery to the set battery SOC. The processor can also be configured to: when the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, set the SOC balance level to be less than the set battery SOC to perform battery SOC adjustment; when the battery SOC reaches the SOC balance level, control the battery SOC to swing around the SOC balance level as a reference; and when the vehicle approaches its destination, charge the battery to the set battery SOC.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle includes the following steps: setting the battery SOC at the end of vehicle operation by activating a SOC setting function when a destination is set; determining whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that can be charged efficiently; and when the set battery SOC is equal to or less than a SOC that can be charged efficiently, performing battery SOC control such that the battery SOC reaches the set battery SOC when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

[0013] In one implementation, the step of setting the battery SOC includes: when the SOC setting function is activated, displaying on a screen the settable SOC range and the rechargeable SOC range during the journey to the destination. The step of setting the battery SOC also includes: when the SOC setting function is activated, automatically setting the battery SOC at the end of operation by referring to a SOC setting history stored in a storage device. The step of determining whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC for efficient charging includes: setting the expected battery SOC when the engine reaches the destination at optimal operating range (OOL) as the SOC for efficient charging.

[0014] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that enables efficient charging further includes: when the driving distance to the destination is equal to or greater than a reference distance, setting the SOC that enables efficient charging to the maximum set SOC, wherein the reference distance may be changed based on information about the vehicle's destination altitude and current location altitude. Furthermore, the step of adjusting the battery SOC includes: when the set battery SOC exceeds the SOC balance level, setting a charging curve using driving route information; and adjusting the engine operating point based on the set charging curve to charge the battery.

[0015] The steps for adjusting the battery SOC include: when the driving load is low and the current battery SOC is lower than a set battery SOC, prohibiting switching the driving mode to electric vehicle (EV) mode and operating the engine at an optimal operating curve, thereby utilizing the remaining energy beyond the energy required for driving to charge the battery. In one embodiment, the steps for adjusting the battery SOC include: when the current battery SOC is greater than a set battery SOC, setting the set battery SOC to a SOC balance level to adjust the battery SOC to converge to the set battery SOC.

[0016] Furthermore, the steps for performing battery SOC adjustment include: when the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, setting the SOC balance level to be less than the set battery SOC to perform battery SOC adjustment; and when the vehicle approaches its destination, charging the battery to the set battery SOC. The steps for performing battery SOC adjustment include: when the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, setting the SOC balance level to be less than the set battery SOC to perform battery SOC adjustment; when the battery SOC reaches the SOC balance level, controlling the battery SOC to swing around the SOC balance level as a reference; and when the vehicle approaches its destination, charging the battery to the set battery SOC. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a hybrid vehicle related to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A block diagram of an apparatus for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an illustration of a route setting screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an illustration of a battery SOC setting screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is an exemplary view illustrating a settable SOC range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7This is an exemplary view illustrating a rechargeable SOC range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is an exemplary view illustrating a screen for displaying a rechargeable SOC range reflecting charging efficiency according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the charging curve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 10 It is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 11 It is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 12 This is a graph showing the battery SOC variation based on the SOC balance level according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 13 It is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 14 It is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 15 It is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 16 This is a graph illustrating an example of engine output according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 17 This is a graph illustrating another example of engine output according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] Figure 18 This is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for performing a method for controlling battery SOC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] It should be understood that, as used herein, the terms “vehicle” or “of a vehicle” or other similar terms include motor vehicles in the general sense, such as passenger cars (including SUVs, buses, trucks), various commercial vehicles, boats (including various boats and vessels), aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from energy sources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as being both a gasoline-powered vehicle and an electric-powered vehicle.

[0037] Although exemplary embodiments are described as using multiple units to perform exemplary processes, it should be understood that exemplary processes can also be performed by one or more modules. Additionally, it should be understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes further described below.

[0038] Furthermore, the control logic of the present invention can be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable medium on a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions that are executed by a processor, controller / control unit, etc. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed across a network-coupled computer system to enable distributed storage and execution of the computer-readable medium, for example, via a remote information processing server through a Controller Area Network (CAN).

[0039] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including” as used in this specification specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] Unless specifically stated or obvious from the context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood in the art to mean within a certain range of normal tolerance, such as within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. All numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term “about” unless otherwise clarified from the context.

[0041] In the following, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary illustrations. When adding reference numerals to components in each figure, it should be noted that identical or equivalent components are designated by the same numerals even if they are shown in other figures. Furthermore, in describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known configurations or functions will be omitted where it is determined that this would interfere with the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In describing components according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish components from other components, and they do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in common dictionaries) should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a hybrid vehicle related to the present invention. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more different power sources, and generally refers to a vehicle driven by an engine that generates power by burning fuel and an electric motor that generates power using electrical energy from a battery. For example, there are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Reference Figure 1 Hybrid vehicles may include an engine 10, a hybrid starter generator (HSG) 20, a clutch 30, an electric motor 40, a transmission 50, etc.

[0044] Engine 10 can be configured to generate the power (engine torque) required to drive the vehicle by burning fuel. Various well-known engines, such as gasoline engines and diesel engines, can be used for engine 10. Engine 10 can be configured to adjust the output torque (i.e., engine torque) in response to commands from the engine management system (EMS).

[0045] HSG 20 can be mounted on the engine to start engine 10 by cranking it. HSG 20 plays a key role in starting the engine when switching from electric vehicle mode to a hybrid mode in which engine 10 and electric motor 40 operate together. HSG 20 can be configured to generate electrical energy by operating as a generator while engine 10 is running. The electrical energy generated by HSG 20 can be used to charge battery "B". Clutch 30 can be positioned between engine 10 and electric motor 40 to adjust the power (output torque) of engine 10. Clutch 30 can be configured to transmit or block the power (engine torque) generated by engine 10 to the drive wheels by engaging or disengaging it.

[0046] The electric motor 40 can be configured to receive electrical power from the battery "B" to generate power (motor power) and transmit the power to the drive wheels. The electric motor 40 can be configured to regulate its output torque (motor torque) by changing its rotation direction and revolutions per minute (RPM) in response to commands from a motor control unit (MCU). The electric motor 40 can function as a generator to charge the battery "B" by generating a back electromotive force when the battery's state of charge (SOC) is insufficient or during regenerative braking. The battery "B," which supplies the electrical power required to drive the vehicle, can be implemented as a high-voltage battery. A power converter (not shown) can be arranged between the electric motor 40 and the battery "B". This power converter (not shown) can be configured to convert the voltage output from the battery "B" into a motor drive voltage and supply that motor drive voltage. The regenerative energy generated by the electric motor 40 can be used to charge the battery "B".

[0047] The transmission 50 can be configured to output electric motor torque or a value obtained by converting engine torque and electric motor torque into a gear ratio that matches the transmission gear (gear). The transmission 50 can be configured to change gears in response to commands from the transmission control unit (TCU). The TCU can be configured to determine the optimal gear based on information such as vehicle speed (e.g., vehicle speed or wheel speed), accelerator pedal position, engine speed per minute, and / or clutch passage sensors mounted in the vehicle.

[0048] Figure 2 A block diagram of an apparatus for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. (Reference) Figure 2 The battery SOC control device 100 may include a positioning device 110, a communication device 120, a human-machine interface device (HID) 130, a storage device 140, a display device 150, an audio output device 160, and at least one processor 170.

[0049] The positioning device 110 can be configured to measure the current position of the battery SOC control device 100 (i.e., the current position of the vehicle). The positioning device 110 can be implemented as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver can be configured to calculate the current position of the vehicle using signals transmitted from three or more GPS satellites. The GPS receiver can be configured to calculate the distance between the GPS satellites and the GPS receiver using the time difference between the time the signal is transmitted from the GPS satellite and the time the signal is received by the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver can be configured to calculate the current position of the vehicle using the calculated distance between the GPS satellites and the GPS receiver, as well as the position information of the GPS satellites contained in the transmitted signals. In this regard, the GPS receiver can be configured to use triangulation to calculate the current position.

[0050] The communication device 120 supports communication between the battery SOC control device 100 and external electronic devices (e.g., servers) and / or internal electronic control units (ECUs). The communication device 120 may include a communication processor, communication circuitry, an antenna, and / or a transceiver. The communication device 120 can communicate with the ECUs within the vehicle via vehicle networks (e.g., Controller Area Network (CAN), System Transmission to Media (MOST) network, Local Area Network (LIN), Ethernet, and / or Flexray drive-by-wire technology). The communication device 120 can communicate with external electronic devices via wireless communication networks (wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), etc.), short-range wireless communication networks (such as Bluetooth and / or Near Field Communication (NFC)), and mobile communication networks (Long Term Evolution (LTE) and / or International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2020).

[0051] The human-machine interface device 130 can be configured to generate data based on user operations. The human-machine interface device 130 can be mounted on a steering wheel, instrument panel, center console, and / or door trim. The human-machine interface device 130 can be implemented as a keyboard, button, switch, joystick, touchpad, and / or touchscreen. The storage device 140 can be configured to store map data. The storage device 140 can be configured to store battery SOC setting history at the end of operation, and can be configured to store charging curves and / or setting information. The storage device 140 can be implemented as at least one of the following storage media (recording media): flash memory, hard disk, solid-state drive (SSD), and / or network storage device.

[0052] Display device 150 can be configured to output visual information in response to instructions from processor 170. Display device 150 may be an audio-visual navigation (AVN) terminal, an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) terminal, etc., and may include at least one of the following display devices: liquid crystal display (LCD), thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, flexible display, three-dimensional display (3D), transparent display, head-up display (HUD), touch screen, etc. Audio output device 160 can be configured to output audio data stored in storage device 140. Audio output device 160 may include a receiver, a speaker, and / or a buzzer.

[0053] Processor 170 may be configured to perform overall operation of battery SOC control device 100. Processor 170 may be implemented as at least one of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, and / or microprocessor. Additionally, processor 170 may include memory (not shown) located externally and / or internally to processor 170. The processor (not shown) may be a non-temporary storage medium storing instructions executed by processor 170. For example, the memory may be at least one of the following storage media: read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), random access memory (RAM), and / or static random access memory (SRAM).

[0054] To ensure a smooth supply of electrical energy to the user when the vehicle arrives at its destination (hereinafter referred to as "the destination") and comes to a stop, processor 170 can be configured to allow battery "B" to be efficiently charged and used during the journey prior to reaching the destination. Processor 170 can be configured to set the user-expected battery SOC at the end of the journey (i.e., upon arrival at the destination) after setting the destination. When the battery SOC at the end of the journey is set, processor 170 can be configured to operate the vehicle such that, after the journey ends, the battery SOC becomes the set battery SOC (i.e., the user-set SOC and the target battery SOC) by reducing battery usage or by charging. When the battery SOC at the end of the journey is not set, processor 170 can be configured to perform directional control to maximize the vehicle's fuel economy by prioritizing the use of electrical energy stored in battery "B". This is because charging battery "B" beyond what is necessary consumes more fuel.

[0055] The processor 170 can be configured to set a destination based on input data received from the human-machine interface device 130 and activate a battery SOC setting function that can set the expected target battery SOC for the end of operation. When a destination is set, the processor 170 can be configured to output a battery SOC setting screen on the display device 150. The processor 170 can be configured to set the target battery SOC for the end of operation in response to input received from the human-machine interface device 130 in the battery SOC setting screen. Additionally, when a campsite or remote area is set as the destination, the processor 170 can be configured to automatically recommend activating the battery SOC setting function. For example, when a campsite is set as the destination, the processor 170 can be configured to output a pop-up battery SOC setting menu to guide the user in setting the SOC.

[0056] Additionally, the processor 170 can be configured to automatically activate the battery SOC setting function when a location is set as the destination after the number of times the battery SOC setting function has been activated is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference number. When the battery SOC setting function is activated, the processor 170 can be configured to output a notification to the user that the target battery SOC and the battery SOC control function for achieving the target battery SOC have been activated (e.g., a message and / or a notification sound). The processor 170 can be configured to automatically set the target battery SOC to the most recently set target battery SOC when the battery SOC setting function is automatically activated. Although setting the target battery SOC to the most recently set battery SOC is described as an example in this embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, and the invention can set the average value of previously set battery SOCs as the target battery SOC. The target battery SOC can be set within a limited range that does not impair the performance and safety of battery "B". In other words, the settable SOC range for the target battery SOC can be determined in advance. The settable SOC range can be limited to a range where battery "B" is not over-discharged or over-charged.

[0057] When the target battery SOC is set within the settable SOC range, the processor 170 can be configured to determine whether the set target battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that allows for efficient charging. In other words, when a desired battery SOC level for the end of operation is set, the processor 170 can be configured to determine whether the corresponding battery SOC level does not exceed the SOC that allows for efficient charging. When the target battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that allows for efficient charging, the processor 170 can be configured to adjust the battery SOC so that the battery SOC at the end of operation reaches the target battery SOC.

[0058] When the target battery SOC exceeds the SOC that allows for efficient charging, processor 170 can be configured to output a warning that reduces system efficiency by charging to the target battery SOC. Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether to perform charging after outputting the warning. Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether to perform charging based on user input received from human-machine interface device 130. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to perform battery SOC control in response to determining to perform charging, and can be configured to perform battery SOC control in response to determining not to perform charging to maximize vehicle fuel economy.

[0059] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. First, processor 170 may be configured to determine whether a destination has been set (S100). Processor 170 may be configured to set a destination based on user input received from a human-machine interface device 130. After setting a destination, processor 170 may be configured to determine whether to set the battery SOC at the end of operation (i.e., the target battery SOC) (S110).

[0060] In response to determining that the battery SOC at the end of operation has been set, processor 170 may be configured to display a settable SOC range (S120). Processor 170 may be configured to output a battery SOC setting screen on display device 150. In this regard, processor 170 may be configured to display a settable SOC range on the battery SOC setting screen. Processor 170 may be configured to set the battery SOC level L_c at the end of operation within the settable SOC range (S130). Processor 170 may be configured to determine whether the set battery SOC level L_c is equal to or less than the SOC L_e that allows for efficient charging (S140).

[0061] When it is determined that the set battery SOC level L_c is equal to or less than the SOC L_e that allows for efficient charging, the processor 170 may be configured to adjust the battery SOC to reach the set battery SOC level (target battery SOC) L_c at the end of operation (S150). When it is determined in S140 that the set battery SOC level L_c exceeds the SOC L_e that allows for efficient charging, the processor 170 may be configured to output a warning that the system efficiency may be reduced by charging the battery to reach the set battery SOC level L_c at the end of operation.

[0062] Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether to perform charging after outputting a warning (S170). Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether to perform charging based on user input. Processor 170 can be configured to execute S150 in response to determining that charging should be performed. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to disable the battery setting function at the end of operation in response to determining that charging should not be performed. In other words, processor 170 can be configured to perform battery SOC control in response to determining that charging should not be performed, to maximize vehicle fuel economy.

[0063] The method for setting the battery SOC at the end of operation will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Figure 4 This is an illustration of a route setting screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is an illustration of a battery SOC setting screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When a destination is set, the processor 170 can be configured to search for and set a driving route from the vehicle's current location to the destination. When a driving route is set, the processor 170 can be configured as follows: Figure 4 The set driving route is output on the display device 150 as shown.

[0065] The processor 170 can be configured to activate the battery SOC setting function in response to user input after a destination has been set. When the battery SOC setting function is activated, the processor 170 can be configured as follows: Figure 5 A battery SOC setting screen is displayed in a pop-up manner on the display device 150. The processor 170 can be configured to display on the SOC setting screen the settable SOC range and rechargeable SOC range at the destination, which the user would reference when driving to the destination, based on the battery SOC at the end of the setting process (i.e., the target battery SOC). The processor 170 can be configured to horizontally move the indicator 610 displayed on the SOC setting screen in response to user input, and to set the target battery SOC based on the final position of the indicator 610.

[0066] Additionally, the processor 170 can be configured to automatically activate the battery SOC setting function when the set destination is a campsite or remote area. For example, when the destination is set as a campsite, the processor 170 can be configured to output a battery SOC setting screen on the display device 150 to guide the user in setting the battery SOC. Furthermore, the processor 170 can be configured to automatically activate the battery SOC setting function when a location where the battery SOC setting function has been activated an equal number of times or more than a predetermined reference number is set as the destination. The processor 170 can be configured to automatically set the target battery SOC by referring to the battery SOC setting history when automatically activating the battery SOC setting function. After activating the battery SOC setting function, the processor 170 can be configured to output a notification on the display device 150 and / or the audio output device 160, informing the user that the battery SOC control function for achieving the target battery SOC has been activated upon termination of operation.

[0067] Figure 6 This is an exemplary view illustrating a configurable SOC range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is an exemplary view illustrating the range of a rechargeable SOC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The target battery SOC can define a settable SOC range to be set within a range that does not impair the performance and safety of battery "B". The settable SOC range can be limited to a range where battery "B" has not been over-discharged or over-charged. For example... Figure 6 The settable SOC range is visually displayed on the screen. Users can set the target battery SOC L_c by referring to the displayed settable SOC range. (Reference) Figure 7 The target battery SOC L_c can be set within a range equal to or greater than the settable minimum SOC L_low and equal to or less than the settable maximum SOC L_high. Additionally, the maximum rechargeable SOC L_m upon arrival at the destination can be set within a range equal to or greater than the settable minimum SOC L_low and equal to or less than the settable maximum SOC L_high. The settable minimum SOC L_low and settable maximum SOC L_high can be preset based on battery lifespan and vehicle driving safety.

[0069] When the user does not arbitrarily set a target battery SOC, the processor 170 can be configured to calculate the expected battery SOC L_n upon arrival at the destination and display the battery SOC L_n on the screen. In this regard, the processor 170 can be configured to calculate the expected battery SOC L_n based on the vehicle's travel distance.

[0070] Figure 8This is an example diagram illustrating a screen for displaying a rechargeable SOC range reflecting charging efficiency according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 8 When displaying the SOC range that can be charged during the journey to the destination, it can distinguish and display the range L_e that can be charged by efficiently operating the engine 10, and the range L_m that can be charged by ignoring engine efficiency and increasing the output of the engine 10. In this regard, different colors and / or brightness can be displayed based on charging efficiency to guide the user not to set a target battery SOC higher than necessary.

[0071] The SOC L_e, which enables efficient charging, represents the expected battery SOC when the engine 10 is operated at the optimal operating curve (OOL) to reach the destination. When the engine 10 is operated at OOL, since the remaining energy obtained by subtracting the energy consumed during driving from the energy generated during driving can be used to charge the battery, the corresponding remaining energy can be used to estimate the battery SOC upon reaching the destination. When the driving distance to the destination is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, the processor 170 can be configured to set the SOC L_e, which enables efficient charging, to a settable maximum SOC L_high. When the vehicle can travel a distance equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (time), since the battery SOC can be charged to the settable maximum SOC L_high, the SOC L_e, which enables efficient charging, can be set to the settable maximum SOC L_high.

[0072] Furthermore, when distance and altitude information to the destination are detected, and when the altitude of the destination is lower than the altitude of the vehicle's current location and the travel distance to the destination is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, the processor 170 can be configured to set the SOC L_e for efficient charging to a settable maximum SOC L_high. The reference distance can be changed based on relevant information about the vehicle's destination altitude and current location altitude.

[0073] The following section will describe in detail a method for performing battery SOC control during driving to allow the battery SOC to reach a set battery SOC upon arrival at the destination. First, reference will be made to... Figure 9 A method for performing battery SOC control by adjusting battery charging based on the charging curve during driving is described. Figure 9 This is a graph illustrating the charging curve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] When the user-defined battery SOC (i.e., the target battery SOC) exceeds the default SOC balance level (i.e., when the target battery SOC and the SOC balance level are different), a charging curve can be set using driving route information, and the engine operating point can be adjusted based on the set charging curve to charge battery "B". In this regard, the battery SOC is changed based on the amount of charging / discharging the battery while the hybrid vehicle is driving; therefore, the SOC balance level refers to the center value of the range of battery SOC variation.

[0075] Processor 170 can be configured to calculate driving load based on altitude information and / or average driving speed information of the driving route. Processor 170 can be configured to generate an efficient charging curve (optimal SOC curve) for charging battery "B" to a target battery SOC based on the calculated driving load. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to set the generated charging curve as a SOC balance level and adjust the operating point of engine 10 to follow the set SOC balance level. Therefore, by adjusting the engine operating point by treating the charging curve set based on driving load as the SOC balance level, the vehicle can be operated in a way that maximizes efficiency when performing oscillation control on the battery SOC to approach the corresponding charging curve rather than precisely following it.

[0076] Then, refer to Figures 10 to 17 This describes a method for performing battery SOC control via engine operating point control. Figure 10 This is a graph showing the change in battery SOC according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 This is a graph illustrating the change in battery SOC according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 This is a graph illustrating the change in battery SOC based on battery SOC balance level control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 This is a graph illustrating the change in battery SOC according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 This is a graph illustrating the change in battery SOC according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 This is a graph illustrating the change in battery SOC according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 This is a graph illustrating an example of engine output according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, while Figure 17 This is another example illustrating engine output according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] The processor 170 can be configured to charge the battery while maintaining the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode without switching the driving mode to electric vehicle (EV) mode when the driving load is low during driving. In this regard, the processor 170 can be configured to operate the engine 10 at the optimal operating curve (OOL) and can be configured to use the remaining energy other than the torque (power) required during driving to charge the battery "B".

[0078] When the current battery SOC is less than the set SOC (target battery SOC) during battery charging, and when the driving load is less than a predetermined reference value, the processor 170 can be configured to prevent switching the driving mode to EV mode and allow the engine 10 to operate at its efficient operating point, thereby utilizing the remaining energy beyond that required for driving to charge battery "B". Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown, when the battery SOC at the end of operation is not set, the battery SOC can be adjusted to converge to a predetermined specific SOC. On the other hand, when the battery SOC at the end of operation is set, the battery SOC increases with the increase of vehicle operating time (driving distance), therefore, the battery SOC can be adjusted to increase so as to reach the set SOC at the end of operation.

[0079] When the battery's State of Charge (SOC) reaches the set SOC before reaching the destination due to the vehicle's long driving distance, the vehicle can continue driving by setting the set SOC to a balanced level. For example, as... Figure 11 As shown, when the battery SOC reaches the set SOC (i.e., the target battery SOC) before the vehicle finishes operation (i.e., before the vehicle reaches its destination), the battery SOC can be adjusted by setting the set SOC to a SOC balance level. Regarding this, as... Figure 12 As shown, the processor 170 can be configured to adjust the battery SOC so that it swings within a preset range (e.g., ±10%) based on the SOC balance level.

[0080] refer to Figure 13 When the current battery SOC is greater than the battery SOC set by the user (set SOC), the processor 170 can be configured to set the set battery SOC to a SOC balance level and adjust the battery SOC so that the battery SOC converges to the set SOC balance level.

[0081] refer to Figure 14When the user-defined battery SOC (set SOC) is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, the processor 170 can be configured to control the battery by setting a SOC balance level lower than the set battery SOC. In this regard, the processor 170 can be configured to set the SOC balance level to be a predetermined percentage lower than the set battery SOC. The processor 170 can be configured to charge battery "B" such that the battery SOC reaches the set battery SOC near the end of operation.

[0082] Hybrid vehicles can be configured to perform SOC swing control to allow the battery SOC to accumulate regenerative braking energy during operation, thereby recovering energy during regenerative braking. Therefore, when the user-set SOC is set too high above a predetermined reference SOC, the processor 170 can be configured to discharge the battery to a level below the set SOC during travel to the destination, maximizing the vehicle's driving efficiency during travel. Additionally, the processor 170 can be configured to perform charging control so that the battery SOC reaches the set SOC just before reaching the destination. For example, when the battery SOC is set to approximately 90%, the processor 170 can be configured to set the SOC balance level to approximately 80% to maintain the battery SOC at approximately 80%, and to charge battery "B" from approximately 5 kilometers before reaching the destination until arrival, allowing the battery SOC to reach the set battery SOC.

[0083] refer to Figure 15 When the set SOC is set too high above a predetermined reference SOC, the processor 170 can be configured to determine whether the driving distance to the destination is sufficient to charge the battery "B" so that the battery SOC reaches the set SOC. In response to determining that the driving distance to the destination is sufficient, the processor 170 can be configured to charge the battery "B" to the set SOC as it approaches the destination after adjusting the battery SOC by setting the SOC balance level to a ratio lower than the set SOC predetermined ratio.

[0084] When the user-defined battery SOC L_c is set to be greater than the SOC L_e (L_e < L_c) for efficient charging, the processor 170 can be configured to determine during charging whether the current battery SOC is less than the set SOC. When the current battery SOC is less than the set SOC, the processor 170 can be configured to prevent switching the driving mode to EV mode when the driving load is less than a predetermined reference, and to charge the battery "B" using the remaining energy other than the energy required for driving by running the engine 10 at OOL. In other words, when the set SOC is equal to or greater than the SOC for efficient charging, the engine operating point can be used at a point where the engine output is better than the engine efficiency to better charge the battery "B". Therefore, the engine can be used by increasing the engine speed or torque at a good (sufficient) efficiency point.

[0085] Additionally, the processor 170 can be configured to output a warning (notification) on the display device 150 and / or audio output device 160 stating that the set SOC is greater than the SOC required for efficient charging. In this regard, the processor 170 can be configured to output a warning so that the user is aware that even if the generator efficiency is insufficient, the battery will still be charged to the user's expected set SOC. Furthermore, the processor 170 can be configured to output a warning (notification) via the display device 150 and / or audio output device 160 that the noise from the generator 10 may increase due to battery charging.

[0086] The processor 170 can be configured to charge the battery "B" to a set SOC more quickly by increasing the output of the engine 10 to be equal to or greater than the engine output at a point with sufficient engine efficiency. Specifically, charging control can be performed only within a range that does not compromise system safety. This range may include preventing overheating of the engine, motor, and battery, preventing exceeding the charging / discharging limits of the battery and motor, and so on.

[0087] To increase the output of engine 10, in vehicles equipped with a stepper transmission, the gear can be shifted down to allow engine 10 to be driven at a higher RPM, and in vehicles equipped with a continuously variable transmission, engine 10 can be driven by increasing its RPM or torque. Increasing the RPM of engine 10 allows it to operate at a higher output point and utilizes surplus energy beyond the vehicle's driving load to charge battery "B" more quickly.

[0088] When the output of engine 10 is increased for charging during driving, a large amount of heat is generated from engine 10 and the exhaust pipe (not shown). Therefore, processor 170 can be configured to perform control such that the output of engine 10 used for charging does not increase to a certain value at low speeds when driving with weak airflow, and increases the engine output used for charging when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a certain speed when driving with smooth airflow. The engine output used for charging can be as follows: Figure 16 As shown, gradually increase, or as... Figure 17 The output gradually increases as shown. The output limit of engine 10 based on vehicle speed can be set to prevent abnormalities in the vehicle system due to engine heat. In addition, in order to reduce passenger discomfort in the vehicle, the output value can be limited based on vehicle speed and noise to minimize passenger discomfort caused by engine 10 noise.

[0089] Figure 18 This is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for performing a method for controlling battery SOC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 18 The computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100, memory 1300, user interface input device 1400, user interface output device 1500, storage device 1600, and network interface 1700 connected via bus 1200.

[0090] Processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that performs processing on commands stored in memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600. Memory 1300 and storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, memory 1300 may include ROM (Read-Only Memory) 1310 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 1320.

[0091] Therefore, operations on the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be directly implemented in a hardware module, software module, or combination of hardware and software modules executed by processor 1100. The software modules may reside on a storage medium (i.e., memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600), such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, removable disks, and CD-ROMs. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to processor 1100, which can read information from and write information to the storage medium. In another approach, the storage medium may be integrated with processor 1100. The processor and storage medium may reside within an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside within a user terminal. In yet another approach, processor 1100 and storage medium may reside as separate components in the user terminal.

[0092] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes without departing from the basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed in this invention are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present invention, but are intended to illustrate the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted as being covered by the scope of the appended claims, and all technical concepts falling within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0093] According to the present invention, the battery SOC at the end of vehicle operation can be set when the vehicle's destination is set, and the battery charging can be adjusted during driving so that the battery SOC reaches the set SOC upon arrival at the destination. Therefore, when power is needed when parking at the destination, the required electrical energy can be received from the vehicle battery without running the engine, thus providing convenience for the user.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the battery is charged at an operating point with high engine efficiency during driving, the battery can be charged efficiently. Additionally, according to the present invention, the battery installed in the vehicle can be used not only for vehicle operation but also as an energy source for the user when the vehicle is parked.

[0095] Although the invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, the invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and alterations to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor, Wherein, the at least one processor is configured to: Activate the SOC setting function when setting the destination; When the SOC setting function is activated, the battery SOC setting screen is displayed on the screen; Based on the settable SOC range and rechargeable SOC range displayed on the battery SOC setting screen during the journey to the destination, set the battery SOC at the end of the vehicle's journey. Determine whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC required for efficient charging; and In response to determining that the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that enables efficient charging, battery SOC control is performed to adjust the battery SOC so that the set battery SOC is reached when the vehicle arrives at its destination.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to automatically set the battery SOC at the end of operation by referring to the SOC setting history stored in the storage device when the SOC setting function is activated.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The SOC that enables efficient charging is the battery SOC expected when the engine runs at the optimal operating curve (OOL) to reach the destination.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the driving distance to the destination is equal to or greater than the reference distance, the SOC that enables efficient charging is set to the maximum set SOC, wherein the reference distance changes based on information about the altitude of the vehicle's destination and the altitude of its current location.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: When the set battery SOC exceeds the SOC balance level, the charging curve is set using driving route information; and The engine operating point is adjusted based on the established charging curve in order to charge the battery.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to, in response to determining that the driving load is low and the current battery SOC is lower than the set battery SOC, prevent switching the driving mode to electric vehicle (EV) mode and operate the engine at an optimal operating curve, thereby utilizing the remaining energy beyond the energy required for driving to charge the battery.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to set the set battery SOC to a SOC balance level in response to determining that the current battery SOC is greater than the set battery SOC, so as to adjust the battery SOC to converge to the set battery SOC.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: In response to determining that the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, the SOC balance level is set to be less than the set battery SOC to perform adjustment of the battery SOC; as well as When the vehicle approaches its destination, the battery is charged to the set battery SOC.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: In response to determining that the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, the SOC balance level is set to be less than the set battery SOC to perform adjustment of the battery SOC; When the battery SOC reaches the SOC balance level, the battery SOC is adjusted to swing around the SOC balance level; and When the vehicle approaches its destination, the battery is charged to the set battery SOC.

10. A method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery in a hybrid vehicle, comprising the following steps: The processor activates the SOC setup function when setting the destination; When the SOC setting function is activated, the processor displays a battery SOC setting screen on the display. The processor sets the battery SOC at the end of the vehicle's journey based on the settable SOC range and rechargeable SOC range displayed on the battery SOC setting screen during the journey to the destination. The processor determines whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that allows for efficient charging. as well as In response to determining that the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that enables efficient charging, the processor performs battery SOC control to adjust the battery SOC to reach the set battery SOC when the vehicle arrives at its destination.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The steps for setting the battery's SOC also include: When the SOC setting function is activated, the battery SOC at the end of operation is automatically set by referring to the SOC setting history stored in the storage device.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The step of determining whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that enables efficient charging includes: The expected battery SOC when the engine reaches the destination at the optimal operating curve (OOL) will be set to the SOC that enables efficient charging.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The step of determining whether the set battery SOC is equal to or less than the SOC that enables efficient charging further includes: In response to determining that the driving distance to the destination is equal to or greater than a reference distance, the SOC for efficient charging is set to the maximum set SOC. The reference distance varies based on information about the vehicle's destination altitude and current location altitude.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, The steps for adjusting the battery's state of charge (SOC) include: In response to determining that the set battery SOC exceeds the SOC balance level, a charging curve is set using driving route information; and The engine operating point is adjusted based on the established charging curve in order to charge the battery.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The steps for adjusting the battery's state of charge (SOC) include: In response to determining that the driving load is low and the current battery SOC is lower than the set battery SOC, switching the driving mode to electric vehicle (EV) mode is prohibited and the engine is operated at the optimal operating curve, thereby utilizing the remaining energy beyond the energy required for driving to charge the battery.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein, The steps for adjusting the battery's state of charge (SOC) include: In response to determining that the current battery SOC is greater than the set battery SOC, the set battery SOC is set to a SOC balance level to adjust the battery SOC to converge to the set battery SOC.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The steps of performing the battery SOC regulation also include: In response to determining that the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, the SOC balance level is set to be less than the set battery SOC to perform battery SOC adjustment; and When the vehicle approaches its destination, the battery is charged to the set battery SOC.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The steps for adjusting the battery's state of charge (SOC) include: In response to determining that the set battery SOC is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference SOC, the SOC balance level is set to be less than the set battery SOC to perform adjustment of the battery SOC; In response to determining that the battery SOC has reached the SOC balance level, the battery SOC is adjusted to swing relative to the SOC balance level; and When the vehicle approaches its destination, the battery is charged to the set battery SOC.

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