Vehicle and control device

Abstract

A vehicle and a control device are provided. The vehicle is characterized by including: a power supply portion that mounts a plurality of batteries; a motor that is driven by electric power from the power supply portion and that is capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply portion; an acquisition portion that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection portion that selects, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery that supplies the motor with regenerative electric power; and a control portion that controls the selection portion to select, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery that is preferentially supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor, based on the state information acquired by the acquisition portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In recent years, with an increase in concern about environmental problems such as global warming, in motorized two-wheel vehicles as well, research and development of technologies related to vehicles that are powered by an electric motor (motor) as a power source, i.e., so-called electric vehicles (electric two-wheel vehicles), are being conducted. As one example of such vehicles, an electric vehicle that achieves high output by mounting a plurality of batteries (secondary batteries) on a vehicle body and supplying electric power from each battery to an electric motor is proposed in the specification of Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 110682828. SUMMARY

[0003] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] For electric vehicles, in addition to high output, it is also required to achieve more efficient travel (high efficiency). To achieve such a requirement, for example, it is considered to use so-called regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy based on braking operation into electric energy and supplies (stores) it as regenerative electric power to a battery, using an electric motor as a function of a generator. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a technology that applies regenerative braking to electric vehicles, particularly electric vehicles that mount a plurality of batteries, to achieve high output and high efficiency.

[0005] The present application provides a new technology that is advantageous in achieving high output and high efficiency of a vehicle.

[0006] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] The vehicle according to one aspect of the present application is characterized by including: a power supply portion that mounts a plurality of batteries; a motor that is driven by electric power from the power supply portion and is capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply portion; an acquisition portion that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection portion that selects, from the plurality of batteries, a battery that is to be supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor; and a control portion that controls the selection portion so as to select, from the plurality of batteries, a battery that is to be preferentially supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor, based on the state information acquired by the acquisition portion.

[0008] The control device as another aspect of the present application is a control device of a vehicle that has a power supply portion in which a plurality of batteries are mounted, and a motor that is driven by electric power from the power supply portion and that is capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply portion, characterized by comprising: an acquisition portion that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection portion that selects a battery that supplies the motor with regenerative electric power from among the plurality of batteries; and a control portion that controls the selection portion so as to select a battery that is preferentially supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor from among the plurality of batteries, on the basis of the state information acquired by the acquisition portion.

[0009] Further objects or other aspects of the present application will become apparent from the following embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] Effects of Invention

[0011] According to the present application, for example, it is possible to provide a new technology that contributes to the achievement of high output and high efficiency of a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a side view showing the structure of a straddle-type vehicle as one aspect of the present application.

[0013] Figure 2 is a view for explaining the specific structure and function of a control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 1

[0014] Figure 3 is a view for explaining the specific structure and function of a control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 1

[0015] Figure 4 is a view for explaining the specific structure and function of a control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 1

[0016] Figure 5 is a view for explaining the specific structure and function of a control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the application described in the claims. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the application. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar structures, and repeated description is omitted. ​​​​

[0018] Figure 1 is a side view showing the structure of a straddle-type vehicle 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "vehicle 1") as one aspect of the present application. The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (electric two-wheeled vehicle) capable of running with an electric motor 5 (electric motor) as a power source, and includes various straddle-type vehicles. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 is a scooter-type vehicle. Figure 1 In the present embodiment, D1 and D3 respectively indicate a front-rear direction and an up-down direction with respect to the advancing direction of the vehicle 1. In addition, FR, RR, U, and D respectively indicate the front side, the rear side, the upper side, and the lower side of the vehicle 1.

[0019] The vehicle 1 has a front wheel FW, a rear wheel RW, and a vehicle body frame 2. The front wheel FW is a steering wheel, and the rear wheel RW is a drive wheel. In the present embodiment, the electric motor 5 typified by a three-phase motor is provided to the rear wheel RW. By driving the electric motor 5, the rear wheel RW is rotated, and a force (running driving force) for running the vehicle 1 is generated. Note that, in the present embodiment, a structure in which the electric motor 5 as a power source is provided to the rear wheel RW as a drive wheel, that is, a so-called hub motor is adopted, but is not limited thereto. For example, a structure in which the electric motor 5 is separated from the rear wheel RW, and the driving force of the electric motor 5 is transmitted to the rear wheel RW via a gear mechanism, a belt-type electric motor mechanism, a chain-type electric motor mechanism, or the like can be adopted.

[0020] The vehicle body frame 2 includes a head pipe 20, a main frame 21, and a sub frame 25. The head pipe 20 supports a front fork 3 and a handle 8 so as to be steerable. Specifically, a shaft 20b is rotatably supported to the head pipe 20, and a top tube 20a is fixed to the shaft 20b. The front wheel FW is rotatably supported to the front fork 3. Handlebars 9 are provided to the left and right end portions of the handle 8. A passenger of the vehicle 1 is able to steer the front wheel FW by holding the handlebars 9 and rotating the shaft 20b.

[0021] The main frame 21 is constituted by a pair of left and right frames. The pair of left and right frames constituting the main frame 21 are provided so as to extend rearward from the head pipe 20 in a manner of expanding in the vehicle width direction with respect to each other, and are curved toward the lower side. In addition, the main frame 21 includes one or more link frames extending in the vehicle width direction so as to link the pair of left and right frames extending rearward.

[0022] The pair of swing arms 6 is swingably provided to the main frame 21. The electric motor 5 provided to the rear wheel RW is supported by the swing arm 6. The swing arm 6 includes a cushion frame 6a, and a rear bumper 7 is provided between the cushion frame 6a and the main frame 21. In addition, the front end portions of a pair of seat frames 22 are connected to the main frame 21, and a pair of reinforcing frames 23 connected to the pair of seat frames 22 is provided between the pair of seat frames 22 and the main frame 21. A seat 4 on which a passenger sits is supported by the seat frame 22. The seat 4 can also be provided to be swingable (openable and closable) upward about a rear end portion 4a, for example.

[0023] The sub frame 25 is composed of a pair of frames. The pair of frames constituting the sub frame 25 is provided downward from the head pipe 20 in a manner of expanding in the vehicle width direction with respect to each other, and is bent toward the rear, and is connected to the pair of frames constituting the main frame 21.

[0024] The sub frame 25 supports the power supply portion 10 between the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW. The power supply portion 10 carries a plurality of batteries 11 to be replaceable (detachable). In this way, in the present embodiment, the plurality of batteries 11 is carried to the power supply portion 10 (the vehicle 1), and electric power is supplied from each of the batteries 11 to the electric motor 5, thereby achieving high output. The power supply portion 10 includes a mechanism for connecting the terminals of the batteries 11 to the vehicle side terminals 32. The batteries 11 are mobile battery packs, and are storage batteries (chargeable batteries) for supplying electric power to the electric motor 5. A terminal for outputting electric power connected to the vehicle side terminals 32 is provided to a lower portion of the battery 11.

[0025] In addition, the sub frame 25 supports the battery 12, the regulator 13, and the control device 14 between the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW. The battery 12 is a battery of lower output (voltage) and smaller capacity than the battery 11 carried to the power supply portion 10, and includes a lead battery of 12 V, for example. The battery 12 supplies electric power to the circuit of the control device 14 and the electric components of the vehicle 1.

[0026] The regulator 13 is a circuit unit connected to the vehicle side terminals 32 via a cable (high-voltage line) and maintains the output (voltage) of the battery 11 carried to the power supply portion 10 to be a predetermined voltage suitable for driving of the electric motor 5. The regulator 13 can also be built in the battery 11. However, by separating the battery 11 and the regulator 13, it is possible to improve the versatility of the battery 11 while designing the regulator 13 to be suitable for the voltage required by the vehicle 1.

[0027] The control device 14 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and has a function of controlling driving of the electric motor 5. In the present embodiment, the control device 14 controls processes relating to power supply between the power supply portion 10 and the electric motor 5. Specifically, the control device 14 controls processes of supplying power output from the power supply portion 10 (the battery 11) to the electric motor 5, and processes of supplying (accumulating) regenerative power output from the electric motor 5 to the power supply portion 10 (the battery 11).

[0028] In order to control the processes relating to power supply, the control device 14 includes a power control unit (PCU) 141 including an inverter for driving the electric motor 5, a step-up converter for controlling voltage, a DC-DC converter for stepping down high voltage, and the like. The PCU 141 converts power output from the power supply portion 10 (the battery 11) from direct current to alternating current and supplies the power to the electric motor 5 (power running) when the vehicle 1 is running (i.e., in accordance with an accelerator operation), and converts regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 from alternating current to direct current and supplies the power to the power supply portion (the battery 11) (regeneration) when the vehicle 1 is decelerating (i.e., in accordance with a brake operation). In this way, the PCU 141 causes the electric motor 5 to function as a generator, applies so-called regenerative braking to the vehicle 1, and thereby realizes more efficient running (high efficiency). Thus, the electric motor 5 can also be said to be a motor that is driven by power from the power supply portion 10 via the PCU 141 and on the other hand is able to supply regenerative power to the power supply portion 10.

[0029] In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of batteries 11 is mounted on the power supply portion 10. In addition, the plurality of batteries 11 mounted on the power supply portion 10 is connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5 in order to realize high output. However, in the case where the plurality of batteries 11 is connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5, if a voltage difference (a difference in the amount of power (a remaining amount) accumulated) between the batteries is large, power cannot be output in parallel from the plurality of batteries 11, and there is a risk of hindering high output.

[0030] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a new technology that is advantageous in reducing a voltage difference between the batteries and realizing high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 in the case where a plurality of batteries 11 is mounted on the power supply portion 10 (the vehicle 1) and the plurality of batteries 11 is connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5 is provided.

[0031] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5The specific structure and functions of the control device 14 for achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 in the present embodiment will be described. Note that the specific structure and functions of the control device 14 described below can be appropriately designed, and the structure and functions can be combined or separated, or can be implemented by other units. In the present embodiment, a case where the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B are mounted as two batteries and connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5 will be described as an example. However, the number of batteries mounted in the power supply portion 10 (vehicle 1) is not limited to two, and three or more batteries can be mounted.

[0032] First, the structure of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B will be described. The first battery 11A includes a battery portion 11A1 including a lithium ion battery or the like that accumulates electric power, and a battery management unit (BMU) 11A2 that functions as a management portion that manages the state of the battery portion 11A1, such as the electric power accumulated in the battery portion 11A1, that is, the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A. The remaining capacity of the first battery 11A can be calculated from the voltage in the battery portion 11A1, the SOH (SOH (States Of Health)) represented by the deterioration state (current full charge capacity (Ah) / initial full charge capacity (Ah)) x 100 of the battery portion 11A1. The second battery 11B also includes a battery portion 11B1 that accumulates electric power, and a battery management unit (BMU) 11B2 that manages the state of the battery portion 11B1 (the remaining capacity of the second battery 11B), like the first battery 11A. Note that the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A and the remaining capacity of the second battery 11B can also be detected or estimated by values other than the voltage and the SOH.

[0033] In the present embodiment, in order to achieve high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 using the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B mounted in the power supply portion 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 14 includes, in addition to the PCU 141, a selection portion 142 and a power supply control portion 143. Figure 2

[0034] In the present embodiment, the selection portion 142 is composed of a first selection portion 142A provided in correspondence with the first battery 11A, and a second selection portion 142B provided in correspondence with the second battery 11B, and functions to select a battery from among the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (the plurality of batteries 11) that is supplied (accumulates) with regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 according to the brake operation of the vehicle 1.

[0035] ​The first selection unit 142A has the following function: regarding the power supply between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5, it switches the power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5 and the regenerative power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the first selection unit 142A includes a first switch 142A1 for switching power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A and a second switch 142A2 for switching power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5. The first switch 142A1 and the second switch 142A2 are connected in parallel to each other in the path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5.

[0036] When the first switch 142A1 is in the closed position (i.e., on), regenerative power is supplied from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A. When the first switch 142A1 is in the open position (i.e., off), the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A is cut off. Similarly, when the second switch 142A2 is in the closed position (i.e., on), power is supplied from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5. When the second switch 142A2 is in the open position (i.e., off), the power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5 is cut off.

[0037] The second selection unit 142B has the following function: regarding the power supply between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5, it switches the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5 and the regenerative power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the second selection unit 142B includes a first switch 142B1 that switches the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B and a second switch 142B2 that switches the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5. The first switch 142B1 and the second switch 142B2 are connected in parallel to each other in the path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5.

[0038] When the first switch 142B1 is in the closed position (on), regenerative power is supplied from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B. When the first switch 142B1 is in the open position (off), the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B is cut off. Similarly, when the second switch 142B2 is in the closed position (on), power is supplied from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5. When the second switch 142B2 is in the open position (off), the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5 is cut off.

[0039] Note that in the present embodiment, the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, the second switch 142A2 and the second switch 142B2 are configured by a slice switch and a diode, but are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, the second switch 142A2 and the second switch 142B2 can be configured by a field effect transistor (FET), a relay element, a conductor, or the like.

[0040] The power supply control section 143 realizes a function as an acquisition section that acquires state information related to the state of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (the plurality of batteries 11). In the present embodiment, the power supply control section 143 acquires, as the state information, state-of-charge information related to the state of charge of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, that is, the state of charge of the first battery 11A (the battery section 11A1) and the state of charge of the second battery 11B (the battery section 11B1). In the present embodiment, the power supply control section 143 acquires, from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1 of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, the state-of-charge information related to the state of charge of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B. However, a detection section that detects the state of charge of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B can be provided separately from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1, and the power supply control section 143 can acquire the state-of-charge information related to the state of charge of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B from the detection section.

[0041] Further, the power supply control section 143 also realizes a function as a control section that controls the selection section 142 to select, from among the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, a battery to which the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 is preferentially supplied, on the basis of the state information related to the state of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B. In the present embodiment, the power supply control section 143 controls the selection section 142 to preferentially supply the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the battery having a smaller state of charge among the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, on the basis of the state-of-charge information related to the state of charge of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B acquired from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1 as the state information.

[0042] For example, a case where the state of charge of the first battery 11A is smaller than the state of charge of the second battery 11B (the voltage of the first battery 11A < the voltage of the second battery 11B) can be considered. In this case, the power supply control section 143 controls the selection section 142 to preferentially supply the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A compared to the second battery 11B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supply control section 143 controls the selection section 142 to supply the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A via the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, and to supply the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B via the second switch 142A2 and the second switch 142B2. Figure 3As shown, the selection unit 142 is controlled in the following manner: the first switch 142A1 of the first selection unit 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A which is supplied with regenerative power from the electric motor 5 is turned on, and the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B which is not supplied with regenerative power from the electric motor 5 is turned off. Thus, by supplying (accumulating) the regenerative power from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A via the first switch 142A1 (the configured path), the difference in residual capacity, i.e., the voltage difference, between the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B can be reduced.

[0043] In this way, by preferentially supplying regenerative power obtained from the electric motor 5 to the batteries with the least remaining capacity among the multiple batteries 11, the voltage difference between these batteries is reduced, thus enabling the electric motor 5 to be supplied with power in parallel (simultaneously) from the multiple batteries 11. Therefore, when regenerative braking is applied with the multiple batteries 11 connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5, high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 can be achieved.

[0044] Furthermore, the power control unit 143 preferably controls the selection unit 142 in such a way that the selection unit 142 selects the battery from which regenerative power is supplied to the electric motor 5, in a manner that keeps the voltage difference between the multiple batteries connected in parallel with the electric motor 5 within an allowable range, specifically, in a manner that keeps the voltage difference between the multiple batteries below 1V. In this way, by keeping the voltage difference between the multiple batteries within an allowable range, the margins of these batteries are made equal, increasing the opportunities to supply power to the electric motor 5 in parallel from the multiple batteries 11.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the selection unit 142 is controlled in such a manner that, in addition to the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B which is not supplied with regenerative power from the electric motor 5, the second switch 142B2 of the second selection unit 142B is also turned off. This allows for easy and safe disconnection of power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B and from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5. Furthermore, it enables a stable supply of regenerative power from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A.

[0046] Alternatively, it is also possible to consider prioritizing the supply of regenerative power from the electric motor 5 to the batteries with lower remaining capacity among the multiple batteries 11, so that the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A is approximately equal to that of the second battery 11B, or the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A is approximately equal to that of the second battery 11B from the initial state, i.e., the difference between the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B is less than a predetermined value (voltage of the first battery 11A ≈ ​​voltage of the second battery 11B). In such a case, the power control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 to simultaneously supply regenerative power from the electric motor 5 to both the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (the batteries with a difference in remaining capacity less than a predetermined value). Specifically, as follows... Figure 4 As shown, the selection unit 142 is controlled to turn on the first switch 142A1 of the first selection unit 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A and the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B. This keeps the difference between the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B relatively small, and allows regenerated power from the electric motor 5 to be supplied to the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B via the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, respectively. It should be noted that when the difference between the remaining capacity of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B is less than a predetermined value, power is simultaneously supplied to the electric motor 5 from both the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B.

[0047] Furthermore, there are instances where individual batteries of the plurality of batteries 11 mounted on the power supply unit 10 malfunction due to external or internal factors. In such cases, from a safety perspective, it is undesirable to supply regenerated power obtained from the electric motor 5 to the malfunctioning battery, or to supply power from the malfunctioning battery to the electric motor 5. Therefore, the power control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 to deactivate the first switch that switches power supply from the electric motor 5 to the malfunctioning battery and the second switch that switches power supply from the malfunctioning battery to the electric motor, and to activate the first switch that switches power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery (non-malfunctioning battery) and the second switch that switches power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor.

[0048] For example, suppose that in the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, the first battery 11A is normal, but the second battery 11B is malfunctioning. In this case, such as Figure 5As shown, the selection section 142 is controlled so that the first switch 142B1 and the second switch 142B2 of the second selection section 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B which is an abnormal battery are turned off, and the first switch 142A1 and the second switch 142A2 of the first selection section 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A which is a normal battery are turned on.

[0049] Thus, by cutting off the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the abnormal battery and the power supply from the abnormal battery to the electric motor 5, and maintaining the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery and the power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor 5, the vehicle 1 can be operated using the remaining normal batteries even if some of the plurality of batteries 11 have become abnormal. In addition, since the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery and the power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor 5 are maintained, the power supply loss can be reduced. Note that, for the remaining normal batteries other than the abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries 11, the regenerated electric power obtained by the electric motor 5 is preferentially supplied from the battery having a smaller remaining amount as described above.

[0050] Here, the abnormality occurring in the battery refers to an abnormality such that the output switch on the battery side is turned off, for example, including overcharge, overdischarge, overtemperature, and the like. Such an abnormality of the battery can be detected by the power supply control section 143 based on information indicating the state of the battery obtained from the BMU provided to the battery. In addition, the abnormal battery can also be grasped (detected) by the power supply control section 143 by directly detecting the abnormality of the battery by the BMU provided to the battery and outputting the information to the power supply control section 143.

[0051] However, the abnormal battery can also be used as a battery for which the power supply from the electric motor 5 is cut off, for example, as described above. Figure 2The current detection section 144 is configured as shown in the drawing so as to detect the current flowing through the path between the electric motor 5 and the power supply section 10 corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries 11. In the present embodiment, the current detection section 144 includes a first current sensor 144A configured to the path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5 and a second current sensor 144B configured to the path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5. The first current sensor 144A and the second current sensor 144B each include, for example, a movable coil type current meter having a small internal resistance and configured by a permanent magnet and a coil, and the first current sensor 144A detects the current flowing through the path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5 and outputs the detected current to the power supply control section 143, and the second current sensor 144B detects the current flowing through the path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5 and outputs the detected current to the power supply control section 143. The power supply control section 143 detects the abnormal battery from among the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (the plurality of batteries 11) based on the values of the currents detected by the first current sensor 144A and the second current sensor 144B. For example, in a case where the value of the current detected by the first current sensor 144A (or the second current sensor 144B) exceeds a predetermined value, it is considered that overdischarge has occurred in the first battery 11A (or the second battery 11B), and thus the first battery 11A (or the second battery 11B) is detected as the abnormal battery. On the other hand, in a case where the value of the current detected by the first current sensor 144A (or the second current sensor 144B) is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the first battery 11A (or the second battery 11B) is detected as the normal battery. In this way, by using the current detection section 144 configured to the path between the electric motor 5 and the power supply section 10 corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries 11, it is possible to detect the abnormal battery with high accuracy compared to the case where the BMU is used. This is because, since the internal resistance and the like differ depending on the deterioration state of each battery, by using the value of the current actually output from each battery, it is possible to make accurate determination compared to the case where the BMU is provided to each battery.

[0052] In addition, when a part of the plurality of batteries 11 is abnormal, the amount of electric power that can be supplied from the power supply portion 10 to the electric motor 5 becomes small, and therefore it is preferable to suppress the output from the electric motor 5. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a case where at least one battery of the plurality of batteries 11 is an abnormal battery, the power supply control portion 143 controls the electric motor 5 via the PCU 141 so as to suppress the output from the electric motor 5. For example, the power supply control portion 143 decides the maximum torque and the maximum acceleration of the vehicle 1 in accordance with the proportion of the number of abnormal batteries with respect to the number of the plurality of batteries 11, and the PCU 141 drives the electric motor 5 in such a manner that the vehicle 1 travels within a range of the maximum torque and the maximum acceleration decided by the power supply control portion 143. Thus, it is possible to travel the vehicle 1 while suppressing the output from the electric motor 5 without imposing an excessive load on the plurality of batteries 11 (the power supply portion 10). Note that, here, the control for protecting the other batteries when a part of the plurality of batteries 11 is abnormal is described, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to control such that even if the batteries function normally, the PCU 141 drives the electric motor 5 with appropriate electric power in accordance with the state of the batteries, and abnormality of the batteries is avoided.

[0053] Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a new technology that is advantageous for achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 in a case where the power supply portion 10 (the vehicle 1) is equipped with the plurality of batteries 11, and the plurality of batteries 11 are connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5.

[0054] <Summary of Embodiment>

[0055] 1. The vehicle (e.g., 1) according to the above embodiment, characterized by

[0056] The vehicle has:

[0057] a power supply portion (e.g., 10) equipped with a plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B);

[0058] a motor (e.g., 5) driven by electric power from the power supply portion, and capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply portion;

[0059] an acquisition portion (e.g., 143) that acquires state information of the plurality of batteries respectively;

[0060] a selection portion (e.g., 142) that selects a battery that supplies regenerative electric power to the motor from among the plurality of batteries; and

[0061] a control section (e.g., 143) that controls the selection section so as to select, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery to which the regenerative electric power to the motor is preferentially supplied, on the basis of the state information acquired by the acquisition section.

[0062] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the voltage difference among the plurality of batteries, and to supply electric power in parallel (simultaneously) from the plurality of batteries to the motor, thereby achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle.

[0063] 2. The vehicle (e.g., 1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

[0064] the acquisition section (e.g., 143) acquires, as the state information, state information related to the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B),

[0065] the control section (e.g., 143) controls the selection section so as to preferentially supply, from among the plurality of batteries, the regenerative electric power to the motor (e.g., 5) to a battery having a smaller state of charge.

[0066] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the voltage difference among the plurality of batteries, and to supply electric power in parallel (simultaneously) from the plurality of batteries to the motor, thereby achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle.

[0067] 3. The vehicle (e.g., 1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

[0068] the control section (e.g., 143) controls the selection section (e.g., 142) so as to converge the voltage difference among the plurality of batteries within an allowable range.

[0069] According to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the opportunity to supply electric power in parallel from the plurality of batteries to the motor.

[0070] 4. The vehicle (e.g., 1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

[0071] the control section (e.g., 143) controls the selection section (e.g., 142) so as to supply the regenerative electric power to the motor (e.g., 5) to a plurality of batteries having a difference in state of charge that is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0072] According to this embodiment, it is possible to supply the regenerative electric power obtained by the electric motor to the plurality of batteries while maintaining the difference in state of charge among the plurality of batteries to be small.

[0073] 5. The vehicle (e.g., 1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

[0074] the selection section (e.g., 142) includes:

[0075] a first switch (e.g., 142Al, 142Bl) configured in correspondence with each of the plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) in the path between the motor (e.g., 5) and the power supply section (e.g., 10) and switching electric power supply from the motor to the power supply section; and

[0076] a second switch (e.g., 142A2, 142B2) configured in parallel with the first switch in the path and switching electric power supply from the power supply section to the motor,

[0077] the control section (e.g., 143) controls the selection section so that the first switch and the second switch configured in the path corresponding to the battery not supplied with the regenerative electric power of the motor among the plurality of batteries are turned off.

[0078] According to this embodiment, it is possible to simply and safely turn off electric power supply from the motor to the plurality of batteries and electric power supply from the plurality of batteries to the motor.

[0079] 6. The vehicle (e.g., 1) described in the above, characterized in that,

[0080] the control section (e.g., 143) controls the selection section (e.g., 142) so that the first switch (e.g., 142Al, 142Bl) and the second switch (e.g., 142A2, 142B2) configured in the path corresponding to the abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) are turned off and the first switch and the second switch configured in the path corresponding to the normal battery are turned on.

[0081] According to this embodiment, even in the case where a part of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, it is possible to make the vehicle operate using the remaining normal batteries.

[0082] 7. The vehicle (e.g., 1) described in the above, characterized in that,

[0083] the selection section (e.g., 142) includes:

[0084] a first switch (e.g., 142Al, 142Bl) configured in correspondence with each of the plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) in the path between the motor (e.g., 5) and the power supply section (e.g., 10) and switching electric power supply from the motor to the power supply section; and

[0085] a second switch (for example, 142A2, 142B2) configured in parallel with the first switch in the path and switching the energization from the power supply section to the motor,

[0086] The control section (for example, 143) controls the selection section so as to turn off the first switch and the second switch configured in the path corresponding to the abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries and turn on the first switch and the second switch configured in the path corresponding to the normal battery.

[0087] According to this embodiment, even in a case where a part of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, the vehicle can be made to operate using the remaining normal batteries.

[0088] 8. The vehicle (for example, 1) described above, characterized in that

[0089] The control section (for example, 143) controls the motor so as to prohibit the use of the abnormal battery and use the non-abnormal battery and suppress the output from the motor (for example, 5) in a case where at least one battery among the plurality of batteries (for example, 11, 11A, 11B) is an abnormal battery.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the vehicle can be made to travel while suppressing the output from the motor without imposing excessive load on the plurality of batteries.

[0091] 9. The vehicle (for example, 1) described above, characterized in that

[0092] The vehicle further has a current sensor (for example, 144, 144A, 144B) configured in the path between the motor (for example, 5) and the power supply section (for example, 10) corresponding to the plurality of batteries (for example, 11, 11A, 11B) respectively and detecting the current in the path,

[0093] The control section (for example, 143) controls the motor so as to suppress the output from the motor in a case where at least one value among the values of the current detected by the current sensor exceeds a predetermined value.

[0094] According to this embodiment, the vehicle can be made to travel while suppressing the output from the motor without imposing excessive load on the plurality of batteries.

[0095] 10. The vehicle (for example, 1) described above, characterized in that

[0096] The vehicle also has current sensors (e.g., 144, 144A, 144B) that are respectively arranged in paths between the motors (e.g., 5) and the power supply sections (e.g., 10) with respect to the plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) and detect currents in the paths,

[0097] The control section (e.g., 143) detects a battery that is abnormal from among the plurality of batteries based on values of the currents detected by the current sensors.

[0098] According to this embodiment, a battery that is abnormal can be detected from among the plurality of batteries with high precision.

[0099] 11. The vehicle (e.g., 1) described above, characterized in that

[0100] The battery (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) includes a management section (e.g., 11A2, 11B2) that manages a state of the battery,

[0101] The control section (e.g., 143) detects a battery that is abnormal from among the plurality of batteries based on information indicating the state of the battery obtained from the management section.

[0102] According to this embodiment, a battery that is abnormal can be detected from among the plurality of batteries.

[0103] 12. The vehicle (e.g., 1) described above, characterized in that

[0104] The vehicle is an electric two-wheeled vehicle.

[0105] 13. The vehicle (e.g., 1) described above, characterized in that

[0106] The plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) are connected in parallel with respect to the motor (e.g., 5).

[0107] According to this embodiment, a voltage difference between the plurality of batteries connected in parallel with respect to the motor can be reduced, and the plurality of batteries can be connected in parallel with respect to the motor to supply electric power to the motor to achieve high output and high efficiency of the vehicle.

[0108] 14. The control device of the embodiment described above is a control device (e.g., 14) of a vehicle (e.g., 1),

[0109] The vehicle has a power supply section (e.g., 10) that mounts a plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) and a motor (e.g., 5) that is driven by electric power from the power supply section and can supply regenerative electric power to the power supply section, characterized in that

[0110] The control device has:

[0111] an acquisition section (e.g., 143) that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries;

[0112] a selection section (e.g., 142) that selects, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery that supplies regenerative electric power to the motor; and

[0113] a control section (e.g., 143) that controls the selection section to select, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery that is preferentially supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor, based on the state information acquired by the acquisition section.

[0114] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce voltage differences among the plurality of batteries, and to supply electric power from the plurality of batteries to the motor in parallel (at the same time) to achieve high output and high efficiency of the vehicle.

[0115] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle characterized by comprising: a plurality of batteries; a motor driven by electric power from the power supply section and capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply section; an acquisition section that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection section that selects, from among the plurality of batteries, a battery to which the regenerative electric power to the motor is supplied; and a control section that controls the selection section to select, on the basis of the state information acquired by the acquisition section, a battery to which the regenerative electric power to the motor is preferentially supplied from among the plurality of batteries, the selection section includes: a first switch disposed in a path between the motor and the power supply section corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries and switching electric conduction from the motor to the power supply section; and a second switch disposed in parallel with the first switch in the path and switching electric conduction from the power supply section to the motor, the control section controls the selection section to turn off the first switch and the second switch disposed in the path corresponding to a battery of the plurality of batteries to which the regenerative electric power to the motor is not supplied.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the acquisition section acquires, as the state information, state-of-charge information related to a state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries, the control section controls the selection section to preferentially supply the regenerative electric power to the motor from a battery with a smaller state of charge among the plurality of batteries on the basis of the state-of-charge information acquired by the acquisition section.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control section controls the selection section to converge a voltage difference between the plurality of batteries within an allowable range.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: the control section controls the selection section to simultaneously supply the regenerative electric power to the motor to batteries of the plurality of batteries whose state-of-charge difference is smaller than a predetermined value.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control section controls the selection section to turn off the first switch and the second switch disposed in the path corresponding to an abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries and turn on the first switch and the second switch disposed in the path corresponding to a normal battery.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control section controls the selection section to turn off the first switch and the second switch disposed in the path corresponding to an abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries and turn on the first switch and the second switch disposed in the path corresponding to a normal battery.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control section controls the motor to prohibit use of an abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries and use a non-abnormal battery and suppress output from the motor in a case where the at least one battery among the plurality of batteries is the abnormal battery.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: ​ ​ The vehicle further has current sensors respectively arranged in paths between the motor and the power supply section corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and detecting currents in the paths, The control section controls the motor so as to suppress output from the motor in a case where at least one of values of the currents detected by the current sensors exceeds a predetermined value.

9. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein The vehicle further has current sensors respectively arranged in paths between the motor and the power supply section corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and detecting currents in the paths, The control section detects a battery that is abnormal from among the plurality of batteries on the basis of values of the currents detected by the current sensors.

10. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein The battery includes a management section that manages a state of the battery, The control section detects a battery that is abnormal from among the plurality of batteries on the basis of information indicating the state of the battery obtained from the management section.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The vehicle is an electric two-wheeled vehicle.

12. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of batteries are connected in parallel with respect to the motor.

13. A control device that is a control device of a vehicle having a power supply section in which a plurality of batteries are mounted, and a motor that is driven by electric power from the power supply section and is capable of supplying regenerative electric power to the power supply section, characterized by comprising: an acquisition section that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection section that selects a battery that supplies regenerative electric power to the motor from among the plurality of batteries; and a control section that controls the selection section so as to select a battery that is preferentially supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor from among the plurality of batteries on the basis of the state information acquired by the acquisition section, wherein the selection section includes: a first switch that is arranged in a path between the motor and the power supply section corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries and switches conduction from the motor to the power supply section; and a second switch that is arranged in parallel with the first switch in the path and switches conduction from the power supply section to the motor, and the control section controls the selection section so that the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path corresponding to a battery that is not supplied with regenerative electric power to the motor among the plurality of batteries are turned off. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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