Vehicle discharge control device, vehicle discharge control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle discharge control device, a vehicle discharge control method, and a storage medium that can improve energy efficiency by fully utilizing the performance of multiple batteries. The vehicle discharge control device includes a setting unit that sets a charge ease parameter associated with the ease of charging for each of the multiple batteries mounted on the electric vehicle; and a control unit that controls the discharge of each of the multiple batteries, the control unit preferentially discharging batteries with higher charge ease parameters among the multiple batteries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle discharge control device, a vehicle discharge control method, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] To mitigate adverse environmental impacts, regulations on motor vehicle exhaust emissions are becoming increasingly stringent, leading to the continued development of vehicles utilizing rotating electric machines. In this context, there is a technique for prioritizing the use of a removable battery, rechargeable by a power source external to the vehicle, over other batteries in vehicles equipped with multiple batteries (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-28881). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In vehicles equipped with multiple batteries, there is a concern that if power to the rotating electrical machine is biased towards a specific battery, the frequency of charging for that specific battery increases, leading to a loss of full performance from the multiple batteries and a reduction in overall energy efficiency. Furthermore, insufficient battery charge may limit the functionality of onboard equipment.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle discharge control device, a vehicle discharge control method, and a storage medium that can improve energy efficiency by fully utilizing the performance of each of a plurality of storage batteries.

[0006] Solutions to Problems

[0007] The vehicle discharge control device, vehicle discharge control method, and storage medium of the present invention employ the following configurations.

[0008] (1): A vehicle discharge control device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a setting unit that sets a charging ease parameter associated with charging ease for each of a plurality of batteries mounted on an electric vehicle; and a control unit that controls the discharge of each of the plurality of batteries, wherein the control unit preferentially discharges the battery having a high charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries.

[0009] (2): In the scheme of the above (1), the control unit discharges a specific battery when there is a specific battery among the multiple batteries, and the specific battery is a battery whose charging ease parameter is set successively when the electric vehicle is traveling, and is higher than that of the battery that is currently being charged and discharged.

[0010] (3): In the above-mentioned scheme (1) or (2), the control unit is configured to limit a part of the first function of the electric vehicle when the charging ease parameter of all the batteries among the plurality of batteries mounted on the electric vehicle is lower than a prescribed value.

[0011] (4): In any of the above schemes (1) to (3), the electric vehicle can travel in a first driving mode and a second driving mode as a driving mode, and the second driving mode is a driving mode that restricts a part of the second function of the electric vehicle compared to the first driving mode. When the charging ease parameter of the battery that is the object of discharge or regenerative charging in the electric vehicle whose driving mode is set to the second driving mode is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit releases the restriction of the second function.

[0012] (5): In any one of the above schemes (1) to (4), the control unit also controls the regenerative charging of the plurality of batteries, and the control unit performs the following control: the regenerative charging is preferentially performed on the battery with the low charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries.

[0013] (6): In any one of the above (1) to (5), the charging ease parameter is set based on the time until reaching a charging point at which the charge amount of the plurality of storage batteries can be increased.

[0014] (7): In the above-mentioned aspect (6), the charging ease parameter is further set based on a charging required time, and the charging required time is estimated based on at least one of a vacancy status of the charging point and a time required for replacement of the battery.

[0015] (8) In the above-mentioned configuration (6) or (7), when the target battery for which the charge ease parameter is set is a replaceable battery, the charge ease parameter is also set based on the time required for attaching and detaching the target battery.

[0016] (9): In the above aspect (8), the charging ease parameter is further set based on the weight of the target storage battery.

[0017] (10): In any one of the above (1) to (9), the charging ease parameter is further set based on an amount of money that increases the charge capacity of the battery.

[0018] (11): In any one of the above (1) to (10), the charging ease parameter is also set based on the past charging frequency.

[0019] (12): A vehicle discharge control method according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to perform the following control: setting a charging ease parameter associated with the ease of charging for each of a plurality of batteries mounted on an electric vehicle; and causing the battery having a high charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries to be discharged preferentially.

[0020] (13): A storage medium of one embodiment of the present invention stores a program, wherein the program causes a computer to perform the following control: setting a charging ease parameter associated with the ease of charging for each of a plurality of batteries mounted on an electric vehicle; and causing the battery having a high charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries to be discharged preferentially.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the aspects (1) to (13), energy efficiency can be improved by fully utilizing the performance of each of the plurality of storage batteries.

[0023] According to (2), even when the charging ease parameter changes depending on the environment, charging and discharging can be performed using an appropriate storage battery.

[0024] According to (3), power shortage can be suppressed by suppressing the use of electric power.

[0025] According to (4), by stopping the restriction of functions, comfortable driving can be assisted.

[0026] According to (5), regenerative charging can be performed with priority given to the storage battery that is difficult to charge.

[0027] According to (6) to (11), the accuracy of the chargeability parameter can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electric vehicle including a vehicle discharge control device 200 according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the reference table 252.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a diagram conceptually showing the function of the learned model 254.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the vehicle discharge control device 200 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle discharge control device, a vehicle discharge control method, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 This figure shows an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle equipped with a vehicle discharge control device 200 according to an embodiment. The electric vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (EV) that travels using a rotating electric machine (electric motor) driven by electric power supplied from a battery (secondary battery) for travel.

[0034] Vehicles to which the present invention is applicable include not only four-wheeled vehicles but also two-wheeled, straddle-type vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel in addition to one front wheel and two rear wheels), and power-assisted bicycles, all of which are driven by an electric motor driven by electricity supplied from a battery for travel. For example, the electric vehicle 1 may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that is further driven by electricity supplied by an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine that uses fuel as an energy source.

[0035] The electric vehicle 1 includes, for example, a travel motor 10, drive wheels 12, a brake device 14, a speed reducer 16, a PDU (Power Drive Unit) 20, a first battery 31, a second battery 32, a third battery 33, a fourth battery 34, a first battery sensor 36, a second battery sensor 37, a third battery sensor 38, and a fourth battery sensor 39, a VCU (Voltage Control Unit) 40, a first switching circuit 51, a second switching circuit 52, a third switching circuit 53, and a fourth switching circuit 54, a display device 61, a speaker 62, accessories 63, a driving operating element 70, a vehicle sensor 80, a travel control device 100, and a vehicle discharge control device 200. The vehicle discharge control device 200 selects a battery to be discharged or regenerated (hereinafter referred to as a chargeable / dischargeable battery) from among the first battery 31, the second battery 32, the third battery 33, and the fourth battery 34. The vehicle discharge control device 200 can communicate with the information collection center 2 via a network NW.

[0036] Information collection center 2 collects information on charging points across the country. This information includes, for example, the location of the charging point, the presence of replaceable removable batteries at the charging point, the availability of charging equipment for stationary batteries, and the required charging time and cost per unit of electricity. Information collection center 2 transmits this information to vehicle discharge control device 200. Removable batteries are an example of replaceable batteries.

[0037] The travel motor 10 is a rotating electrical machine used to propel the electric vehicle 1. For example, the travel motor 10 is a three-phase AC electric motor. The rotor of the travel motor 10 is connected to the speed reducer 16. The travel motor 10 is driven (rotated) by electricity supplied from a rechargeable battery. The travel motor 10 transmits its own rotational power to the speed reducer 16. The travel motor 10 operates as a regenerative brake, utilizing the kinetic energy generated when the electric vehicle 1 is decelerated, generating electricity.

[0038] The brake device 14, disposed on the drive wheel 12, includes, for example, a brake caliper, a hydraulic cylinder that transmits hydraulic pressure to the caliper, and an electric motor that generates hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. The brake device 14 may also include a mechanism that transmits hydraulic pressure generated by the driver of the electric vehicle 1 operating the brake pedal (not shown) to the hydraulic cylinder via a master hydraulic cylinder as a backup. The brake device 14 is not limited to the configuration described above and may also be an electronically controlled hydraulic brake device that transmits hydraulic pressure from the master hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic cylinder.

[0039] The speed reducer 16 is, for example, a differential gear. It transmits the driving force of the shaft connected to the travel motor 10, i.e., the rotational power of the travel motor 10, to the axle connected to the drive wheels 12. The speed reducer 16 may also include, for example, a transmission mechanism that combines multiple gears and shafts to change the rotational speed of the travel motor 10 according to a gear ratio (gear ratio) and transmits it to the axle. The speed reducer 16 may also include, for example, a clutch mechanism that directly connects or disconnects the rotational power of the travel motor 10 to the axle.

[0040] The PDU 20 is, for example, an AC-DC converter. The PDU 20 converts DC power supplied from the charge-discharge battery into AC power for driving the travel motor 10, and outputs the power to the travel motor 10. The PDU 20 converts AC power generated by the travel motor 10 operating as a regenerative brake into DC power, and outputs the power to the charge-discharge battery.

[0041] The PDU 20 may output the power by stepping up or down the voltage in accordance with the output destination of the power.

[0042] The VCU 40 is, for example, a DC-DC converter. It boosts the power supplied (discharged) from the charge-discharge battery to an appropriate voltage and outputs it to the PDU 20. The VCU 40 also steps down the power generated by the travel motor 10, which is operating as a regenerative brake and output from the PDU 20, and outputs it to the charge-discharge battery, thereby storing power in the charge-discharge battery (regenerative charging).

[0043] The first through fourth batteries 31 through 34 are batteries that include, as a power storage unit, secondary cells that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium-ion batteries. The first through fourth batteries 31 through 34 may be configured as a cassette-type battery package that is easily removable from the electric vehicle 1, or they may be fixedly mounted and difficult to remove from the electric vehicle 1.

[0044] For example, the first and second batteries 31 and 32 are fixedly mounted, while the third and fourth batteries 33 and 34 are removable. The first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 may be secondary batteries other than lithium-ion batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, sodium-ion batteries, or capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors, or composite batteries combining secondary batteries and capacitors.

[0045] The first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 store (charge) electric power supplied from a charger (not shown) external to the electric vehicle 1 and discharge the stored electric power to drive the electric vehicle 1. The first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 store (regeneratively charge) electric power generated by the travel motor 10 operating as a regenerative brake, supplied via the PDU 20 and VCU 40, and discharge the stored electric power to drive the electric vehicle 1 (e.g., accelerate).

[0046] First to fourth batteries 31 to 34 are connected to first to fourth battery sensors 36 to 39, respectively. These sensors detect physical quantities such as voltage, current, and temperature of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34, respectively. These sensors include, for example, voltage sensors, current sensors, and temperature sensors. These sensors detect the voltage of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 using voltage sensors, the current of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 using current sensors, and the temperature of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 using temperature sensors.

[0047] The first switch circuit 51 is provided in the wiring connecting the first battery 31 and the VCU 40. By turning on the first switch circuit 51, power can flow between the first battery 31 and the VCU 40, and by turning off the first switch circuit 51, power is disconnected from the first battery 31 and the VCU 40. The second switch circuit 52 is provided in the wiring connecting the second battery 32 and the VCU 40. The third switch circuit 53 is provided in the wiring connecting the third battery 33 and the VCU 40. The fourth switch circuit 54 is provided in the wiring connecting the fourth battery 34 and the VCU 40. The relationship between the second to fourth switch circuits 52 to 54, the second to fourth batteries 32 to 34, and the VCU 40 is the same as the relationship between the first switch circuit 51, the first battery 31, and the VCU 40.

[0048] Display device 61 is, for example, a central display installed on the instrument panel of electric vehicle 1. Display device 61 may also be a display installed elsewhere in electric vehicle 1, or may be a so-called head-up display that allows a viewer, such as the driver, to visually recognize an image superimposed on the vehicle's scenery. Display device 61 displays, for example, information related to control performed by vehicle discharge control device 200.

[0049] Speaker 62 is installed at a suitable location inside electric vehicle 1, such as behind the rear seats. For example, it outputs audio information corresponding to the control performed by vehicle discharge control device 200. Accessory 63 is, for example, equipment not essential for driving electric vehicle 1. Examples of accessory 63 include a charging plug for charging smartphones and AV (Audio Visual) functionality.

[0050] The driving operating elements 70 include, for example, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever, a steering wheel, a special-shaped steering wheel, a joystick, and other operating elements. Sensors are mounted on the driving operating elements 70 to detect the presence or amount of operation of each operating element by the user (driver) of the electric vehicle 1. The driving operating elements 70 output the sensor detection results to the travel control device 100. For example, a throttle position sensor is mounted on the accelerator pedal to detect the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver.

[0051] The vehicle sensor 80 detects the driving state of the electric vehicle 1. The vehicle sensor 80 includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the electric vehicle 1 and an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the electric vehicle 1. The vehicle speed sensor may include, for example, wheel speed sensors mounted on each drive wheel 12 of the electric vehicle 1 and a speed computer. The speed of the electric vehicle 1 (vehicle speed) may be derived (detected) by integrating the wheel speeds detected by the wheel speed sensors.

[0052] The driving control device 100 controls the operation and behavior of the PDU 20 and VCU 40 based on the detection results of the various sensors included in the driving control element 70, namely, the operation of the various operating elements by the driver of the electric vehicle 1, and the charge / discharge battery selected by the vehicle discharge control device 200. For example, the driving control device 100 controls the operation and behavior of the PDU 20 and VCU 40 based on the throttle opening detected by the throttle opening sensor to charge and discharge the charge / discharge battery. In this case, the driving control device 100 also controls the operation and behavior of the PDU 20 and VCU 40 based on, for example, the vehicle speed included in the driving state information output by the vehicle sensor 80. The driving control device 100 may also control the operation and behavior of the PDU 20 and VCU 40 based on, for example, the gear ratio (gear ratio) of the transmission mechanism it controls.

[0053] The driving control device 100 may be configured as a separate control unit such as a motor control unit, a PDU control unit, a battery control unit, or a VCU control unit. The driving control device 100 may also be replaced with a control unit such as a motor ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a PDU-ECU, a battery ECU, or a VCU-ECU. The driving control device 100 may also include the functions of the vehicle discharge control device 200.

[0054] The driving control device 100 controls the discharge of electric power from the charge-discharge battery and the regenerative charging of electric power into the charge-discharge battery based on the driving mode of the electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 can be driven in at least two driving modes, for example, a first driving mode and a second driving mode, wherein the second driving mode restricts a portion of the functions of the electric vehicle 1 compared to the first driving mode. The first driving mode is, for example, a normal driving mode, and the second driving mode is, for example, an energy-saving driving mode. The function of the electric vehicle 1 that is restricted in the second driving mode is an example of the second function. The driving mode of the electric vehicle 1 can be set, for example, by the driver's operation. The driving control device 100 outputs a driving mode signal corresponding to the set driving mode to the vehicle discharge control device 200.

[0055] The vehicle discharge control device 200 includes, for example, a communication unit 210, a setting unit 220, a control unit 230, and a storage unit 250. The motor control unit, PDU control unit, battery control unit, and VCU control unit in the travel control device 100, and the setting unit 220 and control unit 230 in the vehicle discharge control device 200 are each implemented by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software).

[0056] Some or all of these components can also be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., or can be implemented by the collaboration of software and hardware. Some or all of the functions of these components can also be implemented by a dedicated LSI. The program can be pre-stored in a storage device (a storage device with a non-temporary storage medium) such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and flash memory of the electric vehicle 1, or can be stored in a removable storage medium (non-temporary storage medium) such as DVD and CD-ROM, and installed in the HDD and flash memory of the electric vehicle 1 by assembling the storage medium to the drive device of the electric vehicle 1. The storage unit 250 is implemented by a storage device. The reference table 252 and the learned model 254 are stored in the storage unit 250.

[0057] The communication unit 210 performs wireless communication based on, for example, Wi-Fi, DSRC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other communication standards, and receives various information transmitted from the information collecting center 2 via the network NW.

[0058] The setting unit 220 updates, for example, a reference table 252 stored in the storage unit 250 based on the information received by the communication unit 210 and the detection results of the first to fourth battery sensors 36 to 39. The setting unit 220 sequentially updates the reference table 252 while the electric vehicle 1 is traveling. The reference table 252 stores information indicating the ease of charging of each of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. Reference table 252 will now be described.

[0059] Figure 2 This diagram shows an example of the contents of reference table 252. Reference table 252 includes information on the ease of charging for first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. The ease of charging information includes, for example, time required to reach a charging point, availability of charging points, charging time, loading and unloading time, battery weight, charging price, battery capacity, and charging frequency.

[0060] The time required to reach a charging point is the time it takes for the electric vehicle 1 to reach a charging point (hereinafter referred to as a target charging point) where the battery charge level is to be increased by charging or replacing the battery. The setting unit 220 determines the target charging point based on, for example, the destination setting in a navigation device (not shown), the location of the vehicle's home or workplace, schedule information, congestion information, and the like. The setting unit 220 estimates the time required to reach the charging point based on, for example, the current location of the electric vehicle 1 measured by a GNSS device (not shown) and the location of the target charging point transmitted by the information collection center 2. The charging point may or may not be compatible with each of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34, so the setting unit 220 determines the time required to reach the charging point for each of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. The shorter the time required to reach the charging point, the higher the ease of charging determined by the setting unit 220.

[0061] The required charging time refers to the time required to charge the first and second batteries 31, 32, which are stationary batteries. To calculate the required charging time, the setting unit 220 determines the availability of charging points and the time required to charge the first through fourth batteries 31, 34. Based on the information transmitted from the information collection center 2, the setting unit 220 obtains the availability of charging points for each of the first through fourth batteries 31, 34. The setting unit 220 calculates the SOC of each of the first through fourth batteries 31, 34 based on the voltage and current values ​​detected by the first through fourth battery sensors 36, 39.

[0062] Setting unit 220 estimates the required charging time based on the acquired charging point availability, the calculated SOC, and the charging rate per unit time of the charging device installed at the target charging point, transmitted from information collection center 2. Setting unit 220 determines the ease of charging to be higher as the required charging time is shorter.

[0063] The required loading and unloading time is the time required to load and unload the third battery 33 and the fourth battery 34, which are detachable batteries, from the electric vehicle 1. The required loading and unloading time is pre-stored for each of the third battery 33 and the fourth battery 34. The setting unit 220 determines the ease of charging to be higher as the required loading and unloading time is shorter.

[0064] The battery weight is the weight of the third battery 33 and the fourth battery 34, which are detachable batteries. The battery weight is pre-stored for each of the third battery 33 and the fourth battery 34. The setting unit 220 determines the ease of charging to be higher as the battery weight decreases. The time required for detachment and the battery weight are values ​​corresponding to the effort required to replace the third battery 33 and the fourth battery 34.

[0065] The charging price is the amount required to increase the charge capacity of first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. Examples of the charging price include the amount required to fully charge first and second batteries 31 and 32, and the amount required to replace third and fourth batteries 33 and 34. Setting unit 220 calculates the charging price based on the calculated SOC, the price per unit of power charged by the charging device installed at the target charging point, as transmitted by information collection center 2, and the price for replacing the removable battery. Setting unit 220 determines the ease of charging to be higher for lower removable prices.

[0066] The battery capacity is a value obtained by considering the upper limit of the SOC, the remaining SOC level, and the relationship between the upper limit and the remaining SOC level for each of first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. For example, it is a value obtained by dividing the upper limit of the SOC by the remaining SOC level. Setting unit 220 determines the ease of charging to be higher as the battery capacity increases.

[0067] The charging frequency is the frequency at which the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 were charged in the past. The setting unit 220 updates the charging frequency every time the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 are charged. The higher the charging frequency, the higher the charging ease is determined by the setting unit 220.

[0068] Setting unit 220 calculates and sets a charge ease parameter associated with the charge ease for each of first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. Setting unit 220 calculates and sets the charge ease parameter, for example, each time reference table 252 is updated. Setting unit 220 utilizes a previously generated and learned model 254 stored in storage unit 250 when calculating the charge ease parameter for a battery (hereinafter referred to as a target battery) for which the charge ease parameter is to be determined.

[0069] The first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 are the target batteries, respectively. Setting unit 220 inputs data on the ease of charging into learned model 254 stored in storage unit 250 as input data, and outputs the output data from learned model 254 as a charge ease parameter, thereby calculating the charge ease parameter for the target battery.

[0070] Figure 3This diagram conceptually illustrates the functions of learned model 254. Learned model 254 comprises, for example, an input layer, an intermediate layer, and an output layer. The input layer of learned model 254 receives input data representing the charging ease of the target battery, including the time required to reach the charging point, charging time, loading and unloading time, battery weight, charging price, battery capacity, and charging frequency. The output layer outputs the charging ease parameter for the target battery. The intermediate layer comprises, for example, a multilayer neural network connecting the input and output layers.

[0071] When using learned model 254, setting unit 220 may also predict the battery to be charged or replaced as a result of discharge based on the calculated charging ease parameter, and compare the predicted battery with the history of batteries actually charged or replaced to update (reinforce) learned model 254. Setting unit 220 may also calculate the charging ease parameter using a method other than using a learned model. For example, setting unit 220 may multiply each charge ease value by an arbitrary coefficient and calculate the sum as the charging ease parameter.

[0072] The control unit 230 controls the discharge and regenerative charging of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. The control unit 230 compares the charge ease parameters set by the setting unit 220 for each of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34. When discharging the charge and discharge batteries, the control unit 230 selects the battery with the highest charge ease parameter as the charge and discharge battery. If there is a battery (hereinafter referred to as a specific battery) whose charge ease parameter is successively set higher than that of the current charge and discharge battery while the electric vehicle 1 is traveling, the control unit 230 controls the discharge of the specific battery.

[0073] When regeneratively charging the chargeable and dischargeable batteries, the control unit 230 determines the battery with the lowest charge ease parameter as the chargeable and dischargeable battery. The control unit 230 outputs a chargeable and dischargeable battery signal indicating the determined chargeable and dischargeable battery to the travel control device 100. The travel control device 100 controls the PDU 20 and the VCU 40 based on the chargeable and dischargeable battery indicated by the output chargeable and dischargeable battery signal.

[0074] The control unit 230 determines which switch circuit, among the first to fourth switch circuits 51 to 54, corresponds to the selected charge / discharge battery (hereinafter referred to as the controlled switch circuit). For example, if the charge / discharge battery is the first battery 31, the control unit 230 determines the first switch circuit 51 as the controlled switch circuit. The control unit 230 discharges or regenerates the charge / discharge battery by closing the controlled switch circuit.

[0075] When the charge ease parameter of the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 falls below a predetermined value, the control unit 230 enables partial restriction of the function of the accessory device 63, causes the display device 61 to display the fact that the function has been restricted, and outputs the fact that the function has been restricted via an audible signal through the speaker 62. The function of the accessory device 63 is an example of the first function.

[0076] Based on the driving mode signal output by the driving control device 100, the control unit 230 determines whether the driving mode of the electric vehicle 1 is the second driving mode. If the charging ease parameter of the chargeable / dischargeable battery in the electric vehicle 1 set to the second driving mode exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 230 disables the functions of the electric vehicle 1 that are restricted in the second driving mode. The disabled functions may be all or some of the functions restricted in the second driving mode, and the function may be determined based on the charging ease parameter. The functions restricted in the second driving mode may include functions of the accessory 63 or other functions.

[0077] Next, the processing in the vehicle discharge control device 200 will be described. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the vehicle discharge control device 200. In the vehicle discharge control device 200, the setting unit 220 first updates the reference table 252 stored in the storage unit 250 based on the information received by the communication unit 210 and the detection results of the first to fourth battery sensors 36 to 39 (step S101).

[0078] Next, the setting unit 220 sets the charge ease parameters for the first to fourth batteries 31 to 34 based on the time required to reach the charging point and other information included in the updated reference table 252 (step S103). The control unit 230 then uses the charge ease parameters to select a charge / discharge battery (step S105). When discharging from a charge / discharge battery, the control unit 230 selects the battery with the highest charge ease parameter as the charge / discharge battery. When regenerative charging is performed on a charge / discharge battery, the control unit 230 selects the battery with the lowest charge ease parameter as the charge / discharge battery.

[0079] Next, the control unit 230 determines whether the selected charge-discharge battery is different from the current charge-discharge battery (step S107). When it is determined that the selected charge-discharge battery is different from the current charge-discharge battery, the control unit 230 sets the selected charge-discharge battery as a specific battery. The control unit 230 disconnects the switch circuit corresponding to the current charge-discharge battery from the closed state, and closes the control object switch circuit corresponding to the specific battery (step S109). By closing the control object switch circuit, the specific battery becomes a charge-discharge battery, and power is discharged from the charge-discharge battery to regenerate the charge-discharge battery. When it is determined that the selected charge-discharge battery is not different from (consistent with) the current charge-discharge battery, the control unit 230 skips the processing of step S109.

[0080] Next, the control unit 230 determines whether the charge ease parameters of all the batteries 31 to 34 are below a specified value (step S111). If the control unit 230 determines that the charge ease parameters of all the batteries are below the specified value, it restricts the function of the accessory device 63 (step S113). If the control unit 230 determines that the charge ease parameters of not all the batteries are below the specified value (at least one of the charge ease parameters of all the batteries is above the specified value), it skips step S113.

[0081] Next, the control unit 230 determines whether the driving mode of the electric vehicle 1 is the second driving mode (step S115). If the control unit 230 determines that the driving mode of the electric vehicle 1 is not the second driving mode, the vehicle discharge control device 200 ends. Figure 4 When the control unit 230 determines that the running mode of the electric vehicle 1 is the second running mode, it determines whether the charging ease parameter of the chargeable and dischargeable battery is higher than a predetermined value (step S117).

[0082] If the control unit 230 determines that the charge ease parameter of the charge-discharge battery is not higher than the predetermined value, the vehicle discharge control device 200 ends. Figure 4 If it is determined that the charging ease parameter of the charge-discharge battery is higher than the predetermined value, the control unit 230 releases the restriction of the function that is restricted when driving in the second driving mode (step S119). In this way, the vehicle discharge control device 200 ends. Figure 4 The processing shown.

[0083] Vehicle discharge control device 200 of the embodiment selects batteries with high charge ease parameters as the charge / discharge batteries based on the charge ease parameters associated with the ease of charging for each of first through fourth batteries 31 through 34. Consequently, discharge is performed sequentially, starting with the most easily charged battery. This allows the performance of each of the multiple batteries to be fully utilized, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0084] In the above embodiment, control unit 230 selects a single charge-discharge battery. However, control unit 230 may select multiple, for example, two, charge-discharge batteries. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, batteries with high charge ease parameters are preferentially selected as charge-discharge batteries. However, batteries with high charge ease parameters may not be selected as charge-discharge batteries. For example, even if the charge ease parameter is high, a battery may not be selected as a charge-discharge battery if the battery is fully charged or the charge level exceeds a set upper limit.

[0085] The above-described embodiment can be expressed as follows.

[0086] A discharge control device for a vehicle, comprising:

[0087] a storage device storing a program; and

[0088] Hardware processor,

[0089] The hardware processor executes the program stored in the storage device to perform the following processing:

[0090] Setting a charging ease parameter associated with charging ease for each of a plurality of storage batteries mounted on the electric vehicle;

[0091] The storage battery having a high charge ease parameter among the plurality of storage batteries is preferentially discharged.

[0092] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A discharge control device for a vehicle, wherein: The vehicle discharge control device includes: a setting unit that sets a charging ease parameter associated with charging ease for each of a plurality of storage batteries mounted on the electric vehicle; and a control unit that controls discharge of each of the plurality of storage batteries, The control unit preferentially discharges the battery having the higher charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries. The charging ease parameter is set based on a time until reaching a charging point at which the charge amounts of the plurality of storage batteries can be increased.

2. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit discharges a specific battery among the plurality of batteries if the specific battery is a battery having a higher charge ease parameter than a battery currently being charged or discharged and which is set successively during travel of the electric vehicle.

3. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit is configured to be capable of limiting a portion of the first function of the electric vehicle when the charge ease parameter of all of the plurality of batteries mounted on the electric vehicle is lower than a predetermined value.

4. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The electric vehicle can travel in a first travel mode and a second travel mode, wherein the second travel mode is a travel mode in which a portion of a second function of the electric vehicle is restricted compared to the first travel mode. The control unit cancels the restriction of the second function when a charging ease parameter of the battery to be discharged or regeneratively charged in the electric vehicle whose traveling mode is set to the second traveling mode is higher than a predetermined value.

5. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit further controls regenerative charging of the plurality of storage batteries. The control unit performs control so as to preferentially perform regenerative charging on a storage battery having a low charging ease parameter among the plurality of storage batteries.

6. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging ease parameter is further set based on a required charging time estimated based on at least one of a vacancy status of the charging point and a time required for replacement of the battery.

7. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein: When the target storage battery for which the charge ease parameter is set is a replaceable storage battery, the charge ease parameter is set based on the time required for attaching and detaching the target storage battery.

8. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 7, wherein: The charging ease parameter is also set based on the weight of the target storage battery.

9. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The charging ease parameter is also set based on an amount of money that increases the charge capacity of the storage battery.

10. The vehicle discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The charging ease parameter is also set based on past charging frequencies.

11. A discharge control method for a vehicle, wherein: The vehicle discharge control method causes a computer to execute the following control: Setting a charging ease parameter associated with charging ease for each of a plurality of storage batteries mounted on the electric vehicle; preferentially discharge the battery having the higher charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries, The charging ease parameter is set based on a time until reaching a charging point at which the charge amounts of the plurality of storage batteries can be increased.

12. A storage medium storing a program, wherein: The program causes the computer to execute the following control: Setting a charging ease parameter associated with charging ease for each of a plurality of storage batteries mounted on the electric vehicle; preferentially discharge the battery having the higher charging ease parameter among the plurality of batteries, The charging ease parameter is set based on a time until reaching a charging point at which the charge amounts of the plurality of storage batteries can be increased.

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