An electric vehicle power-off control method, controller and electric vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses an electric vehicle power-off control method, a controller and an electric vehicle, realizes the intelligentization of high-voltage power-off, and thus reduces the vehicle energy consumption and the probability of safety accidents. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in a starting state; judging whether the driver is away from the seat according to the vehicle monitoring information, if yes, triggering a high-voltage power-off link in a vehicle power-off process, and triggering the vehicle to send prompt information when the high-voltage power-off is completed; judging whether feedback information given by the driver and meeting preset requirements is received within a first preset time, if yes, triggering the vehicle to resume high-voltage power-on; if not, triggering the vehicle to continue to execute the vehicle power-off process until the whole process is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle automatic control technology, and more specifically, to an electric vehicle power-off control method, controller, and electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the global energy crisis and increasing environmental pollution, the development direction of the automotive industry is attracting more and more attention. To alleviate these problems, countries around the world have begun research on electric vehicles (especially pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles).

[0003] Electric vehicles differ significantly from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles during the initial start-up phase. With traditional gasoline vehicles, the driver can directly observe whether the vehicle has started successfully by the engine's roar and the change in RPM on the dashboard. However, since electric vehicles lack RPM changes and engine noise, it's difficult for the driver to determine if the vehicle has started successfully. Therefore, electric vehicles include a READY indicator light to alert the driver. A lit READY indicator light signifies that the high-voltage circuit is fully connected (i.e., high-voltage power has been supplied), the drive motor is ready, and the vehicle can be engaged and driven.

[0004] After driving an electric vehicle to its destination, parking the vehicle, and shifting it into P (park) gear, the driver still needs to perform a power-off procedure. However, in daily life, it is not uncommon for drivers to forget to perform this procedure after parking their electric vehicles and shifting them into P gear before getting out of the car and leaving. In this case, the vehicle remains in the READY state, which is the starting state, resulting in higher energy consumption and, in severe cases, potential safety issues related to the vehicle being driven at any time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an electric vehicle power-off control method, controller and electric vehicle to realize intelligent power-off of high voltage, thereby reducing vehicle energy consumption and the probability of safety accidents.

[0006] A method for controlling the power-off of an electric vehicle, comprising:

[0007] Obtain vehicle monitoring information when an electric vehicle is in the start-up state;

[0008] Based on the vehicle monitoring information, determine whether the driver has left the seat. If so, trigger the high-voltage power-off step in the vehicle power-off process, and trigger the vehicle to issue a prompt message when the high-voltage power-off is completed.

[0009] If feedback information that meets the preset requirements from the driver is received within a first preset time, the vehicle is triggered to restore high voltage power; otherwise, the vehicle is triggered to continue executing the vehicle power-off process until the entire process is completed.

[0010] Optionally, the vehicle monitoring information includes: driver's seat pressure;

[0011] The step of determining whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information includes: determining whether the pressure of the driver's seat is always less than a preset pressure threshold within a second preset time period; if so, determining that the driver has left the seat.

[0012] Optionally, the vehicle monitoring information includes: driver's seat pressure, driver's seat belt status, and driver's side door status;

[0013] The step of determining whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information includes: determining whether the driver's seat belt and the driver's side door are both open, and whether the driver's seat pressure is always less than a preset pressure threshold within a second preset time period; if the driver's seat belt and the driver's side door are both open, and the driver's seat pressure is always less than the preset pressure threshold within the second preset time period, it is determined that the driver has left the seat.

[0014] Optionally, receiving feedback information from the driver that meets preset requirements includes: detecting that the driver has returned to the vehicle.

[0015] Optionally, receiving feedback information from the driver that meets preset requirements includes: detecting the driver's expression of intent to restore high-voltage power.

[0016] Optionally, the expression of intent to restore high voltage power includes: applying the brakes;

[0017] Alternatively, the expression of intent to restore high-voltage power may include sending a command to restore high-voltage power by manipulating a smart terminal application or triggering a preset button on the vehicle.

[0018] Optionally, while determining whether feedback information that meets the preset requirements from the driver is received, it is also determined whether the driver's intention to power down the entire vehicle is received. If the driver's intention to power down the entire vehicle is received, the vehicle is directly triggered to continue executing the vehicle power-down process until the entire process is completed.

[0019] Optionally, before obtaining the vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state, the method further includes:

[0020] Obtain the vehicle's geographical location, and automatically select whether to proceed to the step of obtaining vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state based on the geographical location.

[0021] A controller for use in an electric vehicle includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, implements any of the electric vehicle power-off control methods disclosed above.

[0022] An electric vehicle includes: a controller as disclosed above.

[0023] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this invention automatically triggers the vehicle's high-voltage power-off when it detects that the driver has left the driver's seat in the READY state of the electric vehicle. This avoids problems such as high vehicle energy consumption and safety accidents caused by the electric vehicle remaining in the READY state after the driver leaves the vehicle. Then, depending on whether the driver needs to leave the vehicle again in a short time, it decides whether to automatically restore the high-voltage power-on or complete the full vehicle power-off process, thus achieving intelligent high-voltage power-on and power-off. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of an electric vehicle power-off control method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of another electric vehicle power-off control method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of another electric vehicle power-off control method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a controller structure disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the controller and other components in an electric vehicle, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described in the present invention are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] See Figure 1 This invention discloses a method for controlling the power-off of an electric vehicle, comprising the following steps S01 to S07:

[0032] Step S01: Obtain vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state, and then proceed to step S02.

[0033] Step S02: Determine whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information. If yes, proceed to step S03; otherwise, return to step S01.

[0034] Step S03: Trigger the high-voltage power-off step in the vehicle power-off process, and then proceed to step S04.

[0035] Specifically, for electric vehicles, during the vehicle start-up phase, the driver first manipulates the vehicle to enter the READY state (i.e., the start-up state, or the high-voltage power-on state). The READY state means that the vehicle has completed all preparations, has started successfully, and can be driven at any time. Then, the driver manipulates the vehicle to enter the driving state. When the driver arrives at the destination, after performing a series of operations such as stopping the vehicle, shifting into P gear, and turning off the power to the entire vehicle, the driver can lock the vehicle and leave.

[0036] The power-off process for an electric vehicle includes at least three stages: high-voltage power-off, low-voltage power-off, and sleep mode. High-voltage power-off refers to the power battery outputting high-voltage electricity to supply high-voltage electrical components in the vehicle, such as the drive motor. Low-voltage power-off refers to the small battery outputting low-voltage electricity to supply low-voltage electrical components in the vehicle, such as in-vehicle entertainment systems and headlights. Vehicle sleep mode refers to maintaining power only for certain controllers.

[0037] Normally, drivers can power off the vehicle by pressing specific buttons. For example, pressing the PEPS (Passive Entry & Passive Start) system button once will power off the high voltage, and pressing it again will power off the low voltage, putting the vehicle into sleep mode and powering off the entire vehicle. However, in daily life, it's not uncommon for drivers to forget to power off the vehicle after parking and shifting into Park (P) before leaving the car. In this case, the vehicle remains in the READY state, which is undesirable. To address this, this invention uses vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the READY state to intelligently identify whether the driver has left the driver's seat. If so, it automatically triggers the high voltage power-off, thus avoiding problems such as high energy consumption and safety accidents caused by the electric vehicle remaining in the READY state after the driver leaves.

[0038] Whether the driver has left the driver's seat can be determined by signals from the vehicle's monitoring equipment. Two examples are given below:

[0039] Example 1: Whether the driver has left the driver's seat can be determined by the driver's seat pressure as reported by the driver's seat pressure sensor. For example, if the driver's seat pressure remains below a preset pressure threshold for a second preset time period, it is determined that the driver has left the seat.

[0040] Example 2: To determine whether the driver has left the driver's seat, the driver's seat pressure, the driver's seatbelt status, and the driver's side door status can be considered together to improve accuracy. For example, if the driver's seatbelt is open, the driver's side door is open, and the driver's seat pressure remains below a preset pressure threshold for a second preset time, then the driver is considered to have left the seat.

[0041] Step S04: When the high voltage power-off is completed, trigger the vehicle to issue a prompt message, and then proceed to step S05.

[0042] Step S05: Determine whether feedback information that meets the preset requirements is received from the driver within the first preset time. If yes, proceed to step S06; otherwise, proceed to step S07.

[0043] Step S06: Trigger the vehicle to restore high voltage power, then return to step S01.

[0044] Step S07: Trigger the vehicle to continue executing the vehicle power-down process until the entire process is completed, at which point the control ends.

[0045] Specifically, when a driver leaves an electric vehicle while it is in the READY state, it could be a temporary departure (e.g., returning within 15 seconds) or a longer departure (e.g., returning the following morning). Different handling methods should be applied depending on the duration of the driver's departure, as detailed below:

[0046] If the driver is away for an extended period, the system will automatically complete the vehicle power-off process (i.e., after the high-voltage power-off, the low-voltage power-off will continue, entering sleep mode to complete the vehicle power-off process), thus preventing the vehicle from being in a low-voltage power-on state for an extended period and causing the vehicle to run out of power. When the driver returns to the vehicle, they can start the vehicle using the normal operating procedure.

[0047] If the driver only temporarily gets out of the vehicle and quickly returns, it's highly likely they intend to drive away again. In this case, the high-voltage power should be automatically restored, thus achieving intelligent control of high-voltage power supply and deactivation. Of course, when the driver leaves the vehicle in the READY state and the high-voltage power deactivation is complete, a notification message should be given to the driver. Otherwise, if the driver temporarily leaves and returns, they might not know why the vehicle automatically switched states or what state it switched to, potentially leading to the mistaken belief that a malfunction has occurred and causing unnecessary misunderstanding. The notification message can be output using any one or a combination of instrument panel prompts, audible prompts, and visual prompts; it is not limited to these methods.

[0048] The solution described in the previous paragraph assumes the driver quickly returns to the vehicle as a condition for restoring high-voltage power. However, considering the small probability that the driver might not intend to leave immediately after returning, or might only be returning to retrieve forgotten items, if high-voltage power is automatically restored, the process would have to be repeated because the driver quickly gets out of the vehicle again immediately after the power restoration is completed. Figure 1 The method shown ultimately completes the entire vehicle power-off process, leading to unnecessary vehicle control operations. To address this, it is recommended that the driver be given an opportunity to automatically restore high-voltage power upon their quick return to the vehicle. If the driver expresses an intention to restore high-voltage power (e.g., by pressing the brake pedal, or sending a command to restore high-voltage power via a smart terminal application or by triggering a preset button on the vehicle), then high-voltage power should be automatically restored. Of course, under this solution, a notification message should also be given to the driver when they leave the vehicle in the READY state and the high-voltage power-off is complete. Otherwise, if the driver temporarily leaves and returns to the vehicle, they may not know why the vehicle automatically switched states or what state it switched to, potentially leading to a misunderstanding that the vehicle has malfunctioned. The notification message under this solution could be, for example, a voice prompt on the instrument panel saying "The system has been powered off. Please power it back on to drive," accompanied by an audible "ding ding ding..." sound and flashing headlights.

[0049] In summary, once the driver exits the electric vehicle in the READY state and leaves, and the high-voltage power is deactivated, the high-voltage power will automatically be restored as long as a preset feedback message from the driver is received within the first preset time. This preset feedback message could be the driver returning to the vehicle (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 2 It could also be an expression of the driver's intention to restore high-voltage power (see...). Figure 3 If no feedback information that meets the preset requirements is received from the driver within the first preset time, the entire vehicle power-off process will be automatically completed.

[0050] in, Figure 2The electric vehicle power-off control method shown includes the following steps S11 to S17:

[0051] Step S11: Obtain vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state, and then proceed to step S12.

[0052] Step S12: Determine whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information. If yes, proceed to step S13; otherwise, return to step S11.

[0053] Step S13: Trigger the high-voltage power-off step in the vehicle power-off process, and then proceed to step S14.

[0054] Step S14: Trigger the vehicle to issue a prompt message when the high voltage power-off is completed, and then proceed to step S15.

[0055] Step S15: Determine whether the driver has returned to the vehicle within the first preset time. If yes, proceed to step S16; otherwise, proceed to step S17.

[0056] Specifically, in step S15, the driver can be determined to return to the vehicle when the driver's seat pressure is greater than or equal to the preset pressure threshold by detecting the driver's seat pressure.

[0057] Step S16: Trigger the vehicle to restore high voltage power, then return to step S11.

[0058] Step S17: Trigger the vehicle to continue executing the vehicle power-down process until the entire process is completed, at which point the control ends.

[0059] in, Figure 3 The electric vehicle power-off control method shown includes the following steps S21 to S27:

[0060] Step S21: Obtain vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state, and then proceed to step S22.

[0061] Step S22: Determine whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information. If yes, proceed to step S23; otherwise, return to step S21.

[0062] Step S23: Trigger the high-voltage power-off step in the vehicle power-off process, and then proceed to step S24.

[0063] Step S24: Trigger the vehicle to issue a prompt message when the high voltage power-off is completed, and then proceed to step S25.

[0064] Step S25: Determine whether the driver has expressed an intention to restore high voltage power within the first preset time. If yes, proceed to step S26; otherwise, proceed to step S27.

[0065] Step S26: Trigger the vehicle to restore high voltage power, then return to step S21.

[0066] Step S27: Trigger the vehicle to continue executing the vehicle power-down process until the entire process is completed, at which point the control ends.

[0067] In summary, this invention automatically triggers a high-voltage power-off when the driver leaves the driver's seat in the READY state of the electric vehicle. This avoids problems such as high energy consumption and safety accidents caused by the electric vehicle remaining in the READY state after the driver leaves. Then, depending on whether the driver needs to leave the vehicle again in a short time, it decides whether to automatically restore the high-voltage power-on or complete the full power-off process, thus achieving intelligent high-voltage power-on and power-off, providing users with a safe, comfortable, intelligent, and efficient driving experience.

[0068] Optionally, based on any of the above-disclosed embodiments, while determining whether feedback information meeting preset requirements from the driver is received, it is also determined whether an expression of intent to power off the entire vehicle is received from the driver. If such an expression is received (e.g., the driver presses the PEPS system button on the vehicle), regardless of whether feedback information meeting preset requirements from the driver is received simultaneously, and regardless of whether the driver provides feedback information meeting preset requirements during the period until the first preset time expires, automatic high-voltage power restoration will not be executed. Instead, the vehicle will be directly triggered to continue executing the vehicle power-off process until the entire process is completed. This avoids conflicts between intelligent high-voltage power-on / off and driver operation, which could cause vehicle control system malfunctions.

[0069] Optionally, based on any of the above-disclosed embodiments, before acquiring vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the started state, the method further includes: acquiring the vehicle's geographical location, and automatically selecting whether to proceed to the step of acquiring vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the started state based on the geographical location. This avoids illegal parking and high-voltage shutdown in places where parking is prohibited (such as on highways, emergency lanes, pedestrian crossings, and areas within yellow grid lines), ensuring drivers promptly move their vehicles to avoid inconveniencing other road users. Real-time acquisition of vehicle geographical location is a very mature technology and will not be elaborated upon further in this article.

[0070] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also disclose a controller applied to electric vehicles, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, implements any of the electric vehicle power-off control methods disclosed above.

[0071] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also disclose an electric vehicle, including any of the controllers disclosed above. In the electric vehicle, as... Figure 5 As shown, the controller is connected to the vehicle monitoring device and the vehicle output device to implement any of the electric vehicle power-off control methods disclosed above. The vehicle monitoring device is used to acquire vehicle monitoring information under the control of the controller, and the vehicle output device is used to issue prompt information under the control of the controller.

[0072] Optionally, the electric vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. A hybrid electric vehicle is a car that is equipped with two power sources simultaneously—a thermal power source (generated by a traditional gasoline or diesel engine) and an electric power source (battery and electric motor).

[0073] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Regarding the controller disclosed in the embodiments, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0074] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar but different objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0075] Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the components and steps of the various examples have been generally described in terms of functionality in the foregoing description. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention.

[0076] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented directly by hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module can be located in random access memory (RAM), main memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.

[0077] For system embodiments, since they basically correspond to method embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant details can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without any creative effort.

[0078] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the power-off of an electric vehicle, characterized in that, include: Obtain the vehicle's geographical location, and automatically select whether to proceed to the step of obtaining vehicle monitoring information when the electric vehicle is in the start-up state based on the geographical location; Obtain vehicle monitoring information when an electric vehicle is in the start-up state; Based on the vehicle monitoring information, determine whether the driver has left the seat. If so, trigger the high-voltage power-off step in the vehicle power-off process, and trigger the vehicle to issue a prompt message when the high-voltage power-off is completed. The prompt message is used to inform the driver that the vehicle has been de-energized and to remind the driver to restore the high-voltage power-on if they want to drive. The system determines whether feedback information from the driver that meets preset requirements is received within a first preset time. If yes, it triggers the vehicle to restore high-voltage power. If no, it triggers the vehicle to continue executing the vehicle power-off process until the entire process is completed. Received feedback information from the driver that meets preset requirements includes: detecting the driver returning to the vehicle or detecting the driver's intention to restore high-voltage power. The intention to restore high-voltage power includes: pressing the brake pedal, or sending a command to restore high-voltage power by manipulating a smart terminal application or triggering a preset button on the vehicle. The vehicle power-off process is as follows: after high-voltage power-off, low-voltage power-off continues, entering a sleep mode, thus completing the vehicle power-off process.

2. The electric vehicle power-off control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle monitoring information includes: driver's seat pressure; The step of determining whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information includes: determining whether the pressure of the driver's seat is always less than a preset pressure threshold within a second preset time period; if so, determining that the driver has left the seat.

3. The electric vehicle power-off control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle monitoring information includes: driver's seat pressure, driver's seat belt status, and driver's side door status; The step of determining whether the driver has left the seat based on the vehicle monitoring information includes: determining whether the driver's seat belt and the driver's side door are both open, and whether the driver's seat pressure is always less than a preset pressure threshold within a second preset time period; if the driver's seat belt and the driver's side door are both open, and the driver's seat pressure is always less than the preset pressure threshold within the second preset time period, it is determined that the driver has left the seat.

4. The electric vehicle power-off control method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, While determining whether feedback information that meets the preset requirements from the driver has been received, it also determines whether the driver has expressed an intention to power down the entire vehicle. If the driver expresses an intention to power down the entire vehicle, the vehicle is directly triggered to continue executing the power-down process until the entire process is completed.

5. A controller for use in electric vehicles, characterized in that, The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, implements the electric vehicle power-off control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, include: The controller as described in claim 5.

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