Vehicle control system

Abstract

A vehicle control system according to the present disclosure is provided with: a data collection unit that collects data relating to travel characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles; an analysis unit that uses the collected data to analyze travel characteristics common to vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles; and a control unit that, on the basis of the result of analysis by the analysis unit, applies common setting content pertaining to the vehicle device to each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined region and the predetermined vehicle type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle control systems. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the development of technology for optimizing vehicle equipment according to the user's driving characteristics has been progressing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-158003 discloses a vehicle setting inheritance system. The vehicle setting inheritance system optimizes the equipment of a second vehicle according to the user's characteristic information learned from a first vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] The system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-158003 does not optimize vehicle equipment for other users' vehicles according to the user's driving characteristics. Therefore, in the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-158003, for example, there is a problem that common settings related to vehicle equipment cannot be quickly applied to multiple vehicles of a predetermined model with similar driving characteristics or multiple vehicles traveling in a predetermined area with similar driving characteristics.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle control system capable of rapidly applying common setting contents related to vehicle devices to a predetermined plurality of vehicles.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a vehicle control system, comprising:

[0006] a data collection unit that collects data related to the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles;

[0007] an analyzing unit that uses the collected data to analyze common driving characteristics of vehicles belonging to at least any one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles; and

[0008] The control unit applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle model, based on a result of analysis by the analysis unit.

[0009] The vehicle control system collects and analyzes data related to the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles, and can quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of two or more vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle control system capable of rapidly applying common setting contents related to vehicle equipment to a predetermined plurality of vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and appended hereto:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle control system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is shown that the Figure 1 A flowchart of the operation of the vehicle control device of the vehicle control system shown.

[0014] Figure 3 It is shown that the Figure 1 A flowchart showing an example of specific operations of a vehicle control device of the vehicle control system shown.

[0015] Figure 4 It is used to describe the settings Figure 1 A diagram showing an example of the operation of a vehicle control device of the vehicle control system shown.

[0016] Figure 5 It is used to describe the settings Figure 1 A diagram showing an example of the operation of a vehicle control device of the vehicle control system shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described according to the embodiments of the invention, but the invention involved in the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, not all structures described in the embodiments are necessary as means for solving the problems. For the clarification of the description, the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In each of the drawings, the same symbol is added to the same element, and repeated description is omitted as needed.

[0018] <Implementation Method 1>

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle control system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes data related to the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles, and can quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of two or more vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles. Embodiment 1 will be described in detail below.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, the vehicle control system 1 includes a vehicle control device 10, vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (m is an integer greater than 2), and a network 50. The vehicle control device 10 can also be referred to as a vehicle control system as a single unit. The vehicle control device 10 and the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the wired or wireless network 50.

[0021] Vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are respectively battery electric vehicles owned by users U1 to Um of this system. In this embodiment, the case where vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are all battery electric vehicles is used as an example for explanation, but it is not limited to this. All or part of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m may also be vehicles of a type other than battery electric vehicles such as gasoline vehicles. Each of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m is equipped with a rechargeable secondary battery (storage battery) 21_1 to 21_m such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0022] The vehicle control device 10 is a device that applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m. Specifically, the vehicle control device 10 includes a data collection unit 11, an analysis unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0023] The data collection unit 11 collects data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m. The data related to the driving characteristics of the vehicle refers to, for example, the driving distance of the vehicle per predetermined period, the speed of the vehicle per predetermined period (i.e., the average speed), or the accelerator opening degree of the vehicle per predetermined period. In addition, the data collection unit 11 also collects data such as the model, driving area, and fuel consumption of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m.

[0024] The analyzing unit 12 analyzes the common driving characteristics of a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m using the data collected by the data collecting unit 11. The predetermined area is, for example, an area with a lot of traffic, an area with many unpaved roads, an area with many slopes and curves such as a mountainous area, or an area with a lot of snow. The predetermined model can also be classified according to a light-weight vehicle, a heavy-weight vehicle, etc.

[0025] The analysis unit 12 outputs an analysis result that the accelerator opening degree is greater than that in other areas during each predetermined period as a common driving characteristic of a plurality of vehicles belonging to a predetermined area with many slopes and curves such as a forest area among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m. Alternatively, the analysis unit 12 outputs an analysis result that the speed is high during each predetermined period as a common driving characteristic of a plurality of vehicles belonging to a predetermined sport type among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m.

[0026] In particular, the analyzing unit 12 analyzes the burden borne by the secondary battery, which is the main cause of secondary battery degradation in a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, using the data collected by the data collecting unit 11. The burden borne by the secondary battery refers to, in other words, the load applied to the secondary battery.

[0027] For example, the analysis unit 12 determines that the longer the travel distance (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the greater the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the multiple vehicles. In addition, the analysis unit 12 determines that the shorter the travel distance (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the smaller the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the multiple vehicles. Alternatively, the analysis unit 12 determines that the faster the speed (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the greater the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the multiple vehicles. In addition, the analysis unit 12 determines that the slower the speed (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the smaller the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the multiple vehicles. Alternatively, the analysis unit 12 determines that the greater the accelerator opening (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the greater the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the multiple vehicles. In addition, the analysis unit 12 determines that the smaller the accelerator opening (average value) per predetermined period of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area or predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, the smaller the burden borne by the multiple secondary batteries. The analysis unit 12 can also analyze the burden borne by the secondary battery based on driving characteristics other than these. Moreover, the analysis unit 12, for example, digitizes and outputs the analysis result of the burden borne by the secondary battery.

[0028] The control unit 13 applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model, based on the results analyzed by the analyzing unit 12. The settings related to vehicle equipment include the intensity of cooling the secondary battery by a cooling device (not shown), the upper limit of the current supplied to the secondary battery during charging, steering feel, or seat position.

[0029] Next, use Figure 2 The operation of the vehicle control device 10 will be described. Figure 2It is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle control device 10 .

[0030] First, the vehicle control device 10 collects data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (S101). Then, the vehicle control device 10 uses the collected data to analyze the common driving characteristics of multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (S102). Then, the vehicle control device 10 applies the common setting content related to the vehicle equipment to each of the multiple vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m or each of the predetermined multiple vehicles according to the analysis result (S103).

[0031] In this way, the vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes the data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, and can quickly apply the common setting content related to the vehicle equipment to each of the multiple vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, or each of the predetermined multiple vehicles belonging to them. As a result, the vehicle control system 1 can apply the same setting content as that of the vehicle of the same model and the same area to a vehicle such as a new vehicle that does not have driving characteristics data.

[0032] Next, use Figures 3 to 5 A more specific example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 will be described. Figure 3 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific operation of the vehicle control device 10. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 1 , a method for setting the cooling intensity of a secondary battery mounted on each vehicle using a cooling device is shown. In addition, Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 It is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 .

[0033] First, the vehicle control device 10 collects data related to the driving characteristics of each vehicle 20_1 to 20_m (S201). Then, the vehicle control device 10 uses the collected data to analyze the burden borne by the secondary battery that is the main cause of secondary battery deterioration of multiple vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (S202).

[0034] For example, when the burden (a numerical value indicating the burden) borne by the secondary batteries of at least one of the plurality of vehicles belonging to the predetermined area or the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m is less than a predetermined value ("No" in S203), the vehicle control device 10 weakens or maintains the cooling intensity of the cooling device for the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles (S204). As a result, the burden of the cooling process of the cooling device of the plurality of vehicles is reduced.

[0035] In contrast, when the burden (a numerical value indicating the burden) borne by the secondary batteries of at least one of the plurality of vehicles belonging to the predetermined area or the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m is greater than the predetermined value ("Yes" in S203), the vehicle control device 10 increases the cooling intensity of the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles using the cooling device (S206). As a result, the burden borne by the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles is reduced, so that the degradation of these secondary batteries is suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, when the burden (a numerical value indicating the burden) borne by the secondary batteries of at least one of the plurality of vehicles belonging to the predetermined area or the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m reaches a predetermined number of times exceeding the predetermined value ("Yes" in S207), the vehicle control device 10 reduces the upper limit of the current supplied to the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles during charging (S208). As a result, although the charging time of the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles becomes longer, the burden borne by the secondary batteries is reduced, so the deterioration of the secondary batteries is further suppressed.

[0037] After any one of the processing of S204, the processing of "No" in S207, and the processing of S208, the vehicle control device 10 returns to the data collection processing (S201) if the processing continues ("Yes" in S205), and ends the processing if the processing is not continued ("No" in S205).

[0038] exist Figure 4 In the example, among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_4, the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 are located within the range of a predetermined area A1 with many slopes and curves such as a forested area. The vehicle control device 10 outputs an analysis result such as that the accelerator opening degree per predetermined period is greater than that in other areas (i.e., the burden borne by the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 is large) as a common driving characteristic of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 located in the predetermined area A1. In this case, the vehicle control device 10, for example, increases the cooling intensity of the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 mounted on the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 using the cooling device. As a result, the burden borne by the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 is reduced, and the degradation of the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 is suppressed.

[0039] exist Figure 5 In the example, the vehicle 20_5 to 20_8 and the vehicle 20_5 to 20_7 are of the same model. The vehicle control device 10 outputs an analysis result such as a lower speed per predetermined period than other types of vehicles (i.e., the burden on the secondary batteries 21_5 to 21_7 of the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7 is smaller) as a common driving characteristic of the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7 of the same model. In this case, the vehicle control device 10, for example, reduces the cooling intensity of the cooling device for the secondary batteries 21_5 to 21_7 mounted on the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7. As a result, the burden of the cooling process of the cooling device of the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 is reduced.

[0040] In addition, the common settings related to vehicle equipment set by the vehicle control device 10 for multiple vehicles are not limited to the above settings. For example, the vehicle control device 10 may also reduce the cooling strength of the secondary battery mounted on each of the multiple light vehicles to improve fuel consumption, or increase the cooling strength of the secondary battery mounted on each of the multiple heavy vehicles to suppress the degradation of the secondary battery. Alternatively, the vehicle control device 10 may also suppress the degradation of the secondary battery by reducing the upper limit value of the current supplied when charging the secondary battery mounted on each of the multiple vehicles located in an area with low temperature throughout the year.

[0041] In this way, the vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes the data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, and can quickly apply the common setting content related to the vehicle equipment to each of the multiple vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, or each of the predetermined multiple vehicles belonging to them. As a result, the vehicle control system 1 can apply the same setting content as that of the vehicle of the same model and the same area to a vehicle such as a new vehicle that does not have driving characteristics data.

[0042] In addition, the present disclosure can realize a part or all of the processing of the vehicle control device 10 by causing a central processing unit (CPU) to execute a computer program.

[0043] The above-mentioned program includes a command group (or software code) for causing the computer to execute one or more functions described in the embodiment when read by the computer. The program can also be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. As an example, a computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other optical disk storage device, a magnetic cassette, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, but is not limited to this. The program can also be sent via a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. As an example, a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium includes an electrical, optical, sound, or other form of transmission signal, but is not limited to this.

[0044] A part or all of the above-mentioned embodiments may be further described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following.

[0045] (Note 1)

[0046] A vehicle control method, wherein:

[0047] The vehicle control system collects data related to the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles,

[0048] The vehicle control system uses the collected data to analyze common driving characteristics of the vehicles belonging to at least any one of the predetermined area and the predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles,

[0049] The vehicle control system applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type based on the analysis result.

[0050] (Note 2)

[0051] A control program that causes a computer to:

[0052] a process for collecting data related to driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles;

[0053] Processing of analyzing common driving characteristics of vehicles belonging to at least any one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles using the collected data; and

[0054] Based on the analysis result, processing of common setting contents related to vehicle equipment is applied to each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle model.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system comprising: a data collection unit that collects data related to the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles; An analyzing unit, using the collected data to analyze common driving characteristics of vehicles belonging to at least any one of a predetermined area and a predetermined model among the plurality of vehicles; as well as The control unit applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle model, based on a result of analysis by the analysis unit.

2. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit applies common setting content to a predetermined vehicle belonging to at least any one of the plurality of vehicles and belonging to a predetermined area and a predetermined model, and the common setting content is related to vehicle equipment applied to each vehicle belonging to at least any one of the plurality of vehicles and belonging to the predetermined area and a predetermined model.

3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein: The analyzing unit analyzes the burden of the battery which is a major cause of battery deterioration using the collected data, wherein the battery is mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined vehicle model, The control unit increases the intensity of cooling of the battery as the load on the battery mounted on each vehicle belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined vehicle model among the plurality of vehicles increases.

4. The vehicle control system according to claim 3, wherein: When the analysis unit's determination that the load on the battery is heavy accumulates a predetermined number of times or more, the control unit increases the cooling intensity and reduces an upper limit value of a current supplied to the battery when charging the battery.

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