Electric vehicle

Abstract

An electric vehicle is provided with: a mode switch for instructing switching between a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode; and a control device that sets the travel mode to one of a plurality of modes in accordance with the operation of the mode switch, and controls the motor and the assist device in accordance with the travel mode. When the mode switch is operated in a state in which the traveling mode is the first mode and the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the control device switches the traveling mode from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and when the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the control device switches the traveling mode from the second mode to the first mode without passing through the third mode. The control device switches the travel mode from the first mode to the third mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] In the past, a hybrid vehicle has been proposed, which includes: an engine and a motor; an automatic transmission that changes the speed of power from the engine or the motor and transmits it to drive wheels; a speed change mode switching unit that switches the speed change mode; and a driving mode switching unit that switches between a motor driving mode that uses only the power of the motor and an engine use mode that uses at least the power of the engine according to at least the speed change mode (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-127134). In this hybrid vehicle, when the speed change mode is switched, the driving mode switching unit prohibits switching of the driving mode for a predetermined time. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some cases, an electric vehicle equipped with a motor for driving is equipped with a mode switch, and the mode switch is used to instruct switching between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode each time the mode switch is operated by the driver, and the third mode limits the power consumption of the vehicle compared with the first mode and the second mode. In this case, when the mode switch is operated twice in succession by the driver from the state where the driving mode is the first mode, if the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode and then from the third mode to the second mode, the power consumption of the vehicle is limited compared with the first and second modes, and then the limitation is released in a relatively short time, for example, auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner is stopped and restarted in a relatively short time, etc., which may cause discomfort to the driver.

[0004] The main purpose of the electric vehicle disclosed in the present invention is to suppress the discomfort caused to the driver.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the electric vehicle of the present disclosure adopts the following means.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an electric vehicle, comprising: a motor for running; an inverter for driving the motor; a power storage device connected to the inverter via a power line; and auxiliary equipment connected to the power line, wherein the electric vehicle comprises:

[0007] a mode switch for instructing switching among the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode each time the mode is operated by the driver, wherein the third mode limits the power consumption of the electric vehicle compared with the first and second modes; and

[0008] a control device that sets a driving mode to one of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode according to an operation of the mode switch, and controls the motor and the auxiliary device according to the driving mode,

[0009] When the mode switch is operated in the state where the driving mode is the first mode, when the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and when the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the third mode.

[0010] In the electric vehicle disclosed herein, when the mode switch is operated in the state where the driving mode is the first mode, if the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and if the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode. Thus, it is possible to avoid switching the driving mode from the third mode to the second mode in a relatively short time after switching the driving mode from the first mode to the third mode. As a result, it is possible to avoid lifting the restriction in a relatively short time after limiting the power consumption of the vehicle compared to the first mode and the second mode, for example, it is possible to avoid restarting auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner in a relatively short time after stopping, and it is possible to suppress the discomfort caused to the driver.

[0011] In the electric vehicle disclosed herein, the auxiliary equipment is an air conditioning device for performing air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and the third mode is a mode for limiting the power consumption of the electric vehicle compared to the first mode and the second mode by performing at least one of limiting the driving force for traveling, limiting the vehicle speed, and stopping the air conditioning device.

[0012] In the electric vehicle disclosed herein, the first mode is any one of a normal mode, a sport mode that emphasizes output responsiveness of the driving force for traveling compared with the normal mode, and an energy-saving mode that emphasizes power consumption compared with the normal mode and the sport mode, and the second mode is a mode among the normal mode, the sport mode, and the energy-saving mode that is different from the first mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 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 in which:

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric vehicle 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 : is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed by the electronic control unit 50 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the electric vehicle 20 according to the embodiment includes a motor 32, an inverter 34, a high-voltage battery 36 as a power storage device, an air conditioner 40, a low-voltage battery 42, a DC / DC converter 46, and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU") 50.

[0017] The motor 32 is a three-phase AC electric motor having a rotor with permanent magnets embedded in a rotor core and a stator with three-phase coils wound around a stator core. The rotor of the motor 32 is connected to a drive shaft 26 connected to the drive wheels 22a and 22b via a differential gear 24 .

[0018] The inverter 34 is used to drive the motor 32 and is connected to the high voltage power line 38. When a DC voltage is applied to the inverter 34, a plurality of switching elements of the inverter 34 are switched by the electronic control unit 50, thereby forming a rotating magnetic field in the three-phase coils of the motor 32, and the motor 32 is driven to rotate.

[0019] High voltage battery 36 is constituted by, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery having a rated voltage of several hundred V, and is connected to high voltage power line 38. Air conditioner 40 is connected to high voltage power line 38 to perform air conditioning in the passenger compartment.

[0020] The low voltage battery 42 is configured as a lithium ion secondary battery or a lead storage battery with a rated voltage of about 12V to 14V, for example, and is connected to the low voltage power line 44. The DC / DC converter 46 is connected to the high voltage power line 38 and the low voltage power line 44, and reduces the voltage of the power of the high voltage power line 38 and supplies it to the low voltage power line 44.

[0021] The electronic control unit 50 is provided with a microcomputer, and the microcomputer has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input / output port, and a communication port. Signals from various sensors are input to the electronic control unit 50 via the input port. As the signal input to the electronic control unit 50, for example, the rotation position θm from the rotation position sensor (e.g., a resolver) 32a for detecting the rotation position of the rotor of the motor 32, and the phase currents Iv and Iw from the current sensor for detecting the current of the V phase and the W phase of the motor 32 can be cited. The voltage Vbh from the voltage sensor installed between the terminals of the high voltage battery 36, the current Ibh from the current sensor installed at the output terminal of the high voltage battery 36, and the voltage Vbl from the voltage sensor installed between the terminals of the low voltage battery 42 can also be cited. Other examples include a start signal from the start switch 60, a shift position SP from the shift sensor 62 for detecting the operation position of the shift lever 61, an accelerator pedal opening Acc from the accelerator pedal sensor 64 for detecting the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 63, a brake pedal position from the brake sensor 66 for detecting the amount of depression of the brake pedal 65, and a vehicle speed V from the vehicle speed sensor 67. Other examples include an ON / OFF signal from the air conditioning switch 68 and an operation signal from the mode switch 69. Here, the air conditioning switch 68 is a switch for instructing the start or stop of the air conditioning device 40 by turning it on or off. The mode switch 69 is a switch for instructing the switching of the driving mode in the order of the normal mode, the sports mode, the energy-saving mode, the cruising mode, and the normal mode in a toggle-like manner whenever operated by the driver. The sports mode is a mode that emphasizes the output responsiveness of the driving force compared to the normal mode, the energy-saving mode, and the cruising mode. The energy-saving mode is a mode that emphasizes the power consumption compared to the normal mode and the sports mode. The cruising mode is a mode in which the power consumption of the vehicle is limited in order to extend the cruising distance of the vehicle compared to the normal mode, the sport mode, and the energy-saving mode. In the embodiment, as described later, the air conditioner 40 is forcibly stopped.

[0022] Various control signals are outputted from the electronic control unit 50 via the output port. Examples of the signals outputted from the electronic control unit 50 include control signals to the inverter 34, control signals to the air conditioner 40, and control signals to the DC / DC converter 46. The electronic control unit 50 calculates the power storage ratio SOC of the high voltage battery 36 based on the current Ibh of the high voltage battery 36 from the current sensor.

[0023] In the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the electronic control unit 50 sets the required torque Td* required for driving (required for the drive shaft 26) according to the driving mode, the accelerator pedal opening Acc, and the vehicle speed V, sets the torque command Tm* of the motor 32 in such a way that the required torque Td* is output to the drive shaft 26, and performs switching control of a plurality of switching elements of the inverter 34 in such a way that the motor 32 is driven by the torque command Tm*. Here, the method of setting the driving mode will be described later. For example, by applying the driving mode, the accelerator pedal opening Acc, and the vehicle speed V to the required torque map that predefines the relationship among the driving mode, the accelerator pedal opening Acc, the vehicle speed V, and the required torque Td*, the required torque Td* can be set. In the required torque map, for the same accelerator pedal opening Acc (0% < Acc < 100%), the required torque Td* is determined to increase in the order of the cruising mode, the energy-saving mode, the normal mode, and the sport mode.

[0024] In addition, in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, when the driving mode is the normal mode, the energy-saving mode, or the sport mode, the electronic control unit 50 starts or stops the air conditioner device 40 according to the ON or OFF of the air conditioner switch 68. When the driving mode is the cruising mode, the air conditioner device 40 is stopped regardless of whether the air conditioner switch 68 is ON or OFF.

[0025] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the electronic control unit 50 sets (switches) the driving mode according to the operation signal from the mode switch 69. Specifically, when the mode switch 69 is operated while the driving mode is the normal mode, the driving mode is immediately switched to the sport mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated while the driving mode is the sport mode, the driving mode is immediately switched to the energy-saving mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated while the driving mode is the cruising mode, the driving mode is immediately switched to the normal mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated while the driving mode is the energy-saving mode, the Figure 2 processing routine is executed.

[0026] In this routine, the electronic control unit 50 determines whether the mode switch 69 is operated (step S100). When it is determined that the mode switch 69 is not operated, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the mode switch 69 was operated (from the start of execution of this routine) when the driving mode is the energy-saving mode (step S110). Here, the predetermined time is a time used to determine whether the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode, for example, a time of about several seconds. The determination process of step S110 is a process that takes into account the driver's continuous operation of the mode switch 69 twice when the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode. In step S110, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not passed since the mode switch 69 was operated when the driving mode is the energy-saving mode, this routine returns to step S100.

[0027] In step S100, when it is determined that the mode switch 69 is operated, it is determined that the mode switch 69 is operated again within a predetermined time from the operation of the mode switch 69 while the driving mode is the energy-saving mode. In this case, the driving mode is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode without passing through the cruising mode (step S120), and this routine ends.

[0028] Here, the predetermined time for the driver to operate the mode switch 69 twice continuously when the air conditioner 40 is started and the driving mode is changed to the energy-saving mode is considered. In the case of a comparative method in which the driving mode is immediately switched to the cruising mode when the mode switch 69 is operated in the state of the driving mode being the energy-saving mode, the driving mode is switched from the energy-saving mode to the cruising mode at a predetermined time, and then the driving mode is switched from the cruising mode to the normal mode. Therefore, the air conditioner 40 is stopped by switching the driving mode to the cruising mode, and then the air conditioner 40 is restarted by switching the driving mode to the normal mode in a relatively short time. It is assumed that the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode, so when the air conditioner 40 is stopped and restarted in a relatively short time, there is a possibility that the driver will feel uncomfortable. In contrast, in the embodiment, the driving mode is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode without passing through the cruising mode at a predetermined time. Thus, the air conditioner 40 continues to work without stopping. As a result, it is possible to suppress the situation that causes discomfort to the driver.

[0029] When it is determined in step S110 that a predetermined time has passed since the mode switch 69 was operated while the driving mode was in the energy-saving mode, and when it is determined that the mode switch 69 has not been operated again within the predetermined time since the mode switch 69 was operated while the driving mode was in the energy-saving mode, the driving mode is switched from the energy-saving mode to the endurance mode (step S130), and this routine ends.

[0030] In the electric vehicle 20 of the present embodiment described above, when the mode switch 69 is operated again within a predetermined time from the operation of the mode switch 69 while the driving mode is in the energy-saving mode, the driving mode is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal mode without passing through the cruising mode. Thus, it is possible to avoid switching the driving mode from the cruising mode to the normal mode in a relatively short time after switching the driving mode from the energy-saving mode. As a result, it is possible to avoid restarting the air conditioner 40 in a relatively short time after stopping, and it is possible to suppress the discomfort caused to the driver.

[0031] In the above embodiment, when the driving mode is the cruising mode, the power consumption of the vehicle is limited compared to the normal mode, the sport mode, and the energy-saving mode by stopping the air conditioning device 40. However, when the driving mode is the cruising mode, in addition to stopping the air conditioning device 40, or alternatively, the start-up restriction of the DC / DC converter 46, the driving force restriction for driving (for example, the restriction on the required torque Td*), or the vehicle speed restriction may be performed, thereby limiting the power consumption of the vehicle compared to the normal mode, the sport mode, and the energy-saving mode.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the mode switch 69 indicates the switching of the driving mode in the order of the normal mode, the sports mode, the energy-saving mode, the cruising mode, and the normal mode in the form of a toggle switch. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the mode switch 69 may indicate the switching in the order of the normal mode, the sports mode, the first mode among the energy-saving mode, the cruising mode, the normal mode, the sports mode, and the second mode among the energy-saving mode that is different from the first mode in the form of a toggle switch.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the driving modes include the normal mode, the sport mode, the energy-saving mode, and the cruising mode. However, the driving mode is not limited thereto, and the driving modes may include at least two of the normal mode, the sport mode, the energy-saving mode, and the cruising mode that limits the power consumption of the vehicle compared to the two modes.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the electric car 20 includes the high voltage battery 36 as the power storage device, but a capacitor or the like may be included as the power storage device instead of or in addition to the high voltage battery 36 .

[0035] In the above embodiment, the electric vehicle 20 is described as having a motor 32 for traveling, an inverter 34, and a high-voltage battery 36. However, a hybrid vehicle having an engine in addition to the motor, inverter, and high-voltage battery may be used, and a fuel cell vehicle having a fuel cell in addition to the motor, inverter, and high-voltage battery may be used.

[0036] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the invention summary is described. In the embodiment, the motor 32 is equivalent to the "motor", the inverter 34 is equivalent to the "inverter", the high-voltage battery 36 is equivalent to the "power storage device", the air conditioner 40 is equivalent to the "auxiliary equipment", the mode switch 69 is equivalent to the "mode switch", and the electronic control unit 50 is equivalent to the "control device".

[0037] In addition, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention recorded in the content of the invention is an example for specifically explaining the specific embodiment recorded in the content of the invention in the embodiment, and therefore does not limit the elements of the invention recorded in the content of the invention. That is, the interpretation of the invention recorded in the content of the invention should be based on the description of this part, and the embodiment is only a specific example of the invention recorded in the content of the invention.

[0038] Although the embodiments for implementing the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and can of course be implemented in various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0039] The present disclosure can be used in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry, etc.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle comprising: a motor for traveling; an inverter for driving the motor; a power storage device connected to the inverter via a power line; and auxiliary equipment connected to the power line, wherein: The electric vehicle comprises: a mode switch for instructing switching between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode each time the mode is operated by the driver, wherein the third mode limits the power consumption of the electric vehicle compared with the first mode and the second mode; as well as a control device that sets a driving mode to one of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode according to an operation of the mode switch, and controls the motor and the auxiliary device according to the driving mode, When the mode switch is operated in the state where the driving mode is the first mode, when the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and when the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the third mode.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary equipment is an air conditioning device for performing air conditioning in the vehicle interior. The third mode is a mode for limiting the power consumption of the electric vehicle compared to the first mode and the second mode by performing at least one of limiting the driving force for traveling, limiting the vehicle speed, and stopping the air conditioner.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first mode is any one of a normal mode, a sport mode that places more emphasis on output responsiveness of the driving force for traveling than the normal mode, and an energy-saving mode that places more emphasis on power consumption than the normal mode and the sport mode. The second mode is a mode different from the first mode among the normal mode, the sport mode, and the energy saving mode.

Images