Vehicle

Abstract

This vehicle is provided with: a vehicle battery; a motor generator capable of inputting and outputting electric power to and from a vehicle battery and an external battery provided externally; a circuit unit that connects a vehicle battery and an external battery to the motor generator; and a control unit that controls the vehicle battery and the external battery, the control unit restricting input and output of power to one of the vehicle battery and the external battery on the basis of a load applied to the circuit unit when both the vehicle battery and the external battery have input and output of power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been proposed a vehicle that runs with a motor that receives power from a main battery mounted on the vehicle body and a sub-battery that is detachable from the vehicle body (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature Patent Literature Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-341608 Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues In the above-mentioned vehicle, the power of the sub-battery is used preferentially, and the power of the main battery is used after the sub-battery is empty. Therefore, in the vehicle, no measures are taken for safety when both the main battery and the sub-battery are used simultaneously.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve power performance while maintaining safety.

[0006] Technical Solution A vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a vehicle battery; an electric generator capable of inputting and outputting electric power to the vehicle battery and an external battery provided outside; a circuit unit connecting the vehicle battery and the external battery to the electric generator; and a control unit that controls the vehicle battery and the external battery, wherein, when both the vehicle battery and the external battery have electric power input and output, the control unit limits the electric power input and output to one of the vehicle battery and the external battery based on a load applied to the circuit unit.

[0007] Technical Effects According to the present invention, it is possible to improve power performance while maintaining safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a charging system.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining the functional structure of the control unit.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the flow of electric power when the motor generator is driven in the normal mode.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the control flow of the trailer battery in the normal mode.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the flow of electric power when the motor generator is driven in the boost mode.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining the processing in the boost mode.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining the processing in the boost mode.

[0015] Figure 8 is a graph showing smoke generation characteristics.

[0016] Explanation of symbols 1: Vehicle System 2: Vehicles 3: Trailer 11: Electric generator 13: Vehicle battery 14: Control Department 22: Trailer battery 31: Mode setting unit 32: Status detection unit 33: Power supply control unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] <1. Vehicle system structure> Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the structure of the vehicle system 1. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle system 1 includes a vehicle 2 and a trailer 3. The vehicle 2 and the trailer 3 are mechanically and electrically connected via a connection portion 4. The trailer 3 can be attached to and detached from the vehicle 2.

[0018] The vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle including a motor generator 11 , an inverter 12 , a vehicle battery 13 , and a control unit 14 .

[0019] The motor generator 11 is a power source for driving the vehicle 2, such as a three-phase AC motor. The motor generator 11 generates driving force by using electric power supplied from one or both of a vehicle battery 13 and a trailer battery 22 described later via the inverter 12, and transmits the driving force to the drive wheels, thereby driving the vehicle 2.

[0020] The motor generator 11 generates electric power by performing a regenerative operation. The electric power generated by the regenerative operation of the motor generator 11 can be supplied to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 via the inverter 12 .

[0021] The converter 12 converts the DC current input from the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 into a three-phase AC current and outputs it to the motor generator 11. In addition, when the motor generator 11 performs regenerative operation, the converter 12 converts the AC current input from the motor generator 11 into a DC current and outputs it to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22.

[0022] The vehicle battery 13 is a so-called high-voltage secondary battery, and is mounted, for example, on the lower part of the floor. The vehicle battery 13 stores electricity for supplying to the motor generator 11. In addition, the vehicle battery 13 can be charged by the regenerative operation performed by the motor generator 11. It should be noted that the vehicle battery 13 can also be charged by the power supplied from the trailer battery 22.

[0023] The control unit 14 is composed of one or more computers such as ECUs (Electronic Control Units), and controls the entire vehicle 2 and the trailer 3. It should be noted that the control unit 14 will be described in detail later.

[0024] The trailer 3 has no power source and is towed by the vehicle 2. The trailer 3 includes a converter 21 and a trailer battery 22.

[0025] The converter 21 is a DC (Direct Current) / DC converter and converts the voltage of the direct current input from the trailer battery 22 and outputs the converted voltage to the vehicle 2 (the motor generator 11 and the vehicle battery 13 ).

[0026] The converter 21 also converts the voltage of the direct current input from the vehicle 2 (motor generator 11 ) and outputs the converted voltage to the trailer battery 22 .

[0027] The trailer battery 22 is a so-called high-voltage secondary battery. The trailer battery 22 stores electric power to be supplied to the motor generator 11 and the vehicle battery 13. The trailer battery 22 can be charged by the regenerative operation performed by the motor generator 11.

[0028] In the vehicle system 1 having such a structure, the power that can be supplied to the motor generator 11 is increased by the amount of power connected to the trailer battery 22 compared to the single vehicle 2, and the cruising distance that can be traveled on a single charge can be extended. On the other hand, in the vehicle system 1, since the vehicle 2 tows the trailer 3, the overall weight increases and the power performance decreases.

[0029] Therefore, in the vehicle system 1 , in addition to the power output from the vehicle battery 13 , the power output from the trailer battery 22 is also supplied to the motor generator 11 , thereby increasing the driving force of the motor generator 11 and improving the power performance of the vehicle system 1 .

[0030] Figure 2 1 is a diagram for explaining the functional structure of the control unit 14. Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 14 functions as a mode setting unit 31 , a state detection unit 32 , and a power supply control unit 33 .

[0031] The mode setting unit 31 is set to one of a plurality of control modes as a mode for controlling the motor generator 11, the vehicle battery 13, and the trailer battery 22. In the present embodiment, a normal mode and a boost mode are provided as control modes. It should be noted that the control mode is not limited thereto, and other modes may also be provided.

[0032] The state detection unit 32 detects the state of the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22. The detected state includes SOC (State Of Charge), temperature, input and output current values, voltage values, etc., and also includes the power that can be input (hereinafter referred to as inputtable power) and the power that can be output (hereinafter referred to as outputtable power) calculated based on these values.

[0033] The power supply control unit 33 controls the motor generator 11 , the vehicle battery 13 , and the trailer battery 22 based on the control mode set by the mode setting unit 31 and the states of the motor generator 11 and the trailer battery 22 detected by the state detection unit 32 .

[0034] <2. Normal Mode> Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing the flow of electric power when the motor generator 11 is driven in the normal mode. Figure 3 In the diagram, arrows are used to show the direction of the flow of electricity.

[0035] In the normal mode, power is exchanged between the motor generator 11 and the vehicle battery 13, and power is exchanged between the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22. On the other hand, power is not exchanged between the motor generator 11 and the trailer battery 22 in the normal mode.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, when the motor generator 11 is driven, power is supplied from the vehicle battery 13 via the inverter 12 to the motor generator 11. When the SOC of the vehicle battery 13 is low, power is supplied from the trailer battery 22 via the converter 21 to charge the vehicle battery 13.

[0037] Therefore, since the motor generator 11 generates driving force using the electric power supplied from the vehicle battery 13 , the driving force that can be generated is smaller than the driving force in the boost mode described later.

[0038] When the motor generator 11 performs the regenerative operation, the electric power generated by the motor generator 11 is supplied to the vehicle battery 13 via the inverter 12 , but is not supplied to the trailer battery 22 .

[0039] Figure 4 2 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the trailer battery 22 in the normal mode. When the state detection unit 32 is set to the normal mode, Figure 4 Processing shown.

[0040] When the process of controlling the trailer battery 22 is started, in step S1, the state detection unit 32 detects the state of the vehicle battery 13. Here, the SOC and the inputtable power of the vehicle battery 13 are detected.

[0041] Next, in step S2, the power supply control unit 33 acquires the upper limit threshold value for the SOC set in advance by the user. The upper limit threshold value indicates the upper limit value of the SOC desired by the user.

[0042] In step S3, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether the SOC of the vehicle battery 13 is below the upper limit threshold. If the SOC of the vehicle battery 13 is not below the upper limit threshold (No in step S3), the process ends. Figure 4 Processing shown.

[0043] On the other hand, when the SOC of the vehicle battery 13 is less than the upper limit threshold (YES in step S3), in step S4, the state detection unit 32 detects the state of the trailer battery 22. Here, the SOC and the outputtable power of the trailer battery 22 are detected.

[0044] Next, in step S5, the state detection unit 32 calculates the power output from the vehicle battery 13, that is, the power consumption of the vehicle battery 13. In addition, in step S6, the power control unit 33 calculates the power (supply power) that can be supplied from the trailer battery 22 to the vehicle battery 13 based on the input power and the power consumption of the vehicle battery 13 and the output power of the trailer battery 22.

[0045] Then, in step S7 , the power supply control unit 33 performs control so that the supply power calculated in step S6 is supplied from the trailer battery 22 to the vehicle battery 13 .

[0046] <3. Boost mode> Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing the flow of electric power when the motor generator 11 is driven in the boost mode. Figure 5In the diagram, arrows are used to show the direction of the flow of electricity.

[0047] In the boost mode, power is exchanged between the motor generator 11 and the vehicle battery 13, and power is exchanged between the motor generator 11 and the trailer battery 22. At this time, power can be supplied from the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 to the motor generator 11 at the same time, and power can be supplied from the motor generator 11 to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 at the same time.

[0048] Therefore, a large current may flow through the circuit unit 15 (wiring harness) provided between the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 and the motor generator 11. Furthermore, if a large current flows through the circuit unit 15, the circuit unit 15 may generate heat and cause fire or smoke. Therefore, in the vehicle system 1, the following processing is performed so that fire and smoke do not occur in the circuit unit 15. It should be noted that the circuit unit 15 may include not only the wiring harness but also electronic components.

[0049] Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 is a diagram for explaining the processing in the boost mode. If the mode setting unit 31 sets the boost mode, the control unit 14 performs Figure 6 and Figure 7 In step S11, the state detection unit 32 detects the state of the vehicle battery 13. Here, the state detection unit 32 detects the SOC, the input power, and the output power of the vehicle battery 13.

[0050] Next, in step S12, the state detection unit 32 detects the state of the trailer battery 22. Here, the state detection unit 32 detects the SOC of the trailer battery 22, the inputtable power, and the outputtable power.

[0051] In step S13 , the power supply control unit 33 calculates the total inputtable power (hereinafter referred to as total inputtable power) by adding the inputtable power of the vehicle battery 13 detected in step S11 and the inputtable power of the trailer battery 22 detected in step S12 .

[0052] Furthermore, in step S14 , the power supply control unit 33 calculates the total output power (hereinafter referred to as the total output power) by adding the output power of the vehicle battery 13 detected in step S11 and the output power of the trailer battery 22 detected in step S12 .

[0053] In step S15, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether the accelerator pedal is operated. If the accelerator pedal is not operated (No in step S15), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0054] On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal is operated (Yes in step S15), in step S16, the power supply control unit 33 sets the target acceleration based on the operation amount (depression amount) of the accelerator pedal and the speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle 2. Then, the power supply control unit 33 calculates the driving force of the motor generator 11 so that the set target acceleration can be achieved. In addition, the power supply control unit 33 calculates the power (driving power) required to output the calculated driving force from the motor generator 11. It should be noted that when the calculated driving power exceeds the total output power, the driving power is limited to the total output power.

[0055] In the next step S17, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether the output power of the vehicle battery 13 is greater than the driving power. If the output power of the vehicle battery 13 is greater than the driving power (Yes in step S17), only the driving power required for the motor generator 11 to output the calculated driving force is supplied from the vehicle battery 13.

[0056] Therefore, in step S18, the power supply control unit 33 controls the motor generator 11 to output driving power from the vehicle battery 13 and stops outputting power from the trailer battery 22. That is, the power supply control unit 33 drives the motor generator 11 using the vehicle battery 13 preferentially.

[0057] On the other hand, if the output power of the vehicle battery 13 is not equal to or greater than the driving power (NO in step S17 ), the driving power for causing the motor generator 11 to output the calculated driving force cannot be supplied by the vehicle battery 13 alone.

[0058] Therefore, in step S19 , the power supply control unit 33 performs control so that the vehicle battery 13 outputs the outputtable power and the trailer battery 22 outputs power obtained by subtracting the outputtable power of the vehicle battery 13 from the driving power (the deficit).

[0059] Thus, in the vehicle system 1, the electric power of the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 can be simultaneously used to drive the motor generator 11. That is, in the vehicle system 1, the driving performance can be improved.

[0060] like Figure 7 As shown, in step S20, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether the brake pedal is operated. If the brake pedal is not operated (No in step S20), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0061] On the other hand, when the brake pedal is operated (Yes in step S20), in step S21, the power supply control unit 33 sets the target deceleration based on the operation amount (depression amount) of the brake pedal and the speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle 2. Then, the power supply control unit 33 calculates the braking force of the motor generator 11 that can achieve the set target deceleration. In addition, the power supply control unit 33 calculates the electric power (regenerative power) that can be regenerated by the motor generator 11 by the calculated braking force. It should be noted that when the calculated regenerative power exceeds the total input power, the regenerative power is limited to the total input power.

[0062] In the next step S22, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether the input power of the vehicle battery 13 is greater than the regenerative power. If the input power of the vehicle battery 13 is greater than the regenerative power (yes in step S22), all the power regenerated by the motor generator 11 can be used to charge the vehicle battery 13.

[0063] Therefore, in step S23, the power supply control unit 33 controls so that all the power regenerated by the motor generator 11 is input to the vehicle battery 13 and stops inputting power to the trailer battery 22. That is, the power supply control unit 33 charges the vehicle battery 13 with priority.

[0064] On the other hand, when the inputtable electric power of the vehicle battery 13 is not equal to or greater than the regenerative electric power (NO in step S22 ), all the electric power regenerated by the motor generator 11 cannot be used to charge the vehicle battery 13 .

[0065] Therefore, in step S24, the power supply control unit 33 performs control so that the inputtable power of the vehicle battery 13 of the power regenerated by the electric generator 11 is input into the vehicle battery 13, and the power (excess amount) obtained by subtracting the inputtable power of the vehicle battery 13 from the regenerated power is input into the trailer battery 22.

[0066] Thus, in the vehicle system 1 , the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 are charged simultaneously.

[0067] In step S25, the power supply control unit 33 detects the current value and the power-on time of the current input and output to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22. Here, the current value and the power-on time of the current passing through the circuit unit 15 are detected by adding the current values ​​of the current input and output to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22.

[0068] In step S26 , the power supply control unit 33 refers to the smoke generation characteristics of the circuit unit 15 to perform a fire and smoke determination. In the fire and smoke determination, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of fire or smoke generation in the circuit unit 15 .

[0069] Figure 8 is a graph showing the smoke characteristics. Figure 8 In the figure, the vertical axis is the time when smoke starts (s), and the horizontal axis is the current (A).

[0070] like Figure 8 As shown, in the smoke generation characteristics, the smoke generation start time relative to the current is specified for each ambient temperature. In the smoke generation characteristics, it is shown that the greater the current, the higher the possibility of smoke generation in a short time. In addition, it is shown that the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the possibility of smoke generation in a short time.

[0071] In the vehicle 2 , a smoke emission characteristic map indicating the smoke emission characteristic of the circuit unit 15 is stored in advance in the storage unit.

[0072] The power supply control unit 33 uses the detection result of step S25 to calculate, for example, the current value, the average value of the current values ​​in the past 1 second, the average value of the current values ​​in the past 10 seconds, and the average value of the current values ​​in the past 100 seconds.

[0073] Then, the power supply control unit 33 refers to the smoke generation characteristic map based on the calculated current values ​​for different periods or the average value thereof, and performs fire and smoke determination.

[0074] In step S27, the power supply control unit 33 determines whether there is a possibility of fire or smoke in the circuit unit 15. If there is no possibility of fire or smoke in the circuit unit 15 (No in step S27), the process ends.

[0075] On the other hand, when there is a possibility that the circuit unit 15 may catch fire or emit smoke (YES in step S27 ), in step S28 , the mode setting unit 31 ends the boost mode and sets the mode to the normal mode, and ends the process.

[0076] Thus, in the vehicle system 1, the state in which power is simultaneously input from the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 to the motor generator 11 and power is simultaneously output from the motor generator 11 to the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 is stopped, and power is only input from the vehicle battery 13 to the motor generator 11 and power is output from the motor generator 11 to the vehicle battery 13. Therefore, in the vehicle system 1, the possibility of a large current flowing through the circuit unit 15 and causing fire or smoke can be reduced, and safety can be maintained or improved.

[0077] In the above embodiment, in the fire and smoke determination, the current current value, the average current value of the past 1 second, the average current value of the past 10 seconds, and the average current value of the past 100 seconds are calculated. However, these periods are examples, and the average current value of a plurality of different predetermined periods can be calculated from the current.

[0078] <4. Modifications> As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said specific example, Various structures can be employ|adopted.

[0079] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the possibility of fire or smoke in the circuit unit 15 is determined based on the current value (load) of the current flowing through the circuit unit 15 and the power-on time, with reference to the smoke characteristics. However, as long as the power supply control unit 33 can determine the possibility of fire or smoke in the circuit unit 15 based on the load of the circuit unit 15, it is not limited to this. For example, the power supply control unit 33 may also determine the possibility of fire or smoke by directly measuring the temperature (load) of the circuit unit 15. In addition, the power supply control unit 33 may also calculate the heat generation (load) of the circuit unit 15 based on the current value and resistance value of the current flowing through the circuit unit 15, and determine the possibility of fire or smoke based on the calculated heat generation.

[0080] In the above embodiment, when there is a possibility that the circuit unit 15 will generate smoke in the boost mode, the input and output of power to the trailer battery 22 is restricted. However, the input and output of power to one of the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 may be restricted.

[0081] <5. Summary of Implementation Methods> As described above, the vehicle 2 of the embodiment includes the vehicle battery 13, the motor generator 11 capable of inputting and outputting electric power to the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery (trailer battery 22) provided outside, the circuit unit 15 connecting the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery to the motor generator 11, and the control unit 14 controlling the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery. When both the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery have electric power input and output, the control unit 14 limits the input and output of electric power to one of the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery based on the load applied to the circuit unit 15.

[0082] Thus, the vehicle 2 can drive the motor generator 11 using the electric power outputted from both the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 , and the driving performance can be improved.

[0083] Furthermore, even if a high load is applied to the circuit unit 15 , the vehicle 2 can reduce the possibility of fire or smoke in the circuit unit 15 by limiting the input and output of electric power to or from one of the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 .

[0084] In this way, the vehicle 2 can improve the power performance and maintain safety.

[0085] When the electric power that can be output from the vehicle battery 13 (outputtable electric power) is equal to or greater than the electric power (driving electric power) used by the motor generator 11 , the control unit 14 stops the output from the external battery (trailer battery 22 ).

[0086] Thus, the vehicle 2 can preferentially use the vehicle battery 13 .

[0087] When the electric power that can be input to the vehicle battery 13 (inputtable electric power) is equal to or greater than the regenerative electric power of the motor generator 11 , the control unit 14 stops the supply of electric power to the external battery (trailer battery 22 ).

[0088] Thereby, the vehicle battery 13 can be charged preferentially.

[0089] The control unit 14 refers to the smoke characteristic map based on the current value of the high voltage circuit and the energization time of the high voltage circuit to determine whether to limit the input and output of power to one of the vehicle battery 13 and the external battery (trailer battery 22 ).

[0090] Thus, before the circuit unit 15 catches fire or emits smoke, input and output of electric power to or from one of the vehicle battery 13 and the trailer battery 22 can be restricted, thereby maintaining safety.

[0091] The control unit 14 limits the input and output of electric power to the external battery by referring to the smoke emission characteristic map based on the current current value and the average value of current values ​​in a plurality of different predetermined periods going back from the current value.

[0092] Thus, even if the current value of the current passing through the circuit unit 15 changes, the possibility of smoke emission from the circuit unit 15 can be detected with high accuracy.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that: have: Vehicle batteries; an electric generator capable of inputting and outputting electric power to and from the vehicle battery and an external battery provided externally; a circuit unit that connects the vehicle battery and the external battery to the motor generator; and a control unit that controls the vehicle battery and the external battery, When both the vehicle battery and the external battery have input and output of electric power, the control unit limits input and output of electric power to one of the vehicle battery and the external battery based on a load applied to the circuit unit.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit stops output from the external battery when the electric power that can be output from the vehicle battery is equal to or greater than the electric power used by the motor generator.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit stops the supply of power to the external battery when the electric power that can be input to the vehicle battery is equal to or greater than the regenerative electric power of the motor generator.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The control unit refers to a smoke characteristic map based on a current value of the circuit unit and a power-on time of the circuit unit to determine whether to limit input and output of electric power to or from one of the vehicle battery and the external battery.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that The control unit determines whether to limit input and output of power to or from one of the vehicle battery and the external battery based on a current current value and an average value of current values ​​in a plurality of different predetermined periods going back from the current value, with reference to a smoke emission characteristic map.

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