Vehicle management system

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle management system capable of appropriately cooling a target in-vehicle device when a special mode is set. A vehicle management system (10) is provided with: a temperature regulation device (20) that cools and regulates the temperature of a target in-vehicle device (100) that generates heat as a vehicle travels; and a management controller (12) for controlling the driving of the temperature adjustment device (20), the management controller (12) being configured such that, when a special mode in which travel performance is prioritized over fuel economy is set, a limit threshold value for a control parameter of the temperature adjustment device (20) is changed in a direction in which cooling capacity becomes higher than when the special mode is not set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a vehicle management system for managing a vehicle capable of setting a special mode that prioritizes driving performance over fuel economy. Background Art

[0002] Some on-board devices generate heat as the vehicle travels. For example, in electric vehicles, the traction motor, the battery that supplies power to the traction motor, and the power control unit (hereinafter referred to as "PCU") that controls power output generate heat as the vehicle travels. If the temperature of these on-board devices becomes excessively high, the vehicle cannot travel properly. Therefore, temperature control devices have been proposed to regulate the temperature of these on-board devices.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling device for cooling a vehicle battery. In Patent Document 1, when a sports car driving mode, which assumes high-speed driving on a circuit track, is selected, the flow path configuration of the refrigeration cycle is switched to actively cool the target vehicle-mounted equipment.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-111084 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, temperature control parameters (e.g., compressor speed) are typically limited to prevent shortened lifespans and failures of temperature control electrical equipment (e.g., compressor, radiator fan, water pump, etc.) incorporated into the temperature control device.

[0009] Here, when a special mode such as sports car driving mode is set, the heat generated by the target vehicle device increases. In this case, if the control parameter limit values of the temperature control device are set to the same as when no special mode is set, the target vehicle device may not be cooled sufficiently, and the target vehicle device temperature may become too high. Furthermore, if the target vehicle device temperature becomes too high, the output of the target vehicle device is limited, and driving performance is reduced.

[0010] Therefore, this specification discloses a vehicle management system that can appropriately cool a target vehicle-mounted device when a special mode is set.

[0011] Technical solutions to problems

[0012] The vehicle management system disclosed in this specification is characterized in that it comprises: a temperature control device for cooling and temperature regulating an object vehicle-mounted equipment that generates heat as the vehicle travels; and a management controller for controlling the drive of the temperature control device, wherein the management controller is configured to change a limit threshold value of a control parameter of the temperature control device toward a direction where cooling capacity becomes higher, compared to a case where no special mode is set that prioritizes driving performance over fuel economy.

[0013] With this configuration, when the special mode is set, the target vehicle-mounted device can be quickly cooled.

[0014] In this case, the management controller may include a memory provided in the vehicle or outside the vehicle, and the management controller may be configured to store the load of the temperature adjustment device in the memory when the special mode is set.

[0015] By storing the load of the temperature control device in the memory, the load can be used for subsequent vehicle management.

[0016] Furthermore, the management controller may be configured to estimate the life of the temperature control device based on the load amount stored in the memory, and to correct a limit threshold value of a control parameter of the temperature control device based on the estimated life.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to perform control suitable for the state of the temperature adjustment device.

[0018] Furthermore, the load amount may include at least one of the number of times the special mode is turned on and the amount by which the temperature control device is operated at a load equal to or greater than a predetermined standard limit threshold.

[0019] With this configuration, the state of the temperature adjustment device can be managed simply and appropriately.

[0020] In addition, the management controller may be configured to store the load of the target vehicle-mounted device in the memory even when the special mode is set, and the management controller may be configured to determine the compensation content of the vehicle based on the load of the target vehicle-mounted device.

[0021] With this configuration, the vehicle can be appropriately compensated.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the vehicle management system disclosed in this specification, when the special mode is set, the target vehicle-mounted device can be appropriately cooled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the vehicle management system.

[0025] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the load of the temperature control device.

[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the map for calculating the life coefficient.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the map for calculating the correction amount of the limit threshold.

[0028] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the map for calculating the compensation ratio of the vehicle.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the management controller. Detailed implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, the structure of the vehicle management system 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the vehicle management system 10. The vehicle management system 10 is mounted on a vehicle and manages the states of a part of in-vehicle devices (hereinafter referred to as "target in-vehicle devices 100") and the temperature control device 20. The type of the vehicle on which the vehicle management system 10 is mounted is not particularly limited. Therefore, the vehicle on which the vehicle management system 10 is mounted can be any one of a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, and an engine vehicle. Hereinafter, the vehicle management system 10 mounted on a battery electric vehicle will be described as an example.

[0031] The vehicle management system 10 includes a temperature control device 20, a management controller 12, and target in-vehicle devices 100. The temperature control device 20 is a device that cools a part of the target in-vehicle devices 100 to perform temperature control. Here, the target in-vehicle devices 100 are in-vehicle devices managed by the vehicle management system 10 and are in-vehicle devices that contribute to the running of the vehicle. The temperature control device 20 performs temperature control on the devices that generate heat as the vehicle runs among such target in-vehicle devices 100. For example, the temperature control device 20 performs temperature control on the drive motor 100a, the PCU 100b, and the battery 100c during running. Hereinafter, when not distinguishing the drive motor 100a, the PCU 100b, and the battery 100c, they are collectively referred to as "target in-vehicle devices 100".

[0032] The drive electric motor 100a is an electric generator that outputs drive power and generates electricity using braking force. The drive electric motor 100a is unitized with a transmission (not shown) to form a transaxle 110. The battery 100c is a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging. Electric power is supplied from the battery 100c to the drive electric motor 100a, and the electric power generated by the drive electric motor 100a is charged into the battery 100c. The PCU 100b includes a converter that drives the drive electric motor 100a, a DCDC converter that performs voltage conversion, etc. The PCU 100b controls the electric power supplied to the drive electric motor 100a.

[0033] The temperature control device 20 cools and temperature-controls the target in-vehicle device 100 as needed. The temperature control device 20 has a high-temperature cooling circuit 22, a refrigerant circuit 40, and a low-temperature cooling circuit 50. The high-temperature cooling circuit 22 is a circuit that circulates cooling water as a heat medium. The high-temperature cooling circuit 22 includes a heater core 28, an electric heater 26, a radiator 24, a water pump 30, and a radiator fan 57. The water pump 30 pumps and circulates the cooling water. The electric heater 26 heats the cooling water. The heated cooling water exchanges heat with the surrounding air at the heater core 28. By blowing the heated air into the vehicle interior, the vehicle interior is heated.

[0034] The radiator 24 air-cools the cooling water output from the heater core 28. The radiator 24 is arranged in an up-and-down or front-and-back manner with the radiator 56 of the low-temperature cooling circuit 50 described later. The radiator fan 57 is arranged behind the radiators 24 and 56 to suck in outside air so that the outside air flows toward the radiators 24 and 56.

[0035] The refrigerant circuit 40 is a circuit that circulates the refrigerant while changing its state. The refrigerant circuit 40 includes a compressor 42, an evaporator 44, and a water-cooled condenser 32. The compressor 42 compresses the refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant condenses at the water-cooled condenser 32. The condensed refrigerant is sprayed toward the evaporator 44 from an expansion valve (not shown) and expands. At this time, the air around the evaporator 44 is cooled by the vaporization of the refrigerant. By blowing the air around the evaporator 44 into the vehicle interior, the vehicle interior is cooled. The water-cooled condenser 32 discharges the heat of the cooling circuit to the cooling water of the high-temperature cooling circuit 22.

[0036] The low-temperature cooling circuit 50 is a circuit that circulates cooling water as a heat medium. The low-temperature cooling circuit 50 includes a cooler 46, an electric heater 52, a radiator 56, and water pumps 54 and 58. The low-temperature cooling circuit 50 regulates the temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100, that is, the drive motor 100a, the PCU 100b, and the battery 100c. The electric heater 52 heats the cooling water. The electric heater 52 is turned on when warming the target in-vehicle device 100. When cooling the target in-vehicle device 100, the cooling water absorbs the heat of the target in-vehicle device 100. The heat of the cooling water is discharged to the external gas and the refrigerant circuit 40 via the radiator 56 and the cooler 46. The water pumps 54 and 58 pressurize the cooling water and circulate it. In addition, although not shown, the temperature control device 20 also has a sensor that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100, and the detected temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100 is sent to the management controller 12.

[0037] The management controller 12 manages the states of the temperature control device 20 and the target in-vehicle device 100. In addition, the management controller 12 controls the drive of the temperature control device 20. The management controller 12 is a computer that physically includes a processor 14, a storage 16, and a memory 17. The memory 17 is a storage device for accumulating the history of the load amount described later and the like. The memory 17 may be a storage device mounted in the vehicle or a cloud data area prepared on the Internet. In addition, in Figure 1 the figure, the storage 16 and the memory 17 are separately shown, but the two may also be a single physical storage device.

[0038] In addition, in Figure 1 the figure, the management controller 12 is shown as a single computer. However, the management controller 12 may also be constituted by combining a plurality of physically separated computers. For example, the management controller 12 may be constituted by combining an in-vehicle computer mounted on the vehicle and an external computer (such as a server) arranged outside the vehicle. In this case, the in-vehicle computer and the external computer exchange information with each other through communication. In addition, of course, the management controller 12 may also be entirely mounted in the vehicle.

[0039] The management controller 12 controls the drive of the temperature control device 20 based on the detected temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100. For example, the higher the detected temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100 and the greater the required cooling capacity, the management controller 12 increases the output (and thus the load) of the compressor 42, the water pumps 30, 54, 58, and the radiator fan 57. Thereby, the target in-vehicle device 100 is cooled more rapidly. In addition, when the special mode described later is effective, the management controller 12 changes the limit value of the control parameter (hereinafter referred to as "temperature control parameter") of the temperature control device 20 so that the cooling capacity of the target in-vehicle device 100 is improved compared to the case where it is ineffective.

[0040] Next, special driving and special modes will be described. Special driving is a driving method that places more emphasis on driving performance compared to fuel economy, comfort, etc. For example, driving on a route on a circular track is equivalent to "special driving". A special mode is a mode used for this special driving. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle management system 10 can select a special mode. The vehicle can also be switched to the special mode according to the user's instructions. Additionally, as another method, the vehicle can also automatically switch to the special mode based on the vehicle's current position, the communication result with an external communication device, etc. For example, when the vehicle's current position is at a pre-registered circular track venue, it can also be automatically switched to the special mode. Additionally, when the vehicle receives a racing program from an external communication device owned by the circular track operator, it can also be automatically switched to the special mode based on this racing program.

[0041] When special driving is performed, the load on the target in-vehicle device 100 increases, and the heat generation of the target in-vehicle device 100 increases. Therefore, when the special mode is effective, the management controller 12 changes the limit value of the temperature adjustment parameter to improve the cooling capacity compared to the case where it is ineffective. The temperature adjustment parameter is, for example, the limit threshold of the output of the compressor 42, etc., or the start or target temperature of cooling.

[0042] Specifically, usually, considering fuel economy, quietness, etc., the management controller 12 suppresses the output limit threshold of the compressor 42, water pumps 30, 54, 58, radiator fan 57 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "temperature adjustment electrical devices") below a pre-specified standard limit threshold P1. Additionally, specifically, the standard limit threshold P1 is, for example, the power upper limit value or the rotational speed upper limit value of the temperature adjustment electrical devices.

[0043] Also, usually, when the detected temperature Td of the target in-vehicle device 100 is higher than the standard temperature adjustment start temperature Ts1, the management controller 12 starts cooling the target in-vehicle device 100. This cooling continues until the detected temperature Td becomes lower than the standard temperature adjustment target temperature Tt1.

[0044] When the special mode is effective, the management controller 12 changes the limit threshold of the output of the temperature adjustment electrical devices to a special limit threshold P2 that is higher than the standard limit threshold P1. As a result, although fuel economy and noise deteriorate, the cooling capacity of the temperature adjustment device 20 is improved, so the target in-vehicle device 100 can be cooled quickly. As a result, even if the heat generation of the target in-vehicle device 100 increases with high-speed driving, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the target in-vehicle device 100 from reaching the limit temperature.

[0045] In addition, when the special mode is set, compared with the case where the special mode is invalid, the management controller 12 reduces the start temperature and the target temperature of cooling. That is, when the special mode is set, the management controller 12 starts cooling when the detected temperature Td is higher than the special temperature adjustment start temperature Ts2 (where Ts2 < Ts1), and ends cooling when the detected temperature Td reaches the special temperature adjustment target temperature Tt2 (where Tt2 < Tt1). Thereby, the cooling of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 is advanced and cooled for a long time, thus preventing overheating of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 during high-speed driving.

[0046] However, even if the limit value of the temperature adjustment parameter is relaxed, when the special mode is set, the load on the temperature adjustment device 20 and the target vehicle-mounted device 100 increases compared with the case where it is not set. For example, when the output limit threshold of the compressor 42 is changed from the standard limit threshold P1 to the special limit threshold P2, the load of the compressor 42 increases by the corresponding amount, and the life of the compressor 42 is reduced. In addition, when the special mode is set, the restrictions related to the driving electric motor 100a are also relaxed, but along with this relaxation of the restrictions, the life of the driving electric motor 100a is reduced.

[0047] The management controller 12 manages the states (especially the life) of such a temperature adjustment device 20 and the target vehicle-mounted device 100. Specifically, when the special mode is set, the management controller 12 monitors the load amount acting on the temperature adjustment electrical equipment (compressor 42, radiator fan 57, water pumps 30, 54, 58) and records it in the memory 17.

[0048] Here, the load of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment is particularly large when the temperature adjustment electrical equipment operates exceeding the standard limit threshold P1. Therefore, the load amount of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment can also be, for example, the cumulative time when the temperature adjustment electrical equipment operates exceeding the standard limit threshold P1. As another method, the load amount can also be the cumulative value of the operation time of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment and the output excess amount relative to the standard limit threshold P1. That is, in Figure 2 when the solid line L1 is set as the output change of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment, the cross-hatched area in Figure 2 can also be set as the load amount of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment. And the load amount can also be the cumulative number of times the special mode is set.

[0049] The management controller 12 estimates the lifespan of the temperature control electrical equipment based on the load amount of the temperature control electrical equipment stored in the memory 17. Here, generally, the lifespan of electrical equipment is estimated according to the cumulative operation time. The management controller 12 can also calculate the standard lifespan LSs based on the cumulative operation time and correct the standard lifespan LSs according to the load amount stored in the memory 17. For example, the management controller 12 can also calculate a lifespan coefficient Kl s that becomes smaller as the load amount increases (moreover, 0 < Kl s ≤ 1) based on the mapping shown in Figure 3 . Also, the management controller 12 can calculate the cumulative value of the standard lifespan LSs and the lifespan coefficient Kl s as the estimated lifespan LS* of the temperature control electrical equipment. That is, it can also be set as LS* = Ls × Kl s. Additionally, here, the calculation method of the illustrated estimated lifespan LS* is an example, and it can be appropriately changed.

[0050] The management controller 12 can also change the management content of the temperature control electrical equipment based on the calculated estimated lifespan LS*. For example, it can also notify the user of a warning when the estimated lifespan LS* is lower than a specified threshold. Additionally, as another method, the management controller 12 can change the temperature control parameters according to the estimated lifespan LS*. For example, it can be that the lower the estimated lifespan LS*, the lower the limit threshold of the temperature control electrical equipment.

[0051] For example, the management controller 12 can also calculate a correction value Ath that becomes smaller as the estimated lifespan LS* decreases (moreover, 0 ≤ Kth < (P2 - P1)) based on the mapping shown in Figure 4 . Also, when a special mode is set, the management controller 12 can set the value obtained by subtracting the correction value Ath from the special limit threshold P2 (that is, P2 - Ath) as the limit threshold of the temperature control electrical equipment. Additionally, of course, such a calculation method of the limit threshold is an example, and it can be appropriately changed. Additionally, not only the limit threshold but also the temperature control start temperature and the temperature control target temperature can be changed. In this case, the lower the estimated lifespan LS*, the higher the temperature control start temperature and the temperature control target temperature can be. Additionally, as another method, it can also be prohibited to set the special mode when the estimated lifespan LS* is below a specified reference value. In short, by changing the control parameters of the temperature control electrical equipment according to the estimated lifespan LS*, it is possible to suppress failures of the temperature control electrical equipment.

[0052] In addition, the management controller 12 can not only store the load of the temperature adjustment device 20 in the memory 17, but also store the load of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 in the memory 17. The load of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 can be, for example, the number of times the temperature of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 exceeds a specified reference value, the cumulative time. In addition, the load of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 can also be the number of times a special mode is set, the change history of the control parameters of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 (such as the rotational speed of the driving electric motor 110a), etc.

[0053] The management controller 12 can also change at least one of the compensation content and the evaluation amount of the vehicle based on the load of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 stored in the memory 17. For example, the management controller can also change Figure 5 the compensation ratio of the vehicle based on the mapping shown. In Figure 5 the case of the example shown, the more the execution setting times of the special mode, the lower the compensation ratio of the vehicle. In addition, the management controller 12 can also estimate the life of the target vehicle-mounted device 100 or the vehicle based on the load of the target vehicle-mounted device 100. And the lower the estimated life, the management controller 12 can make the evaluation amount of the vehicle or the compensation amount when the vehicle breaks down or both lower.

[0054] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the management controller 12. As Figure 6 shown, the management controller 12 stands by until the special mode is turned on. When the special mode is turned on (Yes in S10), the management controller 12 changes the temperature adjustment parameter to that for the special mode (S12). In addition, at this time, the value of the temperature adjustment parameter can also be corrected according to the load stored in the memory 17 (S18).

[0055] Next, the management controller 12 drives the temperature adjustment electrical equipment based on the temperature adjustment parameter for the special mode and performs the temperature adjustment process (S14). In addition, during this period, the loads of the temperature adjustment electrical equipment and the target vehicle-mounted device 100 are stored in the memory 17 (S16). The above processing is repeated until the special mode is turned off.

[0056] In this way, when the special mode is set, by changing the temperature adjustment parameter to improve the cooling capacity, the target vehicle-mounted device 100 can be more appropriately protected. In addition, when the special mode is set, by storing the loads of the temperature adjustment device 20 and the target vehicle-mounted device 100 in the memory 17, the temperature adjustment device 20 and the target vehicle-mounted device 100 can be more appropriately managed.

[0057] In addition, the structure described so far is an example, and as long as the structure described in Technical Solution 1 is provided, other structures can also be changed. For example, in the description so far, the vehicle management system 10 mounted on a battery electric vehicle has been taken as an example. However, the technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to battery electric vehicles and can also be mounted on other types of vehicles. Therefore, the vehicle management system 10 can also be mounted on an engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, etc. In this case, the temperature control device 20 includes a cooling circuit for cooling the engine, and the temperature control electrical equipment includes a water pump for circulating the engine cooling water.

[0058] Marking Explanation

[0059] 10 Vehicle management system, 12 Management controller, 14 Processor, 16 Storage, 17 Memory, 20 Temperature control device, 22 High-temperature cooling circuit, 24, 56 Radiator, 26 Electric heater, 28 Heater core, 30, 54, 58 Water pump, 32 Water-cooled condenser, 40 Refrigerant circuit, 42 Compressor, 44 Evaporator, 46 Cooler, 50 Low-temperature cooling circuit, 52 Electric heater, 57 Radiator fan, 100 Target vehicle-mounted device, 100a Driving electric motor, 100c Battery, 110 Transmission drive axle.

Claims

1. A vehicle management system, characterized in that, Comprising: A temperature adjustment device that cools an on-vehicle device, which is an object that generates heat during vehicle travel, to adjust the temperature; and A management controller that controls the drive of the temperature adjustment device, The management controller is configured such that, when a special mode in which driving performance is prioritized over fuel economy is set, the limit threshold of the control parameter of the temperature adjustment device is changed in a direction in which the cooling capacity becomes higher compared to the case where it is not set.

2. The vehicle management system according to claim 1, wherein The management controller has a memory provided in the vehicle or outside the vehicle, The management controller is configured such that, when the special mode is set, the load amount of the temperature adjustment device is stored in the memory.

3. The vehicle management system according to claim 2, wherein The management controller is configured to estimate the life of the temperature adjustment device based on the load amount stored in the memory, and correct the limit threshold of the control parameter of the temperature adjustment device based on the estimated life.

4. The vehicle management system according to claim 3, wherein The load amount includes at least one of the number of times the special mode is turned on and the amount of operation of the temperature adjustment device at a load equal to or higher than a prescribed standard limit threshold.

5. The vehicle management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The management controller is configured such that, when the special mode is set, the load amount of the on-vehicle device, which is the object, is also stored in the memory, The management controller is configured to determine the compensation content of the vehicle based on the load amount of the on-vehicle device, which is the object.

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