Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of properly maintaining the SOC level of an own vehicle to a prescribed location such as a destination.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device includes a processor. The processor calculates a necessary electric energy necessary for reaching a prescribed location based on a road condition to the prescribed location and an operational state of the own vehicle. When an SOC level of the own vehicle is less than the necessary electric energy, the processor performs charging control so that the SOC level will be the necessary electric energy in an allowance section in which there is leeway in engine driving force within a section in which engine operation is performed to the prescribed location.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for setting a target charge state in accordance with the distance to a destination, and determining the operating points of the engine and the motor so as to achieve the target charge state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-166392 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There was a demand for technology that could properly maintain the vehicle's remaining SOC until the vehicle reached a specified location, such as a destination.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle control device that can appropriately maintain the remaining SOC of a host vehicle until the host vehicle reaches a predetermined location such as a destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle control device according to the present disclosure includes a processor that calculates the amount of power required to reach a specified location based on road conditions to the location and the driving state of the vehicle, and when the SOC remaining amount of the vehicle is less than the required amount of power, performs charging control in a section where there is a margin of engine driving force among sections where engine operation is performed to the specified location, so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required amount of power. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, charging control is performed in marginal sections where stable charging is possible among sections in which the engine is operated, so that the remaining SOC of the vehicle can be appropriately maintained until the vehicle reaches a specified location such as a destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of a first control by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second control flow by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a second control by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Vehicle control device) The configuration of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Vehicles to which the vehicle control device according to the embodiment is applied include, for example, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) equipped with an engine and a motor as power sources, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and the like.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 to which the vehicle control device according to the embodiment is applied includes a control unit 11, an engine 12, a motor 13, and a navigation device 14. Note that in the same figure, only the configuration essential for implementing the vehicle control device according to the embodiment is extracted and illustrated from the configuration of the vehicle 1.

[0012] The control unit 11 is an electronic control unit (ECU) whose main components are a microcomputer consisting of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and executes various programs. The control unit 11 realizes functions that meet a predetermined purpose by controlling each component through the execution of the programs. The control unit 11 can perform, for example, the following three types of control:

[0013] <First Control> In this control, the control unit 11 acquires road conditions up to a predetermined location (e.g., a destination, an end point of an uphill road) and the driving state of the vehicle. Next, based on the road conditions and driving state, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power required to reach the predetermined location (i.e., the SOC amount required for motor assist). If the remaining SOC of the vehicle is less than the required amount of power, the control unit 11 starts the engine 12 to generate power. As a result, charging control is performed so that the remaining SOC of the vehicle 1 becomes the required amount of power. Details of this control will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0014] Here, the "road conditions" include, for example, the gradient of the road currently being driven or the road to be driven in the future, the size of the curve, the presence or absence of traffic congestion, etc. Furthermore, the "driving state of the vehicle" includes, for example, the vehicle speed, engine torque (output), motor torque (output), etc.

[0015] <Second Control> In this control, the control unit 11 acquires road conditions up to a predetermined location (e.g., a destination, an end point of an uphill road) and the driving state of the vehicle. Next, based on the road conditions and driving state, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power required to reach the predetermined location (i.e., the SOC amount required for motor assist). Next, if the remaining SOC of the vehicle is less than the required amount of power, the control unit 11 starts the engine 12 and generates power in a marginal section where the engine driving force is sufficient. As a result, charging control is performed so that the remaining SOC of the vehicle 1 becomes the required amount of power. Details of this control will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0016] Here, the "margin section" refers to a section of the engine operation section where stable power generation is possible by the engine 12. Also, the "engine operation section" refers to a section where engine operation is required to ensure driving force on the way to a specified location (destination, end point of an uphill road). The margin section and engine operation section are determined based on, for example, the road conditions up to the specified location and the driving state of the vehicle.

[0017] For example, the control unit 11 can estimate the engine torque (output) required for a specific section of a road on which the vehicle will travel in the future based on road conditions and the driving state of the vehicle, and determine the margin section based on the estimated engine torque. In this case, the margin section becomes shorter as the vehicle approaches the limit of the engine torque that can be output on a steep uphill slope. Also, the longer the margin section, the greater the amount of electric power that can be charged.

[0018] <Third Control> In this control, the control unit 11 acquires road conditions up to a predetermined location (e.g., a destination, an end point of an uphill road) and the driving state of the vehicle. Next, based on the road conditions and driving state, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power required to reach the predetermined location (i.e., the SOC amount required for motor assist). Next, if the remaining SOC of the vehicle is less than the required amount of power, the control unit 11 starts the engine 12 and generates power in a margin section where the engine driving force is in a margin among the sections where the engine is operated up to the predetermined location (engine operation sections).

[0019] In addition, in this control, when the required charge amount can be charged only in the margin section, the control unit 11 does not start the engine 12 unnecessarily in advance, but charges the battery up to the required charge amount in the margin section after starting the engine 12 to ensure driving force. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 cannot charge the battery up to the required charge amount in the margin section only, it starts the engine 12 to ensure driving force, charges the battery up to the amount of power shortage in the margin section in advance, and charges the battery up to the required charge amount in the margin section thereafter. Details of this control will be described later (see FIG. 4).

[0020] The engine 12 is a drive source for the vehicle 1. The engine 12 is configured to be capable of both driving the vehicle 1 and charging (generating electricity).

[0021] The motor 13 is a drive source for the vehicle 1, and is, for example, an AC synchronous motor. The motor 13 is configured to be capable of both driving the vehicle 1 and charging (generating electricity).

[0022] The navigation device 14 is a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle 1, and includes output means such as a display and a speaker, and input means such as a microphone, buttons, and a touch panel. The navigation device 14 also includes a GPS positioning means for receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite to detect the current position of the vehicle 1, and a means for communicating with the outside. The navigation device 14 may also store map information of the surrounding area.

[0023] The navigation device 14 acquires road conditions from the current position of the vehicle 1 to a predetermined location. For example, if navigation has been set to a destination, the "predetermined location" may be the destination or a stop on the way to the destination. If navigation has not been set to a destination, the end of an uphill road currently being traveled may be included. As described above, the "road conditions" may be, for example, the gradient of the road currently being traveled or the road to be traveled in the future, the size of the curve, the presence or absence of traffic congestion, etc.

[0024] According to a vehicle control device having the above-described configuration, charging control is performed in a marginal section where stable charging is possible among sections in which the engine is operated, so that the remaining SOC of the vehicle can be appropriately maintained until the vehicle reaches a specified location such as a destination.

[0025] (Vehicle control method 1) A first control flow by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0026] In this control, first, the surrounding road conditions are acquired by the navigation device 14 (step S1). The "surrounding road conditions" are, for example, road conditions from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the destination or the end point of the uphill road. Next, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power (required power amount) required to reach the destination or the end point of the uphill road at the current vehicle speed and the engine operating range to the destination or the end point of the uphill road based on the surrounding road conditions and the driving state of the vehicle (step S2).

[0027] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is less than the required power amount (step S3). If the control unit 11 determines in step S3 that the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is less than the required power amount (the SOC remaining amount is insufficient) (Yes in step S3), the control unit 11 charges the vehicle by generating electricity using the engine 12 so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required power amount (step S4), and ends this process.

[0028] In addition, in step S3, if it is determined that the SOC remaining amount of the vehicle is not less than the required amount of power (No in step S3), the control unit 11 completes this process without performing the processes in and after step S4.

[0029] In this way, in this control, when it is predicted that the current remaining SOC will be insufficient for the amount of power required to reach the destination or the end of an uphill road, charging control is performed to increase the remaining SOC by generating electricity with the engine 12. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the battery runs out (such as being unable to travel at the same vehicle speed) midway to the destination or the end of an uphill road.

[0030] (Vehicle control method 2) A second control flow by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] In this control, first, the surrounding road conditions are acquired by the navigation device 14 (step S11). The "surrounding road conditions" are, for example, road conditions from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the destination or the end point of the uphill road. Next, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power (required power amount) required to reach the destination or the end point of the uphill road at the current vehicle speed and the engine operating range to the destination or the end point of the uphill road based on the surrounding road conditions and the driving state of the vehicle (step S12).

[0032] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the vehicle's remaining SOC is less than the required power (step S13). If the control unit 11 determines in step S13 that the vehicle's remaining SOC is less than the required power (the remaining SOC is insufficient) (Yes in step S13), the control unit 11 determines whether the engine needs to be operated to ensure driving force during the journey to the destination or the end of the uphill road (step S14). Note that a case where "the engine needs to be operated to ensure driving force" may be, for example, a case where the gradient of the road during the journey to the destination or the end of the uphill road is large, and the driving force is insufficient with only the motor 13.

[0033] In step S14, if it is determined that engine operation is necessary to ensure driving force during the process (Yes in step S14), the control unit 11 charges the vehicle so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required amount of power in the margin section after the engine is started (step S15), and then completes this process.

[0034] If it is determined in step S13 that the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is not less than the required amount of power (No in step S13), the control unit 11 completes this process without performing the processes in and after step S14. If it is determined in step S14 that engine operation is not necessary to ensure driving force during the process (No in step S14), the control unit 11 starts the engine 12 and charges the vehicle so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required amount of power (step S16), and completes this process.

[0035] In this way, in this control, when engine operation is necessary to ensure driving force in the calculation section of the required power amount, the engine 12 is not started unnecessarily in advance, and the engine 12 is started in order to ensure driving force, and then the vehicle is charged up to the required charge amount in the margin section after starting the engine 12 in order to ensure driving force. On the other hand, when engine operation is not necessary to ensure driving force in the calculation section of the required power amount, the engine 12 is started and the vehicle is charged up to the required charge amount. This makes it possible to avoid insufficient charging (such as being unable to travel at the same vehicle speed) halfway through the journey to the destination or the end of the uphill road.

[0036] This control also assumes that the engine 12 can drive the vehicle 1 and generate electricity at the same time. If the engine 12 cannot drive the vehicle 1 and generate electricity at the same time, the engine 12 charges the battery up to the required charge amount when it is no longer necessary to secure driving force.

[0037] (Vehicle control method 3) A third control flow by the vehicle control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] In this control, first, the surrounding road conditions are acquired by the navigation device 14 (step S21). The "surrounding road conditions" are, for example, road conditions from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the destination or the end point of the uphill road. Next, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of power (required power amount) required to reach the destination or the end point of the uphill road at the current vehicle speed and the engine operating range to the destination or the end point of the uphill road based on the surrounding road conditions and the driving state of the vehicle (step S22).

[0039] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is less than the required amount of power (step S23). If the control unit 11 determines in step S23 that the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is less than the required amount of power (the SOC remaining amount is insufficient) (Yes in step S23), the control unit 11 determines whether the engine needs to be operated to ensure driving force during the journey to the destination or the end of the uphill road (step S24).

[0040] In step S24, if it is determined that engine operation is necessary to ensure driving force during the process (Yes in step S24), the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a margin in engine driving force in the region where the engine is operating (step S25).In step S25, if it is determined that there is a margin in engine driving force in the region where the engine is operating (Yes in step S25), the control unit 11 determines whether or not it is possible to charge up to the required charging amount only in the margin section (step S26).

[0041] In step S26, if it is determined that charging up to the required charge amount is possible only in the margin section (Yes in step S26), the control unit 11 charges the battery in the margin section after the engine is started so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required power amount (step S27), and then completes this process.

[0042] If it is determined in step S23 that the vehicle's SOC remaining amount is not less than the required amount of power (No in step S23), the control unit 11 completes this process. If it is determined in step S24 that engine operation is not necessary to ensure driving force during the process (No in step S24), the control unit 11 starts the engine 12 and charges the vehicle so that the SOC remaining amount becomes the required amount of power (step S28), and completes this process.

[0043] Also, in step S26, if it is determined that the required charging amount cannot be charged only in the margin section (No in step S26), the control unit 11 starts the engine 12, charges the amount of power shortage in the margin section (step S29), and proceeds to step S27.

[0044] In this way, in this control, if engine operation is necessary to ensure driving force in the calculation section of the required power amount, and if the required power amount can be ensured by charging in the margin section after engine start, the engine 12 is not started unnecessarily in advance, and charging is performed up to the required charge amount in the margin section after engine 12 is started to ensure driving force. On the other hand, if engine operation is not necessary to ensure driving force in the calculation section of the required power amount, or if charging in the margin section is insufficient, the engine 12 is started and charging is performed up to the required charge amount. This makes it possible to avoid insufficient charging (such as being unable to travel at the same vehicle speed) halfway through the journey to the destination or the end of an uphill road.

[0045] This control also assumes that the engine 12 can drive the vehicle 1 and generate electricity at the same time. If the engine 12 cannot drive the vehicle 1 and generate electricity at the same time, the engine 12 charges the battery up to the required charge amount when it is no longer necessary to secure driving force.

[0046] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 vehicle 11 Control section 12 Engine 13 Motor 14 Navigation devices

Claims

[Claim 1] A processor is provided. The processor, Calculating the amount of power required to reach the predetermined location based on road conditions to the predetermined location and a driving state of the vehicle; When the remaining SOC of the vehicle is less than the required power amount, charging control is performed in a margin section where there is a margin of engine driving force among sections where engine operation is performed to the predetermined location, so that the remaining SOC becomes the required power amount. Vehicle control device.

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