Control device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control device for a vehicle capable of appropriately executing a warming-up operation while suppressing deterioration of fuel economy.SOLUTION: A control device for a vehicle is configured to perform a warming-up operation of a drive source and includes a controller that executes the warming-up operation. The controller includes: a positional information acquisition section that acquires a current position of the vehicle; a route setting section that sets a traveling route of the vehicle from the current position to a destination; a fuel consumption amount calculation section that calculates a first fuel consumption amount that is a value based on a fuel consumption amount when the vehicle executes the warming-up operation and travels on the traveling route and a second fuel consumption amount that is a value based on the fuel consumption amount when the vehicle prohibits the warming-up operation and travels on the traveling route; and a warming-up operation execution section that executes the warming-up operation when a value obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is a predetermined amount or lower.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle that performs a warm-up operation of a driving force source during a cold start or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle control device for efficiently promoting the warm-up of a driving force source. In the device of Patent Document 1, when the engine is started in a cold state, the setting of the highest gear in the gear transmission is prohibited, thereby increasing the rotation speed of the engine and promoting the warm-up. In addition, in the device of Patent Document 1, when the engine is started in a cold state, information on the situation such as the date and time of engine start and the vehicle position is acquired. Based on the information, if a typical driving pattern that matches the situation at the start is stored, a driving route is predicted. Then, if the driving distance or driving time on the predicted driving route is not sufficiently longer than the driving distance or driving time required to complete the warm-up by the warm-up promotion control, the execution of the warm-up promotion control is prohibited. That is, in the device of Patent Document 1, even when the engine is started in a cold state, if the driving distance or driving time is predicted to be relatively short, the warm-up promotion control is prohibited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-90420 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device of Patent Document 1, with the above-mentioned configuration, can prevent the vehicle from ending its run before the warm-up is completed, or from ending its run immediately after the warm-up is completed, and therefore can prevent the fuel economy from worsening due to the execution of the warm-up promotion control. However, although the device of Patent Document 1 determines whether to execute the warm-up promotion control based on the travel distance or the length of the travel time, the criteria for the travel distance or the length of the travel time for the determination are not described. Furthermore, the relationship between the travel distance or the travel time and the fuel economy is not described. Therefore, the device of Patent Document 1 may not be able to accurately determine whether to execute the warm-up promotion control based on whether the fuel economy will worsen.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above technical problems, and aims to provide a vehicle control device that is capable of appropriately performing warm-up operation while suppressing deterioration of fuel efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a vehicle control device configured to perform a warm-up operation of a driving force source, comprising a controller that performs the warm-up operation, the controller comprising a position information acquisition unit that acquires a current position of the vehicle, a route setting unit that sets a driving route from the current position of the vehicle to a destination, a fuel consumption calculation unit that calculates a first fuel consumption amount, which is a value based on the amount of fuel consumed when the vehicle performs the warm-up operation and drives the driving route, and a second fuel consumption amount, which is a value based on the amount of fuel consumed when the vehicle drives the driving route while prohibiting the warm-up operation, and a warm-up operation execution unit that executes the warm-up operation when a value obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the vehicle control device of the present invention, in a vehicle configured to perform a warm-up operation of a driving force source, a fuel consumption amount is calculated based on a travel route from a current position to a destination. The calculated fuel consumption amount includes a first fuel consumption amount when the vehicle runs along the travel route while performing a warm-up operation, and a second fuel consumption amount when the vehicle runs along the travel route while prohibiting the warm-up operation. The vehicle is configured to perform the warm-up operation when a value obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in fuel consumption amount caused by running the set travel route while performing a warm-up operation. In addition, since the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount are calculated based on the set travel route, the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount can be calculated with high accuracy. Then, a determination is made as to whether or not to perform the warm-up operation based on whether or not the first fuel consumption amount is greater than the predetermined amount relative to the second fuel consumption amount, so that the warm-up operation can be appropriately performed or prohibited according to the expected fuel consumption amount, and as a result, an increase in the fuel consumption amount can be further suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle equipped with a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control executed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows an example of a drive system and a control system of a vehicle Ve that is an object to be controlled in an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1 has an engine 1 as a drive power source that outputs a drive power for running. The vehicle Ve is also configured to transmit the output torque of the engine 1 to drive wheels 3 via a transaxle 2, a differential gear (not shown), etc. The vehicle Ve also has a detection unit 4 and a controller 5 (ECU).

[0011] The vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine such as the engine 1 described above, but may be a hybrid vehicle (not shown) using the engine 1 and a motor (not shown) as a driving force source. Alternatively, the vehicle may be a series type hybrid vehicle (not shown) equipped with the engine 1 as a power source for driving a generator (not shown), or a so-called range extender electric vehicle (not shown), or may be any of various conventionally known vehicles.

[0012] 1, the vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention may be a front-wheel drive vehicle in which drive torque is transmitted to front wheels (drive wheels) 3 and drive force is generated at the front wheels 3. Alternatively, the vehicle Ve may be a rear-wheel drive vehicle in which drive torque is transmitted to rear wheels 6 via, for example, a propeller shaft (not shown) and drive force is generated at the rear wheels 6. Alternatively, the vehicle Ve may be a four-wheel drive vehicle provided with a transfer mechanism (not shown) in which drive torque is transmitted to both the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 6 and drive force is generated at both the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 6.

[0013] The detection unit 4 is a device or apparatus for acquiring various data and information required for controlling the vehicle Ve, and includes, for example, a power supply unit, a microcomputer, a sensor, and an input / output interface. In particular, the detection unit 4 in the embodiment of the present invention is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 4a for detecting the temperature of the surrounding environment outside the vehicle Ve, and an engine water temperature sensor 4b for detecting the temperature of the cooling water for cooling the engine 1. The detection unit 4 is electrically connected to the controller 5, and is configured to output, as detection data, electric signals and the like corresponding to the detected values ​​or calculated values ​​of the various sensors, devices, and the like described above to the controller 5.

[0014] The controller 5 is an electronic control device mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer. Various data detected or calculated by the above-mentioned detection unit 4 are input to the controller 5. The controller 5 performs calculations using the input various data and pre-stored data, calculation formulas, etc. Then, the controller 5 is configured to output the calculation results as a control command signal and control the vehicle Ve as described above. Note that the detection unit 4, the controller 5, and each actuator and sensor for driving the vehicle Ve are electrically connected to each other, for example, by a CAN or a wire harness, and output an electric signal corresponding to the acquired detection value or calculation value to the controller 5 as detection data. Also, while FIG. 1 shows an example in which one controller 5 is provided, a plurality of controllers 5 may be provided for each device or equipment to be controlled, or for each control content.

[0015] The vehicle Ve configured as described above is configured to perform a warm-up operation of the engine 1 at the time of a cold start of the engine 1, etc. Examples of the warm-up operation include intermittently operating the engine 1, prohibiting the engagement of a lock-up clutch when the vehicle Ve is equipped with a lock-up clutch that enables the power of the engine 1 to be selectively transmitted to a torque converter, or prohibiting upshifting in a transmission mechanism when the vehicle Ve is equipped with a transmission mechanism that can set two or more gear stages. By performing such a warm-up operation, the frequency of operation of the engine 1 increases and the rotation speed of the engine 1 increases, thereby facilitating the warm-up of the engine 1.

[0016] On the other hand, performing a warm-up operation increases the load on the engine 1. In other words, the frequency and duration of operation of the engine 1 increases, or the engine 1 operates in an operating state different from the operating state with the best fuel efficiency set according to the characteristics of the engine 1. In other words, performing a warm-up operation increases the amount of fuel consumed. Therefore, when the travel distance or travel time is short, the vehicle Ve may consume less fuel by traveling to the destination without performing a warm-up operation than by traveling to the destination with a warm-up operation. In other words, not only is the effect of reducing fuel consumption by performing a warm-up operation reduced, but it may actually lead to an increase in fuel consumption.

[0017] Therefore, the control device in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to execute control for determining whether or not to execute a warm-up operation at a cold start, etc., based on the fuel consumption amount. To execute such control, the controller 5 includes a position information acquisition unit 7, a route setting unit 8, a fuel consumption amount calculation unit 9, and a warm-up operation execution unit 10, as shown in FIG.

[0018] The location information acquisition unit 7 acquires information about the current location of the vehicle Ve from, for example, a location information service. One example of such a location information service is GPS, which is one of the GNSS, which is a satellite positioning system that receives signals emitted from satellites and estimates or identifies the current location.

[0019] The route setting unit 8 sets a planned driving route from the current position of the vehicle Ve acquired by the position information acquisition unit 7 to the destination. The destination of the vehicle Ve is set, for example, by an occupant of the vehicle Ve operating a car navigation system (not shown). Alternatively, if the vehicle Ve is capable of automatic driving, the destination of the vehicle Ve may be set by remote operation of an operator at the start of driving. The route setting unit 8 acquires map information stored in advance in the storage unit of the controller 5, road information and traffic congestion information from infrastructure facilities such as roadside devices, and sets a planned driving route from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination set as described above. In addition, when there are multiple routes from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination, the route setting unit 8 selects a route with the shortest driving distance and required time as the planned driving route based on the acquired map information, road information, traffic congestion information, and the like.

[0020] The fuel consumption calculation unit 9 calculates the amount of fuel consumed by traveling along the planned traveling route from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination, which is set by the route setting unit 8. When calculating the amount of fuel consumed, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 calculates a first fuel consumption amount when the vehicle Ve performs a warm-up operation and travels along the planned traveling route, and a second fuel consumption amount when the vehicle Ve prohibits a warm-up operation and travels along the planned traveling route.

[0021] Specifically, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 first acquires road information on the planned travel route, past travel data, vehicle information, and the like. For example, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 acquires road information such as the distance of the planned travel route described above, the gradient of the road, the traffic conditions (congestion) of the road, and the type of the road, such as whether it is a motorway or not. In addition, if the vehicle Ve has traveled the planned travel route in the past, or if data can be acquired from another vehicle that has traveled the planned travel route, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 acquires past data such as the fuel consumption at that time. Furthermore, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 acquires vehicle information such as the performance and vehicle model of the vehicle Ve. This is because the conditions under which the energy efficiency is improved differ depending on the vehicle model. For example, diesel engines have high energy efficiency when traveling at high speeds, and hybrid and electric vehicles have high energy efficiency in traffic conditions with many stop-and-go traffic. Then, the behavior of the vehicle Ve is predicted based on the acquired information, and the above-mentioned first and second fuel consumptions are calculated based on the predicted behavior of the vehicle Ve.

[0022] If the vehicle Ve is a vehicle equipped with a motor generator as a driving force source, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 calculates the power consumption. That is, the fuel consumption calculation unit 9 acquires the above-mentioned information and calculates a first power consumption amount when the vehicle Ve performs a warm-up operation and travels along the planned driving route, and a second power consumption amount when the vehicle Ve prohibits a warm-up operation and travels along the planned driving route.

[0023] The warm-up operation execution unit 10 determines whether or not to perform a warm-up operation based on the ratio between the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount calculated by the fuel consumption amount calculation unit 9. Specifically, the warm-up operation execution unit 10 calculates the difference between the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount, and executes the warm-up operation when the difference ratio, which is the ratio of the difference to the second fuel consumption amount, is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. That is, the warm-up operation execution unit 10 calculates the relative difference ratio between the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount based on the second fuel consumption amount, and determines whether or not to perform the warm-up operation based on the calculated difference ratio. Note that the predetermined ratio may be any ratio, and is obtained in advance by performing experiments, simulations, etc., taking into consideration the performance of the vehicle Ve and the influence on the vehicle Ve including the driving force source due to prohibition of the warm-up operation, etc.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the control device in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is an example of control executed when determining whether or not to perform a warm-up operation when it is determined that the vehicle is cold-started based on the outside air temperature and engine water temperature acquired by the outside air temperature sensor 4a and the engine water temperature sensor 4b. As shown in FIG. 3, in this control, first, a destination is acquired in step S1. In step S1, the destination of the vehicle Ve is set, for example, by an occupant of the vehicle Ve operating a car navigation system (not shown) or by remote operation by an operator. After the destination set in this way is acquired, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0025] In step S2, a route from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination acquired in step S1 is searched for. In step S2, a planned driving route, which is a route from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination, is set based on map information, road information, traffic congestion information, etc. If there are multiple routes from the current position of the vehicle Ve to the destination, the route with the shortest driving distance, required time, etc. is selected as the planned driving route based on map information, road information, traffic congestion information, etc.

[0026] After the planned driving route is set, the process proceeds to step S3, where the fuel consumption when the vehicle Ve travels along the planned driving route is calculated. In step S3, road information, past driving data, vehicle information, and the like are acquired. Next, based on the acquired information, the behavior of the vehicle Ve is predicted when the vehicle Ve travels along the planned driving route with a warm-up operation performed, and when the vehicle Ve travels along the planned driving route with a warm-up operation prohibited. Then, based on the predicted behavior of the vehicle Ve, a first fuel consumption amount, which is the fuel consumption amount when a warm-up operation is performed, and a second fuel consumption amount, which is the fuel consumption amount when a warm-up operation is prohibited, are calculated. After the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount are calculated, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0027] In step S4, it is determined whether the ratio based on the calculated first fuel consumption amount and second fuel consumption amount is greater than a predetermined ratio. In step S4, first, a difference obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is calculated, and a difference ratio, which is a ratio of the difference to the second fuel consumption amount, is calculated. Then, it is determined whether the difference ratio is greater than a predetermined ratio determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, etc. Note that the predetermined ratio is not limited to being determined based on the fuel consumption amount, and may be any ratio that takes into consideration the influence on the vehicle Ve of prohibiting warm-up operation. In addition, since the vehicle Ve may stop or slow down due to a traffic light or other difficult-to-predict reason, which may result in a longer operation time of the engine 1, the predetermined ratio may be set in consideration of such a situation. If the above-mentioned difference ratio is greater than the predetermined ratio and thus YES is determined in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0028] When the process proceeds to step S5, the warm-up operation is prohibited. That is, when the warm-up operation is performed and the vehicle Ve travels along the planned travel route as a result of the determination of YES in step S4, it is predicted that the fuel consumption will increase compared to when the warm-up operation is prohibited and the vehicle Ve travels along the planned travel route. For this reason, step S5 is configured to prohibit the warm-up operation.

[0029] On the other hand, if the above-mentioned difference ratio is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio and thus the result of the determination in step S4 is NO, the process proceeds to step S6. Alternatively, if the above-mentioned difference ratio with respect to the second fuel consumption amount is a negative value, then the result of the determination in step S4 is NO and the process proceeds to step S6. If the process proceeds to step S6, a warm-up operation is performed. That is, if the warm-up operation is performed and the vehicle Ve travels along the planned travel route due to the determination in step S4 being NO, the fuel consumption amount is reduced compared to the case where the warm-up operation is prohibited. Alternatively, it is predicted that the effect of performing the warm-up can be sufficiently obtained from the influence on the vehicle Ve. Therefore, in step S6, the warm-up operation is configured to be performed.

[0030] As described above, in the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle Ve configured to perform a warm-up operation at the time of cold start or the like, a planned travel route from a current position to a destination is searched for. Next, a first fuel consumption amount when the warm-up operation is performed and the planned travel route is traveled, and a second fuel consumption amount when the warm-up operation is prohibited and the planned travel route is traveled are calculated. Then, a difference between the first fuel consumption amount and the second fuel consumption amount is calculated, and it is determined whether or not a difference ratio, which is a ratio of the difference to the second fuel consumption amount, is greater than a predetermined ratio. Then, when the difference ratio is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio, the warm-up operation is performed, and conversely, when the predetermined ratio is greater than the predetermined ratio, the warm-up operation is prohibited. That is, when it is predicted that the fuel consumption amount will increase by performing the warm-up operation and traveling the planned travel route, the execution of the warm-up operation is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress an increase in the fuel consumption amount by performing the warm-up operation.

[0031] In addition, whether or not to perform the warm-up operation is determined based on the fuel consumption calculated based on the planned driving route, etc. That is, the difference ratio is calculated based on the expected fuel consumption amount, and the difference ratio is compared with a predetermined ratio, so that the criterion for whether or not to perform the warm-up operation is clear. Therefore, even if the warm-up operation is performed, it is possible to more accurately avoid excess fuel consumption due to the warm-up operation, such as when the vehicle Ve stops traveling before the warm-up is completed due to a short travel distance of the vehicle Ve, or when the vehicle Ve stops traveling immediately after the warm-up is completed. In addition, since the fuel consumption estimated based on the data regarding the planned driving route is used as the criterion for the judgment, the criterion is clearer, and it is possible to more appropriately determine whether or not to perform the warm-up operation.

[0032] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the difference obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is calculated, and the possibility of performing the warm-up operation is determined based on the difference ratio, which is the ratio of the difference to the second fuel consumption amount, but the possibility of performing the warm-up operation may be determined by comparing the value obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount with a predetermined amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 Engine 2 Transaxle 3 Drive wheels (front wheels) 4. Detection section 4a Outside air temperature sensor 4b Engine water temperature sensor 5. Controller 6 Rear wheel 7 Location information acquisition section 8 Route setting section 9 Fuel consumption calculation section 10 Warm-up operation execution unit Vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] A control device for a vehicle configured to perform a warm-up operation of a driving force source, A controller that executes the warm-up operation is provided, The controller: a location information acquisition unit that acquires a current location of the vehicle; a route setting unit that sets a travel route from the current position of the vehicle to a destination; a fuel consumption calculation unit that calculates a first fuel consumption amount that is a value based on a fuel consumption amount when the vehicle performs the warm-up operation and travels along the travel route, and a second fuel consumption amount that is a value based on a fuel consumption amount when the vehicle travels along the travel route while prohibiting the warm-up operation; a warm-up operation execution unit that executes the warm-up operation when a value obtained by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount. A vehicle control device comprising:

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