Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of suppressing a frequent change of a threshold value as an upper limit value of the speed of rotation of a compressor when controlling the compressor provided to a vehicle allowing ACC to be executed based on a vehicle speed.SOLUTION: A map 25 specifies the following: a threshold value is maintained at a first threshold value while a vehicle speed is lower than a second vehicle speed when the vehicle speed is varied to the second vehicle speed from a first vehicle speed; the threshold value is varied to a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value when the vehicle speed becomes the second vehicle speed; the threshold value is maintained at the second threshold value while the vehicle speed is higher than the first vehicle speed when the vehicle speed is varied to the first vehicle speed from the second vehicle speed; the threshold value is varied to the first threshold value when the vehicle speed becomes the first vehicle speed; and the second vehicle speed when the vehicle executes ACC is higher than the second vehicle speed when the vehicle does not execute the ACC, and / or the first vehicle speed when the vehicle executes the ACC is lower than the first vehicle speed when the vehicle does not execute the ACC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle that changes a threshold value that is an upper limit of the rotation speed of an air conditioner compressor based on the vehicle speed and the set air flow rate of a blower fan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-245894 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When controlling a compressor installed in a vehicle capable of executing adaptive cruise control (hereinafter, referred to as ACC) based on the vehicle speed, it is preferable to change the threshold value while taking the ACC into consideration. In this regard, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has room for improvement.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle control device that can suppress frequent changes in the threshold value, which is the upper limit of the compressor rotation speed, when controlling a compressor installed in a vehicle capable of executing ACC based on the vehicle speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the vehicle control device includes a control unit that controls a compressor provided in a vehicle capable of executing ACC by changing a threshold value, which is an upper limit value of the rotation speed of the compressor, based on a map that defines a relationship between the threshold value and vehicle speed, and the map specifies that, when the vehicle speed changes from a first vehicle speed to a second vehicle speed higher than the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at the first threshold value while the vehicle speed is less than the second vehicle speed, and when the vehicle speed becomes the second vehicle speed, the threshold value is changed to the second threshold value higher than the first threshold value, when the vehicle speed changes from the second vehicle speed to the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at the second threshold value while the vehicle speed is higher than the first vehicle speed, and when the vehicle speed becomes the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is changed to the first threshold value, and the second vehicle speed when the vehicle is executing the ACC is higher than the second vehicle speed when the vehicle is not executing the ACC, and / or the first vehicle speed when the vehicle is executing the ACC is lower than the first vehicle speed when the vehicle is not executing the ACC. Effect of the Invention

[0007] When controlling a compressor provided in a vehicle capable of executing ACC based on the vehicle speed, the vehicle control device according to the present invention can suppress frequent changes in the threshold value that is the upper limit of the rotation speed of the compressor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control map that defines the relationship between vehicle speed and a threshold value of the rotation speed of the compressor. [Diagram 3] 4 is a timing chart showing a state in which a vehicle running in a predetermined manner during ACC execution; [Figure 4] 4 is a timing chart showing a case where the vehicle running ACC is driven in a manner different from that shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a CPU of an ECU of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] A vehicle 10 to which the vehicle control device of this embodiment is applied has an electric motor 12 and a battery 14, as shown in Fig. 1. The electric motor 12 is a drive source of the vehicle 10, and is operated by receiving electric power supplied from the battery 14. In other words, the vehicle 10 of this embodiment is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 10 further has a vehicle speed sensor 15.

[0011] The vehicle 10 further includes a cooling device for cooling the battery 14. The cooling device includes a rotary compressor 16. The vehicle 10 further includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20 connected to the electric motor 12, the battery 14, the vehicle speed sensor 15, and the compressor 16.

[0012] The ECU 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) (processor), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a storage, an in-vehicle communication I / F, and an input / output I / F. The CPU, the ROM, the RAM, the storage, the in-vehicle communication I / F, and the input / output I / F are connected to each other via an internal bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0013] The CPU is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. The CPU reads programs from ROM or storage, and executes the programs using RAM as a working area. The CPU controls each component and performs various calculation processes according to the programs recorded in ROM or storage. The ROM stores various programs and various data. The RAM serves as a working area to temporarily store programs or data. The storage is composed of storage devices such as HDD or SSD, and stores various programs and various data. The in-vehicle communication I / F is an interface for communicating with ECUs other than ECU 20. The input / output I / F is an interface for communicating with various devices.

[0014] The ECU 20 has a driving assistance control unit and a compressor control unit as functional components, which are realized by the CPU reading and executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0015] When a predetermined operation is performed on an input device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 10, the driving assistance control unit controls a group of actuators provided in the vehicle 10 to cause the vehicle 10 to execute driving assistance control at driving levels 1 to 5 defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). For example, the vehicle 10 can execute ACC (adaptive cruise control). The actuator group includes, for example, various actuators for driving a brake device and a steering device, and an electric motor 12 as a drive source. When causing the vehicle 10 to execute ACC, the occupant can set a set vehicle speed for the ACC using the input device.

[0016] The ROM stores a control map (map) 25 shown in Fig. 2. The compressor control unit controls the compressor 16 using the control map 25 when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 15 becomes higher than a predetermined reference vehicle speed. In this embodiment, the reference vehicle speed is set to 80 km / h. However, the reference vehicle speed may be a value other than 80 km / h.

[0017] The portion of the control map 25 indicated by a solid line represents the relationship between the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 15 and the threshold value, which is the upper limit of the number of revolutions per unit time of the compressor 16, when the vehicle 10 is running normally without executing ACC. As is clear from FIG. 2, the control map 25 has a hysteresis. That is, in the control map 25, the threshold value when the vehicle speed is 80 km / h or less is a constant first threshold value. The first threshold value in this embodiment is set to 3000 rpm. However, the first threshold value may be a value different from 3000 rpm. Furthermore, in the control map 25, even if the vehicle speed becomes higher than 80 km / h, the threshold value is maintained at the first threshold value while the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined normal second vehicle speed (second vehicle speed) (83 km / h). Here, the range between the threshold values ​​of the reference vehicle speed and the normal second vehicle speed when the vehicle speed becomes high is the normal first hysteresis width HW1. When the vehicle speed becomes the second normal vehicle speed, the threshold value changes to a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value. The second threshold value in this embodiment is set to 5000 rpm. However, the second threshold value may be a value other than 5000 rpm as long as it is larger than the first threshold value. In the control map 25, the threshold value when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the second normal vehicle speed (83 km / h) is constant at the second threshold value. When the vehicle speed changes from a value equal to or higher than the second normal vehicle speed to a value smaller than the second normal vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at the second threshold value while the vehicle speed is higher than the first normal vehicle speed (first vehicle speed) (77 km / h) that is smaller than the second normal vehicle speed. Here, the range between the reference vehicle speed and the threshold value of the first normal vehicle speed when the vehicle speed decreases is the second hysteresis width HW2. When the vehicle speed becomes the first normal vehicle speed, the threshold value changes from the second threshold value to the first threshold value.

[0018] In this way, when the speed of the vehicle 10 traveling normally increases and exceeds the reference vehicle speed, the compressor control unit controls the compressor 16 in accordance with the control map 25 in which the first normal hysteresis width HW1 and the second normal hysteresis width HW2 are set. Therefore, even if the speed of the vehicle 10 changes between the first normal vehicle speed and the second normal vehicle speed, the operation of the compressor 16 is prevented from entering a hunting state.

[0019] Furthermore, the portion of control map 25 indicated by the dashed dotted line represents the relationship between the vehicle speed detected by vehicle speed sensor 15 and the threshold value of compressor 16 when vehicle 10 is executing ACC at a set speed within a predetermined range. Here, the portion when the vehicle speed is higher than the second normal vehicle speed is referred to as a first expansion region AR1. Also, the portion when the vehicle speed is lower than the first normal vehicle speed is referred to as a second expansion region AR2.

[0020] When the vehicle 10 executes ACC with the set vehicle speed being 83 km / h or less, the threshold value is maintained at the first threshold value while the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined ACC second vehicle speed (second vehicle speed) that is greater than the normal second vehicle speed (83 km / h). The ACC second vehicle speed in this embodiment is set to 95 km / h. However, the ACC second vehicle speed may be a value other than 95 km / h. When the vehicle 10 executes ACC and the vehicle speed becomes the ACC second vehicle speed, the threshold value changes to the second threshold value. Here, the range between the reference vehicle speed and the threshold value of the ACC second vehicle speed when the vehicle speed increases is the ACC first hysteresis width HW1A. That is, the ACC first hysteresis width HW1A when the set vehicle speed is set to 83 km / h or less is greater than the normal first hysteresis width HW1. In the control map 25, the threshold value when the vehicle speed is the ACC second vehicle speed (95 km / h) or more is constant at the second threshold value.

[0021] When the vehicle 10 executes ACC with the set vehicle speed being 77 km / h or more, if the vehicle speed changes from a value equal to or greater than the ACC second vehicle speed to a value smaller than the ACC second vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at the first threshold value while the vehicle speed is greater than the ACC first vehicle speed, which is smaller than the normal first vehicle speed. The ACC first vehicle speed in this embodiment is set to 70 km / h. However, the ACC first vehicle speed may be a value other than 70 km / h. When the vehicle 10 executes ACC and the vehicle speed becomes the ACC first vehicle speed, the threshold value changes to the first threshold value. Here, the range between the reference vehicle speed and the threshold value of the ACC first vehicle speed when the vehicle speed becomes lower is the ACC second hysteresis width HW2A. That is, the ACC second hysteresis width HW2A when the set vehicle speed is set to 77 km / h or more is greater than the normal second hysteresis width HW2. In the control map 25, the threshold value when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the first vehicle speed in ACC (70 km / h) is constant at the first threshold value.

[0022] Furthermore, the portion of the control map 25 indicated by the two-dot chain line represents the relationship between the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 15 and the threshold value of the compressor 16 when the specific continuation condition is satisfied while the vehicle 10 is performing ACC. For example, the specific continuation condition is satisfied when the state in which the vehicle speed is higher than the second normal vehicle speed and lower than the second ACC vehicle speed continues for a specific continuation time or more. This specific continuation time is, for example, 10 seconds. When the specific continuation condition is satisfied when the vehicle speed is higher than the second normal vehicle speed and lower than the second ACC vehicle speed, the threshold value changes from the first threshold value to the second threshold value even if the vehicle speed is lower than the second ACC vehicle speed, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2. Also, the specific continuation condition is satisfied when the state in which the vehicle speed is lower than the first normal vehicle speed and higher than the first ACC vehicle speed continues for a specific continuation time or more. When the specific continuation condition is met when the vehicle speed is lower than the first normal vehicle speed and higher than the first ACC vehicle speed, the threshold value changes from the second threshold value to the first threshold value, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 2, even if the vehicle speed is higher than the first ACC vehicle speed.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the rotation speed of the compressor 16 of the vehicle 10 during ACC, the braking operation by the ACC, the accelerator pedal opening, and the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 15. In the example of FIG. 3, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal at time t1, which causes the vehicle speed to increase from 75 km / h to 90 km / h at time t1a. Furthermore, the driver releases his / her foot from the accelerator pedal at time t2, which causes the vehicle speed to decrease to 75 km / h at time t2a. In this way, the vehicle speed becomes higher than the second vehicle speed under normal conditions (83 km / h) between time t1a and time t2. However, in this case, the first hysteresis width HW1A during ACC is set in the control map 25, so the threshold of the compressor 16 is maintained at the first threshold (3000 rpm). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is maintained at 3000 rpm between time t1 and time t2. In this way, when the vehicle speed temporarily increases due to the driver's intentional operation of the accelerator pedal, the background noise caused by the electric motor 12, etc. temporarily increases. In this case, if the rotation speed of the compressor 16 temporarily increases, the occupants of the vehicle 10 are likely to feel annoyed, but since the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is maintained at a predetermined value (3000 rpm), the occupants are unlikely to feel annoyed.

[0024] At time t3 in FIG. 3, the accelerator pedal opening increases, the vehicle speed increases from 70 km / h to 90 km / h, and the vehicle speed is maintained higher than the second normal vehicle speed and lower than the second ACC vehicle speed for a specific duration. Therefore, at time t4, the threshold value of the compressor 16 changes from the first threshold value to the second threshold value, and the rotation speed of the compressor 16 changes to 5000 rpm. In this way, when the vehicle speed increases for a certain amount of time, the background noise increases for a certain amount of time. Therefore, in this case, even if the rotation speed of the compressor 16 increases, the occupants of the vehicle 10 are unlikely to feel annoyed.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the rotation speed of the compressor 16 of the vehicle 10 during ACC, the braking operation by the ACC, and the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 15. In the example of FIG. 4, the braking operation by the ACC is performed between time t5 and time t6, which causes the vehicle speed to be equal to or lower than the first normal vehicle speed (77 km / h) between time t5a and time t7. However, in this case, the second hysteresis width HW2A during ACC is set in the control map 25, so the threshold of the compressor 16 is maintained at the second threshold (5000 rpm). Therefore, the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is maintained at 5000 rpm between time t5 and time t7. When the vehicle speed suddenly decreases due to the braking operation by the ACC in this way, the background noise temporarily decreases. In this case, if the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is temporarily reduced, the occupants of the vehicle 10 are likely to feel annoyed, but since the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is maintained at a predetermined value (5000 rpm), the occupants are unlikely to feel annoyed.

[0026] Also, at time t8 in FIG. 4, the brake device operates, the vehicle speed drops from 90 km / h to 70 km / h, and the vehicle speed is maintained lower than the first normal vehicle speed and higher than the first ACC vehicle speed for a specific duration. Therefore, at time t9, the threshold value of the compressor 16 changes from the second threshold value to the first threshold value, and the rotation speed of the compressor 16 changes to 3000 rpm. In this way, when the vehicle speed is low for a certain amount of time, the background noise is reduced for a certain amount of time. Therefore, in this case, even if the rotation speed of the compressor 16 is reduced, the occupants of the vehicle 10 are unlikely to feel annoyed.

[0027] Among the above-described configuration, the ECU 20 and the control map 25 are components of the vehicle control device 30.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the processing executed by the CPU of the ECU 20. The CPU repeatedly executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0029] In step S10 (hereinafter, the letter "step" will be omitted), the CPU determines whether or not ACC is being executed on the vehicle 10. If the determination in S10 is Yes, the CPU proceeds to S11.

[0030] In S11, the CPU recognizes the set vehicle speed of the ACC which has been set using the input device.

[0031] After completing the process of S11, the CPU proceeds to S12 and determines whether the set vehicle speed is 77 km / h or higher.

[0032] If the result of the determination in S12 is Yes, the CPU proceeds to S13, and sets the second hysteresis width HW2A (second expansion region AR2) during ACC in the control map 25.

[0033] When the process of S13 is completed or when the result of S12 is No, the CPU proceeds to S14 and determines whether the set vehicle speed is 83 km / h or less.

[0034] If the result of the determination in S14 is Yes, the CPU proceeds to S15, and sets the first hysteresis width HW1A (first expansion region AR1) during ACC in the control map 25.

[0035] After completing the process of S15, the CPU proceeds to S16, where it controls the compressor 16 based on the control map 25.

[0036] If the result of S10 is No, the CPU proceeds to S17 and controls the compressor 16 based on the control map 25 in which the second ACC hysteresis width HW2A and the first ACC hysteresis width HW1A are not set.

[0037] When the process of S16 or S17 is completed, the CPU temporarily ends the process of the flowchart in FIG.

[0038] Although the vehicle control device according to the embodiment has been described above, the design can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0039] In the control map 25, only one of the first ACC hysteresis width HW1A and the second ACC hysteresis width HW2A may be set.

[0040] The vehicle 10 may be a vehicle other than a BEV. For example, the vehicle 10 may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and may be equipped with an internal combustion engine as a drive source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Vehicles 16 Compressor 20 ECU (control unit) 25 Control Map (Map) 30 Vehicle control device

Claims

[Claim 1] a control unit that controls a compressor provided in a vehicle capable of executing ACC while changing a threshold value that is an upper limit value of a rotation speed of the compressor based on a map that defines a relationship between the threshold value and a vehicle speed, The map is When the vehicle speed changes from a first vehicle speed to a second vehicle speed higher than the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at a first threshold value while the vehicle speed is less than the second vehicle speed, and when the vehicle speed becomes the second vehicle speed, the threshold value is changed to a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value; When the vehicle speed changes from the second vehicle speed to the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is maintained at the second threshold value while the vehicle speed is higher than the first vehicle speed, and when the vehicle speed becomes the first vehicle speed, the threshold value is changed to the first threshold value; A vehicle control device that specifies that the second vehicle speed when the vehicle is executing the ACC is higher than the second vehicle speed when the vehicle is not executing the ACC, and / or that the first vehicle speed when the vehicle is executing the ACC is lower than the first vehicle speed when the vehicle is not executing the ACC.

Images