Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure which can charge a secondary battery at proper timing.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure includes: a secondary battery provided in a vehicle; a storage device which stores at least one of a daily average travel distance and a daily maximum output in the vehicle; and a control device which issues a command to a warning device so that the warning device issues the necessity of charging of the secondary battery when satisfying at least one of a case where an expected drivable distance calculated using a charging state of the secondary battery is smaller than a distance based on the average travel distance and a case where an expected maximum output calculated using the charging state of the secondary battery is smaller than the average maximum output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure equipped with a secondary battery of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a charging control device for an electric vehicle. The charging control device includes a battery, a battery heater, and a battery control device. The battery has a battery temperature sensor that monitors the battery temperature. The battery heater heats and keeps the battery at a predetermined temperature or higher. The battery heater operates by receiving power from the battery. When the battery temperature measured by the battery temperature sensor falls below the predetermined temperature, the battery control device operates the battery heater to heat the battery to a target temperature or higher. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-191781 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to charge a secondary battery at an appropriate time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure that can charge a secondary battery at an appropriate timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes: A secondary battery provided in a vehicle; A storage device for storing at least one of an average daily mileage and an average maximum power of the vehicle; The vehicle is equipped with a controller that issues a command to an alarm device to sound an alarm indicating the need to charge the secondary battery when at least one of the following conditions is met: the predicted cruising distance calculated using the charge state of the secondary battery is shorter than a distance based on the average driving distance, and the predicted maximum output calculated using the charge state of the secondary battery is shorter than the average maximum output. Effect of the Invention

[0007] When the specific condition is satisfied, i.e., taking into consideration the usage status of the vehicle, the vehicle structure issues a command to the alarm device to issue a warning of the need to charge the secondary battery. Therefore, the vehicle structure can notify the driver of the vehicle that the secondary battery needs to be charged, and can prompt the driver to charge the secondary battery. Therefore, the vehicle structure can appropriately time the charging of the secondary battery. In other words, the vehicle structure can avoid unnecessary charging of the secondary battery. Moreover, the vehicle structure can accurately grasp whether the destination can be reached with the charged state of the secondary battery at the time of departure, depending on the usage status of the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a heat medium circulating device for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control procedure in the heat medium circulating device for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the heat medium circulating device for a vehicle according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle structure 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First Embodiment [Vehicle structure] A vehicle structure 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle structure 1 of the first embodiment includes a secondary battery 60 provided in a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). The secondary battery 60 is used to drive the BEV. One of the features of the vehicle structure 1 of the embodiment is that it includes a specific storage device 5 and a controller 4.

[0011] [Storage device] The storage device 5 stores at least one of the daily average mileage and the average maximum output of the vehicle 100. The daily average mileage is the average value of the mileage on weekdays and the average value of the mileage on holidays. The daily average maximum output is the average value of the maximum output on weekdays and the average value of the maximum output on holidays. The storage device 5 stores the average value of the mileage on weekdays, the average value of the mileage on holidays, the average value of the maximum output on weekdays, and the average value of the maximum output on holidays separately. Each average mileage can be obtained by an odometer or a trip meter. Each maximum output can be calculated using a voltage value and an ammeter obtained by a battery management system (not shown). The calculation of each average value is performed by the controller 4. The storage device 5 in this example may be provided as a part of the controller 4.

[0012] [Controller] The controller 4, which will be described in detail in the control procedure below, issues a command to an alarm device (not shown) to issue a warning of the need to charge the secondary battery 60 when a specific condition is satisfied. The alarm device is, for example, at least one of a display device that allows visual confirmation and a voice output device that allows audible confirmation. The display device is, for example, a mobile device or a meter panel. The mobile device is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The voice generating device is, for example, an in-vehicle speaker. The alarm device can inform the driver of the vehicle 100 that the secondary battery 60 needs to be charged. Thus, the driver can be prompted to charge the secondary battery 60. The controller 4 in this example further controls the pump 34 and the heater 31 of the heating circuit 3, the pump 61 of the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6, the circuit switching valve 7, the electric compressor, and the electromagnetic expansion valve, which will be described later.

[0013] The controller 4 is configured by an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU typically includes a processor and a memory. The processor is, for example, a CPU. The memory stores a control program to be executed by the processor and various data. The controller 4 is operated by the processor executing the control program stored in the memory. The controller 4 also performs necessary calculation processing and judgment processing according to the control program stored in the memory. Each of the above processes may be performed by multiple physically separated processors working together.

[0014] (Control Procedure) The control procedure by the controller 44 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. When the secondary battery 60 is in a cold state and the power switch for starting the system of the vehicle 100 is turned ON, or when the secondary battery 60 is not being charged and the air conditioning system is turned ON by remote control before getting in, the controller 4 performs the following control procedure. The secondary battery 60 is in a cold state, for example, when the temperature of the secondary battery 60 is below 0°C.

[0015] In step S01, the controller 4 calculates the distance A. The distance A is an estimated cruising distance calculated based on two parameters, for example, the temperature of the secondary battery 60 and the state of charge of the secondary battery 60. The distance A may be an estimated cruising distance calculated based on three parameters, the temperature of the secondary battery 60, the state of charge of the secondary battery 60, and an average daily mileage traveled with the secondary battery 60 in a state of charge at the current temperature. The state of charge and temperature of the secondary battery 60 can be obtained by, for example, a voltage sensor and a temperature sensor provided in a battery management system (not shown).

[0016] In step S02, the controller 4 determines whether the distance A is equal to or less than the distance X. The distance X is the sum of the average daily mileage B and the margin α. The average daily mileage B is the average value of the mileage on weekdays if today is a weekday, and is the average value of the mileage on holidays if today is a holiday. The margin α can be selected as appropriate. The margin α is, for example, 10 km. The distance X is stored in the memory.

[0017] If the condition of step S02 is satisfied, in step S03, the controller 4 calculates the distance C. The distance C is an expected cruising distance calculated based on the temperature of the secondary battery 60 after the temperature rise and the state of charge of the secondary battery 60 remaining after the temperature rise, assuming that the temperature of the secondary battery 60 is raised from the current temperature to room temperature. The above-mentioned room temperature is, for example, 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower. As a characteristic of the secondary battery 60, if the temperature of the secondary battery 60 is room temperature, more power can be used compared to a temperature other than room temperature. There are two methods for raising the temperature of the secondary battery 60. The first method is a method using a series circuit of the heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 described later. The second method is a method of receiving power from an external power source by connecting the external power source and the vehicle 100 with a charging cable. In the first method, the power of the secondary battery 60 is consumed, and the state of charge of the secondary battery 60 is reduced. The expected distance that can be traveled in the reduced state of charge is the distance C.

[0018] In step S04, the controller 4 determines whether the distance C is greater than the distance X.

[0019] If the condition in step S04 is satisfied, in step S05, the controller 4 determines whether the distance C exceeds the distance Y. The distance Y is the sum of the distance X and the margin β. The margin β can be appropriately selected. For example, the margin β is 20 km. The distance Y is stored in the memory.

[0020] If the condition in step S05 is satisfied, in step S06, the controller 4 uses the series circuit to consume the power of the secondary battery 60 to increase the temperature of the secondary battery 60. Satisfying the condition in step S05 means that a sufficient state of charge remains even if the power of the secondary battery 60 is consumed and the temperature of the secondary battery 60 is increased by using the series circuit.

[0021] After step S06 is performed, the controller 4 ends the control.

[0022] If the condition in step S02 is not satisfied, the control is terminated. If the condition in step S02 is not satisfied, this means that the current state of charge of the secondary battery 60 is sufficient to travel a distance that exceeds the average daily driving distance. Therefore, there is no need to charge the secondary battery 60, and there is no need to prompt the driver of the vehicle 100 to charge the battery.

[0023] If the conditions of step S04 or step S05 are not satisfied, in step S07, the controller 4 issues a charging request. Issuing a charging request means that the controller 4 issues a command to the alarm device to notify the need for charging the secondary battery 60. If the conditions of step S04 are not satisfied, it means that even if the secondary battery 60 is heated using the heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 by consuming the power of the secondary battery 60, the distance C does not exceed the distance X. If the conditions of step S05 are not satisfied, it means that the remaining amount of the charged state is not sufficient if the secondary battery 60 is heated using the series circuit by consuming the power of the secondary battery 60. Therefore, if the conditions of step S04 or step S05 are not satisfied, a charging request is issued, and the driver of the vehicle 100 can be prompted to charge.

[0024] The heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 that heat the secondary battery 60 in step S06 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The outline arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the direction in which the heat medium flows.

[0025] [Heating circuit] In the heating circuit 3, the heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 is circulated. The heater core 32 heats the air by heat exchange between the heat medium passing through the heater core 32 and the air. That is, the heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 is a heat medium with a high temperature. The heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 is a heat medium that has passed through the condenser 30. This heat medium is, for example, an antifreeze such as long life coolant (LLC). The condenser 30 is provided so as to be in contact with another condenser 23. The condenser 30 heats the heat medium passing through the condenser 30 by the heat of the condenser 23 being transferred thereto. The condenser 23 is provided in a heat pump circuit (not shown). The heat pump circuit has a circuit in which the other heat medium circulates in the order of an external condenser, a solenoid valve, an accumulator, an electric compressor, the condenser 23, an electromagnetic expansion valve, and the external condenser. The other heat medium has a high temperature by being heated by the electric compressor. The other heat medium is, for example, a hydrofluorocarbon such as R134a. Heat of the other heat medium is transferred to the heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 by the condenser 23 and the condenser 30. Thus, the heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 is heated and the other heat medium is cooled. The heat medium supplied to the heater core 32 may be further heated by a heater 31, which will be described later. The heater core 32 is provided downstream of the evaporator 27, which will be described later. The heater core 32 is provided in the air conditioning unit 2A.

[0026] The air conditioning unit 2A is also called, for example, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). In addition to the heater core 32, the air conditioning unit 2A includes a blower 29, an evaporator 27, and an air mix door 28. The blower 29 draws air from outside the vehicle compartment into the air conditioning unit 2A through the intake port 2B, and discharges the air from the air conditioning unit 2A into the vehicle compartment through the outlet port 2C. The evaporator 27 evaporates the heat medium atomized by expansion due to reduced pressure. The air passing through the evaporator 27 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat medium. That is, the other heat medium supplied to the evaporator 27 is a heat medium with a low temperature. The heat medium supplied to the evaporator 27 is cooled by, for example, an electromagnetic expansion valve (not shown). The evaporator 27 is provided downstream of the blower 29. The air mix door 28 is arranged to be able to swing or slide between the evaporator 27 and the heater core 32. The air mix door 28 adjusts the mixing ratio of the cool air from the evaporator 27 and the hot air from the heater core 32 depending on the opening degree of the air mix door 28.

[0027] The heating circuit 3 includes a pump 34, a condenser 30, a heater 31, a first temperature sensor 45, a second temperature sensor 46, and a reserve tank 33. The heater 31 is not an essential component. The pump 34 circulates the heat medium in the heating circuit 3. The heat medium flows through the condenser 30, the heater 31, the first temperature sensor 45, the heater core 32, the second temperature sensor 46, the circuit switching valve 7, the reserve tank 33, the pump 34, and the condenser 30 in this order. The pump 34 is an electric pump. The pump 34 is provided in the middle of the flow path from the reserve tank 33 to the condenser 30 in the heat medium circulation path. The condenser 30 is as described above. The heater 31 heats the heat medium. The heater 31 is, for example, a high voltage water heater (HVH: High Voltage Heater). The first temperature sensor 45 measures the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the condenser 30 to the heater core 32. The first temperature sensor 45 is provided in the heat medium circulation path, midway through the flow path from the condenser 30 to the heater core 32. When the heating circuit 3 has a heater 31, the first temperature sensor 45 is provided in the heat medium circulation path, midway through the flow path from the heater 31 to the heater core 32. The second temperature sensor 46 measures the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heater core 32 to the circuit switching valve 7. The second temperature sensor 46 is provided in the heat medium circulation path, midway through the flow path from the heater core 32 to the circuit switching valve 7. The reserve tank 33 temporarily stores the heat medium circulating through the heating circuit 3.

[0028] [Battery temperature adjustment circuit] The battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 circulates the heat medium supplied to the secondary battery 60. The heat medium supplied to the secondary battery 60 adjusts the temperature of the secondary battery 60. The battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 has a pump 61, a temperature sensor 62, and a chiller 63.

[0029] The pump 61 circulates the heat medium in the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6. The heat medium flows through the secondary battery 60, the chiller 63, the circuit switching valve 7, and the secondary battery 60 in this order. The pump 61 is an electric pump. The pump 61 is provided in the middle of the flow path of the heat medium from the circuit switching valve 7 to the temperature sensor 62. The temperature sensor 62 measures the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the secondary battery 60. The temperature sensor 62 is provided in the middle of the flow path of the heat medium from the pump 34 to the secondary battery 60. The chiller 63 cools the heat medium that has passed through the secondary battery 60. The chiller 63 is provided so as to be in contact with another chiller 81. Another heat medium passes through the chiller 81. The other heat medium is the same as the other heat medium that flows through the heat pump circuit described above. The heat pump circuit has a circuit in which the heat medium circulates in the order of an external condenser, an electromagnetic expansion valve, a chiller 81, an accumulator, an electric compressor, a condenser 23, an expansion valve, and the external condenser. The other heat medium has a low temperature by being cooled by the electromagnetic expansion valve. The heat of the heat medium that has passed through the secondary battery 60 is transferred to the other heat medium by the chiller 63 and the chiller 81. Thus, the temperature of the heat medium that has passed through the secondary battery 60 is reduced. The chiller 63 is provided in the middle of the flow path from the secondary battery 60 to the circuit switching valve 7 in the heat medium circulation path. In the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6, in order to prevent the pressure of the flowing heat medium from increasing, a part of the heat medium flows into the reserve tank 33 when the pressure of the heat medium that has passed through the secondary battery 60 reaches a predetermined value or higher. In the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 of this example, a chiller is not provided in the middle of the flow path from the circuit switching valve 7 to the secondary battery 60 in the heat medium circulation path. The battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 does not include a battery heater or the like that is independent of the heat medium for increasing the temperature of the secondary battery 60.

[0030] [Circuit switching valve] The circuit switching valve 7 switches the connection state between the heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6. The circuit switching valve 7 connects a part of the heat medium circulation path of the heating circuit 3 from the second temperature sensor 46 to the reserve tank 33 to a part of the heat medium circulation path of the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 from the chiller 63 to the pump 61. The circuit switching valve 7 switches between the following state (1) and state (2) by adjusting the opening degree by the controller 4 described later. The circuit switching valve 7 in this example is not particularly limited as long as it is a valve that can switch between the following state (1) and state (2).

[0031] (1) The circuit switching valve 7 makes the heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 a parallel circuit independent of each other. The circuit switching valve 7 prevents the heat medium circulating in the heating circuit 3 from flowing into the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6, and prevents the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 from flowing into the heating circuit 3. That is, the parallel circuit is a circuit in which the heat medium circulates independently in a circuit of the pump 34, the condenser 30, the heater 31, the heater core 32, point A, the circuit switching valve 7, point B, the reserve tank 33, and the pump 34, and a circuit of the pump 61, the secondary battery 60, the chiller 63, point C, the circuit switching valve 7, point D, and the pump 61. The heat medium at point A that has passed through the heater core 32 is supplied to the heater core 32 through point B without being supplied to the secondary battery 60 through point D, and the heat medium at point C that has passed through the secondary battery 60 is supplied to the secondary battery 60 through point D without being supplied to the heater core 32 through point B. The temperature of the heat medium flowing from the condenser 30 to the heater core 32 is higher than the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heater core 32 to the condenser 30 .

[0032] (2) The circuit switching valve 7 makes the heating circuit 3 and the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 a series circuit. The circuit switching valve 7 makes the heat medium flowing through the heating circuit 3 flow to the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6, and the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature adjustment circuit 6 flow to the heating circuit 3. That is, the series circuit is a series of circuits including the pump 34, the condenser 30, the heater 31, the heater core 32, point A, the circuit switching valve 7, point D, the pump 61, the secondary battery 60, the chiller 63, point C, the circuit switching valve 7, the reserve tank 33, and the pump 34. The heat medium at point A that has passed through the heater core 32 is supplied to the secondary battery 60 through point D without passing through point B, and the heat medium at point C that has passed through the secondary battery 60 is supplied to the heater core 32 through point B without passing through point D. The temperature of the heat medium flowing from the condenser 30 to the heater core 32 is higher than the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heater core 32 to the secondary battery 60, and the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heater core 32 to the secondary battery 60 is higher than the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the secondary battery 60 to the condenser 30.

[0033] In step S06, the controller 4 operates the circuit switching valve 77 to set the series circuit in the state (2). The heat medium flowing through the heating circuit 3 is heated in the condenser 30 by heat exchange with the other heat medium heated by the compressor. This heated heat medium flows through the heater core 32, point A, and point D in this order to the secondary battery 60. Therefore, the secondary battery 60 is heated.

[0034] The vehicle structure 1 issues a temperature increase command or a charging request for the secondary battery 60, taking into consideration the usage status of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the vehicle structure 1 can appropriately set the timing for increasing the temperature of the secondary battery 60 and the timing for charging the secondary battery 60. Therefore, the vehicle structure 1 can avoid unnecessary charging of the secondary battery 60 and unnecessary increase in temperature of the secondary battery 60 when not being charged. Furthermore, the vehicle structure 1 can accurately grasp whether the destination can be reached with the charged state of the secondary battery 60 at the time of departure, depending on the usage status of the vehicle 100.

[0035] <<Variation>> The control procedure of the first embodiment has been described taking the case where the secondary battery 60 is in a cold state as an example. In the modified example, the case where the secondary battery 60 is in a high temperature state will be described. The high temperature state of the secondary battery 60 refers to the case where the temperature of the secondary battery 60 is above room temperature. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0036] In this example, in step S06, the controller 4 consumes the power of the secondary battery 60 and uses the parallel circuit to lower the temperature of the secondary battery 60. Specifically, the controller 4 sets the parallel circuit to the state (1) above, and cools the heat medium that has passed through the secondary battery 60 using the chiller 63. Since the cooled heat medium is supplied to the secondary battery 60, the temperature of the secondary battery 60 can be lowered.

[0037] Second Embodiment The vehicle structure 1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the control procedure of the controller 4. Below, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0038] (Control Procedure) The second control procedure will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. The conditions for performing the second control procedure are the same as those of the control procedure in the first embodiment.

[0039] In step S21, the controller 4 calculates the output A'. The output A' is an expected maximum output calculated based on two parameters, for example, the temperature and state of charge of the secondary battery 60. The output A' may be an expected maximum output calculated based on three parameters, the temperature of the secondary battery 60, the state of charge of the secondary battery 60, and the average maximum output for each day when the vehicle was driven in the state of charge of the secondary battery 60 at the current temperature.

[0040] In step S22, the controller 4 determines whether the output A' is equal to or less than the output X'. The output X2 is the daily average maximum output. If today is a weekday, the output X' is the average value of the maximum output on weekdays, and if today is a holiday, the output X' is the average value of the maximum output on holidays.

[0041] If the condition in step S22 is satisfied, in step S23, controller 4 issues a charge request, as in step S07. Satisfying the condition in step S22 means that the current state of charge of secondary battery 60 cannot output an output that exceeds the daily average maximum output. Therefore, by issuing a charge request, it is possible to prompt the driver of vehicle 100 to charge.

[0042] If the condition of step S22 is not satisfied, the control is terminated. Not satisfying the condition of step S22 means that the current state of charge of the secondary battery 60 can output an output that exceeds the daily average maximum output. Therefore, since there is no need to charge, there is no need to prompt the driver of the vehicle 100 to charge.

[0043] The control procedure of this example is effective when high power output is required, such as when driving at high speeds, and high power consumption is required.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0045] The controller may perform control such that a charging request is issued if either one of the judgment requirements is satisfied by performing both the judgment as to whether or not the distance A is equal to or less than the distance X as in the control procedure of embodiment 1 and the judgment as to whether or not the output A' is equal to or less than the output X' as in the control procedure of embodiment 2. Alternatively, the controller may perform control such as determining whether or not the average maximum output is equal to or greater than a threshold, and if it is equal to or less than the threshold, perform the control procedure of embodiment 1, and if it is greater than the threshold, perform the control procedure of embodiment 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 vehicles 1 Vehicle structure 2A Air Conditioning Unit 2B Air Intake 2C air outlet 27 Evaporator 28 Air Mix Door 29 Blower 3 Heating circuit 30 Capacitor 31 Heater 32 Heater core 33 Reserve Tank 34 Pump 4. Controller 45 First temperature sensor 46 Second temperature sensor 5 Storage device 6 Battery temperature adjustment circuit 60 Secondary battery 61 Pump 62 Temperature Sensor 63 Chiller 7 Circuit switching valve

Claims

[Claim 1] A secondary battery provided in a vehicle; A storage device for storing at least one of an average daily mileage and an average maximum power of the vehicle; a controller that issues a command to an alarm device to issue a warning of the need to charge the secondary battery when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a predicted cruising distance calculated using the charge state of the secondary battery is shorter than a distance based on the average driving distance, and a predicted maximum output calculated using the charge state of the secondary battery is shorter than the average maximum output. Vehicle structure.

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