Electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide an electric vehicle which prevents a driver from feeling uncomfortable.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle is provided with a mode switch for switching and instructing first and second modes and a third mode which restricts electric power consumption of a vehicle as compared to the first and second modes into the order of the first mode, the third mode and the second mode at every time being operated by a driver, and a control device which presets a travel mode from a plurality of modes according to an operation of the mode switch, and controls a motor and auxiliary machines according to a travel mode. When the mode switch is operated in such a state that the travel mode is in the first mode, the control device switches the travel mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode from the first mode when the mode switch is again operated within a predetermined time, and switches the travel mode from the first mode to the third mode when the mode switch is not again operated within the predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electric vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] A hybrid vehicle has been proposed that includes an engine and a motor, an automatic transmission that changes the speed of the power from the engine or the motor and transmits it to the drive wheels, a shift mode switching unit that switches the shift mode, and a driving mode switching unit that switches between a motor driving mode in which the vehicle runs using only the power of the motor and an engine use mode in which the vehicle runs using at least the power of the engine, depending on at least the shift mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this hybrid vehicle, the driving mode switching unit prohibits switching of the driving mode for a specified time when the shift mode is switched. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-127134 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An electric vehicle equipped with a motor for driving may be provided with a mode switch that, each time operated by the driver, instructs switching between a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode that limits power consumption of the vehicle compared to the first and second modes, in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode.In this case, when the driver operates the mode switch twice in succession from a state in which the driving mode is in the first mode, if the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode and then from the third mode to the second mode, the vehicle's power consumption will be limited compared to the first and second modes and then the limit will be lifted in a relatively short time, for example, an auxiliary device such as an air conditioner will be stopped and then restarted in a relatively short time, which may cause the driver to feel uncomfortable.

[0005] The electric vehicle disclosed herein has a primary objective of suppressing discomfort felt by the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric vehicle of the present disclosure employs the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The electric vehicle disclosed herein is An electric vehicle including a motor for driving the motor, an inverter for driving the motor, a power storage device connected to the inverter via a power line, and an auxiliary device connected to the power line, a mode switch for instructing switching between a first mode, a second mode and a third mode that limits power consumption of the vehicle more than the first and second modes, in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode, each time the mode switch is operated by a driver; a control device that sets a driving mode from the plurality of modes in accordance with an operation of the mode switch and controls the motor and the auxiliary devices in accordance with the driving mode; Equipped with When the mode switch is operated in a state where the driving mode is the first mode, if the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and if the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the third mode. The gist of the present invention is as follows.

[0008] In the electric vehicle disclosed herein, when the mode switch is operated in the first driving mode, if the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and if the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the driving mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode. This makes it possible to avoid switching the driving mode from the third mode to the second mode in a relatively short time after switching from the first mode to the third mode. As a result, it is possible to avoid limiting the vehicle's power consumption and then lifting the limit in a relatively short time compared to the first and second modes, and for example, it is possible to avoid stopping auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner and then restarting it in a relatively short time, thereby suppressing discomfort felt by the driver.

[0009] In the electric vehicle disclosed herein, the auxiliary machine may be an air conditioning device that conditions the interior of the vehicle cabin, and the third mode may be a mode that limits the power consumption of the vehicle more than the first and second modes by performing at least one of limiting the driving force for driving, limiting the vehicle speed, and stopping the air conditioning device.

[0010] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the first mode may be any one of a normal mode, a sport mode that places more emphasis on output responsiveness of driving force for driving than the normal mode, and an eco mode that places more emphasis on electricity consumption than the normal mode and the sport mode, and the second mode may be a mode among the normal mode, the sport mode, and the eco mode that is different from the first mode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric vehicle 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed by an electronic control unit 50. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric vehicle 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the electric vehicle 20 according to the embodiment includes a motor 32, an inverter 34, a high-voltage battery 36 as a power storage device, an air conditioner 40, a low-voltage battery 42, a DC / DC converter 46, and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU") 50.

[0013] The motor 32 is configured as a three-phase AC motor and includes a rotor having a permanent magnet embedded in a rotor core and a stator having a three-phase coil wound around the stator core. The rotor of the motor 32 is connected to a drive shaft 26 that is connected to the drive wheels 22a, 22b via a differential gear 24.

[0014] The inverter 34 is used to drive the motor 32 and is connected to a high-voltage power line 38. When a DC voltage is applied to the inverter 34, a plurality of switching elements of the inverter 34 are switched and controlled by an electronic control unit 50, whereby a rotating magnetic field is formed in the three-phase coils of the motor 32, and the motor 32 is rotated.

[0015] The high-voltage battery 36 is configured as, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery having a rated voltage of several hundred volts, and is connected to a high-voltage power line 38. The air conditioner 40 is connected to the high-voltage power line 38, and conditions the air in the passenger compartment.

[0016] The low-voltage battery 42 is configured as, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery or a lead-acid battery with a rated voltage of about 12 V to 14 V, and is connected to the low-voltage power line 44. The DC / DC converter 46 is connected to the high-voltage power line 38 and the low-voltage power line 44, and steps down the power of the high-voltage power line 38 and supplies it to the low-voltage power line 44.

[0017] The electronic control unit 50 includes a microcomputer, which includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input / output port, and a communication port. Signals from various sensors are input to the electronic control unit 50 via the input port. Examples of signals input to the electronic control unit 50 include a rotational position θm from a rotational position sensor (e.g., a resolver) 32a that detects the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 32, and phase currents Iv and Iw from a current sensor that detects currents of the V phase and W phase of the motor 32. Examples of signals input to the electronic control unit 50 include a voltage Vbh from a voltage sensor attached between the terminals of the high-voltage battery 36, a current Ibh from a current sensor attached to the output terminal of the high-voltage battery 36, and a voltage Vbl from a voltage sensor attached between the terminals of the low-voltage battery 42. Examples of the signals include a start signal from a start switch 60, a shift position SP from a shift sensor 62 that detects the operation position of a shift lever 61, an accelerator opening Acc from an accelerator sensor 64 that detects the depression amount of an accelerator pedal 63, a brake pedal position from a brake sensor 66 that detects the depression amount of a brake pedal 65, and a vehicle speed V from a vehicle speed sensor 67. Examples of the signals include an on-off signal from an air conditioning switch 68 and an operation signal from a mode switch 69. Here, the air conditioning switch 68 is a switch for instructing the operation or stop of the air conditioning device 40 by turning it on or off. The mode switch 69 is a switch for instructing the driving mode to be switched in a toggle manner in the order of normal mode, sports mode, eco mode, range mode, and normal mode each time it is operated by the driver. The sports mode is a mode that places more importance on the output responsiveness of the driving force for driving than the normal mode, eco mode, and range mode. The eco mode is a mode that places more importance on the electricity consumption than the normal mode and the sports mode. The range mode is a mode that limits the power consumption of the vehicle in order to extend the cruising distance of the vehicle compared to the normal mode, the sport mode, and the eco mode. In the embodiment, the air conditioner 40 is forcibly stopped as described later.

[0018] From the electronic control unit 50, various control signals are output via the output ports. Examples of the signals output from the electronic control unit 50 include a control signal to the inverter 34, a control signal to the air conditioner 40, and a control signal to the DC / DC converter 46. The electronic control unit 50 calculates the state of charge SOC of the high-voltage battery 36 based on the current Ibh of the high-voltage battery 36 from the current sensor.

[0019] In the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the electronic control unit 50 sets a required torque Td* (required for the drive shaft 26) required for running based on the running mode, the accelerator opening Acc, and the vehicle speed V, sets a torque command Tm* of the motor 32 so that the required torque Td* is output to the drive shaft 26, and performs switching control of a plurality of switching elements of the inverter 34 so that the motor 32 is driven by the torque command Tm*. Here, the method of setting the running mode will be described later. The required torque Td* can be set, for example, by applying the running mode, the accelerator opening Acc, and the vehicle speed V to a required torque map determined in advance as a relationship between the running mode, the accelerator opening Acc, the vehicle speed V, and the required torque Td* to derive the required torque Td*. In the required torque map, for the same accelerator opening Acc (0% < Acc < 100%), the required torque Td* is determined to increase in the order of the range mode, the eco mode, the normal mode, and the sports mode.

[0020] Also, in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, when the running mode is the normal mode, the eco mode, or the sports mode, the electronic control unit 50 operates or stops the air conditioner 40 according to the on or off state of the air conditioner switch 68. When the running mode is the range mode, the air conditioner 40 is stopped regardless of the on or off state of the air conditioner switch 68.

[0021] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the electronic control unit 50 sets (switches) the driving mode based on an operation signal from the mode switch 69. Specifically, when the mode switch 69 is operated in a state where the driving mode is the normal mode, the electronic control unit 50 immediately switches the driving mode to the sports mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated in a state where the driving mode is the sports mode, the electronic control unit 50 immediately switches the driving mode to the eco mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated in a state where the driving mode is the range mode, the electronic control unit 50 immediately switches the driving mode to the normal mode. When the mode switch 69 is operated in a state where the driving mode is the eco mode, the electronic control unit 50 executes the processing routine of FIG. 2.

[0022] In this routine, the electronic control unit 50 judges whether the mode switch 69 has been operated (step S100), and when it is judged that the mode switch 69 has not been operated, it judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the mode switch 69 was operated when the driving mode was in the eco mode (from the start of execution of this routine) (step S110). Here, the predetermined time is a time used to judge whether the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the eco mode to the normal mode, and for example, about several seconds is used. The judgment process of step S110 is a process based on the fact that the driver operates the mode switch 69 twice in succession when the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the eco mode to the normal mode. When it is judged in step S110 that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the mode switch 69 was operated when the driving mode was in the eco mode, the process returns to step S100.

[0023] When it is determined in step S100 that the mode switch 69 has been operated, it is determined that the mode switch 69 has been operated again within a predetermined time since the mode switch 69 was operated when the driving mode was the eco mode. In this case, the driving mode is switched from the eco mode to the normal mode without passing through the range mode (step S120), and this routine is terminated.

[0024] Here, a predetermined time is considered when the driver operates the mode switch 69 twice in succession while the air conditioner 40 is operating in the eco mode. In the comparative example in which the driving mode is immediately switched to the range mode when the mode switch 69 is operated in the eco mode, the driving mode is switched from the eco mode to the range mode at the predetermined time, and then the driving mode is switched from the range mode to the normal mode. Therefore, the air conditioner 40 is stopped by switching the driving mode to the range mode, and then the air conditioner 40 is restarted by switching the driving mode to the normal mode in a relatively short time. Since it is assumed that the driver intends to switch the driving mode from the eco mode to the normal mode, stopping the air conditioner 40 and restarting it in a relatively short time may give the driver a sense of discomfort. In contrast, in the embodiment, the driving mode is switched from the eco mode to the normal mode without passing through the range mode at the predetermined time. As a result, the air conditioner 40 is continuously operated without being stopped. As a result, it is possible to suppress a sense of discomfort given to the driver.

[0025] If it is determined in step S110 that the predetermined time has elapsed since the mode switch 69 was operated in the eco mode, it is determined that the mode switch 69 has not been operated again within the predetermined time since the mode switch 69 was operated in the eco mode, the driving mode is switched from the eco mode to the range mode (step S130), and this routine is terminated.

[0026] In the electric vehicle 20 of the present embodiment described above, when the mode switch 69 is operated again within a predetermined time after the mode switch 69 is operated in the eco mode, the driving mode is switched from the eco mode to the normal mode without passing through the range mode. This makes it possible to avoid switching the driving mode from the eco mode to the range mode and then switching the driving mode from the range mode to the normal mode in a relatively short time. As a result, it is possible to avoid restarting the air conditioner 40 in a relatively short time after stopping it, and to suppress discomfort felt by the driver.

[0027] In the above-described embodiment, when the driving mode is the range mode, the air conditioner 40 is stopped to limit the power consumption of the vehicle compared to the normal mode, the sports mode, and the eco mode. However, when the driving mode is the range mode, in addition to or instead of stopping the air conditioner 40, the operation of the DC / DC converter 46 may be limited, the driving force may be limited (for example, the required torque Td* described above), or the vehicle speed may be limited to limit the power consumption of the vehicle compared to the normal mode, the sports mode, and the eco mode.

[0028] In the above-described embodiment, the mode switch 69 is configured to toggle the driving mode in the following order: normal mode, sports mode, eco mode, range mode, and normal mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mode switch 69 may be configured to toggle the driving mode in the following order: a first mode among normal mode, sports mode, and eco mode, and a second mode different from the first mode among range mode, normal mode, sports mode, and eco mode.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, the driving modes include a normal mode, a sports mode, an eco mode, and a range mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the driving modes include at least two modes from among the normal mode, the sports mode, the eco mode, etc., and a range mode that limits the power consumption of the vehicle compared to these modes.

[0030] In the above-described embodiment, the electric vehicle 20 is provided with the high-voltage battery 36 as the power storage device, but instead of or in addition to the high-voltage battery 36, a capacitor or the like may be provided as the power storage device.

[0031] In the above-described embodiment, the electric vehicle 20 is provided with a motor 32 for driving, an inverter 34, and a high-voltage battery 36. However, the electric vehicle 20 may be provided in the form of a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine in addition to the motor, inverter, and high-voltage battery, or in the form of a fuel cell vehicle further equipped with a fuel cell in addition to the motor, inverter, and high-voltage battery.

[0032] The relationship between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be described below. In the embodiment, the motor 32 corresponds to the "motor", the inverter 34 corresponds to the "inverter", the high-voltage battery 36 corresponds to the "electricity storage device", the air conditioner 40 corresponds to the "auxiliary device", the mode switch 69 corresponds to the "mode switch", and the electronic control unit 50 corresponds to the "control device".

[0033] Note that the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since the embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be made based on the description in that column, and the embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

[0034] The above describes embodiments for implementing the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] The present disclosure can be used in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 20 electric vehicle, 22a, 22b drive wheels, 24 differential gear, 26 drive shaft, 32 motor, 34 inverter, 36 battery, 38 power line, 40 air conditioning device, 50 electronic control unit, 60 start switch, 61 shift lever, 62 shift sensor, 63 accelerator pedal, 64 accelerator sensor, 65 brake pedal, 66 brake sensor, 67 vehicle speed sensor, 68 air conditioning switch, 69 mode switch.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle including a motor for driving the motor, an inverter for driving the motor, a power storage device connected to the inverter via a power line, and an auxiliary device connected to the power line, a mode switch for instructing switching between a first mode, a second mode and a third mode that limits power consumption of the vehicle more than the first and second modes, in the order of the first mode, the third mode, and the second mode, each time the mode switch is operated by a driver; a control device that sets a driving mode from the plurality of modes in accordance with an operation of the mode switch and controls the motor and the auxiliary devices in accordance with the driving mode; Equipped with When the mode switch is operated in a state where the driving mode is the first mode, if the mode switch is operated again within a predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode without passing through the third mode, and if the mode switch is not operated again within the predetermined time, the control device switches the driving mode from the first mode to the third mode. Electric car.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, The auxiliary machine is an air conditioning device that conditions air inside a vehicle cabin, the third mode is a mode in which power consumption of the vehicle is restricted more than in the first and second modes by performing at least one of limiting a driving force for driving, limiting a vehicle speed, and stopping the air conditioning device. Electric car.

3. 3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, the first mode is any one of a normal mode, a sports mode that places emphasis on output responsiveness of driving force for driving compared to the normal mode, and an eco mode that places emphasis on electricity consumption compared to the normal mode and the sports mode, The second mode is a mode different from the first mode among the normal mode, the sports mode, and the eco mode. Electric car.

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