Charge control device

Abstract

To prevent battery exhaustion of an auxiliary battery.SOLUTION: A charge control device that is connected to a connection part connected to an external charging device and is mounted on an electric vehicle becoming an active state by power of an auxiliary battery includes a charge control part for starting a charge mode of supplying power of a battery for driving to the auxiliary battery from a battery for driving that drives the electric vehicle, when a connection state in which the external charging device is connected to the connection part has been continuous for a first predetermined time or more, wherein the first charging mode is a mode of continuously supplying for the second predetermined time to the auxiliary battery, the power of the battery for driving corresponding to a capacity of power that a vehicle control device including the charge control device is estimated to have consumed for the first predetermined time, and the charge control part prohibits the charging mode, when the number of first charging modes is equal to or more than a first predetermined number, or when the capacity of the battery for driving is less than a first predetermined capacity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, vehicles equipped with relatively large-capacity storage batteries, such as hybrid electric vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as HEV vehicles) equipped with two types of power sources, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, have become widely used in general. Conventionally, for vehicles equipped with such storage batteries, a technology has been proposed for charging the storage device with power from an external power supply device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-148243 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when a vehicle charges a storage battery with power from an external power supply device, the power is also used to charge an auxiliary battery connected to the storage battery via a power line. In addition, for example, charging methods performed by a user include a function that starts charging at a predetermined time set by the user, and a method that starts charging according to an instruction from a communication terminal (such as a smartphone) owned by the user.

[0005] To realize these methods in a vehicle, it is necessary to keep the charge control device that controls charging in an activated state while the external power supply device is connected to the vehicle, but the charge control device will enter a state where it consumes a lot of power, and the auxiliary battery that supplies power to the charge control device may consume power and run out early. In addition, since the auxiliary battery is charged via a storage battery, it is also necessary to consider the charging of the storage battery.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the power of an auxiliary battery from running out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the charging control device of the present invention is a charging control device mounted on an electric vehicle, which is connected to a connection part that connects to an external charging device and is activated by the power of an auxiliary battery, and is provided with a charging control unit that initiates a first charging mode in which the driving battery that drives the electric vehicle supplies power to the auxiliary battery from the driving battery to the auxiliary battery when the connection state in which the external charging device is connected to the connection part continues for a first predetermined time or more, and the first charging mode is a mode in which the driving battery supplies power to the auxiliary battery for a second predetermined time equal to the capacity of power estimated to have been consumed by the vehicle control device including the charging control device in the first predetermined time, and the charging control unit prohibits the first charging mode when the number of times the first charging mode is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number of times or when the capacity of the driving battery is below the first predetermined capacity.

[0008] According to this configuration, for example, in the case of an electric vehicle equipped with a charge control device that is activated by power from an auxiliary battery by connecting to an external charging device, the power equivalent to that consumed by the vehicle control device is supplied (charged) from the drive battery to the auxiliary battery, so that the auxiliary battery can be prevented from running out of power. Also, since the timing to start and end charging the auxiliary battery is determined only from the activation time of the charge control device, there is no need to provide a dedicated sensor for the auxiliary battery, for example. In other words, the auxiliary battery can be prevented from running out of power without complicating the configuration of the functions related to the charge control device.

[0009] Furthermore, when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery from an external charging device at a predetermined time, the charging control unit may reduce the first specified capacity. This enables, for example, the charging control device to increase the number of times the first charging mode is performed.

[0010] Furthermore, the charge control unit may increase the first predetermined capacity when the capacity of the drive battery corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle predicted from the degradation information indicating the degradation state of the drive battery and the temperature information indicating the temperature state of the drive battery exceeds the second predetermined capacity. This enables, for example, the charge control device to prevent an inability to run of the electric vehicle due to a power shortage of the drive battery.

[0011] The charging control unit may repeatedly execute the first charging mode. This allows the charging control device to prevent the auxiliary battery from running out of power even if the connection to the external charging device continues for a long period of time, for example. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary battery from running out of power. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of the first ECU according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first charging mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a process executed by the first ECU according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the first ECU according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] (Electric vehicle configuration) First, the configuration of an electric vehicle according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle will be described as a hybrid vehicle (hybrid car) as an example, but the electric vehicle is not limited to this. For example, the electric vehicle may be a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), an electric vehicle (EV), a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), or another type of vehicle that uses electricity for driving force.

[0016] The hybrid vehicle 1 is connected to an external charging device 2 via a charging gun connection port 21. The external charging device 2 is a device that supplies electric power to the hybrid vehicle 1.

[0017] The hybrid vehicle 1 is equipped with a hybrid system, which is a series type vehicle system. The hybrid system has an engine (ENG) 11, a generator motor (MG1) 12, a drive motor (MG2) 13, a drive battery 14, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 15, an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) 16, a charging gun connection port 21, and an auxiliary battery 22.

[0018] The engine 11 is a power source of the hybrid vehicle 1. The engine 11 is an example of an internal combustion engine. The engine 11 is, for example, a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.

[0019] The generator motor 12 is a motor for generating electricity. For example, the generator motor 12 is used as a starter motor that cranks the engine 11 when the engine 11 is stopped. Also, for example, the generator motor 12 functions as a generator that converts the power of the engine 11 into electric power after the engine 11 is started. The generator motor 12 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

[0020] The drive motor 13 is a motor for driving. For example, the power of the drive motor 13 is transmitted to a differential gear (not shown) via gears such as a motor output gear, a counter gear, and an output gear (none of which are shown). The power transmitted to the differential gear is then transmitted to left and right drive wheels 5 via left and right drive shafts 4 of the hybrid vehicle 1. This causes the left and right drive wheels 5 to rotate, causing the hybrid vehicle 1 to travel forward or backward. The drive motor 13 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor larger than the generator motor 12.

[0021] Driving battery 14 is an assembled battery made up of a combination of multiple secondary batteries (for example, lithium ion batteries). Driving battery 14 outputs DC power of, for example, about 100 to 200 V (volts).

[0022] The PCU 15 is a unit for controlling the driving of the generator motor 12 and the drive motor 13, and includes a first inverter (MG1INV) 41, a second inverter (MG2INV) 42, and a boost converter (BstCONV) 43.

[0023] When the hybrid vehicle 1 is accelerating, the drive motor 13 is operated in power running and generates power for power running. At this time, the DC power output from the drive battery 14 is boosted by the boost converter 43 as necessary, and the DC power output from the boost converter 43 is converted to AC power by the second inverter 42, and the AC power is supplied to the drive motor 13. As a result, the power of the drive battery 14 is consumed.

[0024] In addition, when the engine 11 is started, the DC power output from the drive battery 14 is boosted by the boost converter 43, and the boosted DC power is converted to AC power by the first inverter 41, and the AC power is supplied to the generator motor 12.

[0025] As a result, the generator motor 12 is operated in motoring mode, and the engine 11 is motored by the generator motor 12. This motoring rotates the crankshaft of the engine 11, and when the rotation speed of the crankshaft increases to a rotation speed required for starting the engine 11, the spark plug of the engine 11 is sparked, and the engine 11 is started.

[0026] When the engine 11 is in operation, the generator motor 12 generates AC power by performing a generating operation. The AC power generated by the generator motor 12 is converted to DC power by a first inverter 41. The DC power output from the first inverter 41 is then converted to AC power by a second inverter 42, and the AC power is supplied to the drive motor 13.

[0027] In addition, when there is no need to supply power to the drive motor 13, the DC power output from the first inverter 41 is stepped down by the boost converter 43, and the stepped-down DC power is supplied to the drive battery 14, thereby charging the drive battery 14.

[0028] When the hybrid vehicle 1 is decelerating, the drive motor 13 is operated in a regenerative manner, and the power transmitted from the drive wheels 5 to the drive motor 13 is converted into AC power. At this time, the drive motor 13 becomes a resistance in the traveling drive system, and the resistance acts as a braking force (regenerative braking force) that brakes the hybrid vehicle 1. The AC power generated by the drive motor 13 is converted into DC power by the second inverter 42.

[0029] The DC power output from the second inverter 42 is stepped down by the boost converter 43, and the stepped-down DC power is supplied to the driving battery 14, thereby charging the driving battery 14.

[0030] The ESU 16 includes a DC-DC converter 44 and an on-board charger 45. The DC-DC converter 44 functions as a charging device that receives DC power from the driving battery 14 and supplies DC power to the auxiliary battery 22. The DC-DC converter 44 steps down the DC voltage generated by the driving battery 14 to a DC voltage according to a command voltage value and supplies the DC voltage to the auxiliary battery 22. The on-board charger 45 charges the driving battery 14 by converting the power supplied from the external charging device 2 between AC and DC and by boosting the voltage. The on-board charger 45 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21.

[0031] The charging gun connection port 21 is connected to the external charging device 2. The charging gun connection port 21 is an example of a connection section. For example, the charging gun connection port 21 is connected to a charging gun (not shown) provided in the external charging device 2.

[0032] The auxiliary battery 22 is a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) such as a lead storage battery. The auxiliary battery 22 is charged by stepping down the power of the drive battery 14 using a DC-DC converter 44. The auxiliary battery 22 generates a DC voltage of, for example, about 10 volts. The auxiliary battery 22 supplies power to auxiliary devices in the hybrid vehicle 1, such as the vehicle control device 6 including the first ECU 61, power windows, headlights, and an air conditioner.

[0033] The hybrid vehicle 1 includes a vehicle control device 6. The vehicle control device 6 is equipped with a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units) including a first ECU 61 and a second ECU 62. Each ECU includes a microcontroller unit (microcomputer), and the microcomputer includes, for example, a CPU, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0034] The multiple ECUs are connected to enable two-way communication using the CAN (Controller Area Network) communication protocol. Each ECU is connected to various sensors required for control, and receives detection signals from the connected sensors. In addition to the detection signals input from the various sensors, each ECU also receives information required for control from other ECUs.

[0035] The first ECU 61 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 that is connected to the external charging device 2, and is activated by power from the auxiliary battery 22. The first ECU 61 is an example of a charging control device. The second ECU 62 is an ECU other than the first ECU 61.

[0036] <Functional configuration of the first ECU> Next, a functional configuration of the first ECU 61 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first ECU 61. The first ECU 61 includes an acquisition unit 611, a first determination unit 612, a second determination unit 613, a charge control unit 614, a third determination unit 615, and a fourth determination unit 616 as functional units.

[0037] The acquisition unit 611 acquires connection information indicating that the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21. For example, when a user connects a charging gun provided in the external charging device 2 to the charging gun connection port 21, the acquisition unit 611 acquires connection information indicating that the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 from the charging gun connection port 21. The connection information is an on / off signal corresponding to whether the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 or not.

[0038] For example, the acquisition unit 611 is configured by a voltage detector inside the first ECU 61. There is an electric circuit configured by the first ECU 61, the charging gun connection port 21, and the external charging device 2, and when the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21, the acquisition unit 611 detects the connection state from a change in voltage of the electric circuit.

[0039] First determination unit 612 determines the time that the charging gun is connected to charging gun connection port 21. For example, if the connection information acquired by acquisition unit 611 includes an ON signal indicating a connection, first determination unit 612 counts up the charging gun connection time, and if the connection information does not include an ON signal indicating a connection or if auxiliary battery 22 is being charged, first determination unit 612 resets the charging gun connection time.

[0040] The second determination unit 613 determines whether the connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 has continued for a first predetermined time. Specifically, the second determination unit 613 determines whether the connection time of the charging gun calculated by the first determination unit 612 has continued for the first predetermined time. The first predetermined time is a predetermined time, and is calculated, for example, from the total power consumption of the vehicle control device 6 including the first ECU 61 at startup and the power consumption during standby.

[0041] The charging control unit 614 starts a first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22. Specifically, when the second determination unit 613 determines that the charging gun connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 has continued for a first predetermined time, the charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22. Here, the first charging mode will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for describing the first charging mode according to the embodiment.

[0042] 3 shows the drive battery 14, the auxiliary battery 22, the DC-DC converter 44, the vehicle control device 6, a first ECU 61, and a second ECU 62. In addition, a path F1, a path F2, and a path F3 are shown as power supply paths.

[0043] The first charging mode is a mode in which the amount of power estimated to have been consumed by the vehicle control device 6 including the first ECU 61 in a first predetermined time is continued for a second predetermined time, and the power of the driving battery 14 is supplied to the auxiliary battery 22.

[0044] For example, when the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21, the first ECU 61 is activated by power from the auxiliary battery 22, and therefore the power capacity of the auxiliary battery 22 decreases the longer the first ECU 61 is activated. Therefore, when the connection state in which the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 continues for a first predetermined time or longer, the charging control unit 614 according to this embodiment starts a first charging mode in which power of the driving battery 14 is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22.

[0045] 3, the charging control unit 614 starts a first charging mode in which power of the driving battery 14 is supplied from the driving battery 14 via the DC-DC converter 44 (path F1) and from the DC-DC converter 44 to the auxiliary battery 22 (path F3). This causes the first ECU 61 to supply the capacity of power consumed by the vehicle control device 6 from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22, thereby preventing the auxiliary battery 22 from running out of power.

[0046] Furthermore, the charging control unit 614 starts control so as to supply power from the driving battery 14 via the DC-DC converter 44 (path F1) and from the DC-DC converter 44 to the vehicle control device 6 (path F2). As a result, the first ECU 61 is supplied with power from the driving battery 14 in the first charging mode, and therefore can maintain the activated state.

[0047] Furthermore, when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery 14 from the external charging device 2 at a predetermined time, the charging control unit 614 controls the supply or stop of power from the external charging device 2 to the driving battery 14 based on the charging reservation information.

[0048] Furthermore, the charging control unit 614 ends the first charging mode. Specifically, the charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode, and ends the first charging mode after a second predetermined time has elapsed. The second predetermined time is a time until the auxiliary battery 22 supplies power to the vehicle control device 6 including the first ECU 61 and the capacity of power estimated to have been consumed by the vehicle control device 6 is charged. Here, an example in which the charging control unit 614 executes the process of the first charging mode will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of processing executed by the first ECU 61 according to the embodiment. The vertical axis of Fig. 4 indicates on / off of the vehicle power supply, on / off of the charging gun connection, on / off of the charging ECU (first ECU 61) power supply, on / off of the auxiliary battery charging, and on / off of the drive battery charging, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

[0050] First, when the charging gun of the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 (time T0), the first ECU 61 is powered on and continues to be powered on until the charging gun is removed from the charging gun connection port 21 (time T10). When the charging gun connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 continues for a first predetermined time (time T401), the charging control unit 614 starts a first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22 (time T1). At time T1, the first determination unit 612 resets the charging gun connection time because charging of the auxiliary battery 22 ends. The charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode, and ends the first charging mode after a second predetermined time has elapsed (time T402) (time T2).

[0051] Furthermore, when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery 14 from the external charging device 2 at a predetermined time (time T3), the charging control unit 614 performs control to supply power from the external charging device 2 to the driving battery 14 based on the charging reservation information. Then, when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery 14 from the external charging device 2 at a predetermined time (time T4), the charging control unit 614 performs control to stop the power supply from the external charging device 2 to the driving battery 14 based on the charging reservation information.

[0052] That is, during time T403, the charging control unit 614 performs control so that power is supplied from the external charging device 2 to the driving battery 14. Furthermore, during time T403, the charging control unit 614 performs control so that power is supplied from the external charging device 2 to the auxiliary battery 22. This makes it possible to prevent the auxiliary battery from running out of power while the driving battery is being charged.

[0053] At time T4, charging of the driving battery 14 and the auxiliary battery 22 ends, so the first determination unit 612 resets the charging gun connection time. Furthermore, when the first determination unit 612 counts up the charging gun connection time again from time T4 and the charging gun connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 continues for a first predetermined time (time T401), the charging control unit 614 starts a first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22 (time T5). Furthermore, the charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode, and ends the first charging mode after a second predetermined time has elapsed (time T402) (time T6).

[0054] At time T6, the first determination unit 612 resets the charging gun connection time because charging of the auxiliary battery 22 ends. Furthermore, when the first determination unit 612 counts up the charging gun connection time again from time T6 and the charging gun connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 continues for a first predetermined time (time T401), the charging control unit 614 starts a first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22 (time T7). Then, the charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode, and ends the first charging mode after a second predetermined time has elapsed (time T402) (time T8). That is, the charging control unit 614 repeatedly executes the first charging mode.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 2, the third determination unit 615 determines whether the first charging mode has exceeded a first predetermined number of times. Specifically, the third determination unit 615 determines whether the first charging mode has exceeded a first predetermined number of times from the point in time when the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 until the external charging device 2 is removed from the charging gun connection port 21. The first predetermined number of times is calculated by the first ECU 61 based on, for example, a first lookup table indicating the correspondence between the number of times the first charging mode has been performed and the capacity of the power of the driving battery 14. The first lookup table is stored, for example, in a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory provided in the first ECU 61.

[0056] The fourth determination unit 616 determines whether the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below a first predetermined capacity. Specifically, the fourth determination unit 616 determines whether the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below a first predetermined capacity from the time when the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 until the external charging device 2 is removed from the charging gun connection port 21. The first predetermined capacity is calculated by the first ECU 61 based on, for example, a second lookup table indicating the correspondence between the time when the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 and the capacity of the driving battery 14. The second lookup table is stored, for example, in a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory provided in the first ECU 61.

[0057] For example, if the charging gun is continuously inserted into the charging gun connection port 21 for a long period of time, the first ECU 61 repeatedly executes the first charging mode. If the first charging mode is repeatedly executed, the power capacity of the driving battery 14 decreases, and the hybrid vehicle 1 may become unable to run. Therefore, the first ECU 61 sets a first predetermined number of times that limits the number of times the first charging mode is executed. Furthermore, the first ECU 61 prohibits the first charging mode when the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below the first predetermined capacity.

[0058] (Operation flow of the charging control device) 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the first ECU 61 of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. The flow of operations of the first ECU 61 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] The acquisition unit 611 acquires connection information indicating that the external charging device 2 is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 (step S51). Next, the first determination unit 612 determines whether the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 (step S52). If the first determination unit 612 determines that the charging gun is not connected to the charging gun connection port 21 (step S52: No), the process executed by the first ECU 61 ends. On the other hand, if the first determination unit 612 determines that the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 (step S52: Yes), the process proceeds to step S53.

[0060] In step S53, the second determination unit 613 determines whether the connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 has continued for the first predetermined time (step S53). If the second determination unit 613 determines that the connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 has not continued for the first predetermined time (step S53: No), the process of step S53 continues, and the first ECU 61 continues the process until the first predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the second determination unit 613 determines that the connection time during which the charging gun is connected to the charging gun connection port 21 has continued for the first predetermined time (step S53: Yes), the process proceeds to step S54.

[0061] In step S54, the charging control unit 614 starts the first charging mode in which power is supplied from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22 (step S54). Then, the charging control unit 614 ends the first charging mode (step S55). Then, the third determination unit 615 determines whether the first charging mode has exceeded the first predetermined number of times (step S56). Here, if the third determination unit 615 determines that the first charging mode has exceeded the first predetermined number of times (step S56: Yes), the process executed by the first ECU 61 ends. On the other hand, if the third determination unit 615 determines that the first charging mode has not exceeded the first predetermined number of times (step S56: No), the process proceeds to step S57.

[0062] In step S57, the fourth determination unit 616 determines whether the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below the first predetermined capacity (step S57). If the fourth determination unit 616 determines that the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below the first predetermined capacity (step S57: Yes), the process executed by the first ECU 61 ends. On the other hand, if the fourth determination unit 616 determines that the capacity of the driving battery 14 exceeds (is not below) the first predetermined capacity (step S57: No), the process proceeds to step S53, and the process executed by the first ECU 61 continues.

[0063] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the first ECU 61 according to this embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle that is connected to a connection section that connects to an external charging device 2 and is activated by the power of the auxiliary battery 22, and when the connection state in which the external charging device 2 is connected to the connection section continues for a first predetermined time or more, a first charging mode is started in which the driving battery 14 that drives the electric vehicle supplies power from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22. The first charging mode is a mode in which the power of the driving battery 14 is supplied to the auxiliary battery 22 for a second predetermined time that is equal to the capacity of power estimated to have been consumed by the vehicle control device 6 including the charging control device in the first predetermined time.

[0064] As a result, for example, in the case of an electric vehicle equipped with a charging control device that is started up by power from the auxiliary battery 22 when connected to an external charging device 2, the equivalent of the power consumed by the vehicle control device 6 is supplied (charged) from the driving battery 14 to the auxiliary battery 22, thereby preventing the auxiliary battery 22 from running out of power.

[0065] Furthermore, since the first ECU 61 determines the timings for starting and ending charging the auxiliary battery 22 only from the activation time of the first ECU 61, there is no need to provide, for example, a dedicated sensor for the auxiliary battery 22. In other words, it is possible to prevent the power of the auxiliary battery 22 from running out without complicating the configuration of the functions related to the first ECU 61.

[0066] Furthermore, the first ECU 61 ends the first charging mode when the number of times the first charging mode is used reaches or exceeds a first predetermined number of times, or when the capacity of the driving battery 14 falls below a first predetermined capacity. As a result, the driving battery 14 is limited in the number of times that power is repeatedly supplied to the auxiliary battery 22 and in the capacity of the driving battery 14, so that it is possible to prevent an inability to run state in which the electric vehicle cannot run due to a power shortage of the driving battery 14 caused by excessive discharge of the driving battery 14.

[0067] Furthermore, when there is charging reservation information for charging the drive battery 14 from the external charging device 2 at a predetermined time, the first ECU 61 reduces the first specified capacity. This allows the first ECU 61 to increase the number of times the first charging mode is performed, for example. Furthermore, the first ECU 61 may repeatedly perform the first charging mode. This allows the first ECU 61 to prevent the auxiliary battery from running out of power, for example, even if the state of being connected to the external charging device 2 continues for a long period of time.

[0068] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms.

[0069] (First Modification) For example, in the above embodiment, the charging control unit 614 lowers the first predetermined capacity when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery 14 from the external charging device 2 at a predetermined time. However, the charging control unit 614 may raise the first predetermined capacity when the capacity of the driving battery 14 corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle predicted from degradation information indicating the degradation state of the driving battery 14 and temperature information indicating the temperature state of the driving battery 14 exceeds the second predetermined capacity.

[0070] In this modification, when the capacity of the driving battery 14 corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle predicted from the degradation information indicating the degradation state of the driving battery 14 and the temperature information indicating the temperature state of the driving battery 14 exceeds the second predetermined capacity, the charging control unit 614 increases the first predetermined capacity. For example, the driving battery 14 may deteriorate over time when used for a long period of time, and the power that can be output may decrease.

[0071] Also, for example, the output power of the driving battery 14 may decrease when the driving battery 14 is in a low temperature environment. In other words, the power performance of the hybrid vehicle 1 equipped with the driving battery 14 may be affected depending on the deterioration state and temperature state of the driving battery 14. Therefore, when the capacity of the driving battery 14 corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle predicted from the deterioration information and temperature information exceeds the second predetermined capacity, the charging control unit 614 increases the first predetermined capacity.

[0072] Here, the degradation state of the driving battery 14 is calculated by a known method. The degradation information indicating the degradation state of the driving battery 14 includes, for example, a degradation degree corresponding to the degradation state of each cell of the driving battery 14. The temperature state of the driving battery 14 is acquired by a known method. The temperature information indicating the temperature state of the driving battery 14 includes, for example, a temperature corresponding to the temperature state of each cell of the driving battery 14.

[0073] The second predetermined capacity is set based on the deterioration information and the temperature information. The lower the temperature of each cell of the driving battery 14, or the more the deterioration of each cell of the driving battery 14 progresses, the higher the second predetermined capacity is required. Therefore, the larger the second predetermined capacity is, the more the first predetermined capacity needs to be increased.

[0074] The second predetermined capacity is, for example, a capacity for ensuring electric power of the drive battery 14 for performing evacuation running by the drive motor 13 when the hybrid vehicle 1 runs out of gas.

[0075] When the capacity of the driving battery 14 corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle exceeds the second predetermined capacity, the charging control unit 614 of the first modified example increases the first predetermined capacity, thereby preventing, for example, a state in which the electric vehicle cannot run due to insufficient power of the driving battery 14.

[0076] (Second Modification) For example, in the above embodiment, the hybrid vehicle 1 is a series type hybrid vehicle. However, the hybrid vehicle 1 is not limited to a series type. For example, the hybrid vehicle 1 may be a parallel type or a series-parallel type.

[0077] For example, in the above embodiment, the internal combustion engine is an engine. However, the internal combustion engine is not limited to an engine. For example, the internal combustion engine may be a fuel cell, which is a power generation device that uses fuel. Note that the fuel may not be liquid, but may be compressed gaseous fuel such as hydrogen or natural gas.

[0078] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Hybrid vehicles 2 External charging device 6 Vehicle control device 12 Generator motor 13 Drive motor 14 Drive battery 15 PCU 16 ESU 21 Charging gun connection port 22 Auxiliary battery 44 DC-DC converter 45 On-board charger 61 1st ECU 611 Acquisition Department 612 1st Judgment Department 613 Second Judgment Department 614 Charging control unit 615 Third Judgment Department 616 4th Judgment Department

Claims

1. A charging control device mounted on an electric vehicle that is connected to a connection part that is connected to an external charging device and is activated by power from an auxiliary battery, a charging control unit that starts a first charging mode in which, when a connection state in which the external charging device is connected to the connection unit continues for a first predetermined time or more, electric power of the driving battery is supplied from a driving battery that drives the electric vehicle to the auxiliary battery, the first charging mode is a mode in which the capacity of power estimated to have been consumed by a vehicle control device including the charging control device in the first predetermined time is continued for a second predetermined time, and power of the driving battery is supplied to the auxiliary battery; the charging control unit prohibits the first charging mode when the number of times the first charging mode has been executed is equal to or greater than a first predetermined number of times, or when the capacity of the driving battery is lower than a first predetermined capacity; Charging control device.

2. the charging control unit reduces the first predetermined capacity when there is charging reservation information for charging the driving battery from the external charging device at a predetermined time. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

3. the charging control unit increases the first predetermined capacity when a capacity of the driving battery corresponding to the power performance of the electric vehicle predicted from deterioration information indicating a deterioration state of the driving battery and temperature information indicating a temperature state of the driving battery exceeds a second predetermined capacity. The charge control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The charging control unit repeatedly performs the first charging mode. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

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