Control device of electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control device of an electric vehicle that enables a user of the vehicle to control a deterioration state and a degree of progress of deterioration of an electricity generator, while reflecting the intention of the user.SOLUTION: A control device of an electric vehicle comprises an engine 1, an electricity generation unit constituted of a motor 2 for generating electricity that is driven by the engine to generate electricity and a battery 4 that stores electricity generated by the motor 2 for generating electricity, and a motor 3 for driving which is supplied with electricity from the electricity generation unit to generate driving torque, and can selectively set a normal operation mode and a deterioration suppressing operation mode which whose control contents are different from each other, which when setting the deterioration suppressing operation mode, executes deterioration suppression control by which progress of deterioration of the electricity generation unit can be suppressed more in comparison with in the normal operation mode which is standard (a step S3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an electric vehicle that is equipped with an engine (internal combustion engine) and a motor as a power source, and is also equipped with a generator or power generation unit that generates electricity using the power of the engine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a current detection device that aims to ensure stability during engine idling and stability of system voltage even when the battery or vehicle generator is deteriorated, and a vehicle control device to which the current detection device is applied. The vehicle control device described in Patent Document 1 includes a battery state determination unit that determines the state of charge and deterioration of the battery, a generator performance determination unit that determines the deterioration state of the vehicle generator, a power generation increase determination unit that determines whether or not there is a request to increase the amount of power generated by the vehicle generator, an idle determination unit that determines whether or not the engine is in an idle operating state, and a power generation suppression control unit that controls the amount of power generated by the vehicle generator. The power generation suppression control unit executes control to suppress the amount of power generated when the engine is in an idle operating state, there is no request to increase the amount of power generated, and the battery is not in a deteriorated state. In other words, the vehicle control device described in Patent Document 1 determines the degree of deterioration of the battery and the vehicle generator, and does not suppress the amount of power generated unless it is determined that there is no deterioration. This prevents the amount of power generated from being erroneously reduced when the battery or the vehicle generator is deteriorated, thereby preventing instability in idle operating and instability in the system voltage.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a control device for a hybrid vehicle that aims to increase the motor output with good responsiveness in response to an increase in required output while suppressing deterioration of fuel efficiency. In the control device for a hybrid vehicle described in Patent Document 2, a normal mode and an output mode that places more importance on the output from the motor than the normal mode are set as engine operation modes. In the output mode, when fluctuations occur in the engine rotation, the generator (which generates electricity using the engine's power) is controlled so that the fluctuations in the engine rotation are compensated for by the torque generated by the generator.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a vehicle display device intended to indicate to the driver whether or not the control mode can be switched. The vehicle described in Patent Document 3 is provided with a switch that the driver operates to select either a CS mode (HV mode) in which both the engine and the motor generator are driven, or a CD mode (EV mode) in which the engine is operated less frequently than in the CS mode. When the CS mode is selected and switching from the CS mode to the CD mode is not possible, the vehicle display device displays the remaining battery capacity on the monitor. When the CS mode is selected and switching from the CS mode to the CD mode is possible, the monitor displays the remaining battery capacity as well as the distance that can be traveled by driving the motor generator with the engine stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-130620 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-138151 [Patent Document 3] JP 2013-119349 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As the electrification of vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) progresses, so-called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and range extender electric vehicles (REEVs) have larger battery capacities than normal HEVs (not charged from an external power source). In such PHEVs and REEVs, the frequency of motor driving (or EV driving) using battery power increases, and the generator (power generation unit) may not be used at all. On the other hand, depending on the vehicle usage environment and the user's usage status, the generator may be used frequently. In this way, in electric vehicles that are equipped with a power generation unit and generate electricity and charge the battery, the frequency and usage status of the power generation unit may vary significantly from vehicle to vehicle or from driver to driver. Therefore, the deterioration state of the power generation unit may also vary significantly from vehicle to vehicle or from driver to driver.

[0007] Regarding the deterioration state of the power generation unit (generator, battery, etc.) as described above, the vehicle control device described in Patent Document 1 determines the deterioration state of the generator and battery, and when it is determined that the deterioration is progressing, prohibits the suppression control of the power generation amount, thereby stabilizing the idle operation and the system voltage. As described above, in the conventional technology, the vehicle is controlled according to the deterioration state of the generator and battery, or the vehicle is controlled so as not to deteriorate the generator and battery. However, there was no technology for the user (driver, owner) of the vehicle to adjust or control the deterioration state or the degree of deterioration of such a power generation unit reflecting his or her own intention. For example, it is assumed that the owner of a certain vehicle would like to prioritize suppressing the deterioration of the power generation unit over the running performance of the vehicle, taking into account the asset value of the vehicle. Alternatively, it is assumed that the driver of a certain vehicle would like to prioritize maximizing the running performance of the vehicle, accepting some deterioration of the power generation unit.

[0008] This invention has been devised with an eye on the above-mentioned technical problems, and aims to provide a control device for an electric vehicle that enables a vehicle user to control the deterioration state and the degree of deterioration of a power generation unit in accordance with his or her own intentions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a control device for an electric vehicle which is equipped with a power generation unit composed of at least an engine that generates power for generating electricity, a power generation motor driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a storage device that stores electricity generated by the power generation motor, and a drive motor that is supplied with power from the power generation unit to generate drive torque, and which is capable of selectively setting a normal operation mode and a degradation suppression operation mode, each of which has different control content, and which includes a controller for controlling the electric vehicle, and when the degradation suppression operation mode is set, the controller executes degradation suppression control to control the electric vehicle with control content that suppresses the progression of deterioration of the power generation unit compared to the standard normal operation mode, and is characterized in that the controller is equipped with a selection operation means for intentionally selecting and setting either the normal operation mode or the degradation suppression operation mode by a user of the electric vehicle.

[0010] In addition, the present invention may further include a notification means for, when the degradation suppression operation mode is selected by the selection operation means, notifying the user that the degradation suppression operation mode has been set, in cooperation with the degradation suppression control.

[0011] The notification means in the present invention may be configured to make the user aware of the effect of suppressing the progression of deterioration by setting the degradation suppression operation mode and executing the degradation suppression control. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The electric vehicle of the present invention is equipped with an engine (internal combustion engine) and a drive motor as a power source, and further includes a power generation unit that generates electricity using the power of the engine. The power generation unit is composed of an engine, a power generation motor that is driven by the engine to generate electricity, and an electricity storage device that stores the electricity generated by the power generation motor. The electric vehicle of the present invention is configured to be able to selectively set a normal operation mode and a degradation suppression operation mode. The normal operation mode and the degradation suppression operation mode are operation modes with different control contents, and while the electric vehicle is controlled with standard control contents in the normal operation mode, the electric vehicle is controlled with control contents that suppress the progress of deterioration of the power generation unit compared to the normal operation mode in the degradation suppression operation mode. Furthermore, the electric vehicle of the present invention is equipped with a selection operation means for allowing a user (driver or owner) of the electric vehicle to select and set either the normal operation mode or the degradation suppression operation mode at his / her own will. The control device of the electric vehicle of the present invention controls the electric vehicle with control contents corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user's operation of the selection operation means. When the deterioration suppression operation mode is selected, the engine is operated with less power than in the normal operation mode, the engine is operated with less rotational speed, or a recovery operation is performed to remove engine deposits, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the power generation unit. Conversely, when the normal operation mode is selected, the above-mentioned deterioration suppression control of the power generation unit is not executed, and the electric vehicle is controlled in a state in which the performance of the vehicle and the engine can be maximized. Therefore, the user of the electric vehicle can select, at his / her own will, between an operation mode that suppresses the deterioration of the power generation unit rather than the driving performance of the vehicle, and an operation mode that maximizes the driving performance of the vehicle.

[0013] Therefore, the control device for an electric vehicle of the present invention allows the user of the electric vehicle to control the deterioration state and the degree of deterioration of the power generation unit in accordance with his or her own intentions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration and control system of an electric vehicle to be controlled in the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a specific configuration of an electric vehicle to be controlled in the present invention, and is a diagram showing an image of a selection operation means (setting button) in the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a specific configuration of an electric vehicle that is a control target of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an image of a notification means (an example of displaying information on a driving mode) in the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control (basic control example) executed by the control device for an electric vehicle of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of control (a control example for displaying information on a driving mode) executed by the control device for an electric vehicle of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0016] The vehicle to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention is an electric vehicle equipped with at least an engine and a drive motor as a power source. The vehicle also has a power generation unit consisting of a power generation motor that is driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a battery (electricity storage device) that stores the electricity generated by the power generation motor. Figure 1 shows an outline of the configuration of an electric vehicle (hereinafter, vehicle) Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 1 includes an engine (ENG) 1, a first motor (MG) 2, a second motor (MG) 3, and a battery (BAT) 4. The vehicle Ve also includes a setting button 5 as a "selection operation means" and a display 6 as a "notification means". The vehicle Ve also includes a detection unit 7 and a controller (ECU) 8 to execute various controls.

[0018] The engine 1 is an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine, that obtains power by burning fuel. The engine 1 is configured so that the adjustment of the output and the operating state such as starting and stopping are electrically controlled. In the case of a gasoline engine, the opening of the throttle valve, the amount of fuel supplied or injected, the on / off of ignition, and the ignition timing are electrically controlled. In the case of a diesel engine, the amount of fuel injected, the timing of fuel injection, or the opening of the throttle valve in the EGR system are electrically controlled.

[0019] The first motor 2 is connected to a crankshaft (not shown) of the engine 1 so as to be capable of transmitting power. Therefore, the first motor 2 is configured to be driven by the output torque of the engine 1 to generate power, and corresponds to a "power generating motor" in the embodiment of the present invention. The first motor 2 is electrically connected to a battery 4 (described later) so as to be able to supply and receive power therefrom.

[0020] The second motor 3 is connected to drive wheels 11 via, for example, a differential gear 9 and a drive shaft 10 so as to be capable of transmitting power. The second motor 3 is also electrically connected to a battery 4 (described later) so as to be able to receive and transmit electric power. Therefore, the second motor 3 is a motor that receives electric power from the battery 4 (i.e., a power generation unit) and generates drive torque, and corresponds to the "drive motor" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The battery 4 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, and corresponds to the "electricity storage device" in the embodiment of the present invention. The battery 4 is electrically connected to the first motor 2 and the second motor 3 via a power supply device (not shown) such as an inverter or converter so as to be able to supply and receive electric power. The battery 4 is therefore charged by the electric power generated by the first motor 2 and stores the electric power. The battery 4 also supplies electric power to the second motor 3, causing the second motor 3 to generate a driving torque. The battery 4, the engine 1 and the first motor 2 (i.e., the "electricity generating motor") together constitute the "electricity generating unit" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the battery 4 is configured to be able to be charged by power supplied from an external power source 12 of the vehicle Ve. As described above, the vehicle Ve generates electricity using the engine 1 and the first motor 2, and is driven by the output of the second motor 3 described below. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle Ve is a "series plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV)" or a "range extender equipped electric vehicle (REEV)". Note that the vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned "series PHEV" or "REEV", but may be an "electric vehicle" equipped with the above-mentioned engine 1, first motor 2 (i.e., "power generation motor"), and second motor 3 (i.e., "driving motor"). For example, the first motor 2 may be connected to the driving wheels 11 in a power transmitting manner, and the first motor 2 may be a so-called "motor generator" that functions as a generator as described above and outputs driving torque. That is, the vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention may be a "parallel type or split type" "HEV" or "PHEV".

[0023] The setting button 5 constitutes a "selection operation means" in an embodiment of the present invention, and is operated by a user of the vehicle Ve (the driver of the vehicle Ve or the owner of the vehicle Ve) to select and set an operation mode of the vehicle Ve (specifically, a normal operation mode and a degradation suppression operation mode, which will be described later). The setting button 5 is, for example, a "push switch" as shown in FIG. 2. The setting button 5 may be, for example, a mechanical physical switch, or may be a capacitive touch panel switch (not shown), a non-contact or voice input type sensor switch (not shown), or the like.

[0024] The display 6 constitutes a "notification means" in an embodiment of the present invention, and when the degradation suppression operation mode is selected as the operation mode of the vehicle Ve with the setting button 5 (i.e., the "selection operation means") as described above, the display 6 makes the user of the vehicle Ve aware that the degradation suppression operation mode has been set. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the degradation suppression operation mode is selected, the display 6 displays "Generator long life mode operation in progress" (Example 1). Also, to make the user aware of the effect of suppressing the progression of deterioration of the "power generation unit" by setting the degradation suppression operation mode and executing the degradation suppression control, the display 6 displays "Generator operating with degradation reduced by XX%" (Example 2).

[0025] The detection unit 7 is a device or apparatus for acquiring various data and information required for controlling the vehicle Ve, and includes, for example, a power supply unit, a microcomputer, a sensor, and an input / output interface. In particular, the detection unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention detects data for controlling the engine 1, the first motor 2, and the second motor 3. For example, the detection unit 7 has various sensors and devices such as an engine speed sensor 7a for detecting the rotation speed of the engine 1, a motor speed sensor 7b for detecting the rotation speed of the first motor 2, a motor speed sensor 7c for detecting the rotation speed of the second motor 3, a SOC sensor 7d for detecting the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 4, a battery current sensor 7e for detecting the current value of the battery 4, and a battery temperature sensor 7f for detecting the temperature of the battery 4. The detection unit 7 is electrically connected to a controller 8 described later, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detection value or the calculation value of the various sensors, devices, and the like as described above to the controller 8 as detection data.

[0026] The controller 8 is an electronic control device mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and mainly controls the operation of the engine 1, the generator motor 2, and the drive motor 3. The controller 8 receives various data detected or calculated by the detection unit 7. The controller 8 performs calculations using the received data, pre-stored data, calculation formulas, and the like. The controller 8 outputs the calculation results as control command signals and is configured to control the operation of the engine 1, the generator motor 2, and the drive motor 3, as described above. In particular, when the deterioration suppression operation mode is set as the operation mode of the vehicle Ve, the controller 8 in the embodiment of the present invention executes deterioration suppression control for controlling the vehicle Ve with control content that suppresses the progress of deterioration of the "power generation unit" compared to the standard normal operation mode. Note that, although only one controller 8 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of controllers 8 may be provided for each device or equipment to be controlled, or for each control content.

[0027] In order to appropriately execute the above-described deterioration suppression control, the controller 8 of the vehicle Ve in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to execute, for example, the control shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0028] The control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed, for example, when a main switch or a power switch (not shown) of the vehicle Ve is turned on. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a degradation suppression operation mode (generator degradation suppression mode) is selected as the operation mode of the vehicle Ve by the user of the vehicle Ve. As described above, the vehicle Ve is configured to be able to selectively set at least a normal operation mode and a degradation suppression operation mode, which have different control contents, as the operation mode. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is configured to selectively set either the normal operation mode or the degradation suppression operation mode. The normal operation mode is a standard operation mode, and is an operation mode that is set in normal times when degradation suppression control is not executed. The degradation suppression operation mode controls the vehicle Ve with control contents that suppress the progress of degradation of the "power generation unit" compared to the standard normal operation mode. That is, the degradation suppression control is executed by setting the degradation suppression operation mode.

[0029] If the deterioration suppression operation mode has not yet been selected and therefore the determination is "No" in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0030] In step S2, the vehicle Ve is driven in a normal driving mode (normal mode). That is, the driving mode of the vehicle Ve is set to the normal driving mode, and the vehicle Ve is controlled with control content according to the normal driving mode. In this case, the deterioration suppression control is not executed, and the vehicle Ve is appropriately controlled according to other conditions, the running state, and the like. Therefore, since the deterioration suppression control is not executed, the vehicle Ve is controlled in a state in which the performance (particularly the power performance) of the vehicle Ve can be maximized. After the normal driving mode is set in this step S2, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is temporarily terminated.

[0031] On the other hand, if the deterioration suppression operation mode has been selected and therefore "Yes" is determined in step S1, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0032] In step S3, the vehicle Ve is operated in the degradation suppression operation mode (generator degradation suppression mode). That is, the operation mode of the vehicle Ve is set to the degradation suppression operation mode, and the degradation suppression control in this embodiment of the present invention is executed.

[0033] The deterioration suppression control is a control for controlling the vehicle Ve with control contents that suppress the progress of deterioration of the "power generation unit" (at least one of the engine 1, the first motor 2, and the battery 4) in comparison with the standard control contents when the deterioration suppression operation mode is set. Examples of the deterioration suppression control include: (1) Controlling the operation of engine 1 by reducing engine power compared to when the engine is operated in the normal operation mode; (2) Controlling the operation of engine 1 by reducing the engine speed compared to when the engine is operated in the normal operation mode; (3) Controlling the operation of engine 1 by reducing engine torque compared to when the engine is operated in the normal operation mode; (4) reducing the frequency with which engine 1 is operated at high engine power compared to when it is operated in a normal operating mode; (5) Suppressing the use of the “power generating unit” (e.g., the first motor 2 and the battery 4) in temperature ranges where deterioration of the “power generating unit” is likely to progress (e.g., extremely low temperatures or high temperatures). (6) Transitioning to operating conditions that make it difficult for the "power generating unit" to deteriorate, and controlling the "power generating unit"; (7) Executing recovery operation, regeneration control, removal process, etc. to remove deposits from engine 1; etc.

[0034] The above-described deterioration suppression control is executed when the user operates the setting button 5, i.e., the "selection operation means," to select the deterioration suppression operation mode. Therefore, in the control device for an electric vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention, deterioration suppression control is executed as intended by the user or reflecting the user's will. After the deterioration suppression operation mode is set in step S3, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is temporarily terminated.

[0035] Another control example executed by the control device for an electric vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5. In the control shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, the control of step S4 is added to the control example shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4. That is, as described above, when the degradation suppression driving mode is set and degradation suppression control is executed in step S3, information about driving in the degradation suppression driving mode is presented to the user in step S4.

[0036] For example, as described above, the display 6 displays that the degradation suppression operation mode has been set. Alternatively, information regarding the effect of suppressing the progression of degradation of the "power generation unit" by setting the degradation suppression operation mode and executing degradation suppression control is displayed on the display 6. Note that the "notification means" in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the display 6 as described above, and may be, for example, an indicator lamp (not shown) or a sound generating device (not shown) that produces voice or sound effects. After the information regarding operation in the degradation suppression operation mode is presented in step S4, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is temporarily terminated.

[0037] As described above, in the control device for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle Ve is controlled with control contents corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user through the operation of the "selection operation means." When the deterioration suppression operation mode is selected, the deterioration of the "power generating unit" is suppressed by, for example, suppressing the power of the engine 1 more than in the normal operation mode, suppressing the rotation speed of the engine 1, or controlling to perform a recovery operation for removing engine deposits. Conversely, when the normal operation mode is selected, the vehicle Ve is controlled in a state in which the performance of the vehicle Ve and the engine 1 can be maximized since the deterioration suppression control of the "power generating unit" as described above is not executed. Therefore, the user of the vehicle Ve can select, at his / her own will, between an operation mode that suppresses the deterioration of the "power generating unit" more than the driving performance of the vehicle Ve, and an operation mode that can maximize the driving performance of the vehicle Ve.

[0038] Therefore, according to the control device for an electric vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention, the user of the vehicle Ve can control the deterioration state and the degree of deterioration of the "power generation unit" in accordance with his or her own intentions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Engine (ENG) 2. First motor (MG) (motor for generating electricity) 3. Second motor (MG) (drive motor) 4 Battery (BAT) (energy storage device) 5 Setting button (selection operation means) 6 Display (notification means) 7. Detection section 7a (Detection section) Engine speed sensor 7b (Detection section) Motor speed sensor 7c (detection section) motor rotation speed sensor 7d (Detection section) SOC sensor 7e (Detection section) Battery current sensor 7f (Detection section) Battery temperature sensor 8 Controller (ECU) 9 Differential Gear 10 Drive shaft 11 Drive wheels 12 External power supply Ve vehicle (electric vehicle)

Claims

1. A control device for an electric vehicle, comprising: a power generation unit including at least an engine that generates power for generating electricity, a power generation motor that is driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power storage device that stores electricity generated by the power generation motor; and a drive motor that receives power from the power generation unit and generates drive torque, the control device being capable of selectively setting a normal operation mode and a degradation suppression operation mode, each of which has different control contents, A controller for controlling the electric vehicle, the controller, when the degradation suppression operation mode is set, executes degradation suppression control to control the electric vehicle with control content that can suppress the progression of degradation of the power generation unit compared to the standard normal operation mode; A selection operation means is provided for allowing a user of the electric vehicle to intentionally select and set the normal operation mode or the deterioration suppression operation mode. A control device for an electric vehicle.

2. The control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, The device further includes a notification unit that, when the degradation suppression operation mode is selected by the selection operation unit, makes the user aware that the degradation suppression operation mode is set. A control device for an electric vehicle.

3. The control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, The notification means makes the user aware of the effect of suppressing the progression of deterioration by setting the deterioration suppression operation mode and executing the deterioration suppression control. A control device for an electric vehicle.

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