Vehicle control device

The vehicle control device addresses the inefficiencies in power supply control during evacuation travel by limiting air-conditioning power when battery levels are low and specific conditions are met, ensuring safe travel and minimizing occupant discomfort.

JP2025077463APending Publication Date: 2025-05-19DAIHATSU MOTOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023189657
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-06
Publication Date
2025-05-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing vehicle control systems, as described in Patent Document 1, lack effective power supply control to the air conditioner during evacuation travel, which affects the vehicle's ability to efficiently use battery power for both movement and air conditioning.

Method used

A vehicle control device that includes an electric motor, an air conditioner with a defroster, a battery, and a control unit. The control unit manages the power supply by limiting the air-conditioning power when the battery power falls below a threshold and specific conditions are met, such as the defroster being off or the vehicle speed being low, to ensure the vehicle can travel safely and maintain a sufficient moving distance.

Benefits of technology

The vehicle control device effectively manages battery power to allow the vehicle to travel safely to a safe location while minimizing discomfort to occupants by limiting air-conditioning power only when necessary.

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Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of appropriately controlling supplying of power from a battery of a vehicle in which an electric motor serving as a drive source is operated using retreat traveling power to an air conditioner.SOLUTION: Determination is made as to whether a specific condition established when a defroster is off or the defroster is on and the speed of a vehicle is lower than a second threshold value is established. When a power value of the battery is lower than a first threshold value and the specific condition is established, air conditioning power Erac when the vehicle executes retreat traveling is limited to or lower than correction air conditioning power which is a value obtained by subtracting retreat traveling power Ermt and auxiliary machine power Erau from allowable battery discharge power Wout.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle capable of performing evacuation travel using an electric motor as a drive source. In this vehicle, the operation of the air conditioner during evacuation travel is prohibited. Further, when the vehicle occupant executes the in-vehicle standby selection process after the completion of the evacuation travel, the operation of the air conditioner is permitted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The vehicle of Patent Document 1 above has room for improvement in the power supply control to the air conditioner during evacuation travel.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle control device that can appropriately control the power supply from the battery of a vehicle in which an electric motor as a drive source operates while using evacuation travel power to the air conditioner.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle control device according to claim 1 includes an electric motor as a drive source of the vehicle, an air conditioner having a defroster capable of blowing air against the front window of the vehicle, a battery that stores electric power supplied to an auxiliary battery, and can supply auxiliary power, which is a part of the electric power of the battery, to the auxiliary battery, and can supply air-conditioning power, which is a part of the electric power of the battery, to the air conditioner. When the power value of the battery is equal to or less than a first threshold value, the control unit controls the electric motor by using evacuation travel power, which is a part of the electric power of the battery, to make the vehicle travel. The control unit determines whether a specific condition that is established when the defroster is in an off state or when the defroster is in an on state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than a second threshold value is established. When the power value of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the specific condition is established, the control unit limits the air-conditioning power when the vehicle is made to perform the evacuation travel to be equal to or less than corrected air-conditioning power, which is a value obtained by subtracting the evacuation travel power and the auxiliary power from the allowable discharge power of the battery.

[0007] When the power value of the battery is equal to or less than a first threshold value, the control unit of the vehicle control device according to claim 1 controls the electric motor by using evacuation travel power, which is a part of the electric power of the battery, to make the vehicle travel. Therefore, when the electric power of the battery becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value, it is possible to move the vehicle to a safe place.

[0008] Furthermore, the control unit of the vehicle control device according to claim 1 determines whether a specific condition that is established when the defroster is in an off state or when the defroster is in an on state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than a second threshold value is established. Furthermore, when the power value of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the specific condition is established, the control unit limits the air-conditioning power when the vehicle travels using the evacuation travel power to be equal to or less than the corrected air-conditioning power. Therefore, it is possible to increase the moving distance of the vehicle that travels while using the evacuation travel power as compared with the case where the air-conditioning power is not limited to be equal to or less than the corrected air-conditioning power.

[0009] Here, the power for corrective air conditioning is the value obtained by subtracting the power for evacuation driving and the power for auxiliary equipment from the allowable discharge power of the battery. Therefore, when the vehicle is running while using the power for evacuation driving, the auxiliary equipment can be operated using the power of the auxiliary battery.

[0010] Furthermore, when the defroster is in the off state, the power for air conditioning is limited to be equal to or less than the power for corrective air conditioning. That is, when it is considered that the vehicle occupants have no intention of using the defroster, the power for air conditioning is limited to be equal to or less than the power for corrective air conditioning. Therefore, even when the power for air conditioning is limited to be equal to or less than the power for corrective air conditioning when the defroster is in the off state, the possibility that the occupants feel discomfort is small.

[0011] Also, when the defroster is in the on state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than the second threshold value, the power for air conditioning is limited to be equal to or less than the power for corrective air conditioning. That is, when the vehicle is running at a low speed while using the power for evacuation driving, the function of removing the fog on the front windshield by the defroster may be reduced as compared with the case where the running state of the vehicle is different from the running using the power for evacuation driving. However, when the vehicle is running at a low speed while using the power for evacuation driving, the necessity of removing the fog on the front windshield is smaller than when the vehicle is running at a vehicle speed equal to or higher than the second threshold value. Therefore, even when the power for air conditioning is limited to be equal to or less than the power for corrective air conditioning when the defroster is in the on state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than the second threshold value, the possibility that the occupants feel anxiety is small.

[0012] Therefore, the vehicle control device according to claim 1 can appropriately control the power supply from the battery of the vehicle, which operates the electric motor as a drive source while using the power for evacuation driving, to the air conditioner.

[0013] The vehicle control device according to claim 2 is, in claim 1, when the power value of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the specific condition is satisfied, the power for air conditioning when the vehicle is made to run using the power for evacuation driving is set to a limited power that is one of the required air conditioning power, which is the power required to operate the air conditioner, and the power for corrective air conditioning and is a value equal to or less than the other power.

[0014] When the power value of the battery is less than or equal to the first threshold value and a specific condition is satisfied, the control unit of the vehicle control device according to claim 2 sets the air-conditioning power when causing the vehicle to perform running using the evacuation running power to a limited power that is either the air-conditioning required power necessary to operate the air-conditioning device or the corrected air-conditioning power and is less than or equal to the other power. Therefore, when causing the vehicle to perform running using the evacuation running power, it is possible to supply the minimum necessary power for operating the air-conditioning device to the air-conditioning device. Therefore, it is possible to increase the moving distance of the vehicle by running using the evacuation running power while operating the air-conditioning device.

[0015] The vehicle control device according to claim 3, in claim 1 or claim 2, the control unit can supply external power supply power, which is part of the power of the battery, to an external power supply provided in the vehicle, and when the power value of the battery is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the supply of the external power supply power to the external power supply is prohibited, and the specific condition is satisfied, the control unit limits the air-conditioning power when causing the vehicle to perform the evacuation running to be less than or equal to the corrected air-conditioning power.

[0016] When the power value of the battery is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the supply of the external power supply power to the external power supply is prohibited, and the specific condition is satisfied, the control unit of claim 3 limits the air-conditioning power when causing the vehicle to perform running using the evacuation running power to be less than or equal to the corrected air-conditioning power. That is, the control unit limits the air-conditioning power when causing the vehicle to perform running using the evacuation running power to be less than or equal to the corrected air-conditioning power on the condition that the supply of power to the external power supply, which is considered to be of lower importance to the occupant than the power supply to the air-conditioning device, is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corrected air-conditioning power from becoming smaller than necessary.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] As described above, the vehicle control device according to the present invention has an excellent effect that it can appropriately control the power supply from the battery of a vehicle in which an electric motor as a drive source operates while using evacuation running power to the air-conditioning device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 equipped with the vehicle control device is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 10 includes a battery 12, an auxiliary battery 14, an air conditioner 18, an air conditioner operation device 20, a defroster opening 22, a defroster SW 24, an e-axle 26, a vehicle speed sensor 28, an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) 29, and an external power feeder 31.

[0021] Vehicle 10 is equipped with four wheels 11. The left and right front wheels 11F are drive wheels. The vehicle 10 is provided with a battery 12 and an auxiliary battery 14. The battery 12 is a rechargeable lithium-ion secondary battery. The auxiliary battery 14 is a lead-acid battery. The air conditioner 18 is electric and operates using the power of the battery 12. Each arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates the flow of power (power supply direction). The air conditioning operation device 20 is a device for operating the air conditioner 18. When the air conditioning operation device 20 is turned off, the air conditioner 18 does not operate, and when the air conditioning operation device 20 is turned on, the air conditioner 18 operates. Further, the air conditioning operation device 20 has a function of adjusting the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioner 18. When the air conditioner 18 operates, air heated or cooled by the air conditioner 18 flows into the vehicle interior from an air conditioning opening (not shown) provided inside the vehicle. The defroster opening 22 is located immediately behind the front windshield (not shown). The defroster SW 24 is a switch for operating the defroster using the air conditioner 18. When the defroster SW 24 is in the off position, the defroster does not operate, and when the defroster SW 24 is in the on position, the defroster operates. When the defroster operates, warm air containing no water vapor is supplied from the defroster opening 22 to the front windshield. Note that the defroster is a part of the air conditioner 18.

[0022] The e-axle 26 includes a case, a gear, an electric motor 26A as a drive source of the vehicle 10, and an inverter (both not shown), and the gear, the electric motor 26A, and the inverter are housed in the case. The electric motor 26A operates using the power of the battery 12 supplied via the inverter. An axle 27 that is linked to the electric motor 26A via a gear and protrudes in the left-right direction from the case is connected to the left and right front wheels 11F.

[0023] The vehicle speed sensor 28 detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10.

[0024] The ESU29 includes an external power supply unit 30, a DC / DC converter 32, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 35. The external power supply unit 30 can supply the power of the battery 12 to an external power supply device 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided in the vehicle 10. The DC / DC converter 32 can supply a direct current to the auxiliary battery 14 while converting the voltage of the power of the battery 12.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 35 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (control unit) 35A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 35B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 35C, a storage 35D, a communication I / F 35E, and an input / output I / F 35F. The CPU 35A, the ROM 35B, the RAM 35C, the storage 35D, the communication I / F 35E, and the input / output I / F 35F are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 35Z.

[0026] The CPU 35A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. The CPU 35A reads a program from the ROM 35B or the storage 35D and executes the program using the RAM 35C as a working area. The CPU 35A performs control of each component and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 35B or the storage 35D.

[0027] The ROM 35B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 35C temporarily stores a program or data as a working area. The storage 35D is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs and various data.

[0028] The communication I / F 35E is an interface for connecting to another ECU (not shown) separate from the ECU 35 via an external bus (not shown). For example, a communication standard based on the CAN protocol is used for this interface.

[0029] The input / output I / F 35F is an interface for communicating with various devices. These devices include the battery 12, the auxiliary battery 14, the air conditioner 18, the air conditioner operating device 20, the defroster SW 24, the e-axle 26, the vehicle speed sensor 28, and the external power feeder 31.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the ECU 35 in a block diagram. As a functional configuration, the ECU 35 includes a Wout calculation unit 351, an e-axle control unit 352, an external power supply control unit 353, a DC / DC converter control unit 354, a specific condition determination unit 355, a limited power calculation unit 356, and an air conditioner control unit 357. The Wout calculation unit 351, the e-axle control unit 352, the external power supply control unit 353, the DC / DC converter control unit 354, the specific condition determination unit 355, the limited power calculation unit 356, and the air conditioner control unit 357 are realized by the CPU 35A reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 35B.

[0031] The Wout calculation unit 351 calculates the allowable discharge power Wout of the battery 12 based on the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 12, the temperature of the battery 12, etc. Discharge from the battery 12 is allowed when Wout > 0, and discharge from the battery 12 is prohibited when Wout = 0.

[0032] The e-axle control unit 352 controls the electric motor 26A of the e-axle 26 while using the power of the battery 12. That is, the e-axle control unit 352 can cause the vehicle 10 to travel forward or backward by using the electric motor 26A. Further, when the allowable discharge power Wout calculated by the Wout calculation unit 351 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold power value (first threshold), the e-axle control unit 352 controls the electric motor 26A by using the evacuation running power Erva, which is a part of the power of the battery 12, to make the vehicle 10 travel. That is, when the battery 12 is in a power-off state, the vehicle 10 travels using the power that enables evacuation running.

[0033] The external power supply control unit 353 can supply the power of the battery 12 to the outside of the vehicle 10 through the external power supply unit 30 and the external power supply device 31.

[0034] The DC / DC converter control unit 354 controls the DC / DC converter 32. That is, the DC / DC converter control unit 354 supplies auxiliary power Erau, which is a part of the power of the battery 12 converted by the DC / DC converter 32, to the auxiliary battery 14. Note that the auxiliary equipment group mounted on the vehicle 10 operates by using the power of the auxiliary battery 14. This auxiliary equipment group includes, for example, a headlight, a wiper drive motor, and a steering device motor.

[0035] The specific condition determination unit 355 determines whether or not a predetermined specific condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the specific condition is satisfied when the defroster SW24 is in the off position, or when the defroster SW24 is in the on position and the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 28 is less than a predetermined threshold vehicle speed (second threshold).

[0036] The limited power calculation unit 356 calculates the limited power Erlm when the discharge allowable power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value and the specific condition is satisfied. The limited power calculation unit 356 calculates the limited power Erlm based on the technical idea represented by the graph shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] The vertical axis in FIG. 5 is the allowable discharge power Wout (kW) per unit time, and the horizontal axis represents the state of the air conditioner 18. The linear graph L1 in FIG. 5 represents the allowable discharge power Wout per unit time. The area indicated by L2 in FIG. 5 represents the maximum value of the motor supply power Ermt, which is the power that the ECU35 (battery 12) can supply to the electric motor 26A of the e-axle 26 per unit time. The area indicated by L3 in FIG. 5 represents the auxiliary power Erau, which is the actual power that the DC / DC converter 32 (battery 12) supplies to the auxiliary battery 14 per unit time. The area indicated by L4 in FIG. 5 represents the air-conditioning power Erac, which is the actual power that the ECU35 (battery 12) supplies to the air conditioner 18 per unit time. The area indicated by L5 in FIG. 5 represents the external power supply power Erot, which is the actual power that the ECU35 (battery 12) supplies to the external power supply 31 per unit time. The vertical width of each area L2, L3, L4, L5 in FIG. 5 represents the magnitude of each amount of electric power. When the allowable discharge power Wout is in a range greater than the threshold power value, the air conditioner 18 can be used in a normal state.

[0038] Furthermore, when the allowable discharge power Wout becomes equal to or less than the threshold power value, the external power supply power Erot is set to zero. That is, the ESU29 (external power supply unit 30) is prohibited by the external power supply control unit 353 from supplying the power of the battery 12 to the external power supply 31. Furthermore, the limited power calculation unit 356 calculates the limited power Erlm that the ECU35 (battery 12) can supply to the air conditioner 18 per unit time based on the following formula (1). Note that the air-conditioning required power Erde in formula (1) is calculated by the air-conditioning control unit 357 as described later. That is, the limited power calculation unit 356 obtains the limited power Erlm as a value that is either the air-conditioning required power Erde or the corrected air-conditioning power Ercr, which is the value obtained by subtracting the auxiliary power Erau and the power for emergency running Erva from the allowable discharge power Wout, and is less than the other power. Erlm = Min(Erde, Wout - Erau - Erva) ··· Formula (1)

[0039] The air conditioning control unit 357 controls the air conditioner 18 while using the power of the battery 12. That is, when the air conditioning operation device 20 is turned off, the air conditioning control unit 357 does not operate the air conditioner 18. On the other hand, when the air conditioning operation device 20 is turned on, the air conditioning control unit 357 calculates the air conditioning required power Erde, which is the amount of power per unit time that the ECU 35 should supply to the air conditioner 18, based on the set temperature and air volume set by the air conditioning operation device 20. Further, when the discharge allowable power Wout is greater than the threshold power value, the air conditioning control unit 357 controls the air conditioner 18 by supplying the calculated air conditioning required power Erde to the air conditioner 18. That is, in this case, the air conditioner 18 operates in a normal state. On the other hand, when the discharge allowable power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value and a specific condition is satisfied, the air conditioning control unit 357 controls the air conditioner 18 by supplying the calculated limited power Erlm to the air conditioner 18. That is, in this case, the air conditioner 18 operates in a predetermined limited state. Therefore, the temperature of the air flowing into the vehicle interior from the above-mentioned air conditioning opening becomes lower than the set temperature set by the air conditioning operation device 20, or the air volume of the air flowing into the vehicle interior becomes less than the air volume set by the air conditioning operation device 20.

[0040] Furthermore, the air conditioning control unit 357 does not operate the defroster when the defroster SW 24 is in the off position, and operates the defroster when the defroster SW 24 is in the on position. When the discharge allowable power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value, the air conditioning control unit 357 operates the defroster by supplying the calculated limited power Erlm to the air conditioner 18.

[0041] Among the configurations described above, the battery 12 and the ECU 35 are components of the vehicle control device 40.

[0042] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0043] Next, the process executed by the CPU 35A of the ECU 35 will be described. The CPU 35A repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 every time a predetermined time elapses.

[0044] In step S10 (hereinafter, the character of "step" is omitted), the CPU 35A determines whether the discharge allowable power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value.

[0045] If it is determined as Yes in S10, the CPU 35A proceeds to S11 and sets the external power supply power Erot to zero. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the supply of the external power supply power Erot to the external power supply 31 is prohibited.

[0046] When the process of S11 is completed, the CPU 35A proceeds to S12 and determines whether the defroster SW24 is in the off position.

[0047] If it is determined as Yes in S12, the CPU 35A can drive the vehicle 10 using the evacuation running power Erva.

[0048] When it is determined as Yes in S12, the CPU 35A proceeds to S13 and determines whether the air conditioning operation device 20 has been turned on.

[0049] If it is determined as Yes in S13, the CPU 35A proceeds to S14. When it is determined as Yes in S12, specific conditions are satisfied. That is, in this case, the discharge allowable power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value and the specific conditions are satisfied. Therefore, the CPU 35A calculates the restricted power Erlm in S14 and controls the air conditioner 18 based on the restricted power Erlm. That is, the air conditioner 18 operates in the above restricted state, and the air heated or cooled by the air conditioner 18 flows into the vehicle interior from the air conditioning opening.

[0050] On the other hand, if it is determined as No in S12, the CPU 35A proceeds to S15. The CPU 35A that has proceeded to S15 determines whether the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 28 is less than the threshold vehicle speed.

[0051] When it is determined as Yes in S15, the CPU 35A proceeds to S16. In this case, a specific condition is satisfied. That is, in this case, the allowable discharge power Wout is less than or equal to the threshold power value and the specific condition is satisfied. Therefore, the CPU 35A calculates the restricted power Erlm in S16 and controls the air conditioner 18 (defroster) based on the restricted power Erlm. That is, the air conditioner 18 (defroster) operates in the above-mentioned restricted state. When the air conditioning operation device 20 is turned on, the air heated or cooled by the air conditioner 18 flows into the vehicle interior from the air conditioning opening in S16. In this case, the CPU 35A can run the vehicle 10 using the evacuation travel power Erva.

[0052] When it is determined as No in S10 or S15, the CPU 35A proceeds to S17. In this case, the CPU 35A controls the air conditioner 18 (defroster) based on the air conditioning required power Erde. That is, the air conditioner 18 (defroster) operates in the above-mentioned normal state.

[0053] When it is determined as No in S13, or when the processing of S14, S16 or S17 is completed, the CPU 35A temporarily ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0054] As described above, the vehicle control device 40 of the present embodiment can run the vehicle 10 by controlling the electric motor 26A of the e-axle 26 using the evacuation travel power Erva, which is a part of the power of the battery 12, when the power value of the battery 12 is less than or equal to the threshold power value (first threshold). Therefore, when the power value of the battery 12 becomes less than or equal to the threshold power value, the vehicle 10 can be moved to a safe place.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicle control device 40 determines whether or not a specific condition that holds when the defroster SW24 is in the off position or when the defroster SW24 is in the on position and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is less than a threshold vehicle speed (second threshold) holds. Furthermore, when the power value of the battery 12 is less than or equal to a threshold power value and the specific condition holds, the vehicle control device 40 sets the air-conditioning power Erac when causing the vehicle 10 to perform an evacuation travel to a limit power Erlm that is either the air-conditioning required power Erde that is the power required to operate the air-conditioning device 18 or the corrected air-conditioning power Ercr and is less than or equal to the other power. Therefore, when causing the vehicle 10 to perform an evacuation travel, it is possible to supply the minimum necessary power for operating the air-conditioning device 18 to the air-conditioning device 18. Therefore, while operating the air-conditioning device 18, it is possible to increase the moving distance of the vehicle 10 that travels while using the evacuation travel power Erva.

[0056] As described above, the corrected air-conditioning power Ercr is a value obtained by subtracting the evacuation travel power Erva and the auxiliary machine power Erau from the discharge allowable power Wout of the battery 12. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 travels using the evacuation travel power Erva, the vehicle control device 40 can surely operate the auxiliary machine group that uses the power of the auxiliary machine battery 14.

[0057] Furthermore, when the defroster SW24 is in the off position when the vehicle 10 travels using the evacuation travel power Erva, the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limit power Erlm. That is, when it is considered that the occupants of the vehicle 10 have no intention of using the defroster, the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limit power Erlm. In other words, when there is a high possibility that there is no fogging on the front windshield, the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limit power Erlm. Therefore, even when the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limit power Erlm when the defroster is in the off state, the possibility that the occupants feel discomfort is small.

[0058] Also, when the defroster SW24 is in the ON position and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is less than the threshold vehicle speed, the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limited power Erlm. That is, when the vehicle 10 travels using the evacuation running power Erva at a low speed, the function of removing the fog on the front windshield by the defroster may be reduced compared to the case where the running state of the vehicle 10 is in a normal running state different from the running using the evacuation running power Erva. However, when the vehicle 10 travels using the evacuation running power Erva at a low speed, the necessity of removing the fog on the front windshield is smaller compared to the case where the vehicle 10 travels at a vehicle speed equal to or higher than the threshold vehicle speed. Therefore, even when the defroster is in the ON state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is less than the threshold vehicle speed, and the air-conditioning power Erac is set to the limited power Erlm, the possibility that the passengers feel uneasy is small.

[0059] In this way, the vehicle control device 40 of the present embodiment can appropriately control the power supply from the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 to the air conditioner 18 (defroster) while traveling using the evacuation running power Erva.

[0060] Furthermore, when the power value of the battery 12 is equal to or less than the threshold power value, the supply of the external power supply for external power supply Erot to the external power supply device 31 is prohibited, and when a specific condition is satisfied, the air-conditioning power Erac when the vehicle 10 is made to perform evacuation running is set to the limited power Erlm. That is, on the condition that the power supply to the external power supply device 31, which is considered to be less important to the passengers than the power supply to the air conditioner 18, is prohibited, the air-conditioning power Erac when the vehicle 10 is made to perform evacuation running is set to the limited power Erlm. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the limited power Erlm from becoming smaller than necessary.

[0061] As described above, the vehicle control device according to the embodiment has been described, but it can be appropriately designed and changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0062] For example, the vehicle 10 may be an HV (Hybrid Vehicle).

[0063] When the power value of the battery 12 is less than or equal to the threshold power value (first threshold) and a specific condition is satisfied, the air-conditioning power Erac when causing the vehicle 10 to perform an evacuation drive may be limited to be less than or equal to the corrected air-conditioning power Ercr. That is, the air-conditioning power Erac may be determined without using the above formula (1).

[0064] Also, when the SOC of the battery 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it may be determined that the power value of the battery 12 has become less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0065] Note that when the outside air temperature of the vehicle 10 is extremely low (for example, lower than -30°C), the air-conditioning power Erac when causing the vehicle 10 to perform an evacuation drive may not be limited to be less than or equal to the corrected air-conditioning power Ercr.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 10 Vehicle 12 Battery 14 Auxiliary battery 18 Air conditioner 26 e-axle 26A Electric motor 31 External power supply 35A CPU (control unit) Erau Auxiliary power Erva Evacuation drive power Erac Air-conditioning power Erot External power supply power Erlm Limiting power Erde Air-conditioning required power Ercr Corrected air-conditioning power Wout Discharge allowable power

Claims

1. an electric motor as a drive source for a vehicle, an air conditioner having a defroster capable of blowing air to a front windshield of the vehicle, and a battery for storing electric power to be supplied to an auxiliary battery; a control unit capable of supplying auxiliary power, which is a part of the power of the battery, to the auxiliary battery, and capable of supplying air conditioning power, which is a part of the power of the battery, to the air conditioning device, and which drives the vehicle by controlling the electric motor using evacuation driving power, which is a part of the power of the battery, when a power value of the battery is equal to or less than a first threshold value; Equipped with The control unit is determining whether a specific condition is satisfied when the defroster is in an off state or when the defroster is in an on state and the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than a second threshold value; A vehicle control device that, when the power value of the battery is below the first threshold value and the specific condition is satisfied, limits the air conditioning power when the vehicle is caused to travel using the evacuation driving power to less than or equal to a corrected air conditioning power, which is a value obtained by subtracting the evacuation driving power and the auxiliary power from the discharge allowable power of the battery.

2. The control unit is 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein when the power value of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the specific condition is satisfied, the air conditioning power when the vehicle is caused to travel using the evacuation driving power is set to a limit power that is one of the air conditioning required power, which is the power required to operate the air conditioning device, and the corrected air conditioning power, and is equal to or less than the other of them.

3. a control unit capable of supplying power for external power supply, which is a part of the power of the battery, to an external power supply device provided in the vehicle; The control unit is 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein when a power value of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value, supply of the external power supply power to the external power supply device is prohibited, and the specific condition is satisfied, the air conditioning power when causing the vehicle to run using the evacuation running power is limited to be equal to or less than the corrected air conditioning power.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Vehicle

    JP2020125005A