Vehicle control unit and running body

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control unit that can confirm a security even when a system is turned off and make it difficult to move a vehicle, and a running body.SOLUTION: A vehicle control unit, which is connected to a first power supply through a connector, comprises: an inverter circuit that drives an electric motor; a control part that outputs a control signal for controlling rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit; and an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which an input end of the inverter circuit is connected. The vehicle control unit is configured so that voltages that are induced when the electric motor rotates activate the internal power supply circuit, with the connector opened. When the internal power supply circuit is activated with the connector opened, the control part outputs a response requirement signal for smart authentication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control unit used for a traveling body such as a two-wheeled vehicle or other three-wheeled vehicle having a motor as a drive source, and to the traveling body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the demand for two-wheeled vehicles with electric motors has been expanding. An electric two-wheeled vehicle may be able to be moved manually even when the drive system is not operating, and there is a risk of being moved for the purpose of theft. For this reason, a driver takes theft prevention measures such as making it impossible to steer the handlebar straight by using a handle lock, or preparing a chain lock by oneself and winding it around the wheel. However, there are cases where the handle lock is forgotten when leaving the vehicle for a short time, or the handle lock is not intentionally set, or the chain lock is neglected even during long-term parking. As an effective countermeasure in such cases, for example, Patent Document 1 describes that power of the motor cannot be transmitted unless security is released by linking with an electronic key or a mobile terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding a function of interrupting power transmission of a vehicle or making it difficult to move the vehicle in conjunction with a security release function with an electronic key or a mobile terminal owned by a driver, it is necessary to be able to perform a security check. However, when the system is in an off state, a security check cannot be performed. The electric two-wheeled vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is also premised on performing a security check when the system is on. Incidentally, regarding electric two-wheelers, there are situations where one wants to move the vehicle just a little after parking, or where the battery is close to a discharged state and one wants to move the vehicle without turning on the system. However, the electric two-wheeler described in Patent Document 1 cannot effectively respond to such situations. Moreover, in the electric two-wheeler described in Patent Document 1, a specific means for making it difficult to move the vehicle is to generate braking torque by turning on all three phases of the power transistor on the grounded side. However, this only shorts all three phases of the transistor to the ground side and does not actively control the current to the motor. Therefore, the generated braking torque is not very large and is sufficient to make it difficult to drive a light vehicle body such as a bicycle. However, for a heavy vehicle such as an electric motorcycle, the inertia during movement is also large, so the braking torque may be insufficient to suppress the vehicle operation. In fact, the two-wheeled vehicle in the embodiment described in Patent Document 1 is also described as a relatively lightweight type of vehicle equipped with pedals.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle control unit and a traveling body that can perform security confirmation even when the system is off and make it difficult to move the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve such an object, the technical means according to the present invention is a vehicle control unit that at least includes the following configuration.

[0007] A vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, the vehicle control unit comprising: an inverter circuit for driving an electric motor; a control unit for outputting a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit; and an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which an input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected, wherein the vehicle control unit is configured such that a voltage induced when the electric motor rotates in an open state of the contactor activates the internal power supply circuit, and when the internal power supply circuit is activated in the open state of the contactor, the control unit outputs a response request signal for smart authentication.

[0008] Also, in order to achieve the above object, a technical means according to the present invention is a vehicle control unit comprising at least the following configuration.

[0009] A vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, the vehicle control unit comprising: an inverter circuit for driving an electric motor; a control unit for outputting a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit; and an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which an input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected, wherein when the electric motor is rotated in an open state of the contactor, the control outputs a response request signal for smart authentication.

[0010] Also, in order to achieve the above object, a technical means according to the present invention is a moving body comprising at least the following configuration.

[0011] A moving body equipped with a vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, wherein the vehicle control unit includes an inverter circuit that drives an electric motor, a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit, and an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which an input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected. The vehicle control unit is configured such that a voltage induced when the electric motor rotates in an open state of the contactor activates the internal power supply circuit. When the internal power supply circuit is activated in the open state of the contactor, the control unit outputs a response request signal for smart authentication.

[0012] Also, in order to achieve the above object, a technical means according to the present invention is a moving body that at least includes the following configuration.

[0013] A moving body equipped with a vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, wherein the vehicle control unit includes an inverter circuit that drives an electric motor, a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit, and an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which an input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected. When the electric motor is rotated in an open state of the contactor, the control outputs a response request signal for smart authentication.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] By having such characteristics, the present invention has the following operational effects. It is possible to effectively prevent theft of a two-wheeled vehicle with an electric motor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the vehicle control unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings are created for the purpose of explanation, and in some cases, members unnecessary for the explanation may not be intentionally illustrated for clarity. Also, for the purpose of explanation, members may be intentionally illustrated larger or smaller, and the drawings do not show the exact scale. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0017] <Embodiment> (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 1 controls and drives a motor 3 mounted near the rear wheel of an electric two-wheeler. In the embodiment of the present invention, a first power source 2 as a motor drive power source which is a 48V lithium-ion battery and a second power source 4 as a unit control power source which is a 12V lead battery are connected to the vehicle control unit 1.

[0018] The vehicle control unit 1 includes a series regulator 11 as an internal power circuit, a control unit 12 for generating, for example, a PWM signal or the like to drive and control the motor 3, and an inverter circuit 13 including six power transistors.

[0019] The output from the main switch or key switch 15 is connected to the enable terminal of the series regulator 11. When the switch is operated, a constant voltage of about 5V is applied to the enable terminal, and the series regulator 11 is activated. Also, the first power source 2 via the contactor 21 is connected to the enable terminal of the series regulator 11 after being divided in voltage. This voltage division ratio is set assuming the influence of the DC link capacitor so as to be an appropriate voltage value for activating the series regulator 11 by the induced voltage generated from the motor 3 when the vehicle is moved manually.

[0020] A signal from the main switch or the key switch 15 is input to the control unit 12. Further, the control unit 12 outputs a response request signal to an electronic key or a mobile terminal as the smart authentication device 16 and receives a response signal from the smart authentication device 16. When the switch is turned on, the control unit 12 outputs a response request signal to an electronic key or a mobile terminal as the smart authentication device 16. However, in this embodiment, even when the switch is off, the control unit 12 may output a response request signal. This will be described later. In addition, the control unit 12 generates, for example, a PWM signal for performing normal motor control, charging control, etc. according to an operation applied to a throttle or a brake (not shown).

[0021] The inverter circuit 13 has six power transistors and a current detection resistor (not shown), and supplies a predetermined drive current to the motor 3 based on, for example, a PWM control signal from the control unit 12 to rotate the rear wheel or apply a brake to the rear wheel to control the electric two-wheeler. Here, the six power transistors are NMOS transistors, and each is provided with a fast recovery diode between the source and the drain. The drains of the upper three power transistors in the figure are connected to the first power supply 2 via the contactor 21, and the sources of the lower three power transistors in the figure are grounded.

[0022] The sources of the upper three power transistors in the figure are commonly connected to the drains of the lower three power transistors in the figure, and drive current is supplied from each of these connection nodes to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the motor 3.

[0023] The control unit 12 of the vehicle control unit 1 also outputs a signal to the battery management system 14. The battery management system 14 performs thermal control of the first power source 2, and also detects an abnormal state due to overcurrent and outputs a signal for cutting off the vehicle control unit 1 and the first power source 2 to the contactor 21. In addition, the battery management system 14 also performs monitoring and prediction calculations of voltage, current, temperature, SOC, etc.

[0024] In order to use the battery safely and effectively and to prevent damage to electronic devices, the vehicle control unit 1 performs important functions. For example, in order to reduce the power consumption of an electric two-wheeler, when the driver performs an operation to cut off the key switch or main switch of the electric two-wheeler once while the electric two-wheeler is running on a slope to eliminate power consumption, the battery management system 14, even if the key switch or main switch is turned off, when the vehicle speed is above a certain level, does not immediately turn off the vehicle control unit 1, but cancels the back electromotive force by PWM control to prevent insulation breakdown of the circuit. This can be called circuit protection control during slope driving.

[0025] The control unit 12 in the vehicle control unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention performs PWM control to effectively prevent the electric two-wheeler from being unnaturally moved when the system is operating. This is anti-theft processing during system operation. In addition to this, the control unit 12 can also perform PWM control to effectively prevent the electric two-wheeler from being moved when the system is not started. This is anti-theft processing when the system is not operating. These processes will be described below.

[0026] (Operation sequence) While showing FIG. 1, the operation sequence of the vehicle control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the vehicle control unit 1 to which the first power source 2 and the second power source 4 are connected is in the system-off state, the contactor 21 is in the open state, and the 5V output of the series regulator 11 is off. The series regulator 11 starts its output by voltage input to the enable terminal. By operating the driver's key switch or the main switch, the voltage of the second power source 4 is input to the enable terminal, the series regulator 11 is activated, and then the control unit 12 is also activated. Thereafter, the control unit 12 closes the contactor 21. This operation is the activation operation of the series regulator 11 and the control unit 12 during normal times, which is a normal startup. However, here, if the start switch (not shown) is not operated, the throttle operation is ineffective, and the electric two-wheeler cannot be driven. Even in this state, if the motor 3 is rotated, a certain induced voltage is generated. Based on this, the control unit 12 determines that the electric two-wheeler is being attempted to be moved by an external force.

[0027] On the other hand, when the driver does not operate the key switch or the main switch, the system remains off, so even if an induced voltage is generated, the control unit 12 cannot detect it. However, the vehicle control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to be able to detect this.

[0028] If the owner or thief tries to push and move the motorcycle, the motor is rotated and an induced voltage is generated. When the motor induced voltage is generated, a voltage is applied to the enable terminal of the series regulator 11 through the fast recovery diodes of the upper three power transistors in the inverter circuit 13 shown in the figure. Here, the voltage division ratio of the voltage dividing resistors is adjusted so that a voltage sufficient for the series regulator 11 to start up is applied to the enable terminal when the electric two-wheeler starts to move surely.

[0029] When the motor 3 rotates and about 4V is input to the enable terminal, the series regulator 11 is activated, and the control unit 12 is also activated. This operation is the activation operation of the series regulator 11 and the control unit 12 in a situation where the key switch or main switch by the driver is not operated. After that, the control unit 12 continues to operate with the power from the second power source 4.

[0030] The fact that the control unit 12 is activated by a method other than normal input is determined according to the state of the key switch or main switch. That is, it can be determined that it is an emergency activation. The control unit 12 that determines that it is an emergency activation communicates with the battery management system 14 and instructs to close the contactor 21.

[0031] Whether it is a normal activation or an emergency activation, the activated control unit 12 that detects that the motor 3 is being rotated in a state where the throttle operation is ineffective sends a command signal to close the contactor 21 to the battery management system 14 so that the power from the 48V first power source is supplied. When the contactor 21 is closed, the power from the first power source 2 is supplied, and the vehicle control unit 1 can perform PWM control.

[0032] After that, the control unit 12 outputs a response request signal to the electronic key or mobile terminal as the smart authentication device 16. If information indicating that the driver is a legitimate owner of the electric two-wheeler is returned from the smart authentication device 16 and received, and appropriate authentication is performed, it is determined that the electric two-wheeler is being moved by the driver, and the rotation of the motor 3 is permitted. Here, permitting the rotation of the motor 3 means performing PWM control so that zero torque is generated without generating torque in the reverse direction of the rotation of the motor 3 and operating so as not to impede the movement of the electric two-wheeler.

[0033] On the other hand, when authentication cannot be performed because an appropriate signal is not returned from the smart authentication device 16, the control unit 12 performs PWM control to generate torque in the direction opposite to the direction in which the motor 3 is rotating in order to prevent the electric two-wheeler from being stolen. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 1 controls the rotation of the motor so that the rotation of the motor 3 becomes zero, thereby generating a braking resistance. Although not shown in the figure, the electric two-wheeler may be provided with a handle lock mechanism that can be operated by an electric signal, and when smart authentication fails, the control unit 12 may be added with a function to operate the handle lock mechanism. By doing so, the crime prevention effect is enhanced.

[0034] As the torque to be generated, even if it is only to generate a resistance force at a level that suppresses theft by making the driver's pushing force greater than the reverse torque, a sufficient effect can be achieved. This is because theft is likely to end in failure if it cannot be executed quickly. However, it goes without saying that the crime prevention effect is further enhanced if the reverse torque and the driver's pushing force are made equal to generate a resistance force of such a magnitude that the electric two-wheeler cannot move at all.

[0035] Regarding the operation sequence described above, the operations and states of each system will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation sequence of the vehicle control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the vehicle state, the actions that occur, the actions in the control unit, the actions in the battery management system, and the actions in the smart authentication device arranged side by side.

[0036] As the vehicle state, first, it starts from the state where the handle is not locked and the main switch is off. A situation where the driver has not locked the handle or a situation where a thief has unlocked the handle is assumed. In this situation, the driver or thief pushes and moves the electric two-wheeler.

[0037] When the rear wheel of the electric two-wheeler rotates, eventually, the motor 3 will be forced to rotate at a predetermined number or more, such as 1000 rpm.

[0038] Then, an induced voltage is applied to the enable terminal of the series regulator 11 in the vehicle control unit 1, and the series regulator 11 is supplied with the power of the 12V second power source as the main power source. At this time, the control unit 12 that has detected that the key switch or the main switch is not on determines that it is an emergency start, and sends a command signal to the contactor 21 to close it so that the power from the 48V first power source is supplied to the battery management system 14.

[0039] Next, the control unit 12 outputs a response request signal to the electronic key or the mobile terminal as the smart authentication device 16 to confirm whether the person pushing the electric two-wheeler has a legitimate key. The smart authentication device 16 performs FOB authentication as owner authentication and returns the result to the control unit 12.

[0040] After that, since the system is in an operating state, the vehicle control unit 1 executes the necessary PWM control. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 1 performs PWM control to achieve zero torque so that the person trying to push the electric two-wheeler can move it easily until proper smart authentication is performed or when smart authentication is successful. When proper smart authentication is not performed, the vehicle control unit 1 performs PWM control to generate torque in the reverse direction so that the person trying to push the electric two-wheeler can no longer move it.

[0041] While the electric two-wheeler is being moved under zero torque control, the control unit 12 monitors the motor speed every 5 seconds, and the zero torque control continues until it becomes zero. When the speed becomes zero, a command signal is sent to the contactor 21 to open it so that the power from the 48V first power source is no longer supplied to the battery management system 14.

[0042] <Anti-theft prevention process during system operation> The operation sequence described with reference to FIG. 2 was an action that occurred when the key switch or main switch by the driver was not operated. However, even after the key switch or main switch by the driver is operated, theft can occur. For example, the driver may leave the electric two-wheeler just by releasing the key switch or main switch. In such a case, it is configured to detect a situation where the electric motor is not started and effectively respond to anti-theft processing.

[0043] On the premise that there is a possibility that a person other than the driver is moving the electric two-wheeler when it is rotated in a situation where the electric motor is not started, a response request signal is output to the electronic key or mobile terminal as the smart authentication device 16. If information indicating that the person is a legitimate owner of the electric two-wheeler is returned from the smart authentication device 16 and received, and appropriate authentication is performed, the control unit 12 determines that the electric two-wheeler is being moved by the driver and executes zero-torque control that permits the rotation of the motor 3. On the other hand, when an appropriate signal is not returned from the smart authentication device 16 and authentication fails, the control unit 12 performs PWM control that generates torque in the direction opposite to the direction in which the motor 3 is being rotated in order to prevent theft of the electric two-wheeler.

[0044] As described above in detail regarding the vehicle control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention and the traveling body equipped with the vehicle control unit, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and even if there are design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, they are included in the present invention. For example, as the circuit board, the internal power supply circuit was described as an example of a series regulator, but the internal power supply circuit may be configured with a DC-DC converter. Also, although the traveling body as the target was described as an electric two-wheeler, it can also be applied to electric three-wheelers such as electric three-wheel bikes with two front wheels or commercial electric scooters for delivery with two rear wheels. For the type with two rear wheels, two motors may be provided. As described in this specification, in a situation where the system is not activated, by using the induced voltage from the motor to activate the system and then performing reverse torque control, the characteristic configuration of the vehicle control unit, in other words, the characteristic configuration that can achieve effective anti-theft prevention without arranging particularly different hardware elements or the like compared to the previous system, should be correctly recognized.

Description of Signs

[0045] 1 Vehicle control unit 11 Series regulator (internal power supply circuit) 12 Control unit 13 Inverter circuit 14 Battery management system 15 Main switch, key switch 16 Smart authentication device 2 First power supply 21 Contactor 3 Motor 4 Second power supply

Claims

1. A vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, wherein the vehicle control unit, an inverter circuit for driving an electric motor, a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit, an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which the input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected, and is provided with, the vehicle control unit, when the electric motor rotates in the open state of the contactor, the induced voltage is configured to activate the internal power supply circuit, when the internal power supply circuit is activated in the open state of the contactor, the control unit outputs a response request signal for smart authentication A vehicle control unit characterized by the above.

2. When smart authentication is not performed, the control unit controls the inverter circuit to generate a braking torque with respect to the electric motor The vehicle control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. Comprising a handle lock mechanism operable by an electric signal, when smart authentication is not performed, the control unit operates the handle lock mechanism The vehicle control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The braking torque is the maximum braking torque that the inverter circuit can generate The vehicle control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that.

5. When the electric motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the braking torque becomes a braking torque in the forward direction The vehicle control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that.

6. When smart authentication is performed, the control unit controls the inverter circuit so as not to generate a braking torque with respect to the drive motor The vehicle control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that.

7. A vehicle control unit connected to a first power source via a contactor, wherein the vehicle control unit, an inverter circuit for driving an electric motor, a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the electric motor to the inverter circuit, an internal power supply circuit having an enable terminal to which the input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected, and is provided with, the vehicle control unit, when the electric motor is rotated in the open state of the contactor, the control outputs a response request signal for smart authentication A vehicle control unit characterized by the above.

8. A traveling body comprising the vehicle control unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7 , characterized in that.

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