Control device and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of starting temperature adjustment of a battery at appropriate timing.SOLUTION: An ECU 10 (a control device) includes a terminal 1a (a first acquisition part) for acquiring information (information based on a first time) for calculating a required arrival time to a time at which charging execution is predicted, and a terminal 1b (a second acquisition part) for acquiring information (information based on a second time) for calculating a required temperature adjustment time required to adjust appropriate temperature suitable for charging the temperature of the a power storage device 20 (a battery). The ECU 10 starts temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 so as to make the temperature of the power storage device 20 to be the appropriate temperature in the case that the length of the required arrival time (the first time) is equal to or less than the required temperature adjustment time (the second time).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-044887 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle including a power storage device and a control device. The control device manages the temperature of the power storage device so that the temperature of the power storage device becomes suitable for charging when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above Patent Document 1, the timing to start the temperature adjustment of the power storage device (battery) is not considered. For this reason, for example, it is conceivable that the time for which the temperature adjustment is executed becomes excessively long due to the early start of the temperature adjustment of the power storage device. In this case, deterioration of the electricity cost or the like occurs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a control device and a vehicle capable of starting the temperature adjustment of a battery at an appropriate timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The control device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that controls a vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery, and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires information based on a first time until a time when charging is predicted to be executed, and a second acquisition unit that acquires information based on a second time required to adjust the temperature of the battery to an appropriate temperature suitable for charging. When the length of the first time based on the information acquired by the first acquisition unit is equal to or less than the length of the second time based on the information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the control device starts adjusting the temperature of the battery in the vehicle so that the temperature of the battery becomes the appropriate temperature.

[0007] As described above, the control device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure starts adjusting the temperature of the battery in the vehicle so that the temperature of the battery becomes the appropriate temperature when the length of the first time is equal to or less than the length of the second time. Thereby, when the first time until charging starts is greater than the second time required to adjust the temperature of the battery to the appropriate temperature, it is possible to suppress the start of the temperature adjustment of the battery. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature adjustment of the battery from being executed excessively (unnecessarily) long. Therefore, by configuring as described above, the temperature adjustment of the battery can be started at an appropriate timing.

[0008] Preferably, when the length of the first time becomes greater than the total length of the second time and a predetermined time due to a change in the length of the first time after the start of the temperature adjustment, the control device according to the first aspect stops the temperature adjustment of the vehicle. With this configuration, when the temperature adjustment of the battery becomes unnecessary due to a change (increase) in the length of the first time after the start of the temperature adjustment, it is possible to suppress the continuation of the temperature adjustment of the battery. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the reduction of the electricity cost.

[0009] Preferably, after the temperature adjustment is completed, when the length of the first time becomes equal to or less than the length of the second time again, the control device according to the first aspect starts the temperature adjustment of the vehicle again. With this configuration, even when the temperature adjustment is required again after the temperature adjustment is completed, the temperature adjustment of the battery can be started at an appropriate timing.

[0010] In the control device according to the above-described first aspect, preferably, the first time includes information on the time required for the vehicle to reach a facility where charging is possible. With such a configuration, based on the time required for the vehicle to reach a facility where charging is possible, the temperature adjustment of the battery can be easily started at an appropriate timing.

[0011] A vehicle according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a rechargeable battery and a control device according to the first aspect. Thereby, a vehicle capable of starting the temperature adjustment of the battery at an appropriate timing can be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the temperature adjustment of the battery mounted on the vehicle can be started at an appropriate timing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0015] <Configuration of Electric Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle 100 including an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the ECU 10 and the electric vehicle 100 are examples of the "control device" and the "vehicle" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0016] The electric vehicle 100 includes, for example, a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0017] In addition to the ECU 10, the electric vehicle 100 includes a power storage device 20, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 30, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 40, and a temperature adjustment device 50. Note that the power storage device 20 is an example of the "battery" of the present disclosure.

[0018] The ECU 10 is a device that controls the electric vehicle 100. The ECU 10 communicates with each device (ECU, etc.) in the electric vehicle 100, for example, by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. Thereby, the ECU 10 receives various information from each device in the electric vehicle 100. The detailed configuration of the ECU 10 will be described later.

[0019] The power storage device 20 (the power storage cell 21 described later) stores electric power used for driving (for example, traveling) the electric vehicle 100. The power storage device 20 can be charged at each installed chargeable facility (charging station, charging stand, dealer, etc.).

[0020] The power storage device 20 includes a power storage cell 21 and a temperature sensor 22. The temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature of the power storage cell 21. Note that the temperature sensor 22 may be provided outside the power storage device 20.

[0021] The HMI device 30 includes a car navigation device and the like. The car navigation device can display the current position of the electric vehicle 100 and search for a route to a destination (waypoint). Also, the car navigation device can acquire information on the distance to the destination (waypoint). Note that the HMI device 30 communicates with the ECU 10 via CAN communication or the like.

[0022] The DCM 40 can communicate with communication devices (such as servers and smart centers) outside the electric vehicle 100. Thereby, the ECU 10 can acquire external information through the DCM 40.

[0023] The temperature adjustment device 50 is a device for adjusting the temperature of the power storage device 20. The temperature adjustment device 50 includes a device (such as a heater) for raising the temperature of the power storage device 20. Note that the temperature adjustment device 50 may include a refrigerant circuit, a switching valve, etc. for heat-exchanging the refrigerant heated by heat from a drive unit or the like in the electric vehicle 100 with the power storage device 20. Also, the temperature adjustment device 50 may include a device (such as a radiator and a blower) for cooling the power storage device 20.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the ECU 10. The ECU 10 includes a processor 1 and a memory 2.

[0025] In the memory 2, in addition to the program executed by the processor 1, information used in the program (such as maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters) is stored.

[0026] The processor 1 is provided with a terminal 1a and a terminal 1b. The terminal 1a is connected to a wiring 3 from outside the ECU 10. The terminal 1b is connected to a wiring 4 from outside the ECU 10. Note that the terminal 1a and the terminal 1b are each an example of the "first acquisition unit" and the "second acquisition unit" of the present disclosure.

[0027] For example, information from the HMI device 30 and the like is input to the terminal 1a through the wiring 3. The above information from the HMI device 30 includes information for calculating the time until the time when the charging of the power storage device 20 is predicted to be executed. The above information includes information on the distance between the electric vehicle 100 and the chargeable facility set as the destination or via point, speed information of the electric vehicle 100, traffic information, and the like. Note that the information for calculating the time until the time when the charging is predicted to be executed is an example of the "information based on the first time" of the present disclosure.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the time until the time when the charging of the power storage device 20 is predicted to be executed is the time required for the electric vehicle 100 to arrive at the chargeable facility set as the destination or via point (hereinafter referred to as the arrival required time). The processor 1 calculates the arrival required time based on the information acquired by the terminal 1a. Note that the arrival required time is an example of the "first time" of the present disclosure.

[0029] Information such as that from the power storage device 20 is input to the terminal 1b through the wiring 4. The information from the power storage device 20 includes information for calculating the time required (hereinafter referred to as the temperature adjustment required time) to adjust the temperature of the power storage device 20 to an appropriate temperature for charging (hereinafter referred to as the appropriate temperature) (for example, 35°C). The processor 1 calculates the temperature adjustment required time based on the information acquired by the terminal 1b. The information input to the terminal 1b includes information on the current temperature of the power storage device 20 (the detected value of the temperature sensor 22), information on the outside air temperature, the output of the temperature adjustment device 50, and predicted information on the change in the air temperature (weather), etc. Note that the information on the appropriate temperature may be stored in the memory 2 in advance, or may be calculated by the processor 1 as appropriate based on information such as the outside air temperature information. The information for calculating the temperature adjustment required time is an example of the "information based on the second time" in the present disclosure. Also, the temperature adjustment required time is an example of the "second time" in the present disclosure.

[0030] Note that the configuration of the ECU 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, the processor 1 may receive the above information from the HMI device 30, the power storage device 20, etc. by wireless communication.

[0031] Here, in conventional electric vehicles, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device may be started at inappropriate timings. For example, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device may be started early. In this case, it is considered that the electricity cost of the electric vehicle deteriorates due to the excessively long time for which the temperature adjustment is executed.

[0032] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the arrival required time calculated by the processor 1 is less than or equal to the length of the temperature adjustment required time calculated by the processor 1, the ECU 10 (processor 1) starts the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 so that the temperature of the power storage device 20 becomes the appropriate temperature. Specifically, when the arrival required time is less than or equal to the length of the temperature adjustment required time, the ECU 10 (processor 1) controls the temperature adjustment device 50 (for example, turns on the heater) to start the above temperature adjustment.

[0033] <Control flow of the ECU> Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a control flow regarding temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 by the ECU 10 (processor 1) will be described. Note that the control of the ECU 10 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the flow shown in FIG. 3. For example, the order of steps may be changed within a realizable range, or any step may be omitted.

[0034] In step S1, the ECU 10 determines whether a chargeable facility is set as a destination or a waypoint in the HMI device 30. If a chargeable facility is set (Yes in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If a chargeable facility is not set (No in S1), the process ends. Note that the determination process in step S1 may be executed each time a destination (waypoint) is set in the HMI device 30.

[0035] In step S2, the ECU 10 determines whether the electric vehicle 100 has arrived at the chargeable facility set as the destination or the waypoint in step S1. The ECU 10 determines whether the electric vehicle 100 has arrived at the chargeable facility, for example, using a GPS (Global Positioning System) module (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle 100. The GPS module may be mounted on the HMI device 30 (car navigation device). If the electric vehicle 100 has arrived at the chargeable facility (Yes in S2), the process ends. If the electric vehicle 100 has not arrived at the chargeable facility (No in S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0036] In step S3, the ECU 10 acquires information for calculating the arrival required time through terminal 1a (see FIG. 2). In step S4, the ECU 10 calculates the arrival required time using the information in step S3. Note that the calculation of the arrival required time is continuously executed until the processing of the flow in FIG. 3 ends.

[0037] Further, in the HMI device 30 (such as a car navigation device), the required arrival time may be calculated, and information on the required arrival time may be transmitted from the HMI device 30 to the ECU 10. In this case, the information transmitted from the HMI device 30 is an example of "information based on the first time".

[0038] In step S5, the ECU 10 acquires information for calculating the temperature adjustment required time through terminal 1b (see FIG. 2). In step S6, the ECU 10 calculates the temperature adjustment required time using the information in step S5. Note that the calculation of the temperature adjustment required time is continuously executed until the processing of the flow in FIG. 3 is completed.

[0039] Further, in the power storage device 20 (such as a battery ECU), the temperature adjustment required time may be calculated, and information on the temperature adjustment required time may be transmitted from the power storage device 20 to the ECU 10. In this case, the information transmitted from the power storage device 20 is an example of "information based on the second time".

[0040] In step S7, the ECU 10 determines whether the length of the required arrival time calculated in step S4 is less than or equal to the length of the temperature adjustment required time calculated in step S6. If the length of the required arrival time is less than or equal to the length of the temperature adjustment required time (Yes in S7), the process proceeds to step S8. If the required arrival time is greater than the temperature adjustment required time (No in S7), the process returns to step S2.

[0041] In step S8, the ECU 10 starts adjusting the temperature of the power storage device 20 so that the temperature of the power storage device 20 reaches the appropriate temperature. Specifically, the ECU 10 starts adjusting the temperature (for example, raising the temperature) of the power storage device 20 by starting the control of the temperature adjustment device 50 (such as a heater).

[0042] Note that the ECU 10 may reduce the output of the temperature adjustment device 50 so that the temperature adjustment required time approaches (for example, becomes equal to) the required arrival time.

[0043] In step S9, the ECU 10 determines whether the temperature adjustment started in step S8 has been completed because the temperature of the power storage device 20 has reached the appropriate temperature. If the temperature adjustment has been completed (Yes in S9), the process returns to step S2. If the temperature adjustment has not been completed (No in S9), the process proceeds to step S10.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing changes in the arrival required time and the temperature adjustment required time when the temperature adjustment is completed halfway in step S9. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a chargeable facility is set as the destination or a transit point at time t0. At time t1, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is started in response to the arrival required time becoming less than or equal to the temperature adjustment required time. Then, due to the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 being executed, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is completed at time t2 before the electric vehicle 100 arrives at the chargeable facility. Thereafter, the ECU 10 stops the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20.

[0045] Due to the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 being stopped at time t2, the difference between the temperature of the power storage device 20 and the appropriate temperature gradually increases, and accordingly, the temperature adjustment required time also gradually increases. Then, at time t3, again, the arrival required time becomes less than or equal to the temperature adjustment required time. Thereby, the ECU 10 starts the control of the temperature adjustment device 50 at time t3 so that the temperature of the power storage device 20 becomes the appropriate temperature and starts the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 again.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3 again, in step S10, the ECU 10 determines whether the length of the required arrival time is greater than the total length of the temperature control required time and a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes). If the length of the required arrival time is greater than the above total length (Yes in S10), the process proceeds to step S11. If the length of the required arrival time is equal to or less than the above total length (No in S10), the process returns to step S9. Note that the case where the length of the required arrival time is greater than the above total length includes cases where the chargeable facility set at the destination or via point is changed, or the route to the chargeable facility is changed, etc., including cases where the distance to the chargeable facility changes. Also, the above predetermined time may be a time other than 30 minutes. Also, the above predetermined time may be a preset fixed value, or may be appropriately calculated by the processor 1 based on predetermined information.

[0047] In step S11, the ECU 10 stops the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20. After that, the process returns to step S2.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing changes in the required arrival time and the required temperature control time when the length of the required arrival time becomes greater than the above total length in step S10. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a chargeable facility is set as the destination or via point at time t10. In response to the required arrival time becoming equal to or less than the required temperature control time at time t11, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is started.

[0049] Thereafter, at time t12, based on a route change or the like to the chargeable facility, the length of the required arrival time becomes greater than the above total length. In this case, the ECU 10 stops the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 5, the ECU 10 resumes the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 at time t13 when the required arrival time becomes equal to or less than the required temperature control time again.

[0050] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the length of the arrival required time is equal to or less than the length of the temperature control required time, the ECU 10 starts the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 so that the temperature of the power storage device 20 becomes an appropriate temperature. Thereby, before the electric vehicle 100 executes charging at the chargeable facility, the temperature of the power storage device 20 can be brought close to (reached) the appropriate temperature. As a result, the charging efficiency of the power storage device 20 can be increased. Further, when the length of the arrival required time is greater than the length of the temperature control required time, it is possible to suppress the execution of the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 from being executed for an excessively long period. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the electricity cost of the electric vehicle 100.

[0051] Further, in the present embodiment, after the temperature adjustment is started, when the length of the arrival required time becomes greater than the total length of the temperature control required time and a predetermined time due to a change in the length of the arrival required time, the ECU 10 stops the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20. Thereby, when the arrival required time becomes long due to a change in the route to the chargeable facility or a change in the chargeable facility where charging is planned to be executed, it is possible to suppress the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 from being continued and the temperature adjustment time from becoming excessively long.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example in which the ECU 10 of the electric vehicle 100 executes the control of the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A server or the like provided outside the electric vehicle 100 may execute the above control.

[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the server 200 includes a communication unit 210 that communicates with the DCM 40 of the electric vehicle 100A. The server 200 receives, via the communication unit 210, from the electric vehicle 100A, position information of the electric vehicle 100A, information on a destination (waypoint), information for calculating the required arrival time, information for calculating the required temperature control time, and the like. Based on the plurality of pieces of information received from the electric vehicle 100A, the server 200 transmits a command for executing (or stopping) the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 (executing the control flow of FIG. 3) to the electric vehicle 100A. The ECU 10A of the electric vehicle 100A does not perform control related to the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20. Note that the server 200 is an example of the “control device” of the present disclosure. In this case, the communication unit 210 is an example of the “first acquisition unit” and the “second acquisition unit” of the present disclosure. Note that a communication unit (first acquisition unit) that receives information for calculating the required arrival time and a communication unit (second acquisition unit) that receives information for calculating the required temperature control time may be provided separately in the server.

[0054] Note that the server 200 may receive only a part of the plurality of pieces of information received from the electric vehicle 100A. That is, a part of the plurality of steps in FIG. 3 may be executed by the electric vehicle 100A, and the remaining steps may be executed by the server 200. For example, the calculation of the required arrival time and the required temperature control time may be executed by the server 200, and the electric vehicle 100A that has received information on each of the required arrival time and the required temperature control time from the server 200 may execute the control of the temperature adjustment. In this case, the DCM 40 corresponds to the “first acquisition unit” and the “second acquisition unit” of the present disclosure.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the arrival required time for the electric vehicle 100 to arrive at the chargeable facility is used as information on the time until charging is executed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the time until the reserved charging time may be used as information on the time until charging is executed. Further, the sum of the arrival required time and a predetermined time (for example, the time required for charging preparation at the chargeable facility) may be used as information on the time until charging is executed. That is, when the length of the above sum is equal to or less than the temperature control required time, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 may be started.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which after the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is completed, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is started again when the length of the arrival required time becomes equal to or less than the length of the temperature control required time. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. After the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is completed, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 may not be restarted until arriving at the chargeable facility.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the terminal 1a for receiving information for calculating the arrival required time and the terminal 1b for receiving information for calculating the temperature control required time are separately provided in the processor 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each of the information for calculating the arrival required time and the information for calculating the temperature control required time may be received by a common terminal provided in the processor.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 is executed based on the information of the destination or waypoint input to the HMI device 30 (car navigation device). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the temperature adjustment of the power storage device 20 may be executed based on the information of the destination or waypoint input in the user's mobile terminal (such as a smartphone).

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example in which the temperature adjustment is started when the arrival required time is equal to or less than the temperature adjustment required time (see step S7 in FIG. 3) is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The temperature adjustment may be started when the arrival required time is equal to or less than the sum of the temperature adjustment required time and a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes).

[0060] Note that the configurations (processes) of the above embodiment and each of the above modification examples may be combined with each other.

[0061] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the claims, rather than the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1a terminal (first acquisition unit), 1b terminal (second acquisition unit), 10 ECU (control device), 20 power storage device (battery), 100, 100A electric vehicle (vehicle), 200 server (control device), 210 communication unit (first acquisition unit) (second acquisition unit).

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery, comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires information based on a first time until a time when execution of the charging is predicted; a second acquisition unit that acquires information based on a second time required to adjust the temperature of the battery to an appropriate temperature suitable for the charging; and when the length of the first time based on the information acquired by the first acquisition unit is less than or equal to the length of the second time based on the information acquired by the second acquisition unit, starting temperature adjustment of the battery in the vehicle so that the temperature of the battery becomes the appropriate temperature.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the length of the first time becomes greater than the total length of the second time and a predetermined time due to a change in the length of the first time after the temperature adjustment is started, stopping the temperature adjustment in the vehicle.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the length of the first time becomes less than or equal to the length of the second time again after the temperature adjustment is completed, starting the temperature adjustment in the vehicle again.

4. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first time includes information on the time required for the vehicle to reach a facility where charging is possible.

5. A vehicle comprising: a rechargeable battery; and the control device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images