Travel control system of hybrid vehicle

Abstract

To provide a travel support system of a hybrid vehicle which can charge a battery for driving efficiently.SOLUTION: A travel control system of a hybrid vehicle is a travel control system of a hybrid vehicle which comprises a travel control device which starts up an engine if amount of charge of a battery for driving is predetermined threshold value or less or if battery charge mode or battery save mode is selected and a car navigation device which guides travel route from current place to destination. The travel control device delays start-up of the engine until the amount of charge is the threshold value or less or until it is on an express way when the express way is contained in the travel route even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a driving control system for a hybrid vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hybrid vehicle equipped with a charging switch. The charging switch is a switch that increases the target charge amount of the battery by setting it high according to the intention of the vehicle driver, thereby increasing the power storage amount (charge amount) of the battery. When this charging switch is turned on by the driver, the vehicle enters the charging mode, the target charge amount increases, the engine output is adjusted, and the SOC value of the battery becomes a value higher than normal due to the power generation of the generator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, power generation by a generator is often more efficient on highways than on ordinary roads.

[0005] However, in the hybrid vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the charging switch is turned on by the driver, the vehicle enters the charging mode and the engine output is adjusted, so there are cases where the driving battery cannot be efficiently charged.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a driving control system for a hybrid vehicle that can efficiently charge a driving battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The driving control system of a hybrid vehicle according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes a driving control device that starts the engine when the charge amount of the driving battery becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, or when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, and a car navigation device that guides a driving route from the current location to the destination. The driving control device delays the start of the engine until the charge amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value or until getting on the highway even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected and the driving route includes a highway.

[0008] According to the configuration of (1) above, even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected and the driving route includes a highway, the start of the engine is delayed until the charge amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value or until getting on the highway, so that charging on the highway can be promoted. Thereby, the driving battery can be efficiently charged.

[0009] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, when the driving route includes a highway, the driving control device decreases the threshold value by a predetermined charge amount.

[0010] According to the configuration of (2) above, the start of the engine can be delayed and charging on the highway can be promoted. Thereby, the driving battery can be efficiently charged.

[0011] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected and the driving route includes a downhill slope, the driving control device delays the start of the engine until the charge amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value or until finishing going down the downhill slope.

[0012] According to the configuration of (3) above, even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, if the driving route includes a downhill slope, the start of the engine is delayed until the charge amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value or until going down the downhill slope. Therefore, the electric energy regenerated from the kinetic energy on the downhill slope is charged to the driving battery. As a result, the kinetic energy can be effectively utilized.

[0013] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) above, when the driving route includes a downhill slope, the travel control device decreases the threshold value by a predetermined amount of regeneration.

[0014] According to the configuration of (4) above, the start of the engine can be delayed, and the electric energy regenerated from the kinetic energy on the downhill slope is charged to the driving battery. As a result, the kinetic energy can be effectively utilized. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0015] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the driving battery can be efficiently charged. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0017] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0018] [Hybrid Vehicle] The hybrid vehicle equipped with the driving control system according to the embodiment is a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV, PHEV) that can be charged (externally charged) from an external device (for example, a rapid charger) while parked, and can supply power to the outside (for example, a general household) while parked, but is not limited thereto. The hybrid vehicle equipped with the driving control system according to the embodiment is a hybrid vehicle that drives the front two wheels, but may also be a hybrid vehicle that drives all four wheels.

[0019] [Configuration of Hybrid Vehicle] As shown in FIG. 1, a hybrid vehicle 1 equipped with a driving control system according to an embodiment includes an engine 11, a generator 12 driven by the engine 11, a driving battery 13 that charges the electricity generated by the generator 12, and a driving motor 15 that drives drive wheels 14 with the electricity supplied from the generator 12 or the driving battery 13.

[0020] The engine 11, the generator 12, and the driving motor 15 are fixed to a transaxle 16. The power of the engine 11 is transmitted to the generator 12 via the transaxle 16, and the power of the driving motor 15 is transmitted to the drive wheels 14 (axle 17) via the transaxle 16. A fuel pipe 18 is connected to the engine 11, and fuel is supplied to the engine 11 through the fuel pipe 18 from a fuel tank 19 provided behind the driving battery 13 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0021] The generator 12 and the drive motor 15 are electrically connected to a power drive unit (PDU) 20. The power drive unit 20 incorporates a generator control unit (GCU) and a motor control unit (MCU). The generator control unit controls the generator 12 and is configured to rectify the electricity generated by the generator 12 from alternating current to direct current. The motor control unit controls the drive motor 15, converts the electricity supplied from the drive battery 13 from direct current to alternating current, and converts the electricity regenerated by the drive motor 15 from alternating current to direct current. The hybrid vehicle 1 configured in this way selects either electric vehicle (EV) driving with the engine 11 stopped or engine driving with the engine 11 started.

[0022] [EV Driving] In EV driving, the electricity stored in the drive battery 13 is supplied to the drive motor 15. In EV driving, since the engine 11 is stopped, the electricity generated by the generator 12 is neither supplied to the drive motor 15 nor stored in the drive battery 13.

[0023] [Engine Driving] For engine operation, there are a series operation in which electricity generated by the generator 12 is supplied to the drive motor 15 or the drive battery 13, and a parallel operation in which the power of the engine 11 is transmitted to the drive wheels 14 (axle 17). In the series operation, when the charge level of the drive battery 13 (SOC (State Of Charge)) decreases or during sudden acceleration, the engine 11 is started, and electricity generated by the generator 12 and electricity stored in the drive battery 13 are supplied to the drive motor 15. Then, the surplus electricity generated by the generator 12 is charged to the drive battery 13. In the parallel operation, when driving at high speed, the clutch provided in the transaxle is connected and the engine 11 is started, and the power of the engine 11 is transmitted to the drive wheels 14. Then, the electricity generated by the generator 12 is charged to the drive battery 13. The power generation efficiency of the generator 12 is higher in the parallel operation than in the series operation, and from the viewpoint of the power generation efficiency of the generator 12, it is preferable to generate electricity during high-speed driving in the parallel operation.

[0024] [Running control device] As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the power drive unit 20 described above, the hybrid vehicle according to the embodiment includes a battery management device (BMU) 21 that manages the drive battery 13, an engine control device (engine ECU) 22 that controls the engine 11, and a running control device (HEV-ECU) 23 that controls these.

[0025] The power drive unit 20, the battery management device 21, and the engine control device 22 are connected to the running control device 23 via a CAN (Controller Area Network) 24, and various information and various control signals are transmitted and received between them.

[0026] The battery management device 21, the engine control device 22, and the travel control device 23 are each composed of an arithmetic device, a register for storing instructions and information, a processor composed of peripheral devices, a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Acess Memory), and an input interface.

[0027] When the SOC of the driving battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold during EV travel, the travel control device 23 starts the engine 11 and shifts to series travel. In series travel, the generator 12 generates electricity so that the SOC of the driving battery 13 does not become equal to or lower than the threshold.

[0028] A battery charge switch 25 and a battery save switch 26 are connected to the travel control device 23. The battery charge switch 25 and the battery save switch 26 are provided side by side on the center console, but are not limited thereto. When the battery charge switch 25 is operated (pressed), the travel control device 23 selects the battery charge mode, and when the battery save switch 26 is operated (pressed), the travel control device 23 selects the battery save mode.

[0029] [Battery Charge Mode] When the battery charge switch 25 is operated and the battery charge mode is selected, the engine 11 is started and the generator 12 starts generating electricity. As a result, the driving battery 13 is charged, and when the SOC of the driving battery 13 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the engine 11 is stopped. As a result, the generator 12 ends power generation.

[0030] [Battery Save Mode] When the battery save switch 26 is operated and the battery charge mode is selected, the engine 11 is started and the generator 12 starts generating electricity. As a result, the driving battery 13 is charged, and the SOC of the driving battery at the time when the battery save switch 26 is operated is maintained.

[0031] [Navigation device] A navigation device 27 is connected to the travel control device 23, and the travel control device 23 cooperates with the navigation device 27. The navigation device 27 selects a travel route from the current location to the destination by inputting the destination, and guides the travel route.

[0032] [Hybrid vehicle travel control system] In the travel control system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, even when the charge mode or the save mode is selected, if the travel route selected by the navigation device 27 includes a highway, the start of the engine 11 is delayed until the SOC becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until getting on the highway.

[0033] In the travel control system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, when the travel route selected by the navigation device 27 includes a highway, the threshold value may be decreased by a predetermined amount of charge.

[0034] In the travel control system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, even when the charge mode or the save mode is selected, if the travel route selected by the navigation device 27 includes a downhill slope, the start of the engine 11 is delayed until the SOC becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until finishing going down the downhill slope.

[0035] In the travel control system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, when the travel route selected by the navigation device 27 includes a downhill slope, the threshold value may be decreased by a predetermined amount of regeneration. The predetermined amount of regeneration may be obtained by calculation in advance.

[0036] [Operation of travel control system] In the driving control system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, when a destination is set in the car navigation device 27, a driving route from the current location to the destination is selected. Thereby, the driver of the hybrid vehicle 1 is guided by the car navigation device 27 about the driving route from the current location to the destination.

[0037] When the battery charge switch 25 or the battery save switch 26 is operated and the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, the engine 11 is started and the generator 12 starts power generation. However, when the driving route includes an expressway, the start of the engine 11 is delayed until the SOC of the drive battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until getting on the expressway. Thereby, when the SOC of the drive battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or when getting on the expressway, the engine 11 is started and the generator 12 starts power generation. However, since parallel driving is selected during high-speed driving, the drive battery 13 is efficiently charged.

[0038] Also, when the driving route includes an expressway and the threshold value at which the engine 11 is started is decreased by a predetermined charge amount, the start of the engine 11 is delayed. Thereby, the drive battery 13 is charged on the expressway rather than on ordinary roads, and the drive battery 13 is efficiently charged.

[0039] When the driving route includes a downhill slope and the start of the engine 11 is delayed until the SOC of the drive battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until finishing going down the downhill slope, the electric energy regenerated from the kinetic energy on the downhill slope is charged to the drive battery 13. Thereby, the kinetic energy is effectively utilized.

[0040] Also, when the driving route includes a downhill slope and the threshold value at which the engine 11 is started is decreased by a predetermined regeneration amount, the start of the engine 11 is delayed. Thereby, the kinetic energy is easily regenerated into electric energy on the downhill slope, and the kinetic energy is effectively utilized.

[0041] [Effect of Travel Control System] According to the travel support system of the hybrid vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, even when the charge mode or the save mode is selected, when the travel route includes a highway, until the SOC of the drive battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until getting on the highway, the start of the engine 11 is delayed, so that charging on the highway can be promoted. As a result, parallel travel is likely to be selected, and the drive battery 13 can be efficiently charged.

[0042] Also, when the travel route includes a highway, by reducing the threshold value by a predetermined amount of charge in advance, the start of the engine 11 can be delayed, and charging on the highway can be promoted. As a result, parallel travel is likely to be selected, and the drive battery 13 can be efficiently charged.

[0043] Also, even when the charge mode or the save mode is selected, when the travel route includes a downhill slope, until the SOC of the drive battery 13 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until going down the downhill slope, the start of the engine 11 is delayed, so that the electric energy regenerated from the kinetic energy on the downhill slope is charged to the drive battery 13. As a result, the kinetic energy can be effectively utilized.

[0044] Also, when the travel route includes a downhill slope, by reducing the threshold value by a predetermined amount of regeneration in advance, the start of the engine 11 can be delayed, and the electric energy regenerated from the kinetic energy on the downhill slope is charged to the drive battery 13. As a result, the kinetic energy can be effectively utilized.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Hybrid vehicle 11 Engine 12 Generator 13 Driving battery 14 Driving wheel 15 Driving motor 16 Transaxle 17 Axle 18 Fuel pipe 19 Fuel tank 20 Power drive unit (PDU) 21 Battery management device (BMU) 22 Engine control device (engine ECU) 23 Driving control device (HEV-ECU) 24 CAN 25 Battery charge switch 26 Battery save switch 27 Car navigation device

Claims

1. A driving control device that starts the engine when the charge level of the driving battery becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, or when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, A car navigation device that guides the driving route from the current location to the destination, A driving control system for a hybrid vehicle comprising: Even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, when the driving route includes an expressway, the driving control device delays starting the engine until the charge level becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until getting on the expressway. A driving control system for a hybrid vehicle.

2. When the driving route includes an expressway, the driving control device reduces the threshold value by a predetermined charge amount. The driving control system for a hybrid vehicle according to Claim 1.

3. Even when the battery charge mode or the battery save mode is selected, when the driving route includes a downhill slope, the driving control device delays starting the engine until the charge level becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value, or until finishing going down the downhill slope. The driving control system for a hybrid vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. When the driving route includes a downhill slope, the driving control device reduces the threshold value by a predetermined amount of regenerative energy. The driving control system for a hybrid vehicle according to Claim 3.

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