Flex fuel vehicle

Abstract

To contribute to reduction of greenhouse effect gas through a flex fuel vehicle.SOLUTION: A flex fuel vehicle 100 comprises an engine 10 that operates by burning alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and petroleum-derived fuel in an arbitrary ratio. The flex fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator of an alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device 200 provided outside the flex fuel vehicle 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to flex-fuel vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a flex-fuel vehicle that can use alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of gasoline and alcohol in any ratio. It discloses that an alcohol concentration sensor that directly detects the concentration of alcohol contained in the fuel is provided in the fuel tank or fuel pipe. The flex-fuel vehicle can detect the alcohol concentration using this alcohol concentration sensor. The flex-fuel vehicle uses the detected alcohol concentration for air-fuel ratio feedback control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-024925 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known that flex-fuel vehicles can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction by running on alcohol-containing fuels. However, flex-fuel vehicles can also run on fuels that contain no alcohol. Therefore, there is a problem in that greenhouse gas reductions cannot be expected when flex-fuel vehicles run on fuels that contain no alcohol. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a flex-fuel vehicle having an internal combustion engine that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel that is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, and that is configured to transmit an indicator of the concentration of the alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device outside the flex-fuel vehicle.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a flex-fuel vehicle having an internal combustion engine that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel that is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, the flex-fuel vehicle being configured to: obtain an indicator that indicates the concentration of the alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used; determine whether the indicator indicates that the concentration of the alcohol is lower than a threshold concentration; and limit the output of the flex-fuel vehicle if the indicator indicates that the concentration of the alcohol is lower than the threshold concentration.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a flex-fuel vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel that is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, and that is configured to: transmit an indicator indicating the concentration of the alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device outside the flex-fuel vehicle; receive from the external device a restriction command that is generated by the external device when the external device determines that the indicator indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration; and limit the output of the flex-fuel vehicle when the restriction command is received from the external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The above configuration contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through flex-fuel vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flex-fuel vehicle according to a first embodiment that communicates with an external device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the flex-fuel vehicle of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the external device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the flex-fuel vehicle of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flex-fuel vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the flex-fuel vehicle of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) A flex-fuel vehicle according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Configuration of flex-fuel vehicle 100> The configuration of a flex-fuel vehicle 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 includes an internal combustion engine 10 that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and a petroleum-derived fuel in any ratio. The internal combustion engine 10 will hereinafter be referred to as engine 10. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device 200 via a communication device 36. The external device 200 is external to the flex-fuel vehicle 100. The external device 200 is, for example, a server. In this embodiment, the indicator is the alcohol concentration detected by an alcohol concentration sensor 12 provided in the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0011] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 includes a first motor-generator 16 and a second motor-generator 18. Each of the first motor-generator 16 and the second motor-generator 18 can operate as a drive source for the flex-fuel vehicle 100. Furthermore, each of the first motor-generator 16 and the second motor-generator 18 can operate as a generator that receives power from the engine 10 and generates electricity.

[0012] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 also includes a power split mechanism 14, which is a planetary gear mechanism having three rotating elements: a sun gear, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear. The power split mechanism 14 is connected to the engine 10 and a first motor-generator 16. The power split mechanism 14 is connected to a second motor-generator 18 via a reduction gear 22. The reduction gear 22 is connected to the drive wheels via a differential mechanism. The power split mechanism 14, the first motor-generator 16, the second motor-generator 18, and the reduction gear 22 form a transmission.

[0013] The first motor generator 16 and the second motor generator 18 are electrically connected to the battery 20 via a power control unit 34 (hereinafter referred to as PCU 34). The PCU 34 adjusts the amount of power supplied from the battery 20 to the first motor generator 16 and the second motor generator 18, and the amount of power charged to the battery 20 from the first motor generator 16 and the second motor generator 18.

[0014] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 is equipped with an engine control device 32, which is an electronic control device that controls the engine 10. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 is also equipped with a vehicle control device 30 that performs overall control of the engine control device 32 and the PCU 34. The vehicle control device 30 and the engine control device 32 are each configured as a computer unit that includes a storage device that stores control programs and data, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the programs stored in the storage device, and RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a work area for the CPU when executing the programs. The storage device is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0015] The engine control device 32 receives detection signals such as the driver's accelerator pedal depression amount and the speed of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. The vehicle control device 30 then calculates a vehicle required power, which is a required value of driving force for the flex-fuel vehicle 100, based on the accelerator pedal depression amount and the vehicle speed. The vehicle control device 30 also calculates a required engine output, an MG1 required torque, and an MG2 required torque based on the vehicle required power and the amount of electricity stored in the battery 20. The required engine output is the required value of engine output. The MG1 required torque is the required value of powering / regenerating torque for the first motor generator 16. The MG2 required torque is the required value of powering / regenerating torque for the second motor generator 18. The engine control device 32 then controls the output of the engine 10 in accordance with the required engine output, and the PCU 34 controls the torque of the first motor generator 16 and the second motor generator 18 in accordance with the MG1 required torque and the MG2 required torque. In this way, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is controlled for traveling.

[0016] A detection signal from an alcohol concentration sensor 12 is input to the vehicle control device 30. The alcohol concentration sensor 12 is provided in a fuel tank or a fuel pipe. The alcohol concentration sensor 12 detects the concentration of alcohol contained in alcohol-containing fuel. The vehicle control device 30 is capable of storing the alcohol concentration.

[0017] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 is equipped with an OBD (On-board diagnostics) port 38. For example, authorities can obtain the alcohol concentration stored in the vehicle control device 30 via the OBD port 38.

[0018] <Processes Executed by the Flex-Fuel Vehicle 100 and Processes Executed by the External Device 200> 2 and 4, a process executed by the flex-fuel vehicle 100 will be described. Also, a process executed by the external device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0019] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 repeatedly executes the flow shown in FIG. 2 while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is in operation. In step S200, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 acquires an index indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used. Specifically, the vehicle control device 30 acquires the alcohol concentration from the alcohol concentration sensor 12. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 then proceeds to step S202.

[0020] In step S202, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration to the external device 200 outside the flex-fuel vehicle 100 via the communication device 36.

[0021] The external device 200 repeatedly executes the flow shown in Fig. 3 while the external device 200 is operating. In step S300, the external device 200 determines whether or not an indicator indicating an alcohol concentration has been received. If the determination in step S300 is affirmative (S300: YES), the external device 200 proceeds to step S302. In step S302, the external device 200 determines whether or not the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration based on the received indicator indicating the alcohol concentration. If the determination in step S302 is affirmative (S302: YES), the external device 200 proceeds to step S304.

[0022] In step S304, the external device 200 transmits a restriction command to the flex-fuel vehicle 100 that transmitted the indicator indicating the alcohol concentration. That is, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 receives from the external device 200 a restriction command that is generated by the external device 200 when the external device 200 determines that the indicator indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than the threshold concentration. The restriction command is a command to restrict the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0023] If the external device 200 makes a negative determination in step S300 (S300: NO), it ends the flow of Fig. 3. If the external device 200 makes a negative determination in step S302 (S302: NO), it ends the flow of Fig. 3. After completing step S304, the external device 200 ends the flow of Fig. 3.

[0024] The flex-fuel vehicle 100 repeatedly executes the flow shown in Figure 4 while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is in operation. In step S400, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 determines whether or not a restriction command has been received from the external device 200. If the determination in step S400 is affirmative (S400: YES), the flex-fuel vehicle 100 proceeds to step S402.

[0025] In step S402, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 by limiting the output of the engine 10. According to steps S400 and S402, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 when a limiting command is received from the external device 200.

[0026] If the determination in step S400 is negative (S400: NO), the flex-fuel vehicle 100 ends the flow in Fig. 4. After completing step S402, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 ends the flow in Fig. 4.

[0027] <Operation of this embodiment> 2 repeatedly while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is operating. Therefore, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 repeatedly transmits an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration to the external device 200 while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is operating (S202). Therefore, the external device 200 receives an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration from the flex-fuel vehicle 100 while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is operating.

[0028] According to steps S302 and S304, if the alcohol concentration is lower than the threshold concentration, the external device 200 transmits a restriction command to the flex-fuel vehicle 100. When the flex-fuel vehicle 100 receives the restriction command, it restricts the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 (S400: YES, S402).

[0029] <Effects of the first embodiment> (1-1) The flex-fuel vehicle 100 includes an engine 10 that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel that is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator of the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device 200 located outside the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0030] According to the above configuration, an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel used in the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is transmitted to the external device 200. Therefore, for example, a manager who manages the external device 200 can encourage a user who does not often use alcohol as fuel to actively use alcohol as fuel. This contributes to the realization of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0031] (1-2) The flex-fuel vehicle 100 includes an engine 10 that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel that is a mixture of alcohol and a petroleum-derived fuel in any ratio. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device 200 that is external to the flex-fuel vehicle 100. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 receives a restriction command from the external device 200 that is generated when the external device 200 determines that the indicator indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration. When the flex-fuel vehicle 100 receives the restriction command from the external device 200, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 restricts the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0032] According to the above configuration, a user who does not use much alcohol as fuel can be penalized by limiting the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. This makes it possible to encourage users to actively use alcohol as fuel.

[0033] The indicator (1-3) is the alcohol concentration detected by the alcohol concentration sensor 12 provided in the flex-fuel vehicle 100. According to the above configuration, the alcohol concentration itself is used as an index, which is more accurate than, for example, a configuration that uses a value correlated with the alcohol concentration based on the relationship between the alcohol-containing fuel and the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 as an index.

[0034] (1-4) The flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the output of the engine 10, thereby limiting the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. According to the above configuration, by limiting the output of the engine 10, the output of the vehicle can be limited and greenhouse gas emissions can be directly reduced.

[0035] (Second embodiment) A flex-fuel vehicle according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Descriptions of configurations common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a flex-fuel vehicle 100 according to a second embodiment. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 according to the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 transmits an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to the external device 200. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 does not transmit an indicator indicating the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to the external device 200. In the first embodiment, the external device 200 determines whether the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration based on the received indicator indicating the alcohol concentration. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 determines whether the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration based on the indicator indicating the alcohol concentration.

[0037] <Processing Executed by the Flex-Fuel Vehicle 100> The process executed by the flex-fuel vehicle 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 repeatedly executes the flow shown in Fig. 6 while the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is in operation.

[0038] In step S600, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 obtains an index indicating the concentration of alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 then proceeds to step S602.

[0039] In step S602, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 determines whether the indicator indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than the threshold concentration. If the determination in step S602 is affirmative (S602: YES), the flex-fuel vehicle 100 proceeds to step S604.

[0040] In step S604, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the output of the engine 10, thereby limiting the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. If the determination in step S602 is negative (S602: NO), the flex-fuel vehicle 100 ends the flow in Figure 6. After completing step S604, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 ends the flow in Figure 6.

[0041] <Operation of the Second Embodiment> According to steps S602 and S604, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the power output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 when the indicator indicates that the concentration of alcohol is lower than the threshold concentration.

[0042] <Effects of the second embodiment> (2-1) The flex-fuel vehicle 100 includes an engine 10 that operates by burning an alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and a petroleum-derived fuel in any ratio. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 acquires an index indicating the concentration of alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used. The flex-fuel vehicle 100 determines whether the index indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration. If the index indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than the threshold concentration, the flex-fuel vehicle 100 limits the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100.

[0043] According to the above configuration, a user who does not use much alcohol as fuel can be penalized by limiting the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. This makes it possible to encourage users to actively use alcohol as fuel.

[0044] (Example of change) The following are possible modifications to the above-described embodiments: The following modifications can be implemented in combination with one another within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0045] In the first and second embodiments, the indicator of the alcohol concentration contained in the alcohol-containing fuel is the detected alcohol concentration. However, this is merely an example. The indicator of the alcohol concentration may be, for example, a value estimated from the relationship between the fuel injection amount and the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100. The estimated value is a value correlated with the alcohol concentration.

[0046] In the first and second embodiments, the output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 is limited by limiting the output of the engine 10. However, this is merely an example. The output of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 may be limited by limiting the output of the first motor-generator 16 and the second motor-generator 18, for example.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration of the flex-fuel vehicle 100 can be modified as appropriate. For example, at least one of the first motor-generator 16 and the second motor-generator 18 may be omitted.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the processes in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be omitted. In the first and second embodiments, the vehicle control device 30, the engine control device 32, the PCU 34, and the external device 200 each include a CPU, RAM, and ROM. The CPU executes software processing. However, this is merely an example. For example, the vehicle control device 30 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., ASIC) that processes at least part of the software processing executed in the above embodiments. That is, the vehicle control device 30 may have any of the following configurations (a) to (c): (a) The vehicle control device 30 includes a processing device that executes all processing according to a program and a program storage device such as a ROM that stores the program. That is, the vehicle control device 30 includes a software execution device. (b) The vehicle control device 30 includes a processing device that executes part of the processing according to a program and a program storage device. Furthermore, the vehicle control device 30 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) The vehicle control device 30 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes all processing. The same applies to the engine control device 32, the PCU 34, and the external device 200. Here, there may be multiple software execution devices and / or dedicated hardware circuits. That is, the processes may be performed by processing circuitry that includes at least one of a software executing device and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processing circuitry may include a plurality of software executing devices and dedicated hardware circuits. Program storage devices, i.e., computer-readable media, include storage devices that are any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10...internal combustion engine (engine), 12...alcohol concentration sensor, 100...flex-fuel vehicle, 200...external device

Claims

1. A flexible-fuel vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine that operates by burning alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, and configured to transmit an indication of the concentration of the alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device external to the flex-fuel vehicle. Flex-fuel vehicles.

2. A flexible-fuel vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine that operates by burning alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, obtaining an index indicating the concentration of the alcohol contained in the alcohol-containing fuel being used; determining whether the indicator indicates that the concentration of the alcohol is below a threshold concentration; and limiting power output of the flex-fuel vehicle if the indicator indicates that the concentration of the alcohol is below a threshold concentration. Flex-fuel vehicles.

3. A flexible-fuel vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine that operates by burning alcohol-containing fuel, which is a mixture of alcohol and a fuel produced from petroleum in any ratio, transmitting an indication of the concentration of the alcohol in the alcohol-containing fuel being used to an external device external to the flex-fuel vehicle; receiving, from the external device, a restriction command generated by the external device when the external device determines that the indicator indicates that the alcohol concentration is lower than a threshold concentration; and limiting the output of the flex-fuel vehicle when the limiting command is received from the external device. Flex-fuel vehicles.

4. the indicator is the alcohol concentration detected by an alcohol concentration sensor provided in the flex-fuel vehicle; The flex-fuel vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. limiting the power output of the flex-fuel vehicle by limiting the power output of the internal combustion engine; 4. The flex-fuel vehicle of claim 2 or 3.

Images