Control system for electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control system for an electric vehicle, capable of inhibiting a situation where vehicle start-up operation is performed during battery replacement.SOLUTION: A control system Cu for an electric vehicle C according to the present disclosure includes: a first key cylinder 101 that generates a vehicle start-up command by key-on operation by a user; and a second key cylinder 102 that generates a replacement command for starting replacement operation of a battery by key-on operation by the user. A common key is used for a key K for the first key cylinder 101 and a key K for the second key cylinder 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control system for an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Electric vehicles equipped with batteries (for example, electric cars and electric scooters) have been known in the past.

[0003] In recent years, an increasing number of electric vehicles of this type are being equipped with battery exchange systems. Such battery exchange systems are generally designed based on the concept that when the stored power of a battery installed in a vehicle becomes low, the battery is exchanged for another fully charged battery at a battery exchange station, instead of charging the battery each time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In this type of battery exchange system, the operation of a locking mechanism (see, for example, Figures 3 and 4 described below) that supports and fixes the battery to the vehicle frame is typically controlled under the control of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and the battery is removed from and / or attached to the vehicle frame. At this time, the ECU establishes communication with a battery exchange station, and then works in cooperation with a battery exchange machine at the battery exchange station, which then exchanges the battery installed in the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent application No. 2023-134543 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-225923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, this type of battery exchange system is currently under development, and has not yet reached the stage where it can identify various problems that may arise during actual vehicle use and optimize the vehicle's control system as a whole.

[0007] In light of this, the inventors of the present application have come to the realization that, while the vehicle is actually in use, the driver may accidentally start the vehicle (i.e., turn on the ignition switch in the key cylinder) while the battery is being replaced. In such a case, the system main relay in the wiring connecting the battery and the vehicle's drive motor may turn on upon receiving a vehicle start command from the key cylinder, causing a high voltage generated at the battery terminals to be applied to the unconnected battery connector on the vehicle side, potentially resulting in an arc discharge. This could result in the battery connector welding or damage to other components.

[0008] The system main relay is arranged, for example, in an output section on the battery side, and is designed to be turned on when the vehicle start operation is performed so that the vehicle can be driven.

[0009] Furthermore, if the vehicle is started during a battery exchange, the ECU will normally issue an emergency stop command to the battery exchange station to avoid danger, which may result in the battery exchange having to be repeated unnecessarily or may cause the battery exchange machine at the battery exchange station to malfunction.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control system for an electric vehicle that can prevent a situation in which a vehicle start-up operation is performed when the battery is replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The main invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is: A control system for an electric vehicle equipped with a battery, a first key cylinder that generates a start command for starting the vehicle in response to a key-on operation by a user; a second key cylinder that generates a replacement command to start a battery replacement operation in response to a key-on operation by the user; Equipped with The key for the first key cylinder and the key for the second key cylinder are a common key. It is a control system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the control system for an electric vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a vehicle start-up operation is performed when the battery is replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram (plan view) showing an example of a vehicle configuration; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a manner in which a main battery is attached to a vehicle; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a locking mechanism that fixes a main battery to a vehicle (unlocked state); [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a locking mechanism that fixes the main battery to the vehicle (locked state); [Figure 5] Diagram showing the appearance of the main battery [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a drive mechanism for a lock mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. A common Cartesian coordinate system is also shown in each drawing.

[0015] An example of the configuration of an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle C") according to one embodiment of the present invention and a control system for vehicle C (hereinafter referred to as "control system Cu") will be described below.

[0016] In this embodiment, the battery replacement function of the control system Cu will be mainly described. The battery to be replaced by the control system Cu is, for example, a battery mounted on an electrically powered vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and used as a driving power source for the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as a "main battery").

[0017] <Overall vehicle configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram (plan view) showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle C. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a manner in which a main battery 11 is attached to the vehicle C.

[0018] 3 and 4 are diagrams (plan views) showing an example of the configuration of the locking mechanism 13 that fixes the main battery 11 to the vehicle C. Fig. 3 shows the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 13, and Fig. 4 shows the locked state of the locking mechanism 13.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of the main battery 11. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a drive mechanism for the lock mechanism 13.

[0020] The vehicle C is a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that can run using a driving power source of a main battery 11. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a large vehicle such as a truck as an example. The vehicle frame Cf of the vehicle C extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is disposed on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, and supports the vehicle body and various on-board equipment. The vehicle frame Cf also supports a cab that forms the driver's seat Ca at the front of the vehicle C. The vehicle frame Cf is formed, for example, from a steel frame having a U-shaped cross section.

[0021] The vehicle C includes a main battery 11, an auxiliary battery 12, a locking mechanism 13, a drive motor 14, a first key cylinder 101, a second key cylinder 102, a vehicle control function ECU 201, and a battery exchange function ECU 202.

[0022] The main battery 11 is a high-voltage battery that supplies operating power for driving the vehicle C to the drive motor 14. In this embodiment, the main battery 11 is, for example, a battery pack of 200V-class lithium-ion batteries.

[0023] The main battery 11 is detachably attached to the side of the vehicle frame Cf via a locking mechanism 13. In this embodiment, the main battery 11 is attached to each of the left and right vehicle frames Cf.

[0024] The main battery 11 has a terminal portion 11c on its side, which allows electrical connection to a battery connector (not shown) on the vehicle C. The main battery 11 also has a battery bracket 11a, to which a rod-shaped striker 11s is attached for engaging with a latch 13a of the locking mechanism 13 (see FIG. 5).

[0025] 2, the vehicle frame Cf has a mounting base Cfb for mounting the main battery 11, and a slide rail base Cfa that supports the mounting base Cfb so that it can slide. The slide rail base Cfa is attached to the outer side surface of the vehicle frame Cf and extends horizontally from the vehicle frame Cf toward the outer side of the vehicle C. The slide rail base Cfa guides the mounting base Cfb so that it can slide between a battery storage position and a battery attachment / detachment position within the vehicle C.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a state in which the mounting base Cfb has been slid from the battery attachment / detachment position to the battery storage position.

[0027] In the vehicle C according to this embodiment, when the main battery 11 is stored in the vehicle C, the main battery 11 is placed on the storage stand Cfb when the storage stand Cfb is in the battery attachment / detachment position. Then, while placed on the storage stand Cfb, the main battery 11 is slid along the slide rail base Cfa and guided from the battery attachment / detachment position to the battery storage position. Then, at the battery storage position, the main battery 11 is locked to the vehicle frame Cf using the locking mechanism 13. At this time, the terminal portion 11c of the main battery 11 is connected to the battery connector on the vehicle C side, completing the storage of the main battery 11 in the vehicle C.

[0028] On the other hand, in the vehicle C according to this embodiment, when the main battery 11 is removed from inside the vehicle C, for example, the locking mechanism 13 is driven to release the locked state of the main battery 11 from the vehicle frame Cf. Then, while placed on the mounting base Cfb, the main battery 11 is slid along the slide rail base Cfa and guided from the battery storage position inside the vehicle C to the battery attachment / detachment position. Then, at the battery attachment / detachment position, the main battery 11 is lifted up, for example, onto a battery exchange machine at a battery exchange station and removed from the vehicle C.

[0029] For an example of the operation of the battery exchange machine in the battery exchange station, please refer to, for example, Patent Document 1, a prior application of the applicant of the present application.

[0030] The auxiliary battery 12 is a low-voltage battery that supplies operating power to on-board electrical components. The auxiliary battery 12 is, for example, a 12V lead-acid battery. The auxiliary battery 12 is fixed to a side portion of the vehicle frame Cf. In the vehicle C according to this embodiment, the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 12 operates, for example, ECUs (e.g., the vehicle control function ECU 201 and the battery exchange function ECU 202) and the lock mechanism 13 (see FIG. 6).

[0031] The locking mechanism 13 is fixed to the vehicle frame Cf and detachably attaches the main battery 11 to the vehicle frame Cf (see Figures 3, 4, and 6). Note that in Figures 3 and 4, the main battery 11 is not shown, and only the battery bracket 11a and striker 11s attached to the side of the main battery 11 are shown.

[0032] The lock mechanism 13 according to this embodiment includes a latch 13a, a hydraulic cylinder 13b, a drive pump 13c, a control valve 13d, a first relay 13fa, and a second relay 13fb.

[0033] The latches 13a are provided in pairs along the front-rear direction of the vehicle frame Cf. Each of the pair of latches 13a is supported rotatably about a vertical axis by a bracket attached to the vehicle frame Cf. Each of the pair of latches 13a is a hook member that extends from the inside to the outside of the vehicle frame Cf and hooks onto the rod-shaped striker 11s. Each of the pair of latches 13a rotates about the vertical axis in conjunction with the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 13b.

[0034] That is, when locking the main battery 11 to the vehicle frame Cf, each of the pair of latches 13a rotates to one side about the vertical axis and engages with the striker 11s attached to the battery bracket 11a, securing the main battery 11 to the vehicle frame Cf. When unlocking the main battery 11 from the vehicle frame Cf, each of the pair of latches 13a rotates to the other side about the vertical axis and releases the engagement between the battery bracket 11a and the striker 11s, allowing the main battery 11 to be removed from the vehicle frame Cf.

[0035] The locking mechanism 13 typically maintains a locked state in which the main battery 11 is fixed to the vehicle frame Cf when the main battery 11 is stored inside the vehicle C. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 13 releases the locked state between the main battery 11 and the vehicle frame Cf when the main battery 11 is replaced.

[0036] In this embodiment, one of the pair of latches 13a is directly connected to the hydraulic cylinder 13b, and the other of the pair of latches 13a is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 13b via a rod 13bb. Each of the pair of latches 13a is provided with a contact sensor 13S, which detects whether the locked state is established. A sensor signal from the contact sensor 13S is sent to the battery replacement function ECU 202, which detects a malfunction of the locking mechanism 13 based on these sensor signals.

[0037] The hydraulic cylinder 13b is connected to a hydraulic circuit and its state changes depending on the operating states of a drive pump 13c that supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic circuit and a control valve 13d disposed in the hydraulic circuit. That is, the drive pump 13c sends high-pressure hydraulic oil to the hydraulic circuit, and the control valve 13d controls the supply state of the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder 13b. As a result, the hydraulic cylinder 13b converts the fluid energy of the hydraulic oil into mechanical energy to move the pair of latches 13a.

[0038] The operating state of the hydraulic cylinder 13b is controlled by a battery exchange function ECU 202 that controls the drive pump 13c and the control valve 13d. Specifically, the exchange function ECU 201 controls the operation of the drive pump 13c by controlling the on / off of a first relay 13fa that is disposed in a line connecting the drive pump 13c and the auxiliary battery 12 that supplies operating power to the drive pump 13c. Similarly, the battery exchange function ECU 202 controls the operation of the control valve 13d by controlling the on / off of a second relay 13fb that is disposed in a line connecting the control valve 13d and the auxiliary battery 12 that supplies operating power to the control valve 13d.

[0039] The battery replacement function ECU 202 operates the lock mechanism 13 to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state of the main battery 11 relative to the vehicle frame Cf. The battery replacement function ECU 202 is also configured to be able to communicate with a battery replacement station, and performs the replacement operation of the main battery 11 in cooperation with the battery replacement station.

[0040] <Vehicle control system> Next, the control system Cu of the vehicle C according to this embodiment will be described.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system Cu of the vehicle C.

[0042] As described above, the vehicle C has the first key cylinder 101, the second key cylinder 102, the vehicle control function ECU 201, and the battery exchange function ECU 202. The first key cylinder 101 and the second key cylinder 102 are separately disposed, for example, on the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat Ca of the vehicle C.

[0043] The first key cylinder 101 is a key cylinder that functions as an ignition switch and is configured as one unit with the ignition switch of the vehicle C. That is, the first key cylinder 101 accepts the key K of the vehicle C held by the driver, and when the key-on operation is performed using the key K to rotate the rotor of the first key cylinder 101 to a predetermined position, the built-in ignition switch is turned on. When the ignition switch is turned on, the first key cylinder 101 transmits a vehicle start command to the vehicle control function ECU 201.

[0044] When the first key cylinder 101 is in the key-on state, the key K cannot be inserted or removed.

[0045] The vehicle control function ECU 201 is an ECU that performs overall control of each part of the vehicle C. For example, when the vehicle control function ECU 201 receives a vehicle start command from the first key cylinder 101, it turns on a system main relay (not shown) in the wiring connecting the battery 11 and the drive motor 14 to make the vehicle ready to run.

[0046] The vehicle control function ECU 201 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input port, an output port, a communication module, and the like.

[0047] The second key cylinder 102 is a key cylinder that functions as a battery replacement command switch and is configured as one unit with the battery replacement command switch of the vehicle C. That is, the second key cylinder 102 accepts the key K of the vehicle C held by the driver, and when the key-on operation is performed using the key K to rotate the rotor of the second key cylinder 102 to a predetermined position, the built-in battery replacement command switch is turned on. When the battery replacement command switch of the second key cylinder 102 is turned on, the second key cylinder 102 transmits a battery replacement command to the battery replacement function ECU 202.

[0048] When the second key cylinder 102 is in the key-on state, the key K cannot be inserted or removed.

[0049] As described above, the battery replacement function ECU 202 is an ECU that controls the replacement operation of the battery 11. For example, when the battery replacement function ECU 202 receives a battery replacement command from the second key cylinder 102, it starts the replacement operation of the main battery 11 in cooperation with the battery replacement station.

[0050] The battery replacement function ECU 202 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input port, an output port, a communication module, and the like.

[0051] The first key cylinder 101 and the second key cylinder 102 are both configured similarly to known key cylinders (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0052] Here, the control system Cu of the vehicle C according to this embodiment is particularly characterized in that the key K for the first key cylinder 101 and the key K for the second key cylinder 102 share a common key K.

[0053] The control system Cu for the vehicle C according to this embodiment has such a configuration to prevent the ignition switch from being turned on and the battery exchange command switch from being turned on at the same time. In other words, this is to prevent the driver from accidentally starting the vehicle C and exchanging the battery 11 at the same time.

[0054] That is, since the driver holds only one key K, when the driver inserts the key K into the first key cylinder 101 and performs the key-on operation to start the vehicle C, the second key cylinder 102 is always in the key-off state. Also, when the driver inserts the key K into the second key cylinder 102 and performs the key-on operation to replace the battery 11, the first key cylinder 101 is always in the key-off state.

[0055] This makes it possible to prevent the vehicle from being started when the battery is replaced.

[0056] [effect] As described above, the control system Cu of the vehicle C according to this embodiment: a first key cylinder that generates a start command for starting the vehicle in response to a key-on operation by a user; a second key cylinder that generates a replacement command to start a battery replacement operation in response to a key-on operation by the user; Equipped with The key for the first key cylinder and the key for the second key cylinder share a common key.

[0057] Therefore, the control system Cu of the vehicle C according to this embodiment can reliably prevent the vehicle startup operation from being performed when the battery is replaced.

[0058] This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a high voltage applied to the terminal portion 11c of the main battery 11 causes arc discharge and causes the battery connector on the vehicle C side to weld.

[0059] This also makes it possible to prevent unnecessary redoing of the battery exchange operation and to prevent malfunction of the battery exchange machine at the battery exchange station.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to various modified aspects.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, a vehicle frame Cf having a slide rail base Cfa was shown as an example of a vehicle C to which the present invention is applicable, but in realizing the vehicle C of the present invention, the support manner of the main battery 11 is arbitrary.

[0062] In the above embodiment, as an example of the locking mechanism 13 applied to the present invention, a pair of latches 13a is used to lock the main battery 11. However, the locking mechanism 13 used in the present invention is arbitrary, and other locking mechanisms may be used.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the vehicle control function ECU 201 activated by the first key cylinder 101 and the battery exchange function ECU 202 activated by the second key cylinder 102 are configured as separate microcomputers. As an example of a battery exchange control unit and a key lock control unit applicable to the present invention, the battery exchange function ECU 201 and the key lock function ECU 202 configured as microcomputers are shown. However, in order to realize the control system Cu of the vehicle C according to the present invention, the control unit activated by the first key cylinder 101 and the control unit activated by the second key cylinder 102 may be configured as an integrated unit. Furthermore, these may be configured as hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) instead of a microcomputer.

[0064] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] According to the control system for an electric vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a vehicle start-up operation is performed when the battery is replaced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] C vehicle Cu Control System 11 Main battery 12 Auxiliary battery 13 Locking mechanism 14 Drive motor 101 First key cylinder 102 Second key cylinder 201 Vehicle control function ECU 202 Battery exchange function ECU

Claims

1. A control system for an electric vehicle equipped with a battery, a first key cylinder that generates a start command for starting the vehicle in response to a key-on operation by a user; a second key cylinder that generates a replacement command to start a battery replacement operation in response to a key-on operation by the user; Equipped with The key for the first key cylinder and the key for the second key cylinder are a common key. Control system.

2. The first key cylinder and the second key cylinder are separately disposed on an instrument panel in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. The control system of claim 1 .

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