vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle that prevents a short circuit in a submerged device from affecting the operation of non-submerged devices. [Solution] This vehicle comprises a power source, a plurality of devices that operate by receiving power from the power source, and a control device that controls the power supply to each device by controlling switches that open and close the circuits that supply power from the power source to each device. This vehicle comprises a first submersion sensor located in a first area, which is a part of the vehicle, and a second submersion sensor located in a second area that does not overlap with the first area. When this vehicle detects that either the first submersion sensor or the second submersion sensor is submerged (S120: NO, S150: YES), the control device opens the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the device located in the area where the submersion sensor that the control device has detected as submerged is located, thereby cutting off the power supply to the device (S140, S160).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an escape device that allows a passenger to lower the window glass of a door and escape through the window when the vehicle is submerged. The window glass of the vehicle is opened and closed by a window operating motor supplied with power from a battery mounted on the vehicle. The escape device includes an emergency window glass release circuit.

[0003] When a water immersion sensor disposed on the door body of the vehicle detects water immersion, the escape device automatically opens the window glass of the door by receiving power supply from a charge and discharge means separate from the battery, which is installed on the door body. At this time, the power supply to the devices mounted on the entire submerged vehicle, including the door body where water immersion is detected, remains continuous.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the devices mounted on the vehicle are submerged, the circuits of the submerged devices will short-circuit. Therefore, due to the short-circuit of the circuits of the submerged devices, the power supply to other electronic devices that are receiving power supply from the same battery and are not submerged becomes unstable. As a result, the operations of those devices become unstable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle for solving the above problems comprises a power supply, a plurality of devices that operate by receiving power from the power supply, and a control device that controls the power supply to each device by controlling switches that open and close the circuits that supply power from the power supply to each device. This vehicle comprises a first submersion sensor disposed in a first region which is a part of the vehicle, and a second submersion sensor disposed in a second region which is a part of the vehicle and does not overlap with the first region. When either the first submersion sensor or the second submersion sensor detects that the vehicle is submerged, the control device opens the circuit that supplies power from the power supply to the device disposed in the region where the submersion sensor that detected submersion is located, thereby cutting off the power supply to the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle described above, it is possible to prevent a short circuit in a submerged device from affecting the operation of non-submerged devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the equipment installed in the vehicle of the first embodiment in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the equipment installed in the vehicle according to the first embodiment in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the state of each semiconductor switch when the first submersion sensor in the vehicle of the first embodiment is submerged in water. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the microcomputer in the vehicle of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow when the microcomputer resumes power supply to the device that operates the doors in the modified vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of the vehicle will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. <Vehicle 10 configuration> Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of vehicle 10. Figure 1 is a side view of vehicle 10 as seen from the left. Figure 2 is a top view of vehicle 10 as seen from above. As indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, the direction pointing to the left when facing forward of the vehicle is called leftward, and the direction pointing to the right when facing forward of the vehicle is called rightward.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle 10 is equipped with four doors 31: a left front door 31C, a left rear sliding door 31D, a right front door 31A, and a right rear sliding door 31B. Figure 1 shows the left front door 31C and the left rear sliding door 31D, which are located on the left side of the vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 2, the right front door 31A and the right rear sliding door 31B are located on the right side of the vehicle 10. The right rear sliding door 31B and the left rear sliding door 31D are doors 31 that open and close by sliding in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, each of the four doors 31 is equipped with a power window device 32, a door lock mechanism 33, and a door ECU 54. The power window device 32 opens and closes the window of the door 31. The door lock mechanism 33 locks and unlocks the door lock of the door 31. The door ECU 54 controls the operation of the power window device 32 and the door lock mechanism 33.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 40, which is the power source for the vehicle 10, and several devices that operate using power supplied from the battery 40. The four doors 31 are also devices that operate using power supplied from the battery 40. Figure 1 shows the position of each device mounted on the vehicle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Figure 2 shows the position of each device mounted on the vehicle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as well as in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0013] Vehicle 10 is divided into two regions, a first region on the front side of the vehicle and a second region on the rear side of the vehicle, by region division line A, which is shown as a dashed line in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, a center line B passing through the center in the vehicle width direction is shown as a dashed line.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the first region on the front side of the vehicle is equipped with the following components: the hybrid mechanism 20, the engine ECU (electronic control unit) 51, the PCU (power control unit) 52, the steering mechanism 25, and the steering ECU 53.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the hybrid mechanism 20 comprises an engine 21, a power split mechanism 22, and two motor generators 23. The two motor generators 23 are the first motor generator 23A and the second motor generator 23B.

[0016] The power split mechanism 22 is located to the left of the engine 21. The two motor generators 23 are located to the left of the power split mechanism 22. The engine ECU 51 controls the engine 21. The PCU 52 controls the first motor generator 23A and the second motor generator 23B. The hybrid mechanism 20 integrates the output of the engine 21 and the output of each motor generator 23 using the power split mechanism 22, shifts the gears, and generates the driving force for the vehicle 10 to move.

[0017] The steering mechanism 25 changes the steering angle of the front wheels, which are the steering wheels of the vehicle 10. The steering ECU 53 controls the steering mechanism 25 so as to change the steering wheels to an appropriate steering angle according to the steering angle of the vehicle 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the right front door 31A and the left front door 31C are provided in the first region on the front side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, in the second region on the rear side of the vehicle, the transaxle 41 and the inverter 42 among the plurality of devices are arranged. The transaxle 41 is an electric drive unit that drives the rear wheels of the vehicle 10 by a motor. The inverter 42 controls the output of the motor by adjusting the power supplied to the motor of the transaxle 41. As shown in FIG. 1, in the second region on the rear side of the vehicle, the battery 40 and the power control ECU 90 are also arranged. The power control ECU 90 is arranged above the battery 40. The power control ECU 90 controls the supply of power from the battery 40 to each device. The battery 40 is connected to each of the above devices via a circuit inside the power control ECU 90. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the wiring connecting the battery 40 and the power control ECU 90, and the wiring connecting the power control ECU 90 and each device are not shown.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transaxle 41 is arranged in front of the vehicle relative to the inverter 42. The battery 40 and the power control ECU 90 are arranged in front of the vehicle relative to the transaxle 41.

[0020] <Configuration of the power control ECU 90> FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the power control ECU 90. The power control ECU 90 includes a water immersion detection circuit 91 and a microcomputer 92. In the power control ECU 90, the microcomputer 92 functions as a control device that controls the supply of power to each device.

[0021] The microcomputer 92 is connected to the first submersion sensor 71 and the second submersion sensor 72 via the submersion detection circuit 91. For example, conductive sensors can be used as the first submersion sensor 71 and the second submersion sensor 72, in which a current is generated between electrodes inside the sensor when the sensor is submerged in water, causing a conductive electrolyte to dissolve into the water. The submersion detection circuit 91 is a circuit that generates an electromotive force corresponding to the submerged submersion sensor when either the first submersion sensor 71 or the second submersion sensor 72 is submerged in water. The microcomputer 92 identifies which submersion sensor has been submerged by detecting this electromotive force generated in the submersion detection circuit 91.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first submersion sensor 71 is positioned in front of the hybrid mechanism 20. That is, the first submersion sensor 71 is positioned in the first region on the front side of the vehicle. The second submersion sensor 72 is positioned behind the inverter 42. That is, the second submersion sensor 72 is positioned in the second region on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0023] The power control ECU 90 is equipped with 12 semiconductor switches 93. The semiconductor switches 93 are switches that can be switched on or off by electrical signals using electrical elements such as transistors. The 12 semiconductor switches 93 are semiconductor switches 93A to 93L shown in Figure 3.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, semiconductor switch 93A is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the right front door 31A. Semiconductor switch 93B is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the right rear sliding door 31B. Semiconductor switch 93C is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the left front door 31C. Semiconductor switch 93D is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the left rear sliding door 31D.

[0025] Semiconductor switch 93E is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the engine 21. Semiconductor switch 93F is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the motor generator 23. Semiconductor switch 93G is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the engine ECU 51. Semiconductor switch 93H is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the PCU 52.

[0026] Semiconductor switch 93I is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the steering mechanism 25. Semiconductor switch 93J is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the steering ECU 53. Semiconductor switch 93K is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the transaxle 41. Semiconductor switch 93L is a switch that opens and closes the circuit connecting the battery 40 and the inverter 42.

[0027] When the semiconductor switch 93 is ON, the circuit is closed. When the semiconductor switch 93 is OFF, the circuit is open. The microcomputer 92 controls these semiconductor switches 93 individually to control the power supply to each of the above devices. When the semiconductor switch 93 is ON, the circuit closes and power is supplied to the devices connected to the battery 40 via the power control ECU 90. When the semiconductor switch 93 is OFF, the circuit opens and the power supply to the devices connected to the battery 40 via the power control ECU 90 is cut off.

[0028] <Control by power control ECU90> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the microcomputer 92.

[0029] When the vehicle 10 starts operating, the microcomputer 92 turns on all 12 semiconductor switches 93 to begin supplying power from the battery 40 to each device. While the vehicle 10 is operating, the microcomputer 92 performs a series of processes shown in Figure 4 at predetermined time intervals.

[0030] When the series of processes shown in Figure 4 is started, in step S110, the microcomputer 92 determines whether or not the first submersion sensor 71 is submerged in water. If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S110 that the first submersion sensor 71 is not submerged in water (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S150.

[0031] In step S150, the microcomputer 92 determines whether the second submersion sensor 72 is submerged or not. If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S150 that the second submersion sensor 72 is not submerged (step S150: NO), it proceeds to step S170. In this case, no area of ​​the vehicle 10 is submerged. Therefore, in step S170, the microcomputer 92 keeps all circuits that supply power from the battery 40 to each of the above-mentioned devices mounted on the vehicle 10 closed. In this way, the microcomputer 92 continues to supply power to all of the above-mentioned devices.

[0032] On the other hand, if the microcomputer 92 determines in step S150 that the second submersion sensor 72 is submerged (step S150: YES), it proceeds to step S160. In this case, the second area of ​​the vehicle 10 is submerged, while the first area is not. Therefore, in step S160, the microcomputer 92 turns off the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the equipment located in the second area of ​​the vehicle 10 to the battery 40, thereby opening the circuit. As a result, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to each of the above-mentioned devices located in the second area.

[0033] If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S110 that the first submersion sensor 71 is submerged in water (step S110: YES), it proceeds to step S120.

[0034] In step S120, the microcomputer 92 determines whether the second submersion sensor 72 is submerged or not. If the microcomputer 92 determines that the second submersion sensor 72 is not submerged (step S120: NO), it proceeds to step S140. In this case, the first area of ​​the vehicle 10 is submerged, while the second area is not. Therefore, in step S140, the microcomputer 92 turns off the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the equipment located in the first area of ​​the vehicle 10 to the battery 40, thereby opening the circuit. As a result, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to each of the above-mentioned devices located in the first area.

[0035] If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S120 that the second submersion sensor 72 is submerged (step S120: YES), it proceeds to step S130. In this case, both the first and second regions of the vehicle 10 are submerged. Therefore, in step S130, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the devices located in the first region and the devices located in the second region, excluding the door 31. In other words, the microcomputer 92 turns off the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the battery 40 to the devices of the vehicle 10 other than the door 31, thereby opening the circuit. As a result, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the devices other than the door 31.

[0036] When the microcomputer 92 has executed any of the processes in steps S130, S140, S160, and S170, it terminates the above series of processes.

[0037] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Vehicle 10 stops supplying power to equipment located within the area detected as submerged by the submersion sensor. Therefore, vehicle 10 can prevent a short circuit in the circuits of the submerged equipment by continuing to supply power to them. This prevents the power supply to other equipment from becoming unstable due to a short circuit in one of the power supply destinations.

[0038] When vehicle 10 detects that the first submersion sensor 71, located in the first area at the front of the vehicle, is submerged (step S120: NO), it cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the first area (step S140). Therefore, even when the first area is submerged, vehicle 10 continues to supply power to the equipment located in the second area at the rear of the vehicle.

[0039] Figure 3 shows the state of the power control ECU 90 circuit when the first area on the front side of vehicle 10 is submerged in water. In other words, when the microcomputer 92 detects that the first submersion sensor 71 is submerged, it opens the circuit that supplies power from the battery 40 to the equipment located in the first area, thereby cutting off the power supply to the corresponding equipment. The equipment located in the first area includes the right front door 31A, the left front door 31C, the engine 21, the motor generator 23, the engine ECU 51, the PCU 52, the steering mechanism 25, and the steering ECU 53. Therefore, the microcomputer 92 opens the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the battery 40 to these devices. That is, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply from the battery 40 to these devices. Specifically, the microcomputer 92 opens semiconductor switches 93A, 93C, 93E, 93F, 93G, 93H, 93I, and 93J. In this way, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the first area on the front side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the microcomputer 92 continues to supply power to the transaxle 41 and inverter 42 located in the second area on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0040] When vehicle 10 detects that the second submersion sensor 72, located in the second area at the rear of the vehicle, is submerged (step S150: YES), it cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the second area (step S160). Therefore, even when the second area at the rear of the vehicle is submerged, vehicle 10 continues to supply power to the equipment located in the first area at the front of the vehicle.

[0041] The equipment located in the second area includes the right rear sliding door 31B, the left rear sliding door 31D, the transaxle 41, and the inverter 42. Therefore, the microcomputer 92 opens the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the battery 40 to these pieces of equipment. In other words, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply from the battery 40 to these pieces of equipment. Specifically, the microcomputer 92 opens semiconductor switch 93B, semiconductor switch 93D, semiconductor switch 93K, and semiconductor switch 93L, respectively. In this way, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the second area on the rear side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the microcomputer 92 continues to supply power to the right front door 31A, the left front door 31C, the engine 21, the motor generator 23, the engine ECU 51, the PCU 52, the steering mechanism 25, and the steering ECU 53, all of which are located in the first area on the front side of the vehicle.

[0042] <Effects of the First Embodiment> (1-1) According to the vehicle 10, it is possible to suppress the effect of a short circuit in the circuit of a submerged device on the operation of a device that is not submerged in water.

[0043] (1-2) The first region of the vehicle 10 is the front region of the vehicle when the vehicle 10 is divided into two regions, the front region of the vehicle and the rear region of the vehicle, and the second region of the vehicle 10 is the rear region of the vehicle.

[0044] According to vehicle 10, when either the first area on the front side of the vehicle or the second area on the rear side of the vehicle is submerged in water, it is possible to suppress the impact on the operation of equipment located in the other area that is not submerged.

[0045] (1-3) The multiple devices of the vehicle 10 include devices for operating the doors 31 of the vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 continues to supply power to the equipment that operates the door 31 located in an area that is not submerged, by cutting off the power supply to the equipment located in the area that has been detected as submerged.

[0046] According to vehicle 10, when vehicle 10 is submerged in water, it is possible to suppress the impact on the operation of the equipment that operates the doors 31 of vehicle 10, which is located in an area that is not submerged in water. <Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the vehicle 10 differs from the vehicle 10 of the first embodiment in the positions of the first submersion sensor 71 and the second submersion sensor 72. The configuration and position of each device mounted on the vehicle 10 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the vehicle 10 of the first embodiment. The configuration of the power control ECU 90 is also the same as that of the vehicle 10 of the first embodiment.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the vehicle 10 is divided into two regions, a first region on the right side of the vehicle and a second region on the left side of the vehicle, by a center line B shown by a dashed line in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the first submersion sensor 71 is located in the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, near the right front door 31A and the right rear sliding door 31B. In other words, the first submersion sensor 71 is located in the first region to the right of the center line B. The second submersion sensor 72 is located in the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, near the left front door 31C and the left rear sliding door 31D. In other words, the second submersion sensor 72 is located in the second region to the left of the vehicle, near the center line B.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the first area on the right side of the vehicle 10 is equipped with an engine 21, an engine ECU 51, a steering ECU 53, a right front door 31A, and a right rear sliding door 31B. The second area on the left side of the vehicle 10 is equipped with a power split mechanism 22, a motor generator 23, a PCU 52, a left front door 31C, and a left rear sliding door 31D. The steering mechanism 25, transaxle 41, and inverter 42 are arranged across both the first area on the right side and the second area on the left side of the vehicle 10.

[0049] <Control by power control ECU90> The power control ECU 90 performs a series of processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 4, similar to the first embodiment.

[0050] <Operation of the second embodiment> Vehicle 10 stops supplying power to equipment located within the area detected as submerged by the submersion sensor. Therefore, vehicle 10 can prevent a short circuit in the circuits of the submerged equipment by continuing to supply power to them. This prevents the power supply to other equipment from becoming unstable due to a short circuit in one of the power supply destinations.

[0051] When vehicle 10 detects that the first submersion sensor 71, located in the first area on the right side of the vehicle, is submerged (step S120: NO), it cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the first area on the right side of the vehicle (step S140). Therefore, even when the first area is submerged, vehicle 10 continues to supply power to the equipment located in the second area on the left side of the vehicle.

[0052] The equipment located in the first area includes the engine 21, engine ECU 51, steering ECU 53, right front door 31A, right rear sliding door 31B, steering mechanism 25, transaxle 41, and inverter 42. Therefore, the microcomputer 92 opens the semiconductor switch 93 provided in the circuit connecting the battery 40 to these devices. In other words, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply from the battery 40 to these devices. Specifically, the microcomputer 92 opens semiconductor switch 93E, semiconductor switch 93G, semiconductor switch 93J, semiconductor switch 93A, semiconductor switch 93B, semiconductor switch 93I, semiconductor switch 93K, and semiconductor switch 93L. In this way, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the first area on the right side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the microcomputer 92 continues to supply power to the motor generator 23, the PCU 52, the left front door 31C, and the left rear sliding door 31D, which are located in the second area on the left side of the vehicle.

[0053] When vehicle 10 detects that the second submersion sensor 72 located in the second area on the left side of the vehicle is submerged (step S150: YES), it cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the second area (step S160). Therefore, even when the second area on the left side of the vehicle is submerged, vehicle 10 continues to supply power to the equipment located in the first area on the right side of the vehicle.

[0054] The equipment located in the second area includes the power split mechanism 22, the motor generator 23, the PCU 52, the left front door 31C, the left rear sliding door 31D, the steering mechanism 25, the transaxle 41, and the inverter 42. Therefore, the microcomputer 92 opens the semiconductor switch 93 located in the circuit connecting the battery 40 to these devices. In other words, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply from the battery 40 to these devices. The power split mechanism 22 is not a device that requires power from the battery 40 and is not connected to the battery 40. Therefore, the microcomputer 92 opens semiconductor switches 93F, 93H, 93C, 93D, 93I, 93K, and 93L. In this way, the microcomputer 92 cuts off the power supply to the equipment located in the second area on the left side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the microcomputer 92 continues to supply power to the engine 21, engine ECU 51, steering ECU 53, right front door 31A, and right rear sliding door 31B, which are located in the first area on the right side of the vehicle.

[0055] <Effects of the second embodiment> The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects (1-1) and (1-3) of the first embodiment.

[0056] (2-1) The first region of vehicle 10 is the right-side region of vehicle when vehicle 10 is divided into two regions, the right-side region of vehicle and the left-side region of vehicle, and the second region of vehicle 10 is the left-side region of vehicle.

[0057] According to vehicle 10, when either the first area on the right side of the vehicle or the second area on the left side of the vehicle is submerged in water, it is possible to suppress the impact on the operation of equipment located in the other area that is not submerged.

[0058] <Example of changes> The following are some elements that can be modified in common with each of the above embodiments. The following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0059] In step S130, the microcomputer 92 cut off the power supply to all equipment except the doors 31 of the vehicle 10. In step S130, the microcomputer 92 may cut off the power supply to all equipment, including the doors 31 of the vehicle 10.

[0060] Vehicle 10 may, after cutting off the power supply to the equipment that operates the door 31, resume power supply to the equipment if an opening operation is performed on the door 31. Such control can be achieved, for example, by having the microcomputer 92 cut off the power supply to the device that operates the door 31, and then perform a series of processes shown in Figure 5.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, in step S210, the microcomputer 92 determines whether an opening operation has been performed on the door 31, which has had its power supply cut off. An opening operation is, for example, an operation to open the window of the door 31 by operating the power window device 32 installed on the door 31. An opening operation is, for example, an operation to unlock the door lock of the door 31 by operating the door lock mechanism 33 installed on the door 31.

[0062] If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S210 that an opening operation has been performed on the door 31, which has had its power supply cut off (step S210: YES), it proceeds to step S220.

[0063] If the microcomputer 92 determines in step S210 that no opening operation has been performed on the door 31, which has had its power supply cut off (step S210: NO), it repeats the process of step S210.

[0064] In step S220, the microcomputer 92 resumes supplying power to the opened door 31. The microcomputer 92 then closes the circuit that supplies power from the battery 40 to the device that operates the opened door 31, thereby resuming power supply to the device. After executing the process in step S220, the microcomputer 92 terminates the above series of processes.

[0065] With this configuration, if the vehicle 10 cuts off the power supply to the device that operates the door 31 and then attempts to open the door 31, the microcomputer 92 closes the circuit that supplies power from the battery 40 to the device that operates the door 31 and then resumes supplying power to the device.

[0066] In response to the user's operation to open the door 31, the vehicle 10 restores power to the equipment that operates the door 31, which had been cut off. As a result, the door 31 opens in response to the user's operation.

[0067] With this type of vehicle 10, it becomes easier for the user to escape from the vehicle 10 when it is submerged in water. The above-described vehicle 10 is divided into two regions by region division line A or center line B. However, the region of vehicle 10 is not limited to being divided into two regions as described above. The region of vehicle 10 may be divided into three or more regions. For example, it may be divided into three regions: the region on the front side of the vehicle, the region on the rear side of the vehicle, and the central region of the vehicle located between the front side and the rear side of the vehicle.

[0068] The number of submersion sensors installed in vehicle 10 is not limited to two. For example, if the area is divided into three sections as in the above modification example, one submersion sensor can be installed in each of the three sections. On the other hand, in the above modification example, the central section of the vehicle may be designated as a section without a submersion sensor, and submersion sensors may be installed only in the remaining two sections. In other words, some sections of vehicle 10 do not need to have submersion sensors, and it is sufficient that at least two sections of vehicle 10 each have submersion sensors.

[0069] The number of submersion sensors installed in each area of ​​the vehicle 10 is not limited to one per area. Multiple submersion sensors may be installed in one area of ​​the vehicle 10. For example, the power supply to each device installed in an area may be shut off when any of the multiple submersion sensors installed in that area are submerged. For example, the power supply to each device installed in an area may be shut off when a predetermined number or more of the multiple submersion sensors installed in that area are submerged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10...Vehicle, 21...Engine, 22...Power split mechanism, 23...Motor generator, 25...Steering mechanism, 31...Door, 32...Power window device, 33...Door lock mechanism, 40...Battery, 41...Transaxle, 42...Inverter, 51...Engine ECU, 52...PCU, 53...Steering ECU, 54...Door ECU, 71...First submersion sensor, 72...Second submersion sensor, 90...Power control ECU, 91...Submersion detection circuit, 92...Microcomputer, 93...Semiconductor switch

Claims

1. Power supply and Multiple devices that operate by receiving power from the aforementioned power source, A control device that controls the power supply to each device by controlling the switches that open and close the circuits that supply power from the power source to each device, A first submersion sensor is installed in a first area, which is a part of the vehicle, The vehicle comprises a second submersion sensor located in a second region which is part of the vehicle and does not overlap with the first region, When either the first submersion sensor or the second submersion sensor detects that it is submerged in water, The control device opens the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the equipment located within the area where the submersion sensor, which has detected that the equipment is submerged, is installed, thereby cutting off the power supply to the equipment. vehicle.

2. The first region is the front region of the vehicle when the vehicle is divided into two regions: the front region and the rear region. The aforementioned second region is the region on the rear side of the vehicle. The vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The first region is the right-side region of the vehicle when the vehicle is divided into two regions: the right-side region and the left-side region. The aforementioned second area is the area on the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned plurality of devices include a device for operating the doors of the vehicle. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. If, after the power supply to the device that operates the door is cut off, an opening operation is performed on the door, The control device closes the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the device that operates the door, and then resumes supplying power to the device. The vehicle according to claim 4.

Images