Driving cost notification device

Abstract

To make it easier for hybrid vehicle users to select electric driving mode. [Solution] The hybrid vehicle is provided with two driving modes: an electric driving mode and a hybrid driving mode. The control device of the driving cost notification device calculates a first driving cost Cst1, which is the driving cost of the hybrid vehicle when it drives a predetermined distance in the hybrid driving mode (S23), and calculates a second driving cost Cst2, which is the driving cost of the hybrid vehicle when it drives a predetermined distance in the electric driving mode (S25). The device then notifies the user of the hybrid vehicle of the information based on the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2 (S27).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving cost notification device that notifies a user of the driving cost of a hybrid vehicle having an external charging function.

Background Art

[0002] Hybrid vehicles having an external charging function are known. As driving modes of the hybrid vehicle, an electric driving mode and a hybrid driving mode are provided. The electric driving mode is a mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by power supplied from a battery charged by power supplied from outside the vehicle. The hybrid driving mode is a mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by both power supplied from the battery and fuel consumption.

[0003] The display control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 notifies a user of the driving cost when the hybrid vehicle travels in the selected driving mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the hybrid vehicle as described above, in order to suppress the generation of carbon dioxide accompanying vehicle travel, it is preferable to increase the driving distance in the electric driving mode. An object of the present invention is to make it easier for a user of a hybrid vehicle to select the electric driving mode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The driving cost notification device for solving the above problem is a device that notifies the user of the driving cost of a hybrid vehicle having an external charging function. The driving modes of the hybrid vehicle include an electric driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by power supplied from a battery charged by power supplied from outside the vehicle, and a hybrid driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by both power supplied from the battery and fuel consumption. The driving cost notification device performs the following: calculate a first driving cost, which is the driving cost of the hybrid vehicle when the hybrid vehicle is driven for a predetermined distance in the hybrid driving mode; calculate a second driving cost, which is the driving cost of the hybrid vehicle when the hybrid vehicle is driven for the predetermined distance in the electric driving mode; and notify the user of the hybrid vehicle of information based on the first driving cost and the second driving cost. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] To make it easier for hybrid vehicle users to select electric driving mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the driving cost notification device of the embodiment, a hybrid vehicle, and the home and information terminal of the user who owns the hybrid vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the travel cost notification device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of how users are notified. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the driving cost notification device will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows a driving cost notification device 50, a hybrid vehicle 10, the home 20 of the user who owns the hybrid vehicle 10, and an information terminal 40 owned by the user. The information terminal 40 could be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet.

[0010] <Hybrid Vehicle 10> The hybrid vehicle 10 is a so-called PHEV vehicle that has an external charging function. The hybrid vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 11 that can be charged by power supply from an external power source and a drive unit 12. The drive unit 12 has a motor generator 13 that is driven by power supplied from the battery 11 and an engine 14 that is driven by consuming fuel such as gasoline.

[0011] The hybrid vehicle 10 is equipped with two selectable driving modes: an electric driving mode and a hybrid driving mode. The electric driving mode is a mode in which the hybrid vehicle 10 is driven by the motor generator 13. When the electric driving mode is selected, power from the battery 11 is consumed, but fuel is not consumed. The hybrid driving mode is a mode in which the hybrid vehicle 10 is driven by both the motor generator 13, which is powered by the battery 11, and the engine 14, which is powered by fuel consumption.

[0012] The hybrid vehicle 10 is further equipped with a measuring device 15 and a communication device 16. An example of the measuring device 15 is an electronic control unit. In this case, the measuring device 15 has a CPU and a memory that stores the control program executed by the CPU. The measuring device 15 measures the driving distance L, fuel consumption Qf, power consumption Qe, fuel efficiency Ef, and electric efficiency Ee of the hybrid vehicle 10.

[0013] The communication device 16 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the driving cost notification device 50 via the external communication network 100. For example, the communication device 16 transmits driving information, which is information related to the measurement results of the measuring device 15, to the driving cost notification device 50 via the communication network 100.

[0014] <Home 20> Home 20 is equipped with solar panels 21 for solar power generation and a power meter 22 that measures the amount of electricity generated by solar power generation using the solar panels 21, known as the amount of electricity generated AEg, within a specified period. The power meter 22 can track the amount of electricity consumed by the homeowner within the specified period, known as the amount of electricity consumed by the homeowner, known as the amount of electricity sold to the power company, known as the amount of electricity not consumed by the homeowner. Any electricity not consumed by the homeowner is sold to the power company.

[0015] The power meter 22 also has the function of transmitting information regarding the amount of electricity generated AEg, the amount of solar power consumed by the system AEc, and the amount of solar power sold AEs to the driving cost notification device 50 via the communication network 100.

[0016] Home 20 is supplied with electricity generated by power plant 30. In the example shown in Figure 1, the electricity generated by power plant 30 is supplied to home 20 via a smart meter 31 provided by the power company. The smart meter 31 transmits information about the amount of electricity purchased (AEp) and the electricity rate plan to the driving cost notification device 50 via the communication network 100.

[0017] Home 20 is equipped with a charging device 23 for charging the battery 11 of the hybrid vehicle 10. This allows the battery 11 of the hybrid vehicle 10 to be charged at home 20 by power supplied from the charging device 23.

[0018] <Driving cost notification device 50> The running cost notification device 50 has a function of notifying the user of the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10. The running cost notification device 50 includes a communication device 51 and a control device 52. The communication device 51 outputs the information received via the communication network 100 to the control device 52. The communication device 51 transmits the information output from the control device 52 to the information terminal 40 via the communication network 100.

[0019] An example of the control device 52 is an electronic control unit. In this case, the control device 52 has a CPU and a memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU. When the CPU executes the control program in the memory, the control device 52 creates information regarding the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10 to be notified to the user. Then, the control device 52 causes the created information to be transmitted to the user's information terminal 40 via the communication network 100.

[0020] <Flow of processing for notifying the user of the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10> Referring to FIG. 2, the flow of processing for notifying the user of the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10 will be described.

[0021] In step S11, the control device 52 acquires the unit price UPse of the power generated by solar power generation and the electricity rate plan. In the next step S13, the control device 52 calculates the solar power self-consumption amount AEc. At this time, the control device 52 can calculate the solar power self-consumption amount AEc by subtracting the solar power selling amount AEs from the generated power amount AEg. In the subsequent step S15, the control device 52 acquires the purchased power amount AEp. And in step S17, the control device 52 calculates the average unit price UPe of the power within a predetermined period. For example, the control device 52 can calculate the average unit price UPe of the power using the following calculation formula (D1). "UPpe" in the calculation formula (D1) is the unit price of the power purchased from the power company. The unit price UPpe of the power can be obtained from the electricity rate plan acquired in step S11.

[0022] UPe = (AEc×UPse+AEp×UPpe) / (AEc+AEp) ···(D1) In the next step S19, the control device 52 acquires driving information transmitted from the hybrid vehicle 10. For example, the control device 52 acquires the driving distance L, fuel consumption Qf, power consumption Qe, fuel efficiency Ef, and electric efficiency Ee of the hybrid vehicle 10. In the following step S21, the control device 52 acquires the average unit price UPf of fuel within a predetermined period. For example, the control device 52 may acquire the average unit price of fuel at multiple refueling stations located around the home 20 as the average unit price UPf of fuel.

[0023] Then, in step S23, the control device 52 calculates a first running cost Cst1, which is the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10 when the hybrid vehicle 10 travels a predetermined distance LS in hybrid driving mode.

[0024] For example, the control device 52 calculates the driving ratio, which is the ratio of the distance traveled using power supplied from the battery 11 to the distance traveled using fuel when the hybrid vehicle 10 is traveling in hybrid driving mode. At this time, the control device 52 can calculate the driving ratio based on the power consumption Qe, fuel consumption Qf, electric efficiency Ee, and fuel efficiency Ef when the hybrid vehicle 10 is traveling in hybrid driving mode. Then, based on the driving ratio, the control device 52 distributes a predetermined driving distance LS into a power driving distance LS1, which is traveled using power supply, and a fuel driving distance LS2, which is traveled using fuel consumption.

[0025] The control device 52 calculates the electricity cost Cste and fuel cost Cstf when the hybrid vehicle 10 travels a predetermined distance LS in hybrid driving mode. For example, the control device 52 can calculate the electricity cost Cste using the following calculation formula (D2). The control device 52 can calculate the fuel cost Cstf using the following calculation formula (D3).

[0026] Cste = LS1÷Ee×UPe (D2) Cstf = LS2÷Ef×UPf (D3) The control device 52 then calculates the sum of the electricity cost Cste and the fuel cost Cstf as the first running cost Cst1.

[0027] In the next step S25, the control device 52 calculates a second running cost Cst2, which is the running cost of the hybrid vehicle 10 when the hybrid vehicle 10 travels a predetermined distance LS in electric driving mode. For example, the control device 52 can calculate the second running cost Cst2 using the following calculation formula (D4).

[0028] Cst2 = LS÷Ee×UPe ···(D4) Then, in step S27, the control device 52 performs a notification process to notify the user of information based on the first travel cost Cst1 and the second travel cost Cst2. For example, the control device 52 has the communication device 51 transmit the information regarding the calculated first travel cost Cst1 and second travel cost Cst2 to the user's information terminal 40 via the communication network 100.

[0029] <Example of display on information terminal 40> Figure 3 shows an example of a display configuration in which information transmitted from the travel cost notification device 50 is notified to the user via the information terminal 40.

[0030] The information terminal 40 receives information regarding the first travel cost Cst1 and the second travel cost Cst2 from the travel cost notification device 50. The information transmitted from the travel cost notification device 50 is then displayed on the information terminal 40's screen so that the first travel cost Cst1 and the second travel cost Cst2 can be compared. In the example shown in Figure 3, the difference between the first travel cost Cst1 and the second travel cost Cst2 can be visually confirmed.

[0031] <Operation and Effects of This Embodiment> (1) The control device 52 of the driving cost notification device 50 calculates the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2. The control device 52 then notifies the user of the hybrid vehicle 10 of the information based on the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2. This allows the user to select either the hybrid driving mode or the electric driving mode by comparing the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2. Therefore, if the second driving cost Cst2 is lower than the first driving cost Cst1, the user is more likely to select the electric driving mode. Thus, the driving cost notification device 50 makes it easier for the user to select the electric driving mode.

[0032] (2) The control device 52 calculates the first running cost Cst1 based on the average unit price of electricity UPe, the average unit price of fuel UPf, and a predetermined running distance LS. The control device 52 also calculates the second running cost Cst2 based on the average unit price of electricity UPe and a predetermined running distance LS. As a result, the control device 52 can accurately calculate the first running cost Cst1 and the second running cost Cst2.

[0033] (3) If the home 20 owns a solar power generation system, the control device 52 calculates the first running cost Cst1 and the second running cost Cst2 using the amount of solar power self-consumption AEc, the amount of electricity purchased AEp, and the average unit price of electricity UPe based on the electricity rate plan. As a result, the control device 52 can accurately calculate the first running cost Cst1 and the second running cost Cst2.

[0034] <Example of changes> The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0035] The driving cost notification device 50 may transmit information to the information terminal 40 that allows the user to understand which of the electric driving mode and hybrid driving mode is more cost-effective, different from the example shown in Figure 3. For example, the control device 52 of the driving cost notification device 50 may notify the user which of the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2 is cheaper. The control device 52 may also notify the user of the difference between the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2.

[0036] The driving cost notification device 50 may transmit information based on the first driving cost Cst1 and the second driving cost Cst2 to the hybrid vehicle 10. In this case, the above information will be displayed on a display or the like provided by the hybrid vehicle 10.

[0037] Home 20 does not need to be equipped with solar panels 21. The control device 52 is not limited to one that includes a CPU and ROM and performs software processing. In other words, the control device 52 may have any of the following configurations: (a), (b), and (c).

[0038] (a) The control device 52 comprises one or more processors that perform various processes according to a computer program. The processors include a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable media, includes any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0039] (b) The control device 52 includes one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform various processes. Examples of dedicated hardware circuits include application-specific integrated circuits, i.e., ASICs or FPGAs. ASIC is an abbreviation for "Application Specific Integrated Circuit," and FPGA is an abbreviation for "Field Programmable Gate Array."

[0040] (c) The control device 52 comprises one or more processors that execute a portion of the various processes according to a computer program, and one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute the remaining processes of the various processes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10...Hybrid vehicle, 11...Battery, 50...Driving cost notification device, 52...Control device.

Claims

1. A driving cost notification device that notifies the user of the driving cost of a hybrid vehicle with an external charging function, The aforementioned hybrid vehicle is provided with two driving modes: an electric driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by power supplied from a battery charged by power supplied from outside the vehicle, and a hybrid driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by both power supplied from the battery and fuel consumption. To calculate a first driving cost, which is the driving cost of the hybrid vehicle when the hybrid vehicle travels a predetermined distance in the hybrid driving mode, The process involves calculating a second running cost, which is the running cost of the hybrid vehicle when it travels the predetermined distance in the electric driving mode, To notify the user of the hybrid vehicle of information based on the first and second running costs, and to perform the following: A device that notifies users of travel costs.

2. Obtain the average unit price of electricity within a specified period, The system further includes obtaining the average unit price of the fuel within the predetermined period, Based on the average unit price of electricity, the average unit price of fuel, and the predetermined driving distance, the first driving cost is calculated. The second travel cost is calculated based on the average unit price of the aforementioned electricity and the predetermined travel distance. The travel cost notification device according to claim 1.

3. During the predetermined period, obtain the amount of electricity generated by self-sufficient solar power generation, the amount of electricity consumed by the self-sufficiency, the amount of electricity purchased from the power company, and the average unit price of the electricity calculated based on the power company's electricity rate plan. The travel cost notification device according to claim 2.

4. The first running cost is calculated based on the product of the distance traveled using fuel and the average unit price of the fuel, and the product of the distance traveled using electricity and the average unit price of the electricity, within the predetermined running distance. The travel cost notification device according to claim 2.

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