Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

The objective is to obtain a hybrid vehicle that can suppress the inability of the energy storage device to charge and stabilize regenerative braking force. [Solution] The hybrid vehicle 10 is equipped with a control unit 32, which is capable of controlling the battery device 14 and the water heater 18 based on the charge level of the battery device 14, the measurement result of a first thermometer 24 capable of measuring the temperature T1 of the coolant flowing out of the water heater 18, and the measurement result of a second thermometer 26 capable of measuring the temperature T2 of the battery device 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a hybrid vehicle. In this hybrid vehicle, regenerative energy generated during braking is absorbed by a power storage device, and the absorbed regenerative energy is reused as part of the energy required during traveling.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the temperature of the power storage device is low, it is considered that the power storage device may enter a non-chargeable state where it is difficult to charge the power storage device with regenerative energy. In this case, regenerative braking force cannot be obtained, and since it is necessary to obtain the braking force of the vehicle by engine friction or the like, it is necessary to drive the engine.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a hybrid vehicle that can suppress the power storage device from entering a non-chargeable state and achieve stabilization of regenerative braking force.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A hybrid vehicle according to the first embodiment includes a motor that functions as a drive source when the vehicle is running and also functions as a generator to generate regenerative braking force, an engine that functions as a drive source when the vehicle is running when the motor is not running, a power storage device capable of storing electricity generated when the motor is regenerating, a heater that operates with the electricity stored in the power storage device and can supply thermal energy to the heater core of an air conditioning system that supplies warm air to the vehicle interior and the power storage device via a heat transfer medium, a first thermometer capable of measuring the first temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing out of the heater, a second thermometer capable of measuring the second temperature of the power storage device, and the power storage device based on the charge level of the power storage device, the first temperature and the second temperature. The device comprises a control unit capable of controlling the device and the heater, wherein the control unit controls the energy storage device and the heater so that when the charge level is above a predetermined lower limit charge level, the first temperature becomes a first set temperature when the second temperature is above a predetermined upper limit temperature that is lower than the standard ambient temperature while the air conditioning system is in operation; when the air conditioning system is not in operation, the energy storage device and the heater so that the first temperature becomes a second set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature when the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature; and when the air conditioning system is in operation, the energy storage device and the heater so that the temperature of the first thermometer becomes a third set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature and lower than the second set temperature when the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature.

[0007] According to the first embodiment of the hybrid vehicle, it is equipped with a motor, which functions as a drive source when the hybrid vehicle is running and also functions as a generator to generate regenerative braking force. The electricity generated during the regenerative braking of the motor is stored in a power storage device.

[0008] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an engine is provided, and when the motor is not being driven, this engine functions as a power source when the hybrid vehicle is running.

[0009] Incidentally, when the temperature of the energy storage device is low, it is possible that it may become impossible to charge the device using regenerative energy. In this case, regenerative braking force cannot be obtained, and it is necessary to drive the engine to obtain braking force for the hybrid vehicle through engine friction, etc. In other words, when the temperature of the energy storage device is low, not only is the opportunity to charge the device using regenerative energy missed, but fuel is also consumed to drive the engine.

[0010] In this embodiment, a heater is provided, which operates using electricity stored in the energy storage device and can also supply thermal energy to the energy storage device via a heat transfer medium.

[0011] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the heater also supplies thermal energy to the heater core of the air conditioning system that supplies warm air to the vehicle interior, via a heat transfer medium. Therefore, it is conceivable that while the air conditioning system is operating, the supply of thermal energy from the heater to the energy storage device may be hindered by the supply of thermal energy from the heater to the heater core.

[0012] In other words, from the perspective of efficiently utilizing the heat energy of the heater to make the energy storage device ready for charging, it is necessary to control the heater while taking into account the operating status of the air conditioning system.

[0013] In this embodiment, a control unit is provided, which is capable of controlling the energy storage device and the heater based on the charge level of the energy storage device, the measurement result of a first thermometer capable of measuring the first temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing out from the heater, and the measurement result of a second thermometer capable of measuring the second temperature of the energy storage device.

[0014] In more detail, the control unit performs the following control when the charge level of the energy storage device is above a predetermined lower limit charge level.

[0015] In other words, when the air conditioning system is in operation, the control unit controls the energy storage device and the heater so that the first temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing out of the heater becomes the first set temperature when the second temperature of the energy storage device is higher than a predetermined upper limit temperature that is lower than the temperature of standard air.

[0016] Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the first set temperature to the minimum temperature necessary to supply conditioned air with the air conditioning unit, the consumption of electricity stored in the energy storage unit can be suppressed.

[0017] Furthermore, when the air conditioning system is not in operation, the control unit controls the energy storage device and heater so that the first temperature becomes a second set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature, when the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature.

[0018] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning system is not in operation and the energy storage device is in a state where it cannot be charged, the thermal energy supplied from the heater can be concentrated in the energy storage device.

[0019] Furthermore, while the air conditioning system is in operation, the control unit controls the energy storage device and heater so that when the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature, the temperature of the first thermometer becomes a third set temperature which is higher than the first set temperature and lower than the second set temperature.

[0020] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the energy storage device is in a non-charging state and the air conditioning system is operating, it is possible to secure the heat energy supplied to the air conditioning system while suppressing excessive consumption of the heat energy generated by the heater for heating the energy storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the hybrid vehicle according to the present invention has the excellent effect of suppressing the state in which the energy storage device becomes unable to charge and stabilizing the regenerative braking force. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1]It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the hybrid vehicle according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the relationship between the control unit mounted on the hybrid vehicle according to the present embodiment and its peripheral devices.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the "hybrid vehicle 10" according to the present embodiment includes a "motor 12", a "battery device 14" as a power storage device, an "air conditioner 16", a "water heater 18" as a heater, a flow rate adjustment valve 20, a heat exchanger 22, a "first thermometer 24", a "second thermometer 26", and an "engine 36".

[0024] The motor 12 functions as a drive source when the hybrid vehicle 10 is running, and can generate a regenerative braking force by functioning as a generator.

[0025] The battery device 14 can supply power to the motor 12 and be charged by the regenerative power of the motor 12. Further, the battery device 14 can supply power to the water heater 18 as will be described later.

[0026] The air conditioner 16 includes a "heater core 16A", and can supply warm air to the inside (inside the vehicle cabin) of the hybrid vehicle 10 by warming the air flowing from a blower unit (not shown) with the thermal energy supplied from the water heater 18 as will be described later.

[0027] The water heater 18 can warm a coolant (not shown) as a heat medium flowing through a pipe 28 connecting the heater core 16A, the water heater 18, the flow rate adjustment valve 20, and the heat exchanger 22 with the power supplied from the battery device 14.

[0028] More specifically, the coolant heated by the water heater 18 is split by the flow control valve 20 into two streams: one that flows to the heater core 16A and the other to the heat exchanger 22. Thermal energy is then supplied from the water heater 18 to the heater core 16A and the heat exchanger 22 via the coolant.

[0029] The heat exchanger 22 is connected to heating piping (not shown) provided in the battery device 14 via piping 30 through which coolant flows, and is configured to exchange thermal energy between piping 28 and piping 30. In other words, thermal energy from the water heater 18 is also supplied to the battery device 14 side via the heat exchanger 22.

[0030] The first thermometer 24 is capable of measuring the temperature T1 as the first temperature of the coolant flowing out from the water heating heater 18, and the second thermometer 26 is capable of measuring the temperature T2 as the second temperature of the battery device 14. The measurement data from the first thermometer 24 and the second thermometer 26 are transmitted to the control unit 32.

[0031] In this embodiment, the control unit 32 is characterized by its ability to control the battery device 14 and the water heating heater 18 based on data acquired from the first thermometer 24 and the second thermometer 26, etc. The configuration of the control unit 32 will be described in detail below.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 32 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32C, a storage device 32D, and an input / output interface (I / F) 32E. The CPU 32A, ROM 32B, RAM 32C, storage device 32D, and I / F 32E are interconnected via a bus 32F so that they can communicate with each other.

[0033] The CPU 32A is a central processing unit and is capable of controlling various devices by executing various programs. Specifically, the CPU 32A reads programs from the ROM 32B and executes them using the RAM 32C as a working area. When the executable program stored in the ROM 32B is read by the CPU 32A and executed, the control unit 32 can perform various functions as described later.

[0034] More specifically, ROM32B stores various programs and data related to the control of the battery device 14 and the water heating heater 18. On the other hand, RAM32C can temporarily store programs or data as a working area.

[0035] Storage 32D consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and is capable of storing various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

[0036] The input / output interface 32E serves as an interface for the control unit 32 to communicate with various devices mounted on the hybrid vehicle 10. The control unit 32 is connected to each of the devices described later via the input / output interface 32E, enabling them to communicate with each other.

[0037] Specifically, the devices connected to the control unit 32 include a water heater 18, a first thermometer 24, a second thermometer 26, a flow control valve 20, a battery control device 14A which constitutes part of the battery device 14 and can control the charging and discharging of the battery device 14, and an engine control device 36A which constitutes part of the water heater 18 and the engine 36 and can control the operation of the engine 36.

[0038] The control unit 32 is configured to perform the following control when the charge level of the battery device 14 is above a predetermined lower limit charge level (for example, 30% or more).

[0039] In other words, while the air conditioning system 16 is in operation, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery control device 14A and the water heating heater 18 so that the temperature T1 of the coolant flowing out of the water heating heater 18 reaches a first set temperature S1 (for example, 60°C) when the temperature T2 of the battery device 14 is higher than a predetermined upper limit temperature (for example, 10°C) which is lower than the temperature of standard air (15°C).

[0040] At this time, the control unit 32 controls the flow control valve 20 so that the coolant heated by the water heater 18 flows mainly to the heater core 16A side.

[0041] Furthermore, when the air conditioning unit 16 is not in operation, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery control device 14A and the water heating heater 18 so that when the temperature T2 of the battery device 14 is below the upper limit temperature, for example, when the temperature T2 is 0°C, the temperature T1 becomes a second set temperature S2 (for example, 75°C) which is higher than the first set temperature S1.

[0042] At this time, the control unit 32 controls the flow control valve 20 so that the coolant heated by the water heater 18 flows mainly to the piping 28 side.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery control device 14A and the water heating heater 18 so that when the temperature T2 is below the upper limit temperature, for example, when the temperature T2 is 0°C, the temperature of the first thermometer 24 becomes a third set temperature S3 (for example, 65°C) which is higher than the first set temperature S1 and lower than the second set temperature S2, while the air conditioning unit 16 is in operation.

[0044] At this time, the control unit 32 controls the flow control valve 20 so that more coolant heated by the water heater 18 flows to the heater core 16A side than to the piping 28 side.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 32 operates the engine 36 via the engine control device 36A according to the state of the regenerative braking force of the motor 12, and generates braking force (so-called engine braking) in the hybrid vehicle 10 through the engine friction of the engine 36.

[0046] (Operation and effects of this embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a motor 12 is provided, which functions as a drive source when the hybrid vehicle 10 is running, and also functions as a generator to generate regenerative braking force. The electricity generated when the motor 12 performs regenerative braking is stored in the battery device 14.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an engine 36 is provided, and when the motor 12 is not being driven, this engine 36 functions as a power source when the hybrid vehicle 10 is running.

[0049] Incidentally, when the temperature of the battery device 14 is low, it is possible that it will enter a non-charging state where it is difficult to charge the battery device 14 by regenerative energy. In this case, regenerative braking force cannot be obtained, and it is necessary to obtain braking force for the hybrid vehicle 10 by engine friction, etc., so it is necessary to drive the engine 36. In other words, when the temperature of the battery device 14 is low, not only is the opportunity to charge the battery device 14 by regenerative energy missed, but fuel to drive the engine 36 is also consumed.

[0050] In this embodiment, a water heater 18 is provided, which operates using electricity stored in the battery device 14 and can also supply thermal energy to the battery device 14 via coolant.

[0051] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the water heater 18 also supplies thermal energy via coolant to the heater core 16A of the air conditioning unit 16 that supplies warm air to the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, when the air conditioning unit 16 is in operation, the supply of thermal energy from the water heater 18 to the battery unit 14 may be hindered by the supply of thermal energy from the water heater 18 to the heater core 16A.

[0052] In other words, from the perspective of efficiently utilizing the thermal energy of the water heater 18 to make the battery device 14 rechargeable, it is necessary to control the water heater 18 while taking into account the operating state of the air conditioning system 16.

[0053] In this embodiment, a control unit 32 is provided, which can control the battery device 14 and the water heating heater 18 based on the charge level of the battery device 14, the measurement result of a first thermometer 24 capable of measuring the temperature T1 of the coolant flowing out of the water heating heater 18, and the measurement result of a second thermometer 26 capable of measuring the temperature T2 of the battery device 14.

[0054] In more detail, the control unit 32 performs the following control when the charge level of the battery device 14 is above a predetermined lower limit charge level.

[0055] In other words, while the air conditioning system 16 is in operation, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery device 14 and the water heater 18 so that the temperature T1 of the coolant flowing out of the water heater 18 reaches a first set temperature S1 when the temperature T2 of the battery device 14 is higher than a predetermined upper limit temperature that is lower than the temperature of standard air.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the first set temperature S1 to the minimum temperature necessary for supplying conditioned air with the air conditioning unit 16, the consumption of power stored in the battery unit 14 can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, when the air conditioning unit 16 is not in operation, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery unit 14 and the water heater 18 so that the temperature T1 of the coolant flowing out of the water heater 18 becomes a second set temperature S2, which is higher than the first set temperature S1, when the temperature T2 of the battery unit 14 is below the upper limit temperature.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning unit 16 is not in operation and the battery unit 14 is in a non-charging state, the thermal energy supplied from the water heating heater 18 can be concentrated in the battery unit 14.

[0059] Furthermore, while the air conditioning system 16 is in operation, the control unit 32 provides feedback control to the battery device 14 and the water heating heater 18 so that the temperature of the first thermometer 26 becomes a third set temperature S3, which is higher than the first set temperature S1 and lower than the second set temperature S2, when the temperature T2 of the battery device 14 is below the upper limit temperature.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the battery device 14 is in a non-charging state and the air conditioning device 16 is operating, it is possible to ensure that the heat energy generated by the water heater 18 is not excessively consumed to heat the battery device 14, while still ensuring that the heat energy supplied to the air conditioning device 16 is secured.

[0061] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the battery device 14 from becoming unable to charge and to stabilize the regenerative braking force. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10 Hybrid Vehicles 12 motors 14. Battery device (energy storage device) 16 Air conditioner 16A Heater Core 18. Water heating heater (heater) 24 1st thermometer 26 Second thermometer 32 Control Unit 36 Engine

Claims

[Claim 1] A motor that functions as a power source during vehicle operation and also generates regenerative braking force by functioning as a generator, An engine that functions as a power source when the vehicle is running, when the motor is not being driven, A power storage device capable of storing the power generated during regenerative braking of the motor, A heater capable of supplying thermal energy to the heater core of an air conditioning system that operates using electricity stored in the aforementioned power storage device and supplies warm air to the vehicle interior, and to the aforementioned power storage device via a heat transfer medium, A first thermometer capable of measuring the first temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing out from the heater, A second thermometer capable of measuring the second temperature of the energy storage device, A control unit capable of controlling the energy storage device and the heater based on the charge level of the energy storage device, the first temperature and the second temperature, Equipped with, The control unit, when the charge level is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit charge level, During the operation of the air conditioning system, when the second temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit temperature that is lower than the standard ambient temperature, the energy storage device and the heater are controlled so that the first temperature becomes the first set temperature. When the air conditioning system is not in operation and the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature, the energy storage device and the heater are controlled so that the first temperature becomes a second set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature. When the air conditioning system is in operation and the second temperature is below the upper limit temperature, the energy storage device and the heater are controlled so that the temperature of the first thermometer becomes a third set temperature which is higher than the first set temperature and lower than the second set temperature. Hybrid vehicle.

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