Information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

In electric vehicles, this invention aims to achieve both thermal protection of the drive motor, which is the power source, and energy savings in the cooling system that cools the drive motor. [Solution] The information processing device according to this embodiment determines the output of the radiator fan and water pump using pre-prepared table information from a target combination which is a combination of the detected temperature of the drive motor, the estimated road surface gradient angle of the travel path, and the calculated vehicle speed of the electric vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, regarding an electric vehicle (electric vehicle) that travels by the driving force of a motor, a technique for appropriately managing the temperature of components such as a motor included in such an electric vehicle is known. For example, in the following Patent Document 1, the following cooling system is disclosed, aiming at achieving both thermal protection of an inverter that controls the driving of a motor and power saving of a cooling device that cools such an inverter. That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system that determines the supply amount of a cooling medium to an inverter based on the power loss generated in the inverter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the inventor of the present case has found that, regarding an electric vehicle, for example, when traveling on an uphill road at medium torque, there is a case where the temperature of the motor rises and thermal protection is required even if the power loss (power consumption) of the inverter is small. Since the technique of Patent Document 1 determines the operation of the cooling system based on the power loss generated in the inverter in an electric vehicle, the motor cannot be appropriately cooled in the above-described case.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an information processing method and information processing device that can more appropriately achieve both thermal protection of the drive motor, which is the drive source in an electric vehicle, and power saving of the cooling device that cools the drive motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention causes a processor to perform the following steps in an electric vehicle having a drive motor which is the drive source of the vehicle, a radiator fan which blows air to a radiator through which coolant for cooling the drive motor circulates, and a water pump for circulating the coolant. Specifically, the information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention causes the processor to perform the following steps: to acquire a detected value of the temperature of the drive motor; to acquire an estimated value of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the electric vehicle travels; to acquire a calculated value of the vehicle speed of the electric vehicle; and to determine the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, using pre-prepared table information from target combinations which are combinations of the detected value, the estimated value, and the calculated value. The table information associates each of a plurality of candidate combinations which are combinations of the range of the drive motor temperature, the range of the road surface gradient angle, and the range of the vehicle speed, with each of a plurality of output levels which represent the set values ​​of the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively. In the step of determining the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, the processor performs the following steps: identify a candidate combination from among the plurality of candidate combinations of the range of temperature of the drive motor that includes the detected value, the range of road surface gradient angle that includes the estimated value, and the range of vehicle speed that includes the calculated value as a suitable combination, the target combination being a candidate combination to which the target combination belongs; identify an output level from among the plurality of output levels that is associated with the suitable combination as a suitable output level; and determine the respective set values ​​of the radiator fan and the water pump indicated by the suitable output level as the output of the radiator fan and the water pump. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing method and an information processing device that can more appropriately achieve both thermal protection of the drive motor, which is the drive source in an electric vehicle, and power saving of the cooling device that cools the drive motor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with an information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment is schematically shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an example of the table information illustrated. [Figure 4] Figure 2 illustrates a table information, but this is a different example from the one shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows an example of table information that differs from the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 6] Figure 2 illustrates the masking condition information shown. [Figure 7] A schematic example of the software configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] An example of the processing procedure of the information processing device according to the embodiment is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") will be described based on the drawings. However, this embodiment described below is merely illustrative in all respects of the present invention. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, in carrying out the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted. Although the data appearing in this embodiment is described in natural language, more specifically, it is specified in pseudo-language, commands, parameters, machine code, etc., that can be recognized by a computer.

[0010] §1 Examples of Application Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle VH equipped with an information processing device (information processing device 1) according to this embodiment. Vehicle VH is an example of the "electric vehicle" of the present invention. Vehicle VH comprises the information processing device 1, a drive motor 21, a radiator 22, a radiator fan 23, and a water pump 24. In the illustrated example, vehicle VH further comprises an engine 25, a generator 26, a high-voltage battery 27, a low-voltage battery 28, a cooling passage 29, a first inverter 31, a second inverter 32, a radiator fan control device 33, and a water pump control device 34. In Figure 1, "water pump" is written as "W / P". The information processing device 1 is connected to the radiator fan control device 33 and the water pump control device 34, respectively, by, for example, CAN (Controller Area Network) or other in-vehicle LAN, and can send and receive information from each other.

[0011] The drive motor 21 is an example of the "drive motor" of the present invention and is the drive source for the vehicle VH. In this embodiment, the drive motor 21 operates on power supplied from a high-voltage battery 27, which is an example of the "high-voltage battery (battery)" of the present invention. In particular, the drive motor 21 can operate as an electric motor that generates mechanical power from electrical energy, and can also operate as a generator that generates electrical energy from mechanical power. Specifically, the drive motor 21 is rotationally driven by power stored in the high-voltage battery 27, for example, to generate the driving force for the vehicle VH. In this embodiment, the drive motor 21 is connected to the high-voltage battery 27 via a first inverter 31, and its drive is controlled by the first inverter 31. For example, the first inverter 31 may control the drive of the drive motor 21 based on commands from a higher-level ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown), or in other words, the higher-level ECU may control the drive of the drive motor 21 via the first inverter 31. Furthermore, the drive motor 21 generates electricity by regenerating the driven force input from the drive wheels of the vehicle VH. The electricity generated by the drive motor 21 is used to charge the high-voltage battery 27 via the first inverter 31. The first inverter 31 converts the DC supplied from the high-voltage battery 27 into three-phase AC and outputs it to the drive motor 21 for driving, or converts the three-phase AC generated by the drive motor 21 into DC and outputs it to the high-voltage battery 27.

[0012] The radiator 22 is an example of the "radiator" of the present invention, and coolant CL for cooling the drive motor 21 circulates through it. The radiator 22 is a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant CL and is installed in the cooling passage 29 through which the coolant CL circulates. As the coolant CL passes through the radiator 22, it is cooled by air blown from a radiator fan 23, which is an example of the "radiator fan" of the present invention, and may be further cooled by the airflow from driving. The radiator fan 23 is driven by the power of a low-voltage battery 28, which is an example of the "low-voltage battery" of the present invention, and blows air to the radiator 22. In this embodiment, the radiator fan control device 33 controls the rotational speed of the radiator fan 23 based on a fan drive command FDI from the information processing device 1. In other words, the information processing device 1 controls the output (rotational speed) of the radiator fan 23 via the radiator fan control device 33.

[0013] The water pump 24 is an example of the "water pump" of the present invention, and is a pump (e.g., an electric pump) for circulating the coolant CL. In this embodiment, the water pump 24 circulates the coolant CL in the cooling passage 29, and in particular, circulates the coolant CL between the radiator 22 and the drive motor 21 and generator 26. The water pump 24, like the radiator fan 23, is powered by the low-voltage battery 28. In this embodiment, the water pump control device 34 controls the rotational speed of the water pump 24 (i.e., the flow rate of the coolant CL circulating in the cooling passage 29) based on the pump drive command PDI from the information processing device 1. In other words, the information processing device 1 controls the output (rotational speed) of the water pump 24 via the water pump control device 34.

[0014] Coolant CL is an example of the "coolant" of the present invention and is a refrigerant for cooling the drive motor 21. In this embodiment, the coolant CL circulates through the cooling passage 29 by the drive of the water pump 24, and in the example shown in Figure 1, it circulates between the water pump 24, the radiator 22, the drive motor 21, and the generator 26. The high-temperature coolant CL that has passed through the drive motor 21 and the generator 26 is cooled by the air blown from the radiator fan 23 as it passes through the radiator 22, for example, by the airflow from driving and the air blown from the radiator fan 23. The cooling passage 29 circulates the coolant CL between the drive motor 21, the generator 26, and the radiator 22. In particular, in this embodiment, the cooling passage 29 connects the drive motor 21 and the generator 26 in series, and the generator 26 is positioned on the downstream side of the cooling passage 29. That is, the drive motor 21 and the generator 26 are connected in series by the cooling passage 29, with the drive motor 21 on the upstream side and the generator 26 on the downstream side. Therefore, the coolant CL that has circulated through the drive motor 21 flows into the generator 26.

[0015] Engine 25 is an example of the "engine" of the present invention and is an internal combustion engine. Engine 25 is connected to a generator 26, which is an example of the "generator" of the present invention, via a reduction mechanism (not shown), for example. The generator 26 is driven by engine 25 to generate electricity. The electricity generated by the generator 26 is used to charge the high-voltage battery 27 via the second inverter 32. The second inverter 32 converts the three-phase alternating current generated by the generator 26 into direct current and outputs it to the high-voltage battery 27.

[0016] The high-voltage battery 27 constitutes the power source of the drive motor 21 and supplies power for driving the drive motor 21. The high-voltage battery 27 is charged by the power generated by the generator 26 and the power regenerated by the drive motor 21. The low-voltage battery 28 is a battery that supplies power to each of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and is a battery with a voltage lower than that of the high-voltage battery 27. The low-voltage battery 28 receives power supply from the high-voltage battery 27 and is connected to the high-voltage battery 27 via a voltage converter (not shown) realized by, for example, a DC / DC converter, and stores the low-voltage power obtained by converting the high-voltage power of the high-voltage battery 27 by such a voltage converter.

[0017] As described above, the vehicle VH according to the present embodiment is a series hybrid vehicle in which the engine 25 is exclusively used for driving the generator 26 and the drive wheels are exclusively driven by the drive motor 21. However, the vehicle VH only needs to be an electric vehicle including the drive motor 21, the radiator 22, the radiator fan 23, and the water pump 24. For example, it is not essential to include the engine 25. Further, even when the vehicle VH adopts a configuration including the engine 25, it is not essential for the information processing device 1 to make the vehicle VH a series hybrid vehicle. For example, the vehicle VH may be a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the engine 25 is also used for driving the drive wheels.

[0018] The information processing device 1 is a cooling control device that controls the outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, for example, to control the cooling of the drive motor 21. In the present embodiment, the information processing device 1 controls the output of the radiator fan 23 via the radiator fan control device 33 and controls the output of the water pump 24 via the water pump control device 34. Specifically, the information processing device 1 controls the output of the radiator fan 23 by outputting a fan drive command FDI to the radiator fan control device 33, and controls the output of the water pump 24 by outputting a pump drive command PDI to the water pump control device 34.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 receives a motor temperature detection value DT which is a detected value of the temperature of the drive motor 21, a road surface gradient angle estimation value EA which is an estimated value of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH travels, and a vehicle speed calculation value CS which is a calculated value of the vehicle speed of the vehicle VH. In the present embodiment, the motor temperature detection value DT may be abbreviated as "detection value DT", the road surface gradient angle estimation value EA may be abbreviated as "estimation value EA", and the vehicle speed calculation value CS may be abbreviated as "calculation value CS".

[0020] The detection value DT is, for example, the temperature detected by a thermometer (temperature sensor) that detects the temperature of the drive motor 21. For example, it is the temperature of the stator of the drive motor 21 (stator temperature). The detection value DT may be the temperature of the coolant CL circulated through the drive motor 21. The estimated value EA is, for example, a value estimated by the upper ECU for the "road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH travels". Such an upper ECU may estimate the estimated value EA from the detected value of an acceleration sensor (analog G sensor) provided in the vehicle VH. Also, when the map information that can be provided to the vehicle VH by the navigation system includes data related to the "road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH travels", the estimated value EA may be a value estimated based on the above-mentioned map information obtained from such a navigation system. The calculation value CS is calculated, for example, from the "vehicle speed of the vehicle VH" detected by a speed sensor (not shown).

[0021] Although not shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1 may also receive input such as the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21, the charge level (SOC, State of Charge) of the high-voltage battery 27, and the detected temperature of the generator 26, which is the generator temperature TG. The signals input to the information processing device 1, such as the detected value DT, estimated value EA, calculated value CS, torque value TVM, charge level of the high-voltage battery 27, and generator temperature TG (information indicating the detected value DT), are used in the control performed by the information processing device 1. For example, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the motor temperature detected value DT of the drive motor 21, the estimated road surface gradient angle EA of the road surface on which the vehicle VH travels, and the calculated vehicle speed CS of the vehicle VH. The radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 can be considered as cooling devices that cool the drive motor 21. Below, an overview of the information processing device 1 will be described to facilitate understanding.

[0022] The inventors of this case have found that, in electric vehicles, the power loss of the inverter supplying power to the drive motor is small, and even though the temperature of the coolant cooling the inverter and other components does not rise, the temperature of the drive motor rises, and thermal protection of the drive motor may become necessary. The inventors have found that, for example, the above phenomenon occurs in scenarios such as continuous operation for several hundred seconds at medium torque (for example, about 200 Newton meters) on an uphill road with a road surface gradient angle exceeding 30%. However, in electric vehicles, if the cooling of the drive motor is controlled using the drive motor temperature, the road surface gradient angle, and the vehicle speed individually, the power consumption of the radiator fan and water pump will become unnecessarily high, leading to poor fuel efficiency. Therefore, the inventors of this case considered controlling the cooling of the drive motor based on a combination of these factors, rather than using the drive motor temperature, the road surface gradient angle, and the vehicle speed individually. Furthermore, the inventor has prevented excessive cooling of the drive motor and suppressed the power consumption of the radiator fan and water pump by defining the need for cooling the drive motor for each combination of drive motor temperature, road surface gradient angle, and vehicle speed.

[0023] Based on the above considerations, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the motor temperature detection value DT, the estimated road surface gradient angle value EA, and the vehicle speed calculation value CS, using pre-prepared table information 132. The table information 132 associates each of the multiple candidate combinations CC with each of the multiple output levels OL; in other words, one of the multiple output levels OL is defined for each candidate combination CC. Each candidate combination CC is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle range of the travel path, and the vehicle speed range of the vehicle VH. In other words, each candidate combination CC defines the corresponding range for the temperature of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle of the travel path, and the vehicle speed of the vehicle VH. Each output level OL indicates the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. As described above, the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 can be considered as cooling devices that cool the drive motor 21, and each output level OL can be understood as indicating the set value of the output of the cooling device. In the table information 132, it can be understood that the conditions (ranges) for the temperature of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle of the travel path, and the vehicle speed of the vehicle VH are specified for each output level OL.

[0024] The information processing device 1 identifies candidate combinations CC, which include the range of temperature of the drive motor 21 containing the motor temperature detection value DT, the range of road surface gradient angles containing the estimated road surface gradient angle value EA, and the range of vehicle speeds containing the calculated vehicle speed value CS, as suitable combinations MC. Suitable combinations MC are among the multiple candidate combinations CC defined in table information 132 to which the target combination TC corresponds. Once the information processing device 1 identifies suitable combinations MC, it identifies the output level OL associated with the identified suitable combinations MC as suitable output level ML. The information processing device 1 then determines the respective setting values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 indicated by the suitable output level ML as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. The information processing device 1 generates fan drive command FDI and pump drive command PDI to realize the determined "respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24". The information processing device 1 outputs the generated fan drive command FDI to the radiator fan control device 33, thereby controlling the output of the radiator fan 23 to the "set value of the radiator fan 23 indicated by the appropriate output level ML". The information processing device 1 also outputs the pump drive command PDI to the water pump control device 34, thereby controlling the output of the water pump 24 to the "set value of the water pump 24 indicated by the appropriate output level ML".

[0025] As described above, the information processing device 1 does not use the motor temperature detection value DT, the road surface gradient angle estimate value EA, and the vehicle speed calculation value CS individually, but rather determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of these values. In particular, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC using pre-prepared table information 132. The table information 132 specifies the need for cooling the drive motor 21 for each candidate combination CC, and specifies the output level OL corresponding to this need. By determining the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the motor temperature detection value DT, the road surface gradient angle estimate value EA, and the vehicle speed calculation value CS, the information processing device 1 achieves the following effect. That is, the information processing device 1 can accurately determine the need for cooling the drive motor 21 based on the target combination TC, which is a combination of the motor temperature detection value DT, the road surface gradient angle estimate value EA, and the vehicle speed calculation value CS. The information processing device 1 cools the drive motor 21 according to the precisely determined "need for cooling the drive motor 21," thereby preventing the drive motor 21 from being cooled more than necessary and suppressing the power consumption of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. In other words, the information processing device 1 can achieve a more appropriate balance than conventional methods in a vehicle VH (electric vehicle) between thermal protection of the drive motor 21, which is the power source, and power saving of the cooling devices (radiator fan 23 and water pump 24) that cool the drive motor 21. The information processing device 1, whose outline has been described above, will now be explained in detail using Figures 2 to 6.

[0026] §2 Example Configuration [Hardware configuration] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, and non-volatile memory 13. The CPU 11, RAM 12, and non-volatile memory 13 are connected to each other via a bus 14, forming, for example, a microcomputer. In the illustrated example, the non-volatile memory 13 stores an information processing program 131, table information 132, masking condition information 133, and various threshold information 134.

[0027] The information processing program 131 is a program that causes the information processing device 1 to execute the information processing described later (Figure 8, etc.) which determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of detected value DT, estimated value EA, and calculated value CS, using table information 132. The information processing program 131 includes a series of instructions for said information processing. The CPU 11 executes the information processing program 131 read from the non-volatile memory 13, using the RAM 12 as a working area, thereby executing the above-mentioned information processing which determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC using table information 132.

[0028] Table information 132 is prepared in advance and stored in the non-volatile memory 13 in this embodiment. Table information 132 defines the output level OL, which indicates the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, for each combination (candidate combination CC) of the temperature range of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle range, and the vehicle speed range. Table information 132 is configured as, for example, table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, table information 132(B) illustrated in Figure 4, or table information 132(C) illustrated in Figure 5. In this embodiment, when referring to table information 132(A), 132(B), and 132(C) collectively without distinguishing between them, it is simply expressed as "table information 132".

[0029] In the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, each of the multiple candidate combinations CC is associated with each of the multiple output level OLs. Specifically, in the illustrated example, each of the candidate combinations CC(1) with "Candidate Combination No." "1" to candidate combination CC(5) with "Candidate Combination No." is associated with the maximum output level OLM, which is an output level OL with "Output Level No. 1". Also, candidate combination CC(6) with "Candidate Combination No." "6" is associated with the normal output level OLN, which is an output level OL with "Output Level No. 0".

[0030] Each candidate combination CC is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle range of the travel path, and the vehicle speed range of the vehicle VH. For example, candidate combination CC(1) illustrated in Figure 3 is a combination of the following ranges: namely, candidate combination CC(1) is a combination of "temperature range of drive motor 21: 120°C or higher", "road surface gradient angle range of the travel path: 30% or higher", and "vehicle speed range of vehicle VH: 10 to 50 km / h". In the example shown in Figure 3, only the lower limits of each range are shown for the temperature range of the drive motor 21 and the road surface gradient angle range of the travel path, but the upper limits of each range may also be specified. For example, candidate combination CC(2) illustrated in Figure 3 may specify "temperature range of drive motor 21" as "125°C or higher and less than 130°C" and "road surface gradient angle range of the travel path" as "25% or higher and less than 30%".

[0031] In Table Information 132(A), each output level OL associated with each candidate combination CC indicates the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. For example, the maximum output level OLM illustrated in Figure 3 specifies "80%" as the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and "75%" as the set value of the output of the water pump 24. "80%" and "75%" are, for example, the maximum outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. Furthermore, the "normal value" indicated by the normal output level OLN as the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, is a smaller value than the set value (i.e., the respective maximum output) specified by the maximum output level OLM for the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. For example, the "normal value" for the radiator fan 23 is around "40%", and the "normal value" for the water pump 24 is around "0%". The maximum output level OLM is an example of the "maximum output level" of the present invention, and the normal output level OLN is an example of the "normal output level" of the present invention.

[0032] The table information 132(B) illustrated in Figure 4, like the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, associates each of the multiple candidate combinations CC with each of the multiple output levels OL. However, while the output levels OL defined in table information 132(A) were limited to two types, the maximum output level OLM and the normal output level OLN, table information 132(B) defines three or more types of output levels OL.

[0033] Specifically, the table information 132(B) illustrated in Figure 4 defines a total of six types of output levels OL, from the first output level OL1 with "Output Level No." of "1", to the fifth output level OL5 with "Output Level No." of "5", and the normal output level OLN with "Output Level No." of "0". The "setting values ​​for the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24" defined for each of these six types of output levels OL are different from each other. Except for the fact that "there are three or more types of defined output levels OL", table information 132(B) is the same as table information 132(A). That is, each candidate combination CC defined in table information 132(B) is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle range of the road, and the vehicle speed range of the vehicle VH, similar to each candidate combination CC in table information 132(A). Furthermore, each output level OL specified in table information 132(B) indicates the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, similar to each output level OL in table information 132(A).

[0034] The information processing device 1 identifies the candidate combination CC that corresponds to "the target combination TC which is a combination of motor temperature detection value DT, road surface gradient angle estimation value EA, and vehicle speed calculation value CS" from among the multiple candidate combination CC defined in the table information 132 as the suitable combination MC. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 identifies the output level OL associated with the suitable combination MC in the table information 132 as the suitable output level ML. Then, the information processing device 1 determines the respective setting values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 indicated by the suitable output level ML as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. The information processing device 1 achieves the following effects by using table information 132(B) as exemplified in Figure 4, rather than "table information 132(A) in which one of two types of output levels OL is associated with each candidate combination CC" as table information 132. In other words, table information 132(B) specifies three or more types of output levels OL (in the example shown in Figure 4, a total of six types of output levels OL: the first output level OL1 to the fifth output level OL5, and the normal output level OLN). To put it another way, in table information 132(B), the output level OL associated with each candidate combination CC is one of the three or more types of output levels OL mentioned above. The "setting values ​​for the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24" indicated by each of these three or more types of output levels OL are different from each other, meaning that the "cooling requirements for the drive motor 21" corresponding to each output level OL are different from each other. By using table information 132(B), the information processing device 1 can determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC in more detail than by using table information 132(A). For example, the information processing device 1 can stepwise switch the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 in three or more stages, depending on the target combination TC.Therefore, by using table information 132(B), the information processing device 1 can control the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 more appropriately than by using table information 132(A) according to the target combination TC. In other words, by using table information 132(B), the information processing device 1 can suppress the power consumption of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 more appropriately than by using table information 132(A).

[0035] The table information 132(C) illustrated in Figure 5, like the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, associates each of the multiple candidate combination CCs with each of the multiple output level OLs. That is, in table information 132(C), each candidate combination CC is associated with either the maximum output level OLM or the normal output level OLN. In the illustrated example, the maximum output level OLM is associated with the five candidate combination CCs from candidate combination CC(1) to candidate combination CC(5). Also, the normal output level OLN is associated with candidate combination CC(6). In other words, in table information 132(C), one or more candidate combination CCs from the multiple candidate combination CCs are associated with each of the multiple output level OLs. Specifically, the maximum output level OLM is associated with the five candidate combination CCs from candidate combination CC(1) to candidate combination CC(5), and the normal output level OLN is associated with candidate combination CC(6).

[0036] Furthermore, in Table Information 132(C), a common reference duration DTD is predetermined for each of the one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL. In the illustrated example, candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5), which are associated with the maximum output level OLM, have a common reference duration DTD(M) of "200 seconds". Similarly, candidate combination CC(6), which is associated with the normal output level OLN, has a common reference duration DTD(N) of "0 seconds".

[0037] As will be explained in detail later, when the information processing device 1 uses the table information 132(C) exemplified in Figure 5 as the table information 132, it performs the following processing. That is, the information processing device 1 counts the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" as the duration DRT. For example, the information processing device 1 counts the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) associated with the maximum output level OLM as the duration DRT(M). Then, the information processing device 1 determines whether the counted duration DRT is equal to or greater than the standard duration DTD defined for "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL". For example, the information processing device 1 determines whether the duration DRT(M) during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) is equal to or greater than the standard duration DTD(M) defined for the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5). When the information processing device 1 determines that the duration DRT is equal to or greater than the reference duration DTD, it identifies the "same output level OL associated with one or more candidate combinations CC" as the suitable output level ML. For example, when the information processing device 1 determines that the duration DRT(M) during which the target combination TC continuously corresponds to any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) is equal to or greater than the reference duration DTD(M), it identifies the maximum output level OLM as the suitable output level ML. Then, the information processing device 1 determines the respective setting values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 indicated by the suitable output level ML (maximum output level OLM in the above example) as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. By executing this process, the information processing device 1 achieves the following effects.

[0038] In other words, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 by considering the target combination TC and the duration of the state indicated by the target combination TC (duration DRT). Therefore, the information processing device 1 can determine the need for cooling of the drive motor 21 more precisely using the table information 132(C) from the target combination TC and the duration DRT. Based on this determination, the information processing device 1 can more appropriately control the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and more appropriately suppress the power consumption of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. The information processing device 1 does not need to reset the duration DRT count until a predetermined condition is met. For example, the information processing device 1 does not need to reset the duration DRT count until the motor temperature detection value DT falls below a predetermined temperature (e.g., 100°C). The "predetermined temperature" in question may be, for example, a temperature at which the motor temperature detection value DT is considered to no longer affect the determination of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. In other words, the "predetermined temperature" in question may be a temperature at which the motor temperature detection value DT is considered to be at which the need for cooling of the drive motor 21 can be determined without considering the influence of the motor temperature detection value DT.

[0039] Referring again to Figure 2, the masking condition information 133 indicates a masking condition that specifies the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL, but which is not counted as the duration DRT. The information processing device 1 does not count as the duration DRT any time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL that satisfies the masking condition. For example, the information processing device 1 does not count as the duration DRT(M) any time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) associated with the maximum output level OLM that satisfies the masking condition.

[0040] The masking condition information 133 is configured, for example, as shown in Figure 6(A) as masking condition information 133(A), or as shown in Figure 6(B) as masking condition information 133(B). In this embodiment, when masking condition information 133(A) and 133(B) are referred to collectively without distinction, they are simply referred to as "masking condition information 133".

[0041] The masking condition information 133(A) specifies a masking condition for the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21, and specifically specifies a torque threshold TRT. The masking condition information 133(A) exemplified in Figure 6(A) specifies "torque threshold TRT: 0 Newton meters". For example, the information processing device 1 uses the masking condition information 133(A) to perform the following processing. That is, the information processing device 1 does not count the "time during which the torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT specified in the masking condition information 133(A)" as the duration DRT, out of the "time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL". By performing this processing, the information processing device 1 achieves the following effects.

[0042] When the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21 is sufficiently small, for example, when it is "0 Newton meters", the drive motor 21 generates almost no heat, and therefore there is no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small. For this reason, the information processing device 1 does not count "the time during which the torque value TVM is less than or equal to a predetermined torque threshold TRT (e.g., 0 Newton meters)" as the duration DRT. For example, the information processing device 1 does not count "the time during which the torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT" as the duration DRT(M) of "the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) associated with the maximum output level OLM". The information processing device 1 excludes the time during which "there is no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small" from the duration DRT considered when determining the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. Therefore, compared to counting the duration DRT without excluding the time in question, it can determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 more appropriately. For example, by excluding the time during which "there is no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small" from the duration DRT(M), the information processing device 1 can delay the timing of determining the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to "the set value indicated by the maximum output level OLM" compared to when the time in question is not excluded from the duration DRT, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. The information processing device 1 can more effectively achieve both thermal protection of the drive motor 21 and power saving for the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 compared to counting the duration DRT without excluding the time when there is no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small.

[0043] The masking condition information 133(B) defines masking conditions for the estimated road surface gradient angle EA and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27, and specifically defines the gradient angle threshold TA and the first charge level threshold FTS. The masking condition information 133(B) exemplified in Figure 6(B) defines "gradient angle threshold TA: 0%" and "first charge level threshold FTS: 90%". For example, the information processing device 1 performs the following processing using the masking condition information 133(B). That is, the information processing device 1 does not count as a duration DRT the time during which "the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" during which "the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge level threshold FTS". By performing this processing, the information processing device 1 achieves the following effects.

[0044] Even on a downhill slope, when the high-voltage battery 27 is nearly fully charged, it is not possible to further charge the high-voltage battery 27, so regenerative power generation by the drive motor 21 is stopped. For example, when the estimated road surface gradient angle EA is less than 0%, and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is sufficiently high, for example, greater than 90%, regenerative power generation by the drive motor 21 is stopped, and the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21 becomes approximately "0 Newton meters". As described above, when the torque value TVM is sufficiently small, for example, approximately "0 Newton meters", the drive motor 21 generates almost no heat, and therefore there is no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small. Accordingly, the information processing device 1 does not count the "time when the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA (for example, it is a downhill slope) and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge level threshold FTS (for example, the high-voltage battery 27 is nearly fully charged)" as the duration DRT. The information processing device 1 excludes the time during which there is "no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small" from the duration DRT considered when determining the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. Therefore, compared to counting the duration DRT without excluding such time, the information processing device 1 can determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 more appropriately. Compared to counting the duration DRT without excluding the time during which there is "no need to cool the drive motor 21, or the need is sufficiently small," the information processing device 1 can achieve both thermal protection of the drive motor 21 and power saving of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 more appropriately.

[0045] Referring again to Figure 2, the various threshold information 134 is information about thresholds used in various judgments and calculations performed by the information processing device 1. For example, the various threshold information 134 indicates predetermined second charge rate threshold STS and third charge rate threshold TTS used to determine the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27. The second charge rate threshold STS may be the same value as the first charge rate threshold FTS defined by the masking condition information 133(B). Also, for example, the various threshold information 134 indicates predetermined temperature threshold TT used to determine the detected temperature value (generator temperature TG) of the generator 26.

[0046] For example, if the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS indicated by various threshold information 134, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, independently of the target combination TC. For example, if the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, to their maximum output, independently of the need to cool the drive motor 21.

[0047] When the high-voltage battery 27 is close to fully charged (for example, when the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS), it is usually not possible to further charge the high-voltage battery 27, and therefore it may be necessary to consume the energy of the high-voltage battery 27. In this embodiment, the low-voltage battery 28 supplies power to the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, and the low-voltage battery 28 receives power from the high-voltage battery 27. Therefore, when the high-voltage battery 27 is close to fully charged, the information processing device 1 actively and preferentially increases the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to promote energy consumption of the high-voltage battery 27. In other words, when the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS, the information processing device 1 independently determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, and specifically increases the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. For example, if the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS, the information processing device 1 independently determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to their respective maximum outputs, regardless of the target combination TC. By performing this process, the information processing device 1 promotes the energy consumption of the high-voltage battery 27, making it rechargeable, that is, enabling the drive motor 21 to perform regenerative power generation. Furthermore, by performing the above process, the information processing device 1 can sufficiently cool the drive motor 21, allowing for preparation in advance for situations such as "continuous operation of the drive motor 21, where the need for thermal protection of the drive motor 21 increases."

[0048] For example, if the information processing device 1 identifies the normal output level OLN as the suitable output level ML using table information 132 (especially table information 132(A) or table information 132(C)) from the target combination TC, it then performs the following processing. That is, the information processing device 1 determines whether the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT indicated by various threshold information 134, and also determines whether the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is lower than the third charge level threshold TTS. If the information processing device 1 determines that the generator temperature TG is higher than the temperature threshold TT and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is lower than the third charge level threshold TTS, it corrects the outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to the following values. In other words, the information processing device 1 modifies the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to a value that is "smaller than the maximum output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and larger than the set value of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, as indicated by the normal output level OLN."

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle VH is a series hybrid vehicle. In a series hybrid vehicle, the generator 26, which does not drive the vehicle (wheels), generates power to charge the high-voltage battery 27 when the state of charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 27 is low. Therefore, the frequency of use (driving frequency) of the generator 26 is lower than that of the drive motor 21, and the amount of heat generated by the generator 26 is smaller than that of the drive motor 21. In this embodiment, the drive motor 21 and the generator 26 are connected in series to form a cooling passage 29, and the generator 26 is positioned downstream.

[0050] Furthermore, if the information processing device 1 determines that the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT and the battery charge level is lower than the third charge level threshold TTS, it sets the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to a value (X value) smaller than the maximum output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. The X value is, for example, about 80% of the maximum output and is a value larger than the set values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, which are normally indicated by the output level OLN.

[0051] When the information processing device 1 identifies the maximum output level OLM as the suitable output level ML, it determines the respective setting values ​​(i.e., their respective maximum outputs) of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 indicated by the maximum output level OLM as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. As described above, the load on the drive motor 21 is higher than that on the generator 26, so when there is a high need to cool the drive motor 21 (i.e., when the maximum output level OLM is identified as the suitable output level ML), the information processing device 1 cools the drive motor 21 appropriately by setting the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 to their respective maximum outputs. Furthermore, by setting the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 to their respective maximum outputs, the information processing device 1 can also cool the generator 26, which is located downstream of the drive motor 21.

[0052] In contrast, if the normal output level OLN is specified as the appropriate output level ML, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 respectively, according to the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27. If the need to cool the drive motor 21 is not high, the information processing device 1 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 respectively, according to the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 and the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27. For example, if the generator 26 needs to be driven to charge the high-voltage battery 27 whose charge level has fallen below the third charge level threshold TTS, and the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT, the information processing device 1 increases the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 respectively to cool the generator 26. Specifically, the information processing device 1 sets the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to a value that is "smaller than the maximum output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and larger than the set value of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, as indicated by the normal output level OLN" (the X value mentioned above). By determining the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to the X value, the information processing device 1 can appropriately cool the generator 26 when the generator temperature TG is higher than the temperature threshold TT and the generator 26 needs to be driven to charge the high-power battery 27. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can efficiently and appropriately cool the generator 26 according to the need for cooling the generator 26.

[0053] [Software Configuration] Figure 7 schematically illustrates an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The CPU 11 expands the information processing program 131 stored in the non-volatile memory 13 into the RAM 12, and controls each component by interpreting and executing the instructions contained in the expanded information processing program 131. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the information processing device 1 operates as a computer equipped with a detection value acquisition unit 111, an estimated value acquisition unit 112, a calculated value acquisition unit 114, a charge rate acquisition unit 115, a generator temperature acquisition unit 116, and an output determination unit 120 as software modules. In other words, in this embodiment, each software module of the information processing device 1 is realized by the CPU 11.

[0054] The detection value acquisition unit 111 acquires the detected temperature of the drive motor 21 (detection value DT), for example, from a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the drive motor 21. The estimation value acquisition unit 112 acquires the estimated value (estimated value EA) of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH is traveling. This estimated value EA may be a value estimated by the higher-level ECU from the detected value of the acceleration sensor, for example, or it may be a value estimated based on map information that includes data on the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH is traveling. The calculation value acquisition unit 114 acquires the calculated value (calculated value CS) of the vehicle speed of the vehicle VH. This calculated value CS may be a value calculated from the "vehicle speed of the vehicle VH" detected by the speed sensor installed in the vehicle VH, for example.

[0055] The charge rate acquisition unit 115 acquires the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27, for example, from a SOC sensor that detects the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27. The generator temperature acquisition unit 116 acquires the detected temperature value (generator temperature TG) of the generator 26, for example, from a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the generator 26.

[0056] The output determination unit 120 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the detected value DT, the estimated value EA, and the calculated value CS, using pre-prepared table information 132. In the example shown in Figure 7, the output determination unit 120 includes a first identification unit 121, a second identification unit 122, a counting unit 123, a duration determination unit 124, a charge level determination unit 125, and a generator temperature determination unit 126.

[0057] The first identification unit 121 identifies a suitable combination MC from among a plurality of candidate combinations CC defined in the table information 132, which is the candidate combination CC to which the target combination TC corresponds. Specifically, the first identification unit 121 identifies candidate combination CCs that include the temperature range of the drive motor 21 containing the detected value DT, the road surface gradient angle range that includes the estimated value EA, and the vehicle speed range that includes the calculated value CS as suitable combination MCs. For example, in the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, for the target combination TC of "motor temperature detected value DT: 126℃", "road surface gradient angle estimated value EA: 27%", and "vehicle speed calculated value CS: 38km / h", the first identification unit 121 identifies candidate combination CC(2) as a suitable combination MC.

[0058] The second identification unit 122 identifies the output level OL that corresponds to the compatible combination MC identified by the first identification unit 121 among the multiple output levels OL defined in the table information 132 as the compatible output level ML. For example, in the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, when the candidate combination CC(2) is identified as the compatible combination MC by the first identification unit 121, the second identification unit 122 identifies the maximum output level OLM as the compatible output level ML.

[0059] The output determination unit 120 may determine the respective output values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 as the corresponding output values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24, indicated by the suitable output level ML identified by the second identification unit 122. For example, in the table information 132(A) illustrated in Figure 3, when the maximum output level OLM is identified as the suitable output level ML by the second identification unit 122, the output determination unit 120 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 to be "80% (maximum output of the radiator fan 23)" and the output of the water pump 24 to be "75% (maximum output of the water pump 24)". In this embodiment, the output determination unit 120 generates a fan drive command FDI and a pump drive command PDI that realize the determined "respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24". The output determination unit 120 outputs the generated fan drive command FDI to the radiator fan control device 33, thereby controlling the output of the radiator fan 23 to the "set value of the radiator fan 23 indicated by the appropriate output level ML". The output determination unit 120 also outputs the pump drive command PDI to the water pump control device 34, thereby controlling the output of the water pump 24 to the "set value of the water pump 24 indicated by the appropriate output level ML".

[0060] The counting unit 123 counts the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in the table information 132(C)" as the duration DRT. For example, the counting unit 123 counts the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) associated with the maximum output level OLM as the duration DRT(M).

[0061] The duration determination unit 124 determines whether the duration DRT counted by the count unit 123 is equal to or greater than the standard duration DTD defined in the table information 132(C) for "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" for which the target combination TC continues to match any of the other combinations. For example, the duration determination unit 124 determines whether the duration DRT(M) for which the target combination TC continues to match any of the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) is equal to or greater than the standard duration DTD(M) defined for the candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5).

[0062] If the duration determination unit 124 determines that "the duration DRT is equal to or greater than the reference duration DTD", the second identification unit 122 may identify the same output level OL to which "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" that the target combination TC continues to correspond to is identified as the compliant output level ML. For example, if the duration determination unit 124 determines that "the duration DRT(M) in which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of candidate combinations CC(1) to CC(5) is equal to or greater than the reference duration DTD(M)", the second identification unit 122 may identify the maximum output level OLM as the compliant output level ML.

[0063] The counting unit 123 does not need to count the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in the table information 132(C) as the duration DRT if the masking condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, the counting unit 123 refers to the non-volatile memory 13 to acquire masking condition information 133 (masking condition information 133(A) as exemplified in Figure 6(A), or masking condition information 133(B) as exemplified in Figure 6(B)). The counting unit 123 may then exclude the time during which the masking condition is satisfied from the duration DRT according to the masking condition indicated by the acquired masking condition information 133.

[0064] The counting unit 123 may use the torque threshold TRT indicated by the masking condition information 133(A) as a masking condition and define the following time as the "time that satisfies the masking condition". That is, the counting unit 123 first acquires the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21, for example, from a torque sensor that detects the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21. The torque sensor may detect (or calculate) the torque value TVM from, for example, the current value flowing through the drive motor 21. The counting unit 123 determines whether the acquired torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT indicated by the masking condition information 133(A). Then, the counting unit 123 defines the time during which "the torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT" as the "time that satisfies the masking condition".

[0065] The counting unit 123 may use the gradient angle threshold TA and the first charge rate threshold FTS indicated by the masking condition information 133(B) as masking conditions and define the following time as "time that satisfies the masking conditions". That is, the counting unit 123 first acquires the estimated value EA and the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27. The counting unit 123 grasps, for example, the estimated value EA acquired by the estimated value acquisition unit 112 and the "charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27" acquired by the charge rate acquisition unit 115. Next, the counting unit 123 determines whether "the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA indicated by the masking condition information 133(B)" and whether "the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge rate threshold FTS indicated by the masking condition information 133(B)". Then, the counting unit 123 defines the time when "the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA AND the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge rate threshold FTS" as "time that satisfies the masking conditions".

[0066] The charge level determination unit 125 determines whether the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than a predetermined second charge level threshold STS, and also determines whether the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 (battery) is less than a predetermined third charge level threshold TTS. First, the charge level determination unit 125 refers to the non-volatile memory 13 to obtain various threshold information 134. Then, the charge level determination unit 125 performs the above determination by comparing the second charge level threshold STS and the third charge level threshold TTS indicated by the obtained threshold information 134 with the "charge level of the high-voltage battery 27" obtained by the charge level acquisition unit 115.

[0067] The generator temperature determination unit 126 determines whether the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than a predetermined temperature threshold TT. First, the generator temperature determination unit 126 refers to the non-volatile memory 13 to obtain various threshold information 134. Then, the generator temperature determination unit 126 performs the above determination by comparing the temperature threshold TT indicated by the obtained threshold information 134 with the "generator temperature TG of the generator 26" obtained by the generator temperature acquisition unit 116.

[0068] If the charge rate determination unit 125 determines that "the charge rate of the high-power battery 27 is greater than the second charge rate threshold STS", the output determination unit 120 may determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 independently of the target combination TC. If the charge rate determination unit 125 determines that "the charge rate of the high-power battery 27 is greater than the second charge rate threshold STS", the output determination unit 120 will determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to, for example, their respective maximum outputs.

[0069] If the second identification unit 122 identifies the normal output level OLN as the suitable output level ML, the output determination unit 120 may adjust the outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the set values ​​indicated by the normal output level OLN, according to the determination results of the charge rate determination unit 125 and the generator temperature determination unit 126. Specifically, if the generator temperature determination unit 126 determines that "the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT", and the charge rate determination unit 125 determines that "the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is less than the third charge rate threshold TTS", the output determination unit 120 may adjust the outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to the following values. In other words, the output determination unit 120 may adjust the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to a value that is "smaller than the maximum output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and larger than the set value of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, as indicated by the normal output level OLN."

[0070] §3 Example of Operation Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The processing procedure described below is an example of the processing procedure of the information processing method PM, which "determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of detected value DT, estimated value EA, and calculated value CS, using pre-prepared table information 132." However, the processing procedure described below is merely an example, and each step may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, steps in the processing procedure described below can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate, depending on the embodiment.

[0071] (Steps S110, S120, S130) In step S110, the CPU 11 operates as a detection value acquisition unit 111 and acquires the motor temperature detection value DT. In step S120, the CPU 11 operates as an estimation value acquisition unit 112 and acquires the estimated road surface gradient angle value EA. In step S130, the CPU 11 operates as a calculation value acquisition unit 114 and acquires the vehicle speed calculation value CS. The execution order of steps S110, S120, and S130 is not particularly limited, and the CPU 11 may execute any of them first, or it may execute at least two of steps S110, S120, and S130 in parallel (for example, simultaneously).

[0072] (Step S140) In step S140, the CPU 11 operates as an output determination unit 120 (particularly a first identification unit 121) and identifies a suitable combination MC from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the detected value DT, estimated value EA, and calculated value CS acquired in steps S110, S120, and S130. That is, the CPU 11 identifies a suitable combination MC from among a plurality of candidate combinations CC defined in the table information 132, where the target combination TC corresponds to the candidate combination CC. In step S140, the CPU 11 identifies candidate combination CCs that include the temperature range of the drive motor 21 containing the detected value DT, the road surface gradient angle range containing the estimated value EA, and the vehicle speed range containing the calculated value CS as suitable combination MCs.

[0073] (Step S150) In step S150, the CPU 11 operates as an output determination unit 120 (particularly a second identification unit 122) and identifies the output level OL corresponding to the compatible combination MC identified in step S140 as the compatible output level ML. That is, the CPU 11 identifies the output level OL associated with the compatible combination MC identified in step S140 from among the multiple output levels OL defined in the table information 132 as the compatible output level ML.

[0074] (Step S160) In step S160, the CPU 11 operates as an output determination unit 120 and determines the setting values ​​indicated by the suitable output level ML identified in step S150 for the radiator fan 23 (labeled "RF" in the figure) and the water pump 24 (labeled "W / P" in the figure) as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. In other words, the CPU 11 determines the respective setting values ​​for the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 indicated by the suitable output level ML identified in step S150 as the respective outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 further generates a fan drive command FDI and a pump drive command PDI that realize the determined "each output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24". The CPU 11 outputs the generated fan drive command FDI to the radiator fan control device 33, thereby controlling the output of the radiator fan 23 to the "setting value of the radiator fan 23 indicated by the suitable output level ML". Furthermore, the CPU 11 outputs a pump drive command PDI to the water pump control device 34, thereby controlling the output of the water pump 24 to "the set value of the water pump 24 indicated by the appropriate output level ML".

[0075] If the CPU 11 uses table information 132(C) as table information 132, in which "one or more candidate combinations CC are associated with each of the multiple output level OLs, and a common reference duration DTD is predetermined for each of the one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL," the CPU 11 may perform the following processing. That is, the CPU 11 first operates as a counting unit 123 and counts the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in table information 132(C)" as the duration DRT. Next, the CPU 11 operates as a duration determination unit 124 and determines whether the counted duration DRT is equal to or greater than "the reference duration DTD predetermined for "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" in table information 132(C) that the target combination TC continues to correspond to." Then, if the CPU 11 determines that "the duration DRT is equal to or greater than the reference duration DTD", it may operate as a second identification unit 122 and identify the same output level OL as the corresponding output level ML, which is associated with "one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL" that the target combination TC continues to match.

[0076] CPU11 does not need to count the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in table information 132(C) as the duration DRT, provided that the masking condition is met.

[0077] For example, the CPU 11 acquires the torque value TVM of the drive motor 21. The CPU 11 determines whether the acquired torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT. The CPU 11 may then consider the time during which the torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT as the time during which the masking condition is satisfied. In other words, the CPU 11 does not need to count the time during which the torque value TVM is less than or equal to the torque threshold TRT as the duration DRT, out of the time during which the target combination TC continues to correspond to one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in the table information 132(C).

[0078] For example, CPU 11 obtains the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27. CPU 11 determines whether "the obtained charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge rate threshold FTS" and whether "the estimated value EA obtained in step S120 is less than the gradient angle threshold TA". Then, CPU 11 may consider the time when "the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA and the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge rate threshold FTS" as "the time when the masking condition is satisfied". In other words, CPU 11 does not have to count the time when "the estimated value EA is less than the gradient angle threshold TA and the charge rate of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the first charge rate threshold FTS" as the duration DRT within the time when "the target combination TC continues to correspond to any of the one or more candidate combinations CC associated with the same output level OL in table information 132(C)".

[0079] The CPU 11 may determine whether the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than a predetermined second charge level threshold STS, and determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 respectively according to the result of this determination. For example, the CPU 11 obtains the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27. The CPU 11 determines whether the obtained charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS. Then, if the CPU 11 determines that the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS, it may determine the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 respectively, independently of the target combination TC. If the CPU 11 determines that the charge level of the high-voltage battery 27 is greater than the second charge level threshold STS, it determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to, for example, their respective maximum outputs.

[0080] If the normal output level OLN is identified as the suitable output level ML in step S150, the CPU 11 may adjust the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the set value indicated by the normal output level OLN, depending on the charge level of the power battery 27 (battery) and the generator temperature TG of the generator 26. For example, the CPU 11 obtains the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 and the charge level of the power battery 27. The CPU 11 determines whether the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT, and whether the charge level of the power battery 27 is lower than the third charge level threshold TTS. If the CPU 11 determines that the generator temperature TG of the generator 26 is higher than the temperature threshold TT, and the charge level of the power battery 27 is lower than the third charge level threshold TTS, it may adjust the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to the following values. In other words, the CPU 11 may adjust the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 to a value that is "smaller than the maximum output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, and greater than the set value of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, as indicated by the normal output level OLN."

[0081] [Features] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment is an information processing device included in the vehicle VH. The vehicle VH is an electric vehicle having a drive motor 21 which is the drive source of the vehicle VH, a radiator fan 23 which blows air to a radiator 22 through which coolant CL for cooling the drive motor 21 circulates, and a water pump 24 for circulating the coolant CL.

[0082] The information processing device 1 comprises a detection value acquisition unit 111, an estimated value acquisition unit 112, a calculated value acquisition unit 114, and an output determination unit 120. The detection value acquisition unit 111 acquires a detected value (detection value DT) of the temperature of the drive motor 21. The estimated value acquisition unit 112 acquires an estimated value (estimated value EA) of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the vehicle VH travels. The calculated value acquisition unit 114 acquires a calculated value (calculated value CS) of the vehicle speed of the vehicle VH. The output determination unit 120 determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the detected value DT, the estimated value EA, and the calculated value CS, using pre-prepared table information 132. The table information 132 associates each of the multiple candidate combinations CC with each of the multiple output levels OL. Each candidate combination CC is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor 21, the road surface gradient angle range, and the vehicle speed range. Each output level OL indicates the set value of the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively. The output determination unit 120 includes a first identification unit 121 and a second identification unit 122. The first identification unit 121 identifies candidate combination CC from among a plurality of candidate combinations CC, which includes the temperature range of the drive motor 21 containing the detected value DT, the road surface gradient angle range containing the estimated value EA, and the vehicle speed range containing the calculated value CS, as the suitable combination MC, where the target combination TC is the corresponding candidate combination CC. The second identification unit 122 identifies the output level OL associated with the suitable combination MC from among the plurality of output levels OL as the suitable output level ML. The output determination unit 120 determines the set values ​​of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively, indicated by the suitable output level ML identified by the second identification unit 122, as the outputs of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24, respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing method PM according to this embodiment causes the processor (e.g., CPU 11) in the vehicle VH to execute the steps illustrated in Figure 8. Specifically, in step S110, the processor acquires the motor temperature detection value DT. In step S120, the processor acquires the road surface gradient angle estimate value EA. In step S130, the processor acquires the vehicle speed calculation value CS. Then, using pre-prepared table information 132, the processor determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and the water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of the detection value DT, the estimate value EA, and the calculation value CS. Specifically, in step S140, the processor identifies a candidate combination CC from among a plurality of candidate combinations CC that includes the temperature range of the drive motor 21 containing the detection value DT, the road surface gradient angle range containing the estimate value EA, and the vehicle speed range containing the calculation value CS, as a suitable combination MC, which is the candidate combination CC to which the target combination TC corresponds. In step S150, the processor identifies the output level OL corresponding to the compatible combination MC identified in step S140 from among multiple output levels OL as the compatible output level ML. In step S160, the processor determines the respective setting values ​​for the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 indicated by the compatible output level ML identified in step S150 as the respective outputs for the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24.

[0084] With this configuration, the information processing device 1 (information processing method PM) does not use the detected value DT, estimated value EA, and calculated value CS individually, but rather determines the output of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 from the target combination TC, which is a combination of these values. Therefore, the information processing device 1 (information processing method PM) can precisely determine the need to cool the drive motor 21 based on the target combination TC, which is a combination of the detected value DT, estimated value EA, and calculated value CS. The information processing device 1 (information processing method PM) cools the drive motor 21 according to the precisely determined "need to cool the drive motor 21," thereby preventing the drive motor 21 from being cooled more than necessary and suppressing the power consumption of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24. In other words, the information processing device 1 (information processing method PM) can more appropriately balance thermal protection of the drive motor 21 and power saving of the radiator fan 23 and water pump 24 in the vehicle VH compared to conventional methods.

[0085] §4 Variant Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects of the present invention. Needless to say, various improvements or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the above embodiments, and explanations of points similar to those in the above embodiments have been omitted as appropriate. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the information processing device 1, the radiator fan control device 33, the water pump control device 34, and the higher-level ECU are each configured by separate computers. However, the configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment is not limited to this example and may be determined as appropriate depending on the embodiment. For example, the information processing device 1 may be configured as an integrated computer with at least one of the radiator fan control device 33, the water pump control device 34, and the higher-level ECU. Alternatively, the information processing device 1, the radiator fan control device 33, the water pump control device 34, and at least one of the higher-level ECU may be configured by multiple computers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1... Information processing device, 11... CPU (processor), 21... Drive motor, 22...Radiator, 23...Radiator fan, 24...Water pump, 25...Engine, 26...Generator, 27...High-voltage battery (battery), 28... Low-voltage battery, 29... Cooling passage, 111... Detected value acquisition unit, 112...Estimated value acquisition unit, 114...Calculated value acquisition unit, 120...Output determination unit, 121...First Specific Section, 122...Second Specific Section, 132...Table Information, CC... Candidate combination, CL... Coolant, CS... Calculated value (calculated value of vehicle speed for electric vehicles) DRT...Duration, DT...Detected value (Detected value of the drive motor temperature) DTD...Reference duration, EA...Estimated value (estimated road surface gradient angle), FTS...First charge level threshold, MC...Compatible combination, ML...Compatible output level OL...Output level, OLM...Maximum output level, OLN...Normal output level PM... Information processing method, STS... Second charge threshold, TA... Gradient angle threshold TC...Target combination, TG...Generator temperature (detected value of generator temperature), TRT…Torque threshold, TT…Temperature threshold, TTS…Third charge level threshold TVM…Torque value, VH…Vehicle (electric vehicle)

Claims

1. The drive motor, which is the power source of the vehicle, A radiator fan that blows air onto a radiator through which coolant for cooling the drive motor circulates, A water pump for circulating the aforementioned coolant, In an electric vehicle having, The processor, The steps include: obtaining a detected value of the temperature of the drive motor; The steps include obtaining an estimated value of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the electric vehicle travels, The steps include obtaining a calculated value of the vehicle speed of the electric vehicle, The steps include determining the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, using pre-prepared table information, based on the target combination which is a combination of the detected value, the estimated value, and the calculated value, Execute, The aforementioned table information includes: Each of the multiple candidate combinations is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor, the road surface gradient angle range, and the vehicle speed range, Each of the following outputs represents a set value for the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, and They are associated with each other, In the step of determining the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, the processor: From among the plurality of candidate combinations, the step of identifying candidate combinations of the range of temperature of the drive motor in which the detected value is included, the range of road surface gradient angle in which the estimated value is included, and the range of vehicle speed in which the calculated value is included as a suitable combination in which the target combination is a candidate combination; The steps include identifying, among the plurality of output levels, the output level associated with the matching combination as the matching output level, The steps include determining the respective set values ​​of the radiator fan and the water pump, as indicated by the corresponding output level, as the respective outputs of the radiator fan and the water pump, Execute Information processing methods.

2. In the table information, the multiple output levels are three or more output levels. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. In the table information, each of the multiple output levels is associated with one or more candidate combinations from the multiple candidate combinations. Each of the one or more candidate combinations associated with the same output level has a predetermined common reference duration. The aforementioned processor, The steps include counting the time during which the target combination continues to correspond to any of the one or more candidate combinations associated with the same output level as a duration, A step of determining whether the counted duration is equal to or greater than the standard duration defined for the one or more candidate combinations associated with the same output level, Further execution, If the processor determines that the duration is equal to or greater than the reference duration, it identifies the same output level to which the one or more candidate combinations are associated as the suitable output level. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned processor, Steps to obtain the torque value of the drive motor. Further execution, In the step of counting the duration, the processor Of the time during which the target combination continues to correspond to any of the one or more candidate combinations associated with the same output level, the time during which the torque value is less than or equal to a predetermined torque threshold is not counted as the duration. The information processing method according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned processor, Steps to obtain the charge level of the high-voltage battery that supplies power to drive the drive motor. Further execution, In the step of counting the duration, the processor During the time during which the target combination continues to correspond to any of the one or more candidate combinations associated with the same output level, The aforementioned estimated value is less than a predetermined gradient angle threshold, and The aforementioned charge level is greater than a predetermined first charge level threshold. Time is not counted as part of the aforementioned duration. The information processing method according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned electric vehicle is A high-voltage battery that supplies power to drive the aforementioned drive motor, A low-voltage battery that receives power from the high-voltage battery and supplies power to the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, Equipped with, The aforementioned processor, The steps include obtaining the charge level of the aforementioned high-voltage battery, If the charge level is greater than a predetermined second charge level threshold, the output of the radiator fan and the water pump are determined independently of the target combination. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The aforementioned electric vehicle is The engine and A generator that generates electricity driven by the aforementioned engine, A battery that is charged by the electricity generated by the aforementioned generator and supplies power to the aforementioned drive motor, It is a series hybrid vehicle that is further equipped with The aforementioned coolant is The drive motor and the generator are connected in series, and the generator is located downstream of the cooling path. Flowing through, The aforementioned multiple output levels are, The setting values ​​for the radiator fan and the water pump are the maximum output level indicating the maximum output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, and The setting values ​​for the radiator fan and the water pump are set to a normal output level that is smaller than the respective maximum output. And, If the processor, in the step of determining the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, identifies the normal output level as the appropriate output level, then, The steps include: obtaining a detected value of the temperature of the generator; The steps include obtaining the charge level of the aforementioned battery, The step of determining whether the detected temperature of the generator is higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, A step of determining whether the charge level of the battery is less than a predetermined third charge level threshold, If it is determined that the detected temperature of the generator is higher than the temperature threshold and the charge level of the battery is lower than the third charge level threshold, the output of the radiator fan and the water pump will be set accordingly. Each of the aforementioned maximum outputs is smaller than, A value greater than the set value indicated by the normal output level, Steps to correct the value, To further execute, The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The drive motor, which is the power source of the vehicle, A radiator fan that blows air onto a radiator through which coolant for cooling the drive motor circulates, A water pump for circulating the aforementioned coolant, An information processing device included in an electric vehicle having, A detection value acquisition unit that acquires a detected value of the temperature of the drive motor, An estimation value acquisition unit that acquires an estimated value of the road surface gradient angle of the road surface on which the electric vehicle travels, A calculation value acquisition unit that acquires a calculated value of the vehicle speed of the electric vehicle, An output determination unit determines the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, using pre-prepared table information from target combinations which are combinations of the detected value, the estimated value, and the calculated value. Equipped with, The aforementioned table information includes: Each of the multiple candidate combinations is a combination of the temperature range of the drive motor, the road surface gradient angle range, and the vehicle speed range, Each of the following outputs represents a set value for the output of the radiator fan and the water pump, respectively, and They are associated with each other, The output determination unit is, A first identification unit identifies candidate combinations from among the plurality of candidate combinations, which include the temperature range of the drive motor containing the detected value, the road surface gradient angle range containing the estimated value, and the vehicle speed range containing the calculated value, as suitable combinations for which the target combination is a corresponding candidate combination. A second identification unit identifies, among the plurality of output levels, the output level associated with the matching combination as the matching output level, Includes, The output determination unit is, The respective set values ​​of the radiator fan and the water pump, indicated by the suitable output level identified by the second identification unit, are determined as the respective outputs of the radiator fan and the water pump. Information processing device.

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