Control device for electric vehicles

Abstract

To provide a control device for electric vehicles that can reduce discomfort caused to the transporter. [Solution] The electric vehicle 1 comprises an engine 2, a battery 5, and a motor 6 driven by power supplied from the battery 5. The electric vehicle 1 can switch between multiple driving modes, including an EV mode in which the engine 2 is stopped and the vehicle runs using only the motor 6 as the driving source. The driving control unit 132 controls the switching of the driving mode. The passenger detection unit 133 detects when a transporter other than the passenger boards the electric vehicle 1. When the passenger detection unit 133 detects that a transporter has boarded, the driving control unit 132 performs switching control in an EV priority mode that prioritizes the EV mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an electric vehicle equipped with a motor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric vehicle having an engine, a battery, and a motor driven by power supplied from the battery is known. Such an electric vehicle can selectively switch between a plurality of driving modes including a driving mode in which it travels by engine drive and a driving mode in which it travels by motor drive. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle that switches the driving mode according to an operation by an operator (driver).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the vehicle described above, vibrations when switching from the mode of traveling by motor drive to engine drive, and vibrations caused by engine drive may give discomfort to carriers such as emergency patients and passengers.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a control device for an electric vehicle that can reduce discomfort given to carriers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the control device for an electric vehicle according to the present disclosure is characterized by the following. A control device for an electric vehicle that controls an electric vehicle having an engine, a battery, and a motor driven by power supplied from the battery, and which can switch between a plurality of driving modes, including a first driving mode in which the engine is stopped and the vehicle is driven solely by the motor, A driving control unit that controls the switching of the aforementioned driving modes, It includes a passenger detection unit that detects when a person other than a passenger boards the electric vehicle, When the passenger detection unit detects that the transporter is on board, the travel control unit performs the switching control in a first travel priority mode that prioritizes the first travel mode. It is a control device for electric vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the control device for electric vehicles described herein, the first driving mode is prioritized while a passenger is riding, which reduces the likelihood of the engine being driven and thus reduces the discomfort caused to the passenger by the engine's operation.

[0008] The above is a brief explanation of this disclosure. Further details of this disclosure will be clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for implementing this disclosure described below (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram relating to the drive control of a vehicle to which the electric vehicle control device of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control unit shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram relating to the drive control of a vehicle to which the electric vehicle control device of the present invention is applied. The electric vehicle 1 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) or a hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a hybrid vehicle). Note that PHEV refers to a hybrid vehicle that can be externally charged to a battery or externally powered from a battery. A PHEV has a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable into which power is supplied from an external charging facility, and an outlet for external power supply. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 is assumed to be an ambulance.

[0012] The electric vehicle 1 comprises an engine 2, a clutch 3, a generator 4, a battery 5, a motor 6, a siren light illumination sensor 7, a weight sensor 8 installed on the vehicle body, a weight sensor 9 (usage sensor) installed on the stretcher, a GPS 10, a rear interior light illumination sensor 11, a back door opening / closing sensor 12, and a control unit 13 as a "control device for the electric vehicle".

[0013] Engine 2 generates power by burning fuel. Clutch 3 is a device that connects and disconnects the transmission of power generated by engine 2 to the drive shaft. When engine 2 and the drive shaft are connected by clutch 3, the power generated by engine 2 is transmitted to the drive shaft. When engine 2 and the drive shaft are disconnected by clutch 3, the power generated by engine 2 is not transmitted to the drive shaft.

[0014] The generator 4 is a device that converts the power generated by the engine 2 into electricity. The electricity converted by the generator 4 is supplied to electronic equipment mounted on the electric vehicle 1 or used to charge the battery 5. The motor 6 is driven by power supplied from the battery 5 and the generator 4, generates power, and transmits it to the drive shaft.

[0015] The lighting sensor 7 is a sensor that detects the illumination of the siren light, which is illuminated during emergency transport. The weight sensor 8 is installed on the body of the electric vehicle 1 and measures the weight of the electric vehicle 1. The weight sensor 8 may be composed of, for example, a sensor that measures the amount of suspension compression or a sensor that measures tire pressure. The weight sensor 9 is installed on the stretcher mounted on the electric vehicle 1 and measures the weight of the stretcher. The GPS 10 acquires the location information of the electric vehicle 1. The lighting sensor 11 is a sensor that detects the illumination of the interior light installed in the rear compartment of the electric vehicle 1. The opening / closing sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the opening and closing of the back door of the electric vehicle 1.

[0016] The control unit 13 consists of a memory unit that stores programs and the like, and a computer that operates according to the programs. The control unit 13 is supplied with detection results from the lighting sensor 7, lighting sensor 11, and open / close sensor 12, measurement values ​​from the weight sensor 8 and weight sensor 9, and location information acquired by the GPS 10. Based on these measurement values ​​from the weight sensor 8 and weight sensor 9, the detection results from the lighting sensor 7 and lighting sensor 11, open / close sensor 12, and location information from the GPS 10, the control unit 13 controls the engine 2, clutch 3, generator 4, and other components.

[0017] The control unit 13 includes a parameter acquisition unit 131, a driving control unit 132, a passenger detection unit 133, and a passenger disembarkation detection unit 134. In this embodiment, the parameter acquisition unit 131 acquires parameters related to the electric vehicle 1, such as the remaining charge of the battery 5 (e.g., SOC; State of Charge) and the amount the accelerator pedal is pressed.

[0018] The driving control unit 132 controls the engine 2, clutch 3, generator 4, etc., to control the switching between multiple driving modes. In this embodiment, the driving control unit 132 controls the switching between multiple driving modes, including EV mode (first driving mode), series driving mode (second driving mode), and parallel driving mode (second driving mode, third driving mode).

[0019] In the EV mode, the travel control unit 132 disconnects the engine 2 from the drive shaft by the clutch 3 and stops the engine 2. In the EV mode, the travel control unit 132 stops the engine 2 and runs the electric vehicle 1 using only the motor 6 as a drive source.

[0020] In the series running mode, the travel control unit 132 disconnects the engine 2 from the drive shaft by the clutch 3 and drives the engine 2. At this time, the generator 4 is operated by the engine 2, and the electric power generated by the generator 4 is supplied to the motor 6 and the battery 5. In the series running mode, the travel control unit 132 drives the engine 2. However, the power is not transmitted to the drive shaft. That is, the travel control unit 132 runs the electric vehicle 1 using only the motor 6 as a drive source.

[0021] In the parallel running mode, the travel control unit 132 connects the engine 2 to the drive shaft by the clutch 3 and runs the electric vehicle 1 using the engine 2 and the motor 6 as drive sources. At this time, the generator 4 is operated by the engine 2, and the electric power generated by the generator 4 is supplied to the motor 6 and the battery 5.

[0022] In this embodiment, when the remaining charge of the battery 5 is equal to or more than the first threshold value and sufficient, and the depression amount of the accelerator is less than the second threshold value, the travel control unit 132 automatically switches the travel mode to the EV mode. When the remaining charge of the battery 5 is less than the first threshold value and insufficient, the travel control unit 132 switches to the series running mode or the parallel running mode. Further, when the remaining charge of the battery 5 is equal to or more than the first threshold value and the depression amount of the accelerator is equal to or more than the second threshold value, the travel control unit 132 automatically switches to the series running mode or the parallel running mode. Note that the remaining charge of the battery 5 and the depression amount of the accelerator described above correspond to the parameters related to the electric vehicle of the present disclosure. Also, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are stored in the storage device in the control unit 13.

[0023] In electric vehicles 1 equipped with an engine maintenance mode, the driving control unit 132 automatically switches the driving mode to series driving or parallel driving mode if refueling is not performed for a certain period of time or longer.

[0024] The driving control unit 132 switches the driving mode according to a plurality of switching control modes. In this embodiment, the driving control unit 132 switches the driving mode according to a plurality of control modes, including EV priority mode (first driving priority mode), normal mode, and battery charge mode (second driving priority mode). The control mode is basically selected by the operation of the occupant.

[0025] EV Priority Mode is a switching control mode that switches the driving mode to prioritize EV mode. Specifically, the first threshold for the remaining charge of battery 5 is set lower in EV Priority Mode than in Normal Mode and Battery Charge Mode. Also, the second threshold for the amount of accelerator pedal depression is set higher in EV Priority Mode than in Normal Mode and Battery Charge Mode.

[0026] Normal mode is a switching control mode that switches between three driving modes to achieve a good balance between the power from battery 5 and the power generated by engine 2.

[0027] The battery charge mode is a switching control mode that switches between three driving modes, prioritizing either series driving mode or parallel driving mode to increase the charge level of battery 5. Specifically, the first threshold for the remaining charge level of battery 5 is set higher in battery charge mode than in EV priority mode or normal mode. In addition, the driving control unit 132 stops engine 2 when the vehicle is stopped in EV priority mode or normal mode, but does not stop engine 2 even when the vehicle is stopped in battery charge mode.

[0028] The passenger detection unit 133 detects when a transporter other than a passenger boards the electric vehicle 1. Here, a passenger refers to a person who is on board the electric vehicle 1 and is tasked with transporting a transporter. If the electric vehicle 1 is an ambulance as in this embodiment, then the ambulance crew members correspond to passengers, and the ambulance patient being transported to the hospital by the ambulance crew members corresponds to the transporter. In this embodiment, the passenger detection unit 133 detects when a transporter boards the electric vehicle 1 based on the measured values ​​of the weight sensors 8 and 9, the detection results of the lighting sensor 11 and the opening / closing sensor 12, and the location information acquired by the GPS 10.

[0029] The disembarkation detection unit 134 detects when a transporter disembarks from the electric vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the disembarkation detection unit 134 detects when a transporter disembarks from the electric vehicle 1 based on the measured values ​​of the weight sensors 8 and 9, the detection results of the lighting sensor 11 and the opening / closing sensor 12, and the location information acquired by the GPS 10.

[0030] The above-mentioned driving control unit 132 normally switches the driving mode using the control mode set by the occupant. In this embodiment, the driving control unit 132 forcibly switches the control mode to EV priority mode and turns off the engine maintenance mode from the time the passenger detection unit 133 detects that a passenger has boarded until the passenger disembarkation detection unit 134 detects that the passenger has disembarked.

[0031] Next, the operation of the control device 13, as outlined above, will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 2. The ambulance (=electric vehicle 1) waits at a designated location such as a fire station, and when an emergency call is received, it heads to the boarding location to pick up the patient. At the boarding location, the paramedics unload the stretcher from the ambulance and place the patient onto the stretcher. After that, the paramedics load the stretcher with the patient into the ambulance. The ambulance then transports the patient to a medical facility such as a hospital that can accept them. While driving from the waiting location to the boarding location, and from the boarding location to the destination medical facility, the ambulance operates at an emergency speed, with its siren lights on and the siren sounding.

[0032] The control unit 13 begins processing when the start switch is turned on by the paramedics. After starting processing, the control unit 13 waits until the siren light turns on based on the detection result of the lighting sensor 7 (S1). Next, the control unit 13 switches the control mode to battery charge mode (S2). Paramedics do not turn off the start switch from the time they leave the waiting area until they arrive at the medical facility. Therefore, if the siren light turns on immediately after the start switch is turned on, the control unit 13 can determine that they are heading from the waiting area to the pick-up location. At this time, the control unit 13 can automatically switch to battery charge mode in preparation for transport and increase the charge level of the battery 5.

[0033] Subsequently, the control unit 13 determines whether or not a transporter other than the passenger has boarded (S3). Specifically, in S3, the control unit 13 detects that a transporter has boarded if one or more of the following boarding conditions 1 to 5 are met.

[0034] Boarding condition 1: When the weight sensor 8 installed on the vehicle body detects a weight exceeding the number of passengers. Boarding condition 2: When the weight sensor 9 installed on the stretcher measures the weight of the person being transported. Boarding condition 3: When the current position of the electric vehicle 1 is outside a predetermined area, the lighting sensor 11 detects that the interior light in the rear compartment is on. Riding condition 4: When the opening / closing sensor 12 detects the opening or closing of the back door while the current position of the electric vehicle 1 is outside a predetermined area. Riding condition 5: If the opening / closing sensor 12 detects the opening or closing of the back door within a certain period of time after the electric vehicle 1 has stopped.

[0035] When the control unit 13 detects that a passenger has boarded (Y in S3), it switches to EV priority mode and displays a message on the meter or elsewhere indicating that it will switch to a transport mode that turns off engine maintenance mode (S4). Subsequently, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the passenger has pressed the cancel button (S5). If the control unit 13 determines that the passenger has pressed the cancel button (Y in S5), it returns to S3. If the control unit 13 determines that the cancel button has not been pressed after a predetermined time (N in S5), it switches the driving mode to EV priority mode (S6) and turns off engine maintenance mode (S7). Once the engine maintenance mode is turned off, the control unit 13 will not switch the driving mode to series driving or parallel driving even if refueling is not performed for a certain period of time.

[0036] Next, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the transporter has disembarked (S8). Specifically, in S8, the control unit 13 detects that the transporter has disembarked if one or more of the following disembarking conditions 1 to 5 are met.

[0037] Disembarking condition 1: When the weight sensor 8 installed on the vehicle body measures a weight less than or equal to the number of occupants. Disembarking condition 2: If the weight sensor 9 installed on the stretcher is unable to measure the weight of the person being transported. Disembarking condition 3: When the electric vehicle's current position is within a predetermined area, the lighting sensor 11 detects that the rear interior light is off. Disembarking condition 4: When the opening / closing sensor 12 detects the opening or closing of the back door while the current position of the electric vehicle 1 is within a predetermined area. Disembarking condition 5: If the opening / closing sensor 12 detects the opening or closing of the back door within a certain period of time after the electric vehicle 1 has stopped.

[0038] When the control unit 13 detects that the transporter has disembarked (Y in S8), it deactivates the EV priority mode (S9). After deactivating the EV priority mode, the control unit 13 switches to the control mode selected by the occupant's operation. The control unit 13 then turns on the engine maintenance mode (S10) and terminates the process.

[0039] Next, we will explain the details of boarding condition 1 and disembarking condition 1. Ambulances are generally dispatched with three occupants. When the measurement value of the weight sensor 8 exceeds the third threshold, the control unit 13 determines that it has measured a weight exceeding three or more occupants and detects that a passenger has boarded. Also, when the measurement value of the weight sensor 8 is below the third threshold, the control unit 13 determines that it has measured a weight of three or fewer occupants and detects that a passenger has disembarked. In some areas, ambulances may be dispatched with two occupants. In that case, the third threshold should be set to a value that matches two occupants.

[0040] Next, we will explain boarding condition 2 and disembarking condition 2. The control unit 13 detects the use of the stretcher and detects the passenger boarding the vehicle when the measured value of the weight sensor 8 exceeds the fourth threshold. The control unit 13 also detects that the stretcher is not being used and detects the passenger disembarking when the measured value of the weight sensor 8 is below the fourth threshold.

[0041] Next, boarding condition 3 and disembarking condition 3 will be explained. In this embodiment, the predetermined areas for boarding condition 3 and disembarking condition 3 are, for example, waiting areas such as fire stations or the grounds of medical facilities to which the patient will be transported. When the ambulance places the patient on a stretcher into the rear compartment, it turns on the interior light of the rear compartment and transports the patient to the medical facility. After dropping off the patient at the medical facility, the ambulance turns off the interior light of the rear compartment and returns to the waiting area. Therefore, if the interior light of the rear compartment is turned on outside the waiting area or the grounds of the medical facility, it can be detected that the patient has boarded the ambulance. Furthermore, if the interior light of the rear compartment is turned off within the grounds of the medical facility after the patient has boarded, it can be detected that the patient has disembarked.

[0042] Next, we will explain boarding condition 4, boarding condition 5, disembarking condition 4, and disembarking condition 5. The predetermined areas for boarding condition 4 and disembarking condition 4 are the same as those for boarding condition 3 and disembarking condition 3. When the ambulance arrives at the boarding location, it quickly opens the back door and lowers the stretcher, places the patient on the stretcher, and then places the stretcher with the patient in the rear compartment and transports the patient to the medical facility. When the ambulance arrives at the medical facility, the back door is opened by the paramedics and the stretcher is lowered. Therefore, the control unit 13 can detect the patient boarding if the back door is opened outside the waiting area or the medical facility grounds, or if the back door is opened within a certain period of time after stopping. Furthermore, after detecting the patient boarding, the control unit 13 can detect the patient disembarking if the back door is opened within the medical facility grounds, or if the back door is opened within a certain period of time after stopping.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, when the control unit 13 detects that a passenger is on board, it controls the switching of the driving mode in EV priority mode. This makes it difficult for the engine 2 to drive when there are passengers other than the occupants, thereby reducing the discomfort caused to the passengers by the engine 2's operation.

[0044] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects the boarding of a transporter when the weight sensor 8 measures a weight exceeding the number of passengers (boarding condition 1). Since the number of passengers is known in advance, the boarding of a transporter can be detected with high accuracy.

[0045] According to the embodiment described above, when the use of the stretcher is detected by the weight sensor 9, the control unit 13 detects that a person is on board (boarding condition 2). As a result, the control unit 13 can accurately detect that a person is on board.

[0046] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects that a passenger has boarded the ambulance (electric vehicle 1) when the lighting sensor 11 detects that the interior light in the rear compartment is lit while the ambulance (electric vehicle 1) is outside a fire station or medical facility (boarding condition 3). This allows the control unit 13 to accurately detect that a passenger has boarded the ambulance.

[0047] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects that a passenger has boarded the vehicle when the opening / closing sensor 12 detects that the back door has been opened, such as when the ambulance (electric vehicle 1) is outside a fire station or medical facility, or when a certain amount of time has passed since the ambulance stopped. (Boarding conditions 4 and 5) This allows the control unit 13 to accurately detect the boarding of a passenger.

[0048] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects that a transporter has boarded if one or more of the boarding conditions 1 to 5 are met. As a result, the control unit 13 can detect the boarding of a transporter with even greater accuracy.

[0049] According to the embodiment described above, after detecting that a passenger has boarded the vehicle, the control unit 13 cancels the switch control to EV priority mode when it detects that the passenger has disembarked. This prevents the control unit 13 from maintaining EV priority mode even after the passenger has finished disembarking.

[0050] According to the embodiment described above, after detecting that a passenger has boarded the transporter, the control unit 13 detects that the passenger has disembarked if the weight measured by the weight sensor 8 is less than or equal to the number of passengers (disembarkation condition 1). This allows the control unit 13 to accurately detect when a passenger has disembarked.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects when the use of the stretcher is no longer detected by the weight sensor 9 after the passenger has been detected boarding the transporter (disembarking condition 2). This allows for accurate detection of the passenger disembarking.

[0052] According to the embodiment described above, after detecting that a passenger has boarded, the control unit 13 detects that the passenger has disembarked if the lighting sensor 11 detects that the interior light in the rear compartment is turned off when the ambulance (electric vehicle 1) is currently located within a medical facility (disembarkation condition 3). This allows the control unit 13 to accurately detect that the passenger has disembarked.

[0053] According to the embodiment described above, after detecting that a passenger has boarded, the control unit 13 detects that the back door has been opened by the opening / closing sensor 12 when the ambulance (electric vehicle 1) is inside a medical facility or within a certain time since the ambulance stopped, etc. (disembarking conditions 4 and 5). As a result, the control unit 13 can accurately detect that a passenger has boarded.

[0054] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 13 detects that a passenger has boarded the vehicle if one or more of the disembarking conditions 1 to 5 are met. As a result, the control unit 13 can detect the disembarking of the passenger with even greater accuracy.

[0055] According to the embodiment described above, when the control unit 13 is heading towards a boarding location where the transporter will be picked up, it performs switching control in battery charge mode. This allows the control unit 13 to charge the battery 5 to a sufficient level before the transporter boards and the system switches to EV priority mode.

[0056] According to the embodiment described above, the electric vehicle 1 has a clutch 3 that can engage and disengage the transmission of power from the engine 2 to the drive shaft, and one of the driving modes is a parallel driving mode in which the engine 2 and the drive shaft are connected by the clutch 3 and the driving force of the engine 2 is transmitted to the drive shaft. In EV mode, the engine 2 and the drive shaft are separated by the clutch 3. As a result, when switching from EV mode to parallel driving mode, the engine 2 and the drive shaft switch from a disconnected state to a connected state by the clutch 3, which makes vibrations likely to occur. For this reason, in an electric vehicle 1 with such a configuration, it becomes less likely to switch from EV mode to parallel driving mode while transporting a passenger, and discomfort to the passenger can be further reduced.

[0057] According to the embodiment described above, the driving control unit 132 terminates the EV mode when the parameters (remaining charge level, accelerator pedal depression amount) acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 131 exceed the range defined by the third threshold and fourth threshold stored in the memory device. This makes it possible to maintain driving in EV mode without difficulty.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the emergency patient was considered equivalent to the transporter, but the person accompanying the emergency patient is also included as a transporter. Therefore, a usage sensor is installed in the seat where the attendant sits to detect seat use. Possible usage sensors include a weight sensor installed in the seat and a seat belt sensor that detects whether the seat belt is fastened.

[0060] For example, in the embodiment described above, an ambulance was assumed to be the electric vehicle 1, but it is not limited to this. The electric vehicle 1 can be any vehicle used for transporting passengers other than the occupants, such as a taxi or a day service shuttle vehicle. In the case of a taxi, the taxi driver corresponds to the occupants, and the passengers correspond to the transporters.

[0061] For example, consider the case where the electric vehicle 1 is a taxi vehicle. In this case, the electric vehicle 1 is equipped with a meter. When a taxi driver picks up a passenger, they operate the fare button on the meter. When the fare button is operated, the passenger indicator light illuminates. The meter also calculates and displays the fare based on the distance traveled and the time elapsed when the fare button is operated. Therefore, if the electric vehicle 1 is a taxi vehicle, the control unit 13 may determine that the meter has started running when the fare button on the meter is pressed or when the passenger indicator light illuminates, and detect that a passenger (transporter) has boarded. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may detect that a passenger has boarded when a weight sensor or seat belt sensor, which are usage sensors installed in the rear seat, detects that a customer is seated in the rear seat. By applying this disclosure to a taxi vehicle, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused to taxi passengers.

[0062] Furthermore, the taxi driver operates the meter's payment button when dropping off the passenger. The passenger indicator light turns off when the payment button is operated. Also, when the payment button is operated, the meter ends its fare run and displays the payment screen. Therefore, the control unit 13 may determine that the meter's fare run has ended when the meter's payment button is pressed or when the passenger indicator light turns off, and detect that the passenger (transporter) has dropped off.

[0063] For example, consider the case where the electric vehicle 1 is a shuttle vehicle for a day service. In this case, the driver corresponds to the passenger, and the day service user corresponds to the transporter. In the case of a day service shuttle vehicle, the control unit 13 may detect the boarding of a user (transporter) when a weight sensor or seat belt sensor, which are usage sensors installed in the rear seat, detects that a user is seated in the rear seat. The electric vehicle 1 (shuttle vehicle) also has a weight sensor in the wheelchair space inside the vehicle. In this case, the control unit 13 may detect the boarding of a user when the weight sensor detects that the wheelchair space is being used. By applying this disclosure to a day service shuttle vehicle, the discomfort caused to day service users can be reduced. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Electric Vehicle 2 engines 5 batteries 6 motors 8. Weight sensor 9. Weight Sensor (Sensor Used) 12 Open / Close Sensor 13 Control device 131 Parameter acquisition unit 132 Driving Control Unit 133 Passenger detection unit 134 Disembarkation detection unit

Claims

1. A control device for an electric vehicle that controls an electric vehicle having an engine, a battery, and a motor driven by power supplied from the battery, and which can switch between a plurality of driving modes, including a first driving mode in which the engine is stopped and the vehicle is driven solely by the motor, A driving control unit that controls the switching of the aforementioned driving modes, It includes a passenger detection unit that detects when a person other than a passenger boards the electric vehicle, When the passenger detection unit detects that the transporter is on board, the travel control unit performs the switching control in a first travel priority mode that prioritizes the first travel mode. Control device for electric vehicles.

2. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which controls an electric vehicle equipped with a weight sensor on the vehicle body for measuring the weight of the vehicle body, The passenger detection unit detects the passenger's presence when the weight sensor measures a weight exceeding the number of passengers. Control device for electric vehicles.

3. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which controls the electric vehicle equipped with a usage sensor that is provided in the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space used by the transporter and detects the use of the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space by the transporter, The passenger detection unit detects the passenger boarding the vehicle when the use of the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space is detected by the use sensor. Control device for electric vehicles.

4. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which controls an electric vehicle equipped with a lighting sensor for detecting whether or not the interior light in the rear compartment is on, The passenger detection unit detects the passenger boarding the vehicle when the lighting sensor detects that the interior light is on while the electric vehicle is outside a predetermined area. Control device for electric vehicles.

5. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which controls an electric vehicle equipped with an opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening and closing of a back door, The passenger detection unit detects when the back door has been opened by the opening / closing sensor when the current position of the electric vehicle is outside a predetermined area, or when a certain amount of time has passed since the electric vehicle stopped, and the passenger has been detected to be on board. Control device for electric vehicles.

6. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which controls the electric vehicle equipped with a meter that calculates and displays a fare according to the distance traveled and time spent in operation, The passenger detection unit detects when the meter starts running and the passenger boards the vehicle. Control device for electric vehicles.

7. The system includes a disembarkation detection unit that detects the disembarkation of the transporter, The driving control unit, after detecting that the passenger has boarded the vehicle using the passenger boarding detection unit, and after detecting that the passenger has disembarked using the disembarking detection unit, cancels the switching control in the first driving priority mode. The control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1.

8. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, which controls an electric vehicle equipped with a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the electric vehicle, The disembarkation detection unit detects the disembarkation of the transporter after the boarding detection unit has detected the transporter's boarding, and the weight sensor has measured a weight less than or equal to the number of passengers. Control device for electric vehicles.

9. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, which controls the electric vehicle equipped with a usage sensor that is provided in the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space used by the transporter and detects the use of the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space by the transporter, The disembarkation detection unit detects that the transporter has disembarked when the use of the seat, stretcher, or wheelchair space is no longer detected by the use sensor after the boarding detection unit has detected the transporter's boarding. Control device for electric vehicles.

10. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, which controls an electric vehicle equipped with a lighting sensor for detecting whether or not the interior light in the rear compartment is on, The disembarkation detection unit detects the disembarkation of the transporter when the passenger boarding detection unit has detected the passenger's presence, the electric vehicle's current position is within the predetermined area, and the lighting sensor detects that the interior lights are off. Control device for electric vehicles.

11. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, which controls the electric vehicle equipped with an opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the back door, The disembarkation detection unit detects the disembarkation of the transporter when the passenger boarding is detected by the passenger boarding detection unit, the electric vehicle's current position is within the predetermined area, and the opening / closing sensor detects the opening or closing of the back door. Control device for electric vehicles.

12. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, which controls the electric vehicle equipped with a meter that displays the calculated fare for the time traveled, The passenger detection unit detects when the meter has finished running and the passenger has disembarked. Control device for electric vehicles.

13. A control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, which has a generator that generates electricity by driving the engine and charges a battery that supplies power to the motor, and which controls the electric vehicle, with one of a plurality of driving modes being a second driving mode in which the vehicle is driven with the generator generating power by the engine, When the vehicle is heading towards the boarding location where the transporter will be picked up, the vehicle control unit performs switching control in a second driving priority mode, which prioritizes the second driving mode. Control device for electric vehicles.

14. The electric vehicle has a clutch that can engage and disengage the transmission of power from the engine to the drive shaft, and one of the plurality of driving modes includes a third driving mode in which the engine and the drive shaft are connected by the clutch and the driving force of the engine is transmitted to the drive shaft, and the first driving mode controls the electric vehicle to separate the engine and the drive shaft by the clutch. The control device according to claim 1.

15. A parameter acquisition unit that acquires parameters related to the electric vehicle, The system includes a storage unit that stores the range of parameters that can maintain the first driving mode, The driving control unit terminates the first driving mode when the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceed the range stored in the storage unit. The control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1.

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