vehicle

Abstract

This technology can help minimize the feeling of discomfort experienced by passengers. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a drive unit that houses lubrication-requiring elements within a case, an electric oil pump that sucks oil from the case and supplies oil to the lubrication-requiring elements, and a control device that controls the operation of the electric oil pump. The control device is configured to perform a pre-lubrication process that operates the electric oil pump when predetermined conditions are met while the vehicle is stopped, and a notification process that outputs predetermined notification information to at least one of the vehicle's user interface and the passenger's information terminal when the pre-lubrication process is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle including a drive unit that houses elements requiring lubrication in a case, an electric oil pump that sucks oil in the case and supplies the oil to the elements requiring lubrication, and a control device that controls the operation of the electric oil pump. The control device operates the electric oil pump when the vehicle is stopped.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle of Patent Document 1, the electric oil pump operates when the vehicle is stopped. In a situation where the vehicle is stopped, it is easy for passengers to perceive the operating sound of the electric oil pump. If the source of the sound perceived by the passengers is unknown, it will give the passengers a sense of discomfort.

[0005] This specification provides a technology that can suppress giving passengers a sense of discomfort.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect disclosed herein, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a drive unit housing lubrication elements in a case, an electric oil pump that sucks oil from the case and supplies oil to the lubrication elements, and a control device that controls the operation of the electric oil pump. The control device may be configured to perform a pre-lubrication process that operates the electric oil pump when predetermined conditions are met while the vehicle is stopped, and a notification process that outputs predetermined notification information to at least one of the vehicle's user interface and an information terminal owned by the passenger when the pre-lubrication process is performed.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the pre-lubrication process is performed, predetermined notification information is output to the vehicle's user interface or to the passenger's personal information terminal. By checking the predetermined notification information, the passenger can find out the source of the sound they perceived. Therefore, it is possible to suppress any discomfort the passenger may experience.

[0008] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the control device may be configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication treatment until the vehicle remains stopped for a predetermined period of time.

[0009] Generally, when a vehicle is stopped, the electric oil pump stops operating. After the vehicle stops, the oil supplied to the lubricating elements inside the case during operation gradually accumulates at the bottom of the case. If the vehicle remains stopped for a long time, the amount of oil accumulated at the bottom of the case increases, and the oil level inside the case rises. In this case, the agitation resistance of the components inside the case increases. Pre-lubrication can lower the oil level inside the case, thereby reducing the agitation resistance of the components inside the case. On the other hand, if the vehicle remains stopped for a relatively short time, the oil level inside the case is low. Therefore, the agitation resistance of the components inside the case is small. In this case, there is little need to perform pre-lubrication. According to the above configuration, the control device avoids performing pre-lubrication until the vehicle remains stopped for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, unnecessary pre-lubrication can be prevented.

[0010] In a third embodiment, the predetermined conditions may be met when the vehicle is switched from ready-off to ready-on in the first or second embodiment described above.

[0011] If a vehicle switches from ready-off to ready-on, it is highly likely that the vehicle has been stopped for an extended period. Therefore, pre-lubrication can be performed at an appropriate time.

[0012] In a fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments, the vehicle may further include a battery that supplies power to the electric oil pump. The control device may be configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication treatment when the remaining charge of the battery is below a predetermined value.

[0013] The battery also supplies power to equipment other than the electric oil pump. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a power shortage in equipment other than the electric oil pump when the electric oil pump is operating.

[0014] In a fifth embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, the control device may be configured to limit the output of the drive unit when the execution of the pre-lubrication process is avoided, provided that the remaining charge of the battery is below a predetermined value.

[0015] If the battery level falls below a predetermined value, the amount of oil supplied to the drive unit may be insufficient. The above configuration makes it possible to prevent insufficient oil supply to the drive unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of vehicle 2. [Figure 2] This is a skeleton diagram of the front drive unit 12A mounted on vehicle 2. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the electric oil pump operation performed by the control device 18. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] (First embodiment) Vehicle 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle driven by a rotating electric machine 30, which will be described later. Vehicle 2 may be a hybrid vehicle or a fuel-powered vehicle. Here, the directions in Figures 1 and 2 correspond to the directions of Vehicle 2. Direction FR in Figure 1 indicates the front of Vehicle 2 in the longitudinal direction, and direction RR in Figure 1 indicates the rear of Vehicle 2 in the longitudinal direction. Direction LH in Figures 1 and 2 indicates the left side of Vehicle 2 in the lateral direction, and direction RH in Figures 1 and 2 indicates the right side of Vehicle 2 in the lateral direction. Direction UP in Figure 2 indicates the up side of Vehicle 2 in the vertical direction, and direction DW in Figure 2 indicates the down side of Vehicle 2 in the vertical direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 includes a right front wheel 4, a left front wheel 6, a right rear wheel 8, a left rear wheel 10, a front drive unit 12A, a rear drive unit 12B, a main battery 14, an auxiliary battery 16, a control device 18, and a user interface 20. In this embodiment, the instrument panel is the user interface 20. In a modification, the user interface 20 may be a speaker.

[0019] The front drive unit 12A drives the right front wheel 4 and the left front wheel 6, and the rear drive unit 12B drives the right rear wheel 8 and the left rear wheel 10. The vehicle 2 is illustrated as a four-wheel drive vehicle. In a modification, the vehicle 2 may be a two-wheel drive vehicle equipped with only one of the front drive unit 12A and the rear drive unit 12B. The rear drive unit 12B has the same structure as the front drive unit 12A except that it drives the right rear wheel 8 and the left rear wheel 10. Hereinafter, the front drive unit 12A will be described, and the description of the rear drive unit 12B will be omitted.

[0020] The front drive unit 12A includes a rotating electric machine 30, a transmission device 32, a power control unit 34, and a case 36. The rotating electric machine 30, the transmission device 32, and the power control unit 34 are housed in the case 36. The power control unit 34 is disposed at a position adjacent to the rear side of the rotating electric machine 30 and the transmission device 32. The power control unit 34 converts the electric power supplied from the main battery 14 from direct current to alternating current and supplies it to the rotating electric machine 30. The rotating electric machine 30 generates a driving force based on the alternating current power supplied from the power control unit 34. The transmission device 32 distributes the driving force generated by the rotating electric machine 30 to the right front wheel 4 and the left front wheel 6 after torque amplification.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the rotating electric machine 30 and the transmission device 32 housed in the case 36 will be described.

[0022] The rotating electrical machine 30 includes a stator core 40, a rotor 42, and an output shaft 44. The stator core 40 is fixed to the case 36. Coil ends 40A are provided at the right end portion and the left end portion of the stator core 40. The rotor 42 is supported by the case 36 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the rotating electrical machine 30. In this embodiment, the rotation axis extends along the left-right direction. The output shaft 44 is connected to the rotor 42 and rotates integrally with the rotor 42. The output shaft 44 is hollow and has a through hole 46 that extends along the rotation axis direction of the rotating electrical machine 30.

[0023] The transmission device 32 includes a planetary gear unit 50 and a differential gear 60. The planetary gear unit 50 reduces the rotation of the output shaft 44 of the rotating electrical machine 30. The differential gear 60 distributes the driving force of the rotating electrical machine 30 transmitted through the planetary gear unit 50 to the right front wheel 4 and the left front wheel 6 (see FIG. 1). The rotating electrical machine 30, the planetary gear unit 50, and the differential gear 60 are arranged coaxially. Note that the configuration of the transmission device 32 described below is an example, and other types of configurations can be adopted as appropriate.

[0024] The planetary gear unit 50 includes a sun gear 52, a plurality of stepped pinion gears 54, a ring gear 56, and a carrier 58. The sun gear 52 is connected to the output shaft 44 of the rotating electrical machine 30 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 44. Each of the plurality of stepped pinion gears 54 has a large-diameter pinion gear P1 and a small-diameter pinion gear P2 that is smaller in diameter than the large-diameter pinion gear P1. The large-diameter pinion gear P1 meshes with the sun gear 52. The small-diameter pinion gear P2 meshes with the ring gear 56. The ring gear 56 is fixed to the case 36. The carrier 58 rotatably supports each of the plurality of stepped pinion gears 54. Thus, in the planetary gear unit 50, the sun gear 52 is the input element, the ring gear 56 is the reaction force element, and the carrier 58 is the output element.

[0025] The differential gear 60 comprises a differential case 62 and a differential gear mechanism 64. The differential case 62 is supported by the case 36 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine 30. The differential case 62 is connected to the carrier 58 of the planetary gear section 50 and rotates together with the carrier 58. The differential gear mechanism 64 is housed within the differential case 62.

[0026] The differential gear mechanism 64 comprises a pinion shaft 66, a pair of differential pinion gears 68 and 70, a right-side gear 72, and a left-side gear 74.

[0027] The pinion shaft 66 is connected to the differential case 62 and rotates together with the differential case 62. The pinion shaft 66 extends inside the differential case 62 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine 30. Each of the pair of differential pinion gears 68 and 70 is supported on the pinion shaft 66 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the pinion shaft 66. The right side gear 72 is a component that outputs driving force to the right front wheel 4 and meshes with each of the pair of differential pinion gears 68 and 70. The left side gear 74 is a component that outputs driving force to the left front wheel 6 and meshes with each of the pair of differential pinion gears 68 and 70.

[0028] The front drive unit 12A further includes an intermediate shaft 80, a right drive shaft 82 connected to the right front wheel 4 (see Figure 1), and a left drive shaft 84 connected to the left front wheel 6 (see Figure 1).

[0029] The intermediate shaft 80 extends through the through hole 46 of the output shaft 44 along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine 30. The left end of the intermediate shaft 80 is connected to the right side gear 72 of the differential gear 60, and the right end of the intermediate shaft 80 is connected to the right drive shaft 82. In other words, the intermediate shaft 80 transmits the torque of the rotating electric machine 30, transmitted via the output shaft 44, the planetary gear section 50, and the differential gear mechanism 64, to the right front wheel 4.

[0030] The right end of the left drive shaft 84 is connected to the left side gear 74. The driving force output by the left side gear 74 is transmitted directly to the left drive shaft 84.

[0031] Vehicle 2 is equipped with an electric oil pump 90 and an oil cooler 92. In Figure 2, the flow of oil is shown by a dashed line. The oil cooler 92 cools the oil. When the electric oil pump 90 is activated, oil is drawn out of the case 36. Specifically, the electric oil pump 90 draws out the oil that has accumulated at the bottom of the case 36. The oil drawn out by the electric oil pump 90 passes through the oil cooler 92 and is discharged towards the lubrication and cooling elements in the case 36. The rotating electric machine 30 and the transmission device 32 are examples of the lubrication and cooling elements.

[0032] An example of where the oil is discharged is described below. The oil is discharged from the top of the case 36 toward the coil end 40A of the stator core 40. The oil is also discharged from the top of the case 36 toward the transmission device 32. Furthermore, the oil is discharged into the case 36 through the through hole 46 along the rotation axis direction of the output shaft 44, and through holes on the outer surface of the output shaft 44. The oil is also discharged toward the differential gear 60 through the rotation axis direction through hole in the intermediate shaft 80.

[0033] The main battery 14 in Figure 1 is a battery that supplies power to the power control unit 34. The main battery 14 is a secondary battery in which multiple battery cells are connected in series. For example, the main battery 14 is located below the floor panel of the vehicle 2.

[0034] The auxiliary battery 16 is a battery that supplies power to auxiliary equipment. Auxiliary equipment includes an electric oil pump 90, an oil cooler 92, lighting, audio equipment, a car navigation system, a drive recorder, etc. The auxiliary battery 16 is a secondary battery with multiple battery cells connected in series. The rated voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 is lower than the rated voltage of the main battery 14. For example, the rated voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 is 12V, while the rated voltage of the main battery 14 is 200V to 600V. For example, the auxiliary battery 16 is located below the luggage compartment in the rear compartment of the vehicle 2.

[0035] The control device 18 is configured as a computer equipped with a processor and memory such as RAM and ROM. The control device 18 controls the operation of various parts of the vehicle 2 according to a program stored in ROM or the like.

[0036] The control device 18 is configured to selectively execute a normal driving mode and a restricted driving mode. The restricted driving mode is a mode in which the output of the front drive unit 12A and the rear drive unit 12B is limited compared to the normal driving mode.

[0037] (Electric oil pump processing; Figure 3) Referring to Figure 3, the electric oil pump processing performed by the control device 18 of vehicle 2 will be described. The control device 18 starts the processing shown in Figure 3 when vehicle 2 is switched from Ready OFF to Ready ON. Here, Ready OFF means that the power to vehicle 2 is turned off. Ready ON means that the power to vehicle 2 is turned on, and the rotating electric machine 30 and power control unit 34 are in a state where they can be driven. Note that at the start of Figure 3, the electric oil pump 90 is stopped.

[0038] In S10, the control device 18 determines whether the time the vehicle 2 has been stopped exceeds a predetermined time. Hereinafter, the time the vehicle 2 has been stopped will be referred to as "stop time". If the stop time exceeds the predetermined time (YES in S10), the control device 18 proceeds to S20. On the other hand, if the stop time does not exceed the predetermined time (NO in S10), the control device 18 proceeds to S40. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is constant. In modified examples, the predetermined time may change depending on the ambient temperature, the previous driving time, etc. For example, the shorter the previous driving time, the shorter the predetermined time may be. Also, for example, the lower the ambient temperature, the longer the predetermined time may be.

[0039] In S40, the control device 18 determines whether or not the vehicle 2 has started to move. Specifically, the control device 18 determines whether or not the state of the vehicle 2 has switched from a stopped state to a moving state. If the state of the vehicle 2 has switched from a stopped state to a moving state (YES in S40), the control device 18 terminates the process shown in Figure 3. On the other hand, if the state of the vehicle 2 has not switched from a stopped state to a moving state (NO in S40), the control device 18 returns to S10.

[0040] In S20, the control device 18 determines whether the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds a first predetermined value. If the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds the first predetermined value (YES in S20), the control device 18 proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 does not exceed the first predetermined value, that is, if the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (NO in S20), the control device 18 proceeds to S30.

[0041] In S22, the control device 18 performs a preliminary lubrication process to operate the electric oil pump 90. This draws in the oil accumulated at the bottom of the case 36 and supplies oil into the case 36. As a result, the oil level in the case 36 can be lowered and oil can be supplied to the lubrication-requiring elements in the case 36.

[0042] In S24, the control device 18 performs notification processing to output predetermined notification information to the user interface 20 of the vehicle 2. The predetermined notification information is information indicating that pre-lubrication processing is being performed. When S24 ends, the control device 18 terminates the process shown in Figure 3.

[0043] Furthermore, in S30, the control device 18 switches from normal driving mode to restricted driving mode. That is, the control device 18 does not perform the pre-lubrication process that operates the electric oil pump 90 if the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 is below a first predetermined value. When S30 ends, the control device 18 terminates the process shown in Figure 3. Note that the control device 18 switches from restricted driving mode to normal driving mode if the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds a second predetermined value while driving, etc. The second predetermined value may be the same as the first predetermined value, or it may be a value greater than the first predetermined value.

[0044] As described above, the control device 18 performs a pre-lubrication process (S22) and an alert process (S24) when the following predetermined conditions are met: the vehicle 2 is switched from ready-off to ready-on, the stop time exceeds a predetermined time (YES in S10), and the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds a first predetermined value (YES in S20).

[0045] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the vehicle 2 includes a front drive unit 12A (an example of a "drive unit") that houses lubrication-requiring elements in a case 36, an electric oil pump 90 that sucks oil from the case 36 and supplies oil to the lubrication-requiring elements, and a control device 18 that controls the operation of the electric oil pump 90. The control device 18 is configured to perform a pre-lubrication process (S22) and a notification process (S24) when predetermined conditions are met while the vehicle 2 is stopped.

[0046] According to the above configuration, when the pre-lubrication process is performed, predetermined notification information is displayed (output) on the instrument panel of vehicle 2. By checking the predetermined notification information, the occupant can find out the source of the sound they have detected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress causing discomfort to the occupant.

[0047] Furthermore, when the electric oil pump 90 is in operation, the oil level in the case 36 can be lowered while the vehicle is stationary, and oil can be supplied to the components in the front drive unit 12A.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 18 is configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication process until the vehicle 2 remains stopped for a predetermined period of time (NO in S10 of Figure 3).

[0049] Generally, when vehicle 2 is stopped, the electric oil pump 90 stops operating. After vehicle 2 stops, the oil supplied to the lubricating elements inside case 36 during operation gradually accumulates at the bottom of case 36. If vehicle 2 remains stopped for a long time, the amount of oil accumulated at the bottom of case 36 increases, and the oil level inside case 36 rises. In this case, the agitation resistance of the components inside case 36 increases. Performing a pre-lubrication treatment can lower the oil level inside case 36. Therefore, the agitation resistance of the components inside case 36 can be reduced. On the other hand, if vehicle 2 remains stopped for a relatively short time, the oil level inside case 36 is low. Therefore, the agitation resistance of the components inside case 36 is small. In this case, there is little need to perform a pre-lubrication treatment. According to the above configuration, the control device 18 avoids performing the pre-lubrication treatment until the vehicle 2 remains stopped for a predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary execution of the pre-lubrication treatment when vehicle 2 is stopped.

[0050] Furthermore, a predetermined condition is met when vehicle 2 is switched from ready-off to ready-on.

[0051] If vehicle 2 is switched from ready-off to ready-on, it is highly likely that vehicle 2 has been stopped for a long period of time. Therefore, pre-lubrication can be performed at an appropriate time.

[0052] Vehicle 2 is further equipped with an auxiliary battery 16 (an example of a "battery") that supplies power to the electric oil pump 90. The control device 18 is configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication treatment when the remaining battery charge is below a first predetermined value (an example of a "predetermined value") (NO in S20).

[0053] The auxiliary battery 16 also supplies power to equipment other than the electric oil pump 90. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a shortage of power supplied to equipment other than the electric oil pump 90 when it is in operation.

[0054] Furthermore, the control device 18 is configured to limit the output of the front drive unit 12A when the execution of the pre-lubrication process is avoided (NO in S20), provided that the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 is below a first predetermined value (S30).

[0055] If the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 is below a first predetermined value, the amount of oil supplied to the front drive unit 12A may be insufficient. With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the insufficient amount of oil supplied to the front drive unit 12A.

[0056] (Second example) A second embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, the processing content of S24 in Figure 3 differs from that of S24 in the first embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, a wireless connection has already been established between the vehicle 2 and the information terminal 100 (see Figure 1) owned by the passenger.

[0057] In S24, the control device 18 transmits predetermined notification information to the information terminal 100 using a wireless connection with the information terminal 100. When the information terminal 100 receives the predetermined notification information transmitted from the vehicle 2, it displays the predetermined notification information. By checking the notification information displayed on the information terminal 100, the passenger can find out the cause of the sound they perceive. Therefore, it is possible to suppress causing discomfort to the passenger.

[0058] The specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above.

[0059] (First modified example) In S24 of Figure 3, predetermined notification information may be output to both the user interface 20 of the vehicle 2 and the information terminal 100 owned by the passenger.

[0060] (Second Modification) The control device 18 may start the process shown in Figure 3 when it detects that a user has approached the vehicle 2, or when a user holding the key to the vehicle 2 touches the door of the vehicle 2. In another modification, the control device 18 may estimate the scheduled start time of driving based on the user's past driving history. The control device 18 may then start the process shown in Figure 3 when it is the scheduled start time of driving, or a predetermined time before the scheduled start time of driving. In other words, the control device 18 starts the process shown in Figure 3 when it detects the user's intention to drive.

[0061] (Third Modification) Steps S10, S20, S30, and S40 in Figure 3 can be omitted. That is, the control device 18 may determine that a predetermined condition has been met when the vehicle 2 is switched from ready-off to ready-on, and may perform the pre-lubrication process (S22) and the notification process (S24).

[0062] (Fourth Modification) Steps S20 and S30 in Figure 3 can be omitted. In this modification, the control device 18 determines that a predetermined condition has been met when the vehicle 2 has been switched from ready-off to ready-on and the stopping time has exceeded a predetermined time (YES in S10), and performs a pre-lubrication process (S22) and a notification process (S24).

[0063] (Fifth Modification) The control device 18 does not need to be configured to execute the restricted driving mode. In this modification, S30 in Figure 3 can be omitted. In this modification, the control device 18 terminates the process in Figure 3 if it determines NO in S20.

[0064] (Sixth Modification) When the control device 18 determines NO in 20 of Figure 3, it may start a charging process to charge the auxiliary battery 16 using the main battery 14. In this modification, when the vehicle 2 is stopped, the control device 18 may switch from the restricted driving mode to the normal driving mode and execute the processes of S22 and S24 when the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds the second predetermined value.

[0065] (Seventh Modification) The control device 18 may execute S20 before S10. In this modification, the control device 18 executes S10, S22, S24, S30, and S40 when it determines that the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds a first predetermined value. On the other hand, the control device 18 executes the charging process when it determines that the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 does not exceed a first predetermined value. Then, the control device 18 executes the processes of S10, S22, S24, S30, and S40 when the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 16 exceeds a second predetermined value.

[0066] (Eighth Modification) In each embodiment, the front drive unit 12A and the rear drive unit 12B are so-called single-axis eAxles. In the modification, the front drive unit 12A and the rear drive unit 12B may be three-axis eAxles or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, the technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 2: Vehicle, 4: Right front wheel, 6: Left front wheel, 8: Right rear wheel, 10: Left rear wheel, 12A: Front drive unit, 12B: Rear drive unit, 14: Main battery, 16: Auxiliary battery, 18: Control device, 20: User interface, 30: Rotating electric machine, 32: Transmission device, 34: Power control unit, 36: Case, 40: Stator core, 40A: Coil end, 42: Rotor, 44: Output shaft, 46: Through hole, 50: Planetary gear section, 52: Sun gear, 54: S Stepped pinion gear, 56: Ring gear, 58: Carrier, 60: Differential gear, 62: Differential case, 64: Differential gear mechanism, 66: Pinion shaft, 68: Differential pinion gear, 70: Differential pinion gear, 72: Right side gear, 74: Left side gear, 80: Intermediate shaft, 82: Right drive shaft, 84: Left drive shaft, 90: Electric oil pump, 92: Oil cooler, P1: Large diameter pinion gear, P2: Small diameter pinion gear

Claims

1. It is a vehicle, A drive unit that houses lubrication-requiring elements within a case, An electric oil pump that sucks oil from the case and supplies oil to the lubrication-requiring element, The system includes a control device for controlling the operation of the electric oil pump, The control device is When the vehicle is stopped, if predetermined conditions are met, a preliminary lubrication process is performed to operate the electric oil pump, The system is configured to perform a notification process that outputs predetermined notification information to at least one of the vehicle's user interface and the passenger's information terminal when the aforementioned pre-lubrication process is performed. vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication treatment until the vehicle remains stopped for a predetermined period of time.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when the vehicle is switched from ready off to ready on.

4. The electric oil pump is further equipped with a battery that supplies power to it. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to avoid performing the pre-lubrication treatment when the remaining battery level is below a predetermined value.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to limit the output of the drive unit when the execution of the pre-lubrication treatment is avoided, provided that the remaining charge of the battery is below a predetermined value.

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