Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control program, and air conditioning control system

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning control device, an air-conditioning control program and an air-conditioning control system, capable of striking balance between suppression of charge efficiency decrease of a battery and suppression of power consumption.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning control device, which is an air-conditioning control device for controlling drive of a heat pump of an air conditioner installed in a vehicle, includes a processor for controlling temperature control strength of the air conditioner based on an anticipated temperature and a reference temperature set beforehand at a charge start time of a battery of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control program, and an air conditioning control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling pre-operation of an air conditioner according to the input AC voltage in order to ensure a charging current for a battery. Specifically, when a voltage of 200V is input, pre-operation of the air conditioner is permitted, and when a voltage of 100V is input, pre-operation of the air conditioner is prohibited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-46701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when charging, if the vehicle gets too cold due to heavy snowfall, the air conditioning may not be able to keep up, causing the vehicle to freeze and the battery voltage to drop. Also, if the vehicle becomes too hot due to extreme heat, the battery charge may decrease. On the other hand, if the output (air volume, etc.) of the air conditioning system is increased when there is little risk of freezing or when the vehicle is not in a high temperature state, there is a risk of wasting electricity.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control program, and an air conditioning control system that can simultaneously suppress the decline in battery charging efficiency and suppress power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air conditioning control device of the present disclosure is an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of an air conditioning device equipped in a vehicle, and is equipped with a processor that controls the temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioning device based on a predicted air temperature and a predetermined reference temperature when charging of the vehicle's battery begins.

[0007] In addition, the air conditioning control program of the present disclosure causes a processor of an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of a heat pump of an air conditioning device equipped in a vehicle to control the temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioning device based on a predicted air temperature and a predetermined reference temperature when charging of the vehicle's battery begins.

[0008] In addition, the air conditioning control system of the present disclosure includes a vehicle equipped with an air conditioner having a heat pump, a battery, and a motor, and an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of the heat pump and has a processor that controls the temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioner based on a predicted air temperature and a predetermined reference temperature when charging of the vehicle's battery begins. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in battery charging efficiency while suppressing power consumption. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to one embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a heating device mounted on the vehicle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process in a vehicle according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process in a vehicle according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0012] (Embodiment) First, the configuration of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described as a vehicle capable of running using only battery power (EV running) such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and running using engine output and battery power (HV running), but the vehicle may be a vehicle capable of running using only battery power (EV running) such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0013] The vehicle 1 includes an engine 2, a power split mechanism 3, a clutch 4, a motor 5, a clutch 6, a differential gear 7, driving wheels 8, a generator 9, a battery 10, and a PCU (Power Control Unit) 11 as main components.

[0014] The engine 2 is an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, etc. The engine 2 outputs a driving torque for causing the vehicle 1 to run.

[0015] The power split mechanism 3 is configured, for example, by a planetary gear mechanism. The power split mechanism 3 is configured to be able to divide the power transmission path between a power transmission path that transmits the engine output to the drive wheels 8 side via a clutch 4 and a power transmission path that transmits the engine output to the generator 9 side.

[0016] The motor 5 is, for example, a three-phase AC motor. The motor 5 has a function of transmitting driving force to drive wheels 8 via a clutch 6 and a differential gear 7 using power from a battery 10. The motor 5 also has a function as a generator (power generation device) that is driven to generate power when the vehicle 1 is running using engine output or when the vehicle 1 is braking. The generated power of the motor 5 is supplied to the battery 10 via a PCU 11.

[0017] The generator 9 functions as a generator that generates power using the engine output divided by the power dividing mechanism 3. The generated power of the generator 9 is supplied to the battery 10 via the PCU 11.

[0018] Battery 10 is composed of a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. Battery 10 may be charged using power generated by motor 5 and / or generator 9, or may be charged using power supplied from an external power source. Battery 10 is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be any power storage device that generates a DC voltage and is capable of being charged, such as a capacitor.

[0019] The PCU 11 has a function of converting DC power supplied from the battery 10 into AC power to drive the motor 5. The PCU 11 also has a function of converting AC power generated by the motor 5 and the generator 9 into DC power to charge the battery 10.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the heating device mounted on the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the heating device 20 mounted on the vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the heating device 20 shown in Fig. 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the heating device 20 installed in the vehicle 1 is a device that heats the passenger compartment by using at least one of the exhaust heat of the engine 2 and the power of the battery 10, and has as its main components a heat pump (H / P) 21, a heater 22, a water pump (W / P) 23, a W / P 24, and a fan 25.

[0022] The H / P 21 heats the engine coolant supplied from the engine 2 and the W / P 23 by using the power of the battery 10 to pressurize, compress and adiabatically expand the refrigerant and perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the engine coolant.

[0023] The heater 22 has a heater core that exchanges heat between the air in the vehicle cabin and the engine coolant discharged from the H / P 21. The heater 22 sends the air in the vehicle cabin to the heater core, and heats the vehicle cabin by exchanging heat in the heater core between the air in the vehicle cabin and the engine coolant discharged from the H / P 21.

[0024] The W / P 23 pumps the engine cooling water discharged from the heater 22 to the H / P 21. The W / P 24 pumps the engine cooling water discharged from the heater 22 to the engine 2 and then the H / P 21.

[0025] The fan 25 sends air heated by the heat generated by the heater 22 into the vehicle interior.

[0026] Next, the configuration of a vehicle control device according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control device according to one embodiment. The vehicle control device 30 includes a heating switch 31, a heating setting unit 32, a vehicle speed sensor 33, an inclination sensor 34, an interior temperature sensor 35, a cable connection sensor 36, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 38 as main components.

[0027] The heating switch 31 is composed of an operator for turning on / off the heating device 20. The heating switch 31 outputs an electric signal indicating whether the heating device 20 is on / off (whether or not heating is required) to the ECU 38 in response to the operation of the operator.

[0028] The heating setting unit 32 is configured with an operator for setting the temperature in the vehicle cabin. The heating setting unit 32 outputs an electric signal indicating the set temperature in the vehicle cabin in response to the operation of the operator to the ECU 38.

[0029] The vehicle speed sensor 33 detects the speed of the vehicle 1 (vehicle speed), and outputs an electric signal indicating the detected vehicle speed to the ECU .

[0030] The inclination sensor 34 detects the inclination angle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 at the location where the vehicle 1 is positioned, and outputs an electrical signal indicative of the detected inclination angle to the ECU 38 .

[0031] The vehicle interior temperature sensor 35 detects the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and outputs an electric signal indicating the detected temperature inside the vehicle interior to the ECU 38 .

[0032] The cable connection sensor 36 detects the connection of a charging cable that supplies power to the vehicle 1, and outputs an electrical signal indicating the detected cable connection to the ECU 38.

[0033] The communication unit 37 communicates with an external device such as a server via a network. In this embodiment, the communication unit 37 acquires a predicted temperature.

[0034] The ECU 38 is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and executes various control processes including a heating control process described later by executing various control programs stored in the ROM. The ECU 38 corresponds to an air conditioning control device.

[0035] Next, the operation of the ECU 38 when executing the heating control process according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the air conditioning control process in a vehicle according to one embodiment. The air conditioning control process shown in Fig. 4 is performed before the use of the vehicle 1 is started. Here, the use of the vehicle 1 corresponds to an act of a user getting into the vehicle 1 and driving the engine 2 or the motor 5 to run the vehicle 1.

[0036] First, the ECU 38 determines whether or not a charging cable is connected to the vehicle 1 (step S101). The ECU 38 determines whether or not a charging cable is connected to the vehicle 1 by determining whether or not an electrical signal indicating a cable connection has been received from the cable connection sensor 36. If the ECU 38 determines that a charging cable is not connected to the vehicle 1 (step S101: No), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the ECU 38 determines that a charging cable is connected to the vehicle 1 (step S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0037] The ECU 38 calculates the charging time of the battery 10 (step S102). The ECU 38 acquires the remaining capacity, the fully charged capacity, and the charging efficiency of the battery 10 via the PCU 11, and calculates the capacity required for the battery 10 to be fully charged. Then, the ECU 38 calculates the charging time required for the battery 10 to be fully charged based on the calculated required charging amount and the charging efficiency.

[0038] After that, the ECU 38 acquires the predicted temperature for the charging period via the communication unit 37 (step S103). The ECU 38 acquires the predicted outside temperature published by an organization that issues weather forecasts, such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, for the charging period or the time closest to the charging period in the area closest to the location of the vehicle 1.

[0039] The ECU 38 determines whether the predicted temperature is lower than a reference temperature (step S104). The reference temperature is set according to an outside air temperature at which the vehicle 1 is predicted to freeze. If the ECU 38 determines that the predicted temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (step S104: No), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the ECU 38 determines that the predicted temperature is lower than the reference temperature (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0040] In step S105, the ECU 38 changes the setting of the heating intensity of the heating device 20. Normally, the heating device 20 is started periodically to drive the H / P 21 to perform defrosting and the like. The ECU 38 increases the temperature adjustment intensity (here, the heating intensity) when the H / P 21 is driven to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. For example, the ECU 38 increases the output of the fan 25 to increase the air volume, thereby increasing the air volume sent into the vehicle cabin in the heating device 20, or increases the output of the heater 22 to increase the temperature of the air sent into the vehicle cabin, or combines the increase in air volume and the increase in air temperature.

[0041] In step S106, the ECU 38 controls the heater drive. When the charging cable is connected, the heating control is performed, and when the charging cable is not connected, the H / P 21 is periodically driven under the control of the ECU 38 to perform the defrosting process.

[0042] By the above-described process, when the predicted temperature during charging is lower than the reference temperature, the heating output is increased, and when the predicted temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the heating output is increased to heat the vehicle interior.

[0043] In the embodiment described above, when the predicted temperature during the charging period is low, the output is increased to increase the heating capacity of the vehicle interior, and when the predicted temperature is high, the output is maintained at the normal setting, thereby suppressing unnecessary heating (power consumption). According to this embodiment, by controlling the heating output according to the predicted temperature, it is possible to suppress both the reduction in the charging efficiency of the battery due to freezing of the vehicle 1 and the suppression of power consumption.

[0044] (Modification) Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process in a vehicle according to the modified example. The configuration of the vehicle according to the modified example is the same as that of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Below, the contents of the process that differ from the embodiment will be described. In this modified example, the ECU 38 acquires usage data of the vehicle 1 via a storage unit or an external network. The usage data includes user data such as the time of use and frequency of use of the vehicle 1.

[0045] First, the ECU 38 calculates the charging time and sets the heating output (steps S201 to S205) in the same manner as steps S101 to S205 shown in Fig. 4. If the ECU 38 determines that the charging cable is not connected to the vehicle 1 (step S201: No) or determines that the predicted temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (step S204: No), the ECU 38 proceeds to step S206.

[0046] In step S206, the ECU 38 sets the start time of the heating device 20. The ECU 38 refers to the user data of the vehicle 1 and sets the heating to be driven at a time a predetermined time before the time when the user can use the vehicle. The time when the user can use the vehicle is set by referring to the user's usage history or the reserved time of use. In this case, if the vehicle 1 is used for car sharing or rental car and a reserved time is set, a time a predetermined time before the reserved time is set. For example, even if the vehicle 1 is frozen, the minimum time that can unfreeze the vehicle 1 by the start time of use is set as the predetermined time. The minimum time may be set with a predetermined margin within a range in which the vehicle 1 can be unfreezed. In addition, if the charging cable is not connected and the predicted temperature is higher than the reference temperature, the setting at that time is maintained.

[0047] Then, the ECU 38 controls the heater drive (step S207). When the charging cable is connected, the heating control is performed, and when the charging cable is not connected, the H / P 21 is periodically driven to perform the defrosting process.

[0048] By the above-described process, when the predicted temperature during charging is lower than the reference temperature, the heating output is increased, and when the predicted temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the heating output is increased to heat the vehicle interior.

[0049] In the modified example, similarly to the embodiment, wasteful heating (power consumption) is suppressed by increasing the output of the heating device 20 based on the predicted temperature during the charging period when the predicted temperature is low, thereby increasing the heating capacity of the vehicle interior, and maintaining the output at a normal setting when the predicted temperature is high. According to this modified example, by controlling the heating output according to the predicted temperature, it is possible to suppress both the reduction in the charging efficiency of the battery due to freezing of the vehicle 1 and the suppression of power consumption.

[0050] In addition, according to the modified example, when the predicted temperature is low, the start-up time of the heating device 20 is set based on user data, so that it is possible to prevent a situation in which the vehicle 1 freezes and the doors cannot be opened when the user uses the vehicle 1.

[0051] (Recording medium) In one embodiment, a program capable of executing the processing method by the control system can be recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer, etc.). By making a computer, etc. read and execute the program from the recording medium, the computer, etc. functions as a control unit of each device of the power supply control system. Here, a recording medium readable by a computer, etc. refers to a non-transient recording medium that stores information such as data or a program by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read by a computer, etc. Among such recording media, those that can be removed from a computer, etc. include, for example, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a DAT (Digital Audio Tape), a magnetic tape, a memory card such as a flash memory, etc. In addition, a hard disk, a ROM, etc. are examples of recording media fixed to a computer, etc. Furthermore, an SSD can be used as a recording medium that can be removed from a computer, etc., and as a recording medium fixed to a computer, etc.

[0052] (Other embodiments) In the embodiment, an example of the flow for preventing freezing of the vehicle 1 by driving the heating device has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where the air conditioning of the vehicle 1 is controlled using another air conditioning device such as a cooling device to lower the temperature inside the vehicle cabin and suppress deterioration of the battery. The cooling device further includes an evaporator in addition to the configuration of the heating device 20, for example.

[0053] In addition, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the vehicle 1 is equipped with an engine 2 and a motor 5, and the vehicle 1 is driven using at least one of them, but the vehicle may also be equipped with only the motor 5 and always be driven by the motor 5.

[0054] In addition, in the embodiment, an example of performing air conditioning control when a charging cable is connected has been described. However, for example, when charging a battery via wireless communication, air conditioning control is performed upon detecting that communication with a power supply device has been established.

[0055] Also, in the embodiment, an example in which air conditioning control is performed for each vehicle 1 has been described, but it is also applicable to a case in which a vehicle management server collectively controls the operation of multiple vehicles 1 under the jurisdiction of the server. In this case, the vehicle management server detects, for example, whether or not a charging cable is connected to each vehicle 1, and when a connection is detected, performs the air conditioning control shown in Fig. 4. In the embodiment, the air conditioning control device is provided in the vehicle 1, but when managed by the vehicle management server, it is provided outside the vehicle (inside the vehicle management server).

[0056] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device according to an embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.

[0057] Further advantages and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. The broader aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Thus, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 vehicle 2 Engine 3 Power split mechanism 4, 6 Clutch 5 Motor 7 Differential Gear 8 Drive wheels 9. Generator 10 Battery 11. PCU (Power Control Unit) 20 Heating equipment 21 Heat pump (H / P) 22 Heater 23, 24 Water pump (W / P) 30 Vehicle control device 31 Heating Switch 32 Heating setting section 33 Vehicle speed sensor 34 Tilt Sensor 35 Vehicle interior temperature sensor 36 Cable-connected sensors 37 Communications Department 38 ECU(Electronic Control Unit)

Claims

1. An air conditioning control device for controlling operation of an air conditioning device provided in a vehicle, a processor for acquiring a remaining capacity, a fully charged capacity and a charging efficiency of the battery when charging of the battery of the vehicle is started, calculating a capacity required for full charging, calculating a charging time required for full charging based on the calculated required charging amount and the charging efficiency, and controlling a temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioning device during the charging period based on an expected temperature during the charging period based on the charging time and a preset reference temperature; Equipped with The air conditioner includes a heat pump. The processor, determining whether a charging cable for charging a battery of the vehicle is connected; When it is determined that a charging cable for charging a battery of the vehicle is connected, the predicted temperature is acquired; When it is determined that the charging cable is not connected, the heat pump is periodically driven. Air conditioning control device.

2. The processor, operating the air conditioning device at a timing that is a preset time earlier than a predicted timing of use of the vehicle; The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 .

3. The predicted use timing is set based on a usage history of a user of the vehicle or a rental reservation of the vehicle. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 .

4. The reference temperature is set based on the freezing temperature of the vehicle. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 .

5. The processor, When the predicted temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the heating intensity of the air conditioner is increased. The air conditioning control device according to claim 4.

6. An air conditioning control device for controlling the operation of an air conditioning device equipped in a vehicle, the air conditioning control device including a heat pump, determining whether a charging cable for charging a battery of the vehicle is connected; When it is determined that the charging cable is not connected, the heat pump is periodically driven; when it is determined that a charging cable for charging the vehicle's battery is connected, the remaining capacity, full charge capacity, charging efficiency, and predicted temperature of the battery are acquired at the start of charging the vehicle's battery, and a capacity required for full charge is calculated; a charging time required for full charge is calculated based on the calculated required charge amount and charging efficiency; and a temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioning device during the charging period is controlled based on a predicted temperature for the charging period based on the charging time and a preset reference temperature; To carry out the Climate control program.

7. The processor, operating the air conditioning device at a timing that is a preset time earlier than a predicted timing of use of the vehicle; The air conditioning control program according to claim 6, which causes the computer to execute the following:

8. The predicted use timing is set based on a usage history of a user of the vehicle or a rental reservation of the vehicle. The air conditioning control program according to claim 7.

9. The reference temperature is set based on the freezing temperature of the vehicle. The air conditioning control program according to claim 6.

10. The processor, When the predicted temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the heating intensity of the air conditioner is increased. The air conditioning control program according to claim 9, which causes the computer to execute the following:

11. A vehicle including an air conditioner, a battery, and a motor; an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of the air conditioner, the air conditioning control device having a processor that, when charging of the battery of the vehicle starts, acquires a remaining capacity, a fully charged capacity, and a charging efficiency of the battery, calculates a capacity required for full charging, calculates a charging time required for full charging based on the calculated required charging amount and the charging efficiency, and controls a temperature adjustment intensity of the air conditioner during the charging period based on an expected temperature during the charging period based on the charging time and a preset reference temperature; Equipped with The air conditioner includes a heat pump. The processor, determining whether a charging cable for charging a battery of the vehicle is connected; When it is determined that a charging cable for charging a battery of the vehicle is connected, the predicted temperature is acquired; When it is determined that the charging cable is not connected, the heat pump is periodically driven. Climate control system.

12. The processor, operating the air conditioning device at a timing that is a preset time earlier than a predicted timing of use of the vehicle; The air conditioning control system according to claim 11.

13. The predicted use timing is set based on a usage history of a user of the vehicle or a rental reservation of the vehicle. The air conditioning control system according to claim 12.

14. The reference temperature is set based on the freezing temperature of the vehicle. The air conditioning control system according to claim 11.

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