Electric vehicles

Abstract

Provided is an electric vehicle (10) wherein a processor (40) of a PCU (26) generates an input signal when the processor fulfills a prescribed condition. With regard to the PCU (26), when a brake switch (18) turns ON, a first voltage signal is input to the PCU (26) from a power source (22). Also, with regard to the PCU (26), when the input signal is generated, a second voltage signal that is in accordance with the input signal is input to the PCU (26) from the power source (22).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-149104 discloses an electric vehicle equipped with a motor and brake lights, in which the brake lights are turned on when the motor is performing a regenerative operation.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 57-31301 discloses an electric vehicle equipped with a motor and a brake switch, in which when the brake switch is turned on, power supply to the motor is cut off. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In an electric vehicle, regulations require that the brake lamps be turned on both when the brake switch is turned on and when the rotating electric machine (motor) is performing a regenerative operation. In this case, the control unit of the electric vehicle needs to determine whether the brake switch is activated. The control unit also needs to determine whether the rotating electric machine is performing a regenerative operation. Furthermore, the control unit needs to turn on the brake lamps when the rotating electric machine is performing a regenerative operation. Therefore, the control unit needs to be provided with a connector for inputting a voltage signal indicating that the brake switch has been activated, and a connector for supplying voltage to the brake lamps. As a result, the number of connectors in the control unit increases.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an electric vehicle driven by a rotating electric machine, the electric vehicle having a power source, a brake switch that is turned on when a brake operator is operated, a lamp that lights up when voltage is supplied from the power source when the brake switch is turned on, and a control unit that causes the lamp to light up when a predetermined condition is met while the brake switch is off, the control unit having a generating section that generates a predetermined input signal when the predetermined condition is met, and an input section that receives voltage from the power source, and is configured so that when the brake switch is turned on, a first voltage signal is input from the power source, and when the input signal is generated, a second voltage signal corresponding to the input signal is input from the power source.

[0007] In the present invention, the voltage signals (first voltage signal, second voltage signal) input to the input section can be identified. This allows one connector to be used in common as a connector for inputting each voltage signal. As a result, the number of connectors in the control unit can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the electric vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the comparative example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle 10 according to this embodiment. The electric vehicle 10 is, for example, a saddle-ride type vehicle that travels by being driven by a motor 12 (rotating electric machine). The electric vehicle 10 has the motor 12, an accelerator operator 14, a brake operator 16, a brake switch 18, brake lights 20, a power source 22, a drive battery 24, a PCU 26 (control unit), an inverter 28, and wheels 30.

[0010] The power supply 22 is a DC power supply. The driving battery 24 is a DC power supply that generates a DC voltage higher than that of the power supply 22.

[0011] The accelerator operator 14 is a throttle lever or an accelerator pedal operated by the driver of the electric vehicle 10. The amount of operation of the accelerator operator 14 is input to the PCU 26.

[0012] The brake operator 16 is a brake lever or brake pedal operated by the driver. The brake switch 18 is turned on and off by the driver's operation of the brake operator 16. The power source 22 supplies a DC voltage to the brake lamps 20 and the PCU 26 when the brake switch 18 is turned on. The brake lamps 20 emit light when a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22.

[0013] The PCU 26 is an ECU (electronic control unit) that comprehensively controls each part of the electric vehicle 10. The PCU 26 is driven by a DC voltage supplied from the power source 22. The PCU 26 controls the inverter 28 based on the operation amount of the accelerator operator 14. Furthermore, when the brake switch 18 is turned on, the PCU 26 controls the inverter 28 based on the DC voltage supplied from the power source 22 via the brake switch 18.

[0014] The inverter 28 converts the DC voltage supplied from the drive battery 24 into AC voltage under the control of the PCU 26. The motor 12 is driven by the AC voltage supplied from the inverter 28 during power running. The driving of the motor 12 causes the wheels 30 to rotate. The rotation of the wheels 30 causes the electric vehicle 10 to travel.

[0015] During regeneration, the motor 12 functions as a generator. The AC voltage generated by the motor 12 during regeneration is supplied to an inverter 28. The inverter 28 converts the AC voltage supplied from the motor 12 into a DC voltage. The converted DC voltage is charged into the drive battery 24.

[0016] The PCU 26 monitors the driving state of the motor 12. Specifically, the PCU 26 monitors the output of the motor 12. When the PCU 26 determines, based on the output of the motor 12, that the motor 12 is performing a regenerative operation, the PCU 26 supplies a DC voltage from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20. The brake lamps 20 are illuminated by the supply of the DC voltage from the power source 22.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the electric vehicle 10. Fig. 2 illustrates the circuit configuration between the brake switch 18, the brake lamp 20, and the PCU 26. The electric vehicle 10 further includes a main switch 32. The PCU 26 has a first connector 34, a second connector 36, a semiconductor switch 38, and a processor 40 (generator, input unit). That is, the PCU 26 has the processor 40 built in. The PCU 26 is an integrated ECU that comprehensively controls each part of the electric vehicle 10. The processor 40 also realizes various functions by reading and operating programs stored in a memory (not shown).

[0018] The main switch 32 is a switch operated by the driver to instruct driving of the electric vehicle 10. The brake lamp 20 is electrically connected to the power source 22 via the main switch 32 and the brake switch 18. The positive terminal of the brake lamp 20 is electrically connected to the negative side of the brake switch 18. The negative terminal of the brake lamp 20 is grounded.

[0019] The first connector 34 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the main switch 32 and the positive electrode of the brake switch 18. The second connector 36 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the brake switch 18 and the positive electrode terminal of the brake lamp 20.

[0020] Each of the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 is electrically connected to the processor 40. The semiconductor switch 38 is, for example, a field effect transistor (FET). A gate terminal of the FET is electrically connected to the processor 40. A drain terminal of the FET is electrically connected to the first connector 34. A source terminal of the FET is electrically connected to the second connector 36.

[0021] When the main switch 32 is turned on, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the first connector 34. The processor 40 is driven by the supply of the DC voltage.

[0022] The semiconductor switch 38 is turned on and off in response to an input signal supplied from the processor 40. When the semiconductor switch 38 is turned on, the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are electrically connected. The first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are electrically connected to each other, thereby shorting out the brake switch 18. When the semiconductor switch 38 is turned off, the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are electrically disconnected from each other.

[0023] The operation of the electric vehicle 10 configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 10. In the explanation of the operation, Figures 1 and 2 will be referred to as necessary.

[0024] 3 to 5 are circuit configuration diagrams of an electric vehicle 50 of a comparative example. Note that the same components as those in the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment (see Figs. 1 and 2) will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, in an electric vehicle 50 of the comparative example, the brake lamp 20 is electrically connected to the power source 22 via the main switch 32, the brake switch 18, and a diode 52. The diode 52 is a backflow prevention diode. The anode of the diode 52 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the brake switch 18. The cathode of the diode 52 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the brake Lamp 20 The positive terminal of the positive electrode is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the positive electrode.

[0026] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 50 of the comparative example, the PCU 26 has a first connector 54, a second connector 56, a third connector 58, a semiconductor switch 38, and a processor 40. That is, the electric vehicle 50 of the comparative example has one more connector in the PCU 26 than the electric vehicle 10 of the present embodiment (see FIG. 2).

[0027] The first connector 54 is electrically connected to the negative side of the main switch 32 and the positive side of the brake switch 18. The second connector 56 is electrically connected to the negative side of the brake switch 18 and the anode of the diode 52. The third connector 58 is electrically connected to the cathode of the diode 52 and the positive terminal of the brake lamp 20.

[0028] The processor 40 is electrically connected to the first connector 54, the second connector 56, and the third connector 58. The gate terminal of the semiconductor switch 38 is electrically connected to the processor 40. The drain terminal of the semiconductor switch 38 is electrically connected to the first connector 54. The source terminal of the semiconductor switch 38 is electrically connected to the third connector 58.

[0029] Next, the operation of the electric vehicle 50 of the comparative example will be described.

[0030] First, the operation of the motor 12 (see FIG. 1) when performing a regenerative operation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] When the driver turns on the main switch 32, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the first connector 54. The processor 40 is activated by the supply of the DC voltage. The processor 40 controls the inverter 28 to convert the DC voltage of the drive battery 24 into an AC voltage. The motor 12 is driven by the AC voltage supplied from the inverter 28 to rotate the wheels 30. As a result, the electric vehicle 50 starts traveling.

[0032] When the motor 12 performs a regenerative operation in which the motor 12 functions as a generator while the electric vehicle 50 is traveling, the motor 12 supplies the generated AC voltage to the inverter 28. The inverter 28 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage and charges the drive battery 24.

[0033] When the processor 40 determines that the motor 12 is performing a regenerative operation, it supplies an input signal to the gate terminal of the semiconductor switch 38. The semiconductor switch 38 is turned on by the input signal supplied to the gate terminal. This electrically connects the first connector 54 and the third connector 58. As a result, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, a DC current flows from the power source 22 to the brake lamp 20 via the semiconductor switch 38 and the third connector 58. In other words, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the brake lamp 20. The brake lamp 20 is turned on by the supply of the DC voltage.

[0034] Next, the operation when the driver operates the brake operator 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] When the driver operates the brake operator 16 (see FIG. 1) while the electric vehicle 50 is traveling, the brake switch 18 is turned on. As a result, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, a DC current flows from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20 via the brake switch 18 and the diode 52. That is, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20. The brake lamps 20 are turned on by the supply of the DC voltage.

[0036] Furthermore, a direct current flows from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the second connector 56. That is, a direct current voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the second connector 56. By detecting the direct current voltage supplied from the second connector 56, the processor 40 can recognize that the brake lamps 20 have been turned on by the operation of the brake operator 16.

[0037] Next, the processor 40 stops the control over the inverter 28. This cuts off the supply of AC voltage from the inverter 28 to the motor 12. In other words, the drive control over the motor 12 is stopped.

[0038] Next, the operation (example) of the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment has one less connector than the electric vehicle 50 of the comparative example.

[0039] First, the operation of the motor 12 (see FIG. 1) when performing a regenerative operation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] When the driver turns on the main switch 32, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the first connector 34. The processor 40 is started by the supply of the DC voltage. Fig. 8 shows the DC voltage (power supply voltage) supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the first connector 34. This DC voltage is a voltage signal of a constant value Vbat.

[0041] The processor 40 controls the inverter 28 to convert the DC voltage of the drive battery 24 into AC voltage. The motor 12 is driven by the AC voltage supplied from the inverter 28 to rotate the wheels 30. As a result, the electric vehicle 10 starts traveling.

[0042] When the processor 40 determines that the motor 12 is performing a regenerative operation while the electric vehicle 10 is traveling, the processor 40 starts supplying an input signal to the gate terminal of the semiconductor switch 38 at time t1. The input signal is a pulse signal having an amplitude of Von. The input signal is a repeating pulse signal with a period T. Within the period T, the on time of the input signal is T / 2. Within the period T, the off time of the input signal is T / 2.

[0043] The semiconductor switch 38 is turned on and off in response to the supply of an input signal. As a result, when the semiconductor switch 38 is on, the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are electrically connected. During a time period when the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are connected, a direct current flows from the power source 22 to the brake lamp 20 via the semiconductor switch 38 and the second connector 36, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6. In other words, a direct current voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the brake lamp 20. The brake lamp 20 is illuminated by the supply of direct current voltage.

[0044] In addition, a direct current flows from the power supply 22 to the processor 40 via the semiconductor switch 38. That is, a direct voltage is supplied from the power supply 22 to the processor 40 via the semiconductor switch 38.

[0045] When the semiconductor switch 38 is off, the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are electrically disconnected. During the time period when the first connector 34 and the second connector 36 are disconnected, the supply of DC voltage from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20 is cut off. As a result, the brake lamps 20 are turned off. In addition, the supply of DC voltage from the power source 22 to the processor 40 via the semiconductor switch 38 is also cut off.

[0046] In this way, after time point t1, when the semiconductor switch 38 repeatedly turns on and off, a voltage signal (second voltage signal) with an amplitude of Vbat is supplied to the brake lamps 20 and the processor 40 via the semiconductor switch 38 (see FIG. 8). This voltage signal is a repeating pulse voltage signal corresponding to the input signal. This causes the brake lamps 20 to flash. Furthermore, by detecting that this voltage signal has been input, the processor 40 can recognize that the brake lamps 20 are flashing during the regenerative operation of the motor 12.

[0047] Next, the operation when the driver operates the brake operator 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] When the driver operates the brake operator 16 (see FIG. 1) while the electric vehicle 10 is traveling, the brake switch 18 is turned on at time t2 shown in FIG. 9. When the brake switch 18 is turned on, a DC current flows from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20 via the brake switch 18, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7. That is, a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 22 to the brake lamps 20. Therefore, a voltage signal (first voltage signal) of a constant value Vbat is supplied to the brake lamps 20 from time t2 onwards. The brake lamps 20 are turned on by the supply of the first voltage signal.

[0049] Also, the brake is connected to the power supply 22. Switch 18 A direct current flows to the processor 40 via the first connector 32 and the second connector 36. That is, a first voltage signal is supplied from the power source 22 to the processor 40. By detecting the first voltage signal, the processor 40 can recognize that the brake lamps 20 have been turned on by the operation of the brake operator 16.

[0050] In this case, the motor 12 is not performing a regenerative operation, so that no input signal is supplied from the processor 40 to the semiconductor switch 38, as shown in FIG.

[0051] Next, the processor 40 stops control over the inverter 28. This cuts off the supply of AC voltage from the inverter 28 to the motor 12, and drive control over the motor 12 stops.

[0052] Thus, in this embodiment, the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal are voltage signals having different characteristics. This allows the processor 40 to easily distinguish between the input first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. Therefore, the connector to which the first voltage signal is input and the connector to which the second voltage signal is input can be shared by the single second connector 36. As a result, the number of connectors of the PCU 26 can be reduced. Note that the period of the second voltage signal, which is a pulse signal (the period T of the input signal), is desirably short enough that the driver cannot recognize the off state of the brake lamps 20 when the brake lamps 20 are flashing.

[0053] Fig. 10 illustrates a case where the driver operates the brake operator 16 during regenerative operation of the motor 12 (see Fig. 1). That is, in Fig. 10, during the time period from time t3 to time t4, the operations shown in Figs. 6 and 8 are performed. Also, in Fig. 10, after time t4, the operations shown in Figs. 6 and 8 and the operations shown in Figs. 7 and 9 are performed in parallel. Here, only the operations after time t4 will be described.

[0054] When the brake switch 18 is turned on at time t4, a first voltage signal is supplied from the power source 22 to the brake lamp 20 via the brake switch 18. The first voltage signal is also supplied to the processor 40 via the second connector 36. As a result, after time t4, the brake lamp 20 is turned on by the supply of the first voltage signal. The processor 40 is also input with both the first voltage signal of Vbat, which is a constant value, and the second voltage signal, which is a pulse signal with an amplitude of Vbat. In this case, the first voltage signal is input to the processor 40 so as to mask the second voltage signal. In FIG. 10, the second voltage signal to be masked is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. Therefore, the processor 40 can recognize that the brake lamp 20 has been turned on by the operation of the brake operator 16 by detecting the first voltage signal.

[0055] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

[0056] An aspect of the present invention is an electric vehicle (10) driven by a rotating electric machine (12), the electric vehicle (10) having a power source (22), a brake switch (18) that is turned on when a brake operator (16) is operated, a lamp (20) that emits light when a voltage is supplied from the power source (22) when the brake switch (18) is turned on, and a control unit (26) that causes the lamp (20) to emit light when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the brake switch (18) is in an off state. The control unit (26) has a generating section (40) that generates a predetermined input signal when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and an input section (40) to which a voltage is input from the power source (22). The control unit (26) is configured so that when the brake switch (18) is turned on, a first voltage signal is input from the power source (22), and when the input signal is generated, a second voltage signal corresponding to the input signal is input from the power source (22).

[0057] In the present invention, the voltage signals (first voltage signal, second voltage signal) input to the input section can be identified. This allows one connector to be used in common as a connector for inputting each voltage signal. As a result, the number of connectors in the control unit can be reduced.

[0058] In an aspect of the present invention, the electric vehicle (10) further has a main switch (32), and the control unit (26) further includes a first connector (34) to which voltage is supplied from the power source (22) when the main switch (32) is turned on, a second connector (36) for supplying the voltage from the power source (22) to the input section (40) when the brake switch (18) is turned on, and a semiconductor switch (38) for switching between connection and disconnection between the first connector (34) and the second connector (36) depending on whether the semiconductor switch (38) is on or off, and the control unit (26) may supply the voltage supplied to the first connector (34) to the lamp (20) via the second connector (36) by turning the semiconductor switch (38) on and off in response to the input signal.

[0059] This allows the second connector to be used as a connector for inputting both the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal, thereby making it possible to reduce the number of connectors in the control unit.

[0060] In an aspect of the present invention, the first voltage signal may be a constant value signal, and the second voltage signal may be a pulse signal.

[0061] Since the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal have characteristics different from each other, it becomes easier to distinguish each voltage signal from each other.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined condition may be that the rotating electric machine (12) is performing a regenerative operation.

[0063] This ensures that the brake lamps are turned on during regeneration of the rotating electric machine.

[0064] In an aspect of the present invention, the control unit (26) may stop drive control of the rotating electric machine (12) when the first voltage signal is input to the input portion (40).

[0065] This makes it possible to stop the electric vehicle in response to the driver's operation of the brake operator.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle (10) driven by a rotating electric machine (12), A power source (22); a brake switch (18) that is turned on when a brake operator (16) is operated; a lamp (20) that emits light when a voltage is supplied from the power source (22) via the brake switch (18) while the brake switch (18) is in an on state; a control unit (26) that causes the lamp (20) to emit light when the brake switch (18) is in an off state and the rotating electric machine (12) is performing a regenerative operation; having The control unit (26) a first connector (34) connected between the power source (22) and the brake switch (18); a second connector (36) connected between the brake switch (18) and the lamp (20); a control unit (40) connected to the first connector (34) and the second connector (36) and operated by the voltage supplied from the power source (22) via the first connector (34); a semiconductor switch (38) having one end connected to the first connector (34) and the other end connected to the second connector (36), and switching between a connected state and a disconnected state between the first connector (34) and the second connector (36) by turning on and off based on an input signal, which is a pulse signal supplied from the control unit (40); having When the brake switch (18) is turned on, a first voltage signal, which is the voltage of a constant value, is supplied from the power source (22) to the lamp (20) via the brake switch (18) and is also supplied to the control unit (40) via the second connector (36); When the brake switch (18) is off and the rotating electric machine (12) is performing the regenerative operation, a second voltage signal, which is a pulse signal, is supplied from the power source (22) to the lamp (20) via the first connector (34), the semiconductor switch (38), and the second connector (36), and is also supplied to the control unit (40).

2. 2. The electric vehicle (10) according to claim 1, a main switch (32) connected between the power source (22), the brake switch (18), and the first connector (34); When the main switch (32) is turned on, the voltage is supplied from the power source (22) to the first connector (34) via the main switch (32), When the main switch (32) is turned on and the brake switch (18) is turned on, the voltage is supplied from the power source (22) to the lamp (20) and the second connector (36) via the main switch (32) and the brake switch (18).

3. The electric vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit (26) stops drive control of the rotating electric machine (12) when the first voltage signal is input to the control unit (40).

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