vehicle

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of executing refresh charging / discharging of an auxiliary battery at appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A vehicle has an auxiliary battery and a control device executing refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery. The control device executes the refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is travelling for a first predetermined time or longer at a speed equal to or more than a threshold value, and a required time for arriving at a destination of the vehicle is a second predetermined time or longer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle. The vehicle includes a high-voltage battery and a control device that performs refresh charging and discharging of the high-voltage battery. The control device uses a parameter value that indicates the usage status of the vehicle to determine whether or not to perform refresh charging and discharging. Specifically, the control device performs refresh charging and discharging when the temperature of the high-voltage battery is higher than a predetermined temperature, when the time required for the vehicle to reach the destination is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, and when the internal pressure of the high-voltage battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-7410 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned vehicle, the control device performs refresh charging and discharging based on the state of the high-voltage battery of the vehicle. By performing refresh charging and discharging, it is possible to suppress a drop in discharge voltage due to the memory effect. When the vehicle has an auxiliary battery, the auxiliary battery also requires refresh charging and discharging, similar to the high-voltage battery. However, in a situation where the vehicle is actually used, for example, the destination may be suddenly changed, and the travel to the planned destination may be suddenly stopped. In this case, there is a risk that the vehicle will be parked during the refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery, especially during the discharging process. As a result, it is assumed that the vehicle will be parked for a long time with the SOC (State Of Charge) of the auxiliary battery reduced, and there is a risk of the so-called dead battery occurring.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, this specification provides a technique that can perform refresh charging and discharging of an auxiliary battery at appropriate timing.

[0006] The present specification discloses a vehicle including an auxiliary battery and a control device that performs refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery. The control device performs refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than a threshold for a first predetermined time or longer and the time required for the vehicle to reach its destination is equal to or greater than a second predetermined time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In the vehicle disclosed in the present specification, when the vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or higher than a threshold value for a first predetermined time or more and the time required to reach the destination of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a second predetermined time, the auxiliary battery is refresh-charged and discharged. When the vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or higher than the threshold value for a first predetermined time or more, it is assumed that the vehicle is traveling on an expressway. Therefore, the control device performs refresh-charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is traveling on an expressway and is predicted to continue traveling on the expressway (or other roads) for a second predetermined time or more thereafter. When traveling on an expressway, even if the vehicle is suddenly parked, the parking time is generally short. Therefore, even if the vehicle is parked while performing refresh-charge and discharge (particularly the discharge process), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of battery exhaustion. Therefore, the control device can perform refresh-charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery at an appropriate timing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation executed by the control device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a control operation executed by a control device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In one embodiment of the present technology, the vehicle may further include a high-voltage battery for driving. In this case, the control device may execute refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery when the high-voltage battery is being charged and the time required to complete the charging is equal to or longer than a third predetermined time. With this configuration, when the refresh charging / discharging is executed, the auxiliary battery can be reliably charged by power supply from the high-voltage battery. That is, by executing the refresh charging / discharging (particularly the discharging process), the SOC of the auxiliary battery is temporarily lowered, and then the auxiliary battery can be recharged by power supply from the high-voltage battery with a surplus. This allows the refresh charging to be completed. Therefore, the control device can execute the refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery at an appropriate timing. Note that, in this specification, "high voltage (or high voltage)" means an operating voltage of a DC voltage exceeding 60 volts or an AC voltage exceeding 30 volts (effective value), and "high voltage battery" broadly means a battery that operates on such a DC voltage.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present technology, the control device may be capable of executing a process of acquiring a planned use of the vehicle, including at least a planned use date and a planned destination. In this case, the control device may execute a discharge process that is a part of the refresh charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is parked, the planned use date is within a predetermined number of days, and the arrival time to the planned destination is equal to or longer than a fourth predetermined time. With this configuration, the discharge process of the auxiliary battery is executed while the vehicle is parked, and the charge process can be executed while the vehicle is traveling on the planned use date before the so-called battery runs out. Therefore, the control device can execute the refresh charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery at an appropriate timing. EXAMPLES

[0011] A vehicle 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle 10 is a so-called automobile, and is a vehicle that travels on a road surface. The type of the vehicle 10 is not particularly limited, and may be an engine vehicle, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a solar car, or the like. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 according to the embodiment is not limited to one that is driven by a user, but also includes one that is operated by an external device and one that travels autonomously.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a main portion of a vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 10 includes an auxiliary battery 12, a control device 14, an auxiliary load 16, a generator 18, an ammeter 20, a voltmeter 22, and a high-voltage battery 24.

[0013] The auxiliary battery 12 is a battery for supplying power to the auxiliary devices (i.e., devices that operate on a low voltage) of the vehicle 10. An example of an auxiliary device is an auxiliary load 16. The output voltage of the auxiliary battery 12 is lower than the output voltage of a high-voltage battery 24 described later, and is, for example, 12 volts.

[0014] The ammeter 20 is connected in series to the auxiliary battery 12. The ammeter 20 measures the current of the auxiliary battery 12. The voltmeter 22 is connected in parallel to the auxiliary battery 12. The voltmeter 22 measures the voltage of the auxiliary battery 12.

[0015] The high-voltage battery 24 is a driving battery and a power supply device for a driving motor (not shown). The high-voltage battery 24 has a plurality of secondary battery cells and is configured to be capable of repeated charging and discharging. The secondary battery cells referred to here are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, lithium-ion battery cells or nickel-metal hydride battery cells. The auxiliary battery 12 can be charged by power supply from the high-voltage battery 24.

[0016] The generator 18 is connected to the aforementioned drive motor (not shown), which is connected to an engine (not shown). The generator 18 can generate electricity by the motor being driven by the engine. The electric power generated by the generator 18 is supplied to the auxiliary battery 12 and the high-voltage battery 24, and can charge each of the batteries 12, 24.

[0017] The control device 14 controls the refresh charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery 12. Here, the refresh charge and discharge are intended to eliminate a drop in discharge voltage due to a memory effect or a temporary increase in the internal resistance of the battery due to the auxiliary battery 12 being left unused for a long period of time. The refresh charge and discharge include a refresh discharge process and a refresh charge process, and the refresh discharge process and the refresh charge process are executed successively in random order. In the refresh discharge process, the control device 14 controls the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 to be below a predetermined lower limit value. Specifically, the control device 14 controls the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 to be below a predetermined lower limit value, for example, by reducing the amount of power generated by the generator 18 and / or increasing the amount of power consumed by the auxiliary load 16. On the other hand, in the refresh charge process, the control device 14 controls the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 to be above a predetermined upper limit value. Specifically, the control device 14 controls the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 to be above a predetermined upper limit value, for example, by increasing the amount of power generated by the generator 18.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 2, a specific example of the operation of the vehicle 10, particularly the control operation executed by the control device 14, will be described. First, in step S10, the control device 14 judges whether or not the auxiliary battery 12 needs to be refresh-charged or discharged. This judgment is made, for example, based on an estimated value of the voltage change amount (voltage drop amount or voltage increase amount) due to the memory effect of the auxiliary battery 12. The control device 14 performs a refresh-charge process for the auxiliary battery 12 when an integrated value of the estimated voltage change amount on the charge side of the auxiliary battery 12 exceeds a predetermined value. Also, the control device 14 performs a refresh-discharge process for the auxiliary battery 12 when an integrated value of the estimated voltage change amount on the discharge side of the auxiliary battery 12 falls below a predetermined value.

[0019] When the control device 14 determines that the auxiliary battery 12 needs to be refresh-charged or discharged (YES in step S10), the control device 14 proceeds to the process of step S12. On the other hand, when the control device 14 determines that the auxiliary battery 12 does not need to be refresh-charged or discharged (NO in step S10), the control device 14 executes the process of step S10 again without executing the processes of steps S12 to S22.

[0020] In step S12, the control device 14 judges whether the vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than the threshold value V1 for a first predetermined time T1 or more. When the vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than the threshold value V1 for a first predetermined time T1 or more, it is assumed that the vehicle 10 is traveling on an expressway. That is, in this step, it is judged whether the vehicle 10 is traveling on an expressway. Here, the threshold value V1 and the first predetermined time T1 can be appropriately set in consideration of, for example, the speed limit of the expressway, the actual usage situation, and the like. When the control device 14 judges that the speed V of the vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than the threshold value V1 for a first predetermined time T1 or more (YES in step S12), that is, when it is judged that the vehicle 10 is traveling on an expressway, the control device 14 proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the control device 14 determines that the vehicle 10 is not traveling at a speed V equal to or greater than the threshold value V1 for a period of time equal to or greater than the first predetermined time T1 (NO in step S12), that is, if the control device 14 determines that the vehicle 10 is not traveling on a highway, the control device 14 returns to the processing of step S10 without executing the processing of steps S14 to S22.

[0021] In step S14, the control device 14 judges whether the time required for the vehicle 10 to reach the destination is equal to or longer than the second predetermined time T2. Therefore, in this step, it is judged whether the vehicle 10 is traveling on an expressway and is predicted to continue traveling on the expressway (or other roads) for the second predetermined time T2 or more. Here, the second predetermined time T2 can be set appropriately, for example, taking into consideration the time required for refresh charging and discharging. When the control device 14 judges that the time required for the vehicle 10 to reach the destination is equal to or longer than the second predetermined time T2 (YES in step S14), that is, when it is predicted to continue traveling on the expressway (or other roads) for the second predetermined time T2 or more, in step S16, the control device 14 judges that the vehicle 10 is traveling on an expressway. On the other hand, if the control device 14 determines that the required arrival time of the vehicle 10 to the destination is not longer than the second predetermined time T2 (NO in step S14), that is, if it is predicted that the vehicle will thereafter travel on the expressway (or other road) for a period shorter than the second predetermined time T2, the control device 14 returns to the processing of step S10 without executing the processing of steps S16 to S22.

[0022] In step S18, the control device 14 turns on the refresh charge mode and starts performing refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12. Next, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0023] In step S20, the control device 14 determines whether or not a predetermined time Tth or more has elapsed while the speed of the vehicle 10 is below the threshold V1. If the predetermined time Tth has elapsed while the speed of the vehicle 10 is below the threshold V1, it can be determined that the vehicle 10 is not traveling on an expressway. In this case, it is presumed that the user is taking a temporary break in a service area or the like. In this case (YES in step S20), the control device 14 proceeds to the process of step S22. On the other hand, if not (NO in step S20), the control device 14 returns to the process of step S18 and continues the refresh charge / discharge. The control device 14 ends the refresh charge / discharge process when a series of charge / discharge operations of the auxiliary battery 12 is completed.

[0024] In step S22, the control device 14 turns off the refresh charge mode and stops the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12. After that, the control device 14 returns to the process of step S10. If the user has temporarily taken a break at a service area or the like, the refresh charge / discharge is resumed (step S18) when the vehicle 10 resumes traveling on the expressway (YES in steps S12 and S14).

[0025] As described above, the vehicle 10 of this embodiment can perform refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery 12 while traveling on a highway. When the vehicle 10 is traveling on a highway, even if the vehicle 10 is suddenly parked, the parking time is generally short. Therefore, even if the vehicle 10 is parked while performing refresh charging and discharging (particularly discharging processing), it is possible to prevent the battery from running out. Therefore, the control device 14 can perform refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery 12 at an appropriate timing.

[0026] Furthermore, when the vehicle 10 is traveling on a highway and is predicted to continue traveling on the highway (or other roads) for the second predetermined time T2 or more, it can be determined that there is sufficient time to execute the refresh discharging process and the refresh charging process, and therefore the refresh charging and discharging can be completed appropriately.

[0027] Next, a vehicle 10 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The vehicle 10 according to this embodiment is different from the vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment only in the control operation executed by the control device 14. Since the vehicles 10 according to the first and second embodiments have the same structure, common reference numerals are used to omit redundant description. The control device 14 according to this embodiment is configured to execute the control operation shown in FIG. 3 instead of the control operation shown in FIG. 2. The process of S30 in FIG. 3 is the same as the process of S10 in FIG. 2.

[0028] In step S32, the control device 14 determines whether the high-voltage battery 24 is being charged. The auxiliary battery 12 can be charged by power supply from the high-voltage battery 24. Therefore, even if the auxiliary battery 12 has a low SOC due to execution of refresh charge / discharge (particularly discharge process), the auxiliary battery 12 can be charged by power supply from the high-voltage battery 24, thereby completing the refresh charge. Therefore, when the control device 14 determines that the high-voltage battery 24 is being charged (YES in step S32), it proceeds to the process of step S34. On the other hand, when the control device 14 determines that the high-voltage battery 24 is not being charged (NO in step S32), it returns to the process of step S32 without executing the processes of steps S34 to S42.

[0029] In step S34, the control device 14 judges whether the time required to complete charging of the high-voltage battery 24 is equal to or longer than the third predetermined time. If the time required to complete charging is equal to or longer than the third predetermined time, it can be judged that there is sufficient time to execute the refresh discharge process and the refresh charge process. If the control device 14 judges that the time required to complete charging of the high-voltage battery 24 is equal to or longer than the third predetermined time (YES in step S34), it judges in step S36 that the high-voltage battery 24 is in a state in which it will be charged for a long time. On the other hand, if the control device 14 judges that the time required to complete charging of the high-voltage battery 24 is not equal to or longer than the third predetermined time (NO in step S34), it returns to the process of step S30 without executing the processes of steps S36 to S42.

[0030] In step S38, the controller 14 turns on the refresh charge mode and executes refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12. Next, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0031] In step S40, the control device 14 determines whether or not the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12 has been performed N times (N is a positive integer) or whether or not the charging of the high-voltage battery 24 has been completed. If the control device 14 determines that the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12 has been performed N times or that the charging of the high-voltage battery 24 has been completed (YES in step S40), the control device 14 proceeds to the process of step S42. On the other hand, if the control device 14 determines that the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12 has not been performed N times or that the charging of the high-voltage battery 24 has not been completed (NO in step S40), the control device 14 returns to the process of step S38 and continues the refresh charge / discharge.

[0032] In step S42, the controller 14 turns off the refresh charge mode and stops the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery 12.

[0033] In the second embodiment, the control device 14 executes refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery 12 when the high-voltage battery 24 is being charged and the time required to complete the charging is equal to or longer than the third predetermined time T3. If the high-voltage battery 24 is being charged, the auxiliary battery 12 can be reliably charged by power supply from the high-voltage battery 24. That is, by executing refresh charging / discharging (particularly discharging process), the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 is temporarily lowered, and then the auxiliary battery 12 can be recharged by power supply from the high-voltage battery 24 that has a surplus. This ensures that the refresh charging is completed. Therefore, the control device 14 can execute refresh charging / discharging of the auxiliary battery 12 at an appropriate timing.

[0034] Next, a vehicle 10 according to a third embodiment will be described. The vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment is different from the vehicles 10 according to the first and second embodiments in that only the control operations executed by the control device 14 are changed. The control device 14 according to the present embodiment is configured to execute the control operations described below instead of the control operations shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0035] The control device 14 can execute a process for acquiring a planned use of the vehicle 10, including at least a planned use date and a planned destination. The control device 14 executes a discharge process, which is a part of the refresh charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery 12, when the vehicle 10 is parked, the planned use date is within a predetermined number of days, and the required time to reach the planned destination is equal to or longer than a fourth predetermined time T4. With this configuration, the discharge process of the auxiliary battery 12 is executed while the vehicle 10 is parked, and a charge process can be executed while the vehicle is traveling on the planned use date before the so-called battery runs out. Therefore, the control device 14 can execute the refresh charge and discharge of the auxiliary battery 12 at an appropriate timing.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings achieves multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of the objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10: Vehicle 12: Auxiliary battery 14: Control device 16: Auxiliary load 18: Generator 20:Ammeter 22:Voltmeter 24: High voltage battery T1~T4: Predetermined time

Claims

1. A vehicle, An auxiliary battery; A high-voltage battery for driving the vehicle; A control device that executes refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery; Equipped with The control device includes: executes the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than a threshold for a first predetermined time or more and the arrival time of the vehicle to a destination is equal to or greater than a second predetermined time; The vehicle performs the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery when the high voltage battery is being charged and the time required to complete the charging is equal to or longer than a third predetermined time.

2. The control device includes: The vehicle is capable of acquiring a planned use of the vehicle, the planned use of the vehicle including at least a planned date of use and a planned destination; 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge process that is part of the refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is parked, the planned date of use is within a predetermined number of days, and the estimated time required to arrive at the planned destination is equal to or longer than a fourth predetermined time.

3. A vehicle, An auxiliary battery; A control device that executes refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery; Equipped with The control device includes: executes the refresh charge / discharge of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or greater than a threshold for a first predetermined time or more and the arrival time of the vehicle to a destination is equal to or greater than a second predetermined time; The control device further comprises: The vehicle is capable of acquiring a planned use of the vehicle, the planned use of the vehicle including at least a planned date of use and a planned destination; A vehicle that executes a discharge process that is part of the refresh charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery when the vehicle is parked, the planned date of use is within a predetermined number of days, and the estimated arrival time to the planned destination is equal to or longer than a fourth predetermined time.

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