Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device which can execute processing according to the temperature of a heat medium in the time of collision detection.SOLUTION: An ECU 70 for cooling of a vehicle 10 including a high temperature side cooling water circuit 50 which circulates high temperature side cooling water by a high temperature side water pump 51 and an air bag ECU 60 which detects a collision stops the high temperature side water pump 51 in a case where the high temperature side cooling water is at a temperature equal to or greater than a first prescribed temperature determined on the basis of a boiling point of water when a collision is detected by the air bag ECU 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle including a circuit for circulating a heat medium by a drive device and a collision detection device for detecting a collision. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle has a collision detection device that detects that the vehicle has collided. When the collision detection device detects a collision, the vehicle executes control such as stopping the circuit that circulates the heat medium from a safety standpoint. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that cuts off the path of the cooling water for a fuel cell when a collision is detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-036867 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there may be cases where it is not necessary to stop the circuit circulating the heat transfer medium when a collision is detected. For example, if the heat exchanger is damaged and a small amount of leakage occurs, if the heat transfer medium is not hot, it is unlikely to have a negative effect on the surrounding area, so there is no need to stop the circuit.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can execute a process according to the temperature of a heat medium when a collision is detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle control device of the present invention is a vehicle control device for a vehicle equipped with a first heat medium circuit that circulates a first heat medium by a first drive device and a collision detection device that detects a collision, and is characterized in that when a collision is detected by the collision detection device, the first drive device is stopped if the first heat medium is at or above a predetermined temperature determined based on the boiling point of the first heat medium.

[0007] This makes it possible to prevent the high-temperature first heat medium from leaking and adversely affecting the surroundings.

[0008] In the vehicle control device of the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle control device further includes a second heat medium circuit that circulates a second heat medium having a higher boiling point than the first heat medium by a second drive device to exchange heat with the first heat medium circuit, and when a collision is detected by the collision detection device, the second drive device is stopped if the first heat medium is at or above a predetermined temperature determined based on the boiling point of the first heat medium.

[0009] This makes it possible to prevent the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit, the circulation of which has been stopped, from becoming even hotter.

[0010] In the vehicle control device of the present invention, it is preferable that the first heat medium circuit has a heating device that heats the first heat medium, and when a collision is detected by the collision detection device, the heating device is stopped if the first heat medium is at or above a predetermined temperature determined based on the boiling point of the first heat medium.

[0011] This makes it possible to prevent the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit, the circulation of which has been stopped, from becoming even hotter. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the vehicle control device of the present invention, it is possible to execute a process according to the temperature of the heat medium when a collision is detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a cooling system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of circuit stop control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, values, etc. are merely examples for the purpose of easily understanding the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc.

[0015] A cooling ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 70 as a vehicle control device stops circulation of the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 when the high-temperature side coolant in the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 is at or above a first predetermined temperature determined based on the boiling point of water at the time of a collision of the vehicle 10. The cooling ECU 70 can execute processing according to the temperature of the high-temperature side coolant when a collision is detected, as will be described in detail later.

[0016] [vehicle] A vehicle 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] The vehicle 10 is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) that runs by driving a motor (not shown) using only the power of a battery 11. However, the vehicle 10 may be an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that runs by driving a gasoline engine and a motor. Also, the vehicle 10 may be a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) in which the battery 11 of the HEV can be charged from a power supply facility.

[0018] 1, a vehicle 10 has a battery 11 for driving, a transaxle 12 which is a device integrating a transmission and a differential gear, a cooling system 15 which cools each device by circulating coolant, refrigerant, and lubricant, an airbag ECU 60 which serves as a collision detection device which activates an airbag 13 when the vehicle 10 collides, and a cooling ECU 70 which serves as a vehicle control device which controls each device of the cooling system 15. The transaxle 12 may be provided on both the front and rear sides.

[0019] [Cooling system] A cooling system 15 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] The cooling system 15 has a lubricating oil circuit 20 that circulates lubricating oil for the transaxle 12, a low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 that circulates low-temperature side coolant to cool the lubricating oil circuit 20 and the battery 11, a refrigeration cycle circuit 40 that circulates refrigerant to absorb heat from the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, and a high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 that circulates high-temperature side coolant to absorb heat from the refrigeration cycle circuit 40.

[0021] Here, the lubricating oil, the low-temperature side cooling water, the refrigerant, and the high-temperature side cooling water may each correspond to the first heat medium. When the low-temperature side cooling water corresponds to the first heat medium, the lubricating oil that exchanges heat with the low-temperature side cooling water and has a higher boiling point than water corresponds to the second heat medium. When the high-temperature side cooling water corresponds to the first heat medium, the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the high-temperature side cooling water and has a higher boiling point than water corresponds to the second heat medium.

[0022] Similarly, the lubricating oil circuit 20, the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, the refrigeration cycle circuit 40, and the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 may each correspond to a first heat medium circuit. When the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 corresponds to the first heat medium circuit, the lubricating oil circuit 20 corresponds to the second heat medium circuit. When the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 corresponds to the first heat medium circuit, the refrigeration cycle circuit 40 corresponds to the second heat medium circuit.

[0023] Similarly, the lubricating oil pump 21, the low-temperature side water pump 31, the compressor 41, and the high-temperature side water pump 51 may each correspond to a first drive device. When the low-temperature side water pump 31 corresponds to the first drive device, the lubricating oil pump 21 corresponds to the second drive device. When the high-temperature side water pump 51 corresponds to the first drive device, the compressor 41 corresponds to the second drive device.

[0024] In the lubricating oil circuit 20, a lubricating oil pump 21 serving as a drive device is driven to circulate the lubricating oil for the transaxle 12, thereby cooling the gears and the like of the transaxle 12, and heat is absorbed by an oil cooler 22. In the lubricating oil circuit 20, a lubricating oil temperature sensor 91 is provided downstream of the transaxle 12.

[0025] The low-temperature side cooling water circuit 30 is cooled by circulating low-temperature cooling water using a low-temperature side water pump 31 as a driving device, cooling the battery 11 using a battery cooler 32, cooling the lubricating oil circuit 20 using an oil cooler 22, absorbing heat into the refrigeration cycle circuit 40 by a chiller 33, and dissipating heat into the air by a low-temperature side radiator 34.

[0026] In the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, a battery cooler 32, an oil cooler 22, a chiller 33, and a low-temperature side radiator 34 are provided in parallel. A path toward the battery cooler 32, a path toward the oil cooler 22, a path toward the chiller 33, a path toward the low-temperature side radiator 34, and a short-circuit path (a path on which nothing is provided) are connected by a five-way valve 35. In addition, in the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, a low-temperature side coolant temperature sensor 92 is provided downstream of the oil cooler 22.

[0027] In the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, the step-up / step-down converter may be cooled by the path leading to the oil cooler 22. Also, the path leading to the oil cooler 22 may cool a PCU (Power Control Unit).

[0028] The refrigeration cycle circuit 40 has a compressor 41 as a driving device that compresses the refrigerant, a water-cooled condenser 42 that heats (waste heat) the coolant circulating through the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50, an evaporator 43 that cools the air to be blown into the vehicle cabin, an evaporator-side expansion valve 44 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulating to the evaporator 43, a chiller 33 that absorbs heat from the coolant circulating through the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30, and a chiller-side expansion valve 45 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulating to the chiller 33.

[0029] In the refrigeration cycle circuit 40, the evaporator 43 and the chiller 33 are connected in parallel. In addition, in the refrigeration cycle circuit 40, a refrigerant temperature sensor 93 is provided upstream of the water-cooled condenser .

[0030] The high-temperature side coolant circuit 50 absorbs heat from the water-cooled condenser 42 by circulating the high-temperature side coolant using a high-temperature side water pump 51 as a drive device, and is heated by an electric heater 52 as a heating device to heat a heater core 53 which heats the air to be blown into the vehicle cabin. The heat is then dissipated into the air by a high-temperature side radiator 54, thereby being cooled.

[0031] In the high temperature side coolant circuit 50, the water-cooled condenser 42, the electric heater 52, the heater core 53, and the high temperature side radiator 54 are provided in parallel. The path leading to the water-cooled condenser 42 and the electric heater 52, the path leading to the heater core 53, and the path leading to the high temperature side radiator 54 are connected by a three-way flow control valve 55. In addition, in the high temperature side coolant circuit 50, a high temperature side coolant temperature sensor 94 is provided downstream of the electric heater 52.

[0032] The airbag ECU 60 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 based on an impact detected by the acceleration sensor 95, and activates the airbag 13. The airbag 13 may be provided in multiple locations, such as the driver's seat, the passenger seat, and the rear seat. The airbag ECU 60 is a computer having a processor 61 having a CPU therein for performing information processing, and a memory 62 for storing software, programs, or data executed by the processor 61.

[0033] The airbag ECU 60 is connected to the acceleration sensor 95 and the airbag 13. The airbag ECU 60 is also connected to the cooling ECU 70. The function of the airbag ECU 60 will be described in detail later.

[0034] The cooling ECU 70 controls each device of the cooling system 15 and executes a circuit stop control, which will be described in detail later. The cooling ECU 70 is a computer having a processor 71 having a CPU that performs information processing therein, and a memory 72 that stores software, programs, or data executed by the processor 71.

[0035] In addition, the cooling ECU 70 is connected to the lubricating oil pump 21 of the lubricating oil circuit 20, the low-temperature side water pump 31 and the five-way valve 35 of the low-temperature side cooling water circuit 30, the compressor 41, the evaporator side expansion valve 44 and the chiller side expansion valve 45 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 40, and the high-temperature side water pump 51, the electric heater 52 and the three-way flow control valve 55 of the high-temperature side cooling water circuit 50.

[0036] The cooling ECU 70 is also connected to a lubricating oil temperature sensor 91, a low temperature side coolant temperature sensor 92, a refrigerant temperature sensor 93, and a high temperature side coolant temperature sensor 94. The cooling ECU 70 is also connected to the airbag ECU 60. The functions of the cooling ECU 70 will be described in detail later.

[0037] [Vehicle control device] The function of the cooling ECU 70 and the function of the airbag ECU 60 as a vehicle control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] The airbag ECU 60 has a collision detection unit 63. The collision detection unit 63 is realized by the processor 61 executing a program stored in the memory 62. The collision detection unit 63 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 based on an impact detected by the acceleration sensor 95, and activates the airbag 13.

[0039] The cooling ECU 70 has a low-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 73, a low-temperature side water pump stop unit 74, a first lubricating oil pump stop unit 75, a high-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 76, a high-temperature side water pump stop unit 77, a first compressor stop unit 78, an electric heater stop unit 79, a lubricating oil temperature determination unit 80, a second lubricating oil pump stop unit 81, a refrigerant temperature determination unit 82, and a second compressor stop unit 83.

[0040] The low-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 73, the low-temperature side water pump stop unit 74, the first lubricating oil pump stop unit 75, the high-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 76, the high-temperature side water pump stop unit 77, the first compressor stop unit 78, the electric heater stop unit 79, the lubricating oil temperature determination unit 80, the second lubricating oil pump stop unit 81, the refrigerant temperature determination unit 82 and the second compressor stop unit 83 are realized by the processor 71 executing the programs stored in the memory 72.

[0041] The low-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 73 determines whether the low-temperature side coolant temperature detected by the low-temperature side coolant temperature sensor 92 is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is determined based on the boiling point of the low-temperature side coolant, and is stored in the memory 72. The first predetermined temperature is set to, for example, 85°C, which is slightly lower than the boiling point of water (100°C).

[0042] When the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 and the low-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 73 determines that the low-temperature side coolant temperature is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, the low-temperature side water pump stop unit 74 stops the low-temperature side water pump 31 to stop the circulation of the low-temperature side coolant in the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30. The low-temperature side water pump stop unit 74 can prevent high-temperature low-temperature side coolant from leaking and adversely affecting the surroundings.

[0043] Normally, the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 circulates so that the low-temperature side coolant temperature is below 65°C, so the low-temperature side coolant temperature will not exceed a specified temperature (85°C) except in the event of an abnormality.

[0044] When the low-temperature side water pump 31 is stopped by the low-temperature side water pump stopping unit 74, the first lubricant oil pump stopping unit 75 stops the lubricant oil pump 21 to stop the circulation of lubricant oil in the lubricant oil circuit 20. The first lubricant oil pump stopping unit 75 can prevent the low-temperature side coolant from becoming even hotter in the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 where the circulation of the low-temperature side coolant has been stopped.

[0045] The high-temperature side cooling water temperature determination unit 76 determines whether the high-temperature side cooling water temperature detected by the high-temperature side cooling water temperature sensor 94 is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is determined based on the boiling point of the high-temperature side cooling water and is stored in the memory 72. The first predetermined temperature is set to, for example, 85°C, which is slightly lower than the boiling point of water (100°C).

[0046] When the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 and the high-temperature side coolant temperature determination unit 76 determines that the high-temperature side coolant temperature is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, the high-temperature side water pump stopping unit 77 stops the high-temperature side water pump 51 to stop the circulation of the high-temperature side coolant in the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50. The high-temperature side water pump stopping unit 77 can prevent high-temperature high-temperature side coolant from leaking and adversely affecting the surroundings.

[0047] When the high-temperature side water pump 51 is stopped by the high-temperature side water pump stopping unit 77, the first compressor stopping unit 78 stops the compressor 41 to stop the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit 40. The first compressor stopping unit 68 can prevent the high-temperature side cooling water from becoming even hotter in the high-temperature side cooling water circuit 50 where the circulation of the high-temperature side cooling water is stopped.

[0048] When high-temperature side water pump 51 is stopped by high-temperature side water pump stopping unit 77, electric heater stopping unit 79 stops electric heater 52. Electric heater stopping unit 79 can prevent the high-temperature side cooling water from becoming even hotter in high-temperature side cooling water circuit 50 where the circulation of the high-temperature side cooling water is stopped.

[0049] The lubricant temperature determination unit 80 determines whether the lubricant temperature detected by the lubricant temperature sensor 91 is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature. The second predetermined temperature is determined based on the boiling point of the lubricant, and is stored in the memory 72. The second predetermined temperature is set to, for example, 170°C, which is slightly lower than the boiling point of the lubricant (180 to 200°C).

[0050] When the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 and the lubricant temperature determination unit 80 determines that the lubricant temperature is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature, the second lubricant pump stopping unit 81 stops the lubricant pump 21 to stop the circulation of the lubricant in the lubricant circuit 20. The second lubricant pump stopping unit 81 can prevent high-temperature lubricant from leaking and adversely affecting the surroundings.

[0051] Refrigerant temperature determination unit 82 determines whether the refrigerant temperature detected by refrigerant temperature sensor 93 is equal to or higher than a third predetermined temperature. The third predetermined temperature is determined based on the boiling point of refrigerant oil, and is stored in memory 72. The third predetermined temperature is set to, for example, 700°C, which is slightly lower than the boiling point of the refrigerant (700°C or higher).

[0052] When the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60 detects a collision of the vehicle 10 and the refrigerant temperature determination unit 82 determines that the refrigerant temperature is equal to or higher than a third predetermined temperature, the second compressor stopping unit 83 stops the compressor 41 to stop the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit 40. The second compressor stopping unit 83 can prevent high-temperature refrigerant from leaking and adversely affecting the surroundings.

[0053] [Circuit stop control] The flow of circuit stop control will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] In step S11, when a collision of the vehicle 10 is detected by the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60, the process proceeds to step S12. Note that step S11 is not limited to a case where a collision of the vehicle 10 is detected by the collision detection unit 63 of the airbag ECU 60, and may be a case where the pop-up hood is activated due to the collision.

[0055] In step S12, when the low temperature side cooling water temperature determination unit 73 determines that the low temperature side cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0056] In step S13, the low-temperature side water pump 31 in the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 and the lubricating oil pump 21 in the lubricating oil circuit 20 are stopped to stop the circulation of the low-temperature side coolant in the low-temperature side coolant circuit 30 and the circulation of the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil circuit 20.

[0057] In step S14, when the high temperature side cooling water temperature determination unit 76 determines that the high temperature side cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0058] In step S15, the high-temperature side water pump 51 and the electric heater 52 of the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50, and the compressor 41 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 40 are stopped to stop the circulation and heating of the high-temperature side coolant in the high-temperature side coolant circuit 50, and the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit 40.

[0059] In step S16, when the lubricant temperature determination unit 80 determines that the lubricant temperature is equal to or higher than the second predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the lubricant pump 21 of the lubricant circuit 20 is stopped to stop the circulation of the lubricant in the lubricant circuit 20.

[0060] In step S18, when the refrigerant temperature determination unit 82 determines that the refrigerant temperature is equal to or higher than the third predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the compressor 41 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 40 is stopped to stop the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit 40.

[0061] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, values, etc. are merely examples for the purpose of easily understanding the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc.

[0062] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, and various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the matters described in the claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 vehicle, 11 battery, 12 transaxle, 13 airbag, 15 cooling system, 20 lubricating oil circuit (heat medium circuit), 21 lubricating oil pump (drive device), 22 oil cooler, 30 low-temperature side cooling water circuit (heat medium circuit), 31 low-temperature side water pump (drive device), 32 battery cooler, 33 chiller, 34 low-temperature side radiator, 35 five-way valve, 40 refrigeration cycle circuit (heat medium circuit), 41 compressor (drive device), 42 water-cooled condenser, 43 evaporator, 44 evaporator side expansion valve, 45 chiller side expansion valve, 50 high-temperature side cooling water circuit (heat medium circuit), 51 high-temperature side water pump (drive device), 52 electric heater (heating device), 53 heater core, 54 high-temperature side radiator, 55 three-way flow control valve, 60 airbag ECU (collision detection device), 61 Processor, 62 Memory, 63 Collision detection unit, 70 Cooling ECU (vehicle control device), 71 Processor, 72 Memory, 73 Low temperature side coolant temperature determination unit, 74 Low temperature side water pump stopping unit, 75 First lubricating oil pump stopping unit, 75 First compressor stopping unit, 76 High temperature side coolant temperature determination unit, 77 High temperature side water pump stopping unit, 78 First compressor stopping unit, 79 Electric heater stopping unit, 80 Lubricating oil temperature determination unit, 81 Second lubricating oil pump stopping unit, 82 Refrigerant temperature determination unit, 83 Second compressor stopping unit, 91 Lubricating oil temperature sensor, 92 Low temperature side coolant temperature sensor, 93 Refrigerant temperature sensor, 94 High temperature side coolant temperature sensor, 95 Acceleration sensor

Claims

1. A vehicle control device for a vehicle including a first heat medium circuit that circulates a first heat medium by a first drive device and a collision detection device that detects a collision, when a collision is detected by the collision detection device, if the temperature of the first heat medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature determined based on a boiling point of the first heat medium, the first drive device is stopped. Vehicle control device.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, a second heat medium circuit that circulates a second heat medium having a boiling point higher than that of the first heat medium by a second drive device to exchange heat with the first heat medium circuit, when a collision is detected by the collision detection device, if the temperature of the first heat medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature determined based on a boiling point of the first heat medium, the second drive device is stopped. Vehicle control device.

3. 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, the first heat medium circuit has a heating device that heats the first heat medium, When a collision is detected by the collision detection device, if the temperature of the first heat medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature determined based on the boiling point of the first heat medium, the heating device is stopped. Vehicle control device.

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