Vehicle and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a vehicle for presenting an efficient charging strategy to a driver of a vehicle, and to provide a method for controlling the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle in the present invention includes: a battery; a navigation device; and a control device connected to the battery and the navigation device. The control device receives information on a starting place and a destination of the vehicle, and first desired remaining driving distance in a passing spot for charging the battery and second desired remaining driving distance in the destination of the vehicle, generates a virtual route of the vehicle with a first charging station as a virtual passing spot through the navigation device on the basis of the received information, and can output the virtual route as a recommended route of the vehicle on the basis of a predicted amount of charge of the battery corresponding to the virtual route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles have a shorter driving distance per charge and require a longer time to charge. Therefore, an efficient charging strategy is required when the remaining driving distance (DTE; Distance To Empty) of an electric vehicle is not enough to reach the destination.

[0003] Charging methods for electric vehicles can be classified into slow charging and fast charging depending on the charging speed.

[0004] In the case of a 100kW-class quick charger, which is currently in widespread use, theoretically, when charging an electric vehicle equipped with a 64Kh battery, the battery's state of charge (SOC) can go from 0 percent to 100 percent in about 40 minutes.

[0005] However, from the viewpoint of protecting the battery of an electric vehicle, the quick charger reduces the charging power when the SOC is over 80 percent, and as a result, the charging time required for an electric vehicle increases rapidly. In particular, the charging power becomes lower as the SOC approaches 100 percent, and the charging time for an SOC of 0 to 80 percent is almost the same as the charging time for an SOC of 80 to 100 percent.

[0006] From the perspective of an electric vehicle driver, it is necessary to charge the electric vehicle at a suitable quick charging station until the vehicle has an appropriate SOC in order to travel to the desired destination.

[0007] To date, drivers have checked the SOC of their electric vehicles and charged them only when necessary, and no technology has been developed that allows electric vehicles to efficiently guide charging of electric vehicles in accordance with the driver and vehicle conditions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle and a control method thereof that present an efficient charging strategy to a driver of the vehicle.

[0009] For example, the vehicle and its control method can take into account the characteristics of a vehicle that requires a long time to charge, such as an electric vehicle, and the characteristics of a fast charger that reduces the charging power when the SOC is 80% or higher, causing the time required to charge the vehicle to increase rapidly, and can utilize the vehicle's navigation to present an efficient charging strategy for the vehicle along with route guidance for the vehicle.

[0010] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle and a control method thereof that, when the vehicle is traveling using a navigation device, presents to the driver information on appropriate charging stations as route points for charging the vehicle and information on the appropriate amount of charge for traveling from the charging stations to the destination.

[0011] For example, the vehicle and its control method can provide the user with an appropriate quick charging station as a stopover and an appropriate end-of-charge state of charge (SOC) when the driver inputs the departure point and destination through telematics and additionally sets the desired distance to empty (DTE) at the stopover where a quick charging station is located and the desired DTE at the destination. As a result, the driver can drive and charge the vehicle efficiently with less worry about charging the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A vehicle according to one aspect includes a battery, a navigation device, and a control device connected to the battery and the navigation device, and the control device receives information on a departure point, a destination, a first desired remaining driving distance (Distance To Empty) at a stopover point for charging the battery, and a second desired remaining driving distance at the destination of the vehicle, generates a virtual driving route for the vehicle through the navigation device based on the received information, with a first charging station as a virtual stopover point, and outputs the virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle based on an expected charge amount of the battery corresponding to the virtual driving route.

[0013] The control device can determine, as the virtual waypoint, the first charging station at a position on the virtual travel route that corresponds to the first desired remaining travel distance.

[0014] Based on the received information, the control device can generate a first virtual driving route including the starting point and the destination, identify a first location on the first virtual driving route corresponding to the first desired remaining driving distance information, generate a virtual area centered on the first location, and identify the first charging station included within the virtual area.

[0015] When multiple charging stations are included within the virtual area, the control device generates candidate driving routes that have each of the multiple charging stations as a route via, and determines one of the candidate driving routes that have each of the multiple charging stations as a route via as the virtual driving route based on at least one of driving distance or traffic information, and identifies the first charging station included in the determined virtual driving route.

[0016] The control device can calculate an expected remaining driving distance of the vehicle on the virtual route based on a current remaining driving distance of the vehicle and a driving distance of the vehicle from the departure point to the virtual route, calculate a first distance from the virtual route to the destination based on the expected remaining driving distance, the second desired remaining driving distance and a driving distance from the virtual route to the destination of the vehicle, calculate a first charge amount corresponding to the vehicle's driving of the virtual driving route based on the first distance and an average fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and calculate the expected charge amount based on the first charge amount, the remaining charge of the battery expected on the virtual route and the nominal energy of the battery.

[0017] The control device can identify whether the expected charging amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charging amount, and in response to the expected charging amount being equal to or less than the predetermined reference charging amount, output the virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle.

[0018] The controller may output the second desired remaining distance for the vehicle at the destination as a recommended third desired remaining distance for the vehicle at the destination.

[0019] The control device may further include calculating an additional charge amount at the first charging station that will bring the battery to the predetermined reference charge amount based on the predetermined reference charge amount, the remaining charge of the battery predicted at the virtual route point, and the nominal energy of the battery.

[0020] In response to the expected charging amount being not less than the predetermined reference charging amount, the control device can calculate a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination based on the additional charging amount, the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle, the expected remaining mileage of the vehicle at the virtual route point, and the mileage from the virtual route point to the vehicle's destination, and output the recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination.

[0021] An expected remaining distance traveled by the vehicle at the virtual via point may be calculated based on a current remaining distance traveled by the vehicle and a distance traveled from the starting point to the virtual via point.

[0022] A vehicle control method according to one aspect includes receiving information on a departure point, a destination, a first desired remaining distance (Distance To Empty) at a stopover point for charging the battery of the vehicle, and a second desired remaining distance (Distance To Empty) at the destination of the vehicle, generating a virtual driving route for the vehicle with a first charging station as a virtual stopover point based on the received information, and outputting the virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle based on an expected charge amount of the battery corresponding to the virtual driving route.

[0023] Generating the virtual driving route may include determining, as the virtual waypoint, the first charging station at a position on the virtual driving route that corresponds to the first desired remaining driving distance.

[0024] Generating the virtual driving route may include generating a first virtual driving route including the starting point and the destination based on the received information, identifying a first location on the first virtual driving route corresponding to the first desired remaining driving distance information, generating a virtual area centered on the first location, and identifying the first charging station included within the virtual area.

[0025] Identifying the first charging station may include, when a plurality of charging stations are included within the virtual area, generating candidate driving routes that have each of the plurality of charging stations as a stop, determining one of the candidate driving routes that have each of the plurality of charging stations as a stop as the virtual driving route based on at least one of driving distance or traffic information, and identifying the first charging station included in the determined virtual driving route.

[0026] The control method may further include calculating an expected remaining mileage of the vehicle on the virtual route based on a current remaining mileage of the vehicle and a mileage of the vehicle from the departure point to the virtual route, calculating a first distance from the virtual route to the destination based on the expected remaining mileage, the second desired remaining mileage and a mileage from the virtual route to the destination of the vehicle, calculating a first charge amount corresponding to the vehicle's travel of the virtual travel route based on the first distance and an average fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and calculating the expected charge amount based on the first charge amount, the remaining charge of the battery expected on the virtual route and the nominal energy of the battery.

[0027] Outputting the virtual driving route as the recommended driving route for the vehicle may include identifying whether the expected charge amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount, and outputting the virtual driving route as the recommended driving route for the vehicle in response to the expected charge amount being equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount.

[0028] The method may further include outputting the second desired remaining distance of the vehicle at the destination as a recommended third desired remaining distance at the destination.

[0029] The control method may further include calculating an additional charge amount at the first charging station that will bring the battery to the predetermined reference charge amount based on the predetermined reference charge amount, the remaining charge of the battery predicted at the virtual route point, and the nominal energy of the battery.

[0030] The control method may further include, in response to the expected charging amount being not less than the predetermined reference charging amount, calculating a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination based on the additional charging amount, an average fuel efficiency of the vehicle, an expected remaining mileage of the vehicle at the virtual route point, and a mileage from the virtual route point to a destination of the vehicle, and outputting the recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination.

[0031] An expected remaining distance traveled by the vehicle at the virtual via point may be calculated based on a current remaining distance traveled by the vehicle and a distance traveled from the starting point to the virtual via point. Effect of the Invention

[0032] A vehicle and a control method thereof according to one aspect of the disclosed invention can provide an optimal driving route for a vehicle to pass through a charging station, for example, a quick charging station, for charging the battery of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle and the control method thereof can enhance marketability in the future electric vehicle market by increasing convenience for drivers.

[0033] For example, when the current DTE of the vehicle is equal to or less than the driving distance from the starting point to the destination, the vehicle and the control method thereof can match an optimal quick charging station that can charge the battery of the vehicle so that the vehicle can reach the destination. Also, the vehicle and the control method thereof can provide an optimal destination desired DTE and an optimal driving route that take into account the characteristics of quick charging.

[0034] For example, the vehicle and its control method may suggest an optimal destination desired DTE and an optimal route that considers the characteristics of rapid charging when the vehicle's current DTE is greater than the travel distance from the starting point to the destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]4 is a flowchart of an operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of an operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart of an operation for identifying whether a charging station that satisfies a desired DTE exists at a route point of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart of an operation for identifying whether an estimated charge amount of a vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and content that is common in the technical field to which the present invention belongs or that is duplicated between the embodiments will be omitted. The terms "part, module, device" used in the specification may be embodied in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiment, multiple "parts, modules, devices" may be embodied in one component, or one "part, module, device" may include multiple components.

[0037] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only direct connection but also indirect connection, including connection via a wireless communication network.

[0038] Furthermore, when a part "comprises" a certain component, this does not mean excluding other components, but may further include other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0039] The terms "first", "second", etc. are used only to distinguish one component from another component, and the components are not limited to the terms described above.

[0040] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0041] The identification numbers in each step are used for convenience of description, and the identification numbers do not describe the order of each step, and the steps may be performed in a different order than specified unless the context clearly dictates a specific order.

[0042] Hereinafter, the operation principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 may include a battery 102 , a navigation device 104 , a communication device 106 , an input device 108 , an output device 110 and / or a storage device 112 .

[0045] The battery 102 can store energy and supply power to at least one component (also referred to as device) of the device included in the vehicle 1.

[0046] The navigation device 104 can identify the position information and driving environment information of the vehicle 100 by matching the position coordinates of the vehicle 100 identified through the satellite signal on a map previously stored in the storage device 112, and generate driving route information for the vehicle 100. For example, the navigation device 104 can include a satellite navigation device (GPS; Global Positioning System) and receive satellite signals propagated from GPS satellites through the GPS. The satellite signals can include the position coordinates of the vehicle.

[0047] The navigation device 104 may output navigation information. The navigation information may include driving route information that provides a route to a destination based on information input from the driver of the vehicle 100.

[0048] For example, the navigation device 104 may receive destination information from the driver of the vehicle 100 and may determine the location information of the vehicle 100 identified through a satellite signal as starting point information. Alternatively, the navigation device 104 may receive starting point information and destination information from the driver of the vehicle 100.

[0049] The navigation device 104 can provide driving route information for the vehicle 100 based on the departure point information and destination information.

[0050] The communication device 106 may include a communication circuit and may support the establishment of a wireless and / or wired communication channel between the vehicle 100 and an external device, such as an external server (not shown), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication device 106 may include a wired communication module (e.g., a power line communication module) and / or a wireless communication module (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) module, a cellular communication module, a Wi-Fi communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, and / or a Bluetooth communication module), and may communicate with an external device using a corresponding communication module.

[0051] The communication device 106 may include communication circuitry (also referred to as transceivers) capable of communication between components (also referred to as devices) of the vehicle 100 via a vehicle communication network, for example, controller area network (CAN) communication and / or local interconnect network (LIN) communication, and control circuitry for controlling the operation of the communication circuitry.

[0052] The input device 108 may include a microphone and / or a touch screen, etc.

[0053] The microphone can receive sound, for example the voice of a user of the vehicle 100, and can convert the received sound into an electrical signal.

[0054] The touch screen can receive touch, gesture, proximity, or hover input.

[0055] The output device 110 may include a speaker and / or a display device, etc.

[0056] A speaker can convert electrical signals into sound and output it.

[0057] The display device may display various content, such as text, images, videos, icons and / or symbols, etc. The display device may include a touch screen.

[0058] The navigation device 104, the input device 108 and / or the output device 110 may be included in an AVN (Audio, Video, Navigation) device (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The AVN device refers to a multimedia device in which audio, video and / or navigation are integrated into one. The AVN device may be provided in the center fascia of the vehicle 100, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] The AVN device can receive departure point information, destination information, desired distance to empty (DTE) information at intermediate points, and / or desired DTE information at the destination through user operation, and can output optimal vehicle driving route information and recommended charging amount information according to the embodiments described below.

[0060] The storage device 112 may store various data used by at least one component of the vehicle 100, such as input data or output data for software programs and associated instructions. The storage device 112 may include memory, such as volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0061] The controller 114 may control at least one other component (e.g., device and / or software program) of the vehicle 100 and may perform various data processing and calculations. The controller 114 may include a processor and a memory.

[0062] The control device 114 may include a Battery Management System (BMS) (not shown) that monitors the status of the battery 102 of the vehicle 100.

[0063] The control device 114 may include a vehicle control unit (VCU) that calculates the DTE of the vehicle 100 and communicates with the BMS and the AVN.

[0064] The control device 114 may include an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the power system of the vehicle 100 .

[0065] The control device 114 can match the optimal charging station, for example, a quick charging station, capable of charging the battery 102 based on the user's desired DTE at the route point. The control device 114 can also output the optimal desired DTE at the destination taking into account the quick charging characteristics of the quick charging station.

[0066] For example, the control device 114 can receive necessary information, starting point information, destination information, first desired DTE information at an intermediate point where a charging station for charging the battery 102 of the vehicle 100 is located, and / or second desired DTE information at the destination of the vehicle 100 through the input device 108 from the user. Based on the received information, the control device 114 can provide an optimal driving route for the vehicle 100 and a predicted DTE at the time of arrival at the destination if the vehicle travels along the optimal driving route.

[0067] An embodiment of the detailed operation of the control device 114 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0068] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of vehicle 100 (and / or controller 114 of vehicle 100) according to one embodiment.

[0069] The vehicle 100 may receive information (201) regarding the starting point, destination, and a first desired distance to empty (DTE) at an intermediate point for charging the battery 102 of the vehicle 100, and a second desired distance to empty at the destination of the vehicle 100.

[0070] Based on the information received in the above-mentioned operation 201, the vehicle 100 can generate, via the navigation device 104, a virtual driving route for the vehicle 100 with the first charging station as a virtual waypoint (203).

[0071] Vehicle 100 can determine, as a virtual waypoint, a first charging station at a position on the virtual travel route that corresponds to a first desired remaining travel distance.

[0072] For example, based on the received information, the vehicle 100 may generate a first virtual driving route including a start location and a destination through the navigation device 104. The vehicle 100 may identify a first location on the first virtual driving route that corresponds to the first desired remaining driving range information. The vehicle 100 may generate a virtual area around the first location and identify a first charging station included within the virtual area.

[0073] When a plurality of charging stations are included in the virtual area, the vehicle 100 can generate candidate driving routes that have each of the plurality of charging stations as a stopover. The vehicle 100 can determine one of the candidate driving routes that have each of the plurality of charging stations as a stopover as a virtual driving route based on at least one of the travel distance or the traffic information. The vehicle 100 can identify a first charging station included in the determined virtual driving route.

[0074] The vehicle 100 may calculate (205) an expected charge for the battery 102 corresponding to the hypothetical driving route.

[0075] The vehicle 100 can calculate an expected remaining mileage of the vehicle 100 on the virtual route based on the current remaining mileage of the vehicle 100 and the mileage from the departure point of the vehicle 100 to the virtual route. The vehicle 100 can calculate a first distance from the virtual route to the destination based on the expected remaining mileage, a second desired remaining mileage, and the mileage from the virtual route to the destination of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 can calculate a first charge amount corresponding to the travel of the virtual travel route of the vehicle 100 based on the first distance and the average fuel consumption of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 can calculate an expected charge amount based on the first charge amount, the remaining amount of the battery 102 expected on the virtual route, and the nominal energy of the battery 102. For example, the average fuel consumption and the nominal energy of the battery 102 may be predetermined.

[0076] The vehicle 100 may output (207) the hypothetical driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle 100 based on the expected charge of the battery 102.

[0077] The vehicle 100 can identify whether the expected charge amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount. In response to the expected charge amount being equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount, the vehicle 100 can output a virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle 100.

[0078] In addition to the above-described embodiment, in response to the expected charge amount being not equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount, the vehicle 100 can calculate and output a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination based on an additional charge amount, which will be described later, the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100, the expected remaining mileage of the vehicle 100 at a virtual waypoint, and the mileage from the virtual waypoint to the destination of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 can also output the second desired remaining mileage at the destination of the vehicle 100 as a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination.

[0079] The aforementioned additional charge amount is an additional charge amount at which the battery 102 reaches a predetermined reference charge amount at the first charging station, and can be calculated based on the predetermined reference charge amount, the remaining charge of the battery 102 expected at the virtual route point, and the nominal energy of the battery 102.

[0080] In addition, the expected remaining travel distance of the vehicle 100 on the virtual route point described above can be calculated based on the current remaining travel distance of the vehicle 100 and the travel distance from the departure point to the virtual route point.

[0081] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the vehicle 100 (and / or the control device 114 of the vehicle 100) according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of identifying whether a charging station that satisfies a desired DTE exists at a route point of the vehicle 100 (and / or the control device 114 of the vehicle 100) according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of identifying whether an expected charge amount of the battery 102 of the vehicle 100 (and / or the control device 114 of the vehicle 100) is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount according to one embodiment.

[0082] The vehicle 100 may receive (301) origin and destination information for the vehicle 100.

[0083] The vehicle 100 can receive the departure point information and destination information of the vehicle 100 from an external electronic device through the communication device 106. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 can receive the departure point information and destination information of the vehicle 100 based on a user input through the input device 108.

[0084] The vehicle 100 may receive (303) desired distance to empty (DTE) information at a waypoint (also referred to as first desired distance to empty information).

[0085] The desired DTE information at the waypoint indicates the DTE information of the vehicle 100 that the user desires when the vehicle 100 arrives at the waypoint.

[0086] The vehicle 100 can receive desired DTE information for the route of the vehicle 100 from an external electronic device through the communication device 106. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 can receive desired DTE information for the route of the vehicle 100 based on user input through the input device 108.

[0087] The vehicle 100 may receive (305) desired DTE information (also referred to as second desired remaining mileage information) at the destination.

[0088] The desired DTE information at the destination indicates the DTE information of the vehicle 100 that the user desires when the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination.

[0089] The vehicle 100 may receive desired DTE information for the destination of the vehicle 100 from an external electronic device through the communication device 106. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 may receive desired DTE information for the destination of the vehicle 100 based on user input through the input device 108. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 may receive desired DTE information for the destination of the vehicle 100 selected based on user input through operation 319 described below.

[0090] Based on the desired DTE information at the route received in operation 303, the vehicle 100 can identify (307) whether a charging station (also referred to as a first charging station) exists that satisfies the desired DTE at the route.

[0091] The vehicle 100 can identify whether there is a charging station (also referred to as a first charging station) that satisfies the desired DTE at the route based on the desired DTE information at the route via the navigation device 104. For example, identifying whether there is a charging station that satisfies the desired DTE at the route can be performed by the operation of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 4 below.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle 100 may generate 401 a virtual driving route through the navigation device 104 based on the origin and destination information received in operation 301 .

[0093] The vehicle 100 can generate a virtual driving route through a node connection method.

[0094] The vehicle 100 may identify (403) locations along the hypothetical driving route that match desired DTE information at the waypoints.

[0095] If the current DTE of the vehicle is A, the desired DTE at the intermediate point is B, the travel distance along the virtual travel route generated in operation 401 is C, and the travel distance to a position P that matches the desired DTE information at the intermediate point on the virtual travel route generated in operation 401 is d, the operation 403 will be described as follows.

[0096] When the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination, the expected DTE at the destination may be the value calculated by the AC.

[0097] When the value calculated by AC is equal to or less than B, vehicle 100 can determine a position on the virtual driving route where the value calculated by AD is a value like B as a position P that matches the desired DTE information at the intermediate point on the virtual driving route.

[0098] On the other hand, if the value calculated by AC is greater than B, the vehicle 100 may output a message such as "Please increase the desired DTE at the waypoint." By outputting such a message, the vehicle 100 may perform the above-mentioned operation 303 again by having the user re-input the desired DTE at the waypoint, and accordingly, the above-mentioned operation 403 may be performed again.

[0099] The vehicle 100 may generate 405 a virtual circle centered on a location that matches the desired DTE information at a waypoint along the virtual driving route.

[0100] The vehicle 100 can identify the charging stations contained within the imaginary circle and determine them as charging stations that satisfy the desired DTE at the waypoint (407).

[0101] If there is a charging station at the waypoint that satisfies the desired DTE, the vehicle 100 performs operation 309, otherwise, the vehicle 100 can perform operation 303 again.

[0102] For example, the vehicle 100 can identify whether a charging station is included within a virtual circle.

[0103] When there is one charging station included in the imaginary circle, vehicle 100 can determine that one charging station as the charging station that satisfies the desired DTE at the route point.

[0104] When there are multiple charging stations included in the virtual circle, the vehicle 100 can generate multiple candidate driving routes with each of the multiple charging stations as a route through a node connection method. The vehicle 100 can select one of the multiple candidate driving routes as an optimal candidate driving route and determine a charging station that satisfies the desired DTE at the route. For example, the optimal candidate driving route can be selected based on the driving distance and / or traffic information of each driving route.

[0105] On the other hand, if there is no charging station within the virtual circle, the vehicle 100 may output a message such as "Please increase the desired DTE at the waypoint." By outputting such a message, the vehicle 100 may perform the above-mentioned operation 303 again by having the user re-input the desired DTE at the waypoint, and accordingly, the above-mentioned operation 403 may be performed again.

[0106] The vehicle 100 can generate a virtual driving route with virtual waypoints being charging stations that satisfy the desired DTE at the waypoints (309).

[0107] The vehicle 100 may identify (311) whether the expected charge amount (or the expected charge amount at the end of charging) of the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual driving route generated through operation 309 and the desired DTE information at the intermediate points received through operation 303 is greater than a predetermined reference charge amount.

[0108] For example, the expected charge amount of the battery 102 may be an assumption that the vehicle 100 travels along a virtual driving route, charges the battery 102 at a charging station at a virtual waypoint, and then terminates the charging.

[0109] The predetermined reference charge may be 80 percent.

[0110] Identifying whether the expected charge amount of the battery 102 of the vehicle 100 is equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount can be performed by operating the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG.

[0111] The vehicle 100 may calculate (501) a predicted DTE at a virtual waypoint along a virtual driving route.

[0112] For example, if the current DTE of a vehicle is a and the travel distance from the starting point to a via point on a virtual driving route is b, the predicted DTE at the virtual via point on the virtual driving route can be a value calculated by ab.

[0113] The vehicle 100 may calculate (503) a first distance (also referred to as a required charging distance) from a charging station at the virtual route to the destination to satisfy the expected DTE at the virtual route calculated by the above-described operation 501 and the desired DTE at the destination received by the above-described operation 305.

[0114] The vehicle 100 may calculate the first distance based on the expected DTE at the virtual waypoint calculated by operation 501 described above, the desired DTE at the destination received by operation 305 described above, and / or the distance to travel from the virtual waypoint to the destination.

[0115] For example, if the expected DTE at the virtual route point is c, the desired DTE at the destination is d, and the distance traveled from the virtual route point to the destination is e, the virtual distance from the charging station at the virtual route point to the destination can be calculated as d+ec.

[0116] The vehicle 100 may calculate (505) an amount of charge required for the vehicle 100 to travel the virtual travel route based on the first distance calculated in operation 503 described above and / or the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100.

[0117] For example, if the first distance (unit: km) is f and the average fuel efficiency (unit: km / kWh) of the vehicle 100 is g, the charge amount (unit: kWh) required for the vehicle 100 to travel a virtual travel route may be a value calculated by f÷g. For example, the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100 may be learned by the vehicle 100 when performing any one of the above-mentioned operations 301 to 305.

[0118] The vehicle 100 may calculate (507) an expected battery remaining at the virtual waypoint based on the expected DTE at the virtual waypoint and / or the average fuel economy of the vehicle 100.

[0119] For example, if the predicted DTE at a virtual route point is c and the average fuel consumption of vehicle 100 (unit: km / kWh) is g, the predicted remaining battery charge (unit: kWh) at the virtual route point can be calculated by c÷g.

[0120] The vehicle 100 may calculate (513) an expected charge for the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual driving route and the desired DTE information at the received waypoints based on the charge required for the vehicle 100 to travel the virtual driving route, the expected battery remaining at the virtual waypoints, and / or the nominal energy of the battery 102 of the vehicle 100.

[0121] The expected charge amount of the battery 102 can be said to be the expected charge amount of the battery 102 when fully charged when it is assumed that the vehicle 100 travels along a virtual driving route and charges at charging stations at virtual route points so as to satisfy the desired DTE at the route points.

[0122] For example, if the charge amount required for the vehicle 100 to travel a virtual travel route is h, the expected battery remaining amount at a virtual waypoint is i, and the nominal energy of the battery 102 is j, the expected charge amount (unit: %) of the battery 102 may be a value calculated by (h+i)÷j. For example, the nominal energy of the battery 102 may be specified in advance.

[0123] The vehicle 100 may perform operation 313 if the expected charge amount of the battery 102 of the vehicle 100 is greater than the predetermined reference charge amount, and may perform operation 317 if not.

[0124] In response to the expected charge amount at the end of charging of vehicle 100 being not greater than a predetermined reference charge amount, vehicle 100 may calculate and output an optimal desired DTE (also referred to as a third desired remaining mileage) at the destination of vehicle 100 (313).

[0125] The vehicle 100 calculates the charge amount (h) at the charging station so that the expected charge amount of the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual driving route and the received desired DTE information at the waypoints is 80 percent. 80 ) can be calculated.

[0126] For example, if the expected battery remaining capacity at a virtual waypoint is i and the nominal energy of the battery 102 is j, then h 80 (Unit: km) can be the value calculated by (0.8×j)-i.

[0127] The vehicle 100 calculates a desired DTE (d ) at the destination so that the expected charge amount of the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual driving route and the received desired DTE information at the intermediate points is 80 percent. 80) can be calculated as the optimal desired DTE at the destination.

[0128] For example, if the average fuel consumption (unit: km / kWh) of vehicle 100 is g, the expected DTE at the virtual waypoint is c, and the distance traveled from the virtual waypoint to the destination is e, then d 80 (Unit: km) is h 80 ×g+ce.

[0129] The vehicle 100 may identify (315) whether the optimal desired DTE at the destination of the vehicle 100 has been selected based on the user input.

[0130] The vehicle 100 may again perform operation 305 if the best desired DTE at the vehicle's 100 destination has been selected, otherwise it may perform operation 321 .

[0131] The vehicle 100 may determine a recommended travel route in response to the predicted charge amount at the end of charging of the vehicle 100 being greater than a predetermined reference charge amount (317).

[0132] The vehicle 100 can determine the virtual driving route generated by the above-mentioned operation 309 as a recommended driving route.

[0133] The vehicle 100 may output (319) information regarding the recommended driving route and the expected DTE at the vehicle's 100 destination.

[0134] The predicted DTE at the destination may be the vehicle's current DTE minus the distance traveled along the hypothetical route, calculated for operation 403 above.

[0135] On the other hand, in the 311 operation in the above-described embodiment, additional conditions for the operation of the vehicle 100 may be further included. For example, when the predicted charge amount of the battery 102 is greater than 80% of the reference charge amount and less than or equal to the nominal energy of the battery 102, the vehicle 100 can perform the above-described 313 operation. That is, when the charge amount required for the vehicle 100 to travel on the virtual travel route is h, the predicted remaining battery amount at the virtual waypoint is i, and the nominal energy of the battery 102 is j, the vehicle 100 can perform the above-described 313 operation when 0.8×j < h + i ≤ j.

[0136] For example, when the predicted charge amount of the vehicle is greater than 80% of the reference charge amount and less than or equal to the nominal energy of the battery 102, the vehicle 100 can output a message such as "The recommended destination desired DTE is d 80 Is this okay? Yes / No". When "Yes" is selected by the user, the vehicle 100 can perform the 317 operation described later. When "No" is selected by the user, the vehicle 100 can re-perform the above-described 305 operation by asking the user to re-enter the desired DTE at the destination.

[0137] In addition to the above-described embodiment, after the above-described 309 operation, the vehicle 100 calculates the charge amount (h 100 ) at the charging station so that the predicted charge amount of the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual travel route and the desired DTE information at the received waypoint becomes 100%.

[0138] For example, when the predicted remaining battery amount at the virtual waypoint is i and the nominal energy of the battery 102 is j, h 100 (unit: kWh) can be a value calculated by j - i.

[0139] The vehicle 100 calculates the desired DTE (d 100 ) at the destination so that the predicted charge amount of the battery 102 corresponding to the virtual travel route and the desired DTE information at the received waypoint becomes 100%.

[0140] For example, if the average fuel consumption (unit: km / kWh) of vehicle 100 is g, the expected DTE at the virtual waypoint is c, and the distance traveled from the virtual waypoint to the destination is e, then d 100 (Unit: km) is h 100 ×g+ce.

[0141] When the charge amount required for the vehicle 100 to travel a virtual travel route is h, the expected battery remaining amount at the virtual waypoint is i, and the nominal energy of the battery 102 is j, if h+I>j, the vehicle 100 will determine that "the desired DTE at the maximum possible destination is d 100 The desired DTE at the destination is 100 Please move down to the destination below." In response to the message, the vehicle 100 may again perform the above-described operation 305 by having the user re-enter the desired DTE at the destination.

[0142] 3, the departure point information and the destination point information are described as being received. However, according to another embodiment, the vehicle 100 may identify the current location of the vehicle 100 based on a GPS signal received through a GPS module, and may determine the current location of the vehicle 100 as departure point information of the vehicle 100.

[0143] In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, the vehicle 100 can learn the transition of the change in the charging power according to the SOC section, and can calculate the charging time for each section. For example, the vehicle 100 can learn the average charging power when the SOC is 0 to 80 percent, the average charging power when the SOC is 80 to 90 percent, and the average charging power when the SOC is 90 to 100 percent. Through this, the vehicle 100 can calculate the charging time of the battery 102 for each section.

[0144] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 100 can calculate the charging time required at a charging station using a desired DTE at a destination selected by the driver and the expected time to arrive at the destination after charging, and provide the calculated time to the user.

[0145] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, which, when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0146] The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording media in which instructions that can be decoded by a computer are stored, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage device, etc.

[0147] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in a form different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted as being limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 100:Vehicle 102: Battery 104: Navigation device 106: Communication equipment 108: Input device 110: Output device 112: Storage device 114: Control device

Claims

1. A vehicle, Battery and A navigation device; a controller coupled to the battery and to the navigation device; The control device includes: receiving information on a starting point, a destination, a first desired remaining mileage upon arrival at a waypoint for charging the battery, and a second desired remaining mileage upon arrival at the destination of the vehicle; generating a virtual driving route for the vehicle, the virtual driving route including the first charging station as a virtual route through the navigation device, based on the received information; and outputting the virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle based on an expected charge amount of the battery corresponding to the virtual driving route.

2. The control device includes: The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first charging station located at a position on the virtual travel route corresponding to the first desired remaining travel distance is determined as the virtual waypoint.

3. The control device includes: generating a first virtual driving route including the starting point and the destination based on the received information; Identifying a first location on the first virtual driving route that corresponds to the first desired remaining mileage information; generating a virtual region centered on the first location; The vehicle of claim 2 , further comprising: a first charging station that is included within the virtual area;

4. The control device includes: When a plurality of charging stations are included in the virtual area, a candidate driving route is generated that includes each of the plurality of charging stations as a route via the candidate driving route; determining, as the virtual travel route, one of candidate travel routes that pass through each of the plurality of charging stations based on at least one of a travel distance or traffic information; The vehicle of claim 3 , further comprising: a charging station for charging a vehicle that is within a range of a predetermined distance from the charging station;

5. The control device includes: Calculating a predicted remaining travel distance of the vehicle on the virtual route location based on a current remaining travel distance of the vehicle in a situation where the vehicle is present at the departure location and a travel distance of the vehicle from the departure location to the virtual route location; calculating a first distance from the virtual waypoint to the destination based on the estimated remaining mileage, the second desired remaining mileage, and a mileage from the virtual waypoint to the destination of the vehicle; calculating a first charge amount corresponding to the travel of the vehicle along the virtual travel route based on the first distance and an average fuel efficiency of the vehicle; The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the expected charge amount is calculated based on the first charge amount, a remaining charge of the battery expected at the virtual route, and a nominal energy of the battery.

6. The control device includes: Identifying whether the expected charge amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount; The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein in response to the estimated charge amount being equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount, the virtual travel route is output as a recommended travel route for the vehicle.

7. The control device includes:

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising: outputting the second desired remaining distance to travel at the destination of the vehicle as a recommended third desired remaining distance to travel at the destination.

8. The control device includes:

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising: calculating an additional charge amount at the first charging station that will bring the battery to the predetermined reference charge amount based on the predetermined reference charge amount, a remaining charge of the battery predicted at the virtual route, and a nominal energy of the battery.

9. The control device includes: In response to the expected charge amount being not equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount, calculating a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination based on the additional charge amount, an average fuel consumption of the vehicle, an expected remaining mileage of the vehicle at the virtual route point, and a mileage from the virtual route point to the destination of the vehicle; The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising: outputting the third desired remaining distance to the destination.

10. The expected remaining driving distance of the vehicle on the virtual route is: The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the distance is calculated based on a current remaining distance of the vehicle in a state where the vehicle is present at the departure point and a distance traveled from the departure point to the virtual waypoint.

11. receiving information on a starting point, a destination, a first desired remaining mileage upon arrival at a waypoint for charging a battery of the vehicle, and a second desired remaining mileage upon arrival at the destination of the vehicle; generating a virtual driving route for the vehicle including the first charging station as a virtual route based on the received information; outputting the virtual driving route as a recommended driving route for the vehicle based on an expected charge amount of the battery corresponding to the virtual driving route.

12. Generating the virtual driving route includes: The vehicle control method according to claim 11 , further comprising determining, as the virtual waypoint, the first charging station at a position on the virtual travel route that corresponds to the first desired remaining travel distance.

13. Generating the virtual driving route includes: generating a first virtual driving route including the starting point and the destination based on the received information; Identifying a first location on the first virtual driving route that corresponds to the first desired remaining mileage information; generating a virtual region centered on the first location; The method of claim 12 further comprising identifying the first charging station contained within the virtual region.

14. Identifying the first charging station includes: When a plurality of charging stations are included in the virtual area, a candidate driving route is generated that includes each of the plurality of charging stations as a route via the candidate driving route; determining, as the virtual travel route, one of candidate travel routes that pass through each of the plurality of charging stations based on at least one of a travel distance or traffic information; The method of claim 13, further comprising identifying the first charging station included in the determined virtual driving route.

15. The control method includes: Calculating a predicted remaining travel distance of the vehicle on the virtual route location based on a current remaining travel distance of the vehicle in a situation where the vehicle is present at the departure location and a travel distance of the vehicle from the departure location to the virtual route location; calculating a first distance from the virtual waypoint to the destination based on the estimated remaining mileage, the second desired remaining mileage, and a mileage from the virtual waypoint to the destination of the vehicle; calculating a first charge amount corresponding to the travel of the vehicle along the virtual travel route based on the first distance and an average fuel efficiency of the vehicle; The method of claim 11 , further comprising: calculating the expected charge amount based on the first charge amount, a remaining charge of the battery expected at the virtual route, and a nominal energy of the battery.

16. Outputting the virtual travel route as the recommended travel route of the vehicle Identifying whether the expected charge amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference charge amount; 12. The method of controlling a vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising outputting the virtual driving route as the recommended driving route for the vehicle in response to the estimated charge amount being equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount.

17. The control method includes:

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising outputting the second desired remaining distance to travel at the destination of the vehicle as a recommended third desired remaining distance to travel at the destination.

18. The control method includes:

17. The vehicle control method of claim 16, further comprising: calculating an additional charge amount at the first charging station that will bring the battery to the predetermined reference charge amount based on the predetermined reference charge amount, a remaining charge of the battery predicted at the virtual route, and a nominal energy of the battery.

19. The control method includes: In response to the expected charge amount being not equal to or less than the predetermined reference charge amount, calculating a recommended third desired remaining mileage at the destination based on the additional charge amount, an average fuel consumption of the vehicle, an expected remaining mileage of the vehicle at the virtual route point, and a mileage from the virtual route point to the destination of the vehicle; The method of claim 18, further comprising outputting the third desired remaining distance to the destination.

20. The expected remaining driving distance of the vehicle on the virtual route is: The vehicle control method according to claim 19, wherein the calculation is based on a current remaining travel distance of the vehicle in a state in which the vehicle is present at the departure point and a travel distance from the departure point to the virtual waypoint.

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