Vehicle Control System

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control system capable of promptly applying a common setting content related to vehicle facilities to a predetermined plurality of vehicles.SOLUTION: A vehicle control system comprises: a data collection section which collects data on travel characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles; an analysis section which uses the collected data to analyze the travel characteristics common to a vehicle, among the plurality of vehicles, corresponding to at least either a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type; and a control section which applies a common setting content related to vehicle facilities to each of the vehicle, among the plurality of vehicles, corresponding to at least either the predetermined area or the predetermined vehicle type on the basis of an analysis result of the analysis section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been progress in the development of technologies for optimizing vehicle equipment according to the driving characteristics of a user. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle setting inheritance system that optimizes the equipment of a second vehicle based on user characteristic information learned in a first vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-158003 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not optimize the vehicle equipment of other users' vehicles based on the driving characteristics of the user. Therefore, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to, for example, multiple vehicles of a certain model that have similar driving characteristics or multiple vehicles that drive in a certain area that have similar driving characteristics.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a vehicle control system that can quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to a specified number of vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle control system according to the present disclosure includes a data collection unit that collects data on the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles, an analysis unit that uses the collected data to analyze driving characteristics common to vehicles among the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type, and a control unit that applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type based on the analysis results by the analysis unit.By collecting and analyzing data on the driving characteristics of each of the plurality of vehicles, this vehicle control system can quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of two or more vehicles among the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a vehicle control system that can quickly apply common settings related to vehicle equipment to a predetermined number of vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle control system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific operation of a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle control system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle control system shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle control system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0010] <First Embodiment> 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to a first embodiment. The vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes data relating to the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles, thereby enabling common settings relating to vehicle equipment to be quickly applied to each of two or more vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles. This will be specifically described below.

[0011] 1, the vehicle control system 1 includes a vehicle control device 10, vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (m is an integer of 2 or more), and a network 50. The vehicle control device 10 can also be referred to as a vehicle control system by itself. The vehicle control device 10 and the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the wired or wireless network 50.

[0012] Vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are vehicles such as electric vehicles owned by users U1 to Um of the present system, respectively. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which all of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are electric vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and all or some of the vehicles may be types of vehicles other than electric vehicles, such as gasoline-powered vehicles. Respective vehicles 20_1 to 20_m are equipped with rechargeable secondary batteries (batteries) 21_1 to 21_m, such as lithium-ion batteries.

[0013] The vehicle control device 10 is a device that applies common setting contents related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type. Specifically, the vehicle control device 10 includes a data collection unit 11, an analysis unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0014] Data collection unit 11 collects data relating to the driving characteristics of each of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m. The data relating to the driving characteristics of the vehicle is, for example, data relating to the driving distance of the vehicle per predetermined period, the speed of the vehicle per predetermined period (i.e., average speed), or the accelerator opening degree of the vehicle per predetermined period. In addition, data collection unit 11 also collects data such as the vehicle type, driving area, and fuel efficiency of each of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m.

[0015] Analysis unit 12 analyzes driving characteristics common to a plurality of vehicles among vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type, using data collected by data collection unit 11. The predetermined area is, for example, an area with heavy traffic, an area with many unpaved roads, an area with many slopes and curves such as a mountain forest area, or an area with heavy snowfall. The predetermined vehicle type may be classified into light vehicles, heavy vehicles, etc.

[0016] Analysis unit 12 outputs an analysis result that, for example, an accelerator opening degree per predetermined period is larger than that in other areas as a driving characteristic common to a plurality of vehicles belonging to a predetermined area with many slopes and curves, such as a mountain forest area, among vehicles 20_1 to 20_m. Alternatively, analysis unit 12 outputs an analysis result that, for example, a speed per predetermined period is higher as a driving characteristic common to a plurality of predetermined sports type vehicles among vehicles 20_1 to 20_m.

[0017] In particular, the analysis unit 12 analyzes the burden on the secondary batteries that is a factor in deterioration of the secondary batteries mounted on a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, using the data collected by the data collection unit 11. The burden on the secondary batteries is, in other words, the load applied to the secondary batteries.

[0018] For example, the analysis unit 12 determines that the longer the travel distance (average value) per predetermined period of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type, the greater the burden on the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles, and the shorter the travel distance (average value) per predetermined period of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type, the greater the burden on the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles. Alternatively, the analysis unit 12 determines that the faster the speed (average value) per predetermined period of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type, the greater the burden on the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles, and the slower the speed (average value) per predetermined period of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type, the greater the burden on the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles, and the smaller the accelerator opening degree ... Then, the analysis unit 12 digitizes the analysis result of the load on the secondary battery, for example, and outputs it.

[0019] The control unit 13 applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type, based on the analysis result by the analysis unit 12. The settings related to vehicle equipment include the cooling strength of the secondary battery by a cooling device (not shown), the upper limit of the current supplied to the secondary battery during charging, the steering feeling, or the seat position.

[0020] Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle control device 10.

[0021] First, the vehicle control device 10 collects data on the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (step S101). Thereafter, the vehicle control device 10 uses the collected data to analyze driving characteristics common to a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type (step S102). Thereafter, based on the analysis result, the vehicle control device 10 applies common setting contents related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to or are scheduled to belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type (step S103).

[0022] In this way, the vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, thereby enabling the vehicle control system 1 to quickly apply common setting contents related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to or are expected to belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type. As a result, the vehicle control system 1 can apply the same setting contents as those of vehicles of the same vehicle type and the same area to vehicles such as new cars that do not have data on driving characteristics.

[0023] Next, a more specific example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the specific operation of the vehicle control device 10. The example of Figure 3 shows a method for setting the cooling intensity of the cooling device for the secondary battery mounted on each vehicle. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10.

[0024] First, the vehicle control device 10 collects data on the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m (step S201). After that, the vehicle control device 10 uses the collected data to analyze loads on the secondary batteries that become factors causing deterioration of the secondary batteries mounted on a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type (step S202).

[0025] For example, when the burden (a numerical value representing the burden) on the secondary batteries of a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m is less than a predetermined value (NO in step S203), the vehicle control device 10 weakens or maintains the cooling intensity of the cooling devices of the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles (step S204), thereby reducing the cooling process burden on the cooling devices of the plurality of vehicles.

[0026] On the other hand, if the burden (a numerical value representing the burden) on the secondary batteries of a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S203), the vehicle control device 10 increases the cooling intensity of the cooling devices for the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles (step S206). This reduces the burden on the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles, thereby suppressing deterioration of the secondary batteries.

[0027] Furthermore, when the number of times that the burden (a numerical value representing the burden) on the secondary batteries of a plurality of vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area or a predetermined vehicle type among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m has exceeded a predetermined value reaches a predetermined number of times (YES in step S207), the vehicle control device 10 reduces the upper limit value of the current supplied to the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles during charging (step S208). As a result, although the charging time for the secondary batteries of the plurality of vehicles becomes longer, the burden on those secondary batteries is reduced, and therefore deterioration of those secondary batteries is further suppressed.

[0028] After the processing of step S204, the processing of NO in step S207, or the processing of step S208, if the processing is to be continued (YES in step S205), the vehicle control device 10 returns to the data collection processing (step S201), and if the processing is not to be continued (NO in step S205), the vehicle control device 10 ends the processing.

[0029] In the example of Fig. 4, of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_4, the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 are located within a predetermined area A1 that has many slopes and curves, such as a mountain forest area. The vehicle control device 10 outputs an analysis result that, as a traveling characteristic common to the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 located in the predetermined area A1, for example, the accelerator opening per predetermined period is larger than in other areas (i.e., the burden on the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3 is large). In this case, the vehicle control device 10, for example, increases the cooling intensity of the cooling devices of the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3 mounted on the vehicles 20_1 to 20_3. This reduces the burden on the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3, and suppresses deterioration of the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_2.

[0030] In the example of Fig. 5, among the vehicles 20_5 to 20_8, the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7 are of the same model. The vehicle control device 10 outputs an analysis result that, as a traveling characteristic common to the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7 of the same model, for example, the speed per predetermined period is slower than that of other types of vehicles (i.e., the burden on the secondary batteries 21_5 to 21_7 of the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7 is small). In this case, the vehicle control device 10, for example, weakens the cooling strength of the cooling devices for the secondary batteries 21_5 to 21_7 mounted on the vehicles 20_5 to 20_7. This reduces the burden of the cooling process on the cooling devices for the secondary batteries 21_1 to 21_3.

[0031] The common settings for vehicle equipment set by the vehicle control device 10 for multiple vehicles are not limited to the settings described above. For example, the vehicle control device 10 may improve fuel efficiency by reducing the cooling intensity of secondary batteries installed in each of multiple light vehicles, or may increase the cooling intensity of secondary batteries installed in each of multiple heavy vehicles to suppress deterioration of the secondary batteries. Alternatively, the vehicle control device 10 may suppress deterioration of secondary batteries installed in each of multiple vehicles located in areas with low temperatures throughout the year by reducing the upper limit of the current supplied when charging the secondary batteries.

[0032] In this way, the vehicle control system 1 collects and analyzes data related to the driving characteristics of each of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m, thereby enabling the vehicle control system 1 to quickly apply common setting contents related to vehicle equipment to each of a plurality of vehicles among the vehicles 20_1 to 20_m that belong to or are expected to belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type. As a result, the vehicle control system 1 can apply the same setting contents as those of vehicles of the same vehicle type and the same area to vehicles such as new cars that do not have data on driving characteristics.

[0033] In addition, the present disclosure can be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program for all or part of the processing of the vehicle control device 10.

[0034] The above-described program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drives (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray discs or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0035] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0036] (Appendix 1) The vehicle control system Collecting data on the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles; Using the collected data, an analysis is performed on driving characteristics common to vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles; applying common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type based on the analysis results; Vehicle control method.

[0037] (Appendix 2) collecting data regarding driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles; A process of analyzing driving characteristics common to vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles using the collected data; applying common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type based on the analysis results; A control program that causes a computer to execute the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Vehicle control system 10 Vehicle control device 11 Data Collection Department 12 Analysis Department 13 Control Unit 20_1~20_m Vehicle 21_1~21_m Secondary battery 50 Network

Claims

1. a data collection unit that collects data on the driving characteristics of each of a plurality of vehicles; an analysis unit that uses the collected data to analyze driving characteristics common to vehicles belonging to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles; a control unit that applies common settings related to vehicle equipment to each of the plurality of vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type based on the analysis result by the analysis unit; and A vehicle control system comprising:

2. the control unit applies common setting contents related to vehicle equipment that have been applied to each of the vehicles that belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles to vehicles that are scheduled to belong to at least one of a predetermined area and a predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles; The vehicle control system of claim 1 .

3. the analysis unit uses the collected data to analyze a load on a battery that is a factor in deterioration of the battery installed in each of the vehicles that belong to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles; the control unit increases the cooling intensity of the battery mounted on each of the vehicles belonging to at least one of the predetermined area and the predetermined vehicle type among the plurality of vehicles as the load on the battery increases; The vehicle control system of claim 1 .

4. When the analysis unit has accumulated a predetermined number of determinations that the burden on the battery is large, the control unit increases the cooling intensity and also reduces the upper limit of the current supplied to the battery when charging the battery. The vehicle control system according to claim 3 .

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