Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Abstract

To more effectively notify a user of entry to a specific section.SOLUTION: A hybrid electric vehicle includes: a power train which can execute hybrid traveling, power generation and electric traveling; a battery; a control device; and a notification device. The control device is configured to execute traveling switching control that switches between electric traveling and hybrid traveling so that, when a specific section where operation of an internal combustion engine is restricted is included on a planned travel route to the destination, a residual amount of the battery required to travel through the specific section by electric traveling is secured before entering the specific section. The notification device is configured to perform entry notification to notify, when the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section, a user of the entry. In addition, the notification device notifies of the entry for the entry to the specific section performed during execution of the traveling switching control but does not notify of the entry for the entry to the specific section performed when the traveling switching control is not being executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hybrid electric vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control device for a hybrid vehicle. This control device controls vehicle driving so as to ensure a battery state of charge (SOC) necessary for electric driving in an EV driving section (specific section) included in a driving route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-213638 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is conceivable to notify the user when the vehicle enters a "special section" where the operation of the internal combustion engine is restricted. However, if a notification is given every time the vehicle enters a special section without special consideration, the user may not be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the notification, for example, the notification may be given even when the vehicle has not switched to electric driving.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enable a hybrid electric vehicle, in which a specific section is set on a planned driving route, to more effectively notify a user of entering the specific section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A hybrid electric vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a powertrain, a battery, a control device, and a notification device. The powertrain is configured to be capable of hybrid driving and power generation through cooperation between an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, and electric driving performed by one or more electric motors without operating the internal combustion engine. The battery exchanges electric power with the powertrain. The control device is configured to: A specific section is a driving section on a planned driving route included in a specific area where driving of a hybrid electric vehicle with an internal combustion engine is restricted. On the planned route to the destination Included When the hybrid electric vehicle is to enter the specific section, the notification device is configured to execute driving switching control that switches between electric driving and hybrid driving so that a remaining battery charge required to travel the specific section by electric driving is secured before entering the specific section. The notification device is configured to issue an entry notification to notify the user of the entry when the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section. The notification device issues an entry notification for entry into the specific section that is executed while driving switching control is being executed, but does not issue an entry notification for entry into the specific section that is executed while driving switching control is not being executed.

[0007] The notification device may be configured to issue an entry notification when the hybrid electric vehicle enters a specific section while traveling on a road along a planned traveling route during execution of the traveling switching control, and not to issue an entry notification when the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section within a specific area that includes the specific section.

[0008] When the conditions for executing the driving switching control are met, the notification device may be configured to issue an entry notification for entry into a specific section after passing through a non-specific section that does not fall under the specific section, and not to issue an entry notification for entry into a specific section that does not pass through a non-specific section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the notification of entry into a specific section is issued when the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section while the driving switching control is being executed. This allows the user (e.g., the driver) to realize that the driving switching control is being executed while driving, compared to an example in which the notification of entry is issued every time the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section regardless of whether the driving switching control is being executed. In this way, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to more effectively notify the user of the entry into the specific section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a hybrid electric vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams used to explain additional issues B and C relating to entry notification. [Figure 3] This is a diagram used to explain an additional issue C regarding entry notification. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a process related to vehicle driving control and entry notification according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] 1. Example of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Configuration 1 is a diagram that schematically shows the configuration of a hybrid electric vehicle 1 according to an embodiment. The hybrid electric vehicle 1 includes a powertrain 10, a control device 20, and an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 30. The control device 20 includes a vehicle control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 22 and a navigation ECU (Navi ECU) 24.

[0013] The powertrain 10 includes an internal combustion engine 12, one or more (e.g., two) electric motors 14, and a battery 16, and is configured to perform hybrid driving (HEV driving) and power generation through cooperation between the internal combustion engine 12 and the electric motors 14, and electric driving (BEV driving) performed by the electric motors 14 without operating the internal combustion engine 12. The battery 16 exchanges electric power with the powertrain 10 (more specifically, the electric motors 14). Specifically, the battery 16 is charged by electric power generated by the electric motors 14 and discharged by electric power consumed by the electric motors 14. The hybrid system of the vehicle 1 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a series-parallel system, a parallel system, or a series system. More specifically, the vehicle 1 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that can be externally charged, but it does not necessarily have to be configured to be externally chargeable.

[0014] The vehicle control ECU 22 includes a processor and a storage device. The vehicle control ECU 22 receives sensor signals from sensors 26 attached to the vehicle 1 and outputs operation signals to the powertrain 10. The storage device stores various control programs for controlling the powertrain 10. The processor reads and executes the control programs from the storage device, thereby realizing various controls related to the powertrain 10. The sensors 26 include various sensors used to control the powertrain 10, such as a vehicle speed sensor and a battery remaining capacity sensor. The battery remaining capacity sensor detects the remaining capacity of the battery 16 (remaining battery capacity). In the following description, the remaining battery capacity is also referred to as SOC (State Of Charge).

[0015] The navigation ECU 24 includes a processor and a storage device. The navigation ECU 24 is configured to be able to communicate with external systems via a wireless communication network, and can acquire various data from the external systems.

[0016] For example, the navigation ECU 24 acquires the current position of the vehicle 1 using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Furthermore, the navigation ECU 24 can identify the current position of the vehicle 1 on a map by acquiring map information, for example, from an external server. The map information here includes information about specific areas SA in which travel by the vehicle 1 operating the internal combustion engine 12 is restricted, and geographical information (e.g., speed limits, distances, and road types). A specific area SA is, for example, a low-emission zone. Whether a certain area falls under a specific area SA may vary depending on, for example, the time of day or traffic conditions. The navigation ECU 24 can also acquire various traffic information, such as congestion information, regulation information, and traffic accident information, from a traffic information center. The navigation ECU 24 can notify the user of the vehicle 1 of such various information using the HMI device 30. The HMI device 30 includes, for example, an output unit and an input unit provided in the interior of the vehicle 1. The output unit includes, for example, a display unit such as a display of a navigation system or a meter installed on an instrument panel. The output unit may include a speaker, and the input unit may be a touch panel or switches.

[0017] The navigation ECU 24 can also accept operations by the user via the HMI device 30. For example, when the user operates the HMI device 30 to input a destination, the navigation ECU 24 creates a planned driving route PR from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the destination, displays it on the HMI device 30, and provides route guidance. In addition, the specific area SA may be set by the user operating the HMI device 30, for example.

[0018] The navigation ECU 24 can also calculate the required traveling power PW required to travel each traveling section of the planned traveling route PR based on at least one of past traveling data and information such as the type of road surface or gradient included in the map information. The navigation ECU 24 can also calculate the required energy Esum required to travel the planned traveling route PR by integrating the required traveling power PW for the planned traveling route PR. In addition, the navigation ECU 24 can also calculate the required energy Eev required to travel a specific section X (described below) using BEV traveling.

[0019] The navigation ECU 24 is communicatively connected to the vehicle control ECU 22, for example, via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. This allows the vehicle control ECU 22 to acquire various information (route information) from the navigation ECU 24, including the planned travel route PR and various information related to the planned travel route PR. The route information here is information related to the route ahead of the vehicle that is read ahead, and is therefore hereinafter referred to as "read-ahead information." More specifically, the read-ahead information includes information related to each travel section along the planned travel route PR. The read-ahead information includes, for example, the map information, traffic information, section vehicle speeds, and required travel power PW described above.

[0020] 2. Vehicle driving control The control device 20 is configured to be able to execute a "driving assistance function F" that manages the SOC of the battery 16 while the vehicle is traveling. The driving assistance function F includes, for example, "driving switching control." The driving switching control here manages the SOC by switching between BEV driving and HEV driving when a "specific section X" exists on the planned driving route PR of the vehicle 1 to the destination, so that the SOCev required to travel the specific section X in BEV driving is secured before entering the specific section X. The specific section X is a driving section on the planned driving route PR that is included in the above-mentioned specific area SA (an area where operation of the internal combustion engine 12 is restricted). The required SOCev is the SOC value corresponding to the above-mentioned required energy Eev.

[0021] Here, the control device 20 (more specifically, the vehicle control ECU 22) can selectively execute a CD (Charge Depleting) mode and a CS (Charge Sustaining) mode as the driving mode of the vehicle 1. The CD mode is a mode in which the vehicle runs mainly using the power charged in the battery 16. Examples of the CD mode include a BEV mode in which only BEV driving is performed until the SOC is depleted, and / or an automatic switching mode in which BEV driving is performed as much as possible to consume the SOC. In this automatic switching mode, switching from BEV driving to HEV driving is performed when a high vehicle output is requested by the user. On the other hand, the CS mode is a mode in which the internal combustion engine 12 and the electric motor 14 are operated to maintain a target SOC. An example of the CS mode is an HEV mode in which HEV driving is performed while maintaining the SOC at a target value by utilizing power generation using the power of the internal combustion engine 12. Furthermore, in addition to the CD mode and CS mode, the driving modes of the vehicle 1 include, for example, a charging mode. The charging mode is a mode in which, when the SOC is depleted, the vehicle is driven in the HEV mode to restore the SOC to a predetermined value.

[0022] During execution of the driving switching control, the driving mode before entering the specific section X is switched, for example, based on the current SOC as follows: That is, if the current SOC is higher than the value obtained by adding a predetermined margin α to the required SOCev (=SOCev+α), the CD mode is selected. Also, if the current SOC is equal to or lower than the above value (=SOCev+α) but higher than the required SOCev, the CS mode is selected. As a result, HEV driving is performed so as to maintain the SOC at the time the CS mode was selected. Also, if the current SOC is equal to or lower than the required SOCev, the charge mode is selected to ensure the required SOCev.

[0023] During execution of the driving switching control, for example, the driving mode is selected as described above, and as a result, switching is made between BEV driving and HEV driving so that the required SOCev is ensured before entering the specific section X.

[0024] 3. Notification of entry into specific section X The HMI device 30, which corresponds to an example of a "notification device" of the present disclosure, is configured to basically issue an "entry notification" that notifies the user of the entry of the vehicle 1 into a specific section X based on a command from the control device 20. More specifically, this entry notification is a notification indicating that the vehicle 1 has entered a "specific area SA." Such an entry notification is issued, for example, using a display unit of the HMI device 30. More specifically, the entry notification is issued, for example, using a banner display on a navigation system display that displays information such as a planned driving route PR to the user. The entry notification may also be issued using a caution display on a meter, which is another example of a display unit. The entry notification may also be issued, for example, by audio using a speaker. Furthermore, if the HMI device 30 is configured to be able to control interior lighting, the entry notification may be issued by, for example, changing the color of the interior lighting so that it switches to a color associated with the entry notification (e.g., green, which is associated with ecology) for a certain period of time.

[0025] 3-1. Issue A and its solutions Here, it is conceivable that the above-mentioned entry notification is sent every time the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X. However, for example, there may be cases where the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X without switching to BEV driving when the HEV mode is selected by the user's operation of the HMI device 30 (i.e., when the above-mentioned driving switching control is not being executed). In such cases, even if an entry notification is sent, the entry notification is not appreciated by the user. In this way, if an entry notification is sent every time the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X without special consideration, the user may not be able to fully enjoy the effect of the notification.

[0026] Here, the execution condition for the driving mode switching control is not particularly limited, but is specified by the following specific conditions, for example. More specifically, the execution condition is met when, for example, all of the following specific conditions are met: Route guidance using the planned driving route PR is in progress. Vehicle 1 entered the road along the planned driving route PR. - The battery is not depleted (for example, the SOC is greater than or equal to the required SOCev). The switch requesting the driving assistance function F is ON -CD mode (BEV mode or automatic switching mode) is selected (in other words, other driving modes such as HEV mode or charging mode are not selected) - There is no abnormality in vehicle 1 (for example, at least one of the navigation system, hybrid system, and communication function).

[0027] In view of the above-mentioned problem A, in this embodiment, the HMI device 30 functioning as a "notification device" issues an entry notification for an entry into the specific section X that is made while the above-mentioned driving switching control is being executed. On the other hand, the HMI device 30 does not issue an entry notification for an entry into the specific section X that is made while the driving switching control is not being executed.

[0028] More specifically, according to the above-described countermeasure for problem A, if at least one of the specific conditions for executing the driving switching control is not satisfied, no entry notification is issued when the vehicle enters the specific section X from the non-specific section Y. In addition, specific situations in which no entry notification is issued when the vehicle enters the specific section X from the non-specific section Y may include, for example, a case in which the user switches from HEV mode to CD mode when entering the specific section X from the non-specific section Y or immediately before entering the specific section X. Furthermore, specific situations may include a case in which a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has not yet elapsed since the end of the previous driving switching control. Furthermore, specific situations may include a case in which, after leaving the previous specific section X, the vehicle enters the next specific section X immediately after passing through a short non-specific section Y whose distance is less than a predetermined value.

[0029] As described above, according to the countermeasure for problem A, the notification of entry into the specific section X is executed when the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X while the driving switching control is being executed. This allows the user (e.g., the driver) to realize that the driving switching control is being executed while traveling (e.g., while driving), compared to an example in which the notification of entry is executed every time the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X regardless of whether the driving switching control is being executed. In this way, according to this embodiment, the user can be more effectively notified of the entry into the specific section X.

[0030] 3-2. Additional issues B and C and their solutions Figure 2 is a diagram used to explain additional issues B and C related to entry notifications. Figure 3 is a diagram used to explain additional issue C related to entry notifications. More specifically, each of additional issues B and C corresponds to an issue related to measures against issue A mentioned above. In Figures 2 and 3, thin solid lines indicate roads, and patterned areas indicate specific areas SA.

[0031] The specific section X (a traveling section on the planned traveling route PR included in the specific area SA) is identified based on map information acquired by the navigation ECU 24. There are, for example, the following two types of map information used to identify the specific section X.

[0032] The first map information is created so that specific areas SA (multiple thick solid lines) are linked to roads on the map, as shown in Fig. 2. In this example, a road that is linked to the specific area SA and that corresponds to the planned driving route PR is identified as a specific section X.

[0033] The second map information is created so that the specific area SA (the area marked with a pattern) is directly linked to the map, as shown in Fig. 3. In this example, the specific section X is identified as follows: Among the roads (dash-dotted lines) within the specific area SA, the roads that correspond to the planned driving route PR are identified as the specific section X.

[0034] (Additional Issue B and its Solutions) First, referring to FIG. 2, additional issue B will be described. When vehicle 1 is traveling in specific section X, if the execution condition for the driving switch control is not met within a specific area SA that includes the specific section X, the execution condition for the driving switch control is not met. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if vehicle 1 enters a parking lot and temporarily deviates from specific section X (a road on the planned driving route PR), the execution condition for the driving switch control is not met. Then, when vehicle 1 subsequently returns from the parking lot to specific section X (road), the execution condition for the driving switch control is met again. Under such circumstances, if only measures for issue A are implemented in an example in which specific section SA is identified by linking it to roads on a map as shown in FIG. 2, an entry notification will be issued when vehicle 1 returns from the parking lot to specific section X (road), even though vehicle 1 has actually already entered the specific area SA.

[0035] In view of the above-mentioned additional problem B, in this embodiment, the HMI device 30 (notification device) switches between issuing and not issuing an entry notification based on a command from the control device 20. Specifically, an entry notification is issued for entry into a specific section X that occurs when the vehicle 1 is traveling on a road along the planned travel route PR (i.e., "while traveling") during execution of travel switching control. On the other hand, an entry notification is not issued when the vehicle 1 enters a specific section X within the specific area SA.

[0036] As explained above, according to the countermeasures for the additional problem B, when a specific area SA is linked to a road on a map as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent an entry notification from being issued when vehicle 1 enters a road within specific section X on the planned driving route PR from a location other than specific section X within specific area SA (for example, a facility such as a parking lot).

[0037] In addition, in relation to additional issue B, in an example where the specific area SA is directly linked to the map as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to prevent entry notification by determining that the current location of vehicle 1 is within the specific area SA.

[0038] (Additional Issue C and its Solutions) Next, an additional problem C will be described for both the examples shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. More specifically, the additional problem C also corresponds to the problem related to the countermeasure for the problem A described above.

[0039] Even when the vehicle 1 is already traveling on a road within the specific area SA (regardless of whether it is a road (specific section X) on the planned travel route PR), if the user using the HMI device 30 performs an operation to turn off the travel assistance function F (e.g., by turning off route guidance or switching to HEV mode or charging mode), the execution condition for the travel switching control is not met. If the user then turns on the travel assistance function F again while traveling on a road corresponding to specific section X within the same specific area SA, the execution condition is met again. As a result, if only the countermeasure for issue A is implemented, an entry notification is issued even though the vehicle has already traveled through the specific area SA. Furthermore, this additional issue C also occurs, for example, when the execution condition is not met due to battery depletion while traveling on a road within the specific area SA, and then the SOC is recovered in charging mode while traveling on a road corresponding to specific section X within the same specific area SA, causing the execution condition to be met again.

[0040] In view of the above-mentioned additional problem C, in this embodiment, the HMI device 30 (notification device) switches between the presence and absence of an entry notification based on a command from the control device 20. That is, when the execution condition for the driving switching control is met, an entry notification is issued for entry into the specific section X after passing through a non-specific section Y other than the specific section X. On the other hand, an entry notification is not issued for entry into the specific section X without passing through the non-specific section Y.

[0041] As described above, the measures taken to address additional issue C can prevent entry notifications from being issued when the conditions for executing driving switching control are met when the vehicle has already entered a specific area SA.

[0042] In addition, specific scenarios in which the above-described measures for addressing additional issues B and C will not result in an entry notification include, for example, the following: When the current location of vehicle 1 is already in specific area SA (including when the current location is in specific section X), an entry notification will not be issued if at least one of the following six conditions is met and the execution condition for driving switching control is met: the hybrid system of vehicle 1 has started (READY-ON), route guidance has started, the SOC has recovered from a dead battery state, the driving mode has been returned to CD mode (BEV mode or automatic switching mode) by the user, a switch requesting driving assistance function F has been turned ON, and the vehicle has entered a road along the planned driving route PR from a road that deviates from the planned driving route PR.

[0043] 3-3. Specific examples of processing 4 is a flowchart showing the process of vehicle driving control and entry notification according to the embodiment. The process of this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the control device 20 (more specifically, for example, by the vehicle control ECU 22 and the navigation ECU 24 working together).

[0044] In step S100, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether or not the look-ahead information used for the driving switching control has been updated, based on the presence or absence of a notification from the navigation ECU 24. The look-ahead information is updated at a predetermined interval (for example, every minute).

[0045] As a result, if the look-ahead information has been updated, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the vehicle control ECU 22 acquires the latest look-ahead information from the navigation ECU 24. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104. Also, if the look-ahead information has not been updated, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0046] In step S104, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether an assistance start condition is met. The assistance start condition here is a condition that is met when driving assistance (SOC management) through driving switching control can be started, that is, corresponds to the execution condition of the driving switching control described above. If the assistance start condition is not met, the process returns to step S100. On the other hand, if the assistance start condition is met, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0047] In step S106, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines, based on the look-ahead information, whether or not the planned travel route PR includes a specific section X. If the specific section X does not exist, the process returns to step S100; if the specific section X exists, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0048] In step S108, the vehicle control ECU 22 obtains the required energy Eev required to travel through the specific section X determined to exist in step S106 by BEV driving.

[0049] Next, in step S110, the vehicle control ECU 22 controls the SOC by switching between BEV running and HEV running so that the required SOCev according to the required energy Eev is ensured before entering the specific section X.

[0050] Next, in step S112, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether the vehicle 1 is entering a specific area SA when the assistance start condition is met, based on the position information of the vehicle 1. More specifically, in the case where the specific area SA is linked to a road on a map as illustrated in Fig. 2, determining whether the vehicle 1 is entering a specific section X when the assistance start condition is met corresponds to the determination in step S112. In addition, in the case where the specific area SA is linked to a map as illustrated in Fig. 3, determining whether the current position of the vehicle 1 is within the specific area SA when the assistance start condition is met corresponds to the determination in step S112.

[0051] If the determination result in step S112 is Yes, that is, if the current position of the vehicle 1 is already in the specific section X when the assistance start condition is met, the vehicle control ECU 22 prohibits the entry notification in step S114. Specifically, for example, the entry notification permission flag is turned OFF.

[0052] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S112 is No, that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling in the non-specific section Y just before the specific section X when the assistance start condition is met, the vehicle control ECU 22 permits the entry notification in step S116. Specifically, for example, the entry notification permission flag is set to ON.

[0053] In step S118 following step S114 or S116, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether or not the entry notification is permitted (for example, whether or not the entry notification permission flag is ON). If the entry notification is permitted, the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the entry notification is prohibited, the process proceeds to step S126.

[0054] In step S120, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 has entered the specific section X. As a result, if it is determined that the vehicle 1 has entered the specific section X, the process proceeds to step S122. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle 1 has not yet entered the specific section X, the process proceeds to step S126.

[0055] In step S122, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether the current position of the vehicle 1 is on the planned travel route PR. If the determination result is No, that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling on a road that deviates from the planned travel route PR or is stopped at a location that deviates from the planned travel route PR, the process proceeds to step S126.

[0056] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S122 is Yes, that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling on a road along the planned traveling route PR, the vehicle control ECU 22 instructs the HMI device 30 to issue an entry notification in step S124. Note that this instruction may be issued by the navigation ECU 24 that has received information from the vehicle control ECU 22.

[0057] In step S126, the vehicle control ECU 22 determines whether or not the termination condition for the driving assistance function F is satisfied. The assistance termination condition here is a condition that is satisfied when the driving assistance function F (SOC management) through driving switch control is terminated. In other words, the satisfaction of this assistance termination condition corresponds to, for example, at least one of the specific conditions for executing the driving switch control described above not being satisfied. In step S126, while the assistance termination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106, and on the other hand, when the assistance termination condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to END.

[0058] According to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above, broadly speaking, the entry notification is executed when the execution condition for the driving switching control (that is, the start condition for the driving support function F) is met.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the process shown in FIG. 4, measures for the problem A, measures for the additional problem B, and measures for the additional problem C are comprehensively expressed.

[0060] Specifically, according to the process shown in Fig. 4, when the process proceeds from step S118 to step S120 and the determination results of both steps S120 and S122 are Yes, an entry notification is issued. That is, when the vehicle 1 enters a specific section X while traveling on a road along the planned traveling route PR (in other words, while traveling on a non-specific section Y), an entry notification is issued (a measure to address additional issue B). According to the process shown in Fig. 4, if the determination result of step S104 is Yes because the vehicle 1 has entered a road in the specific section X on the planned traveling route PR while already in the specific area SA (in other words, if the assistance start condition (the execution condition for driving switching control) is established as a result of the entry), the determination result of step S112 is Yes, and therefore the entry notification is prohibited in step S114 (a measure to address additional issue B).

[0061] Furthermore, according to the process shown in FIG. 4, when the execution condition for the driving switching control is satisfied (S104; Yes), if the vehicle 1 is driving in a non-specific section Y just before the specific section X, the determination result in step S114 becomes No, and an entry notification is permitted in step S116. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120 via step S118, where it is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered the specific section X. The determination result in step S120 is No in the sample period in which the determination result in step S104 was Yes. Thereafter, if the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X after passing through the non-specific section Y, provided that the driving switching control is continuing (step S126; No), the determination results in steps S120 and S122 become Yes. As a result, an entry notification is issued (a measure to address additional issue C). Furthermore, when the execution condition for the driving switching control of the vehicle 1 is satisfied (S104; Yes), if the determination result of step S112 is Yes (i.e., when the vehicle 1 enters the specific section X without passing through the non-specific section Y), the process proceeds to step S116, and the entry notification is prohibited. In other words, the entry notification is not performed (a measure to address the additional issue C).

[0062] In addition, instead of the example of the processing shown in Fig. 4, only a measure for issue A may be executed. Specifically, in the flowchart in Fig. 4, only steps S120 and S124 may be placed between steps S110 and S126, and the processing may proceed to step S124 if the determination result of step S120 is Yes. Furthermore, instead of the example of the processing shown in Fig. 4, along with the measure for issue A, only one of a measure for additional issue B and a measure for additional issue C may be executed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) 10 Power train, 12 Internal combustion engine, 14 Electric motor, 16 Battery, 20 Control device, 22 Vehicle control ECU, 24 Navigation ECU, 26 Sensors, 30 HMI device

Claims

1. a powertrain capable of hybrid driving and power generation through cooperation between an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, and electric driving performed by the one or more electric motors without operating the internal combustion engine; a battery that exchanges power with the powertrain; a control device that, when a specific section, which is a travel section on a planned travel route included in a specific area where travel of the hybrid electric vehicle involving operation of the internal combustion engine is restricted, is included on the planned travel route to a destination, executes travel switching control that switches between the electric travel and the hybrid travel so that a remaining charge of the battery necessary to travel the specific section by the electric travel is secured before entering the specific section; a notification device that notifies a user of the hybrid electric vehicle's entry into the specific section when the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section; Equipped with The notification device When the vehicle enters the specific section while the driving switching control is being executed, the vehicle entry notification is issued. The entry notification is not issued for an entry into the specific section that is performed while the driving switching control is not being executed. Hybrid electric vehicle.

2. The notification device When the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section while traveling on a road along the planned traveling route during the execution of the traveling switching control, the entry notification is issued. When the hybrid electric vehicle enters the specific section within the specific area including the specific section, the entry notification is not issued.

10. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1.

3. When the execution condition of the driving switching control is satisfied, the notification device When the vehicle enters the specific section after passing through a non-specific section that does not fall under the specific section, the vehicle issues the entry notification. The entry notification is not sent for an entry into the specific section that does not pass through the non-specific section.

3. A hybrid electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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