Integrated PC simulation device for investigating plug-in range extender EV vehicles

Abstract

To set rational combination of properties of main on-board equipment such as an engine, a motor generator, a secondary battery and so on of a PRE-EV vehicle with use of planned power generation / power storage control technique.SOLUTION: When developing a vehicle, a planned power generation / power storage control processing block is configured on a computer which can previously perform optimization of property of each on-board equipment for which examination is required in experimental manufacture of the vehicle, and travel data and map data collected by already travelling in place of an actual vehicle, or positional data and travel data collected by travelling with a GPS receiver mounted on a normal vehicle are used, thereby confirming properties of main on-board equipment of the PRE-EV vehicle without the actual vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an integrated PC simulation device that enables optimal combinations of engine capacity, motor output, battery storage capacity, and other characteristics to be determined before producing a plug-in range extended electric vehicle (EV), which uses an engine generator to charge a secondary battery and then drives a motor using that secondary battery, in order to minimize CO2 emissions by reducing power consumption and petroleum fuel while the vehicle is running. [Background technology]

[0002] Large commercial vehicles that run on motors powered by stored electricity from secondary batteries require the installation of large numbers of expensive secondary batteries, which means that the initial investment for buses is several times higher than that of diesel-engine buses with the same number of seats, and the space required to install the large number of secondary batteries reduces the number of seats.In addition, the space required to install the large number of secondary batteries in EV trucks also reduces the payload capacity, making them inconvenient to use, and this has slowed the spread of EV trucks.

[0003] One solution to this problem is the so-called series hybrid system or range extender system, which runs by supplying stored power from a battery to a drive motor, and when the battery's stored power becomes low, uses the engine to turn a generator motor to charge the battery. However, when trying to apply this system to large commercial vehicles, for example, a large generator and a large number of secondary batteries are required to supply a large amount of instantaneous power to travel up a long, steep slope. As a result, the number of seats in buses is reduced and the cargo load capacity in trucks is limited, making it difficult to make series hybrids into commercial vehicles.

[0004] In contrast, PRE-EV vehicles (hereafter referred to as PRE-EV vehicles) that use planned power generation and storage control technology utilize a geographic information system (GIS) and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to collect road surface information, such as location information and altitude differences along the driving route, and create a power generation plan (driving plan) to reach the destination before driving. In this way, the required amount of power generation can be calculated in advance, and the appropriate power generation start time and duration can be set while driving, making it possible to miniaturize the generator, motor, and secondary battery. After driving begins, the initial driving plan is revised based on GPS data and driving data obtained sequentially during the drive. Furthermore, by using driving data accumulated during previous driving, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the driving plan created before driving. A patent proposal for PRE-EV vehicles using planned power generation and storage control technology has already been filed. Although it is possible to miniaturize the engine, generator, and secondary battery in PRE-EV vehicles, it is necessary to optimize the characteristics of these onboard devices for each vehicle model. However, there has traditionally been no means of optimizing each device for each vehicle model. This has led to problems such as the possibility of combining device characteristics that are not optimal, and there have also been issues with the significant manufacturing time and cost involved in repeating prototyping in order to achieve the optimization. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2019-77257 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2020-62906 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to determine the characteristics of each onboard device in advance when creating a PRE-EV vehicle that incorporates planned power generation and storage control technology and is equipped with a small engine, motor, and medium-capacity secondary battery, so as to reduce as much as possible the vehicle's performance, which includes fuel consumption and CO2 emissions that have an impact on the environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In this proposal, before producing a PRE-EV vehicle incorporating planned power generation and storage control technology, we propose a computer system that configures on a computer a means of creating an SOC chart, which is a key component of the vehicle before it is driven, a means of displaying it, and a means of predicting the amount of power the vehicle will use while it is running, and that can also consider seasonal factors as driving conditions and vehicle conditions such as cargo load capacity and tire characteristics (normal tires, studless tires, etc.).It is clear that this can be applied not only to PRE-RV vehicles but also to general range extender EV vehicles.

[0008] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the proposed integrated PC simulation device. The right side of the figure is the planned power generation and storage control processing computer, which consists of a route information processing, map data creation, and GUI setting block, and a planned power generation and storage control processing block. The bottom left of the figure is the actual PRE-EV vehicle, which is equipped with an EV vehicle drive unit and a power generation device (power generation unit). The GPS receiver is connected to the route information processing and GUI setting block.

[0009] The route information processing and GUI setting block consists of a GUI processing unit and a data processing unit for route functions and location information, etc. The route information created by the map data creation unit is sent to the route information processing and GUI setting block, which processes data on latitude, longitude, and altitude information along the route, and sets quiet sections such as tunnels and city areas. In addition, location information is obtained from the GPS receiver while driving. The planned power generation and storage control processing block receives driving route information from the route information processing and GUI setting block, and creates an SOC chart from the departure point to the destination based on that information, and passes it on to the GUI processing unit, which then displays the information on a display or the like where the driver can check it.

[0010] While driving, the GPS receiver acquires location information at the driving point and transmits it to the data processing unit for route function and location information, while the EV vehicle drive unit sends vehicle information such as SOC to the EV truck monitoring processing unit in the planned power generation and storage control processing block. The PRE-EV vehicle's power generation device (power generation unit) receives signals from the power generation monitoring and control device to start and stop power generation of the generator. Furthermore, the planned power generation and storage control processing block detects when the SOC value during driving deviates by more than the set value from the SOC chart planned before driving, and transmits the necessary generator start and stop information to the PRE-EV vehicle. Note that information is transmitted between the PRE-EV vehicle and the planned power generation and storage control processing computer using highly reliable CAN communication.

[0011] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing the information provided to the driver by the route information processing and GUI processing unit. The information provided by this block includes map information of the route being driven (driving route design) showing the current location, as well as an SOC chart screen, which shows the generator's power generation operating section and the power generation start and stop times. Furthermore, if the SOC chart has been recreated, this information is also displayed as SOC chart recreate information. Other information displayed includes a power generation start / stop button to forcibly start / stop the generator.

[0012] Figure 1 shows the processing relationships between each block when an actual vehicle is actually driven, but Figure 3 shows an integrated PC simulation device consisting of a computer system configuration that runs the simulation of Figure 1 before the actual vehicle is produced. The GPS / EV simulator block functions in place of the actual vehicle, transmitting driving data to the planned power generation and storage control processing block and receiving information on the start and stop of power generation from the planned power generation and storage control processing block. Position information from the GPS receiver is sent to the route information processing and GUI setting block together with map data. The integrated PC simulation device shown in this figure is equipped with the following two modes.

[0013] Figure 4 shows one of these modes, called GPS offline mode, which is a system that can perform all necessary simulations on a desktop. In this mode, the GPS / EV simulator block drives each route in advance and records time and position information for each unit of time (for example, every second), and sends this information to the route information processing and GUI setting block. At the same time, it also transmits the vehicle speed and SOC value to the GUI setting block. The vehicle speed and SOC value are calculated from the time, position and altitude information in the driving log data, as well as vehicle weight, electricity consumption, regeneration rate, etc. The calculated results are transmitted to the planned power generation and storage control processing block, which creates an SOC chart. When the SOC is recreated, the results are fed back to the GPS / EV simulator block. This method allows for desktop simulation of driving on various roads, so it is possible to freely change vehicle and driving conditions, for example by changing the average electricity consumption within a certain range, or by increasing or decreasing the load, and it is possible to obtain useful information for manufacturing actual vehicles. Furthermore, this mode has the advantage that the simulation time can be reduced to 1 / N by thinning out some sections every N seconds.

[0014] Another advantage is that it can be applied to special vehicles that are not used on general roads. For example, by using the driving and vehicle conditions of special vehicles that are only used in coastal areas, it is possible to perform simulations to find the optimal combination of engine capacity, generator capacity, battery load capacity, etc. for those vehicles.

[0015] Figure 5 shows another mode called GPS online mode, in which the computer is actually installed in a vehicle and driven. The computer is equipped with a GPS / EV simulator block function to perform the simulation. A vehicle similar in size and performance to the assumed PRE-EV vehicle is used, and position information is obtained via GPS while driving. It is also possible to use a method to calculate fluctuations in electricity consumption from changes in vehicle speed, etc. while driving, and by realizing an operating environment similar to that of an actual PRE-EV vehicle, even more accurate simulations can be performed.

[0016] Figure 6 shows the relationships between the (1) GPS / EV simulator block, (2) planned power generation and storage control processing block, and (3) route information processing and GUI setting block described above. The functions of each block are broken down into units shown by thin solid lines and placed within vertical dashed lines, while the functions are placed within horizontal dashed lines and classified into pre-travel processing, in-travel processing, and end-of-travel processing.

[0017] In the pre-driving process, the (3-1) unit of the (3) route information processing and GUI setting block determines the route to be driven and determines the system setting values / driving setting values, and then the (2-1) unit of the (2) planned power generation and storage control processing block creates an SOC chart. This function is basically the planned power generation and storage control system processing that is handled by the route information processing and GUI setting block and the planned power generation and storage control processing block. Meanwhile, in GPS offline mode only, the (1) GPS / EV simulator block creates driving log data at unit time intervals in the (1-1) unit as a preliminary preparation. The created driving log data is used in the driving simulation. This pre-driving process is the preparation stage for the vehicle to drive. At this time, the GPS / EV simulator block sends the location information from the first line of the driving log data to the route information processing and GUI setting block, and also sends the SOC value of the starting point to the planned power generation and storage control processing block.

[0018] During driving processing, when an instruction to start driving is issued from (1) the GPS / EV simulator block, data is sent sequentially to (3) the route information processing and GUI setting block and (2) the planned power generation and storage control processing block. Once driving begins, the GPS / EV simulator block sequentially sends location information from the driving log data to the planned power generation and storage control processing block for each unit of time. It also calculates the SOC for each section of driving and sends this value to the planned power generation and storage control processing block. In tunnel sections where it is difficult to obtain location information, the vehicle speed is calculated and sent to the planned power generation and storage control processing block to obtain location information. The GPS / EV simulator block sends power generation information and various log data of the EV truck (VCU) to the planned power generation and storage control processing block. However, since it is not possible to simulate anything other than SOC and vehicle speed, some constant is sent to the planned power generation and storage control processing block. When a "pause" command is issued while driving, the GPS / EV simulator block continues to send the most recent position information to the route information processing and GUI setting block. It also continues to send the current SOC value to the planned power generation and storage control processing block. The time displayed in the GPS / EV simulator block also stops. When a "pause" command is issued again, processing resumes.

[0019] In the driving end processing, the driving end log data is sent from the planned power generation and storage control processing block to the route information processing and GUI setting block. Meanwhile, when the GPS / EV simulator block reaches the finish line (the last line of the driving log data), it continues to send its location information to the route information processing and GUI setting block. It also continues to send the current SOC value to the planned power generation and storage control processing block. When the car comes to a stop, the GPS / EV simulator block issues an "end of driving" command and stops sending data to the route information processing and GUI setting block and the planned power generation and storage control processing block. [Industrial Applicability]

[0020] The integrated PC simulation device of the present invention is a technology that assists in the development of PRE-EV vehicles equipped with a planned power generation and storage control system by determining the optimal combination of the characteristics of the engine, generator, and secondary battery, which are the main equipment that make up the system, in order to maximize power consumption and minimize CO2 emissions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the PRE-EV vehicle integrated as part of an integrated PC simulation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen displayed in the route information processing and GUI setting block. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of an integrated PC simulation system that incorporates the functions of a PRE-EV vehicle into the GPS / EV simulator block. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the relationship between the blocks in GPS offline mode [Figure 5] A diagram showing the relationship between the various blocks in GPS online mode [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operational relationship between the blocks in the integrated PC simulation.

Claims

1. By adding a function to emulate the operation of a PRE-EV vehicle to a computer system equipped with planned power generation and storage control technology that sets the power generation section and timing based on the state of the road and vehicle conditions, it is possible to examine the characteristics of the engine, motor, and battery in advance even before the vehicle is produced. A GPS / EV simulator block is provided which transmits driving data to the planned power generation and storage control processing block and receives information on the start and stop of power generation from the planned power generation and storage control processing block. The GPS / EV simulator block transmits the time, location information, vehicle speed, and SOC value recorded for each unit time while driving each route in advance to the route information processing and GUI setting block. The vehicle speed and SOC value are calculated from the driving log data of the previous driving on each road, including the time, position altitude information, vehicle weight, power consumption, and regeneration rate. The calculated results are transmitted to the planned power generation and storage control processing block to create an SOC chart. The created SOC chart is fed back to the GPS / EV simulator block, making this an integrated PC simulation device for examining pre-EV vehicles.

2. The integrated PC simulation device for examining PRE-EV vehicles described in claim 1, wherein the route information processing and GUI setting block is composed of a planned power generation and storage control processing block that has the function of displaying information about the driving route and an SOC value representing the amount of stored power in the battery to the driver, creating an SOC chart before driving, comparing the SOC value obtained from the driving state, and re-creating the SOC chart if there is a discrepancy between the SOC values ​​that is greater than a set value.

3. An integrated PC simulation device for examining PRE-EV vehicles as described in claim 1 or 2, including a GPS / EV simulator block having means for obtaining SOC value information at each point on the driving route from data collected from GPS every unit time by driving the vehicle in advance and map information data.

4. An integrated PC simulation device for examining PRE-EV vehicles as described in claim 2, including a GPS / EV simulation block having a means for obtaining an SOC value by driving a vehicle equipped with a computer that executes the route information processing and GUI setting block and the planned power generation and storage control processing block functions, and calculating the amount of power consumed by the vehicle at the driving point in real time by obtaining location information from a GPS receiver.

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