Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

To more appropriately end EV travel after arrival at a specific point.SOLUTION: As for a switching timing from an EV travel mode to a normal travel mode when reaching a specific point when a predetermined area including the specific point as an arrival point is an EV travel area, a control device of a hybrid vehicle sets a timing at the time of traveling outside a road in map information to be delayed compared to a timing at the time of traveling on the road in the map information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hybrid vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of hybrid vehicle, there has been proposed one that switches between each mode of an electric motor mode of traveling solely by the electric motor, an engine mode of traveling solely by the engine, and a combined mode of using both, according to the mode switching vehicle speed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this hybrid vehicle, by switching the mode switching vehicle speed for each of various environments such as an urban area, the suburbs, a highway, a tunnel, etc., it is possible to perform traveling suitable for the environment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a hybrid vehicle, it has also been proposed to prioritize electric vehicle (EV) driving, which runs only on the power generated while the engine is stopped, even around a specified location such as home. In this case, if the parking lot at the specified location is located at a certain distance from the road, depending on the traveling distance after arriving at the specified location, the EV driving ends, and the significance of prioritizing EV driving decreases. To address this problem, it is also conceivable to set a long EV driving distance or EV driving time after arriving at the specified location. However, if the specified location is merely a passing point, the EV driving will continue for an unnecessarily long distance or long time.

[0005] The main object of the hybrid vehicle of the present disclosure is to more appropriately end the EV driving after arriving at a specified location.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The hybrid vehicle of this disclosure employs the following means to achieve the primary objective described above.

[0007] The hybrid vehicle disclosed herein is An engine capable of outputting power for driving, A motor capable of outputting power for propulsion, A control device that controls the engine and the motor by switching between an EV driving mode, in which the vehicle is driven by power from the motor with the engine stopped, and a normal driving mode, in which the vehicle is driven by power from both the engine and the motor as needed. A hybrid vehicle equipped with, The control device, when a predetermined area including a specific point as the destination is an EV driving area, delays the timing of switching from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when the destination is reached, so that the timing for driving off-road in the map information is later than the timing for driving on roads in the map information. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] The hybrid vehicle of this disclosure includes an engine capable of outputting power for driving, a motor capable of outputting power for driving, and a control device that controls the engine and motor by switching between an EV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by power from the motor with the engine stopped, and a normal driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by power from both the engine and the motor as needed. The control device of the hybrid vehicle, when a predetermined area including a specific point as the destination is an EV driving area, delays the timing of switching from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when the vehicle reaches the specific point, specifically when driving off-road in the map information compared to when driving on a road in the map information. As a result, when driving on a road on the map after reaching the specific point (for example, when the specific point is a waypoint), the vehicle can switch from EV driving mode to normal driving mode at a relatively early timing, and when driving off-road on the map after reaching the specific point (for example, when the parking lot at the specific point is far from the road), the vehicle can switch from EV driving mode to normal driving mode at a later timing compared to when driving on a road on the map. As a result, EV driving after arriving at the specific point can be terminated more appropriately.

[0009] In the hybrid vehicle of this disclosure, the control device may switch from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when traveling a first predetermined distance from a specific point on a road in the map information, and when traveling a second predetermined distance longer than the first predetermined distance from a specific location off the road in the map information. Alternatively, the control device may switch from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when traveling a first predetermined time from a specific location on a road in the map information, and when traveling a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time from a specific location off the road in the map information. In these cases, the control device may learn the second predetermined distance or the second predetermined time. This prevents the switch from EV driving mode to normal driving mode from occurring at an excessively late timing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows an example of a hybrid vehicle 20 as one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the hybrid ECU 50 as the central component. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of a specific EV driving process performed by the hybrid ECU50. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the EV driving area and driving mode when traveling through the EV driving area from point P1 to point P2, with point P2 as an intermediate point. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the EV driving area and driving mode when traveling from point P3 to point P4, with point P4 being a destination point near one's home. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Next, embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hybrid vehicle 20 as one embodiment of this disclosure, centered on a hybrid electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as hybrid ECU) 50. As shown in the figure, the hybrid vehicle 20 of the embodiment is equipped with an engine EG and a motor MG as power sources. The hybrid vehicle 20 of the embodiment has two driving modes: an EV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by power from the motor MG with the engine EG stopped, and a normal driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by power from both the engine EG and the motor MG, with the engine EG operated as needed.

[0012] In addition to the power source, the hybrid vehicle 20 of this embodiment is equipped with an ignition switch 21, GPS (Global Positioning System, Global Positioning Satellite) 22, an onboard camera 24, a millimeter-wave radar 26, an acceleration sensor 28, a vehicle speed sensor 30, an accelerator sensor 32, a brake sensor 34, a mode switching switch 36, a battery actuator 38, a battery 40, an electronic control unit for air conditioning (hereinafter referred to as air conditioning ECU) 42, an air conditioning compressor 44, a hybrid ECU 50, an accelerator actuator 60, a brake actuator 62, a brake device 64, a display device 66, a driving status indicator 67, a meter 68, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 70, a navigation system 80, and the like.

[0013] GPS22 is a device that detects the vehicle's position based on signals transmitted from multiple GPS satellites. The on-board camera24 is a camera that takes images of the area around the vehicle, such as a front camera that takes images of the area in front of the vehicle and a rear camera that takes images of the area behind the vehicle. The millimeter-wave radar26 detects the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the vehicle in front, and the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the vehicle behind.

[0014] The acceleration sensor 28 is a sensor that detects, for example, the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction or the acceleration of the vehicle in the lateral direction. The vehicle speed sensor 30 detects the vehicle speed based on the wheel speed, etc. The accelerator sensor 32 detects the accelerator opening degree, etc., according to the amount the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. The brake sensor 34 detects the brake position, etc., as the amount the driver depresses the brake pedal. The mode selector switch 36 is located near the steering wheel in the driver's seat and is a switch for switching between EV driving mode and normal driving mode.

[0015] The battery actuator 38 detects the state of the battery 40, such as the terminal voltage, charge / discharge current, and battery temperature, and manages the battery 40 based on these. Based on the charge / discharge current, the battery actuator 38 calculates the state of charge (SOC), which is the ratio of the remaining storage capacity to the total storage capacity, and also calculates the maximum allowable output power (output limit Wout) that the battery 40 may output and the maximum allowable input power (input limit Win) that the battery 40 may input, based on the SOC and battery temperature. The battery 40 is configured as a rechargeable secondary battery, and can be a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, lead-acid battery, etc.

[0016] The air conditioning ECU 42, although not shown in the diagram, is configured as a microcomputer centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it includes ROM, RAM, flash memory, input ports, output ports, and communication ports. The air conditioning ECU 42 is incorporated into the air conditioning system that conditioned the air in the passenger compartment, and drives and controls the air conditioning compressor 44 in the air conditioning system so that the temperature in the passenger compartment reaches a set temperature.

[0017] The engine EG is configured as, for example, an internal combustion engine. The motor MG is configured as an electric motor that also functions as a generator, such as a synchronous motor. The motor MG is connected to the battery 40 via an inverter (not shown), and can output driving force using power supplied from the battery 40, or charge the battery 40 with the power it generates.

[0018] The hybrid ECU 50 is configured as a microcomputer centered around a CPU (not shown), and in addition to the CPU, it includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, etc. The hybrid ECU 50 sets the driving mode, and based on the set driving mode, the accelerator opening from the accelerator sensor 32, the brake position from the brake sensor 34, the output limit and input limit from the battery actuator 38, it sets the target operating point (target rotational speed and target torque) of the engine EG and the torque command of the motor MG. Note that the hybrid ECU 50 does not start when the accessory is on and starts when the radio is on.

[0019] When the hybrid ECU 50 is in EV driving, it sets the required driving force and required power based on the accelerator opening from the accelerator sensor 32 and the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 30, sets the torque command of the motor MG so as to output the required driving force and required power to the vehicle, and transmits the set torque command to the accelerator actuator 60. When the hybrid ECU 50 is in hybrid driving, it sets the target operating point of the engine EG and the torque command of the motor MG so as to output the required driving force and required power to the vehicle, and transmits the target operating point and the torque command to the accelerator actuator 60. Also, when the brake pedal is depressed, the hybrid ECU 50 sets the required braking force based on the brake position from the brake sensor 34 and the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 30, sets the regenerative torque command for regeneratively controlling the motor MG based on the required braking force and the vehicle speed, sets the target braking force by the braking device, transmits the torque command to the accelerator actuator 60, and transmits the target braking force to the brake actuator 62.

[0020] The accelerator actuator 60 drives and controls the engine EG and the motor MG according to the target operation point and torque command set by the hybrid ECU 50. The accelerator actuator 60 performs intake air amount control, fuel injection control, ignition control, intake valve opening and closing timing control, etc., so that the engine EG is operated at the target operation point (target rotational speed and target torque). Further, the accelerator actuator 60 performs switching control of the switching elements of the inverter that drives the motor MG so that torque corresponding to the torque command is output from the motor MG.

[0021] The brake actuator 62 controls the brake device 64 so that the target braking force set by the hybrid ECU 50 acts on the vehicle by the brake device 64. The brake device 64 is configured as, for example, a hydraulically driven friction brake.

[0022] The display device 66 is incorporated, for example, in the installation panel in front of the driver's seat, displays various information, and also functions as a touch panel. The driving state indicator 67 has an EV indicator and an HV indicator (not shown). When the vehicle is running on the motor, the EV indicator lights up and the HV indicator goes off. When the vehicle is running in hybrid mode, the EV indicator goes off and the HV indicator lights up. The meter 68 is incorporated, for example, in the installation panel in front of the driver's seat.

[0023] The DCM (Data Communication Module) 70 transmits information about its own vehicle to the traffic information management center 100 and receives road traffic information from the traffic information management center 100. Information about the own vehicle may include, for example, its location, speed, power, and driving mode. Road traffic information may include, for example, information about current and future congestion, current average speed and predicted future average speed for sections of the driving route, traffic regulations, weather, road surface conditions, and map information. The DCM 70 communicates with the traffic information management center 100 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 30 seconds, every minute, every two minutes, etc.).

[0024] The navigation system 80 is a system that guides the vehicle to a set destination and comprises a display unit 82 and a map information database 84. The display unit 82 is a functional block that has the function of displaying the route to the destination and the vehicle's position on the display device 66 based on map information. The navigation system 80 communicates with the traffic information management center 100 via a DCM (Data Communication Module) 70. When a destination or waypoint is set, the navigation system 80 sets a route based on the destination and waypoint information, the current location (current position of the vehicle) information obtained by GPS 22, and the information stored in the map information database 84. The navigation system 80 then communicates with the traffic information management center 100 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 3 minutes or every 5 minutes) to obtain road traffic information and provides route guidance based on the road traffic information. The map information stored in the map information database 84 includes not only map data but also road gradients, road types, and elevations for each driving section.

[0025] When providing route guidance, the navigation system 80 obtains road traffic information from the traffic information management center 100 (or at predetermined intervals) and generates predictive information based on the road traffic information obtained from the traffic information management center 100, including information on each driving section within the driving route, information on driving load, the vehicle's speed, driving power, and driving mode, and transmits this information to the hybrid ECU 50. The predictive information also includes information on the vehicle itself, such as its position, speed, driving power, and driving mode, as well as information on current and future congestion, information on the current average speed and predicted future average speed for sections along the driving route, information on traffic regulations, weather information, road surface condition information, and map information. Map information also includes areas where EV driving should be performed (EV driving areas) as defined by municipalities, etc. The navigation system 80 can also set EV driving areas by specifying an area such as the area near the user's home. The navigation system 80 transmits a signal to the hybrid ECU 50 indicating whether or not the vehicle is in the EV driving range while driving.

[0026] Next, we will explain the operation of the hybrid ECU 50 in the hybrid vehicle 20 configured in this way, and its operation when driving in an area where a specific point such as a destination or waypoint is set as the end point of the EV driving area. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific EV driving process performed by the hybrid ECU 50. This process is performed each time the vehicle drives in the EV driving area.

[0027] When a specific EV driving process is executed, the hybrid ECU 50 first determines whether a specific point, such as a destination or waypoint, is set as the end point of the EV driving area (step S100). If it determines that the specific point is not set as the end point of the EV driving area, it determines that it is not subject to this process and terminates the process.

[0028] If it is determined in step S100 that a specific point is set as the end point of the EV driving area, the system waits to reach the start point of the EV driving area (step S110), and then sets the driving mode to EV driving mode and starts EV driving (step S120).

[0029] Next, the system waits for the vehicle to arrive at a specific point (step S130), and then determines whether the subsequent driving after arriving at the specific point is on a road on the map (whether it is on-matching or not) (step S140). When the specific point is set as the end point of the EV driving area, for example, when the home is set as the end point of the EV driving area, it is necessary to continue EV driving after arriving at the specific point until parking in a parking space. On the other hand, when the specific point is merely a waypoint, it is necessary to end EV driving relatively quickly. For this reason, this determination is made by determining whether the subsequent driving after arriving at the specific point is on a road on the map.

[0030] If it is determined in step S140 that the journey after arriving at a specific point is on a road on the map (on-matching), it is determined that the specific point is likely to be a waypoint, a predetermined distance α is set as the additional travel distance d (step S150), the system waits to travel the additional travel distance d (step S170), the driving mode is changed to normal driving mode and the EV driving mode is terminated (step S180), and this process is completed. The predetermined distance α is a relatively short distance, for example, 50m, 100m, or 150m can be used. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the EV driving area and driving mode when traveling in the EV driving area from point P1 to point P2 with point P2 as a waypoint. The EV driving area is from point P1 to point P2, and the EV driving mode continues until the point where the additional travel distance d (predetermined distance α) on the road on the map has been traveled after arriving at point P2.

[0031] If it is determined in step S140 that the journey after arriving at a specific point is not on a road on the map (off-matching), it is determined that there is a high probability that the specific point is not a waypoint, and a predetermined distance β that is longer than a predetermined distance α is set as the additional journey distance d (step S160), the system waits to travel the additional journey distance d (step S170), changes the driving mode to normal driving mode and ends the EV driving mode (step S180), and ends this process. The predetermined distance β is a distance longer than the predetermined distance α, and for example, 200m or 300m can be used. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the EV driving area and driving mode when traveling in the EV driving area from point P3 to point P4, with point P4 being the destination point near the home. The EV driving area is from point P3 to point P4, and the EV driving mode continues until the point where the additional journey distance d (predetermined distance β) that is not on a road on the map is traveled after arriving at point P4. Furthermore, if the vehicle stops and the ignition switch 21 is turned off before traveling the additional distance d (a predetermined distance β) that is not on a road as shown on the map after arriving at point P4, the EV driving mode will naturally be maintained until the ignition switch 21 is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to continue EV driving on private roads or other areas that are not on a road as shown on the map after arriving at point P4 until parking in a parking space.

[0032] In the hybrid vehicle 20 of the embodiment described above, when a specific point such as a destination or waypoint is set as the end point of the EV driving range, it is determined whether the driving after arriving at the specific point is on a road on the map (on-matching) or not on a road on the map (off-matching). When it is determined that the driving after arriving at the specific point is on a road on the map (on-matching), the EV driving mode is terminated after driving a relatively short predetermined distance α. On the other hand, when it is determined that the driving after arriving at the specific point is not on a road on the map (off-matching), the EV driving mode is maintained until a predetermined distance β, which is longer than the predetermined distance α, is driven. As a result, the EV driving mode can be terminated relatively quickly when the specific point is a waypoint, and the EV driving mode can be maintained until the vehicle is parked in a parking space near the specific point when the specific point is a nearby end point such as home. As a result, EV driving after arriving at the specific point can be terminated more appropriately.

[0033] In the hybrid vehicle 20 of this embodiment, when it is determined that the driving after arriving at a specific point is on a road on the map (on-matching), the EV driving mode is terminated after driving a relatively short predetermined distance α. When it is determined that the driving after arriving at a specific point is not on a road on the map (off-matching), the EV driving mode is maintained until a predetermined distance β, which is longer than the predetermined distance α, is driven. However, when it is determined that the driving after arriving at a specific point is on a road on the map (on-matching), the EV driving mode may be terminated after a relatively short predetermined time Tα has elapsed. When it is determined that the driving after arriving at a specific point is not on a road on the map (off-matching), the EV driving mode may be maintained until a predetermined time Tβ, which is longer than the predetermined time Tα, has elapsed. In this case, the predetermined time Tα can be, for example, 10 seconds or 20 seconds, and the predetermined time Tβ can be, for example, 50 seconds or 100 seconds.

[0034] In the hybrid vehicle 20 of this embodiment, when it is determined that the driving after arriving at a specific point is not on a road on the map (off-matching), the EV driving mode is maintained until a predetermined distance β is traveled. However, the predetermined distance β may be determined for each specific point. Furthermore, the predetermined distance β may be determined by learning. The same applies to the predetermined time Tβ mentioned above.

[0035] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the engine EG corresponds to the "engine," the motor MG corresponds to the "motor," and the hybrid electronic control unit 50 corresponds to the "control device."

[0036] Furthermore, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem is merely an example to specifically explain the form in which the embodiment implements the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem, and does not limit the elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem should be based on the description in that section, and the embodiment is merely one specific example of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem.

[0037] Although the present disclosure has been described above using embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] This disclosure can be used in industries such as the hybrid vehicle manufacturing industry. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 20 Hybrid vehicle, 21 Ignition switch, 22 GPS, 24 Onboard camera, 26 Millimeter-wave radar, 28 Acceleration sensor, 30 Vehicle speed sensor, 32 Accelerator sensor, 34 Brake sensor, 36 Mode selector switch, 38 Battery actuator, 40 Battery, 42 Air conditioning electronic control unit (Air conditioning ECU), 44 Air conditioning compressor, 50 Hybrid electronic control unit (Hybrid ECU), 60 Accelerator actuator, 62 Brake actuator, 64 Brake system, 66 Display device, 67 Driving status indicator, 68 Meter, 70 DCM, 80 Navigation system, 82 Display unit, 84 Map information database, 100 Traffic information management center, EG Engine, MG Motor.

Claims

1. An engine capable of outputting power for driving, A motor capable of outputting power for propulsion, A control device that controls the engine and the motor by switching between an EV driving mode, in which the vehicle is driven by power from the motor with the engine stopped, and a normal driving mode, in which the vehicle is driven by power from both the engine and the motor as needed. A hybrid vehicle equipped with, When a specific point is designated as the destination, and that specific point is the end point of the EV driving area where EV driving should be performed, the control device delays the timing of switching from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when the vehicle reaches the specific point, by delaying the timing of driving off-road in the map information compared to the timing of driving on roads in the map information. A hybrid vehicle characterized by the following features.

2. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, The control device switches from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when traveling a first predetermined distance from a specific point on a road in the map information, and when traveling a second predetermined distance longer than the first predetermined distance from a specific point on an area outside of a road in the map information, it switches from EV driving mode to normal driving mode. Hybrid vehicle.

3. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, The control device switches from EV driving mode to normal driving mode when traveling for a first predetermined time from a specific point on a road in the map information, and when traveling for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time from a specific point on an off-road location in the map information, it switches from EV driving mode to normal driving mode. Hybrid vehicle.

4. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 2, The control device learns the second predetermined distance. Hybrid vehicle.

5. A hybrid vehicle according to claim 3, The control device learns the second predetermined time. Hybrid vehicle.

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