Vehicle control system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of stabilizing power balance throughout the power supply system.SOLUTION: A disclosed vehicle control device is a vehicle control device that receives electricity from or transmits to the power supply lanes installed on the roadside. The vehicle control device includes a processor that is configured so as to, when there is a power shortage in the power supply area by the power supply lane, determine whether the vehicle in which the vehicle control device is installed has sufficient power, and when determining that there is a surplus of electricity, supply the electricity stored in the vehicle to the power supply lane.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling power transmission between a power transmission device provided on a road and a traveling vehicle. In Patent Document 1, a control device acquires regenerative power generated in the vehicle and determines an upper limit value of the power that the battery can further accept in addition to the regenerative power based on the regenerative power and the maximum charging power of the battery provided in the vehicle. By suppressing the power transmitted from the power transmission device to the vehicle to be less than the upper limit value, the reception of excessive power is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By merely controlling the amount of power received for the power of the host vehicle, it may not be possible to stabilize the power balance in the entire power transmission system including the power supply lane on which the host vehicle travels and other power supply lanes.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle control device capable of stabilizing the power balance in the entire power supply system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle control device according to this disclosure is a vehicle control device that receives or transmits power to a power supply lane provided on the roadside and controls a vehicle traveling on the road, and comprises a processor, which determines whether there is a power surplus in the vehicle to which the vehicle control device is installed when a power shortage occurs in the power supply area by the power supply lane, and if it determines that there is a power surplus, supplies the power stored in the vehicle to the power supply lane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to stabilize the power balance in the entire power supply system in a power transmission system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless power transmission system equipped with a vehicle control device in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the power supply lanes. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the vehicle control device in the embodiment and the functional configuration of the vehicle. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of power control in a vehicle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the power control flow in a vehicle according to Modification Example 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the power control flow in a vehicle according to Modification Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A vehicle control device according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable or substantially identical to those that are replaceable by a person skilled in the art.

[0010] (Embodiment) A wireless power transfer system to which the vehicle control device according to this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless power transmission system equipped with a vehicle control device in an embodiment. The wireless power transmission system 1 transmits wireless power from the power supply lane 20 to the vehicle 40, for example, by magnetic field resonant coupling (magnetic resonance). The wireless power transmission system 1 comprises a control device 10, a power supply lane 20, a battery 30, and a vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 is, for example, an electric vehicle that can be charged with power supplied from an external power source, such as an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). This vehicle 40 may be a manually driven vehicle or an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle 40 also includes a communication unit (e.g., DCM: Data Communication Module) for communicating with the control device 10. The wireless power transmission system 1 transmits power wirelessly from the power supply lane 20 to the vehicle 40 using magnetic resonance coupling (magnetic resonance).

[0012] The wireless power transmission system 1 transmits power to a vehicle 40 traveling on a power supply lane 20 installed on a road in a non-contact manner. In other words, the wireless power transmission system 1 transmits power using a magnetic field resonance method, and achieves power supply to the vehicle 40 while it is in motion using magnetic field resonant coupling (magnetic field resonance). The wireless power transmission system 1 can also be described as a dynamic wireless power transmission (D-WPT) system or a magnetic field dynamic wireless power transmission (MF-D-WPT) system.

[0013] Both the control device 10 and the vehicle 40 are equipped with communication functions and are configured to communicate with each other via a network N. This network N consists of, for example, an internet network, a mobile phone network, WiFi (registered trademark, Wireless Fidelity), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), etc.

[0014] The control device 10 exchanges various information with the vehicle 40 and controls the power supply lane 20 and the battery 30. The control device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

[0015] Specifically, the control unit 11 includes a processor consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a memory (main memory) consisting of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like.

[0016] The control unit 11 loads the program stored in the memory unit 13 into the working area of ​​the main memory unit and executes it, thereby controlling each component through the execution of the program and realizing a function that matches the predetermined purpose.

[0017] The communication unit 12 is composed of, for example, a communication module capable of sending and receiving various types of information. The communication unit 12 communicates with the vehicle 40 via, for example, the network N, when supplying power from the power supply lane 20 to the vehicle 40, or when the power supply lane 20 receives power from the vehicle 40, and sends and receives various types of information.

[0018] The storage unit 13 is composed of a recording medium such as, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a removable medium. Examples of the removable medium include disk recording media such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc). The storage unit 13 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, and the like.

[0019] The storage unit 13 stores, for example, various information exchanged with the vehicle 40, information regarding the remaining capacity of the battery 30, and the like.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the power supply lane. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, even if the shape of the vehicle is different, etc., as long as they have a common function. The power supply lane 20 is configured to be able to supply power to the vehicle 40 in a non-contact manner and receive power from the vehicle 40 in a non-contact manner. Specifically, the power supply lane 20 includes an energization unit 21 having a coil for supplying or receiving power to / from the vehicle 40. The energization unit 21 is embedded in the vehicle lane of the road. This energization unit 21 may be an integrated unit of a power supply coil and a power reception coil, or may be provided separately.

[0021] Battery 30 is a stationary energy storage device. When the power supply lane 20 functions as a power transmission lane, battery 30 supplies power to the power supply lane 20. When the power supply lane 20 functions as a power receiving lane, battery 30 receives power from the power supply lane 20 and stores it. Battery 30 may also receive power from an external power generation facility or supply power to an external consumer facility. In Figure 1, only one battery 30 is shown, but a battery 30 may be provided for each power supply lane 20.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the vehicle 40 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the vehicle control device in the embodiment and the functional configuration of the vehicle. The vehicle 40's battery 49 is charged by power supplied from the energizing unit 21, which is managed by the control device 10.

[0023] The vehicle 40 comprises a transmitting / receiving unit 41, a communication unit 42, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 43, an input / output unit 44, a calculation unit 45, a determination unit 46, a storage unit 47, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 48. The vehicle 40 is also provided with a battery 49 that supplies power to each unit. This battery 49 is an energy storage device and is configured to be rechargeable. The components that control the vehicle 40 are configured using one or more computers consisting of a CPU, FPGA, ROM, RAM, etc.

[0024] The transmitting / receiving unit 41 functions as a receiving unit that receives power supply signals from the power supply unit 21. The transmitting / receiving unit 41 also functions as a transmitting unit that transmits power supply signals to the power supply unit 21.

[0025] The communication unit 42 communicates with external devices via wireless communication over the network N. The communication unit 42 receives road traffic information such as regulations and congestion, as well as disaster-related information, from external devices.

[0026] The GPS unit 43 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and detects the position of the vehicle 40. The detected position is output externally as vehicle 40 position information or stored in the memory unit.

[0027] The input / output unit 44 consists of a touch panel display, a speaker, a microphone, etc. The input / output unit 44 is configured to output information, such as displaying characters or graphics on the touch panel display screen or outputting sound from the speaker, according to the control of the ECU 48. The input / output unit 44 is also configured to allow users of the vehicle 40 to input predetermined information to the ECU 48 by operating the touch panel display or speaking into the microphone.

[0028] The calculation unit 45 calculates the power consumption required to reach the destination when a power shortage occurs or is predicted to occur within the service area of ​​the wireless power transmission system 1.

[0029] The determination unit 46 determines whether there is sufficient power based on the power consumption calculated by the calculation unit 45 and the remaining charge of the battery 49. The remaining charge is, for example, SOC (State of Charge).

[0030] The storage unit 47 is configured using a computer-readable recording medium and stores various programs and data in a writable and readable manner. This recording medium can be a storage medium such as a hard disk, semiconductor memory, optical disk, flash memory, or magnetic disk, and a drive device for these storage mediums. The storage unit 47 stores the operating system (OS) and various application programs necessary for the ECU 48 to comprehensively control the operation of each part of the vehicle 40.

[0031] The ECU48 is composed of an information processing unit such as a microcomputer consisting of a CPU, FPGA, ROM, and RAM. The ECU48 comprehensively controls the electrical operation of various parts of the vehicle 40. The ECU48 is configured to perform calculations using input data, pre-stored data, and programs, and to output the calculation results as control command signals.

[0032] The vehicle 40 is equipped with a drive mechanism and an operating mechanism for driving the vehicle 40. Specifically, the vehicle 40 includes a powertrain and drive wheels as its drive mechanism. The powertrain includes a power source that generates driving force and outputs it from an output shaft, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force output by the power source to the drive wheels 2. Furthermore, the operating mechanism consists of components such as a shift lever and an accelerator pedal. When the vehicle 40 is driven autonomously, each part is driven according to the instruction signals under the control of the ECU 48.

[0033] In this embodiment, the power transmitted between the vehicle 40 and the power supply lane 20 is controlled based on the power status of the vehicle. This power control will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of power control in the vehicle. This power control is performed, for example, just before the vehicle enters the power supply lane 20, for example, when the distance to the entrance of the power supply lane 20 is several kilometers. Furthermore, this power control is performed for the power supply lane 20 into which the vehicle is entering. In other words, power supply control is performed for each power supply lane into which the vehicle is scheduled to enter.

[0034] First, in this power control, the ECU 48 determines whether a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur in the near future under the control of the wireless power transmission system 1 (the power supply area by the power supply lane 20) (step S101). The ECU 48 obtains information about power via the communication unit 32 and determines whether a power shortage has occurred. At this time, power shortages are predicted taking into account, for example, power usage by air conditioning, and emergency vehicles are excluded. If the ECU 48 determines that a power shortage has not occurred (step S101: No), it repeats the determination of whether a power shortage has occurred. On the other hand, if the ECU 48 determines that a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur (step S101: Yes), it proceeds to step S102.

[0035] In step S102, the calculation unit 45 calculates the surplus or deficit of power in the vehicle to the set destination. Here, the calculation unit 45 first calculates the driving distance from the route to the destination and calculates the power consumption required to reach the destination by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient related to power consumption. After that, the calculation unit 45 calculates the difference between the calculated power consumption and the remaining power of the vehicle (power consumption - remaining power). In this embodiment, this difference is considered the surplus or deficit. If this difference is a positive value, it indicates that there is enough power, and if it is a negative value, it indicates that there is a power shortage.

[0036] After calculating the power surplus or deficit, the determination unit 46 determines whether there is a power surplus or not (step S103). In this step, the determination unit 46 determines that there is a power surplus if the difference is greater than a preset threshold, and determines that there is no power surplus if it is less than or equal to the threshold. If the determination unit 46 determines that there is no power surplus (step S103: No), it proceeds to step S105. Conversely, if the determination unit 46 determines that there is a power surplus (step S103: Yes), it proceeds to step S104. The threshold is set to a value that indicates the battery 49 of the vehicle 40 has a power level equal to or greater than a predetermined amount when the vehicle is delivered to its destination.

[0037] In step S104, the ECU 48 performs power control to supply power to the power supply lane 20. In this step, power is supplied (reverse power transmission) from the vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20. At this time, the ECU 48 sets the supply amount based on the calculated difference. For example, the ECU 48 supplies power (amount) obtained by subtracting a preset amount of power from the difference, which is the power stored in the vehicle 40's battery 49, to the power supply lane 20 via the energizing unit 21.

[0038] Furthermore, in step S105, a power supply is requested to the control device 10. In this step, power is supplied to the vehicle 40 from the power supply lane 20 via the power supply unit 21.

[0039] In the embodiment described above, when a vehicle 40 has sufficient battery charge 320 to cover the power required to reach its destination, it transmits power in reverse from that vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20. This adjusts the balance of power between the vehicles 40 traveling within the system's controllable range. According to this embodiment, the power balance of the entire wireless power transmission system 1 can be stabilized by adjusting the balance of power between the vehicles 40.

[0040] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the presence or absence of power is determined based on the remaining charge (SOC) of the battery 320, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the power control of the vehicle can be performed as follows.

[0041] (Variation 1) Next, a modification 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the power control flow in a vehicle according to modification 1. The system configuration is the same as that of the wireless power transmission system 1 according to the embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

[0042] In the power control according to Modification 1, the ECU 48 determines whether a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur in the near future under the control of the wireless power transmission system 1 (step S201). If the ECU 48 determines that no power shortage has occurred (step S201: No), it repeats the determination of whether or not a power shortage has occurred. On the other hand, if the ECU 48 determines that a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur (step S201: Yes), it proceeds to step S202.

[0043] In step S202, the calculation unit 45 calculates the surplus or deficit of power in the vehicle to the set destination in the same manner as in step S102.

[0044] After calculating the power surplus or deficit, the determination unit 46 determines whether there is a power surplus or not (step S203). If the determination unit 46 determines that there is no power surplus (step S203: No), it proceeds to step S206. Conversely, if the determination unit 46 determines that there is a power surplus (step S203: Yes), it proceeds to step S204. The threshold is set to a value that indicates the battery 49 of the vehicle 40 has a power level equal to or greater than a predetermined amount when the vehicle is delivered to its destination.

[0045] In step S204, the ECU 48 determines whether the vehicle is capable of generating its own power. For example, if the vehicle is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) equipped with an engine and a motor, and capable of charging the battery 49 by generating power inside the vehicle, the ECU 48 determines that it is capable of generating its own power. If the vehicle is capable of generating its own power (step S204: Yes), the ECU 48 proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not capable of generating its own power (step S204: No), the process ends.

[0046] In step S205, the ECU 48 performs power control to supply power to the power supply lane 20. In this step, power is supplied (reverse power transmission) from the vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20.

[0047] Furthermore, in step S206, a power supply is requested to the control device 10. In this step, power is supplied to the vehicle 40 from the power supply lane 20 via the energizing unit 21.

[0048] In the modified example 1 described above, a vehicle 40 whose battery 320 has sufficient remaining power to reach its destination transmits power in reverse from that vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20, thereby adjusting the balance of power between the vehicles 40 traveling within the system's controllable range. According to this modified example 1, the power balance of the entire wireless power transmission system 1 can be stabilized by adjusting the balance of power between the vehicles 40.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this modified example 1, for vehicles 40 that cannot charge the battery 49 by self-generation, reverse power transmission to the power supply lane 20 is prevented, so that power adjustment can be performed according to the characteristics of the vehicle 40.

[0050] (Modification 2) Next, a second modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the power control flow in a vehicle according to the second modification. The system configuration is the same as that of the wireless power transmission system 1 according to the embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

[0051] In the power control according to Modification 2, the ECU 48 determines whether a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur in the near future under the control of the wireless power transmission system 1 (step S301). If the ECU 48 determines that no power shortage has occurred (step S301: No), it repeats the determination of whether or not a power shortage has occurred. On the other hand, if the ECU 48 determines that a power shortage has occurred or is expected to occur (step S301: Yes), it proceeds to step S302.

[0052] In step S302, the calculation unit 45 calculates the surplus or deficit of power in the vehicle to the set destination in the same manner as in step S102.

[0053] After calculating the power surplus or deficit, the determination unit 46 determines whether there is a power surplus or not (step S303). If the determination unit 46 determines that there is no power surplus (step S303: No), it proceeds to step S306. Conversely, if the determination unit 46 determines that there is a power surplus (step S303: Yes), it proceeds to step S304. The threshold is set to a value that indicates the battery 49 of the vehicle 40 has a power level equal to or greater than a predetermined amount when the vehicle is delivered to its destination.

[0054] In step S304, the ECU48 determines whether its vehicle has low instantaneous power consumption. In this case, the lower the speed, the lower the instantaneous power consumption. The criteria for determining low speed are set based on speeds that are considered to have low instantaneous power consumption, such as speed during traffic congestion. For example, if the ECU48 is traveling at a low speed, it will determine that the vehicle has low instantaneous power consumption. If the ECU48 determines that the vehicle has low instantaneous power consumption (step S304: Yes), it proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if the ECU48 determines that the vehicle does not have low instantaneous power consumption (step S304: No), it terminates the process. In addition to instantaneous power consumption, power consumption may also be judged based on average vehicle speed.

[0055] In step S305, the ECU 48 performs power control to supply power to the power supply lane 20. In this step, power is supplied (reverse power transmission) from the vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20.

[0056] Furthermore, in step S306, a power supply is requested to the control device 10. In this step, power is supplied to the vehicle 40 from the power supply lane 20 via the energizing unit 21.

[0057] In the modified example 2 described above, a vehicle 40 whose battery 320 has sufficient remaining power to reach its destination transmits power in reverse from that vehicle 40 to the power supply lane 20, thereby adjusting the balance of power between the vehicles 40 traveling within the system's controllable range. According to this modified example 2, the power balance of the entire wireless power transmission system 1 can be stabilized by adjusting the balance of power between the vehicles 40.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this modified example 2, reverse power transmission to the power supply lane 20 is prevented depending on the magnitude of instantaneous power consumption, so power adjustment can be performed according to the power consumption status of the vehicle 40.

[0059] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. Wireless Power Transmission System 10 Control device 11 Control Unit 12 Communications Department 13, 47 Memory section 20 power supply lanes 21 Power supply section 30, 49 batteries 40 vehicles 41 Transmitter / Receiver 42 Communications Department 43 GPS section 44 Input / output section 45 Calculation Unit 46 Judgment section 48 ECU N Network

Claims

1. A vehicle control device that receives or transmits power to a power supply lane provided on the roadside and controls vehicles traveling on the road, Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, When a power shortage occurs in the power supply area via the aforementioned power supply lane, It is determined whether the vehicle on which the vehicle control device is installed is a vehicle capable of generating its own power. If it is determined that the vehicle is capable of generating its own power, and that there is a surplus of power, When it is determined that there is sufficient power, the power stored by the vehicle is supplied to the power supply lane. Vehicle control system.

2. A vehicle control device that receives or transmits power to a power supply lane provided on the road side and controls a vehicle traveling on the road, Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, When a power shortage occurs in the power supply area via the aforementioned power supply lane, It is determined whether the vehicle on which the vehicle control device is installed is a vehicle with low instantaneous power consumption. If it is determined that the vehicle has low instantaneous power consumption, then it is determined that there is sufficient power available. When it is determined that there is sufficient power, the power stored by the vehicle is supplied to the power supply lane. Vehicle control system.

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