Vehile and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for controlling the same. The purpose of the invention is to enable a user to recognize information regarding the inability to charge an auxiliary battery by notifying the user of the reason for the inability to charge and the charging status when the auxiliary battery cannot be charged during the charging cycle of an eco-friendly vehicle. To this end, a vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a first battery; and a control unit configured to check whether a predetermined condition for inability to charge the first battery is established at each predetermined charging cycle of the first battery, and to transmit status information of the first battery to the user of the vehicle if the condition for inability to charge the first battery is established.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to auxiliary battery charging control for an eco-friendly vehicle equipped with a main battery and an auxiliary battery. Background Technology

[0002] Eco-friendly vehicles may be equipped with a main battery that stores power to drive the motor and an auxiliary battery that stores power to supply other electrical components besides the motor. The DC voltage of such a main battery is also used to charge the auxiliary battery.

[0003] However, situations may arise where the auxiliary battery cannot be charged depending on the condition of the eco-friendly vehicle, and in such cases, the user of the eco-friendly vehicle is unaware of the reason why charging is impossible. Furthermore, as power consumption continues even when charging is not taking place, the risk of the auxiliary battery discharging increases; however, since the user is unaware of this, it may hinder vehicle operation. The problem to be solved

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, in an eco-friendly vehicle, when charging of the auxiliary battery is impossible during the charging cycle, the purpose is to enable the user to recognize information regarding the inability to charge the auxiliary battery by notifying the user of the reason for the inability to charge and the charging status. means of solving the problem

[0005] A vehicle according to the present invention for the purpose described above comprises a first battery; and a control unit configured to check whether a predetermined charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established at each predetermined charging cycle of the first battery, and to transmit status information of the first battery to a user of the vehicle if the charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established.

[0006] In the vehicle described above, the status information of the first battery includes at least one of the reason for not allowing charging of the first battery, the charging status information of the first battery, and the discharge risk warning of the first battery.

[0007] The vehicle described above further includes a second battery configured to supply power for charging to the first battery; and the charging non-permission condition includes a condition in which power for charging cannot be supplied from the second battery to the first battery.

[0008] In the vehicle described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which at least one of the vehicle's door, trunk, and engine room cover is open.

[0009] In the vehicle described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which the vehicle's transmission is not in the P (Parking) gear for parking.

[0010] In the vehicle described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a charging means for supplying a charging current to the first battery does not operate normally.

[0011] In the vehicle described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which the micro-controller involved in charging the first battery does not operate normally.

[0012] In the vehicle described above, the control unit performs charging of the first battery if the condition for prohibiting charging of the first battery is not met.

[0013] A vehicle control method according to the present invention for the above-described purpose comprises the steps of: checking whether a predetermined charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established at each predetermined charging cycle of the first battery; and transmitting status information of the first battery to a vehicle user when the charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established.

[0014] In the vehicle control method described above, the status information of the first battery includes at least one of the reason for not allowing charging of the first battery, the charging status information of the first battery, and the discharge risk warning of the first battery.

[0015] The vehicle control method described above further includes a second battery arranged to supply power for charging to the first battery; and the charging prohibition condition includes a condition in which power for charging cannot be supplied from the second battery to the first battery.

[0016] In the vehicle control method described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which at least one of the vehicle's door, trunk, and engine room cover is open.

[0017] In the vehicle control method described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which the vehicle's transmission is not in the P (Parking) stage for parking.

[0018] In the vehicle control method described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a charging means for supplying a charging current to the first battery does not operate normally.

[0019] In the vehicle control method described above, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a micro-controller involved in charging the first battery does not operate normally.

[0020] In the vehicle control method described above, if the condition for prohibiting charging of the first battery is not met, the method further includes the step of performing charging of the first battery.

[0021] Another vehicle control method according to the present invention for the above-described purpose comprises: a step of checking whether a plurality of predetermined charging prohibition conditions of the first battery are established at each predetermined charging cycle of the first battery; a step of transmitting a message containing status information of the first battery related to the established charging prohibition condition to a vehicle user if at least one of the plurality of charging prohibition conditions of the first battery is established; and a step of performing charging of the first battery if all of the plurality of charging prohibition conditions of the first battery are not established.

[0022] In the vehicle control method described above, the status information of the first battery includes at least one of the reason for not allowing charging of the first battery, the charging status information of the first battery, and the discharge risk warning of the first battery. Effects of the invention

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, in an eco-friendly vehicle, when charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not possible during the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery, the user is notified of the reason for the inability to charge and the charging status, thereby enabling the user to recognize the details regarding the inability to charge the auxiliary battery. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a power supply device for an eco-friendly vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control system for managing an auxiliary battery of an eco-friendly vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control method for an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a power supply device for an eco-friendly vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The power supply device shown in FIG. 1 is intended to supply power to a motor (112) and an electrical load (114).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device of an eco-friendly vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main battery (102) (second battery), a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) (104), an inverter (106), an auxiliary battery (108) (first battery), and a battery management system (BMS) (110).

[0027] The low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) converts the high DC voltage of the main battery (102) into a lower voltage DC. The low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) converts the high DC voltage of the main battery (102) into AC, steps down this AC through a coil, transformer, capacitor, etc., and then rectifies it to convert it into a lower voltage DC. The DC voltage stepped down by the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) is supplied to each electrical load (114) that requires low voltage.

[0028] The DC voltage of the main battery (102) is converted into an AC voltage having a predetermined phase and frequency by an inverter (106) and then supplied to the motor (112). The rotational force and speed of the motor (112) are determined by the output voltage of the inverter (106). The battery management system (110) controls the overall operation of the power supply device.

[0029] In addition, the DC voltage of the main battery (102) is also transmitted to the auxiliary battery (108) through the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) and used to charge the auxiliary battery (108). That is, the battery management system (110) checks the status of the auxiliary battery (108) at preset intervals and, when necessary, charges the auxiliary battery (108) with the DC voltage of the main battery (102).

[0030] However, charging of the auxiliary battery (108) may be permitted or prohibited depending on the condition of the eco-friendly vehicle. That is, when the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives, if the current condition of the eco-friendly vehicle corresponds to a predetermined charging inhibit condition of the auxiliary battery (108), charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is prohibited, and charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is performed during the corresponding cycle only when it is not a predetermined charging inhibit condition of the auxiliary battery (108).

[0031] When the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives, other surrounding devices related to the charging of the auxiliary battery (108) are switched from an inactive state to an active state (wake up) for the charging of the auxiliary battery (108). If the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives and other surrounding devices related to the charging of the auxiliary battery (108) are switched from an inactive state to an active state, but the current state of the eco-friendly vehicle corresponds to a predetermined charging prohibition condition of the auxiliary battery (108), then the charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not performed, and only power consumption occurs due to the activation switching of other surrounding devices related to the charging of the auxiliary battery (108). The power consumed at this time is the power of the auxiliary battery (108). That is, when the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives, if charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not permitted due to constraints based on the current state of the eco-friendly vehicle, not only is charging of the auxiliary battery (108) not performed, but furthermore, the power of the auxiliary battery (108) may be unnecessarily consumed due to the activation (wake up) of surrounding devices.

[0032] If a user of an eco-friendly vehicle does not recognize the charging inhibition condition and charging status of such an auxiliary battery (108), the user may mistakenly judge that there is a problem with the auxiliary battery (108) or with the charging-related devices. In an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, when charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is impossible during the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108), the user is notified of the charging inhibition condition, charging status, and discharge risk warning so that the user can recognize the details regarding the inability to charge the auxiliary battery (108).

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control system for managing an auxiliary battery of an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the control unit (202) may be a Hybrid Control Unit (HCU). When the auxiliary battery (108) is unable to be charged during the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108), the control unit (202) notifies the user of the reason for not allowing charging of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a warning of discharge risk.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit (202) receives current status information of the eco-friendly vehicle from various devices of the eco-friendly vehicle. Devices that provide information on the current status of the eco-friendly vehicle to the control unit (202) may include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) (110), a central gateway (CGW) (204), a transmission control unit (TCU) (206), a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) (104), a micro control unit (MCU) (208), etc. Devices that provide information on the current status of the eco-friendly vehicle to the control unit (202) are not limited thereto and may include many other devices.

[0035] The battery management system (BMS) (110) provides information on the state of charge (SOC) of each main battery (102) and auxiliary battery (108) to the control unit (202). If the state of charge (SOC) of the main battery (102) is not sufficient to charge the auxiliary battery (108), or if there is another problem with the main battery (102) that prevents the auxiliary battery (108) from being charged, the auxiliary battery (108) is not charged (condition A for prohibiting auxiliary battery charging).

[0036] The Central Gateway (CGW) (204) provides the control unit (202) with information on the disconnection status of various connectors connecting the auxiliary battery (108) to other components, and information on the open status of the doors, trunk, engine room cover, etc. of the eco-friendly vehicle. If the various connectors of the auxiliary battery (108) are disconnected, or if the doors, trunk, engine room cover, etc. of the eco-friendly vehicle are open, charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not performed (condition B prohibiting auxiliary battery charging).

[0037] The transmission control unit (TCU) (206) provides information on the current state of the transmission, i.e., the gear position, to the control unit (202). If the transmission of the eco-friendly vehicle is not in the P (Parking) position for parking, charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not performed (condition C for disallowing auxiliary battery charging).

[0038] The low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) (104) provides fault information to the control unit (202). That is, when the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104), which is a charging means for supplying charging current to the auxiliary battery (108), does not operate normally, it provides information to the control unit (202) to indicate the fault of the low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) (104). Since charging of the auxiliary battery (108) using the power of the main battery (102) is impossible when the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) does not operate normally, charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not performed in this case (condition D for disallowing auxiliary battery charging).

[0039] The Micro Control Unit (MCU) (208) also provides fault information to the control unit (202). That is, when the Micro Control Unit (208) does not operate normally, it provides information to the control unit (202) to indicate the failure of the Micro Control Unit (208). If the Micro Control Unit (208) involved in charging the auxiliary battery (108) does not operate normally, the control handled by the Micro Control Unit (208) is not performed normally; therefore, in this case, charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not performed (condition E for prohibiting auxiliary battery charging).

[0040] The control unit (202) receives status information of the eco-friendly vehicle provided by various devices of the eco-friendly vehicle, including a battery management system (110), a central gateway (204), a transmission control unit (206), a low-voltage DC-DC converter (104), and a micro control unit (208), for every charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108), and analyzes the received information to determine whether the current state of the eco-friendly vehicle corresponds to the charging prohibition conditions (A / B / C / D / E) of the auxiliary battery (108). If it is determined that the current state of the eco-friendly vehicle corresponds to the charging prohibition conditions (A / B / C / D / E) of the auxiliary battery (108), the control unit (202) transmits a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the user of the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and the risk of discharge. The user of the eco-friendly vehicle can recognize the current status of the eco-friendly vehicle through a message transmitted from the control unit (202), and accurately recognize the reason why the auxiliary battery (108) cannot be charged, the charging status, and the risk of discharge.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control method for an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the third control method, when the auxiliary battery (108) cannot be charged during the charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108), the control unit (202) notifies the user of the reason for not allowing charging of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a warning of discharge risk.

[0042] The eco-friendly vehicle is maintained in a standby state (302).

[0043] The control unit (202) checks whether the predetermined charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives while the eco-friendly vehicle is in standby mode (304).

[0044] If the predetermined charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) arrives ('yes' of 304), the control unit (202) activates (wake up) the peripheral devices related to charging the auxiliary battery (108) (306).

[0045] In addition, the control unit (202) switches the auxiliary battery (108) to a charging mode (308).

[0046] Additionally, the control unit (202) checks whether the current charge amount (SOC) of the auxiliary battery (108) exceeds a preset value (310). Here, the preset value is a reference value for determining whether or not the auxiliary battery (108) needs to be charged. That is, if the current charge amount of the auxiliary battery (108) is less than or equal to the preset value, the control unit (202) determines that the auxiliary battery (108) needs to be charged. Conversely, if the current charge amount of the auxiliary battery (108) exceeds the preset value, the control unit (202) determines that the auxiliary battery (108) does not need to be charged.

[0047] If it is determined that the current charge of the auxiliary battery (108) exceeds a preset value, the control unit (202) determines that charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not necessary and waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0048] Conversely, if it is determined that the auxiliary battery (108) needs to be charged because the current charge amount of the auxiliary battery (108) is less than or equal to a preset value, the control unit (202) receives current status information of the eco-friendly vehicle in sequence from various devices of the eco-friendly vehicle described in FIG. 2. In addition, it checks from the received status information whether the current status of the eco-friendly vehicle corresponds to a condition prohibiting charging of the auxiliary battery (108).

[0049] The control unit (202) first checks whether the charging prohibition condition A mentioned in the description of FIG. 2 above is met (312). That is, the control unit (202) checks whether the charge state (SOC) of the main battery (102) is insufficient to charge the auxiliary battery (108), or whether the auxiliary battery (108) cannot be charged due to other problems occurring in the main battery (102). If the charge state (SOC) of the main battery (102) is insufficient to charge the auxiliary battery (108), or if the auxiliary battery (108) cannot be charged due to other problems occurring in the main battery (102) ('Yes' in 312), the control unit (202) sends a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charge state, and a discharge risk warning. When the transmission of the message is complete, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0050] If charging prohibition condition A is not met ('No' in 312), the control unit (202) checks whether charging prohibition condition B, previously described in FIG. 2, is met (314). That is, the control unit (202) checks whether the various connectors of the auxiliary battery (108) are disconnected or whether the doors, trunk, engine room cover, etc. of the eco-friendly vehicle are open. If the various connectors of the auxiliary battery (108) are disconnected or the doors, trunk, engine room cover, etc. of the eco-friendly vehicle are open ('Yes' in 314), the control unit (202) transmits a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a discharge risk warning. Once the transmission of the message is complete, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0051] If charging prohibition condition B is not met ('No' in 314), the control unit (202) checks whether charging prohibition condition C, previously described in FIG. 2, is met (316). That is, the control unit (202) checks whether the transmission of the eco-friendly vehicle is not in the P (Parking) gear for parking. If the transmission of the eco-friendly vehicle is not in the P (Parking) gear for parking ('Yes' in 316), the control unit (202) determines that charging of the auxiliary battery (108) is not possible and sends a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the user of the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a warning of discharge risk. Once the transmission of the message is complete, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0052] If the charging prohibition condition C is not met ('No' in 316), the control unit (202) checks whether the charging prohibition condition D mentioned in the description of FIG. 2 is met (318). That is, the control unit (202) checks whether the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) is not operating normally. If the low-voltage DC-DC converter (104) is not operating normally ('Yes' in 318), the control unit (202) transmits a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the user of the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a warning of discharge risk. Once the transmission of the message is complete, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0053] If charging prohibition condition D is not met ('No' in 318), the control unit (202) checks whether charging prohibition condition E, previously described in FIG. 2, is met (320). That is, the control unit (202) checks whether the micro-control unit (208) is not operating normally. If the micro-control unit (208) is not operating normally ('Yes' in 320), the control unit (202) transmits a message to the user via the telematics multimedia unit (210) to notify the user of the reason for the charging prohibition of the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and a warning of discharge risk. Once the transmission of the message is complete, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0054] If the charging prohibition condition E is not met ('No' of 320), the control unit (202) determines that none of the charging prohibition conditions of the auxiliary battery (108) are met and performs charging of the auxiliary battery (108) (324).

[0055] When the auxiliary battery (108) is fully charged, the control unit (202) waits until the next charging cycle of the auxiliary battery (108) (326).

[0056] According to the series of control processes of the control unit (202) as described above, the user of the eco-friendly vehicle can recognize the current status of the eco-friendly vehicle through messages transmitted from the control unit (202), and accurately recognize the reason for the refusal to charge the auxiliary battery (108), the charging status, and the risk of discharge.

[0057] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and substitutions within the scope of the essential characteristics without departing from the nature of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed above and the attached drawings are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept, and the scope of the technical concept is not limited by such embodiments and attached drawings. The scope of protection shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 102 : Main battery 104 : Low Voltage DC-DC Converter (LDC) 106 : Inverter 108 : Power Bank 110 : Battery Management System (BMS) 112 : Motor 114 : Battlefield Load 202 : Control Unit (HCU) 204 : Central Gateway (CGW) 206 : Transmission Control Unit (TCU) 208 : Microcontroller Unit (MCU) 210 : Telematics Multimedia Unit (TMU)

Claims

Claim 1 A vehicle comprising: a first battery; a second battery provided to supply power for charging to the first battery; and a control unit provided to receive fault information from a low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) at each predetermined charging cycle of the first battery, and if it is determined that the low-voltage DC-DC converter is not operating normally according to the fault information, confirm that a predetermined charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established, and if the charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established, transmit to the user of the vehicle status information of the first battery including a reason for charging prohibition that the low-voltage DC-DC converter, which supplies charging current to the first battery using power from the second battery, is not operating normally. Claim 2 A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the state information of the first battery further comprises at least one of the charge state information of the first battery and the discharge risk alarm of the first battery. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which at least one of the vehicle’s door, trunk, and engine room cover is open. Claim 5 In claim 1, the above charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which the vehicle's transmission is not in the P (Parking) stage for parking. Claim 6 A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a charging means for supplying a charging current to the first battery does not operate normally. Claim 7 In claim 6, the above charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a micro-controller involved in charging the first battery does not operate normally. Claim 8 In claim 1, the control unit is a vehicle that performs charging of the first battery when the condition prohibiting charging of the first battery is not met. Claim 9 A vehicle control method comprising: a step of receiving fault information from a low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) at each predetermined charging cycle of a first battery, and determining that a predetermined charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established if it is determined that the low-voltage DC-DC converter is not operating normally according to the fault information; and a step of transmitting status information of the first battery including a reason for charging prohibition, wherein the low-voltage DC-DC converter, which supplies charging current to the first battery using power from a second battery arranged to supply power for charging the first battery to a vehicle user, is not operating normally, when the charging prohibition condition of the first battery is established. Claim 10 A vehicle control method according to claim 9, wherein the state information of the first battery further comprises at least one of the charge state information of the first battery and the discharge risk alarm of the first battery. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 In claim 9, the above charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which at least one of the vehicle’s door, trunk, and engine room cover is open. Claim 13 In claim 9, the above charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which the transmission of the vehicle is not in the P (Parking) stage for parking. Claim 14 In claim 9, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a charging means for supplying a charging current to the first battery does not operate normally. Claim 15 In claim 9, the charging prohibition condition further includes a condition in which a micro-controller involved in charging the first battery does not operate normally. Claim 16 A vehicle control method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of performing charging of the first battery if the condition prohibiting charging of the first battery is not met. Claim 17 A vehicle control method comprising: a step of receiving fault information from a low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) at each predetermined charging cycle of a first battery, and determining that the low-voltage DC-DC converter is not operating normally according to the fault information, confirming that a plurality of predetermined charging prohibition conditions of the first battery are established; a step of transmitting a message including status information of the first battery, which includes a reason for charging prohibition stating that the low-voltage DC-DC converter supplying charging current to the first battery is not operating normally, using power from a second battery arranged to supply power for charging the first battery to the vehicle user, when at least one of the plurality of charging prohibition conditions of the first battery is established; and a step of performing charging of the first battery when all of the plurality of charging prohibition conditions of the first battery are not established. Claim 18 A vehicle control method according to claim 17, wherein the state information of the first battery further comprises at least one of the charge state information of the first battery and the discharge risk alarm of the first battery.

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