Driving mode control device for electric vehicle and driving mode control method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a driving mode control device and a control method for an electric vehicle, wherein the device and method utilize map-based data to improve fuel efficiency and driving range by using a variable driving mode engagement map according to the situation, rather than a driving mode engagement map at a fixed vehicle speed, and recalculate the fuel efficiency and driving range resulting from the effect, and display the driving range to the user.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle and a driving mode control method using the same. More specifically, the invention relates to a driving mode control device and a control method for an electric vehicle that recalculates fuel efficiency and driving distance using a variable driving mode engagement map according to the situation and displays the driving range to the user. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles are gaining attention as a new means of transportation not only to solve pollution problems such as noise and exhaust emissions from automobiles, but also to effectively utilize surplus electricity related to energy conservation. An electric vehicle refers to a vehicle that drives by charging electricity into a battery and using the charged electricity to power a motor.

[0003] In electric vehicles, it is important to check the battery status regarding the current battery temperature and battery State of Charge (SOC), and to manage the battery so that the battery status is maintained above a certain level. One of the reasons for this is that the battery SOC must be monitored in real time to inform the driver of the driving range based on the remaining battery capacity while driving.

[0004] Regarding the driving range based on the remaining battery capacity, a function is provided to estimate the driving range (DTE: Distance To Empty) from the current battery energy state and display it on the cluster, etc.

[0005] Four-wheel drive (4WD) systems include mechanical 4WD systems, which are manually selected by the driver, and electronic 4WD systems controlled by a control unit. Electronic 4WD systems can be divided into AWD (All Wheel Drive) mode, where all four wheels are driven, and FWD (Front Wheel Drive) mode, where only two wheels are driven.

[0006] Current electronic four-wheel drive systems engage or disengage four-wheel drive based on a fixed vehicle speed. In other words, the drive mode is switched to allow driving in four-wheel drive within a fixed range, for example, below a certain speed and above a certain speed.

[0007] When a vehicle is produced, a driving mode switching standard map is stored to calculate the standard vehicle speed. The driving mode switching standard map has different standards for each situation depending on the vehicle's design or environment. As shown in the driving mode switching standard map of Fig. 1, it shows the correlation between vehicle speed and accelerator pedal opening amount (torque), and is divided into an AWD (All Wheel Drive, 4WD) area and an FWD (Front Wheel Drive, 2WD) area depending on the vehicle speed and accelerator pedal opening amount.

[0008] First, it means that the vehicle is driven in 4WD mode at speeds from 0 km / h to a km / h, in 2WD mode at speeds from a km / h to b km / h, and in 4WD mode at speeds of b km / h or higher.

[0009] Meanwhile, under other conditions, four-wheel drive may be engaged or disengaged based on a fixed accelerator pedal opening amount (torque). That is, regarding the fixed torque, for example, at the point where an electric vehicle traveling at a predetermined speed exceeds a predetermined torque for rapid acceleration under conditions such as overtaking, the system may switch to engage four-wheel drive even at vehicle speeds between a km / h and b km / h.

[0010] While four-wheel drive offers significantly superior performance compared to two-wheel drive, it has disadvantages such as increased weight, rolling resistance due to the increased number of rotating parts, and reduced fuel efficiency.

[0011] In other words, even though it is possible to drive sufficiently with two-wheel drive, driving in four-wheel drive mode depending on the method of switching the drive mode at a fixed vehicle speed or torque range may result in a loss of fuel efficiency or a shorter driving range. Prior art literature

[65535] Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1601222 Published Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0064515 Published Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0065424 Published Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0075089 The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a drive mode control device and a control method for an electric vehicle capable of improving fuel efficiency by changing the conditions for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive drive modes according to the fuel efficiency and conditions of each road.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a driving mode control device and a control method for an electric vehicle that calculates the driving mode switching frequency and varies the driving mode switching range by considering the motor efficiency point.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a driving mode control device and a control method for an electric vehicle capable of calculating and displaying new fuel efficiency and driving range to a user based on driving mode switching conditions that vary according to road conditions. means of solving the problem

[0015] A driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to the present invention for achieving such an objective may comprise: a route input unit that receives destination information from a user; a control unit that changes the driving mode switching conditions for two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive by reflecting fuel efficiency by road attribute and vehicle driving status information included in the route to the destination, and calculates a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; and a display unit that displays the new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) calculated by the control unit in a form recognizable by the user.

[0016] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the road attributes may include at least one of an urban area, a national road, an expressway, a main road, an unpaved road, a local road, a hilly road, and a steel plate road.

[0017] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the vehicle's driving status information may include at least one of battery remaining capacity, weather, gradient, vehicle speed, turning, and temperature.

[0018] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the path input unit may be a navigation device mounted on the vehicle.

[0019] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the navigation device receives TPEG data that provides real-time traffic information, and the control unit can extract road section information using the TPEG data.

[0020] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the route input unit may include a wireless communication unit capable of receiving wireless data from a mobile communication terminal having a built-in GPS receiving module.

[0021] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the wireless communication unit can exchange data with the mobile communication terminal using a short-range wireless communication method.

[0022] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the control unit can calculate the switching frequency according to the changed driving mode switching condition and calculate the motor efficiency under the changed driving mode switching condition to calculate a new fuel efficiency.

[0023] In the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the control unit can calculate a new fuel efficiency by reflecting the disconnecter operating energy according to the changed driving mode switching condition.

[0024] A driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a route input unit that obtains destination information from a user; a server that changes the driving mode switching conditions for two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive by reflecting fuel efficiency by road attribute and vehicle driving status information included in the route to the destination, and calculates a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; a wireless communication unit that provides the destination information to the server and receives the new fuel efficiency and driving range information from the server; and a display unit that displays the new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) received through the wireless communication unit in a form recognizable by the user.

[0025] A driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to the present invention may comprise: a step of receiving destination information; a step of receiving information on fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status by road attribute included in a path to the destination; a step of changing the driving mode switching conditions for two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; and a step of displaying the calculated new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) in a form recognizable by a user. Effects of the invention

[0026] The driving mode control device and control method of an electric vehicle according to the present invention can display the optimized driving range to the destination so that the driver can recognize it. By varying the driving mode switching according to road conditions and vehicle information, the optimized fuel efficiency can be calculated and provided to the driver. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] Figure 1 is an example diagram showing a fixed driving mode switching reference map. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of calculating a new fuel efficiency in a driving mode control method of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing that the driving mode switching standard is varied by implementing the driving mode control device and control method of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] With respect to the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the text, specific structural or functional descriptions are provided merely for the purpose of explaining the embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described in the text.

[0029] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may take various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0031] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0032] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the disclosed features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] Meanwhile, if an embodiment can be implemented differently, the functions or operations specified within a particular block may occur in a different order than that specified in the flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or, depending on the related functions or operations, the blocks may be executed in reverse order.

[0035] Hereinafter, a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to the present invention and a driving mode control method using the same will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, it comprises a navigation system (110) for inputting destination information, a control unit (150) for calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range by changing the driving mode switching conditions and frequency to the destination, and a display unit (130) for displaying the new fuel efficiency and driving range calculated by the control unit.

[0037] The navigation system (110) receives destination information from the user and transmits road information to the destination to the control unit (150). For example, it may include information on at least one of a city, national road, expressway, arterial road, unpaved road, local road, uphill road, and steel road. At this time, the navigation information transmitted to the control unit (150) may further include information regarding the condition of the road where the vehicle is expected to proceed from the current vehicle location, such as a high-accident area ahead, a rockfall area ahead, a sharp curve area ahead, a speed bump area ahead, and the regulated vehicle speed of the road where the vehicle is currently traveling. That is, the navigation information may include information for predicting the vehicle's condition in the near future rather than the current vehicle's condition.

[0038] Additionally, the navigation system (100) can receive TPEG data that provides real-time traffic information and transmit it to the control unit (150). The control unit (150) may also extract road section information using the TPEG data.

[0039] The memory (120) stores data necessary for the control unit (150) to calculate fuel efficiency. For example, the memory (120) stores information such as a reference map for switching driving modes by vehicle speed, information on the average fuel efficiency of past driving, and fuel efficiency information corresponding to the power consumption of the air conditioning system relative to temperature. For example, when the vehicle is currently moving straight, the steering angle is below a reference value, so the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive mode. If there is a sharp curve ahead, it is predicted that the steering angle will exceed the reference value, so the driving force is distributed to the current or rear driving wheels in advance to drive four-wheel drive, thereby maintaining the stability of the vehicle when entering the sharp curve area.

[0040] The display unit (130) displays the driving distance (Distance To Empty) as a numerical value so that the user can intuitively recognize it. The display form of the display unit (130) may be shown through the instrument panel on the dashboard or may be displayed as a digital image on the driver's windshield.

[0041] The sensor unit (160) provides vehicle driving status information to the control unit (150). The sensor unit (160) may be provided as a driving assistance system for the vehicle. For example, it may include a GPS sensor, a laser scanner, a front radar, Lidar, etc., for sensing the situation in front of the vehicle. The vehicle driving status information may include at least one of battery status information, weather, gradient, vehicle speed, turning, temperature, accelerator pedal opening amount, engine torque, and gear information.

[0042] Meanwhile, the control unit (150) selects one of the 4WD mode or 2WD mode as the driving method of the current vehicle according to the vehicle speed and the amount of accelerator pedal opening in the current driving state. The 2WD / 4WD actuator (140) switches the driving method according to the mode switching signal output by the control unit (150).

[0043] That is, FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 2, this is an embodiment in which navigation is not used as a route input unit. That is, the vehicle is equipped with a short-range wireless communication unit (210) to exchange data with a mobile communication terminal (270) inside the vehicle using a short-range wireless communication method. The mobile communication terminal (270) may be equipped with a GPS receiving module. The short-range wireless communication unit (210) receives destination information from the user and transmits road information to the destination to the control unit (150). At this time, the mobile communication terminal (270) can implement a navigation application stored in the terminal to replace the function performed by the navigation (110) device in one embodiment. At this time, the memory (220), display unit (230), 2WD / 4WD actuator (240), and sensor unit (260) implement the same functions as the components included in the first embodiment of FIG. 2, so a detailed description is omitted. That is, the memory (220) stores data necessary for the operation of the control unit (250), the display unit (230) displays data transmitted from the control unit (250), the sensor unit (260) provides sensing data necessary for the calculation operation of the control unit (250), and the 2WD / 4WD actuator (240) switches the driving method according to the mode switching signal output by the control unit (250).

[0044] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the embodiment of FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which data stored in a database (381) is used to perform operations on a server (380) outside the vehicle. Looking at the configuration, it comprises a navigation unit (310) that performs the role of a route input unit, a memory (320) that provides data necessary for the fuel efficiency calculation operation of the server (380), a display unit (330) that displays information necessary for the user, a 2WD / 4WD actuator (340) that switches to two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive according to a drive mode control signal, a sensing unit (360) that provides various sensing data necessary for the fuel efficiency calculation operation of the server (380), and a wireless communication unit (370) that transmits destination information entered through the navigation unit (310), data provided to the memory (320), and sensing data provided by the sensing unit (360) to the server (380), and transmits information received from the server (380) to the control unit (350).

[0045] Unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the above control unit (350) does not perform operations related to the calculation of new fuel efficiency and driving range, and controls the memory (320), display unit (330), 2WD / 4WD actuator (340), sensing unit (360), and wireless communication unit (370).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of calculating a new fuel efficiency in a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] As mentioned above, in the driving mode control of an electric vehicle according to the present invention, the entity performing the operation to calculate new fuel efficiency and driving range may be a control unit within the vehicle or a server connected to a wireless network. First, destination information is received. In a vehicle equipped with a navigation system, destination information entered by the user is transmitted to the control unit. In a vehicle without a navigation system, destination information entered by the user by running an application stored on a mobile communication terminal is transmitted to the control unit via a short-range wireless communication device. If the calculation of new fuel efficiency and driving range is performed by a server connected to a wireless network, the destination information is transmitted to the server via a wireless communication unit (S510).

[0048] When the control unit in the vehicle calculates new fuel efficiency and driving range, the navigation provides road attributes included in the route to the destination to the control unit. When the server calculates new fuel efficiency and driving range, it reads road attributes included in the route to the destination from a database connected to the server. Meanwhile, the sensing unit senses the vehicle's driving status information and provides it to the control unit or the server (S520).

[0049] In the drive control device of an electric vehicle according to the embodiments of FIG. 2 and 3, a control unit within the vehicle calculates a new fuel efficiency and driving range based on data received. In the drive control device of an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, a new fuel efficiency and driving range are calculated based on data received from a server outside the vehicle (S530).

[0050] The operation to calculate the new fuel efficiency and driving range in the control unit or server is performed as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0051] A control unit within the vehicle or a server outside the vehicle changes the conditions for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes by reflecting fuel efficiency by road attribute and vehicle operating status information included in the route to the destination. At this time, the calculation process for fuel efficiency by road attribute may include areas prone to accidents ahead, areas prone to rockfalls ahead, areas with sharp curves ahead, areas with speed bumps ahead, and the regulated vehicle speed of the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling. Additionally, the conditions for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes can be changed using acquired road surface information.

[0052] The vehicle's operating status information may include vehicle speed, torque, gradient, turning, temperature, etc. In addition, the vehicle's operating status information may include an accelerator pedal value indicating the degree of opening of the accelerator pedal, a wheel slip amount indicating the degree of wheel slip which is the speed difference between the main drive wheel (13) and the secondary drive wheel (12), and a steering angle of the steering wheel (S531).

[0053] The efficiency of the motors is reflected according to the change in the operating point of the front and rear motors. Compared to two-wheel drive, when driving four-wheel drive, the front and rear motors generate torque by combining, so each motor operates at a lower torque, and thus the efficiency of the motors decreases relatively. The efficiency of the motors is reflected in the driving mode switching condition (S532).

[0054] The driving time and energy consumed for each road are calculated by taking into account the legal speed or average speed for each road to the destination (S533).

[0055] The frequency of driving mode switching is predicted by reflecting road conditions and vehicle situation information, and the disconnecter operating energy corresponding to the frequency is predicted and calculated. The energy consumed is predicted and calculated by counting the number of times and the time during which driving mode switching is reduced (S534).

[0056] Fuel efficiency is calculated based on predicted energy consumption. The new fuel efficiency can be calculated using the cumulative driving distance after charging, the predicted energy consumption to the destination, the battery state of charge (SOC) immediately after charging, and the current battery state of charge information (S535).

[0057] The control unit or server calculates the driving range (DTE) based on the newly calculated fuel efficiency. As a method for calculating the driving range of an electric vehicle, a method can be used that calculates the driving range by utilizing the relationship between the remaining charge of the high-voltage battery and the energy consumption ratio per distance of the vehicle. Unlike the case where the driving mode switching area is fixed as in the prior art, the fuel efficiency is increased by increasing the two-wheel drive area, where the efficiency of the motor operating point is better than the four-wheel drive area, where the motor efficiency is relatively lower, and the driving range based on this can also be increased (S536).

[0058] The control unit or server displays newly calculated fuel efficiency and driving range information through the vehicle's display unit (S540).

[0059] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing that the driving mode switching area is varied by the driving mode control device and control method of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. The control unit or server changes the driving mode switching conditions based on received road attribute information and vehicle driving status information. As illustrated, the driving mode switching area according to the prior art was fixed at a vehicle speed of "a km / h" or less or a vehicle speed of "b km / h" or more. However, with the application of the present invention, the minimum speed for driving in two-wheel drive increases to "A km / h," and the maximum speed for driving in two-wheel drive increases to "B km / h." That is, as illustrated, it can be seen that the two-wheel drive area has increased.

[0060] As described above, the driving mode control device and control method of an electric vehicle according to the present invention can calculate energy consumption by variably controlling the driving mode switching area and frequency, and can calculate energy consumption according to the total driving distance by reflecting the efficiency of the front and rear wheel motors under the driving conditions. In this way, the driving range can be improved by variably controlling the disconnecter connection area, and improved driving range information can be displayed to the user.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0062] 110, 310: Navigation, 120, 220, 320: Memory 130, 230, 330: Display unit 140, 150, 350: 2WD / 4WD actuator 150, 250, 350: Control unit 160, 260, 360: Sensor unit 210: Near-field wireless communication unit 270: Mobile communication terminal 370: Wireless Communications Unit 380: Server

Claims

Claim 1 A drive mode control device for an electric vehicle comprising: a memory for storing reference data for switching drive modes between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive; a route input unit for receiving destination information from a user; a control unit for changing the drive mode switching conditions among the reference data by reflecting fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status information for each road attribute included in the route to the destination, and calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; and a display unit for displaying the new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) calculated by the control unit in a form recognizable by the user. Claim 2 A driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the road attribute includes at least one of an urban area, a national road, an expressway, a main road, an unpaved road, a local road, a hilly road, and a steel plate road. Claim 3 In claim 1, the driving mode control device of an electric vehicle, wherein the driving status information of the vehicle includes at least one of battery charge, weather, gradient, vehicle speed, turning, temperature, and accelerator pedal opening amount. Claim 4 In claim 1, the path input unit is a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle, which is a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the above navigation device receives TPEG data providing real-time traffic information, and the control unit extracts road section information using the TPEG data. This is a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle. Claim 6 In claim 1, the above-mentioned route input unit is a wireless communication unit capable of receiving wireless data from a mobile communication terminal with a built-in GPS receiving module, and is a driving mode control device for an electric vehicle. Claim 7 In paragraph 6, the wireless communication unit is a driving mode control device of an electric vehicle that exchanges data with the mobile communication terminal using a short-range wireless communication method. Claim 8 A driving mode control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the switching frequency according to the changed driving mode switching condition and calculates the motor efficiency under the changed driving mode switching condition to calculate a new fuel efficiency. Claim 9 In claim 8, the control unit is a drive mode control device for an electric vehicle that calculates a new fuel efficiency by reflecting the disconnecter operating energy according to the changed drive mode switching conditions. Claim 10 A method for controlling a driving mode of an electric vehicle, comprising: storing reference data for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive in memory; receiving destination information; receiving fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status information for each road attribute included in the path to the destination; changing the driving mode switching condition among the reference data and calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; and displaying the calculated new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) in a form recognizable by a user. Claim 11 In claim 10, the step of receiving the destination information is a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle that receives destination information from a user through a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. Claim 12 In claim 10, the step of receiving the destination information is a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle that receives the information from a mobile communication terminal with a built-in GPS receiving module via a short-range wireless communication device mounted on the vehicle. Claim 13 A driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the road attributes include at least one of an urban area, a national road, an expressway, a main road, an unpaved road, a local road, a hilly road, and a steel plate road. Claim 14 In claim 10, the driving state information of the above vehicle includes at least one of battery charge, weather, gradient, vehicle speed, turning, temperature, and accelerator pedal opening amount, in a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle. Claim 15 In claim 10, the steps of receiving fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status information for each road attribute included in the path to the destination, changing the driving mode switching conditions for two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon are performed by a control unit mounted on the vehicle. Claim 16 In claim 10, the steps of receiving fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status information by road attribute included in the path to the destination, changing the driving mode switching conditions of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and calculating a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon are performed by a server outside the vehicle in a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle. Claim 17 A driving mode control method for an electric vehicle according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the new fuel efficiency is calculated by calculating the switching frequency according to the changed driving mode switching conditions and calculating the motor efficiency under the changed driving mode switching conditions. Claim 18 In claim 17, the above new fuel efficiency is a driving mode control method for an electric vehicle calculated by reflecting the disconnecter operating energy according to the changed driving mode switching conditions. Claim 19 A drive mode control device for an electric vehicle comprising: a memory for storing reference data for switching drive modes between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive; a route input unit for obtaining destination information from a user; a server that changes the drive mode switching conditions among the reference data by reflecting fuel efficiency and vehicle driving status information for each road attribute included in the route to the destination, and calculates a new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) based thereon; a wireless communication unit that provides the destination information to the server via a wireless network and receives the new fuel efficiency and driving range information from the server; a display unit that displays the new fuel efficiency and driving range (DTE) received through the wireless communication unit in a form recognizable by the user; and a control unit that controls the communication operation of the wireless communication unit and the display operation of the display unit, and controls the drive of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive based on the received data.

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