Integrated simulation apparatus and method for verifying driving system of electric vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated simulation apparatus and method for verifying a driving system of an electric vehicle. In the integrated simulation apparatus (100) of the present invention, module PCBs, each equipped with core software corresponding to components or equipment belonging to the driving system, are configured independently of each other. By connecting an external device (200) requiring a performance test simulation to the integrated simulation apparatus (100) of the present invention and then transmitting a predetermined emulation control signal of the driving system, the performance test simulation of the external device may be performed.

Description

Integrated simulation device and method for verifying electric vehicle drive systems

[0001] The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and more particularly to simulation equipment useful for developing and updating electric vehicle drive system components.

[0002] During the automobile development phase, various tests are conducted. For electric vehicles in particular, the primary focus is on verifying the performance of the battery and drivetrain. A single finished product consists of multiple components. Simply assembling the best components does not automatically result in the best finished product. Various variables can arise during the process of connecting and assembling components, and unit cost must also be considered. If the electric vehicle drivetrain is represented as X, the components used in the drivetrain can be represented as a set relationship.

[0003] X = {X1, X2, X3, …}

[0004] Part X1 can be developed in several modes, which can also be conceptualized as a set.

[0005] X1= {x1, x2, x3, …}

[0006] Determining which parts to use to build a finished vehicle requires a lot of trial and error and testing. However, it is impossible to actually manufacture all possible parts to verify optimal performance. Of course, equipment for testing part performance is known, and various experimental equipment can be used to verify part performance at the electric vehicle development site. However, during the actual vehicle development stage, the performance of an electric vehicle battery and drive system must consider not only the performance of the part itself, but also the performance when used with other parts within a single vehicle, that is, performance verification in connection with each other. In the past, performance verification had to be performed using test equipment for X1, X2, and X3, which led to problems such as limited space, longer time, and the burden of the cost of manufacturing the equipment itself.

[0007] The inventor of the present invention completed the invention after extensive research to address the aforementioned problems in prior art. To provide consumers with better electric vehicles more quickly, faster and more flexible design verification is essential.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated simulation device for verifying electric vehicle drive systems as a single simulation device. Another objective of the present invention is to achieve performance verification without location constraints, shorten development periods, and reduce development costs.

[0009] Another purpose of the present invention is to enable performance verification of batteries after use by simulating them like an actual vehicle.

[0010] Meanwhile, other unspecified purposes of the present invention will be additionally considered within a range that can be easily inferred from the detailed description and effects thereof below.

[0011] The first aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned task is an integrated simulation device for verifying an electric vehicle drive system:

[0012] A drivetrain emulation module that generates emulation control signals to be transmitted to an external device;

[0013] A communication unit that communicates with the external device and transmits an emulation control signal to the external device;

[0014] A monitor displaying the simulation status of the control unit; and

[0015] It includes a control unit that performs a performance test simulation of the external device while controlling the operation of the above drive system emulation module,

[0016] The above drivetrain emulation module:

[0017] At least one module among a BMS module for managing an electric vehicle battery, an inverter module for converting the direct current power of the battery into alternating current power, a DCDC module for converting the battery voltage into a required voltage, a VCU module which is a vehicle control unit, an EVCC module for controlling electric vehicle charging, and an OBC module for converting AC power input by a charger into DC power are each independently configured;

[0018] The control unit is characterized in that, when the external device is connected to the device, the module corresponding to the external device among the drive system emulation modules is deactivated, and the drive system emulation module required for the remaining performance test simulation is activated to control the operation of the drive system emulation module so as to transmit a control signal to the external device.

[0019] In an integrated simulation device for verifying an electric vehicle drive system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the drive system emulation modules are detachably mounted on the main PCB of the integrated simulation device as separate PCBs.

[0020] The second aspect of the present invention is an integrated simulation method for verifying an electric vehicle drive system:

[0021] When an external device is connected to the integrated simulation device via a cable and the control unit of the integrated simulation device detects the connection of the external device,

[0022] The above control unit is characterized by including a step of performing a performance test simulation of the external device by deactivating a drive system emulation module corresponding to the external device and activating the remaining drive system emulation modules required for the performance test simulation and transmitting the generated emulation control signals to the external device.

[0023] Preferably, the drive system emulation module:

[0024] At least one module among the BMS module that manages the electric vehicle battery, the inverter module that converts the DC power of the battery into AC power, the DCDC module that converts the battery voltage into the required voltage, the VCU module that is a vehicle control unit, the EVCC module that controls the charging of the electric vehicle, and the OBC module that converts the AC power input by the charger into DC power are each configured independently.

[0025] It is recommended that the above external device be one of the BMS, inverter, DCDC, VCU, EVCC module, or OBC of the electric vehicle.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform performance verification of various parts or equipment belonging to an electric vehicle drive system easily and flexibly without location constraints using a single integrated simulation device.

[0027] Therefore, it is advantageous in developing various parts / equipment of electric vehicle drive systems, which can shorten the development period and reduce development costs.

[0028] Meanwhile, even if the effect is not explicitly mentioned herein, it is added that the effect and its provisional effect described in the following specification expected by the technical features of the present invention are treated as described in the specification of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system concept of an integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a performance test simulation method for an external device X1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the electronic configuration of an integrated simulation device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a simulation scenario of an integrated simulation device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a simulation scenario of an integrated simulation device (100) according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] * It is to be noted that the attached drawings are provided for reference only to help understand the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited thereby.

[0035] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating the configuration of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions that are obvious to those skilled in the art and that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0036] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the system concept of an integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention is equipment for the purpose of testing the performance of elements included in a drive system (10) mounted on an electric vehicle (1).

[0037] In the electric vehicle drive system (10), X1, X2,… X n It is assumed that the device (210) is included. These are parts or equipment included in the drive system (10). The integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention is a device that can simulate all of these devices (210) under actual vehicle conditions as a single integrated test device to verify their performance. If X1 is being developed, and if the X1 under development is to be used in an electric vehicle drive system (10), the performance of X1 in an actual vehicle must be verified. The performance at this time can be properly known when it is connected to other elements of the electric vehicle drive system (10) and used together. However, it is not possible to test it directly in an actual vehicle. In other words, a performance test is required before directly testing it by mounting it on an actual vehicle. The integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention plays a role at this time.

[0038] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in the present invention, an X1 device (210) under development is connected to an integrated simulation device (100) via a cable (201). Then, the integrated simulation device (100) and the X1 device (210) communicate via the cable (201). If the X1 device (210) is to operate as designed and perform its function, it must be connected to other devices X2 and X3 belonging to the drive system and receive signals from them. The integrated simulation device (100) can transmit pre-installed X2 control signals and X3 control signals, that is, signals emulated by X2 and signals emulated by X3, to the X1 device (210).

[0039] In this way, the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention {X2, X3, 쪋 X n} is emulated as needed. That is, the control unit of the integrated simulation device (100) emulates {X2, X3,… X according to the pre-installed rules. n} can be selectively transmitted. Therefore, the integrated simulation device (100) implements an environment in which the X1 device is installed in the drive system of an actual vehicle. In this case, the X1 module in the integrated simulation device (100) is disabled.

[0040] This time, let's consider a case where we want to develop an X2 device (210). Then, the X2 device (210) is connected to the integrated simulation device (100). Now, the integrated simulation device (100) emulates {X1, X3,… Xn} and the control unit of the integrated simulation device (100) emulates {X1, X3,… Xn} according to the rules pre-installed by the X2 device (210). n} transmits a control signal. That is, when examining the performance of the X2 device (210), the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention implements an environment in which the X2 device (210) is installed in the drive system of an actual vehicle.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, X included in the electric vehicle drive system of the present invention n The device (210) is as follows.

[0042] BMS (Battery Management System). This system manages and controls the batteries in electric vehicles. Without a communication protocol with the BMS, the battery cannot be monitored, cell management performed, or safely controlled.

[0043] Inverter. A device that converts the battery's direct current into alternating current to control the motor's speed.

[0044] DC-DC Converter. This is a converter that converts the high voltage stored in the battery into the voltage required for the vehicle's electrical system.

[0045] VCU (Vehicle Control Unit). The electric vehicle's driving controller. This vehicle control unit controls the operation of all powertrain components in an electric vehicle, including the motor, power supply, regenerative braking, and air conditioning load. It communicates with controllers such as the BMS and ECU, transmitting key vehicle commands such as vehicle control, driving status assessment, and torque control.

[0046] EVCC (Electric Vehicle Charging Controller). An electric vehicle charging controller. Controls the charging of electric vehicle batteries.

[0047] OBC (On Board Charger). A battery charger installed in a vehicle that converts external AC power input to the vehicle into DC power.

[0048] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the electronic configuration of an integrated simulation device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention is designed to include an IC chip and an electronic circuit on a single printed circuit board, and firmware is installed in the control unit (101). Preferably, it is configured by stacking and shielding a multi-layer PCB, thereby overcoming EMI (electromagnetic interference), EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), and heat generation issues.

[0050] The integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention is X of the above-described FIGS. 1 and 2. n Control logic of the electric vehicle drive system corresponding to the device (210), i.e. X nIt includes a drive system emulation module that generates an emulation control signal as a device. The drive system emulation modules may include a BMS module (110), an inverter module (112), a DCDC module (114), a VCU module (116), and an OBC module (118). Although not shown, the aforementioned EVCC module and other modules belonging to the drive system may be further included. These drive system emulation modules are emulators in which hardware and software are integrated. That is, the BMS module (110) functions as a BMS emulator, the inverter module (112) functions as an inverter emulator, the DCDC module (114) functions as a DCDC emulator, the VCU module (116) functions as a VCU emulator, and the OBC module (118) functions as an OBC emulator. In addition, these control modules can be independently designed and mounted as separate PCBs within the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention, and operate by communicating with the control unit (101). In a preferred embodiment, the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention does not use the vehicle drive system controller as is, but rather downloads the program source required for emulation to the processor and uses it.

[0051] In addition, the drive system emulation module is mounted on the main PCB of the integrated simulation device (100) as a separate PCB and is electrically connected to the control unit (101). Therefore, it is detachable. The individual drive system emulation module can be detached from the integrated simulation device (100), updated with new firmware, and then remounted. In addition, it can be replaced with a drive system emulation module manufactured with an improved PCB design. Of course, it is possible to add a drive system emulation module that did not exist before.

[0052] The control unit (101) controls the operation of the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention. In particular, it performs a performance test simulation of an external device (200) while controlling the operation of the drive system emulation module. The communication protocols and programs required for this performance test simulation of the external device (200) are pre-installed in the control unit (101).

[0053] When the control unit (101) detects the connection of an external device (200), it deactivates the module corresponding to the connected external device (200) among the drive system emulation modules, but activates the drive system emulation module required for the remaining performance test simulation and controls the operation of the drive system emulation module to transmit control signals to the external device (200).

[0054] The power supply (120) supplies power to the electronic components of the device.

[0055] The memory (130) stores resources and programs required to perform predetermined operations of the integrated simulation device (100).

[0056] The communication unit (140) is connected to an external device (200) via a cable to perform communication and transmit an emulation control signal to the external device (200).

[0057] The input / output unit (150) is responsible for signal input / output between the control unit (101) of the present invention and other components.

[0058] The monitor (160) displays the graphical user interface of the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention on the screen, and visually represents information of an external device (200), a simulation status, and a control process performed by a predetermined procedure.

[0059] The external device (200) recognizes the signal received from the integrated simulation device (100) as a signal transmitted from an actual vehicle and operates it. From the perspective of the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention, the external device (200) refers to equipment that is the subject of a performance test. The external device (200) may preferably be any one of a BMS, an inverter, a DC-DC converter, a VCU, an EVCC, and an OBC. In a preferred embodiment, additional equipment such as a sensor may be further included in the system of the present invention.

[0060] It is recommended that communication between the integrated simulation device (100) and the external device (200) utilize the vehicle platform's communication protocol (EE Architecture) established during the early stages of vehicle development. Otherwise, additional development work is required just to test the performance of the external device (200), resulting in the inconvenience of additional development work. Even if the external device is changed, the communication protocol remains the same. If a new vehicle platform is used, it is recommended that a new communication protocol be applied.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a simulation scenario of an integrated simulation device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the integrated simulation device (100) performs a charge / discharge test of the battery pack (203). To test the performance of the battery pack (203) in a vehicle, it is not possible to determine whether it operates properly based solely on the BMS (201) function. In this case, the BMS (201) is connected to the integrated simulation device (100). Furthermore, the function of the BMS module (110) within the integrated simulation device (100) is disabled.

[0063] Since the integrated simulation device (100) can provide control logic by emulating other elements of the vehicle drive system toward the battery, it is possible to perform performance tests by simulating the situation in which the battery is installed in the vehicle from the perspective of the BMS (201).

[0064] In addition, by applying these scenarios, the integrated simulation device (100) of the present invention can be simulated as if it were an actual vehicle, so that the used battery can be separated from the vehicle and then the performance of the used battery can be verified.

[0065] Meanwhile, the device of the present invention operates from an entirely different perspective. Figure 5 illustrates a simulation scenario of an integrated simulation device (100) according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Each control module (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) installed in the integrated simulation device (100) must maintain optimal performance and may be updated or replaced with a new PCB as needed. For example, if the software of the VCU module (118) is updated, it is necessary to verify whether it operates properly in an actual vehicle.

[0067] To this end, the VCU device (205) within the electric vehicle (204) is disabled, and instead, an integrated simulation device (100) is connected to send a control signal of the VCU module (118) of the integrated simulation device (100) to the vehicle. The software of the VCU module (118) is verified through this vehicle real-road simulation.

[0068] For reference, the integrated simulation method for verifying an electric vehicle drivetrain according to one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The integrated simulation method for verifying an electric vehicle drivetrain according to the present invention may include a step in which an external device is connected to the integrated simulation device via a cable, and a control unit of the integrated simulation device detects the connection of the external device, a step in which the control unit deactivates a drivetrain emulation module corresponding to the external device, a step in which the drivetrain emulation modules required for the remaining performance test simulation are activated and the generated emulation control signals are transmitted to the external device, and a step in which a performance test simulation of the external device is performed while displaying the simulation status on a monitor. The electric vehicle drivetrain emulation module may be mounted on the main PCB of the integrated simulation device (100) as a separate PCB and may be electrically connected to the control unit (101). Therefore, the integrated simulation device (100) may further include a step in which verification is performed by connecting the integrated simulation device (100) to a vehicle for an updated or newly replaced drivetrain emulation module. See the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0069] In other words, each component (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) of the integrated simulation device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured as an individual PCB module equipped with an MCU. This PCB module can be used by loading the software of the corresponding component. In addition, these PCB modules can be easily attached or detached from the main PCB of the integrated simulation device (100) by the user without any separate tools.

[0070] Additionally, a computer-readable medium in which the above steps are written in the form of program commands may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specifically designed and constructed for the present invention, or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software.

[0071] Examples of computer-readable media may include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program instructions include not only machine codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0072] Meanwhile, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the description and expression of the embodiments explicitly described above. Various substitutions and modifications are possible within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of protection of the present invention may not be limited due to obvious modifications or substitutions made in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. As an integrated simulation device for verifying electric vehicle drive systems: A drivetrain emulation module that generates emulation control signals to be transmitted to an external device; A communication unit that communicates with the external device and transmits an emulation control signal to the external device; A monitor displaying the simulation status of the control unit; and A control unit is included that performs a performance test simulation of the external device while controlling the operation of the above drive system emulation module. The above drivetrain emulation module: At least one module among a BMS module that manages an electric vehicle battery, an inverter module that converts the direct current of the battery into alternating current, a DCDC module that converts the battery voltage into a required voltage, a VCU module that is a vehicle control unit, an EVCC module that controls electric vehicle charging, and an OBC module that converts AC power input by a charger into DC power are each independently configured; An integrated simulation device for verifying an electric vehicle drive system, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation of the drive system emulation module to deactivate a module corresponding to the external device among the drive system emulation modules when the external device is connected to the device, and activate the drive system emulation module necessary for the remaining performance test simulation to transmit a control signal to the external device.

2. In paragraph 1, An integrated simulation device for verifying an electric vehicle drive system, wherein the above drive system emulation modules are detachably mounted on the main PCB of the integrated simulation device as separate PCBs.

3. As an integrated simulation method for verifying electric vehicle drive systems: When an external device is connected to the integrated simulation device via a cable and the control unit of the integrated simulation device detects the connection of the external device, An integrated simulation method for verifying an electric vehicle drivetrain, characterized in that it includes a step of performing a performance test simulation of the external device by deactivating, by the control unit, a drivetrain emulation module corresponding to the external device, and activating the drivetrain emulation modules necessary for the remaining performance test simulation, and transmitting the generated emulation control signals to the external device.

4. In paragraph 3, The above drivetrain emulation module: At least one module among the BMS module that manages the electric vehicle battery, the inverter module that converts the direct current of the battery into alternating current, the DCDC module that converts the battery voltage into the required voltage, the VCU module that is a vehicle control unit, the EVCC module that controls electric vehicle charging, and the OBC module that converts the AC power input by the charger into DC power are each configured independently. An integrated simulation method for verifying an electric vehicle drive system, wherein the external device is any one of a BMS, inverter, DCDC, VCU, EVCC module, or OBC of an electric vehicle.

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