Vehicle

Abstract

This vehicle has a discharge system for supplying power from an inlet (15) to an external load (40) via a discharge connector (30), an illumination unit (19) for issuing a notification of the position of the inlet (15), and a vehicle controller (10) for operating the illumination unit (19) as long as a user has been detected. Even if a user has been detected, the vehicle controller (10) stops the illumination unit (19) when it has been determined that the discharge system is operating.

Description

vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a vehicle that allows a user to easily find the location of a charging connector regardless of the circumstances around the vehicle. The vehicle has a power receiving unit that receives power supplied from an external power source and uses the power received by the power receiving unit. The vehicle is equipped with an identification signal detection means that detects a vehicle-specific identification signal transmitted from a transmitter, and a power receiving unit position notification means that notifies the location of the power receiving unit. When the identification signal detection means detects the identification signal, the vehicle activates the power receiving unit position notification means.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-279938

[0004] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user spends time near a vehicle, activation and deactivation of the notification means is frequently repeated as the user approaches or moves away from the vehicle, which is visually annoying and increases unnecessary power consumption.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that is less visually bothersome and can suppress unnecessary power consumption.

[0006] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a discharge system that supplies power from an inlet to an external load via a discharge connector, a notification unit that notifies the position of the inlet, and a controller that activates the notification unit when a user's approach is detected. Even if the controller detects the user's approach, if the controller determines that the discharge system is operating, the controller stops the notification unit.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, visual nuisance can be reduced and unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a detection circuit that detects the state of a charging connector. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a detection circuit that detects the state of a charging connector. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a detection circuit that detects the state of a charging connector. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a lighting unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling a lighting unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for controlling a lighting unit according to the second embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1, a vehicle according to this embodiment is, for example, an electric vehicle, and can supply power to an external load 40, such as an electrical appliance. However, the vehicle may be any vehicle equipped with a battery capable of supplying power to the load 40, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0011] The vehicle includes a vehicle controller 10 , a high-voltage battery 11 , a battery controller 12 , a bidirectional on-board charger 13 , an inlet 15 , a locking mechanism 16 , an unlock button 17 , a lighting unit 18 , and a receiver 19 .

[0012] The vehicle controller 10 performs overall control of the vehicle. The vehicle controller 10 performs discharge control to supply power to the load 40 by discharging the high-voltage battery 11, and performs charge control to charge the high-voltage battery 11 with power supplied to the vehicle from an external AC power source.

[0013] The vehicle controller 10 is configured by a microcomputer including a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and various interfaces. The memory and various interfaces are connected to the hardware processor via a bus. The various functions of the vehicle controller 10 are realized by the hardware processor executing programs stored in the memory.

[0014] The high-voltage battery 11 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The high-voltage battery 11 supplies power to a motor (not shown) that is the power source of the vehicle. The high-voltage battery 11 also supplies power to a load 40 via a discharge connector (described later).

[0015] The battery controller 12 monitors various states (output power, remaining charge capacity, etc.) of the high-voltage battery 11 and controls the charging and discharging of the high-voltage battery 11. Like the vehicle controller 10, the battery controller 12 is configured by a microcomputer.

[0016] The bidirectional vehicle charger 13 is a bidirectional power conversion device that converts AC voltage from an AC power source into DC voltage and outputs it to the high-voltage battery 11, and converts DC voltage from the high-voltage battery 11 into AC voltage and outputs it to the load 40. The bidirectional vehicle charger 13 is equipped with a current sensor 14. The current sensor 14 is a sensor that detects the current consumed by the load 40, i.e., the current supplied from the bidirectional vehicle charger 13 to the load 40.

[0017] The inlet 15 is a terminal (connection portion) for electrically and mechanically connecting the discharge connector 30 to the vehicle. When discharging power from the high-voltage battery 11 to supply power to the load 40, the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15. The inlet 15 also serves as a terminal for electrically and mechanically connecting a charging connector (not shown) to the vehicle. When supplying power from an external AC power source to the vehicle to charge the high-voltage battery 11, the charging connector is connected to the inlet 15. The inlet 15 is a common terminal to which the discharge connector 30 and the charging connector can be commonly connected.

[0018] The locking mechanism 16 locks the connection between the discharge connector 30 and the inlet 15. The locking mechanism 16 can switch between a locked state and an unlocked state of the connection between the discharge connector 30 and the inlet 15. The locking mechanism 16 switches the state in response to a lock control signal output from the vehicle controller 10.

[0019] The unlock button 17 is a button (an example of a first operator) for switching the lock mechanism 16 from a locked state to an unlocked state, and is operated by a user. For example, the unlock button 17 is disposed around the inlet 15, but may also be disposed inside the vehicle. When operated by a user, the unlock button 17 outputs an unlock signal to the vehicle controller 10.

[0020] The lock mechanism 16 and the unlock button 17 are not essential components and do not have to be installed in the vehicle. Alternatively, instead of providing the unlock button 17 in the vehicle, the vehicle controller 10 may link the locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 16 with the locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors.

[0021] The lighting unit 18 is disposed near the inlet 15. The lighting unit 18 includes a light-emitting element such as an LED, and can be switched on (activated) and off (stopped). When the lighting unit 18 is lit, light is irradiated onto the inlet 15 and its surroundings. When the lighting unit 18 is lit, the position of the inlet 15 is notified.

[0022] In this way, the lighting unit 18 functions as a notification unit that notifies the position of the inlet 15. However, the notification unit may be configured as something other than the lighting unit 18, as long as it can notify the position of the inlet 15. Furthermore, the lighting unit 18 may be illuminated intermittently, such as by repeatedly blinking.

[0023] The receiver 19 wirelessly communicates with the vehicle's electronic key 20 carried by the user. The area in which the receiver 19 can wirelessly communicate with the electronic key 20 is limited to a predetermined area centered on the receiver 19. This predetermined area also extends outside the vehicle. The receiver 19 can wirelessly communicate with the electronic key 20 only when the electronic key 20 is present within the predetermined area. Therefore, the receiver 19 functions as a detector that detects the user's approach to the vehicle. When the electronic key 20 is able to communicate with the receiver 19, it transmits a vehicle-specific identification signal to the receiver 19. When the receiver 19 receives the vehicle-specific identification signal transmitted from the electronic key 20, it outputs the identification signal to the vehicle controller 10. The vehicle controller 10 authenticates the electronic key 20 as authentic if the identification signal received by the receiver 19 matches a registration value registered in the vehicle. Although only one receiver 19 is shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle may be equipped with multiple receivers 19.

[0024] In such a vehicle, the high-voltage battery 11 , the bidirectional on-board charger 13 , and the inlet 15 constitute a discharge system that supplies power from the inlet 15 to an external load 40 via a discharge connector 30 .

[0025] The following describes the discharge connector 30 connected to the vehicle inlet 15. The discharge connector 30 is a conversion adapter for connecting an external load 40 to the inlet 15. The discharge connector 30 includes a connector body 31, an outlet 32, a latch portion 33, a release switch 34, and a start / stop switch 35.

[0026] The connector body 31 is fitted into the inlet 15 to mechanically connect the discharge connector 30 to the inlet 15. The connector body 31 is fitted into the inlet 15 to electrically connect the inlet 15 and the outlet 32. The outlet 32 ​​is configured to be connectable to a power plug 41 provided on the load 40.

[0027] The latch portion 33 engages with the inlet 15 to maintain the mated state between the connector body 31 and the inlet 15. The release switch 34 is a switch for releasing the engagement of the latch portion 33 with the inlet 15, and is operated by the user. The release switch 34 and the latch portion 33 are configured integrally, and the latch portion 33 also operates in conjunction with the operation of the release switch 34. By operating the release switch 34 and operating the latch portion 33, the engagement of the latch portion 33 with the inlet 15 can be released. This allows the user to unplug the discharge connector 30 from the inlet 15.

[0028] The locking mechanism 16 described above is switched to a locked state by the vehicle controller 10 when it is determined that the discharge connector 30 is connected or when a request to start the discharge system is detected. When the locking mechanism 16 is in the locked state, the locking mechanism 16 restricts the movement of the latch portion 33. This keeps the latch portion 33 engaged with the inlet 15, locking the connection between the discharge connector 30 and the inlet 15. In this case, because the movement of the latch portion 33 remains restricted, the release switch 34 cannot be operated and the discharge connector 30 cannot be removed from the inlet 15.

[0029] The start / stop switch 35 is a switch (an example of a second operator) for instructing the start and stop of the discharge system, and is operated by a user. The start / stop switch 35 is, for example, a switch that can be pressed. When the start / stop switch 35 is operated, a request to start the discharge system or a request to stop the discharge system is detected by the vehicle controller 10.

[0030] In order to reliably mate the connector body 31 with the inlet 15, it is necessary to mate the connector body 31 while pushing it into the inlet 15 by a certain amount. Mating states between the connector body 31 and the inlet 15 include fully mated, where the connector body 31 is mated in a predetermined normal position, and partially mated, where the connector body 31 is mated in a position other than the normal position. The normal position is, for example, the position where the connector body 31 is pressed most deeply into the inlet 15, i.e., the position where the tip of the connector body 31 reaches the base end of the inlet 15. The normal position may be defined as an area having a certain width in the insertion direction of the connector body 31. A state in which the connector body 31 is not mated with the inlet 15 is called non-mated.

[0031] 2 to 4, the configuration of the detection circuit that detects the state of the discharge connector 30 will be described. In FIGS. 2 to 4, Lp is a power line that runs from the outlet 32 ​​to the vehicle's discharge system (high-voltage battery 11). "L1" is a detection line that detects the state of the discharge connector 30, and "L2" is an earth line that is connected to earth. The detection line L1 and earth line L2 form a continuous circuit when the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15, and are connected to the vehicle controller 10.

[0032] A first resistor R1 and a third resistor R3 are provided on the detection line L1 of the discharge connector 30. A series circuit in which a second resistor R2 and a second switch SW2 are connected in series is connected in parallel to the first resistor R1. In addition, a first switch SW1 is connected in parallel to the second resistor R2. The first switch SW1 is a switch that turns the circuit on or off in response to operation of the start / stop switch 35. The second switch SW2 is a switch that turns the circuit on or off in response to the state of the release switch 34.

[0033] A fourth resistor is provided between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 in the vehicle inlet 15. A power supply for the circuit is connected to the detection line L1 via a fifth resistor R5. The vehicle controller 10 detects the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 and detects the state of the discharge connector 30 based on the detected potential difference.

[0034] When the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15, the lines L1, L2, and Lp of the discharge connector 30 are connected to the lines L1, L2, and Lp on the vehicle side. As shown in Fig. 2, in the initial connection state of the discharge connector 30, i.e., when the connector body 31 is in a partially mated state, the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 are both off. When the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 are both off, the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 depends on the resistance value of the circuit shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2. Therefore, the vehicle controller 10 detects that the discharge connector 30 is in a partially mated state based on the resistance value.

[0035] When the connector body 31 is fully mated, the latch portion 33 engages with the inlet 15, displacing the release switch 34. As shown in Fig. 3, the displacement of the release switch 34 causes the second switch SW2 to switch from off to on. When the first switch SW1 is off and the second switch SW2 is on, the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 depends on the resistance value of the circuit shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3. Therefore, the vehicle controller 10 detects that the discharge connector 30 is fully mated based on this resistance value.

[0036] When the user operates the start / stop switch 35 in the fully mated state, the first switch SW1 switches from off to on, as shown in Fig. 4. When the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 are both on, the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 depends on the resistance value of the circuit shown by the dashed line in Fig. 4. Therefore, the vehicle controller 10 can detect a request to start the discharge system based on this resistance value.

[0037] After the discharge system is started, when the user operates the start / stop switch 35, the first switch SW1 switches from on to off. As shown in FIG. 3 , the vehicle controller 10 can detect a request to stop the discharge system based on the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 when the first switch SW1 is off and the second switch SW2 is on. Note that the first switch SW1 may be configured to be on only while the start / stop switch 35 is being operated (pressed) and to be off when the start / stop switch 35 is released. For example, if the start / stop switch 35 is pressed for a predetermined period while the discharge system is stopped, it may be determined to be a request to start the discharge system, and if the start / stop switch 35 is pressed for a predetermined period after the discharge system has started, it may be determined to be a request to stop the discharge system.

[0038] When removing the discharge connector 30 from the inlet 15, the user switches the locking mechanism 16 to the unlocked state and then operates the release switch 34. This operation disengages the latch portion 33, allowing the user to remove the discharge connector 30 from the inlet 15. When the user operates the release switch 34, the second switch SW2 switches from on to off. As shown in FIG. 2 , the vehicle controller 10 can detect that the discharge connector 30 is in a partially mated state based on the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 when the first switch SW1 is off and the second switch SW2 is off. Furthermore, when the discharge connector 30 is completely removed from the inlet 15, the circuit on the discharge connector 30 side is disconnected. Based on the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2 at this time, the vehicle controller 10 can detect that the discharge connector 30 has been completely removed.

[0039] A method for controlling the lighting unit 18, which is one of the features of this embodiment, will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is repeatedly executed by the vehicle controller 10.

[0040] First, the vehicle controller 10 determines whether the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15 (S10). The vehicle controller 10 can detect the state of the discharge connector 30 from the potential difference of the detection circuit. If the vehicle controller 10 detects that the discharge connector 30 is fully mated, it determines that the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15 (S10: YES).

[0041] Next, the vehicle controller 10 determines whether or not a start request for the discharge system has been detected (S11). A start request for the discharge system is made by the user operating the start / stop switch 35. The vehicle controller 10 can detect the start request for the discharge system from the potential difference in the detection circuit. If a start request for the discharge system has been detected (S11: YES), the vehicle controller 10 starts the discharge system (S12). Note that if the discharge system is already running, the vehicle controller 10 does not need to start the discharge system again and continues operating the discharge system.

[0042] The vehicle controller 10 determines whether or not the user's approach to the vehicle has been detected (S13). The vehicle controller 10 determines that the user's approach to the vehicle has been detected (S13: YES) on the condition that a valid electronic key 20 is present within the communication area of ​​the receiver 19.

[0043] The vehicle controller 10 determines whether the discharge system is not operating, i.e., whether the current consumption of the load 40 is zero (S14). The current consumption of the load 40 corresponds to the current output from the bidirectional on-board charger 13. The vehicle controller 10 determines whether the current consumption of the load 40 is zero based on the detection result of the current sensor 14. If the current consumption of the load 40 is zero (S14: YES), the vehicle controller 10 permits the lighting unit 18 to be turned on (S16). Then, if the lighting unit 18 is turned off, the vehicle controller 10 switches the lighting unit 18 from off to on. On the other hand, if the lighting unit 18 is already on, the vehicle controller 10 keeps the lighting unit 18 on.

[0044] On the other hand, if the approach of a user is not detected (S13: NO), or if the current consumption of the load 40 is greater than zero (S14: NO), the vehicle controller 10 prohibits the lighting unit 18 from being turned on (S15). If the lighting unit 18 is turned on, the vehicle controller 10 switches the lighting unit 18 from being turned on to being turned off. On the other hand, if the lighting unit 18 is turned off, the vehicle controller 10 continues to turn off the lighting unit 18.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, while the discharge system is not operating, i.e., while power is not being supplied to the load 40, the system detects the user's approach to the vehicle and turns on the lighting unit 18, thereby notifying the user of the location of the inlet 15. This improves the operability of the discharge connector 30 even in the dark. Meanwhile, while the discharge system is operating, i.e., while power is being supplied to the load 40, the lighting unit 18 is prohibited from turning on even if the user is approaching the vehicle. As a result, the lighting unit 18 remains off even if the user approaches or moves away from the vehicle while using the load 40. This reduces visual annoyance and prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0046] When the discharge system is operating, the detection value of the current sensor 14 of the bidirectional vehicle charger 13 changes depending on the power consumption of the load 40 connected to the discharge connector 30. Therefore, by using the detection value of the current sensor 14, it is possible to determine whether the discharge system is operating.

[0047] (Second embodiment) A vehicle according to a second embodiment will be described below. The vehicle according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the lighting unit 18 is turned on again after being turned off. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the second embodiment is based on a vehicle equipped with a locking mechanism 16 and an unlock button 17.

[0048] An example of a method for turning on the lighting unit 18, which is one of the features of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the vehicle controller 10.

[0049] First, the vehicle controller 10 determines whether the unlock button 17 has been operated (S20). When an unlock signal is input from the unlock button 17, the vehicle controller 10 determines that the unlock button 17 has been operated. If the unlock button 17 has been operated (S20: YES), the vehicle controller 10 unlocks the lock mechanism 16 (S21). In addition, the vehicle controller 10 permits the lighting unit 18 to be turned on (S22). As a result, the vehicle controller 10 switches the lighting unit 18 from off to on.

[0050] According to this method, even if the discharge system is operating, the illumination unit 18 can be turned on by operating the unlock button 17. This makes it possible to notify the position of the inlet 15. This improves the operability of the discharge connector 30 even in the dark.

[0051] Another example of the method for turning on the lighting unit 18 again, which is one of the features of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is executed by the vehicle controller 10.

[0052] First, the vehicle controller 10 determines whether a request to stop the discharge system has been detected (S30). The request to stop the discharge system is made by the user operating the start / stop switch 35. If a request to stop the discharge system has been detected (S30: YES), the vehicle controller 10 stops the discharge system (S31). Next, the vehicle controller 10 permits the lighting unit 18 to be turned on (S32). As a result, the vehicle controller 10 switches the lighting unit 18 from off to on.

[0053] The vehicle controller 10 determines whether the unlock button 17 has been operated (S33). If the unlock button 17 has been operated (S33: YES), the vehicle controller 10 unlocks the lock mechanism 16 (S34).

[0054] According to this method, even if the discharge system is operating, the lighting unit 18 can be turned on by operating the start / stop switch 35 to stop the system. This makes it possible to notify the location of the inlet 15. This improves the operability of the discharge connector 30 even in the dark.

[0055] The vehicle according to the first or second embodiment further has the following advantages.

[0056] The vehicle of this embodiment has a circuit structure in which the resistance value of the detection circuit changes when the discharge connector 30 is connected to the inlet 15. Therefore, the connection of the discharge connector 30 to the inlet 15 can be detected from the change in resistance value, i.e., the potential difference between the detection line L1 and the earth line L2.

[0057] In this case, the vehicle controller 10 may perform control to prohibit the vehicle from traveling when it detects the connection of the discharge connector 30. This makes it possible to prevent the vehicle from traveling with the discharge connector 30 connected.

[0058] The vehicle of this embodiment is provided with a locking mechanism 16 that locks the connection between the discharge connector 30 and the inlet 15. This prevents the discharge connector 30 from being tampered with or taken away by someone other than the user.

[0059] The vehicle of this embodiment is equipped with a receiver 19 that wirelessly communicates with the electronic key 20. The vehicle controller 10 may unlock the locking mechanism 16 only when a valid electronic key 20 is present within the communication area of ​​the receiver 19 and the unlock button 17 is operated. This prevents the discharge connector 30 from being removed by anyone other than the user.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Vehicle controller 11 High-voltage battery 12 Battery controller 13 Bidirectional on-board charger 14 Current sensor 15 Inlet 16 Locking mechanism 17 Unlock button (first operating element) 18 Lighting unit (alarm unit) 19 Receiver (detector) 20 Electronic key 30 Discharge connector 31 Connector body 32 Outlet 33 Latch unit 34 Release switch 35 Start / stop switch (second operating element) 40 Load

Claims

1. A vehicle having a discharge system that includes an inlet to which a discharge connector can be connected and supplies power from the inlet to an external load via the discharge connector, a detector that detects the approach of a user, a notification unit that notifies the position of the inlet, and a controller that activates the notification unit on the condition that the approach of the user is detected by the detector, wherein the controller stops the notification unit when it determines that the discharge system is operating even if the approach of the user is detected by the detector.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the discharge system includes a current sensor that detects the current supplied to the load, and the controller determines whether the discharge system is operating based on the current detected by the current sensor.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, having a lock mechanism that locks the connection between the discharge connector and the inlet, and a first operator for switching the lock mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state, wherein the controller activates the notification unit when the lock mechanism is switched to the unlocked state by the first operator after the notification unit is stopped.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, having a second operator for stopping the discharge system, wherein the controller activates the notification unit when the discharge system is stopped by the second operator after the notification unit is stopped.

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