DE102007004172A1 - Motor vehicle e.g. zero emission vehicle, has generator activated and/or deactivated in parking condition of vehicle and started after activation of drive, where disconnection of drive of generator is carried out after deactivation - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has traction batteries (1a, 1b), traction converter (2) and an electrical drive motor (3) interconnected such that the electrical drive motor is propelled in an operation with the electrical energy of the traction batteries. A combustion-motor driven generator (4) is activated and/or deactivated in a parking condition of the vehicle, where the generator is started after activating a combustion-motor drive (14) and charging the traction batteries. A disconnection of the combustion-motor drive of the generator is carried out after deactivation. An independent claim is also included for a method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one traction battery, at least one traction converter, at least one electric Traction motor and at least one internal combustion engine driven Generator, where traction betterie, the inverter and the electric traction motor are connected in such a way that with the electrical energy of the traction battery the electric traction motor is drivable. The invention relates Furthermore, a method for charging a traction battery of a Motor vehicle.

From the DE 41 09 379 a motor vehicle drive is known which consists of an internal combustion engine, an associated generator / electric motor, at least one electric motor for driving the motor vehicle, a battery for storing electrical energy and a control device for keeping constant the speed of the internal combustion engine for a single operating point with respect to Fuel consumption and exhaust emission is optimally designed exists. At full load, so for example on the highway or for longer uphill sections, the performance of the internal combustion engine minus the unavoidable losses of the devices involved in the drive is also available on the drive axle. It can briefly, for example, for overtaking, the available power by removing additional energy from the battery also go beyond the performance of the internal combustion engine.

The DE 199 35 873 discloses a circuit arrangement for a hybrid vehicle, which is provided with a traction battery, an electric motor and an independently operating internal combustion engine, wherein the circuit arrangement serves on the one hand to ensure the drive of the electric motor by the traction battery and on the other hand, the charging of the traction battery. With this circuit arrangement, in a hybrid vehicle which can be operated both with an electric motor and with an independently operating internal combustion engine, the traction battery either at vehicle standstill through the intended power connection circuit or during driving with the electric motor during each braking operation or during driving with the Internal combustion engine can be charged by its associated generator.

From the EP 1 201 485 B1 Furthermore, it is known to operate a hybrid electric vehicle as a power source for external electrical appliances, wherein by means of switching devices, an electrical current flow from a vehicle drive function to a power supply function to connection devices for external electrical appliances is switchable.

The The present invention is based on the recognition that it is due to limited resources of mineral oil fuels and one So far associated with continuous price increase, an increasing Demand for small vehicles with low consumption there. This applies in particular to vehicle users who only cover small (daily) routes. For These routes are the current vehicles in terms of consumption and emission usually not optimized. Another cause Demand for zero-emission is a growing demand Vehicles, so-called ZEV Zero Emission Vehicle.

Known are also hybrid vehicles, which consist of a combination of an internal combustion engine consist of an electric motor. These vehicles reduce under other consumption compared to conventional vehicles by Nutzbremsungen with electrical feedback of the Brake energy. The disadvantage, however, is that in particular the execution of Hybrid vehicles with a drive combustion engine and a drive electric motor leads to a significant weight penalty, resulting in consumption precipitates the vehicles. The drive combustion engine is designed so that he the vehicle in the usual Way and with standard performance.

electric vehicles so far could not prevail in road traffic, in particular, the batteries used and the associated Restrictions when driving still has disadvantages. The currently used batteries have an unsatisfactory Energy density on, are subject to aging and are after one to replace a certain period of use depending on the load. The associated costs (new purchase and disposal or Processing costs) are currently considerable. This is for the Owner of an electric vehicle all the more essential if the vehicle not for his individual driving distance is optimized in terms of operating costs.

As electric vehicles can not yet be replenished in a simple way across the board, appropriate charging times must be planned for the batteries at the locations equipped with charging stations, for which a necessary mains connection is only available at the parking spaces provided Having left power at a parking lot for a long time, for example at the airport due to a longer journey, it is uncertain whether the residual charge remaining on the traction battery will be sufficient for further movement of the EV after return.This uncertainty poses a significant disadvantage in the use of electric vehicles represents.

task The invention is the field of application and availability of electric vehicles.

The The object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1 solved. The task will continue through a process solved with the features of claim 12. advantageous Training and further training of the motor vehicle and the method according to claim 12 are the subject of each dependent claims.

The Motor vehicle according to the invention has at least a traction battery, a traction converter, an electric Traction motor and an internal combustion engine driven generator on, with the traction battery, the inverter and the electric Traction motor are connected in such a way that with the electrical energy the traction battery powered by the electric traction motor in operation becomes. The internal combustion engine driven generator is parked in the Condition of the motor vehicle can be activated and / or deactivated by an identification signal or is activated or deactivated in the parked state, wherein after activation of the internal combustion engine drive started is and a charge of the traction battery is and / or after Disabling a shutdown of the internal combustion engine drive of the generator. Under a parked condition is doing understood that the driver stops his driving, for example because he has arrived at the destination and leaves the vehicle.

With A vehicle according to the invention is a user much more independent of parking lots, the a power supply connection for charging traction batteries exhibit. With the associated for the vehicle user Freedom regarding the now selectable parking spaces is further associated with the advantage that the energy content of the traction battery does not have to be sufficient for a return trip, but in the parked state at any Abstellort again can be charged. This has the consequence, for example, that with One way more than half of the energy content of the Traction battery can be consumed. To return to be able to compete again must be guaranteed be that in the shutdown time the battery is charged in such a way that the energy then available for the return trip sufficient. For this purpose, devices are provided in the vehicle, the determine the energy content of the traction battery and the necessary Reload time or energy can determine. The application area The electric vehicle is thus significantly expanded as a user completely independent or independent of Recharging connections (power connections) is.

One User can control his vehicle in terms of battery weight and the installed electrical power, namely, that only so much battery power is installed in the vehicle, such as for a recurring round trip inclusive Reload performance by the internal combustion engine driven generator is needed. This offers the advantage that the investment costs for the used traction battery set are reduced. lower installed battery power continues to lead to a Weight advantage, in turn, in the energy consumption of the vehicle reflected.

Becomes the motor vehicle is turned off, via an identification signal an internal combustion engine driven generator activated, the the traction battery is charging. In addition, a Charge control and / or a battery management for optimal or charge the batteries. The in the vehicle during the noise of the operation of the internal combustion engine advantageously do not lead to a noise pollution of the vehicle user during driving, since the Internal combustion engine is activated in the parked state of the vehicle.

Series hybrid vehicles in which an internal combustion engine driven generator is used while driving, have the disadvantage of the noise of the vehicle occupants. Furthermore, these generators are as in the DE 41 09 379 A1 such that they can provide a significant instantaneous electrical energy that can either sustain the driving operation or significantly extend it due to the installed engine power.

in the Contrary to this is an additional, but optional Inventive idea that the electric power that the generator can provide, low compared to the Driving performance of the electric motor is. The drive power of the internal combustion engine Drive is therefore made low, the generator device thus represents an installed in the vehicle emergency generator. This interpretation leads to extremely low Dimensions and low weight of the generator device included of the internal combustion engine drive.

Advantageously, the maximum power of the electric traction motor is greater than the maximum power of the generator. For example, a motor vehicle may have an electric traction motor that has a maximum power of 20 to 30 kilowatts. In the vehicle, for example, a generator of two to four kilowatts is used to charge the traction batteries. According to the invention, the ratio of the maximum power of the electric traction motor to the maximum power the generator, for example, at least 5, in particular at least 10. The generator unit (generator) is equipped with a small fuel tank, possibly a separate starter battery and a starter. A separate display and control unit with an evaluation and control electronics and a data and / or control connection (interface) may also be present. If necessary, additional switching means are provided which electrically disconnect the power unit from the traction batteries when not in use. For the purposes of this application, a generator driven by an internal combustion engine is also understood to mean a self-sustaining emergency power unit which, inter alia, also has its own tank and an internal combustion engine drive (see FIG. 4, 14, and 15). From the generator feedback on the operating state of the generator can be given to the vehicle control unit. These feedbacks may include, for example, operational readiness, error messages, tank contents, delivered power, resource consumption, maintenance request, etc. The self-sufficient emergency power unit can also be used as such outside of the vehicle to provide electrical energy.

The Motor vehicle according to the invention has a number of benefits. A vehicle user can for example his complete the daily journey to work by car, in the parked state by the internal combustion engine in the vehicle powered alternator make the traction battery charging and go home after work. For this purpose, the User either the combustion engine driven generator manually by remote control or directly in the vehicle to any Start time. In the vehicle, however, can also be a vehicle control unit be present, which depends on the generator available energy content of the traction battery starts, in such a way that an energy content is assigned to a minimum travel distance which is traceable with the energy content. Sinks the converted into a minimum distance energy content under at least one threshold for a route, so starts the vehicle control unit the internal combustion engine drive of the generator. The generator then runs until at least the threshold for the minimum travel distance is exceeded again is. This assumes that the controller is too defined Times or intervals, for example, after stopping of the motor vehicle or after the last charge, information about receives the available energy content of the traction battery. For this purpose, the control unit, for example, from an electrical Low-power state (stand-by) to be woken up to to carry out the measurements or to receive the measured data and to carry out the processing. To the determination of the energy content To be able to make sufficiently precise, for example additionally or alternatively data, such as a battery starting voltage, a battery load voltage, a battery temperature, and / or an outside air temperature added for determination. The battery load voltage can be determined by the Terminal voltage of the battery during a defined Load (eg, adding a known ohmic load for a defined period of time) is measured.

In An advantageous embodiment of the invention is the generator also usable for supplying further electrical consumers, in such a way that in and / or outside of the motor vehicle an electrical connection is present at the directly from the Emergency generator or via a converter a customary AC line voltage, in particular 110 V, 120 V, 220 V, 240 V, 380 V is fed. This has the advantage that usual electrical appliances normally on a common household Power supply network, also on the Motor vehicle are operated, for example, in a campsite, in a parking lot and other places where not necessarily a power supply from an electrical landline is available. The supply can of course only be made provided that the emergency generator and the corresponding electrical Power can provide that the respective Need devices. Furthermore, it can be provided that the generator is activated when a mains plug is plugged into the mains connection becomes. This has the advantage that no further activation of the Emergency generator is required.

If the motor vehicle is constructed such that the internal combustion engine driven generator in a simple manner removable from the motor vehicle is by the mechanical and electrical connections through the user can be solved, the generator can be advantageous additionally be used as a portable emergency generator.

Provided the user the traction battery as needed and depending modular expand the available space in the vehicle or can reduce, so he can on the respective battery type (eg, NiCd, NiMH, Li-Ion) use optimal battery weight he needed for his rides. He can do the needed Battery power scale so that it is not unnecessary Battery power and thus correlates the corresponding battery weight holds in the vehicle and constantly transported.

Should the user be able to foresee that he would like to travel another route, so If necessary, he can install further modular battery packs in the vehicle depending on the space available for this purpose, which are usually electrically connected in parallel. For this purpose, it may be necessary, for example, for a battery management to be present per battery module, which ensures that the energy charge states of the modules are initially adjusted before an actual parallel connection of the battery modules or the battery modules are discharged successively, with corresponding switching means cooperate with the respective battery module management and possibly a higher-level battery management.

Should the traction battery is faulty or discharged his and no or little energy to the inverter and the can provide electric traction drive, so is in provided an advantageous embodiment that the internal combustion engine powered generator is activated and that then with the provided electrical Energy of the electric traction drive is fed so that an emergency driving, usually with limited travel speed, is feasible. The needed for the limited speed electrical power equals, minus the electrical Power loss, essentially the electric power, the the generator can provide. Thus lets the vehicle also without traction battery with limited driving move. A user can do this emergency operation by an operating device activate in the vehicle. For emergency operation can be provided that the internal combustion engine drive, which is usually in one operated at the first consumption and / or emission-optimal state is operable, operated in at least a second state is where the generator has a higher electrical power generated.

One Inventive method for charging a Traction battery provides that an existing in the vehicle Generator in the parked state of the motor vehicle by a control unit is controlled such that provided for the generator internal combustion engine drive is activated so that the generator a traction battery of the motor vehicle is charging.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention Procedure, the generator as long as to charge the traction battery operated until at least one predefined or predefinable Travel distance of the motor vehicle with the energy of the traction battery can be covered. This predefinable driving route For example, the user can use an input device in the Enter vehicle or with an external input device (eg a computer with a suitably designed computer program or a website) via a data connection transmit the control unit. Alternatively, the Users also specify a period of time with which the traction battery is charged by the generator. It is with a time programming also possible, with a longer, planned absence to activate the generator in time for return at a definable time with charged traction batteries to use the vehicle.

If the fuel for the internal combustion engine drive of the generator in the motor vehicle is probably not sufficient, for the traction battery with the desired energy for to load the predefined minimum distance becomes a first warning signal generated. In the case where the internal combustion engine drive then actually shut down due to fuel shortage will or in the next time (eg in the next 10 minutes), at least a second Warning signal generated. This warning signal can also be transmitted to a remote control and be displayed there. It is also possible that the vehicle an email over a server over the current one Operating state shipped, provided the corresponding wireless Data connections (eg WLAN) exist. The generating of the warning signal has the advantage that a user, if necessary, in good time before the start of next fuel supply can to continue charging. He is still informed that the intended charging is not was completed and that the intended minimum driving distance possibly not traceable with the existing traction battery charge could be.

Of the Internal combustion engine of the generator can be for different Be designed, for example, diesel, gasoline, rapeseed oil, Alcohol or gas (eg LPG, natural gas, biogas). The Design can be either exclusively for one Fuel or in combination with other fuels than Admixture done. Instead of an internal combustion engine driven Generators can also use other activatable, self-sufficient power systems can be used, which can generate electrical energy, such as a fuel cell system.

The Invention will be described below with reference to embodiments and the drawing explained.

In the figure is shown:
A schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a traction battery and an electric drive, wherein the traction battery loaded by a separate, present in the motor vehicle, combustion engine driven generator can be.

With a traction battery 1a . 1b is via an inverter 2 an electric drive 3 a motor vehicle driven. When power is reversed in the case of regenerative braking, the kinetic energy of the vehicle can be converted back to electrical energy and into the traction battery 1a . 1b be fed. This is the electric drive 3 through the inverter 2 operated as a generator and feeds the electrical energy into the traction battery 1a . 1b back.

The traction battery 1a . 1b is modular so that by adding traction battery modules 1a . 1b an increase in performance of the motor vehicle in terms of a range increase is possible. The traction battery modules 1a . 1b are with a battery management 8th connected, which data of the batteries to a vehicle control unit 5 passes. The control unit 5 can for energy management 8th for example, a charger 9 or a generator 4 activate or control by setpoint specifications. The control unit 5 can also be used to control and monitor other consumers 10 be responsible in the motor vehicle, the consumer 10 from a separate vehicle electrical system with a vehicle electrical system battery 11 or directly via a DC chopper 12 (DC-DC converter) can be fed. About an HMI 13 (Human Machine Interface) are the driver's request, z. B. via selector lever and / or accelerator pedals, recorded and displayed relevant vehicle data on a display device not shown in the figure.

If the vehicle is turned off, the generator can 4 be activated so that it can generate electrical energy through a charger 9 in the traction battery 1a . 1b feeds. Alternatively, the generator 4 this energy also at a connection 7 available both inside and outside the vehicle. The generator 4 generates an alternating voltage, with the commercial electrical equipment with nominal voltage, z. B. 110 V or 220 V, with 50 Hz or 60 Hz, can be operated.

The generated voltage can also be added to the generator 4 be adjustable. The connection 7 is designed such that it also serves as a charging connection for an external power source, for. B. can serve for a fixed mains supply connection (220 V AC). The electric vehicle can thus be connected to corresponding charging stations for charging.

Via a remote control 6 a signal is emitted which is a control unit 5 causes a characteristic signal to the generator 4 to send the generator 4 activated. The generator 4 is constructed in such a way that it is a self-sufficient, internal combustion engine drive 14 possesses, which starts by the activation and the generator 4 for power generation. To the internal combustion engine drive 14 includes, among other things, a tank 15 for a fuel, for. For gasoline. The electric generator 4 , the internal combustion engine drive 14 and the tank 15 are framed in the figure by a dashed line to symbolize that they are part of the internal combustion engine driven generator unit, which can be operated independently outside of the motor vehicle. The electrical and mechanical connections are constructed in such a way that they can be loosened in a simple manner, so that the generator 4 can also be operated outside the motor vehicle, for example as an emergency generator.

The electric power of the generator 4 is relatively low compared to the electric driving performance of the drive motor 3 executed. The generator 4 is mainly used to the traction battery 1a . 1b Charge with low charging current or low charging power when the vehicle was turned off. Because the generator 4 can deliver only a small electrical power, its space dimensions and its weight are low. Its deliverable electrical power is also comparatively low compared to the maximum power of the traction motor 3 , The value of the ratio of the maximum power of the traction motor 3 to the maximum power of the generator 4 is for example at least 5 , in particular at least 10 and preferably at least 15 ,

The mileage is designed so that the motor vehicle can drive such routes electrically, the electrical equivalent in a period of, for example, 8 hours (eg, the time that the motor vehicle after returning the daily commute during working hours) again by the generator 4 can be generated. However, the vehicle may also be designed or configured by the user by selecting the traction battery modules that the maximum energy content of the traction battery plus the energy generated by the generator 4 is reloaded during downtime, sufficient to handle the daily route. The full charge of the traction battery 1a . 1b can then be made, for example, overnight at the recharging station of the starting point with power supply connection, in which a higher charging capacity is available.

The motor vehicle may further comprise at least one solar cell 16 or at least one solar module with which the traction battery 1a . 1b can be loaded. The solar cell 16 is in electrically via the DC chopper 17 to the traction battery 1a . 1b connected. The DC-DC converter 17 has a data connection to the control unit 5 , in which the energy management for the solar cell 16 is made. Among other things, the energy management ensures that the respective operating point of the DC adjuster 17 is set such that a maximum power of the solar cell 16 can be removed. The energy management for the solar cell can also directly into the DC chopper 17 be integrated.

Provided enough light output for the solar cell 16 is available, is preferably this, usually provided for free energy to charge the traction battery 1a . 1b used. If it is foreseeable that the energy fed in via the solar cell will not suffice for the traction battery 1a . 1b to load to a desired energy content at a defined time, depending on the desired battery energy content of the internal combustion engine driven generator 4 started. The through the solar cell 16 converted electrical energy can continuously, even during driving or in the parked state of the motor vehicle in the traction battery 1a . 1b be fed. Instead of the solar cell 16 or in addition, a fuel cell system may be parallel to the internal combustion engine driven generator 4 operate.

1

traction battery

2

traction

3

traction motor

4

generator

5

Vehicle control unit

6

remote control

7

connection

8th

battery management

9

charger

10

consumer

11

System battery

12 17

DC chopper

13

HMI

14

internal combustion engine

15

tank

16

solar cells

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4109379 [0002]
• - DE 19935873 [0003]
• - EP 1201485 B1 [0004]
• - DE 4109379 A1 [0015]

Claims (16)

Motor vehicle with at least - a traction battery ( 1a . 1b ), - a traction converter ( 2 ), - an electric traction motor ( 3 ) and - an internal combustion engine driven generator ( 4 ), wherein the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ), the traction converter ( 2 ) and the electric traction motor ( 3 ) are connected in such a way that with the electrical energy of the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) the electric traction motor ( 3 ) is driven during operation, characterized in that the internal combustion engine driven generator ( 4 ) in the parked state of the motor vehicle can be activated and / or deactivated by an identification signal, wherein after activation of the internal combustion engine drive ( 14 ) and charging the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) and / or after deactivation a shutdown of the internal combustion engine drive of the generator ( 4 ) is made. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of maximum power of the electric traction motor ( 3 ) is greater than the maximum power of the generator ( 4 ). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification signal from a vehicle control unit ( 5 ) can be generated. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification signal via a remote control ( 6 ) is triggered. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle control device ( 5 ) the identification signal for the activation of the generator ( 4 ) depending on the energy content of the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) or in response to a traction battery idle or load voltage. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle control device ( 4 ) the identification signal for the activation of the generator ( 4 ) after a defined or definable period of time after the motor vehicle has been switched off or after completion of the charging of the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) generated. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one in and / or outside of the motor vehicle accessible, electrical connection ( 7 ) is present for at least one standard AC line voltage, in particular 110 V, 120 V, 220 V or 240 V, for feeding an external consumer. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical and electrical connections of the motor vehicle to the generator ( 4 ) are detachable, such that the generator ( 4 ) is easy to install or remove. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) Depending on the space available in the vehicle for this space by a user of the motor vehicle modular expandable or modular reduced. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vehicle control device ( 5 ) a remaining minimum distance in response to detected traction battery data is determined, wherein an activation of the internal combustion engine driven generator ( 4 ) falls below a defined or definable minimum distance. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the case of a predominantly discharged traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) or in a Traktionsbatteriefehlerzustand by activation of the internal combustion engine driven generator ( 4 ) An emergency driving with limited driving speed is feasible. Method for charging a traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that an existing generator in the motor vehicle ( 4 ) in the parked state of the motor vehicle by a control unit ( 5 ) is controlled such that one for the generator ( 4 ) provided internal combustion engine drive ( 14 ) is activated so that the generator ( 4 ) a traction battery ( 1a . 1b ). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the generator ( 4 ) a traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) until at least one predefined or predefinable driving distance of the motor vehicle with the energy of the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) can be covered. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the control unit ( 5 ) generates at least a first warning signal when the fuel for the internal combustion engine drive ( 14 ) of the generator ( 4 ) in the motor vehicle is not expected to be sufficient to supply the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) with the envisaged energy for the predefined minimum travel distance. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the control unit ( 5 ) generates at least a second warning signal when the internal combustion engine drive ( 14 ) of the generator ( 4 ) is switched off due to lack of fuel or must be shut down in a defined or definable period of time. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that at least one solar cell ( 16 ) for charging the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) is electrically connected thereto, wherein the control device ( 5 ) the internal combustion engine drive ( 14 ) of the generator ( 4 ), provided that it has been determined that the delivered or to be delivered electrical energy of the at least one solar cell ( 16 ) as well as the energy content of the traction battery ( 1a . 1b ) is not sufficient to cover a defined minimum distance.