JP2000092604A - Small-sized motorcar - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check the remaining capacity simply by computing an open-circuit voltage, at least on the basis of the voltage and the discharging current of a power source put on a motorcar, finding the remaining capacity of the power source on the basis of the found open-circuit voltage, and indicating the found remaining capacity by the number of turned-on lights of a plurality of indicators. SOLUTION: Five indicators 74 composed of LED elements are provided above a main control panel 58. These five indicators 74 are represented as No.1-No.5. These indicators 74 are used for indicating the remaining quantity of a battery 38 and so on. Namely, the remaining capacity of the battery is indicated by computing an open-circuit voltage(V), and causing the whole or a part of the indicators 74, to turn on and off or to blink on the basis of the computed value. By detecting the remaining battery capacity by the open-circuit voltage in this way, it becomes possible to positively determine the remaining battery capacity, and to also perform confirmation by only referring to the indicators.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a small electric vehicle used as an electric wheelchair or a golf cart.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned compact electric vehicle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,447 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1.
A technique described in Japanese Patent No. 65454 is known. further,
JP-A-10-174203 and JP-A-10-1
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 74204 proposes that in an electric vehicle that supplies motor assist according to the pedal depression force, an indicator is turned on to display the remaining capacity of a battery (power supply on a vehicle).

[0003]

However, for a small electric vehicle, the remaining capacity of the on-board power supply defines the running time or the traveling distance. Therefore, the remaining capacity of the on-board power supply is accurately obtained and displayed, and the occupant is displayed from the display. Must be configured so that the remaining capacity can be easily checked. In this regard, the above-described prior art merely proposes a display of the remaining battery capacity of a small electric vehicle or an electric vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to obtain and display the remaining capacity of a vehicle-mounted power supply with high accuracy, and to enable the occupant to easily check the remaining capacity from the display. The purpose is to provide a car.

[0005] Further, in a small electric vehicle, if the user forgets to turn off the headlights during the daytime, an unintended situation that the traveling time or traveling distance is shortened may be caused.

Accordingly, a second object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when a headlight is turned on, a small electric vehicle is displayed on an indicator to alert the occupant. Is to provide.

[0007] Further, displaying the fault location of the small electric vehicle through the indicator is convenient because the fault location can be quickly specified at a service factory or the like.

[0008] Accordingly, a third object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a failure location is displayed through an indicator so that a failure location can be quickly specified at a service factory or the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small electric vehicle.

Further, if the use history or the failure history of the small electric vehicle is displayed through the indicator, it is convenient that parts can be easily replaced at a service factory or the like based on the history.

[0010] Therefore, a fourth object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily replace parts at a service factory or the like by displaying a use history or a failure history via an indicator. An object of the present invention is to provide a small electric vehicle that can be used.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric motor for driving wheels by receiving electric power from a vehicle-mounted power supply, wherein the electric motor is driven in accordance with an instruction of an occupant. In a small electric vehicle that drives and drives in the forward or reverse direction, a plurality of indicators are provided on the indicator panel,
An open-circuit voltage is calculated based on at least the voltage of the on-board power supply and the discharge current, a remaining capacity of the on-board power supply is obtained based on the calculated open-circuit voltage, and the obtained remaining capacity is displayed by the number of lighting of the plurality of indicators. Configured.

Thus, the remaining capacity of the vehicle-mounted power supply can be accurately obtained and displayed, and the occupant can easily check the remaining capacity from the display.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the small electric vehicle includes a headlight, and at least one of the plurality of indicators blinks to display an on state of the headlight.

Thus, when the headlights are turned on in the daytime, the indicator can be displayed on the indicator to alert the occupant, so that an unexpected situation such as a short running time or short running distance does not occur.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle includes an electric motor that receives power supplied from a vehicle-mounted power supply to drive the wheels, and drives and controls the electric motor in accordance with an instruction of an occupant to travel in a forward direction or a reverse direction. In a small electric vehicle, a plurality of indicators are provided on an indicator panel, and the plurality of indicators are turned on, off, or flashing to indicate a failure location of the small electric vehicle.

[0016] Thus, by displaying the fault location through the indicator, the fault location can be quickly specified at a service factory or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric motor for driving wheels by receiving electric power from a vehicle-mounted power supply, and driving the electric motor in accordance with an instruction of an occupant to travel in a forward direction or a reverse direction. In a small electric vehicle, a plurality of indicators are provided on an indicator panel, and the plurality of indicators are turned on, off, or flashing to display a usage history (or a failure history) of the small electric vehicle.

Thus, by displaying the use history or the failure history via the indicator, parts can be easily replaced at a service factory or the like.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a small electric vehicle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a reduced side view thereof, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof.

In the following, a small electric vehicle 10 according to the present invention has a scooter-like appearance having a main frame 12. A handle pipe 14 is attached to a front end of the main frame 12, and a steering wheel 16 is attached above the handle pipe 14.

At the other end, the handle pipe 14 is connected to two front wheels 22, 22 via a gear mechanism 18, and steers the front wheels 22 in a direction and an angle corresponding to the rotation of the steering wheel 16.

The main frame 12 has a post 2 at the rear end.
4, and a seat 26 on which an occupant sits is attached above the seat 4. The illustration of the sheet is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

An electric motor 28 (power generation) is accommodated in a lower portion of the seat 26. The output of the electric motor 28 is transmitted to the axle 34 via the electromagnetic brake 30, and drives two rear wheels 36, 36 attached to both ends thereof.

The electric motor 28 includes two batteries (vehicle power supply) 3 housed near the handle pipe 14 on the front wheel side.
8, 38 (each having a capacity of 12 V), and is supplied with a battery voltage to rotate. Thus, the small electric vehicle 1
0 is configured as a four-wheeled vehicle, and a battery is arranged between the front wheels to improve stability. Note that reference numeral 40 is
Shows the main fuse box.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a headlight 44 is provided on the front of the vehicle, and blinker lights 46, 46 for indicating directions are provided on both side surfaces thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, two reflectors 4 are provided at the rear of the vehicle.
8, 48 are arranged.

The electric motor 28 is controlled by a control unit (electronic control unit) 50 which is disposed adjacent to the electric motor 28 in a space below the rear wheel side seat 26 (reference numeral 50 denotes the control unit in more detail). Although a box is shown, a control unit is indicated by reference numeral 50 for convenience of illustration). Control unit 50
Has a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing details of the control unit 50. Although omitted in FIG. 5, the control unit 50 includes a motor driving circuit 5 as shown in FIG.
4 is provided. The motor drive circuit 54 includes a bridge circuit including four FETs (switching elements) A, B, C, and D.

In FIG. 6, when two opposing FET elements A and D are turned on and a source current flows as shown by an arrow (solid line), the electric motor 28 rotates forward in a direction shown by an arrow (solid line). The small electric vehicle 10 in the forward direction.

On the other hand, when the two opposing FET elements B and C are turned on and a source current flows as shown by the arrow (broken line), the electric motor 28 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow (broken line) and is compactly driven. The vehicle 10 travels in the reverse direction.

In a predetermined operation state, the electric motor 28 functions as a generator and charges the battery 38.
The battery 38 is connected to an external D via a charger 56.
It can be charged from the C power supply.

A main control panel (indicator panel) 58 is arranged near the steering wheel 16.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the main control panel 58, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the display of the panel portion (shown as "PANEL" in FIG. 5). The illustration of the steering wheel 16 is omitted in FIG.

As shown, the main control panel 5
At the bottom of 8, a rotary key switch (power switch) 6
2 are provided. The key switch 62 is connected to the electric motor 28.
Is provided in a motor drive circuit 54 connecting the battery 38 to the battery 38.

The key switch 62 cuts off the connection between the battery 38 and the electric motor 28 when the occupant is turned to the "stop" position shown in FIG. 28.

7 and 8, the forward / backward select switch 64 for the occupant to select "forward" (forward travel) or "rearward" (reverse travel).
Is provided.

A speed volume 66 is provided above the key switch 62. The speed volume 66
The voltage Vsv is output according to the position turned between the numbers 2 and 6 by the occupant. That is, as shown in FIG.
A value around 8 V is output from the vicinity, and the traveling speed is set to a value corresponding to 0 km / h to a value corresponding to 6.5 km / h accordingly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an accelerator volume 68 (accelerator lever) is arranged at the right end of the main control panel 58. Accelerator volume 68
7, the free end of which is configured to be movable in the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 7, and is moved downward by the occupant to instruct the vehicle to travel forward or backward.

The accelerator volume 68 generates a voltage Vav according to the amount of downward movement of the paper, as shown in FIG.
Output. The output voltage Vav is equal to the starting volume voltage Vav.
When it becomes equal to or longer than s, it is determined that the accelerator is on, and the traveling control is started.

The traveling speed of the small electric vehicle 10 is set to a value obtained by multiplying the output voltage (volume position) of the speed volume 66 by a predetermined ratio (accelerator ratio) based on the output voltage (volume position) of the accelerator volume 68. Controlled.

More specifically, the duty ratio (in PWM control) of the FET of the motor drive circuit 54 is determined by the control unit described above so that the traveling speed becomes the value, and the duty drive is performed. When the accelerator volume 68 is turned off, the small electric vehicle 10 decelerates in a predetermined deceleration pattern and stops.

As shown in FIG. 5, a rotary encoder (ENCODER) 72 is disposed in the electric motor 54, and outputs a signal proportional to the vehicle traveling speed through the motor rotation speed.

Above the main control panel 58, five indicators 74 made of LED elements are provided. In FIG. 5 and the like, these five indicators 74 are set to N
O. 1 to NO. 5 is indicated. This indicator 74
Is used for displaying the remaining amount (remaining capacity) of the battery 38 and the like.

To explain this, the open circuit voltage [V] is calculated as follows, and based on the calculated value, as shown in FIG. 11, all or a part of the indicator 74 is turned on, turned off, or blinked, and the battery ( Battery) Displays the remaining voltage (remaining capacity).

Open circuit voltage [V] = battery voltage [V] + discharge current [A] × (battery internal resistance [Ω] + power supply wiring resistance [Ω])

As described above, the battery voltage is obtained from the terminal voltage of the battery. The discharge current is obtained from the motor current.
The current value is detected by the voltage between both ends of a detection resistor (not shown), and the voltage value is detected from the battery terminal voltage. The battery internal resistance is calculated based on the discharge current. The battery internal resistance and the power supply wiring resistance are determined in advance. The open-circuit voltage is used by calculating an average value for a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes.

As shown in FIG. 11, the number of lighting indicators decreases as the display level of the battery (battery) remaining amount decreases. The remaining battery level is 1
Then, the second (NO. 2) indicator from the left blinks to alert the occupant. Note that an audio signal such as a buzzer may be used.

As described above, by detecting the remaining battery level from the open circuit voltage, the remaining battery level can be reliably determined, and confirmation can be easily performed only by referring to the indicator.

Further, by performing the level display in five stages using only the voltage, when the life is deteriorated, the level changes in a short time in a decreasing direction, so that the deterioration of the battery 38 can be detected.

In the case of the small electric vehicle 10 shown in the figure, when the vehicle runs over a step, the load suddenly increases, and the remaining battery level changes abruptly depending on the running state. At this time, the level may be lowered by one regardless of the open circuit voltage calculation value. Once a certain level has been reached, it cannot be raised above that level until it is charged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, when the head ride 44 is turned on (lit), any one of the five indicators (for example, No. 1 at the left end) is blinked, so that the occupant is turned on. Call attention.

Thus, it is possible to avoid an unintended inconvenience of the occupant such as shortening the traveling time due to forgetting to turn off the headlights 44 in the daytime, and to use the indicator 74 as a dedicated indicator for the remaining battery level display. It is not necessary to provide, and the configuration can be simplified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the failure location of the small electric vehicle 10 is displayed by combining lighting, turning off or blinking of the five indicators.
FIG. 13 is a checklist for the self-diagnosis.

Thus, various failure locations can be indicated by a small number of five indicators, and the failure location can be quickly identified and repaired at a service factory or the like. Also, the configuration can be simplified without providing a dedicated indicator.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the use history or the failure history of the small electric vehicle 10 is managed (displayed) by combining the lighting, turning off or blinking of the five indicators. For example, the following contents are managed. FIG. 14 shows the maintenance data.

(1) A fault that has occurred in the past is stored five times,
indicate. (2) The traveling distance is calculated from the rotation speed of the electric motor 28,
indicate. (3) The charging time and the number of times of charging the battery 38 are displayed.

Thus, various histories can be indicated by a small number of five indicators, and parts can be easily replaced at a service factory or the like. Also, the configuration can be simplified without providing a dedicated indicator.

In this embodiment, as described above, power is supplied from the vehicle-mounted power supply (battery 38) and the wheels (rear wheels 3) are supplied.
6), the small electric vehicle 10 that is driven in the forward or reverse direction by driving and controlling the electric motor in accordance with the instruction of the occupant, in the small electric vehicle 10 on the indicator panel (main control panel 58), More specifically, it includes five indicators 74, and calculates an open-circuit voltage based on at least the voltage of the vehicle-mounted power supply, more specifically, a terminal voltage and a discharge current of the battery 38. Based on the calculated open-circuit voltage, the remaining of the vehicle-mounted power supply is calculated. The capacity is determined, and the determined remaining capacity is configured to be indicated by the number of lighting of the plurality of indicators.

As a result, the remaining capacity of the vehicle-mounted power supply can be accurately obtained and displayed, and the occupant can easily check the remaining capacity from the display.

Further, the small electric vehicle 10 is provided with the headlights 44, and at least one of the plurality of indicators 74 is turned on and off to display the on state of the headlights.

As a result, when the headlights are turned on during the daytime, the indicator can be displayed on the indicator to alert the occupant, so that an unexpected situation such as a short running time or short running distance does not occur.

Further, an electric motor 28 is provided for driving the wheels (rear wheels 36) by receiving electric power from a vehicle-mounted power supply (battery 38). In the small electric vehicle 10 that travels on the vehicle, a plurality of, more specifically, five indicators 74 are provided on an indicator panel (main control panel 58), and the plurality of indicators 74 are turned on, off, or blinked to light the small electric vehicle. Is configured to display the failure location.

As a result, by displaying the fault location via the indicator, the fault location can be quickly specified at a service factory or the like.

Further, an electric motor 28 is provided for driving the wheels (rear wheels 36) by receiving power supply from a vehicle-mounted power supply (battery 38). In the small electric vehicle 10 that travels, the plurality of indicators 74 are provided on an indicator panel (main control panel 58), and the plurality of indicators 74 are turned on, turned off, or blinked to use the small electric vehicle 10 (or malfunction). (History) is displayed.

Thus, by displaying the use history or the failure history via the indicator, parts can be easily replaced at a service factory or the like.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the remaining capacity of the vehicle-mounted power supply can be obtained and displayed with high accuracy, and the occupant can easily check the remaining capacity from the display.

According to the second aspect, when the headlights are turned on in the daytime, an indicator can be displayed to alert the occupant, and an unexpected situation such as a short running time or short running distance can be obtained. Will not occur.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by displaying the fault location via the indicator, the fault location can be quickly specified at a service factory or the like.

According to the fourth aspect, by displaying the use history or the failure history via the indicator, it is possible to easily replace parts at a service factory or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entire configuration of a small electric vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced side view of the small electric vehicle shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the small electric vehicle shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the small electric vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram specifically showing a configuration of a control unit of the small electric vehicle in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing details of a motor drive circuit incorporated in the control unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a main control panel of the small electric vehicle in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

9 is an explanatory graph showing an output voltage characteristic of a speed volume of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory graph showing an output voltage characteristic of an accelerator volume of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an indicator of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

12 is an explanatory diagram showing another display example of the indicator of the main control panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a self-diagnosis checklist showing still another display example of the indicator of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is maintenance data showing still another display example of the indicator of the main control panel shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 small electric vehicle 28 electric motor 38 battery (vehicle power supply) 44 headlight 50 control unit (electronic control unit) 58 main control panel (indicator panel) 74 indicator

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08B 21/00 G08B 21/00 U H01M 10/48 H01M 10/48 P H02J 7/00 H02J 7/00 X

Claims (4)

[Claims] An indicator panel is provided in a small electric vehicle which is provided with an electric motor for driving wheels by receiving power supply from a vehicle-mounted power supply, and which drives and controls the electric motor in accordance with an instruction of an occupant to travel forward or backward. A plurality of indicators are provided above, an open circuit voltage is calculated based on at least a voltage and a discharge current of the on-board power supply, a remaining capacity of the on-board power supply is obtained based on the calculated open circuit voltage, and the obtained remaining capacity is calculated based on the plurality of on-board power supplies. A small electric vehicle characterized in that it is indicated by the number of lights of the indicator. 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a headlight, wherein at least one of the plurality of indicators blinks to display an on state of the headlight. Small electric car. 3. An indicator panel for a small electric vehicle including an electric motor that receives power supplied from a vehicle-mounted power supply to drive wheels and controls driving of the electric motor in accordance with an instruction of an occupant to travel in a forward direction or a reverse direction. A small electric vehicle, comprising: a plurality of indicators thereon; and lighting, turning off, or blinking of the plurality of indicators to indicate a failure location of the small electric vehicle. 4. An indicator panel for a small electric vehicle including an electric motor that receives power supplied from an on-vehicle power supply to drive wheels and controls driving of the electric motor in accordance with an instruction of an occupant to travel in a forward or reverse direction. A small electric vehicle comprising a plurality of indicators thereon, and displaying the usage history of the small electric vehicle by turning on, off, or blinking the plurality of indicators.