JP2004224219A - Energy control device for vehicle and its related equipment and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an energy control device for a vehicle, an energy using equipment and an energy supplying system for the vehicle capable of effectively utilizing the electric power. <P>SOLUTION: In the energy supplying system for vehicle according to this invention, the electric energy of surplus electric power is converted into microwaves by a microwave generator 26 in case a surplus electric power is generated in the power generation made by a motor generator 20 mounted in the vehicle 10, and the converted microwaves are transmitted to the outside through an antenna 14. The microwaves transmitted from the antenna 14 are received by a rectenna 50 and supplied to street lights 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for controlling energy used in a vehicle and a roadside facility, and in particular, a vehicle energy control device that exchanges electric energy by transmitting and receiving radio waves between the vehicle and a roadside facility, an energy use facility, and a vehicle. The present invention relates to an energy supply system for vehicles, an energy control device for mobile objects, and an energy supply system for mobile objects.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An energy supply system that supplies microwaves to vehicles and other moving objects from energy supply equipment such as microwave transmitters and satellites installed on the ground, and the moving objects convert microwaves into electric power to obtain electrical energy. Research is taking place. As such an energy supply system, an energy supply method in which an energy supply means is arranged on a traveling road surface to supply energy to an electric vehicle, a moving body, and an energy supply facility have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-145203 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, an efficient energy supply system is realized by the vehicle receiving the energy supply from the outside as described above, but depending on the running state of the vehicle, a situation where the external energy supply is not required may occur. In order to achieve more effective use of electric power, it is necessary to reflect the supply and demand balance of energy in the vehicle in the form of energy supply by the energy supply system and to further deepen cooperation between the above-described energy supply equipment and the vehicle.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle energy control device, an energy utilization facility, a vehicle energy supply system, a moving body energy control device, and a moving body that effectively use electric power. Energy supply system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power generation unit that generates electric energy in a vehicle, an electric load that operates using the electric energy generated by the power generation unit, Of the generated electric energy, a radio wave conversion unit that converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load into a radio wave, and a transmission unit that transmits a radio wave converted by the radio wave conversion unit to the outside, A vehicle energy control device comprising: The “outside” may be, for example, an electric load such as a streetlight or a traffic light that receives energy supply via an antenna installed on the roadside.
[0007]
According to the energy control device for a vehicle of the present embodiment, surplus electric power in the vehicle can be released to the outside, and electric energy can be supplied to an external electric load. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the electric power generated as the vehicle travels.
[0008]
The vehicle energy control device includes a receiving unit that receives a radio wave from the outside, a power conversion unit that converts the radio wave received by the receiving unit into electric energy, and when the electric energy generated by the power generation unit is insufficient. And energy control means for controlling the electric load to operate using the electric energy converted by the power conversion means. When the electric energy in the vehicle is insufficient, the power supply to the outside can be temporarily stopped to receive the power supply from the outside. Therefore, the power supply mode can be flexibly switched according to the power demand situation in the vehicle, and the power can be used more effectively.
[0009]
Another aspect of the present invention is a receiving unit that receives a radio wave transmitted from a vehicle by an antenna provided on a roadside, a power conversion unit that converts the radio wave received by the receiving unit into electric energy, And an electric load that operates using the electric energy converted by the means. In the energy utilization facility of this aspect, surplus electric power in the vehicle is utilized by an electric load such as a street light or a traffic light adjacent to the road. Therefore, the electric power generated by running the vehicle can be effectively used without waste.
[0010]
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle energy supply system including a roadside facility and a vehicle. The roadside equipment is a roadside receiving unit that receives a radio wave transmitted from the vehicle, a roadside power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the roadside reception unit into electric energy, and is converted by the roadside power conversion unit. And a roadside electric load that operates using the electric energy. The vehicle includes a vehicle power generation unit that generates electric energy, a vehicle electric load that operates using the electric energy generated by the vehicle power generation unit, and an electric energy generated by the vehicle power generation unit. The vehicle radio wave conversion means for converting surplus electric energy not used by the vehicle electric load into radio waves, and the radio wave converted by the vehicle radio wave conversion means is transmitted to the roadside equipment. Vehicle transmission means. In the energy supply system according to this aspect, surplus power in the vehicle is supplied to the electric load of the roadside equipment. Therefore, part of the electric power generated by the vehicle can be shared between the vehicle and the roadside equipment, and the electric power can be used effectively.
[0011]
The roadside equipment further includes a roadside radio wave conversion unit that converts electric energy into a radio wave, and a roadside transmission unit that transmits the radio wave converted by the roadside radio wave conversion unit to the vehicle. Is also good. The vehicle includes a vehicle receiving unit that receives a radio wave from outside, a vehicle power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the vehicle receiving unit into electric energy, and an electric power generated by the vehicle power generation unit. An energy control unit that controls the vehicle electric load to operate by using the electric energy converted by the vehicle power conversion unit when energy is insufficient. When the electric power in the vehicle is insufficient, the insufficient electric power is supplied from the roadside equipment to the vehicle. Therefore, electric power is mutually supplied between the vehicle and the roadside equipment, and the electric power can be used more effectively.
[0012]
Still another embodiment of the present invention is a power generation unit that generates electric energy in a moving object, an electric load that operates by using the electric energy generated by the power generation unit, and an electric load that is generated by the power generation unit. Mobile energy comprising: a radio wave conversion unit that converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load into a radio wave; and a transmission unit that transmits a radio wave converted by the radio wave conversion unit to the outside. A control device is provided.
[0013]
According to the energy control device for a moving object of the present embodiment, surplus power in the moving object can be released to the outside, and electric energy can be supplied to an external electric load. It can be used.
[0014]
The energy control device for a mobile body includes a receiving unit that receives a radio wave from the outside, a power conversion unit that converts the radio wave received by the receiving unit into electric energy, and a shortage of electric energy generated by the power generation unit. Energy control means for controlling the operation of the electric load by using the electric energy converted by the power conversion means when the power conversion is performed. When the electric energy in the moving body is insufficient, the power supply to the outside can be temporarily stopped and the electric power can be received from the outside, so that the power supply mode can be flexibly switched according to the power demand situation in the moving body. Power can be used more effectively.
[0015]
Still another aspect of the present invention is a receiving unit that receives a radio wave transmitted from a moving object by an antenna provided on a roadside, a power conversion unit that converts the radio wave received by the receiving unit into electric energy, And an electric load that operates using the electric energy converted by the electric power conversion means. In the energy utilization facility of this aspect, surplus power in the moving body is utilized by an electric load such as a street lamp or a traffic light adjacent to the road. Therefore, the electric power generated by the traveling of the moving body can be effectively used without waste.
[0016]
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a moving object energy supply system including a roadside facility and a moving object. The roadside equipment is a roadside receiving unit that receives a radio wave transmitted from the mobile object, a roadside power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the roadside reception unit into electric energy, and a conversion by the roadside power conversion unit. And a roadside electric load that operates using the generated electric energy. The moving body includes a moving body power generation unit that generates electric energy, a moving body electric load that operates using the electric energy generated by the moving body power generation unit, and a moving body power generation unit that generates the electric energy. Of the electric energy thus obtained, a radio wave converting means for mobile which converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load for mobile into radio waves, and a radio wave converted by the radio wave converting means for mobile. Transmitting means for transmitting to the roadside equipment. In the energy supply system according to the present aspect, since the surplus power in the moving body is supplied to the electric load of the roadside facility, part of the power generated by the moving body can be shared between the moving body and the roadside facility, and the power is effectively Can be used.
[0017]
The roadside equipment further includes a roadside radio wave conversion unit that converts electric energy into a radio wave, and a roadside transmission unit that transmits a radio wave converted by the roadside radio wave conversion unit to the mobile object. You may. The mobile object is a mobile object receiving means for receiving a radio wave from the outside, a mobile object power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the mobile object receiving means into electric energy, and the mobile object power generation means. Energy control means for controlling the mobile object electric load to operate by using the electric energy converted by the mobile object power conversion means when the electric energy generated by the power supply is insufficient. Good. When the power in the moving body is insufficient, the insufficient power is supplied from the roadside equipment to the moving body. Therefore, the power is mutually supplied between the moving body and the roadside equipment, and the power can be used more effectively.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a vehicle energy supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the vehicle 10 in the present embodiment, a hybrid vehicle that runs with the driving force of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine is assumed. Vehicle 10 generates electric energy by motor generator 20 functioning as a power generation unit. Electric energy generated by motor generator 20 charges battery 18 and is consumed by electric load 16.
[0019]
The motor generator 20 can generate electric power by using the driving force of the engine during traveling, and can also generate regenerative electric power by collecting kinetic energy at the time of braking and converting the kinetic energy into electric energy even during braking of the vehicle 10. In a conventional hybrid vehicle, power generation by the motor generator is not necessary in principle if the charge amount of the battery is sufficient. However, in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, even if the charge amount of the battery 18 is sufficient, By generating electricity, surplus power can be generated.
[0020]
An energy management electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as an “ECU”) 22 that functions as an energy control unit monitors the state of charge of the battery 18 and, if the charge amount of the battery 18 is sufficient, Thereafter, control is performed so that motor generator 20 generates electric energy as surplus power. The energy management ECU 22 determines whether or not the charge amount is sufficient based on whether or not the charge amount of the battery 18 exceeds a predetermined value. If the charge amount is sufficient, the surplus electric power generated by the motor generator 20 is determined by the vehicle. The microwave generator 26 functioning as the radio wave conversion means 10 converts the microwave into microwaves. However, when the energy management ECU 22 detects that the charge amount of the battery 18 falls below a predetermined value, the energy management ECU 22 stops the conversion by the microwave generator 26 of the vehicle 10 and converts the electric energy generated by the motor generator 20 Control is performed to use the battery 18 for charging.
[0021]
The microwave converted by the microwave generator 26 of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the outside of the vehicle 10 by the microwave transmission antenna 14 functioning as a transmission unit of the vehicle 10. The microwave converted by the microwave generator 26 of the vehicle 10 is also supplied to a heating component 30 requiring heating through the waveguide 28. The heating component 30 may be, for example, a fuel cell, a reformer of a fuel cell system, a catalyst, or a heating device. In this case, the microwave supplied to the heating component 30 is used for warming up the fuel cell, warming up the reformer, heating the catalyst, and generating warm air by the heating device.
[0022]
In the roadside energy utilization facility 70, the rectenna 50 provided on the roadside receives the microwave transmitted from the microwave transmission antenna 14 of the vehicle 10. The roadside rectenna 50 includes a power receiving antenna functioning as a receiving means and a rectifying circuit functioning as a power converting means, and has a function of directly extracting DC power from microwaves. The electric energy extracted by the roadside rectenna 50 is consumed by the streetlight 52 as an electric load. The electric load of the energy utilization facility 70 may be, for example, an electric facility installed near the road such as a traffic light, a traffic information display device, and a road traffic information communication system.
[0023]
In the energy utilization facility 70, the microwave generator 56 that further functions as a roadside radio wave conversion unit generates microwaves. The microwave transmission antenna 54, which functions as a roadside transmission unit, transmits the microwave generated by the roadside microwave generator 56 to the vehicle 10. The energy supply ECU 58 controls the timing of generating the microwaves by the roadside microwave generator 56 and the intensity of the generated microwaves. Although the roadside microwave generator 56 may always generate microwaves, generating microwaves when the vehicle 10 is not passing near the energy utilization facility 70 may waste power, In order to reduce the influence of the microwave on the environment, the microwave may be generated only when the vehicle 10 passes. In this case, the transceiver 24 of the vehicle 10 sends a microwave transmission command to the roadside transceiver 60. The energy supply ECU 58 may drive the roadside microwave generator 56 in response to a transmission command sent from the transceiver 24 of the vehicle 10. The energy utilization equipment 70 may be embedded in a road surface as shown in the figure, or may be installed on the road surface. Further, an artificial satellite may supply microwaves to the vehicle 10 as the energy utilization facility 70.
[0024]
In the vehicle 10, when the energy management ECU 22 detects that the charge amount of the battery 18 falls below a predetermined value while traveling on a road, the transceiver 24 of the vehicle 10 sends a microwave transmission command to the roadside transceiver 60. Send. The rectenna 12 of the vehicle 10 functions as a receiving unit and a power converting unit, receives the microwave transmitted from the roadside microwave transmitting antenna 54, and converts the received microwave into electric energy. The electric energy extracted by the rectenna 12 of the vehicle 10 is charged in the battery 18.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a control flow for switching between transmission and reception of microwaves in the vehicle 10. First, power generation by the motor generator 20 and charging of the battery 18 are started together with the start of traveling of the vehicle 10 (S10). If the energy management ECU 22 detects that the charge amount of the battery 18 exceeds a predetermined value (S12). (Y) is set to the microwave transmission mode (S14), and when the energy management ECU 22 detects that the charge amount of the battery 18 is lower than the predetermined value (N of S12), the microwave reception mode is set. (S20).
[0026]
When the microwave transmission mode is set (S14), the microwave generator 26 of the vehicle 10 starts the operation of converting the electric energy generated by the motor generator 20 into a microwave (S16), and the operation of the vehicle 10 is started. The microwave transmission antenna 14 of the vehicle 10 starts transmitting the microwave converted by the microwave generator 26 to the outside (S18). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S12, when the microwave receiving mode is set (S20), the rectenna 12 starts receiving microwaves from the outside (S22), and the rectenna 12 converts the microwaves into electric energy. Conversion is started (S24).
[0027]
While the operation in the microwave transmission mode (S14 to S18) or the operation in the microwave reception mode (S20 to S24) is continued, if the charge amount of the battery 18 fluctuates at a predetermined value (Y in S26), S12 is performed. Then, the mode is switched to the microwave reception mode or the microwave transmission mode depending on whether the charge amount of the battery 18 exceeds or falls below the predetermined value (S12). If the charge amount of the battery 18 does not fluctuate beyond a predetermined value (N in S26), the energy management ECU 22 changes the state of charge of the battery 18 as long as the traveling of the vehicle 10 is continued (Y in S28). Monitoring is performed (S26).
[0028]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications thereof are also effective as aspects of the present invention. Although the vehicle 10 according to the embodiment is realized as a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle 10 according to the modified example may be realized as an electric vehicle running with the driving force of an electric motor. The surplus power generated in the vehicle 10 as an electric vehicle may be mainly electric energy generated by regenerative power generation of the motor generator 20.
[0029]
In the embodiment, whether or not surplus power is generated in vehicle 10 is determined based on the state of charge of battery 18, but in a modified example, it may be determined based on factors other than the state of charge of battery 18. For example, it may be determined whether or not to release electric energy to the outside of vehicle 10 according to whether or not motor generator 20 is performing regenerative power generation. For example, it may be determined whether or not to release electric energy to the outside of vehicle 10 depending on whether or not a load for generating driving force applied to motor generator 20 is high. Further, the energy management ECU 22 determines a plurality of determination factors, for example, whether or not the charge amount of the battery 18 is sufficient, whether or not the motor generator 20 is performing regenerative power generation, and whether or not the driving force generation load applied to the motor generator 20 is high. In consideration of the above, the emission and supply of electric energy may be controlled so that the power supply and demand balance in the vehicle 10 is optimized.
[0030]
As another modified example, the energy management ECU 22 stores the amount of electric energy obtained by receiving microwaves from the outside of the vehicle 10 and calculates the stored amount of electric energy to calculate the usage fee of the energy utilization facility 70. It may be used for. The energy management ECU 22 may further store the amount of electric energy emitted by transmitting microwaves to the outside of the vehicle 10 and emit the microwave, and offset the amount of electric energy emission from the amount of electric energy acquired and stored by the energy management ECU 22. As a result, the more the vehicle 10 emits the energy of the surplus electric power, the more the charge burden associated with the use of the energy utilization equipment 70 can be reduced. When the electric energy release amount stored by the energy management ECU 22 exceeds the electric energy acquisition amount, the power selling fee may be calculated based on the excess amount.
[0031]
The energy management ECU 22 may control the amount of electric energy released from the vehicle 10. The energy management ECU 22 may control whether the electric energy should be actively released from the vehicle 10. For example, regarding the usage fee of the energy utilization equipment 70, the control mode in which the electric energy is actively released may be set on the assumption that the electric energy release amount can be offset from the electric energy acquisition amount. The setting to the control mode in which electric energy is actively released may be executed based on a driver's instruction.
[0032]
Microwave generator 26 in the embodiment has a configuration in which electric energy generated by motor generator 20 is converted into microwaves. The microwave generator 26 in the modification may convert the electric energy stored in the battery 18 into a microwave. In the embodiment, the electric energy converted by the rectenna 12 is charged into the battery 18. However, in a modified example, the electric energy converted by the rectenna 12 may be directly supplied to the motor generator 20.
[0033]
In the embodiment, an automobile is mainly exemplified as a vehicle, but a vehicle as a modification may be a train or a train other than an automobile. The “road” in that case may be a track. In another modification, the present invention may be realized by an arbitrary moving body other than a vehicle. The moving body may be, for example, a navigation body such as a ship or an aircraft, and the “road” in that case may be a navigation route.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the energy control apparatus for vehicles, energy utilization equipment, or the energy supply system for vehicles which can utilize electric power effectively between vehicles and roadside equipment can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle energy supply system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow for switching between transmission and reception of microwaves in a vehicle.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Rectenna, 14 ... Microwave transmission antenna, 16 ... Electric load, 18 ... Battery, 20 ... Motor generator, 22 ... Energy management ECU, 24 ... Transceiver, 26 ... Microwave generator, 28 ... Waveguide, 30 ... Heating component, 50 ... Rectenna, 52 ... Street light, 54 ... Microwave transmission antenna , 56... Microwave generator, 58... Energy supply ECU, 60... Transceiver, 70.

Claims (10)

Power generating means for generating electric energy in the vehicle;
An electric load that operates using electric energy generated by the power generation unit,
Of the electric energy generated by the power generation unit, a radio wave conversion unit that converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load into a radio wave,
Transmission means for transmitting the radio wave converted by the radio wave conversion means to the outside,
An energy control device for a vehicle, comprising: Receiving means for receiving a radio wave from outside;
Power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the reception means into electrical energy,
Energy control means for controlling the operation of the electric load using the electric energy converted by the power conversion means when the electric energy generated by the power generation means is insufficient,
The energy control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: Receiving means for receiving a radio wave transmitted from the vehicle by an antenna provided on the roadside,
Power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the reception means into electrical energy,
An electric load that operates using the electric energy converted by the power conversion unit,
An energy utilization facility comprising: Equipped with roadside equipment and vehicles,
The roadside equipment, roadside receiving means for receiving a radio wave transmitted from the vehicle,
A roadside power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the roadside reception unit into electric energy, and a roadside electric load that operates using the electric energy converted by the roadside power conversion unit,
The vehicle includes a vehicle power generation unit that generates electric energy, a vehicle electric load that operates using the electric energy generated by the vehicle power generation unit, and an electric energy generated by the vehicle power generation unit. The vehicle radio wave conversion means for converting surplus electric energy not used by the vehicle electric load into radio waves, and the radio wave converted by the vehicle radio wave conversion means is transmitted to the roadside equipment. A vehicle energy supply system, comprising: a vehicle transmission unit. The roadside equipment further includes a roadside radio wave conversion unit that converts electric energy into a radio wave, and a roadside transmission unit that transmits a radio wave converted by the roadside radio wave conversion unit to the vehicle,
The vehicle includes a vehicle receiving unit that receives a radio wave from outside, a vehicle power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the vehicle receiving unit into electric energy, and an electric power generated by the vehicle power generation unit. 5. An energy control unit that controls the vehicle electric load to operate by using the electric energy converted by the vehicle electric power conversion unit when energy is insufficient. 6. Vehicle energy supply system. Power generation means for generating electric energy in the moving body;
An electric load that operates using electric energy generated by the power generation unit,
Of the electric energy generated by the power generation unit, a radio wave conversion unit that converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load into a radio wave,
Transmission means for transmitting the radio wave converted by the radio wave conversion means to the outside,
An energy control device for a moving object, comprising: Receiving means for receiving a radio wave from outside;
Power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the reception means into electrical energy,
Energy control means for controlling the operation of the electric load using the electric energy converted by the power conversion means when the electric energy generated by the power generation means is insufficient,
The energy control device for a moving body according to claim 6, further comprising: Receiving means for receiving a radio wave transmitted from a moving object by an antenna provided on the roadside,
Power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the reception means into electrical energy,
An electric load that operates using the electric energy converted by the power conversion unit,
An energy utilization facility comprising: Equipped with roadside equipment and moving objects,
The roadside equipment is a roadside receiving unit that receives a radio wave transmitted from the mobile object, a roadside power conversion unit that converts a radio wave received by the roadside reception unit into electric energy, and a conversion by the roadside power conversion unit. Roadside electric load that operates using the obtained electric energy,
The moving body includes a moving body power generation unit that generates electric energy, a moving body electric load that operates using the electric energy generated by the moving body power generation unit, and a moving body power generation unit that generates the electric energy. Of the electric energy thus obtained, a radio wave converting means for mobile which converts surplus electric energy not used by the electric load for mobile into radio waves, and a radio wave converted by the radio wave converting means for mobile. A mobile body energy supply system, comprising: a mobile body transmission means for transmitting to the roadside facility. The roadside equipment further includes a roadside radio wave conversion unit that converts electric energy into a radio wave, and a roadside transmission unit that transmits a radio wave converted by the roadside radio wave conversion unit to the mobile object. ,
The mobile object is a mobile object receiving means for receiving a radio wave from the outside, a mobile object power conversion means for converting the radio wave received by the mobile object receiving means into electric energy, and the mobile object power generation means. And energy control means for controlling the operation of the electric load for the mobile object by using the electric energy converted by the electric power conversion means for the mobile object when the electric energy generated by the electric power is insufficient. The energy supply system for a mobile body according to claim 9.

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