JP2010011524A - Energy flow display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly display an energy flow when an additional battery is installed. <P>SOLUTION: When a capacitive battery having energy density larger than that of a reference battery is installed, a battery display region A is made larger than when only the reference battery is installed. On the contrary, when an output type battery having output density larger than that of the reference battery is installed, the flow display indicating exchange of power is made larger than when only the reference battery is installed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy flow display when a plurality of batteries are mounted.

  Conventionally, rechargeable batteries (rechargeable batteries) have been widely used. In such a battery, there is a request to know the state of charge. Therefore, a system is known in which the state of charge of the battery is detected by various means, and this is displayed and notified to the user.

  For example, an electric vehicle that is equipped with a battery and a traveling motor and travels by the traveling motor is known, and has an advantage of not discharging harmful gases, and is widely adopted. Examples of such an electric vehicle include an electric vehicle that uses only the driving force of a traveling motor and a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine and also uses the driving force of the engine. Here, some hybrid vehicles can be charged with a battery from a commercial power source, and some can run as an electric vehicle without driving an engine.

  In such an electric vehicle, when traveling with electric power from a battery, traveling performance is limited by the capacity of the battery. For example, the travel distance can be increased as the capacity of the battery is increased, and the motor output can be increased as the battery voltage is increased.

  Therefore, it has also been proposed that the number of batteries to be installed is selected by the user. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that the number of batteries to be mounted can be adjusted according to a user's travel distance demand. Patent Document 2 describes that both a high-capacity battery having a large capacity and a high-power battery having a large output are mounted on the vehicle, and Patent Document 3 individually describes remaining capacities of a plurality of batteries. It is shown to be displayed.

JP 2004-262357 A JP 2006-121874 A JP 09-298805 A

  When the number of mounted batteries changes, there is also a demand for knowing how to connect the batteries.

  The present invention is an energy flow display device in a vehicle having a motor mounted on the vehicle and a battery that exchanges electric power with the motor, and includes a motor display, a battery display, and a motor display and a battery display. The battery can be equipped with a reference battery, a capacity type battery with a higher energy density than the reference battery, or an output type battery with a higher output density than the reference battery. When a capacity type battery is installed, the battery display area is expanded compared to when the reference battery is installed, and when an output type battery is installed, the flow display area indicating power exchange is installed when the reference battery is installed. It is characterized by further expansion.

  Preferably, the capacity type battery is configured by connecting an additional battery in parallel to a reference battery, and the output type battery is configured by connecting an additional battery in series to a reference battery.

  When the capacity type battery is installed, the flow display area indicating the exchange of power is the same as when the reference battery is installed, and when the output type battery is installed, the battery display area is when the reference battery is installed. Is preferably the same.

  Further, it is preferable that the flow display expressing the exchange of power does not change following the magnitude of the power actually exchanged.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily display whether a capacity type battery or an output type battery is installed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electric vehicle. The reference battery 10 is a battery mounted as standard equipment on the vehicle. A main converter 12 is connected to the reference battery. The main converter 12 boosts the output voltage of the reference battery 10 of about 200 to 300V to about 400V. Note that the output voltage of the main converter 12 can be changed.

  A capacitor 14 is connected to the output side of the main converter 12 to stabilize the output voltage. The output of the main converter 12 to which the capacitor 14 is connected is connected to the input side of the inverter 16. The inverter 16 converts the input DC power into a predetermined AC current. The output of the inverter 16 is supplied to the motor 18 and the motor 18 is driven. In this example, the motor 18 is a three-phase permanent magnet motor, and three-phase motor drive currents u, v, and w are output from the inverter 16.

  Wheels are connected to the output shaft of the motor 18 via the power transmission mechanism 20, and the vehicle travels by driving the wheels by the output of the motor 18. An engine 22 is also connected to the power transmission mechanism 20. The wheels can be driven by the driving force of the engine 22, and the motor 18 can be driven as a generator to charge the reference battery 10 with the generated power. it can. Furthermore, a regenerative operation is also possible in which the motor 18 is operated as a generator by the driving force from the wheels.

  An ammeter 38 is disposed on the line leading to the main converter 12 of the reference battery 10, and the charge / discharge current of the main battery 10 is measured. The output of the ammeter 38 is supplied to the SOC detection unit 40, and the SOC detection unit 40 detects the state of charge (SOC) of the reference battery 10 from the charge / discharge current of the reference battery 10. Note that the SOC of the reference battery 10 may be detected by other means such as detecting the SOC by measuring the electromotive voltage from these voltages instead of integrating the charge / discharge current.

  The SOC of the reference battery 10 from the SOC detection unit 40 is supplied to the control unit 42. The control unit 42 is supplied with various signals such as a signal about the output torque corresponding to the accelerator depression amount, and the control unit 42 controls the operations of the main converter 12 and the inverter 16 based on the supplied signals. In addition, a display unit 44 is connected to the control unit 42, and various displays are performed on the display unit 44. In this example, in particular, an energy flow display regarding the exchange of electric power between the reference battery 10 and the motor 18 is performed.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 42 will be described. Here, only the case where the motor 18 travels as an electric vehicle will be described. When the accelerator opening, travel speed, etc. are supplied to the control unit 42, the control unit 42 determines the output torque of the motor 18 from these signals, and generates a switching signal of the inverter 16 in consideration of the motor rotation speed. The current supplied from the inverter 16 to the motor 18 is controlled by this switching signal. As a result, the output torque of the motor 18 is controlled. Usually, the amount of current to the motor 18 is controlled by PWM control of each switching transistor of the inverter 16.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the input voltage of the inverter 16 is controlled by the output torque at that time. That is, when the output torque is large, the inverter input voltage is increased to increase the voltage applied to the motor 18 and reduce the iron loss. On the other hand, when the output torque is small, the inverter input voltage is reduced to reduce the loss in the switching transistor of the inverter. Therefore, the operation of the main converter 12 is controlled so that the output voltage of the main converter 12 becomes the target inverter input voltage.

  In addition, this vehicle can be equipped with an additional battery as an option. FIG. 2 shows an example in which an additional battery 30 is added. In particular, the auxiliary converter 36 is added together with the additional battery 30.

  The additional battery 30 is connected to the sub-converter 36, the output of the sub-converter 36 is connected to the output of the main converter 12, and the output of the main converter 12 and the output of the sub-converter 36 are supplied to the inverter 16. An ammeter 38 is provided in the current path of the additional battery 30, and the charge / discharge current of the additional battery 30 is supplied to the SOC detection unit 40.

  As described above, the additional battery 30 is connected in parallel to the reference battery 10. Therefore, as a system, the battery capacity is large, and such an additional type battery of the additional battery 30 is called a capacity type battery. In the capacity type battery, the continuous travelable distance becomes longer due to the addition of the additional battery 30.

  Here, in the system having two converters of FIG. 2, the main converter 12 is a voltage control type that operates so that its output voltage matches the target value, and the sub-converter 36 is a current control type that controls the amount of output current. Function as. Therefore, the inverter input voltage is determined by the main converter 12, and the ratio of the power output to the motor output is determined by the sub-converter 36.

  In particular, the output torque of the motor 18 is determined by its input power. Therefore, motor input power is distributed between output power from the main converter 12 and output power from the sub-converter 36. For this reason, the sub-converter 36 is controlled so that its output current becomes a target value.

  The distribution of the output power is determined by the control unit 42 according to the SOC of each battery supplied from the SOC detection unit 40. For example, when the additional battery 30 is connected to the sub-converter 36 and the SOC of the additional battery 30 is 30% and the SOC of the reference battery 10 is 60%, the SOCs of both the batteries 10 and 30 are close to each other. The sub-converter 36 is controlled so that the amount of current from the main converter 12 is twice the amount of current from the sub-converter 36.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which the additional battery 30 is connected to the reference battery 10 in series. If comprised in this way, a battery output voltage will become high and the current capability in a high voltage will improve. Therefore, the output torque of the motor 18 can be increased.

  The configuration of FIG. 3 is the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 except that the input voltage to the main converter 12 increases. In control unit 42, the output of main converter 12 can be set higher according to the output torque of motor 18.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which additional batteries 30 and 32 and a sub-converter 36 are added and switches 46 and 48 are added. Switch 46 switches whether the negative output of main converter 12 is connected to the negative bus of inverter 16 or not. Switch 48 switches whether the positive output of sub-converter 36 is connected to the positive output of main converter 12 or the negative output of main converter 12. As indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4, in switch 46, the negative output of main converter 12 is connected to the negative bus of inverter 16, and the positive output of sub-converter 36 is connected to the positive output of main converter 12 in switch 48. 2 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the reference battery 10 and the additional battery 30 can be used as a capacity type battery. On the other hand, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4, in switch 46, the negative output of main converter 12 is disconnected from the negative bus of inverter 16, and in switch 48, the positive output of subconverter 36 is connected to the negative side of main converter 12. When connected to the output, the output of the main converter 12 and the output of the sub-converter 36 are connected in series to the positive bus and the negative bus of the inverter 16, and the reference battery 10 and the additional battery 30 are connected to the output type. Can be used as a battery.

  As described above, in the configuration of FIG. 4, the additional battery 30 can be added to the reference battery 10 and used as a capacity type or as an output type. The capacity type has a higher energy density (Wh / kg) than the output type, and the output type has a higher output density (W / kg) than the capacity type.

  Further, the configuration of FIG. 4 includes an additional battery 32 in addition to the additional battery 30, and the additional batteries 30 and 32 can be switched by the switch 34 and connected to the sub-converter 36. Therefore, when the additional battery 30 is completely discharged, the additional battery 32 can be additionally used. The additional batteries 30 and 32 can be connected in series.

  5 to 7 show examples of energy flow display on the display unit 44 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display when the additional battery 30 is not mounted. There are a display A of the battery 10, a display B of the motor 18, a display C of the engine 22, and a display D of the wheels. In this display, the motor 18 is driven by the electric power from the battery 10, and the wheels are driven by this driving force. In addition, when the engine 22 is driven, energy from the engine 22 is supplied to the motor 18 and the wheels, and in the case of regenerative braking, energy from the wheels is supplied to the battery 10 via the motor 18, These are shown in displays A to D.

  FIG. 6 shows a case of a capacity type in which the additional battery 30 is connected to the reference battery 10 in parallel. In this case, the display A of the batteries 10 and 30 is larger than the battery display A in FIG. In this example, only the horizontal direction is increased, but only the vertical direction may be increased or both the vertical and horizontal directions may be increased. In this way, by increasing the battery display A, it is possible to easily recognize that the total battery capacity has increased due to the additional capacity of the additional battery 30. Note that it is preferable to enlarge only the horizontal direction in the sense that they are connected in parallel, and it is also preferable to arrange two battery displays of normal size.

  Further, the thickness of the arrow of the energy flow from the battery display A to the motor display B is the same as that of the reference battery 10 alone. This expresses that in the capacitive type, the energy itself does not increase basically.

  FIG. 7 shows an output type case in which the additional battery 30 is connected in series with the reference battery 10. In this case, the battery display A of the batteries 10 and 30 is the same as during normal operation. And the arrow of the energy flow from the battery display A to the motor display B is expanded thickly. Thus, by enlarging the display of the energy flow arrow, it can be easily recognized that the output of the battery has increased. It is also preferable to enlarge only the vertical direction of the battery display A, meaning that it is connected in series. Two battery displays of normal size are arranged in the vertical direction, and the normal direction is the battery in the horizontal direction. It is also preferable to display.

  As described above, when the additional form of the additional battery 30 is the output type and the display of the energy flow from the battery display A is enlarged, the display of the energy flow is the magnitude of the energy actually exchanged. It is better not to change following. In other words, by not changing the display of the energy flow following the magnitude of the energy actually exchanged, it becomes easy to recognize that the magnitude of the energy flow is increased by adding the additional battery 30. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily recognize whether the additional battery is added in the capacity type or the output type in the energy flow display, and the additional battery 30 is added to the user. The effect can be easily recognized. In addition, it is suitable for the additional battery 32 to reflect a battery display similarly.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows internal configurations of the main converter 12 and the inverter 16. Main converter 12 includes coil L, transistors T11 and T12, and diodes D11 and D12. One end of the coil L is connected to the positive electrode of the reference battery 10, and the other end is connected between the transistor T11 and the transistor T12. In this example, the transistors T11 and T12 are n-type IGBTs. Further, diodes D11 and D12 are connected in parallel to the transistors T11 and T12, respectively. The collector of the transistor T11 is connected to the positive bus of the inverter 16, and the emitter is connected to the collector of the transistor T12. The emitter of the transistor T12 is connected to the negative electrode of the reference battery 10. The diodes D11 and D12 pass current from the emitter side to the collector side of the transistors T11 and T12.

  In such a main converter 12, by turning off the transistor T <b> 12 from the on state, a large current flows through the diode D <b> 11 by the energy held in the coil L and a boosted voltage is obtained at the positive bus of the inverter 16. . In addition, by turning on the transistor T11, it is possible to flow current from the positive bus side of the inverter 16 toward the reference battery 10, and by controlling the duty ratio of the transistors T11 and T12, the positive bus of the inverter 16 Can be arbitrarily controlled. The sub-converter 36 has the same configuration as the main converter 12.

  In the inverter 16, a series connection of transistors T1 and T2, transistors T3 and T4, and transistors T5 and T6 is arranged between the positive bus and the negative bus. The transistors T1 to T6 are also n-type IGBTs, and diodes D1 to D6 are connected from the emitter to the collector, respectively. An intermediate point between the transistors T1 and T2, transistors T3 and T4, and transistors T5 and T6 is an output to the u, v, and w phases of the motor 18. Therefore, by controlling on / off of the transistors T1 to T6, a motor driving current can be output, and power from the motor 18 can be recovered.

  In the present application, the number of batteries is in units of battery packs such as the main battery 10 and the additional batteries 30 and 32. The control unit 42 and the display unit 44 are preferably shared with the ECU of the navigation device, the display unit, and the like.

  Further, in the above example, the additional batteries 30 and 32 are added to the reference battery 10 to configure a capacity type battery or an output type battery. However, instead of the reference battery 10, a capacity type battery having a higher energy density (Wh / kg) than the reference battery 10 or an output type battery having a higher output density (W / kg) can be installed. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by making the display as described above. Note that the capacity type battery can be easily detected from the charge capacity (Ah) from a predetermined SOC to full charge, and the output type battery can be easily detected from the output voltage. It is also preferable to add a function capable of outputting information to the battery pack of the reference battery, the additional battery, the replaceable capacity type battery, and the replaceable output type battery so that the control unit 42 can read it. is there.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which connects an additional battery in parallel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which connects an additional battery in series. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which connects an additional battery in parallel or in series. It is a figure which shows the energy flow display in the case of only a reference | standard battery. It is a figure which shows the energy flow display at the time of connecting an additional battery in parallel. It is a figure which shows the energy flow display at the time of connecting an additional battery in series. It is a figure which shows the detail of a main converter and an inverter.

Explanation of symbols

  10 reference battery, 12 main converter, 14 capacitor, 16 inverter, 18 motor, 20 power transmission mechanism, 22 engine, 30, 32 additional battery, 34 switch, 36 sub-converter, 38 ammeter, 40 SOC detection unit, 42 control unit 44 Display section.

Claims (4)

An energy flow display device in a vehicle having a motor mounted on the vehicle and a battery that exchanges electric power with the motor,
Including a motor display, a battery display, and a flow display area indicating an exchange of power between the motor display and the battery display,
As the battery, a reference battery, a capacity type battery having a higher energy density than the reference battery, or an output type battery having a higher output density than the reference battery can be mounted.
When a capacity type battery is installed, the battery display area is expanded compared to when a reference battery is installed,
An energy flow display device characterized in that, when an output type battery is mounted, a flow display area indicating the exchange of electric power is expanded more than when a reference battery is mounted. The energy flow display device according to claim 1,
2. The energy flow display device according to claim 1, wherein the capacity type battery is configured by connecting an additional battery in parallel with a reference battery, and the output type battery is configured by connecting an additional battery in series with the reference battery. The energy flow display device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the capacity type battery is mounted, the flow display area indicating the exchange of power is the same as when the reference battery is mounted,
An energy flow display device characterized in that when an output type battery is mounted, the battery display area is the same as when a reference battery is mounted. The energy flow display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An energy flow display device characterized in that the flow display area expressing the exchange of electric power does not change following the magnitude of the electric power actually exchanged.

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