JP2010057339A - Vehicle cost guiding apparatus, vehicle cost guiding method, and vehicle cost guiding program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein a user is unable to decide readily whether a battery should be replaced, in view of cost, when the deterioration of the battery mounted on a vehicle is detected. <P>SOLUTION: In the vehicle whose power source is the battery, an actual trend of a power consumption rate after an initial point of time is obtained to show a relation between a power consumption and a run of the vehicle, corresponding to the consumption. With regard to a first total cost predicted to require supplement to the power in a term from a reference point of time, after the initial point of time to a prescribed point of time after the reference point of time based on the actual trend of power consumption and a second total cost predicted to require supplement to the power in the term, on the assumption that the battery at the initial point of time is used after the reference point of time; increased cost of the first total cost to the second total cost is obtained; the replacement cost of the battery is obtained; and guidance information regarding the increased cost and the replacement cost is obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program for guiding costs related to battery replacement in a vehicle using electric power as a power source.

Conventionally, a technique for detecting deterioration of an in-vehicle battery is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-265975 A

In the conventional technology, the user can recognize the deterioration of the battery, but the user is provided with information for determining whether it is better to replace the battery according to the future usage situation of the vehicle equipped with the battery. It cannot be provided. When the battery deteriorates, the stored capacity tends to decrease even when the power used for charging is equal. Therefore, in a vehicle that travels using the electric power of the battery as a power source, the traveling distance by the electric power is shortened, and as a result, the charging cost, the fuel cost, and the like increase as compared with the case where the battery is not deteriorated. If the battery deteriorates, the cost increases as described above compared to the case where it does not deteriorate.For example, if the vehicle is scheduled to be replaced soon, even if the battery is deteriorated, the battery should be replaced. You may think that you do not want to buy a new one. Therefore, it is convenient for the user if information for determining whether it is more economical to replace the battery is provided from the viewpoint of cost.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for guiding information for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary from the viewpoint of cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a first total cost expected to be required for replenishing power in a period from a reference time point to a predetermined time point based on an actual trend of the power consumption rate, and a battery at an initial time point Is assumed to be used after the reference time, a cost increment between the second total cost expected to be required for power supply in the period is acquired, and guidance regarding the cost increment and the battery replacement cost is performed. . By adopting this configuration, the user knows the power supply cost that is expected to increase in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point due to the deterioration of the battery, and the cost for replacing with a new battery. Can do. As a result, the user can use the information as a determination material for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary from the viewpoint of cost. This vehicle is a vehicle that uses electric power mounted in a battery as a power source, and is a vehicle (electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicle, etc.) having a mechanism for supplying electric power from an external commercial power source.

  The vehicle information acquisition means acquires an actual tendency after the initial point of the power consumption rate indicating the relationship between the power consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption. Here, the power consumption rate indicates the travel distance of the vehicle per unit power consumption or the power consumption per unit distance. In the cost guidance apparatus of the present invention, it is arbitrary and the user may be able to set which time point is treated as the initial time point. For example, the vehicle purchase date or the time point when the total mileage of the vehicle is 0 km is used. It may be assumed as an initial time. And the actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the initial time point can be acquired by the power consumption rate derived at a plurality of timings after the initial time point. The plurality of timings may be timings based on the total travel distance of the vehicle, or may be timings based on the elapsed years from the initial time point.

  In the cost increment acquisition means, the battery at the initial time of the first total cost that is expected to be required for power supply in the period from the reference time to the predetermined time based on the actual trend of the power consumption rate is used after the reference time Assuming that it is possible to acquire the cost increment for the second total cost that is expected to be required for the replenishment of power during the period, various acquisition methods can be adopted. In other words, the cost increase means the cost of increasing the battery when it is used without replacing a battery that tends to deteriorate and when the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time. This corresponds to the difference obtained by subtracting the second total cost from the first total cost. Here, the reference time point is a time point in the future from the initial time point, and the predetermined time point may be a time point in the future from the reference time point. Which time point is set as the reference time point or the predetermined time point is arbitrary and is set by the user, for example. May be possible or may be defined in advance. Further, the reference time point or the predetermined time point may be determined as the year or month, or may be determined as the total travel distance of the vehicle. For example, the reference time may be the time when the latest power consumption rate is acquired, the predetermined time may be the scheduled replacement date of the vehicle, and the predetermined time may be the time when the total travel distance becomes an arbitrary distance.

  The first total cost means the total power supply cost in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point calculated based on the actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the initial time point. The second total cost is calculated based on the transition by setting the transition of the power consumption rate from the reference time to the predetermined time assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time. It means the total power supply cost. Setting the transition of the power consumption rate during the period from the reference time to the predetermined time assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time is, for example, so that the power consumption rate at the initial time continues as it is after the reference time. It may be assumed that the power consumption rate after the reference time is set or the power consumption rate after the reference time is set to follow the same transition as the power consumption rate after the initial time.

  The battery replacement cost acquisition unit can employ various configurations as long as the battery replacement cost can be acquired. For example, a configuration for acquiring the replacement cost from the outside of the vehicle by communication may be employed, or a configuration for applying the battery replacement cost at the time of purchasing the vehicle may be employed.

  The guidance means only needs to be able to provide guidance regarding the increment of the power supply cost accompanying battery deterioration and the replacement cost of the battery, and various modes of guidance can be employed. For example, when the cost increase exceeds the replacement cost, guidance for prompting replacement of the battery may be performed. This guidance means that if you do not plan to replace this vehicle until a certain point in time, it is expected that it will be more economical to replace the battery than to continue using it without replacing the battery that tends to deteriorate. The battery is urged to be replaced. The user can use such guidance as information for determining whether or not to replace the battery. Further, as another guidance mode, a configuration may be adopted in which a predetermined time point is set as a plurality of time points in the future, and cost comparison results at a plurality of time points in the future from the reference time point are guided. Specifically, for example, when the period from the reference time to several years later is divided at predetermined points in half a year, the cost increment from the reference time to each predetermined time and the battery replacement cost are presented to the user. The user can refer to the presented information and use the time when the cost increase exceeds the battery replacement cost as a guideline for the battery replacement time or vehicle replacement time.

  Further, in the present invention, the cost increase is performed by applying the power consumption rate at the reference point of the actual trend function of the power consumption rate as a constant power consumption rate of the prediction function of the power consumption rate in the period, and The first total cost obtained from the travel distance and the power supply unit price may be an increment relative to the second total cost. The actual trend function is a function that represents the actual trend of the power consumption rate from the initial point to the reference point, with the time as a variable. The prediction function is the characteristic of the expected transition of the power consumption rate from the reference point to the predetermined point. A function that represents the time as a variable. Applying the power consumption rate at the reference point of the real trend function as the constant power consumption rate of the prediction function means that the prediction function in this configuration takes a constant value regardless of the time point, and the constant value is at the reference point of the real trend function. It means that it is equal to the power consumption rate. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the minimum cost of the first total cost with respect to the second total cost, that is, the cost increment in the case of underestimation. Note that the predicted travel distance in the period from the reference time to the predetermined time may be calculated from the actual travel distance from the initial time to the reference time when the predetermined time is set in years. When the predetermined time point is set as the travel distance, the expected travel distance in the period is directly obtained from the total travel distance set as the predetermined time point and the total travel distance at the reference time point. The latest unit price of power supply may be acquired through communication, may be set by the user, or a predetermined value may be used.

  Further, in the present invention, the cost increment is obtained by applying the slope of the tangent at the reference time point of the actual trend function of the power consumption rate to the slope of the prediction function of the power consumption rate in the period, and the predicted function and the expected travel distance in the period. It may be an increment of the first total cost obtained from the power supply unit price with respect to the second total cost. The slope of the tangent line at the reference time point of the actual trend function is represented, for example, by the slope of a straight line connecting the power consumption rate at the time immediately before the reference time point and the power consumption rate at the reference time point. According to this configuration, it is possible to calculate the first total cost based on the battery deterioration tendency (actual tendency of the power consumption rate) in the period near the reference time for the period from the reference time to the predetermined time.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention predicts that refueling is required in a period from a reference time point to a predetermined time point in a vehicle using fuel and electric power as a power source based on the actual trend of the fuel consumption rate. Obtaining a cost increment for a second total cost expected to be refueled during the period assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time for the first total cost A configuration for providing guidance regarding battery replacement costs may be adopted. The vehicle according to the present invention is a vehicle that uses fuel and electric power as power sources, and is a hybrid vehicle that does not charge a battery from an external commercial power source. It is assumed that refueling is costly. In such a vehicle, as the battery deteriorates, the ratio of driving of the vehicle by electric power decreases and the ratio of driving of the vehicle by fuel increases, and as a result, the fuel usage rate (fuel consumption) deteriorates. According to the configuration of the present invention, the user can know the refueling cost expected to increase in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point due to the deterioration of the battery, and the cost for replacing with a new battery. it can. As a result, the user can use the information as a determination material for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary from the viewpoint of cost.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, the battery deterioration tendency acquisition means for acquiring the battery deterioration tendency may be provided. In this case, the guiding means has a correlation between the battery deterioration tendency and the actual tendency of the fuel consumption rate. The guidance may be performed. According to this configuration, guidance regarding the cost increment and the battery replacement cost can be implemented only when there is a correlation. Therefore, if the battery is not deteriorated but the fuel consumption rate is deteriorating, the battery consumption is urged even though the fuel consumption rate is deteriorating due to factors other than the battery. It is possible to prevent erroneous guidance from being performed. The battery deterioration tendency can be acquired from, for example, an increase in the internal resistance of the battery or a decrease in the maximum storage capacity.

  Furthermore, as in the present invention, the method for providing guidance regarding the cost increment caused by continuing to use a battery that tends to deteriorate and the replacement cost for replacing with a new battery can also be applied as a program or method. It is. In addition, the cost guidance device, the program, and the method as described above may be realized as a single device, or may be realized by using components shared with each part provided in the vehicle, and various aspects. Is included. For example, it is possible to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program that include the above cost guidance device. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program for controlling the cost guidance apparatus. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of navigation device:
(2) Cost guidance processing:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of navigation device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus 10 including a cost guidance apparatus according to the present invention. The navigation device 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like and a storage medium 30, and the control unit 20 can execute a program stored in the storage medium 30 or the ROM. In the present embodiment, as one of the programs, a cost guidance program 21 having a function of guiding information for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary can be executed.

  The drive unit 50 includes an engine 41 that uses the fuel stored in the fuel tank 40 as a power source and a motor 42 that uses the power stored in the battery 44 as a power source. The engine 41 and the motor 42 are connected to a power transmission mechanism (not shown), and the vehicle is driven by converting the rotational driving force into the driving force of the vehicle by the power transmission mechanism. The vehicle in the present embodiment is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that is driven by either or both of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 40 and the battery 44.

  The power control circuit 43 is a circuit that charges the battery 44, acquires power from the battery 44, and transmits it to other components. In this embodiment, the battery 44 is configured to be charged with power supplied from an external commercial power source (not shown) via a power line and power generated by the motor 42. That is, the drive unit 50 is configured to transmit a part of the regenerative driving force generated by the engine 41 to the motor 42 as regenerative energy. At this time, the electric power generated by the motor 42 is transmitted by the power control circuit 43. Acquired and the battery 44 is charged. The power control circuit 43 includes an internal resistance detection unit (not shown) and outputs the internal resistance value of the battery 44.

  In the present embodiment, the drive unit 50 and the power control circuit 43 are controlled by the vehicle ECU 45. That is, the vehicle ECU 45 can output a control signal to the drive unit 50 and the power control circuit 43, and outputs a control signal to the drive unit 50 and the power control circuit 43, so that either the engine 41 or the motor 42 is output. Or both control to generate a rotational driving force. Therefore, in the present embodiment, driving and stopping of the engine 41, charging by the motor 42, and driving of the motor 42 by discharging of the battery 44 are selected by a control signal output from the vehicle ECU 45. Hereinafter, traveling when the vehicle is driven by the motor 42 regardless of the engine 41 is referred to as EV traveling. In a plug-in hybrid vehicle, EV traveling is given priority in the case of short distance traveling.

The vehicle ECU 45 acquires the total travel distance [km] of the vehicle from the travel distance measuring unit 47 and the current date and time from the time measuring unit 46.
The vehicle ECU 45 acquires the deterioration tendency of the battery 44 from the power control circuit 43 and outputs it to the control unit 20. When the battery deteriorates, the resistance inside the battery increases, and the battery capacity that can be stored tends to decrease even if the power used for charging is equal. That is, the deterioration of the battery 44 correlates with a decrease in the maximum storage capacity and an increase in the internal resistance value of the battery 44. The vehicle ECU 45 acquires the internal resistance value of the battery 44 and outputs it to the control unit 20 together with information indicating the acquired timing (for example, the date and the total travel distance of the vehicle).

  Further, the vehicle ECU 45 can distinguish the travel distance by EV travel from the travel distance by engine travel. The vehicle ECU 45 measures electric power consumed when the vehicle is driven by EV traveling. Then, the power consumption rate [km / kWh], which is the EV travel distance per unit power consumption, is calculated at a predetermined timing represented by the elapsed time and travel distance, and the control unit 20 together with information indicating the calculation timing. Output to. The calculation of the power consumption rate may be performed by the navigation device 10 instead of the vehicle ECU 45.

The communication unit 48 is a device for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from a center (not shown). In the present embodiment, information such as the unit price of the commercial power supply and the battery replacement cost is received from the center and output to the control unit 20.
The user I / F unit 49 is an interface unit for providing various types of information to the user or inputting a user instruction, and includes a display, a speaker, a button, a microphone, and the like (not shown).

  The control part 20 performs the guidance regarding the increment of the replenishment cost of the electric power accompanying battery deterioration, and the battery replacement cost by executing the cost guidance program 21. Therefore, the cost guidance program 21 includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 21a, a battery deterioration tendency acquisition unit 21b, a cost increment acquisition unit 21c, a battery replacement cost acquisition unit 21d, and a guidance unit 21e.

  The vehicle information acquisition unit 21a is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring an actual tendency after the initial point of the power consumption rate indicating the relationship between the power consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption. is there. As for the initial time point, which time point is handled as the initial time point is arbitrary and may be set by the user. However, in this embodiment, the vehicle purchase date or the time when the total travel distance of the vehicle is 0 km. The following description will be made assuming that the time when the battery is replaced is the initial time. The actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the initial time point can be expressed by the power consumption rate calculated at a plurality of timings after the initial time point. Specifically, for example, the control unit 20 uses the power consumption rate acquired from the vehicle ECU 45 at a timing based on the elapsed time from the initial time (for example, every other month) as actual power consumption rate trend information 30a in the storage medium 30. Accumulate sequentially. Further, for example, the power consumption rate acquired at a timing based on the total travel distance of the vehicle (for example, every 1000 km travel) may be sequentially stored.

  The battery deterioration tendency acquisition unit 21b is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring a battery deterioration tendency. As described above, the deterioration tendency of the battery correlates with, for example, an increase in the internal resistance of the battery or a decrease in the maximum storage capacity. The control unit 20 acquires these pieces of information from the vehicle ECU 45 at predetermined timings, and sequentially accumulates them as battery deterioration tendency information 30b in the storage medium 30.

  The cost increment acquisition unit 21c sets the battery at the initial time point of the first total cost expected to be required for power supply in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point based on the actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the reference time point. This is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring a cost increment with respect to the second total cost that is expected to be required for power supply in the period when it is assumed to be used. In other words, the cost increase means the cost of the increase compared to the case of continuing to use without replacing the battery that tends to deteriorate and the case of using the battery at the initial time after the reference time. This corresponds to the difference obtained by subtracting the second total cost from the first total cost. Here, the reference time point is a time point in the future from the initial time point, the predetermined time point may be a time point in the future from the reference time point, and it is arbitrary which time point is set as the reference time point or the predetermined time point. For example, the user may be able to set, or the general vehicle life or replacement timing may be used as the default value. In the present embodiment, the reference time point is the time point when the latest power consumption rate is acquired as the actual trend of the power consumption rate (latest time point), and the predetermined time point is set by the vehicle replacement scheduled date and time set by the user or by the user. The following description will be made assuming that the EV total travel distance (total travel distance by EV travel) has been reached.

  The above-mentioned first total cost means the total power supply cost in the period from the reference time to the predetermined time, which is calculated based on the actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the initial time. The second total cost is calculated based on the transition by setting the transition of the power consumption rate from the reference time to the predetermined time assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time. It means the total power supply cost.

The battery replacement cost acquisition unit 21 d is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring the replacement cost of the battery 44, and specifically acquires the battery replacement cost from the information center via the communication unit 48. Further, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the battery replacement cost is stored in the storage medium 30 when the vehicle is purchased, and the stored battery replacement cost is acquired.
The guide unit 21e is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of performing guidance regarding an increase in power supply cost accompanying battery deterioration and a battery replacement cost. In this embodiment, when the cost increase exceeds the replacement cost, a configuration in which guidance for prompting replacement of the battery 44 is performed via the user I / F unit 49 is adopted.

(2) Cost guidance processing:
Next, cost guidance processing performed by the navigation device 10 in the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the cost guidance process. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every month or every 1000 km of EV travel). In the present embodiment, the planned replacement date of the vehicle corresponding to the “predetermined time point” or the total EV travel distance as a guide for vehicle replacement is input to the navigation device 10 in advance by the user.

First, the control part 20 acquires a battery deterioration tendency by the process of the battery deterioration tendency acquisition part 21b (step S100). As described above, there is a correlation between the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery or the decrease in the maximum storage capacity and the deterioration of the battery. Therefore, the control unit 20 acquires the internal resistance value of the battery 44 from the vehicle ECU 45, acquires the maximum storage capacity of the battery 44 based on the internal resistance value, and acquires the deterioration tendency of the battery 44 from the transition of the maximum storage capacity. To do. Figure 3 is a graph illustrating the degradation tendency of the battery, indicating that the initial time T ₀ after and before the reference time point T ₁ maximum storage capacity of the battery 44 has decreased.

Next, the control part 20 acquires the actual tendency of the power consumption rate after the initial time by the process of the vehicle information acquisition part 21a (step S105). Specifically, the power consumption rate [km / kWh] collected by the vehicle ECU 45, for example, in units of one month is acquired and stored in the storage medium 30. Figure 4A, the elapsed time from the initial time point T ₀ of the vehicle (t), the is a graph illustrating a power consumption rate corresponding to the elapsed time. This means that the power consumption rate has decreased from E ₀ [km / kWh] to E ₁ [km / kWh] from the initial time T ₀ to the reference time T ₁ .

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the battery has deteriorated to a level that hinders traveling (step S110). In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a capacity that is a threshold value that hinders driving is determined in advance, and the maximum storage capacity becomes lower than the capacity, the battery 44 deteriorates to a level that hinders driving. It is determined that If it is determined in step S110 that the battery has deteriorated to a level that hinders traveling, guidance is provided to promptly replace the battery (step S145). At this time, if the remaining amount of fuel is also low, a report for relief may be sent to the operation center via the communication unit 48.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S110 that the battery has deteriorated to the level, the control unit 20 determines whether there is a correlation between the tendency of the battery deterioration and the power consumption rate decrease (step S115). Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, when the maximum storage capacity decreases with time and the power consumption rate also decreases with the increase of the total travel distance, battery deterioration and power It can be said that there is a positive correlation with the decline in the consumption rate. When it is determined that there is no correlation, the control unit 20 ends the cost guidance process without performing the subsequent processes.

  When it is determined in step S115 that there is a correlation between the battery deterioration and the power consumption rate decreasing trend, the control unit 20 selects a battery that tends to be deteriorated by the process of the cost increment acquisition unit 21c as a reference time point. Thereafter, a cost increase is obtained when comparing the case where the battery is continuously used without being exchanged until a predetermined time and the case where the battery at the initial time is assumed to be used after the reference time (steps S120 to S130). Example of setting the transition of the power consumption rate after the reference time when the battery that tends to deteriorate is used without changing it to the predetermined time after the reference time, or assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time In the setting example of the transition of the power consumption rate after the reference time in this case, various methods may be adopted depending on the purpose and accuracy of the required cost increase. Here are some examples.

An example will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. The function representing the real trend of the characteristics of the power consumption rate from the initial time T ₀ to the reference time T ₁ f (t), the power consumption rate of the period T ₁ T ₂ assuming use after reference time of the battery at the initial time point function f ₂ representing the characteristic of changes in _(t), the transition of the characteristics of the power consumption rate of the period T ₁ T ₂ when also using the reference time T ₁ after the battery has been deteriorated by until the reference time T ₁ Let the prediction function to be expressed be f ₁ (t). In this example, the function f ₂ (t) is set such that the power consumption rate at the initial time point T ₀ continues as it is after the reference time point T ₁ (f ₂ (t) = E ₀ ), and the prediction function f ₁ (t ), The power consumption rate at the latest time point (reference time point T ₁ ) of the actual trend function f (t) is applied as a constant value in the period T ₁ T ₂ (f ₁ (t) = E ₁ ). Note that the reference time point does not necessarily have to be the same time point as the latest time point, and may be a time point before or after the latest time point.

In order to obtain the cost increment, first, the control unit 20 calculates the increment of the power consumption that is expected to be consumed from the reference time point to the predetermined time point (step S120). Specifically, the control unit 20 calculates the EV in the period T ₁ T ₂ from the actual travel distance from the initial time point to the reference time point, that is, the EV total travel distance at the initial time point T _{0 and} the EV total travel distance at the reference time point T ₁ . The expected travel distance ΔS is obtained. For example, it is calculated as (monthly average EV travel distance in period T ₀ T ₁ ) × (number of months included in period T ₁ T ₂ ). The increment ΔEP _amount [kWh] of the power consumption is expressed by the following equation (1).

図４Ｂの例では、最低限のコスト増分、すなわち、初期時点Ｔ_０での電力消費率を基準にすると少なく見積もってΔＣＯＳＴだけ電力補給コストが増加するということを試算している。 Subsequently, the control unit 20 acquires a power supply unit price [amount / kWh] from the information center via the communication unit 48 (step S125). The power supply unit price may be set by the user via the user I / F unit 49, or a predetermined value may be used. And the control part 20 acquires the cost increment of the 1st total cost with respect to a 2nd total cost (step S130). Specifically, when the power supply unit price is P and the cost increment is ΔCOST, it is expressed by the following equation (2).

In the example of FIG. 4B, it is estimated that the power replenishment cost increases by ΔCOST when estimated based on the minimum cost increment, that is, the power consumption rate at the initial time point T ₀ .

Another example will be described with reference to FIG. 4C. FIG. 4C is a graph illustrating the total EV travel distance (s) and the power consumption rate corresponding to the EV travel distance. In this example, the initial time point S ₀ means that the EV total travel distance is S ₀ km, and similarly, the reference time point S ₁ and the predetermined time point S ₂ also mean the time points where the EV total travel distance is S ₁ km and S ₂ km. ing. A thick solid line from the initial time point S ₀ to the reference time point S ₁ is a real trend function f (s), a one-dot chain line in the period S ₁ S ₂ is a prediction function f ₁ (s), and a two-dot chain line in the period S ₁ S ₂ Indicates a function f ₂ (s) representing the transition of the power consumption rate on the assumption that the battery at the initial time point is used after the reference time point. The function f ₂ (s) is set so that the power consumption rate at the initial time point T ₀ continues as it is after the reference time point T ₁ as in the example described with reference to FIG. 4B. For the prediction function f ₁ (s), the power consumption rate at the reference time point S ₁ is the same as the actual trend function f (s), and the tangent of the actual trend function f (s) at the latest time point (reference time point S ₁ ) The slope is also applied to the prediction function f ₁ (s). The slope of the tangent line at the latest time of the actual trend function is represented by, for example, the slope of a straight line connecting the power consumption rate at the time immediately before the latest time point and the power consumption rate at the latest time point.

そして、第二の総コストに対する第一の総コストのコスト増分ΔＣＯＳＴは、前述の例の式（２）と同様に、電力消費量の増分に電力の補給単価を乗じることにより求められる。このように図４Ｃの例では、基準時点Ｓ_１から所定時点Ｓ_２までの期間について、基準時点Ｓ_１付近の時期でのバッテリの劣化傾向（電力消費率の実傾向）に基づいた第一の総コストを算出することができる。 When the power consumption rate is expressed as a function of distance as in this example, the increment ΔEP _amount [kWh] of the power consumption is expressed by the following equation (3). Note that the expected travel distance from the reference time point to the predetermined time point corresponds to S ₂ -S ₁ .

Then, the cost increment ΔCOST of the first total cost with respect to the second total cost is obtained by multiplying the increment of power consumption by the unit price of power supply, as in the equation (2) in the above example. In the example of the thus FIG. 4C, for the period from the reference time point S ₁ to a predetermined point S _2, the battery in the period around the reference point S ₁ degradation tendency first, based on (actual trend of power consumption rate) Total cost can be calculated.

  Next, the control unit 20 acquires the battery replacement cost required for replacement of the battery 44 by the process of the battery replacement cost acquisition unit 21d (step S135). Specifically, the exchange cost at the reference time is acquired from the information center via the communication unit 48. Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the cost increment acquired in step S130 exceeds the battery replacement cost acquired in step S135 (step S140). Through this process, guidance for prompting battery replacement is provided via the user I / F unit 49 as guidance regarding the cost increase and the battery replacement cost (step S145). This guidance means that if you do not plan to replace this vehicle until a certain point in time, it is expected that it will be more economical to replace the battery than to continue using it without replacing the battery that tends to deteriorate. The battery is urged to be replaced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power supply cost that is expected to increase in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point due to the deterioration of the battery, and the cost for replacing with a new battery. The user can know. As a result, the user can use the information as a determination material for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary from the viewpoint of cost.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, as long as guidance is provided regarding the cost increase generated by continuing to use a battery that tends to deteriorate and the replacement cost for replacing with a new battery. Various other embodiments can be adopted. Although the said embodiment demonstrated in the example applied to a plug-in hybrid vehicle, you may apply to the electric vehicle which uses only electric power as a motive power source.

  In addition, the present invention is a vehicle that uses fuel and electric power as a power source, and the battery is not charged from an external power source. You can also Such a vehicle is hereinafter referred to as a hybrid vehicle relative to a plug-in hybrid vehicle. In a hybrid vehicle, as the battery deteriorates, the ratio of driving the vehicle with electric power decreases and the ratio of driving the vehicle with fuel increases, and as a result, the fuel usage rate (fuel consumption) deteriorates. When the present invention is applied to such a hybrid vehicle, an actual tendency after the initial point of the fuel consumption rate indicating the relationship between the fuel consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption is acquired (vehicle Information acquisition means), based on the actual trend of the fuel consumption rate, a first total expected to be required for refueling in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time The cost and the second total cost expected to be required for refueling in the period when the battery at the initial time is assumed to be used after the reference time, and the second total cost with respect to the second total cost. A cost increase of one total cost (cost increase acquisition means), a replacement cost of the battery (battery replacement cost acquisition means), It provides guidance regarding the conversion costs may be (guide means) as. As a result, the user can know the refueling cost that is expected to increase in the period from the reference time point to the predetermined time point due to the deterioration of the battery, and the cost for replacement with a new battery. Can be used as a determination material for determining whether or not battery replacement is necessary in consideration of cost.

  The processing content when the present invention is applied to a hybrid vehicle is substantially the same as the cost guidance processing of FIG. 2 described in the above embodiment. The difference is that the vehicle information acquisition unit 21a acquires the actual trend of the fuel consumption rate [km / l] (so-called fuel consumption) instead of the power consumption rate [km / kWh]. Based on the actual trend of the rate, set the transition of the fuel consumption rate after the reference point, obtain the fuel consumption increment [l], obtain the fuel replenishment unit price [amount / l], and increase the fuel replenishment cost ΔCOST is obtained and guidance regarding ΔCOST and battery replacement cost is performed. The fuel consumption rate [km / l] is the amount of fuel injected from the injector of the engine [l], and the fuel consumption corresponding to the vehicle travel distance [km] obtained from the travel distance measurement unit 47 It can be determined as a quantity.

  Further, when the present invention is applied to a hybrid vehicle, the battery deterioration tendency is acquired (battery deterioration tendency acquisition means), and when the battery deterioration tendency and the actual tendency of the fuel consumption rate are correlated, Guidance may be provided. According to this configuration, guidance regarding the cost increment and the battery replacement cost can be performed only when there is a correlation (step S115 in FIG. 2). Therefore, if the battery is not deteriorated but the fuel consumption rate is deteriorating, the battery consumption is urged even though the fuel consumption rate is deteriorating due to factors other than the battery. It is possible to prevent erroneous guidance.

When determining the cost increase, when setting the transition of the power consumption rate during the period from the reference time to the predetermined time assuming that the battery at the initial time is used after the reference time, in the above embodiment, the power consumption rate at the initial time is calculated. The example in which the function f ₂ (s) or f ₂ (t) is set to continue as it is after the reference time has been described. For example, the transition of the power consumption rate after the reference time is changed to the power consumption rate after the initial time. transition and may be set to function f ₂ to follow a similar trend. FIG. 5 shows an example of setting the function f _{2 in} this way. This means that a case where the battery as with the initial point S ₀ and later grow worse the reference point S ₁ after the reference point S ₁ on the assumption that replace the battery, the battery has deteriorated to a reference point S ₁ it is assumed a case that continues to be used a reference point S ₁ and later in the same kind of usage and. If the cost increment is obtained based on such an assumption, the cost increment can be accurately predicted.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of performing guidance regarding the cost increment and the battery replacement cost, guidance is provided for prompting battery replacement when it is determined that the cost increment exceeds the battery replacement cost at a predetermined time in the future from the reference time. Although the example has been described, a configuration may be adopted in which the predetermined time points are set as a plurality of future time points from the reference time point, and cost comparison results at a plurality of future time points from the reference time point are guided. Specifically, for example, when the period from the reference time to several years later is divided at predetermined points in half a year, the cost increment from the reference time to each predetermined time and the battery replacement cost are presented to the user. The user can refer to the presented information and use the time when the cost increase exceeds the battery replacement cost as a guideline for the battery replacement time or vehicle replacement time.

Moreover, the setting method of the transition of the power consumption rate and the fuel consumption rate from the reference time point to the predetermined time point shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the slope of the prediction function f ₁ for obtaining the first total cost may be set based on slopes at a plurality of time points from the initial time point to the reference time point of the actual trend function f.
In the above embodiment, the power consumption rate is set to [km / kWh] and the fuel consumption rate is set to [km / l]. However, the power consumption amount per unit EV travel distance [kWh / km] or per unit travel distance May be defined as the fuel consumption [l / km]. In that case, the power consumption rate and the fuel consumption rate increase as the battery deteriorates.

  When the present invention is applied to a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the vehicle information acquisition unit acquires an actual trend of the power consumption rate after the initial time point and an actual trend of the fuel consumption rate after the initial time point. Then, the cost increment acquisition means is configured to perform the operation in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time based on the actual trend of the power consumption rate and the actual trend of the fuel consumption rate. A first total cost expected to be required for replenishing electric power and replenishing the fuel, and replenishing the electric power and replenishing the fuel in the period when it is assumed that the battery at the initial time point is used after the reference time point For the second total cost expected to be required, a cost increment of the first total cost with respect to the second total cost may be obtained. In other words, in this case, ΔCOST is the sum of the increment of the power supply cost and the increment of the fuel supply cost from the reference time point to the predetermined time point.

It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus containing a cost guidance apparatus. It is a flowchart of a cost guidance process. It is a graph which shows an example of the deterioration tendency of a battery. (4A) is a graph showing an example of the actual trend of the power consumption rate, and (4B) and (4C) are graphs showing an example of the expected transition of the power consumption rate. It is a graph which shows an example of the prediction transition of a power consumption rate.

Explanation of symbols

  10: navigation device, 20: control unit, 21: cost guidance program, 21a: vehicle information acquisition unit, 21b: battery deterioration tendency acquisition unit, 21c: cost increment acquisition unit, 21d: battery replacement cost acquisition unit, 21e: guidance unit , 30: storage medium, 30a: actual trend information of power consumption rate, 30b: battery deterioration trend information, 40: fuel tank, 41: engine, 42: motor, 43: power control circuit, 44: battery, 45: vehicle ECU 46: Timekeeping unit, 47: Travel distance measuring unit, 48: Communication unit, 49: User I / F unit, 50: Drive unit.

Claims (8)

In a vehicle using power stored in a battery as a power source, the vehicle acquires an actual trend after the initial point of the power consumption rate indicating the relationship between the power consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption. Information acquisition means;
A first total cost expected to be required for replenishing the power in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time based on an actual trend of the power consumption rate; and the initial When it is assumed that the battery at the time point is used after the reference time point, the second total cost expected to be required for the replenishment of electric power during the period is calculated based on the first total cost with respect to the second total cost. A cost increment acquisition means for acquiring a cost increment;
Battery replacement cost acquisition means for acquiring the replacement cost of the battery;
Guidance means for performing guidance on the cost increment and the replacement cost;
A vehicle cost guidance apparatus comprising: In a vehicle using fuel and electric power stored in a battery as a power source, an actual trend after the initial point of the fuel consumption rate indicating the relationship between the fuel consumption and the mileage of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption Vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring
A first total cost expected to be required for refueling in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time based on an actual trend of the fuel consumption rate; and the initial The second total cost expected to be required for refueling in the period when the battery at the time is assumed to be used after the reference time, the first total cost relative to the second total cost A cost increment acquisition means for acquiring a cost increment;
Battery replacement cost acquisition means for acquiring the replacement cost of the battery;
Guidance means for performing guidance on the cost increment and the replacement cost;
A vehicle cost guidance apparatus comprising: The guiding means performs guidance for prompting replacement of the battery when the cost increment exceeds the replacement cost.
The vehicular cost guidance apparatus according to claim 1. The cost increment applies the power consumption rate at the reference time of the actual trend function of the power consumption rate as a constant power consumption rate of the prediction function of the power consumption rate in the period, and the prediction function and the prediction in the period The first total cost determined from a travel distance and the unit price of power supply is an increment to the second total cost,
The vehicle cost guide apparatus according to claim 1. The cost increment applies a slope of the tangent line at the reference time point of the actual trend function of the power consumption rate to a slope of the prediction function of the power consumption rate in the period, and the prediction function, the expected travel distance in the period, and the An increment of the first total cost determined from the unit price of power supply to the second total cost,
The vehicle cost guide apparatus according to claim 1. A battery deterioration tendency acquisition means for acquiring the battery deterioration tendency;
The guidance means performs the guidance when there is a correlation between the deterioration tendency of the battery and the actual tendency of the fuel consumption rate.
The vehicle cost guidance apparatus according to claim 2. In a vehicle using power stored in a battery as a power source, the vehicle acquires an actual trend after the initial point of the power consumption rate indicating the relationship between the power consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption. Information acquisition process;
A first total cost expected to be required for replenishing the power in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time based on an actual trend of the power consumption rate; and the initial When it is assumed that the battery at the time point is used after the reference time point, the second total cost expected to be required for the replenishment of electric power during the period is calculated based on the first total cost with respect to the second total cost. A cost increment acquisition step for acquiring a cost increment; and
A battery replacement cost acquisition step of acquiring the battery replacement cost;
A guidance process for providing guidance on the cost increment and the replacement cost;
A vehicle cost guidance method including: In a vehicle using power stored in a battery as a power source, the vehicle acquires an actual trend after the initial point of the power consumption rate indicating the relationship between the power consumption and the travel distance of the vehicle corresponding to the consumption. Information acquisition function;
A first total cost expected to be required for replenishing the power in a period from a reference time after the initial time to a predetermined time after the reference time based on an actual trend of the power consumption rate; and the initial When it is assumed that the battery at the time point is used after the reference time point, the second total cost expected to be required for the replenishment of electric power during the period is calculated based on the first total cost with respect to the second total cost. A cost increment acquisition function for acquiring a cost increment;
A battery replacement cost acquisition function for acquiring the battery replacement cost;
A guidance function for providing guidance on the cost increment and the replacement cost;
Cost guidance program for vehicles that makes computer realize.

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