JP2013034323A - Electric power consumption prediction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric power consumption prediction device capable of predicting an electric power consumption amount accompanying the traveling of an electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A predicted electric power consumption amount of an electric vehicle 1 from the current point to a destination point is calculated while considering not only the electric power consumed by a motor 46 for traveling of the electric vehicle 1 but also the electric power consumed by other electric devices (head lamp 41-audio device 45 etc.) mounted on the electric vehicle 1. Environmental information such as whether, temperature and rainfall or the like is obtained by performing wireless communications with an external server device 9. Various kinds of tables are used, which are stored in advance in a storage part 22 as electric power consumption amount information 25 on the basis of use conditions of each electric device predicted in relation to the environmental information. A predicted electric power consumption amount of each electric device is calculated by referring to the tables on the basis of the obtained environmental information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power consumption prediction apparatus that predicts the power consumption of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric vehicles that run by driving a motor with electric power stored in a battery without mounting an engine have begun to spread. In an electric vehicle not equipped with an engine, if all the electric power stored in the battery is consumed, it becomes impossible to run, so the user of the electric vehicle runs while paying attention to the remaining amount of electric power stored in the battery. There is a need. Battery charging requires a long time compared to gasoline refueling, so when traveling long distances in an electric vehicle, make a travel plan in consideration of the battery charging time, It is also necessary to consider the location of facilities such as charging stations that can be charged.

  In Patent Document 1, it is set so that a destination where the vehicle is to travel is input as travel plan information, and the remaining travel of the battery detected by the planned travel distance of the vehicle to the destination and the remaining capacity detection means. A navigation system for an electric vehicle that determines whether the vehicle can reach a destination with the remaining capacity of the battery based on the capacity has been proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, an electric vehicle is searched even if the destination is far away by searching for a guidance route to the destination in consideration of the auxiliary charging of the in-vehicle battery based on road map data including information on the charging station. An electric vehicle that can search for a guidance route that takes into account the cruising power of the vehicle, eliminates the need to investigate whether the passenger can reach the destination while performing supplementary charging, and gives a sense of security when heading to a remote destination A route search apparatus has been proposed.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, the battery management system function mounted on the electric vehicle constantly calculates the data that can be traveled from the remaining power capacity, and at the same time, automatically operates the battery stand from the latest map information by interlocking calculation of the navigation system and the communication system. There has been proposed a vehicle travel support system that searches and allows a driver to select a battery stand as appropriate, and in response to this selection, the navigation system performs recalculation to provide guidance.

JP-A-8-240435 JP-A-10-170293 JP 2010-25910 A

  Each of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 calculates a travelable distance from the remaining battery level of the electric vehicle and determines whether the destination can be reached based on the fuel consumption (electric cost) of the electric vehicle. . However, in recent vehicles, many electric devices such as an air conditioner and an audio device are mounted. If these electric devices operate with power supplied from the same battery as the motor for driving, when it is determined that the destination can be reached based on the power consumption calculated only from the power consumption of the electric vehicle Even so, there is a possibility that the destination cannot be reached due to the influence of the electric power consumption by the electric device mounted on the vehicle. That is, in the configuration in which the power consumption is estimated based only on the power consumption of the electric vehicle as in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is a problem in the estimation accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power consumption prediction apparatus capable of predicting power consumption associated with running of an electric vehicle with high accuracy. There is.

  A power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention is a power consumption prediction apparatus that calculates an expected power consumption of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle, a route search unit that searches for a route from a location point to a destination point, Based on the route searched by the route search means, the travel distance calculation means for calculating the travel distance of the electric vehicle from the location point to the destination point, the travel distance calculated by the travel distance calculation means, and the travel of the electric vehicle Based on the power consumption per predetermined distance, traveling power consumption calculation means for calculating an expected power consumption related to the traveling of the electric vehicle, and environmental information outside the electric vehicle from the location point to the destination point, About the environmental information acquisition means acquired from the outside of the said electric vehicle, and the electric power consumption according to the said environmental information about the one or several electric equipment mounted in the said electric vehicle Based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit, the expected power of the electrical device from the location point to the destination point It is provided with the electric equipment electric power consumption calculation means which calculates consumption.

  The power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention further includes travel time calculation means for calculating an expected travel time of the electric vehicle from a location point to a destination point based on the travel distance calculated by the travel distance calculation means. The electrical equipment power consumption calculating means includes the environmental information for each time width obtained by dividing the time until the expected arrival time at the destination point by a predetermined time based on the predicted traveling time calculated by the traveling time calculating means. The predicted power consumption of each electric device based on the above is calculated, and the total amount of the predicted power consumption over the entire time width is calculated.

  In addition, the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects the amount of power stored in the battery, and the predicted power calculated by the travel power consumption calculation unit based on the amount of power detected by the detection unit. And a notification means for performing a notification when the consumption amount is smaller than a total amount of the predicted power consumption of the one or more electrical devices calculated by the electrical equipment power consumption calculation means. .

  Further, in the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention, the electrical equipment includes an air conditioner, and the environmental information acquisition unit acquires information on the predicted temperature on the route to the destination, and the power The consumption acquisition means acquires the power consumption of the air conditioner associated with the temperature outside the electric vehicle, the set temperature of the air conditioner and the set air volume, and the electric appliance power consumption calculation means The power consumption of the air conditioner is calculated according to the predicted temperature acquired by the environmental information acquisition means, the set temperature and the set air volume of the air conditioner, and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means. It is made to do so.

  In the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention, the electric device includes a headlamp of the electric vehicle, and the environmental information acquisition unit acquires information related to a date and time, and acquires the power consumption. The means acquires the power consumption of the headlamp associated with the date and time, and the electric appliance power consumption calculation means acquires the date and time acquired by the environment information acquisition means, and the power consumption. The power consumption of the headlamp is calculated according to the power consumption acquired by the amount acquisition means.

  Further, in the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention, the electric device includes the wiper of the electric vehicle, and the environmental information acquisition unit acquires information on the predicted precipitation amount on the route to the destination. The power consumption acquisition unit acquires the power consumption of the wiper associated with precipitation, and the electrical equipment power consumption calculation unit includes the predicted precipitation acquired by the environment information acquisition unit, and The power consumption of the wiper is calculated according to the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means.

  In the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention, the electric device includes a rear defogger of the electric vehicle, and further includes a detection unit that detects the number of passengers of the electric vehicle, and the environmental information acquisition unit includes , Acquiring information related to the predicted temperature and expected precipitation on the route to the destination, and the power consumption acquisition means is configured to determine the number of passengers of the electric vehicle, the temperature, and the amount of precipitation of the rear defogger associated with the electric vehicle. The power consumption calculation unit obtains power consumption, and the electric appliance power consumption calculation unit includes the predicted temperature and precipitation acquired by the environment information acquisition unit, the number of passengers detected by the detection unit, and the power consumption acquisition unit. The power consumption amount of the rear defogger is calculated according to the power consumption amount acquired.

  In the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention, the electric device includes an audio device mounted in a vehicle of the electric vehicle, and the power consumption acquisition means determines the maximum power consumption of the audio device. The electrical device power consumption calculating means acquires the power consumption of the audio device according to the maximum power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquiring means.

In the present invention, the route from the location point (current position) to the destination point is searched to calculate the travel distance of the electric vehicle, and the expected power consumption based on the power consumption (electricity cost) per predetermined distance of the electric vehicle is calculated. calculate. This expected power consumption is the power consumption in the motor related to the running of the electric vehicle, and can be performed by the existing technology using the car navigation system, similarly to the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above. it can.
Furthermore, in the present invention, environmental information outside the electric vehicle (for example, weather, temperature, season, time, etc.) is acquired from a device outside the vehicle, for example, by wireless communication. Based on the acquired environmental information, the usage status of electrical equipment (for example, headlamps, wipers, rear defoggers, air conditioners, audio devices, etc.) mounted on electric vehicles Etc.) can be predicted. Therefore, the power consumption corresponding to the environmental information is measured in advance (or may be calculated by simulation or the like), and the power consumption of each electric device associated with the environmental information is stored in advance (this information is The power consumption amount prediction device may store the information, or the device outside the vehicle may store the power consumption amount prediction device and acquire it by wireless communication or the like). The power consumption prediction apparatus can calculate the predicted power consumption of each electric device according to the environment information by acquiring the environment information and the power consumption associated with the environment information.
It is expected that the electric vehicle consumes the total amount of the predicted power consumption for the travel of the vehicle calculated in this way and the predicted power consumption of the electric device from the battery while traveling from the location point to the destination point. Use electricity. As a result, it is possible to calculate the predicted power consumption with high accuracy, and to determine with high accuracy whether the destination can be reached from the remaining capacity of the battery.

  In the present invention, the predicted arrival time at the destination can be calculated from the current time by calculating the estimated travel time from the location point to the destination based on the calculated travel distance. Therefore, the time from the current time point to the predicted arrival point at the destination point is divided into time widths such as every 10 minutes or every 30 minutes, and the usage status of the electric device is predicted for each time width. Accordingly, it is possible to predict the usage state of the electric device in consideration of changes in weather, temperature, amount of sunlight, and the like according to time, and it is possible to calculate a predicted power consumption with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, in this invention, the electric energy accumulate | stored in the battery of the electric vehicle is detected, and it alert | reports when the electric energy of a battery is less than the total amount of an estimated electric power consumption. Thereby, the user of an electric vehicle can recognize that it is necessary to charge at least once to the destination.

  Moreover, in this invention, the information which concerns on the estimated temperature on the path | route to the destination is acquired as environmental information. The power consumption by the air conditioner (air conditioner) of the vehicle changes according to the temperature outside the vehicle, the set temperature of the air conditioner, and the set air volume. Therefore, the power consumption of the air conditioner corresponding to the air temperature, the set temperature and the set air volume is measured in advance and stored. Note that the set temperature and set air volume of the air conditioner are set by the user and are difficult to predict, so it is predicted that the current setting will be maintained (or may be set to the maximum setting). Thereby, the power consumption of the air conditioner can be accurately predicted according to the predicted temperature, the set temperature, and the set air volume.

  In the present invention, information relating to the current date and time is acquired as environmental information. With this information, it is possible to determine whether the time zone during which the electric vehicle travels is during the daytime or at night, and it is possible to predict whether or not to turn on the headlamp and the lighting intensity of the headlamp. Therefore, the power consumption of the headlamp according to the date and time is stored in advance, and the power consumption is calculated according to the time zone during which the electric vehicle travels. Thereby, the power consumption by the headlamp can be accurately predicted.

  Moreover, in this invention, the information which concerns on the estimated precipitation amount on the path | route to the destination is acquired as environmental information. With this information, it is possible to predict whether or not to operate the wiper when the electric vehicle travels, and the operation intensity of the wiper. Therefore, the power consumption of the wiper according to the precipitation is stored in advance, and the power consumption of the wiper is calculated according to the expected precipitation. Thereby, the power consumption by a wiper can be estimated accurately.

  In the present invention, there is provided means for acquiring information related to the predicted temperature and predicted precipitation amount on the route to the destination as environmental information and detecting the number of passengers in the electric vehicle. The vehicle rear defogger is used when condensation occurs on the rear window. Conditions for the condensation are high humidity in the vehicle and a large difference between the temperature in the vehicle and the temperature of the window. Since the humidity inside the vehicle is considered to depend on the number of passengers and the weather outside the vehicle, it is possible to predict whether or not to operate the rear defogger according to the temperature outside the vehicle, the amount of precipitation, and the number of passengers. Therefore, the power consumption of the rear defogger corresponding to the temperature, precipitation and the number of passengers is stored in advance, and the power consumption of the rear defogger is determined according to the acquired temperature and precipitation and the detected number of passengers. calculate. Thereby, the power consumption by the rear defogger can be accurately predicted.

  Further, whether or not to operate the audio device mounted on the vehicle depends on the preference of the user regardless of the environment outside the vehicle. Therefore, in the present invention, the audio device is predicted to operate at the maximum power consumption such as when the volume is maximum, and the maximum power consumption of the audio device is stored in advance, and the audio device is moved from the location point to the destination point. Calculate the power consumption when operating. By calculating the power consumption assuming that the operation is performed with the maximum power consumption, it is possible to obtain a power consumption sufficiently effective for the purpose of preventing the battery from running out.

  In the case of the present invention, the power consumption of the electric vehicle is predicted in consideration of not only the electric consumption of the electric vehicle but also the electric power consumption by the electric device mounted on the electric vehicle. The amount of power consumed from the battery up to the point can be accurately predicted. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user of the electric vehicle to charge the battery, to indicate a route to the charging station that can be reached with the remaining capacity of the battery, and to prevent the battery from running out during traveling.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the power consumption prediction apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calculation method of the estimated electric power consumption of the electric equipment mounted in the electric vehicle. It is an example of the table for calculating the estimated power consumption of an air conditioner. It is an example of the table for determining a day / night division. It is an example of the table for calculating the estimated power consumption of a headlamp. It is an example of the table for calculating the estimated power consumption of a wiper. It is an example of the table for calculating the estimated power consumption of a rear defogger. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an estimated electric power calculation process.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric vehicle, which travels by driving a motor 46 with electric power stored in a battery 4. In FIG. 1, the power supply path from the battery 4 is indicated by a thick solid line.

  The electric vehicle 1 is equipped with a headlamp 41, a wiper 42, a rear defogger 43, an air conditioner (air conditioner) 44, an audio device 45, a traveling motor 46, and the like that are operated by electric power stored in the battery 4. The electric vehicle 1 is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 2, a car navigation device 3, and the like, and the ECU 2 corresponds to the power consumption prediction device of the present invention. The ECU 2 and the car navigation device 3 are also operated by the power supply from the battery 4, but the power supply path from the battery 4 to the ECU 2 and the car navigation device 3 is not shown in FIG.

  In the vicinity of the battery 4, a remaining capacity detection unit 5 that detects the amount of power (remaining capacity) stored in the battery 4 is provided. The remaining capacity detection unit 5 may be configured to detect the remaining capacity by measuring the terminal voltage of the battery 4, for example, and detects the amount of current flowing in and out of the battery 4, for example, based on the integrated value of the current amount The remaining capacity of the battery 4 may be detected, and other configurations may be employed. The remaining capacity detection unit 5 notifies the ECU 2 of the detected remaining capacity of the battery 4.

  Further, the electric vehicle 1 is provided with a passenger number detection unit 6 that detects the number of passengers in the vehicle. The number-of-passengers detection unit 6 has a configuration in which seating sensors are provided in each seat of the driver's seat, the passenger seat, and the rear seat in the electric vehicle 1, for example, and the number of passengers is determined based on the detection result of each seating sensor. Can do. The number of passengers detection unit 6 notifies the ECU 2 of the detected number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1.

  The car navigation device 3 specifies a local point (current location of the electric vehicle 1) using a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a gyro sensor, searches for a route to a destination point input by the user, a map display, It is a device that performs guidance guidance from the local point to the destination point by means of guidance voice output, etc., and is arranged near the driver's seat in the vehicle such as the center panel. The car navigation device 3 includes a processing unit 31 that performs various arithmetic processes, an operation unit 32 that receives user operations, a storage unit 33 that stores map data, a display unit 34 that displays map images, and the like. ing. The car navigation device 3 can transmit and receive data to and from the ECU 2 via an in-vehicle network such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

  The processing unit 31 of the car navigation device 3 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) not shown. Thus, various processes can be performed. The processing unit 31 performs processing for identifying the current position based on a signal received from a GPS artificial satellite, a detection result of a gyro sensor (not shown), vehicle speed of the electric vehicle 1, and the like. Further, the processing unit 31 performs a route search to the destination point input by the user through the operation unit 32 based on the map data stored in the storage unit 33, and the travel distance that the electric vehicle travels from the local point to the destination point. And the process which calculates travel time is performed. Further, the processing unit 31 displays part or all of the searched route as a map image on the display unit 34 and outputs a guidance voice to perform route guidance for the user. The current time can be acquired from the GPS signal, and the processing unit 31 notifies the ECU 2 of information such as the current time, the travel route, the travel distance, and the travel time via the in-vehicle network.

  The operation unit 32 of the car navigation device 3 includes a plurality of switches for receiving user operations, and notifies the processing unit 31 of the presence / absence of an operation on each switch. The operation unit 32 may be a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 34. The storage unit 33 includes a flash memory or a hard disk, and stores various data such as map data necessary for route search and image display. The display unit 34 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays a map image or a menu image in accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 31.

  The ECU 2 is a body ECU that controls, for example, a door, a window, and / or a lock of the electric vehicle 1. The ECU 2 transmits data to and from other devices in the electric vehicle 1 via an in-vehicle network such as a processing unit 21 that performs various arithmetic processing, a storage unit 22 that stores various data used in the arithmetic processing, and CAN. In-vehicle communication unit 23 for transmitting and receiving, and wireless communication unit 24 for performing communication with server device 9 outside the vehicle via a public wireless communication network.

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU or MPU, and can perform various processes by executing a program (not shown) stored in advance in the storage unit 22 or the like. The processing unit 21 performs door lock / unlock control, window opening / closing control, lamp lighting control, and the like as functions of the body ECU. In addition, the processing unit 21 functions as a function of the power consumption prediction device of the present invention, information given from the car navigation device 3, the passenger number detection unit 6 and the server device 9, and the power consumption stored in the storage unit 22. Based on the information in the information 25, a process of predicting the amount of power consumed from the battery 4 while the electric vehicle 1 travels from the local point to the destination point is performed. When the predicted power consumption is larger than the remaining capacity of the battery 4 detected by the remaining capacity detection unit 5, the processing unit 21 displays an alarm message on the display unit 34 by giving an instruction to the car navigation device 3. It can be performed.

  The in-vehicle communication unit 23 of the ECU 2 is connected to a communication line laid in the electric vehicle 1, and transmits / receives data to / from other devices in the electric vehicle 1 via an in-vehicle network configured by the communication line. I do. The in-vehicle communication unit 23 transmits and receives data according to a protocol such as CAN or LIN (Local Interconnect Network). The in-vehicle communication unit 23 detects the current time, travel route, travel distance, travel time, and other information given from the car navigation device 3, the remaining capacity of the battery 4 given from the remaining capacity detection unit 5, and the number of passengers Information on the number of passengers given from the unit 6 is received and given to the processing unit 21. The in-vehicle communication unit 23 transmits data provided from the processing unit 21, for example, a warning message display instruction to the car navigation device 3 via the in-vehicle network.

  The wireless communication unit 24 of the ECU 2 transmits and receives data to and from the server device 9 outside the electric vehicle 1 via a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone network or a public wireless LAN. Antennas (not shown) are connected. The wireless communication unit 24 modulates the data provided from the processing unit 21 and transmits the data as a wireless signal, and also provides the processing unit 21 with data obtained by demodulating the signal received by the antenna. For example, the wireless communication unit 24 communicates with the server device 9 such as the Japan Meteorological Agency or a weather forecast company, receives weather forecast (forecasts such as weather, precipitation probability, precipitation amount, temperature, etc.) information and gives it to the processing unit 21. Further, for example, the wireless communication unit 24 communicates with the server device 9 such as a road traffic station, receives road congestion information, accident information, and the like and gives them to the processing unit 21. Further, for example, the wireless communication unit 24 communicates with the server device 9 of the manufacturer of the car navigation device 3, receives the latest map information, gives it to the processing unit 21, and the processing unit 21 sends this map information to the car navigation device 3. Give to. As described above, the server device 9 with which the wireless communication unit 24 communicates is not limited to one device, and may be various devices outside the electric vehicle 1.

  The storage unit 22 of the ECU 2 includes a nonvolatile memory element such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash memory, and stores various data necessary for processing performed by the processing unit 21 in advance. In particular, in the present embodiment, information for calculating the power consumption of various electric devices supplied with power from the battery 4 such as the headlamp 41, the wiper 42, etc. of the electric vehicle 1 is the power consumption information 25. It is stored in the storage unit 22.

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 performs the battery 4 when the electric vehicle 1 travels from the local point to the destination point when the destination point is set by the operation unit 32 of the car navigation device 3 and periodically thereafter. The amount of power consumed is predicted, and when the predicted amount of power consumption is larger than the remaining capacity of the battery 4, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 34 of the car navigation device 3. At this time, the processing unit 21 uses the headlamp 41 to the audio device 45 based on the information given from the car navigation device 3, the number of passengers given from the passenger number detection unit 6, the information given from the server device 9, and the like. Predict power consumption. The processing unit 21 calculates the power consumption of the motor 46 based on the power consumption of the electric vehicle 1.

The electric power consumed by the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is consumed by the electric power consumed by the motor 46 for traveling and various electric devices (headlamp 41 to audio device 45 etc.) mounted on the electric vehicle 1. It can be roughly divided into electric power. The electric power consumed by the motor 46 by the traveling of the electric vehicle 1 is the power consumption per predetermined distance in the traveling of the electric vehicle 1, that is, the electric cost [Wh / km], and the traveling distance [km ] Can be predicted.
Expected power consumption [Wh] of motor 46 = Electricity consumption [Wh / km] x Traveling distance [km]

  The power consumption of the electric vehicle 1 is measured in advance and stored as power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22. The processing unit 21 reads the information on the power consumption of the electric vehicle 1 from the power consumption information 25 of the storage unit 22 and performs multiplication with the travel distance to the destination point given from the car navigation device 3, thereby predicting the motor 46. The power consumption can be calculated. Note that the above-described method for calculating the expected power consumption of the motor 46 is the simplest method. For example, the inclination in the travel route from the local point to the destination point, the number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1, the load on the electric vehicle 1 The calculation may be performed in consideration of the weight of the packaged goods. However, a detailed description of the method of calculating the predicted power consumption of the traveling motor 46 with higher accuracy will be omitted in this specification.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of calculating the expected power consumption of the electric device mounted on the electric vehicle 1. When the destination point is set by the operation unit 32 of the car navigation device 3, the processing unit 31 of the car navigation device 3 performs a route search from the local point to the destination point. From the travel route searched, the processing unit 31 can calculate the travel distance, travel time, and the like from the local point to the destination point. The processing unit 31 provides the ECU 2 with information such as a travel route, a travel distance, and a travel time.

  Based on the information from the car navigation device 3, the processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 divides the travel time from the local point to the destination point by a predetermined time width, calculates the expected power consumption in each time width, By calculating the total, the expected power consumption of the entire time width (ie, from the local point to the destination point) is calculated. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the processing is performed by dividing the travel time from the local point to the destination point every 30 minutes.

  Further, the processing unit 21 checks the temperature, precipitation amount, day / night classification, and the like for each predetermined time based on information (for example, weather forecast information) received from the external server device 9 by the wireless communication unit 24. At this time, the processing unit 21 examines the temperature, precipitation amount, day / night classification, and the like of a place (such as a municipality) where the electric vehicle 1 is traveling in each time width. Based on these pieces of information, it is possible to predict the usage status of each electrical device in each time span (whether or not each electrical device is used, and how much strength is used). For example, in FIG. 2, it can be predicted that the air conditioner 44 and the audio device 45 are used when the elapsed time is 0 to 30 minutes and the temperature is 30 ° C., the precipitation is 0 mm, and the day and night division is day. Further, for example, in FIG. 2, in the time width of 60 to 90 minutes, the temperature is 26 ° C., the precipitation is 10 mm, the day and night division is evening, and the headlamp 41, the wiper 42, the rear defogger 43, the air conditioner 44, and the audio device 45 Can be predicted to be used.

  In the block in which the name of each electric device shown in the item of power consumption in the table of FIG. 2 is written, the length in the vertical direction represents the power consumption [W], and the length in the horizontal direction is 30. The total area of each block represents the expected power consumption [Wh] from the local point to the destination point.

(1) Expected Power Consumption of Air Conditioner 44 FIG. 3 is an example of a table for calculating the predicted power consumption of the air conditioner 44, and is stored as power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2. is there. However, the table shown in FIG. 3 has a set temperature of the air conditioner 44 of 28 ° C., and other tables related to the set temperature are not shown. The power consumption of the air conditioner 44 is considered to depend on the temperature outside the electric vehicle 1 and the set temperature and set air volume of the air conditioner 44 made by the user. Therefore, the power consumption [W] of the air conditioner 44 is stored in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2 in association with the temperature outside the electric vehicle 1 [° C.], the set temperature [° C.] of the air conditioner 44 and the set air volume (weak, medium and strong). Are stored in advance in the table.

  Since the set temperature and the set air volume of the air conditioner 44 are made based on the user's operation and are difficult to predict, the predicted power consumption is calculated assuming that the current set temperature and the set air volume are maintained. (If the setting is changed, recalculation may be performed.) However, even if the worst case is adopted, the predicted power consumption is calculated with the set temperature as the minimum temperature for cooling (the set temperature is the maximum temperature for heating) and the set air volume as the maximum (strong). Good. The air conditioner 44 calculates the expected power consumption assuming that the air conditioner 44 is always operated regardless of the external temperature. For example, if the air conditioner 44 is not currently operated, the air conditioner 44 is not operated. The expected power consumption may be 0 Wh.

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 acquires the predicted temperature on the travel route from the information received from the server device 9 by the wireless communication unit 24, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 44 according to the acquired temperature, set temperature, and set air volume. The power consumption of the air conditioner 44 is obtained by referring to the table. For example, in FIG. 3, when the external air temperature is 30 ° C., the set temperature is 28 ° C., and the set air volume is “medium”, the power consumption of the air conditioner 44 is 110 W. The processing unit 21 determines that the air conditioner 44 operates with the power consumption 110W in the time width of 30 minutes (= 0.5 hours) shown in FIG. 2, and the expected power consumption of the air conditioner 44 in this time width = 110W. X0.5h = 55Wh can be calculated. Similarly, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption in each time width, calculates the total of these, and obtains the expected power consumption of the air conditioner 44 from the local point to the destination point.

(2) Expected Power Consumption of Headlamp 41 FIG. 4 is an example of a table for determining day / night classification. FIG. 5 is an example of a table for calculating the expected power consumption of the headlamp 41. These tables are stored as power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2. It is considered that the power consumption of the headlamp 41 depends on whether or not the headlamp 41 is turned on and the lighting intensity (strong or weak) of the headlamp 41. These are the day and night divisions outside the electric vehicle 1 (day and evening). , Night, early morning). Therefore, the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2 stores the day / night classification in advance as a table in association with the month and the time zone (see FIG. 4), and the power consumption [W] of the headlamp 41 in association with the day / night classification in the table. Is stored in advance (see FIG. 5).

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 may acquire the current date and time from, for example, the car navigation device 3 or may be acquired from the external server device 9. You may judge by. The processing unit 21 refers to the day / night division table stored in the storage unit 22 based on the current date and time, and obtains the day / night division. The processing unit 21 obtains the power consumption of the headlamp 41 by referring to the power consumption table of the headlamp 44 based on the obtained day and night division. For example, in FIG. 4, if the current time is 20:35 on April 20, the day / night classification is “night”, the headlamp 41 is lit “strong”, and the power consumption is 61 W. The processing unit 21 determines that the headlamp 41 operates at the power consumption 61W in the 30-minute (= 0.5 hour) section shown in FIG. 2, and the expected power consumption of the headlamp 41 in this section = 61W. X0.5h = 30.5Wh can be calculated. Similarly, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption of each section, calculates the total of these, and obtains the expected power consumption of the headlamp 41 from the local point to the destination point.

  The day / night classification is not determined by the table shown in FIG. 4. For example, the information of the sunrise time and sunset time is acquired from the external server device 9. For example, the expected power consumption of the headlamp 41 may be calculated by setting 1 hour before and after as evening, early morning to evening as day, and evening to early morning as night. In addition, when the current date and time information cannot be obtained, or when the sunrise time and sunset time information cannot be obtained, the latest sunrise time in one year and the earliest sunset time in one year are used. The day / night classification can be determined. Further, the day / night classification table may have other configurations, such as every three months as shown in FIG.

(3) Expected Power Consumption of Wiper 42 FIG. 6 is an example of a table for calculating the expected power consumption of the wiper 42, and is stored as power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2. is there. The power consumption of the wiper 42 is considered to depend on the weather outside the electric vehicle 1 (whether it is raining) and the amount of precipitation when it is raining. Therefore, the power consumption [W] of the wiper 42 is stored in advance as a table in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2 in association with the precipitation [mm / h]. If the precipitation amount is 0 mm / h, the wiper 42 is expected not to operate, so the power consumption of the wiper 42 is 0 W. If the precipitation is a very small amount of about 1 to 2 mm / h, the wiper 42 is expected to be intermittently operated, and the power consumption of the wiper 42 in the intermittent operation is 10 W. If the precipitation is a small to medium amount of 3-5 mm / h, the wiper 42 is expected to operate weakly, and the power consumption of the wiper 42 in the weak operation is 30 W. Further, if the precipitation is a large amount of 6 mm / h or more, the wiper 42 is expected to operate strongly, and the power consumption of the wiper 42 in the strong operation is 60 W. In this example, the wiper 42 performs a three-stage operation of intermittent operation, weak operation, and strong operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 acquires precipitation amount information on the travel route from the external server device 9 as weather forecast information, and the power consumption of the wiper 42 stored in the storage unit 22 based on the acquired precipitation amount. The power consumption of the wiper 42 is obtained by referring to the table. For example, in FIG. 6, if the precipitation is 3 mm / h, the power consumption of the wiper 42 is 30 W. The processing unit 21 determines that the wiper 42 operates at the power consumption 30W in the 30-minute (= 0.5 hour) section shown in FIG. 2, and the expected power consumption of the wiper 42 in this section = 30W × 0. .5h = 15Wh can be calculated. Similarly, the processing unit 21 calculates the predicted power consumption of each section, calculates the total of these, and obtains the predicted power consumption of the wiper 42 from the local point to the destination point.

  In addition, when the information of precipitation cannot be obtained from the external server device 9 and, for example, only information on whether or not it rains is obtained as a weather forecast, or when the probability of precipitation is obtained, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption assuming that the wiper 42 is strongly operated in a section where there is a high possibility of rain (for example, a probability of precipitation of 50% or more) and the wiper 42 is not operated in other sections. Also good.

(4) Expected Power Consumption of Rear Defogger 43 FIG. 7 is an example of a table for calculating the predicted power consumption of the rear defogger 43, and is stored as power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2. Is. The rear defogger 43 is used when condensation occurs in the rear window of the electric vehicle 1. There are two conditions for the dew condensation to be that the humidity in the vehicle is high and that the difference between the temperature in the vehicle and the temperature of the window is large. The humidity inside the vehicle is considered to depend on the number of passengers in the electric vehicle 1 and the weather outside the vehicle (precipitation amount). Accordingly, the power consumption [W] of the rear defogger 43 is associated with the temperature [° C.], precipitation [mm / h], and the number of passengers [people] outside the electric vehicle 1 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2. Are stored in advance as a table. In the table shown in FIG. 7, a portion where “-” is written is unconditional (so-called don't care).

  The processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 acquires temperature and precipitation information from the external server device 9, and acquires information on the number of passengers in the electric vehicle 1 from the passenger number detection unit 6. Based on the amount and the number of passengers, the power consumption table of the rear defogger 43 stored in the storage unit 22 is referred to, and the power consumption of the rear defogger 43 is obtained. For example, in FIG. 7, if the temperature is 15 ° C., the precipitation is 1 mm / h, and the number of passengers is 4, it is predicted that condensation will occur in the rear window and the rear defogger 43 will be operated. The amount is 148W. The processing unit 21 determines that the rear defogger 43 operates at a power consumption amount of 148 W in the 30-minute (= 0.5 hour) section illustrated in FIG. 2, and the expected power consumption of the rear defogger 43 in this section is 148 W. X0.5h = 74Wh can be calculated. Similarly, the processing unit 21 calculates the predicted power consumption of each section, calculates the total of these, and obtains the predicted power consumption of the rear defogger 43 from the local point to the destination point.

  Note that the processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 determines the number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1 when the electric vehicle 1 does not include the passenger number detection unit 6 (when a seating sensor is not mounted on each seat of the electric vehicle 1). If the configuration cannot be acquired, the processing unit 21 may calculate the expected power consumption of the rear defogger 43 with the number of passengers as the maximum number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1.

(5) Expected power consumption of the audio device 45 Whether or not the audio device 45 operates does not depend on the internal or external environment of the electric vehicle 1 but depends on the preference of the user who gets on the electric vehicle 1. It is difficult to predict the operation of the device 45. Therefore, the power consumption (ie, the maximum power consumption [W]) when the audio device 45 outputs sound at the maximum volume is stored as the power consumption information 25 in the storage unit 22 of the ECU 2, for example. The processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption of the audio device 45 on the assumption that the audio device 45 continues to operate at the maximum power consumption from the local point to the destination point. For example, if the maximum power consumption of the audio device 45 is 50 W and the vehicle travels from the local point to the destination point for 2 hours, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption of the audio device 45 as 50 W × 2 h = 100 Wh. Can do.

  Note that the expected power consumption is not calculated on the assumption that the audio device 45 operates at the maximum volume from the local point to the destination point. For example, the current setting of the audio device 45 (whether the audio device 45 is operating or not) is calculated. Or, when operating, the predicted power consumption may be calculated assuming that the sound volume setting etc. is maintained up to the destination point.

  As described above, the processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 determines the expected power consumption of the motor 46 related to the traveling of the electric vehicle 1 and the electric devices (head lamp 41 to audio device 45) mounted on the other electric vehicle 1. And calculate the total amount of these. In addition, the processing unit 21 compares the calculated expected power consumption (total amount) with the remaining capacity of the battery 4 detected by the remaining capacity detection unit 5, and the remaining capacity of the battery 4 is smaller than the expected power consumption. The warning message is displayed on the display unit 34 by giving a command to the car navigation device 3. At this time, the car navigation device 3 may perform a process of guiding a charging station that can be reached with the remaining capacity of the battery 4.

  Further, the processing unit 21 performs a calculation process of the predicted power consumption when the destination point is set in the car navigation device 3, and thereafter the predicted power is periodically (for example, every 10 minutes or every 30 minutes). Repeat consumption. Accordingly, the calculation result of the predicted power consumption can be updated based on the latest information from the server device 9 obtained by the wireless communication unit 24.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the predicted power calculation process, which is a process performed by the processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 when the destination point is set by the car navigation device 3 and periodically thereafter. . In the predicted power calculation process, the processing unit 21 of the ECU 2 first causes the car navigation device 3 to search for a route from the local point to the destination point set by the user (step S1). If there is no change in the route, a previously searched route may be reused. Further, the processing unit 21 causes the car navigation device 3 to calculate the travel distance (step S2) and travel time (step S3) of the electric vehicle 1 based on the route searched in step S1, and perform these processes. Get the result.

  Next, the processing unit 21 performs wireless communication with the server device 9 outside the electric vehicle 1 by the wireless communication unit 24, and acquires environmental information on the travel route such as weather forecast information (step S4). The processing unit 21 acquires the remaining capacity Wr (Wh) of the battery 4 detected by the remaining capacity detection unit 5 (step S5), and acquires the number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1 detected by the passenger number detection unit 6. (Step S6).

  Next, the processing unit 21 includes power consumption information 25 (including information such as the power consumption of the electric vehicle 1, the power consumption table of each electric device shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, and the maximum power consumption of the audio device 45). Is read out from the storage unit 22 (step S7). The processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption W1 (Wh) of the motor 46 related to the travel of the electric vehicle 1 based on the power cost of the electric vehicle 1 acquired in step S7 and the travel distance calculated in step S2. Calculate (step S8).

  Next, the processing unit 21 includes the power consumption table of the air conditioner 44 acquired in step S7, the temperature included in the environmental information acquired from the external server device 9 in step S4, the set temperature and the set air volume of the air conditioner 44, and the like. Based on the above, the expected power consumption W2 (Wh) of the air conditioner 44 is calculated (step S9). Further, the processing unit 21 determines the day / night classification from the local point to the destination point obtained based on the current date and time information and the day / night classification table acquired in step S7, and the power of the headlamp 41 acquired in step S7. Based on the consumption table, the expected power consumption W3 (Wh) of the headlamp 41 is calculated (step S10).

  Further, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power of the wiper 42 based on the power consumption table of the wiper 42 acquired in step S7 and the precipitation included in the environmental information acquired from the external server device 9 in step S4. A consumption amount W4 (Wh) is calculated (step S11). The processing unit 21 acquires the power consumption table of the rear defogger 43 acquired in step S7, the temperature and precipitation included in the environmental information acquired from the external server device 9 in step S4, and acquired in step S6. The expected power consumption W5 (Wh) of the rear defogger 43 is calculated based on the number of passengers of the electric vehicle 1 (step S12). Further, the processing unit 21 calculates the expected power consumption W6 () of the audio device 45 based on the maximum power consumption of the audio device 45 acquired in step S7 and the travel time calculated by the car navigation device 3 in step S2. Wh) is calculated (step S13).

  The processing unit 21 calculates the total of the predicted power consumptions W1 to W6 calculated in steps S8 to S13, respectively, so that the predicted power consumption W0 (Wh) of the entire electric vehicle 1 from the local point to the destination point is calculated. Is calculated (step S14). Thereafter, the processing unit 21 compares the value obtained by multiplying the remaining capacity Wr of the battery 4 acquired in step S5 by the correction coefficient A with the predicted power consumption W0 calculated in step S14, and calculates the predicted power consumption W0. Is larger than the remaining capacity Wr multiplied by the correction coefficient A (step S15). The correction coefficient A is for estimating the remaining capacity of the battery 4 to prevent the battery from running out. For example, a value such as A = 0.9 can be used. The correction coefficient A is determined in advance and stored in the storage unit 22. (However, the correction coefficient A is not necessarily used. That is, the correction coefficient A may be 1.0.)

  When the predicted power consumption W0 is larger than the remaining capacity Wr of the battery 4 multiplied by the correction coefficient A (S15: YES), the processing unit 21 gives an instruction to the car navigation device 3 to display a warning message on the display unit 34. Display (step S16), and the process ends. When the predicted power consumption W0 is equal to or less than the remaining capacity Wr of the battery 4 multiplied by the correction coefficient A (S15: NO), the processing unit 21 ends the process without displaying a warning message or the like.

  In the power consumption prediction apparatus having the above configuration, not only the power consumed by the motor 46 for running the electric vehicle 1 but also other electric devices (headlamp 41 to audio device 45) mounted on the electric vehicle 1 are used. Etc.), the power consumption of the electric vehicle 1 is accurately calculated by calculating the expected power consumption of the electric vehicle 1 from the local point to the destination point. Can do. In addition, wireless communication is performed with the external server device 9 to acquire environmental information such as weather, temperature, and precipitation, for example, and a storage unit based on the expected usage status of each electrical device with respect to the environmental information By using various tables stored in advance as power consumption information 25 in 22 and referring to the table based on the acquired environmental information, the predicted power consumption of each electric device is calculated. Can be calculated with high accuracy. Therefore, the power consumption prediction apparatus according to the present invention can predict the power consumption of the electric vehicle 1 with high accuracy, and determine whether or not the remaining point of the battery 4 can reach the destination from the local point. It can be judged with high accuracy.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the current time to the predicted destination arrival time are divided every 30 minutes, and the predicted power consumption of each electrical device is calculated for each section based on environmental information and the like. Can predict the usage status of electrical equipment in consideration of changes in environmental conditions such as weather, temperature and precipitation due to changes in time, and calculate the expected power consumption in consideration of changes in environmental conditions Can do. Further, when the calculated predicted power consumption is larger than the remaining capacity of the battery 4 (a value obtained by correcting the battery 4), a warning message is displayed on the display unit 34 of the car navigation device 3, whereby the electric vehicle 1 It can be left that the remaining capacity of the battery 4 is small, and charging of the battery 4 can be prompted.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 2 performs processing as the power consumption prediction device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the car navigation device 3 may perform these processing. That is, the power consumption prediction device of the present invention may be realized as the ECU 2 or may be realized as the car navigation device 3, and is realized as a device in which the ECU 2 and the car navigation device 3 are integrated. Or may be realized as other devices mounted on the electric vehicle 1. The ECU 2 is the body ECU of the electric vehicle 1, but is not limited to this, and may be another ECU.

  In addition, a table for calculating the power consumption of each electrical device is stored in the storage unit 22 as the power consumption information 25, and the processing unit 21 reads and acquires the table. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, the power consumption information 25 is stored in the server device 9 outside the electric vehicle 1, and the processing unit 21 acquires the power consumption information 25 using wireless communication by the non-communication communication unit 24. For example, each electric device may store its own information, and the processing unit 21 may acquire information from each electric device through communication via the in-vehicle communication unit 23. Also, the various values and information in the tables shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 are examples, and are not limited thereto.

1 Electric Vehicle 2 ECU (Power Consumption Prediction Device)
3 Car navigation device (route search means, travel distance calculation means, travel time calculation means, notification means)
4 Battery 5 Remaining capacity detection unit (detection means)
6 Passenger number detection part (detection means)
9 server device 21 processing unit (running power consumption calculation means, power consumption acquisition means, electrical equipment power consumption calculation means)
22 storage unit 23 in-car communication unit 24 wireless communication unit (environmental information acquisition means)
25 Power Consumption Information 31 Processing Unit 32 Operation Unit 33 Storage Unit 34 Display Unit 41 Headlamp (Electrical Equipment)
42 Wiper (electric equipment)
43 Rear defogger (electrical equipment)
44 Air conditioner (electric equipment, air conditioner)
45 Audio equipment (electrical equipment)
46 Motor (electric equipment)

Claims (8)

In a power consumption prediction device that calculates the expected power consumption of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle,
Route search means for searching for a route from the location point to the destination point;
Based on the route searched by the route search means, a travel distance calculation means for calculating the travel distance of the electric vehicle from the location point to the destination point;
Travel power consumption calculating means for calculating an expected power consumption related to the travel of the electric vehicle based on the travel distance calculated by the travel distance calculation means and the power consumption per predetermined distance related to the travel of the electric vehicle; ,
Environmental information acquisition means for acquiring environmental information outside the electric vehicle from a location point to a destination point from the outside of the electric vehicle;
For one or a plurality of electric devices mounted on the electric vehicle, power consumption acquisition means for acquiring power consumption according to the environmental information;
Electric appliance power consumption that calculates the expected power consumption of the electric appliance from a location point to a destination point based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition means and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means A power consumption prediction apparatus comprising: a calculation means. Based on the travel distance calculated by the travel distance calculation means, further comprising travel time calculation means for calculating an expected travel time of the electric vehicle from a location point to a destination point,
The electrical equipment power consumption calculating means is based on the environmental information for each time width obtained by dividing the time until the expected arrival point at a predetermined time based on the predicted traveling time calculated by the traveling time calculating means. 2. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an expected power consumption of each electric device is calculated, and a total amount of the predicted power consumption over the entire time width is calculated. Detection means for detecting the amount of power stored in the battery;
The amount of power detected by the detection means is the expected power consumption calculated by the travel power consumption calculation means, and the expected power consumption of the one or more electrical devices calculated by the electrical equipment power consumption calculation means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit that performs notification when the total amount is less than the total amount. The electrical equipment includes an air conditioner,
The environmental information acquisition means acquires information related to the predicted temperature on the route to the destination,
The power consumption acquisition means acquires the power consumption of the air conditioner associated with the temperature outside the electric vehicle, the set temperature of the air conditioner and the set air volume,
The electrical equipment power consumption calculation means is based on the predicted temperature acquired by the environmental information acquisition means, the set temperature and set air volume of the air conditioner, and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power consumption of the air conditioner is calculated. The electric device includes a headlamp of the electric vehicle,
The environmental information acquisition means acquires information relating to the date and time,
The power consumption acquisition means acquires the power consumption of the headlamp associated with the date and time,
The electric appliance power consumption calculation means calculates the power consumption of the headlamp according to the date and time acquired by the environment information acquisition means and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power consumption prediction apparatus is configured as described above. The electric device includes a wiper of the electric vehicle,
The environmental information acquisition means acquires information relating to expected precipitation on the route to the destination,
The power consumption acquisition means acquires the power consumption of the wiper associated with precipitation,
The electric appliance power consumption calculation means calculates the power consumption of the wiper according to the predicted precipitation acquired by the environmental information acquisition means and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power consumption prediction apparatus is configured as follows. The electric device includes a rear defogger of the electric vehicle,
The apparatus further comprises detection means for detecting the number of passengers in the electric vehicle,
The environmental information acquisition means acquires information related to expected temperature and expected precipitation on the route to the destination,
The power consumption acquisition means acquires the power consumption of the rear defogger associated with the number of passengers, temperature and precipitation of the electric vehicle,
The electric appliance power consumption calculation means includes the predicted temperature and precipitation acquired by the environmental information acquisition means, the number of passengers detected by the detection means, and the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power consumption of the rear defogger is calculated accordingly. The electric device includes an audio device mounted in the electric vehicle,
The power consumption acquisition means acquires the maximum power consumption of the audio device,
The electric device power consumption calculating means calculates the power consumption of the audio device according to the maximum power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquiring means. The power consumption prediction apparatus according to claim 7.

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