JP2018088757A - vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deterioration of a power storage device, in a vehicle including the power storage device for storing power generated by a solar battery.SOLUTION: In a vehicle 1, ECU 100 controls solar PCU 40 so that SOC of a solar battery 60 does not exceed an upper limit. When the altitude of a destination is below a specified value, ECU 100 adopts a first upper limit (first upper limit>second upper limit) as an upper limit of SOC of the solar battery 60. When the altitude of the destination is equal to or higher than the specified value, ECU 100 adopts the second upper limit as the upper limit of SOC, and after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination, adopts the first upper limit as the upper limit of SOC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, and more particularly, to a vehicle that generates power using a solar cell.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2014-117000 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle that generates power using a solar cell. In this vehicle, the electric power generated by the solar battery is once charged in the sub-battery. When the amount of charge of the sub battery becomes equal to or greater than the specified value, the main battery is charged by using the charging power of the sub battery (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-117000 A

  In the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to arrange a power storage device (sub-battery) that stores electric power generated by a solar cell in a vehicle interior. In the passenger compartment, there is a case where the temperature (air temperature) rises greatly due to sunlight. When the temperature of the power storage device rises as the temperature in the passenger compartment increases, if the power storage device is in a high SOC (State Of Charge) state, deterioration of the power storage device may progress.

  The present disclosure has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to suppress deterioration of a power storage device in a vehicle including a power storage device that stores power generated by a solar battery. .

  The vehicle of the present disclosure includes a solar cell, a power storage device, a charger, an input device, and a control device. The solar cell is configured to convert light energy into electric power. The power storage device is provided in the vehicle interior. The charger is configured to charge the power storage device with electric power output from the solar battery. The input device is configured to receive an input regarding a destination from a user. The control device controls the charger so that the SOC of the power storage device does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. The control device is configured to acquire information indicating the altitude of the destination, and when the altitude is less than a predetermined value, the first upper limit value is set as the predetermined upper limit value. When the altitude is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the control device sets the second upper limit value, which is smaller than the first upper limit value, as the predetermined upper limit value, and the first after the vehicle arrives at the destination. Let the upper limit be a predetermined upper limit.

  In this vehicle, when the altitude of the destination is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the upper limit value of the SOC is set to the second upper limit value (second upper limit value <first upper limit value), and after the arrival of the destination, the SOC Is the first upper limit value. Therefore, according to this vehicle, when the altitude of the destination is high, a non-high SOC state is maintained at a point where the altitude before arrival at the point is low (a point where the temperature is high), thereby suppressing deterioration of the power storage device. can do.

  According to the present disclosure, in a vehicle including a power storage device that stores electric power generated by a solar battery, deterioration of the power storage device can be suppressed.

It is a figure showing roughly the whole composition of vehicles. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus mounted in the vehicle. It is a flowchart which shows the determination processing procedure of SOC upper limit.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  Further, in the embodiment described below, an electric vehicle equipped with a motor generator as a drive source will be described as an example of the vehicle. However, the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine as a drive source or a power source of a generator. There may be a vehicle that uses only the engine as a drive source instead of the motor generator.

[Vehicle configuration]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes battery pack 20, PCU (Power Control Unit) 30, solar PCU 40, solar panel 50, solar battery 60, and auxiliary battery 70. Prepare.

  The battery pack 20 is a rechargeable DC power source. Battery pack 20 includes, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. The battery pack 20 exchanges power with an MG (Motor Generator) 6 (FIG. 2) that is a drive source of the vehicle 1. The power of the battery pack 20 is supplied to the MG 6 via the PCU 30. Moreover, the battery pack 20 is charged using the electric power generated by the MG 6. Battery pack 20 is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be a battery that can exchange DC power with MG 6, such as a capacitor. The battery pack 20 is provided at a position below the rear seat of the vehicle 1 and between the left and right rear wheel houses, for example.

  The PCU 30 converts the DC power of the battery pack 20 into AC power and supplies it to the MG 6, or converts the regenerative power (AC power) generated in the MG 6 into DC power and supplies it to the battery pack 20.

  PCU 30 includes, for example, a converter and an inverter (both not shown). The converter boosts the voltage of the DC power received from the battery pack 20 and outputs it to the inverter. The inverter converts the DC power output by the converter into AC power and outputs it to MG6. Thereby, MG 6 is driven using the electric power stored in battery pack 20.

  Further, the inverter converts AC power generated by MG 6 into DC power and outputs it to the converter. The converter steps down the voltage of the DC power output by the inverter and outputs it to the battery pack 20. Thereby, the battery pack 20 is charged using the electric power generated by the MG 6.

  PCU 30 further includes a DC / DC converter (not shown) that converts the voltage of battery pack 20 into a voltage suitable for charging auxiliary battery 70. The DC / DC converter charges the auxiliary battery 70 by supplying the converted electric power to the auxiliary battery 70.

  The solar panel 50 is a solar cell that converts light energy (for example, light energy of sunlight) into DC power. In the present embodiment, the solar panel 50 is installed on the surface of the roof of the vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. The electric power generated in the solar panel 50 is supplied to the solar battery 60 via the solar PCU 40.

  The solar battery 60 is a power storage device that stores the electric power generated in the solar panel 50. The solar battery 60 includes a plurality of (for example, three) cells or modules including a plurality of cells connected in series. Solar battery 60 is provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle 1 (for example, at the bottom of the center console). In addition, the interior of the vehicle 1 includes a space (for example, a cabin) in the vehicle 1 on which an occupant is boarded and a space (for example, a luggage compartment) that communicates with the space.

  The solar PCU 40 converts the DC power output from the solar panel 50 into a voltage capable of charging the solar battery 60 in accordance with a control signal from the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 (FIG. 2), or the solar battery 60. The direct current power is converted into a voltage capable of charging the battery pack 20. Specifically, for example, when the SOC of the solar battery 60 is less than the upper limit value, the solar PCU 40 charges the solar battery 60 using electric power output from the solar panel 50 while the vehicle 1 is stopped. In addition, when the SOC of the solar battery 60 reaches the upper limit value, the solar PCU 40 charges the battery pack 20 using the power of the solar battery 60 or charges the auxiliary battery 70.

  The auxiliary battery 70 supplies electric power to the auxiliary load. The auxiliary machine load includes, for example, electric equipment (for example, navigation device 80 (FIG. 2), audio equipment, etc.) provided in the vehicle 1, various ECUs mounted on the vehicle 1, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device mounted on the vehicle according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, vehicle 1 further includes drive wheels 2, power transmission gear 4, MG 6, navigation device 80, and ECU 100.

  MG6 is, for example, a three-phase AC rotating electric machine. The output torque of the MG 6 is transmitted to the drive wheels 2 via the power transmission gear 4 constituted by a speed reducer or the like. The MG 6 can also generate power by the rotational force of the drive wheels 2 during the regenerative braking operation of the vehicle 1.

  The battery pack 20 includes an assembled battery 22, an SMR (System Main Relay) 24, and a CHR (CHarge Relay) 26.

  The assembled battery 22 is configured by connecting a plurality of modules including a plurality of cells in series. The voltage of the assembled battery 22 is, for example, about 200V.

  The SMR 24 is provided on the power lines PL1, NL1 that connect the PCU 30 and the assembled battery 22. Based on the control signal C1 from the ECU 100, the SMR 24 electrically connects the PCU 30 and the assembled battery 22 (on state) or disconnects them (off state).

  The CHR 26 is provided on the power lines PL2 and NL2 branched from the power lines PL1 and NL1 connecting the assembled battery 22 and the SMR 24 and connected to the solar PCU 40. Based on the control signal C2 from the ECU 100, the CHR 26 electrically connects (turns on) or shuts off (off) the power lines PL1, NL1 and the solar PCU 40.

  Solar PCU 40 includes a high voltage DC / DC converter 42, a solar DC / DC converter 44, an auxiliary DC / DC converter 46, and a monitoring circuit 48.

  The high voltage DC / DC converter 42 converts the DC power of the solar battery 60 into DC power that can charge the assembled battery 22 based on a control signal from the ECU 100. The high-voltage DC / DC converter 42 supplies the converted power to the assembled battery 22.

  The solar DC / DC converter 44 converts the DC power supplied from the solar panel 50 into DC power that can charge the solar battery 60 based on a control signal from the ECU 100. The solar DC / DC converter 44 supplies the converted electric power to the solar battery 60.

  Auxiliary machine DC / DC converter 46 converts the DC power of solar battery 60 into DC power that can charge auxiliary battery 70 based on a control signal from ECU 100. The auxiliary DC / DC converter 46 supplies the converted electric power to the auxiliary battery 70.

  The monitoring circuit 48 monitors the state of the solar battery 60. The solar battery 60 is provided with a temperature sensor 62, a voltage sensor 64, and a current sensor 66. The temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature (hereinafter also referred to as “battery temperature”) TBs of the solar battery 60 and transmits a signal indicating the detected battery temperature TBs to the monitoring circuit 48. The voltage sensor 64 detects the voltage VBs of the entire solar battery 60 and transmits a signal indicating the detected voltage VBs to the monitoring circuit 48. The current sensor 66 detects the current IBs of the solar battery 60 and transmits a signal indicating the detected current IBs to the monitoring circuit 48.

  The monitoring circuit 48 outputs information about the state of the solar battery 60 to the ECU 100. The monitoring circuit 48 outputs, for example, detection results received from each sensor to the ECU 100, or executes predetermined arithmetic processing on the detection results received from each sensor, and outputs the execution results to the ECU 100. Or Specifically, the monitoring circuit 48 calculates the SOC of the solar battery 60 based on the battery temperature TBs, the voltage VBs, and the current IBs, and outputs information indicating the calculated SOC to the ECU 100.

  The navigation device 80 is an electronic device that provides route guidance to a destination when the vehicle 1 is traveling. The navigation device 80 includes, for example, a memory, a touch panel, a control device, and the like (all not shown). The memory stores map information. In this map information, information indicating the altitude is associated with each point. The user can input information regarding the destination via, for example, a touch panel. When information related to the destination is input, the control device starts processing for route guidance and outputs information indicating the altitude of the destination to ECU 100. The method of using information indicating the altitude of the destination will be described in detail later.

  ECU 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input / output buffer, and the like (all not shown). The ECU 100 controls various devices so that the vehicle 1 enters a desired operating state based on signals from the sensors and devices, a program stored in the memory, and the like.

  The ECU 100 acquires the SOC of the solar battery 60 from the monitoring circuit 48. Note that the SOC calculation process does not necessarily have to be executed by the monitoring circuit 48, and may be executed by the ECU 100. When the SOC of the solar battery 60 is less than the upper limit value, the ECU 100 operates the solar DC / DC converter 44 while the vehicle 1 is stopped and charges the solar battery 60 using the power output from the solar panel 50. Execute.

  When the SOC of solar battery 60 reaches the upper limit value, ECU 100 stops charging solar battery 60 and turns CHR 26 on. The ECU 100 operates the high voltage DC / DC converter 42 to charge the assembled battery 22 using the power of the solar battery 60. Note that the ECU 100 may charge the assembled battery 22 by operating the solar DC / DC converter 44 in addition to the high-voltage DC / DC converter 42. The ECU 100 stops the operation of the high-voltage DC / DC converter 42 and turns off the CHR 26 when the SOC of the solar battery 60 reaches the lower limit value or the SOC of the assembled battery 22 reaches the upper limit value. Then, charging of the assembled battery 22 is stopped.

[Inhibition of temperature rise of power storage device]
As described above, in the vehicle 1, the solar battery 60 is provided in the vehicle 1. In the passenger compartment, there is a case where the temperature (air temperature) rises greatly due to sunlight. When the temperature of the solar battery 60 rises as the temperature in the passenger compartment increases, if the solar battery 60 is in a high SOC state, the solar battery 60 may deteriorate. Therefore, if it is predicted that the temperature in the vehicle compartment will decrease soon, avoiding the solar battery 60 from being in a high SOC state while the temperature in the vehicle interior is high, the temperature in the vehicle interior decreases. It is desirable to increase the SOC of the solar battery 60.

  When the user of the vehicle 1 inputs information related to the destination to the navigation device 80, the navigation device 80 outputs information indicating the altitude of the destination to the ECU 100. For example, when the altitude of the destination is high, there is a high possibility that the temperature (air temperature) of the destination is low, and it is considered that the temperature in the passenger compartment decreases after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination.

  Therefore, in the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, when the elevation of the destination is less than the predetermined value, the ECU 100 cannot say that the temperature in the passenger compartment decreases even when the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination. The first upper limit value (first upper limit value> second upper limit value) is set as the upper limit value of the SOC of solar battery 60 (hereinafter also referred to as “SOC upper limit value”). Then, when the altitude of the destination is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the ECU 100 has a high possibility that the temperature in the passenger compartment will decrease after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination. Therefore, the ECU 100 sets the second upper limit value as the SOC upper limit value. In addition, after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination, the first upper limit value is set as the SOC upper limit value. The predetermined value is a predetermined value.

  According to this vehicle 1, when the altitude of the destination is high, a non-high SOC state is maintained at a point where the altitude before arrival at the point is low (a point where the temperature is high), so that the deterioration of the solar battery 60 is suppressed. can do.

[SOC upper limit determination procedure]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a determination process procedure of the SOC upper limit value in the vehicle according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed after information related to the destination is input to the navigation device 80 by the user of the vehicle 1.

  Referring to FIG. 3, ECU 100 acquires information indicating the altitude of the destination input by the user from navigation device 80 (step S100). ECU 100 determines whether or not the altitude of the destination is greater than or equal to predetermined value Hth (step S110).

  If it is determined that the altitude of the destination is less than predetermined value Hth (NO in step S110), ECU 100 sets the first upper limit value (for example, 80%) as the SOC upper limit value (step S120). For example, the first upper limit value is the same value as the SOC upper limit value when the user does not input the destination to the navigation device 80.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the altitude of the destination is greater than or equal to predetermined value Hth (YES in step S110), ECU 100 sets the second upper limit value (for example, 60%) as the SOC upper limit value (step S130). Thereafter, the ECU 100 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 has arrived at the destination by exchanging information with the navigation device 80 (step S140). If it is determined that vehicle 1 has not arrived at the destination (NO in step S140), the SOC upper limit value is maintained as the second upper limit value.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that vehicle 1 has arrived at the destination (YES in step S140), ECU 100 sets the first upper limit value as the SOC upper limit value (step S150). Thereafter, the process moves to the end.

  As described above, in the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, when the altitude of the destination is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the ECU 100 may reduce the temperature in the passenger compartment after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination. Therefore, the second upper limit value (second upper limit value <first upper limit value) is set as the SOC upper limit value, and the first upper limit value is set as the SOC upper limit value after the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination. According to this vehicle 1, when the altitude of the destination is high, a non-high SOC state is maintained at a point where the altitude before arrival at the point is low (a point where the temperature is high), so that the deterioration of the solar battery 60 is suppressed. can do.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 vehicle, 2 drive wheels, 4 power transmission gear, 6 MG, 20 battery pack, 22 assembled battery, 24 SMR, 26 CHR, 30 PCU, 40 solar PCU, 42 high voltage DC / DC converter, 44 solar DC / DC converter, 46 Auxiliary DC / DC converter, 48 Monitoring circuit, 50 Solar panel, 60 Solar battery, 62 Temperature sensor, 64 Voltage sensor, 66 Current sensor, 70 Auxiliary battery, 80 Navigation device, 100 ECU.

Claims (1)

A vehicle,
A solar cell configured to convert light energy into electrical power;
A power storage device provided in the vehicle interior;
A charger configured to charge the power storage device with electric power output from the solar cell;
An input device configured to receive input regarding a destination from a user;
A controller that controls the charger so that the SOC of the power storage device does not exceed a predetermined upper limit;
The controller is
It is configured to acquire information indicating the altitude of the destination, and when the altitude is less than a predetermined value, the first upper limit value is set as the predetermined upper limit value,
When the altitude is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, a second upper limit value smaller than the first upper limit value is set as the predetermined upper limit value, and the first after the vehicle arrives at the destination. A vehicle in which the upper limit value is the predetermined upper limit value.

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