JP2019131151A - Control device for hybrid vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control device for a hybrid vehicle that can continue travelling while suppressing engine noise, for relatively long term.SOLUTION: A control device 30 for a hybrid vehicle 10 includes: noise detection means 36 for detecting noise inside a cabin; and engine control means 32 for operating an engine 13 so that an increment of the noise inside the cabin which is detected by the noise detection means 36 becomes equal to or lower than a specified amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an engine (internal combustion engine) together with a traveling motor (electric motor).

  In recent years, hybrid vehicles in which a driving motor and an engine are combined to obtain a driving force of the vehicle have been developed and put into practical use. As a hybrid vehicle, for example, a vehicle (PHV) that generates power by driving a generator with an engine and supplies electric power to a traveling motor (PHV), or a vehicle that can be charged with an external commercial power source (PHV) PHEV) is being developed and put to practical use.

  In such a hybrid vehicle, as a travel mode of the vehicle, a first travel mode (EV mode) in which only the travel motor is driven to travel the vehicle and a second travel mode in which the engine is driven together with the travel motor ( For example, a series mode and a parallel mode) are appropriately selected according to the traveling state of the vehicle.

  Here, when the second travel mode is selected as the travel mode of the vehicle, the engine is driven, so that the engine sound (engine volume) becomes relatively large depending on the travel state of the vehicle. However, there is a risk that the passenger in the passenger compartment may feel noise.

  In order to solve such a problem, there is one that suppresses noise in the passenger compartment by adjusting the engine torque distribution ratio. For example, as the driving mode selected by the driver is a mode in which quieter engine exhaust sound is desired, the engine torque distribution ratio with respect to the total required torque is reduced and the motor torque distribution ratio is increased (Patent Literature). 1).

JP 2006-315630 A

  As in the invention according to Patent Document 1, the volume of the engine can be suppressed by increasing the motor torque distribution ratio.

  However, the travel distance (travel time) in a state where the volume of the engine is suppressed is limited. Since the travel motor is driven by electric power supplied from the battery, the travel distance (travel time) in a state where the motor torque distribution ratio is large depends on the battery charge rate (SOC). Therefore, it may not be possible to continue traveling with the engine volume suppressed, contrary to the passenger's request.

  This invention is made in view of such a situation, and provides the control apparatus of the hybrid vehicle which can continue driving | running | working in the state which suppressed the noise (engine sound) of the engine comparatively long. Objective.

  One aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a traveling motor, a battery that supplies power to the traveling motor, and a generator that is driven by an engine and generates at least the power supplied to the battery. A control device for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: a noise detection means for detecting the magnitude of noise in the vehicle interior; and the engine so that an increase in the noise in the vehicle interior detected by the noise detection means is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. And an engine control means for operating the hybrid vehicle control apparatus.

  Here, it is preferable that the engine control means operates the engine so that noise in the vehicle interior detected by the noise detection means does not increase.

  Further, it is preferable that the engine control unit decreases the maximum engine speed as the noise in the vehicle interior detected by the noise detection unit decreases. Further, it is preferable that the engine control means reduce the rate of increase when the engine speed increases to the maximum speed as the noise in the vehicle compartment detected by the noise detection means decreases.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the engine control means changes the operating point of the engine in accordance with the magnitude of noise in the vehicle compartment detected by the noise detection means.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the noise detection means estimates a noise level in the vehicle interior based on a vehicle speed. Moreover, it is preferable that the said noise detection means estimates the magnitude | size of the said vehicle interior noise from the setting conditions of vehicle equipment. It is preferable that the setting conditions of the in-vehicle device include audio volume setting.

  According to the present invention, traveling in a state where engine noise (engine sound) is suppressed can be continued for a relatively long time.

1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between a vehicle speed and a vehicle output. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the noise in a vehicle interior. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the rotation speed at the time of engine operation. It is a figure which shows the driving | running | working area | region characteristic of an engine prescribed | regulated by rotation speed and a torque. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the noise in a vehicle interior, and the rotation speed of an engine. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the noise in a vehicle interior. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the charge amount of a battery.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
First, an example of the configuration of the hybrid vehicle will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a hybrid vehicle (hereinafter also simply referred to as “vehicle”) 10 according to the present embodiment includes a front motor 11 and a rear motor 12 that are travel motors, and an engine 13 as a drive source for travel. As prepared. The driving force of the front motor 11 is transmitted to the front wheels 15 via the front drive transmission mechanism 14. The driving force of the rear motor 12 is transmitted to the rear wheel 17 via the rear drive transmission mechanism 16. A battery 19 is connected to the front motor 11 via a front (Fr) motor inverter 18, and a battery 19 is connected to the rear motor 12 via a rear (Re) motor inverter 20. Electric power corresponding to the passenger's pedal operation is supplied from the battery 19 to the motors 11 and 12 via the inverters 18 and 20.

  The engine 13 is driven by burning the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 24. A generator (generator) 26 is connected to the engine 13 via an output system 25. The generator 26 is connected to the battery 19 (and the front motor 11) via a generator inverter 27. The output system 25 is connected to the generator 26, and is also connected to the front drive transmission mechanism 14 via the clutch 28.

  When the engine 13 is driven according to the driving state of the vehicle 10, the driving force of the engine 13 is first transmitted to the generator 26 via the output system 25. The generator 26 is rotated by the driving force of the engine 13, and the electric power generated by the generator 26 is appropriately supplied to the battery 19 and the motors 11 and 12 as necessary. When the output system 25 and the front drive transmission mechanism 14 are connected by the clutch 28 according to the driving state of the vehicle 10, the driving force of the engine 13 is transmitted to the generator 26 and also to the front wheels 15.

  The hybrid vehicle 10 having such a configuration has a first traveling mode in which only the front motor 11 and the rear motor 12 (only the motor) are driven, and a second traveling mode in which the engine 13 is driven together with the front motor 11 and the rear motor 12. These are appropriately selected according to the driving state of the vehicle 10.

  For example, in this embodiment, the EV mode (first travel mode) using the front motor 11 and the rear motor 12 as power sources for vehicle travel, and the engine 13 as the generator 26 using the front motor 11 and rear motor 12 as power sources for vehicle travel. A series mode (second travel mode) used as a power source for the vehicle 10 or a parallel mode (second travel mode) in which each of the front motor 11, the rear motor 12, and the engine 13 is a power source for vehicle travel is used for the vehicle 10. It is suitably selected according to the operating state.

  Further, the vehicle 10 is provided with a control device 30 which is an ECU (electronic control unit) that comprehensively controls various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The control device 30 includes an input / output device, a storage device (ROM, RAM, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer counter, and the like. Moreover, the control apparatus 30 grasps | ascertains the driving | running state of the vehicle 10 based on the signal from the various sensors provided in the vehicle 10, and controls various apparatuses collectively based on it. The present invention is characterized by the control of the engine 13 executed by the control device 30 as described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 30 includes a motor control unit 31 that controls driving of the front motor 11 and the rear motor 12, and an engine control unit 32 that controls driving of the engine 13, and a traveling mode selection unit 34. And noise mode selection means 35.

  The travel mode selection unit 34 appropriately selects one of the above-described EV mode, series mode, and parallel mode based on the driving state of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the travel mode selection means 34 includes a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 41, an accelerator opening degree of the vehicle 10 detected by the accelerator position sensor (APS) 42 (request output required for the vehicle 10), a battery. The traveling mode is appropriately selected based on the charge amount (SOC) of the battery 19 detected by the battery sensor 43 included in the battery 19.

  The noise mode selection means 35 selects a silent mode for suppressing the sound volume (engine sound) of the engine 13 as the noise mode of the vehicle 10 in response to a driver (occupant) request. That is, the vehicle 10 has a normal mode and a silent mode in which engine noise is suppressed as compared with the normal mode as the noise mode, and the noise mode selection means 35 selects the silent mode when the driver requests. To do. For example, when the hybrid vehicle 10 is started, the normal mode is selected, and when the driver requests switching to the silent mode by operating the selection switch 44 or the like, the noise mode selection unit 35 selects the silent mode. select.

  Here, regardless of whether the normal mode or the silent mode is selected by the noise mode selection unit 35, the travel mode selection unit 34 selects one of the EV mode, the series mode, and the parallel mode based on the driving state of the vehicle 10. Select as appropriate.

  When the normal mode is selected by the noise mode selection unit 35, when the series mode or the parallel mode, which is the second travel mode, is selected as the travel mode, the engine control unit 32 determines whether the battery charge rate (SOC) or The engine 13 is operated as appropriate in accordance with a request output required for the vehicle by the driver (for example, the accelerator opening of the vehicle 10 detected by the accelerator position sensor (APS) 42).

  On the other hand, when the quiet mode is selected by the noise mode selection means 35, when the series mode or the parallel mode, which is the second travel mode, is selected as the travel mode, the engine control means 32 causes the request output and the battery 19 to In addition to the amount of charge (SOC) and the like, the operating state of the engine 13 is appropriately controlled according to the magnitude (volume) of noise in the passenger compartment.

  Specifically, the control device 30 according to the present embodiment includes noise detection means 36 that detects the magnitude (volume) of the noise in the passenger compartment. In the present embodiment, the noise detection means 36 detects (estimates) the magnitude of noise in the passenger compartment based on the vehicle speed. That is, the noise detection means 36 detects (estimates) the magnitude of noise in the passenger compartment based on the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor 41 provided in the vehicle 10.

  The noise in the passenger compartment also increases due to the increase in engine noise and road noise accompanying the increase in vehicle speed. Therefore, the magnitude of noise in the passenger compartment can be estimated based on the vehicle speed.

  The engine control unit 32 appropriately controls the operating state of the engine 13 based on the detection result of the noise detection unit 36. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle output (required output) Tra increases during traveling in the EV mode, the electric power from the battery 19 is in a state where the vehicle output (required output) is less than or equal to a predetermined value Tr1. When the motors 11 and 12 are operated by the supply and the vehicle output Tra increases beyond the predetermined value Tr1, the mode is shifted to the series mode and the engine 13 is operated. That is, when the vehicle output increases beyond the predetermined value Tr <b> 1, the motors 11 and 12 are operated with the electric power generated by the engine 13 together with the electric power supplied from the battery 19.

  When the silent mode is selected when the vehicle output (required output) exceeds the predetermined value Tr1 and the engine 13 is operated, the engine control means 32 increases the amount of noise increase in the vehicle interior by a predetermined increase. The operating state of the engine 13 is appropriately controlled so as to be less than the amount.

  As shown in an example in FIG. 4, the engine control means 32 is configured such that the vehicle interior noise N (Na) before the engine 13 is activated (between t0 and t1) and the state in which the engine 13 is operated (after t1). The operating state of the engine 13 is appropriately controlled so that the maximum difference (Nb−Na) with respect to the noise N (Nb) in the passenger compartment becomes a predetermined value (predetermined increase amount) or less. Preferably, the engine control means 32 appropriately controls the engine 13 so that the noise in the passenger compartment does not increase.

  Specifically, for example, when the noise mode is the normal mode, the engine control unit 32 controls the engine 13 so that the vehicle output Tra increases to the first maximum value Trm1, whereas the noise mode is the silent mode. In this case, the engine 13 is controlled so that the vehicle output Tra increases to the second maximum value Trm2 (<Trm1) (see FIG. 3). That is, the maximum value of the vehicle output Tra in the silent mode is limited more than the maximum value of the vehicle output Tra in the normal mode.

  When the noise mode is the silent mode, it is preferable to limit the maximum value (maximum number of rotations) of the engine speed Ne as compared with that in the normal mode in accordance with the limitation of the vehicle output Tra. Furthermore, it is preferable that the rate of increase when the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 is increased to the maximum value in the silent mode is also limited compared to that in the normal mode. At this time, it is preferable that the rate of increase when increasing the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 in the silent mode is changed according to the level of noise in the passenger compartment. Specifically, it is preferable to decrease the increase rate of the engine speed as the noise in the passenger compartment decreases. Thereby, the rapid change of the noise in a vehicle interior can be suppressed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the maximum value of the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 in the normal mode is set to the first rotational speed Ne1, whereas the maximum rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 in the silent mode is set. The value is limited to the second rotational speed Ne2 (<Ne1). As a result, the amount of increase in noise in the passenger compartment can be more reliably set to a predetermined amount or less.

  Further, in the normal mode, the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 is increased to the first rotational speed Ne1 at the first increase rate α (between t11 and t12). On the other hand, in the silent mode, the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 is increased to the second rotational speed Ne2 at the second increase rate β (<α) (between t11 and t13). Thereby, when the rotation speed Ne of the engine 13 changes, a rapid change in the engine sound can be suppressed, which also suppresses an increase in noise in the passenger compartment.

  In the present embodiment, when the silent mode is selected, the maximum value of the rotational speed of the engine 13 is limited to the second rotational speed Ne2, but this restriction is canceled as necessary. Also good. For example, when the accelerator opening is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the limitation on the rotational speed of the engine 13 is temporarily released, and the rotational speed of the engine 13 is increased to the first rotational speed Ne1 as in the normal mode. You may do it.

  Further, the engine control means 32 may change the operating point determined by the engine speed and the engine output (torque) between the normal mode and the silent mode based on, for example, the map shown in FIG. . In other words, the engine control unit 32 may control the engine 13 with an emphasis on efficiency in the normal mode, and may switch to the control content of the engine 13 with more emphasis on noise suppression than in the normal mode in the silent mode.

  In the map shown in FIG. 6, the operating points having the same fuel consumption efficiency are shown as, for example, isofuel lines P1, P2, and P3 indicated by dotted lines in the figure. Curves A, B, and C indicated by alternate long and short dash lines in the figure indicate operating points at which the power (rotation speed × torque) output from the engine 13 is constant. The driving point S1 in the normal mode is set to pass inside the iso-fuel consumption line P1 having the highest efficiency, whereas the driving point S2 in the silent mode passes through the outside of the iso-fuel consumption line P1. Is set.

  Also by changing the operating point based on such a map, the amount of noise increase in the passenger compartment can be made equal to or less than the predetermined amount of increase.

  As described above, in the silent mode, the operation of the engine 13 is controlled so that the increase amount of the noise in the vehicle interior is equal to or less than the predetermined increase amount, so that the state close to the EV mode even when the engine 13 is operated. Thus, the vehicle 10 can be driven. That is, in the normal mode, even if the engine 13 is operated with the charge amount of the battery 19 in which the EV mode is selected being relatively high, the occupant rarely feels noise or discomfort. Therefore, a decrease in the charge amount of the battery 19 can be suppressed, and the traveling time in the silent mode can be made relatively long. That is, the traveling of the vehicle 10 in a state where the noise of the engine 13 (engine sound) is suppressed can be continued for a relatively long time.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the vehicle control apparatus according to the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, when the silent mode is selected and the noise in the vehicle interior increases during steady running in the EV mode, the engine 13 is controlled so that the amount of increase in the vehicle interior noise is equal to or less than the predetermined increase amount. This is an example of controlling.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment includes a microphone (sound collecting means) 45 that collects sound in the vehicle interior, and the noise detection means 36 included in the control device 30 is the microphone 45. Is used to detect the magnitude of noise in the passenger compartment.

  When the vehicle 10 is traveling in the EV mode and the noise detection unit 36 detects noise in the vehicle interior that is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value N1, the engine control unit 32 operates the engine 13. For example, even when the requirements for starting the engine 13 such as the required output and the amount of charge (SOC) of the battery 19 are not satisfied, if the noise N in the passenger compartment is greater than or equal to the threshold value N1, the traveling mode selection means 34 The series mode is selected as the traveling mode, and the engine control means 32 operates the engine 13 as appropriate. As a result, the electric power generated by the generator 26 is supplied to the battery 19, the motors 11, 12, and the like.

  At that time, the engine control means 32 appropriately controls the engine 13 so that the increase amount of the sound collected by the microphone 45, that is, the increase amount of the noise in the passenger compartment is equal to or less than a predetermined increase amount set in advance. . The threshold value N1 is set to a value that does not increase the noise in the passenger compartment if at least the engine 13 is idling.

  The engine control means 32, for example, makes the set rotational speed of the engine 13 smaller as the noise in the vehicle interior decreases, in order to keep the increase in the noise in the vehicle interior below a predetermined increase amount. In other words, the engine control means 32 increases the set rotational speed of the engine 13 as the noise in the passenger compartment increases.

  As shown in an example in FIG. 8, when the noise N in the vehicle interior becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value N1, the engine control unit 32 operates the engine 13 and thereafter, as the noise N in the vehicle interior increases, the engine speed Ne increases. Make it bigger. In this example, the rotational speed Ne of the engine 13 is gradually increased from the lower limit value Nea to the upper limit value Neb. As a result, the amount of power generated by the generator 26 can be increased while suppressing an increase in vehicle interior noise due to engine sound.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle 10 equipped with the control device 30 according to the present embodiment starts traveling in the EV mode and the noise N in the passenger compartment is lower than the threshold value N1 (t20− During t21), the engine 13 is not operated. That is, the vehicle 10 travels while maintaining the EV mode. At time t21, for example, when an in-vehicle device such as an audio is operated and the noise N in the passenger compartment increases beyond the threshold value N1, the engine control unit 32 operates the engine 13. Note that the engine control means 32 may estimate the noise in the passenger compartment based on the setting conditions of the in-vehicle device such as audio volume setting.

  In addition, the engine control means 32 appropriately controls the engine 13 so that the rotation speed is set based on the magnitude (Na) of the noise N at that time. Thereby, the increase amount (Nb-Na) of the noise N in the passenger compartment becomes equal to or less than the predetermined increase amount.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the silent mode is selected, the vehicle interior noise is relatively large even when the vehicle can travel in the EV mode. Therefore, even if the engine 13 is operated, the amount of increase in the vehicle interior noise is increased. Can be less than or equal to a predetermined increase. By actively operating the engine 13 in such a state, the battery 19 can be charged as if the vehicle is traveling in the EV mode, and a decrease in the charge amount of the battery 19 can be suppressed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the normal mode is selected as the noise mode and the vehicle 10 is in steady running in the EV mode, the charge amount (SOC) of the battery 19 gradually decreases and at time t31. When the predetermined first charge amount C1 is reached, the series mode is selected by the travel mode selection means, and the engine control means 32 drives the engine 13 so that the generator 26 is charged.

  When the charge amount (SOC) of the battery 19 recovers to a predetermined second charge amount C2 (> C1) at time t32, the operation of the engine 13 is stopped and the charging is finished. Thereafter, the battery 19 is repeatedly charged and discharged between the first charge amount C1 and the second charge amount C2. Therefore, when the normal mode is selected as the noise mode, after the time t32, the noise in the passenger compartment may be significantly increased by operating the engine 13.

  On the other hand, when the silent mode is selected as the noise mode and the vehicle 10 is in steady running in the EV mode, if the vehicle interior noise is equal to or higher than the threshold N1, as described above, for example, the charge amount of the battery 19 at time t30 When (SOC) decreases to the third charge amount C3, the series mode is selected by the travel mode selection unit 34, the engine control unit 32 operates the engine 13, and the generator 26 performs charging. At this time, as described above, the operating state of the engine 13 is appropriately controlled so that the amount of increase in noise in the passenger compartment is set to a predetermined amount or less.

  Furthermore, since the number of revolutions of the engine 13 is limited, the amount of charge of the battery 19 does not necessarily increase, but a decrease in the amount of charge of the battery 19 is suppressed as compared to the normal mode. Therefore, in the state where the silent mode is selected, it is possible to continue traveling of the vehicle 10 for a relatively long time in a state where the noise (engine sound) of the engine 13 is suppressed compared to the case where the normal mode is selected. it can. For example, this is particularly effective when music is played at a high volume from the in-vehicle audio.

  Even when the silent mode is selected, when the charge amount of the battery 19 decreases to the first charge amount C1, the first charge amount C1 and the second charge amount C2 are reduced as in the normal mode. In the meantime, charging and discharging of the battery 19 are repeated.

  The third charge amount C3 is preferably set to such a charge amount that the battery 19 can sufficiently accept the regenerative power. Although not shown, it is preferable to stop the engine 13 when the charge amount (SOC) of the battery 19 reaches a preset fourth charge amount (> third charge amount).

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, of course, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning, it can change suitably.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the silent mode is selected, the engine is operated so that the increase amount of noise in the vehicle interior is equal to or less than the predetermined increase amount, but this control is merely an example, The timing for executing engine control based on the noise in the passenger compartment is not particularly limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hybrid vehicle 11 Front motor 12 Rear motor 13 Engine 19 Battery 26 Generator 30 Control apparatus 31 Motor control means 32 Engine control means 34 Travel mode selection means 35 Noise mode selection means 36 Noise detection means 41 Vehicle speed sensor 42 Acceleration position sensor (APS)
43 Battery sensor 44 Selection switch 45 Microphone (sound collecting means)

Claims (8)

A control device for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: a traveling motor; a battery that supplies electric power to the traveling motor; and a generator that is driven by an engine and generates electric power supplied to at least the battery,
Noise detection means for detecting the magnitude of noise in the passenger compartment;
A hybrid vehicle control device comprising: engine control means for operating the engine so that an increase in noise in the vehicle interior detected by the noise detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The hybrid vehicle control device according to claim 1,
The control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, wherein the engine control means operates the engine so that noise in the vehicle interior detected by the noise detection means does not increase. The hybrid vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The hybrid vehicle control device, wherein the engine control means reduces the maximum engine speed as the noise in the vehicle compartment detected by the noise detection means decreases. A control device for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 3,
The hybrid vehicle characterized in that the engine control means reduces the rate of increase when the engine speed increases to the maximum speed as the noise in the vehicle compartment detected by the noise detection means decreases. Control device. A control device for a hybrid vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control device for a hybrid vehicle, wherein the engine control means changes an operating point of the engine in accordance with a magnitude of noise in the vehicle compartment detected by the noise detection means. A control device for a hybrid vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control device for a hybrid vehicle, wherein the noise detecting means estimates a noise level in the vehicle interior based on a vehicle speed. A control device for a hybrid vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control device for a hybrid vehicle, wherein the noise detection means estimates a noise level in the vehicle interior from a setting condition of an in-vehicle device. A control device for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 7,
The hybrid vehicle control device characterized in that the setting condition of the in-vehicle device includes an audio volume setting.

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