JP2021024440A - Control apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform an efficient operation while inhibiting a breakdown of a motor generator.SOLUTION: A control apparatus according to an embodiment comprises an acquisition part and a changeover part. The acquisition part acquires vehicle situations. The changeover part switches one motor generator, which is an activation object, of a plurality of motor generators having different characteristics, respectively, depending on the vehicle situations acquired by the acquisition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to control devices and control methods.

Conventionally, a control device that controls a motor generator that has both the function of an electric motor that assists the driving of the engine when the vehicle is started or running, and the function of a charger that generates electricity and charges by the regenerative energy generated when the vehicle decelerates. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2018-154260

However, there is room for further improvement in the prior art in order to operate the motor generator efficiently while suppressing the failure of the motor generator.

For example, if only one motor generator is installed in the vehicle, the same motor generator is activated exclusively, so the possibility of failure is naturally high. Further, since the same motor generator is activated in any situation of the vehicle, it is not possible to efficiently charge and discharge according to the situation of the vehicle.

Further, even if a plurality of motor generators are mounted, usually, a plurality of motor generators having one type of characteristic are mounted. Therefore, there is no room for selecting a motor generator to be activated according to the vehicle condition, and it is also impossible to efficiently charge and discharge the motor generator according to the vehicle condition.

One aspect of the embodiment is made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a control method capable of efficiently operating the motor while suppressing a failure of the motor generator.

The control device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a switching unit. The acquisition unit acquires the status of the vehicle. The switching unit switches one of a plurality of motor generators having different characteristics to be activated according to the situation of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to operate the motor generator efficiently while suppressing the failure of the motor generator.

FIG. 1A is a schematic explanatory view of a control method according to a comparative example. FIG. 1B is a schematic explanatory view of a control method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of switching contents according to the situation of the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the control device and control method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

Further, in the following, when it is necessary to distinguish between different motor generators, it is described as "motor generator MG1", "motor generator MG2" ..., but when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, "motor generator MG". It is described as.

First, an outline of the control method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A is a schematic explanatory view of a control method according to a comparative example. Further, FIG. 1B is a schematic explanatory view of the control method according to the embodiment.

First, the control method according to the comparative example will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the control method according to the comparative example, the vehicle equipped with the control device 1 has an engine ENG, a transmission TM, a starter ST, a Li (lithium) ion battery B1, a lead battery B2, and an electric load 10. Be prepared. In addition, the vehicle comprises one motor generator MG.

The engine ENG is an internal combustion engine that runs a vehicle. The transmission TM is a device that transmits the driving force of the engine ENG to the propeller shaft 11. The starter ST is a starter motor that starts the engine ENG.

The electric load 10 is various electrical components mounted on the vehicle. The Li-ion battery B1 is, for example, a 48V secondary battery that supplies electric power to the motor generator MG1 and stores electric power generated by the motor generator MG.

The lead battery B2 is, for example, a 12V secondary battery, which supplies electric power to the starter ST and the electric load 10, and stores the electric power generated by the motor generator MG.

The motor generator MG is a rotary electric machine having the function of an electric motor that assists the driving of the engine ENG when the vehicle engine ENG is started or running, and the function of a charger that generates electricity and charges by the regenerative energy generated when the vehicle is decelerated. Is.

A pulley 15 is attached to the propeller shaft 11 of the engine ENG, and a pulley 16 is attached to the rotating shaft 12 of the motor generator MG. A belt 19 is wound around the pulleys 15 and 16.

As a result, the motor generator MG can assist the driving of the engine ENG when the engine ENG is started or when the vehicle is running by rotating the rotating shaft 12. Further, the motor generator MG can generate electricity and charge the vehicle by using the regenerative energy generated when the vehicle is decelerated.

The control device 1 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls charging / discharging of the motor generator MG. The control device 1 starts the motor generator MG, for example, when it receives a start instruction of the motor generator MG from a higher-level vehicle control ECU that controls the entire vehicle. Further, the control device 1 stops the motor generator MG when it receives a stop instruction of the motor generator MG from the vehicle control ECU.

By the way, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 1A, when only one motor generator MG is mounted on the vehicle, the same motor generator MG is started exclusively, so that the possibility of failure naturally increases. Further, since the same motor generator MG is activated in any situation of the vehicle, it is not possible to efficiently charge and discharge according to the situation of the vehicle.

Further, even if a plurality of motor generator MGs are mounted, usually, a plurality of motor generators MG having one type of characteristic are mounted. Therefore, there is no room for selecting the motor generator MG that starts according to the vehicle condition, and it is also not possible to efficiently charge and discharge according to the vehicle condition.

Therefore, in the control method according to the embodiment, it is decided to provide a plurality of motor generators MG having different characteristics. In addition, after that, it was decided to acquire the status of the vehicle and switch the motor generator MG to be started so that efficient charging / discharging is performed according to the acquired status.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the control method according to the embodiment, a plurality of (here, three) motor generators MG1, MG2, MG3 having different characteristics are mounted on the vehicle.

Since FIG. 1B corresponds to FIG. 1A, a part different from FIG. 1A will be mainly described here. Pulleys 16, 17, and 18 are attached to the rotating shafts 12, 13, and 14 of the motor generators MG1, MG2, and MG3. A belt 19 is wound around the pulleys 15, 16, 17, and 18.

As a result, the motor generators MG1, MG2, and MG3 can assist the driving of the engine ENG when the engine ENG is started or the vehicle is running by rotating the rotation shafts 12, 13, and 14. Further, the motor generators MG1, MG2, MG3 can generate electricity and charge by the regenerative energy generated when the vehicle is decelerated.

Then, in the control method according to the embodiment in such a configuration, the control device 1 acquires the vehicle condition and switches the motor generators MG1, MG2, and MG3 to be used according to the acquired vehicle condition. As shown in FIG. 1B, the characteristics of the motor generators MG1, MG2, and MG3 are different from each other.

Although the example of FIG. 1B shows a case where the hardware characteristics are different, a case where the software characteristics are different may be included. The case where the software characteristics are different is, for example, the case where the firmware version numbers of the motor generators MG1, MG2, and MG3 are different.

The specific switching contents according to the vehicle conditions will be described later in the explanation using FIG. 3, but for example, when starting a vehicle that requires power, the high-power motor generator MG has priority. Is selected.

As a result, according to the control method according to the embodiment, the motor generator MG can be efficiently operated according to the situation of the vehicle.

Further, in the control method according to the embodiment, in addition to this, the state of the motor generator MG can be constantly monitored, and for example, the motor generator MG can be excluded from the selection target based on the monitoring result.

Specifically, the control device 1 constantly monitors the state of the motor generator MG, and determines the usable time based on, for example, the usage time of each motor generator MG and the preset useful life of each motor generator MG. calculate. Then, if the usable time is less than a predetermined threshold value, the corresponding motor generator MG is excluded from the selection target.

Alternatively, the motor generator MG may be selected and switched so that the cumulative usage time and the above-mentioned usable time are made uniform among the motor generator MGs.

As a result, according to the control method according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the failure of the motor generator MG. In addition, it can be used for a long period of time.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the control device 1 to which the control method according to the above-described embodiment is applied will be described more specifically.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control device 1 according to the embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the components necessary for explaining the features of the present embodiment, and the description of general components is omitted.

In other words, each component shown in FIG. 2 is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. For example, the specific form of distribution / integration of each block is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the block may be functionally or physically distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. It can be integrated and configured.

Further, in the description using FIG. 2, the description of the components already described may be simplified or omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 1 includes a storage unit 2 and a control unit 3. The storage unit 2 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory (Flash Memory), or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. In the example of FIG. 2, the storage unit 2 and the useful life information 2a , The usable time information 2b and the usable time information 2c are stored.

The useful life information 2a is information on the useful life of each motor generator MG, and is set at the first operation of the control device 1. The usage time information 2b is information regarding the usage time for each motor generator MG, and is acquired and stored by the monitoring unit 3c described later. The usable time information 2c is the usable time for each motor generator MG, which is calculated and stored by the calculation unit 3d described later.

The control unit 3 is a controller. For example, various programs stored in a storage device inside the control device 1 by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like use RAM as a work area. It is realized by being executed. Further, the control unit 3 can be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The control unit 3 has an acquisition unit 3a, a switching unit 3b, a monitoring unit 3c, and a calculation unit 3d, and realizes or executes an information processing function or operation described below.

The acquisition unit 3a receives output signals from various sensors SR mounted on the vehicle, and acquires the status of the vehicle based on the output signals. The various sensor SRs include various sensors for acquiring the vehicle status, such as a camera, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an accelerator sensor, a brake sensor, a steering angle sensor, and an SOC (State Of Charge).

The switching unit 3b switches the motor generator MG so that the motor generator MG suitable for the situation is used according to the situation of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 3a. Here, the contents of switching according to the situation of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of switching contents according to the situation of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle is in the starting state, the switching unit 3b is selected to preferentially use the high output motor generator MG because it requires power. Further, in the case of constant speed traveling, the power does not need to be high output, so the switching unit 3b is selected to use, for example, a low output motor generator MG.

Further, in the case of acceleration traveling or deceleration traveling, the switching unit 3b adds, for example, SOC, and uses a high-output motor generator MG so that rapid charging is possible if the SOC is low. Select as much as possible. Further, when the vehicle is stopped, the switching unit 3b is selected to use, for example, a low output motor generator MG.

Further, depending on the version number of the firmware (F / W) given in the above-mentioned example of software characteristics, for example, the firmware of the latest version number among a plurality of motor generator MGs is applied to the switching unit 3b. Select to use the motor generator MG.

Returning to the description of FIG. Further, the switching unit 3b can refer to the usage time information 2b and select the motor generator MG to be used for averaging the usage time when the usage time for each motor generator MG is biased. In such a case, the switching unit 3b selects, for example, preferentially use the motor generator MG having a shorter usage time than the others.

Further, the switching unit 3b can refer to the usable time information 2c, and if there is a motor generator MG whose usable time is less than a predetermined threshold value, the switching unit 3b can exclude the motor generator MG from the subsequent selection targets. ..

Further, when the usable time of the selected motor generator MG is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold value, the switching unit 3b switches to the motor generator MG.

The monitoring unit 3c constantly monitors the state of the motor generator MG. Such a state includes the usage time of the motor generator MG. The monitoring unit 3c acquires the usage time and stores it in the usage time information 2b. Further, the monitoring unit 3c notifies the calculation unit 3d of the usage time of the acquired motor generator MG.

The calculation unit 3d subtracts the notified usage time from the useful life of the useful life information 2a to calculate the usable time of the motor generator MG. Further, the calculation unit 3d stores the calculated usable time in the usable time information 2c.

Next, the processing procedure executed by the control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control device 1 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, in the case of the first operation (step S101, Yes), the control unit 3 sets the useful life of each motor generator MG in the useful life information 2a (step S102). If it is not the first operation (steps S101 and No), the process proceeds to step S103.

Then, the acquisition unit 3a acquires the status of the vehicle (step S103). Then, the switching unit 3b selects the motor generator MG to be used according to the acquired vehicle condition (step S104).

Then, the switching unit 3b refers to the usable time information 2c and determines whether or not the usable time of the selected motor generator MG is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S105). Here, if the usable time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S105, Yes), the switching unit 3b switches to the selected motor generator MG (step S106).

Then, the monitoring unit 3c monitors the state of the motor generator MG (step S107). Then, the calculation unit 3d calculates the usable time based on the usable time included in the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 3c and the useful life information 2a (step S108), and stores it in the usable time information 2c. Then, the process from step S103 is repeated.

If the usable time in step S105 is less than a predetermined threshold value (steps S105, No), the switching unit 3b excludes the selected motor generator MG from the selection target (step S109), and performs the process from step S104. repeat.

As described above, the control device 1 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 3a and a switching unit 3b. The acquisition unit 3a acquires the status of the vehicle. The switching unit 3b switches one of a plurality of motor generators MG having different characteristics to be activated according to the situation of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 3a.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to operate the motor generator MG efficiently while suppressing the failure.

The characteristics of the motor generator MG include the hardware characteristics and the software characteristics of the motor generator MG.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, when selecting the motor generator MG suitable for the vehicle situation, not only the difference in hardware characteristics but also the difference in software characteristics can be included in the selection range. That is, the range of optimization can be expanded.

Further, the switching unit 3b selects a relatively high output motor generator MG as the activation target when the vehicle is started.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, the optimum motor generator MG can be started when power is required.

Further, in the switching unit 3b, when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating, the SOC of the battery (corresponding to an example of "charge rate") of the battery stored by the electric power generated by the motor generator MG is less than a predetermined threshold value. If there is, a relatively high output motor generator MG is selected as the activation target.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, the optimum motor generator MG can be started so that rapid charging is possible if the SOC is low.

Further, the switching unit 3b selects a motor generator MG having a relatively low output as the activation target when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed or when the vehicle is stopped.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, when the power is not so much required, the optimum motor generator MG can be started accordingly.

Further, the control device 1 according to the embodiment further includes a calculation unit 3d. The calculation unit 3d calculates the usable time for each motor generator MG based on the used time for each motor generator MG. Further, the switching unit 3b determines the motor generator MG to be excluded from the activation target based on the usable time calculated by the calculation unit 3d.

Therefore, according to the control device 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to take the option of not using the motor generator MG, which is presumed to have a short usable time and a low reliability. As a result, the failure of the motor generator MG can be suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of motor generators MG is 3 is given as an example, but it may be a plurality of motor generators, 2 or 4 or more.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments expressed and described as described above. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 Control device 2 Storage unit 2a Service life information 2b Usage time information 2c Usable time information 3 Control unit 3a Acquisition unit 3b Switching unit 3c Monitoring unit 3d Calculation unit MG motor generator

Claims (7)

The acquisition department that acquires the status of the vehicle and
A control device including a switching unit that switches one of a plurality of motor generators having different characteristics to be activated according to the vehicle conditions acquired by the acquisition unit. The characteristics of the motor generator are
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the motor generator includes hardware characteristics and software characteristics. The switching unit is
The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor generator having a relatively high output is selected as the activation target when the vehicle is started. The switching unit is
When the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating, if the charge rate of the battery stored by the electric power generated by the motor generator is less than a predetermined threshold value, the relatively high output motor generator is activated. The control device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control device is selected as. The switching unit is
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the motor generator having a relatively low output is selected as the activation target when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed or when the vehicle is stopped. .. Further provided with a calculation unit that calculates the usable time for each motor generator based on the used time for each motor generator.
The switching unit is
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the motor generator to be excluded from the activation target is determined based on the usable time calculated by the calculation unit. The acquisition process to acquire the status of the vehicle and
A control method including a switching step of switching one of a plurality of motor generators having different characteristics to be activated according to the situation of the vehicle acquired in the acquisition process.

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