JP4708127B2 - Vehicle power management device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular power management apparatus that monitors a power supply state of an in-vehicle electric load and issues an alarm based on a monitoring result.

Conventionally, in order to prevent the in-vehicle battery from rising, an in-vehicle power supply monitoring device that detects the power supply voltage of the in-vehicle battery and warns the driver when the detected power supply voltage is below a predetermined threshold is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). This in-vehicle power supply monitoring device prompts the driver to turn off an electrical load such as a car audio device by a warning, and prevents the battery from running out.
JP 2003-246246 A

  However, since the above-described conventional technology only prompts the driver to turn off the electric load by a warning, if the driver drives the vehicle without taking any action in response to the warning, the state of the power supply at that time Depending on the current consumption due to the operation of an electric load, the power supply voltage may be significantly reduced, and some electric load may cause a malfunction.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular power management device that prevents a driver from traveling without taking any action against an alarm related to a power supply.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention,
When starting the engine, it is determined whether or not the discharge performance of the power supply is below a predetermined level. There is provided a vehicle power management device that selects either the electric load operation suppression mode for suppressing the operation of the vehicle or the travel prohibition mode for prohibiting the vehicle from traveling.

  According to this aspect, since either the electric load operation suppression mode or the travel prohibition mode is selected in a controlled manner, even if the discharge performance of the power source is degraded, the vehicle travels without taking any measures. It will not continue. At this time, as long as there is no selection input of the electric load operation suppression mode, it is preferable that the travel prohibition mode is automatically selected.

  By the way, the determination of the discharge performance of the power source includes the determination of the deterioration state and the capacity state of the battery. Therefore, when it is determined that the battery capacity is insufficient, it is preferable to execute power generation promotion control capable of charging the battery, and further, when the battery capacity shortage is resolved, normal driving is allowed. Is desirable.

  In addition, it is desirable to provide a start preparation state detecting means for detecting a state where the vehicle is ready to start, and automatically select the electric load operation suppression mode when the start preparation state is detected. For example, when a shift operation to the driving range (D range) or the release of the parking brake is detected as a start preparation state before the vehicle travels, the electric load operation suppression mode is automatically selected. There is no need to perform a new operation to suppress the operation of the.

  It is also desirable to automatically select the travel prohibition mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the alarm. Thereby, even if there is no selection input of the electric load operation suppression mode, the traveling of the vehicle can be automatically prohibited after a certain time has passed since the alarm.

  The travel prohibition mode includes a mode in which the engine is automatically stopped and a mode in which the travel is prohibited by shift or brake control.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent a driver | operator driving | running | working a vehicle, without dealing with the warning regarding a power supply.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle system to which one embodiment of a vehicle power management device of the present invention is applied. The vehicle is equipped with various electric loads 50. The electric load 50 includes, for example, an electric power steering (EPS) device 40 that assists a driver's steering operation by generating an assist force according to a steering state, and an active stabilizer device that performs posture control by adjusting a roll angle of the vehicle. 42, an engine control device 44, and a brake control device 46. Other specific examples include air conditioners, rear defoggers, rear wipers, mirror heaters, seat heaters, audio, lamps, cigar sockets, various ECUs (Electronic Control Units), and other electric devices 48 such as solenoid valves. is there. The power source of these electric loads 50 is the battery 2 or the generator 4 (for example, an alternator that can charge the battery 2). The battery 2 and the generator 4 supply power to the electric load 50 through the power line 60.

  The power management control unit 10 monitors the state of the power sources such as the battery 2 and the generator 4 via the power line 60 and determines the discharge performance of the power source. The power management control unit 10 can be realized as an ECU including a plurality of circuit elements such as a microcomputer, a ROM that stores programs, a RAM that temporarily stores data, an input interface, and an output interface. The power management control unit 10 includes a deterioration state determination unit 12 and a capacity state determination unit 14 and executes predetermined control described later.

  The deterioration state determination unit 12 determines the deterioration state of the power source, and determines the deterioration state according to, for example, the degree of power supply voltage drop when the engine is started. When starting the engine, a very large current (also called inrush current) flows from the power supply to the large-capacitance capacitors provided in the starter and in-vehicle electronic devices, so the power supply voltage is high even if the inrush current flows. If it can be maintained, it can be considered that the power supply has not deteriorated, and if the high power supply voltage cannot be maintained, it can be considered that the power supply has deteriorated. Therefore, the deterioration state determination unit 12 determines that the power supply is deteriorated when the minimum value of the power supply voltage that drops when the starter is on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, as an example of a method for determining the deterioration state of the power supply. The deterioration state determination unit 12 may determine that the power supply is deteriorated when the time until the power supply voltage value drops to the predetermined voltage value when a predetermined large current is passed is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. That is, the deterioration state of the power source is determined by measuring the discharge duration until the power source voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value when a large current is passed. It can be considered that the longer the discharge duration, the less the deterioration.

  On the other hand, the capacity state determination unit 14 determines the capacity state of the battery 2, for example, determines the capacity state according to the power supply voltage value of the battery 2. When determining an accurate capacity state based on the power supply voltage value, it is desirable to use the power supply voltage value in a state in which the battery 2 is charged and discharged as little as possible. Therefore, the capacity state determination unit 14 is an example of a method for determining the capacity state of the battery 2 when the ignition switch or push switch that informs the driver of the engine start is turned on (before the starter is turned on). When the power supply voltage value of the battery 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient. Note that the power supply voltage value when the engine was stopped last time may be stored, and it may be determined whether or not the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient based on the stored value. Further, since the capacity of the battery 2 can be calculated by integration (integration) of the charging / discharging current of the battery 2, it may be determined whether or not the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient based on the calculation result. (For example, it is determined that the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient when the calculated capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold). This is because the rate of change over time in the amount of electricity (the capacity of the battery 2) corresponds to the current.

  The power management control unit 10 is connected to a user operation input unit 20 that is an input interface for receiving an occupant's operation, and an alarm unit 30 that issues an alarm to the occupant. 50 is connected. The user operation input unit 20 transmits instruction information from the user to the power management control unit 10 to the power management control unit 10 by a switch operation, a touch panel operation, voice input, or the like. The alarm unit 30 transmits the result of the power management control unit 10 executing predetermined control to the user in a manner that can be recognized by the user, such as display display and voice output.

  By the way, when the engine is started when the power supply is deteriorated or the battery capacity is low, or when the battery mounted on the vehicle with the reduced battery capacity is connected to another battery with a booster cable, the engine is restarted. When this is done (also referred to as jump start), it can be said that the discharge performance of the power supply is degraded.

  Here, power supply to the electric load 50 is performed redundantly by the battery 2 and the generator 4. Therefore, even if the discharge performance of the power source is lowered as described above, for example, even if the discharge performance of the battery 2 is lowered to some extent, the power supply to the electric load 50 is possible by the generator 4.

  However, when a system that consumes a large current exceeding the power generation capacity of the generator 4 (the above-described electric power steering device 40, active stabilizer device 42, etc.) is activated, the power supply voltage is significantly reduced, and the electric power steering device 40 or There is a possibility that the malfunction of the electric load 50 including the active stabilizer device 42 may occur, and further, the engine may stall. The possibility of the occurrence of such malfunctions becomes even greater as systems that have been mechanically operated, such as the electric power steering device 40 and the active stabilizer device 42, will be rapidly digitized in the future. It is possible to become.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such malfunction and the like, the vehicle power management device of the present invention performs the following operation. FIG. 2 is a first example of a control flow of the power management control unit 10 of the vehicle power management apparatus of the present invention.

  When detecting that the starter that starts the engine is turned on, the power management control unit 10 measures the state of the power supply (step 2) and determines whether or not the discharge performance is below a predetermined level (step 4). For example, the discharge performance is determined by whether or not the minimum value of the power supply voltage that drops when the starter is on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. If the minimum value of the power supply voltage that drops when the starter is on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the power management control unit 10 determines that the discharge performance level has an influence on traveling such as malfunction of the electric load 50 and the predetermined threshold If it is not below, it is determined that the discharge performance level does not affect running. Here, the threshold value for determining the discharge performance level is determined based on the assumed value of the power supply voltage that drops due to the current consumption when a large current system such as the electric power steering device 40 or the active stabilizer device 42 is operated. Good. Further, the high current system is not operating at the stage where the starter is detected to be on, and the discharge performance level is determined before the large current system is operated.

  When it is determined in step 4 that the discharge performance level does not affect traveling, the power management control unit 10 determines that the vehicle can normally travel and sends an operation permission signal to all the electric loads 50 via the in-vehicle LAN 70. Transmit (step 6). Each of the electric loads 50 starts to operate after receiving the operation permission signal. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 4 that the discharge performance level has an influence on traveling, the power management control unit 10 warns the driver that the vehicle cannot normally travel via the alarm unit 30 (step 8).

  At this time, the alarm unit 30 selects whether to 1) stop the engine or to perform function-restricted driving that activates only a minimum function up to a repairable place such as a dealer by display display, audio output, or the like. Conditions are proposed to the driver (step 10).

  When the power management control unit 10 recognizes that the driver has selected to stop the engine via the user operation input unit 20, the power management control unit 10 transmits an engine stop request signal to the engine control device 44 via the in-vehicle LAN 70. The engine control device 44 that has received the engine stop request signal executes control to stop the engine (step 12).

  On the other hand, when the power management control unit 10 recognizes through the user operation input unit 20 that the driver has selected the function-restricted travel, the power management control unit 10 allows all the predetermined functions to be permitted via the in-vehicle LAN 70. An operation permission signal is transmitted to the electric load 50 having the function of permitting the operation among the electric loads 50 (step 14). For example, it is necessary for traveling such as the engine control device 44 and the brake device 46 without permitting the operation of the large current system such as the electric power steering device 40 and the active stabilizer device 42 so as not to exceed the power generation amount of the generator 4. Only devices with minimal functions are allowed to operate. Further, not only the high current system but also the operation of devices (for example, an air conditioner, a rear defogger, and a rear wiper) that are not necessarily required for traveling of the vehicle may not be permitted. Here, even if there is an operation input from an occupant for a device whose operation is not permitted, the device will not operate. Thereby, it can be made to drive | work so that the malfunctioning of the electric load 50 and an engine stall may not occur by the power supply voltage fall.

  It should be noted that not all the operations of the large current system are permitted, but may be partially permitted according to the running state of the vehicle. For example, the operation of the electric power steering device 40 may be prohibited when the vehicle is stopped or at a very low speed, and may be permitted when the vehicle is at a medium or high speed. This is because when the vehicle is stopped or at a very low speed, the steering operation is heavy and the amount of assist increases, so the current consumption of the electric power steering device 40 tends to increase. In other words, even if it is determined that the discharge level has an influence on running, if the current consumption of the electric power steering device 40 at medium and high speeds is not so large as to cause malfunction of the electric load 50, etc., the electric power steering at medium and high speeds The operation of the device 40 may be permitted.

  In step 10, when the alarm unit 30 proposes to the driver a condition for selecting whether the engine is stopped or the function is restricted by a display display, audio output, or the like, “Please push the push switch again within 5 seconds. You may suggest that the engine be stopped. In this case, if the driver does not press the push switch for starting / stopping the engine within 5 seconds, the power management control unit 10 transmits an engine stop request signal to the engine control device 44 via the in-vehicle LAN 70. . On the other hand, if the driver presses the push switch within 5 seconds (if the driver refuses to stop the engine), the power management control unit 10 displays, for example, “System operation restricted running” on the meter or display. Or outputting a sound, the operation permission signal is transmitted only to a device having a minimum function necessary for traveling, such as the engine control device 44 and the brake device 46.

  Further, in step 10, the power management control unit 10 forcibly automatically selects whether the engine is stopped or the function-limited driving without suggesting to the driver a condition for selecting whether the engine is stopped or the function-limited driving. Also good. If the automatically selected default mode is set in advance to either engine stop or function-restricted driving, for example, when engine stop is set as the default mode, the power management control unit 10 in step 10 You must choose to stop.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a second example of the control flow of the power management control unit 10 of the vehicle power management device of the present invention. In the first example shown in FIG. 2, there are two selection conditions of engine stop and function limited travel. However, when the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient, a charging mode for charging the battery 2 is added as a selection condition. May be.

  When detecting that the starter that starts the engine is turned on, the deterioration state determination unit 12 of the power management control unit 10 measures the state of the power supply (step 22) and determines whether or not the power supply is in a deterioration state (step 24). ). The deterioration state determination unit 12 determines that the power supply voltage that falls when the starter is on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the deterioration state is not lower than the predetermined threshold value.

  On the other hand, when the capacity state determination unit 14 of the power management control unit 10 detects that the ignition switch or push switch for starting the engine is turned on, the state of the battery 2 is measured (step 22), and the capacity of the battery 2 is determined. The state is determined (step 24). The capacity state determination unit 14 determines that the battery 2 has insufficient capacity if the power supply voltage value of the battery 2 when the ignition switch or the push switch is turned on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. It is determined that the capacity is not insufficient.

  When it is determined in step 24 that the vehicle is not in a deteriorated state and the capacity is not insufficient, the power management control unit 10 transmits an operation permission signal to all the electric loads 50 through the in-vehicle LAN 70, assuming that the vehicle can normally travel. (Step 26). Each of the electric loads 50 starts to operate after receiving the operation permission signal. On the other hand, if any one of deterioration and insufficient capacity is determined in step 24, the power management control unit 10 warns the driver that the vehicle cannot normally travel via the alarm unit 30 (step 28).

  At this time, if it is determined that the alarm unit 30 is at least in a deteriorated state, 1) the engine is stopped or 2) a place where repair is possible, such as a dealer, at least by display display and sound output. Two selection conditions are proposed to the driver as to whether or not to perform the function-restricted driving in which only a limited function is activated (step 30). On the other hand, when it is determined that the capacity is insufficient without being determined as being in a deteriorated state, the alarm unit 30 1) stops the engine or 2) performs function-restricted travel by display display, voice output, or the like. Or 3) Three selection conditions are proposed to the driver as to whether the battery 2 is to be charged or not (step 30).

  When the power management control unit 10 recognizes that the driver has selected the charging mode via the user operation input unit 20, the electric load capable of executing power generation promotion control for charging the battery 2 via the in-vehicle LAN 70. A power generation promotion control execution request signal is transmitted to 50. The electric load 50 that has received the power generation promotion control execution request signal executes power generation promotion control (step 36). Here, as the power generation promotion control for increasing the charging time of the battery 2, for example, the engine control device 44 may execute a control for increasing the engine idle speed, or a predetermined motor using the battery 2 as a power source is the battery 2. The reverse rotation control may be executed so as to operate as a generator for charging the battery 2, or only the electric load 50 necessary for charging the battery 2 is operated, and the electric load 50 not required for charging the battery 2 is stopped ( Alternatively, control that suppresses the operation may be executed.

  When the capacity of the battery 2 reaches a predetermined value at which normal running is possible in step 38, the execution of power generation promotion control ends (step 38), and the power management control unit 10 determines that the normal running is possible, An operation permission signal is transmitted to the electric load 50 (step 40). That is, if the capacity of the battery 2 is insufficient, the idea is to allow the vehicle to travel after charging the battery 2.

  On the other hand, when the power management control unit 10 recognizes that the driver has selected to stop the engine via the user operation input unit 20 as in the first example shown in FIG. The engine stop request signal is transmitted to the engine control device 44 via the vehicle (step 32), and when it is recognized that the driver has selected the function limited travel, the in-vehicle LAN 70 is used in order to permit the operation of only a predetermined function. Then, an operation permission signal is transmitted to the electric loads 50 having the function of permitting the operation among all the electric loads 50 (step 34).

  Further, in step 30, when the warning unit 30 proposes to the driver a condition for selecting whether to stop the engine, travel with limited function, or the charging mode by display display, voice output, or the like, the constant after the warning in step 28 It may be suggested to determine the selection conditions during the period. For example, “If you do not press the push switch within 5 seconds after the alarm, the function will be restricted.” “If you press the push switch once within 5 seconds after the alarm, the engine will stop.”, “5 seconds after the alarm. If you push the push switch within 2 seconds, you will be in charging mode. ”

  As a result of the proposal, if the driver does not press the push switch within 5 seconds, the power management control unit 10 displays, for example, “During system operation restricted running” on the meter or display, and outputs the sound. The operation permission signal is transmitted only to a device having a minimum function necessary for traveling such as the control device 44 and the brake device 46. If the driver presses the push switch once within 5 seconds, the power management control unit 10 transmits an engine stop request signal to the engine control device 44 via the in-vehicle LAN 70. In addition, if the driver presses the push switch twice within 5 seconds, the power management control unit 10 displays, for example, “in charge mode” on a meter or a display or outputs a sound, and then opens the in-vehicle LAN 70. Then, a power generation promotion control execution request signal is transmitted to the electric load 50 capable of executing the power generation promotion control for charging the battery 2.

  Therefore, according to the above description using the embodiment, the power management device for a vehicle according to the present invention prevents the vehicle from continuing running without taking any action even if the discharge performance of the power supply is reduced. Can do. When the engine stop or the function-limited travel is selected, the driver is forced to feel the necessity of checking or replacing the power supply system such as the battery.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the engine is stopped by the engine control device 44. However, the shift position is automatically moved to the P range or the N range in order to restrict the traveling of the vehicle. A brake may be activated.

  In the above embodiment, the mode is selected by using the ignition switch or push switch for starting the engine. However, the mode is selected by using the touch switch on the display, voice recognition, and the mode selection dedicated switch. Alternatively, the mode may be selected by substituting an existing switch.

  For example, as an existing switch for selecting a mode, a shift position switch for detecting the position of the shift lever, or a parking brake switch for detecting the state of the parking lever or the parking pedal is used. When the alarm unit 30 proposes to the driver a condition for selecting whether the engine is to be stopped or the function is restricted by means of display display, sound output, etc., it detects that the shift position sensor has switched to the D range, When the switch detects the release of the parking brake, the power management control unit 10 considers that the driver has selected the function-limited travel. Then, the power management control unit 10 transmits an operation permission signal to the electric load 50 having a function of permitting the operation among all the electric loads 50 via the in-vehicle LAN 70 in order to permit the operation of only a predetermined function. As a result, the driver can select the function-restricted driving in the process of the preparation operation for starting the vehicle without performing a new operation such as a push switch operation. It becomes difficult.

1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle system to which one embodiment of a vehicle power management device of the present invention is applied. It is a 1st example of the control flow of the power management control part 10 of the power management device for vehicles of this invention. It is a 2nd example of the control flow of the power management control part 10 of the power management device for vehicles of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Battery 4 Generator 10 Power management control unit 12 Degradation state determination unit 14 Capacity state determination unit 20 User operation input unit 30 Alarm unit 50 Electric load 60 Power line 70 In-vehicle LAN

Claims (10)

When starting the engine, it is determined whether or not the discharge performance of the power supply is below a predetermined level. A vehicle power management device that selects either an electric load operation suppression mode that suppresses the operation of the vehicle or a travel prohibition mode that prohibits traveling of the vehicle ,
A vehicle power management apparatus that automatically selects the travel prohibition mode unless there is a selection input of the electric load operation suppression mode .   The power management device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a power supply deterioration state is determined as a discharge performance of the power supply.   The vehicle power management device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity state of the battery is determined as a discharge performance of the power source. The vehicle power management device according to claim 3 , wherein when it is determined that the capacity of the battery is insufficient, power generation promotion control capable of charging the battery is executed. The vehicular power management device according to claim 4 , wherein normal driving is enabled when a shortage of battery capacity is resolved. When starting the engine, it is determined whether or not the discharge performance of the power supply is below a predetermined level. A vehicle power management device that selects either an electric load operation suppression mode that suppresses the operation of the vehicle or a travel prohibition mode that prohibits traveling of the vehicle ,
Determine the capacity status of the battery as the power discharge performance,
A power management device for a vehicle that performs power generation promotion control capable of charging the battery when it is determined that the battery capacity is insufficient, and allows normal traveling when the battery capacity shortage is resolved . When starting the engine, it is determined whether or not the discharge performance of the power supply is below a predetermined level. A vehicle power management device that selects either an electric load operation suppression mode that suppresses the operation of the vehicle or a travel prohibition mode that prohibits traveling of the vehicle ,
A starting preparation state detecting means for detecting a state where the vehicle is ready to start,
A vehicle power management device that automatically selects the electric load operation suppression mode when a start preparation state is detected . When starting the engine, it is determined whether or not the discharge performance of the power supply is below a predetermined level. A vehicle power management device that selects either an electric load operation suppression mode that suppresses the operation of the vehicle or a travel prohibition mode that prohibits traveling of the vehicle ,
A power management apparatus for a vehicle that automatically selects the travel prohibition mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the alarm . The vehicular power management apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 6, 7, and 8 , wherein the travel prohibition mode is a mode in which the engine is automatically stopped. The vehicle power management device according to any one of claims 1, 6, 7, and 8, wherein the travel prohibition mode is a mode in which travel is prohibited by shift or brake control.

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