JP5880075B2 - Charging information output device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging information output device for an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device that is charged by power supplied from an external power source.

  Conventionally, an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle is equipped with a power storage device (high-voltage battery) that is charged by power supplied from an external power source. Such a power storage device is known to have high internal resistance in a low temperature environment and cannot be fully charged even if it is charged, and a technology for dealing with this has been developed.

  For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting the temperature of a storage battery and, when the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, performing a full charge after performing a preliminary charge to raise the temperature of the storage battery and activating it. . In Patent Document 2 below, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the capacitor, an auxiliary device that is driven by power supply from the capacitor, a charger that controls charging from the external power source to the capacitor, and a charger that charges the capacitor An electric vehicle amount including a control unit that controls to drive an auxiliary machine by supplying power from the capacitor when the temperature of the capacitor is lower than a threshold value before starting is disclosed.

JP 2010-115043 A JP 2011-015544 A

  However, according to the above-described prior art, power for driving preliminary charging and auxiliary equipment is required, and thus there is a problem that power is consumed in excess of the amount of power originally required for charging. Further, according to the above-described conventional technology, since the battery temperature is increased after charging is started, there is a problem that the time required for charging becomes long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and avoids charging of the power storage device in a low-temperature environment, and makes it possible to efficiently use the charging performance of the power storage device. The purpose is to provide.

To solve the above problems and achieve an object, the charging information output device according to the present invention, there is provided a charging information output unit of an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device is charged by electric power supplied from an external power source, external An outside air temperature detecting means for detecting an air temperature; a battery temperature detecting means for detecting a battery temperature of the power storage device; and an output means for outputting recommended charging information for recommending charging of the power storage device, the output means comprising: the outside air temperature when the electric vehicle is stopped is a predetermined temperature or less, and when the battery temperature is the ambient temperature or higher, and outputs the charging recommendation information.

According to the present invention, the outside air temperature when the electric vehicle is stopped and outputs a charging recommendation information when it was below a predetermined temperature. In general, the charging device is discharged while the electric vehicle is traveling, and it is predicted that the temperature of the power storage device is high immediately after the vehicle stops. For this reason, by charging immediately after the electric vehicle stops, it is possible to charge to a capacity close to full charge even when the outside air temperature is low, and the power storage device can be charged efficiently.

According to the present invention, the remaining charging rate of the power storage device is detected, and the recommended charging information is output when the remaining charging rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the outside air temperature is low. Thus, even when charging is not necessary immediately, charging for a low temperature state can be promoted, and the charged state of the power storage device can be kept good.

According to the present invention, if the residual charging rate of the power storage device is equal to or less than the second threshold value, if that is, the low charge state and outputs a charging recommendation information regardless of outside air temperature. As a result, when the charging rate of the charging device is low, charging can be urged immediately after the vehicle stops, and smooth running can be started when the electric vehicle is used next time.

According to the present invention, the battery temperature of the power storage device is detected, and the recommended charging information is not output when the battery temperature is lower than the outside air temperature. This makes it possible to output the recommended charging information only when the battery temperature is high, that is, in a state suitable for charging.

According to the present invention, the recommended charging information is output when the time when the electric vehicle is stopped is in a predetermined time zone. Thereby, it can be urged to perform charging in a time zone suitable for charging, and the power storage device can be efficiently charged.

According to the present invention, the recommended charging information is output when the time when the electric vehicle is stopped is a time zone in which the outside air temperature is predicted to decrease. Thus, charging can be promoted before the outside air temperature decreases, and the power storage device can be efficiently charged.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the vehicle 100 concerning embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging information output device 200. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the maximum charging rate of an electrical storage apparatus, and temperature. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a charging recommendation lamp lighting process in the vehicle 100.

  Exemplary embodiments of a charging information output apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the charging information output device according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle 100 that is a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be described.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle 100 according to the embodiment. Vehicle 100 according to the embodiment is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and travels using electric power stored in high-voltage battery 120 (power storage device) and gasoline fuel stored in fuel tank 137. More specifically, the electric power stored in the high voltage battery 120 is supplied to the motor 133 via the DC-DC inverter 132, and the motor 133 rotates. The driving mechanism 134 is driven by the rotation of the motor 133, and the tire 136 rotates by rotating the axle 135, so that the vehicle 100 travels. The tire 136 may be rotated by driving the engine 131. Hereinafter, the case where the tire 136 is rotated by driving the motor 133 is referred to as “motor traveling”, and the case where the tire 136 is rotated by driving the engine 131 is referred to as “engine traveling”.

  The high-voltage battery 120 stores two types of electric power, that is, electric power supplied from an external power source and electric power generated by regenerative energy of the generator 130 or the vehicle 100 mounted in the vehicle 100. The supplied power is supplied from an external power source via a charging cable 112 connected to the charging lid 111 and stored in the high voltage battery 120 via a charger 113. Although only one charging lid 111 is shown in FIG. 1, for example, a charging lid for an external power source supplied from a household charging device and an external power source supplied from a charging device for quick charging are used. A charging lid may be provided separately.

  The generated power is generated by driving the generator 130 using the engine 131 (internal combustion engine). The engine 131 is driven by gasoline stored in the fuel tank 137. Further, the generated power may be power generated by the motor 133 by the regenerative energy of the vehicle 100. The generated power generated by the generator 130 is stored in the high voltage battery 120 via the DC-DC inverter 132. The generated power generated by the generator 130 is also stored in the 12V battery 121 via the DC-DC inverter 132. The electric power stored in the 12V battery 121 is used to control various parts of the ECU 200 and the vehicle 100 described later (for example, accessories such as a power window). The charging information output device 200 detects the state of the vehicle 100 and controls the operation in each part of the vehicle 100, and outputs charging information regarding the high-voltage battery 120 mounted on the vehicle.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charging information output device 200. The charging information output device 200 includes an HEV-ECU 201, a BMU 202, a battery temperature detection unit 203, a voltage detection unit 204, an outside air temperature detection unit 205, a vehicle body ECU 206, a meter ECU 207, a display unit 208, a switch sensor 209, a motor ECU 210, an engine ECU 211, The time information acquisition means 212 is comprised.

  HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) -ECU 201 is an interface that interfaces with a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores a control program, a RAM as an operation area of the control program, an EEPROM that holds various data in a rewritable manner, a peripheral circuit, and the like And the driving state information acquisition means 201a. The driving state information is received from the motor ECU 210 and the engine ECU 211, and control for driving the vehicle 100 is performed.

  In addition, the HEV-ECU 201 includes charging information output means 201b that outputs charging recommendation information that recommends charging of the high-voltage battery 120. In the present embodiment, the recommended charging information output from the charging information output unit 201b functions as a control signal for turning on the charging lamp on the display unit 108 described later. That is, in the present embodiment, the recommended charging information output from the charging information output means 201b is notified to the driver in the form of lighting of the charging lamp on the display unit 108.

  A BMU (Battery Management Unit) 202 manages the high voltage battery 120 by monitoring the total voltage, remaining power amount, input / output current amount, voltage and temperature of each cell, and the like of the high voltage battery 120. The battery temperature detection means 203 detects the temperature of each cell (or representative cell) constituting the high voltage battery 120. From the temperature of each cell detected by the battery temperature detection means 203, the BMU 202 calculates the representative temperature of the high voltage battery 120. The representative temperature of the high-voltage battery 120 is, for example, an average value of the temperature of each cell (or may be a minimum value, a maximum value, a median value, a mode value, etc.).

  The voltage detection unit 204 detects the voltage of the high voltage battery 120. Here, the above-described BMU 202 includes a remaining charge rate detection unit 202a, and calculates the remaining charge rate of the high-voltage battery 120 from the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 204. The remaining charge rate may be calculated by, for example, integrating the amount of current input / output to / from high voltage battery 120.

  The outside air temperature detecting means 205 detects the outside air temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle 100. The outside air temperature detecting means 205 is provided, for example, in front of the car air conditioner radiator of the vehicle 100, and detects the temperature of the ambient air of the vehicle 100 that is sucked into the radiator.

  The vehicle body ECU 206 detects the state of each part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 100 and controls its operation. Meter ECU 207 controls display of meters including display unit 208. The display unit 208 is provided on the dashboard of the vehicle 100 and functions as an instrument panel such as a speedometer, tachometer, fuel meter, and distance meter. The switch sensor 209 is provided in a drive switch (a key insertion portion in the case of the key start type) in the vehicle 100, and detects a switch operation state (a key operation state in the case of the key start type) by the driver.

  The motor ECU 210 monitors the state of the motor 133 and controls its drive. The engine ECU 211 monitors the state of the engine 131 and controls its drive. The time information acquisition means 212 acquires the current time information by receiving time information transmitted from a GPS satellite or a standard radio wave transmission station or reading time information from a clock built in the vehicle 100.

  Here, the vehicle 100 uses the electric power stored in the high voltage battery 120 as a main power source. For this reason, when the remaining charge rate of the high-voltage battery 120 becomes low, the HEV-ECU 201 causes the display unit 208 to light a charge recommendation lamp that prompts charging. The driver who has confirmed the recommended charging lamp connects the vehicle 100 to the home charging device or stops at the charging stand when the vehicle is stopped, and performs charging before the vehicle cannot run due to running out of batteries.

On the other hand, it is known that a power storage device such as the high-voltage battery 120 has a high internal resistance in a low-temperature environment and cannot be fully charged even if it is charged.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the maximum charging rate of the power storage device and the temperature. In the graph of FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents the maximum charging rate of the power storage device, and the horizontal axis represents the air temperature (environment temperature). As shown in FIG. 3, even in a power storage device that can be charged to a charging rate of 100% at a temperature of 20 ° C., the maximum charging rate decreases with a decrease in temperature, and is about 60% at −20 ° C., and at −30 ° C. Only about 50% can be charged. Thus, the storage capacity of the power storage device is substantially reduced under a low temperature environment, and the charging performance of the power storage device cannot be fully utilized.

  For this reason, the HEV-ECU 201 detects the ambient temperature when the vehicle 100 is stopped, and when the temperature is low or when the temperature may be lowered, the charging recommendation lamp is lit to advance. Prompts to charge the high voltage battery 120. In general, the high voltage battery 120 is discharged while the vehicle 100 is traveling, and it is predicted that the temperature of the power storage device is high immediately after the vehicle stops. For this reason, charging is performed immediately after the vehicle 100 stops, so that even when the outside air temperature is low, charging can be performed to a capacity close to full charging, and the power storage device can be efficiently charged.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the recommended charging lamp lighting process in the vehicle 100. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process is started from a scene in which the vehicle 100 is traveling and the drive switch is on (step S401). Even when the driving switch is in the on state, detection and monitoring of the outside air temperature and the battery temperature are performed as appropriate.

  When the vehicle 100 is stopped, the HEV-ECU 201 waits until the drive switch is turned off (step S402: No loop). The determination in step S402 is made based on output information from the switch sensor 209. When the drive switch is turned off (step S402: Yes), the HEV-ECU 201 calculates the remaining charge rate of the high-voltage battery 120 (step S403). Specifically, HEV-ECU 201 calculates the remaining charge rate from the voltage of high-voltage battery 120 detected by voltage detection means 204.

  Next, the HEV-ECU 201 determines whether or not the remaining charge rate is 20% (second threshold) or less (step S404). When the remaining charge rate is 20% or less (step S404: Yes), the process proceeds to step S413. That is, the HEV-ECU 201 controls the meter ECU 207 to turn on the charging recommendation lamp on the display unit 208. This is because the remaining charge rate of the high voltage battery 120 is in a low state, and it is predicted that power will be insufficient during the next run.

  On the other hand, if the remaining charge rate is higher than 20%, the HEV-ECU 201 determines whether the remaining power amount is 80% (first threshold) or more (step S405). When the remaining power amount is 80% or more (step S405: Yes), since the remaining charge rate is sufficiently secured, the charging recommendation lamp is not turned on and the processing of this flowchart is ended. On the other hand, when the remaining power amount is less than 80% (step S405: No), the HEV-ECU 201 detects the outside air temperature around the vehicle 100 by the outside air temperature detecting means 205 (step S406).

  The HEV-ECU 201 determines whether or not the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or less (step S407). If the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or less (step S407: Yes), the process proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is higher than 0 ° C. (step S407: No), the HEV-ECU 201 acquires current time information (that is, time information when the vehicle 100 is stopped) from the time information acquisition unit 212 (step). S408), it is determined whether or not the current time is in the time zone from 18:00 in the evening to 5:00 in the morning (step S409). This time zone is a time zone in which the outside air temperature is predicted to decrease as the sun goes down. If the current time is not in the time zone from 18:00 in the evening to 5:00 in the morning (step S409: No), the temperature is unlikely to decrease, so the recommended charging lamp is not turned on and the processing of this flowchart ends. .

  On the other hand, when the current time is the time zone from 18:00 in the evening to 5 o'clock in the morning (step S409: Yes), the HEV-ECU 201 determines whether or not the outside air temperature is 10 ° C. or less (step S410). If the outside air temperature is not 10 ° C. or lower (step S410: No), there is a high possibility that the charging will not be affected even if the air temperature is lower than the current temperature. Terminate the process.

  On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is 10 ° C. or lower (step S410: Yes), the HEV-ECU 201 detects the temperature (battery temperature) of the high-voltage battery 120 by the battery temperature detection means 203 (step S411), and the battery temperature is It is determined whether or not the temperature is outside the ambient temperature (step S412). When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature (step S412: Yes), the HEV-ECU 201 turns on the charging recommendation lamp on the display unit 208, assuming that charging is performed efficiently at the current time ( Step S413), the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the battery temperature is not equal to or higher than the outside temperature (step S412: No), the battery recommendation is not performed because the battery temperature is low and charging cannot be performed efficiently even if charging is performed at this time. The process of the flowchart ends.

  Note that the remaining charge rate threshold value in steps S404 and S405, the temperature threshold value in steps S407 and S410, and the time zone in step S409 are examples, and are set as appropriate according to the characteristics, season, region, and the like of the high-voltage battery 120. Further, the determination based on the time zone in step S409 may not be performed, but in this case, for example, it may be dealt with by increasing the threshold temperature in step S407. Further, immediately after the vehicle 100 is stopped, the temperature of the high-voltage battery 120 may be considered to be high, and the determination in step 412 may be omitted.

  Further, in this embodiment, the charging recommendation lamp is turned on as a notification form of the charging recommendation information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, voice output or display output of a message recommending charging is performed. May be.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the charging information output device according to the present invention is applied to a plug-in hybrid vehicle has been described. However, the charging information output device according to the present invention is used in an electric vehicle that travels using only electricity. Is also applicable. In this case, in the above description, the HEV-ECU 201 is an EV-ECU. Among the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engine 113, the fuel tank 137 (see FIG. 1), and the engine ECU 211 (see FIG. 2) Although not included, other components and their operations are the same as described above.

As described above, according to the vehicle 100 according to the embodiment, the outside air temperature when the vehicle 100 is stopped is to illuminate the charge recommended lamp when it was below a predetermined temperature. Generally, the charging device discharges while the vehicle 100 is traveling, and it is predicted that the temperature of the high-voltage battery 120 is high immediately after the vehicle stops. For this reason, by charging immediately after the vehicle 100 stops, it is possible to charge to a capacity close to full charge even when the outside air temperature is low, and the high voltage battery 120 can be charged efficiently.

Moreover, according to the vehicle 100, the remaining charge rate of the high-voltage battery 120 is detected, and the charge recommendation lamp is turned on when the remaining charge rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the outside air temperature is low. Thereby, even when charging is not necessary immediately, charging for a low temperature state can be promoted, and the charging state of the high voltage battery 120 can be kept good. Further, according to the vehicle 100, if the residual charging rate of the high-voltage battery 120 is equal to or less than the second threshold value, that is, when a low-charge state turns on the charge recommended lamp regardless of outside air temperature. Thereby, when the charging rate of the high voltage battery 120 is low, it is possible to prompt charging immediately after the vehicle stops, and when the vehicle 100 is used next time, it is possible to start running smoothly.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle 100, the battery temperature of the high voltage battery 120 is detected, and when the battery temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, the charge recommendation lamp is not output. As a result, the charge recommendation lamp can be turned on only when the battery temperature is high, that is, in a state suitable for charging. Further, according to the vehicle 100, the charging recommendation lamp is turned on when the time when the vehicle 100 is stopped is a predetermined time zone, that is, a time zone in which the outside air temperature is expected to decrease. Accordingly, it is possible to prompt the user to charge the battery before charging the time zone suitable for charging, that is, before the outside air temperature decreases, and the power storage device can be charged efficiently.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle, 111 ... Charging lid, 112 ... Charging cable, 113 ... Charger, 120 ... High voltage battery, 121 ... 12V battery, 130 ... Generator, 131 ... Engine, 132 ... DC -DC inverter, 133 ... motor, 134 ... drive mechanism, 135 ... axle, 136 ... tire, 137 ... fuel tank, 200 ... charging information output device, 201 ... HEV-ECU, 201a ... traveling State information acquisition means, 201b ... charging information output means, 202 ... BMU, 203 ... battery temperature detection means, 204 ... voltage detection means, 205 ... outside air temperature detection means, 206 ... body ECU, 207 ... Meter ECU, 208 ... Display section, 209 ... Switch sensor, 210 ... Motor ECU, 211 ... Engine ECU, 212 ... Time Broadcast acquisition means.

Claims (6)

A charging information output device for an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device that is charged by power supplied from an external power source,
An outside air temperature detecting means for detecting the outside air temperature;
Battery temperature detecting means for detecting a battery temperature of the power storage device;
Output means for outputting recommended charging information for recommending charging of the power storage device, and
The output means outputs the charge recommendation information when the outside temperature is not more than a predetermined temperature and the battery temperature is not less than the outside temperature when the electric vehicle is stopped. Output device. The output means sets the predetermined temperature based on a power storage device characteristic indicating a relationship between a maximum charging rate of the power storage device and an environmental temperature;
The charging information output device according to claim 1 . Further comprising a remaining charge rate detecting means for detecting a remaining charge rate of the power storage device;
The said output means outputs the said charge recommendation information, when the said external temperature is below the said predetermined temperature, and the said remaining charge rate is below a 1st threshold value. Charging information output device.   The said output means outputs the said charge recommendation information irrespective of the said external temperature, when the said remaining charge rate is below the 2nd threshold value smaller than the said 1st threshold value. Charging information output device. Further comprising time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the electric vehicle is stopped,
The charging information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output means outputs the recommended charging information when a time when the electric vehicle is stopped is in a predetermined time zone. Output device.   The charging information output device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time zone is a time zone in which the outside air temperature is predicted to decrease.

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