JP5900746B2 - Regenerative control device for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a regeneration control device for controlling a regeneration operation in an electric vehicle using an electric motor as a drive source.

  For example, in an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a braking force is obtained and a battery is charged by generating electric power when the vehicle is decelerated, that is, by performing a regenerative operation. Techniques for performing are known.

  The braking force (regenerative braking force) accompanying such a regenerative operation affects the behavior of the vehicle and may reduce operability and comfort. For this reason, there is one in which the regenerative braking force can be appropriately adjusted according to the will of the driver. Specifically, for example, a regenerative brake control device for an electric vehicle provided with a regeneration level setting unit capable of artificially setting a regeneration level has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-79907

  As in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the operability and comfort of the vehicle can be improved by artificially setting the regeneration level.

  However, if the setting of the regeneration level is left to an artificial operation, the operation becomes too cumbersome and the operability and comfort may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a regeneration control device for an electric vehicle that can improve the operability and comfort of the vehicle accompanying the regeneration operation more reliably. .

A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a battery, a drive motor that can drive a wheel by electric power from the battery, a drive motor control means that controls the operation of the drive motor, and a wheel. Regenerative operation means for performing regenerative operation for converting the rotational energy of the motor into electrical energy by the drive motor and regenerative operation, and the regenerative level in the regenerative operation can be variably configured to manually set the regenerative level. Regenerative level setting means, switching means for switching operation of the regeneration level setting means to a possible state, and regeneration level storage means for storing the regeneration level set by the regeneration level setting means, the regeneration execution means Is based on the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage means when switched to an operable state by the switching means. Set the initial level, and with the last regeneration level stored in the regenerative level storing unit, in the regeneration control device for an electric vehicle, characterized by determining the initial level based on the vehicle status.

  In the first aspect, it is possible to realize operability and comfort in accordance with the driver's preference with a small number of operations.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the regeneration control device for an electric vehicle according to the first aspect, wherein the vehicle status includes vehicle inclination information. It is in.

In the second aspect, it is possible to more reliably realize operability and comfort that match the driver's preference.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the regeneration control device for an electric vehicle according to the first or second aspect, wherein the vehicle status includes vehicle speed information. In the control unit.

In the third aspect, it is possible to more reliably realize operability and comfort that match the driver's preference.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the regeneration control device for an electric vehicle according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the vehicle situation includes map information of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. There exists in the regeneration control apparatus of the electric vehicle characterized by these.

In the fourth aspect, it is possible to more surely realize operability and comfort in accordance with the driver's preference.

  In the present invention, since the driver can artificially set the degree of regeneration operation (regeneration level), operability and comfort that suits the driver's preference can be realized. Furthermore, by storing the regeneration level and setting the regeneration level based on the stored information, the operability and comfort can be improved more effectively while reducing the number of operations of the driver. .

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the regeneration control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the floor shift operation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the change of the regeneration level by operation of the paddle switch apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the change of the regeneration level by the floor shift operating device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the regeneration control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, an electric vehicle 1 that is an example of an electric vehicle includes a battery 2 that is a secondary battery, and a drive motor 3 that operates by supplying power from the battery 2. The drive motor 3 is connected to drive wheels (in this embodiment, front wheels) 5 via a drive mechanism 4. Examples of the drive mechanism 4 include a CVT (continuously automatic transmission), a differential gear, and the like. The drive motor 3 drives the drive wheel 5 via the drive mechanism 4, while generating power by receiving rotation from the drive wheel 5 during so-called regenerative operation, and supplies the electric power to the battery 2.

  A motor control unit 6 is provided between the drive motor 3 and the battery 2. The motor control unit 6 appropriately controls the operation (output) of the driving motor 3, that is, the power supply of the driving motor 3 from the battery 2.

  Further, a floor shift operating device 7 and a paddle switch device 8 are connected to the motor control unit 6. The motor control unit 6 controls the drive motor 3 according to the running state of the electric vehicle 1 and outputs the output of the drive motor 3 according to the operation of the floor shift operation device 7 and the paddle switch device 8 by the driver. Control as appropriate.

  The regenerative control device 10 according to the present invention includes a floor shift operation device 7 and a paddle switch device 8 and a motor control unit 6. As will be described below, the operation of the floor shift operation device 7 and the paddle switch device 8 is performed. The degree of regeneration (regeneration level) is controlled accordingly.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the motor control unit 6 constituting the regeneration control device 10 includes a drive motor control means 61, a regeneration execution means 62, and a regeneration level storage means 63.

  The drive motor control means 61 appropriately controls the output of the drive motor 3 according to the traveling state of the electric vehicle 1 and the like.

  The regeneration executing means 62 performs a so-called regeneration operation in which, for example, at the time of deceleration, the rotational energy of the drive wheels 5 is converted into electrical energy by the drive motor 3 and regenerated. That is, in the regenerative operation, electric power is generated by the driving motor 3 using the rotation of the driving wheel 5 and the battery 2 is charged by the electric power.

  The regeneration level storage means 63 stores the regeneration level set by operating the floor shift operating device 7 or the paddle switch device 8 as the regeneration level setting means. Here, the regenerative level is the level of deceleration, in other words, the higher the regenerative level, the higher the level of deceleration. This regeneration level can be set in a plurality of stages by operating the floor shift operating device 7 or the paddle switch device 8. The regeneration level storage unit 63 stores the newly set regeneration level every time the regeneration level setting is changed. At this time, the regeneration level storage unit 63 may update the stored regeneration level to a new regeneration level, or may store a setting change of the regeneration level at a plurality of times.

  The regeneration executing means 62 detects the operation of the floor shift operating device 7 and the paddle switch device 8, and performs a regeneration operation at a predetermined regeneration level based on the detection result. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the regeneration executing means 62 is switched to a state in which the operation of the floor shift operating device 7 as the regeneration level setting means can be operated by the operation of the floor shift operating device 7 as the switching means. In this case, a new regeneration level (initial level) is set based on the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage unit 63. In this embodiment, the regeneration execution means 62 sets the last regeneration level memorize | stored in the regeneration level memory | storage means 63 as an initial level at said timing.

  The floor shift operation device 7 is provided on the floor portion of the electric vehicle 1 and has functions as a regeneration level setting unit and a switching unit in the present embodiment. The floor shift operating device 7 includes a shift lever 71 and first to third shift paths 72 to 74. In the first shift path 72, for example, the shift position of the P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), D (drive), B (brake) range, etc. is switched by operating the shift lever 71. . Although described in detail later, the regeneration level is changed by switching the shift position from the D range to the B range.

  The second shift path 73 forms an M (manual) range, and a manual (artificial) setting for raising / lowering the regeneration level in the regeneration operation is performed, as will be described in detail later. That is, the operation of the shift lever 71 in the second shift path 73 corresponds to the operation of the floor shift operation device 7 as the regeneration level setting means.

  The third shift path 74 connects the first shift path 72 and the second shift path 73, and the shift lever 71 is connected to the first shift path 72 via the third shift path 74. It is moved to the second shift path 73. As the shift lever 71 moves from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73, the floor shift operating device 7 is in a state in which a manual setting operation of the regeneration level is possible. That is, the movement of the shift lever 71 from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73 corresponds to the operation of the floor shift operating device 7 as the switching means.

  The first shift path 72 is configured such that the shift lever 71 is held at a position corresponding to each range of P, R, N, D, and B. On the other hand, the second shift path 73 is configured such that when the shift lever 71 is tilted to the “−” display side or the “+” display side, the shift lever 71 automatically returns to the original center position thereafter. .

  The paddle switch device 8 includes a pair of switch levers 81 and 82. The pair of switch levers 81 and 82 are attached to the shaft portion of the steering wheel 9 of the electric vehicle 1. The pair of switch levers 81 and 82 are configured to be independently operable. In the present embodiment, the switch levers 81 and 82 can also change the regeneration level during the regeneration operation. Specifically, the left switch lever 81 is a switch that outputs a command to increase the regeneration level when the driver causes it toward the front side (the steering wheel 9 side), and is provided with a “−” display. ing. The right switch lever 82 is a switch that outputs a command to lower the regeneration level, and is provided with a “+” display.

  Next, operation | movement of the regeneration control apparatus 10 of such a structure is demonstrated. As described above, in the regeneration control device 10, the regeneration level can be artificially set by operating the floor shift operation device 7 and the paddle switch device 8. For example, the regeneration control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can set the regeneration level in six stages of B0 to B5. When the regeneration level is set to B0, the regeneration is the weakest, and when the regeneration level is set to B5, the regeneration is the strongest. In this embodiment, regeneration is always performed, and the regeneration level (initial setting) in the D range is set to be equivalent to B2.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the electric vehicle 1 starts traveling and shift lever 71 is moved from P range to D range in first shift path 72, the regeneration level is set to be equivalent to B2. . This regeneration level is maintained in normal traveling, but the regeneration level is changed by the driver operating the floor shift operation device 7 or the paddle switch device 8.

  For example, when one switch lever (−) 81 of the paddle switch device 8 is operated (caused) (see FIG. 2), the regeneration level is increased from B2 to B3 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. To do. Even when the shift lever 71 is moved from the D range to the B range in the first shift path 72, the regeneration level increases from B2 to B3. Thereafter, each time the switch lever 81 is operated once, the regeneration level is sequentially increased. For example, by operating the switch lever 81 in a state where the regeneration level is set to B3, the regeneration level is changed from B3 to B4 as shown in FIG. 4B. On the other hand, each time the other switch lever (+) 82 is operated once, the regeneration level sequentially decreases.

  When the driver operates the other switch lever 82 with the regeneration level set to B2 (initial setting) (see FIG. 2), the regeneration level is B2 as shown in FIG. Down to B1. Thereafter, each time the switch lever 82 is operated once, the regeneration level sequentially decreases. Each time the switch lever 81 is operated once, the regeneration level is sequentially increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by extending either the switch lever 81 or the switch lever 82, as shown in FIG. 4D, the initial value in the D range is equivalent to B2, regardless of the current regeneration level. Configured to go back. When the shift position is in the B range, the switch lever 81 or the switch lever 82 is extended to return to the equivalent of B3, which is the initial state in the B range.

  The regeneration level changed by operating the pair of switch levers 81 and 82 is stored in the regeneration level storage means 63. The regeneration level information stored by the regeneration level storage means 63 remains after the key-off.

  The regeneration level setting operation can be performed not only by the paddle switch device 8 but also by the floor shift operation device 7. In that case, first, as shown in FIG. 3B, the shift lever 71 located in the D range of the first shift path 72 is moved to the second shift path 73 via the third shift path 74. Thereby, the operation range of the floor shift operating device 7 is switched to a state (M range) in which the regeneration level can be manually varied. And a regeneration level is suitably changed by switching operation of the floor shift operating device 7 in M range. In the present embodiment, the regeneration level is sequentially increased each time the shift lever 71 is tilted to the “−” display side, and the regeneration level is sequentially decreased each time the shift lever 71 is tilted to the “+” display side.

  Here, when the shift lever 71 is moved from the D range to the M range, the regeneration level remains B2 in the initial state. On the other hand, when the regeneration level is stored by the regeneration level storage unit 63 as described above, the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage unit 63 is the regeneration level in the M range.

  For example, when traveling on a downhill on a mountain road or the like and the regeneration level at the time of the previous key-off was B5, the traveling of the electric vehicle 1 is resumed and shifted from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73. By moving the lever 71, that is, by switching the shift position from the D range to the M range, the regeneration level in the D range is changed from B2 to B5 as shown in FIG. Of course, even when the key is not turned off, when the shift lever 71 is moved from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73, the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage means 63 is applied. . Similarly, when the shift position is switched from the D range to the B range, the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage unit 63 is applied.

  Further, for example, when traveling on an expressway or the like and the regeneration level at the previous key-off is B1, by moving the shift lever 71 from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73, that is, By changing the shift position from the D range to the M range, the regeneration level is changed from B2 to B1, as shown in FIG. By moving the shift lever 71 from the second shift path 73 to the first shift path 72, that is, by returning the shift position from the M range to the D range, the regeneration level is in the initial state regardless of the current regeneration level. Return to (equivalent to B2).

  In this way, by storing the previous regeneration level and setting the regeneration level based on the stored information, the operability and comfort are improved more effectively while reducing the number of operations by the driver. can do. For example, even when the electric vehicle 1 is temporarily stopped on a mountain road or the like and started to travel again, the desired regeneration level can be set with a small number of operations.

  As described above, when the regeneration level in the D range is B2, for example, when the regeneration level is set to B5 by operating the switch lever 81, the regeneration level is changed in the order of B2, B3, B4, and B5. Therefore (see FIG. 4), three lever operations are required. On the other hand, in the case of the operation of the shift lever 71, the desired regeneration level can be changed to B5 by one operation.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the regenerative control device according to the second embodiment. The same members as those in the regenerative control device according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the regeneration execution means 62A determines the regeneration level (initial level) based on the vehicle situation together with the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage means 63.

  The method for specifying the vehicle status is not particularly limited, and may be specified from, for example, the inclination state and speed of the electric vehicle 1, map information on the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and the like.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the regenerative control device 10A according to the present embodiment includes a tilt sensor 20 that detects the tilt state of the electric vehicle 1 by traveling on a slope and the like, and the speed of the electric vehicle 1. A speed sensor 30 for detection. Furthermore, the map information acquisition apparatus 40 which acquires the map information of the road where the electric vehicle 1 travels is provided. The configuration of the map information acquisition device 40 is not particularly limited, but a typical example is a car navigation device using GPS (global positioning system).

  Then, the regeneration execution means 62A, together with the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage means 63, the vehicle status specified from the vehicle inclination information, the vehicle speed information, the map information of the road on which the vehicle travels, etc. The regeneration level (initial level) is determined based on the above.

  For example, in Embodiment 1, when traveling on a downhill on a mountain road or the like and the stored regeneration level is B5, the shift lever 71 is moved from the first shift path 72 to the second shift path 73. In other words, an example has been described in which the regeneration level is changed from B2 to B5 by changing the shift position from the D range to the M range (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when the stored regeneration level is B5, the regeneration level may not be set to B5. For example, when the current inclination angle (downhill inclination) of the vehicle is a relatively small vehicle state, the vehicle state is considered together with the stored regeneration level, and the predetermined regeneration level (for example, B4) is set.

  In this way, by determining the regeneration level based on the vehicle status together with the stored regeneration level, the regeneration level can be set more appropriately, and the operability and comfort of the vehicle can be further effectively improved. can do.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which when one switch lever (−) 81 of the paddle switch device 8 is operated, the regeneration level is increased, and when the other switch lever (+) 82 is operated, the regeneration level is decreased. However, the operation of the switch levers 81 and 82 is not limited to this. For example, contrary to the above example, the regeneration level may be lowered when the switch lever (−) 81 is operated, and the regeneration level may be increased when the switch lever (+) 82 is operated. Similarly, the operation of the shift lever 71 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the regeneration level may be sequentially increased each time the shift lever 71 is tilted to the “+” display side, and the regeneration level may be sequentially decreased each time the shift lever 71 is tilted to the “−” display side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the regeneration level setting operation can be performed by the paddle switch device as well as the floor shift operation device as the regeneration level setting unit and the switching unit is illustrated, but the paddle switch device is not necessarily provided. It does not have to be.

  Further, instead of the floor shift operation device, a paddle switch device may function as a regeneration level setting means and a switching means. In this case, the regeneration level need not be set by the floor shift operation device.

  Further, the floor shift operation device or the paddle switch device does not need to function as the regeneration level setting unit and the switching unit, and the regeneration level setting unit and the switching unit may be provided separately.

  Further, the configurations of the regeneration level setting means and the switching means are not particularly limited, and may be configured not only by the above-described floor shift operation device or paddle switch device, but also by, for example, a so-called column shift, instrument panel shift, or momentary switch. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking an electric vehicle as an example of an electric vehicle. However, the present invention can also be applied to a hybrid vehicle including an engine (internal combustion engine) together with a drive motor. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric vehicle 2 Battery 3 Drive motor 4 Drive mechanism 5 Drive wheel 6 Motor control part 7 Floor shift operation apparatus 8 Paddle switch apparatus 9 Steering wheel 10 Regenerative control apparatus 20 Inclination sensor 30 Speed sensor 40 Map information acquisition apparatus 71 Shift lever 72 First shift path 73 Second shift path 74 Third shift path 81, 82 Switch lever

Claims (4)

Battery,
A driving motor capable of driving the wheel by electric power from the battery;
Drive motor control means for controlling the operation of the drive motor;
Regenerative execution means for performing a regenerative operation for converting the rotational energy of the wheels into electrical energy by the drive motor and regenerating,
Regenerative level in the regenerative operation is configured to be variable, regenerative level setting means capable of artificially setting the regenerative level, and
Switching means for switching the operation of the regeneration level setting means to a possible state;
Regeneration level storage means for storing the regeneration level set by the regeneration level setting means;
With
The regeneration executing means sets an initial level based on the last regeneration level stored in the regeneration level storage means when the switching execution means is switched to an operable state , and the regeneration level storage means A regeneration control device for an electric vehicle, wherein the initial level is determined based on a vehicle situation together with the last regeneration level stored . The regeneration control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 ,
The regenerative control device for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle status includes vehicle inclination information. The regenerative control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The regenerative control device for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle status includes vehicle speed information. The regenerative control device for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The regenerative control device for an electric vehicle characterized in that the vehicle status includes map information of a road on which the vehicle travels.

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