JP7403980B2 - Control device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to a control device and a control method.

A control device that controls multiple motor generators, which has both the function of an electric motor that assists in driving the engine when the vehicle is started and when the vehicle is running, and the function of a charger that generates electricity and charges using regenerated energy generated when the vehicle decelerates. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-236518

In a control device that controls a plurality of motor generators, the challenge is how to efficiently charge and discharge the motor generators.

One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a control device and a control method that can efficiently charge and discharge a plurality of motor generators.

A control device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires information regarding the environment inside and outside the vehicle. The control section activates a motor generator selected from a plurality of motor generators provided inside and outside the vehicle interior, based on the information acquired by the acquisition section.

A control device and a control method according to one aspect of the embodiment can efficiently charge and discharge a plurality of motor generators.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a drive system and an electrical system of a vehicle in which a control device according to an embodiment is mounted. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a control device and a control method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a drive system and an electrical system of a vehicle in which a control device according to an embodiment is mounted will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a drive system and an electrical system of a vehicle in which a control device according to an embodiment is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle equipped with a control device 1 according to the embodiment includes an engine ENG, a transmission TM, a starter ST, a Li (lithium) ion battery B1, a lead battery B2, and an electric load 10. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a plurality of (here, two) motor generators MG1 and MG2.

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

The electrical loads 10 are various electrical components mounted on a vehicle. Li-ion battery B1 is, for example, a 48V secondary battery, and supplies power to motor generators MG1 and MG2, and stores power generated by motor generators MG1 and MG2.

Lead battery B2 is, for example, a 12V secondary battery, which supplies power to starter ST and electric load 10, and stores power generated by motor generators MG1 and MG2.

Motor generators MG1 and MG2 have the function of an electric motor that assists in driving the engine ENG when the vehicle engine ENG is started or when the vehicle is running, and the function of a charger that generates electricity and charges the vehicle using regenerative energy generated when the vehicle decelerates. It is a rotating electric machine.

A pulley 14 is attached to the propeller shaft 11 of the engine ENG, and pulleys 15 and 16 are attached to the rotating shafts 12 and 13 of the motor generators MG1 and MG2. A belt 17 is wound around the pulleys 14, 15, and 16.

Thereby, motor generators MG1 and MG2 can assist in driving engine ENG when starting engine ENG or when the vehicle is running by rotating rotating shafts 12 and 13. Furthermore, motor generators MG1 and MG2 can generate electricity and charge using regenerative energy generated when the vehicle decelerates.

Motor generator MG1 is provided, for example, in a space outside the vehicle interior, such as an engine compartment. Further, motor generator MG2 is provided, for example, in a space such as under a seat in the vehicle interior.

Control device 1 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls charging and discharging of motor generators MG1 and MG2. For example, when control device 1 receives an instruction to start motor generators MG1 and MG2 from a higher-level vehicle control ECU that centrally controls the entire vehicle, control device 1 starts motor generators MG1 and MG2. Further, when receiving an instruction to stop motor generators MG1 and MG2 from the vehicle control ECU, control device 1 stops motor generators MG1 and MG2.

Here, the charging and discharging efficiency of motor generators MG1 and MG2 varies depending on the operating environment. Motor generators MG1 and MG2 operate when, for example, the temperature of the operating environment is below the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for starting (e.g. 5°C) or the upper limit of the temperature range suitable for starting (e.g. 30°C). If it exceeds the limit, the charging/discharging efficiency decreases.

Therefore, the control device 1 acquires information regarding the environment inside and outside the vehicle interior, and starts motor generators MG1 and MG2 selected from motor generators MG1 and MG2 provided inside and outside the vehicle interior, based on the information regarding the environment inside and outside the vehicle interior. let

Thereby, control device 1 can improve the charging and discharging efficiency of motor generators MG1 and MG2 by starting motor generators MG1 and MG2 whose operating environment is suitable for starting.

Next, the configuration and operation of the control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 1 is connected to a temperature sensor 21, a motor generator MG1, and a Li-ion battery B1 provided outside the vehicle interior.

Further, the control device 1 is connected to a microphone 22 and a motor generator MG2 provided in the vehicle interior. Note that motor generators MG1, MG2, and Li-ion battery B1 have already been described, so redundant explanation will be omitted here.

Temperature sensor 21 detects, for example, the temperature outside the vehicle interior, such as an engine compartment in which motor generator MG1 is provided, and outputs the detection result to control device 1. The microphone 22 collects sounds inside the vehicle and outputs them to the control device 1.

The control device 1 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and various other circuits. The control device 1 includes an acquisition unit 31 and a control unit 32 that function when the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area.

Note that the acquisition unit 31 and the control unit 32 included in the control device 1 may be partially or entirely configured with hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The acquisition unit 31 acquires information regarding the environment inside and outside the vehicle interior. Specifically, the acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature outside the vehicle from the temperature sensor 21 and acquires the sound inside the vehicle from the microphone 22. The acquisition unit 31 then outputs the acquired temperature outside the vehicle interior and the sound inside the vehicle to the control unit 32 .

Control unit 32 starts one or both of motor generators MG1 and MG2 when receiving a start instruction for motor generators MG1 and MG2, and stops motor generators MG1 and MG2 when receiving a stop instruction. .

At this time, the control unit 32 starts motor generators MG1 and MG2 selected from the plurality of motor generators MG1 and MG2 provided inside and outside the vehicle interior, based on the information regarding the environment inside and outside the vehicle interior acquired by the acquisition unit 31. .

For example, if the outside of the vehicle is extremely cold, the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than that outside the vehicle, and there is a high possibility that the operating environment is suitable for starting the motor generator. Therefore, when the temperature outside the vehicle interior is below the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range, the control unit 32 activates the motor generator MG2 provided inside the vehicle interior.

The temperature range here is a temperature range suitable for starting motor generators MG1 and MG2, and is, for example, a temperature range from 5°C to 30°C. Thereby, control device 1 can improve the charging and discharging efficiency of motor generator MG2.

Further, for example, if the temperature outside the vehicle is extremely high, the temperature inside the vehicle is even higher than the temperature outside the vehicle, and there is a high possibility that the operating environment is not suitable for starting the motor generator. Therefore, when the temperature outside the vehicle interior exceeds the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range described above, the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG1 provided outside the vehicle interior. Thereby, control device 1 can improve the charging and discharging efficiency of motor generator MG1.

Furthermore, when the temperature outside the vehicle interior is within a predetermined temperature range, control unit 32 activates one or both of motor generators MG1 and MG2. At this time, if the interior of the vehicle is very quiet, if the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle is started, the startup sound may cause discomfort to the occupants.

Therefore, when the loudness of the sound inside the vehicle is less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 32 activates the motor generator MG1 provided outside the vehicle. The threshold value here is the value of the loudness of the sound that motor generators MG1 and MG2 emit at startup. Thereby, the control device 1 can prevent the starting sound of the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior from causing discomfort to the occupant.

On the other hand, for example, if the sounds such as road noise, car audio, the voices of passengers talking, or the engine during acceleration are loud, even if the motor generator MG2 inside the vehicle is started, the startup sound may cause discomfort to the passengers. less likely to give.

Therefore, when the loudness of the sound in the vehicle interior is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 32 activates the motor generator MG2 provided in the vehicle interior. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the passenger from feeling uncomfortable due to the startup sound of motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior.

Note that, when the loudness of the sound inside the vehicle interior is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 32 can also activate not only the motor generator MG2 inside the vehicle interior but also the motor generator MG1 provided outside the vehicle interior. Thereby, the control device 1 can more strongly assist the driving force of the engine ENG with the two motor generators MG1 and MG2.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment. The control device 1 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 3 while the vehicle is powered on.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the acquisition unit 31 of the control device 1 determines whether or not an instruction to start the motor generator has been received from the vehicle control ECU (step S101). Then, when the acquisition unit 31 determines that the startup instruction is not received (step S101, No), the process ends.

Further, when determining that the activation instruction has been received (step S101, Yes), the acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature outside the vehicle interior from the temperature sensor 21, and acquires the sound inside the vehicle interior from the microphone 22 (step S102). The acquisition unit 31 then outputs the acquired temperature and sound to the control unit 32.

The control unit 32 determines whether the temperature input from the acquisition unit 31 is below the lower limit of temperature (step S103). When the control unit 32 determines that the temperature is below the lower limit value (Step S103, Yes), it starts the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior (Step S104), and moves the process to Step S105.

Moreover, when the control unit 32 determines that the temperature is not below the lower limit value (step S103, No), the control unit 32 determines whether the temperature is above the upper limit value of the temperature (step S107). When the control unit 32 determines that the temperature exceeds the upper limit value (Step S107, Yes), it starts the motor generator MG1 outside the vehicle interior (Step S108), and moves the process to Step S105.

Moreover, when the control unit 32 determines that the temperature does not exceed the upper limit value (step S107, No), the control unit 32 determines whether the loudness of the sound in the vehicle interior is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S109). When the control unit 32 determines that the loudness of the sound is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S109, Yes), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior (step S110), and moves the process to step S105.

Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the loudness of the sound is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S109, No), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG1 outside the vehicle interior (step S111), and moves the process to step S105.

In step S105, the control unit 32 determines whether an instruction to stop the motor generator has been received from the vehicle control ECU. Then, when the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has not been received (step S105, No), the process moves to step S102. Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has been received (step S105, Yes), the control unit 32 stops the motor generator that is being started (step S106), and ends the process.

Note that the process shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the process executed by the control device 1 can be modified in various ways. Next, a modification of the process executed by the control device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing modified examples of processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment.

In the process shown in FIG. 3, the control device 1 selects a motor generator to start based on the temperature outside the vehicle and the sound inside the vehicle, but does not use the sound inside the vehicle and It is also possible to select a motor generator to start based on the lower limit of .

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the acquisition unit 31 of the control device 1 first determines whether or not a starting instruction for the motor generator has been received (step S201), and if it is determined that the starting instruction has not been received (step S201, No), the process ends.

Further, when the acquisition unit 31 determines that the activation instruction has been received (step S201, Yes), the acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature outside the vehicle interior from the temperature sensor 21 (step S202), and outputs the acquired temperature to the control unit 32.

The control unit 32 determines whether the temperature input from the acquisition unit 31 is below the lower limit of temperature (step S203). When the control unit 32 determines that the temperature is below the lower limit value (Step S203, Yes), it starts the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior (Step S204), and moves the process to Step S206.

Moreover, when the control unit 32 determines that the temperature is not below the lower limit value (step S203, No), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG1 outside the vehicle interior (step S205), and moves the process to step S206.

In step S206, the control unit 32 determines whether an instruction to stop the motor generator has been received from the vehicle control ECU. When the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has not been received (step S206, No), the process moves to step S202. Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has been received (step S206, Yes), the control unit 32 stops the motor generator that is being started (step S207), and ends the process.

Moreover, the control device 1 can also select the motor generator to be activated based on the temperature outside the vehicle interior and the upper limit value of the temperature, without using the sound inside the vehicle interior. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the acquisition unit 31 of the control device 1 first determines whether or not a starting instruction for the motor generator has been received (step S301), and if it is determined that the starting instruction has not been received (step S301, No), the process ends.

Further, when the acquisition unit 31 determines that the activation instruction has been received (step S301, Yes), the acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature outside the vehicle interior from the temperature sensor 21 (step S302), and outputs the acquired temperature to the control unit 32.

The control unit 32 determines whether the temperature input from the acquisition unit 31 exceeds the upper temperature limit (step S303). When the control unit 32 determines that the temperature exceeds the upper limit value (step S303, Yes), it starts the motor generator MG1 outside the vehicle interior (step S304), and moves the process to step S306.

Moreover, when the control unit 32 determines that the temperature does not exceed the upper limit value (step S303, No), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior (step S305), and moves the process to step S306.

In step S306, the control unit 32 determines whether an instruction to stop the motor generator has been received from the vehicle control ECU. When the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has not been received (step S306, No), the process moves to step S302. Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has been received (step S306, Yes), the control unit 32 stops the motor generator that is being started (step S307), and ends the process.

Further, the control device 1 can also select the motor generator to be activated based on the loudness of the sound inside the vehicle interior and the sound threshold without using the temperature outside the vehicle interior. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the acquisition unit 31 of the control device 1 first determines whether or not a starting instruction for the motor generator has been received (step S401), and if it is determined that the starting instruction has not been received (step S401, No), the process ends.

When the acquisition unit 31 determines that the activation instruction has been received (step S401, Yes), the acquisition unit 31 acquires the sound inside the vehicle from the microphone 22 (step S402). The acquisition unit 31 then outputs the acquired sound to the control unit 32.

The control unit 32 determines whether the loudness of the sound inside the vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S403). When the control unit 32 determines that the loudness of the sound is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S403, Yes), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG2 in the vehicle interior (step S404), and moves the process to step S406.

Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the loudness of the sound is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S403, No), the control unit 32 starts the motor generator MG1 outside the vehicle interior (step S405), and moves the process to step S406.

In step S406, the control unit 32 determines whether an instruction to stop the motor generator has been received from the vehicle control ECU. If the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has not been received (step S406, No), the process moves to step S402. Further, when the control unit 32 determines that the stop instruction has been received (step S406, Yes), the control unit 32 stops the motor generator that is being started (step S407), and ends the process.

In the above-described embodiment, one motor generator MG1 is provided outside the vehicle interior, and one motor generator MG2 is provided inside the vehicle interior. A motor generator may be provided.

For example, the motor generator may be provided near the engine ENG, near the Li-ion battery B1, near the cooling fan, near the heater, on the roof of the vehicle body, at the front, rear, right side, left side, etc. of the vehicle outside the cabin. .

In such a case, the temperature of the operating environment of the motor generator differs depending on the installation location. For example, the vicinity of the engine ENG, the vicinity of the Li-ion battery B1, the vicinity of the heater, etc. tend to be hotter than the air temperature. Also, the area around the cooling fan tends to be colder than the air temperature. In addition, the environmental temperature of the roof of the vehicle body, the front, rear, right side, and left side of the vehicle outside the cabin changes depending on sunlight, weather, wind direction, time of day, etc.

Therefore, if two or more motor generators are installed in the vehicle interior or in the vehicle interior, the control device 1 acquires the temperature of each motor generator installation location and selects the motor generator with the optimal temperature environment for startup. and start it. Thereby, the control device 1 can improve the charging and discharging efficiency of the plurality of motor generators even when two or more motor generators are provided in and within the vehicle interior.

Further advantages and modifications can be easily deduced by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 Control device 21 Temperature sensor 22 Microphone 31 Acquisition unit 32 Control unit B1 Li-ion battery MG1, MG2 Motor generator

Claims (9)

Among the motor generators provided inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, which function as an electric motor of the vehicle and function as a charger when the vehicle is decelerated, one of the motor generators is activated based on temperature information outside the vehicle interior. Equipped with a control unit that selects and activates the
The control unit includes:
Starts the motor generator installed inside the vehicle when the temperature outside the vehicle is below the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range.
Control device. The lower limit of the temperature range is
This is the lower limit value of the temperature range suitable for starting the motor generator installed inside and outside the vehicle.
The control device according to claim 1. Among the motor generators provided inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, which function as an electric motor of the vehicle and function as a charger when the vehicle is decelerated, one of the motor generators is activated based on temperature information outside the vehicle interior. Equipped with a control unit that selects and activates the
The control unit includes:
Starts a motor generator installed outside the vehicle when the temperature outside the vehicle exceeds the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range.
Control device. The upper limit of the temperature range is
is the upper limit of the temperature range suitable for starting the motor generator.
The control device according to claim 3 . Among the motor generators provided inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, which function as an electric motor of the vehicle and function as a charger when the vehicle is decelerated, one of the motor generators is activated based on temperature information outside the vehicle interior. Equipped with a control unit that selects and activates the
The control unit includes:
If the temperature outside the vehicle is within the lower and upper limits of a predetermined temperature range, and the volume of sound inside the vehicle is less than a predetermined threshold, a motor generator installed outside the vehicle is activated.
Control device. The control unit includes:
Activates a motor generator installed in the vehicle interior when the volume of sound in the vehicle interior exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The control device according to claim 5 , characterized in that: The predetermined threshold value is
This is the value of the loudness of the sound emitted by the motor generator installed inside and outside the vehicle when it is started.
The control device according to claim 5 or 6. Among the motor generators provided inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, which function as an electric motor of the vehicle and function as a charger when the vehicle is decelerated, one of the motor generators is activated based on temperature information outside the vehicle interior. Control process to select and start
including;
The control step includes:
Starts the motor generator installed inside the vehicle when the temperature outside the vehicle is below the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range.
A control method including: Among the motor generators provided inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, which function as an electric motor of the vehicle and function as a charger when the vehicle is decelerated, one of the motor generators is activated based on temperature information outside the vehicle interior. It includes a control process that is selected and activated,
The control step includes:
Starts a motor generator installed outside the vehicle when the temperature outside the vehicle exceeds the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range.
A control method including :

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