JP7538471B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that can supply power to the outside of the vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles equipped with relatively large-capacity storage batteries, such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, that are capable of supplying electric power to the outside of the vehicle, for example as an emergency power source, have been developed.
In particular, in a vehicle capable of generating electricity by driving a generator with an engine, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it is possible to supply power for a long period of time by driving the engine to generate power when supplying power to the outside of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle that has a function of automatically operating the engine to generate power when the remaining charge of the vehicle's storage battery becomes low while supplying power to the outside of the vehicle.

JP 2014-185560 A

However, in places where ventilation is difficult, such as garages or indoors, if the engine is left running for a long period of time while the vehicle is stopped, there is a risk that exhaust gas will fill the area around the vehicle. Therefore, there is a demand for an auto shutoff device that automatically stops the engine after a predetermined time has elapsed when the vehicle is parked and the engine is running.
However, in vehicles capable of supplying power to the outside of the vehicle, if the vehicles are equipped with an auto shutoff device that automatically stops the engine when the vehicles are parked or stopped as described above, it becomes impossible to continuously supply power to the outside for long periods of time, which reduces usability.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle that is easy to use by being able to continuously supply power to the outside of the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle control device of the present invention is a control device provided on a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs power from the storage battery and the generator to the outside of the vehicle, and comprises an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or more when the vehicle is in a stopped state, and a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power extraction unit, and the power supply control unit is further characterized in that it determines whether the vehicle is located indoors or outdoors using the navigation system of the vehicle as the stopping location environment of the vehicle, and disables disabling the automatic engine stop when the vehicle is indoors, and enables disabling the automatic engine stop when the vehicle is outdoors.
Alternatively, the vehicle control device of the present invention is a control device provided on a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs power from the storage battery and the generator to the outside of the vehicle, and comprises an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or more when the vehicle is in a stopped state, and a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power extraction unit, wherein the vehicle is provided with a sensor that detects carbon monoxide, an exhaust component, as an atmospheric condition around the vehicle, and the power supply control unit further disables disabling the automatic engine stop when the exhaust component in the atmosphere around the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, and enables disabling the automatic engine stop when the exhaust component in the atmosphere around the vehicle is less than a predetermined ratio.
Alternatively, the vehicle control device of the present invention is a control device provided on a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs power from the storage battery and the generator to the outside of the vehicle, and comprises an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or more when the vehicle is in a stopped state, and a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power extraction unit, and the power supply control unit further inputs the charging rate of the storage battery from a battery management unit provided in the storage battery as the charging status of the storage battery, and disables disabling the automatic engine stop when the charging rate of the storage battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and enables disabling the automatic engine stop when the charging rate of the storage battery is less than a predetermined rate.

This allows the engine to be operated continuously for at least the first predetermined time when electric power is being output from the electric power take-off unit, and therefore allows electric power to be output from the electric power take-off unit continuously for at least the first predetermined time.
In addition, since the automatic engine stop can be disabled or made possible based on the vehicle stopping location environment, the atmospheric conditions around the vehicle, or the charging status of the storage battery, the automatic engine stop can be disabled appropriately.
Preferably, the vehicle control device further includes a notification unit that notifies the driver that the automatic engine stop has been disabled by the power supply control unit.

This notifies the user of the vehicle that the automatic engine stop has been disabled, so that the user can be made aware that the engine will continue to operate while the vehicle is parked and stopped, and can be made to pay attention to this.
Preferably, an automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit is provided for confirming the disablement of the automatic engine stop , and when a confirmation operation for disabling the automatic engine stop is performed by the automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit, the power supply control unit permits the automatic engine stop unit to disable the automatic engine stop.

This makes it possible to prevent the automatic engine stop from being disabled without the user realizing it when power is output from the power takeoff unit.
Preferably, the power supply control unit executes automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit if a confirmation operation for disabling the automatic engine stop is not performed by the automatic stop disabling confirmation operation unit within a second predetermined time after the notification unit has notified the user of the disablement of the automatic engine stop.

As a result, if a confirmation operation for disabling the automatic engine stop is not performed within a second predetermined time period after the notification of the disabling of the automatic engine stop, the automatic engine stop is executed and the operation of the engine for a first predetermined time period or more while the vehicle is parked or stopped is restricted.
Preferably, a confirmation operation memory unit is provided which stores the confirmation operation performed by the automatic stop deactivation confirmation operation unit, and the power supply control unit determines whether to enable or disable the automatic engine stop based on the confirmation operation stored in the confirmation operation memory unit when power is output from the power extraction unit.

This eliminates the need to check whether the automatic engine stop has been disabled each time electric power is output from the electric power takeoff unit, thereby reducing the time and effort required for the check.
Preferably, the confirmation operation storage unit erases the stored confirmation operation when a power source of the vehicle is turned off.

According to the vehicle driving control device of the present invention, the automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit is disabled when power is output from the power extraction unit, so that the engine can continue to operate without automatically stopping when the vehicle is stopped. This makes it possible to continuously output power to the outside of the vehicle for long periods of time, enabling highly usable power supply to the outside of the vehicle.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a driving system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a configuration diagram of a power supply control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle 1 equipped with the automatic engine stop control system (control device) of this embodiment is a four-wheel drive vehicle that can run by driving front wheels 3 with the output of an engine 2, and is equipped with an electric front motor 4 that drives the front wheels 3 and an electric rear motor 6 that drives the rear wheels 5.

The engine 2 is capable of driving a drive shaft 8 of the front wheels 3 via a reduction gear 7, and is also capable of driving a generator 9 via the reduction gear 7 to generate electricity.
The front motor 4 is driven by high-voltage power supplied from a storage battery 11 and a generator 9 mounted on the vehicle 1 via a front inverter 10, and drives a drive shaft 8 of the front wheels 3 via a reduction gear 7. The reduction gear 7 has a built-in clutch 7a that can switch between connecting and disconnecting the transmission of power between the output shaft of the engine 2 and the drive shaft 8 of the front wheels 3.

The rear motor 6 is driven by high-voltage power supplied from the storage battery 11 and the generator 9 via a rear inverter 12 , and drives a drive shaft 14 of the rear wheels 5 via a reduction gear 13 .
The electric power generated by the generator 9 can charge the storage battery 11 via the front inverter 10 and can also supply electric power to the front motor 4 and the rear motor 6 .
The storage battery 11 is composed of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and has a battery module (not shown) that is configured by assembling a plurality of battery cells. The storage battery 11 also has a battery management unit 11a that monitors the state of the battery module, such as the voltage and temperature of the battery module.

The front inverter 10 has the function of controlling the output of the front motor 4 based on a control signal from a hybrid ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20 (described later), and also has the function of controlling the output (generated power) of the generator 9 based on a control signal from the hybrid ECU 20.
The rear inverter 12 has a function of controlling the output of the rear motor 6 based on a control signal from the hybrid ECU 20 .

The vehicle 1 is equipped with a charger 21 that charges the storage battery 11 from an external power source, and an engine ECU 22 that controls the operation of the engine 2 .
A power outlet 30 (power take-out section) is provided, for example, inside the luggage compartment or at the rear of the vehicle 1. Power that has been transformed to, for example, 100 V AC from the storage battery 11 and the generator 9 via a transformer 31 can be output to the power outlet 30. The operation of the transformer 31 is controlled by a power supply ECU 32 (power supply control section), which controls the output or stop of power output from the power outlet 30.

An AC supply SW 33 is provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 or near the power outlet 30. The AC supply SW 33 is a switch that switches whether or not power can be output from the power outlet 30. The AC supply SW 33 maintains a state in which power output is possible by operating it when the power source of the vehicle 1 is turned on. For example, the AC supply SW 33 is provided with an indicator lamp such as an LED that indicates that a state in which power can be output from the power outlet 30 is maintained. The state in which power can be output is reset to a state in which power cannot be output by operating the AC supply SW 33 again or by turning off the vehicle power source.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an automatic engine stop control system 40 (control device) of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment.
The automatic engine stop control system 40 of this embodiment is configured to include a power supply ECU 32, a hybrid ECU 20, and a meter 34 (announcement unit).
The hybrid ECU 20 is a comprehensive control device for controlling the running of the vehicle 1, and includes input/output devices, storage devices (ROM, RAM, non-volatile RAM, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer, etc. The engine ECU 22 and the power supply ECU 32 also include input/output devices, storage devices (ROM, RAM, non-volatile RAM, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer, etc.

Operation information of an AC supply switch 33 is input to the hybrid ECU 20. In addition, operation information of a shift lever (current shift position) is input to the hybrid ECU 20 by a shift switch 35 or the like.
The meter 34 is a display device installed, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle 1, and is capable of displaying various information to the driver and of allowing operation via a touch panel.

The hybrid ECU 20, the power supply ECU 32, and the meter 34 are connected via a CAN, and are capable of exchanging various control and operation information with each other.
In addition, various ECUs of the vehicle 1, such as the power supply ECU 32 and the hybrid ECU 20, are capable of exchanging power supply on/off information (IG switch operation information) of the vehicle 1.
The power supply ECU 32 includes an automatic engine stop unit 32a that executes an auto shutoff function.

The auto shutoff function is a function for preventing exhaust gas from filling up the surroundings of the vehicle 1, and automatically shuts off the engine 2 via the hybrid ECU 20 and the engine ECU 22 if the engine 2 continues to operate for a first predetermined time t1 or more when the vehicle 1 is stopped with the power on. The power supply ECU 32 may determine that the vehicle 1 is stopped by, for example, determining that the shift position input via the hybrid ECU 20 is the parking (P) position. The first predetermined time t1 may be set to, for example, a few minutes to a few tens of minutes. The first predetermined time t1 may be arbitrarily changed by a switch displayed on the meter 34, or the like.

Next, the control for disabling the auto shutoff function will be described.
When the AC supply SW 33 is operated while the vehicle power supply is on (IG-ON), the power supply ECU 32 causes the meter 34 to display text or the like to notify the user that the auto shut-off function will be disabled (restricted). The notification that the auto shut-off function has been disabled may also be made by voice. The meter 34 also displays a confirmation switch 34a (automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit) for confirming the disablement of the auto shut-off function, along with the display that the auto shut-off function has been disabled. The meter 34 may display, for example, a switch displaying OK or the like as the confirmation switch 34a.

The power supply ECU 32 starts the timer 32b when it starts to notify the user that the auto shutoff function is disabled. If the confirmation switch 34a is operated before the second predetermined time t2 has elapsed since the timer 32b started to operate, the power supply ECU 32 disables the auto shutoff function. In other words, when the AC supply SW 33 is in the ON state, the power supply ECU 32 does not automatically stop the engine 2 even if the engine 2 continues to operate for the first predetermined time t1 or more while the vehicle 1 is parked or stopped (stopped).

On the other hand, if the confirmation switch 34a is not operated until the second predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the start of the notification that the auto shutoff function is disabled, the power supply ECU 32 executes the auto shutoff function without disabling it. In other words, when the operation of the engine 2 continues for the first predetermined time t1 or more while the vehicle is stopped, the engine 2 is automatically stopped.

The meter 34 may display an operation switch for refusing to disable the auto shutoff function together with the confirmation switch 34a for disabling the auto shutoff function. When this operation switch for refusing to disable the auto shutoff function is operated, the auto shutoff function is executed even before the second predetermined time t2 has elapsed since the start of the notification of the disablement of the auto shutoff function.

It is preferable that the storage device of the power supply ECU 32 includes a storage unit 32c (confirmation operation storage unit) for storing operation information of the confirmation switch 34a (presence or absence of a disable confirmation operation). The storage unit 32c stores the operation information of the confirmation switch 34a after notification of the disablement of the auto shutoff function as confirmation operation information.
Then, when the vehicle power supply SW 33 is next turned on while the vehicle power supply is on, the memory unit 32c may determine whether to enable or disable the auto shut-off function according to the previous operation information of the confirmation switch 34a stored in the memory unit 32c, without displaying the confirmation switch 34a. The operation information of the confirmation switch 34a stored in the memory unit 32c is erased when the power supply is turned off (IG-OFF). Therefore, when the power supply is turned on after being turned off and the AC supply SW 33 is turned on, the confirmation switch 34a is displayed, and it is necessary to confirm whether to disable the auto shut-off function.

As described above, in this embodiment, the auto shutoff function is disabled when the AC supply SW 33 is in the ON state. That is, when the AC supply SW 33 is in the ON state, the power supply ECU 32 does not automatically stop the engine 2 even if the operation of the engine 2 continues for the first predetermined time t1 or more while the vehicle 1 is parked or stopped (in a stopped state).
This allows the engine to continue to operate for at least the first predetermined time t1 when power is being output from the power outlet 30 of the vehicle 1, thereby extending the duration of power output from the power outlet 30. This allows for a convenient supply of power to the outside of the vehicle.

In addition, when the vehicle 1 is powered on and the AC supply SW 33 is on, the power supply ECU 32 notifies users, such as passengers of the vehicle 1, by display or audio, etc., that the auto shut-off function has been disabled, thereby letting the users know and be careful that the engine 2 will continue to operate.
Furthermore, if the confirmation switch 34a is operated after it has been notified that the auto shutoff function will be disabled, disabling of the auto shutoff function is permitted, which prevents the auto shutoff function from being unknowingly disabled when the AC supply SW 33 is turned on.

Furthermore, if the confirmation switch 34a is not operated before the second predetermined time t2 has elapsed after the notification that the auto shutoff function will be disabled, the auto shutoff function is executed. Therefore, for example, if the user forgets to operate the confirmation switch 34a, the auto shutoff function is executed and operation of the engine 2 for the first predetermined time t1 or more while the vehicle is parked or stopped is restricted.

In addition, a memory unit 32c is provided that stores operation information of the confirmation switch 34a. When the AC supply SW 33 is turned on, a decision is made to disable the auto shutoff function based on the previous operation information of the confirmation switch 34a stored in the memory unit 32c. This eliminates the need to operate the confirmation switch 34a every time the AC supply SW 33 is turned on, and saves the trouble of performing a confirmation operation.

However, when the power supply of the vehicle 1 is turned off, the operation information of the confirmation switch 34a is erased from the memory unit 32c, so that when the power supply of the vehicle 1 and the AC supply SW 33 are subsequently turned on, if it is necessary to continue operating the engine 2 for the first predetermined time t1 or more, it is necessary to operate the confirmation switch 34a again. Therefore, for example, when the user parks for a long period of time and forgets that he or she previously operated the confirmation switch 34a, or when another user takes over, it is possible to prevent the auto shutoff function from being disabled without the user's knowledge.

In addition, the power supply ECU 32 may have a disable permission condition when the auto shutoff function is disabled by operating the AC supply SW 33. Examples of the disable permission conditions include the stopping position environment of the vehicle 1, the surrounding atmospheric conditions, and the charging state of the storage battery 11.
As the stopping location environment of the vehicle 1, a navigation system or the like of the vehicle 1 is used to determine whether the vehicle 1 is located indoors or outdoors, and if the vehicle 1 is located indoors, the auto shut-off function cannot be disabled, and if the vehicle is located outdoors, the auto shut-off function can be disabled. This prevents the auto shut-off function from being disabled indoors, and prevents exhaust air from filling the indoors.

As for the surrounding atmospheric conditions, a sensor for detecting exhaust components such as carbon monoxide may be provided in the vehicle 1, and if the exhaust components in the atmosphere around the vehicle 1 are equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, the auto shutoff function may be disabled, and if the exhaust components are less than the predetermined ratio, the auto shutoff function may be disabled. Furthermore, when the engine 2 is operating and power is being supplied from the power outlet 30, if the exhaust components in the atmosphere around the vehicle 1 reach a predetermined ratio or greater, the engine 2 may be controlled to stop at that point. This makes it possible to prevent the atmosphere around the vehicle 1 from being filled with exhaust.

The charging status of the storage battery 11 is determined by inputting the charging rate of the storage battery 11 from the battery management unit 11a, and when the charging rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined charging rate, the auto shutoff function cannot be disabled, and when the charging rate is less than the predetermined charging rate, the auto shutoff function can be disabled. In this way, when the demand for power generation is low, such as when the charging rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined charging rate, the auto shutoff function is not disabled, thereby preventing the engine 2 from operating for a long period of time when the vehicle is stopped.

Although the description of the present invention is now completed, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, in the above embodiment, the hybrid ECU 20, which controls the overall drive system of the vehicle 1, and the power supply ECU 32, which performs the auto shut-off function and controls its disabling, are separate, but they may also be integrated into the hybrid ECU 20 or another control unit.
Further, although the vehicle 1 in the above embodiment is a four-wheel drive plug-in hybrid vehicle, the present invention may be applied to a two-wheel drive vehicle, or to a hybrid vehicle that is not a plug-in type.

In addition, the vehicle 1 in the above embodiment is a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the front wheels 3 can be driven by the engine 2, but it may also be a series hybrid vehicle. The present invention can be widely applied to vehicles equipped with an engine that drives a generator and can supply electric power to the outside.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle 2 engine 9 generator 11 storage battery 30 power outlet (power extraction section)
32 Power supply ECU (power supply control unit)
32a Automatic engine stop unit 32c Memory unit (confirmation operation memory unit)
34 Meter (notification unit)
34a Confirmation switch (automatic stop disable confirmation operation part)
40 Automatic engine stop control system (control device)

Claims (8)

A control device provided in a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs electric power from the storage battery and the generator to an outside of the vehicle,
an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or longer while the vehicle is in a stopped state;
a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power take-out unit,
The power supply control unit further determines, as the stopping location environment of the vehicle, whether the vehicle is located indoors or outdoors, using a navigation system of the vehicle, and disables disabling of the automatic engine stop when the vehicle is indoors, and enables disabling of the automatic engine stop when the vehicle is outdoors. A control device provided in a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs electric power from the storage battery and the generator to an outside of the vehicle,
an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or longer while the vehicle is in a stopped state;
a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power take-out unit,
The vehicle is provided with a sensor for detecting carbon monoxide, which is an exhaust component, as the atmospheric condition around the vehicle;
The power supply control unit further prevents disabling of the automatic engine stop when the exhaust components in the atmosphere surrounding the vehicle are equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, and enables disabling of the automatic engine stop when the exhaust components in the atmosphere surrounding the vehicle are less than a predetermined ratio. A control device provided in a vehicle having a storage battery , an engine , a generator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and a power extraction unit that outputs electric power from the storage battery and the generator to an outside of the vehicle,
an automatic engine stop unit that automatically stops the engine when the engine has been operating continuously for a first predetermined time or longer while the vehicle is in a stopped state;
a power supply control unit that disables automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit when power is output from the power take-out unit,
The power supply control unit further inputs a charging rate of the storage battery from a battery management unit provided in the storage battery as the charging status of the storage battery, and disables the automatic engine stop when the charging rate of the storage battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and enables the automatic engine stop to be disabled when the charging rate of the storage battery is less than the predetermined value. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the driver that the automatic engine stop has been disabled by the power supply control unit. An automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit that confirms the disablement of the automatic engine stop,
5. The vehicle control device according to claim 4, wherein the power supply control unit permits the engine automatic stop unit to disable the engine automatic stop when the automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit has performed a confirmation operation for disabling the engine automatic stop. The vehicle control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the power supply control unit executes automatic engine stop by the automatic engine stop unit if the automatic engine stop disable confirmation operation unit does not perform a confirmation operation for disabling the automatic engine stop within a second predetermined time period after the notification unit notifies the driver of the disablement of the automatic engine stop. a confirmation operation storage unit that stores a confirmation operation by the automatic stop disable confirmation operation unit,
7. The vehicle control device according to claim 5, wherein the power supply control unit determines whether to permit or disable the automatic engine stop based on the confirmation operation stored in the confirmation operation memory unit when outputting electric power from the power extraction unit. The vehicle control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the confirmation operation memory unit erases the memory of the confirmation operation when the power supply of the vehicle is turned off.

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