JP2018167727A - Vehicular control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The power generation efficiency of a solar panel attached to a vehicle is increased. A vehicle control device is provided with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the orientation of a solar panel that converts irradiated sunlight into electrical energy. Moreover, based on the direction acquired by the acquisition part 90 which acquires the incident direction of the sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2, the control part 9 which performs the facing control which operates the adjustment mechanism 3 in the side which the solar panel 2 directly faces the sun Is provided. Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 3 uses a vehicle height adjustment mechanism 4 that adjusts the vehicle heights at a plurality of locations. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device to which a solar panel is attached.

As one of power generation devices, a solar panel that generates power with sunlight is known. In the solar panel, the power generation efficiency fluctuates when the energy density of sunlight converted into electric energy changes. For example, the power generation efficiency decreases as the incident angle of sunlight is inclined with respect to the normal line of the solar panel.
Therefore, a technology for making the solar panel face the sun has been developed. For example, a technique has been proposed in which a platform on which a solar panel is attached is rotated to direct the solar panel toward the sun (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-164549 A

However, when the solar panel is attached to a vehicle, it is difficult to run the vehicle so that the solar panel faces the sun. Therefore, there is room for improvement in improving the power generation efficiency of the solar panel attached to the vehicle.
This case has been devised in view of the problems as described above, and one of its purposes is to increase the power generation efficiency of a solar panel attached to a vehicle. Note that the present invention is not limited to this purpose, and is an operation and effect derived from each configuration shown in “Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” to be described later. It can be positioned as another purpose.

  (1) The vehicle control device disclosed herein is provided with a solar panel that is attached facing the outside of the vehicle and converts irradiated sunlight into electric energy. Moreover, the adjustment mechanism which adjusts the direction of the said solar panel, and the acquisition part which acquires the incident direction of the sunlight with respect to the said solar panel are provided. Furthermore, based on the direction acquired by the said acquisition part, the control part which implements facing control which operates the said adjustment mechanism in the side in which the said solar panel directly faces the sun is provided. In addition, the adjustment mechanism includes a vehicle height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the vehicle height at a plurality of locations.

(2) It is preferable that the adjustment mechanism includes a panel adjustment mechanism that adjusts the mounting posture of the solar panel.
(3) It is preferable that the acquisition unit is provided with a reference acquisition unit that acquires an incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel when the vehicle is stopped on a horizontal road surface. Furthermore, a gradient acquisition unit that acquires the gradient of the roadway, a correction acquisition unit that acquires the incident direction of sunlight by correcting the incident direction acquired by the reference acquisition unit with the gradient acquired by the gradient acquisition unit; Is preferably provided.

(4) Preferably, the vehicle height adjusting mechanism includes an air suspension device whose stroke length changes according to supply air or exhaust air, and the air suspension device is coupled to each wheel. Furthermore, it is preferable that the vehicle height adjusting mechanism includes a supply / discharge mechanism for supplying or exhausting air to or from the air suspension device.
(5) In addition, the acquisition unit may be provided with a detection unit that optically detects the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel.

  According to the present case, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel can be increased by adjusting the orientation of the vehicle to the side facing the sun by adjusting the attitude of the vehicle.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a control device for a vehicle. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the port position of the valve of the controlled object by the control device of vehicles. It is a flowchart of the facing control implemented by the control apparatus of a vehicle.

A mode for carrying out this case will be described. The following embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention of excluding various modifications and technical applications that are not explicitly described in this embodiment. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Further, it can be selected as necessary, and can be appropriately combined.
In the following embodiments, the forward direction of the vehicle is the front, the left and right are determined based on the front, and the opposite direction of the front is the rear. Further, the direction of action of gravity is defined as the downward direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the upward direction.

[I. One Embodiment]
[1. Constitution]
The control device described in this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle to which a solar panel is attached. This control device controls the orientation of the solar panel in order to increase the power generation efficiency of the solar panel.
In the following description, a basic configuration as a premise of control is described, and then a detailed configuration regarding control is described.

[1-1. Basic configuration]
First, the configuration of the vehicle 1 will be outlined with reference to FIG.
A planar solar panel 2 that generates power with sunlight is attached to the vehicle 1.
The solar panel 2 includes a light absorption layer. In this light absorption layer, solar light energy incident on the solar panel 2 is converted into electric energy by the photovoltaic effect. For the light absorption layer, known materials such as compound and organic materials as well as single crystal and polycrystalline silicon materials are used.

The solar panel 2 is mounted facing the outside of the vehicle 1. Here, the solar panel 2 is attached to the roof top of the vehicle 1.
Under the condition where the intensity of sunlight is constant, when the geometric line perpendicular to the extending surface of the solar panel 2 (hereinafter referred to as “panel normal”) and the irradiation direction of sunlight are parallel, The power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 can be maximized. This is because the energy density of sunlight converted into electric energy by the solar panel 2 is maximized.

In other words, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 decreases as the irradiation angle of sunlight with respect to the panel normal increases.
Therefore, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a mechanism 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as “adjustment mechanism”) 3 that adjusts the orientation of the solar panel 2.
The vehicle 1 is provided with two types of adjusting mechanisms 3. One is a vehicle height adjustment mechanism 4 (first adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the vehicle height of each part in the vehicle 1. The other is a panel adjustment mechanism 7 (second adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the mounting posture of the solar panel 2 in the vehicle 1.

<Vehicle height adjustment mechanism>
An air suspension device 5 (hereinafter abbreviated as “air suspension device”) is used for the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4.
The air suspension device 5 is coupled to each axle. The air suspension device 5 is equipped with a stretchable bellows B in which air is sealed. In addition, a level sensor LV for detecting the height level of the air suspension device 5 according to the expansion and contraction of the bellows B is attached.

Specifically, the air suspension device 5 includes a first air suspension device 51 coupled to the left front axle, a second air suspension device 52 coupled to the right front axle, and a third air suspension device coupled to the left rear axle. 53, a fourth air suspension device 54 is provided which is coupled to the right rear axle. Further, the first air suspension device 51, the bellows B ₁ is provided, and level sensor LV ₁ also provided in the vicinity of the bellows B _1. Similarly, bellows B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ and level sensors LV ₂ , LV ₃ , LV ₄ are attached to the air suspension devices 52, 53, 54.

The bellows B absorbs or relaxes vibrations and shocks input to the air suspension device 5 by the elasticity of the internal air and its own stretchability. The air suspension device 5 is connected to a supply / discharge mechanism 6 that expands and contracts each bellows B.
The supply / discharge mechanism 6 is a mechanism that supplies or exhausts air to or from the bellows B of the air suspension device 5.

For example, if the air is supplied to the bellows B ₁ of the first air suspension device 51, the bellows B ₁ is extended and the stroke length is extended, and the vehicle height at the left front portion of the vehicle 1 is increased. On the contrary, if the exhaust is performed from the bellows B ₄ of the fourth air suspension device 54, the bellows B ₄ is contracted to shorten the stroke length, and the vehicle height at the right rear portion of the vehicle 1 is decreased.
As described above, the stroke length of the air suspension device 5 changes according to the supply or exhaust of the bellows B. And the vehicle height of several places in the vehicle 1 goes up and down, respectively. From this, the air suspension device 5 can also be said to be a device (vehicle posture adjusting mechanism) that changes the posture of the vehicle 1.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the supply / discharge mechanism 6 will be described in detail.
The supply / discharge mechanism 6 is provided with a compressor C driven by a motor M as a supply / exhaust source for the bellows B of the air suspension device 5.
This is a compressor C, a internal paper discharge path R _I which branched toward the respective bellows B, a external supply and exhaust passage R _O communicating is connected to the outside.

Air supply to the bellows B, the outside air at the back pressure of the compressor C is attracted to the external air supply and exhaust passage R _O, it is pumped internal paper discharge path R _I at a discharge pressure of the compressor C. Exhaust from the bellows B flows through the internal paper discharge path R _I in the back pressure of the compressor C, is discharged from the external air supply and exhaust passage R _O in the discharge pressure of the compressor C.
Internal air supply and exhaust passage R _I, broadly divided the trunk fluid channel R _I0 of the compressor C side, to a bellows _{B 1, B 2, B 3} , branch passages B ₄ side _{R I1, R I2, R I3} , R I4 Is done.

One end of the first branch channel R _I1 is connected to the bellows B ₁ of the first air suspension device 51, and the trunk channel R _I0 is connected to the other end of the first branch channel R _I1 . A first on-off valve V ₁ is interposed in the first branch channel R _I1 .
Similarly, each end of branch flow paths R _I2 , R _I3 , R _I4 is connected to bellows B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ of other air suspension devices 52, 53, 54, and branch flow paths R _I2 , R _I3. , R _I4 is connected to the other end of the main channel R _I0 . Further, on-off valves V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are interposed in the branch flow paths R _I2 , R _I3 , R _I4 .
These on-off valves V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are in a closed position (see FIG. 2) for maintaining the sealed state of the bellows B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ , and the bellows B ₂ , B _2. , B ₃ , B ₄ have an open position (see FIG. 1) for releasing the sealed state.

The external air supply / exhaust passage R _O is broadly divided into an air supply communication passage R _O1 that communicates with the outside during supply and an exhaust communication passage R _O2 that communicates with the outside during exhaust.
The above-described supply and exhaust are switched by the switching valve V ₀ .
The switching valve V ₀ is interposed across the trunk channel R _I0 and the external supply / exhaust channel R _O. Here, the switching valve V ₀ at 5 ports and 2 positions is illustrated.

This switching valve V ₀ has an air supply position during air supply (see FIG. 1) and an exhaust position during exhaust (see FIG. 2). The supply position switching valve V ₀ connects the main flow path R _I0 and the supply communication path R _O1 . The exhaust position switching valve V ₀ connects the main flow path R _I0 and the exhaust communication path R _O2 .
When the compressor C is operated when the on-off valves V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are opened, outside air is supplied to the bellows B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ when the switching valve V ₀ is in the supply position. Is done. On the other hand, when the switching valve V ₀ is at the exhaust position, the internal air of the bellows B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ is discharged.

<Panel adjustment mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 1, the panel adjustment mechanism 7 is a movable pedestal 8 interposed between the vehicle body structure in the vehicle 1 and the solar panel 2. Here, like the air suspension device 5, pedestals 8 are provided on the left front, the right front, the left rear, and the right rear.
The pedestal 8 is provided with a first pedestal portion 8A coupled to the vehicle body structure and a second pedestal portion 8B coupled to the solar panel 2.

The first pedestal portion 8A incorporates an actuator A that moves the plunger P up and down. The second pedestal portion 8B is coupled to the plunger P via a structure that allows a relative posture change such as a ball joint or a flexible member.
For example, if the plunger P is immersed in two pedestals 8 arranged in the front of the four pedestals 8 and the plunger P is projected by the two pedestals 8 arranged in the rear, the solar panel 2 is directed forward. To make the mounting posture inclined.

[1-2. Detailed configuration]
Below, the structure regarding the control which adjusts the direction of the solar panel 2 is demonstrated.
Specifically, the facing control in which the adjustment mechanism 3 controls the orientation of the solar panel 2 on the side facing the sun will be described in detail. “Directly facing” here means that the irradiation direction of sunlight and the panel normal are parallel. When the solar panel 2 faces the sun, the sunlight enters the solar panel 2 at a right angle. On the other hand, “face-to-face” here means that the solar panel 2 faces the sun, and has a broader meaning than “face-to-face”.

In the vehicle 1, the electronic control device 9 (control unit) is responsible for controlling the face-to-face control. The electronic control unit 9 is configured as an LSI device or an embedded electronic device in which a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like are integrated.
The electronic control device 9 receives detection information from sensors that detect information related to control conditions. Further, the electronic control unit 9 outputs a control signal to the adjusting mechanism 3 that is a control target.

Furthermore, the electronic control device 9 receives information on the direction of the sun with respect to the solar panel 2 when the meeting control execution condition (start condition) is satisfied. Then, face-to-face control is performed. On the other hand, when the stop condition (end condition) of the face-to-face control is satisfied, the face-to-face control is ended.
Hereinafter, control conditions (execution conditions and stop conditions) related to the face-to-face control will be described. Thereafter, a method for acquiring information used for the control condition will be described. The contents of the face-to-face control will be described.

<Control conditions>
The face-to-face control is performed when the execution condition is satisfied, and the execution is stopped when the stop condition is satisfied. Here, the execution condition and the stop condition are alternatively established. Specifically, if the execution condition is satisfied, the stop condition is not satisfied. Conversely, if the execution condition is not satisfied, the stop condition is satisfied.

The implementation condition is to satisfy the following conditions A1 and A2.
Condition A1: The vehicle 1 is stopped (stop condition)
Condition A2: Solar panel 2 can be irradiated with sunlight (irradiation conditions)
The above condition A1 is that the change in the orientation of the solar panel 2 by the face-to-face control can change the center of gravity or the running resistance of the vehicle 1, so that the running stability of the vehicle 1 can be secured and the decrease in energy consumption efficiency can be suppressed. It is a requirement to be set.
The above-mentioned condition A2 is a requirement set in order to suppress unnecessary control since power generation by the solar panel 2 is impossible unless sunlight is irradiated.

In addition, the following condition A3 may be weighted as an implementation condition.
Condition A3: The interior of the vehicle is unmanned The above condition A3 is a requirement set to suppress a sense of discomfort that can be given to the occupant of the vehicle 1 by the change in orientation of the solar panel 2 due to the facing control.
If condition A1 or A2 or condition A3 described above is not satisfied, the execution condition is not satisfied and the stop condition is satisfied.

<Control information>
In face-to-face control, in addition to the information regarding the control conditions described above, information on the direction of the sun with respect to the solar panel 2 is used as control information.
First, sensors for detecting information related to control conditions will be described.
Examples of the information detection unit (stop state detection unit) related to the condition A1 include a vehicle speed sensor 98a that detects the speed of the vehicle 1 and an inhibitor switch 98b that detects the travel range (P range and N range) of the vehicle 1. It is done.

If the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 98a is zero (vehicle speed indicating a stop), the condition A1 is satisfied. Alternatively, if the travel range detected by the inhibitor switch 98b is the P range (travel range where energization is permitted), the condition A1 is satisfied.
The information detection unit (irradiation state detection unit) related to the condition A2 includes a clock 99a for grasping the hour and minute and season (month / day), an illuminance sensor (not shown) for detecting the illuminance on the solar panel 2, and rainfall. And a rain sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of rain.

If the time grasped by the clock 99a is a time zone when the sun is out (not at night), the condition A2 is satisfied. Instead of or in addition to this, the condition A2 may be satisfied if the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined illuminance. The “predetermined illuminance” here is set experimentally or empirically in advance as the illuminance of incident light that is the minimum necessary for power generation of the solar panel 2. Alternatively, if no rain is detected by the rain sensor, the condition A2 may be satisfied.
Examples of the information detection unit (unmanned state detection unit) related to the condition A3 include a door lock detection unit 99b that detects a state in which the door is locked with the key of the vehicle 1. If the door lock detector 99b detects that the door of the vehicle 1 is locked, the condition A3 is satisfied.

Below, the acquisition part 90 which acquires the direction of the sun with respect to the solar panel 2 is demonstrated.
The acquisition unit 90 is provided with a reference acquisition unit 91 that acquires a direction in which sunlight is incident on the solar panel 2 on the assumption that the vehicle 1 is located on a horizontal road surface.
In addition to the above-described clock 99a, the reference acquisition unit 91 includes a direction sensor 91a that detects a direction in which the vehicle 1 faces (for example, a direction in which the vehicle 1 moves forward), and a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle 1. ) A device 91b is provided.

Further, the acquisition unit 90 irradiates sunlight corresponding to the direction of the vehicle 1 detected by the direction sensor 91a, the position of the vehicle 1 detected by the GPS device 91b, and the season and date / time grasped by the clock 99a. A memory 91c storing the direction is provided. The “irradiation direction” stored in the memory 91c includes the irradiation angle of sunlight in addition to the direction of the sun.
The memory 91c is not limited to the storage mounted on the vehicle 1, and may be online storage on an external network that can communicate with the vehicle 1.

The reference acquisition unit 91 reads the irradiation direction of sunlight associated with each piece of information obtained by the clock 99a and the GPS device 91b from the memory 91c. And these irradiation directions are converted into the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 of a reference | standard attitude | position according to the direction of the vehicle 1 detected by the direction sensor 91a.
Here, the “reference posture” means the posture of the solar panel 2 when the following states 1 and 2 are satisfied.

State 1: The dimensions at which the plunger P protrudes in the base 8 are equal State 2: The air suspension device 5 has a stroke length during normal running of the vehicle 1 For example, the solar panel 2 in the reference posture is oriented along the roof top of the vehicle 1 Here, the posture is directed upward and slightly forward of the vehicle 1.
Further, the “incident direction” includes the azimuth of the sun and the incident angle of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2, similarly to the “irradiation direction”.

  By the way, the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 in the reference posture varies not only according to the season and the date and time but also due to the road surface gradient of the vehicle 1. For example, the sunlight at the time of south and middle with respect to the solar panel 2 of the vehicle 1 that has stopped facing south in Japan is incident on the uphill road 1 from the front, more inclined than the vehicle 1 on the flat road.

Accordingly, the main acquisition unit 90 is provided with a gradient sensor 92 that detects the gradient of the road surface (vehicle path) on which the vehicle 1 is located.
Further, a correction acquisition unit 93 that corrects the incident direction of sunlight acquired by the reference acquisition unit 91 based on the gradient detected by the gradient sensor 92 is provided. The incident direction corrected by the correction acquisition unit 93 according to the road surface gradient is used for the facing control described below.

<Control details>
In the face-to-face control, the adjustment mechanism 3 is operated on the side where the solar panel 2 faces the sun based on the incident direction of sunlight acquired by the acquisition unit 90 described above. For example, in the face-to-face control of the vehicle 1 parked facing north in the morning, the vehicle height adjustment mechanism 4 and the panel adjustment mechanism 7 are operated to direct the solar panel 2 to the right.

First, the operation of the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 will be described.
In the face-to-face control, air supply to each of the bellows B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ by the supply / discharge mechanism 6 based on the height level detected by the level sensors LV ₁ , LV ₂ , LV ₃ , LV _4. And exhaust. Then, the height levels of the air suspension devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are respectively controlled.

Here, the height level to be controlled is illustrated by simplifying to three levels of upper, middle and lower.
In the air suspension device 5 whose height level is “up”, the bellows B is most expanded and the stroke length is most extended. In the air suspension device 5 whose height level is “lower”, the bellows B is most contracted and the stroke length is the shortest. In the air suspension device 5 whose height level is “medium”, the expansion / contraction degree of the bellows B is between the height levels “up” and “down”, and the stroke length is also the height levels “up” and “down”. The state between.

  Specifically, in order to direct the solar panel 2 in various directions by face-to-face control, the height levels of the air suspension devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are respectively controlled as shown in Table 1 below.

As shown in Table 1 above, the face-to-face control is roughly divided into three types: front-rear control, left-right control, and tilt control.
In the front-rear control, the stroke length is different between the front and rear of the four air suspension devices 5. This longitudinal control is subdivided into pre-control and post-control.

In the pre-control, the height levels of the first air suspension device 51 and the second air suspension device 52 are set to “down”, and the height levels of the third air suspension device 53 and the fourth air suspension device 54 are set to “up”. Put into a state. On the other hand, in the post control, the height level is opposite to that in the pre control.
When the pre-control is performed, the vehicle 1 assumes a so-called dive (crowching) posture. When the post control is performed, the vehicle 1 assumes a so-called squat posture.

In the left / right control, the stroke length is different between the left and right of the four air suspension devices 5. This left / right control is subdivided into left control and right control.
In the left control, the height levels of the second air suspension device 52 and the fourth air suspension device 54 are set to the “up” state, and the height levels of the first air suspension device 51 and the third air suspension device 53 are set to the “down” state. Is done. On the other hand, in the right control, the upper and lower height levels are opposite to those in the left control.
When the left / right control is performed, the vehicle 1 assumes a so-called rolled (knealing) posture.

In the tilt control, two air suspension devices 5 arranged on one diagonal line in a virtual rectangle having four air suspension devices 5 arranged at four corners at the left front, right front, left rear, and right rear of the vehicle 1 in a top view. The stroke lengths are different from each other. In addition, the stroke length of the two air suspension apparatuses 5 arrange | positioned on the other diagonal is made substantially equivalent.
This tilt control is subdivided into first control, second control, third control and fourth control.

In the first control, the height level of the second air suspension device 52 is set to the “down” state, and the height level of the third air suspension device 53 is set to the “up” state. Further, the height levels of the first air suspension device 51 and the fourth air suspension device 54 are set to the “medium” state. On the other hand, in the second control, the upper and lower height levels are opposite to those in the first control.
In the third control, the height level of the first air suspension device 51 is set to the “down” state, the height level of the fourth air suspension device 54 is set to the “up” state, and the other air suspension devices 51, 53 are set. The height level is set to “medium”. On the other hand, in the fourth control, the height level is opposite to that in the third control.

The vehicle 1 that has been subjected to the tilt control is inclined to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. For example, the posture of the vehicle 1 on which the first control is performed has a slope that is lower right forward and higher rear left.
Each control described above is alternatively performed according to the incident direction of sunlight on the solar panel 2 as long as the execution condition is satisfied.

  For example, in the case where the east-facing vehicle 1 continues to stop from sunrise in Japan, the front control is performed at the sunrise to direct the solar panel 2 to the east (the front side of the vehicle 1). Thereafter, when the sun rises in the southeast direction, the first control is performed to direct the solar panel 2 toward the southeast (the front side and the right side of the vehicle 1).

  Thus, when shifting from the previous control to the first control, the height level of the first air suspension device 51 is raised from “lower” to “middle”, and the height level of the fourth air suspension device 54 is changed from “upper” to “middle”. It falls to “medium”. Note that the height level of the second air suspension device 52 is maintained at “down”, and the height level of the third air suspension device 53 is maintained at “up”.

When the height level of the first air suspension device 51 rises from “lower” to “middle”, the switching valve V ₀ is controlled to the air supply position, and the first on-off valve V ₁ is controlled to the open position. The other on-off valves V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are controlled to the closed position. Then, the compressor C is driven by the motor M until the height level detected by the level sensor LV ₁ becomes “medium”.
When the height level of the fourth air suspension device 54 decreases from “up” to “medium”, the switching valve V ₀ is controlled to the exhaust position, and the fourth on-off valve V ₄ is controlled to the open position. The other on-off valves V ₁ , V ₂ and V ₃ are controlled to the closed position. Then, the compressor C is driven by the motor M until the height level detected by the level sensor LV ₄ becomes “medium”.

Next, the operation of the panel adjustment mechanism 7 will be described.
In the face-to-face control, the pedestal 8 is driven in and out by the actuator A, and the protruding dimensions of the plunger P are controlled.
Similar to the height level control for the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 described above, the protruding dimension of the plunger P is controlled to be large, medium, and small by front-rear control, left-right control, or tilt control of face-to-face control. That is, in the face-to-face control by the panel adjustment mechanism 7, the height level of the air suspension device 5 described above is “up”, “medium”, and “down”, and the protruding dimension of the plunger P is “large”, “medium”, and “small”. Control of the contents replaced with the state is performed.

However, in the case where the solar panel 2 can be directly opposed to the sun only by controlling the height level for the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 or by controlling the protruding dimension for the panel adjusting mechanism 7, the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 and the panel adjusting mechanism are used. Only one of these may be controlled. Alternatively, both of the adjustment mechanisms 4 and 7 may be controlled while suppressing the adjustment level of the height level of the vehicle height adjustment mechanism 4 and the adjustment degree of the protruding dimension of the panel adjustment mechanism 7.
In addition, when the facing control is not performed, the solar panel 2 is returned to the reference posture. That is, the posture of the vehicle 1 is returned to the horizontal position, and the mounting posture of the solar panel 2 is returned to the posture along the roof top.

[2. flowchart]
Next, the flow of face-to-face control will be described with reference to the chart of FIG. This flow is repeatedly performed at a predetermined control cycle in the electronic control unit 9. It is assumed that face-to-face control is not performed in the first control cycle.

First, it is determined whether or not the conditions for implementing the face-to-face control are satisfied (step S2). In other words, it is determined whether the stop condition for the face-to-face control is not satisfied.
When it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 is acquired by the acquisition unit 90 (step S4). Here, the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 in the reference posture is acquired after being corrected according to the road surface gradient.

Then, facing control is started (implemented) based on the incident direction of sunlight acquired by the acquisition unit 90 (step S6). In this face-to-face control, front-rear control, left-right control, and tilt control are alternatively performed, and the posture of the vehicle 1 and the mounting posture of the solar panel 2 are adjusted.
Then, this control cycle ends (return).

  When it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied again during the face-to-face control (step S2), the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 is acquired again, and the incident direction acquired in the immediately preceding cycle is updated (step S4). ). In these determination steps and acquisition steps (steps S2 and S4), the face-to-face control started in the immediately preceding cycle is continuously performed.

Then, the facing control is continuously performed based on the updated incident direction (step S6). In this face-to-face control, when the updated incident direction is different from the incident direction in the most recent control cycle, the face-to-face control (for example, the previous control) performed in the most recent control is changed to another face-to-face control (for example, the first control). Control can shift to (tilt control).
On the other hand, if it is determined that the execution condition is not satisfied (determination of the stop condition is determined), the process is stopped without performing the face-to-face control (step S8). At this time, the posture of the vehicle 1 is returned to the horizontal position, and the mounting posture of the solar panel 2 is returned to the posture along the roof top. Then, this control cycle ends (return).

[3. Action and effect]
Since the control device of the vehicle 1 disclosed herein is configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
(1) In the face-to-face control, the vehicle height adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the vehicle height at a plurality of locations in the vehicle 1. Thus, by adjusting the attitude of the vehicle 1, the solar panel 2 can be directed to the side facing the sun. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 can be increased.

  (2) Furthermore, in the face-to-face control, the mounting posture of the solar panel 2 is adjusted by the panel adjustment mechanism 7. That is, the orientation of the solar panel 2 is adjusted in two stages by the two types of adjusting mechanisms 3, the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 and the panel adjusting mechanism 7. Therefore, the adjustment range of the orientation of the solar panel 2 can be expanded as compared with a vehicle in which a solar panel is attached, in which only a vehicle height adjustment mechanism or a panel adjustment mechanism is provided. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 can be further increased.

  (3) Moreover, the direction of the sunlight irradiated to the point where the vehicle 1 is located is not used as the incident direction of the sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2, but the incident of the sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 in the standard posture is used. An incident direction whose direction is corrected according to the road surface gradient is used. Therefore, the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel 2 can be obtained with high accuracy. Power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 can be increased by using accurate information on the incident direction in the face-to-face control.

(4) The vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 includes an air suspension device 5 and a supply / discharge mechanism 6 that supplies or exhausts air to or from the bellows B. The air suspension device 5 and the supply / discharge mechanism 6 are mounted on a part of an existing vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle height adjusting mechanism 4 is configured by using a device or mechanism mounted on an existing vehicle or by making a minor change such as adding a valve or replacing a pipe to the existing device or mechanism. Can do.
Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 2 can be increased while suppressing an increase in device cost.

[II. Others]
Finally, other modifications of the present embodiment will be described.
First, acquisition examples 1 to 3 are given as modified examples of acquiring the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel.
In the acquisition example 1, the road surface gradient corresponding to the position of the vehicle is stored in the memory. In this acquisition example 1, the road surface gradient corresponding to the position of the vehicle detected by the GPS device is read from the memory, and the incident direction acquired by the reference acquisition unit is corrected by the correction acquisition unit according to this road surface gradient. . In this case, the storage capacity of the memory increases, but the gradient sensor can be omitted.

In Acquisition Example 2, a camera (detection unit) that optically detects the incident direction of sunlight on the solar panel is provided. In this case, the memory, the gradient sensor, the correction acquisition unit, or the GPS device can be omitted, and the direction in which the power generation efficiency of the solar panel is increased can be directly acquired.
In the acquisition example 3, the incident direction of sunlight is not acquired in advance, but the incident direction of sunlight is acquired after changing the solar panel in various directions by the adjusting mechanism. Specifically, the solar panel is adjusted in various directions by the vehicle height adjustment mechanism and the panel adjustment mechanism, and the direction in which the voltage of power generated by the solar panel is high or the current is large is the incidence of sunlight. Get as direction. Also in this case, as in the acquisition example 2, the direction in which the power generation efficiency of the solar panel is increased can be directly acquired.

In addition, the above-described condition A1 (stop condition) may be omitted from the start condition of the face-to-face control. That is, the face-to-face control may be performed while the vehicle is traveling within a range in which the vehicle traveling stability and energy consumption efficiency are ensured. In this case, the efficiency of power generation by the solar panel while the vehicle is traveling can also be improved.
Alternatively, from the viewpoint of further increasing the power generation efficiency of the solar panel whose direction has been changed by the face-to-face control, a control that follows the maximum power point (optimum operating point) called MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) may be performed together. .

Further, the vehicle height adjusting mechanism is not limited to the air suspension device as long as it is a mechanism that adjusts the vehicle height at each of a plurality of locations, and may be an elevating mechanism independent of the suspension device. The lifting mechanism and the panel adjusting mechanism described above are not limited to four locations, and may be provided at three or less or five or more arbitrary locations in the vehicle.
Note that the solar panel can be attached to any location as long as it faces the outside of the vehicle, and may be attached to a bonnet or a side door in addition to the roof top.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Solar panel 3 Adjustment mechanism 4 Vehicle height adjustment mechanism 5,51,52,53,54 Air suspension apparatus 6 Supply / discharge mechanism 7 Panel adjustment mechanism 8,81,82,83,84 Base 8A First base part 8B Second Base unit 9 Electronic control unit (control unit)
90 Acquisition Unit 91 Reference Acquisition Unit 91a Direction Sensor 91b GPS Device 91c Memory 92 Gradient Sensor (Gradient Acquisition Unit)
93 correction acquiring unit 98a vehicle speed sensor 98b inhibitor switch 99a clockwise 99b door lock detector A actuator _{B, B 1, B 2,} B 3, B 4 bellows C compressor _{LV, LV 1, LV 2,} LV 3, LV 4 level sensor M Motor P Plunger R _I Internal supply / exhaust path R _I0 Trunk path R _I1 , R _I2 , R _I3 , R _I4 Branch path R _O External supply / exhaust path R _O1 Supply communication path R _O2 Exhaust communication path V ₀ Switching valve V _{1, V 2, V 3,} V 4 -off valve

Claims (5)

A solar panel that faces the outside of the car and converts the irradiated sunlight into electrical energy;
An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the solar panel;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel;
Based on the direction acquired by the acquisition unit, the solar panel includes a control unit that performs face-to-face control that operates the adjustment mechanism on the side facing the sun,
The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a vehicle height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the vehicle height at a plurality of locations. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a panel adjustment mechanism that adjusts a mounting posture of the solar panel. The acquisition unit is acquired by a reference acquisition unit that acquires an incident direction of sunlight with respect to the solar panel when the vehicle is stopped on a horizontal road surface, a gradient acquisition unit that acquires a gradient of the road, and the reference acquisition unit. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a correction acquisition unit that corrects the incident direction with the gradient acquired by the gradient acquisition unit to acquire the incident direction of sunlight. . The vehicle height adjusting mechanism is
An air suspension device coupled to each wheel, the stroke length of which varies according to the supply or exhaust air;
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a supply / discharge mechanism that supplies or exhausts air to or from the air suspension device. The said acquisition part has a detection part which optically detects the incident direction of the sunlight with respect to the said solar panel, The vehicle control apparatus described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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