TWI841935B - Vehicle and control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle and a control device, wherein the vehicle is characterized in that the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit equipped with a plurality of batteries; a motor, which is driven by the power from the power supply unit and can supply regenerative power to the power supply unit; an acquisition unit, which acquires status information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit, which selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries; and a control unit, which controls the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor with priority from the plurality of batteries based on the status information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Description

Vehicle and control device

The present invention relates to a vehicle and a control device.

In recent years, with the increasing concern for environmental issues such as global warming, research and development of technologies related to vehicles that can be driven by electric motors (motors) as a power source, i.e., so-called electric vehicles (electric two-wheeled vehicles), have been conducted in motorized two-wheeled vehicles. As an example of such a vehicle, the specification of Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 110682828 proposes an electric vehicle that realizes high output by mounting a plurality of batteries (rechargeable batteries, storage batteries) on a vehicle body and supplying power from each battery to an electric motor.

[The problem that the invention wants to solve]

In addition to high output, electric vehicles are also required to achieve more efficient driving (high efficiency). In order to achieve such a requirement, for example, the use of so-called regenerative braking, which converts the kinetic energy based on the braking action into electrical energy and supplies (stores) the battery as regenerative power, is considered to be used to make the electric motor function as a generator. Therefore, it is expected to develop a technology that applies regenerative braking to electric vehicles, especially electric vehicles equipped with multiple batteries, to achieve high output and high efficiency.

The present invention provides a new technology that is conducive to achieving high output and high efficiency of vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

A vehicle as one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit equipped with a plurality of batteries; a motor driven by the power from the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit; an acquisition unit that acquires status information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit that selects a battery from the plurality of batteries to supply regenerative power to the motor; and a control unit that controls the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery from the plurality of batteries to supply regenerative power to the motor with priority based on the status information acquired by the acquisition unit.

The control device as another aspect of the present invention is a control device for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit equipped with a plurality of batteries; and a motor driven by the power from the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit, wherein the control device comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring status information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit for selecting a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries; and a control unit for controlling the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor with priority from the plurality of batteries based on the status information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Further purposes or other aspects of the present invention will become clear through the following implementation methods described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, for example, a new technology that is useful for achieving higher output and higher efficiency of vehicles can be provided.

The following detailed description of the implementation mode is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following implementation mode does not limit the invention involved in the scope of the invention application. In addition, the combination of features described in the implementation mode is not necessarily all necessary for the invention. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine two or more features among the multiple features described in the implementation mode. In addition, the same figure mark is marked on the same or identical structure, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of a straddle-type vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle 1") as one aspect of the present invention. Vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (electric two-wheeled vehicle) that can travel using an electric motor 5 (electric motor) as a power source, and includes various straddle-type vehicles. In FIG. 1, D1 and D3 respectively represent the front and rear direction and the up and down direction based on the traveling direction of vehicle 1. In addition, FR, RR, U, and D respectively represent the front side, rear side, upper side, and lower side of vehicle 1.

The vehicle 1 has a front wheel FW, a rear wheel RW, and a body frame 2. The front wheel FW is a steering wheel, and the rear wheel RW is a driving wheel. In the present embodiment, an electric motor 5 represented by a three-phase motor is provided at the rear wheel RW. By driving the electric motor 5, the rear wheel RW is rotated, and a force (driving driving force) for driving the vehicle 1 is generated. In the present embodiment, a structure in which the electric motor 5 as a power source is provided at the rear wheel RW as a driving wheel, i.e., a so-called wheel hub motor, is adopted, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a structure may be adopted in which the electric motor 5 is separated from the rear wheel RW, and the driving force of the electric motor 5 is transmitted to the rear wheel RW via a gear mechanism, a belt electric mechanism, a chain electric mechanism, or the like.

The vehicle body frame 2 includes a head pipe 20, a main frame 21, and a sub-frame 25. The front fork 3 and the handlebar 8 are supported by the head pipe 20 so as to be turnable. Specifically, the head pipe 20 supports a shaft 20b so as to be turnable, and a top beam 20a is fixed to the shaft 20b. The front wheel FW is supported by the front fork 3 so as to be turnable. Handles 9 are provided at the left and right ends of the handlebar 8. The passenger of the vehicle 1 can turn the front wheel FW by holding the handle 9 and turning the shaft 20b.

The main frame 21 is composed of a pair of left and right frames. The pair of left and right frames constituting the main frame 21 are extended from the head pipe 20 to the rear in a manner that they expand relative to each other in the vehicle width direction and are bent downward. In addition, the main frame 21 includes one or more connecting frames extending in the vehicle width direction to connect the pair of left and right frames extending to the rear.

A pair of left and right swing arms 6 are provided on the main frame 21 so as to be freely swingable. The electric motor 5 provided on the rear wheel RW is supported by the swing arm 6. The swing arm 6 includes a cushion frame 6a, and a reaction member 7 is provided between the cushion frame 6a and the main frame 21. In addition, the front ends of a pair of left and right seat frames 22 are connected to the main frame 21, and a pair of left and right reinforcement frames 23 connected to the pair of left and right seat frames 22 and the main frame 21 are provided. A seat 4 for a passenger to sit on is supported on the seat frame 22. For example, the seat 4 can also be provided so as to be freely rotatable upward (freely openable and closable) with the rear end 4a as the center.

The subframe 25 is composed of a pair of left and right frames. The pair of left and right frames constituting the subframe 25 extend downward from the head pipe 20 in a manner extending relative to each other in the vehicle width direction, bend toward the rear, and connect to the pair of left and right frames constituting the main frame 21.

The sub-frame 25 supports the power supply unit 10 between the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW. A plurality of batteries 11 are mounted on the power supply unit 10 so as to be replaceable (freely loadable and unloadable). Thus, in the present embodiment, a plurality of batteries 11 are mounted on the power supply unit 10 (vehicle 1), and power is supplied from each battery 11 to the electric motor 5, thereby achieving high output. The power supply unit 10 includes a mechanism for connecting the terminal of the battery 11 to the vehicle-side terminal 32. The battery 11 is a movable mobile battery pack, and the battery 11 is a storage battery (rechargeable battery) for supplying power to the electric motor 5. A terminal connected to the vehicle-side terminal 32 to output power is provided at the lower portion of the battery 11.

In addition, the subframe 25 supports the battery 12, the regulator 13, and the control device 14 between the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW. The battery 12 is a battery with a lower output (voltage) and a smaller capacity than the battery 11 mounted on the power supply unit 10, and includes, for example, a 12V lead battery. The battery 12 supplies power to the circuit of the control device 14 and the electric components of the vehicle 1.

The regulator 13 is a circuit unit that is connected to the vehicle-side terminal 32 via a cable (high-voltage line) and maintains the output (voltage) of the battery 11 mounted on the power supply unit 10 at a predetermined voltage suitable for driving the electric motor 5. The regulator 13 may also be built into the battery 11. However, by separating the battery 11 and the regulator 13, the regulator 13 can be designed to be suitable for the voltage required by the vehicle 1 while improving the versatility of the battery 11.

The control device 14 includes a CPU, a memory, etc., and has a function of controlling the driving of the electric motor 5. In the present embodiment, the control device 14 controls the processing related to the power supply between the power supply unit 10 and the electric motor 5. Specifically, the control device 14 controls the processing of supplying the power output from the power supply unit 10 (battery 11) to the electric motor 5 and the processing of supplying (accumulating) the regenerative power output from the electric motor 5 to the power supply unit 10 (battery 11).

In order to control the processing related to the power supply, the control device 14 includes a power control unit (PCU) 141, which includes an inverter for driving the electric motor 5, a boost converter for controlling the voltage, a DC-DC converter for stepping down the high voltage, etc. When the vehicle 1 is driving (i.e., according to the accelerator operation), the PCU 141 converts the power output from the power supply unit 10 (battery 11) from DC to AC and supplies it to the electric motor 5 (power operation), and when the vehicle 1 is decelerating (i.e., according to the brake operation), the PCU 141 converts the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 from AC to DC and supplies it to the power supply unit (battery 11) (regeneration). Thus, PCU 141 enables electric motor 5 to function as a generator, and applies so-called regenerative braking to vehicle 1, thereby achieving more efficient driving. Therefore, electric motor 5 can also be said to be a motor that is driven by power from power supply unit 10 via PCU 141 and can supply regenerative power to power supply unit 10.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the power supply unit 10 is equipped with a plurality of batteries 11. In addition, the plurality of batteries 11 equipped in the power supply unit 10 are connected in parallel with the electric motor 5 in order to achieve high output. However, when the plurality of batteries 11 are connected in parallel with the electric motor 5, if the voltage difference (difference in the stored power (remaining power)) between the batteries is large, the plurality of batteries 11 cannot output power in parallel, and there is a risk of hindering high output.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a new technology is provided in which a power supply unit 10 (vehicle 1) is equipped with multiple batteries 11, and the multiple batteries 11 are connected in parallel relative to the electric motor 5, which is beneficial for reducing the voltage difference between these batteries and achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1.

Hereinafter, referring to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the specific structure and function of the control device 14 used to realize the high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 in the present embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the specific structure and function of the control device 14 described below can be appropriately designed, and its structure and function can be combined or separated, or can be realized by other units. In the present embodiment, the case where a first battery 11A and a second battery 11B are mounted as a plurality of batteries 11 and connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5 is described as an example. However, the number of batteries mounted on the power supply unit 10 (vehicle 1) is not limited to two, and three or more batteries can also be mounted.

First, the structures of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B are described. The first battery 11A includes: a battery unit 11A1, which includes a lithium-ion battery for storing electric power, and a battery management unit (BMU) 11A2, which functions as a management unit for managing the state of the battery unit 11A1, such as the electric power stored in the battery unit 11A1, that is, the remaining amount of the first battery 11A. The remaining amount of the first battery 11A can be obtained from the SOH (SOH (States Of Health)) represented by the voltage in the battery unit 11A1 and the degradation state of the battery unit 11A1 (current full charge capacity (Ah)/initial full charge capacity (Ah)) × 100. The second battery 11B includes a battery unit 11B1 for storing electric power and a battery management unit (BMU) 11B2 for managing the state of the battery unit 11B1 (the remaining amount of the second battery 11B) similarly to the first battery 11A. It should be noted that the remaining amount of the first battery 11A and the remaining amount of the second battery 11B may also be detected or estimated by values other than the voltage and SOH described above.

In this embodiment, in order to achieve high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 using the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B mounted on the power supply unit 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 14 includes a selection unit 142 and a power supply control unit 143 in addition to the PCU 141.

In the present embodiment, the selection unit 142 is composed of a first selection unit 142A provided corresponding to the first battery 11A and a second selection unit 142B provided corresponding to the second battery 11B, and realizes the function of selecting a battery from the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (multiple batteries 11) to supply (store) the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 according to the braking operation of the vehicle 1.

The first selection unit 142A has the following functions: with respect to the power supply between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5, the power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5 and the regenerative power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A are switched. As shown in FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the first selection unit 142A includes a first switch 142A1 for switching the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A and a second switch 142A2 for switching the power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5. The first switch 142A1 and the second switch 142A2 are connected in parallel to the path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5.

When the first switch 142A1 is in the closed position, i.e., when it is turned on, regenerative power is supplied from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A, and when the first switch 142A1 is in the open position, i.e., when it is turned off, the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A is cut off. In addition, when the second switch 142A2 is in the closed position, i.e., when it is turned on, power is supplied from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5, and when the second switch 142A2 is in the open position, i.e., when it is turned off, the power supply from the first battery 11A to the electric motor 5 is cut off.

The second selection unit 142B has the following functions: with respect to the power supply between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5, it switches the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5 and the regenerative power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B. As shown in FIG2 , in the present embodiment, the second selection unit 142B includes a first switch 142B1 for switching the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B and a second switch 142B2 for switching the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5. The first switch 142B1 and the second switch 142B2 are connected in parallel to the path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5.

When the first switch 142B1 is in the closed position, i.e., when it is turned on, regenerative power is supplied from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B, and when the first switch 142B1 is in the open position, i.e., when it is turned off, the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B is cut off. In addition, when the second switch 142B2 is in the closed position, i.e., when it is turned on, power is supplied from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5, and when the second switch 142B2 is in the open position, i.e., when it is turned off, the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5 is cut off.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, the second switch 142A2 and the second switch 142B2 are composed of a slice switch and a diode, but are not limited to such a structure. For example, the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, the second switch 142A2 and the second switch 142B2 can be composed of switch elements such as a field effect transistor (FET), a relay element, and a conductor.

The power supply control unit 143 implements a function as an acquisition unit that acquires state information related to the states of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (a plurality of batteries 11). In the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 143 acquires the remaining power information related to the power stored in the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, that is, the remaining power of the first battery 11A (battery unit 11A1) and the remaining power of the second battery 11B (battery unit 11B1) as the state information. In the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 143 acquires the remaining power information related to the remaining power of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1 of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B, respectively. However, a detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B may be provided separately from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1, and remaining amount information on the remaining amount of each of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B may be obtained from the detection unit.

Furthermore, the power supply control unit 143 also realizes a function as a control unit that controls the selection unit 142 so that the battery that is preferentially supplied to the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is selected from the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B based on the state information related to the states of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B. In the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 so that the battery with the smaller remaining amount of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B is preferentially supplied to the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 based on the remaining amount information related to the remaining amount of the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B obtained from the BMU 11A1 and the BMU 11B1 as the state information.

For example, it is conceivable that the remaining amount of the first battery 11A is less than the remaining amount of the second battery 11B (the voltage of the first battery 11A < the voltage of the second battery 11B). In this case, the power supply control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 so that the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is supplied to the first battery 11A in priority over the second battery 11B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the selection unit 142 is controlled in the following manner: the first switch 142A1 of the first selection unit 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A that supplies the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is turned on, and the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B that does not supply the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is turned off. Thus, the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is supplied (stored) to the first battery 11A via the first switch 142A1 (arranged path), and the difference in remaining power, that is, the voltage difference, between the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B can be reduced.

In this way, the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is preferentially supplied from the battery with less remaining power among the plurality of batteries 11, thereby reducing the voltage difference between the batteries, so that the plurality of batteries 11 can supply power to the electric motor 5 in parallel (simultaneously). Therefore, when the plurality of batteries 11 are connected in parallel to the electric motor 5 and regenerative braking is applied, the vehicle 1 can achieve high output and high efficiency.

In addition, the preferred power supply control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 in such a manner that the voltage difference between the plurality of batteries connected in parallel with respect to the electric motor 5 is controlled within an allowable range, specifically, such that the voltage difference between the plurality of batteries is 1V or less, and selects the battery that supplies the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5. In this way, by controlling the voltage difference between the plurality of batteries within an allowable range and making the residual power between the batteries equal, the opportunity to supply power in parallel from the plurality of batteries 11 to the electric motor 5 can be increased.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the selection unit 142 is controlled in the following manner: in addition to the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B that does not supply the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5, the second switch 142B2 of the second selection unit 142B is also turned off. Thus, the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the second battery 11B and the power supply from the second battery 11B to the electric motor 5 can be simply and safely cut off. In addition, the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 can be stably supplied to the first battery 11A.

In addition, it is also conceivable that the balance of the first battery 11A and the balance of the second battery 11B are approximately equal by preferentially supplying the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 from the battery with the smaller balance among the plurality of batteries 11, or the balance of the first battery 11A and the balance of the second battery 11B are approximately equal from the initial state, that is, the difference between the balance of the first battery 11A and the balance of the second battery 11B is less than a predetermined value (the voltage of the first battery 11A ≈ the voltage of the second battery 11B). In such a case, the power supply control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 to supply the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (the battery with the difference in the balance less than the predetermined value) at the same time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the selection unit 142 is controlled so that the first switch 142A1 of the first selection unit 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A and the first switch 142B1 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B are turned on. As a result, the difference between the remaining amount of the first battery 11A and the remaining amount of the second battery 11B can be kept small, and the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is supplied to the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B via the first switch 142A1 and the first switch 142B1, respectively. It should be noted that when the difference between the remaining amount of the first battery 11A and the remaining amount of the second battery 11B is less than a predetermined value, the electric motor 5 is supplied with power from the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B at the same time.

In addition, there is a case where each of the multiple batteries 11 mounted on the power supply unit 10 becomes abnormal due to external factors or internal factors. In such a case, it is not preferable to supply the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 to the abnormal battery, or to supply power from the abnormal battery to the electric motor 5 from the perspective of safety. Therefore, the power supply control unit 143 controls the selection unit 142 so that the first switch for switching the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the abnormal battery and the second switch for switching the power supply from the abnormal battery to the electric motor among the multiple batteries 11 are turned off, and the first switch for switching the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery (abnormal battery) and the second switch for switching the power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor are turned on.

For example, it is assumed that the first battery 11A is normal and the second battery 11B is abnormal. In this case, as shown in FIG5 , the selection unit 142 is controlled so that the first switch 142B1 and the second switch 142B2 of the second selection unit 142B corresponding to the second battery 11B as the abnormal battery are turned off, and the first switch 142A1 and the second switch 142A2 of the first selection unit 142A corresponding to the first battery 11A as the normal battery are turned on.

In this way, by cutting off the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the abnormal battery and the power supply from the abnormal battery to the electric motor 5, and maintaining the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery and the power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor 5, even if a part of the multiple batteries 11 is abnormal, the remaining normal batteries can be used to operate the vehicle 1. In addition, since the power supply from the electric motor 5 to the normal battery and the power supply from the normal battery to the electric motor 5 are maintained, the power supply loss can be reduced. For the remaining normal batteries other than the abnormal battery in the multiple batteries 11, the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor 5 is preferentially supplied from the battery with less remaining power as described above.

Here, the abnormality occurring in the battery refers to an abnormality such as the output switch on the battery side being disconnected, and includes, for example, overcharging, overdischarging, overheating, etc. Such battery abnormality can be detected by the power supply control unit 143 based on information indicating the state of the battery obtained from the BMU provided in the battery. In addition, the battery abnormality can be directly detected by the BMU provided in the battery, and the information can be output to the power supply control unit 143, so that the power supply control unit 143 can grasp (detect) the abnormal battery.

However, an abnormal battery can also be detected using a current detection unit 144 that is arranged in a path between the electric motor 5 and the power supply unit 10 in correspondence with the plurality of batteries 11 as shown in FIG2 . In this embodiment, the current detection unit 144 includes a first current flow sensor 144A arranged in a path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5 and a second current flow sensor 144B arranged in a path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5. The first current flow sensor 144A and the second current flow sensor 144B each include a movable coil type ammeter composed of a permanent magnet and a coil having a small internal resistance, for example. The first current flow sensor 144A detects the current in the path between the first battery 11A and the electric motor 5 and outputs it to the power supply control unit 143, and the second current flow sensor 144B detects the current in the path between the second battery 11B and the electric motor 5 and outputs it to the power supply control unit 143. The power supply control unit 143 detects an abnormal battery from the first battery 11A and the second battery 11B (a plurality of batteries 11) based on the values of the currents detected by the first current flow sensor 144A and the second current flow sensor 144B. For example, when the current value detected by the first current flow sensor 144A (or the second current flow sensor 144B) exceeds a predetermined value, it is considered that over-discharge has occurred in the first battery 11A (or the second battery 111B), and the first battery 11A (or the second battery 11B) is detected as an abnormal battery. On the other hand, when the current value detected by the first current flow sensor 144A (or the second current flow sensor 144B) is less than a predetermined value, the first battery 11A (or the second battery 11B) is detected as a normal battery. In this way, by using the current detection unit 144 that is respectively arranged in the path between the electric motor 5 and the power supply unit 10 corresponding to the plurality of batteries 11, an abnormal battery can be detected with high accuracy compared to the case of using a BMU. This is because, since internal resistance and the like differ depending on the deterioration state of each battery, more accurate judgment can be made by using the actual current output from each battery, compared to the case of using a BMU installed in each battery.

In addition, when a part of the plurality of batteries 11 is abnormal, the amount of power that can be supplied from the power supply unit 10 to the electric motor 5 becomes less, so it is preferable to suppress the output from the electric motor 5. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of batteries 11 is an abnormal battery, the power supply control unit 143 controls the electric motor 5 via the PCU 141 to suppress the output from the electric motor 5. For example, the power supply control unit 143 determines the maximum torque and maximum acceleration of the vehicle 1 according to the ratio of the number of abnormal batteries to the number of the plurality of batteries 11, and the PCU 141 drives the electric motor 5 in a manner that the vehicle 1 travels within a range below the maximum torque and maximum acceleration determined by the power supply control unit 143. Thus, the vehicle 1 can be driven without applying excessive load to the plurality of batteries 11 (power supply unit 10), that is, while suppressing the output of the electric motor 5. It should be noted that, here, the control for protecting the other batteries when an abnormality occurs in a part of the plurality of batteries 11 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the battery functions normally, the PCU 141 can also control the electric motor 5 with appropriate power according to the state of the battery to avoid abnormality of the battery.

Thus, according to this embodiment, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new technology that is beneficial for achieving high output and high efficiency of the vehicle 1 when the power supply unit 10 (vehicle 1) is equipped with multiple batteries 11 and the multiple batteries 11 are connected in parallel relative to the electric motor 5.

<Summary of the embodiment> 1. The vehicle of the embodiment (e.g., 1) is characterized in that the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit (e.g., 10) equipped with a plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B); a motor (e.g., 5) driven by the power from the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit; an acquisition unit (e.g., 143) acquiring state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit (e.g., 142) selecting a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries; and a control unit (e.g., 143) controlling the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor with priority from the plurality of batteries based on the state information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to this embodiment, the voltage difference between multiple batteries can be reduced, and power can be supplied from multiple batteries to the motor in parallel (simultaneously), thereby achieving higher output and higher efficiency of the vehicle.

2. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the aforementioned acquisition unit (e.g., 143) acquires the remaining power information related to the remaining power of each of the aforementioned multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) as the aforementioned state information, the aforementioned control unit (e.g., 143) controls the aforementioned selection unit so that it preferentially supplies the regenerative power of the aforementioned motor (e.g., 5) from the battery with the less remaining power among the aforementioned multiple batteries based on the remaining power information acquired by the aforementioned acquisition unit.

According to this embodiment, the voltage difference between multiple batteries can be reduced, and power can be supplied from multiple batteries to the motor in parallel to achieve higher output and higher efficiency of the vehicle.

3. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that the aforementioned control unit (e.g., 143) controls the aforementioned selection unit (e.g., 142) to converge the voltage difference between the aforementioned multiple batteries within an allowable range.

According to this embodiment, the opportunities for supplying electric power from a plurality of batteries in parallel to the motor can be increased.

4. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), the feature is that the control unit (e.g., 143) controls the selection unit (e.g., 142) to simultaneously supply the regenerative power of the motor (e.g., 5) to the batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) whose difference in remaining power is less than a predetermined value.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to supply the regenerative power obtained by the electric motor to the plurality of batteries while keeping the difference in the remaining power among the plurality of batteries small.

5. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the aforementioned selection unit (e.g., 142) includes: a first switch (e.g., 142A1, 142B1), which is respectively arranged in the path between the aforementioned motor (e.g., 5) and the aforementioned power supply unit (e.g., 10) corresponding to the aforementioned multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) and switches the power supply from the aforementioned motor to the aforementioned power supply unit; and a second switch (e.g., 142A2, 142B2), which is arranged in parallel with the aforementioned first switch in the aforementioned path and switches the power supply from the aforementioned power supply unit to the aforementioned motor, The control unit (e.g., 143) controls the selection unit so that the first switch and the second switch arranged on the path corresponding to the battery that does not supply regenerative power to the motor among the plurality of batteries are disconnected.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to simply and safely cut off the power supply from the motor to the multiple batteries and the power supply from the multiple batteries to the electric motor.

6. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that the above-mentioned control unit (e.g., 143) controls the above-mentioned selection unit (e.g., 142) to disconnect the above-mentioned first switch (e.g., 142A1, 142B1) and the above-mentioned second switch (e.g., 142A2, 142B2) arranged on the above-mentioned path corresponding to "the abnormal battery among the above-mentioned multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B)", and connect the above-mentioned first switch and the above-mentioned second switch arranged on the above-mentioned path corresponding to the normal battery.

According to this embodiment, even if some of the batteries among the plurality of batteries malfunction, the vehicle can be operated using the remaining normal batteries.

7. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the aforementioned selection unit (e.g., 142) includes: a first switch (e.g., 142A1, 142B1), which is respectively arranged in the path between the aforementioned motor (e.g., 5) and the aforementioned power supply unit (e.g., 10) corresponding to the aforementioned multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) and switches the power supply from the aforementioned motor to the aforementioned power supply unit; and a second switch (e.g., 142A2, 142B2), which is arranged in parallel with the aforementioned first switch in the aforementioned path and switches the power supply from the aforementioned power supply unit to the aforementioned motor, The control unit (e.g., 143) controls the selection unit to disconnect the first switch and the second switch configured on the path corresponding to the "abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries" and to connect the first switch and the second switch configured on the path corresponding to the normal battery.

According to this embodiment, even if some of the batteries among the plurality of batteries malfunction, the vehicle can be operated using the remaining normal batteries.

8. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the above control unit (e.g., 143) controls the above motor so that when at least one of the above multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) is an abnormal battery, the use of the above abnormal battery is prohibited, and the output from the above motor (e.g., 5) is suppressed while using the abnormal battery.

According to this embodiment, the vehicle can be driven without applying an excessive load to a plurality of batteries, that is, while suppressing the output of the motor.

9. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the above vehicle also has an electric current sensor (e.g., 144, 144A, 144B), the above electric current sensor and the above multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) are respectively arranged in the path between the above motor (e.g., 5) and the above power supply unit (e.g., 10), and detects the current in the path, the above control unit (e.g., 143) controls the above motor so that when at least one value of the current detected by the above electric current sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the output from the above motor is suppressed.

According to this embodiment, the vehicle can be driven without applying an excessive load to a plurality of batteries, that is, while suppressing the output of the motor.

10. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the above vehicle also has an electric current sensor (e.g., 144, 144A, 144B), the above electric current sensor and the above multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) are respectively arranged in the path between the above motor (e.g., 5) and the above power supply unit (e.g., 10) corresponding to each other, and detects the current in the path, the above control unit (e.g., 143) detects an abnormal battery from the above multiple batteries based on the value of the current detected by the above electric current sensor.

According to this embodiment, an abnormal battery can be detected with high accuracy from a plurality of batteries.

11. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that, the aforementioned battery (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) includes a management unit (e.g., 11A2, 11B2), the aforementioned management unit manages the state of the aforementioned battery, the aforementioned control unit (e.g., 143) detects an abnormal battery from the aforementioned plurality of batteries based on information indicating the state of the aforementioned battery obtained from the aforementioned management unit.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to detect an abnormal battery from a plurality of batteries.

12. In the above-mentioned vehicle (e.g., 1), the feature is that the above-mentioned vehicle is an electric two-wheeled vehicle.

13. In the above vehicle (e.g., 1), it is characterized in that the aforementioned multiple batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B) are connected in parallel with respect to the aforementioned motor (e.g., 5).

According to this embodiment, the voltage difference between the plurality of batteries connected in parallel with respect to the motor can be reduced, and power can be supplied from the plurality of batteries in parallel to the motor, thereby achieving higher output and higher efficiency of the vehicle.

14. The control device of the above embodiment is a control device (e.g., 14) of a vehicle (e.g., 1), the vehicle having: a power supply unit (e.g., 10) equipped with a plurality of batteries (e.g., 11, 11A, 11B); and a motor (e.g., 5) driven by the power from the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit, characterized in that, the control device has: an acquisition unit (e.g., 143) that acquires status information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit (e.g., 142) that selects a battery from the plurality of batteries to supply regenerative power to the motor; and A control unit (e.g., 143) controls the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery that preferentially supplies the regenerative power of the motor from the plurality of batteries based on the state information obtained by the acquisition unit.

According to this embodiment, the voltage difference between multiple batteries can be reduced, and power can be supplied from multiple batteries to the motor in parallel (simultaneously), thereby achieving higher output and higher efficiency of the vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention.

1: Vehicle 2: Body frame 3: Front fork 4: Seat 4a: Rear end 5: Electric motor 6: Swing arm 6a: Seat frame 7: Reaction member 8: Handlebar 9: Handlebar 10: Power supply unit 11: Battery 11A: First battery 11A1: Battery unit 11A2: Battery management unit 11B: Second battery 11B1: Battery unit 11B2: Battery management unit 12: Battery 13: Regulator 14: Control device 20: Head tube 20a: Top beam 20b: Axle 21: Main frame 22: Seat frame 23: Reinforcement frame 25: Sub-frame 32: Vehicle side terminal 141: PCU 142: Selection unit 142A: First selection unit 142A1: First switch 142A2: Second switch 142B: Second selection unit 142B1: First switch 142B2: Second switch 143: Power control unit 144: Current detection unit 144A: First current flow detector 144B: Second current flow detector FW: Front wheel RW: Rear wheel

[FIG. 1] is a side view showing the structure of a straddle-type vehicle as one aspect of the present invention. [FIG. 2] is a diagram for explaining the specific structure and function of the control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. 1. [FIG. 3] is a diagram for explaining the specific structure and function of the control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. 1. [FIG. 4] is a diagram for explaining the specific structure and function of the control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. 1. [FIG. 5] is a diagram for explaining the specific structure and function of the control device of the straddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

5: Electric motor

10: Power supply department

11:Battery

11A: First battery

11A1: Battery Department

11A2: Battery management unit

11B: Second battery

11B1: Battery Department

11B2: Battery Management Unit

14: Control device

141:PCU

142: Selection Department

142A: First Selection Department

142A1: First switch

142A2: Second switch

142B: Second Selection Department

142B1: First switch

142B2: Second switch

143: Power control unit

144: Current detection unit

144A: The first electromagnetic flow detector

144B: Second electromagnetic flow detector

Claims (11)

A vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit equipped with a plurality of batteries; a motor driven by electric power provided by the plurality of batteries connected in parallel in the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit; an acquisition unit that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit that selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries; and a control unit that controls the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries based on the state information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the acquisition unit acquires the remaining power information of each of the plurality of batteries as the state information. The selection unit includes: a first switch, which is respectively arranged in the path between the motor and the power supply unit corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and switches the power supply from the motor to the power supply unit; and a second switch, which is arranged in parallel with the first switch in the path, and switches the power supply from the power supply unit to the motor, and the first switch arranged in the path corresponding to the battery with less remaining power among the plurality of batteries is turned on, so that the regenerative power of the motor is supplied to the battery with less remaining power, and the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path corresponding to other batteries are turned off. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the selection unit so that the voltage difference between the plurality of batteries converges within an allowable range. The vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the selection unit to simultaneously supply regenerative power to the motor to the batteries whose remaining power difference among the plurality of batteries is less than a predetermined value. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path before the abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries are turned off, and the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path before the normal battery are turned on. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the selection unit to disconnect the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path before the abnormal battery among the plurality of batteries, and to connect the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path before the normal battery. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the motor so that when at least one of the plurality of batteries is an abnormal battery, the use of the abnormal battery is prohibited, and the output from the motor is suppressed while the abnormal battery is used. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises an electric current sensor, the electric current sensor and the plurality of batteries are respectively arranged in a path between the motor and the power supply unit, and detects the current in the path, and the control unit controls the motor so that when at least one value of the current detected by the electric current sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the output from the motor is suppressed. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises an inductive flow sensor, the inductive flow sensor is disposed in a path between the motor and the power supply unit corresponding to the plurality of batteries respectively, and detects the current in the path, and the control unit detects an abnormal battery from among the plurality of batteries based on the value of the current detected by the inductive flow sensor. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of batteries includes a management unit, the management unit manages the status of each of the plurality of batteries, and the control unit detects an abnormal battery from the plurality of batteries based on information indicating the status of each of the plurality of batteries obtained from the management unit. The vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electric two-wheeled vehicle. A control device is a control device for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises: a power supply unit equipped with a plurality of batteries; and a motor driven by the power from the power supply unit and capable of supplying regenerative power to the power supply unit, wherein the control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires state information of each of the plurality of batteries; a selection unit that selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries; and a control unit that controls the selection unit so that the selection unit selects a battery for supplying regenerative power to the motor from the plurality of batteries based on the state information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the remaining power of each of the plurality of batteries. As the state information, the selection unit includes: a first switch, which is respectively arranged in the path between the motor and the power supply unit corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and switches the power supply from the motor to the power supply unit; and a second switch, which is arranged in parallel with the first switch in the path, and switches the power supply from the power supply unit to the motor, by turning on the first switch arranged in the path corresponding to the battery with less power among the plurality of batteries, so that the regenerative power of the motor is supplied to the battery with less power, and the first switch and the second switch arranged in the path corresponding to other batteries are turned off.

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