Charging control apparatus for electrically powered vehicle, electrically powered vehicle, method for charging control for electrically powered vehicle, and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded thereon for computer to execute the charging control

• US 8,164,301 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Uchida, Masatoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US12/450,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/107, 320/109, 320/115, 700/286, 701/22, 705/13, 705/14.25, 705/14.37, 705/400, 705/403
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/54 Energy consumption estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/56 Temperature prediction, e.g. for pre-cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/60 Monitoring or controlling charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/64 Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 : including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 : for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 : Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/12 : using control strategies taking into account route information estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters B60W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/248 : Age of storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 : Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 : Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 : Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3469 : Fuel consumption; Energy use; Emission aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 : dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

An energy cost prediction unit predicts an energy cost for the next travel. A lifetime prediction unit uses a charge amount—lifetime map to predict the lifetime of a power storage device according to an amount of charge to the power storage device. A usage cost prediction unit predicts the cost of using the power storage device according to the amount of charge to the power storage device, based on the lifetime of the power storage device predicted by the lifetime prediction unit. The predicted cost associated with the amount of charge to the power storage device is indicated on a display device. In accordance with an instruction from a user, the power storage device is charged from a charging station.

Claims

1. A charging control apparatus for an electrically powered vehicle configured in such a manner that a power storage device mounted on the vehicle is chargeable from a power supply outside the vehicle, said charging control apparatus comprising:

an energy cost prediction unit for predicting an energy cost for a next travel of the vehicle based on an energy consumption during a travel of the vehicle;

a lifetime prediction unit for predicting a lifetime of said power storage device according to an amount of charge to said power storage device, using a relation between an amount of charge to said power storage device and a lifetime of said power storage device;

a usage cost prediction unit for predicting a cost of using said power storage device according to the amount of charge to said power storage device, based on the lifetime of said power storage device predicted by said lifetime prediction unit;

an information unit for informing a user of said energy cost and the cost of using said power storage device in association with the amount of charge to said power storage device; and

a charge command generation unit for generating a command to charge said power storage device from said power supply in accordance with an instruction from said user.

2. The charging control apparatus for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

said electrically powered vehicle includes:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine;

said power storage device capable of storing the electric power generated by said electric power generation device;

an electric motor for generating a drive force for causing the vehicle to travel, from the electric power received from said power storage device;

a travel record collection unit for collecting and storing a travel record during a travel of the vehicle; and

a charging device configured to be able to charge said power storage device with electric power received from said power supply outside the vehicle,

said energy cost prediction unit calculates a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device based on the travel record collected by said travel record collection unit, and predicts a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

said lifetime prediction unit predicts the lifetime of said power storage device using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

3. The charging control apparatus for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

said electrically powered vehicle includes:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine;

said power storage device capable of storing the electric power generated by said electric power generation device;

an electric motor for generating a drive force for causing the vehicle to travel, from the electric power received from said power storage device;

a navigation device capable of setting a travel route; and

a charging device configured to be able to charge said power storage device with electric power received from said power supply outside the vehicle,

said energy cost prediction unit calculates a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device based on the travel route set by said navigation device, and predicts a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

said lifetime prediction unit predicts the lifetime of said power storage device using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

4. The charging control apparatus for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 2, wherein

said electrically powered vehicle further includes a travel mode control unit for controlling switching of a travel mode including a first mode where a target of a state amount indicating a state of charge of said power storage device is not set and a second mode where the target of said state amount is set.

5. The charging control apparatus for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 4, wherein

said travel mode control unit sets said travel mode to said first mode after completion of charging of said power storage device by said charging device, switches said travel mode to said second mode when said state amount decreases to approach a specified value indicating the target of said state amount, and thereafter controls electric power generation by said electric power generation device in such a manner that said state amount is around said specified value.

6. An electrically powered vehicle comprising:

a chargeable and dischargeable power storage device;

an electric motor for generating a drive force for causing the vehicle to travel, from electric power received from said power storage device;

a charging device configured to be able to charge said power storage device with electric power received from a power supply outside the vehicle;

an energy cost prediction unit for predicting an energy cost for a next travel of the vehicle based on an energy consumption during a travel of the vehicle;

a lifetime prediction unit for predicting a lifetime of said power storage device according to an amount of charge to said power storage device, using a relation between an amount of charge to said power storage device and a lifetime of said power storage device;

a usage cost prediction unit for predicting a cost of using said power storage device according to the amount of charge to said power storage device, based on the lifetime of said power storage device predicted by said lifetime prediction unit;

an information unit for informing a user of said energy cost and the cost of using said power storage device in association with the amount of charge to said power storage devices; and

a charging control unit for controlling charging to said power storage device from said power supply by said charging device in accordance with an instruction from said user.

7. The electrically powered vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine; and

a travel record collection unit for collecting and storing a travel record during a travel of the vehicle, wherein

said power storage device is able to store the electric power generated by said electric power generation device,

said energy cost prediction unit calculates a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device based on the travel record collected by said travel record collection unit, and predicts a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

said lifetime prediction unit predicts the lifetime of said power storage device using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

8. The electrically powered vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine; and

a navigation device capable of setting a travel route, wherein

said power storage device is able to store the electric power generated by said electric power generation device,

said energy cost prediction unit calculates a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device based on the travel route set by said navigation device, and predicts a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

said lifetime prediction unit predicts the lifetime of said power storage device using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

9. The electrically powered vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising a travel mode control unit for controlling switching of a travel mode including a first mode where a target of a state amount indicating a state of charge of said power storage device is not set and a second mode where the target of said state amount is set.

10. The electrically powered vehicle according to claim 9, wherein

said travel mode control unit sets said travel mode to said first mode after completion of charging of said power storage device by said charging device, switches said travel mode to said second mode when said state amount decreases to approach a specified value indicating the target of said state amount, and thereafter controls electric power generation by said electric power generation device in such a manner that said state amount is around said specified value.

11. A method for charging control for an electrically powered vehicle configured in such a manner that a power storage device mounted on the vehicle is chargeable from a power supply outside the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

predicting an energy cost for a next travel of the vehicle based on an energy consumption during a travel of the vehicle;

predicting a lifetime of said power storage device according to an amount of charge to said power storage device, using a relation between an amount of charge to said power storage device and a lifetime of said power storage device;

predicting a cost of using said power storage device according to the amount of charge to said power storage device, based on the predicted lifetime of said power storage device;

informing a user of said energy cost and the cost of using said power storage device in association with the amount of charge to said power storage device; and

generating a command to charge said power storage device from said power supply in accordance with an instruction from said user.

12. The method for charging control for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising the step of collecting a travel record during a travel of said electrically powered vehicle, wherein

said electrically powered vehicle includes:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine;

said power storage device capable of storing the electric power generated by said electric power generation device;

an electric motor for generating a drive force for causing the vehicle to travel, from the electric power received from said power storage device; and

a charging device configured to be able to charge said power storage device with electric power received from said power supply outside the vehicle,

in said step of predicting an energy cost, a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device are calculated based on the travel record collected in said step of collecting a travel record, and a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel are predicted based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

in said step of predicting a lifetime of said power storage device, the lifetime of said power storage device is predicted using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

13. The method for charging control for an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

said electrically powered vehicle includes:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric power generation device configured to be able to generate electric power using an output of said internal combustion engine;

said power storage device capable of storing the electric power generated by said electric power generation device;

an electric motor for generating a drive force for causing the vehicle to travel, from the electric power received from said power storage device;

a navigation device capable of setting a travel route; and

a charging device configured to be able to charge said power storage device with electric power received from said power supply outside the vehicle,

in said step of predicting an energy cost, a fuel consumption of said internal combustion engine and an electric power consumption of said power storage device are calculated based on the travel route set by said navigation device, and a fuel cost and an electric power cost for the next travel are predicted based on the calculated fuel consumption and the calculated electric power consumption, and

in said step of predicting a lifetime of said power storage device, the lifetime of said power storage device is predicted using said calculated electric power consumption of said power storage device as the amount of charge with which said power storage device is charged by said charging device.

14. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon for a computer to execute the charging control for an electrically powered vehicle as recited in claim 11.