초록 ▼

When the electric vehicle is to be towed by a towing vehicle, the two vehicles are connected by a connection tool, and a drive motor prioritization control unit is connected to the communication network by a communication cable. Power from a battery is then supplied to the low voltage line by a powe

When the electric vehicle is to be towed by a towing vehicle, the two vehicles are connected by a connection tool, and a drive motor prioritization control unit is connected to the communication network by a communication cable. Power from a battery is then supplied to the low voltage line by a power supply cable, and the inverter is controlled by a signal from the drive motor prioritization control unit of the towing vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A towing device for an electric vehicle, which uses a towing vehicle to tow the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a high voltage line for supplying power from a storage device to a drive motor via an inverter, a storage device control unit for controlling said

What is claimed is: 1. A towing device for an electric vehicle, which uses a towing vehicle to tow the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a high voltage line for supplying power from a storage device to a drive motor via an inverter, a storage device control unit for controlling said storage device, a vehicle control unit for controlling said drive motor and said high voltage line, a low voltage line for supplying power to said inverter, said storage device control unit, and said vehicle control unit, and a communication network for transmitting a signal between said vehicle control unit, said inverter, and said storage device control unit, said towing device comprising: a connection tool mounted between said electric vehicle and said towing vehicle and transmitting a towing force of said towing vehicle to said electric vehicle; a communication cable connected detachably to a connection terminal connected to said communication network and connecting a drive motor prioritization control unit provided in said towing vehicle to said vehicle control unit; and a power supply cable connected detachably to a power supply terminal connected to said low voltage line and connecting a power source provided in said towing vehicle to said low voltage line. 2. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, if said electric vehicle is towed by said towing vehicle, then said towing force is transmitted to said electric vehicle by a tension of said connection tool, and said towing force is not transmitted to said communication cable and said power supply cable. 3. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said connection tool comprises tension detecting means for detecting a tension applied to said connection tool during towing and outputting a detection signal to said drive motor prioritization control unit, and if said tension of said connection tool is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, then said drive motor prioritization control unit provides notification of a tension abnormality. 4. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said drive motor prioritization control unit causes a notifying means provided in said towing vehicle to provide notification that towing is impossible if said communication network is determined to be broken. 5. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, if said vehicle control unit is determined to be broken by said drive motor prioritization control unit, then said drive motor prioritization control unit diagnoses whether or not said inverter and said high voltage line are broken, and if said vehicle control unit is determined to be normal by said drive motor prioritization control unit, then said vehicle control unit self-diagnoses whether or not said inverter and said high voltage line are broken. 6. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, if at least one of said inverter and said high voltage line is diagnosed as being broken, then notification that towing is impossible is provided on at least one of a second notifying means provided in said electric vehicle and said notifying means of said towing vehicle, and if both said inverter and said high voltage line are diagnosed as being normal, then notification that towing is possible is provided on at least one of said notifying means and said second notifying means. 7. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, if said drive motor prioritization control unit determines at least one of said communication system, said inverter and high voltage line is broken, then said drive motor prioritization control unit provides notification that towing is impossible to at least one of a notifying means provided in said towing vehicle and a second notifying means provided in said electric vehicle. 8. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said drive motor prioritization control unit controls said inverter of the electric vehicle. 9. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said drive motor prioritization control unit determines if said electric vehicle is towable without causing damage to an electrical system of said electric vehicle. 10. A towing device for an electric vehicle, which uses a towing vehicle to tow the electric vehicle, said towing device comprising: a connection tool that is mounted between said electric vehicle and said towing vehicle and transmits a towing force of said towing vehicle to said electric vehicle; a communication cable that is detachably connected to a connection terminal connected to a communication network, said communication network transmitting a signal between a vehicle control unit, an inverter, and a storage device control unit of said electric vehicle, and connecting a drive motor prioritization control unit provided in said towing vehicle to said vehicle control unit; and a power supply cable that is connected detachably to a power supply terminal connected to a low voltage line and connects a power source provided in said towing vehicle to said low voltage line, wherein said electric vehicle includes: a high voltage line for supplying power from the storage device to a drive motor via the inverter; and a storage device controlled by the storage device control unit, wherein the vehicle control unit controls said drive motor and said high voltage line, and wherein said low voltage line supplies power to said inverter. 11. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, if both said inverter and said high voltage line are diagnosed as being normal, then said drive motor prioritization control unit controls said inverter of said electric vehicle. 12. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a low voltage power is supplied to the electric vehicle from the towing vehicle. 13. The towing device for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said tension detecting means includes an elastic rod member and a plurality of distortion gauges connected to the elastic rod member.