DE102017202104A1 - Method and device for determining a state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a state (1) of a fillable memory (2) in a motor vehicle (12), comprising at least the following steps: a. Fixing at least a first value (4) of an added quantity (5) to operating medium (3) to the store (2), b. Determining a removal amount (6) to operating medium (3) from the memory (2) over time, c. Assigning a new value (7) of the addition amount (5), which is greater than the first value (4), if the first value (4) is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount (6).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a predefinable state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle. This may in particular be a state of the store itself and / or the operating medium stored therein.

The invention has particular application for estimating a condition of a battery and / or a tank in a motor vehicle. As far as operating medium, e.g. a liquid and / or bulk material is used, in particular an estimate of the tank level should be able to take place without the permanent use of a tank level sensor.

With regard to the detection of tank levels is known to detect the current level in the tank by means of sensors. Known level sensors operate on the principle of ultrasound, have a float with electrical resistance paths and / or may include a dipstick. Such level sensors are used in fuels that can be supplied to an internal combustion engine, such as fluid or gaseous hydrocarbon compounds and / or additives such. As urea-water solution, water, brake fluid, which can be stored as resources of a vehicle and consumed.

In the known methods and devices is to be considered that these usually require a coordinated and costly use of sensors, which may be associated with increased use of materials, complex tuning and assembly and high maintenance.

In addition, there is the problem that for the (sudden) failure of such sensors hardly information can be provided that allow continued operations of the motor vehicle motor vehicle.

In addition, it should be noted that the stored operating medium or the memory over time can be sensitive to physical and / or chemical properties. With respect to the operating medium, for example, chemical and / or physical conversion processes may occur which adversely affect the desired effectiveness or function as operating resources. It may optionally use unit changes in the operating medium. Depending on the storage period, for example, physical and / or chemical states of the store itself may change, for example with regard to a pressure prevailing therein, a corrosion of the storage walls, a thermal expansion behavior of the store and much more.

It should also be noted that especially in motor vehicles different storage or operating media must be stored, the z. As a drive, a power consumer, an internal combustion engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system, a windshield wiper system, etc. must be supplied. For each different arrangement, this usually requires different, specially equipped sensors in order to obtain status information about them.

Object of the present invention is to alleviate the problems described with reference to the prior art, at least partially or even to solve. In particular, a method is to be specified for determining a state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle, with which state information regarding the memory can be provided as a substitute or for reasons of plausibility. The method and / or the device should in particular be suitable for use in a large number of different storage and / or operating media, the sensory outlay in a motor vehicle being reduced and / or the information provided by the sensor being verifiable.

This object is achieved by a method having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are characterized in the dependent claims.

1. a. Festlegen mindestens eines ersten Werts einer Zugabemenge an Betriebsmedium zu dem Speicher,
2. b. Ermitteln einer Entnahmemenge an Betriebsmedium aus dem Speicher über die Zeit,
3. c. Zuweisen eines Neu-Werts der Zugabemenge, der größer als der erste Wert ist, wenn der erste Wert kleiner als die ermittelte Entnahmemenge ist.

To achieve the object, a method for determining a state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle, which comprises at least the following steps:

1. a. Determining at least a first value of an added amount of operating medium to the memory,
2. b. Determining a removal amount of operating medium from the storage over time,
3. c. Assigning a new value of the addition amount that is greater than the first value if the first value is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount.

The method is particularly suitable for the determination, estimation and / or plausibility of a loading state or filling state of the (refillable) storable storage. In particular, the method may allow a state of the operating medium itself to be determined, estimated and / or made plausible.

A memory in this sense is in particular a device which can store a working medium in the manner of energy or electricity, a gas, a liquid, a solid or bulk material and / or a mixture thereof. The memory may be in the form of a sealed reservoir, tanks, containers, etc. or a battery or the like.

A state which can be determined with regard to the store itself is, in particular, a loading state, a filling level, a point of time regarding addition and / or removal of operating medium, an amount relating to the addition and / or removal of operating medium, a residence time of operating medium in the store. A state which can be determined with respect to the operating medium in the storage or can be derived from the aforementioned parameters is in particular an aging state, an aggregate state, a chemical effectiveness, etc. of the operating medium.

The features listed individually in the claims can be combined in a technologically meaningful manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and / or details of the figures, with further embodiments of the invention are shown.

The method is carried out in particular on board the motor vehicle itself, in particular during its operation, wherein also the fillable memory is provided in the motor vehicle itself.

According to step a. First, a first value of an added amount of operating medium is set to a memory. The determination of the first value can be made such that the first value is read from an electronic memory module of the motor vehicle and predefine the method. This value can be set at a predetermined and / or predefined time and provided to the method. The first value represents an added amount of operating medium to the memory. Thus, in the case of a motor vehicle tank, for example, the first value may be a quantity that is optionally determined taking into account the maximum charge volume of the memory.

In the course of continued operation of the motor vehicle, a removal amount of operating medium from the storage over time can be determined, as in step b. specified. Preferably, the removal amount can be determined such that the consumption amount is determined at the consumer for the operating medium. Thus, for example, an intermittent and / or continuous consumption of operating medium can be added up over time, and thus the withdrawal quantity can be calculated from the store over time.

Now, according to step c. figure out that the first value that is in step a. has been set to be smaller than the now-determined extraction amount, the method for determining the state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle is assigned a new value that is greater than the first value of the added amount. In other words, this means in particular that it is determined whether the determined removal amount is greater than the initially defined first value of an added amount. Since it can no longer be removed from the store than was stored in it, the amount added must therefore be larger.

This makes it possible to estimate or derive real states of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle in a timely or retroactive manner. In particular, it can be determined iteratively or recursively which amount of operating medium has actually been supplied to the memory. Based on this information, state variables of the fillable memory can be estimated or determined, for example, which are important or advantageous for the further processing of the operating medium and / or the operation of the memory. For example, it is possible to estimate an aging behavior of the operating medium in the storage tank. It is possible to evaluate outgassing processes with respect to the operating medium. It is possible to detect areas of increased corrosion in the store. It is possible to characterize loading periods and / or discharge periods.

It can be provided that in step c. is assigned a new value that is greater than the first value by one adaptation value. The adaptation value can vary as a function of further parameters or can be variably specified and / or be at least temporarily predetermined for each new value. The size of the adaptation value may in particular depend on the desired accuracy of the method. For the most accurate or high-resolution process, it makes sense to keep the adaptation value small, for example, with reference to the maximum level of the memory in the order of about 20% of the maximum filling volume, in particular in the range of 10% or even only 5% ,

The method can be carried out such that in step a. the first value is determined at least as a function of a loading volume of the memory or at least one determined loading information. For example, the first value may be determined as a function of a maximum loading volume of the store and / or a last sensory determined loading volume become. Alternatively or cumulatively, the first value can be determined as a function of at least one determined loading information. The loading information may include, for example, the loading timing, the loading period, the aggregate state of the operating medium, the loading pressure, or the like.

It is possible that the at least one loading information is determined by sensors. This loading information can be obtained, for example, by means of very simply constructed sensors and / or via information interfaces of other refueling systems. It can be used on a sensor that is part of the motor vehicle, but it is also possible to include a sensor outside the vehicle for this purpose. Thus, for example, monitoring information on the refueling process can be used by monitoring systems and / or sensory information of the refueling system itself.

It is preferred that the steps a., B. and c. associated with a process and for each of at least a plurality of loading processes such a process is initiated. In other words, in particular, that in step a. a plurality of values of an access amount of operating medium are set to the memory. As soon as the first (lowest) value is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount, the new value in step c. the next larger value, which in step a. was selected. This may mean that a plurality of values of an addition amount in step a. which are consecutively excluded (according to their size) if the respective value falls below the determined withdrawal quantity.

This process can now be repeatedly initiated via the operation of the motor vehicle. In particular, this process can be restarted or restarted with each loading process or at each loading time. The processes can each be carried out separately and overlaid. The repeated execution of this process leads to a higher accuracy and plausibility with regard to the resulting state information of the fillable memory.

It is particularly preferred that the processes are carried out at least partially parallel in time. In other words, this means that, in particular, the process associated with the previous loading process is at least partially superimposed over time by the process for the downstream loading process.

• A) Festlegen mindestens eines ersten Werts einer Zugabemenge an Kraftstoff zu dem Tank,
• B) Ermitteln einer Entnahmemenge an Kraftstoff aus dem Tank in Abhängigkeit einer kumulierten Einspritzmenge an Kraftstoff zu einer Verbrennungskraftmaschine,
• C) Zuweisen eines Neu-Werts der Zugabemenge, der größer als der erste Wert ist, wenn der erste Wert kleiner als die ermittelte Entnahmemenge ist.

In particular, a method is proposed for determining a state of a fuel in a tank of a motor vehicle, which comprises at least the following steps:

• A) determining at least a first value of an added amount of fuel to the tank,
• B) determining a removal quantity of fuel from the tank as a function of a cumulative injection quantity of fuel to an internal combustion engine,
• C) Assigning a new value of the addition amount greater than the first value if the first value is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount.

With regard to the steps A), B) and C) is in addition to the explanations to the method steps a., B. and / or c. directed. In particular, the method with respect to a fuel tank for, for example, gasoline or diesel is specified here. As consumers for the fuel considered here the internal combustion engine, wherein the injection amount of fuel to the internal combustion engine for performing the combustion processes can be cumulated over time, so that there is a fuel consumption.

In a corresponding manner, the method for a urea-water solution located in an SCR tank, for a washing liquid located in a washing tank, can be set up for a brake fluid contained in a tank. In a corresponding manner, the method can be set up for a (electrical) energy in a battery.

• - eine Zuweiseeinheit, die eingerichtet ist, Werte betreffend eine Zugabemenge an Betriebsmedium zu dem Speicher zuzuweisen,
• - eine Ermittlungseinheit, die eingerichtet ist, einer Entnahmemenge an Betriebsmedium aus dem Speicher über die Zeit zu ermitteln,
• - eine Vergleichseinheit, die mit der Ermittlungseinheit und der Zuweiseeinheit verbunden und eingerichtet ist, Daten aus der Ermittlungseinheit und der Zuweiseeinheit zu verarbeiten und Daten betreffend die festzulegenden Werte der Variablen vorzugeben.

According to a further aspect, an apparatus for determining a state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle is proposed, which comprises at least the following:

• an allocation unit arranged to allocate values relating to an addition amount of operating medium to the memory,
• a determination unit which is set up to determine an extraction quantity of operating medium from the storage over time,
• a comparison unit which is connected to the determination unit and the assignment unit and is set up to process data from the determination unit and the assignment unit and to specify data relating to the values of the variables to be specified.

The device is particularly suitable for carrying out at least one of the methods proposed here. The proposed method can be used in particular with such a device be performed. In this respect, reference is hereby made alternately to the explanation of the method or the device, as far as a clarification or further explanation makes sense.

The device may be part of the control of a motor vehicle, which may be associated with the memory and / or the consumer of the operating medium and / or the vehicle as a whole.

The allocation unit can be connectable to at least one sensor and / or at least one key in a data-conducting manner, which cooperates with a loading information apparatus. For example, a load information device may be part of a memory controller and / or a vehicle controller. For this purpose, the sensor and / or the button provides information regarding the loading time and / or the loading time and / or similar information about the loading process to the apparatus. The load information device may provide parameters adapted to the assignment unit so that it may set the time for initiating the method and / or the first value or the new value.

The reservoir may be embodied in the device as a fuel-fillable tank.

The method described here and / or the device described here is used in particular for determining at least one of the aforementioned states of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle: filling level of the memory, time of the last loading time, chemical and / or physical properties of an operating medium in the storage, chemical and / or physical property of the memory.

The degree of filling of the store may in particular comprise a quantitative or volumetric fill level of the store (tank, battery, etc.). With regard to the time of the last loading time, a time interval can also be determined, which includes the period of the last loading time to the current detection date. As a chemical property of the operating medium, for example, an aging state can be included. As a physical property, for example, pressure, temperature, state of aggregation of the operating medium come into consideration. With regard to the property of the memory, it is possible that chemical statements on the surface condition (diffusion, corrosion, etc.) or physical properties such as pressure, temperature, etc. are provided.

As an exemplary embodiment, the method or the device in connection with the determination of the fill level of a fillable tank for fuel in a motor vehicle will now be explained. This is in particular a method for adaptive level detection. The method can be implemented with software and / or by means of a data processing system, which is optionally stored on an electronic memory module of a control of the motor vehicle. In this case, an iterative plausibility check of the consumed fuel volume with the possible refueling amounts and / or the maximum fuel storage in the tank can take place. For this purpose, it can first be assumed that in the refueling process, a first minimum amount (first value) of fuel was supplied to the fuel tank. Subsequently, it can be checked whether the consumption of the fuel determined on the basis of the cumulative injection times exceeds the quantity (first value) of fuel assumed in the fuel tank. If so, another assumption may be made after the fueling process has given a second minimum amount (new value) greater than the first minimum quantity initially assumed. Optionally, further information on the plausibility of the refueling process can be included, such as contact switches on the fuel filler flap, key information for the fuel tank and / or a manual confirmation of the operator. It is also possible to determine by means of an HMI query (HMI: Human Machine Interface) whether refueling has taken place. It is possible to use a pressure profile evaluation in the tank, the opening of a Tankabsperrventils, a model value changes the AKB load (AKB: activated charcoal canister, to detect structural changes) as information in addition.

The method described is used in particular for estimating the tank level and the amount of fuel used. Various information to increase the probability of a refueling process can also be used. The method proposed here or the device proposed here can in particular save components on the motor vehicle, as well as the costs associated with the application, the maintenance and / or the repair. This concerns, for example, level sensors for tanks or the like.

• 1: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung eines Zustands eines füllbaren Speichers in einem Kraftfahrzeug, und
• 2: ein Diagramm zur Veranschaulichung des Verfahrens hierzu.

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. It should be noted that the features shown in the figures are schematic and in particular are not meaningful in terms of their size ratios. The features shown in a figure may be used individually or in combination with other figures' content and / or the preceding description are combined, as far as this does not lead to a technical contradiction or is explicitly excluded here. They show schematically:

• 1 a motor vehicle with a device for determining a state of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle, and
• 2 : a diagram illustrating the method for this purpose.

1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 12 with an integrated memory 2 who is here in the manner of a tank 27 is executed. In the store 2 or the tank 27 is operating medium 3 or fuel 11 stored. This operating medium 3 (or the operating medium for this purpose) can via an operating medium addition point 24 be supplied. For this purpose, for example, an external tank system may be provided, which is not shown here. In the area of the operating medium addition point 24 can be a refueling information device 21 with a button 20 be provided, for example, detects the device and 15 communicates that the operating medium addition point 24 (temporarily) activated or used. The operating medium 3 or the fuel 11 can be over an operating medium withdrawal point 25 an (electric) drive 28 or an internal combustion engine 14 be added as needed. In (or on) memory 2 and / or in (or at) the operating medium withdrawal point 25 and / or in (or on) the drive 28 or the internal combustion engine 14 can sensors 19 be provided, which are suitable for determining a removal amount of operating medium from the memory over time.

The motor vehicle 12 is also a device 15 assigned to determine a state of the fillable memory 2 in the motor vehicle 12 is set up. This includes an assignment unit 16 , which is set, values concerning an amount of addition of operating medium 3 to the memory 2 assign. This further comprises a determination unit 17 , Which is set up, a removal amount of operating medium from the memory 2 to determine over time. And besides that is a comparison unit 18 provided with the determination unit 17 and the assignment unit 16 is data-connected and set up, data from the determination unit 17 and the assignment unit 16 to process and specify data concerning the values to be determined. The data or information can be determined via sensors 19 or keys and optionally also via a operating medium information portal 26 captured or provided to the operator.

2 shows an example of a diagram, based on which the method for determining a state 1 (here the level) of a fillable memory in a motor vehicle to illustrate. This is the loading volume 9 (or the level of the tank) over time 30 , Starting from the ordinate is the course of the state 1 represented as it can be determined, for example, sensorially with a level sensor. It can be seen that here the tank first with the maximum filling capacity 29 was refueled and the load volume decreases depending on the consumption of, for example, an internal combustion engine or the cumulative injection amount of fuel.

At a predefined time, for example, when appropriate loading information 10 present, a level sensor fails and / or a loading time 31 can be detected, the method proposed here for determining a state 1 of the fillable memory in a motor vehicle. Thereafter, in or out of the loading time 31 at least a first value 4 a (potential) addition amount 5 set to operating medium to the memory. At the same time, a second value 22 and a third value 23 established. In this case, the second value 22 one compared to the first amount to be added 5 ₁ larger second addition amount 5 _{2 are} assigned, and the third value 23 an even larger third addition amount 5 ₃ .

Subsequent to the loading time 31 The removal amount of operating medium from the memory can be determined over time, which here in each case starting from the first value 4 , the second value 22 and the third value 23 equally at the same time. This is based on the three superimposed consumption quantities 13 , Withdrawal quantities 6 or injection quantities 32 illustrated. The values mentioned here 4 . 22 . 23 each differ by a predefined adaptation value, which in the case of the motor vehicle tank can be, for example, 5 l [liter], 10 l or 15 l.

Now results from the continuous determination of the withdrawal quantities 6 that starting from the first value 4 the ordinate is broken, ie the first value smaller than that since the loading time 31 is determined, the first value is declared to be incorrect or implausible and instead of the first value of an addition amount now with a new value 7 (7 ₁ = second value 22 , 7 ₃ = third value 23 ). In this way it is possible to calculate the actually added amount of operating medium to be calculated.

The method described here includes in particular the computational determination of the enforced fuel during internal combustion engine operation. The cumulative injection quantity is adjusted with the maximum possible tank volume. A refueling process or refueling time is accepted or detected by additionally available information. The abovementioned comparison serves, in particular, to check the plausibility of refueling recognition. At the time of the recognized refueling operation or refueling time, the fuel difference is subsequently metered via the described balancing between the cumulative injection quantity from refueling operation and the intersection with the zero crossing at the respective time interval.

The procedure can be calculated several times in parallel. With each potential refueling process or refueling time, a new instance can be started. In each instance, the calculation method described above is applied again. The results of each computing instance are then merged and thus form the basis for a detailed statement on the course of the fuel level (concept of interval nesting).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Status

2

Storage

3

operating medium

4

first value

5

added amount

6

amount withdrawn

7

New value

8th

adaptation value

9

load volume

10

loading information

11

fuel

12

motor vehicle

13

consumption rate

14

Internal combustion engine

15

contraption

16

Zuweiseeinheit

17

determining unit

18

comparing unit

19

sensor

20

button

21

Information fueling equipment

22

second value

23

third value

24

Operating medium-feed point

25

Operating medium-donor site

26

Operating medium-information portal

27

tank

28

drive

29

filling capacity

30

Time

31

Loading time

32

Injection quantity

Claims (11)

Method for determining a state (1) of a fillable memory (2) in a motor vehicle (12), comprising at least the following steps: a. Fixing at least one first value (4) of an added quantity (5) to operating medium (3) to the store (2), b. Determining a removal amount (6) to operating medium (3) from the memory (2) over time, c. Assigning a new value (7) of the addition amount (5), which is greater than the first value (4), if the first value (4) is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount (6). Method according to Claim 1 in which in step c. a new value (7) is added, which is greater than the first value (4) by an adaptation value (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step a. the first value (4) is determined at least as a function of a loading volume (9) of the memory (2) or at least one determined loading information (10). Method according to Claim 3 in which the at least one loading information (10) is sensory determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which steps a., B. and c. associated with a process and for at least a plurality of loading processes each such a process is imitated. Method according to Claim 5 , in which the processes are carried out at least partially parallel in time. Method for determining a state (1) of a fuel (11) in a tank (27) of a motor vehicle (12), comprising at least the following steps: A) determining at least a first value (4) of an added amount (5) of fuel (11) to the tank (27), B) determining a withdrawal amount (6) of fuel (11) from the tank (3) in dependence of a cumulative Injection amount (13) of fuel (11) to an internal combustion engine (14), C) assigning a new value (7) of the addition amount (5) which is greater than the first value (4) if the first value (4) is smaller than the determined withdrawal amount (6). Device (15) for determining a state (1) of a fillable memory (2) in a motor vehicle (12) comprising at least an allocation unit (16) arranged to assign values (4, 7) relating to an addition amount (5) to operating medium (2) to the storage (2), a determination unit (17) which is set up to determine an extraction quantity (6) of operating medium (2) from the memory (3) over time, a comparison unit (18) connected to the determination unit (17) and the assignment unit (16) and arranged to process data from the determination unit (17) and the assignment unit (16) and data concerning the values to be set (4, 7 ) pretend. Device (16) according to Claim 8 in which the assignment unit (16) can be connected in a data-conducting manner to at least one sensor (19) or at least one key (20) which cooperates with a loading information apparatus (21). Device (16) according to Claim 8 or 9 , wherein the memory (2) is a tank (27) which can be filled with fuel (11). Use of a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 or a device according to one of Claims 8 to 10 for determining at least one of the following states (1) of a fillable memory (2) in a motor vehicle (12): degree of filling of the memory (2), time of the last loading time (31), chemical or physical property of an operating medium carrier in the memory (2) , chemical or physical property of the memory (2).

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