DE102011007034A1 - Device for operating vehicle, particularly electric vehicle, has navigation system for providing route information, where navigation system is connected to target speed controller for automatically setting target speed of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (301) has a navigation system (303) for providing route information, where the navigation system is connected to a target speed controller (317) for automatically setting a target speed of the vehicle depending on the provided route information. The target speed controller is connected with a vehicle speed control unit (315) for controlling a vehicle speed corresponding to the predetermined target speed. The vehicle speed control unit has a motor controller for controlling a motor driving force or motor driving torque, and a brake control is provided for controlling a braking force. An independent claim is provided for a method for operating vehicle, particularly electric vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for operating a vehicle.

State of the art

Usually, a navigation device dictates to the driver how fast to drive or when to brake before a turn to save fuel in the case of a combustion vehicle or electrical energy in the case of an electric vehicle. The disadvantage of this is that there is usually no suitable machine-human interface (HMI, Human Machine Interface) to provide the driver with this information in a secure manner available so that the driver is not distracted from traffic.

From the publication DE 10 2009 024 528 A1 A method for calculating fuel minimizing routes for a combustion vehicle is known, wherein a cost-optimal route is calculated taking into account fuel prices.

From the publication WO 2010 021 982 A2 a similar method is known, wherein a low-fuel route is calculated by means of a navigation device.

Disclosure of the invention

The object underlying the invention can therefore be seen to provide an apparatus and a method for operating a vehicle, which overcome the known disadvantages and safely provide the driver with a route information, without the driver being distracted from traffic.

This object is achieved by means of the respective subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of each dependent subclaims.

In one aspect, an apparatus for operating a vehicle is provided. The device comprises a navigation system which can provide route information. Such route information may include, for example, a speed recommendation, a route, a brake recommendation, a coasting recommendation, for example before a curve, or a lane change recommendation. Furthermore, a desired speed control is provided, which is connected to the navigation system. The target speed control is formed such that it can automatically set a target speed of the vehicle. Due to the connection between the navigation system and the target speed control, this specification of the desired speed is dependent on the provided route information. This means in particular that the setpoint speed control calculates the setpoint speed as a function of the provided route information.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for operating a vehicle is specified, wherein a desired speed of the vehicle is automatically predetermined as a function of a route information.

The invention thus includes the idea that the information which a navigation system can provide is automatically made available to a desired speed control without the driver having to intervene manually for this purpose. For example, he does not have to enter the information provided by the navigation system into the target speed control of the target speed control. Depending on the provided route information, the target speed control calculates a correspondingly adapted target speed of the vehicle. The driver is therefore no longer distracted from the traffic in an advantageous manner.

The vehicle is, for example, an electric vehicle. This means that the vehicle has in particular an electric motor. However, the vehicle may also be a combustion vehicle. This means in particular that the vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine. For example, the vehicle may also be a hybrid vehicle. Such a hybrid vehicle comprises, in particular, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

According to one embodiment, the target speed control is connected to a vehicle speed control which can control a vehicle speed corresponding to the predetermined target speed. Such a system including vehicle speed control and target speed control may also be referred to as cruise control. The driver no longer needs to make sure that the vehicle complies with the specified setpoint speed. It can concentrate completely on the traffic insofar as an optimal vehicle speed is controlled fully automatically, the vehicle speed being dependent on the route information provided by means of the navigation system.

According to another embodiment, the vehicle speed control has a A motor controller for controlling a motor drive force or a motor drive torque. In particular, the vehicle speed control includes a brake control for controlling a braking force. Thus, the vehicle speed can advantageously be controlled by means of braking or acceleration. In particular, it may be provided in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that a regenerative brake is used to brake the vehicle, in which case in particular electrical energy is recuperated. In particular, the use of a mechanical brake is dispensed with as far as possible in order to convert a braking energy into electrical energy as efficiently as possible.

According to another embodiment, a sensor is provided, which is connected to the desired speed control. The sensor detects a vehicle environment. Depending on the detected vehicle environment, the setpoint speed control then calculates the setpoint speed. Thus, in addition to a route information, the vehicle surroundings of the vehicle are also taken into account in the calculation of the setpoint speed. A vehicle environment includes, for example, a number of other vehicles that are in front, to the side or behind the vehicle, a respective corresponding distance between the individual vehicles, a corresponding respective speed, a respective corresponding relative speed of the vehicles to each other or to the vehicle and / or other obstacles. In particular, the presence and / or the dynamic behavior of other vehicles is detected by sensors. Preferably, a plurality of sensors are provided. A system including the sensor, the target speed control and the vehicle speed control may also be referred to as an adaptive cruise control system.

In another embodiment, a memory for storing a power consumption model is provided, wherein the memory is connected to the desired speed control. Thus, it is advantageously possible that the setpoint speed is additionally predefined or calculated in accordance with the energy consumption model. An energy consumption may, for example, be a fuel consumption and / or a consumption of electrical energy. When calculating the setpoint speed, it is therefore taken into account in particular how much energy the vehicle consumes. Since it is possible by means of suitable and corresponding to the route course adapted driving, energy, especially fuel and / or electrical energy to save or reduce energy consumption, so advantageously a range of the vehicle can be significantly increased. All of this happens fully automatically, without the driver having to intervene manually. In particular, therefore, the vehicle speed is controlled as a function of the route course and / or the vehicle environment, ie the presence and the dynamic behavior of other vehicles, so that energy consumption is minimized. The driver can thus concentrate fully on the traffic in an advantageous manner.

According to a further embodiment, a vehicle characteristic is also taken into account in the calculation or in the specification of the setpoint speed. In particular, such an vehicle characteristic may include a vehicle mass, an air resistance of the vehicle, and / or an energy consumption value of the vehicle. These aforementioned parameters are implemented in particular in the energy consumption model.

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to figures. Show here

1 a device for operating a vehicle,

2 a flowchart of a method for operating a vehicle and

3 another device for operating a vehicle.

1 shows a device 101 for operating a vehicle (not shown). The vehicle may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle. The device 101 includes a navigation system 103 which can provide route information. The navigation system 103 is with a target speed control 105 connected, which automatically predetermines or calculates a target speed of the vehicle depending on the provided route information. Further, a vehicle speed control 107 with the target speed control 105 connected. Thus, it is advantageously allowed that the vehicle speed control can control a vehicle speed according to the predetermined target speed.

2 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a vehicle. In one step 201 is a setpoint speed of the vehicle automatically specified depending on a route information. In one step 203 will then depend on the given Target speed automatically controlled a vehicle speed. In one step 205 In addition, a vehicle environment is detected by sensors, wherein the target speed is further specified depending on the detected vehicle environment. This means, in particular, that the vehicle is automatically braked or accelerated depending on the vehicle environment.

3 shows another device 301 for operating a vehicle (not shown). The device 301 includes a navigation system 303 for providing route information. The navigation system 303 includes a tracking unit 305 comprising in particular a GPS sensor (not shown). By means of the locating unit 305 In particular, it is thus possible to determine a position of the vehicle.

The navigation system 303 also includes a road database 307 in the form of a digital map. Thus, it is thus advantageously possible to determine the vehicle position relative to the digital map. Then based on a destination request of the driver can then a route 309 be calculated.

Furthermore, the navigation system includes 303 a memory 311 for an energy consumption model of the vehicle, this energy consumption model in particular depending on vehicle data 313 is calculated. At the vehicle data 313 This may be, for example, a vehicle mass, a vehicle air resistance and / or vehicle energy consumption values. This energy consumption model can be used in particular for alternative route calculations.

The device 301 further includes a vehicle speed control 315 for controlling a vehicle speed. In the vehicle speed control 315 integrated is a desired speed control 317 formed, wherein in a not shown embodiment, the target speed control 317 external to the vehicle speed control 315 can be formed and then connected to this. The vehicle speed control 315 controls a brake 319 of the vehicle and a drive motor 321 of the vehicle. In the drive motor 321 For example, it can be an electric motor which can also be operated as a generator in coasting mode and / or an internal combustion engine. The brake 319 is preferably formed as a mechanical brake.

The vehicle speed control 315 also has another memory 323 for an energy consumption model, which is used in particular for a driving strategy influencing.

Further, a sensor 325 provided for detecting a vehicle environment, which in particular can detect a distance to other vehicles. Such a sensor 325 In particular, it can also be referred to as a distance sensor system. In an embodiment not shown, several sensors may be provided.

Further, the vehicle speed control detects 315 in particular, a battery state of charge of a battery 327 , which in particular electrical energy for the drive motor 321 can provide. A connection between the vehicle speed control 315 and respectively the navigation device 303 , the sensor 325 , the brake 319 , the drive motor 321 and the battery 327 in particular by means of a bus 329 what in the 3 is schematically represented by a double arrow, formed, so that data can be transmitted between the individual components in an advantageous manner.

Based on the route 309 and the vehicle data 313 calculates the target speed control 317 an optimal speed profile to minimize the average energy consumption of the vehicle. For this purpose, in particular the energy consumption model from the memory 323 used.

• – Rechtzeitiges Ausrollen vor einer Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung und vor einer Straßengeometrie, die einer Reduktion der Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit bedürfen, beispielsweise einer engen Kurve.
• – Vermeiden des Einsatzes der Bremse 319 so weit als möglich, so dass im Fall eines Elektrofahrzeugs bzw. eines Hybridfahrzeugs für die Geschwindigkeitsreduktion ausschließlich ein generatorisches Schleppmoment beim Rekuperieren elektrischer Energie ausreicht.
• – Vermeiden übermäßiger Beschleunigung oder Verzögerung, um eine möglichst gleichförmige Bewegung zu erreichen.

In one embodiment, the following driving strategies can be followed:

• Timely coasting before a speed limit and before a road geometry, which require a reduction in vehicle speed, such as a tight turn.
• - Avoiding the use of the brake 319 as far as possible, so that in the case of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle for the speed reduction only a regenerative drag torque when recuperating electrical energy sufficient.
• - Avoid excessive acceleration or deceleration to achieve the most uniform movement possible.

This optimum speed profile then represents, in particular, a basis for the automatic setpoint speed control of the vehicle. This therefore means, in particular, that a dynamic setpoint specification for an adaptive cruise control comprises the sensor 325 , the target speed control 317 and the vehicle speed control 315 is used. The implementation of the optimum target speed profile is then carried out by the vehicle speed control 315 , which is the drive motor 321 and the brake 319 controls. Preferably, it can be provided that the optimum Set speed profile of the route continues to be dynamically changed in addition depending on preceding and / or other vehicles. In this case, the detection of the position and the movement of other vehicles by means of the sensor takes place 325 , For example, if a vehicle in front brakes, the calculated setpoint speed curve is adjusted downwards so that the use of the brake 319 as far as possible avoided and as far as possible the regenerative drag torque, so that advantageously a complete energy recuperation during the deceleration process is possible.

According to another embodiment, the navigation system calculates 303 before the start of a journey several alternative routes, among which there is a particular route with minimum expected energy consumption. Such routes may include, for example, a fastest route, a shortest route and a minimum consumption route. These routes are then provided to the driver so that he is advantageously able to select a route by means of which the range of his vehicle can be maximally utilized. To calculate drive energy of gentle routes, the energy consumption model is preferably removed from the memory 311 used.

According to another embodiment, it may be provided that the driver can enter a travel time increase in the navigation system. This travel time increase can be done in particular in different ways. For example, by specifying a percentage increase, in particular a willingness to accept, for example, 10% increased travel times, by specifying an absolute time of arrival or by specifying an absolute travel time increase, in particular a willingness to accept, for example, ten minutes extended travel time. Thus, in particular, the aforementioned driver inputs are detected and, based on this, a route with corresponding route information is calculated. Thus, advantageously, a lower target speed profile can be determined for a route, which leads to a lower energy consumption or a higher range due to a reduction of air resistance.

The invention thus comprises in particular the idea of the previously autonomously existing and independently operated subsystems, that is to say a navigation system, a distance control automatic or an adaptive cruise control comprising a desired speed control, a vehicle speed control and a sensor, and an engine / battery management of a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle to network with each other to form an overall system, so that a target speed control method can be performed, which minimizes the average power consumption of the vehicle.

The invention therefore particularly includes the idea of increasing the range of an electric vehicle by means of intelligent, adaptive cruise control using a navigation preview of a navigation system.

In particular, the invention offers the advantage that a driver can not overlook roll-out and speed indications for maximizing the range of the vehicle, which are generated via the navigation system with a digital map, since these directly and automatically correspond to the setpoint speed specification of the adaptive distance control system (ACC). Adaptive Cruise Control) can be used.

Furthermore, the driver does not need to turn his attention away from traffic in an advantageous manner to take account of speed and Ausrollhinweisen, but can fully concentrate on this.

Furthermore, in particular dynamic movements of immediately preceding vehicles are advantageously detected by the adaptive distance control system and can be taken into account in particular in the predictive control strategy with respect to the vehicle speed to maximize the range of the vehicle in an advantageous manner, in which case as completely as possible the use of the mechanical brake is avoided so that advantageously the recuperation ability of the vehicle is maximized during braking operations.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009024528 A1 [0003]
• WO 2010021982 A2 [0004]

Claims (9)

Contraption ( 301 ) for operating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, with a navigation system ( 303 ) for providing route information and one with the navigation system ( 303 ) associated desired speed control ( 317 ) for automatically setting a target speed of the vehicle depending on the provided route information. Contraption ( 301 ) according to claim 1, wherein the desired speed control ( 317 ) with a vehicle speed control ( 315 ) is connected to control a vehicle speed according to the predetermined target speed. Contraption ( 301 ) according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle speed control ( 315 ) comprises a motor controller for controlling a motor drive force or a motor drive torque and / or a brake controller for controlling a brake force. Contraption ( 301 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one with the desired speed control ( 317 ) connected sensor ( 325 ) is provided for detecting a vehicle environment for setting the target speed according to the detected vehicle environment. Contraption ( 301 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a memory ( 311 . 323 ) for storing a power consumption model with the target speed control ( 317 ) for setting the target speed according to the energy consumption model. Method for operating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, wherein a target speed of the vehicle is automatically specified depending on a route information. The method of claim 6, wherein a vehicle speed is automatically controlled depending on the predetermined target speed. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the target speed further depends on a vehicle characteristic ( 313 ), in particular a vehicle mass, an air resistance or an energy consumption value of the vehicle is specified. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a vehicle environment detected by sensors and the target speed is further specified depending on the detected vehicle environment.

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