GB2597450A

GB2597450A - A method for determining a route of an electronically operated motor vehicle, as well as a route planning system

Info

Publication number: GB2597450A
Application number: GB2011264.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hafez Bahaaeldeen; Sai Durga Makkapati Venkata; Pimple Prajakta; Abdul-Hak Mohamad; Kattemalavadi Achintya
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2020-07-21
Filing date: 2020-07-21
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Also published as: GB202011264D0

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for determining a route (12) of an electrically operated motor vehicle (14) by a route planning system (10). The route (12) comprises a starting point (18) and a destination point (20) and the route (12) is planned depending on the starting point (18), the destination point (20), and a decision criterion by an electronic computing device (16) of the route planning system (10). The decision criterion includes a state of charge of a battery (22) of the motor vehicle (14) and traffic conditions (24) along the route (12) and parking locations (26) along the route (12) and charging locations (28) along the route (12) and weather conditions (30) along the route (12) and needs of a passenger (32) of the motor vehicle (14). Different determined routes (12) may be suggested to a passenger.

Description

A METHOD FOR DETERMINNG A ROUTE OF AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED

MOTOR VEHICLE, AS WELL AS A ROUTE PLANNING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically the present disclosure relates to a method for determining a route of an electrically operated motor vehicle as well as a route planning system.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Existing navigating technologies provide travel direction between locations, for example start or destination, and do not consider trip logistics, such as where to park, the walking distance between the parking location and the user's destination, or the user's needs, for example drinking, eating or lodging. Charging for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which may be referred to as electronically operated motor vehicles, adds more planning burden to the driver's trip. As needed during the trip, the motor vehicle driver should identify and secure a public charging location to charge the vehicle high voltage battery while parking. In addition, the driver should consider the financial impact of their decisions and optimize their selections to minimize the overall cost, for example charging or parking cost, while ensuring convenience. Moreover, if the order of destinations on the trip is not of high priority to the user, the user may miss the opportunity to optimize the trip energy consumption, and hence opportunities for more cost savings.

[0003] DE 10 2017 011 023 Al relates to a method for learning the user behavior of a vehicle user on the basis of start-destination relationships and associated time windows within which certain vehicle movements take place and taking into account the detected vehicle state data. The method of this disclosure is characterized in that the vehicle state data during a stop of the vehicle is detected and/or changes in the vehicle state data prior to the stop with respect to the vehicle state data after the stop may be detected, wherein the vehicle status data in addition to the start-destination relationships and time windows is evaluated.

[0004] US 8798830 B2 discloses a charge controller for charging a battery of a plug-in vehicle with a plurality of electric power sources including a driving route estimation element, an estimated electric power consumption amount calculator, a weather information obtaining element, a sunshine information obtaining element, a solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount calculator, an electric power shortage amount calculator for calculating an electric power shortage amount when the solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount is smaller than the estimated electric power consumption, a charge schedule preparation element for preparing a charged schedule, which represents a first charge time for charging the battery with a solar photovoltaic generation system and a second charge time for charging the battery by the electric power shortage amount with another electric power source, and a charge control element for controlling to charge the battery according to the charged schedule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a route planning system, by which cost and time saving for the passenger may be realized.

[0006] This object is solved by a method as well as a route planning system according to the independent claims of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining a route of an electrically operated motor vehicle by a route planning system, wherein the route comprises a starting point and a destination point and the route is planned depending on the starting point, the destination point, and the decision criterion by an electronic computing device of the route planning system.

[0008] In an embodiment, the decision criterion includes a state of charge of a battery of the motor vehicle and traffic conditions at the route and parking locations along the route and charging locations along the route and weather conditions along the route and needs of a passenger of the motor vehicle.

[0009] Therefore, a cost saving for the passenger may be realized as the cost associated with the trip logistics is optimized. Furthermore, a time-saving and a convenient option for the passenger may be realized by providing one solution for trip planning that handles all the logistics involved.

[0010] In other words the invention aims at providing proactive solutions for the electrically operated motor vehicle, in particular for a driver of the motor vehicle, as per setting or schedule of the driver. The route planning system optimizes the trip destinations to minimize the driving energy consumption. Furthermore, an end-to-end navigation solution is provided that includes directions for driving and walking, for example from a parking location to the destination building. In particular, a walking direction from the vehicle parking location to either the destination or the starting point may also be provided. An identification and reservation of the parking location as needed may be realized. Furthermore, an identification and reservation of a charging location may be realized. The route planning system includes an algorithm that can proactively consider any changes to the initial planning such as state of charge of the battery, in particular the current state of charge versus the estimated state of charge. Furthermore, the algorithm considers the traffic conditions and the parking and charging location availabilities and cost changes per hour. Furthermore, the algorithm considers human needs such as eating, drinking, and lodging. Furthermore, the algorithm considers weather conditions.

[0011] In an embodiment, the route planning system is provided as a central route planning system connected to the motor vehicle.

[0012] In another embodiment, depending on the determined route, a parking location for the motor vehicle and/or a charging location for the motor vehicle is reserved by the route planning system.

[0013] In another embodiment, depending on a current characterizing parameter of the motor vehicle and a current characterizing parameter of the passenger, a respective weighting of the state of charge and the needs of the passenger is performed.

[0014] In another embodiment, different determined routes are suggested to the passenger by the route planning system, wherein the different routes are evaluated differently depending on the decision criterion.

[0015] Another aspect of the invention relates to a route planning system for determining a route for an electrically operated motor vehicle comprising at least one electronic computing device, wherein the route planning system is configured to perform a method according to the preceding method. In particular, the route planning system performs the method.

[0016] Advantageous forms of the method are to be referred as advantageous forms of the route planning system. The route planning system therefore comprises features in order to perform the method.

[0017] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of the preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

[0019] The drawings show in: [0020] Fig. 1 a schematic view of a route planning system; and [0021] Fig. 2 a flow chart according to an embodiment of the method.

[0022] In the figures same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as 'exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0024] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] The terms "comprises', "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by "comprises" or "comprise" does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0026] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0027] Fig. 1 displays an embodiment of a route planning system 10 for determining a route 12 for an electrically operated motor vehicle 14, the route planning system 10 comprising at least one electronic computing device 16.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for determining the route 12 of the electrically operated motor vehicle 14 by the route planning system 10 is performed, wherein the route 12 comprises a starting point 18 and a destination point 20, and the route 12 is planned depending on the starting point 18, the destination point 20, and a decision criterion by the electronic computing device 16 of the route planning system 10.

[0029] In an embodiment, the decision criterion taken into consideration may comprise at least one of, or at least some combination of a state of charge of a battery 22 of the motor vehicle 14, a traffic condition 24 along the route 12, a parking location 26 along the route 12, a charging location 28 along the route 12, at least one weather condition 30 along the route 12, and needs of a passenger 32 of the motor vehicle 14.

[0030] In an embodiment, the route planning system 10 is provided as a central route planning system 10 that is connected to the motor vehicle 14. Furthermore, depending on the determined route 12 the parking location 26 for the motor vehicle 14 and/or the charging location 28 for the motor vehicle 14 is reserved by the route planning system 10.

[0031] In particular, depending on a current characterizing parameter of the motor vehicle 14 and a current characterizing parameter of the passenger 32, a respective weighting of the state of charge and the needs of the passenger 32 is performed. Furthermore, different determined routes 12 are suggested to the passenger, for example on a head unit 34 of the motor vehicle 14 and /or on a mobile phone of the passenger 32 by the route planning system 10, wherein the different routes 12 are evaluated differently depending on the decision criterion.

[0032] In particular, it is shown that a proactive solution is provided for the motor vehicle 14, in particular for the passenger 32, which may be the driver of the motor vehicle 14, as their setting or schedule. The route planning system 10 optimizes the trip destinations to minimize the driving energy consumption wherein an end-to-end navigation solution is determined that includes directions for driving and walking, for example from a parking location 26 to the destination building. Therefore, an identification and reservation of the parking location 26 as well as an identification and reservation of the charging location 28 may be performed by the route planning system 10. The route planning system 10 may use an algorithm that is proactive and considers in particular any changes to the initial planning such as the state of charge, for example a current state of charge versus an estimated state of charge. Furthermore, the algorithm considers traffic conditions 24, parking 26 and charging location 28 availabilities, and cost changes per hour, human needs such as eating, drinking and lodging for the passenger 32, and weather conditions 30.

[0033] Furthermore, a prioritization of the input factors may be performed. For example there may be a prioritization as to how the factors for the route 12 optimization may be considered by the algorithm. The algorithm for optimization of end-to-end planning may consider user preferences along with the battery 22 conditions. The weight of each input, for example the user/passenger 32 preference, weather conditions 30, or the charging location 28, will be case-dependent, in particular adaptable. For example, if the state of charge is critically low, the algorithm may give high weight to the charging location 28 availability and high power. For example, if the passenger 32 has not eaten in a while on the trip and a preferred restaurant is on the route 12, the route planning system 10 may give this need of the passenger 32 a higher weight.

[0034] Furthermore, route options may be proposed to the passenger 32 for input. It is possible for the algorithm to consider the preferences of the passenger 32, create an optimized route 12, and then have the route planning system 10, which may be for example an OEM backend, propose alternative routes 12 to the passenger 32. For example, the route planning system 10 may propose to the passenger 32 alternative routes 12 that may result in greater end-to-end cost savings. In another example, the route planning system 10 may propose to the passenger 32 alternative options based on the smallest number of stops. In another example, the route planning system 10 may propose options to the passenger 32 based on the passenger's preferences in terms of restaurants and lodging.

[0035] Furthermore, the route planning system 10 may also propose several alternative route 12 options for the optimized route 12 based on the algorithm. For example, one route option may be for cost savings, one option may be for the shortest amount of stops, and one option may be based on eating/lodging. The passenger 32 would then be able to choose which end-to-end route 12 they prefer. Furthermore, reservations for lodging/restaurants may be realized by the route planning system 10. Once the passenger 32 makes a selection of the end-to-end trip or changes are made during the trip, lodging/restaurant reservations may be made by the route planning system 10. The first step consists of performing a selection. The route planning system 10 may provide suggestions to the passenger 32 based on the preferences of the passenger 32 and for example aggregator website rankings. The second step consists of making a reservation.

Once the passenger 32 has approved the proposed suggestion, the route planning system 10 may complete the reservation directly through the selected total backend or aggregator website. The interaction of the passenger 32 with the backend may be from the head unit 34 of the motor vehicle 14 or from the mobile phone of the passenger. The network infrastructure for this reservation system may be a secure internet protocol.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method. The method starts in a first step Si. In a second step S2 the route planning system 10 checks the user's schedule/destinations/preferences and the route optimization priorities, for example minimum time on the road, minimum energy consumption, or the preferred resting time or preferred places to eat, drink, or shop. In a third step 53 the route planning system 10 runs a destination optimizing algorithm to identify the optimum route/destination based on various aspects. These aspects may include, for example, the weather conditions 30, for example to avoid risky weather, the charging location 28, for example if the charging location 28 is available, the charging price, the traffic conditions 24, for example the current existence and location of traffic jams, expected energy consumption, the charging of the motor vehicle 14, for example minimum charging time, minimum charging cost, parking cost, the parking location 26, for example availability and price of parking, optimum distance between the parking and the destination building, eating and lodging, for example places with a highest rating at a minimum cost, and aspects relating to the motor vehicle 14 itself, for example the state of charge, such as current state of charge or estimated state of charge at every destination.

[0037] In a fourth step S4 the route planning system 10 sends the optimized route/destinations to the mobile phone of the passenger 32 or to the head unit 34 of the motor vehicle 14, wherein the passenger 32 may decide which route 12 they wish to use. In a fifth step S5 the passenger 32 approves the optimized route 12. If this is not the case, the method proceeds to a sixth step S6, in which the passenger 32 updates the schedule/destinations/preferences. Once the passenger 32 updates the schedule/destinations/preferences, the method returns to the third step 53. Otherwise, if the passenger 32 approves the optimized route 12, a seventh step S7 is performed, in which the route planning system 10 may secure the required reservations, for example charging, parking, eating or lodging places. Furthermore, the route planning system 10 may send the walking and driving directions for the coming destinations, for example walking directions, from the location of the phone of the passenger 32 to the vehicle parking location, driving directions from the parking location 26 of the motor vehicle 14 to the parking destination, and/or walking directions from the parking destination to the destination building. In an eighth step S8 it is decided if there are any remaining desired destinations located along the route 12. If not, a ninth step S9 is performed in which the method ends. Otherwise, if yes, a tenth step S10 is performed, in which the passenger 32 may change their preferences or other route optimization factors. If there is no change, the method returns to the seventh step S7. Otherwise, if there is a change, the method goes from the tenth step S10 back to the third step S3.

[0038] In a further embodiment, if there is no user update as to schedule/destinations/preferences in the sixth step 56, the method proceeds with the ninth step S9 and ends.

Reference Signs route planning system 12 route 14 motor vehicle 16 electronic computing device 18 starting point destination point 22 battery 24 traffic condition 26 parking location 28 charging location weather condition 32 passenger 34 head unit S-1-S10 steps of the method

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for determining a route (12) of an electrically operated motor vehicle (14) by a route planning system (10), wherein the route (12) comprises a starting point (18) and a destination point (20) and the route (12) is planned depending on the starting point (18), the destination point (20), and a decision criterion by an electronic computing device (16) of the route planning system (10), characterized in that as the decision criterion a state of charge of a battery (22) of the motor vehicle (14) and traffic conditions (24) along the route (12) and parking locations (26) along the route (12) and charging locations (28) along the route (12) and weather conditions (30) along the route (12) and needs of a passenger (32) of the motor vehicle (14) are taken into consideration.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the route planning system (10) is provided as a central route planning system (10) connected to the motor vehicle (14).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that depending on the determined route (12) a parking location (26) for the motor vehicle (14) and/or a charging location (28) for the motor vehicle (14) and/or a dining table for the passenger (32) and/or a lodging place for the passenger (32) is reserved by the route planning system (10).
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that depending on a current characterizing parameter of the motor vehicle (14) and a current characterizing parameter of the passenger (32) a respective weighting of the state of charge and the needs of the passenger (32) is performed.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that different determined routes (12) are suggested to the passenger (32) by the route planning system (10), wherein the different routes (12) are evaluated depending on the decision criterion.
6. A route planning system (10) for determining a route (12) for an electrically operated motor vehicle (14), wherein the route planning system (10) comprises at least one electronic computing device (16) and is configured to perform a method according to claims 1 to 5.