Method and device for operating a hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for operating a hybrid vehicle (50), wherein a target state of charge (10) of an electrical energy storage device (51) of the hybrid vehicle (50) is specified as a function of a target location of the hybrid vehicle (50), wherein the hybrid vehicle (50) is operated such that the electrical energy storage device (51) has the specified target state of charge (10) when the target location is reached, and wherein the target state of charge (10) is learned for the target location and, after the learning, is automatically adjusted when driving towards the associated target location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a hybrid vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A hybrid vehicle can be operated not only with an internal combustion engine but also with an electric motor. The electric motor is supplied with energy from an electrical energy store. The electrical energy store can be, for example, a battery or a fuel cell. Depending on the state of charge (SOC) of the electrical energy store, the effective range of the hybrid vehicle in electric operation can vary.

[0003] From DE 10 2016 206 743 A1, an operating unit for a hybrid vehicle is known, which comprises an electric drive machine and an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for operating the electric drive machine. The operating unit comprises a user interface, which enables a user to input a target state of charge of the energy storage device or to activate an automatic adaptation of the state of charge of the energy storage device. In addition, the operating unit comprises a control element, which is designed to cause the state of charge of the energy storage device to be adapted as a function of the input at the user interface. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a method and a device for operating a hybrid vehicle.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the description.

[0006] In particular, a method for operating a hybrid vehicle is provided, wherein a target state of charge of an electrical energy store of the hybrid vehicle is specified as a function of a target location of the hybrid vehicle, wherein the hybrid vehicle is operated in such a way that the electrical energy store has the specified target state of charge when the target location is reached, and wherein the target state of charge is learned for the target location and, after the learning, is automatically adjusted when driving to the associated target location.

[0007] In addition, a device for operating a hybrid vehicle is particularly provided, which includes a control device, wherein the control device is configured to operate the hybrid vehicle so that an electric energy storage device of the hybrid vehicle has a specified target state of charge when reaching a target location, wherein the target state of charge can be specified according to the target location of the hybrid vehicle; and the target state of charge is learned for the target location and, after learning, is automatically adjusted when driving to the corresponding target location.

[0008] The method and the device make it possible to automatically select a target state of charge that is relevant to the destination, based on the past behavior of the driver of the hybrid vehicle. For this purpose, a target state of charge is learned for the destination. The learned target state of charge for the destination is then retrieved and automatically adjusted when the destination is reselected. As a result, the state of charge of the electrical energy storage device of the hybrid vehicle can always be adapted to the presetting or expectation of the user of the hybrid vehicle. This can increase comfort, since the presetting for the target state of charge does not have to be re-entered by the user after learning.

[0009] The electrical energy storage device can be, for example, a battery or a fuel cell. The electrical energy storage device has, in particular, a charge sensor, by means of which the state of charge (SOC) of the electrical energy storage device can be detected. In particular, the detected state of charge is transmitted to the control device.

[0010] The target location is in particular a navigation target, ie a target location of the current travel route of the hybrid vehicle which is input into a navigation device of the hybrid vehicle. The target location is supplied to the control device.

[0011] The learned target states of charge can be stored, for example, in association with the corresponding target locations or in a database. The database is, for example, set up in a memory of the control unit or stored there.

[0012] The components of the device, in particular the control device, can be constructed individually or jointly as a combination of hardware and software, for example as a program code executed on a microcontroller or microprocessor. However, it can also be provided that the components are constructed individually or jointly as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0013] In one embodiment, it is provided that the target state of charge is learned as a function of at least one user input. In the simplest case, the target state of charge specified by the user for a destination can be received for the destination and stored, for example, in the database described above.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is provided that the target state of charge specified for the destination is received as a target state of charge for the destination in the framework of the learning according to the frequency with which the target state of charge is specified by the user for the destination. Thus, the target state of charge is only received if the target state of charge is used or specified sufficiently frequently. For example, it can be provided that the target state of charge for the destination must be specified by the user at least three, five, ten, etc., when driving to the destination, so that the target state of charge is received.

[0015] In one embodiment, when selecting a destination that has not been selected before, the user is asked within the framework of the learning whether a specified target state of charge should be stored as the target state of charge for the selected destination. As a result, the specified target state of charge can be immediately associated with the destination, that is to say even when it is input for the first time by the user.

[0016] In one embodiment, it is provided that frequently travelled driving sections are identified, wherein after the frequently travelled driving sections are identified, within the framework of the learning, the user is asked whether a target state of charge and / or which target state of charge should be stored for a destination corresponding to the frequently travelled driving section. Thus, the target state of charge can also be learned and stored if the destination (e.g. navigation destination) and the target state of charge are not specified by the user. The identification of frequently travelled driving sections can be realized, for example, by means of a pattern recognition method.

[0017] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the target state of charge specified by the user in the past for the frequently traveled driving route is suggested to the user as the target state of charge when the user is asked. As a result, the user only needs to confirm or reject the previously specified target state of charge. Interaction with the user for learning the target state of charge can be designed or designed in this way efficiently.

[0018] In one embodiment, it is provided that a target state of charge is suggested to the user as a function of the specified target location based on at least one further criterion. Thus, further criteria can be taken into account when suggesting the target state of charge.

[0019] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the at least one further criterion includes at least one of the following: a target state of charge of other fleet participants of the vehicle fleet, a target state of charge of other users, the availability of charging posts at the destination, the availability of green power at the destination. By suggesting a target state of charge of other fleet participants of the vehicle fleet and / or a target state of charge of other users, the selection by the user can be simplified, since the existing experience of other fleet participants and / or other users can be used. The availability of charging posts and / or the availability of green power allow conclusions to be drawn about how far the hybrid vehicle must be able to travel electrically at the destination to reach the next charging possibility.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is provided that if the destination selected by the user is within a restricted zone for the internal combustion engine, a target state of charge is suggested to the user as a function of at least one restricted zone characteristic. The restricted zone characteristic is, for example, the distance to the exit of the restricted zone, from which operation of the internal combustion engine is permitted again. This distance is accompanied by a minimum effective range and thus a minimum state of charge required for electric operation, from which the target state of charge can be derived.

[0021] Further features for the design of the device are derived from the description of the design of the method. The advantages of the device are in this case the same advantages as in the design of the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Next, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for operating a hybrid vehicle is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] exist Figure 1 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device 1 for operating a hybrid vehicle 50. The device 1 comprises a control unit 2. The device 1 implements the method described in this publication.

[0025] The control device 2 is designed to operate the hybrid vehicle 50 such that an electrical energy storage device 51 of the hybrid vehicle 50, for example a battery, has a predetermined target state of charge 10 when reaching the destination. To this end, the control device 2 controls, when traveling the driving route, in particular the portion of the driving route traveled by means of an internal combustion engine drive 52 and the portion of the driving route traveled by means of an electric drive 53 of the hybrid vehicle 50. The operation of the hybrid vehicle 50 by means of the internal combustion engine drive 52 generally allows the electrical energy storage device 51 to be charged in addition to propulsion. Conversely, during the operation of the electric drive 53, electrical energy is drawn from the electrical energy storage device 51.

[0026] A detected state of charge 57 (SOC) of a charge sensor system 56 of hybrid vehicle 50 is supplied to control device 2 , so that control device 2 knows the state of charge 57 of electrical energy store 51 .

[0027] The target state of charge 10 can be specified as a function of the destination. This can be done, for example, at a display and operating device 54, such as a touch screen, of the hybrid vehicle 50 by user input 20. For example, the target state of charge 10 can also be specified by inputting the destination to a navigation device 55 of the hybrid vehicle 50.

[0028] The control device 2 is configured to learn a target state of charge 10 for a target location and to automatically adjust it after learning when driving to the corresponding target location. For this purpose, a database is set up in a memory (not shown) of the control device 2, in which the learned target state of charge 10 is associated with the corresponding target location. If the control device 2 knows the target location of the driving route of the hybrid vehicle 50, the control device 2 checks whether a target state of charge 10 is stored in the database for the target location. If this is the case, the control device 2 retrieves the corresponding target state of charge 10 and automatically adjusts it to the preset. During the driving route, the control device 2 then controls or adjusts the share of the internal combustion engine drive 52 and the share of the electric drive 53 at the driving route according to the target state of charge 10 and the detected state of charge 57, so that the target state of charge 10 of the electric energy storage device 51 is achieved when the target location is reached.

[0029] It may be provided that the target state of charge 10 is learned as a function of at least one user input 20 . The user input 20 is effected, for example, at a display and operating device 54 of the hybrid vehicle 50 .

[0030] It can be provided that the target state of charge 10 specified for the destination is received as a target state of charge 10 for the destination in the framework of the learning, depending on the frequency with which the target state of charge is specified by the user for the destination. If the same target state of charge 10 is specified for the destination, for example, at least three times, five times, ten times, etc., it is automatically stored for the destination, for example in a database, and is retrieved and automatically adjusted when the destination is selected again.

[0031] It can be provided that when a destination that has not been previously selected is selected, the user is asked within the framework of the learning whether a predetermined target state of charge 10 is to be stored as target state of charge 10 for the selected destination. The user can then already store a target state of charge 10 for the destination when driving to the destination for the first time. The query can be effected, for example, on the display and operating device 54, wherein the control device 2 transmits a corresponding query signal 11 to the display and operating device 54, for example.

[0032] It can be provided that frequently traveled driving routes are identified, wherein after the frequently traveled driving routes are identified, within the framework of the learning, a user is asked whether a target state of charge 10 and / or which target state of charge 10 should be stored for a destination corresponding to the frequently traveled driving route. In particular, it can be provided that the control device 2 receives navigation data 15 from a navigation device 55 of the hybrid vehicle 50 for this purpose, from which the driving route and the frequency can be derived. The query can be implemented, for example, on the display and operating device 54, wherein the control device 2 transmits a corresponding query signal 11 to the display and operating device 54 for this purpose, for example.

[0033] In an improved manner, it can be provided that the target state of charge 10 specified by the user in the past for a frequently traveled route is suggested to the user during the inquiry as the target state of charge 10. The inquiry can be effected, for example, on the display and operating device 54, wherein the control device 2 transmits a corresponding inquiry signal 11 to the display and operating device 54, for example.

[0034] It can be provided that, depending on the specified target location, a target state of charge 10 is suggested to the user based on at least one further criterion 30. The at least one further criterion 30 can be supplied to the control device 2, for example, via a communication interface (not shown). The at least one further criterion 30 can be queried by the control device 2 from a server (not shown), for example, and transmitted from the server to the control device 2.

[0035] In particular, it can be provided here that the at least one further criterion 30 includes at least one of the following: a target state of charge 10 of other fleet participants of the vehicle fleet, a target state of charge 10 of other users, the availability of charging posts at the destination location, the availability of green electric energy at the destination location.

[0036] Furthermore, it can be provided that if the destination selected by the user is within a restricted zone for internal combustion engines, a target state of charge 10 is suggested to the user as a function of at least one restricted zone characteristic. In order to determine whether the selected destination is within a restricted zone for internal combustion engines, navigation data 15 can be evaluated by the control device 2, for example. If it is determined that the selected destination is within the restricted zone, the control device 2 calculates a target state of charge, wherein the target state of charge is calculated such that the hybrid vehicle 50 can reach the exit of the restricted zone from the destination only by means of the electric drive 53. The calculated target state of charge is transmitted to the display and operating device 54 in the form of a corresponding query signal 11 and suggested to the user on the display and operating device 54 for selection. After the user input 20 has been made, the target state of charge 10 is received for the destination.

[0037] List of Reference Numerals

[0038] 1 Device

[0039] 2 Control Equipment

[0040] 10 Specified target state of charge

[0041] 11. Inquiry signal

[0042] 15 Navigation Data

[0043] 20 User Input

[0044] 30 Additional Standards

[0045] 50 Hybrid vehicles

[0046] 51 Electric energy storage device

[0047] 52 Internal combustion engine drive

[0048] 53 Electric drive

[0049] 54 Display and operating devices

[0050] 55 Navigation equipment

[0051] 56 Charge sensing mechanism

[0052] 57 The detected state of charge.

Claims

1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle (50), wherein: A target state of charge (10) of an electrical energy storage device (51) of the hybrid vehicle (50) is specified based on a target location of the hybrid vehicle (50), wherein the hybrid vehicle (50) is operated so that the electrical energy storage device (51) has the specified target state of charge (10) when the target location is reached, wherein the target state of charge (10) is learned for the target location and, after learning, is automatically adjusted when driving to the associated target location, wherein if the target location selected by a user is within a restricted zone for an internal combustion engine, a target state of charge (10) is suggested to the user based on at least one restricted zone characteristic, and wherein the at least one restricted zone characteristic includes a distance of the target location from an exit of the restricted zone, from which the operation of the internal combustion engine is permitted again.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: A target state of charge (10) is learned based on at least one user input (20).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A target state of charge (10) specified according to a destination is received as a target state of charge (10) for the destination within the framework of the learning according to the frequency with which the target state of charge (10) is specified by a user for the destination.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When a user selects a destination that has not been previously selected, within the scope of the learning, a query is made as to whether a predetermined target state of charge (10) is to be stored as a target state of charge (10) for the selected destination.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Frequently travelled driving routes are identified, wherein after the frequently travelled driving routes are identified, a user is asked within the framework of the learning whether a target state of charge (10) and / or which target state of charge (10) should be stored for a destination location corresponding to the frequently travelled driving routes.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that A target state of charge (10) specified by the user in the past for the driving route frequently traveled is suggested to the user as the target state of charge (10) when asked.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A target state of charge (10) is suggested to a user based on at least one further criterion (30) as a function of a specified target location.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The at least one additional criterion (30) comprises at least one of the following: a target state of charge (10) of other fleet participants of the vehicle fleet, a target state of charge (10) of other users, availability of charging posts at the target location, availability of green power at the target location.

9. A device for operating a hybrid vehicle (50), comprising: A control device (2), wherein the control device (2) is configured to operate the hybrid vehicle (50) so that the electric energy storage device (51) of the hybrid vehicle (50) has a specified target state of charge (10) when reaching a target location, wherein the target state of charge (10) can be specified according to the target location of the hybrid vehicle (50); and the target state of charge (10) is learned for the target location and automatically adjusted when driving to the corresponding target location after the learning, wherein if the target location selected by the user is within a blocked area for an internal combustion engine, the target state of charge (10) is suggested to the user according to at least one blocked area characteristic, and wherein the at least one blocked area characteristic includes the distance between the target location and an exit of the blocked area, from which the operation of the internal combustion engine is allowed again.

Images