Environment-friendly vehicle and method of providing remaining drivable distance thereof

Abstract

A vehicle and a method of providing a remaining drivable distance thereof are disclosed. The vehicle includes a processor that predicts a remaining drivable distance (DTE) based on a driving course received from a navigation terminal to output the DTE to an output device. The processor is configured to estimate a frequency of engagement of a disconnector based on the driving course, and to calculate the DTE based on the frequency of engagement of the disconnector.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0066540, filed on June 2, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an environmentally friendly vehicle and a method for providing its remaining driving range. Background Technology

[0004] Environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, can be powered by charging the battery with electrical energy and using the charged electrical energy to operate the motor. These vehicles offer real-time monitoring of the state of charge (SOC), estimation (e.g., prediction) of the remaining driving range (DTE) based on the battery SOC, and display of the DTE on the dashboard.

[0005] Traditionally, to provide an accurate DTE in situations where charging infrastructure is insufficient, the DTE is calculated based on the driving route and also takes into account air conditioning operation information that further consumes battery power. However, there are still many differences between the actual DTE and the calculated DTE. Specifically, in the case of all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, traditional DTE calculation methods do not take into account the changes in fuel efficiency based on whether the vehicle is operating in two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) mode, and therefore, there may be substantial differences between the actual DTE and the calculated DTE. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides an environmentally friendly vehicle and a method for providing its DTE, wherein the environmentally friendly vehicle calculates the DTE by taking into account drive information of an isolating switch used for switching between 2WD and 4WD and the vehicle's travel path.

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the foregoing problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains from the following description.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an environmentally friendly vehicle may include: a processor configured to predict the remaining drivable distance (DTE) based on a driving route received from a navigation terminal, thereby outputting the DTE to an output device. The processor may be configured to estimate the engagement frequency of a disconnector switch based on the driving route, and to calculate the DTE based on the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch. Additionally, the processor may be configured to consider driving conditions along the driving route when estimating the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch.

[0009] Driving conditions may include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, and temperature. The processor can be configured to calculate the drive points of the first and second motors based on whether the isolating switch is engaged. The processor can then be configured to calculate the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle based on the motor efficiencies according to the drive points of the first and second motors.

[0010] The processor can be configured to calculate a first energy consumption based on the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle and the remaining driving distance of the route. Additionally, the processor can be configured to calculate a second energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnect switch. The processor can be configured to calculate the DTE (Distance Effortless Transmission) by considering the first energy consumption, the second energy consumption, and the remaining battery level.

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method for providing a Disconnection Time (DTE) for an environmentally friendly vehicle may include: receiving a driving route from a navigation terminal; estimating the engagement frequency of a disconnector switch based on the driving route; calculating the DTE based on the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch; and outputting the DTE to an output device. Estimating the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch may include: taking into account driving conditions along the driving route. Driving conditions may include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, and temperature.

[0012] The calculation of DTE may include: calculating the drive points of the first motor and the second motor based on whether the disconnector is engaged; calculating the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle based on the motor efficiency of the first motor and the second motor based on the motor efficiency; calculating the first energy consumption based on the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle and the remaining driving distance of the driving route; calculating the second energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnector; and calculating the DTE by taking into account the first energy consumption, the second energy consumption, and the remaining battery capacity.

[0013] Calculating the drive points of the first and second motors may include: calculating the speed and torque of the first and second motors when the disconnecting switch is engaged; and calculating the speed and torque of one of the first and second motors when the disconnecting switch is disengaged. Additionally, calculating the second energy consumption may include: calculating the second energy consumption based on the engagement frequency of the disconnecting switch, using the current and voltage input to the motor used to operate the disconnecting switch. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an environmentally friendly vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 It is a graph showing the disconnect switch drive information according to the vehicle speed associated with this disclosure;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a graph showing the motor drive point according to the wheel drive method associated with this disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a DTE (Distributed Equipment) for an environmentally friendly vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] It should be understood that the terms "vehicle" or "of a vehicle" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles, which generally include passenger cars (including SUVs, buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles), watercraft (including various boats and ships), aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other vehicles with alternative fuels (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicle.

[0020] Although the exemplary implementation is described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary process, it should be understood that the exemplary process can also be performed by one or more modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor and specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes, which will be further described below.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including” as used in this specification specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence of one or more additional features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated or apparent from the context, as used herein, the term “about” should be understood as falling within the normal tolerance range in the field, such as within two standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term “about”.

[0023] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same or equivalent elements. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0024] In describing elements of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the terms first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used herein. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, but do not limit the corresponding element, and are unrelated to the nature, order, or priority of the corresponding element. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, should be interpreted as conventional terms in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be understood that, unless expressly defined herein, terms used herein should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this disclosure and related technologies, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an environmentally friendly vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is a graph showing the disconnect switch drive information based on the vehicle speed associated with this disclosure. Figure 3 It is a graph showing the motor drive point according to the wheel drive method associated with this disclosure.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 The environmentally friendly vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle") 100 may include a navigation terminal 110, a battery management device 120, a disconnector control device 130, a detector 140, an output device 150, a storage device 160, and a processor 170 connected via a vehicle network. The vehicle network can be implemented using a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Media-Oriented System Transport (MOST) network, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Ethernet, and / or X-by-Wire (Flexray). The vehicle network can also utilize communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee.

[0027] When a destination is set, navigation terminal 110 can be configured to search for a route to the destination and guide the vehicle along that route. Specifically, navigation terminal 110 can be configured to search for the optimal route by reflecting real-time traffic information while searching for a route. Although not shown, navigation terminal 110 may include: a memory configured to store map data, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver configured to measure the vehicle's position, a communication module configured to receive traffic information from an external source, and a processor configured to search for a route and perform route guidance along the detected route.

[0028] Battery management device 120 can be configured to manage a battery that powers electrical devices installed in the vehicle, such as electronic control units (ECUs) and / or drive motors. Battery management device 120 can be configured to monitor the battery's voltage, current, and temperature in real time to prevent overcharging and over-discharging. Battery management device 120 can be configured to calculate the remaining battery capacity (i.e., state of charge (SOC)).

[0029] The isolating switch control device 130 can be configured to switch wheel drive methods by engaging or disengaging the isolating switch based on the current driving condition of the vehicle 100. The isolating switch control device 130 can be configured to determine whether the current driving condition satisfies the operating condition of the isolating switch (e.g., driving condition) to determine whether to engage or disengage the isolating switch. In response to determining that the isolating switch is engaged, the isolating switch control device 130 can be configured to engage the isolating switch to allow the vehicle 100 to drive in four-wheel drive (4WD) (i.e., all-wheel drive (AWD)). In response to determining that the isolating switch is disengaged, the isolating switch control device 130 can allow the vehicle 100 to drive in two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive).

[0030] Detector 140 can be configured to acquire (e.g., detect) driving information (e.g., driving conditions) using at least one sensor mounted on vehicle 100. Specifically, the sensor may include a wheel speed sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a triaxial accelerometer, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an image sensor, and / or a temperature sensor. Driving information may include vehicle speed, wheel speed, wheel torque, motor speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)), motor torque, road gradient (e.g., slope, climbing, or descent conditions), curvature (e.g., road curvature), temperature, etc.

[0031] Output device 150 can be configured to output information based on instructions from processor 170. In other words, output device 150 can be configured to display vehicle information such as vehicle speed, motor RPM, and / or DTE on a display. Output device 150 may include at least one of liquid crystal display (LCD), thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, flexible display, 3D display, transparent display, head-up display (HUD), touch screen, and instrument panel.

[0032] Storage device 160 can be configured to store energy efficiency calculation algorithms, drive point calculation algorithms, energy consumption calculation algorithms, and / or DTE calculation algorithms for electric vehicles. Storage device 160 can be configured to store a lookup table defining motor efficiency based on each motor drive point. Storage device 160 can be a non-transitory storage medium configured to store instructions executed by processor 170. Additionally, storage device 160 can be configured to store input data and / or output data according to the operations of processor 170. Storage device 160 can be implemented using at least one of the following storage media (recording media): flash memory, hard disk, secure digital storage (SD) card, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), registers, etc.

[0033] Processor 170 can be configured to perform overall operation of vehicle 100. Processor 170 can be implemented using at least one of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, and microprocessor. Processor 170 can be configured to receive driving routes from navigation terminal 110. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to predict DTE based on the driving route and output the DTE to output device 150. The driving route information input from navigation terminal 110 may include traffic information (e.g., vehicle speed, etc.), road information (e.g., slopes, rotations, etc.), and / or environmental information (e.g., temperature and / or weather).

[0034] The processor 170 can be configured to estimate (e.g., predict) the engagement frequency of the disconnect switch based on driving conditions along the driving route. Driving conditions may include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, temperature, and weather. The engagement frequency of the disconnect switch may refer to the frequency at which the wheel drive method switches from 2WD to 4WD.

[0035] Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the drive points, i.e., motor speed and motor torque, of a first motor (e.g., a front-wheel drive motor) and a second motor (e.g., a rear-wheel drive motor), based on the engagement frequency (e.g., operating frequency) of the disconnector switch. Processor 170 can also be configured to calculate the drive points of the first and second motors when the disconnector switch is engaged. Furthermore, processor 170 can be configured to calculate the drive point of either the first or second motor when the disconnector switch is released. In this case, the drive point of the first or second motor can be calculated based on whether the 2WD system uses a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive method. For example, when vehicle 100 uses a front-wheel drive method in 2WD, vehicle 100 can be configured to calculate the drive point of the first motor; when vehicle 100 uses a rear-wheel drive method, vehicle 100 can be configured to calculate the drive point of the second motor.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 The engagement or disengagement of the disconnector switch can be determined based on vehicle speed and motor torque, and thus the driving conditions along the travel route can be predicted in advance to predict the operating frequency (e.g., engagement frequency) of the disconnector switch and the motor drive point when the disconnector switch engages and disengages. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the frequency of disconnector switch engagement can be predicted by predicting the driving conditions along the travel route; and the drive points of the front-wheel drive motor and the rear-wheel drive motor can be predicted based on the predicted disconnector switch engagement frequency.

[0037] Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the energy efficiency [km / kWh] of an electric vehicle based on the motor efficiency at a calculated drive point. Processor 170 can be configured to identify motor efficiency for each motor based on its drive point, referring to a pre-stored reference table. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle by reflecting the identified motor efficiency. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to calculate a first energy consumption based on the remaining driving distance of the route, using the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate a second energy consumption based on the operation of a disconnect switch. Processor 170 can be configured to use sensors to measure the current and voltage input to a motor that provides the power required to operate the disconnect switch. Processor 170 can be configured to use the measured current and voltage to calculate the second energy consumption.

[0038] Furthermore, processor 170 can be configured to calculate the total energy consumption by adding the first energy consumption and the second energy consumption. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the DTE based on the total energy consumption and the remaining battery capacity (e.g., remaining amount). In this case, processor 170 can be configured to receive the remaining battery capacity from battery management device 120. Processor 170 can be configured to output the calculated DTE to output device 150. For example, processor 170 can be configured to display the calculated DTE on a dashboard.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 As shown, compared to 2WD drive, torque is generated by both the front-wheel drive motor (e.g., front wheel motor) and the rear-wheel drive motor (e.g., rear wheel motor) during 4WD drive, and therefore, each motor can operate at lower torque, and motor efficiency may be reduced. This reduction in motor efficiency is related to fuel economy. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, the extent of the efficiency reduction compared to 2WD drive can be predicted and reflected in the DTE value, thereby improving DTE accuracy. Additionally, when DTE decreases and power limiting occurs, fuel efficiency can be improved through 2WD drive control, thereby extending the DTE.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a DTE (Distributed Equipment) for an environmentally friendly vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The processor 170 of vehicle 100 can be configured to receive the driving route from navigation terminal 110 (S110).

[0041] Processor 170 can be configured to estimate the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch based on the driving route (S120). Processor 170 can be configured to estimate the engagement frequency of the disconnector switch based on the driving conditions along the driving route. Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether the disconnector switch is engaged by determining whether the driving conditions meet the disconnector switch engagement conditions. Driving conditions may include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, and temperature.

[0042] Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the drive point of the first motor and the second motor based on whether the disconnect switch is engaged (S130). Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the speed and torque of the first motor and the second motor when the disconnect switch is engaged. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the speed and torque of one of the first motor and the second motor when the disconnect switch is released. Additionally, processor 170 can be configured to calculate the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle based on the motor efficiency according to the drive point of the first motor and the second motor (S140). Processor 170 can be configured to identify the motor efficiency based on the drive point of each motor by referring to a pre-stored reference table. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle by reflecting the motor efficiency.

[0043] Furthermore, processor 170 can be configured to calculate a first energy consumption based on the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle and the remaining driving distance of the route, and to calculate a second energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnect switch (S150). Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the second energy consumption using the current and voltage input to the motor used to operate the disconnect switch, based on the engagement frequency of the disconnect switch. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the DTE based on the first and second energy consumption (S160). Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the total energy consumption by adding the first and second energy consumption. Processor 170 can be configured to calculate the DTE using the calculated total energy consumption and the remaining battery capacity. Processor 170 can be configured to determine whether the driving has been completed (S170). Then, processor 170 can be configured to terminate the DTE calculation when the driving is completed, and to calculate the DTE by repeating S110 to S160 when the driving is not completed.

[0044] Although this disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. Various modifications and alterations can be made by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as claimed in the appended claims. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not intended to limit the technical spirit of this disclosure, but are provided for illustrative purposes only. The scope of protection of this disclosure should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all its equivalents should be construed as including within the scope of this disclosure.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the DTE of a vehicle can be provided more accurately because, when calculating the DTE of a vehicle, not only driving route information but also changes in fuel consumption and energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnect switch are taken into account.

[0046] Although this disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An environmentally friendly vehicle, comprising: The processor is configured to predict the remaining driving distance based on the driving route received from the navigation terminal, and then output the remaining driving distance to the output device; The processor is configured as follows: The engagement frequency of the isolating switch is estimated based on the driving route, wherein the engagement frequency of the isolating switch is the frequency at which the wheels switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive; and The remaining drivable distance is calculated based on the engagement frequency of the disconnecting switch; Furthermore, the processor is configured to calculate a first energy consumption based on the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle and a second energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnect switch, wherein the processor is configured to measure the current and voltage input to the motor for operating the disconnect switch and use the measured current and voltage to calculate the second energy consumption; The processor is configured to calculate the remaining driving range based on the first energy consumption, the second energy consumption, and the remaining battery capacity.

2. The environmentally friendly vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to estimate the engagement frequency of the disconnect switch based on the driving conditions along the driving route.

3. The environmentally friendly vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The driving conditions include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, and temperature.

4. The environmentally friendly vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to calculate the drive points of the first motor and the second motor based on whether the isolating switch is engaged.

5. The environmentally friendly vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, The processor is configured to calculate the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle based on the motor efficiencies of the drive points of the first motor and the second motor.

6. The environmentally friendly vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The processor is configured to also calculate the first energy consumption based on the remaining distance traveled along the route.

7. A method for providing the remaining driving range of an environmentally friendly vehicle, comprising: The processor receives the driving route from the navigation terminal; The processor estimates the engagement frequency of the isolating switch based on the driving route, wherein the engagement frequency of the isolating switch is the frequency at which the wheels switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive. The processor calculates the remaining drivable distance based on the engagement frequency of the disconnect switch; and The processor outputs the remaining driving distance to the output device; The processor calculates a first energy consumption based on the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle and a second energy consumption based on the operation of the disconnect switch. The processor is configured to measure the current and voltage input to the motor used to operate the disconnect switch and to use the measured current and voltage to calculate the second energy consumption. The processor is configured to calculate the remaining driving range based on the first energy consumption, the second energy consumption, and the remaining battery capacity.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Estimating the engagement frequency of the disconnecting switch includes: The processor estimates the engagement frequency of the disconnecting switch based on the driving conditions along the driving route.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The driving conditions include at least one of vehicle speed, wheel torque, motor torque, road gradient, road curvature, and temperature.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Calculating the remaining drivable distance includes: The processor calculates the drive points of the first motor and the second motor based on whether the isolating switch is engaged. The processor calculates the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle based on the motor efficiencies at the drive points of the first motor and the second motor. The processor also calculates the first energy consumption based on the remaining distance traveled along the route.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Calculating the drive points of the first motor and the second motor includes: The processor calculates the speed and torque of the first motor and the second motor when the disconnect switch is engaged; and The processor calculates the speed and torque of one of the first motor and the second motor when the disconnect switch is released.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The calculation of the second energy consumption includes: The processor calculates the second energy consumption based on the engagement frequency of the disconnecting switch, using the current and voltage input to the motor used to operate the disconnecting switch.

Images