Method for determining condition data of a heat pump system, data processing system and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method (100) for determining condition data indicative of a blockage of a thermal unit (22) of a heat pump system (20) of a vehicle (1), the heat pump system (20) further comprising an air supply unit (24), the method (100) comprising: receiving model data (110) indicative of an air flow through the thermal unit (22) and the air supply unit (24), where the model data is based on a model of the heat pump system (20); receiving measurement data (120) indicative of a flow of air through the thermal unit (22) and the air supply unit (24), where the measurement data is based on one or more measurement devices of the air supply unit (24); and determining the condition data (130) based at least on the model data and the measurement data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for determining status data indicating a blockage of a thermal unit of a heat pump system of a vehicle, a method for determining a blockage of a thermal unit of a heat pump system of a vehicle, a data processing system comprising means for performing the method, and a vehicle having a system for providing status data for a heating and / or cooling unit. Background Art

[0002] The efficiency of known vehicle heat pump systems depends inter alia on possible blockages of the respective heat units of the heat pump system. In particular, the energy demand of a heat pump system with an at least partially blocked heat unit increases. The goal of reducing fuel and energy consumption, in particular in electric vehicles, is hampered by the limited energy efficiency of the heat pump system when the heat pump system is blocked. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the energy efficiency of a heat pump system in a vehicle.

[0004] This problem is at least partially solved or alleviated by embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for determining condition data indicative of a blockage of a thermal unit of a heat pump system of a vehicle, the heat pump system further comprising an air supply unit, the method comprising:

[0006] receiving model data indicative of air flow through the thermal unit and the air supply unit, wherein the model data is based on a model of the heat pump system;

[0007] receiving measurement data indicative of air flow through the thermal unit and the air supply unit, wherein the measurement data is based on one or more measurement devices of the air supply unit; and

[0008] The condition data is determined based at least on the model data and the measurement data.

[0009] The method may be at least partially computer-implemented. It may be implemented in software or hardware, or in software and hardware. In addition, the method may be performed by computer program instructions running on a device providing data processing functions. The data processing device may be a suitable computing device, such as an electronic control module, etc., which may also be a distributed computer system. The data processing device or the computer may include one or more of a processor, a memory, a data interface, etc., respectively.

[0010] The vehicle may be, for example, a motor vehicle such as a bus, a vehicle configured for transporting goods such as a truck, an airplane, or generally any vehicle having a heat pump system.

[0011] For example, the heat pump system may be configured to heat and / or cool a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the heat pump system may be configured to maintain the temperature of the passenger compartment at a constant level. Additionally or alternatively, the heat pump system may be configured to control a temperature set by a driver of the vehicle and / or a predetermined temperature of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0012] The air supply unit may be configured, for example, to convey a gaseous medium, in particular air. The air supply unit may be a fan unit, which may convey or propel the gaseous medium. The air supply unit may be configured to move or propel the gaseous medium through the thermal unit in a conveying direction.

[0013] The air flow may be defined by air pressure and / or flow rate. The air flow may be influenced or controlled by the air supply unit. The air flow may depend on the moving speed of the vehicle and / or the air supply unit, and / or be influenced or controlled by the moving speed of the vehicle.

[0014] The thermal unit may, for example, comprise a thermally conductive material in order to emit or absorb thermal radiation.For example, the thermal unit may be configured as a heat sink or a heat sink.

[0015] The model of the heat pump system may, for example, be configured as a physical model of the heat pump system. The model of the heat pump system may in particular include information about the air flow through the heat pump system. For example, the model of the heat pump system may include model values ​​representing the air flow through the heat pump system in order to determine the air flow through the heat pump system.

[0016] Furthermore, the model data may be based, for example, on a predefined model of the heat pump system. The model of the heat pump system may be further developed and / or updated during use of the vehicle. In this case, development may be understood as indicating that model values ​​of the air flow may be generated during use of the heat pump system, etc. In this case, updating may be understood as indicating that model values ​​of the air flow may be modified during use of the heat pump system, etc.

[0017] The model of the heat pump system may be configured at least to determine the intake air data of the heat pump system according to the movement of the vehicle.Thereby, the supply air data may be configured to characterize, for example, the amount of air flow entering the heat pump system.

[0018] The one or more measuring devices may include, for example, a measuring device configured to measure air flow. For example, the measuring device may include an airflow meter and / or an anemometer.

[0019] The condition data may include, for example, information about the air flow entering the heat pump system and information about the air flow leaving the heat pump system. The condition data may include air pressure information or flow rate information of the air flow through the thermal unit.

[0020] Furthermore, the condition data may comprise an indication value configured to indicate a blockage of the thermal unit, wherein the indication value may, for example, be based on a comparison of an air flow entering the heat pump system and an air flow leaving the heat pump system.

[0021] Furthermore, the situation data may be configured to be read and / or evaluated by the vehicle. The evaluation of the situation data may control the vehicle, for example to provide a warning to the driver of the vehicle about the obstruction and / or to control the vehicle in a manner to remove the obstruction.

[0022] Removing the blockage may result in minimizing the energy efficiency of the vehicle and / or the heat pump system of the vehicle and / or optimizing the energy efficiency of the vehicle and / or the heat pump system of the vehicle.

[0023] According to an example, the measurements of the one or more measuring devices may be performed in a propulsion mode of a fan unit as an air supply unit of the heat pump system.

[0024] The propulsion mode may describe a usage mode of the fan unit, in which the fan unit is driven, for example, by a motor arrangement of the fan unit. The fan unit in the propulsion mode may be operated at a defined rotational speed of the fan unit.

[0025] For example, in propulsion mode, when the fan unit is driven at a set rotational speed, the air flow may be determined by determining, for example, a required power consumption or an actual power consumption of the motor device.

[0026] According to an example, the measurement data may include at least information of a rotation speed of the fan unit, wherein the information may consist of one or more of a first partial rotation speed value and a second partial rotation speed value.

[0027] For example, in propulsion mode the air flow may be determined by, for example, a deviation of the rotational speed of the fan unit from a set rotational speed of the fan unit driven by the motor arrangement.

[0028] According to an example, the measurements of the one or more measuring devices may be performed in an idling mode of a fan unit serving as an air supply unit of the heat pump system.

[0029] The idle mode may describe a mode of use of the fan unit in which the fan unit is not driven by the motor arrangement and / or by the air flow through the heat pump system. The fan unit in the idle mode may rotate at a rotation speed of the fan unit that depends on the driving of the vehicle, in particular on the driving speed of the vehicle.

[0030] In other words, the fan unit idling during vehicle driving will rotate at a specific speed of the vehicle depending on the air flow. In addition, the air flow may depend on the specific speed of the vehicle, the ambient conditions of the vehicle, the ambient conditions of the heat pump system and the pressure drop of the heat pump system.

[0031] In addition, the idling mode of the fan unit can be performed within a limited time period to stabilize the rotation speed of the fan unit. Therefore, the limited time period can be between 1 second [s] and 5 seconds [s], between 6 seconds [s] and 10 seconds [s], and / or between 11 seconds [s] and 20 seconds [s].

[0032] For example, the rotation speed of the fan unit, the speed of the vehicle, and / or ambient conditions of the vehicle, and / or ambient conditions of the heat pump system may be used to determine the air flow inside the heat pump system.The condition data may also be based on the determined air flow.

[0033] The method may comprise activating an idle mode, for example by switching off a motor of the fan unit or switching it from an operating mode to an idle mode.

[0034] According to an example, the method may be performed during a driving state of the vehicle, in particular during a driving state having a predetermined driving speed range.

[0035] The driving state may include a state in which the vehicle is stationary or driving / moving.

[0036] The driving speed range may be predefined as, for example, a driving speed of the vehicle between 1 and 20 kilometers per hour [km / h] or between 21 and 50 [km / h]. By using the method only in a predetermined driving speed range, in particular a low driving speed range, the complexity of determining the condition data may be reduced, since at low speeds the ambient conditions are less harsh on the heat pump system. Therefore, the condition data may be determined with greater accuracy.

[0037] According to an example, the condition data may include one or more of icing information indicating a blockage of the thermal unit and blocking information indicating a blockage of the thermal unit.

[0038] One or more icing information indicating a blockage and / or blocking information indicating a blockage can be determined, for example, with the aid of the situation data. One or more icing information indicating a blockage and / or blocking information indicating a blockage can be compared with information and / or values ​​of the model data to determine whether the blockage indicates icing of the thermal unit and / or blocking of the thermal unit.

[0039] Furthermore, if the rotation speed of the fan unit, the speed of the vehicle and the ambient conditions of the vehicle are known, it is possible to calculate the pressure drop that will change if ice or blockage accumulates on the thermal unit (particularly located or placed in front of the air supply unit, particularly relative to the direction of airflow).

[0040] According to an example, the method may further include providing control data based at least on the condition data for controlling an air conditioning device of the heat pump system to unclog the thermal unit.

[0041] For example, the air conditioning device may be a heating unit of a vehicle, which heating unit is configured as a heat pump system.

[0042] According to an example, the control data may also be configured to control de-icing of the heat pump system and to re-execute one or more of the methods after de-icing of the heat pump system.

[0043] De-icing may be performed, for example, by an air conditioning device.The heating unit may be configured to de-ice the thermal unit and / or prevent ice formation in the thermal unit.

[0044] In other words, detecting ice formation on a thermal unit can allow the system to operate more efficiently because air conditioning units can be controlled in colder climates and heat pump systems can be de-iced in an optimized manner to utilize their full potential when in use.

[0045] In an example, the model data may include at least one target value for the measurement data. The at least one target value may also be a target value range. The at least one target value or target value range may indicate an unobstructed thermal unit, or in other words, there is no obstruction for the thermal unit. For example, the at least one target value may depend on vehicle parameters, such as driving speed and / or environmental conditions.

[0046] In an example, the determination of the condition data may be based at least on a comparison of the measurement data with the model data. Thus, at least one target value or a target value range for the current driving speed and / or environmental conditions may be selected from the model data and compared with the measurement data. The measurement data may contain at least one measurement value of the air supply unit, such as an RPM value and / or a power consumption value. If at least one measurement value corresponds to at least one target value or falls within a target value range, it may be determined as condition data that the thermal unit is not blocked. However, if at least one measurement value does not correspond to at least one target value or falls outside a target value range, it may be determined as condition data that the thermal unit is blocked.

[0047] In a simple but effective embodiment, the model data may be configured to assign (e.g. in the form of a table and / or a function) at least one target value or a target value range to the condition of an unblocked thermal unit and / or a blocked thermal unit, depending on at least one parameter (e.g. a driving parameter such as a driving speed, and / or an environmental condition parameter such as an ambient temperature and / or a pressure). Thus, based on at least one parameter, such as the current driving speed and the ambient temperature, at least one target value or a target value range may be determined from the model data for comparison with the measurement data, based on which it is known from the comparison that the thermal unit is not blocked. This knowledge may be based on previous experiments or simulations, for example. Now, if the measurement data deviate from at least one target value or a target value range, it may be determined that there is a blockage of the thermal unit. Based on the extent of the deviation, it may be determined to what extent the thermal unit is blocked (e.g. by ice).

[0048] According to an example, a model of a heat pump system may be modeled based at least on input data to a machine learning algorithm.

[0049] A model of a heat pump system can be generated or further developed based on the inputs of a machine learning algorithm. For example, a machine learning algorithm can be used to generate or determine values ​​for a model of a heat pump system that includes characteristics such as air flow rate through the heat pump system. For example, a machine learning algorithm can be used to further develop or modify values ​​for a model of a heat pump system that includes characteristics such as air flow rate through the pump system.

[0050] According to an example, the machine learning algorithm may be trained by at least one or more of measured fan data, condition data, reference data for the vehicle, and usage data for the vehicle.

[0051] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for determining a blockage of a heat unit of a heat pump system of a vehicle using condition data determined by a method according to any of the preceding aspects or examples, the heat pump system also comprising an air supply unit. The method may be at least partially computer-implemented.

[0052] According to a third aspect, a data processing system is provided, comprising means for executing the method of the first aspect and / or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0053] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a vehicle having the data processing system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, and a heat pump system including a heat unit and an air supply unit.

[0054] According to an example, the disclosed heat pump system for a vehicle may include a sealing device configured to provide at least one sealed connection between the radiator unit and the fan unit.

[0055] The sealing device may be configured to prevent or at least reduce air leakage of the air flow through the heat pump system. The sealing device may seal at least one connection between the thermal unit and the air supply unit. The sealing device may also seal at least one connection between an inlet of the heat pump system and the thermal unit, and / or seal at least one connection between the air supply unit and an outlet of the heat pump system.

[0056] In other words, for accurate measurements, there may be a sufficient seal between the thermal unit of the heat pump system and the air supply unit of the heat pump system, forcing all air to pass through the thermal unit.

[0057] According to another aspect, there may be a computer program element comprising instructions, which, when the program is executed by a computing device of a computing environment, cause the computing device to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0058] According to another aspect, there may be a computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0059] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved. Thus, the method can be combined with structural features, and likewise, the system and vehicle can be combined with the features described above with respect to the method.

[0060] These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Hereinafter, the present disclosure is exemplarily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 Examples of diagrams illustrating the disclosed methods;

[0063] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of a data processing system;

[0064] Figure 3 a schematic diagram showing an example of a portion of a heat pump system for a vehicle; and

[0065] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an example of a portion of a heat pump system of a vehicle with a partially blocked heat unit.

[0066] It should be noted that the drawings are only schematic representations and are only used to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Figure 1 An example of a diagram of the disclosed method 100 is shown for determining condition data indicative of a blockage of a heat unit 22 of a heat pump system 20 of a vehicle 1 (see Figures 2 to 4 ), the heat pump system 20 also includes an air supply unit 24, the method 100 includes: receiving model data 110 indicating air flow through the thermal unit 22 and the air supply unit 24, wherein the model data is based on a model of the heat pump system 20; receiving measurement data 120 indicating air flow through the thermal unit 22 and the air supply unit 24, wherein the measurement data is based on one or more measurement devices of the air supply unit 24; and determining status data 130 based at least on the model data and the measurement data.

[0068] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of a data processing system 10 is shown, which includes means for performing the disclosed method.

[0069] In this example, the data processing system 10 comprises a computer-readable medium 12 and is implemented in a vehicle 1 . Furthermore, the vehicle 1 comprises a heat pump system 20 which is configured to be controlled by the data processing system 10 .

[0070] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example of a heat pump system 20 of a vehicle 1 is shown, wherein the heat pump system 20 comprises a heat unit 22, an air supply unit 24 and a sealing device 26. For example, the heat unit 22 may be configured as a radiator and the air supply unit 24 may be configured as a fan unit.

[0071] The heat pump system 20 is configured to direct the input air flow 31 to the heat unit 22 and direct the heat unit output air flow 33 to the air supply unit 24. In this regard, the heat unit output air flow 33 is based on the conditions of the input air flow 31 and the heat unit 22. For example, in the event that the heat unit 22 is blocked (e.g., due to ice formation of the heat unit 22) or clogged (e.g., due to dust or other particles), the heat unit output air flow 33 may be reduced. In this case, the efficiency of the heat pump system 20 may be reduced, particularly because the air supply unit 24 may need to use more power.

[0072] To determine the blockage of the thermal unit 22, use the above Figure 1 The method 100 is described. That is, the model data and the measurement data are compared to determine the condition data indicating a possible blockage of the thermal unit 22. When the air supply unit 24 is designed as a fan unit, the measuring device of the air supply unit 24 can be, for example, a power consumption monitor of the air supply unit 24 and / or an RPM sensor of the air supply unit 24.

[0073] On the other hand, the model data may include values ​​or data of measured data, in particular power consumption and / or RPM of the fan unit, which measured data is based on a condition in which the thermal unit 22 is not blocked or blocked by ice. Therefore, in a condition in which the thermal unit is not blocked or blocked by ice, the model may provide power consumption and / or RPM values, for example based on previous measurements. In particular, the model data (e.g., power consumption and / or RPM values) may be based on the current driving speed and / or environmental conditions of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the method 100 may be based on a comparison of the model data with the measured data and provide condition data for the current driving speed and / or environmental conditions. In addition, based on the deviation of the values ​​between the model data and the measured data, the degree of blocking of the thermal unit 22 may be determined.

[0074] In summary, the measured RPM values ​​and / or power consumption values ​​of the air supply unit 24 can be compared to model data for applicable vehicle speeds and environmental conditions for an unobstructed or uniced thermal unit 22. Any differences between the measured data and the model data may be related to the degree of obstruction of the thermal unit 22 that affects the input air flow 31.

[0075] Advantageously, the measured RPM values ​​in the measured data are based on an idling mode of the air supply unit 24, in which no power is delivered to the air supply unit 24. This can therefore make the comparison between the model data and the measured data even easier and more accurate, without having to take into account any RPM values ​​caused by the power supply to the air supply unit 24, since in this case the RPM values ​​are caused only by the heat unit output air flow 33.

[0076] Sealing device 26 is configured to direct an input air flow 31 to thermal unit 22 and to direct a thermal unit output air flow 33 to air supply unit 24 .

[0077] In addition, the heat pump system 20 may also include an air guiding channel for guiding the input air flow 31 to the thermal unit 22 and guiding the output air flow 33 of the thermal unit to the air supply unit 24, wherein with the help of the sealing device 26, air leakage of the input air flow 31 and / or air escape of the output air flow 33 are reduced and / or prevented.

[0078] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an example of a heat pump system 20 of a vehicle having a partially blocked heat unit 22 is shown, wherein the heat pump system 20 includes the partially blocked heat unit 22 , an air supply unit 24 , and a sealing device 26 .

[0079] Heat pump system 20 is configured to direct input air flow 31 to heat unit 22 and direct heat unit output air flow 33 to air supply unit 24. In this regard, heat unit output air flow 33 is based on input air flow 31 and partially blocked heat unit 22.

[0080] Furthermore, the sealing arrangement 26 is configured to direct an input air flow 31 to the thermal unit 22 and to direct a thermal unit output air flow 33 to the air supply unit 24 .

[0081] In addition, the heat pump system 20 may also include an air guiding channel for guiding the input air flow 31 to the thermal unit 22 and guiding the output air flow 33 of the thermal unit to the air supply unit 24, wherein with the help of the sealing device 26, air leakage of the input air flow 31 and / or air escape of the output air flow 33 are reduced and / or prevented.

[0082] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" in relation to a list of one or more entities should be understood as at least one selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include at least one of each entity specifically listed within the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. In addition to the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers, the definition also allows that entities may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer to at least one, optionally including more than one A, without the presence of B (and optionally including entities other than B) in one example; to at least one, optionally including more than one B, without the presence of A (and optionally including entities other than A) in another example; and to at least one, optionally including more than one A, and at least one, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other entities) in yet another example. In other words, the phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in nature. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C", and "A, B and / or C" may represent A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.

[0083] By studying the drawings and description of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed examples when practicing the claimed subject matter. In particular, the corresponding parts / functions of the above-mentioned corresponding examples can also be combined with each other. In particular, the present disclosure is not limited to specific modules, vehicle functions, user interfaces, user interface areas / fields and / or communication methods. In the present disclosure, the word "including" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple. The mere fact that certain measures are recorded in different embodiments does not indicate that the combination of these measures may not be used advantageously. Any figure mark should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claim.

[0084] Reference numerals list

[0085] 1. Transportation

[0086] 10Data Processing System

[0087] 12 Computer readable media

[0088] 20Heat pump system

[0089] 22 thermal units

[0090] 24 air supply units

[0091] 26 Sealing device

[0092] 31 Input air flow

[0093] 33 Heat unit output air flow

[0094] 100 Methods

[0095] 110 Receive model data

[0096] 120 Receive measurement data

[0097] 130 Confirm status data

Claims

1. A method (100) for determining condition data indicating a blockage of a heat unit (22) of a heat pump system (20) of a vehicle (1), the heat pump system (20) further comprising an air supply unit (24), the method (100) comprising: receiving model data (110) indicative of air flow through the thermal unit (22) and the air supply unit (24), wherein the model data is based on a model of the heat pump system (20); receiving measurement data (120) indicative of air flow through the thermal unit (22) and the air supply unit (24), wherein the measurement data is based on one or more measurement devices of the air supply unit (24); and The condition data (130) is determined based at least on the model data and the measurement data.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The measurements of the one or more measuring devices are performed in a propulsion mode of a fan unit serving as an air supply unit (24) of the heat pump system (20).

3. The method (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The measurement data at least includes information about the rotation speed of the fan unit, wherein the information is composed of one or more of a first partial rotation speed value and a second partial rotation speed value.

4. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more measuring devices perform measurements in an idling mode of a fan unit serving as an air supply unit (24) of the heat pump system (20).

5. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The method (100) is performed during a driving state of the vehicle (1), wherein the driving state corresponds to a predetermined driving speed range.

6. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The condition data includes one or more of icing information indicating a blockage of the thermal unit (22) and blocking information indicating a blockage of the thermal unit (22).

7. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The method (100) also includes providing control data based at least on the condition data for controlling an air conditioning device of the heat pump system (20) to unclog the thermal unit (22).

8. The method (100) according to claim 7, wherein: The control data is further configured to control de-icing of the heat pump system (20) and to re-execute one or more of the method (100) after de-icing of the heat pump system (20).

9. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The model data comprise at least one target value for the measurement data, and the determination of the situation data is based at least on a comparison of the measurement data with the model data.

10. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The model of the heat pump system (20) is modeled based at least on input data of a machine learning algorithm.

11. The method (100) according to claim 10, wherein: The machine learning algorithm is trained by at least one or more of the measured fan data, the condition data, reference data of the vehicle (1), and usage data of the vehicle (1).

12. A method for determining a blockage of a heat unit (22) of a heat pump system (20) of a vehicle (1) using status data determined according to the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the heat pump system (20) also comprising an air supply unit (24).

13. A data processing system (10) comprising means for executing the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A vehicle (1) having a data processing system (10) according to claim 13, and a heat pump system comprising an air supply unit (24) and a heat unit (22).

15. The vehicle (1) according to claim 14, wherein: The heat pump system (20) includes a sealing device (26) configured to provide a sealed connection between the thermal unit (22) and the air supply unit (24).

Images