Apparatus and method for providing travelable distance information of vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a travelable distance information providing apparatus of a vehicle and an information providing method performed by the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a display device displaying travelable distance information of the vehicle; and a controller for controlling the operation of the display device, the controller specifying low-fuel-consumption-related information and high-fuel-consumption-related information in accordance with current vehicle traveling conditions, specifying a low-DTE (Distance to Empty) value and a high-DTE value on the basis of the specified low-fuel-consumption-related information and high-fuel-consumption-related information and current battery available energy, and controlling the operation of the display device. And determining a real-time drivable distance, namely a current DTE value, and controlling the work of the display device to display the determined low DTE value and high DTE value and the current DTE value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for providing drivable distance information to a driver through a display device such as an instrument panel in an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a function of predicting the distance to empty (DTE) and informing the driver is provided in a vehicle. For example, in a diesel vehicle, the distance to empty is predicted based on the fuel level in the fuel tank and the driver is informed through the instrument panel or the like.

[0003] Similarly, in an electric vehicle that runs using battery power to drive a motor, the drivable distance is estimated based on the current remaining energy (remaining capacity) of the battery and displayed on a dashboard or the like.

[0004] Compared with internal combustion engines, electric vehicles have fewer charging stations and longer charging times, so electric vehicle drivers are bound to pay more attention to the driving distance (DTE).

[0005] As described above, in an electric vehicle, the driver is more sensitive to the drivable distance (DTE), so it is very important to accurately calculate the drivable distance corresponding to the remaining energy of the battery in real time during driving and inform the driver.

[0006] There is a known method for estimating the drivable distance using the relationship between the remaining battery energy and the energy efficiency (power consumption) in order to provide information about the drivable distance in a vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,037,327 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method for determining the drivable distance by multiplying the determined energy efficiency by the current remaining battery energy after determining the energy efficiency that becomes the power consumption using information accumulated from the past.

[0007] In addition, U.S. Patent No. 9574889 (Patent Document 2) discloses a method in which a weighted factor is applied to the past drivable distance and the drivable distance on the current given path to determine the final drivable distance, and then the determined drivable distance is adjusted according to the occurrence of an event. The disclosed method is a method of determining and adjusting the drivable distance using information accumulated in the past and event information ahead.

[0008] In Patent Document 1, the drivable distance is determined using past energy efficiency in order to resolve the uncertainty of the predicted future driving information. However, this method is applicable only when it is assumed that the past energy efficiency trend will be maintained in the future. However, if the future traffic conditions show a form different from the information during past driving, the energy efficiency based on the past driving information will have a large error.

[0009] In Patent Document 2, the drivable distance is updated every time an event that consumes energy occurs, but this may result in the influence of the event on the remaining travel route being considered too much or too little.

[0010] In addition, various methods are known for estimating and predicting the drivable distance. Vehicle manufacturers predict the drivable distance according to their own methods and provide the predicted drivable distance to the driver by displaying it on the instrument panel.

[0011] However, the prediction accuracy of the driving distance (hereinafter referred to as "DTE") is not high, so there are many quality dissatisfactions related to it. As a prior art for solving such dissatisfaction, there is a method of providing the current DTE through the instrument panel while also providing the minimum (MIN) DTE and the maximum (MAX) DTE.

[0012] However, the problem with this prior art is that, since it is impossible to predict how the driver will drive in the future, the minimum DTE and maximum DTE learned based on recent driving conditions tend to vary greatly, which does not match the meaning of DTE for predicting the future drivable distance. Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0014] Therefore, the present invention is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a device and method, wherein low (Low) DTE and high (High) DTE information that are calculated independently of learning and can be normally driven according to driving conditions such as regions and roads are displayed together with the current real-time DTE (drivable distance) information.

[0015] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drivable distance display device and method capable of guiding a driver to perform fuel-efficient driving.

[0016] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs (hereinafter referred to as "a person skilled in the art") can clearly understand other objects not mentioned from the following description.

[0017] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0018] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a vehicle's drivable distance information providing device in an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display device for displaying the vehicle's drivable distance information; and a controller for controlling the operation of the above-mentioned display device, wherein the above-mentioned controller determines low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information according to the current vehicle driving conditions, determines a low DTE (Distance to Empty) value and a high DTE value based on the determined low fuel consumption information and high fuel consumption information and the current battery available energy, determines a real-time drivable distance, that is, a current DTE value, and controls the operation of the display device to display the determined low DTE value and high DTE value as well as the current DTE value.

[0019] In addition, the method for providing the drivable distance information of the vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention includes: the step of determining low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information according to the current vehicle driving conditions through a controller; the step of determining a low DTE (Distance to Empty) value and a high DTE value according to the determined low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information and the current battery available energy through the above-mentioned controller, and determining the real-time drivable distance, that is, the current DTE value; and the step of controlling the operation of the display device through the above-mentioned controller to display the determined low DTE value and high DTE value and the above-mentioned current DTE value.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] Therefore, according to the drivable distance information providing device and method of the present invention, the low DTE and high DTE calculated independently of learning, as well as the current DTE reflecting the driver's driving tendency and the current driving state of the vehicle are displayed and provided to the driver in real time at every moment through a display device such as an instrument panel, thereby guiding the driver to drive efficiently from the perspective of power consumption so that the current DTE can move and converge in the direction of high DTE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c This shows an example in which the low DTE value, the high DTE value, and the current DTE value according to the present invention are displayed as a graphic image on a display device.

[0023] Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c An example showing low DTE and high DTE as well as current DTE displayed on a dashboard of a vehicle in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 The following shows the structure of a device for executing the process of providing the possible travel distance information according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4The method of determining the low DTE value and the high DTE value in the present invention is shown.

[0026] Explanation of symbols

[0027] 10: navigation device; 20: battery controller; 30: controller; 31: vehicle speed calculation unit; 32: drive output calculation unit; 33: air conditioning output calculation unit; 34: converter output calculation unit; 35: drivable distance calculation unit; 36: display control unit; 40: display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific structural or functional descriptions given in the embodiments of the invention are only for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. In addition, the embodiments recorded in this specification should not be interpreted as limiting the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all changes, equivalents or alternatives within the scope of the concept and technology of the present invention.

[0029] In addition, the terms "first" and / or "second" in the present invention can be used to describe various components, but the above components are not limited by the above terms. The above terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, within the scope of the rights of the concept according to the present invention, the first component can be named as the second component, and similarly, the second component can also be named as the first component.

[0030] When a component is said to be "connected to" or "coupled to" another component, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but it must be understood that there are other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" to another component or "directly in contact with" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions used to describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between", "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", should be interpreted in the same way.

[0031] Throughout the specification, the same symbols represent the same components. The terms used in this specification are for illustrating embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless otherwise specifically mentioned in the sentence. The "comprises" and / or "comprising" used in the specification do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions and / or elements mentioned.

[0032] The present invention relates to an information providing device and method for displaying drivable distance (hereinafter referred to as "DTE") information in an electric vehicle and providing it to a driver, wherein a drive output is calculated using a low (Low) DTE vehicle speed and a high (High) DTE vehicle speed set according to vehicle driving conditions such as a region and a road, and constant speed fuel consumption information reflecting vehicle specification characteristics, and low DTE and high DTE information that can be normally driven according to driving conditions such as a region and a road are calculated and provided using the calculated drive output regardless of learning.

[0033] The present invention provides low DTE and high DTE information that can change with the change of battery available energy (battery remaining energy) through a display device such as a vehicle instrument panel, and at the same time displays and provides the current DTE reflecting the driver's driving tendency and the current vehicle driving state to the driver in real time every moment through the instrument panel, thereby guiding the driver to drive efficiently from the perspective of power consumption, so that the current real-time DTE (hereinafter referred to as "current DTE") can move and converge in the direction of high DTE.

[0034] The low DTE and high DTE provided by the present invention are information that is independent of learning, and can be said to be values ​​that can change with changes in the available energy of the battery regardless of how the driver drives, regardless of learning.

[0035] In the present invention, the current DTE value is displayed by a display device such as an instrument panel, and a low DTE value and a high DTE value calculated based on the available energy of the battery are displayed together. Therefore, the driver can confirm the low DTE value and the high DTE value displayed on the display device, as well as the current DTE value between the low DTE value and the high DTE value in real time while driving the vehicle, and drive the vehicle in a manner that makes the current DTE value closer to the high DTE value than the low DTE value.

[0036] Before explaining the definition and calculation method of low DTE, high DTE and current DTE in detail, the method of displaying the drivable distance information such as low DTE, high DTE and current DTE through a display device such as an instrument panel is first explained.

[0037] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c An example of low DTE, high DTE and current DTE being displayed on a display device is shown. As illustrated, the low DTE value, high DTE value and current DTE value may be displayed as numbers on a display device.

[0038] Alternatively, the low DTE value, the high DTE value and the current DTE value may be displayed as relative positions in a graphic image displayed on a display device. In this case, only one of the numbers representing the low DTE value, the high DTE value and the current DTE value and the relative positions in the graphic image may be displayed, or both may be displayed simultaneously.

[0039] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c The display status of low DTE, high DTE and current DTE is only an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the manner of displaying low DTE, high DTE and current DTE may vary in various ways.

[0040] When the drivable distance information such as the low DTE value, high DTE value, and current DTE value is displayed on the display device, in addition to the numbers representing the values, the relative position of the current DTE value relative to the low DTE value and the high DTE value is also displayed.

[0041] Thus, the driver can easily compare the current DTE value with the low DTE value and the high DTE value, and can easily confirm the level of the current DTE value relative to the low DTE value and the high DTE value.

[0042] In the present invention, the low DTE, the high DTE and the current DTE can be said to be real-time information obtained based on current information and changeable, and is information whose display value changes in real time during vehicle driving.

[0043] However, the low DTE and the high DTE are determined based on the current available battery energy, and their values ​​will change with the change of the available battery energy regardless of how the driver drives and travels, and have nothing to do with learning.

[0044] In contrast, the current DTE is information obtained through learning, and its value changes in real time as it reflects the driver's driving tendency and the vehicle's driving conditions (uphill, downhill, etc.) and driving status (driving speed, etc.).

[0045] Therefore, if the real-time variable low DTE value and high DTE value, and the current DTE value are displayed on the vehicle's dashboard through graphic images, etc. during vehicle driving, and if the current DTE value based on the real-time vehicle driving conditions and driving status approaches the low DTE value or approaches the high DTE value based on the low DTE value and high DTE value that are variable according to the current battery available energy are displayed through graphic images, etc., the driver will be able to confirm these situations and adjust the vehicle's driving status to make the current DTE value close to the high DTE value, thereby enabling efficient driving and travel from the perspective of power consumption.

[0046] refer to Figure 1a, in the graph including the shape of the curve, the low DTE and the high DTE are respectively displayed at the left and right positions, and the values ​​thereof are displayed as numbers.

[0047] In addition, the respective DTE values ​​are displayed at the position of the low DTE and the position of the high DTE in such a manner that they can be compared by the height of the curve indicating the size of the graphic image. As a result, the driver can confirm and compare the values ​​of the low DTE and the high DTE as well as the current DTE by the displayed numerals, the relative display positions of the current DTE value with respect to the low DTE value and the high DTE value, and the height of the curve of each DTE value at the display position.

[0048] In addition, the low DTE and high DTE and the current DTE values ​​can be displayed on the display device in a manner that can be compared by using the color of the graphic image. At this time, the driver can know to which degree between the low DTE value and the high DTE value the current DTE value corresponds by using colors that the driver can distinguish and compare.

[0049] In the present invention, the current DTE is not always located in the center between the low DTE and the high DTE, but moves and shifts in the space between the low DTE and the high DTE, and the current value is shown by the relative display position relative to the low DTE value and the high DTE value.

[0050] If the driver drives efficiently in terms of power consumption, the current DTE will move toward high DTE; conversely, if the driver drives under unfavorable conditions in terms of power consumption (fuel consumption), the current DTE will move toward low DTE. In this way, the driver can be guided to drive efficiently in terms of power consumption so that the current DTE can move toward high DTE.

[0051] Figure 1a In the figure, the current DTE value is displayed by moving to the left or right in the figure as the number changes. In this way, the current DTE value is updated in each given cycle, and when the value changes, the display position of the current DTE value also moves between the low DTE value and the high DTE value. This is not only Figure 1b and Figure 1c The same as in the example described below Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figure 2c The same is true in the example.

[0052] Figure 1a In the display, the minimum DTE (i.e., low DTE) value is displayed as "122mi", the maximum DTE (i.e., high DTE) value is displayed as "180mi", and the current DTE value is displayed as "158mi". The minimum DTE value and the maximum DTE value are values ​​that are periodically calculated and updated during vehicle driving, and the current DTE value is also a value that is updated in real time.

[0053] Figure 1b In the figure, the minimum DTE (low DTE) value is displayed as "Low 240mi", the maximum DTE (high DTE) value is displayed as "High 360mi", and the current DTE value is displayed as "300mi". During vehicle driving, the current DTE value moves left and right in the figure every time the value changes.

[0054] Figure 1c This is an example of a configuration in which the display position of the current DTE value ("320mi") moves up and down between the low DTE value ("Low 240mi") and the high DTE value ("High 360mi") every time the value changes.

[0055] Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c 1 shows an example of low DTE and high DTE and current DTE displayed on the dashboard of a vehicle. As illustrated, the low DTE value ( Figure 2a The case is "122mi Min") and high DTE value ( Figure 2a In the case of a DTE of "180miMax") and the current DTE value may be displayed on the instrument panel together with the normal display information displayed on the instrument panel.

[0056] When the values ​​of Low DTE and High DTE and Current DTE are displayed on the instrument panel, they are displayed as numbers, relative display positions, and information indicating relative sizes, along with the normal instrument panel information.

[0057] The method for determining the low DTE and the high DTE is described below.

[0058] Figure 3 The structure of the device for executing the process of providing the drivable distance information of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The method of determining low DTE value and high DTE value in the present invention is shown.

[0059] Figure 4 The process of Figure 3 The controller (30) shown in FIG. 1 is executed, in which the low DTE, high DTE and current DTE are calculated and found in real time. In addition, the low DTE, high DTE and current DTE information determined in the controller (30) can be obtained by Figure 1a , Figure 1b or Figure 1c ,or Figure 2a , Figure 2b or Figure 2c The illustrated forms and the like are displayed on a display device (40) and provided to the driver.

[0060] In the present invention, the control process for providing the drivable distance information may be executed by a plurality of controllers that mutually provide and receive required information and perform coordinated control, or may be executed by an integrated controller.

[0061] For example, multiple controllers may include a higher-level controller, namely a vehicle controller (Vehicle Control Unit, VCU), an air conditioning controller (HVAC controller, HVAC: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning), a battery controller (Battery Management System, BMS), and may also include a converter controller.

[0062] The converter controller may be a converter that converts battery power and outputs it to electronic components of the vehicle, that is, a controller of an LDC (Low voltage DC-DC Converter) (LDC controller).

[0063] In the present invention, multiple controllers and a controller with integrated functions can be collectively referred to as a controller, and it can be said that the control process of the present invention is performed by the collectively referred to controller. In the following description, unless otherwise distinguished, the "controller" is the collectively referred to controller.

[0064] refer to Figure 3 The controller (30) includes a vehicle speed calculation unit (31), a drive output calculation unit (32), an air conditioning output calculation unit (33), a converter output calculation unit (34), a drivable distance calculation unit (35) and a display control unit (36). The controller (30) including these components can be said to be a controller with integrated functions as mentioned above.

[0065] Alternatively, when the control process of the present invention is performed by a plurality of controllers already equipped in the vehicle, the air conditioner output calculation unit (33) may be a separate controller, namely, an air conditioner controller, and the converter output calculation unit (34) may be a separate controller, namely, a converter controller. Alternatively, the display controller (36) may be a separate controller, namely, a display device controller, connected to a display device or included in a display device to control the operation of the display device (40).

[0066] In this case, the vehicle speed calculation unit (31), the drive output calculation unit (32), and the drivable distance calculation unit (35) may be components included in a separate controller such as a vehicle control unit (VCU).

[0067] In this case, the air conditioning controller, converter controller, and display device controller including the vehicle speed calculation unit (31), the drive output calculation unit (32), and the drivable distance calculation unit (35) can be collectively referred to as a controller, and the control process of the present invention for providing drivable distance information can be executed by the collectively referred to controller.

[0068] In the present invention, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) can use the current available battery energy to determine the low DTE and the high DTE respectively.

[0069] In more detail, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) can calculate the low DTE using the low fuel consumption related information and the current battery available energy. In addition, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) can calculate the high DTE using the high fuel consumption related information and the current battery available energy.

[0070] The low fuel consumption related information includes a low DTE vehicle speed based on the current vehicle driving condition and a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed, ie, a low DTE total output.

[0071] Furthermore, the high fuel consumption related information includes a high DTE vehicle speed based on the current vehicle running conditions and a high DTE total output which is a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed.

[0072] Therefore, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) can calculate the low DTE using the low fuel consumption related information, namely, the low DTE vehicle speed and the low DTE total output, and the current battery available energy.

[0073] In addition, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) can calculate the high DTE by using the high fuel consumption related information, namely the high DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE total output, and the current battery available energy.

[0074] The low DTE total output may be the total battery output at a low DTE vehicle speed, and the high DTE total output may be the total battery output at a high DTE vehicle speed.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present invention, low DTE can be determined as a value obtained by dividing the low DTE vehicle speed by the value of the low DTE total output and multiplying the current battery available energy, and high DTE can be determined as a value obtained by dividing the high DTE vehicle speed by the value of the high DTE total output and multiplying the current battery available energy.

[0076] This can be expressed as shown in the following equations 1 and 2.

[0077] [Mathematical formula 1]

[0078] Low DTE = (Low DTE vehicle speed) / (Low DTE total output) × (Battery available energy)

[0079] [Mathematical formula 2]

[0080] High DTE = (High DTE vehicle speed) / (High DTE total output) × (Battery available energy)

[0081] The low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed can be determined by the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) of the controller (30). Figure 4 As the above-mentioned low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed, a value preset in the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) based on the vehicle driving conditions can be used, which can be a value predetermined based on the regional conditions and road conditions. That is, in the vehicle speed calculation unit (31), the low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed corresponding to the regional conditions and road conditions can be determined.

[0082] If the controller (30) that calculates low DTE and high DTE according to Math Formula 1 and Math Formula 2 is a vehicle controller, the vehicle controller can receive real-time battery available energy information from a battery controller (BMS) (20) and use it to calculate low DTE and high DTE.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle driving conditions include the regional conditions and road conditions that the vehicle is driving on. In addition, in the present invention, the low DTE vehicle speed refers to a vehicle speed that can provide a short drivable distance (low DTE) according to the regional conditions and road conditions, and the high DTE vehicle speed refers to a vehicle speed that can provide a long drivable distance (high DTE) according to the regional conditions and road conditions.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present invention, after the above-mentioned low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed are pre-determined as values ​​based on regional conditions and road conditions, the low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed corresponding thereto are pre-input and set according to the regional conditions and road conditions and stored in the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) of the controller (30).

[0085] Thus, in the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) of the controller (30), the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed corresponding to the region and road on which the vehicle is currently traveling can be determined respectively from the setting information of the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed set according to the regional conditions and the road conditions.

[0086] The area and road information on which the vehicle is currently traveling can be obtained by the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) of the controller (30) from the navigation information output by the navigation device (10). Figure 4 11 step in the process).

[0087] That is, the controller (30) can obtain the regional condition and road condition information for determining the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed from the current vehicle position information and the travel road information in the navigation information input by the navigation device (10).

[0088] Table 1 below shows an example of setting the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed. The numerical values ​​are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. The values ​​of the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed can be changed in various ways according to regional conditions and road conditions.

[0089]

Table 1

[0090]

[0091] As shown in Table 1, the average vehicle speed on highways is higher than that on urban roads, and the average vehicle speed in North America is higher than that in South Korea and Europe. In addition, generally, the higher the average vehicle speed, the greater the drivable distance. Therefore, with respect to regional conditions and road conditions, the higher the average vehicle speed, the lower DTE speed and the higher DTE speed can be set to higher values.

[0092] In addition, referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the low DTE vehicle speed is a vehicle speed that can obtain a short drivable distance (low DTE), and therefore, it is set to a higher vehicle speed than the high DTE vehicle speed that can obtain a long drivable distance (high DTE). If high-speed driving is performed, the drivable distance becomes shorter than when driving at a low speed, and therefore, the low DTE vehicle speed that can obtain a short drivable distance is set to a higher vehicle speed value than the high DTE vehicle speed that can obtain a long drivable distance.

[0093] In the embodiment of the present invention, the low DTE total output and the high DTE total output refer to the total battery output, which can be determined by the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) as the total value of the drive output and the air conditioning output, or can also be determined as the total value of the drive output, the air conditioning output and the converter output.

[0094] The drive output refers to the battery output used by the motor to drive the vehicle, which is determined in the drive output calculation unit (32) of the controller (30) as a value corresponding to the appropriate vehicle speed under the conditions of each region and road, that is, the high DTE vehicle speed or the low DTE vehicle speed ( Figure 4 The data is input into the drivable distance calculation unit (35) in step S13.

[0095] Furthermore, the air conditioner output is determined by an air conditioner output calculation unit (33) and input to a drivable distance calculation unit (35), and the converter output is determined by a converter output calculation unit (34) and input to a drivable distance calculation unit (35).

[0096] The air conditioner output is a battery output used by the air conditioner, and the converter output is a battery output for electronic components. The converter output may be an output of an LDC that converts battery power and outputs the converted power to electronic components of the vehicle.

[0097] In the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner output and the LDC output do not distinguish between low DTE and high DTE, but the drive output distinguishes between low DTE and high DTE. That is, the drive output includes a low DTE drive output and a high DTE drive output, the low DTE drive output is used to calculate the low DTE total output in the drivable distance calculation unit (35), and the high DTE drive output is used to calculate the high DTE total output ( Figure 4 4 (step S14 in the example).

[0098] In the drive output calculation unit (32) of the controller (30), the low DTE drive output and the high DTE drive output can be determined according to a mathematical formula using the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed calculation unit (31) as input variables. The mathematical formula is a "vehicle speed-drive output" relationship that defines the correlation between the vehicle speed and the drive output, and can be a cubic equation.

[0099] The following Mathematical Formula 3 represents a cubic equation for calculating the drive output, ie, the low DTE drive output and the high DTE drive output, from the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed.

[0100] [Mathematical formula 3]

[0101] Drive output = a 1 ×Speed+a 2 ×(vehicle speed) 2 +a 3 ×(vehicle speed) 3

[0102] The above mathematical formula 3 is a cubic equation representing the constant speed fuel consumption curve. The cubic equation of "vehicle speed-drive output" can be determined by conducting constant speed fuel consumption tests and evaluations on the vehicle model in advance during the vehicle development stage, and the coefficient a of the cubic equation can be calculated. 1 、a 2 、a 3 The value of .

[0103] In equation 3, the coefficient a, which is the setting information of the constant speed fuel consumption curve equation, is 1 、a 2 、a 3It is a value inherent to the vehicle and reflects the specification characteristics of the vehicle. It can be obtained through the constant speed fuel consumption test and evaluation process of the vehicle model.

[0104] In the present invention, the coefficients of the constant speed fuel consumption curve are pre-input and stored in the driving output calculation unit (32) of the controller (30) for calculating the driving output from the appropriate vehicle speed that meets the current regional conditions and road conditions through the mathematical formula of the constant speed fuel consumption curve.

[0105] That is, the above coefficients can be used to calculate the low DTE drive output and the high DTE drive output from the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed, respectively, through the mathematical formula of the constant speed fuel consumption curve.

[0106] The following Mathematical Formulas 4 and 5 represent cubic equations for calculating constant speed fuel consumption curves of low DTE drive output and high DTE drive output from low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed.

[0107] [Formula 4]

[0108] Low DTE drive output = a 1 ×(low DTE speed)+a 2 ×(Low DTE speed) 2 +a 3 ×(Low DTE speed) 3

[0109] [Formula 5]

[0110] High DTE drive output = a 1 ×(high DTE speed)+a 2 ×(High DTE speed) 2 +a 3 ×(High DTE speed) 3

[0111] On the other hand, as described above, the low DTE total output and the high DTE total output representing the total battery output can be determined by the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) as the total value of the drive output input from the drive output calculation unit (32) and the air-conditioning output input from the air-conditioning output calculation unit (33). The calculation of the air-conditioning output in the air-conditioning output calculation unit (33) can be performed by a known process of calculating the air-conditioning output using an air-conditioning thermal model.

[0112] Thus, the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) can determine the low DTE total output as the total value of the low DTE drive output and the air conditioning output, and can determine the high DTE total output as the total value of the high DTE drive output and the air conditioning output. Figure 4 4 (step S14 in the example).

[0113] Alternatively, the total output may be determined further using a converter output representing a battery output to the vehicle electronic components, wherein the converter output input from the converter output calculation unit (34) may be an LDC output as described above.

[0114] Thus, in the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30), the low DTE total output can be determined as the total value of the low DTE drive output, the air conditioning output, and the LDC output, and the high DTE total output can be determined as the total value of the high DTE drive output, the air conditioning output, and the LDC output ( Figure 4 4 (step S14 in the example).

[0115] In an embodiment of the present invention, the LDC output can utilize a learning value. In order to learn the driver's tendency, a new LDC output value is stored in the converter output calculation unit (34) of the controller (30) every time 1 km is traveled.

[0116] That is, the converter output calculation unit (34) of the controller (30) has n buffers, and each of the n (for example, 25) buffers stores an LDC output value every time 1 km is traveled. At this time, one of the values ​​stored in the n buffers is updated to a new LDC output value every time 1 km is traveled.

[0117] In addition, the LDC output values ​​of the most recently stored m (for example, 10) buffers among the n values ​​stored in the n buffers may be averaged, and the average value thereof may be used as the final LDC output value.

[0118] Table 2 below shows an example of calculating the LDC output value.

[0119]

Table 2

[0120]

[0121] In the example of Table 2, the LDC output value updated each time a preset distance (e.g., 1 km) is traveled is stored one by one in each of the 25 buffers, and the LDC output values ​​of the 10 buffers most recently stored among the 25 LDC output values ​​stored in sequence are averaged, and the average value is used as the final LDC output value.

[0122] In the example of Table 2, the average value of the LDC output values ​​stored in the buffers No. 16 to No. 25, 0.70 kW, is determined as the final LDC output value.

[0123] In this way, the LDC output can be learned, but the LDC output is a small value compared to the drive output and the air-conditioning output, and the fluctuation range of the LDC output is also small. Therefore, as the LDC output value, a fixed value can be used without learning, that is, a certain value of LDC output value preset for the vehicle.

[0124] As a result, after the low DTE total output and the high DTE total output are obtained in the drivable distance calculation unit (35) of the controller (30) through the above process, these total outputs, the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed calculation unit (31), and the battery available energy input from the battery controller (20) can be used to calculate the low DTE value and the high DTE value as shown in Mathematical Formulas 1 and 2 ( Figure 4 (step S15 in the figure).

[0125] Table 3 below shows an example of obtaining low DTE and high DTE according to regional conditions and road conditions in an arbitrary vehicle.

[0126]

Table 3

[0127]

[0128] After the low DTE value and the high DTE value are determined as described above, the display control unit (36) of the controller (30) can control the operation of the display device (40) so that the low DTE value and the high DTE value as well as the current DTE value are displayed in the display device (40) in a predetermined manner ( Figure 4 , step S16 in the figure).

[0129] At this time, the operation of the display device (40) can be controlled so that the low DTE value and the high DTE value as well as the current DTE value are displayed as follows: Figure 1a , Figure 1b or Figure 1c or Figure 2a , Figure 2b or Figure 2c The method shown in is displayed.

[0130] The current DTE is calculated by reflecting the driver's driving tendency and the current vehicle running state, and can be calculated by a known method.

[0131] Various methods are known for calculating the current DTE in real time using the driver's driving tendency regarding acceleration and deceleration, as well as real-time driving state information such as uphill / downhill driving road conditions or current vehicle speed during vehicle driving, and one of the known methods may be used.

[0132] A person having common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs knows a variety of methods for calculating the current DTE (current drivable distance) in real time, so the detailed description of the method for calculating the current DTE is omitted in this specification.

[0133] The display control unit (36) of the controller (30) controls the operation of the display device (40) to display the current DTE value determined as described above together with the low DTE value and the high DTE value. Figures 1a to 1c , Figure 2a to 2c The described manner is displayed and provided to the driver.

[0134] As described above, according to the vehicle drivable distance display device and display method of the present invention, low DTE and high DTE as well as the current DTE reflecting the driver's driving tendency and the current vehicle driving state can be displayed and provided to the driver in real time at every moment through a display device such as an instrument panel, thereby guiding the driver to drive efficiently from the perspective of power consumption so that the current DTE can move and converge in the direction of high DTE.

[0135] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined by the scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for providing information on the drivable distance of a vehicle, in, include: A display device that displays information about the possible driving distance of the vehicle; and a controller for controlling the operation of the display device, The controller determines low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information according to the current vehicle driving conditions, The controller determines a low DTE value and a high DTE value based on the determined low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information and the current available battery energy, wherein DTE is the drivable distance, The controller determines the real-time drivable distance, i.e., the current DTE value. The controller controls the operation of the display device to display the determined low DTE value and high DTE value and the current DTE value.

2. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: As the low fuel consumption related information and the high fuel consumption related information, the controller determines a low DTE vehicle speed and a high DTE vehicle speed corresponding to the current vehicle driving condition from setting information for setting a low DTE vehicle speed and a high DTE vehicle speed based on the vehicle driving condition, As the low fuel consumption related information and the high fuel consumption related information, the controller determines the total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed and the total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed using the determined low DTE vehicle speed and high DTE vehicle speed information and the constant speed fuel consumption information of the vehicle.

3. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The current vehicle driving conditions include the area conditions and road conditions where the vehicle is driving.

4. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The controller is preset with high DTE speed and low DTE speed corresponding to the conditions of each region and road. The road conditions include expressways and urban roads.

5. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed are values ​​set after considering the average vehicle speed under various regional conditions and road conditions, and are set in the controller.

6. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The controller determines the driving output required for driving the vehicle by using the low DTE vehicle speed information and the high DTE vehicle speed information and the vehicle's constant speed fuel consumption information. The controller determines a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed and a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed including the determined drive output.

7. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein: The drive output includes: a low DTE drive output determined to a value corresponding to the low DTE vehicle speed; and A high DTE drive output is determined to be a value corresponding to the high DTE vehicle speed.

8. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein: The total battery output includes: a low DTE total output, which is a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed, which is determined as a total value of the low DTE drive output and a current air conditioning output used by a vehicle air conditioner; and A high DTE total output, which is a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed, is determined as a total value of the high DTE drive output and the current air-conditioning output.

9. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: The low DTE total output is determined as a total value of the low DTE drive output and the current air conditioner output and a converter output, the converter output being a battery output outputted to an electronic component of the vehicle through a converter, The high DTE total output is determined as a total value of the high DTE drive output and the current air conditioner output and the converter output.

10. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: The low DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the low DTE vehicle speed by the value of the low DTE total output and multiplying the battery available energy, The high DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the high DTE vehicle speed by a value of the high DTE total output and multiplying the battery available energy.

11. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The low DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the low DTE vehicle speed by a value of a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed multiplied by the battery available energy, The high DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the high DTE vehicle speed by a value of a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed multiplied by battery available energy.

12. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller and the display device are configured to display the low DTE value, the high DTE value and the current DTE value in a manner that can be compared with each other through one or more display methods selected from numbers, display positions in graphic images, sizes of graphic images and colors of graphic images.

13. The device for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: The controller and the display device are configured as follows: As the current DTE value is updated, the display position or color of the current DTE value in the graphic image is displayed in a manner that changes between the display position or color of the low DTE value and the display position or color of the high DTE value, The changed display position or color is made to represent the current DTE value as a relative value with respect to the low DTE value and the high DTE value.

14. A method for providing information on a vehicle's drivable distance, wherein: include: The step of determining, by a controller, low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information according to current vehicle driving conditions; The controller determines a low DTE value and a high DTE value according to the determined low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information and the current battery available energy, and determines a real-time drivable distance, i.e., a current DTE value; and The controller controls the operation of the display device to display the determined low DTE value and high DTE value and the current DTE value, Where DTE is the drivable distance.

15. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: The step of determining low fuel consumption related information and high fuel consumption related information comprises: a step of determining a low DTE vehicle speed and a high DTE vehicle speed corresponding to the current vehicle running condition from setting information that sets the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed based on the vehicle running condition; and The step of determining the total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed and the total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed by using the determined low DTE vehicle speed information and the constant speed fuel consumption information of the vehicle.

16. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: In the step of determining the low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed, the current vehicle driving condition includes the area condition and the road condition where the vehicle is driving.

17. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 16, wherein: The controller is preset with low DTE speed and high DTE speed corresponding to the conditions of each region and road. The road conditions include expressways and urban roads.

18. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 17, wherein: The low DTE vehicle speed and the high DTE vehicle speed are values ​​set after considering the average vehicle speed under various regional conditions and road conditions, and are set in the controller.

19. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: The step of determining the total battery output comprises: The step of determining a driving output required for driving the vehicle by using the low DTE vehicle speed information and the high DTE vehicle speed information and the vehicle's constant speed fuel consumption information; and The step of determining a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed and a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed including the determined drive output.

20. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 19, wherein: In the step of determining the drive output, the drive output includes: a low DTE drive output determined to a value corresponding to the low DTE vehicle speed; and A high DTE drive output is determined to be a value corresponding to the high DTE vehicle speed.

21. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 20, wherein: The step of determining the total battery output also includes the step of determining the current air conditioning output used by the vehicle air conditioner, The total battery output includes: a low DTE total output, which is a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed, which is determined as a total value of the low DTE drive output and the current air conditioning output; and A high DTE total output, which is a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed, is determined as a total value of the high DTE drive output and the current air-conditioning output.

22. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 21, wherein: The step of determining the total battery output also includes the step of determining a converter output, wherein the converter output is the battery output outputted by the converter to the electronic components of the vehicle, The total battery output includes: a low DTE total output determined as a sum of the low DTE drive output and the air conditioner output and the converter output; and A high DTE total output is determined as a total value of the high DTE drive output, the air conditioner output, and the converter output.

23. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 22, wherein: As the converter output, a value obtained by averaging the most recently stored m converter output values ​​among n converter output values ​​sequentially stored every time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance is used.

24. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 21, wherein: In the step of determining the low DTE value and the high DTE value, The low DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the low DTE vehicle speed by the value of the low DTE total output and multiplying the battery available energy, The high DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the high DTE vehicle speed by a value of the high DTE total output and multiplying the battery available energy.

25. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: In the step of determining the low DTE value and the high DTE value, The low DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the low DTE vehicle speed by a value of a total battery output at the low DTE vehicle speed multiplied by the battery available energy, The high DTE value is determined as a value obtained by dividing the high DTE vehicle speed by a value of a total battery output at the high DTE vehicle speed multiplied by battery available energy.

26. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: In the step of controlling the operation of the display device, The low DTE value, the high DTE value and the current DTE value are displayed on the display device in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other by one or more display methods selected from numbers, display positions in graphic images, sizes of graphic images and colors of graphic images.

27. The method for providing information on the possible driving distance of a vehicle according to claim 26, wherein: As the current DTE value is updated, the display position or color of the current DTE value in the graphic image is displayed on the display device in a manner that changes between the display position or color of the low DTE value and the display position or color of the high DTE value, The changed display position or color is made to represent the current DTE value as a relative value with respect to the low DTE value and the high DTE value.

Images