Procedure and system for driver assignment for a vehicle

Abstract

A driver assignment procedure for a vehicle, comprising: Calculating an initial remaining driving distance according to a urea level and an average urea consumption (S120) when an internal combustion engine (10) is started, Calculating a final remaining driving distance based on the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and a second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and a vehicle speed (S160), if the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption is less than a threshold distance, and Limiting combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance (S170), where the final remaining driving distance is calculated as a minimum value of the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and the second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed.

Description

Background of the invention; Field of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a driver initiation procedure (or driver signaling procedure) and a driver initiation system (or driver signaling system) for a vehicle (e.g. motor vehicle) and in particular a driver initiation procedure and a driver initiation system for a vehicle that induces (e.g. signals) a driver to refill a urea (e.g. urea solution, also called AdBlue) taking into account a urea level in a urea tank and a current vehicle speed. Description of the related technology

[0002] Generally, exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine is routed through an exhaust manifold to a catalytic converter attached to an exhaust pipe and cleaned. The exhaust noise is then reduced as the exhaust gas passes through a silencer and is released into the air (or atmosphere) via an exhaust pipe.

[0003] A Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst is one type of such catalyst.

[0004] Selective catalytic reduction means that reducing agents such as urea, ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons react better with nitric oxide than with oxygen.

[0005] A vehicle's exhaust system equipped with an SCR catalyst has a urea tank and a dosing module. The dosing module injects the reducing agents, such as urea, into the exhaust gas as it passes through the exhaust pipe. This allows the SCR catalyst to effectively reduce nitrogen oxides.

[0006] However, if the urea level in the urea tank is insufficient, the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas cannot be adequately removed and are released to the outside, even though the SCR catalyst is installed on the vehicle. Therefore, regulations require that devices be installed on the vehicle that prompt (or signal) the driver to refill the urea when the urea level in the tank is low. This is referred to as driver prompting (or driver signaling).

[0007] If the urea level in the urea tank is lower than a predetermined value (e.g., target value), a conventional driver notification procedure prompts the driver to refill the urea. However, urea consumption is closely linked to the vehicle's current operating condition, particularly its speed. Thus, even though the vehicle may be able to travel hundreds of kilometers, a driver notification (or signaling) may be triggered due to a low urea level (e.g., there have been cases where a driver signal was triggered due to a low urea level).

[0008] The above information disclosed in this background section is intended only to improve the understanding of the background of the invention and may therefore contain information that does not constitute the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art in this country.

[0009] For example, DE 10 2007 059 473 A1 discloses a driver initiation procedure and a driver initiation system for a vehicle which has an internal combustion engine, a urea level sensor and a control device, wherein the procedure includes: calculating a first remaining driving distance when an internal combustion engine has been started, and limiting an internal combustion engine output according to a urea level.

[0010] Furthermore, a tax procedure for urea injection is known from US 2010 / 0 280 740 A1. Explanation of the invention

[0011] The present invention was made in an effort to provide a driver initiation method (or driver signaling method) and a driver initiation system (or driver signaling system) that has the advantages that a driver is instructed (or signaled) to refill a urea tank, taking into account a urea level in a urea tank and a current vehicle speed.

[0012] A driver initiation method (or driver signaling method) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: calculating a first remaining driving distance based on a urea level and an average urea consumption when an internal combustion engine is started; calculating a final remaining driving distance based on the first remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption, and on a second remaining driving distance based on the urea level and a vehicle speed if the first remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption is less than a threshold distance; and limiting an internal combustion engine output (e.g., internal combustion engine power output) according to the final remaining driving distance. The final remaining driving distance is defined as a minimum value (e.g.,from the group of) the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and the second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed.

[0013] The procedure may also include: issuing a warning if the initial remaining driving distance, according to the urea level and average urea consumption, is less than the threshold distance.

[0014] Limiting the combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance can be carried out if the combustion engine is restarted after it has been stopped (e.g. when restarting the combustion engine after the combustion engine has been stopped (e.g., switching off the combustion engine)).

[0015] Limiting the combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance can also include: preventing the combustion engine from restarting when the final remaining driving distance is less than a first predetermined distance.

[0016] In one aspect, the combustion engine output can be limited inversely proportional to the final remaining driving distance.

[0017] Another aspect of limiting combustion engine output based on the remaining driving distance is: classifying the remaining driving distance into multiple distance ranges and limiting the combustion engine output to a value corresponding to the classified distance range. The output value (e.g., power output) is reduced by defining a smaller remaining driving distance (e.g., the power output can be lower the smaller the remaining driving distance).

[0018] A driver initiation system (or driver signaling system) according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: an internal combustion engine that generates power, a urea level sensor that detects a urea level, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, and a control device that is electrically connected to the urea level sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, calculates a first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and an average urea consumption, and a second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed, calculates a final remaining driving distance based on the first and the second remaining driving distances, and limits internal combustion engine output or prevents internal combustion engine starting according to (or depending on) the final remaining driving distance.The control device calculates the final remaining driving distance as a minimum value (e.g. from the group of) of the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and the second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed.

[0019] The control device can issue a warning if the remaining driving distance, according to the urea level and average urea consumption, is less than a threshold distance.

[0020] The control device can limit the combustion engine output or prevent the combustion engine from starting when the combustion engine is restarted, according to (or depending on) the final remaining driving distance calculated before the combustion engine is stopped.

[0021] The control device can prevent the combustion engine from restarting if the final remaining driving distance is less than a first predetermined distance.

[0022] In one aspect, the control device can limit the combustion engine output inversely proportional to the final remaining driving distance.

[0023] In another aspect, the control device can classify (e.g., divide) the remaining driving distance into a number of distance ranges and limit the combustion engine output to a value (e.g., power output) that corresponds to the classified distance range. The power output can be reduced by determining a smaller remaining driving distance (e.g., the power output can be lower the smaller the remaining driving distance).

[0024] As explained above, since a final remaining driving distance is calculated taking into account the amount of urea in a urea tank and a vehicle speed, and an internal combustion engine start is prevented or an internal combustion engine output is limited according to the final remaining driving distance, a driver is prompted (e.g. signaled) to refill (or top up) the urea. Explanation of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary exhaust system to which a driver initiation method and a driver initiation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a driver initiation system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a flowchart of a driver initiation procedure for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for calculating a final remaining driving distance in Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart for limiting an output (e.g., power output) according to a final remaining driving distance in Fig. 3. Detailed description

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary exhaust system to which a driver initiation method and a driver initiation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, exhaust gas generated at (e.g., in) the combustion engine 10 passes sequentially through a particulate filter (e.g., soot particulate filter or diesel particulate filter) 30 and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst 50. In this process, harmful substances contained in the exhaust gas can be removed. Alternatively, an oxidation catalyst can be used instead of a particulate filter 30, or both the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter 30 can be used. The particulate filter 30 and the SCR catalyst 50 are installed on an exhaust pipe (e.g., exhaust pipe) 20.

[0028] The internal combustion engine 10 burns an air-fuel mixture, in which fuel and air are mixed to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. The internal combustion engine 10 is connected to an intake manifold to draw air into a combustion chamber 12 and to an exhaust manifold (e.g., exhaust manifold) to discharge the exhaust gas generated during combustion and collected in the exhaust manifold to the outside of the vehicle. An injector (e.g., fuel injector) 14 is mounted in the combustion chamber 12 to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber.

[0029] The exhaust pipe 20 is connected to the exhaust manifold and the exhaust gas is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 20.

[0030] The particulate filter 30 is mounted on the exhaust line 20 downstream of the combustion engine 10 and traps soot contained in the exhaust gas.

[0031] The SCR catalyst 50 is mounted on the outlet line 20 downstream of the particulate filter 30 and reduces nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas into nitrogen gases by means of a reducing agent.

[0032] For these purposes, the exhaust system also includes a urea tank 60, a urea pump 70 and a dosing module 40.

[0033] The urea tank 60 stores urea in it.

[0034] The urea pump 70 pumps the urea from the urea tank 60 to the dosing module 40.

[0035] The dosing module 40 injects the urea pumped by the urea pump 70 into the outlet line 20. The dosing module 40 is mounted on the outlet line 20 between the particulate filter 30 and the SCR catalyst 50 and injects the urea into the exhaust gas flowing into the SCR catalyst 50. The urea injected into the exhaust gas is decomposed into ammonia, which is then used as a reducing agent for the nitrogen oxides.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a driver initiation system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As in Fig. Figure 2 shows a driver initiation system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising a urea level sensor 82, a vehicle speed sensor 84, a control device 90 and the internal combustion engine 10.

[0038] The urea level sensor 82 is mounted on the urea tank 60 and uses ultrasonic waves to detect the urea level in the tank. The urea level is a value that does not change unless urea is added or consumed. The urea level sensor 82 transmits information about the detected urea level to the control device 90.

[0039] The vehicle speed sensor 84 is mounted on a wheel or transmission of the vehicle and detects the instantaneous vehicle speed. The vehicle speed sensor 84 transmits information about the detected vehicle speed to the control device 90.

[0040] The control device 90 is electrically connected to the urea level sensor 82 and the vehicle speed sensor 84 and receives information about the urea level and the vehicle speed from the urea level sensor 82 and the vehicle speed sensor 84, respectively. The control device 90 has a first, a second and a third processing unit 92, 94 and 96.

[0041] The first processing unit 92 has a stored driving distance based on average urea consumption. That is, the average driving distance the vehicle can travel with a predetermined urea consumption is stored. The driving distance based on average urea consumption can be determined experimentally and may be stored in the first processing unit 92, or it may be a value learned through actual vehicle operation. The first processing unit 92 calculates an initial remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption.

[0042] The second processing unit 94 stores a driving distance that the vehicle can travel with a given base urea consumption, based on the vehicle speed. That is, the average driving distance that the vehicle can travel at a specific vehicle speed with the given base urea consumption is stored. The driving distance that the vehicle can travel with the given base urea consumption, based on the vehicle speed, can be determined experimentally and stored in the second processing unit 94, or it can be a value learned through actual vehicle driving. The second processing unit 94 calculates a second remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the vehicle speed.

[0043] The third computing unit 96 calculates a final remaining driving distance based on the first remaining driving distance obtained from the first computing unit 92 according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and (on) the second remaining driving distance obtained from the second computing unit 94 according to the urea level and the vehicle speed.

[0044] The control device 90 limits the output (e.g., power output) of the internal combustion engine 10 or prevents the internal combustion engine 10 from starting based on the final remaining driving distance. For this purpose, the control device 90 can be implemented by one or more processors that are activated (or operated) by a predetermined program. The predetermined program can be stored in advance on a non-volatile, computer-readable recording medium that is accessible (e.g., readable) by the one or more processors and can be programmed to execute each step of a driver initiation procedure for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when executed by the one or more processors.

[0045] Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 5 are flowcharts of the driver initiation procedure for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the driver activation procedure for the vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention begins in step S100 by determining whether the internal combustion engine 10 is started. If the internal combustion engine 10 is started, the urea level sensor 82 detects the urea level in step S110 and transmits this information to the control device 90. In step S120, the control device 90 calculates the initial remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption. Then, in step S130, the control device 90 determines whether the initial remaining driving distance, based on the urea level and the average urea consumption, is less than a threshold distance. The threshold distance is a distance at which the driver activation procedure should be carried out. The threshold distance can, for example, be preset to a value between 1800 km and 2200 km.

[0047] If the initial remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption is greater than or equal to the threshold distance, the control device 90 in step S140 controls the vehicle so that it drives normally.

[0048] If the initial remaining driving distance, based on the urea level and average urea consumption, is less than the threshold distance, the control unit issues a warning in step S150. This warning, indicating that the urea needs to be refilled, can be displayed on an instrument cluster (e.g., by illuminating a warning light), on a vehicle display, or audibly through a speaker.

[0049] The control unit 90 then calculates the final remaining driving distance in step S160 for precise driver instruction. The following refers to... Fig. 4 explains the calculation of the final remaining driving distance in detail.

[0050] First, in step S200, the control device 90 reads the first remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption, which is calculated in step S120. Furthermore, in step S210, the control device 90 calculates the second remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the vehicle speed.

[0051] Then, in step S220, the control device 90 selects a minimum value (e.g., from the group of) for the first remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the average urea consumption, and for the second remaining driving distance based on the urea level and the vehicle speed, as the final remaining driving distance. That is, for stable vehicle operation, the control device 90 calculates (or determines) the minimum value (e.g., from the group of) for the first and second remaining driving distances based on the average urea consumption and the current vehicle speed as the final remaining driving distance.

[0052] Subsequently, in step S170, the control device 90 limits the output of the combustion engine 10 according to the final remaining driving distance. The following refers to Fig. 5. The limitation of the combustion engine's output 10 according to the final remaining driving distance is explained in detail.

[0053] First, in step S300, the control device 90 determines whether the internal combustion engine 10 has stopped. That is, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured such that, upon restarting the internal combustion engine 10, it limits the engine's output according to the initial remaining driving distance calculated when the internal combustion engine 10 was stopped. Thus, if the internal combustion engine 10 is not stopped in step S300, the control device 90 returns to step S160 and continuously calculates the final remaining driving distance.

[0054] When the internal combustion engine 10 is stopped in step S300, the control device 90 determines in step S310 whether a request to restart the internal combustion engine is issued. If a driver moves an ignition key to a start position or presses a start button, it is determined that the request to restart the internal combustion engine 10 is issued. If it is determined in step S310 that the request to restart the internal combustion engine 10 is issued, the control device 90 determines in step S320 whether the urea is replenished. If the difference between the urea level before the internal combustion engine 10 is stopped and the urea level when the internal combustion engine 10 is restarted is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that the urea is replenished.

[0055] When the urea is replenished in step S320, the control unit starts the combustion engine 10 in step S380 and returns to step S120. In this case, since the initial remaining driving distance, based on the urea level and average urea consumption, exceeds the threshold distance, the vehicle continues normally in step S140.

[0056] If the urea is not replenished in step S320, the control unit 90 determines in step S330 whether the final remaining driving distance is less than a first predetermined distance. The first predetermined distance can be a value between 20 km and 40 km. If the final remaining driving distance in step S330 is less than the first predetermined distance, the control unit 90 prevents the combustion engine 10 from starting in step S390 and returns to step S310. At this point, the control unit 90 indicates on the instrument cluster or the vehicle display that the urea should be replenished (e.g., by illuminating the warning light, etc.) or audibly issues the warning through the speaker. For example, a message such as "The combustion engine cannot be started due to a lack of urea. Please replenish urea" may be announced through the speaker.

[0057] If the final remaining driving distance in step S330 is greater than or equal to the first predetermined distance, the control device 90 determines in step S340 whether the final remaining driving distance is less than a second predetermined distance. The second predetermined distance can, for example, be a value between 225 km and 275 km, greater than the first predetermined distance. If, in step S340, the final remaining driving distance is less than the second predetermined distance, the control device 90 limits the output of the internal combustion engine 10 to an initial output (e.g., an initial power output value) in step S400. The initial output can be 15% to 25% of the maximum output of the internal combustion engine 10. Afterward, the control device 90 returns to step S160.

[0058] If, in step S340, the final remaining driving distance is greater than or equal to the second predetermined distance, the control device 90 determines in step S350 whether the final remaining driving distance is less than a third predetermined distance. The third predetermined distance can be a value of 450 km to 550 km, greater than the second predetermined distance. If, in step S350, the final remaining driving distance is less than the third predetermined distance, in step S410 the control device 90 limits the output of the internal combustion engine 10 to a second output that is greater than the first output. The second output can be 35% to 45% of the maximum output of the internal combustion engine 10. Afterward, the control device 90 returns to step S160.

[0059] If, in step S350, the final remaining driving distance is greater than or equal to the third predetermined distance, the control device 90 determines in step S360 whether the final remaining driving distance is less than a fourth predetermined distance. The fourth predetermined distance can, for example, be a value of 900 km to 1100 km, greater than the third predetermined distance. If, in step S360, the final remaining driving distance is less than the fourth predetermined distance, in step S420 the control device 90 limits the output of the internal combustion engine 10 to a third output that is greater than the second output. The third output can be 55% to 65% of the maximum output of the internal combustion engine 10. Afterward, the control device 90 returns to step S160.

[0060] If, in step S360, the final remaining driving distance is greater than or equal to the fourth predetermined distance, the control device 90 determines in step S370 whether the final remaining driving distance is less than a fifth predetermined distance. The fifth predetermined distance can, for example, be a value of 1400 km - 1600 km, greater than the fourth predetermined distance. If, in step S370, the final remaining driving distance is less than the fifth predetermined distance, the control device 90 limits the output of the internal combustion engine 10 to a fourth output, which is greater than the third output, in step S430. The fourth output can be 75% - 85% of the maximum output of the internal combustion engine 10. Afterward, the control device 90 returns to step S160.

[0061] Furthermore, if in step S370 the final remaining driving distance is greater than or equal to the fifth predetermined distance, the control device 90 does not limit the output of the combustion engine 10 and returns to step S160. Reference symbol list 10 Internal combustion engine 12 combustion chamber 14 Injector (e.g., fuel injector) 40 Dosing module 50 SCR catalyst 60 Urea tank 70 Urea pump 82 Urea level sensor 84 Vehicle speed sensor 90 Control device 92 first computing unit 94 second computing unit 96 third computing unit

Claims

[1] A driver assignment procedure for a vehicle, comprising: Calculating an initial remaining driving distance according to a urea level and an average urea consumption (S120) when an internal combustion engine (10) is started, Calculating a final remaining driving distance based on the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and a second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and a vehicle speed (S160), if the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption is less than a threshold distance, and Limiting combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance (S170), where the final remaining driving distance is calculated as a minimum value of the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and the second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed. [2] The driver assignment procedure according to claim 1, further comprising: Issuing a warning (S150) when the initial remaining driving distance, according to the urea level and average urea consumption, is less than the threshold distance. [3] The driver initiation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the limitation of the internal combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance (S170) is carried out when the internal combustion engine (10) is restarted after it has been stopped. [4] The driver initiation method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein limiting the combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance (S170) further comprises: Preventing the combustion engine from restarting (S390) when the final remaining driving distance is less than a first predetermined distance. [5] The driver initiation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the combustion engine output is limited inversely proportional to the final remaining driving distance. [6] The driver initiation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising limiting an internal combustion engine output according to the final remaining driving distance (S170): Classifying the final remaining driving distance into a plurality of distance ranges and limiting the combustion engine output to an output value (S400, S410, S420, S430) that corresponds to the classified distance range, and where the delivery value is reduced by determining the final remaining driving distance as smaller. [7] A driver control system for a vehicle, comprising: an internal combustion engine (10) that generates power, a urea level sensor (82) that detects a urea level, a vehicle speed sensor (84) that detects a vehicle speed, and a control device (90) which is electrically connected to the urea level sensor (82) and the vehicle speed sensor (84), calculates a first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and an average urea consumption and a second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed, calculates a final remaining driving distance based on the first and the second remaining driving distance and limits combustion engine output or prevents combustion engine starting according to the final remaining driving distance, wherein the control device (90) calculates the final remaining driving distance as a minimum value of the first remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption and the second remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the vehicle speed. [8] The driver prompting system according to claim 7, wherein the control device (90) issues a warning when the remaining driving distance according to the urea level and the average urea consumption is less than a threshold distance. [9] The driver initiation system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control device (90) limits the combustion engine output or prevents the combustion engine from starting when the internal combustion engine (10) is restarted, according to the final remaining driving distance calculated before the internal combustion engine was stopped. [10] The driver initiation system according to claim 9, wherein the control device (90) prevents the restart of the internal combustion engine (10) when the final remaining driving distance is less than a first predetermined distance. [11] The driver initiation system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control device (90) limits the combustion engine output inversely proportional to the final remaining driving distance. [12] The driver initiation system according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control device (90) classifies the final remaining driving distance into a plurality of distance ranges and limits the combustion engine output to an output value corresponding to the classified distance range, and wherein the output value is reduced by determining the final remaining driving distance to be smaller.

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