Methods for driver assistance in a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered

Abstract

Method for driver assistance in a motor vehicle (1) that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising an electrical energy storage device (2) for powering the motor vehicle (1) and a vehicle-side charging interface (3), wherein the energy storage device (2) can be charged via the charging interface (3) by a charging station (6) outside the motor vehicle (1), wherein a vehicle-side processing device (4) is used to: Vehicle position data (FP), which represent the geographic position of the motor vehicle (1), are acquired via satellite-based positioning; access is made to charging station position data (LP), which represents the geographic positions of a large number of charging stations (6); Upon fulfillment of a number of criteria (CR), an approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6) is detected, wherein a first criterion is a distance criterion (AC), which is fulfilled when the geographical position of the motor vehicle (1) according to the vehicle position data (FP) is less than or less than a predetermined threshold value (SW) from the geographical position of the charging station (6) according to the charging station position data (LP), and wherein a second criterion is a reverse gear criterion (RC), which is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the motor vehicle (1); In the event of detection of the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6), an output (TV) is generated at an output unit (5) in the motor vehicle (1), the output (TV) indicating to the driver of the motor vehicle (1) the location of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for driver assistance in a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, and to a corresponding driver assistance system.

[0002] Vehicles that are at least partially electrically powered, such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles, can generally be charged via external charging stations. In other words, such vehicles have onboard charging interfaces that allow the vehicle's electrical energy storage system to be charged via an external charging station.

[0003] The charging ports on vehicles with at least partial electric drive are not always located in the same position. Therefore, when approaching a charging station, care must be taken to position the vehicle appropriately so that charging is possible. If charging is done via a cable, the vehicle's parking position must be chosen so that the cable is long enough to connect to the charging port. If the driver is not familiar with the vehicle's design, they will usually not know where the charging port is located. This often leads to incorrect positioning at the charging station, preventing charging. In this case, the driver must reposition the vehicle.He has to maneuver his vehicle at the charging station, which is very inconvenient for the driver.

[0004] Various approaches are known in the prior art that support the correct positioning of a vehicle at a charging station. Document DE 10 2013 207 906 A1 discloses a guided vehicle positioning system for inductive charging using a vehicle camera that captures the vehicle's surroundings.

[0005] The publication EP 2 712 762 A1 describes a method for positioning a vehicle for an inductive charging process, in which a feature of the vehicle is detected by means of a camera and a position related to that feature is calculated.

[0006] Document US 2014 / 0035565A1 discloses a method for positioning a motor vehicle in which the achievement of a predetermined charging position for inductive charging of a vehicle-side coil via a primary coil is detected by means of at least one distance sensor and at least one positioning element.

[0007] Document DE 10 2014 203 859 A1 describes a method for temperature control of a traction battery located in a vehicle during a charging process at a charging station.

[0008] Document DE 10 2010 063 665 A1 discloses a method for positioning an electric vehicle relative to an inductive charging station by means of radar-based guidance of the electric vehicle.

[0009] DE 10 2012 016 227 A1 describes a method for assisting a vehicle driver during refueling. As the vehicle approaches a refueling station, information related to the refueling process, including the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap is located, is displayed on a vehicle display. This information helps the driver select the correct stopping position at a pump. If the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle with electric energy storage, the system can indicate the approach to the appropriate refueling station, depending on the fuel tank level and the charge level of the electric energy storage. Detecting the vehicle's approach to the refueling station can be done using satellite navigation, Wi-Fi, or near-field communication (NFC). Other driving-related parameters that can be used include the vehicle's steering angle, speed, or fuel level.

[0010] The object of the invention is to assist a driver of a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and includes an electrical energy storage device and a charging interface in a simple way in choosing the appropriate parking position at a charging station for charging the motor vehicle.

[0011] This problem is solved by the method according to claim 1 or the driver assistance system according to claim 12. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] The method according to the invention assists a driver in a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, which includes an electrical energy storage device for powering the motor vehicle and a vehicle-side charging interface, wherein the energy storage device can be charged via the charging interface by a charging station outside the motor vehicle. The term "at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle" is to be interpreted broadly. It can be a purely electrically powered motor vehicle, but the motor vehicle can also be a hybrid vehicle, provided that the charging of its electrical energy storage device is made possible via an external charging station (so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle).

[0013] The following steps are carried out in the inventive method by means of a vehicle-mounted processing unit. The term "processing unit" is to be understood broadly. In particular, the processing unit need not be a single, self-contained unit, but can be distributed across several units in the vehicle or integrated into existing units (such as a vehicle-mounted navigation system). The processing unit is implemented in the vehicle via hardware and software.

[0014] According to the invention, vehicle position data, representing the geographical position of the motor vehicle, is acquired via satellite-based positioning. Positioning can be performed using any satellite system, such as GPS or Galileo. For example, the functionality of a conventional vehicle navigation system can be used to acquire the geographical position of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the method according to the invention accesses charging station position data, which represents the geographical positions of a multitude of charging stations.

[0015] Using vehicle and charging station position data, a number of criteria are checked. When these criteria are met, the system detects that the vehicle is approaching a charging station. Here and in the following, "approaching" refers to the driver intentionally driving towards the charging station. The first criterion is a distance criterion, which is met when the vehicle's geographical position, as determined by the vehicle position data, is less than or equal to a predefined threshold from the charging station's geographical position, as determined by the charging station's position data. The second criterion is a reverse gear criterion, which is met when the vehicle is in reverse gear.In the event of such an approach being detected, an output is automatically generated on an output unit in the vehicle, the output indicating to the driver of the vehicle the location of the charging interface on the vehicle.

[0016] The method according to the invention enables a simple, automated output when approaching a charging station, informing the driver about the position of the charging interface on the vehicle. This allows the driver to park at the charging station in such a way that charging via the charging interface is possible without having to maneuver or repark the vehicle afterwards.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention is used in combination with wired charging. In other words, the charging interface on the vehicle is a charging port for wired charging of the electrical energy storage device. It frequently occurs that the length of the charging cable used for charging is insufficient if the vehicle is parked incorrectly at the charging station. Nevertheless, the method according to the invention can also be used in combination with inductive charging. In this case, the charging interface is a contactless interface.

[0018] The number of criteria considered in the method according to the invention includes the distance criterion described above and the reverse gear criterion. However, in order to improve the accuracy of detecting the approach to a charging station, the number of criteria preferably includes one or more of the following additional criteria: a speed criterion which is met when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than or less than a predetermined speed threshold; a deceleration criterion which is met when the deceleration of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined deceleration threshold, i.e. when the motor vehicle is decelerated beyond a predetermined level; An environmental criterion that is fulfilled when, by means of environmental sensors of the motor vehicle, at least one object in its environment is detected whose distance to the motor vehicle is less than or less than a predetermined distance threshold.

[0019] When verifying the speed or deceleration criteria, information from satellite-based positioning may be processed. Additionally or alternatively, other sensors installed in the vehicle can also be used to verify these criteria. For verifying the environmental criterion mentioned above, sensors typically used for parking assistance, such as ultrasonic sensors, are primarily employed.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least partial access is made to charging station position data which are stored locally in the motor vehicle, in particular in a navigation system provided in the motor vehicle.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, charging station position data originating from an external storage location outside the vehicle is accessed, at least partially. This data may, for example, have been downloaded to the vehicle beforehand via a suitable communication interface. Nevertheless, the charging station position data originating from the external storage location can also be retrieved during the execution of the method by means of communication between the vehicle and the external storage location. Thus, the charging station position data is accessed online.

[0022] In a further variant of the inventive method, the charging station position data are determined at least partially by the vehicle itself, by means of the processing device recording the geographical position of the vehicle when charging its energy storage at a charging station via satellite-based positioning and adding this position as a geographical position of a charging station to the charging station position data in a vehicle-side memory.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the location of the charging interface on the vehicle is indicated by a visual display. In other words, the output unit includes a display that visually shows the location of the charging interface on the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, however, another type of output, such as an audible output, can also be used.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive method, an intuitive display of the charging interface on the screen is achieved by visualizing the vehicle in a top-down view on the screen and visually indicating the location of the charging interface on the vehicle in this top view.

[0025] The visual indication of the location of the charging interface on the vehicle can vary depending on the design of the method. Preferably, the visual indication comprises one or more of the following elements: a graphical marking of the location, e.g. by means of a bar; a representation of at least part of an angular range emanating from the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the location lies within this angular range; a pictogram of a charging plug; a three-dimensional representation of the charging interface on the motor vehicle.

[0026] In addition to the method described above, the invention further relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, which comprises an electrical energy storage device for powering the motor vehicle and a vehicle-side charging interface, wherein the energy storage device can be charged via the charging interface by a charging station outside the motor vehicle, wherein the driver assistance system comprises a processing unit which is designed such that the following steps are carried out by the processing unit when it is operated in the motor vehicle: Vehicle position data, representing the geographical position of the motor vehicle, is recorded via satellite-based tracking; It accesses charging station location data, which represents the geographical positions of a large number of charging stations; Upon fulfillment of a number of criteria, an approach of the motor vehicle to a charging station is detected, wherein a first criterion from the number of criteria is a distance criterion, which is fulfilled when the geographical position of the motor vehicle according to the vehicle position data has a distance less than or less than a predetermined threshold from the geographical position of the charging station according to the charging station position data, and wherein a second criterion is a reverse gear criterion, which is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the motor vehicle; In the event of detection of a vehicle approaching a charging station, an output is generated at an output unit in the vehicle, the output indicating to the driver of the vehicle the location of the charging interface on the vehicle.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the driver assistance system is configured to carry out one or more preferred variants of the method according to the invention.

[0028] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising an electrical energy storage device for powering the motor vehicle and a vehicle-side charging interface, wherein the energy storage device can be charged via the charging interface by a charging station outside the motor vehicle. This motor vehicle includes the driver assistance system according to the invention or one or more preferred variants of the driver assistance system according to the invention.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a scenario in which an embodiment of the method according to the invention is used; Fig. 2 a diagram illustrating the process of an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and Fig. 3 A schematic representation of displays on a screen in the vehicle that can be generated within the framework of the method according to the invention.

[0031] The following describes embodiments of the method according to the invention or of the corresponding driver assistance system using an electrically powered motor vehicle, whose battery used for propulsion can be charged via a charging port on the vehicle using a charging station.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of such an electrically powered motor vehicle 1, with the forward direction of travel indicated by the arrow P. As already mentioned, the vehicle includes a battery 2, which can be charged via a schematically indicated charging port 3 in the form of a charging socket on the left rear fender. A schematically indicated processing unit 4 is provided in the vehicle, which may, for example, be integrated into the vehicle's navigation system or whose functionality is implemented by the navigation system. Furthermore, an output unit 5 in the form of a display is provided inside the vehicle, on which suitable displays can be generated by the processing unit 4, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0033] Public charging stations can be used to charge the battery of the motor vehicle 1, with one such charging station shown as an example in the left part of the Fig. Figure 1 is shown and is designated there with reference numeral 6. A charging cable 7 is located at charging station 6, terminating in a charging plug 701, which can be inserted into the corresponding charging socket 3 of the vehicle 1. Charging current is then supplied from charging station 6 to the battery 2 of the vehicle 1 via the charging cable.

[0034] A common problem is that the driver of vehicle 1 is unfamiliar with the vehicle's exact layout. This is often the case, for example, if the driver has rented the vehicle. When approaching a charging station, the driver usually doesn't know where the charging port is located. The position of the charging port also varies considerably between different vehicle types. For instance, some vehicles have the charging port at the front, while others have it at the rear or on the sides of the vehicle. This often leads to the driver choosing the wrong parking position when parking at the charging station, resulting in the charging cable not being long enough to reach the vehicle's charging port. The driver then has to awkwardly reposition the vehicle.To avoid the problem just described, in the embodiment of the invention described here, the driver is shown the location of the charging socket on the vehicle on the display 5 when his vehicle approaches a charging station, as explained in more detail below.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a variant of the method according to the invention. The following steps S1 to S3 are continuously repeated while the vehicle is in motion, and step S4 is always performed when the fulfillment of corresponding criteria in step S3 is detected. During the vehicle's journey, the current vehicle position FP is recorded in step S1 using satellite-based positioning (e.g., via GPS). The functionality of a navigation system, which is known per se, in the vehicle can be used for this purpose. The current vehicle position FP is compared with charging station position data LP in step S2. In the embodiment described here, the charging station position data is already stored in a corresponding memory location in the vehicle. Nevertheless, the charging station position data can also be stored in an external storage location outside the vehicle, e.g., on the internet.In this case, the vehicle or processing unit 4 accesses the external storage location via a suitable wireless communication interface (in particular a mobile communication interface). The charging station position data may also have been determined by the vehicle itself. In this case, whenever the vehicle is charged at a charging station, it saves its current geographical position as a new charging station position in its on-board memory, provided this position has not already been stored there.

[0036] In step S2, the charging station closest to the vehicle is determined from the charging station position data LP. For this charging station, the fulfillment of a number of criteria KR is then checked in step S3. The number of criteria includes at least one distance criterion AK. When checking this criterion, the distance between the vehicle's current geographical position and the position of the nearest charging station is processed. The distance criterion AK is fulfilled if this distance falls below a predetermined threshold SW. Unless further criteria are considered, if criterion AK is fulfilled, processing unit 4 determines that the vehicle is approaching a corresponding charging station.As a consequence, in step S4, a display in the form of a top view TV (TV = Top View) of the vehicle from above is generated on display 5, showing the location of the charging socket on the vehicle, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0037] To prevent false detection of a vehicle approaching a charging station, one or more additional criteria are checked. Only if the distance criterion mentioned above and the additional criterion(s) are met will the vehicle's approach to a charging station be detected. Examples are shown in step S3. Fig. Section 2 further specifies a speed criterion (GK), a deceleration criterion (VK), an environment criterion (UK), and a reverse gear criterion (RK). The speed criterion (GK) is met when the vehicle's speed falls below a predetermined speed threshold (GS). Conversely, the deceleration criterion (VK) is met when the vehicle's deceleration exceeds a predetermined deceleration threshold (VS). To verify the environment criterion (UK), the vehicle's built-in sensors are used, such as ultrasonic sensors, which are otherwise used for parking assistance. The environment criterion is met when the sensors detect at least one object in the vehicle's vicinity whose distance to the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance threshold (DS). The reverse gear criterion is met when the driver engages reverse gear.The additional criteria mentioned above allow for accurate verification that the driver of the motor vehicle actually intends to approach a specific charging station in order to park his vehicle there to charge the battery.

[0038] If, in step S3, the fulfillment of all corresponding criteria KR is now determined, the display TV is generated on the vehicle's display 5 according to step S4. Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of such a display with different variations illustrating how the location of the charging port can be shown. It should be noted that the in Fig. The reference symbols shown in point 3 are not included in the actual display on screen 5. Furthermore, the positions of the charging port shown do not correspond to the position shown only as an example from [reference missing]. Fig. 1.

[0039] The display TV schematically shows the outline of the vehicle 1 on the display 5 in a top-down view. In one version, the position of the charging socket is visually indicated by a bar BL. Adjacent to the bar is a pictogram PI, which depicts a charging plug. This quickly and intuitively conveys to the driver the location of the charging socket, which, according to the position of bar BL, is on the right front fender.

[0040] An angle range can also be used to visually indicate the position of the charging port. Fig. Figure 3 shows two examples of such angular ranges WB and WB'. The angular ranges extend from the interior of the vehicle outwards, with only the portion of WB' located outside the vehicle being visualized. In contrast, the portion of WB, which begins at the vehicle's center point M, is also visible inside the vehicle. The charging socket is located within each angular range, specifically at the point where the angular range intersects the vehicle's outer contour. According to WB, the charging socket is therefore located on the rear right fender of the vehicle. To clarify that this indicates the location of the charging socket, a corresponding pictogram PI is shown next to WB.

[0041] The location of the charging socket can also be visualized using a three-dimensional representation of the charging socket, according to the embodiment of the Fig. Figure 3 shows an image BI of the charging socket. The image is arranged adjacent to the corresponding angular area WB' and shows the charging socket 3, which is located under the right rear taillight 8 and can be covered by a flap 9, the flap being open in Figure BI.

[0042] The methods described above for visualizing the charging port's position on the vehicle are merely examples. Any other visualization method can also be used. It is also possible to use a different output, such as voice output, instead of or in addition to a visual display. However, the output must always be designed in such a way that it clearly communicates the charging port's position to the driver.

[0043] The embodiments of the invention described above offer a number of advantages. In particular, the driver's wish to charge the vehicle at a specific charging station is automatically and easily recognized. As a result, the driver is immediately shown the location of the charging socket on the vehicle, so that they know the best way to approach the charging station and connect the charging cable. This eliminates the need for cumbersome reparking or maneuvering when parking the vehicle at a charging station. Reference sign 1 electrically powered motor vehicle 2 electrical energy storage devices 3 charging ports 4 Processing unit 5 Display 6 charging stations 7 charging cables 701 Charging plug P Forward direction of travel FP vehicle position data LP charging station location data KR criteria GK speed criterion GS speed threshold AK distance criterion SW distance threshold VK Delay Criterion VS Delay Threshold UK environmental criterion DS distance threshold RK Reverse Gear Criterion TV edition S1, S2, S3, S4 steps M Vehicle center PI pictogram WB, WB' Angle ranges BI three-dimensional image 8 Rear light 9th flap

Claims

[1] Method for driver assistance in a motor vehicle (1) that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising an electrical energy storage device (2) for powering the motor vehicle (1) and a vehicle-side charging interface (3), wherein the energy storage device (2) can be charged via the charging interface (3) by a charging station (6) outside the motor vehicle (1), wherein a vehicle-side processing device (4) is used to: Vehicle position data (FP), which represent the geographic position of the motor vehicle (1), are acquired via satellite-based positioning; access is made to charging station position data (LP), which represents the geographic positions of a large number of charging stations (6); Upon fulfillment of a number of criteria (CR), an approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6) is detected, wherein a first criterion is a distance criterion (AC), which is fulfilled when the geographical position of the motor vehicle (1) according to the vehicle position data (FP) is less than or less than a predetermined threshold value (SW) from the geographical position of the charging station (6) according to the charging station position data (LP), and wherein a second criterion is a reverse gear criterion (RC), which is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the motor vehicle (1); In the event of detection of the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6), an output (TV) is generated at an output unit (5) in the motor vehicle (1), the output (TV) indicating to the driver of the motor vehicle (1) the location of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle (1) is a purely electrically powered motor vehicle or an externally electrically rechargeable hybrid vehicle. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1) is a charging port for wired charging of the electrical energy storage device (2). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the number of criteria (CR) includes one or more of the following additional criteria: a speed criterion (GC) which is met when the speed of the motor vehicle (1) is less than or less than a predetermined speed threshold (ST); a deceleration criterion (VC) which is fulfilled when the deceleration of the motor vehicle (1) is greater than or greater than a predetermined deceleration threshold (DQ); an environmental criterion (UK) which is fulfilled if, by means of environmental sensors of the motor vehicle (1), at least one object in its environment is detected whose distance to the motor vehicle (1) is less than or less than a predetermined distance threshold (DS). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least partially access is made to charging station position data (LP) which are stored locally in the motor vehicle (1), in particular in a navigation system provided in the motor vehicle. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least partially charging station position data (LP) is accessed which originates from an external storage location outside the motor vehicle (1). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by, that access to the charging station position data (LP) originating from the external storage location is achieved by retrieval via communication between the motor vehicle (1) and the external storage location. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the charging station position data (LP) are determined at least partially by the motor vehicle (1) by using the processing device (4) to record the geographical position of the motor vehicle (1) when charging its energy storage (2) at a charging station (6) via satellite-based positioning and adding this position as a geographical position of a charging station (6) to the charging station position data (LP) in a vehicle-side memory. [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the output unit (5) includes a display on which the location of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1) is visually indicated. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by , that the vehicle (1) is visualized on the display in a top-down view and the location of the charging interface (3) on the vehicle (1) is visually shown in this top view. [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the visual indication of the location of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1) includes one or more of the following elements: a graphical identifier (BL) of the location; a representation of at least part of an angular range (WB, WB') extending from the interior of the motor vehicle, in which the location lies; a pictogram (PI) of a charging plug; a three-dimensional representation (BI) of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1). [12] Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle (1) that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising an electrical energy storage device (2) for powering the motor vehicle (1) and a vehicle-side charging interface (3), wherein the energy storage device (2) can be charged via the charging interface (3) by a charging station (6) outside the motor vehicle (1), wherein the driver assistance system comprises a processing unit (4) which is designed such that when it is operated in the motor vehicle: Vehicle position data (FP), which represent the geographic position of the motor vehicle (1), are acquired via satellite-based positioning; access is made to charging station position data (LP), which represents the geographic positions of a large number of charging stations (6); Upon fulfillment of a number of criteria (CR), an approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6) is detected, wherein a first criterion is a distance criterion (AC), which is fulfilled when the geographical position of the motor vehicle (1) according to the vehicle position data (FP) is less than or less than a predetermined threshold value (SW) from the geographical position of the charging station (5) according to the charging station position data (LP), and wherein a second criterion is a reverse gear criterion (RC), which is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the motor vehicle (1); In the event of detection of the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to a charging station (6), an output (TV) is generated at an output unit (5) in the motor vehicle (1), the output (TV) indicating to the driver of the motor vehicle (1) the location of the charging interface (3) on the motor vehicle (1). [13] Driver assistance system according to claim 12, characterized by that the driver assistance system is configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 2 to 11. [14] At least partially electrically powered motor vehicle (1) comprising an electrical energy storage device (2) for powering the motor vehicle (1) and a vehicle-side charging interface (3), wherein the energy storage device (2) can be charged via the charging interface (3) by a charging station (6) outside the motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that the motor vehicle (1) comprises a driver assistance system according to claim 12 or 13.

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