Device and method for evaluating fuel-specific kilometers driven

Abstract

Methods for assisting a user of a means of transportation (10) comprising the steps: - Determining (200) a change from a first propulsion mode to a second propulsion mode of the means of transport (10) and in responding to it - automatic switching (300) from operation of a first trip odometer (7) which increments based on a journey of the means of transport (10) to operation of a second trip odometer (8) - wherein the first trip odometer (7) assigned to the first drive type is automatically incremented as soon as the first drive type is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a first trip odometer reading is obtained which has been obtained solely by using the first drive type, and - wherein the second trip odometer (8) assigned to the second drive type is automatically incremented as soon as the second drive type is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a second trip odometer reading is obtained which has only been obtained by using the second drive type.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, a means of transport and a method for assisting a user of a means of transport in evaluating fuel-specific kilometers travelled.

[0002] Current technology sometimes already incorporates multiple odometers in passenger cars. These include, among others, a total odometer, which increments monotonically over the vehicle's lifetime, and a trip odometer. The trip odometer allows the user to manually reset it, providing a simple way to check the distance traveled on shorter journeys. Sometimes, multiple trip odometers are installed in vehicles. These record different distances independently, allowing, for example, driver-specific trip data to be recorded.

[0003] Furthermore, there are vehicles that have multiple drive systems (e.g., fossil and renewable energies).

[0004] US 2007 / 0129878A1 discloses a method and a system for determining fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in vehicles. The system uses the rotational speed of an internal combustion engine to determine whether a first or a second odometer is used to measure the distance traveled by the vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2011 013 407 A1 discloses a carbon dioxide feedback system for a motor vehicle, which displays a number of trees to illustrate driving efficiency. This takes into account the average CO2 emitted by a mature tree. The system also mentions, in an incomplete sentence, the non-electric mileage (km) and the electric mileage (km) (...) or any combination thereof.

[0006] A forum post at www.priusfreunde.de / portal / index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=117&func=view&catid=13&id=339039#339039, post “Project HybridAssistant” created on 29.05.2016, accessed on 11.04.2017, reveals a forum post which deals, among other things, with displaying the duration of a journey and the percentage in an electrically powered “combustion engine off” vehicle as well as a distance traveled and a percentage in an electrically powered means of transport.

[0007] US 2010 / 0152960 A1 discloses an online vehicle management system for vehicles with a respective telematics unit.

[0008] DE 10 2005 027 474 A1 discloses a device for displaying graphical information related to vehicle operation. A PDA (personal digital assistant) is inserted into a holder in the vehicle to connect the PDA to an interface circuit and to obtain information from the vehicle's electrical system via the holder.

[0009] The 2015 FUSION HYBRID I FUSION ENERGI Owner's Manual reveals a hybrid vehicle with a trip odometer that exclusively counts kilometers driven purely electrically.

[0010] GENERAL MOTORS LLC.: 2014 Chevrolet VOLT Owner's Manual. 3rd printing. Lithno in USA, 2014 (22865475C). 394 pp. - Company publication; and OPEL AG: Opel Ampera - Owner's Manual. July 2012. Rüsselsheim, 2012 (KTA-2724 / 3-de). 214 pp. - Company publication. These show user interfaces that are capable of separately summing and displaying kilometers driven in purely electric mode and kilometers driven in a mixed mode called "range extension".

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to increase the transparency of the energy expenditure for a means of transport and to further increase the energy efficiency for the operation of hybrid vehicles.

[0012] The aforementioned problems are solved according to the invention by a method for supporting a user of a means of transportation. The user can, for example, be the driver of a vehicle (road vehicle, car, motorcycle, van, truck, etc.). In a first step, a switch from a first drive mode to a second drive mode of the means of transportation is detected. For example, it can be determined that a switch is being made from an internal combustion engine to a purely electric drive. The first trip odometer assigned to the first drive mode is automatically incremented as soon as the first drive mode is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transportation, so that a first trip odometer reading is obtained that has been generated solely using the first drive mode.In particular, at least the second drive mode, and preferably also the first, involves the exclusive use of a single energy source. Upon detecting the switch, the system automatically changes from a first trip odometer, which is incremented based on the vehicle's movement, to a second trip odometer. In other words, a trip odometer assigned to the second drive mode is automatically incremented as soon as the second drive mode is used exclusively for propelling the vehicle. The resulting trip odometer reading reflects the use of only the second drive mode.Naturally, the second drive system can also be a hybrid drive system. In this way, for example, the increased energy efficiency of a hybrid drive system compared to a purely combustion engine operation can be recorded over two consecutive periods, and the identity of the distance driven in each case can be verified using the readings of the first and second trip odometers.

[0013] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0014] Preferably, a switch from the second to a third drive mode of the vehicle can also be detected, and in response, the trip odometer can be switched from the second to a third. A first trip odometer can, for example, be assigned to driving exclusively with a single energy source. The second trip odometer can be assigned exclusively to a second energy source. The third trip odometer can be assigned to a third energy source or to the combined use of several energy sources.

[0015] The trip odometers proposed according to the invention can additionally be provided with a trip odometer that is continuously incremented regardless of the drive type used. Thus, the user has the option, as known in the prior art, of measuring certain distances traveled independently of the drive type used.

[0016] Trip odometers can be implemented primarily in hardware and / or software. For example, as was common in older vehicle models, a separate display in the instrument cluster might show the readings of the first and second trip odometers. Alternatively or additionally, the trip odometer readings can be displayed as menu items or as optional on-screen content. Each trip odometer reading can be assigned an icon to allow for quick and intuitive association with the corresponding drive type. This reduces user distraction when interpreting the trip odometer readings while operating the vehicle.

[0017] The user can optionally assign a primary or secondary drive mode to the trip odometer. This can be done, for example, via a configuration menu in the vehicle's electronics. This allows the user maximum flexibility in preparing the analysis of energy consumption and the display of energy efficiency data.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device for assisting a user of a means of transportation is proposed. This device comprises a data input, a data output, and an evaluation unit. The data input can, for example, feed a bus participant, so that energy consumption-specific data can be intercepted from, for example, an engine control unit or a battery management controller (BMC) and fed to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to detect a switch from a first drive mode to a second drive mode of the means of transportation via the data input. This can be achieved, for example, via bus messages representing the operating states of one motor or the other motor of a respective drive mode.The evaluation unit is configured via the data output to increment a second trip odometer based on the vehicle's journey, instead of a first one. As described in connection with the method according to the invention, a trip odometer assigned to each drive type can thus be used to determine and visualize the energy efficiency specific to that energy type. The features, combinations of features, and advantages arise according to the first-mentioned aspect of the invention, so reference is made to the above explanations to avoid repetition.

[0019] The device can, for example, be part of an instrument cluster that can additionally display travel speed, fuel level, engine speed, or similar information. The instrument cluster can, for example, include a display unit on which, at least when the instrument cluster is appropriately controlled, a first trip odometer and / or a second trip odometer according to the present invention are displayed.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation is proposed which comprises a device according to the second aspect of the invention and / or a combination instrument according to the third aspect of the invention. The means of transportation can, for example, include a central information display which is integrated into the dashboard of the means of transportation. Using a user control unit, the user can adjust the configuration of the trip odometers (e.g., the assignment between drive modes and the trip odometers) as well as activate or hide the display of the individual trip odometers.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an application for a mobile user device is proposed, by means of which the user of the means of transport can transmit the trip odometer readings to the user device. This can be done, in particular, via a wireless communication connection. In other words, the user can read the trip odometer readings from a device, an instrument cluster, or a means of transport and store them on their user device for evaluation and display. In particular, the user can total the trip odometer readings or publish them on a social media platform. Graphical evaluations and their publication (e.g., in the form of a bar chart for specific time periods) are also possible and an optional component of the application.

[0022] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a hybrid-powered means of transport according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of a combination instrument which, in conjunction with a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a wireless communication device, communicates with an application according to the invention; and Fig. 3 A flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for supporting a user of a means of transportation.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a hybrid-powered passenger car 10 as an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention, which has an internal combustion engine 3 and an electric motor 4 as respective traction machines. The electric motor 4 is supplied with electrical energy via an electrochemical energy storage device 2 as the first energy carrier to provide a first drive mode. A fuel tank contains gasoline 1 as the second energy carrier, by means of which the internal combustion engine 3 can be supplied to provide a second drive mode. The drive-mode-dependent incrementing of several trip odometers according to the invention is described in conjunction with the following figures.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a combination instrument 5, which has an evaluation unit 9 with a data input 12 and a data output 13. The data input 12 is connected to a CAN bus 14 of the vehicle's on-board information network (not shown). The data output 13 is connected to a display unit 11, which is capable of displaying an odometer 6, a first trip odometer 7, and a second trip odometer 8. A smartphone 15 is configured as a mobile user device via a wireless communication connection 16 to receive and display the readings of the trip odometers 7 and 8. Furthermore, the application according to the invention, installed on the smartphone 15, enables the evaluation and publication of the trip odometer readings (e.g., in bar chart form) on a social network.

[0025] Fig.Figure 3 shows the steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for assisting a user in determining the energy efficiency of different drive systems for their means of transport. In step 100, the method starts when the means of transport begins its journey. For example, a purely electric journey may begin. In step 200, the vehicle switches from a purely electric drive to a purely internal combustion engine drive (A). In step 300, the first trip odometer associated with the internal combustion engine drive is incremented in response. In step 400, a decision is made as to whether the previous drive system is to be retained. If so (Y), the method continues with the execution of step 300. If not (N), the method continues in step 200 with the detection of a change in the current drive system.If, in step 200, it is determined that the vehicle has switched back to a purely electric drive mode (B), the process continues in step 500 by incrementing a second trip odometer associated with the purely electric operation. In step 600, it is then decided whether the journey will continue with the purely electric drive. If so (Y), the process continues in step 500 by incrementing the second trip odometer. If not (N), the process continues in step 200 by checking for a newly selected drive mode. If, in step 200, it is determined that the journey of the means of transport is ending (C), the readings of the first odometer and the readings of the second odometer are wirelessly transmitted in step 700 to a smartphone of the user that is logically linked to the means of transport and are displayed and evaluated there by an application according to the invention.

[0026] Based on this data, it's possible, for example, to determine how many kilometers (between a first and second odometer reading) were driven with each fuel. This makes it possible to allocate fuel consumption and total fuel costs to the respective fuels. The actual kilometers driven with specific fuels can be recorded and analyzed. Furthermore, the collected data can be evaluated and used for other applications. Reference symbol list: 1 Petrol 2 batteries 3 Internal combustion engine 4 electric motor 5 Instrument cluster 6 odometer 7 first trip odometer 8 second trip odometer 9 evaluation unit 10 cars 11 Display unit 12 Data input 13 Data output 14 CAN 15 Smartphones 16 Wireless communication connection 100-700 process steps A journey using fossil fuels B purely electric drive C End of journey No Yes

Claims

[1] Method for assisting a user of a means of transportation (10) comprising the steps: - Determining (200) a change from a first propulsion mode to a second propulsion mode of the means of transport (10) and in responding to it - automatic switching (300) from operation of a first trip odometer (7) which increments based on a journey of the means of transport (10) to operation of a second trip odometer (8) - wherein the first trip odometer (7) assigned to the first drive type is automatically incremented as soon as the first drive type is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a first trip odometer reading is obtained which has been obtained solely by using the first drive type, and - wherein the second trip odometer (8) assigned to the second drive type is automatically incremented as soon as the second drive type is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a second trip odometer reading is obtained which has only been obtained by using the second drive type. [2] The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps: - Determining (200) a change from the second drive mode to a third drive mode of the means of transport (10) and in response to it - automatic switching (500) from the second trip odometer (8) which increments due to the movement of the means of transport (10) to a third trip odometer (7). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising - continuous incrementing of a fourth trip odometer regardless of the type of drive used. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first drive mode is based on a first energy carrier (2) and the second drive mode is based on a second energy carrier (1) from the following list which is at least partially different from the first energy carrier (2): - gasoline - Diesel - Autogas - Natural gas - Electrochemistry - Hydrogen - kerosene - Nitro fuel. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims further encompassing - Displaying a numerical value corresponding to the reading of the first trip odometer (7) and a numerical value corresponding to the reading of the second trip odometer (8) in the means of transport (10). [6] Device to assist a user of a means of transportation (10) comprising: - a data input (12), - a data output (13) and - an evaluation unit (9), wherein the evaluation unit (9) is set up, - to detect a change from a first drive mode to a second drive mode of the means of transport (10) via the data input (12) and in response to it, - to increment a second trip odometer (8) by means of the data output (13) instead of a first trip odometer (7) based on a journey of the means of transport (10). - to automatically increment the first trip odometer (7) assigned to the first drive mode as soon as the first drive mode is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a first trip odometer reading is obtained which has been obtained solely by using the first drive mode, and - to automatically increment the second trip odometer (8) assigned to the second drive type as soon as the second drive type is used exclusively for the propulsion of the means of transport (10), so that a second trip odometer reading is obtained which has only resulted from the use of the second drive type. [7] Device according to claim 6 which is configured to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5. [8] Combination instrument (5) comprising a device according to one of claims 6 or 7. [9] Means of transport (10) comprising a device according to one of claims 6 or 7 or a combination instrument (5) according to claim 8. [10] Application for a mobile user device (15) which, when executed on the user device (15), transmits a reading of the second trip odometer (8), in particular also a reading of the first trip odometer (7), - a device according to one of claims 6 or 7, - a combination instrument (5) according to claim 8 or - of a means of transport (10) according to claim 9 to the mobile user terminal (15) enables.

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