Electrified motor vehicle with a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes.

Abstract

Electrified motor vehicle with a control element (4) for selecting a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes (SPORT, COMFORT, ECO), wherein the selected operating mode can be displayed in a display (6), with at least one electric drive motor (9), with at least one boost button (“-”) and with an electronic control arrangement (3) designed such that when the boost button (-) is pressed for a predetermined minimum duration (t1), a dynamic operating mode (BOOST) that cannot be selected via the control element (4) is automatically activated and displayed in the display (6) instead of a selectable operating mode (SPORT, COMFORT, ECO), regardless of whether the control element (4) is pressed, wherein the dynamic operating mode (BOOST) that cannot be selected via the control element (4) includes the activation of an electrical energy reserve (“E Boost Reserve”) for the electric drive motor (9).whose retrieval upon the presence of a power request signal within a defined power request range (S1) <FP<S2) unterbrochen wird.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrified motor vehicle with a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes. An electrified motor vehicle is understood to be an electric vehicle with a battery and / or fuel cell, as well as a hybrid vehicle with at least one electric drive motor and at least one second drive motor.

[0002] Particularly for vehicle customization, such a control element is known, for example, through the so-called Driving Experience Control switch in the applicant's motor vehicles (e.g., the 2018 BMW 5 Series Owner's Manual). The Driving Experience Control switch allows the driver to select a "driving mode" from the vehicle operating modes designated ECO PRO+, ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT, and SPORT+ via a toggle switch.

[0003] Furthermore, for vehicle individualization, a motor vehicle is known, for example, from German patent application DE 10 2006 025 625 A1, which has a first selector in the form of a selector lever with which the driving modes P, R, N, D, which are adjustable in an automatic mode, can be set. With a second selector in the form of a steering wheel with two switches ("shift paddles"), the gears of the transmission can be manually shifted up or down, in particular in steps, in a manual mode. The known device has an electronic transmission control unit, which is common in automatic transmissions or automated manual transmissions, collectively referred to here as automated transmissions.In known motor vehicles, an electronic control unit, which controls the transmission actuators based on signals from the selector levers and other input signals, initiates a first downshift when at least the second selector lever is engaged in the manual downshift position and held there. Subsequently, further downshifts are performed sequentially if the selector lever is held in the downshift position for a longer period, provided that a maximum permissible drive engine speed is not exceeded during each subsequent downshift.

[0004] For this purpose, the selector device, particularly in the form of pushbuttons, is designed in such a way that not only a tap but also a holding of the selector device in a specific position can be detected. The detected position is communicated to the control unit, which is designed to evaluate the detected position and, if necessary, also initiate time-controlled downshifts.

[0005] Furthermore, a hybrid vehicle with an electric drive motor and an internal combustion engine is known from the patent application DE 10 2006 013 677 A1, in which an electric "boost mode" can be activated for increased acceleration via the kick-down switch.

[0006] Further examples of motor vehicles or display devices are disclosed in DE 10 2010 010 443 A1, DE 10 2010 010 446 A1, DE 10 2008 024 234 A1, DE 10 2017 212 172 A1, DE 10 2010 061 477 A1, DE 10 2008 061 512 A1 and DE 10 2018 204 218 A1.

[0007] The object of the invention is to further improve an electrified motor vehicle with regard to the individual wishes of the driver, in particular in the case of a driving dynamics requirement desired by the driver.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention relates to an electrified motor vehicle with a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes, wherein the selected operating mode can be displayed in a display, with at least one electric drive motor, with at least one boost button and with an electronic control arrangement which is designed such that when the boost button is activated for a predetermined minimum period of time, a dynamically related operating mode that cannot be selected via the control element can be activated automatically and displayed in the display instead of a selectable operating mode, regardless of the activation of the control element.

[0010] The electrified motor vehicle according to the invention is equipped with a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode (also called driving mode) from several defined vehicle operating modes, wherein the selected operating mode is displayed on a screen. Such a control element is, for example, already known in principle as a so-called "driving experience switch" in vehicles of the applicant, as explained above.

[0011] Furthermore, the motor vehicle (PHEV) according to the invention is equipped with at least one electric drive motor and preferably with an internal combustion engine as a second drive motor, with an electronically controlled automated transmission that can be operated in at least one automatic program and in at least one manual program, with at least one push button for triggering a switch from an automatic program to a manual program, and with an electronic control arrangement. According to the invention, this push button is also used multifunctionally as a boost button.

[0012] Alternatively, the vehicle according to the invention (BEV) is equipped with at least one electric drive motor without an automatic transmission, with an electronic control arrangement and with a boost button preferably arranged on the steering wheel instead of a button for triggering a switch from an automatic program to a manual program.

[0013] In the following, the term "button" or "boost button" refers both to a standalone boost button (for BEVs) and to the button (for PHEVs) for triggering a switch from an automatic program to a manual program, which can be used multifunctionally as a boost button.

[0014] The electronic control arrangement, which can be integrated into one or distributed across several electronic control units, is designed in such a way that when the driver presses the button or boost button for a predetermined minimum period of time, a dynamically related operating mode that cannot be selected via the control element can be automatically activated and displayed in the display instead of a selectable operating mode, regardless of the operation of the control element.

[0015] Preferably, the dynamic operating mode, which cannot be selected via the control element, can be automatically deactivated by the control arrangement if a power request or a power request signal is within a defined power request range – preferably for a predetermined time. The term power request or power request signal can refer, for example, to an accelerator pedal angle or an accelerator pedal gradient.

[0016] Furthermore, the dynamic operating mode, which cannot be selected via the control element, preferably includes the activation of an electrical energy reserve ("E Boost Reserve") for the electric drive motor. Additionally, its activation can be interrupted if a power demand threshold is undershot for a predetermined second period and / or if a power demand signal is present within the defined power demand range.

[0017] Furthermore, the dynamic operating mode, which cannot be selected via the control element, remains activated as long as the vehicle's turn signal is set.

[0018] The dynamic operating mode that cannot be selected via the control element can also correspond to a dynamic operating mode that can be selected via the control element.

[0019] Preferably, the dynamically related operating mode, which cannot be selected via the control element, includes downshifting to a gear – preferably the lowest possible gear – that is ahead of a gear that would lead to exceeding the maximum permissible speed of the drive motor.

[0020] Preferably, in a further development of the invention, a defined acoustic dynamic-related noise is emitted during the dynamic-related operating mode, which cannot be selected via the control element, until it is deactivated.

[0021] Finally, a corresponding dynamic interior lighting and / or air conditioning control can also be activated.

[0022] For example, the dynamic operating mode that cannot be selected via the control element can be called "SPRINT" mode or "BOOST" mode, which, compared to the other operating modes, may have the following functionalities, for example: - Activation of an electrical energy reserve for the electric drive motor - In particular, the drive coordinator can be switched to "SPORT" mode; i.e., progressive accelerator pedal response and / or load shift. - Additionally, especially when an internal combustion engine is present as an additional drive motor, for example: high gradient increase of engine torque in internal combustion engines as drive motors, overrun burbling, exhaust flap open (for acoustic feedback and / or to influence performance)

[0023] Preferably, at least one of the following additional functionalities can be activated: - The suspension setting is switched to sporty mode. - Staging via display; lettering “SPRINT” or “BOOST”; additionally or alternatively, a counter can be displayed as long as the driver is in the performance demand range. - Staging via dynamic-related sound (Active Sound Design); new design or use of the sports acoustic sound design for the "SPORT" operating mode - Staging through dynamically related lighting design - Staging via dynamically related air conditioning settings - Downshifting to a preferably lowest possible gear and / or to a very sporty automatic transmission shift program, e.g. if the driver was in automatic mode D when the boost function was activated.

[0024] The invention allows the vehicle to be switched to maximum sportiness during overtaking maneuvers with a simple control action. The impression of acceleration is enhanced by sound effects.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail by means of an exemplary embodiment. For this purpose, the drawing (single figure, Fig. 1) An overview of an overall arrangement advantageous for the invention is shown.

[0026] In Fig.Figure 1 schematically depicts an electrified motor vehicle (here a PHEV) with a control element 4 for the driver to select a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes, e.g., SPORT, COMFORT, and ECO. The selected operating mode, here e.g., "COMFORT," is displayed in a display 6, for example, in the instrument cluster or head-up display of the vehicle. The control element 4 is known per se and is located, for example, in the center console in the passenger compartment. The vehicle is further equipped with an electric drive motor 9, an internal combustion engine 11 as a second drive motor, and an electronically controlled automated transmission 8, which—as is also known in principle—can be operated in at least one automatic program D ("Drive") or S ("Sport") and in at least one manual program M.In a familiar manual program M, for example, sequential downshifts or upshifts can generally be activated by pressing a "-" or "+" button. The "-" or "+" buttons are, for example, integrated into an S automatic program gate of a gear selector lever 2 or designed as shift paddles on the steering wheel 1. Here, this button is used multifunctionally as a boost button.

[0027] The motor vehicle further comprises an accelerator pedal 5 for transmitting a power request signal FP, a turn signal 10, and an electronic control unit 3. The electronic control unit 3 can be contained in a single control unit, e.g., the transmission control unit, or consist of several software function modules in various participating control units (e.g., transmission control unit, drive motor control unit, MMI control unit, etc.).

[0028] Finally, the motor vehicle according to the invention has a loudspeaker 7, which can be a loudspeaker already present for entertainment, which can be used acoustically in a multifunctional way.

[0029] According to the invention, the electronic control arrangement 3 is designed in the following manner, in particular by means of a corresponding computer program product: If the driver presses the "-" button – a button primarily intended for manual downshifting and here also serving as a boost button – for a predetermined minimum duration t1, a dynamic special operating mode – here called "BOOST" – is activated. The "-" button could also have an additional label, such as "SPRINT" or "BOOST," to indicate this special operating mode.

[0030] This special operating mode “BOOST” is activated automatically, regardless of whether control element 4 is used. For example, if the operating mode “COMFORT” was set for a predefined minimum time t1 before the “-” button was pressed, the special operating mode “BOOST” will be displayed in display 6 instead of the “COMFORT” mode.

[0031] The dynamic-related special operating mode BOOST, which cannot be selected via control element 4, is automatically deactivated by means of control arrangement 3 if the power request signal FP is within a defined power request range (S1). <FP<S2) - vorzugsweise für eine vorgegebene erste Zeitdauer - befindet.

[0032] The special operating mode “BOOST” activates an electrical energy reserve “E Boost Reserve” for the electric drive motor 9. The reserve amount can be displayed dynamically – for example, by means of a decreasing bar in display 6. Additionally, it can be called up when the power request signal is within the defined power request range S1. <FP<S2 liegt, unterbrochen werden und danach wieder bis zum Aufbrauchen der E Boost Reserve erneut abgerufen werden, wenn das Leistungsanforderungssignal nicht länger als eine vorgegebene zweite Zeitdauer innerhalb des definierten Leistungsanforderungsbereichs S1<FP<S2 lag.

[0033] Furthermore, the special operating mode “BOOST” can preferably correspond, at least in part, to a dynamically related operating mode selectable via control element 4 – e.g. “SPORT” – which, however, is not displayed in display 6.

[0034] The special operating mode “BOOST” preferably remains activated until a turn signal 10 (BL=1), which may have been set for overtaking, is reset (BL=0). The 0 / 1 states of turn signal 10 are detected by the control unit 3 for this purpose.

[0035] Finally, a defined acoustic dynamic-related noise is emitted via loudspeaker 7 - possibly depending on a possible preset by the driver - during the activation of the special operating mode “BOOST” until it is deactivated.

[0036] The passenger compartment of the motor vehicle according to the invention can - not shown here - also have lighting elements for a particularly sporty light design, which can be activated during the special operating mode “BOOST”.

[0037] This invention addresses both the driver's performance requirements and the demands for optimal comfort with regard to ease of use.

Claims

[1] Electrified motor vehicle with a control element (4) for selecting a vehicle operating mode from several defined vehicle operating modes (SPORT, COMFORT, ECO), wherein the selected operating mode can be displayed in a display (6), with at least one electric drive motor (9), with at least one boost button (“-”) and with an electronic control arrangement (3) designed such that when the boost button (-) is pressed for a predetermined minimum duration (t1), a dynamic operating mode (BOOST) that cannot be selected via the control element (4) can be automatically activated and displayed in the display (6) instead of a selectable operating mode (SPORT, COMFORT, ECO), regardless of whether the control element (4) is pressed, wherein the dynamic operating mode (BOOST) that cannot be selected via the control element (4) includes the activation of an electrical energy reserve (“E Boost Reserve”) for the electric drive motor (9),whose retrieval upon the presence of a power request signal within a defined power request range (S1) <FP<S2) unterbrochen wird., [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that after the interruption, this is called up again until the energy reserve ("E Boost Reserve") is exhausted, if the power request signal does not last longer than a predetermined (second) time duration within the defined power request range (S1) <FP<S2) lag. [3] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by , that the dynamically related operating mode (BOOST) which cannot be selected via the control element can be automatically deactivated by means of the control arrangement (3) if a power request signal (FP) - preferably for a predetermined (first) time period - is within a defined power request range. [4] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by , that when the electrical energy reserve (“E Boost Reserve”) for the electric drive motor (9) is activated, the reserve quantity is dynamically displayed by means of a decreasing bar in the display (6). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by , that the dynamic operating mode (BOOST) which cannot be selected via the control element (4) remains activated as long as the turn signal (10) of the motor vehicle is set. [6] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by , that the dynamically related operating mode (BOOST) which cannot be selected via the control element (4) corresponds at least in part to a dynamically related operating mode (SPORT) which can be selected via the control element (4). [7] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by, that during the dynamic-related operating mode (BOOST) which cannot be selected via the control element (4) a defined acoustic dynamic-related noise is emitted until it is deactivated. [8] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized by , that during the dynamically related operating mode (BOOST) which cannot be selected via the control element (4), an additional functionality is activated by means of a dynamically related lighting design.

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