Means of transport, device and method for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device of an electrically powered means of transport with recuperation function

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for defining a charging end state for an energy storage device (1) of an electrically powered means of transport (10) with recuperation function comprising the steps of automatically determining (100) an upcoming downhill descent (P2) for the means of transport (10) and, in response to this, reducing (400) a previously predefined charging end state for the energy storage device (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a means of transport, a device, and a method for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device of an electrically powered means of transport with a recuperation function. In particular, the present invention relates to the predictive charging of a traction energy storage device in anticipation of an upcoming downhill descent.

[0002] Electrically powered vehicles are enjoying increasing popularity. Besides being locally emission-free, energy recuperation during braking is also advantageous for the energy efficiency of these vehicles. When speed needs to be reduced, the traction motors can convert kinetic energy into electrical energy in generator mode and feed it back into the traction energy storage system. The resulting braking effect can be taken into account when designing the other braking systems of the vehicle. In other words, the other braking systems can be mitigated by the recuperation braking effect. However, recuperation is only possible if the onboard energy storage system has sufficient free capacity. This is not the case after a full charge.A downhill descent cannot therefore be used for recuperation, which also eliminates the additional braking effect. This can overload the other (friction) brakes.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to alleviate or eliminate the disadvantages known in the prior art.

[0004] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by a device with the features of claim 10, a means of propulsion with the features of claim 11, and a method for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device of an electrically powered means of propulsion with a recuperation function according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The method comprises, in a first step, the automatic detection of an impending downhill section for the vehicle. In other words, the fact that a downhill section with recuperation is imminent is automatically determined, particularly through data analysis. This can be inferred, for example, from a previous uphill section. Alternatively or additionally, it can be automatically determined that the vehicle is at a (local) high point. Upon detection of the impending downhill section, the invention automatically reduces a previously predefined charge level for the energy storage device, ensuring that a certain residual capacity (charging potential) is maintained when charging the energy storage device (in particular, the traction energy storage device of the vehicle). During the upcoming downhill section, the recuperation function and the associated braking effect can then be utilized.This saves energy, protects the vehicle's braking system, avoids malfunctions and may save time during the charging process.

[0006] Preferably, a quantity representing the potential energy of the vehicle can be automatically determined (especially using sensors). For example, this could include an altitude, a height difference up to a waypoint beyond which more energy is drawn from the energy storage system than fed back in, a section of road with a negative gradient, a vehicle type, a vehicle model, an engine configuration, the capacity of the traction energy storage system, the vehicle's load state / mass, etc., or any combination of these quantities. In other words, the required charging capacity of the energy storage system is also quantitatively determined, thus adapting the final charging state to the upcoming downhill descent. Specifically, the previously predefined final charging state for the energy storage system is reduced so that the vehicle has a fully charged energy storage system after the downhill descent.After the descent, the fully charged energy storage unit can now be used for the onward journey.

[0007] The previously predefined final charging state can be, in particular, 100%, so that after its reduction, for example, a final charging state of 95%, 90% or 85% is reached in order to be able to store the electrical energy generated during the downhill journey.

[0008] After the previously predefined charge level has been reduced, the charging process of the energy storage system can be started (automatically). Optionally, the user can be prompted beforehand (for example, via a display on their vehicle or smartphone) to agree to the reduction of the charge level for the energy storage system (once or for future processes) or to approve / reject the reduction. The user can also reject this reduction for future processes in response to the prompt and / or via a configuration menu. Subsequently, if the user has given their consent, the charging process can be automatically terminated when the reduced charge level is reached. Optionally, the impending downhill section can be detected using sensors and / or data.This can be achieved, for example, by detecting an uphill movement of the vehicle using sensors and / or data. In particular, an impending downhill movement can be determined based on a given geography, especially when a local maximum (summit, etc.) is reached. The uphill movement can be detected, for example, by using an inclination sensor and / or engine / transmission parameters during the uphill movement and / or by using the vehicle's trajectory in conjunction with data from vehicles that traveled the same trajectory at earlier times. Altitude sensors / barometric pressure sensors or optical sensors can also be used to determine either the absolute altitude of the vehicle's location or to use optical sensors (e.g.,...)Cameras on the vehicle can be used to recognize optical characteristics of the vehicle's surroundings and compare them with information available via the internet (e.g., summit, charging station xy, mountain hotel "Talblick", etc.). This information can be obtained, for example, using the internet and / or in conjunction with data sets collected by other vehicles.

[0009] In particular, data collected and provided by other means of transport can indicate the impending uphill journey. For example, the vehicle in question can receive information about its final charge level, energy recuperated on the preceding stretch, altitude lost on the preceding stretch, or simply the information that no further uphill travel is possible from its current position. This information can reach the vehicle via the internet, car-to-car communication, a charging station, or other charging infrastructure, etc. This information can then be analyzed to determine the upcoming downhill journey and gather further information necessary to define the reduced final charge level.

[0010] If a user or map history has identified a likely destination (e.g., in a navigation system), a known elevation difference to the destination can be automatically taken into account when calculating the reduced final state of charge. Considering the recuperation capacity, vehicle mass, and any other relevant information, the required free capacity of the energy storage system can then be determined, and a corresponding final state of charge can be set for the charging process.

[0011] Determining the aforementioned downhill run can, in particular, involve receiving information that was logically / technically assigned to the ego-mobility device at an earlier point in time. For example, this could include vehicles belonging to the same owner (individual, company, pool, etc.) or from the same manufacturer / pool of manufacturers. This information can be transmitted to the ego-mobility device via the internet and / or the charging station / charging infrastructure. Accordingly, the ego-mobility device in question can also share the acquired information with other vehicles / fleet vehicles. For this purpose, a downhill run can first be performed, during which, for example, a location, a route traveled, information regarding recuperated energy, or the unsuccessful attempt at recuperation by the vehicle are recorded.In other words, a data set representing the "recuperation experience" of the vehicle is stored and shared in a suitable way as information technology "learning" with a database and / or another vehicle. For this purpose, a corresponding data set can be saved and / or sent to a vehicle / charging infrastructure operator. In this way, other vehicles can also benefit from the insights gained, and traffic becomes more efficient and resource-conserving.

[0012] Preferably, the downhill journey can be carried out using recuperation, whereby the energy converted by a conventional brake (or possibly no conventional braking energy) is stored. In a next step, the state of charge of the energy storage device or the recuperated energy of the vehicle during the downhill journey is determined (automatically, in particular using sensors). This energy, and possibly also the energy converted into heat by conventional braking systems, is then available to a vehicle with a corresponding mass that has the same distance ahead of it as the downhill journey.Accordingly, a data set representing the final charging state can be saved and / or sent to another vehicle / charging infrastructure, so that, depending on vehicle mass, recuperation power, energy storage technology, and upcoming route (downhill driving), the same final charging state or a potentially optimized, reduced / decreased final charging state can be used for other vehicles. In this way, energy consumption with the charging station used and the resulting brake wear can be reduced.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device of an electrically powered vehicle with a recuperation function is proposed. The device can, in particular, comprise a data processing unit implemented by means of an electronic control unit. This unit typically has a data input, an evaluation unit, and a data output. The data input and the data output can both be connected individually or together to a (respective) data bus. The evaluation unit, in conjunction with the data input, is configured to automatically detect an impending downhill descent for the vehicle and, in conjunction with the data output, to automatically reduce a previously predefined final charging state for the energy storage device, such that sufficient capacity for recuperating electrical energy is available during the impending downhill descent.This allows the regenerative braking effect to be used for downhill driving, thus protecting the conventional (friction) braking system.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of propulsion with a recuperation function is proposed, which includes a device according to the second aspect of the invention. In this way, the means of propulsion, as well as the device according to the invention, is configured to realize the features, combinations of features, and the advantages arising therefrom of the method according to the invention in such a way that reference is made to the above description to avoid repetition.

[0015] Field data analysis and / or artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning algorithms can predict when and under what circumstances a reduced charge target for a vehicle's traction energy storage system is beneficial, enabling recuperation during upcoming downhill sections and relieving the load on the conventional braking system. For example, it can be analyzed on which routes recuperation was not possible due to a fully charged traction energy storage system. In a second step, information technology can (automatically) determine where these vehicles were charged and to what final charge level. These charging stations or areas can be entered into a database / table, lookup table, or similar system to reduce the final charge level accordingly. Specifically, an energy quantity or... can be assigned to each charging station.A percentage value is stored, representing the storage capacity to be kept free in the respective traction energy storage system. The automatic reduction of the previously predefined charge end state for the energy storage system can also be understood as an automatic suggestion of a reduction of a previously predefined charge end state for the energy storage system, to which the user must agree during the charging process before the charge end state is actually reduced.

[0016] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a scene to depict a situation in which a means of transport designed according to the invention performs a method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the charge states of a traction energy storage device of a means of transport during the execution of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 A flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a means of transport 10 in the form of an electrically powered car equipped for recuperating braking energy on a mountain 3. A charging station 4, currently supplying the means of transport 10 with electrical energy and part of a charging infrastructure, is located at a local extremum (summit). After the means of transport 10 has climbed the switchbacks from the starting point I in the valley as part of a mountain journey P1, the driver (not shown) is staying in a mountain hotel (not shown) on the summit of mountain 3. In order to be able to continue the journey the following day with as few restrictions as possible to a destination III with a finish line flag 2 in the form of a downhill drive P2, the user plugs the means of transport 10 into the charging station 4.He did not consider that a significant amount of energy will be released during the downhill run P2, which must either be converted into heat by conventional brakes or recuperated by the vehicle's electric motors (generator-driven). A stationary server 6, which communicates wirelessly with the charging station 4 via a transmission tower 5, provides the charging station 4 and the vehicle 10 with information from (not shown) vehicles that previously traveled the same route. A final charge level of 90% at the charging station 4 has proven ideal to ensure that the vehicle arrives at destination III with a 100% charge level after successfully completing the downhill run P2.Therefore, the means of transport 10 is automatically charged with a predefined final charge state of 90%, which reduces the energy costs for the user of the means of transport 10, reduces the brake wear of the means of transport and still ensures a 100% state of charge (SoC) when reaching target III.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows different states of charge (SoC) of an energy storage device 1 in the form of a traction energy storage device of the in Fig. Figure 1 depicts the means of transport. The uphill journey P1 begins at start I with a charge level of 50%. After the uphill journey P1, the energy storage device 1 has a charge level of 10% at the summit (SoC (II)). Overnight charging at the charging station automatically reduces the charge level at the summit (SoC (II)) to a predefined final charge level of 90%, so that after the downhill journey P2, the energy storage device 1 is fully charged at destination III.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the components of a device according to the invention, which is designed as an electronic control unit 8. This unit has a data input 7 connected to a data bus 12, an evaluation unit 11 connected to the data input 7, and a data output 9 connected to the evaluation unit 11. The data output 9 is in turn connected to a (further) data bus 13.

[0020] Fig.Figure 4 shows steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device of an electrically powered means of transport with recuperation function. In step 100, an upcoming downhill descent for a given means of transport is automatically determined using sensor technology. In addition, in step 200, the potential energy of the means of transport is automatically determined. Both of the aforementioned steps can be executed simultaneously or in any sequence. Furthermore, in step 300, an upcoming destination of the means of transport is determined using a navigation system, a trip history, and a query from a user. It is determined that the destination is located in a valley and considerably lower than the current location of the means of transport.In step 400, a previously predefined charge level for the energy storage system is automatically reduced to ensure sufficient free capacity is available for recuperation during the journey to the destination. In step 500, the charging process of the energy storage system is started with the reduced charge level, and in step 600, it automatically stops when the reduced predefined charge level is reached.

[0021] The charging state is complete. In step 700, the downhill run is performed using recuperation, and it is monitored whether all of the vehicle's potential energy is recovered via the recuperation function or whether the conventional friction brake is used. In step 800, the energy storage system's state of charge is determined after the downhill run. This step also verifies whether the energy storage capacity, reserved by the reduced predefined charge state, was sufficient for the recuperated energy. In step 900, the data is then documented by saving a data record representing a downhill run by the vehicle. This data record contains information about the distance traveled, the amount of energy recuperated (or unsuccessful attempts at recuperation), and any other relevant information.In step 1000, the data set is then sent to a charging infrastructure operator and / or other vehicles so that they can use the insights gained to also carry out the recuperation during a future downhill journey in the manner according to the invention. Reference symbol list: 1 Energy storage 2 Checkered flag 3 Mountains 4 charging stations 5 transmission towers 6 Stationary Servers 7 Data input 8 Electronic control unit 9 Data output 10 means of transport 11 Evaluation unit 12, 13 Bus I Start II Summit III. Goal 100-1000 process steps P1 Mountain trail P2 Downhill run

Claims

[1] Method for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device (1) of an electrically driven means of transport (10) with recuperation function, comprising the steps • Automatic detection (100) of an impending downhill journey (P2) for the means of transport (10) and in response thereto • Reducing (400) a previously predefined final charging state for the energy storage device (1). [2] The method of claim 1 further comprising - automatically determining (200) a quantity representing a potential energy of the means of transport (10) and depending on the quantity, - Reducing (400) the previous predefined final charging state for the energy storage device (1). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, - where the previous predefined final charge state is 100% and / or further comprising the steps: - starting (500) a charging process of the energy storage device (1) and - automatically terminating (600) a charging process of the energy storage device (1) with the reduced final state of charge (SOC). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the automatic determination (100) of an impending downhill journey (P2) for the means of transport (10) comprises a determination of an uphill journey (P1) of the means of transport (10). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising determining (200) information relating to a potential energy of the means of transport (10) and, in response thereto, reducing (400) the previous predefined final charging state. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising automatically determining (300) an upcoming destination (III), in particular by querying a user of the means of transport (10) or a navigation system. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination (100) of the impending downhill journey (P2) comprises receiving information which has been determined on the basis of a second means of transport and / or a vehicle fleet. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - storing (900) a data set representing a downhill journey (P2) by the means of transport (10) and - Saving and / or sending (1000) a data set representing the downhill drive (P2) and the final charging state. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - Execution (700) of the downhill drive (P2) under recuperation, in particular without additional braking, or taking into account the energy converted into heat during braking - Determining (800) the charge level of the energy storage device (1) after the downhill ride (P2) and - Saving and / or sending (1000) a data set representing the downhill drive (P2) and the final charging state. [10] Device for defining a final charging state for an energy storage device (1) of an electrically driven means of transport (10) with recuperation function, comprising: - a data input (7), - an evaluation unit (8) and - a data output (9), wherein the evaluation unit (8) is arranged in connection with the data input (7), • to automatically determine an impending downhill journey (P2) for the means of transport (10) and, in response thereto, • to automatically reduce a previously predefined end-of-charge state for the energy storage device (1). [11] Means of transport with recuperation function comprising a device according to claim 10.

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