Method for adjusting a vehicle's acceleration profile

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for adapting an acceleration profile (15) of a vehicle (10), comprising steps of obtaining an actual acceleration profile (25) of another vehicle (20), defining the actual acceleration profile (25) of the other vehicle (20) as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10), and applying the target acceleration profile (35) to operate the vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adapting the acceleration profile of a vehicle, comprising steps of obtaining an actual acceleration profile of another vehicle and applying a target acceleration profile to operate the vehicle. The invention further relates to a control device configured to perform such a method and a vehicle operated on the basis of such a method.

[0002] Typically, vehicles within a product line are marked to indicate their membership in that line. However, these vehicles can differ within a product line, for example, due to differing vehicle components or configurations, in terms of their perceptible characteristics to the driver and occupants, particularly acceleration behavior. Since this often provides a subjectively important impression for assessing a vehicle's potential performance, it is desirable to offer similar acceleration behavior and thus a consistent impact across vehicles within a product line.

[0003] Against this background, an object of the invention is to improve a vehicle occupant's subjective impression of a vehicle's driving behavior, in particular of comparable vehicle acceleration within a group of vehicles with different vehicle configurations of a product line. Specifically, a method for adapting a vehicle's acceleration profile is to be provided in order to enable a standardization of the perception of driving behavior across different vehicles.

[0004] This problem is solved by a method for adapting an acceleration profile of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 and a vehicle with the features of claim 5. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for adapting a vehicle's acceleration profile is specified, comprising steps of obtaining an actual acceleration profile of another vehicle, setting the actual acceleration profile of the other vehicle as the target acceleration profile of the vehicle, and applying the target acceleration profile to operate the vehicle.

[0006] This allows, at least over a range where the vehicle's drive components are configured to do so, the acceleration profile of the other vehicle to be applied, so that the driver of the vehicle experiences the same or at least similar acceleration behavior compared to the other vehicle. This can, particularly within a product line, at least partially compensate for any acceleration deficit perceptible to the driver compared to one or more other vehicles.

[0007] An acceleration profile of a vehicle is, in particular, a numerical projection that describes the rate of change, especially over time, of a vehicle's speed or rotational speed of at least one component of the vehicle's powertrain. Such an acceleration profile can be used, for example, to control a machine and / or the vehicle's powertrain in order to operate it according to the acceleration profile. The acceleration profile can depend, for example, on a combination of characteristics of an engine, a transmission, at least one component of the powertrain, a battery's state of charge, and / or the vehicle's mass, and / or external factors.

[0008] The actual acceleration profile of the other vehicle can be measured or recorded, for example, during its operation. This acceleration profile can represent, in particular, a correlation between vehicle acceleration and vehicle pedal position. The actual acceleration profile and / or the target acceleration profile can be determined empirically or through simulation, which might involve, for example, a virtual test drive of a route with a vehicle that has the vehicle configuration of the other vehicle, the other vehicle, or a desired vehicle configuration.

[0009] The target acceleration profile is, in particular, an instruction or vehicle acceleration plan that the vehicle is to execute. The target acceleration profile is applied, in particular, by a control unit of the vehicle to control the operation of at least one component of the powertrain. A target acceleration profile is, in particular, a calibrated speed profile that is assigned to at least one of the controlled powertrain components. To apply the target acceleration profile, a powertrain component can, for example, be controlled in such a way that the target acceleration profile for the vehicle is at least partially achieved. For this purpose, a torque request can, for example, be applied as a signal to the drive motor or the control unit.

[0010] The invention is based, among other things, on the idea of ​​making the acceleration of the vehicle driven, particularly its maximum acceleration, the same or at least similar across several vehicles, in order to enable a harmonized perception of the driving characteristics of a vehicle series or product line. To this end, it is proposed to transfer an acceleration profile, particularly as a representation of the perceived acceleration, of a reference vehicle to another vehicle. For this purpose, it is proposed to apply an actual acceleration profile (actual acceleration profile) of the reference vehicle (other vehicle) to the vehicle.

[0011] The actual acceleration profile and / or the target acceleration profile can be calculated or recorded, for example, depending on the vehicle configuration of the (other) vehicle. A vehicle configuration can consist of, for example, an engine type, a power category of the drive motor, a tire size or condition, a transmission type, and / or other components of the vehicle's drivetrain.

[0012] The proposed procedure can, for example, be performed once as part of a calibration of vehicle operating data to define the target acceleration profile for the vehicle. This allows for a standardized perception of the driving behavior of different vehicles.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further includes steps of determining a real acceleration profile of the vehicle, comparing the real acceleration profile with the obtained actual acceleration profile, and defining the actual acceleration profile of the other vehicle as the target acceleration profile of the vehicle if the predetermined target acceleration profile deviates from the real acceleration profile.

[0014] The actual acceleration profile can be determined in the manner described herein. For example, an external processing unit or the vehicle's own processing unit or control unit can be used to compare the actual acceleration profile. If it is determined that the vehicle's acceleration profile deviates from the desired actual acceleration profile of the other vehicle in a predetermined manner, the actual acceleration profile is replaced by applying the obtained actual acceleration profile as the target acceleration profile. This ensures that the actual acceleration profile is only changed if it deviates from the other vehicle's acceleration profile in a predetermined manner, for example, by defined threshold values.

[0015] Since the achievable torque and / or performance of the driven machinery and / or similar drivetrain components are limited, the maximum achievable acceleration profile, or any change in an acceleration profile that can be provided by the drivetrain, is also correspondingly limited. Within the scope of the present invention, the desired acceleration profile is to be applied insofar as and to the extent that the physical characteristics of the vehicle permit this.

[0016] In one embodiment, the actual acceleration profile is determined based on vehicle parameters and as a function of the accelerator pedal position of the vehicle. The actual acceleration profile can also be determined based on parameters of another vehicle or vehicle configuration and as a function of the accelerator pedal position of that other vehicle. An accelerator pedal position can be characterized by an absolute or relative distance traveled by the accelerator pedal when actuated by the driver, particularly from its initial position. This allows for the quantification of an adjustment to a driver-controllable and haptically perceptible variable, such as the accelerator pedal position. This enables an adjustment that is directly perceptible to the driver.

[0017] In one embodiment, applying the target acceleration profile involves adjusting a correlation between the vehicle's pedal position and the vehicle's actual acceleration profile. For example, it can be specified that even a slight application or change in the accelerator pedal position results in a higher acceleration value being applied or achieved by the vehicle.

[0018] According to another aspect, a vehicle is proposed which can be operated using a method described herein. Such a vehicle can exhibit similar acceleration behavior to, for example, another vehicle in the same product line, so that acceleration can represent a defining characteristic within the product line.

[0019] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, which can be operated by means of a method according to the invention for adapting an acceleration profile of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for adapting an acceleration profile of a vehicle.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment in which a method according to the invention was or is applied.

[0021] The diagram shows vehicle 10, which has a real acceleration profile 15. Another vehicle 20 is also shown, which has an actual acceleration profile 25. This actual acceleration profile 25 is used by vehicle 10 as the target acceleration profile 35 for its operation.

[0022] The acceleration profiles 15, 25, and 35 are shown here as a numerical projection of a change in velocity or acceleration a (x-axis) versus an accelerator pedal position F (y-axis). The representation shows that the actual acceleration profile 15 of vehicle 10 describes a flatter curve than the actual acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 15 or the target acceleration profile 35. By applying the actual acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 15 as the target acceleration profile 35 for vehicle 10, a driver's subjective perception of the acceleration of vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 15 can be standardized, thus enabling a consistent perception of driving behavior within a product line of vehicles 10 and 15 for drivers and passengers.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method 100 according to the invention for adapting an acceleration profile 15 of a vehicle 10.

[0024] In a first step a, an actual acceleration profile 25 of another vehicle 20 is obtained from vehicle 10. In a second step a1, a real acceleration profile 15 of vehicle 10 can be determined. This can be done, for example, by simulation, computationally and / or empirically, and for example based on operating parameters of vehicle 10 and depending on the accelerator pedal position F of vehicle 10.

[0025] In step b1, the actual acceleration profile 15 can be compared with the obtained actual acceleration profile 25. In step b2, it can be determined that the predetermined target acceleration profile 25 deviates from the actual acceleration profile 10. Here, for example, predetermined numerical or percentage thresholds for permissible or triggering deviation values ​​can be applied.

[0026] In step b, the actual acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 20 is defined as the target acceleration profile 35 of vehicle 10, and in a further step c, the target acceleration profile 35 is applied to operate the vehicle. For this purpose, for example, a correlation between the accelerator pedal position F and the actual acceleration profile 15 of vehicle 10 can be adjusted. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 vehicles 15 Real acceleration profile of the vehicle 20 other vehicles 25 Actual acceleration profile of the other vehicle 30 Target acceleration profile of the vehicle 100 procedures a - c steps

Claims

[1] Method (100) for adapting an acceleration profile (15) of a vehicle (10), comprising the following steps: a) obtaining an actual acceleration profile (25) of another vehicle (20), b) setting the actual acceleration profile (25) of the other vehicle (20) as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10), and c) Applying the target acceleration profile (35) to operate the vehicle (10). [2] Method (100) according to the preceding claim, further comprising the following steps: a1) determining a real acceleration profile (15) of the vehicle (10), b1) comparing the real acceleration profile (15) with the obtained actual acceleration profile (25), and b2) if the target acceleration profile (25) deviates from the actual acceleration profile (15), setting the actual acceleration profile (25) as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10). [3] Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the real acceleration profile (10) is determined on the basis of operating parameters of the vehicle (10) and as a function of an accelerator pedal position (F) of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle (10). [4] Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein applying the target acceleration profile (35) comprises adjusting a correlation between the accelerator pedal position (F) and the real acceleration profile (15) of the vehicle (10). [5] Vehicle (10) operable using a method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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