Safety device for controlling a vehicle powered by synthetic fuel

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device (100) and a safety method (400) for controlling a vehicle (300) powered by synthetic fuel. The safety device (100) comprises: a sensor arrangement (110) configured to determine whether a fuel filled into a tank (200) of the vehicle (300) is synthetic or conventional based on one or more compounds of the fuel; and a control unit (120) configured to issue a stop command to prevent the starting and / or stopping of the vehicle's (300) engine based on the identified conventional fuel, wherein the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a safety device for controlling a vehicle powered by synthetic fuel, a tank, and a vehicle with such a safety device.

[0002] There are various types of engines for vehicles, some of which require different fuels. It is often the case that an engine can only run on a specific type of fuel, such as diesel or gasoline.

[0003] Recent developments in the field of fuels include synthetic fuels, which could replace existing fuels, particularly fossil fuels. These could thus reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Furthermore, they could be more environmentally friendly, making the operation of vehicles powered by synthetic fuels desirable.

[0004] It can be assumed that, at least temporarily, there are or will be engines that can run on both synthetic and conventional fuels. Recent developments by legislators indicate that the intention is to operate engines exclusively on synthetic fuels in the future, provided they can use both conventional and synthetic fuels. Consequently, a technical solution is needed to control and / or implement such future or existing regulations.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety device, a tank for a vehicle, a vehicle, a safety method, and a computer program product that improve upon one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a safety device and a safety method that can prevent potential damage to the engine when operated with the wrong fuel and / or an intentional or unintentional violation of such regulations at an early stage.

[0006] The problem is solved, according to a first aspect, by a safety device for controlling a vehicle that can be operated with and / or is intended to be operated with synthetic fuel. The vehicle may include an engine that can be operated using one or more synthetic and conventional fuels. The device comprises a sensor arrangement configured to determine whether a fuel filled into a tank of the vehicle is synthetic or conventional based on one or more, in particular volatile (gaseous) and / or liquid, compounds of the fuel. The device further comprises a control unit configured to issue a stop command to prevent the vehicle's engine from starting and / or stopping based on the identified conventional fuel, provided that the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel.

[0007] The sensor arrangement can be or comprise a gas sensor arrangement and / or a liquid sensor arrangement. The gas sensor arrangement can include one or more gas sensors designed to detect volatile compounds in the fuel. Accordingly, the gas sensors can detect gases. The liquid sensor arrangement can include one or more liquid sensors designed to detect liquid compounds in the fuel. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor arrangement can include one or more combined sensors designed to detect both liquid and volatile compounds in the fuel. Liquid sensors can advantageously be arranged in the tank, intake manifold, and / or exhaust manifold such that they are in contact with the liquid fuel.Consequently, liquid sensors can be located below a predetermined maximum fill level and / or on the bottom surface of the tank, intake manifold, and / or exhaust manifold. Gas sensors can advantageously be located in the tank, intake manifold, and / or exhaust manifold such that they are positioned above a liquid phase or level of the fuel or a fluid flow of the fuel in order to determine the volatile compounds.

[0008] The proposed safety device can detect the presence of conventional fuel in the tank, during fuel supply to the engine via the intake manifold, and / or after combustion in the vehicle's engine in the exhaust manifold. In such cases, the engine can be switched off or prevented from starting. Consequently, incorrect refueling with conventional fuel instead of synthetic fuel can be detected and prevented in a timely manner, particularly before the conventional fuel is consumed. This ensures compliance with legal regulations and protects users and drivers from violations. Newer gas sensors, especially the laser spectroscopy gas sensors mentioned below, have recently become available, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and use. Previous gas sensors were, and in some cases still are, significantly more expensive to manufacture and use.

[0009] The stop command can define a predetermined time period during which starting the engine is not possible and / or is prevented. In particular, the engine can be locked using the stop command. After the predetermined time period has elapsed, the driver can attempt to start the engine again. The safety device can then re-determine the fuel type and again prevent the engine from starting if the readings indicate a conventional fuel. Alternatively, if no conventional fuel type is detected, the engine can be started.

[0010] A conventional fuel can be a petroleum product. A conventional fuel can be gasoline or petroleum-based fuel. A synthetic fuel can be an e-fuel. Synthetic fuels can differ from conventional fuels (diesel, gasoline, kerosene, etc.) in their manufacturing process and consequently in their altered chemical structure. A defining characteristic of synthetic fuels is the replacement of petroleum as a raw material source.

[0011] Volatile compounds can be formed by at least partial evaporation of the fuel in the tank, intake manifold, and / or exhaust manifold of the vehicle or the tank. Alternatively or additionally, volatile compounds can be formed during combustion of the fuel in the engine. Liquid compounds may be contained within the fuel in its liquid state.

[0012] The stop command can be issued to a vehicle control unit and / or directly to the engine and / or an engine control unit.

[0013] The sensor array can be configured to determine whether the fuel is synthetic or conventional based on one or more volatile and / or liquid compounds of the fuel. These compounds can, in particular, characterize one or more conventional fuels.

[0014] The sensor arrangement can include a first sensor that can be arranged and / or is located inside the tank.

[0015] The first sensor can be positioned above the maximum fill level of the tank. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for determining volatile compounds in the fuel, as the first sensor is located above the liquid fuel. The first sensor can be a gas sensor. Alternatively, the first sensor can be a liquid sensor or a combined sensor. The liquid sensor or the combined sensor can be located below the maximum fill level.

[0016] The sensor arrangement can include a second sensor that can be and / or is located within the engine's intake manifold. The second sensor can be configured as a gas sensor, a liquid sensor, or a combined sensor. The intake manifold can be configured to convey fuel from the tank to the engine and / or to draw fuel from the tank. If configured as a gas sensor, the second sensor can be and / or is located above a fluid flow, particularly a fuel flow, within the intake manifold. If configured as a liquid sensor and / or a combined sensor, the second sensor can be arranged and / or is located within the intake manifold in such a way that it can be brought into contact with the fluid flow. Accordingly, the second sensor can be located on a bottom surface of the intake manifold.

[0017] The sensor arrangement can include a third sensor, which can be and / or is located within the engine's exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold can, in particular, expel the resulting fuel components to the outside after combustion by the engine. The third sensor can be a gas sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the third sensor can be a liquid sensor and / or a combined sensor.

[0018] When arranged within the intake and / or exhaust manifold, the second and / or third sensor can be gas sensors and preferably located on the upper surface of the intake and / or exhaust manifold, enabling the detection of evaporating, rising compounds. An arrangement on a bottom surface opposite the upper surface is not preferred, as this is where the liquid phase of the fuel is located. Accordingly, the second and / or third sensor can be configured as a liquid sensor and / or a combined sensor, since these detect liquid compounds and can therefore be in contact with the liquid phase of the fuel.

[0019] The sensor array can include several such first, second, and / or third sensors. The above and subsequent descriptions of the individual first, second, and third sensors can apply to the remaining first, second, and third sensors.

[0020] The compounds can be characteristic of one or more synthetic or one or more conventional fuels. For example, e-gasoline or synthetic gasoline does not emit benzene or sulfur compounds as volatile compounds, so the presence of benzene indicates a conventional fuel.

[0021] The first, second, and / or third sensors can be configured to detect at least partially identical and / or different compounds, particularly volatile and / or liquid compounds. Accordingly, multiple sensors can be selected to detect a single compound, thereby achieving higher accuracy in its detection. Alternatively, separate, specialized sensors can be used, each dedicated to detecting a specific compound. Alternatively, one or more sensors can detect two or more compounds.

[0022] The sensor arrangement, in particular the gas sensor arrangement, can be a laser spectroscopy gas sensor arrangement. Specifically, the first, second, and / or third sensor can each be a laser spectroscopy gas sensor.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor array can be a semiconductor sensor array. In particular, the first, second, and / or third sensor can be a semiconductor sensor. The semiconductor sensors can be semiconductor gas sensors designed to detect volatile compounds in the fuel. Furthermore, the control system and / or the sensor array, or the gas sensor array, can utilize a machine learning algorithm that has been pre-trained to determine the odor fingerprints of the compounds. The semiconductor gas sensor array, in particular the first, second, and / or third gas sensor, can incorporate metal oxide and / or carbon nanotubes to detect the volatile and / or liquid compounds.

[0024] The control unit may be further configured to issue a warning signal to the vehicle and / or its driver based on the issuance of the stop command, indicating that a conventional fuel has been selected. The warning signal may be visual, audible, and / or haptic. For this purpose, the safety device and / or the vehicle may include an output unit configured to provide the warning signal visually, audibly, and / or haptically. Alternatively or additionally, the warning signal may be output via the vehicle's on-board computer, sound system, and / or display device.

[0025] The safety device can be configured to communicate with one or more external units, such as the vehicle's control system. Communication can be wireless and / or wired. The safety device may include a communication unit capable of sending and / or receiving information, signals, and / or commands.

[0026] The individual components of the security device can be designed for wired and / or wireless communication with each other.

[0027] The task is solved according to a second aspect by a tank for a vehicle, comprising a safety device according to the first aspect.

[0028] The task is solved, according to a third aspect, by a vehicle with an engine that runs on synthetic fuel, comprising a safety device according to the first aspect and / or a tank according to the second aspect. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may include a control system designed to execute the safety procedure and / or computer program product described below.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect, the task is solved by a safety procedure for controlling a vehicle that can and / or will be powered by synthetic fuel. The procedure can be computer-implemented. The procedure comprises the following steps: - Determining whether a fuel filled into a vehicle's tank is synthetic or conventional based on one or more compounds of the fuel; - Issuing a stop command to prevent the starting and / or stopping of the vehicle's engine based on the specified conventional fuel, whereby the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel.

[0030] Device features described in relation to the safety device according to the first aspect can be carried out as procedural steps of the safety procedure according to the fourth aspect and are therefore not repeated here.

[0031] The task is solved, according to a fifth aspect, by a computer program product comprising commands that cause the safety device, according to the first aspect, to execute the procedural steps of the safety procedure, according to the fourth aspect. Alternatively or additionally, the program may include commands that cause a vehicle control system, according to the third aspect, with a safety device, according to the first aspect, and / or a tank, according to the second aspect, to execute the procedural steps of the safety procedure, according to the fourth aspect.

[0032] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a safety device for a vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle tank with a safety device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle with such a tank and such a safety device; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a safety procedure for a vehicle.

[0033] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally equivalent or similar elements are designated with the same reference symbols.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a safety device 100 for a vehicle 300. The safety device 100 is designed to control the vehicle 300, which is powered by synthetic fuel. The safety device 100 comprises a sensor arrangement, in this case a gas sensor arrangement 110, which is configured and designed to determine whether a fuel filled into a tank 200 of the vehicle 300 is synthetic or conventional fuel based on one or more volatile compounds of the fuel. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor arrangement 110 can be configured to detect liquid compounds of the fuel. For this purpose, the sensor arrangement 110 can comprise a liquid sensor arrangement with one or more liquid sensors and / or one or more combined sensors. The liquid sensors are configured to detect liquid compounds of the fuel.The combined sensors are designed to detect liquid and volatile compounds in the fuel.

[0035] Furthermore, the safety device 100 comprises a control unit 120, which is configured to issue a stop command to prevent the starting and / or stopping of the vehicle 300's engine based on the specified conventional fuel, wherein the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel. The engine is designed such that it can be operated with both synthetic fuel and conventional fuel. With the proposed safety device 100, it is possible to prevent the use, and in particular the combustion, of conventional fuel.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a tank 200 of the vehicle 300 with a safety device 100. The gas sensor arrangement 100 comprises a first gas sensor 111, which is arranged inside the tank 200. The first gas sensor 111 is arranged on a surface opposite a bottom surface of the tank 200. It should be noted that, advantageously, the first gas sensor 111 is arranged above a maximum fill level MF of the tank 200. The maximum fill level MF marks the maximum filling of the tank 200 with fuel. The fuel can be supplied to the tank 200 via a fuel line 210, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Fig. 2 is indicated.

[0037] The tank 200 has in the Fig. 2 has a cuboid shape, but can have other shapes and is not limited to this. The fuel line 210 and an intake manifold 220 with valve 221 are also shown as examples. The valve 221 is optional, so the tank 200 can also be configured without the valve 221. The intake manifold 220 connects the tank 200 to the engine of the vehicle 300. Accordingly, fuel can be drawn from the tank 200 into the engine along the arrow shown.

[0038] The first gas sensor 111 is configured to detect volatile compounds in the fuel filled into tank 200. For example, the first gas sensor 111 can be configured to detect benzene and sulfur compounds. Such benzene and sulfur compounds can result from conventional gasoline, whereas in e-gasoline, such compounds do not evaporate and / or are not present. Accordingly, it may be sufficient for the first gas sensor 111 to be configured to detect volatile compounds from conventional fuels. Alternatively or additionally, the first gas sensor 111 can be configured to detect liquid compounds in the fuel, particularly in conventional fuel. Accordingly, when the first gas sensor 111 detects benzene and / or sulfur compounds, it can conclude that the fuel in tank 200 is a conventional fuel.

[0039] The control unit 120 of the safety device 100 is designed to issue a stop command to the vehicle 300, so that the engine cannot be stopped while running or the stationary engine cannot be started. This prevents the use of conventional fuel.

[0040] In addition to or as an alternative to the arrangement of the gas sensor assembly 110 in the Fig. 2. The gas sensor arrangement 110 can include a second and / or third gas sensor. Furthermore, the gas sensor arrangement 110 can include one or more first, second, and / or third such gas sensors.

[0041] The second gas sensor can be arranged inside the intake manifold 220, in particular such that it is arranged above a fluid flow, in particular a fuel fluid flow from the tank 200 through the intake manifold 220.

[0042] The third gas sensor can be located inside the exhaust manifold of the vehicle 300.

[0043] The first to third gas sensors can advantageously be laser spectroscopy gas sensors, which can optically determine volatile compounds of the fuel.

[0044] Particularly when the first to third sensors are designed as gas sensors, it is advantageous to arrange them above an expected liquid level of the fuel within the tank or respective manifold, since the evaporating volatile compounds rise.

[0045] Alternatively or in addition to the one in Fig. In the illustration shown, the first, second, and / or third sensors can be or include liquid sensors and / or combined sensors. The liquid sensors and combined sensors can be arranged so that they are in contact with and / or come into contact with the liquid fuel, for example, during intake through the intake manifold. Accordingly, these sensors can be arranged below the maximum fill level MF and / or on a bottom surface of tank 200. They can also be arranged within a fluid flow or the fuel flow in the intake manifold.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3 shows a vehicle 300 with such a safety device 100 and such a tank 200.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows a safety procedure 400 for controlling a vehicle 300 powered by synthetic fuel, comprising the steps: - Determine 410 of a fuel filled into a tank 200 of the vehicle 300 as synthetic or conventional fuel based on one or more compounds of the fuel; - Issuing 420 a stop command to prevent the starting and / or stopping of the engine of vehicle 300 based on the specified conventional fuel, wherein the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel.

[0048] The safety device 100 and / or the vehicle 300 may each comprise one or more processors and / or one or more memories. The method 400 may be stored in the memory as a computer program product, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions that cause the safety device 100 to execute the method steps 410 and 420. Reference sign 100 safety device 110 Gas sensor arrangement 111 first gas sensor 120 control 200 Tank 210 Fuel line 220 Intake manifold 221 Valve MF Maximum Fill Level 300 vehicles 400 safety procedures 410 Determining whether a fuel filled into a vehicle's tank is synthetic or conventional fuel 420 Issuing a stop command to prevent an engine from starting and / or stopping

Claims

[1] Safety device (100) for controlling a synthetic fuel vehicle (300), comprising: a sensor arrangement (110) arranged and configured to determine a fuel filled into a tank (200) of the vehicle (300) as a synthetic or conventional fuel based on one or more compounds of the fuel; a controller (120) configured to output a stop command to prohibit starting and / or stopping of an engine of the vehicle (300) based on the determined conventional fuel, wherein the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel. [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) is designed to determine the fuel as a synthetic or conventional fuel based on one or more volatile and / or liquid compounds of the fuel. [3] Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) comprises a first sensor which can be arranged within the tank (200). [4] Device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first sensor can be arranged above a maximum fill level (MF) of the tank (200), wherein the first sensor is in particular a gas sensor. [5] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) comprises a second sensor which can be arranged within an intake manifold of the engine. [6] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) comprises a third sensor which can be arranged within an exhaust manifold of the engine. [7] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compounds are characteristic of the one or more synthetic or the one or more conventional fuels. [8] Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first, second and / or third sensors are designed to determine at least partially identical and / or different connections. [9] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) comprises or is a laser spectroscopy gas sensor arrangement, wherein in particular the first, second and / or third sensor is a laser spectroscopy gas sensor. [10] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement (110) comprises or is a semiconductor gas sensor arrangement, wherein in particular the first, second and / or third sensor are a semiconductor gas sensor. [11] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (120) is further configured to output an indication signal to the vehicle (300) and / or a driver of the vehicle (300) based on the output of the stop command, where the advisory signal indicates that a conventional fuel has been determined. [12] Tank (200) for a vehicle (300), comprising a safety device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. [13] Vehicle (300) with an engine to be operated with a synthetic fuel, comprising a safety device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and / or a tank (200) according to claim 12. [14] A safety method (400) for controlling a synthetic fuel vehicle (300), comprising the steps of: Determining (410) a fuel filled in a tank (200) of the vehicle (300) as a synthetic or conventional fuel based on one or more compounds of the fuel; Issuing (420) a stop command for preventing starting and / or stopping of an engine of the vehicle (300) based on the determined conventional fuel, wherein the engine is to be operated using synthetic fuel. [15] A computer program product comprising instructions causing the security device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to carry out the method steps according to claim 14.

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