Method for controlling a network of control units comprising a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle and corresponding network of control units

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling a control unit network comprising a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle and a corresponding control unit network. The method comprises the steps of acquiring (S1; S1') a current parking condition of the motor vehicle in which an active operating function of the motor vehicle exists, in which at least one control unit can be deactivated, acquiring (S1; S1') one or more operating parameters of the parking condition, acquiring (S1; S1') a geographical location of the parking condition, evaluating (S3; S3') the acquired geographical location of the parking condition and the acquired operating parameters of the parking condition, and creating (S4;S4') of an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control units of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition, and execution (S5; S5') of the created operating plan by automatically deactivating the deactivatable control units of the device network based on the created operating plan.;

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle and a corresponding control unit network.

[0002] The internal components of modern vehicles consist largely of computer-controlled electronics. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are used to implement a wide range of functions. These control, for example, ignition and fuel injection, as well as comfort features such as automatic climate control, safety systems, and driver assistance systems like the anti-lock braking system (ABS) or electronic stability program (ESP). Electronic control units (ECUs) are responsible for the electronic control of these systems.

[0003] Control units operate according to the so-called "EVA" principle: They receive signals from sensors and controls, evaluate these signals, and control actuators that are responsible for translating the control unit's signals into a specific action. Control units are networked via a data bus and can thus communicate with each other.

[0004] Modern motor vehicles typically contain a large number of electronic control units (usually 50-100), which perform various control tasks before, during, and after driving. Each of these control units consumes a minimum amount of electrical power when activated and idling.

[0005] Situations in which the vehicle is parked place special demands on the operating state of a motor vehicle's electrical system. In such situations, at least certain parts or functions of the electrical system remain operational in modern vehicles, for example, units belonging to the locking system's radio interface, which provides a radio connection to a remote control key for the vehicle, or units that allow remote access to the vehicle.

[0006] Compared to a conventional combustion engine vehicle, an electric vehicle has an additional operating mode: charging mode. Depending on the charging capacity, charging takes anywhere from a few hours to several hours. During charging, the subsystems not required for the charging process are put into standby mode.

[0007] Modern electric vehicles often leave numerous safety features activated while parked to monitor the vehicle and battery, enabling a rapid response. Examples include vehicle unlocking, app monitoring, sentry mode, pre-conditioning, and touchless entry. An energy-saving mode (if available) must be manually selected and activated.

[0008] For example, corresponding vehicle electrical systems are described in DE 102 50 616 C1 and DE 10 2009 027 593 A1. In these systems, a higher-level, so-called master control unit of the electrical system can selectively switch subordinate, so-called slave control units between a standby mode (also called sleep mode) and the normal operating state (also called normal operating mode) via corresponding control signals. During its standby mode, a control unit is at least capable of receiving wake-up signals and then switching to the normal operating state.

[0009] DE 10 2014 224 485 A1 discloses an on-board electrical system for a vehicle comprising a power source and at least one sampling control device configured to sample status signals from at least one further control device and / or at least one switching unit in a clocked manner with a predetermined cycle time. The on-board electrical system is configured such that it can be switched from a first operating state, the so-called normal operating state, to a second operating state, the so-called standby operating state, in which it consumes less energy than in the normal operating state. It is further configured to detect status signals with a shorter cycle time in the normal operating state than in the standby operating state.The scanning control unit is configured in such a way that, in standby operating mode, the cycle time is automatically changed from a first standby cycle time to a second standby cycle time by means of a predefined switching parameter.

[0010] DE 10 2016 215 388 A1 discloses a method for planning and controlling the idle operation of a motor vehicle, and in particular for the preparatory planning and subsequent control of functions of the vehicle during idle operation, especially a method for planning and controlling at least one function of the vehicle in idle operation, based on a prediction of the length of an expected idle time of the vehicle.

[0011] With all known systems, an energy-saving mode (if available) must be manually selected and set, or it only activates after extended periods of inactivity and with low battery levels. Without an energy-saving mode, the vehicle's own energy consumption can reach up to 1 kWh per day. High energy consumption is particularly undesirable when using the vehicle as a stationary battery. Disclosure of the invention

[0012] According to the invention, a method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle with the features of claim 1 and a control unit network with the features of claim 9 are provided.

[0013] The underlying idea of ​​the present invention is to minimize the power required by the control unit network of the electric vehicle depending on a given parking situation.

[0014] The core of the invention is the creation of an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition.

[0015] The invention thus enables a minimization of the power consumption of the control unit network.

[0016] Advantageous designs and further developments result from the additional sub-claims as well as from the description with reference to the figures.

[0017] According to a preferred training procedure, at least one predetermined address, in particular a home address, is stored as a criterion for the geographical location.

[0018] According to a further preferred development, the operating plan provides for the deactivation of all deactivatable control devices of the device network if the recorded geographical location coincides with the specified address.

[0019] According to a further preferred development, the operating parameters of the parking condition provide for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants, wherein the operating plan provides for no deactivation or a deactivation delayed by a predetermined period of time of all deactivatable control devices of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predetermined address and if the detected operating parameter of the parking condition provides for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants.

[0020] According to another preferred training method, the specified period is entered by an inmate.

[0021] According to a further preferred development, the operating parameters of the parking condition provide for a usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid, wherein the operating plan provides for deactivation of all control devices of the device network if the usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid is detected as an operating parameter of the parking condition.

[0022] According to a further preferred development, the evaluation of the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition comprises a prediction of a future temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition, wherein the operating plan is created based on the predicted temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition.

[0023] According to a further preferred further development, during the parking condition, a re-acquisition of one or more operating parameters of the parking condition, a re-evaluation of the acquired operating parameters of the parking condition, and a re-creation of an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control units of the device network are carried out cyclically, based on the acquired operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria.

[0024] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic block diagram to illustrate a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a network of control units comprising a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 a flowchart to illustrate a method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0026] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram for explaining a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In Fig. Reference numeral 1 denotes an electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable traction battery (BAT). The electric vehicle 1 is parked in a garage at its home address. The traction battery (BAT) is connected to a wallbox 50 via a charging cable 10, which is plugged into a corresponding socket 15 of the electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 is operating as a stationary energy storage device within a local power grid, controlled by a charging controller (not shown). In other words, the electric vehicle 1 feeds electrical energy from the traction battery (BAT) into the local grid.

[0029] The electric vehicle 1 is equipped with a control unit network consisting of multiple electronic control units (S10-S40) connected via a CAN bus (BU). A central control unit (CC) is also connected to the CAN bus and can execute operating programs stored within it during operation of the electric vehicle 1.

[0030] The following are listed by way of example only and are not exhaustive: an engine control unit S10 for engine control, a brake control unit S20 for brake control, a climate control unit S30 for controlling a climate system KL, and a cooling control unit S40 for controlling a cooling system KS for cooling the drive battery BAT during driving and charging operations.

[0031] Reference numeral 25 denotes a GPS antenna and reference numeral 35 a network antenna, e.g. for WLAN and / or LTE and / or beacon.

[0032] Furthermore, the reference symbol SE denotes a detection device with a plurality of sensors for detecting various operating states and associated operating parameters.

[0033] In particular, the sensor device SE can detect the parking status of the electric vehicle 1 and the geographical location of the electric vehicle 1 in conjunction with the GPS antenna 25 or the network antenna 35.

[0034] The functions of the in Fig. The components shown in section 1 are described below with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 explained.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart to illustrate a method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] In step S1, the sensor device SE detects a current parking condition of the motor vehicle in which an active operating function of the motor vehicle exists, in which at least one control unit can be deactivated.

[0037] It is possible to specify that certain control units cannot be deactivated, e.g. a monitoring device for the drive battery BAT (not shown).

[0038] In addition, in step S1, one or more operating parameters of the parking condition are recorded, as well as a geographical location of the parking condition, by the sensor device SE.

[0039] In step S2, a future temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition are optionally predicted by means of the central control unit CC.

[0040] In step S3, the central control unit CC further evaluates the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition.

[0041] In step S4, an operating plan for the device network is created with regard to the deactivation of one or more deactivatable control units of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition by means of the central control unit CC, and finally in step S5, the created operating plan is executed by automatically deactivating the deactivatable control units of the device network based on the created operating plan by means of the central control unit CC.

[0042] Optionally, by returning to step S6 during the parking condition, a re-acquisition S1 of one or more operating parameters of the parking condition, a re-optional prediction of a future temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition, a re-evaluation S3 of the acquired operating parameters of the parking condition, and a re-creation S4 of an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control units of the device network based on the acquired operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria are carried out cyclically.

[0043] The following explains in more detail how to create the operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivating one or more deactivatable control units of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition using the central control unit CC.

[0044] In the first embodiment, at least one predefined address, in particular a home address, is stored as a criterion for the geographical location, whereby the operating plan provides for the deactivation of all control units S10 - S40 of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predefined address.

[0045] Alternatively, the operating parameters of the parking condition can provide for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants that can be detected by the sensor device SE. The operating plan provides for no deactivation or a deactivation delayed by a predetermined period of time of all control units S10 - S40 of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the specified address and if the detected operating parameter of the parking condition provides for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants. This predetermined period of time can be entered by an occupant via an input device (not shown).

[0046] Fig.Figure 3 shows a flowchart explaining a method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units of an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Steps S1' to S6' correspond to steps S1 to S6 of the first embodiment.

[0047] In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment creates the operating plan differently. Here, the operating parameters of the parking condition specify a usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid, with the operating plan providing for the deactivation of all control units S10 - S40 of the device network if the usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid is detected as an operating parameter of the parking condition.

[0048] In other words, the deactivation of all control units S10 - S40 of the device network is carried out only based on the parking state and the operating parameter of the parking condition as the usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid, regardless of the recorded geographical location.

[0049] Otherwise, the second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways.

[0051] In particular, the present invention is applicable to any control unit. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102 50 616 C1

[0008] DE 10 2009 027 593 A1

[0008] DE 10 2014 224 485 A1

[0009] DE 10 2016 215 388 A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a control unit network of a plurality of electronic control units (S10-S40) of an electric vehicle (1) with the steps: Detecting (S1; S1') a current parking condition of the motor vehicle in which an active operating function of the motor vehicle in which at least one control unit can be deactivated is present; Detecting (S1; S1') one or more operating parameters of the parking condition; Detecting (S1; S1') a geographical location of the parking condition; Evaluating (S3; S3') the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition; Creating (S4; S4') an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition; and Executing (S5; S5') the created operating plan by automatically deactivating the deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the created operating plan. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one predetermined address, in particular a home address, is stored as a criterion for the geographical location. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the operating plan provides for deactivation of all deactivatable control devices (S10 - S40) of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predetermined address. [4] Method according to claim 2, wherein the operating parameters of the parking condition provide for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants, and wherein the operating plan provides for no deactivation or a deactivation delayed by a predetermined period of time of all deactivatable control devices (S10 - S40) of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predetermined address and if the detected operating parameter of the parking condition provides for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants. [5] The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined period of time is entered by an occupant. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating parameters of the parking condition provide for a usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid, and wherein the operating plan provides for deactivation of all control devices (S10 - S40) of the device network when the usage state of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid is detected as an operating parameter of the parking condition. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation (S3; S3') of the detected geographical location of the parking condition and the detected operating parameters of the parking condition comprises predicting a future temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition, and wherein the operating plan is created based on the predicted temporal development of the parking condition and the operating parameters of the parking condition. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein during the parking condition, a cyclical re-detection (S1; S1') of one or more operating parameters of the parking condition, a re-evaluation (S3; S3') of the detected operating parameters of the parking condition, and a re-creation (S4; S4') of an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the detected operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the operating parameters of the parking condition are carried out. [9] Control unit network with: a plurality of electronic control units (S10-S40) of an electric vehicle (1); a detection device (SE) for detecting (S1; S1') a current parking condition of the motor vehicle, in which an active operating function of the motor vehicle in which at least one control unit can be deactivated is present, for detecting (S1; S1') one or more operating parameters of the parking condition, and for detecting (S1; S1') a geographical location of the parking condition; an evaluation device (CC) for evaluating (S3; S3') the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition, for creating (S4; S4') an operating plan of the device network with regard to deactivation of one or more deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the recorded geographical location of the parking condition and the recorded operating parameters of the parking condition and corresponding stored criteria for the geographical location and the operating parameters of the parking condition, and for executing (S5; S5') the created operating plan by automatically deactivating the deactivatable control devices of the device network based on the created operating plan. [10] Control unit network according to claim 9, wherein at least one predetermined address, in particular a home address, can be stored in the evaluation device (CC) as a criterion for the geographical location. [11] Control unit network according to claim 10, wherein the operating plan provides for deactivation of all deactivatable control units (S10 - S40) of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predetermined address. [12] Control device network according to claim 10, wherein the operating parameters of the parking condition provide for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants, and wherein the operating plan provides for no deactivation or a deactivation delayed by a predetermined period of time of all deactivatable control devices (S10 - S40) of the device network if the detected geographical location coincides with the predetermined address and if the detected operating parameter of the parking condition provides for an occupancy state of the electric vehicle with occupants. [13] Control unit network according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined period of time can be entered by an occupant. [14] Control device network according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the operating parameters of the parking condition provide a state of use of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid, and wherein the operating plan provides for deactivation of all control devices (S10 - S40) of the device network if the detected operating parameter of the parking condition is the state of use of the electric vehicle as a stationary energy storage device in a local power grid.

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