Method for operating a vehicle charging indicator, computer-readable medium, system, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle's charging indicator, the method comprising: receiving the vehicle's maximum charging power; receiving the vehicle's currently available charging power; receiving a maximum charging power configurable by a vehicle user; generating a vehicle charging power diagram as a function of the received maximum charging power, the received maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the received currently available charging power; creating a charging power configuration function, wherein the charging power configuration function configures several user-configurable limiting charging power parameters of the received currently available charging power, such that the received user-configurable maximum charging power is achieved by the vehicle;Providing the generated charging power diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving; receiving user input to execute the created vehicle configuration function; executing the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user; and adjusting the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed charging power configuration function.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle's charging indicator. The invention further relates to a computer-readable medium for operating a vehicle's charging indicator, a system for operating a vehicle's charging indicator, and a vehicle comprising the system for operating a vehicle's charging indicator.

[0002] Vehicles capable of displaying a vehicle's charging power are known from the prior art. It is also known from the prior art to qualitatively display limiting factors affecting charging power. This can distract the driver while driving.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to operate a vehicle's charging indicator more efficiently. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle's charging indicator that more easily makes limiting charging power parameters available to the driver while driving and efficiently simplifies their mitigation or elimination.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the invention is characterized by a method for operating a vehicle's charging indicator. The method can be a computer-implemented method and / or a control unit-implemented method. The vehicle can be a battery electric vehicle or a plug-in electric vehicle. The method comprises receiving the vehicle's maximum charging power, receiving the vehicle's currently available charging power, and receiving a maximum charging power configurable by a vehicle user. Furthermore, the method comprises generating a charging power diagram of the vehicle as a function of the received maximum charging power, the received maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the received currently available charging power.The received maximum charging power of the vehicle is, for example, a generally representable maximum charging power of the vehicle. The method further comprises creating a configuration function of the charging power, wherein the configuration function of the charging power configures several limiting charging power parameters of the received, currently available charging power, configurable by the vehicle user, such that the received, user-configurable maximum charging power is achieved by the vehicle.Furthermore, the method includes providing the generated charging power diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving, receiving an operator input from the vehicle user to execute the created vehicle configuration function, executing the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and adapting the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed charging power configuration function.

[0006] Advantageously, the user can more easily identify the vehicle's limiting charging performance parameters using a single charging performance diagram and efficiently mitigate and / or eliminate them with a suitable charging performance configuration function.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment, the method can further include receiving a charging station as a navigation destination for the vehicle's current navigation route, determining the currently available charging power of the received charging station, and displaying the currently available charging power of the received charging station on the vehicle's charging indicator as a non-user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter. This allows the method to efficiently provide a non-user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter for a charging station within the context of the vehicle's current navigation route.

[0008] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method can further include generating additional charging power diagrams of the vehicle depending on the multiple limiting charging power parameters configurable by the vehicle user, and creating additional charging power configuration functions for each of the multiple limiting charging power parameters configurable by the vehicle user, wherein each additional charging power configuration function configures a limiting charging power parameter configurable by the vehicle user in such a way as to mitigate or eliminate a limitation of the currently available charging power of the vehicle with respect to the respective limiting charging power parameter configurable by the vehicle user.Furthermore, the method can include providing the generated additional charging power diagrams and the created additional charging power configuration functions to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving; receiving user input to execute a created additional vehicle configuration function; executing the created additional charging power configuration function to remove the limitation of the currently available charging power with respect to the user-configurable limiting charging power parameter of the created additional configuration function; and adjusting the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed additional charging power configuration function. This allows the user to adjust individual limiting charging power parameters more flexibly.

[0009] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method can further include determining the vehicle's charging times depending on the available charging power of the received charging station, the vehicle's maximum charging power, the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the currently available charging power; generating a charging time diagram for the vehicle based on the determined charging times depending on the available charging power of the received charging station, the vehicle's maximum charging power, the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the currently available charging power; and providing the generated charging time diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving.Furthermore, the process can include receiving user input from the vehicle to execute the created vehicle configuration function, executing the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and adjusting the charging time graph displayed on the vehicle's charging indicator based on the executed charging power configuration function. This allows the user to easily see potential charging time savings.

[0010] According to a further, advantageous embodiment, the several limiting charging power parameters of the received, currently available charging power, which can be configured by the user of the vehicle, can be dynamically dependent on a vehicle state during the journey with the vehicle.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter can be dominant among several user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters with respect to limiting the currently available charging power of the vehicle. This dominant, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter can change dynamically while driving the vehicle, and preferably, the dominant, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter can be visually highlighted in the generated charging power diagram and / or the generated charging time diagram. This makes it easier to provide the user with information about the limiting charging power parameters.

[0012] According to another aspect, the invention is characterized by a computer-readable medium for operating a vehicle's charging indicator, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or a control unit, perform the method described above.

[0013] According to another aspect, the invention is characterized by a system for operating a charging indicator of a vehicle, wherein the system is configured to perform the method described above.

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention is characterized by a vehicle comprising the system described above for operating a vehicle's charge indicator.

[0015] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. All features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are usable not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually.

[0016] The following describes a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further details, preferred configurations, and further developments of the invention will be derived from these drawings. Specifically, the drawings schematically illustrate... Fig. 1. An exemplary method for operating a vehicle's charge indicator, Fig. 2. A first, exemplary charging indicator of a vehicle, Fig. 3 a second, exemplary charging indicator of a vehicle, and Fig. 4 a third, exemplary charging indicator of a vehicle.

[0017] In detail, it shows Fig. 1. An exemplary method 100 for operating a vehicle's charging indicator. The charging indicator can be a charging power indicator. For example, the charging power indicator can display the vehicle's available charging power. Method 100 can receive the vehicle's maximum charging power 102. Furthermore, method 100 can receive the vehicle's currently available charging power 104. Method 100 can also receive a maximum charging power configurable by a vehicle user 106.

[0018] Method 100 can generate a charging power diagram of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle's received maximum charging power, the received maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the received currently available charging power 108. The charging power diagram can combine and display the currently available charging power as the resulting target variable and the limiting charging power parameters in a single graph. The currently available charging power can take on the value of a dominant, limiting charging power parameter. In other words, the dominant, limiting charging power parameter can be a limiting charging power parameter that predominantly determines the vehicle's currently available charging power. The charging power diagram can visually highlight the currently available charging power and / or the dominant, limiting charging power parameter.This allows a user to easily identify the dominant, limiting charging power parameter that restricts the vehicle's currently available charging power. The limiting charging power parameters can include user-configurable parameters and one or more non-user-configurable parameters. User-configurable parameters might include battery temperature or parameters for extending battery health, such as a battery-friendly charging mode. A non-user-configurable parameter could be, for example, the current charging power available at a charging station or a charging point within a multi-point charging network. Preferably, the generated charging power diagram includes a maximum of only one non-user-configurable parameter. This efficiently reduces the complexity of the charging power diagram.

[0019] Method 100 can create a charging power configuration function 110. This charging power configuration function can configure several user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters of the currently available charging power, ensuring that the vehicle achieves the maximum user-configurable charging power received. Method 100 can create a corresponding charging power configuration function for the generated charging power diagram. Creating the charging power configuration function may be necessary because the multiple user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters can change dynamically during a journey and depend on the current vehicle state.The charging power configuration function can be a simple way for the vehicle user to adjust several user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters with a single user input, so that the charging power parameters limiting the currently available charging power are mitigated or eliminated and the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user is achieved.

[0020] Furthermore, the method can provide the generated charging power diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving the vehicle 112. The method can also receive an operator input from the vehicle user to execute the created vehicle configuration function 114 and execute the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user 116. Finally, the method can adapt the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed charging power configuration function 118.

[0021] In detail, it shows Fig. 2. A first, exemplary charging indicator 200 of a vehicle. The first, exemplary charging indicator 200 can provide a charging power diagram. The charging power diagram includes a currently available charging power 202, a maximum charging power 204 configurable by a user of the vehicle, and a maximum charging power 206 of the vehicle. Furthermore, the charging indicator can provide a charging power configuration function 208. The charging power configuration function 208 can bundle the respective configuration function of a limiting charging power parameter. For example, with two limiting charging power parameters, the configuration function 208 can bundle the respective configuration functions of the two limiting charging power parameters. For example, with three limiting charging power parameters, the configuration function 208 can bundle the respective configuration functions of the three limiting charging power parameters.With n limiting charging power parameters, the configuration function can group the respective configuration functions of the n limiting charging power parameters. Finally, the charging indicator 200 can include a function 210 for switching the charging display between charging power and charging time. The function 210 for switching between charging power and charging time can only be provided if route guidance to a charging station is active as a navigation destination and the current charging power of the charging station is available.

[0022] In detail, it shows Fig. 3. A second, exemplary charging indicator 300 of a vehicle. The second, exemplary charging indicator can provide several limiting charging power parameters 302, 304, 306. The limiting charging power parameters 302, 304 can be configurable by a user. The limiting charging power parameter 306 can be a charging power parameter that is not configurable by a user. The level of the limiting charging power parameters 302, 304, 306 quantitatively indicates how strongly the limiting charging power parameters influence the currently available charging power 202. Furthermore, the charging indicator 300 can provide a configuration function 308, 310 for the limiting charging power parameters, which can adjust the respective limiting charging power parameter so that its effect on the currently available charging power 202 is mitigated or eliminated.For example, configuration functions 308 and 310 can be bundled in configuration function 208.

[0023] In detail, it shows Fig. 4. A third, exemplary charging indicator 400 of a vehicle. This third, exemplary charging indicator shows an available charging time 402 and the limiting charging time parameters 404, 406, and 408. The limiting charging time parameters indicate a quantitative, temporal effect of the underlying limiting charging power parameters. For a user, a temporal indication of the available charging time and the limiting charging time parameters is easier to understand than the corresponding charging power values.

[0024] Advantageously, this method can provide a vehicle charging indicator, allowing the driver to more easily monitor the vehicle's limiting charging parameters while driving. Furthermore, the charging indicator enables faster and easier mitigation and / or elimination of these limiting charging parameters. This means the driver is less distracted when approaching a charging station and can charge at a higher rate, if desired. Reference symbol list 100 procedures 102 Receiving a maximum charging power 104 Receiving currently available charging power 106 Receiving a maximum charging power configurable by a user of the vehicle 108 Generating a charging power diagram 110 Creating a charging power configuration function 112 Providing the generated charging power diagram and the created charging power configuration function 114 Receiving an operator input 116 Executing the created charging power configuration function 118 Adjusting the provided charging power diagram 200 charge indicator 202 currently available charging power of the vehicle 204 user-configurable maximum charging power of the vehicle 206 Maximum charging capacity of the vehicle 208 Button to execute the configuration function 210 Button to switch between charging power and charging time 300 charging indicator 302 First user-configurable limiting charging power parameter 304 Second, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter 306 non-user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters 308 Button to configure the first user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter 310 Button for configuring the second, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter 400 charging indicator 402 currently achievable loading time 404 First user-configurable, limiting loading time parameter 406 Second, user-configurable, limiting loading time parameter 408 Non-user configurable, limiting loading time parameter

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle charging indicator, the method comprising: Receiving the vehicle's maximum charging power; Receiving information about the currently available charging power of the vehicle; Receiving a maximum charging power configurable by a user of the vehicle; Generating a charging power diagram of the vehicle depending on the received maximum charging power of the vehicle, the received maximum charging power configurable by the user of the vehicle, and the received, currently available charging power; Creating a charging power configuration function, wherein the charging power configuration function configures several user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters of the received, currently available charging power, so that the received, user-configurable, maximum charging power is achieved by the vehicle; Providing the generated charging power diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving the vehicle; Receiving user input from the vehicle's user to execute the created vehicle configuration function; Execute the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user; and Adjusting the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed charging power configuration function. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receiving a charging station as a navigation destination for the vehicle's current navigation route; Determining the currently available charging power of the received charging station; and Providing the currently available charging power of the received charging station on the vehicle's charging display as a non-user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter. [3] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Generating further charging power diagrams of the vehicle depending on the several limiting charging power parameters configurable by the vehicle user; Creating additional charging power configuration functions for each of the multiple user-configurable, limiting charging power parameters, wherein each additional charging power configuration function configures a user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter in such a way as to mitigate or eliminate a limitation of the currently available charging power of the vehicle with respect to the respective user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter; Providing the generated, additional charging power diagrams and the created, additional configuration functions of the charging power to the user of the vehicle via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving the vehicle; Receiving user input from the vehicle's user to execute a further, created configuration function of the vehicle; Execute the created, additional configuration function for charging power to eliminate the limitation of the currently available charging power with respect to the user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter of the created, additional configuration function; and Adjusting the provided charging power diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the further charging power configuration function performed. [4] A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising: Determining vehicle charging times depending on the available charging power of the received charging station, the maximum charging power of the vehicle, the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user, and the currently available charging power; Generating a charging time diagram of the vehicle for the determined charging times of the vehicle depending on the available charging power of the received charging station, the maximum charging power of the vehicle, the maximum charging power configurable by the user of the vehicle, and the currently available charging power; Providing the generated charging time diagram and the created charging power configuration function to the vehicle user via the vehicle's charging indicator while driving the vehicle; Receiving user input from the vehicle's user to execute the created vehicle configuration function; Execute the created charging power configuration function to configure the maximum charging power configurable by the vehicle user; and Adjusting the provided charging time diagram on the vehicle's charging indicator depending on the executed charging power configuration function. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple limiting charging power parameters of the received, currently available charging power, which can be configured by the user of the vehicle, are dynamically dependent on a vehicle state during the journey with the vehicle. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a limiting charging power parameter configurable by the user of the vehicle is dominant among the multiple limiting charging power parameters configurable by the user of the vehicle with respect to limiting the currently available charging power of the vehicle, where the dominant, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter changes dynamically while driving the vehicle; and preferably, the dominant, user-configurable, limiting charging power parameter is visually highlighted in the generated charging power diagram and / or the generated charging time diagram. [7] Computer-readable medium for operating a vehicle charging indicator, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or a control unit, perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] System for operating a charging indicator of a vehicle, wherein the system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [9] Vehicle comprising the system for operating a charging indicator of a vehicle according to claim 8.

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