Method for determining a drive requirement of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a drive requirement (30) of an electric vehicle (50) or hybrid vehicle, wherein a predetermined speed (10) is set, wherein the set speed (10) is kept constant for at least a predetermined period of time (11), wherein the drive requirement (30) is detected and / or determined during the predetermined period of time (11) based on detected and / or determined operating data (20) of at least one electric machine (54) of the vehicle (50), and wherein drive requirement information (31) is provided based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement (30). The invention further relates to an electric vehicle (50) or a hybrid vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining a drive requirement of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle and to an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle.

[0002] The range of electric vehicles is a feature that significantly influences user satisfaction. If the ranges specified by the manufacturer can only be achieved in exceptional cases, this leads to dissatisfaction. Variations in vehicle energy consumption and thus in range are unavoidable by manufacturers due to the dependence on numerous factors and their interactions.

[0003] Some manufacturers offer online range calculators that allow users to determine an expected value under different conditions.

[0004] DE 10 2004 002 496 A1 discloses an operating data acquisition method for evaluating the energy or fuel consumption of motor vehicles. CN 110126635 A discloses a method for determining the most economical speed of a vehicle.

[0005] The solutions so far are unsatisfactory.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a method for determining a drive requirement of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle and an associated electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of patent claim 1 and an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0008] In particular, a method is provided for determining a drive requirement of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, wherein a predetermined speed is set, wherein the set speed is kept constant for at least a predetermined period of time, wherein the drive requirement is detected and / or determined during the predetermined period of time based on detected and / or determined operating data of at least one electric machine of the vehicle, and wherein drive requirement information is provided based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement.

[0009] Furthermore, in particular, an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle is created, comprising a control device, wherein the control device is designed to set a predetermined speed and to keep it constant for at least a predetermined period of time or to cause it to be kept constant, to record and / or determine the drive requirement during the predetermined period of time based on recorded and / or determined operating data of at least one electric machine of the vehicle, and to provide drive requirement information based on the recorded and / or determined drive requirement.

[0010] The process and the electric or hybrid vehicle enable a user to directly measure the drive demand. This allows the user to record and / or determine a specific drive demand for given boundary conditions (e.g., environmental conditions, tires, load, additional vehicle attachments, etc.).

[0011] A drive requirement refers in particular to the power consumption (particularly in watts) of an electric motor of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The drive requirement specifically considers only electrical or mechanical components from the electric motor to the road surface. These components include, in particular, the electric motor, main and rear axle transmissions, tires, and various bearings such as wheel bearings and / or drive shaft bearings. If multiple electric motors are present, these are taken into account accordingly when recording and / or determining the drive requirement. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, the method specifically considers only purely electric motor operation of the hybrid vehicle.

[0012] The drive requirement can be determined, for example, based on phase voltages and phase currents that feed the electrical machine. These phase voltages and phase currents can be recorded separately or as part of the method using suitable sensors. Furthermore, it can also be provided to query the drive requirement in the form of an electrical power of the electrical machine from an engine control unit and / or a vehicle control unit and / or to receive it from them, for example via a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of the vehicle. Typically, an engine control unit supplies a value for the actual power of the electrical machine. If several electrical machines are present and in operation, the procedure is analogous.

[0013] The speed can be specified by a user, for example. For example, one of the usual or relevant travel speeds can be selected (e.g., 30 km / h, 50 km / h, 70 km / h, or 130 km / h, etc.). The specified speed is controlled and maintained constant, particularly by means of a cruise control system. In particular, the specified speed is transferred to the cruise control system as a set value, and the cruise control system is activated.

[0014] If the speed is changed during detection and / or determination, the process is aborted. It may be provided that feedback is provided to the user in this case.

[0015] The duration can be fixed or user-selected. For example, the duration can be 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 60 seconds.

[0016] One advantage of the method and the electric or hybrid vehicle is that user dissatisfaction can be alleviated by giving the user the opportunity to better assess their individual drive requirements as a measure of vehicle energy consumption. It has been shown, in particular, that tire rolling resistance accounts for the largest proportion of drive requirements when driving at low speeds and has a decisive influence on energy consumption, especially on cold days. Furthermore, tire selection and tire temperature have been shown to be the most significant influences on rolling resistance.

[0017] A further advantage of the method and the electric or hybrid vehicle is that the drive demand is recorded and / or determined at a constant speed. This can improve accuracy compared to recording at non-constant speeds, for example, during acceleration or coasting.

[0018] The control device can be implemented individually or collectively as a combination of hardware and software, for example, as program code executed on a microcontroller or microprocessor. However, it can also be provided that parts are implemented individually or collectively as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and / or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control device comprises, in particular, at least one computing device and at least one memory.

[0019] It may be provided that a user is given feedback that the drive requirement is being detected and / or determined. For example, it may be provided that a countdown until the start of the detection and / or determination is displayed on a display device of the vehicle. Furthermore, it may be provided that the detection and / or determination is also displayed on the display device during the specified period, for example in the form of a countdown indicating the time remaining until the end of the detection and / or determination.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one piece of operating information and / or context information present during the acquisition is additionally acquired and / or queried and / or determined and provided as part of the drive requirement information. This allows the acquired and / or determined drive requirement or the corresponding drive requirement information provided to be enriched with additional information, which in particular describes the specific circumstances and a context. This allows the respective drive requirement information to be placed in the specific circumstances or the specific context in which the associated drive requirement was acquired and / or determined.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least one piece of operating information and / or context information comprises at least one of the following: the set speed, a detected tire pressure, an air temperature, an air pressure, a relative humidity, weather conditions, an amount of precipitation, a wind speed, a wind direction, a distance traveled since a vehicle start, a time elapsed since a vehicle start, geographical data relating to a distance traveled during detection, an orientation of the vehicle relative to gravity, a vehicle type, vehicle parameters, a date at the start of detection, a time at the start of detection. This allows the specific circumstances and / or the specific context to be detected and / or described in detail.The at least one piece of operating information and / or context information can be queried and / or received from a vehicle control system, for example via a CAN bus, and / or from a service provider (e.g. a weather service).

[0022] One embodiment provides that, after the drive requirement has been detected and / or determined, additional information can be added to the drive requirement information. This allows, for example, user comments to be added that further describe the circumstances of the detection and / or determination, e.g., with regard to the tires used.

[0023] In one embodiment, it is provided that a designated operating mode is provided for determining the drive requirement, which can be activated. This allows the detection and / or determination of the drive requirement to be started in a targeted manner. This allows a user, in particular, to precisely define the conditions under which the drive requirement is determined. For example, such conditions can relate to tires (e.g., new winter tires, immediately after starting the journey, on a predetermined, uphill section of road, etc.). The designated operating mode can be started, for example, using a control element configured for this purpose. In principle, it can also be provided that the designated operating mode is activated automatically, for example, using the control device or a vehicle control system or another device.It can further be provided that the detection and / or determination is started automatically when the user has set the cruise control to a speed and activated it. For example, it can be provided that the detection and / or determination is started when the specified speed has been reached or when a specified time has elapsed after the cruise control has been started, for example, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds.

[0024] In one embodiment, the drive requirement information is stored / or collected in a database in the vehicle. This allows the drive requirement information to be accessed again later, for example, to provide a value for the drive requirement for the same or similar operating conditions and / or context conditions. The database can be stored, for example, in a memory of the control device.

[0025] In one embodiment, the drive demand information is stored and / or collected in a database on a central server outside the vehicle. This allows the drive demand information to be accessed again later, for example, to provide a value for the drive demand for the same or similar operating conditions and / or contextual conditions. Furthermore, drive demand information from a large number of vehicles (vehicle fleet) can be collected, provided, and evaluated. In this way, comprehensive information on the respective drive demand under a large number of operating conditions and / or contextual conditions can be collected and utilized.

[0026] In one embodiment, the drive demand information collected from multiple vehicles is statistically evaluated, whereby an evaluation result is provided. For example, the statistical evaluation can be used to identify the main influencing factors on the drive demand. For example, such a statistical evaluation can show that in colder regions (e.g. in Norway in winter) the drive demand is greatly increased because the tires are colder and take longer to warm up. Therefore, the air temperature there, for example, has a very strong influence on the drive demand. In warmer regions, for example, the type of tire (summer tires or winter tires, manufacturer, tire type, etc.) has a greater influence.

[0027] In one embodiment, a model for estimating a remaining range is adapted based on the provided propulsion demand information and / or the provided evaluation result. This allows the detected and / or determined propulsion demand to be directly incorporated into the model and utilized by it.

[0028] In one embodiment, it is provided that, based on at least the detected drive requirement information, a value for the remaining range of the vehicle is estimated and provided. This allows the detected and / or determined drive requirement to be directly taken into account in a range estimate.

[0029] Further features regarding the design of the electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle are described in the embodiments of the method. The advantages of the electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle are the same as those of the embodiments of the method.

[0030] The invention will be explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a schematic representation to illustrate embodiments of the electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic flow diagram to illustrate embodiments of the method.

[0031] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation to illustrate embodiments of the electric vehicle 50 or hybrid vehicle. The electric vehicle 50 comprises a control device 1. The control device 1 comprises, in particular, a computing device 2 and a memory 3. The method described in this disclosure is explained in more detail below using the electric vehicle 50. The electric vehicle 50 can, in principle, also be a hybrid vehicle; the method sequence is analogous, whereby only purely electric motor operation is taken into account.

[0032] The control device 1 is configured to set a predetermined speed 10 and to maintain it constant for at least a predetermined period of time 11 or to cause it to be maintained constant. The speed 10 is specified, for example, by a user on a display and operating device 51 of the electric vehicle 50. The period of time 11 can also be specified by a user. Alternatively, the period of time 11 can also be permanently specified by experts and stored, for example, in the memory 3. The control device 1 transmits the specified speed 10, for example, to a cruise control 52 of the electric vehicle 50 and subsequently activates a longitudinal control 53 of the electric vehicle 50 via the cruise control 52.

[0033] Furthermore, the control device 1 is configured to detect and / or determine a drive requirement 30 during the predetermined time period 11, e.g., during 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 60 seconds, based on detected and / or determined operating data 20 of at least one electric machine 54 of the vehicle 50. The operating data 20 are detected, for example, by means of an engine controller 55 of the electric machine 54 and can be queried and / or received by the latter by means of the control device 1. The operating data 20 include, in particular, an actual engine power. If a plurality of electric machines 54 are present, the operating data 20 are queried and / or received by all of the electric machines 54 present. The engine controller 55 can, for example, use suitable sensors to detect phase voltages and phase currents that feed the electric machine 54 and determine the actual engine power therefrom.The actual engine power then corresponds in particular to the drive requirement 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the control device 1 is configured to generate and provide drive requirement information 31 based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement 30. The drive requirement information 31 includes, in particular, a value for the detected and / or determined drive requirement 30, i.e., in particular, an actual engine power. The drive requirement information 31 can be displayed, for example, on the display and operating device 51.

[0035] It can be provided that, in addition, at least one piece of operating information 12 and / or context information 13 present during the detection is detected and / or queried and / or determined and provided as part of the drive requirement information 31. The operating information 12 and / or context information 13 can be queried, for example via a CAN bus, by a vehicle controller (not shown) of the electric vehicle 50 and / or detected by means of suitable sensors (not shown) and / or queried and / or received by service providers (e.g., a weather or traffic service).

[0036] It can be provided that the at least one piece of operating information and / or context information comprises at least one of the following: the set speed 10, a detected tire pressure, an air temperature, an air pressure, a relative humidity, weather conditions, a precipitation amount, a wind speed, a wind direction, a distance traveled since a vehicle start, a time elapsed since a vehicle start, geographical data relating to a distance traveled during detection, an orientation of the vehicle 50 relative to gravity, a vehicle type, vehicle parameters, a date at the start of detection, and a time at the start of detection. In particular, the drive requirement information 31 comprises at least the set speed 10.

[0037] It can be provided that, after the drive requirement 30 has been detected and / or determined, further information 14 can be added to the drive requirement information 31. For example, the user can add further information 14 detected on the display and operating device 51 to the drive requirement information 31. This further information 14 can, for example, include comments containing a special feature relating to the detected and / or determined drive requirement 30.

[0038] It may be provided that a designated operating mode for determining the drive requirement 30 is provided, which can be activated. For example, it may be provided that the user activates the designated operating mode by an input on the display and operating device 51 of the vehicle 50, for example by actuating a physical or virtual control element. The display and operating device 51 then transmits, for example, a start signal 15 to the control device 1. The activation or the start signal 15 initiates the execution of the method described in this disclosure.

[0039] It can be provided that the drive requirement information 31 is stored / or collected in a database 4 in the vehicle 50. The database 4 is stored, in particular, in the memory 3 of the control device 1.

[0040] It can further be provided that the drive requirement information 31 is stored and / or collected in a database 4 on a central server 60 outside the vehicle 50. For this purpose, the drive requirement information 31 is transmitted, for example, via a communication interface 56 of the vehicle 50 to the central server 60 and stored there in a memory 62 in the database 4.

[0041] It can be provided that the drive requirement information 31 collected from a plurality of vehicles 50 is statistically evaluated, with an evaluation result 32 being provided. This can take place, in particular, on the central server 60. Within the scope of the statistical evaluation, the drive requirements 30 or the drive requirement information 31 can be grouped according to the respectively assigned operating information 12 and / or context information 13, and for each group, for example, an average value for the drive requirement 30 can be determined. This average value, linked to the respective operating information 12 and / or context information 13, can be stored in the database 4 on the central server 60.The respective mean values ​​can then be retrieved, taking into account the respective operating information 12 and / or context information 13, in particular by a vehicle 50 that is currently in a state corresponding to one of the operating information 12 and / or context information 13. The mean value can be transmitted to the requesting vehicle 50 and used there, for example, to estimate a range. The query and estimation of the range can be carried out, for example, using the control device 1. Alternatively, another suitable device of the vehicle 50 can also be configured for this purpose.

[0042] It can be provided that a model 40 for estimating a remaining range is adapted based on the provided drive requirement information 31 and / or the provided evaluation result 32. The model 40 can be stored in the memory 3 of the control device 1. Alternatively or additionally, the model 40 can be stored in the memory 62 of the central server 60.

[0043] It can be provided that, based on at least the acquired drive requirement information 31, a value for a remaining range 33 of the vehicle 50 is estimated and provided. In the simplest case, the remaining range can be determined based on the value of the drive requirement 30 contained in the drive requirement information 31 and a remaining state of charge of an energy storage device (not shown), for example a battery, of the electric vehicle 50, wherein it is assumed that the value for the drive requirement 30 remains constant.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram to illustrate embodiments of the method for determining a drive requirement of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle. The method is carried out, for example, by means of an electric vehicle according to the Fig. 1 shown embodiment.

[0045] In action 100, a designated operating mode for determining the drive requirement is activated. This is done, for example, by means of a user input.

[0046] In measure 101, a predefined speed is set. This can be done manually or automatically, for example, using the cruise control of an electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0047] In a measure 102, the set speed is kept constant for at least a predetermined period of time. This is achieved, in particular, by means of longitudinal control by the cruise control.

[0048] In a measure 103, the drive requirement is recorded and / or determined during the specified period of time based on recorded and / or determined operating data of at least one electric machine of the vehicle. The specified period of time is, for example, 10, 30, or 60 seconds.

[0049] In a measure 104, drive requirement information is provided based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement. The drive requirement information comprises at least one value for the detected and / or determined drive requirement. In particular, the drive requirement information comprises a value of the detected and / or determined drive requirement averaged over the specified period of time.

[0050] Further embodiments of the method have already been described with reference to the electric vehicle. List of reference symbols 1 control device 2 computing device 3 storage 4 Database 10 preset speed 11 specified time period 12 Operating information 13 Context information 14 further information 15 Start signal 20 Operating data (electrical machine) 30 Drive requirements 31 Drive requirement information 32 Evaluation result 33 remaining range 40 Model 50 electric vehicles 51 Display and control device 52 Cruise control 53 Longitudinal control 54 electric machine 55 Engine control 56 Communication interface 60 central servers 61 Computing facility (central server) 62 storage (central server) 100-104 Measures of the procedure QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] OF 10 2004 002 496 A1

[0004] CN 110126635 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for determining a drive requirement (30) of an electric vehicle (50) or hybrid vehicle, wherein a predetermined speed (10) is set, wherein the set speed (10) is kept constant for at least a predetermined period of time (11), wherein the drive requirement (30) is detected and / or determined during the predetermined period (11) on the basis of detected and / or determined operating data (20) of at least one electric machine (54) of the vehicle (50), and wherein drive requirement information (31) is provided based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement (30). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that in addition at least one item of operating information (12) and / or context information (13) present during the recording is recorded and / or queried and / or determined and is provided as part of the drive requirement information (31). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by in that the at least one item of operating information (12) and / or context information (13) comprises at least one of the following: the set speed (10), a detected tire pressure, an air temperature, an air pressure, a relative humidity, weather conditions, an amount of precipitation, a wind speed, a wind direction, a distance traveled since a vehicle start, a time elapsed since a vehicle start, geographical data relating to a distance traveled during detection, an orientation of the vehicle (50) with respect to gravity, a vehicle type, vehicle parameters, a date at the start of detection, a time at the start of detection. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that after detecting and / or determining the drive requirement (30), further information (14) can be added to the drive requirement information (31). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an excellent operating mode for determining the drive requirement (30) is provided, which can be activated. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive requirement information (31) is stored and / or collected in a database (4) on a central server (60) outside the vehicle (50). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive requirement information (31) collected from several vehicles (50) is statistically evaluated, whereby an evaluation result (32) is provided. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a model (40) for estimating a remaining range (33) is adapted based on the provided drive requirement information (31) and / or the provided evaluation result (32). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, based on at least the detected drive requirement information (31), a value for a remaining range (33) of the vehicle (50) is estimated and provided. [10] Electric vehicle (50) or hybrid vehicle, comprising: a control device (1), wherein the control device (1) is designed to set a predetermined speed (10) and to keep it constant for at least a predetermined period of time (11) or to cause it to be kept constant, to detect and / or determine the drive requirement (30) during the predetermined period (11) based on detected and / or determined operating data (20) of at least one electric machine (54) of the vehicle (50), and to provide drive requirement information (31) based on the detected and / or determined drive requirement (30).

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