Method for controlling a drive unit

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling a drive unit for a vehicle that can be propelled at least temporarily by muscle power. The unit comprises an electric drive, an energy storage device, and a mechanical drive that can also be propelled by muscle power. The electric drive can be powered by energy from the energy storage device to assist the mechanical drive with adjustable power. The method includes (I) acquiring user input via a user interface. The method further includes (II) activating acceleration mode for the electric drive upon acquiring the user input. The method further includes (III) acquiring the current speed of the vehicle. The method further includes (IV) deactivating acceleration mode upon reaching a deactivation condition, which is met at least when the current speed reaches a predefinable speed.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a drive unit for a vehicle that can be operated at least temporarily with muscle power, a control device for carrying out a method, a drive unit for a vehicle and a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Methods for controlling a drive unit for an e-bike are known. The e-bike can have both an electric and a mechanical drive. The level of assistance provided by the electric drive to support the mechanical drive can be adjusted depending on the rider's pedaling power. Description of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a drive unit for a vehicle that can be operated at least temporarily with muscle power, with which a high level of driving comfort is achieved.

[0004] The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A method for controlling a drive unit for a vehicle that can be operated at least temporarily using muscle power is provided. The vehicle can be provided by an e-bike or a pedelec. The drive unit has an electric drive, an energy storage device, and a mechanical drive that can be operated using muscle power. The electric drive can be provided by an electric motor. The energy storage device can be provided by a rechargeable battery or a hydrogen storage device with a fuel cell. The mechanical drive can be provided by a pedal crank unit. The electric drive can be operated with energy from the energy storage device to support the mechanical drive with an adjustable power output.

[0006] The electric drive and the mechanical drive can be mechanically connected, for example, via a summing gear. The total drive power of the drive unit can be calculated from the sum of the drive power of the electric drive and the drive power of the mechanical drive. The degree of assistance can be calculated from the ratio of the drive power of the electric drive to the drive power of the mechanical drive.

[0007] If two elements are mechanically operatively connected, they are directly or indirectly coupled to one another in such a way that a movement of one element causes a reaction in the other. For example, a mechanical operative connection can be provided by a positive or frictional connection. The mechanical operative connection can correspond to the meshing of corresponding gears of the two elements. Additional elements, such as one or more spur gear stages, can be provided between the elements.

[0008] The method comprises capturing a user input via a user interface. The user interface can be provided by an input unit. The input unit can comprise at least one of a bicycle computer, a touch display, a push button, a switch, a pressable knob, a lever, or another human-machine interface configured to receive a user input. For example, capturing a user input can comprise capturing a press of the button or a touch of the touch display. Capturing a user input can comprise evaluating the duration for which the user input occurs.

[0009] The method further comprises setting an acceleration mode of the electric drive upon detection of the user input. In the acceleration mode, the vehicle can be accelerated, for example, until an actual speed of the vehicle reaches a predeterminable speed. The method can further comprise detecting a user preset of parameters for the acceleration mode. For example, detecting the user preset can comprise detecting a setting of the predeterminable speed and setting an acceleration power as a parameter for the acceleration mode. The adjustable acceleration power can be a power for the electric drive with which the vehicle is accelerated. The predeterminable speed can be limited to a speed less than or equal to a legally permitted speed, for example, 25 km / h, 32 km / h, or 43 km / h.The acceleration power can be limited by a power for the electric drive that corresponds to a rated power specified by the manufacturer and permitted for continuous operation. The acceleration power can be limited by a power for the electric drive that exceeds the rated power and is permitted for intermittent operation of the electric drive, for example for a few seconds. The method can include detecting the user presetting of parameters for acceleration operation via the user interface. The method can include outputting a notification to the user that the user presetting is invalid if the user presetting exceeds a limitation of the parameters for acceleration operation. This allows the user to be provided with increased power from the electric drive to support the mechanical drive when needed. This increases ride comfort.

[0010] The method further comprises detecting the actual speed of the vehicle. The method may include a step of determining a wheel speed of a wheel of the vehicle. The wheel speed may be determined using a speed sensor. The method may include a step of determining the actual speed of the vehicle using the wheel speed and a wheel diameter of the wheel. The method may include detecting the actual speed of the vehicle using a GPS module.

[0011] The method further includes deactivating the acceleration mode upon reaching a deactivation condition, which is met at least when the actual speed reaches a predeterminable speed. The deactivation condition can be met when a parameter of an actual operating state of the vehicle reaches or exceeds a limit value, for example, when the actual speed of the vehicle reaches the predeterminable speed. The deactivation condition can be met when the user terminates the user input, for example, when the user releases the button.

[0012] One of the parameters of the actual operating state can be formed by at least one of an actual gear ratio, an actual battery state, an actual wheel speed, an actual speed, an actual cadence, an actual pedal force, an actual crank torque, an actual vehicle acceleration, for example, an actual longitudinal acceleration or an actual lateral acceleration, and an actual inclination of the vehicle. The method can comprise detecting at least one of the parameters of the actual operating state.

[0013] In one embodiment, the shutdown condition can be met when the user input is terminated. For example, the acceleration mode can be deactivated when the user releases the button.

[0014] In one embodiment, the shutdown condition may be met if a parameter of an actual operating state exceeds a parameter of a desired operating state.

[0015] A parameter of a target operating state can be formed by at least one of a target gear ratio, a target battery state, a target wheel speed of the wheel, the target maximum speed, a rider cadence range with a maximum cadence and a minimum cadence, a pedal force range with a maximum pedal force and a minimum pedal force, a pedal torque range with a maximum pedal torque and a minimum pedal torque, a maximum vehicle acceleration, for example, a maximum longitudinal acceleration or a maximum lateral acceleration, a maximum inclination of the vehicle, and a level of assistance. The target operating state can form normal operation.

[0016] The shutdown condition can be met if one of the parameters of the actual operating state reaches a corresponding parameter of the target operating state, for example, the maximum vehicle acceleration. The shutdown condition can be met if one of the parameters of the actual operating state exceeds a corresponding parameter of the target operating state, for example, the maximum vehicle acceleration. The shutdown condition can be met if one of the parameters of the actual operating state falls below a corresponding parameter of the target operating state, for example, the maximum vehicle acceleration.

[0017] The method can include detecting a full acceleration request and executing a full acceleration. The full acceleration request can be detected if the user input is brief and then quickly terminated. During full acceleration, acceleration mode is deactivated only when the specified speed is reached, without deactivating acceleration mode when the user input is terminated.

[0018] The method may include a step in which one of deactivating the acceleration operation upon termination of the user input and deactivating the acceleration operation taking into account the comparison of a parameter of an actual operating state with a parameter of a target operating state, whichever occurs first, is executed. Thus, the method may be designed such that the acceleration operation can be manually terminated before the comparison of a parameter of the actual operating state with a parameter of the target operating state leads to termination of the acceleration operation.

[0019] The method may include detecting a malfunction. For example, the shutdown condition may be met if the actual lateral acceleration exceeds the maximum lateral acceleration. Then, the method may include detecting a rollover of the vehicle.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method can be designed such that the at least one parameter of the target operating state can be set via the user interface. For example, the method can include detecting the user's presetting of parameters for the target operating state. The method can include detecting the user's presetting of parameters for the target operating state via the user interface.

[0021] In one aspect, a control device is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding embodiments. The control device has at least one user interface for inputting information into the control device and an output interface for outputting signals for controlling a drive unit. The user interface can be formed by an input unit. The control device can have a computing unit. The computing unit can be configured such that it can carry out a method according to one of the preceding embodiments. The control device can have a data memory. The control device can have a location determination unit, for example a GPS module. The control device can have a data transmission unit, for example a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mobile network module.

[0022] In one aspect, a drive unit comprises an electric drive, an energy storage device, a mechanical drive operable by muscle power, and a control device according to one of the preceding aspects and embodiments. The electric drive can be driven with energy from the energy storage device. The control device is configured to set an acceleration mode with which the electric drive assists the mechanical drive. The electric drive can be provided by an electric motor. The energy storage device can be provided by a rechargeable battery or a hydrogen storage device with a fuel cell. The mechanical drive can be provided by a pedal crank unit. The electric drive and the mechanical drive can be mechanically operatively connected, for example, via a summing gear.

[0023] In one aspect, a vehicle comprises at least one drive wheel and a drive unit according to one of the preceding aspects and embodiments. The vehicle can be temporarily operated using muscle power. The vehicle can be provided by an e-bike or a pedelec. The drive wheel is mechanically operatively connected to the drive unit such that the drive unit can propel the vehicle. The vehicle can comprise other devices such as a braking device or a steering device.

[0024] In one embodiment, the vehicle can have a user interface for user input. The user interface can be formed by an input unit. For example, the input unit can comprise at least one of a bicycle computer, a touch display, a pushbutton, a switch, a push-button, or a lever. The user interface can be formed by a smartphone. The smartphone can be connected to the control device via a wired or wireless interface.

[0025] In one embodiment, the user interface may include a button. The button may be configured as a knob. The button may be mounted or attached to the vehicle. The button may be mounted on the user interface. The button may be mounted on a handlebar of the vehicle. The button may be mounted on the handlebar next to a grip of the vehicle. The button may be mounted on a lower side of the handlebar in the direction of gravity. The button may be mounted such that it can be operated by the user with a thumb.

[0026] If two elements are attached to each other, they are directly or indirectly coupled in such a way that a movement of one element causes a reaction in the other. For example, attachment can be provided by a positive or non-positive connection. Additional elements can be provided between the elements. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for controlling a drive unit of a vehicle. Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method for controlling the drive unit of the vehicle. Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the method for controlling the drive unit of the vehicle. Detailed description of embodiments

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for controlling a drive unit of a vehicle. The vehicle, in this case an e-bike, has a drive unit, a control device, and a user interface. The drive unit can be temporarily operated using muscle power. The drive unit has an electric drive, an energy storage device, in this case a rechargeable battery, and a mechanical drive, in this case a pedal crank unit with a pedal crank. The electric drive can be operated with energy from the energy storage device to support the mechanical drive with an adjustable power output.

[0028] The method comprises, in a first step, detecting (I) a user input via the user interface. In a further step, the method comprises setting (II) or activating an acceleration mode of the electric drive upon detecting the user input. In a further step, the method comprises detecting (III) the actual speed of the vehicle. In a further step, the method comprises deactivating (IV) the acceleration mode upon reaching a deactivation condition. This allows increased assistance of the mechanical drive to be provided by the electric drive at the user's request.

[0029] Further details of the procedure and the vehicle are described below.

[0030] The vehicle has a pressure sensor for determining the actual pedal force. The vehicle has a speed sensor for determining the actual wheel speed. The actual speed of the vehicle is determined using the actual wheel speed. The vehicle has an acceleration sensor for determining the actual acceleration of the vehicle. The vehicle's acceleration is used to determine the actual inclination of the vehicle, for example when driving uphill or downhill. The acceleration is also used to determine the actual longitudinal acceleration, for example a starting acceleration or a braking acceleration, and the actual lateral acceleration, for example when cornering. The actual speed, the actual pedal force, and the actual acceleration are parameters of an actual operating state of the vehicle, which are continuously recorded by the control device during vehicle operation.

[0031] Parameters for acceleration mode and normal mode can be set via the user interface. A rider cadence range with a minimum cadence and a maximum cadence, a pedaling force range with a minimum pedaling force and a maximum pedaling force, and a level of assistance are parameters for normal mode. In normal mode, the control device sets the power of the electric drive taking into account the parameters for normal mode. In one embodiment, the control device sets the power of the electric drive to assist the mechanical drive depending on the set level of assistance and taking into account the rider cadence range and the pedaling force range.

[0032] A preset speed and an acceleration power are parameters for acceleration operation. For the preset speed, the user can select a speed that is less than or equal to a legally permitted speed, for example, 25 km / h. For the acceleration power, the user can set a power for the electric drive that is less than or equal to a rated power specified by the manufacturer and approved for continuous operation.

[0033] In this case, the user input for activating acceleration mode is provided by pressing a button on the user interface. The button is positioned on a handlebar of the vehicle so that the user can press it with their thumb. When the button is pressed, the control device sets the acceleration mode of the electric drive. Acceleration mode is an operation in which the electric drive is operated at the acceleration power. During acceleration mode, the control device records the actual speed of the vehicle as a parameter of the actual operating state of the vehicle. The shutdown condition is met when the actual speed of the vehicle reaches or exceeds the preset speed. Once the shutdown condition is reached, the control device sets the normal operation of the electric drive.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the control device stops the acceleration operation while the user holds the button. The shutdown condition is met when the user input is terminated, i.e., when the user releases the button.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the switch-off condition is met as soon as either the actual speed of the vehicle has reached the preset speed or the user releases the button. In an alternative embodiment, the switch-off condition is met when lateral acceleration exceeds a limit value for the normal state. The control device then detects a tipping over of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the control device detects from the length of time the user presses the button whether the vehicle should accelerate to the preset speed or whether acceleration should end when the driver releases the button. Briefly pressing and subsequently releasing the button causes the control device to perform full acceleration, during which the vehicle is accelerated to the preset speed.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method for controlling the drive unit of the vehicle. The method comprises all steps of at least one of the preceding embodiments. The method is started with the operation of the vehicle. In a first step, the control device checks whether a user input, i.e., the pressing of the button, is present. If a user input is detected by the control device, the control device operates the electric drive in acceleration mode. As long as the button is pressed, the electric drive is operated in acceleration mode. If no user input is detected by the control device, i.e., if the user releases the button, the control device ends acceleration mode and operates the electric drive in normal mode.

[0037] Fig.Figure 3 shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the method for controlling the vehicle's drive unit. The method includes all the steps of the previous embodiment. The present embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the control device operates the electric drive in acceleration mode until the actual speed of the vehicle reaches the predeterminable speed. The control device thus performs a full acceleration. Once the actual speed of the vehicle has reached the predeterminable speed, the control device ends the acceleration mode and operates the electric drive in normal mode. Reference symbol I Capturing user input via a user interface, II Setting an acceleration mode of the electric drive when detecting user input III Recording an actual speed of the vehicle, and IV Switching off acceleration mode when a switch-off condition is reached

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a drive unit for a vehicle that can be operated at least temporarily with muscle power, having an electric drive, an energy storage device and a mechanical drive that can be operated by muscle power, wherein the electric drive can be operated with energy from the energy storage device to support the mechanical drive with an adjustable power, and the procedure includes - Capturing (I) a user input via a user interface, - Setting (II) an acceleration operation of the electric drive when the user input is detected, - detecting (III) an actual speed of the vehicle, and - Switching off (IV) the acceleration mode when a switch-off condition is reached, which is fulfilled at least when the actual speed reaches a preset speed. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat acceleration mode the termination condition is met when the user input is terminated. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that acceleration operation the termination condition is met if at least one parameter of an actual operating state exceeds a parameter of a desired operating state. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that at least one parameter of the target operating state can be set via the user interface. [5] Control device configured to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device comprises at least one user interface for inputting information into the control device and an output interface for outputting signals for controlling a drive unit. [6] Drive unit with an electric drive, an energy storage device, a mechanical drive operable by muscle power and a control device according to claim 5, wherein the electric drive can be driven with energy from the energy storage device and the control device is arranged to set an acceleration mode with which the electric drive supports the mechanical drive. [7] Vehicle with at least one drive wheel and a drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle can be operated temporarily with muscle power, and the drive wheel is mechanically connected to the drive unit in such a way that the drive unit can move the vehicle. [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by that the vehicle has a user interface for user input. [9] Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by that the user interface has a button.

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