Method for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof of an electrically powered vehicle and a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof (11) of an electrically powered vehicle (1), in which an expected performance of the solar roof (11) determined on the basis of weather data and an actually provided performance of the solar roof (11) are determined, wherein the expected performance is optimized on the basis of an analysis model (31) and if the actually provided performance falls below the expected optimal performance, soiling of the solar roof (11) is detected.In a method by means of which the accuracy of the expected performance of the solar roof to be determined is improved, the current vehicle position and the current vehicle direction are taken into account to determine the expected optimal performance, from which the orientation and position of the solar module (13) integrated in the vehicle (1) relative to the sun and a local weather station (23) transmitting the current weather data are determined.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof of an electrically powered vehicle, in which an expected performance of the solar roof determined on the basis of weather data and an actual performance of the solar roof are determined, wherein the expected performance is optimized on the basis of an analysis model and if the actual performance falls below the expected optimal performance, contamination of the solar roof is detected, as well as to an electrically powered vehicle for carrying out the method.

[0002] DE 10 2014 214 355 A1 discloses a method for determining a cost-optimized cleaning time for a stationary photovoltaic system. To determine the difference between the expected power output of the photovoltaic system and the actual power output of the photovoltaic system, the expected power output is determined based on data from a weather station and other parameters. A software-implemented radiation model is used for this purpose. If a necessary cleaning of the photovoltaic system is detected, a notification is sent to the operator of the photovoltaic system.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a method for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof of an electrically powered vehicle, by means of which the accuracy of the expected performance of the solar roof to be determined is improved.

[0004] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Further features, possible applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figure.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of patent claims 1 and 5 respectively.

[0006] In the method explained at the beginning for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof of an electrically powered vehicle, in which an expected performance of the solar roof determined on the basis of weather data and an actual performance of the solar roof are determined, whereby the expected performance is optimized on the basis of an analysis model and if the actual performance falls below the expected optimal performance, contamination of the solar roof is recognized, the current vehicle position and the current vehicle direction are taken into account when determining the expected optimal performance, from which the orientation and position of the solar module integrated in the vehicle relative to the sun and a local weather station transmitting the current weather data are determined.Taking the direction of travel and the position of the vehicle into account allows for the precise determination of the orientation of the vehicle's solar module relative to the weather station and the sun, thereby increasing the accuracy of determining the expected output of the solar roof. By comparing this with the actual output of the solar roof, the degree of soiling of the solar roof and thus the time when it needs to be cleaned can be determined more precisely. By precisely determining the time when the solar roof should be cleaned, the efficiency of the solar roof is maximized, which leads to greater energy generation. This maximization contributes to the reduction of energy consumption from other energy sources and promotes the use of renewable energies. At the same time, the increased efficiency of the solar roof results in cost savings, as more energy is harvested from the sun and charging the vehicle battery is minimized.Keeping the solar roof of the vehicle clean improves the range and performance of the electrically powered vehicle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the analysis model is implemented as a characteristic map that uses current weather data, the position of the sun, the vehicle's orientation, and the vehicle's location to determine the expected optimal performance of the solar roof, which then forms the basis for assessing the solar roof's contamination. Using this characteristic map, it can be reliably verified whether the current output generated by the solar roof corresponds to the expected output. This eliminates the need for fixed cleaning intervals for the solar roof, thus avoiding unnecessary cleaning while ensuring the solar roof is always clean and fully functional.

[0008] In another embodiment, the position of the sun is determined from the radiation data transmitted by the local weather station. This eliminates the need for corresponding sensors on the vehicle.

[0009] In a further development, if the solar roof is detected to be dirty, a notification signal is issued to promptly clean the solar roof. This increases user-friendliness. The vehicle user is automatically and promptly informed of possible contamination of the solar roof, which facilitates maintenance of the solar roof and ensures that the vehicle always functions optimally.

[0010] A further aspect of the invention relates to an electrically powered vehicle, comprising solar modules integrated into the vehicle roof, which are connected to a computing unit for determining the power actually provided by the solar roof, and the computing unit communicates wirelessly with a local weather station for receiving current weather data, wherein the computing unit has an analysis model for optimizing the expected power of the solar roof determined on the basis of weather data and a comparison unit for determining a degree of contamination of the solar roof from the power actually provided by the solar roof and the expected power of the solar roof determined on the basis of weather data.To improve the accuracy of the expected solar roof performance, the computing unit is connected to vehicle sensors for determining the current orientation and current position of the vehicle, and a GPS system for determining the current vehicle position for forwarding to the analysis model. The analysis model is configured to determine the expected optimized performance of the solar roof depending on the current orientation and current position of the vehicle. By incorporating sensors already present in the vehicle, the accuracy of determining the cleaning time of the solar roof is improved despite reducing the effort costs.

[0011] In one embodiment, the analysis model comprises a database configured as a characteristic map that describes the effect of weather data and / or the position of the sun depending on the vehicle's orientation and position. The more data stored in the database, the more accurately the expected performance of the solar roof can be determined, which further improves the accuracy of the prediction for the solar roof's cleaning time. Advantageously, acceleration sensors and / or inclination sensors and / or a compass contained in the vehicle are used to determine the current orientation and position of the vehicle.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the computing unit is coupled to a visual, acoustic, and / or haptic signaling device for issuing a notification signal to the vehicle user regarding the level of soiling of the solar roof. The vehicle occupant thus does not have to monitor the level of soiling of the solar roof, but is automatically reminded to clean it when necessary.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the computing unit is part of an energy management system of the electrically powered vehicle. The energy management system ensures that the high-voltage battery that supplies the electric motor with energy is always sufficiently charged. Charging times can be extended by supplying the electrical energy provided by the vehicle's solar roof to the high-voltage battery, thus improving its charge level.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail—possibly with reference to the drawing. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject matter of the invention alone or in any meaningful combination, possibly also independently of the claims, and may, in particular, also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0015] It shows: Fig. 1 an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0016] In Fig.1 shows an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The vehicle 1 is designed as an electrically powered vehicle or hybrid vehicle, which comprises an electric drive motor 3, which is supplied with electrical energy by a high-voltage battery 5. The charging and monitoring process of the high-voltage battery 5 is controlled by a computing unit 7, which is part of a battery management system 9. Solar modules 13 are integrated into the roof 11 of the vehicle 1 in order to generate solar energy, which is fed to the high-voltage battery 5 via the battery management system 9. This roof will be referred to below as the solar roof 11.

[0017] The computing unit 7 is further coupled to at least one acceleration sensor 14, an inclination sensor 15, and a compass 17, from whose signals the computing unit 7 continuously determines the direction of the vehicle 1 and the position of the vehicle 1. With the aid of a GPS system 19, the vehicle position is continuously determined using map material. By taking the map material into account, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is outdoors, in a tunnel, or in a parking garage at the time the position is determined. In addition, the computing unit 7 communicates wirelessly via an interface 21 with a local weather station 23, which continuously transmits current weather data to the computing unit 7. To output notifications to the vehicle occupants 25, the computing unit 7 is connected to a display unit 27.

[0018] In order to automatically determine the degree of soiling of the solar roof 11 and thus the time it needs to be cleaned, the current power output from the solar roof 11 is continuously measured using a power sensor 29 and forwarded to the computing unit 7. In the computing unit 7, the currently measured power is compared with the expected power. For this purpose, the computing unit 7 comprises an analysis model 31 which, taking into account the current weather data supplied by the weather station 23, the position of the sun, the vehicle orientation, and the vehicle location, determines the expected optimal power of the solar roof 11, which serves as the basis for assessing the soiling of the solar roof 11. The computing unit 7 calculates the position of the sun from the radiation data transmitted by the local weather station 23.The analysis model 31 includes a characteristic map by which the expected performance of the solar roof 11 is determined. The expected performance of the solar roof 11 thus determined is compared with the actual performance of the solar roof 11 measured by the power meter 21 in the comparison unit. If the measured performance is below the expected performance, possible contamination of the solar roof 11 is detected. The computing unit 7 then automatically sends a corresponding message to the display unit 27 to inform the vehicle user 25 that the solar roof 11 needs to be cleaned. The message can also be output to a cell phone of the vehicle occupant 25. 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] DE 10 2014 214 355 A1

[0002]

Claims

Method for determining a cleaning time for a solar roof (11) of an electrically powered vehicle (1), in which an expected performance of the solar roof (11), determined on the basis of weather data, and an actually achieved performance of the solar roof (11) are determined, wherein the expected performance is optimized on the basis of an analysis model (31) and, if the actually achieved performance falls below the expected optimal performance, soiling of the solar roof (11) is recognized, characterized in that, when determining the expected optimal performance, the current vehicle position and the current vehicle direction are taken into account, from which the orientation and position of the solar module (13) integrated in the vehicle (1) relative to the sun and a local weather station (23) transmitting the current weather data are determined. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the analysis model (31) is designed as a characteristic map which, by means of the current weather data, the position of the sun, the vehicle orientation and the vehicle location, determines the expected optimum performance of the solar roof (11), which is used as the basis for the soiling assessment of the solar roof (11). Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the position of the sun is determined from the radiation data transmitted by the local weather station (23). Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that when contamination of the solar roof (11) is detected, a notification signal for cleaning the solar roof (11) is output. Electrically powered vehicle (1), comprising solar modules (13) integrated into the vehicle roof (11), which are connected to a computing unit (7) for determining the power actually provided by the solar roof (11), and the computing unit (7) communicates wirelessly with a local weather station (23) for receiving current weather data, wherein the computing unit (7) has an analysis model (31) for optimizing the expected power of the solar roof (11), determined on the basis of weather data, and a comparison unit (33) for determining a degree of contamination of the solar roof (11) from the power actually provided by the solar roof (11) and the expected power of the solar roof (11), determined on the basis of weather data, characterized in that the computing unit (7) is connected to vehicle sensors (14, 15,17) for determining the current orientation and the current position of the vehicle (1) and a GPS system (19) for determining the current vehicle position for forwarding to the analysis model (31), wherein the analysis model (31) is designed to determine the expected optimized performance of the solar roof (11) as a function of the current orientation and the current position of the vehicle (1) and the current vehicle position., Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the analysis model (11) comprises a characteristic map as a database which describes the effect of the weather data and / or the position of the sun as a function of the vehicle orientation and vehicle position. Vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the vehicle sensors for determining the current orientation and the current position of the vehicle are designed as acceleration sensors (14) and / or inclination sensors (15) and / or as a compass (17). Vehicle according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the computing unit (7) is coupled to an optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic signaling device (27) for outputting a notification signal about the contamination of the solar roof (11) to the vehicle user (25). Vehicle according to claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the computing unit (3) is a component of an energy management system (9) of the electrically driven vehicle (1).

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