Method for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for regulating the interior climate control of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for regulating the interior climate control of a vehicle, as well as a computer program. The inventive method for setting the parameters of a vehicle control unit for regulating the interior climate control of a vehicle comprises the following steps: a. Positioning a measuring dummy with sensors inside the vehicle; b. Connecting the sensors and the vehicle control unit to a computer; c. Executing an automatically running parameter setting program, whereby the computer at the vehicle control unit selectively changes individual parameters for the production of a desired interior climate according to a specification, the actual interior climate is recorded by the sensors with measurement data, the measurement data is transferred to the computer, the computer evaluates the measurement data based on predefined criteria and adjusts parameters of the vehicle control unit based on the result of the evaluation until a termination criterion is met.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for regulating the interior climate control of a vehicle, as well as a computer program created for this purpose.

[0002] EP 228 77 58 A1 discloses a system and a method for evaluating climate comfort in an interior using a sensor-equipped mannequin. CN 211 978 332 U discloses a mannequin for determining climate comfort in a vehicle interior.

[0003] The inventive method for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for regulating the interior climate control of a vehicle comprises the steps a) Positioning a measuring dummy with sensors inside the vehicle; b) Connecting the sensors and the vehicle control unit to a computer; c) Executing an automatically running parameter setting program, whereby the computer at the vehicle control unit selectively changes individual parameters for the production of a desired interior climate according to a specification, the actual interior climate is recorded by the sensors with measurement data, the measurement data is transferred to the computer, the computer evaluates the measurement data on the basis of specified criteria and adjusts parameters of the vehicle control unit based on the result of the evaluation until a termination criterion is met.

[0004] The interior climate control in a modern vehicle can be precisely regulated via various vehicle components, such as the air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems. These components are controlled by a vehicle control unit (ECU). To ensure the ECU correctly controls the relevant components for creating the desired interior climate, appropriate parameters are stored within the ECU. These parameters typically need to be individually configured for each vehicle type.

[0005] The invention enables automated parameter setting. This reduces the effort compared to manual parameter setting. Furthermore, the use of a measuring mannequin with sensors allows for more objective parameter setting.

[0006] The specifications for the desired indoor climate can be found in existing standards, such as ISO 14505-2, DIN 1946-3, or VDA 220. It is also possible to incorporate additions, modifications, or your own specifications.

[0007] The vehicle control unit can, for example, be a separate vehicle control unit that is solely responsible for the interior climate control, or a vehicle control unit that performs other tasks within the vehicle control system in addition to interior climate control.

[0008] The parameters on the control unit can be stored, for example, in the form of tables, multiple parameter sets, or vectors on the control unit.

[0009] Preferred criteria to be considered when evaluating and adjusting parameters include the energy consumption of the air conditioning, the time-to-comfort (i.e., the time it takes to adjust the indoor climate), air quality (e.g., CO2 concentration), humidity, and / or the level of comfort.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous to consider energy consumption, comfort level, and time-to-comfort using a cost function. For this purpose, the respective functional components are adjusted to each other using weighting factors in such a way that a characteristic system behavior can be achieved. The cost function and its weighting can be individually adapted to the specific vehicle and its intended operating environment. Components of a cost function preferably include the energy consumption of the vehicle conditioning components and the deviation from predefined control targets or cost factors for evaluating the system dynamics. The flexibility in designing the cost function offers the advantage of influencing the result of the parameter optimization in such a way that different preferences for the behavior of the vehicle air conditioning system can be achieved.Furthermore, the use of various restrictions can prevent undesired system behavior.

[0011] Further criteria that can be considered when evaluating and adjusting parameters, in addition to energy consumption and comfort criteria, include indoor air quality, indoor relative humidity, and a metric for preventing window fogging. The necessary measurement signals can also be recorded by the test dummy. Additional sensors can be integrated for a more precise representation of the system's behavior when evaluating these criteria. This allows for the optimal compromise between comfort (thermal conditions, air quality, and humidity), energy consumption, and safety criteria (prevention of window fogging).

[0012] Various termination criteria are possible. Preferably, the termination criterion ensures that the changed parameters are of sufficient quality at the time of termination, such that the desired interior climate is produced as accurately as possible by the vehicle control unit.

[0013] Preferably, the parameters are adjusted using a closed-loop control system via a target-actual comparison. This allows for an iterative approach in which the parameters can be optimized until the termination criterion is met. A preferred termination criterion for a parameter is a convergence criterion.

[0014] A computer program according to the invention comprises computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to the invention.

[0015] The computer program can be stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0016] The system according to the invention for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for controlling an interior climate control system of a vehicle comprises a measuring dummy with sensors, a computer that can be connected to the sensors of the measuring pump, and a computer program that is installed on the computer.

[0017] Preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These show Fig. 1 a scheme of an embodiment of a system according to the invention for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit for controlling an interior climate control system of a vehicle, and Fig. 2 a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a system according to the invention for setting the parameters of a vehicle control unit 2 (Control Unit = CU) for controlling the interior climate control of a vehicle 1.

[0019] The system comprises a measuring dummy 3 with sensors 6 and a computer 4 that can be connected to the sensors 6 of the measuring pump 3. The computer 4 is located separately outside the vehicle 1. An embodiment of a computer program according to the invention for setting the parameters of the vehicle control unit 2 is installed on the computer 4.

[0020] In this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 2 is a separate control unit within the vehicle for controlling the interior climate control. In another embodiment, the vehicle control unit has additional functions.

[0021] The measuring mannequin 3 is positioned in an interior space 5 of the vehicle 1. The sensor system 6 of the measuring mannequin comprises a variety of air velocity sensors, heat radiation sensors, and air temperature sensors, which are distributed across the body of the measuring mannequin 3. Additionally, the measuring mannequin is equipped with a sensor for recording relative humidity and CO2 concentration for assessing air quality.

[0022] The interior 5 comprises an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, seat heating, a steering wheel heating system, and heating elements for regulating the interior climate. These are controlled by the vehicle control unit 2. The vehicle control unit 2 includes a control program for these components. This control program includes component-specific functions with various parameters that influence the operation of the components. In this case, the parameters are stored on the control unit as several parameter sets in the form of tables. By appropriately selecting the parameters, the control unit can be configured to regulate the interior climate control of the vehicle interior 5, which is specific to the vehicle type.

[0023] Standard parameter sets are already stored on the vehicle control unit 2 as a preset. The parameters should now be optimally configured for the specific vehicle type.

[0024] To adjust the parameters of the vehicle control unit 2, see Fig. 2, in a first step (a) the measuring dummy 3 with sensor technology 6 is positioned in the interior 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0025] In a second step (b) the sensor system 6 of the measuring dummy 3 and the vehicle control unit 2 are connected to the computer 4.

[0026] In a third step (c), the parameters on the vehicle control unit are set via the parameter setting program that runs automatically on computer 4.

[0027] In this process, computer 4 uses a parameter setting program installed on computer 4 to selectively modify individual parameters of the vehicle control unit 2 according to a predefined setting, in order to create a desired interior climate. The actual interior climate is measured by sensors 6, and this data is transmitted to computer 4. Using the computer program, computer 4 evaluates the measurement data based on predefined criteria and adjusts parameters of the vehicle control unit 2 accordingly. This process continues until a termination criterion is met.

[0028] The parameters are adjusted using a closed-loop control system via a target-actual comparison. The target values ​​are derived from the specifications, in this case values ​​from the comfort tables of ISO 14505-2 and any additions, modifications, or the vehicle manufacturer's own specifications. The actual values ​​result from the measured data. Parameters are adjusted stepwise using an iterative approach. The optimization process is terminated when a convergence criterion is met. In this case, the convergence criterion is a check to see if the difference between the current state and the target state becomes smaller than a predefined deviation, thus confirming that the actual interior climate (measured by sensor 6) corresponds to the desired climate.

[0029] The energy consumption of the air conditioning system, the time-to-comfort of the indoor climate, air quality, humidity, and comfort level are used as criteria for evaluating and adjusting the parameters. In a further embodiment, an additional criterion is considered: an assessment of the prevention of window fogging.

[0030] The parameters are set using a cost function and a restriction of the state variables. For example, energy demand, deviation from the comfort setpoint, deviation from the target value for air quality, and the distance to safety-critical limits (CO2 concentration and risk of window fogging) can be numerically evaluated. Weighting factors allow the individual components of the cost function to be related to one another. This also allows for the calibration of the relevant parameters for different priorities (energy efficiency, comfort, high air quality, etc.) by varying the weighting factors. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 228 77 58 A1

[0002] CN 211 978 332 U

[0002]

Claims

[1] Method for setting parameters of a vehicle control unit (2) for controlling an interior climate control system of a vehicle (1), comprising the steps a) Positioning a measuring dummy (3) with sensors (6) in the interior (5) of the vehicle; b) Connecting the sensors and the vehicle control unit (2) to a computer (4); c) Executing an automatically running parameter setting program, wherein the computer (4) selectively changes individual parameters on the vehicle control unit (2) according to a specification to produce a desired interior climate, the actual interior climate is recorded by the sensors (6) with measurement data, the measurement data is transmitted to the computer (4), the computer (4) evaluates the measurement data on the basis of specified criteria and adjusts parameters of the vehicle control unit (2) based on the result of the evaluation until a termination criterion is met. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the parameters is carried out with a closed control loop via a target-actual comparison. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the criteria are the energy consumption of the air conditioning, the time-to-comfort of the indoor climate, air quality, humidity, comfort level and / or an evaluation parameter for the prevention of window fogging. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the measurement data include air velocity, thermal radiation, air temperature, humidity and / or air quality. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parameters are setting parameters of air conditioning, ventilation system, seat heating or cooling, steering wheel heating and / or heating mats. [6] Computer program comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a computer (4), cause the computer (4) to execute the method according to any of the preceding claims. [7] Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 6 is stored. [8] System for setting the parameters of a vehicle control unit (2) for controlling an interior climate control system of a vehicle, comprising a measuring dummy (3) with sensors (6), a computer (4) that can be connected to the sensors of the measuring pump (3), and a computer program according to claim 6 that is installed on the computer (4).

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