DRIVE SYSTEM, MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DRIVE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive system for propelling a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a drive system according to the invention. Finally, the invention relates to a method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine are equipped with an engine control unit (ECU) and an operating mode coordination device to control the engine. This operating mode coordination device allows for the control of the engine's operating modes. For example, the fuel mixture, fuel injection pressure, fuel injection duration, and similar parameters can be precisely controlled. In addition to these parameters that directly determine the engine's operating mode, a multitude of other tasks, such as diagnostics, adaptations, and other functions, are performed to ensure the engine's proper operation. These tasks are also referred to as secondary functions. A distinction is made between active and passive secondary functions.Active secondary functions have a direct influence on the operating mode of the internal combustion engine, while the operating mode of passive secondary functions remains unaffected.

[0003] Since at least some secondary functions can only be performed under specific conditions, i.e., only in certain operating modes, it can happen that operating modes suitable for one secondary function are unsuitable for a second, and vice versa. In this case, these are referred to as competing secondary functions. For example, tank venting has a direct effect on the fuel mixture in the injection system and should therefore not be performed simultaneously with a lambda sensor diagnostic check.

[0004] DE 199 06 378 A1 discloses a drive system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] DE 10 2013 223 319 A1 discloses a method for controlling the execution of multiple functions in a motor vehicle. The functions are prioritized based on a base priority and a need indicator output by the function, and are then released according to their priority. DE 10 2011 078 484 B4 discloses a system for controlling a combustion state of an internal combustion engine, in which functions are prioritized depending on the operating states of the internal combustion engine. DE 10 2005 018 270 A1 relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which operating modes of the internal combustion engine can be defined by means of an operating mode coordinator. The operating mode coordinator is configured to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating mode requests that has a high priority and is not excluded by other requested operating modes.

[0006] The previously described, known methods and devices have the disadvantage that the execution requirements of the functions to be performed are always transmitted directly to the operating mode coordination unit, which is responsible for defining the operating modes. Thus, the operating mode coordination unit has the additional task of defining the operating modes depending on the execution requirements. This requires highly complex software that is precisely tailored to the secondary functions and the possible operating modes. Furthermore, in existing drive systems, it can happen that secondary functions are blocked or aborted by higher-priority secondary functions, so that the intended execution of the secondary functions is not guaranteed.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a drive system for propelling a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle with a drive system of the generic type, and a method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle, which do not exhibit, or at least not fully exhibit, the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drive system, a motor vehicle, and a method with which the implementation of competing secondary functions is improved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0008] The aforementioned problem is solved by the claims. Accordingly, the problem is solved by a drive system for propelling a motor vehicle according to claim 1, by a motor vehicle with a drive system according to claim 7, and by a method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle according to the invention according to claim 8. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the drive system according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, or can make, reciprocal references.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a drive system for propelling a motor vehicle. The drive system comprises an internal combustion engine and an operating mode coordination device for determining and controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine. According to the invention, the drive system also includes a functional coordination device for coordinating secondary functions of the drive system. The functional coordination device is configured to generate an operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device, based on the coordination of the secondary functions, to control the operating mode of the internal combustion engine as an operating mode strategy with a temporal sequence of different operating modes, and to transmit this request to the operating mode coordination device.The functional coordination device is also designed to coordinate, as a secondary function, an adaptation function of a basic function of the internal combustion engine, whereby the adaptation function compensates for the effects of wear by adjusting operating parameters.

[0010] The operating mode coordination device is designed to select and control the operating modes or operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. Preferably, the drive system comprises at least one sensor, at least one valve, at least one pump, at least one fuel tank, at least one fuel tank purging bypass, at least one exhaust gas purification device, or the like, according to a conventional drive system.

[0011] The functional coordination device is designed to coordinate secondary functions of the drive system. Within the scope of the invention, secondary functions include, for example, diagnostics, adaptations, and other functions that are performed to ensure proper operation or to optimize the operation of the internal combustion engine.

[0012] As part of a diagnostic procedure, it can be determined, for example, whether a sensor, such as a lambda sensor for comparing the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas with the oxygen content of the current atmospheric air, or a high-pressure sensor for determining the rail pressure in an injection line, a valve, such as a purge valve in a purge circuit for venting a vehicle's fuel tank, a pump, such as a purge pump for venting the fuel tank, or similar components, is functioning as intended or is defective or no longer functioning as intended. A sensor, for example, can become dirty or eroded and thus produce incorrect readings. A valve, due to contamination and / or wear, may no longer close completely or may exhibit increased inertia.Similarly, contamination and wear can lead to a decrease in the performance of a pump, resulting in lower maximum pressures and a lower flow rate.

[0013] Adaptation refers, for example, to adjusting to changing conditions. One example of this is the equalization of fuel quantity for the individual cylinders of an internal combustion engine. This is necessary because the rail pressure in some injection lines may be lower than in others due to wear. This can be determined using pressure sensors during a quantity equalization diagnostic test. If a local pressure drop is detected, it can be compensated for during the adaptation process.

[0014] Another function within the scope of the invention is, for example, tank venting. For this purpose, motor vehicles have, for instance, a venting channel which connects an air space of the fuel tank to an air intake channel of the internal combustion engine via fluid communication. A purge valve and / or a purge pump control the fluid mass flow through the venting channel.

[0015] Preferably, the drive system includes a storage device in which data from the secondary functions and the operating modes required to perform each secondary function are stored and can be read by the function coordination device. The operating states of the drive system can be determined using the function coordination device. For this purpose, the function coordination device is preferably coupled with sensors in the drive train and / or with actuators or the like, in order to quickly determine the currently active operating state by means of a status query. Preferably, the function coordination device is configured to receive and coordinate requests from secondary functions.Based on this coordination, the function coordination device is configured to generate an operating mode request that, for example, corresponds to or takes into account a current operating state and / or the necessary adjustment of the operating state to perform a specific secondary function. The operating mode request is configured as an operating mode strategy with a temporal sequence of different operating modes. Finally, the function coordination device is configured to forward the generated operating mode request to the operating mode coordination device. The operating mode coordination device is configured to select an operating mode based on the received operating mode request.

[0016] Preferably, the function coordination device and the operating mode coordination device are designed as part of an engine control device for controlling the internal combustion engine.

[0017] Furthermore, the functional coordination device is designed to coordinate an adaptation function of a basic function of the internal combustion engine as a secondary function. In an adaptation function, the effects of wear are compensated for by adjusting operating parameters. For example, in the case of a worn valve that, due to wear, allows a lower flow rate in a defined position, the valve position can be changed within the framework of the adaptation function so that the flow rate again reaches the target value. Coordinating adaptation functions using the functional coordination device has the advantage of improving the implementation of competing adaptation functions and / or other secondary functions, such as diagnostic functions or the like.

[0018] A drive system according to the invention has the advantage over conventional drive systems that the execution of secondary functions is improved in a simple and cost-effective manner. By coordinating different active and passive secondary functions using the function coordination device, a specific operating mode request can be forwarded to the operating mode coordination device, thus significantly reducing the data flow to the device. Requests from competing secondary functions can be easily identified by the function coordination device and taken into account when generating the operating mode request. In this way, the reliability of the execution of secondary functions can be improved. Furthermore, premature termination of a secondary function due to an operating mode request from a competing secondary function can be more easily avoided.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the function coordination device can be configured to prioritize secondary functions and operating modes of the internal combustion engine. During prioritization, secondary functions are preferably compared with one another, and the importance of executing each secondary function is preferably weighted. For example, a potential execution period for secondary functions can be taken into account—that is, a period within which the respective secondary function should be executed to ensure the intended operation of the drive system. The function coordination device is preferably configured to generate the operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device based on the prioritization and forward it to the latter.This ensures that particularly important secondary functions are executed within a predefined timeframe, and less important secondary functions are either initiated at a later time or completed first, depending on the expected runtime of the respective less important secondary function.

[0020] Preferably, the functional coordination device is designed to use a diagnostic function of the drive system as a secondary function. The diagnostic function can be active, i.e., causing a change in the operating mode, or passive, i.e., functioning during normal operation in one or more operating modes of the drive system. Diagnostic functions are necessary for the intended operation of the drive system, for example, to identify a component defect, check the efficiency of a unit, or similar tasks. Coordinating diagnostic functions with the functional coordination device improves the stability and reliability of the diagnoses in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0021] According to the invention, the functional coordination device can be configured to coordinate, as a diagnostic function, a sensor diagnosis of a sensor of a catalytic converter in the motor vehicle and / or a sensor diagnosis of a sensor of an injection line and / or a purge system diagnosis of a purge system of a fuel tank in the motor vehicle. The diagnosis of the catalytic converter sensor, in particular the lambda sensor, ensures that the catalytic converter is operating as intended and is filtering out pollutants, such as NOx, as effectively as possible. The diagnosis of the sensor of the injection line, in particular a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the injection line, ensures that the cylinders are supplied with the fuel-air mixture evenly and as intended.Through the diagnostic system of the fuel tank's rinsing system, in particular a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in a rinsing line, a rinsing valve for opening and closing the rinsing line and a rinsing pump for pumping the fluid through the rinsing line, it can be ensured that proper tank venting takes place.

[0022] Preferably, the functional coordination device is configured to coordinate quantity equalization for the cylinders of the internal combustion engine as an adaptation function of the basic function of the internal combustion engine. During quantity equalization, pressures in the injection lines of the cylinders are compared, pressure drops in individual cylinders are detected, and these are then adjusted back to the normal level by the adaptation function. Coordinating adaptation functions using the functional coordination device has the advantage of improving the implementation of competing adaptation functions and / or other secondary functions, such as diagnostic functions or the like.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the functional coordination device can be configured to coordinate, as a secondary function, the venting of a vehicle's fuel tank and / or mixture adaptation and / or catalyst heating and / or particulate filter heating and / or particulate filter regeneration and / or fuel system monitoring and / or monitoring of lambda control deviations. Fuel tank venting and mixture adaptation are competing secondary functions that should not be performed simultaneously. The other secondary functions can also influence each other and should therefore generally not be performed concurrently. The joint coordination of fuel tank venting and mixture adaptation by means of the functional coordination device ensures that these secondary functions can be performed as reliably as possible.Furthermore, these secondary functions can be coordinated with competing secondary functions, such as diagnostics or adaptations, using the function coordination device, thus improving the reliability of the drive system.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a motor vehicle with a drive system. The drive system is designed according to a drive system according to the invention and thus comprises at least one internal combustion engine and an operating mode coordination device for determining and controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the drive system of the motor vehicle comprises a functional coordination device for coordinating secondary functions of the drive system, wherein the functional coordination device is configured to generate an operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device for controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine based on the coordination of the secondary functions and to transmit this request to the operating mode coordination device.

[0025] The described motor vehicle offers all the advantages already described for the drive system according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the motor vehicle according to the invention has the advantage over conventional motor vehicles that the execution of secondary functions is improved in a simple and cost-effective manner. By coordinating different active and passive secondary functions using the function coordination device, a specific operating mode request can be forwarded to the operating mode coordination device, thus significantly reducing the data flow to the operating mode coordination device. Requests from competing secondary functions can be easily identified by the function coordination device and taken into account when generating the operating mode request.This improves the reliability of secondary function execution. Furthermore, it better prevents the premature termination of a secondary function due to an operating mode request from a competing secondary function.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: Determining the operating mode of the internal combustion engine using the operating mode coordination device, determining the operating mode of the internal combustion engine using the function coordination device, determining secondary functions of the drive system to be executed using the function coordination device, prioritizing the determined secondary functions using the function coordination device, generating an operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device using the function coordination device based on the prioritization as an operating mode strategy with a temporal sequence of different operating modes, forwarding the operating mode request to the operating mode coordination device using the function coordination device, implementing the operating mode request by the operating mode coordination device.and release of the execution of at least one secondary function depending on the prioritization and the current operating mode of the drive system by the function coordination device.

[0027] The operating mode coordination device is designed to select and specify the operating mode of the internal combustion engine or drive system. Determining the operating mode can therefore occur simultaneously with setting the operating mode. Alternatively or additionally, the operating mode can be determined by sensors. The currently selected operating mode is determined by the function coordination device, for example, by querying the sensors and / or communicating with the function coordination device. Furthermore, the secondary functions of the drive system to be executed are determined by the function coordination device. This can be done, for example, by actively querying the respective secondary functions and / or according to a predefined function plan.Alternatively or additionally, the secondary functions can be configured to transmit a current execution request to the function coordination device. The function coordination device then prioritizes the identified secondary functions to identify those that are particularly important or urgently required. Based on this prioritization, the function coordination device generates the operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device and forwards it to the latter. The operating mode coordination device will preferably implement this operating mode request immediately to avoid hindering the intended execution of the secondary functions.After the operating mode requirement has been implemented, the function coordination device releases the respective secondary functions that are feasible in that operating mode and are not mutually exclusive. The release of competing secondary functions preferably occurs with a time delay so that these secondary functions are not executed simultaneously.

[0028] The described method offers all the advantages already described for the drive system according to the first aspect of the invention and the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the method according to the invention has the advantage over conventional methods that the execution of secondary functions is improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. By coordinating different active and passive secondary functions using the function coordination device, a specific operating mode request can be forwarded to the operating mode coordination device, thus significantly reducing the data flow to the operating mode coordination device. Requests from competing secondary functions can be easily identified by the function coordination device and taken into account when generating the operating mode request.This improves the reliability of secondary function execution. Furthermore, it better prevents the premature termination of a secondary function due to an operating mode request from a competing secondary function.

[0029] Preferably, secondary functions are prioritized based on the current operating mode and / or a predicted operating mode. This is particularly important for secondary functions that are generally considered equivalent and would therefore receive roughly the same priority. This approach facilitates the release of secondary functions that do not require intervention in the drive system's operating modes. By considering predicted operating modes, for example, determined through communication between the function coordination device and the operating mode coordination device, secondary functions can receive a higher priority if they are feasible under the upcoming, predicted operating mode. In this case, too, additional intervention in the operating modes can be avoided.

[0030] According to the invention, a method can be provided that, when generating the operating mode requirements using the function coordination device, potential operating modes for executing the prioritized secondary functions are compared with one another, and an operating mode requirement is generated that also takes into account the execution of lower-priority secondary functions. In other words, the operating mode requirement is generated in such a way that the most comprehensive possible execution of secondary functions is possible. For example, if a highest-priority secondary function is executable in operating modes A to C, a lower-priority secondary function only in operating mode D, and an even lower-priority secondary function only in operating mode C, the operating mode requirement would be based on operating mode C in order to enable the parallel execution of at least two secondary functions.In this way, even lower-priority secondary functions can be carried out.

[0031] A drive system, a motor vehicle, and a method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show: Figure 1 shows a structure of a preferred embodiment of a drive system according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, and Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0032] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are in the Figs. 1 to 3 each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0033] In Fig. 1Figure 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a preferred embodiment of the drive system 1 according to the invention. The drive system 1 has an operating mode coordination device 4 for forwarding an operating mode control command 14 to the operating mode controller 15 of the drive system 1. The operating modes of the drive system 1 can be set via the operating mode controller 15. In this embodiment, the operating mode coordination device 4 is configured to forward the current operating mode of the drive system 1 to a function coordination device 5 of the drive system 1 by means of an operating data transmission 13. Alternatively or additionally, the function coordination device 5 can be configured to independently determine the operating mode, e.g., via direct connection to a sensor and / or at least one operating mode controller 15 of the drive system 1. The drive system 1 includes several secondary functions 6, such as...Diagnostic functions 8, adaptation functions 9, or other secondary functions 10 can be executed. The secondary functions 6 are configured to forward a request 11 for the desired execution of the respective secondary function 6 to the function coordination device 5. The function coordination device 5 is configured to coordinate the requests 11 and to generate an operating mode request 7 based on the coordination of the requests 11. Furthermore, the function coordination device 5 is configured to forward the operating mode request 7 to the operating mode coordination device 4. Finally, the function coordination device 5 is configured to transmit a release 12 to the corresponding secondary functions 6, depending on the current operating mode and the coordination of the requests 11, so that the respective secondary function 6 can be executed.

[0034] In Fig. 2A preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, comprising a drive system 1 according to the invention, is shown schematically in a side view. The drive system 1 includes an internal combustion engine 3, an operating mode coordination device 4, and a function coordination device 5.

[0035] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention in a flowchart. In a first process step 100, an operating mode of the internal combustion engine 3 is determined by means of the operating mode coordination device 4. In a second process step 200, the operating mode of the internal combustion engine 3 is determined by means of the function coordination device 5, e.g. by communication with the operating mode coordination device 4 and / or querying of sensors or...

[0036] Operating mode setters 15. In a third process step 300, the secondary functions 6 of the drive system 1 to be executed are determined by means of the function coordination device 5, e.g., by receiving a request 11 of the secondary function 6 and / or according to a predefined secondary function plan. In a fourth process step 400, the determined secondary functions 6 are prioritized by means of the function coordination device 5, e.g., depending on the importance of the secondary function 6 and / or its feasibility in the current operating mode. In a fifth process step 500, an operating mode request 7 for the operating mode coordination device 4 is generated by means of the function coordination device 5 based on the prioritization. In a sixth process step 600, the operating mode request 7 is forwarded to the operating mode coordination device 4 by means of the function coordination device 5.In a seventh process step 700, the operating mode requirement 7 is implemented by means of the operating mode coordination device 4. In an eighth process step 800, a release 12 for the execution of at least one secondary function 6 is granted by means of the function coordination device 5, depending on the prioritization and the current operating mode of the drive system 1, and transmitted to the respective secondary function 6. Reference symbol list

[0037] 1. Drive system 2. Motor vehicle 3. Internal combustion engine 4. Operating mode coordination device 5. Function coordination device 6. Secondary function 7. Operating mode request 8. Diagnostic function 9. Adaptation function 10. Other secondary function 11. Request 12. Release 13. Operating mode transmission 14. Operating mode control command 15. Operating mode setter

Claims

1. Drive system (1) for driving a motor vehicle (2) comprising an internal combustion engine (3) and an operating mode coordination device (4) for determining and controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine (3), the drive system (1) comprising a functional coordination device (5) for coordinating secondary functions (6) of the drive system (1), the functional coordination device (5) being designed to generate, on the basis of the coordination of the secondary functions (6), an operating mode request (7) for the operating mode coordination device (4) for controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine (3) as an operating mode strategy with a temporal sequence of different operating modes and to transmit this request to the operating mode coordination device (4), characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to coordinate an adaptation function (9) of a basic function of the internal combustion engine (3) as a secondary function (6), the adaptation function (9) compensating for the effects of wear by adjusting operating parameters.

2. Drive system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to prioritize secondary functions (6) and operating modes of the internal combustion engine (3).

3. Drive system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to coordinate a diagnostic function (8) of the drive system (1) as a secondary function (6).

4. Drive system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to coordinate a sensor diagnosis of a sensor of a catalyst of the motor vehicle (2) and / or a sensor diagnosis of a sensor of an injection line and / or a rinsing system diagnosis of a rinsing system of a fuel tank of the motor vehicle (2) as a diagnostic function (8).

5. Drive system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to coordinate a quantity equation for cylinders of the internal combustion engine (3) as an adaptation function (9) of the basic function of the internal combustion engine (3).

6. Drive system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional coordination device (5) is designed to coordinate venting of a fuel tank of the motor vehicle (2) and / or mixture adaptation and / or catalyst heating and / or particulate filter heating and / or particulate filter regeneration and / or checking of the fuel system and / or monitoring of lambda control deviations as a secondary function (6).

7. Motor vehicle (2) comprising a drive system (1), characterized in that the drive system (1) is designed according to any of claims 1 to 6.

8. Method for operating a drive system (1) of a motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7, comprising the following steps: - determining an operating mode of the internal combustion engine (3) by means of the operating mode coordination device (4), - ascertaining the operating mode of the internal combustion engine (3) by means of the functional coordination device (5), - ascertaining secondary functions (6) of the drive system (1) to be executed by means of the functional coordination device (5), - prioritizing the ascertained secondary functions (6) by means of the functional coordination device (5), - generating an operating mode request (7) for the operating mode coordination device (4) by means of the functional coordination device (5) on the basis of the prioritization as an operating mode strategy with a temporal sequence of different operating modes, - forwarding the operating mode request (7) to the operating mode coordination device (4) by means of the functional coordination device (5), - implementing the operating mode request (7) using the operating mode coordination device (4), and - enabling (12) the execution of at least one secondary function (6) on the basis of the prioritization and the current operating mode of the drive system (1) using the functional coordination device (5).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the secondary functions (6) are prioritized on the basis of the current operating mode and / or a predicted operating mode.

10. Method according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that when generating the operating mode requests (7) by means of the functional coordination device (5), potential operating modes for executing the prioritized secondary functions (6) are compared with one other and an operating mode request (7) is generated, which also takes into account the execution of lower prioritized secondary functions (6).