System and method for a centralised information flow about an energy source consumed in the vehicle based on its digital twin

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a system or machine, in particular a vehicle, which requires an energy source such as fuel or electricity. The system / machine has a refillable energy storage device for the energy source as well as various components, the control of which depends on predetermined data of the energy source currently being used. The method comprises the steps of: providing a central data set of the respective refilled energy source to the system / machine, wherein the central dataset comprises all the predetermined data of the energy source required by the individual components; storing the provided central dataset in a dedicated central data memory or central control device (7) of the system / machine and transmitting the central dataset or the predetermined energy source data contained therein to sub-control devices (8), which control the individual components.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] System and method for a centralized information flow about an energy source consumed in a vehicle based on its digital twin

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a system or machine that consumes an energy source such as fuel and / or electricity. The system / machine can, in particular, be a vehicle such as a motor vehicle or another type of land, air, or water vehicle.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] In vehicles with internal combustion engines, the (sub)control units of individual vehicle components related to the combustion process or exhaust gas aftertreatment usually require current data on the fuel used. This data contains, for example, information about the physical and chemical properties of the fuel that influence the combustion process or exhaust gas aftertreatment and is used to adapt the control of the relevant components to the currently used fuel.

[0007] For this purpose, the state of the art generally uses standard values ​​for the required fuel properties, which are stored in the respective sub-control unit of the vehicle and which each sub-control unit adapts during its operation on the basis of sensor feedback, such as torque detection to correct the standard value of the volumetric energy density of the fuel, in order to control the associated component, such as an injection valve.

[0008] Each sub-control unit in the vehicle must be equipped with its own adaptation function to current fuel parameters, designed for the corresponding vehicle component. This, along with the determination of correct current fuel parameters, requires the integration of corresponding additional measurement and control signals, as well as the necessary computing power on board the vehicle. This, in turn, increases power consumption and the time lost during its operation. This is because the aforementioned derivation of the correct fuel parameter in a (sub-)control unit is always associated with a time loss in adaptation to the respective fuel parameters. This time loss can lead to increased consumption and possibly also to increased emissions due to outdated fuel parameters, particularly after refueling the vehicle.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative or improved method and system for operating a system or machine, in particular a vehicle, that consumes an energy source such as fuel or electricity. The invention is particularly directed at adapting the control of individual components of the system / machine to the current properties of the energy source used.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, as well as by a corresponding plant or machine and a correspondingly designed and configured system according to the independent claims. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. All further features and effects mentioned in the claims and the description for the method also apply to the plant or machine and the system, and vice versa.

[0012] According to a first aspect, a method is provided for operating a system or machine that consumes an energy source such as fuel or electricity. The machine can be, in particular, a vehicle, for example, a motor vehicle or any other land, air, or water vehicle. The system / machine comprises a refillable energy storage device for the energy source and various components whose control depends on predetermined data of the currently used energy source.

[0013] The fuel can, for example, be any fuel whose chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy by combustion in an internal combustion engine, such as an internal combustion engine or a gas turbine, in the system / machine. In the case of a liquid or gaseous fuel, the energy storage device can, for example, be designed as a refillable fuel tank. In the case of electricity as the energy source, any suitable rechargeable and / or replaceable electrical energy storage device can be used as the “refillable energy storage device” referred to herein. For example, a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery can be charged at a charging station provided for this purpose; alternatively or additionally, an empty rechargeable battery or an empty battery can be exchanged for a full rechargeable battery or a full battery at a swap station provided for this purpose.Any combination of different energy sources with associated energy storage systems is also possible in one and the same system / machine. For example, the vehicle can be designed as a plug-in hybrid, which can be powered by both fuel and electricity.

[0014] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0015] A central data set for the energy source being refilled is provided to the system / machine, for example by a wireless or wired transmission triggered automatically and / or manually during or after a refueling or charging process to a receiving module provided for this purpose in the system / machine. For example, a charging plug from a charging station used during the refilling process of the energy storage device or a fuel nozzle from a fuel pump can be used for the transmission. However, a passive or active reading of a QR code provided at the charging or fueling pump can also be used to transmit the central data set for the energy source to the system / machine. The provision of the central data set to the system / machine can thus be linked, in particular, to the refilling process of the energy storage device. However, this is not mandatory, as subsequent data transmission to the system / machine can also achieve the same goal.

[0016] The central data set comprises all energy source data required by the individual components of the system / machine, which is referred to herein as "predetermined data" in the sense of "predetermined type of data," the content of which varies depending on the energy source. The provided central data set is stored in the system / machine in a dedicated (central) data storage unit or (central) control unit and transmitted either as a whole or in the form of individually required energy source data to sub-control units that control the individual components. The aforementioned central data storage unit or central control unit can be specifically provided for this purpose in the system / machine or can already be present on board.

[0017] This process enables central availability of the same, always-up-to-date data on the most recently refilled energy source for all (sub)control units of the system / machine, which require this data to control various components on board. This eliminates the need for the state-of-the-art determination of current data and values ​​for the energy source used in individual (sub)control units, often using different methods and feedback sensors. This also eliminates the need for the integration of corresponding measurement and control signals, as well as the computing power required to derive the correct energy source parameters on board the system / machine, and the associated time loss.

[0018] Instead, the concept (method and system) presented here supplies the (sub)control units of a machine / system with current data on the respective energy source used from a central data set. This can significantly reduce the complexity of individual (sub)control units. Reducing their complexity, in turn, can shorten development cycles for these sub-control units and reduce component costs.

[0019] In addition, this enables comprehensive, centralized control of various components of the system / machine, for example, via the aforementioned central control unit. Until a vehicle or system / machine can only be operated by a single (central) control unit, a reliable supply of relevant and up-to-date data from the central data set of the energy source must be ensured for all sub-control units.

[0020] The method presented herein is therefore particularly applicable to vehicles and other machines and / or systems that consume an energy source, for example, by burning a fuel, and that have control or correction functions at various points (such as individual components and associated sub-control units) that relate to the respective deviations of a current characteristic value of the energy source from the associated stored standard value and / or determine the current value and use it during operation. In particular, a digital twin of the respectively refilled energy source can be used to provide its central data set. The digital twin of the energy source is a digital representation of the actual energy source and can, for example, comprise a suitable model of the energy source from which the required predetermined data can be obtained.

[0021] With the help of a digital twin for fuels and electricity, for example, a vehicle can be provided with all the data about its properties, which can include both physical and chemical properties and renewable energy characteristics, that are useful or necessary for its operation. This data is initially stored in a central data storage unit or central control unit in the form of a central data set, and is then, or as needed, passed on to sub-control units of all individual components that require this data for / during their operation.

[0022] The predetermined data of the energy source contained in its central data set may, for example, include values ​​of predetermined parameters and / or information about the presence of predetermined properties and / or other predetermined characteristics, such as characteristic curves and much more, of the energy source.

[0023] For example, the energy source may be a fuel, and its predetermined data may include information on its physical and / or chemical parameters, properties, and / or characteristics (such as the type of fuel, its energy density, the proportion of any additives, and other combustion-relevant parameters and properties) that influence its combustion process or exhaust gas aftertreatment. In particular, these fuel data can be used in at least one of the aforementioned components of the system / machine to adapt its combustion process and / or exhaust gas aftertreatment to its actual physicochemical parameters, properties, and / or characteristics.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the central data set for the respective refilled energy source is provided with a unique assignment identifier with respect to the central data set and / or the refilling process when stored in the central data storage or central control unit of the system / machine. This assignment identifier is transmitted to the sub-control units together with the central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein. The assignment identifier can include values ​​of one or more test parameters, such as a checksum of predetermined data values ​​and / or the time of the refilling process.In this embodiment, the transmission of the central data set or the predetermined energy source data contained therein to the sub-control units of the individual components is verified and / or initiated by checking the matching of the assignment identifiers stored in the sub-control units on the one hand and in the central data storage or central control unit of the system / machine on the other. The aforementioned verification of a correct and currently valid transmission of the data contained in the central data set to the respective sub-control unit is sometimes also referred to herein as checking or determining the "integrity of this data."

[0025] In a further development of this embodiment, a two-stage check is performed before a current central data set or the predetermined energy source data contained therein is transmitted to a sub-control unit: In a first test stage, only the assignment identifier stored in the relevant sub-control unit, on the one hand, and in the central data memory or central control unit, on the other, is checked for consistency. This avoids unnecessary data exchange if no new refueling or charging process has taken place since the last update in the sub-control unit, i.e., the same energy source is still being used in the system / machine.Only if a deviation was detected during the first test stage (meaning that the energy source has been refilled in the meantime) is the central data set stored in the sub-control unit on the one hand and in the central data storage or central control unit on the other hand, or the predetermined energy source data contained therein, checked for consistency in a second test stage. This avoids unnecessary data exchange if the energy source that has been refilled in the meantime has the same predetermined data as the previous one. In this embodiment, a transmission of the central data set or the predetermined energy source data contained therein with the current assignment identifier to the sub-control unit is only carried out (and subsequently verified if necessary) if a non-conformity was detected in both stages of this test.In this way, the supply of all (sub)control units with constantly up-to-date, specific data on the energy source can be designed to be particularly economical in terms of time and / or information technology expenditure. According to one embodiment, the transmission of the respectively current central data set or the predetermined data on the energy source contained therein to the sub-control units of the individual components in the system / machine is initiated centrally by the central control unit and / or by the central data set. In the latter case, the central data set can, for example, comprise a computer program with suitable instructions which initiate the said transmission when the central data set is loaded and executed in a processor of the system / machine. In other words, in this embodiment, it is not the respective sub-control unit that queries the central data set, but the central data set orThe central control unit in which it is stored or charged actively and automatically reports the data relevant to the respective component to the associated (sub)control unit. This avoids unnecessary queries or data transfers if no new refueling or charging process (refilling the energy storage device) takes place in the meantime, or if the data of the energy source that has been refilled in the meantime is similar to the previous one. On the other hand, this embodiment can ensure immediate updating of the data if the refilled energy source differs from the previous one. The integrity of the data can still be checked, for example, as described above or below.

[0026] In an alternative or additional process configuration, the check or query of the central data set is performed by the sub-control units, with at least a two-stage query taking place. First, the smallest possible query of the fuel version is performed, for example, by checking the aforementioned assignment identifier or by the aforementioned two-stage check. Only then is a data transfer initiated and a separate data check performed.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided which is designed and configured to carry out a method presented herein. For this purpose, the system comprises one or more systems or machines, in particular vehicles, wherein each system / machine consumes an energy source such as fuel or electricity and for this purpose has a refillable energy storage device for the energy source as well as various components whose control depends on predetermined data of the currently used energy source. Furthermore, the system comprises one or more filling and / or charging stations which are designed to provide the respective energy source and an associated central data set to the systems / machines of the system (for example during the respective refilling process). The central data set comprises the aforementioned predetermined data of the energy source.All further features and embodiments described herein for the method also apply mutatis mutandis to the system, so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the detailed description of the method presented herein above and below. As mentioned above, in the case of electrical current, the refilling process of the energy storage device mentioned here can, in addition to charging a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery at a charging station, also consist of exchanging an empty rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery for a full rechargeable battery or a full battery at a designated exchange station. Everything described herein for a charging station applies equally to such an exchange station and the power provided thereby.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, a system or machine is provided which consumes at least one energy source such as fuel or electricity. The machine / system can be designed in particular as a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or any other land, air, or water vehicle. It comprises at least one refillable energy storage device for the energy source as well as various components whose control by associated sub-control devices depends on predetermined data of the currently used energy source. Furthermore, the machine / system is designed and configured to receive or read out a central data set of the respectively refilled energy source, for example when the energy storage device is respectively refilled. The central data set comprises the aforementioned predetermined data of the energy source.The machine / system is also designed and configured to store the received or read central data set in a dedicated (either separately or already provided) central data storage or central control unit on board the machine / system and to transmit the central data set as a whole or the data contained therein required by the respective sub-control unit to individual sub-control units. The machine / system can, in particular, be designed and configured as a component of the above system, so that for the description of its further features and embodiments, reference is made to the corresponding, more detailed description of the method presented herein above and below to avoid repetition.

[0029] Brief Description of the Drawings The above-described embodiments and design variants are explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be understood as schematic, i.e., they primarily serve to illustrate the general operating principle of the invention. They show:

[0030] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system presented herein, wherein a single vehicle with an internal combustion engine is shown as representative of several systems and / or machines, and a fuel pump is shown as representative of several fuel pumps and / or charging stations; and

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a

[0032] Embodiment of the method presented here, which can run in the system of Fig. 1.

[0033] Description of embodiments

[0034] All of the various embodiments, variants, and specific design features of the method, the corresponding system, and the plant / machine, in particular the vehicle, of the type presented herein, mentioned above in the description and in the subsequent claims, can be implemented analogously in the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, individually or in the combinations mentioned above. Therefore, they will not be repeated again below. The same applies accordingly to the definitions and effects already given above with regard to individual features shown in Figures 1-2.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a system 1 of the type presented herein in a perspective side view. Purely by way of example, Fig. 1 shows a single motor vehicle 2 with an internal combustion engine (not shown) representing several systems and / or machines of the system 1, which consumes fuel (for example, gasoline or diesel fuel) as a refillable energy source and for this purpose has a refillable energy storage device in the form of a fuel tank 3. For filling the fuel tank 3, a fuel pump 4 with a fuel nozzle 5 and a display 6 is shown representing several filling and / or charging stations of the system 1. The display 6 serves to show various information relating to the filling process for a user (for example, the driver, not shown) of the motor vehicle 2.

[0036] Instead of the fuel pump 4 with the fuel nozzle 5, a charging station with a charging plug can also be provided if the motor vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid that can exclusively or additionally consume electricity as an energy source and store it in an on-board electrical energy storage device during a charging process at the charging station. The following description therefore also applies analogously to this case.

[0037] The motor vehicle 2 further comprises a central control unit 7, which is designed for wired and / or wireless command and data transmission from and to several different sub-control units 8 on board the motor vehicle 2. The sub-control units 8 are designed to control individual components of the motor vehicle 2, such as individual components of a drive system and an exhaust aftertreatment system, but also one or more displays for presenting important information for the user or driver in connection with fuel consumption, etc.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method presented herein, which can be executed in particular in system 1 of Fig. 1. For example, the following process sequence is possible:

[0039] In a step S1, a central data set with predetermined information / data about fuel or electricity properties relevant to the operation of the motor vehicle 2 is generated using a digital twin for the respective energy source (in this example, fuel or electricity), for example in the fuel pump 4 or an external (cloud) server 9 connected to it, and is made available to the motor vehicle 2 in a step S2. The central data set for the energy source is stored centrally in the motor vehicle 2, for example in the central control unit 7 or an associated central data storage device (not shown). This can be implemented, for example, when filling the fuel tank 3 with new fuel, automatically and / or manually by wireless or wired transmission between the fuel pump 4 and the central control unit 7 or central data storage device.For example, a charging plug of a charging station used during the energy storage process or the fuel nozzle 5 of the fuel pump 4 can be used for transmission. However, a passive or active reading of a QR code provided on the charging or fuel pump 4, for example on the display 6, can also be used to transmit the central data set of the energy source to the motor vehicle 2.

[0040] The central data set is provided with a unique assignment identifier (e.g., a checksum of data values ​​and / or the time and / or other test parameter values) in step S1 or S2. The sub-control units 8 of the motor vehicle 2, which require predetermined data from the central data set to control associated vehicle components, check in a step S3, which can be carried out automatically, for example, each time the ignition is activated, whether their respective unique assignment identifier of the predetermined data is current (i.e., whether the test parameter values ​​stored in the sub-control units 8 match those currently stored in the central control unit 7). If it is current, they signal an enable signal in a step S4. If the comparison is negative (i.e.,If the test parameters are unequal, the sub-control units 8 obtain the current predetermined data from the central data set in a step S5, check it for integrity in a subsequent step S6 (e.g., again using a suitable checksum), and only then issue an enable signal (step S4). If the integrity of the data is not present ("test parameters unequal"), a predetermined number of retrieval attempts are made by repeatedly executing steps S5 and S6.

[0041] If one of the sub-control units 8 is unable to update the data relevant to its operation from the central data set within the specified number of retrieval attempts and / or if the integrity of this data is not ensured, then in this example, in a subsequent step S7, an entry is first made in an error memory in a step S8. In a further step S9, it can also be checked whether the data in question are parameter values ​​of the energy source that are required for registration-relevant functions (for example, with regard to emissions) of the motor vehicle 2. If this is the case (“relevant for registration”), then a restriction in vehicle operation, e.g. in the form of a torque limitation in the drive train, can be imposed (if necessary depending on an absolute and / or relative deviation from the previous parameter value).In this case, in a step S10, an additional notification can be issued to the driver and / or a remote control center / control room via a user interface (HMI, Human Machine Interface) and / or a telemetry interface of the motor vehicle 2. If, however, the deviation is not relevant for approval, an approval signal is issued (step S4). List of reference symbols r.

Claims

Claims are made for the operation of a plant or machine, in particular a vehicle that consumes an energy source such as fuel or electricity, whereby - the system / machine has a refillable energy storage device for the energy source as well as various components whose control depends on predetermined data of the energy source currently in use; and - the procedure includes the following steps: - Providing a central data set of the energy source being refilled to the system / machine, whereby the central data set includes all predetermined data of the energy source required by the individual components; - storing the provided central data set in a central data storage device or central control device (7) of the system / machine intended for this purpose and transmitting the central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein to sub-control devices (8) that control the individual components. Experience according to claim 1, wherein - a digital twin of the refilled energy source is used to provide its central data set; and / or - the central data set of the energy source is provided to the plant / machine when its energy storage is refilled. Experienced according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the predetermined data of the energy source, values ​​of predetermined parameters and / or information on the presence of predetermined Properties and / or other predetermined characteristics of the energy source. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the energy source is a fuel and the predetermined data include information on its physical and / or chemical parameters, properties and / or characteristics that influence its combustion process or its exhaust gas aftertreatment. Method according to claim 4, wherein - the predetermined fuel data are used in at least one of said components of the plant / machine to adapt its combustion process and / or its exhaust gas aftertreatment to its actual physico-chemical parameters, properties and / or characteristics. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the central data record of the respective refilled energy source is provided with an assignment identifier that is unique in relation to the predetermined data of the energy source and / or its refilling process when stored in the central data memory or central control unit (7) of the system / machine, which is transmitted to the sub-control units (8) together with the central data record or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein; and - the transmission of the central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein to the sub-control units (8) of the individual components is verified and / or initiated by checking the matching of the allocation identifier stored in the sub-control units (8) on the one hand and in the central data memory or central control unit (7) of the system / machine on the other hand The process according to claim 6, wherein - before transmitting a current central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein to a sub-control unit (8), a two-stage test is carried out, in which: - initially only the allocation identifier stored in the relevant sub-control unit (8) on the one hand and in the central data memory or central control unit (7) on the other hand is checked for consistency, and only in the event of a discrepancy between the allocation identifiers is the central data set stored in the sub-control unit (8) on the one hand and in the central data memory or central control unit (7) or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein additionally checked for consistency; and - the central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein with the current assignment identifier are only transmitted to the sub-control unit (8) if both stages of this two-stage test have resulted in a non-conformity. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the transmission of the current central data set or the predetermined data of the energy source contained therein to the sub-control units (8) of the individual components in the system / machine is initiated centrally by the central control unit (7) and / or by the central data set. system or machine, in particular a vehicle, which system / machine - consumes an energy source such as fuel or electricity; - a refillable energy storage device for the energy source and various components whose control depends on predetermined data of the currently used energy source; and - is designed and configured to receive or read a central data set of the respectively refilled energy source, wherein the central data set comprises the aforementioned predetermined data of the energy source; to store the received or read central data set in a dedicated central data memory or central control unit (7) on board, and to transmit the central data set or the predetermined data contained therein to sub-control units (8) that control the individual components. System (1) designed and configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, and for this purpose comprising the following: - one or more installations or machines, in particular vehicles, each installation / machine consuming an energy source such as fuel or electricity and having a refillable energy storage device for the energy source as well as various components whose control depends on predetermined data of the energy source currently in use; and - one or more filling and / or charging stations (4) and / or exchange stations designed to provide the respective energy source and an associated central data set to the systems / machines of the system (1), wherein the central data set comprises said predetermined data of the energy source.

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