A method for controlling a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle implementing such a method.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle comprising a navigation system configured to provide vehicle location data and a computer including memory for storing a database, the database comprising location data for recorded events. The method for controlling a motor vehicle includes an initial step E2) of acquiring the current location data of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the control method further comprises the following steps: - E8) identifying, based on the current location data, that the vehicle is approaching a location associated with a recorded event, - E10) determining a control command for at least one component of the motor vehicle, enabling the event to be anticipated, and - E12) applying the anticipation command. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle implementing such a method. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the control of a powertrain of a hybrid motor vehicle.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a method of controlling a motor vehicle comprising a navigation system configured to provide location data for the motor vehicle and a computer comprising a memory for saving a database, the database comprising location data for recorded events.

[0003] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the energy management of a hybrid motor vehicle.

[0004] It also relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a navigation system configured to provide vehicle location data and, - a computer programmed to implement a method for controlling a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0005] Today, a hybrid vehicle manages the energy available to it by using an Energy Management Law (EML) which is based solely on the current state of the vehicle.

[0006] Depending on the sizing of the components of the hybrid vehicle's powertrain, particularly on entry-level vehicles, it may encounter situations (for example, climbing slopes at high speed) during which the mechanical power required by the vehicle to maintain its speed is greater than the power that the internal combustion engine can provide at an acceptable engine speed.

[0007] In these situations, the LGE (Law on Energy and Energy) traditionally involves keeping the internal combustion engine at a low speed and compensating for this power deficit with the electric motor. The drawback is that if the electric motor's energy reserve is depleted, the vehicle will experience either a sudden increase in engine speed or a sudden drop in speed during the incline. Both of these actions result in a less than ideal driving experience.

[0008] Similarly, it may happen that the vehicle arrives on a road suitable for recharging the electric machine's energy reserve when the energy reserve is already almost full. In this situation, the power generated during this recharging may exceed the energy recoverable from the reserve. This energy will then not be not recovered, and equates to overconsumption of the vehicle.

[0009] In order to avoid this energy waste while optimizing the user's driving experience, it is necessary that LGEs (Lightweight Energy Management) systems allow these situations to be anticipated. Presentation of the invention

[0010] In order to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention proposes a method of controlling a motor vehicle which makes it possible to memorize critical events encountered by the motor vehicle and then to anticipate them before their next occurrences.

[0011] More specifically, the invention proposes a control method as defined in the introduction, comprising the following steps: - E2) Acquisition of current location data of the motor vehicle. - E8) identification, based on current location data, that the vehicle is approaching a location associated with a recorded event, - E10) determination of a control instruction for at least one component of the motor vehicle, allowing the event to be anticipated, and - E12) application of the control instruction.

[0012] Thus, thanks to the invention, certain events can be anticipated and avoided. These events are typically a charge level in the battery that is too low to meet the power demand, or conversely, a charge level that is too high to recharge the battery. The invention makes it possible to anticipate these events by ensuring, as far as possible, that the battery charge level is adapted to the situation encountered. Among other things, when the vehicle has repeatedly encountered the same event in the same location, for example, a charge level defect, the invention makes it possible to ensure that the battery charge level is higher the next time it passes through the same location.

[0013] More generally, the invention makes it possible, when it has been detected that the same event was occurring in the same place, to ensure that the underlying problem (unsuitable charge level, ergonomic problem for the driver, etc.) disappears when the vehicle passes through that place again.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention proposes to use components commonly found in a vehicle and not specific to this use. The control method therefore requires few resources.

[0015] Another advantage is that the method relies on the vehicle's position and a database stored in its memory, which it can regularly update. The method is therefore inexpensive since it does not require the costly use of detailed mapping (such as "e-horizon" mapping, for example).

[0016] Other advantageous and non-limiting features of the process according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows: - The plan includes steps E4) for detecting an event, and E5) for searching for the event in the database. - if the event is not recorded in the database, the control procedure further includes a step E6) of saving data relating to the event in the database, - if the event is already recorded in the database, the control process further includes a step E7) of updating the data relating to the event saved in the database; - the motor vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain comprising at least an electric machine, an internal combustion engine and a battery pack adapted to supply current to the electric machine, - at step E4) an event is detected if the battery charge level reaches a critical minimum or maximum level; - when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a minimum critical load level is identified during the identification step E8), then the control instruction preferentially includes, on a portion of road preceding said event, an increase in thermomechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the internal combustion engine, and a decrease in electromechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the electric machine, and / or a recharge of the accumulator battery; - when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a maximum critical load level is identified during the identification step E8), then the control instruction preferentially includes, on a portion of road preceding said event, a decrease in the thermomechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the internal combustion engine, and an increase in the electromechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the electric machine; - The database includes a counter, - step E7) involves an incrementation of said counter, - steps E10) and E12) are conditional on the counter of the event encountered being greater than a threshold value; - Location data includes latitude and longitude, - the identification step E8) is carried out through a distance calculation; - Location data includes a traffic lane identifier, - the identification step E8) is carried out by recognizing a sequence of traffic lane identifiers.

[0017] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising a navigation system configured to provide location data for the motor vehicle and a computer programmed to implement a control method: as mentioned above.

[0018] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] The following description with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0020] On the attached drawings:

[0021] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid motor vehicle in accordance with the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a method for controlling the motor vehicle of [Fig.1] according to the invention, and

[0023] [Fig.3] is a graph showing the charge level of a battery of accumulators of the vehicle of [Fig.1] as a function of the progress of this motor vehicle along the same route, for four successive passages along this route.

[0024] In [Fig.1], a four-wheeled motor vehicle 1 is shown.

[0025] Conventionally, such a motor vehicle 1 comprises a chassis which supports including a powertrain 20, bodywork components and passenger compartment components, and which is carried by wheels, at least two of which are driven.

[0026] In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 1 is a hybrid motor vehicle 1 and the powertrain 20 then comprises a thermal traction chain and an electric traction chain.

[0027] The thermal traction chain includes in particular a fuel tank (gasoline, hydrogen, etc.), a fuel supply circuit which originates in the tank, an internal combustion engine 25 supplied with fuel by the supply circuit and a gearbox which allows the thermomechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the internal combustion engine 25 to be regulated.

[0028] The electric traction chain includes a battery of accumulators 22 and at least one electric machine 21 which is supplied with current by the battery of accumulators 22 and which is adapted to regulate the electromechanical power which it supplies to the drive wheels.

[0029] The motor vehicle 1 can be powered solely by its internal combustion engine (in internal combustion mode), solely by its electric drive system (in electric mode), or simultaneously by both its electric and internal combustion engine drive systems (in hybrid mode). In internal combustion mode, the electric motor 21 is not used. In electric mode, the internal combustion engine 25 is not used. In hybrid mode, the electric motor 21 is used intermittently to contribute to the vehicle's propulsion.

[0030] The motor vehicle 1 also includes an electronic control unit (or ECU for "Electronic Control Unit"), referred to here as computer 30, which allows in particular the control of at least one component of the motor vehicle 1. Here, the computer 30 allows the control of the two aforementioned traction chains (in particular the power developed by the electric machine 21 and by the internal combustion engine 25).

[0031] The calculator 30 here comprises a processor and a memory unit (hereinafter referred to as memory).

[0032] This memory can record, among other things, data used in the process described below.

[0033] It records in particular a computer application, consisting of computer programs comprising instructions whose execution by the processor allows the implementation by the computer 30 of the process described below.

[0034] The hybrid motor vehicle 1 finally includes a navigation system 10 which is connected to the computer 30.

[0035] The navigation system 10 here comprises, on the one hand, means for geolocating the motor vehicle 1 and, on the other hand, a control unit 11 which saves a database and allows data to be exchanged with the computer 30. The database includes, in particular, location data for recorded events

[0036] Alternatively, the database can be stored directly by the computer 30. In this case, the computer 30 retrieves only the location data from the control unit 11.

[0037] The control unit 30 is adapted to generate instructions based on data received by the navigation system 10, in particular instructions for controlling a vehicle component. In the embodiment described here, the instructions aim to best control the electric machine 21 and the internal combustion engine 25, depending on the circumstances, to optimize the user's driving experience.

[0038] Here, we will consider that the user is the driver of the vehicle.

[0039] The amount of energy available in the storage battery 22 can be defined by a charge level SOC which corresponds to the ratio between the instantaneous capacity of the battery to its nominal capacity. This state of charge (SOC) is expressed as a percentage and is estimated, for example, based on the voltage across the terminals of the storage battery 22 and the amount of current that has been delivered to and supplied to the storage battery 22 since the vehicle started.

[0040] The E100 control method, which is more specifically the subject of the present invention, aims to avoid unpleasant events for the user.

[0041] The principle of this method is based on the fact that the user will make repetitive journeys according to their needs and habits. The navigation system 10 makes it possible to identify the vehicle's location at any time, as well as the location of any type of event that the method wishes to avoid. The invention then proposes to record these events and monitor the location of the motor vehicle 1. The method then provides for sending a command to avoid events when the vehicle approaches a recorded location associated with a previous event.

[0042] In particular, in the embodiment envisaged here, the control method E100 aims to prevent the SOC charge level of the accumulator battery from reaching a critical minimum or maximum SOC charge level.

[0043] The minimum critical SOC load level is reached when its value is less than or equal to a minimum threshold value. In this case, the electric machine 21 will no longer have enough energy to pull the motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 will then operate in thermal mode and may lack power in certain situations (such as when going uphill).

[0044] The maximum critical state of charge (SOC) is reached when its value is greater than or equal to a maximum threshold value. In this case, the storage battery 22 cannot be charged. If the motor vehicle 1 enters a configuration conducive to battery recharging (such as a descent), then the energy that the storage battery 22 could have recovered is lost.

[0045] In addition, it may be necessary to use the brakes and wear them out prematurely.

[0046] An event will therefore be defined here as a fault or an excess of electrical energy in the accumulator battery.

[0047] The database that records the events will then include at least two fields, namely at least one field for the location of the event, and one field for the definition of the event (defect or energy overflow). In practice, as will be described below, it will include other fields. This database will also contain as many records as there are recorded events. Thus, when the new vehicle is sold, this database will contain no records. However, for the sake of clarity, it will be considered here that it already contains several records.

[0048] According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, this E100 energy management method comprises the following main steps:

[0049] - E2) acquisition of current location data of motor vehicle 1,

[0050] - E8) identification, based on current location data, of the vehicle approaches a location associated with a recorded event,

[0051] - E10) determination of a control instruction for at least one component of the vehicle automobile 1, allowing the event to be anticipated, and

[0052] - E12) application of the control instruction.

[0053] This process can be described in more detail as follows, with reference to [Fig.2].

[0054] The process begins at step E2 during which the navigation system 10 acquires location data for the motor vehicle 1.

[0055] This location data can be determined using GPS or GNSS signals (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). In this case, the location data includes, for example, latitude, longitude, and the direction of the vehicle at the location point. Generally, this step provides one GPS position per second.

[0056] In a second embodiment, location data can be determined using traffic lane identifiers known as "LinklD".

[0057] To explain how, we can first recall that in a navigation map, each road segment (commonly called a "Link") has a unique identifier called "LinklD". Each unique LinklD identifier is persistent across map updates and is not reused if the route is modified.

[0058] It is then understood that it is possible to locate the vehicle not using a latitude and a longitude, but rather using a unique identifier LinklD.

[0059] During step E2, a recent history of the unique LinklD identifiers that the vehicle travels through, forming a "current sequence of identifiers," is stored. To reduce memory usage, the sequence can be configured to include only the unique LinklD identifiers encountered in the last few kilometers. For example, the unique LinklD identifiers encountered in the last 5 kilometers can be recorded. This value can be adjusted according to the vehicle's capabilities and the requirements of the E100 control procedure.

[0060] The navigation system 10 sends location data to the computer 30.

[0061] Step E2 can be carried out continuously during the operation of the motor vehicle 1.

[0062] If an event is detected at the exact location of the motor vehicle, the process can then continue to step E4). If no event is detected there, the the process can continue at step E8).

[0063] During step E4, an event is detected by the computer 30. As explained above, in the embodiment described here, the events include reaching a maximum or minimum critical SOC load level.

[0064] If an event is detected by the computer 30, then the process continues to step E5) where the computer 30 searches the database to see if the event has already been encountered at that exact location.

[0065] If the event has never been encountered, it is unknown in the database. The E100 control process then continues to step E6). Otherwise, the process continues to step E7) of updating the data stored in the database.

[0066] To determine whether an event has already occurred, the computer 30 identifies the event using its location data (GPS position or LinklD sequence) and the event type. The process then continues in step E7) of updating the data in the database.

[0067] During step E6) where the event is encountered for the first time, the calculator 30 saves the data relating to the event in the database.

[0068] The database here includes, in addition to the type of event encountered and location data, a counter, a status and a last occurrence parameter.

[0069] In the embodiments described here, the type of event encountered corresponds to the reaching of a critical SOC charge level by the battery of accumulators 22.

[0070] The location data are the data determined in step E2).

[0071] The counter allows you to count the number of times the event has occurred. The For example, the counter is initialized to 1 when vehicle 1 encounters the event for the first time. The counter allows us to determine if an event is indeed recurring and needs to be anticipated. If an event is encountered only once at a given location, there is no point in trying to anticipate it when approaching that location, since it is then an isolated and non-recurring event.

[0072] An event can be considered to have to be anticipated if the counter is greater than a threshold value for occurrence. For example, this threshold value for occurrence could be 3.

[0073] The event status is linked to the counter and determines whether the event should be anticipated. If the counter is below the occurrence threshold, then the status is set to "pending," for example. If the counter is above the occurrence threshold, then the status is set to "confirmed," for example.

[0074] The last occurrence parameter allows you to define the date since the last occurrence of the event. When the event is recorded in the database for the first time, the last occurrence is initialized to today's date.

[0075] Alternatively, the last occurrence parameter can define a duration since the last occurrence.

[0076] The last occurrence parameter allows the identification of isolated events that are not, or are no longer, recurring events. In order to avoid using unnecessary memory for the process, when the last occurrence parameter exceeds a threshold value, the data relating to the event is deleted from the database.

[0077] Alternatively, to minimize the memory required by the process, a maximum number of events that the database can store can be defined. When the number of stored events exceeds this maximum, the events with the lowest counter and / or the oldest last occurrence parameter are deleted. The maximum number of events is a calibrated integer. For example, the maximum number of events can be 10.

[0078] Alternatively, the database could be supplied or supplemented by an external network or by other motor vehicles encountered.

[0079] In step E6), it is therefore planned to create a new record in the database, with the type of event encountered, the location data, the counter equal to 1, the status "pending" and the last occurrence parameter.

[0080] At step E7), that is, if the event is already known to the database, the data relating to the event in the database are updated.

[0081] The counter is then incremented. If the counter reaches the occurrence threshold level, then the event status is updated from "pending" to "confirmed".

[0082] The last occurrence parameter is also updated.

[0083] As explained above, if no event was detected during step E2 at the exact location of the motor vehicle 1, then the process continues in step E8) during which the computer 30 searches based on the current location data whether the vehicle is approaching a location associated with a recorded event and having a status of "confirmed" (or whose counter is greater than the threshold value of occurrence).

[0084] If the location data includes latitude and longitude, then this identification step E8) is performed by calculating the distance. The vehicle's direction can also be used to determine whether the vehicle is approaching or moving away from a recorded location.

[0085] The computer 30 determines that the motor vehicle 1 is approaching a location associated with a recorded event if the calculated distance is less than or equal to a reference distance value. This value may, for example, be 5 km. This value can be adjusted according to the motor vehicle 1 and the events that the control method El00 aims to anticipate.

[0086] If the location data includes traffic lane identifiers, then The identification step E8) is carried out through the recognition of the sequence of traffic lane identifiers.

[0087] As explained previously and similarly to location by latitude / longitude, the sequence of identifiers can correspond to a portion of road of defined length, for example equal to 5 km.

[0088] If the computer 30 detects that the motor vehicle 1 is approaching a location associated with a recorded event and having a status of "confirmed" (or whose counter is greater than the threshold value of occurrence), then the control process E100 continues to step E10) in which the computer 30 determines a control instruction for at least one component of the motor vehicle 1 allowing the event to be anticipated.

[0089] For example, when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a minimum critical SOC load level is identified during step E8), then the control setpoint may include an increase in thermomechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the internal combustion engine 25, and a decrease in electromechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the electric machine 21.

[0090] In other words, when the computer 30 identifies a nearby event corresponding to a risk of the accumulator battery 22 being discharged, the computer 30 controls the internal combustion engine 25 so as to reduce the discharge of the accumulator battery 22 as much as possible. Alternatively, the power of the internal combustion engine 25 can even be used to recharge the accumulator battery 22 before reaching this event.

[0091] Similarly, when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a maximum critical SOC load level is identified during the identification step E8), then the control setpoint may include a decrease in the thermomechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the internal combustion engine 25, and an increase in the electromechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the electric machine 21.

[0092] In other words, when the computer 30 identifies a nearby event corresponding to a risk that the accumulator battery 22 is almost full, the computer 30 controls the internal combustion engine 25 so as to discharge the accumulator battery 22 as much as possible. Alternatively, the internal combustion engine 25 can even be switched off.

[0093] The instruction can be applied to a section of road preceding the event. The section of road can be defined by a distance from the location of the event. Alternatively, the instruction can be applied as soon as the event is detected.

[0094] The values ​​of increase and decrease of thermomechanical power and electromechanical are determined depending on the section of road, the SOC charge level of the battery and / or a mass of the motor vehicle 1 for example.

[0095] The E100 control process then continues at step E12) in which the component of the motor vehicle 1 having received the instruction from the computer 30 applies said control instruction.

[0096] In the embodiment described here, the powertrain 20 then applies the power change command of the internal combustion engine 25 and the electric machine 21 in accordance with what was determined in step E10).

[0097] Figure 3 shows a curve representing the energy level of the battery 22 of the motor vehicle 1 as a function of the vehicle's progress along a route (tr) on a road. The motor vehicle traveled the same route three times without the application of control instructions (the events not yet having a "confirmed" status) and a fourth time with the application of control instructions determined by the aforementioned control method. Each of the SOC charge levels observed during the journeys is plotted on the graph in Figure 3. The SOC charge levels corresponding to the journeys without instructions are shown as dashed lines, and the one corresponding to the journey with instructions is shown as a solid line.

[0098] The minimum and maximum critical load levels are represented by dashes.

[0099] We observe the presence of three events (circled in solid lines) on the path. On routes where events do not yet have a "confirmed" status, the SOC load level reached is: - the minimum critical SOC load level for the first two events, and - the maximum critical SOC load level for the third event.

[0100] On the fourth journey, the beginnings of the road segments to which the control instructions were applied are outlined in dotted lines. Thanks to the E100 control procedure, the SOC load level no longer reaches a critical minimum or maximum SOC load level for any of the preceding events.

[0101] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will be able to make any variation in accordance with the invention.

[0102] For example, the E100 control method is not restricted to the control of the powertrain 20 and can be extended to events other than the attainment of a critical SOC charge level by the accumulator battery 22.

[0103] The E100 control method could be used to automate repeated pressing by the user of a button on the vehicle at a given location. This button could trigger the movement of a window, an all-electric mode, suspension adjustment, or even switch the motor vehicle 1 to 4x4 mode. The The El00 control method could also allow for the automation of launching a voice command or opening the fuel filler flap when the motor vehicle 1 is in a known location.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling (E100) a motor vehicle (1) comprising a navigation system (10) configured to provide location data for the motor vehicle (1) and a computer (30) comprising a memory for saving a database, the database comprising location data for recorded events, the control method (E100) comprising an initial step E2) of acquiring current location data for the motor vehicle (1) and being characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: - E4) detection of an event, and - E5) searching for the event in the database, then H if the event is not recorded in the database, the control procedure (E100) further includes a step E6) of saving data relating to the event in the database, and / or H if the event is already recorded in the database, the control procedure (E100) further includes a step E7) of updating the data relating to the event saved in the database. - E8) identification, based on current location data, that the motor vehicle (1) is approaching a location associated with an event recorded in the database, - E10) determination of a control instruction for at least one component of the motor vehicle (1), enabling the event to be anticipated, and - E12) application of the control instruction, the motor vehicle (1) comprising a hybrid powertrain (20) including at least one electric machine (21), an internal combustion engine (25) and a battery of accumulators (22) adapted to supply current to the electric machine (21), and in which at step E4) an event is detected if the state of charge (SOC) of the battery (22) reaches a critical minimum or maximum level, the values ​​of increase and decrease of the thermomechanical and electromechanical power being calculated as a function of the road segment, the state of charge of the battery and the mass of the motor vehicle (1).

2. A control method (E100) according to claim 1, wherein when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a minimum critical load level is identified during the identification step E8), then the control instruction preferably includes, on a portion of road preceding said event, an increase in thermomechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the internal combustion engine (25), and a decrease in electromechanical power supplied to drive wheels by the electric machine (21), and / or a recharge of the accumulator battery (22).

3. Control method (E100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein when a location associated with an event corresponding to the attainment of a maximum critical load level is identified during the identification step E8), then the control instruction preferably includes, on a portion of road preceding said event, a decrease in the thermomechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the internal combustion engine (25), and an increase in the electromechanical power supplied to the drive wheels by the electric machine (21).

4. Control method (E100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the database includes a counter, wherein step E7) involves an incrementation of said counter and wherein steps E10) and E12) are conditional on the counter of the encountered event being greater than a threshold value.

5. Control method (E100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the location data include a latitude and a longitude, and wherein, preferably, the identification step E8) is carried out by means of a distance calculation.

6. Control method (E100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the location data include a traffic lane identifier, and wherein, preferably, the identification step E8) is carried out by means of recognizing a sequence of traffic lane identifiers.

7. Motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a navigation system (10) configured to provide location data for the motor vehicle (1) and, - a computer (30) programmed to implement a control method (E100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.