Accelerator pedal mapping configuration method using biometric recognition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for configuring the accelerator pedal mapping of a powertrain of an electrified motor vehicle comprising a first step of determining (E1) a biometric recognition signal at the start of the vehicle to detect identification information of the vehicle's driver, a second step of determining (E2) a preset parameter stored in the vehicle's memory according to the identification information detected at the start,Preset parameters are provided to store at least one map chosen by a driver from among the plurality of maps and associated with identification information, and a third selection step (E3) of at least one saved map from among the plurality of maps and associated with the preset parameter to configure the powertrain accelerator pedal map when starting the vehicle. Figure 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Method for configuring accelerator pedal mapping by biometric recognition

[0001] The field of the invention relates to the configuration of the accelerator pedal maps of a motor vehicle powertrain.

[0002] In all-electric or hybrid electrified vehicles, several types of regenerative braking are currently available. A so-called normal mode is configured by default when starting the vehicle. By using this "normal" mode, the driver can benefit from an engine brake of approximately 0.6 m / s2 by releasing the accelerator pedal, before pressing the brake pedal. A second mode called "Brake mode" can be selected by the driver to benefit from it. By activating the "Brake" mode, the driver can benefit from a more powerful engine brake of approximately 1.2 m / s2 by releasing the accelerator pedal, before pressing the brake pedal. Other modes can be provided to increase the power of the engine brake. The driver's position is then provided with an interface allowing the desired configuration to be selected, for example a paddle or a touch pad.Furthermore, it is planned that the driver can set in the same way driving modes adapted to his driving profile, for example an economical driving mode prioritizing the reduction of energy consumption, a standard driving mode optimizing energy consumption while offering suitable performance and a sport driving mode offering the maximum available torque capacities without consumption criteria.

[0003] The multiple braking modes and driving modes require a suitable interface. In particular, we seek to avoid the integration of multiple buttons and paddles on the dashboard to improve the ergonomics of the driving position and limit its manufacturing cost. We know from the state of the art the patent document A1-US2020 / 0130663 describing a solution for configuring a force feedback function for a brake pedal.

[0004] There is a need to overcome the aforementioned problems. One objective of the invention is to improve the ergonomics of configuring the braking modes and driving modes of a motor vehicle, in particular for electrified vehicles equipped with a regenerative braking system. Another objective of the invention is to reduce the number of human-machine interface devices, in particular buttons, dials and paddles, in a driver's station in a vehicle.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for configuring the accelerator pedal mapping of a vehicle powertrain au- electrified automobile in which a control unit determines a setpoint torque at the wheels as a function of a plurality of maps each delivering setpoint engine torque values ​​as a function of a parameter representative of the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

[0006] - a first step of determining a biometric recognition signal during from starting the vehicle to detect identification information of the vehicle driver,

[0007] - a second step of determining a preset parameter recorded in vehicle memory based on the identification information detected during startup, preset parameters being provided to store at least one map chosen by a driver from among the plurality of maps and associated with identification information,

[0008] - a third step of selecting at least one recorded mapping from the plurality of maps and associated with the preset parameter to configure the powertrain accelerator pedal mapping when starting the vehicle.

[0009] The method according to the invention may include the following additional characteristics, alone or in combination:

[0010] - a first map is an engine brake torque map terminating a braking torque to the wheels exerted by an electric motor, said first mapping being included in a first set of mappings determining at least two engine braking behaviors of the vehicle.

[0011] - a second map is a driving mode map determining a target engine torque to the wheels, said second mapping being included in a second set of mappings determining at least three driving modes each representative of a level of consumption and performance of the vehicle.

[0012] - The method further comprises a fourth step of assigning a parameter of preset associated with the identification information for storing at least one mapping among the plurality of mappings.

[0013] - The fourth assignment step is ordered in case of detection that no preset parameter is assigned to the identification information prior to the time of determining the biometric recognition signal.

[0014] - The biometric recognition signal is delivered by a vision system on-board vehicle adapted to identify a driver when starting.

[0015] According to the invention, there is provided an electrified motor vehicle comprising a powertrain comprising a control unit capable of determining a torque of wheel instruction according to a plurality of maps each delivering engine torque instruction values ​​according to a parameter representative of the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a biometric recognition device provided for determining driver identification information, comprising means configured for the implementation of any one of the preceding embodiments of the configuration method.

[0016] Further provided is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit of an electrified motor vehicle, cause the latter to implement any one of the preceding embodiments of the configuration method.

[0017] The invention has the advantage of simplifying the driving position of a motor vehicle by eliminating buttons and selectors provided for adjusting the engine braking modes and the driving modes of the vehicle. It also makes it possible to automate the configuration of the driving modes by biometric recognition. The invention allows for an ergonomic improvement and an economic and safety gain.

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically represents an electrified motor vehicle capable of implementing the configuration method according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig.2] illustrates two accelerator pedal maps allowing the determination of an engine braking setpoint torque and an engine torque of a driving mode.

[0021] [Fig.3] represents a functional diagram of the configuration method according to the invention.

[0022] The invention applies to electrified motor vehicles with fully electric motors and partially electric hybrid motors. With reference to [Fig. 1], the electrified motor vehicle 1 comprises an electrical energy storage system 3, a regenerative braking means 6 and a supervisor 2 of the vehicle's powertrain.

[0023] More precisely, in this preferred embodiment, the regenerative braking means is formed by an electric motor 6 of the vehicle 1 in cooperation with the storage system 3. The electric motor 6 is capable of operating electric braking according to a regenerative braking mode by taking a torque from the traction chain. It then generates electrical energy which can be used to recharge the energy storage system 3. Optionally, the vehicle 1 further comprises an internal combustion engine (not shown in [Fig.l]).

[0024] The electric motor machine 6 can operate specifically according to one, two, or three or more regenerative braking modes, where each mode determines the intensity of the braking torque. Each braking mode can be activated in braking control, controlled by the driver or automatically, and in a foot release situation. The electric machine 6 comprises a control unit 7 configured to implement regenerative braking in response to a braking instruction.

[0025] Conventionally, the vehicle is equipped with on-board sensors and devices allowing the determination and measurement of vehicle parameters allowing the implementation of the configuration method according to the invention, in particular the speed of movement of the vehicle expressed in Km / h and the rotation speed of the rotor of the electric motor 6 and / or the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, in particular. The vehicle 1 further comprises an accelerator pedal depression sensor delivering travel depression information making it possible to determine a set engine torque at the wheels. These parameters are measurable or determinable at any time by the vehicle supervision computer.

[0026] Furthermore, the vehicle supervision computer 2 comprises, recorded in the memory of its computer, a plurality of accelerator pedal maps delivering, for each map, setpoint engine torque values ​​as a function of a parameter representative of the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a vehicle speed parameter. The setpoint engine torque is representative of the driver's wishes. It may be a setpoint engine torque at the drive wheels of the vehicle or a setpoint engine torque of the electric motor and / or of an internal combustion engine.

[0027] A first set of maps called electric braking or regenerative braking determines engine braking behaviors of the vehicle. Each map of said first set delivers a braking torque value to the wheels as a function of values ​​of the vehicle speed and the depression of the accelerator pedal measured at a given time by the powertrain supervision computer, each map being associated with a specific braking mode and determines a braking power. These modes can be graduated and designated by the following terms: “Normal mode”, “Brake mode”, “Brake+ mode”. For example, a first braking map controls a deceleration of the vehicle by a value of approximately 0.6m / s2, a second braking map controls a value of approximately 1.2m / s2 and a third map controls a value of approximately 1.8m / s2.For example, for a first engine brake map if the vehicle is moving at 60 km / h and the accelerator pedal is pressed at 10% depression, the accelerator pedal map delivers a set torque for the machine. drive to provide a braking torque of -318 Nm to the wheel, and therefore to brake the vehicle with a wheel braking torque of 318 Nm. The resulting rotor reference torque is dependent on the gear ratio actuated, a reducer or an intermediate gearbox, and can be determined at any time by the supervision computer.

[0028] These maps intervene in a situation of foot release, consequently they can also provide a torque value making the vehicle move forward at zero speed and low speeds, up to approximately 5 km / h or 10 km / h. This is a torque value called creeping torque. Other maps are possible.

[0029] A second set of driving mode maps determines at least three driving modes, each representative of a level of consumption and performance of the vehicle. Each map of said second set delivers an engine torque value to the wheels as a function of values ​​of the vehicle speed and the pressure of the accelerator pedal measured at a given time by the powertrain supervision computer. The engine torque to the wheels may be delivered by an electric motor and / or a thermal engine depending on the architecture of the powertrain.

[0030] For example, a first accelerator pedal map corresponds to an economical driving mode where the powertrain prioritizes the reduction of electrical energy consumption, a second map corresponds to a standard driving mode designed to optimize energy consumption while providing suitable torque performance and a third map corresponds to a sport driving mode designed to deliver all of the available engine torque without limitation of consumption criteria. Other maps are conceivable. For example, in so-called sport driving mode, if the vehicle is traveling at 60 km / h and the accelerator pedal is actuated at 50% depression, the powertrain supervision computer must request the electric machine to provide a torque of 1289 Nm to the wheel.The resulting rotor torque depends on the gear ratio of a reducer or intermediate gearbox.

[0031] In [Fig. 2], an example of a CTO1 map of electric braking mode and a CTO2 map of driving mode that can be recorded in the memory of the supervision unit of a powertrain for the accelerator pedal are shown. In these maps are shown examples of values ​​of depression of the accelerator pedal in the first row and examples of values ​​of vehicle speed in the first column. The values ​​of the maps are wheel torque setpoint values. It should be noted that these two maps are indicated as illustrative examples.

[0032] A braking mode and a driving mode can be activated by the driver by means of a human-machine interface 8 of the vehicle which may be, for example, a button, dial, paddle or tablet of the vehicle control panel. A vehicle computer 11 is adapted to memorize a braking mode and a driving mode specific to an identified driver. For this purpose, the vehicle further comprises a biometric recognition device 9 provided to communicate identification information specific to a driver. The identification information is digital or analog data delivered by an identification function.For example, the biometric recognition device is a vision system adapted to transmit an individual identification, either a retinal identification, or a facial identification, or a number of points of the face of a driver, to the computer 11 allowing an adjustment function to record in the memory of a computer an adjustment parameter associated with a braking mode and a driving mode chosen by the driver. The recognition device may alternatively be a fingerprint sensor.

[0033] The energy storage system 3 comprises electrical energy storage elements 5 ensuring the supply of energy to the electrical machine 6. In this preferred embodiment, the energy storage elements 5 form an electrochemical battery and comprise electrochemical cells, for example of the Lithium-ion, Ni-mh, Lithium-Iron-Phosphate type, for example. The energy storage system 3 is a high-power battery designed to deliver a voltage greater than 120 volts, for example between 350 volts and 450 volts or between 800 volts and 900 volts for example.

[0034] Furthermore, the vehicle comprises a data communication bus 10, of the CAN type for example (Control Area Network in English) allowing the supervisor 2 to manage the transmission of data between the computers of the vehicle 1. In particular, within the framework of the configuration method according to the invention, it makes it possible to transmit a parameter or information informing the braking modes and driving modes memorized by a driver when he is identified to automatically configure by the powertrain supervision control unit the accelerator pedal maps when starting the vehicle.

[0035] In [Fig. 3], the method for configuring a map of the accelerator pedal according to the invention is shown. The supervision control unit 2 of the powertrain is provided with an integrated circuit computer and electronic memories, the computer and the memories being configured to execute the configuration method according to the invention. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the computer could be external to the control unit 2, while being coupled to the latter 2. In the latter case, it can itself be arranged in the form of a cal dedicated controller including a possible dedicated program, for example. Consequently, the control unit, according to the invention, can be produced in the form of software modules (or computer modules (or "software")), or electronic circuits (or "hardware"), or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0036] The configuration method is initiated when the vehicle is started and comprises a first step of determining E1 a biometric recognition signal to detect identification information of the driver of the vehicle. The determination E1 is executed by a recognition or monitoring function designed to identify the driver. In a manner known per se, the identification function can be implemented by an on-board vision system triggering retinal or facial identification functions when the vehicle is started. The identification information is then transmitted to a computer of the vehicle to determine preset parameters that have been previously stored, or to trigger a sequence for recording the driver's preferred presets for the braking mode and the driving mode in the case where these are not yet stored.

[0037] Then, the method comprises a second step E2 of determining the presetting parameter recorded in the vehicle's memory as a function of the identification information detected during startup. The presetting parameters are provided to determine the engine brake mapping and the driving mode mapping already pre-recorded by an identified driver.

[0038] If a presetting parameter is already stored for the identification information detected by the vision system, the method controls a third step E3 of selecting the maps preferably recorded by the driver from among the plurality of maps and associated with the presetting parameter to configure the accelerator pedal mapping of the powertrain. The powertrain supervision control unit determines or receives the presetting information for the braking modes and driving modes delivered by the vehicle supervision computer. Then, the powertrain control unit automatically configures the maps selected by the driver, which have been associated with his identification information. This sequence has the advantage of facilitating configuration and avoiding a driver having to manipulate a dial or a paddle at each start.Furthermore, this even allows these mechanical elements to be removed from the driver's seat and all the configuration means to be brought together in a single software interface with touch screen or voice command.

[0039] If no preset parameter is configured for the identification information detected by the vision system, the method controls a fourth step E4 assigning a mapping preset allowing the driver to select his regenerative braking mode and his preferred driving mode and to save these presets in the memory of a vehicle computer. This fourth step E4 has the effect that these presets are assigned to his identification information. It is always possible for a driver to access the configuration menu for these presets via the human-machine interface.

[0040] Then, when the preset parameters associated with identification information are stored, the method controls the selection step E3 of the maps preferably recorded by the driver.

[0041] Furthermore, during the fourth step E4, if the driver does not inform the braking modes and driving mode, the preset parameters of the default braking mode and driving mode are assigned, corresponding for example to the normal regenerative braking mode and the standard driving mode. In such a case, the method controls the selection step E5 of the default maps to configure the accelerator pedal map of the powertrain.

[0042] Similarly, in the case where a driver cannot be identified, for example due to failure or inappropriate conditions for detection, the default braking mode and driving mode preset parameters are affected. In such a case, the method controls the step E5 of selecting the default maps to configure the accelerator pedal map of the powertrain.

[0043] The invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that the person skilled in the art is able to produce different variant embodiments of the invention by associating, for example, the different characteristics above taken alone or in combination, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for configuring the accelerator pedal mapping of an electrified motor vehicle powertrain (1) in which a control unit (2) determines a setpoint torque at the wheels as a function of a plurality of maps (CTO1, CTO2) each delivering setpoint engine torque values ​​as a function of a parameter representative of the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a first step of determining (El) a biometric recognition signal when starting the vehicle to detect identification information of the driver of the vehicle, - a second step of determining (E2) a preset parameter recorded in the memory of the vehicle as a function of the identification information detected during starting, preset parameters being provided to store at least one map (CTO1,CTO2) chosen by a driver from among the plurality of maps and associated with identification information, - a third step of selection (E3) of at least one map (CT01, CT02) recorded from among the plurality of maps and associated with the presetting parameter to configure the accelerator pedal map of the powertrain when starting the vehicle.,

2. Configuration method according to claim 1, in which a first map (CTO1) is an engine braking torque map determining a wheel braking torque exerted by an electric motor (6), said first map (CTO1) being included in a first set of maps determining at least two engine braking behaviors of the vehicle.

3. Configuration method according to claim 1 or 2, in which a second map (CTO2) is a driving mode map determining a set engine torque at the wheels, said second map (CT02) being included in a second set of maps determining at least three driving modes each representative of a level of consumption and performance of the vehicle.

4. Configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a fourth step of assigning (E4) a preset parameter associated with the identification information for storing at least one map among the plurality of maps.

5. A configuration method according to claim 4 wherein the fourth assignment step (E4) is controlled in the event of detection that no preset parameter is assigned to the identification information prior to the time of determining the biometric recognition signal.

6. Configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the biometric recognition signal is delivered by an on-board vision system (9) of the vehicle (1) adapted to identify a driver when starting.

7. Electrified motor vehicle (1) comprising a powertrain comprising a control unit (2) capable of determining a setpoint torque at the wheels as a function of a plurality of maps (CTO1, CTO2) each delivering setpoint engine torque values ​​as a function of a parameter representative of the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a biometric recognition device (9) provided for determining driver identification information, characterized in that it comprises means configured for implementing the configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit of an electrified motor vehicle, cause the latter to implement the configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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