METHOD FOR DETECTING A DETERIORATION OF PERFORMANCE OF REGULATION OF A VOLTAGE AT THE TERMINALS OF AN ELECTRIC STORAGE UNIT OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method 100 for detecting a deterioration in the regulation performance of a voltage at the terminals of an electrical power supply storage device of an on-board network of a vehicle, said method 100 comprising the steps, executed by a remote server of the vehicle constructed and arranged to communicate with communication means of the vehicle, of: Comparing 102 a voltage regulation setpoint to be applied to the terminals of said storage device via an electrical generator of the vehicle with a voltage value at the terminals of said storage device, If, during a threshold duration of a driving phase, a voltage difference between said voltage regulation setpoint and said voltage value at the terminals of said storage device is greater than a voltage threshold, incrementing 103 a counter; When said counter reaches a driving threshold, detecting 104 a deterioration in the regulation performance of the voltage at the terminals of said storage device. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR DETECTING A DETERIORATION OF PERFORMANCE OF REGULATION OF A VOLTAGE AT THE TERMINALS OF AN ELECTRIC STORAGE UNIT OF A VEHICLE

[0001] The field of the invention is that of regulating a voltage at the terminals of an electrical power supply store of a vehicle's on-board network. The electrical power supply store may be of the 12V type.

[0002] In a manner known per se, in a vehicle having a 12V on-board network, the management of the voltage of the entire on-board network is carried out by regulating the voltage at the terminals of the 12V electrical power supply storage device. The voltage level to be applied to the terminals of the storage device is determined to meet a set of needs, such as the need to recharge the storage device while driving or the need to guarantee a minimum voltage level at the terminals of the electrical components of the on-board network guaranteeing their level of performance. This is particularly necessary for critical electrical components such as lights, braking and steering systems.

[0003] To meet all of these needs, it is necessary that the voltage difference between the desired voltage at the storage device and the voltage actually measured at the terminals of the storage device be almost similar.

[0004] To this end, a regulation strategy can be implemented in a computer which determines a desired voltage setpoint at the terminals of the storage device and deduces therefrom, to fill a voltage difference between the desired voltage and the actual voltage at the terminals of the storage device, a voltage setpoint to be applied by an electric generator.

[0005] Failure to comply with the voltage level at the terminals of the storage device may lead to consequences such as degradation of the performance of the vehicle's safety components, poor recharging of the storage device, an impact on the durability of the storage device and / or the components of the on-board network.

[0006] The aim of the invention is in particular to propose a method for detecting a deterioration in the regulation performance of a voltage at the terminals of an electrical power supply storage device of an on-board network of a vehicle.

[0007] In this context, the invention thus relates, in its broadest acceptance, to a method for detecting a deterioration in the regulation performance of a voltage at the terminals of an electrical power supply storage device of an on-board network of a vehicle, the method being remarkable in that it comprises the steps, executed by a remote server of the vehicle constructed and arranged to communicate with means of communication of the vehicle, of: • Receive means of communication: • A voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of the storage device via an electric generator in the vehicle; • A voltage value at the terminals of the storage device; • Information reflecting the operating status of the storage device; • A voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator; • Information reflecting the operating status of the electric generator; • Information reflecting the vehicle’s driving condition; • when the information translating a driving state of the vehicle reflects that the vehicle is in the driving phase, that the information translating an operating state of the storage device reflects that the storage device is operating correctly, that the information translating an operating state of the electric generator reflects that the electric generator is operating correctly and that the voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator corresponds to a voltage value characteristic of a regulation voltage while driving, compare the voltage regulation setpoint with the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device; • If, during a threshold duration of a driving phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than a voltage threshold, increment a counter; • When the meter reaches a rolling threshold, detect a deterioration in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device.

[0008] Thanks to this invention, it is possible for any vehicle having means of communication capable of transmitting relevant data to a remote server, to continuously monitor the level of error between the desired voltage regulation setpoint for the storage device and the actual voltage at the terminals of the storage device. In the event of a characteristic overshoot, the method makes it possible to detect a degradation in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device.

[0009] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the method according to the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0010] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the threshold duration of a rolling phase is between 50% and 70% of a rolling phase.

[0011] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the voltage threshold is between 100mV and 500mV.

[0012] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the rolling threshold is between 50 and 150 rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than the voltage threshold.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the rolling threshold is between 50 and 150 consecutive rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than the voltage threshold.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the characteristic voltage value of a regulation voltage while driving is between 13V and 15V.

[0015] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, when a degradation of the regulation performance of the voltage at the terminals of the storage device is detected, the method comprises a step of transmitting, to recording means remote from the server, information reflecting the degradation.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising an electrical power supply store for an on-board network of the vehicle, an electrical generator and communication means constructed and arranged to communicate with a server remote from the vehicle, the communication means being constructed and arranged to: • transmit to the server: • A voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of the storage device via the electric generator; • A voltage value at the terminals of the storage device; • Information reflecting the operating status of the storage device; • A voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator; • Information reflecting the operating status of the electric generator; • Information reflecting the vehicle’s driving condition. • receive, from the server, information reflecting a deterioration in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device, the information reflecting a deterioration being a function of the voltage regulation setpoint to be applied to the terminals of the storage device via the electric generator, the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device, the information reflecting an operating state of the storage device, the voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator, the information reflecting an operating state of the electric generator, and the information reflecting a driving state of the vehicle.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the vehicle comprises recording means constructed and arranged to record the information reflecting the degradation and / or means for displaying the information reflecting the degradation.

[0018] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the storage device is a 12V type storage device.

[0019] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0020] [Fig-1] illustrates, in a schematic manner, a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a method according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates, in a schematic manner, a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a vehicle according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0022] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures presents a unique reference.

[0024] [Fig.l] represents the steps of a method 100 for detecting a degradation in the regulation performance of a voltage at the terminals of an electrical power supply storage device of an on-board network of a vehicle according to a non-limiting aspect of the invention.

[0025] The method 100 comprises a step, executed by a remote server of the vehicle constructed and arranged to communicate with communication means of the vehicle, of receiving 101, from the communication means, a voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of the storage device via an electric generator of the vehicle and a voltage value at the terminals of the storage device.

[0026] The voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device can be determined by a storage device computer, then transmitted by the vehicle's communication means to the server.

[0027] The voltage regulation setpoint corresponds, when the voltage at the terminals of the storage device is not sufficient to supply all the components of the on-board network, to a voltage that the vehicle's electric generator must supply to increase or maintain the voltage at the terminals of the storage device. In addition, this voltage regulation setpoint takes into consideration the impedance of the on-board network cables causing the voltage to drop. For example, if a voltage of 14V is desired at the terminals of the storage device, it may be necessary for the electric generator to transmit a voltage of 14.5V to the storage device in order to compensate for the losses due to the impedance of the cables. The voltage regulation setpoint will then be 14.5V in this example.

[0028] During this receiving step 101, the server also receives, from the communication means, information reflecting an operating state of the storage device. In other words, the server also collects information indicating whether the storage device, for example the storage device's computer, is faulty or not. Thus, the server is in measure to determine if the voltage at the terminals of the storage device received is reliable.

[0029] The information reflecting an operating state of the storage device can be determined by an engine computer of the vehicle, then transmitted by the vehicle's communication means to the server.

[0030] During this receiving step 101, the server also receives, from the communication means, a voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator and information reflecting an operating state of the electric generator. Thus, by collecting information reflecting an operating state of the electric generator, the server is capable of determining whether the voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator is valid.

[0031] The voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator and the information reflecting an operating state of the electric generator can be determined by the engine computer, then transmitted by the vehicle's communication means to the server.

[0032] During this receiving step 101, the server also receives, from the communication means, information reflecting a driving state of the vehicle allowing the server to determine whether the vehicle is moving.

[0033] The information reflecting a driving state of the vehicle can be determined by the engine computer, then transmitted by the vehicle's communication means to the server.

[0034] In a non-limiting manner, the server communicates with the communication means using a 4G or 5G type communication protocol.

[0035] The information collected by the server may be received periodically, for example every 100 milliseconds.

[0036] When the information translating a driving state of the vehicle reflects that the vehicle is in the driving phase, that the information translating an operating state of the storage device reflects that the storage device is operating correctly, that the information translating an operating state of the electric generator reflects that the electric generator is operating correctly and that the voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator corresponds to a voltage value characteristic of a regulation voltage while driving, the method 100 comprises a step 102 of comparing the voltage regulation setpoint with the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device.

[0037] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the characteristic voltage value of a regulation voltage while driving is between 13V and 15V, typically 14V.

[0038] If, during a threshold duration of a driving phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than a voltage threshold, the method 100 comprises a step of incrementing 103 a counter.

[0039] The threshold duration of a driving phase is between 50% and 70%, typically 60%, of a driving phase. A driving phase corresponds to a phase during which the vehicle moves between a start and a switch-off of an engine of the vehicle. A new driving phase is activated when the engine is started again.

[0040] In a non-limiting manner, the voltage threshold is between 100 mV and 500 mV, typically 300 mV.

[0041] When the counter reaches a rolling threshold, the method 100 comprises a step 104 of detecting a degradation in the performance of regulating the voltage at the terminals of the storage device.

[0042] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the rolling threshold may be between 50 and 150 rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than the voltage threshold.

[0043] According to another non-limiting aspect of the invention, the rolling threshold may be between 50 and 150 consecutive rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device is greater than the voltage threshold.

[0044] According to this aspect of the invention, when a degradation of the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device is detected, the method 100 comprises a step of transmitting 105, to recording means remote from the server, information reflecting the degradation.

[0045] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, this information reflecting a degradation of the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device can reflect a risk on the recharging performance of the storage device, a risk on the performance of the components of the on-board network, in particular the safety components, as well as a possible risk of degradation of the durability of the storage device and of all the components of the on-board network.

[0046] This information reflecting a degradation recorded on the recording means can be accessible to the development teams for voltage regulation at the terminals of the storage device so that the latter can trigger a series of additional analyses, aimed at more precisely discriminating the root cause(s) of the abnormal behavior detected by the method and at initiating the necessary corrective actions on the vehicle.

[0047] [Fig. 2] illustrates another aspect of the invention relating to a vehicle 1 comprising a storage device 2 for supplying electricity to an on-board network 3 of the vehicle 1, an electric generator 4 and communication means 5 constructed and arranged to communicate with a server 6 remote from the vehicle 1. The storage device 2 can be formed by a 12V type battery.

[0048] Depending on the type of vehicle 1, namely thermal, hybrid or electric, the electric generator 4 can be formed by a rotating electric machine or a direct-direct current converter arranged to electrically supply the electrical power supply storage unit 2 of the on-board network and the on-board network of the vehicle 1.

[0049] Such a direct current-direct current converter is commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as a DC / DC converter for “Direct Current / Direct Current” in English.

[0050] The communication means 5 are constructed and arranged to transmit to the remote server 6: • A voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of the storage device 2 via the electric generator 4; • A voltage value at the terminals of storer 2; • Information reflecting the operating status of the storage unit 2; • A voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator 4; • Information reflecting the operating status of the electric generator 4; • Information reflecting the driving status of vehicle 1.

[0051] The communication means 5 are further constructed and arranged to receive, from the server 6, information reflecting a degradation in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device 2. The information reflecting a degradation is a function of the voltage regulation setpoint to be applied to the terminals of the storage device 2 via the electrical generator 4, the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device 2, the information reflecting an operating state of the storage device 2, the voltage value at the terminals of the electrical generator 4, the information reflecting an operating state of the electrical generator 4, and the information reflecting a driving state of the vehicle 1.

[0052] The vehicle 1 further comprises recording means 7 constructed and arranged to record the information reflecting the degradation and display means 8 for displaying the information reflecting the degradation. Thus, by viewing this information, the driver of the vehicle 1 can bring his vehicle 1 to a repair center in order to carry out an inspection and possibly a repair.

[0053] The entire description is limited to one vehicle but it is understood that the server is constructed and arranged to communicate with a fleet of vehicles and is able to detect a degradation in the performance of voltage regulation at the terminals of a storage device for each vehicle in said fleet.

Claims

Claims

1. Method (100) for detecting a deterioration in the regulation performance of a voltage at the terminals of an electrical supply storage device (2) of an on-board network (3) of a vehicle (1), said method (100) being characterized in that it comprises the steps, executed by a server (6) remote from said vehicle (1) constructed and arranged to communicate with communication means (5) of said vehicle (1), of: Receive (101), from said communication means (5),: • A voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of said storage device (2) via an electric generator (4) of said vehicle (1); • A voltage value at the terminals of said storage device (2); • Information reflecting the operating status of said storage device (2); • A voltage value at the terminals of said electric generator (4); • Information reflecting the operating status of said electric generator (4); • Information reflecting the driving condition of said vehicle (1); when the information translating a driving state of said vehicle (1) reflects that said vehicle (1) is in the driving phase, that the information translating an operating state of said storage device (2) reflects that said storage device (2) is operating correctly, that the information translating an operating state of the electric generator (4) reflects that the electric generator (4) is operating correctly and that the voltage value at the terminals of the electric generator (4) corresponds to a voltage value characteristic of a regulation voltage, comparing (102) said voltage regulation setpoint with said voltage value at the terminals of said storage device (2), If, during a threshold duration of a driving phase, a voltage difference between said voltage regulation setpoint and said voltage value at the terminals of said storage device (2) is greater than a voltage threshold, increment (103) a counter; - When said counter reaches a rolling threshold, detect (104) a degradation in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of said storage device (2).

2. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the threshold duration of a rolling phase is between 50% and 70% of a rolling phase.

3. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the voltage threshold is between 100mV and 500mV.

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling threshold is between 50 and 150 rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device (2) is greater than the voltage threshold.

5. Method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rolling threshold is between 50 and 150 consecutive rolling phases during which, for a threshold duration of a rolling phase, a voltage difference between the voltage regulation setpoint and the voltage value at the terminals of the storage device (2) is greater than the voltage threshold.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the characteristic voltage value of a driving regulation voltage is between 13V and 15V.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a degradation of the regulation performance of the voltage at the terminals of the storer (2) is detected, the method (100) comprises a step of transmitting (105), to recording means remote from the server (6), information reflecting said degradation.

8. Vehicle (1) comprising a storage device (2) for supplying electrical power to an on-board network (3) of said vehicle (1), an electrical generator (4) and communication means (5) constructed and arranged to communicate with a server (6) remote from said vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) being characterized in that said communication means (5) are constructed and arranged to: - transmit to said server (6): • A voltage regulation instruction to be applied to the terminals of said storage device (2) via said electric generator (4); • A voltage value at the terminals of said storage device (2); • Information reflecting an operating state of said storage device (2); • A voltage value at the terminals of said electric generator (4); • Information reflecting an operating state of said electric generator (4); • Information reflecting a driving state of said vehicle (1).- receiving, from the server (6), information reflecting a degradation in the voltage regulation performance at the terminals of the storage device (2), said information reflecting a degradation being a function of said voltage regulation setpoint to be applied to the terminals of said storage device (2) via said electric generator (4), of said voltage value at the terminals of said storage device (2), of said information reflecting an operating state of said storage device (2), of said voltage value at the terminals of said electric generator (4), of said information reflecting an operating state of said electric generator (4), and of said information reflecting a driving state of said vehicle (1).

9. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vehicle (1) comprises recording means (7) constructed and arranged to record the information reflecting the degradation and / or display means (8) of said information reflecting said degradation.

10. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the storage device (2) is a 12V type storage device.

Images