How to standardize vehicle acceleration profiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for aligning the acceleration profile (15) of a vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: obtaining the measured acceleration profile (25) of another vehicle (20); setting the measured acceleration profile (25) of the other vehicle (20) as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10); and operating the vehicle (10) by applying the target acceleration profile (35).

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a method for aligning the acceleration profiles of vehicles, the method comprising the steps of obtaining the measured acceleration profile of another vehicle and operating the vehicle by applying a target acceleration profile. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a control device configured to execute such a method and a vehicle operated based on such a method.

Background Art

[0002] Normally, vehicles in a single product line are marked to indicate that they belong to that product line. However, vehicles in a single product line may have different vehicle characteristics, particularly acceleration behavior, as perceived by the vehicle driver or passengers, for reasons such as differences in vehicle configuration or vehicle parts. Since this often gives a subjectively important impression in evaluating the potential driving performance of the vehicle, it is desirable to provide similar acceleration behavior and thus transverse operation among vehicles in a single product line.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In view of such a background, an object of the present invention is to improve the subjective impression of vehicle occupants with respect to the driving behavior of vehicles, particularly with respect to vehicle acceleration that can be compared within a group of vehicles in a single product line with different vehicle configurations. In particular, by providing a method for aligning the acceleration profiles of vehicles, it is possible to unify the way of feeling about the driving behavior of different vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This problem is solved by a method for aligning the acceleration profiles of vehicles having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of claim 5. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the present invention.

[0005] In the first aspect, a method for aligning the acceleration profiles of vehicles is presented, comprising the steps of: obtaining the measured acceleration profile of another vehicle; setting the measured acceleration profile of the other vehicle as the target acceleration profile of the vehicle; and operating the vehicle by applying the target acceleration profile.

[0006] This allows the acceleration profile of other vehicles to be applied, at least to the extent that the drivetrain components mounted on the vehicle are configured for this purpose, so that the driver of the vehicle will have the impression that the acceleration behavior of the vehicle they are driving is the same or at least similar to that of other vehicles. As a result, it becomes possible to at least partially compensate for the lack of acceleration that the driver feels when comparing with one or more other vehicles, especially within a single product line.

[0007] A vehicle's acceleration profile is, in particular, a numerical projection representing the rate of change (especially over time) of the rotational speed or vehicle speed of at least one component of the vehicle's drivetrain. Such an acceleration profile can be used, for example, to control the drive mechanism and / or the vehicle's drivetrain so that they operate according to the acceleration profile. The acceleration profile may depend on, for example, a combination of the characteristics of the prime mover, transmission, at least one component of the drivetrain, the battery charge state and / or the vehicle's weight, or on external factors, or at least one of these.

[0008] The measured acceleration profiles of other vehicles can be measured or acquired, for example, during the operation of other vehicles, and these acceleration profiles may particularly represent the correlation between vehicle acceleration and vehicle pedal position. The measured acceleration profiles and / or target acceleration profiles can be determined empirically or through simulations used for virtual section driving with a vehicle configuration of the above-mentioned vehicle, the vehicle configuration of another vehicle, or a vehicle with a desired vehicle configuration.

[0009] A target acceleration profile is, in particular, a plan or command for the vehicle acceleration to be performed by the vehicle. A target acceleration profile is used, in particular, by the vehicle's control unit to control the operation of at least one component of the drivetrain. A target acceleration profile is, in particular, a calibrated rotational speed profile assigned to at least one of the controlled drivetrain components. When applying a target acceleration profile, for example, the drivetrain components can be controlled so that the vehicle's target acceleration profile is at least partially achieved. For this purpose, for example, a torque request can be supplied as a signal to the drive mechanism or control unit.

[0010] This invention is based on the idea of ​​making the perceived acceleration of the vehicle being driven, particularly the maximum acceleration, the same or at least similar across vehicles, so that the driving characteristics of a vehicle series or product line feel harmonious. To this end, it is proposed to adapt the acceleration profile of a reference vehicle, in particular the acceleration profile representing perceived acceleration, to other vehicles. To this end, it is proposed to apply the true acceleration profile (measured acceleration profile) of the reference vehicle (other vehicle) to the vehicle in question.

[0011] The measured acceleration profile and / or target acceleration profile can be calculated or obtained, for example, in a manner that depends on the vehicle configuration of (other) vehicles. Here, the vehicle configuration may be, for example, a combination of the type of prime mover, the type of power source of the drive mechanism, the size and characteristics of the tires, the type of transmission, and / or other components of the vehicle's drivetrain.

[0012] The proposed method only needs to be performed once, for example, as part of the calibration of vehicle driving data, to set the target acceleration profile for the vehicle. This allows for a consistent perception of the driving behavior of different vehicles.

[0013] In one embodiment, this method further includes the steps of: identifying the actual acceleration profile of the vehicle; comparing the actual acceleration profile with the obtained measured acceleration profile; and, if the previously identified target acceleration profile deviates from the actual acceleration profile, setting the measured acceleration profile of another vehicle as the target acceleration profile for the vehicle.

[0014] The actual acceleration profile can be identified here in the manner described herein. To compare the actual acceleration profiles, an external processing unit or the vehicle's processing unit or control unit can be used, for example. When the identified acceleration profile of a vehicle is found to deviate in a particular manner from a desirable measured acceleration profile of another vehicle, the measured acceleration profile can be applied to the vehicle in place of the actual acceleration profile by applying the obtained measured acceleration profile as the target acceleration profile. In this way, the acceleration profile is modified only if this acceleration profile deviates in a particular manner from the acceleration profile of another vehicle (for example, set by a threshold).

[0015] Because there are limits to the rotational speeds and / or power output performance that can be achieved by the driven machinery and / or similar drivetrain components, the changes to the acceleration profile that can be provided by the drivetrain, or the maximum acceleration profile that can be achieved, are also correspondingly limited. Within the scope of the present invention, the target acceleration profile can be applied to the extent that the physical conditions of the vehicle permit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the actual acceleration profile is determined based on vehicle parameters and depends on the accelerator pedal position of the vehicle. The measured acceleration profile can also be determined based on parameters of other vehicles or vehicle configurations and depends on the accelerator pedal position of other vehicles. The accelerator pedal position can here be characterized by the absolute or relative distance the accelerator pedal moves due to driver operation, particularly starting from the initial position. This makes it possible to quantify adjustments that the driver can influence and feel, such as accelerator pedal position. This makes it possible to realize adjustments that the driver can directly feel.

[0017] In one embodiment, applying a target acceleration profile involves aligning the correlation between the vehicle's accelerator pedal position and the vehicle's actual acceleration profile. In this case, for example, even slight manipulation of the accelerator pedal or changes in the accelerator pedal position can ensure that a higher acceleration value is used or achieved by the vehicle.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, a vehicle is proposed that can be operated using the method described herein. Such a vehicle can exhibit acceleration behavior similar to that of other vehicles in the same product line, so that acceleration can be a characteristic feature representing the driving characteristics within the product line.

[0019] Further advantages and potential applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description associated with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention that can be operated using the method according to the present invention for aligning the vehicle's acceleration profile. [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention for aligning the acceleration profiles of vehicles.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment to which the method according to the present invention is applied or is to be applied.

[0022] What is shown is a vehicle 10 having an actual acceleration profile 15. In addition, another vehicle 20 having an actually measured acceleration profile 25 is also shown. This actually measured acceleration profile 25 is used as a target acceleration profile 35 for operating the vehicle 10.

[0023] The acceleration profiles 15, 25, 35 are here shown as being numerically projected of the speed change or acceleration a (x-axis) with respect to the accelerator pedal position F (y-axis). It can be seen from the figure that the actual acceleration profile 15 of the vehicle depicts a flatter curve than the actually measured acceleration profile 25 or the target acceleration profile 35 of the other vehicle 15. By applying the actually measured acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 15 as the target acceleration profile 35 for the vehicle 10, it becomes possible to match the driver's subjective feeling with respect to the acceleration of the vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 15, and as a result, it becomes possible to synchronize the feeling of the driving behavior for the driver or the passenger among the vehicles 10, 15 of one product line.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method 100 according to the present invention for aligning the acceleration profile 15 of the vehicle 10.

[0025] In a first step a, the actually measured acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 20 is acquired by the vehicle 10. In a second step a1, the actual acceleration profile 15 of the vehicle 10 may be specified. This specification can be performed at least by any one of, for example, calculation using simulation or empirically by way of a specific example in a form corresponding to the accelerator pedal position F of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle 10 based on the operating parameters of the vehicle 10.

[0026] In step b1, the actual acceleration profile 15 may be compared with the measured acceleration profile 25. In step b2, it may be determined that the predetermined target acceleration profile 25 deviates from the actual acceleration profile 10. At this time, for example, a predetermined numerical or percentage threshold value can be used as the allowable deviation value or trigger value.

[0027] In step b, the measured acceleration profile 25 of the other vehicle 20 is set as the target acceleration profile 35 of the vehicle 10. In the subsequent step c, the target acceleration profile 35 is applied to operate the vehicle. For this purpose, for example, the correlation between the accelerator pedal position F and the actual acceleration profile 15 of the vehicle 10 may be aligned.

Description of Signs

[0028] 10 Vehicle 15 Actual acceleration profile of the vehicle 20 Other vehicle 25 Measured acceleration profile of the other vehicle 30 Target acceleration profile of the vehicle 100 Method a - c Steps

Claims

1. A method (100) for aligning the acceleration profiles (15) of a vehicle (10), the following: a) Obtain the measured acceleration profile (25) of another vehicle (20), b) The measured acceleration profile (25) of the other vehicle (20) is set as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10), c) The vehicle (10) is operated by applying the target acceleration profile (35). A method that has steps.

2. The method according to claim 1 (100), further comprising: a1) Identify the actual acceleration profile (15) of the vehicle (10), b1) The actual acceleration profile (15) is compared with the acquired measured acceleration profile (25), b2) If the measured acceleration profile (25) deviates from the actual acceleration profile (15), the measured acceleration profile (25) is set as the target acceleration profile (35) of the vehicle (10). A method that has steps.

3. A method (100) according to claim 2, wherein the actual acceleration profile (10) is determined based on the operating parameters of the vehicle (10) and is dependent on the accelerator pedal position (F) of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle (10).

4. A method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the application of the target acceleration profile (35) includes aligning the correlation between the accelerator pedal position (F) and the actual acceleration profile (15) of the vehicle (10).

5. A vehicle (10) that can be operated using the method (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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