Method, device, vehicle, computer program product, and computer-readable storage medium for operating a vehicle

Abstract

In a method for operating a vehicle, a first number of loads in the vehicle is switched on according to a first activation signal. Depending on a state of charge of the vehicle, the loads in the first number are each switched into a first operating state or into a second operating state, wherein the first operating state is an energy-saving mode and the second operating state is an operating mode. A second number of loads in the vehicle is switched on according to a second activation signal. According to a determined energy budget of the vehicle, it is determined whether loads in the first number and / or in the second number and / or further loads are to be switched on or off and / or are to be switched to another operating state. The determined loads are switched on or off and / or switched to the other operating state.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method, device, vehicle, computer program product and computer-readable storage medium for operating a vehicle

[0003] A method for operating a vehicle is specified. Furthermore, a device for operating a vehicle and a vehicle comprising the device are specified. Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer-readable storage medium for operating a vehicle are specified.

[0004] One task to be solved is to contribute to the efficient use of energy resources in a vehicle or to operate a vehicle in a resource-saving manner.

[0005] These objects are achieved by the method and subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments, implementations, and further developments are the subject matter of the respective dependent patent claims.

[0006] First, the method for operating a vehicle is explained. The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, a truck, a van, and / or a motorcycle. Alternatively, the vehicle can be an aircraft or a watercraft.

[0007] The vehicle is in particular a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that has an electric motor that is powered by the battery cell. The vehicle is in particular a purely electrically powered vehicle. Alternatively, it can in particular be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), each of which is powered by the battery cell. Alternatively, it can also be a vehicle that is powered only by an internal combustion engine. According to at least one embodiment of the method, a first set of consumers of the vehicle is switched on depending on a first activation signal.

[0008] The first activation signal is, in particular, a signal for waking up the vehicle. For example, the first activation signal is triggered by unlocking the vehicle or by approaching the vehicle. The first set of consumers includes potential consumers required by the driver. If, for example, a driver approaches the vehicle from behind and the vehicle detects this, only those consumers required to open the trunk are initially activated.

[0009] In this context, switching on includes in particular supplying the consumer with current and / or voltage, for example by means of a so-called “eFuse” (electronic fuse).

[0010] In this context, consumers are devices in the vehicle that are electrically operated and consume electricity, such as control units, electric motors and / or sensors and / or lights.

[0011] Depending on a state of charge of the vehicle, the consumers of the first set are each placed in a first operating state or in a second operating state, wherein the first operating state is an energy-saving mode and the second operating state is an operating mode.

[0012] For example, if the vehicle is not being charged and therefore energy is scarce, the process commands certain consumers into a degraded state (energy saving mode) until their function is actually needed.

[0013] Depending on a second activation signal, a second set of vehicle consumers is activated. The second activation signal is, in particular, a signal that puts the vehicle in driveable state. For example, it is triggered by turning the ignition key, pressing a start button, and / or sitting in the driver's seat.

[0014] So, if it has been detected that a driver really wants to set off, the system switches on additional consumers that are needed for the journey at the right moment.

[0015] Depending on the determined energy balance of the vehicle, it is determined whether consumers of the first and / or second set and / or other consumers should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state. The determined consumers are switched on or off and / or switched to the different operating state.

[0016] During the journey, the energy balance is continuously checked and all consumers are monitored. This allows certain consumers to be shut down when it makes sense to do so from an energy perspective and / or to change the operating mode.

[0017] The energy balance is checked, for example, by determining the amount of energy consumed over a period of time.

[0018] The described process combines power management and terminal control in the vehicle. The process thus only supplies power to a subset of consumers that are currently needed and also monitors the consumption of these consumers. This makes it possible to use energy resources in the vehicle efficiently and operate the vehicle in a resource-saving manner.

[0019] For example, when the vehicle is woken up by the first activation signal, the consumers that the customer might need next are always switched on. For example, if the vehicle is not charging and energy is therefore scarce, the process commands consumers into a degraded state (energy saving mode) until their function is actually needed. If it is detected that a driver really wants to set off (i.e. by the second activation signal), the process switches on additional consumers that are required for the journey at the right moment. During the journey, certain consumers can be switched off if this makes sense in terms of energy consumption. Depending on the strain on the energy balance and the requirements in the vehicle, all shades of small function control interventions (e.g. downgrading the heating from level 5 to level 4) up to component shutdown can be implemented.

[0020] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the first quantity is determined depending on information in the first activation signal and / or depending on a sensor signal of the vehicle.

[0021] This allows the number of consumers likely to be required to be determined even more precisely.

[0022] The information in the first activation signal includes, for example, key information. For example, if the vehicle was last operated with a first key and is now opened with a second key, it may be useful to activate exterior mirror motors, seat motors, and similar devices to prepare the vehicle for a driver change.

[0023] The sensor signal includes, for example, a key position determination. If the driver approaches the vehicle from behind with the key, for example, and the vehicle detects this, only those devices required to open the trunk are initially activated.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the state of charge includes whether the vehicle is currently being charged or not.

[0025] For example, if the vehicle is currently being charged, more consumers can be activated directly because sufficient energy is available. Alternatively or additionally, the state of charge also includes the remaining capacity of a vehicle battery. For example, if the vehicle is fully / sufficiently charged, more consumers can be activated directly than if the remaining capacity is very low. According to at least one embodiment of the method, the vehicle comprises at least two energy sources, and when a respective consumer is switched on, it is determined which of the two energy sources is switched on.

[0026] For example, the vehicle has a high-voltage battery (e.g., between 100V and 1000V) and another battery, such as a 12V, 24V, and / or 48V battery. When the high-voltage battery is started up, other consumers, such as cooling, must be automatically activated. Thus, starting up the high-voltage battery requires more energy than activating the other battery. Therefore, it makes sense, for example, to use the other battery first and connect the high-voltage battery later.

[0027] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the energy balance is determined depending on a current energy consumption and / or depending on a state of charge.

[0028] Depending on the strain on the energy balance or the state of charge, specific measures can be implemented.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the method, depending on the determined energy balance of the vehicle and additionally depending on a determined probability of use, it is determined whether consumers of the first and / or the second set and / or further consumers should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state.

[0030] For example, it's not always necessary to operate all consumers while driving. For example, if it is detected that there are no passengers in the rear area, consumers in the rear area can be deactivated and / or downgraded. Furthermore, depending on the outside temperature, it can be determined, for example, that it's unlikely that a heater and / or seat heating will be activated.

[0031] Furthermore, a device for operating a vehicle is specified. The device is designed to carry out the method described here.

[0032] All features of the embodiment disclosed in connection with the method are therefore also disclosed in connection with the device and vice versa.

[0033] Furthermore, a vehicle is specified that has the device described here. The vehicle is, in particular, a motor vehicle.

[0034] In addition, a computer program product is specified, comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method described here.

[0035] Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium is specified on which the computer program described here is stored.

[0036] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0037] They show:

[0038] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment and

[0039] Figure 2 schematic representation of three sets of consumers.

[0040] Elements of the same design or function are marked with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a program for operating a vehicle.

[0042] A control device 50 is configured to operate the vehicle. For this purpose, the control device 50 comprises, in particular, a computing unit, a program and data memory, and, for example, one or more communication interfaces. The program and data memory and / or the computing unit and / or the communication interfaces can be configured in a single unit and / or distributed across multiple units.

[0043] The control device 50 may also be referred to as a device for operating a vehicle.

[0044] For this purpose, the program for operating the vehicle is stored in particular on the program and data memory of the control device 50.

[0045] The program is started in a step S1, in which variables can be initialized if necessary.

[0046] In a step S3, a first set of consumers of the vehicle is switched on depending on a first activation signal.

[0047] The first activation signal is, in particular, a signal for waking up the vehicle. For example, the first activation signal is triggered by unlocking the vehicle or by approaching the vehicle. The first set of consumers includes potential consumers required by the driver. If, for example, a driver approaches the vehicle from behind and the vehicle detects this, only those consumers required to open the trunk are initially activated.

[0048] The first quantity is determined, for example, based on information in the first activation signal and / or a sensor signal from the vehicle. The information in the first activation signal includes, for example, key information. If, for example, the vehicle was last operated with a first key and is now opened with a second key, it may be useful to switch on exterior mirror motors, seat motors, and the like to prepare the vehicle for a change of driver. The sensor signal includes, for example, a position determination of a key. If the driver approaches the vehicle from behind with the key and this is detected by the vehicle, initially only those consumers that are required to open the trunk are switched on.In a step S5, depending on a state of charge of the vehicle, the consumers of the first set are each placed into a first operating state or into a second operating state, wherein the first operating state is an energy-saving mode and the second operating state is an operating mode.

[0049] The charge level includes, for example, whether the vehicle is currently charging or not.

[0050] For example, if the vehicle is not being charged and energy is therefore scarce, the process commands certain consumers into a degraded state (energy saving mode) until their function is actually needed.

[0051] In a step S7, a second set of consumers of the vehicle is switched on depending on a second activation signal.

[0052] The second activation signal is, in particular, a signal that puts the vehicle in drive-ready mode. For example, it is triggered by turning the ignition key, pressing a start button, and / or getting into the driver's seat.

[0053] In a step S9, depending on a determined energy balance of the vehicle, it is determined whether consumers of the first and / or the second set and / or further consumers should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state.

[0054] The energy balance is checked, for example, by determining the amount of energy consumed over time. Alternatively or additionally, the energy balance is determined based on current energy consumption and / or the charge level.

[0055] In particular, depending on the determined energy balance of the vehicle and additionally depending on a determined probability of use, it is determined whether consumers of the first and / or the second quantity and / or other consumers should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state.

[0056] In a step S11, the identified consumers are switched on or off and / or put into the other operating state.

[0057] Steps S9 and S11 are performed continuously until the vehicle is parked and / or switched off.

[0058] If this happens, the program is terminated in step S13 and can be started again in step S1 if necessary.

[0059] For example, the vehicle comprises at least two energy sources, and when a respective consumer is switched on, it is determined which of the two energy sources is switched on. The vehicle, for example, has a high-voltage battery (e.g., between 100V and 1000V) and another battery, such as a 12V, 24V, and / or 48V battery. When the high-voltage battery is started up, other consumers, such as cooling, must be activated automatically. Thus, starting up the high-voltage battery requires more energy than activating the other battery. Therefore, it makes sense, for example, to use the other battery first and only switch on the high-voltage battery later.

[0060] Figure 2 illustrates the composition of the consumers of the vehicle 10.

[0061] The vehicle, for example, has a first set of 13 consumers that can be activated depending on the first activation signal. Such consumers include, for example, vehicle lighting, motors for opening doors / trunks, and the like.

[0062] The vehicle has, for example, a second set 15 of consumers that can be switched on depending on the second activation signal. Such consumers include, for example, a drive electric motor. The vehicle has, for example, a third set 17 of consumers that can be additionally switched on while driving, such as high beams and the like. Consumers from the first set 13 can, however, also be included in the second set 15 and third set 17. In other words, there can be an intersection of consumers in all sets.

[0063] List of reference symbols

[0064] 10 Consumers of the vehicle 13 first quantity

[0065] 15 second quantity

[0066] 17 third quantity

[0067] 50 Control device S1 ..S13 Process steps

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Method for operating a vehicle in which - depending on a first activation signal, a first set (13) of consumers of the vehicle is switched on, - depending on a state of charge of the vehicle, the consumers of the first set (13) are each placed in a first operating state or in a second operating state, wherein the first operating state is an energy-saving mode and the second operating state is an operating mode, - depending on a second activation signal, a second set (15) of consumers of the vehicle is switched on, - depending on a determined energy balance of the vehicle, it is determined whether consumers of the first set (13) and / or the second set (15) and / or further consumers (17) should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state and - the identified consumers are switched on or off and / or switched to another operating state.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first quantity (13) is determined as a function of information in the first activation signal and / or as a function of a sensor signal of the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state of charge comprises whether the vehicle is currently being charged or not.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle comprises at least two energy sources and when a respective consumer is switched on, it is determined which of the two energy sources is switched on.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy balance is determined depending on a current energy consumption and / or depending on a state of charge.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, depending on the determined energy balance of the vehicle and additionally depending on a determined probability of use, it is determined whether consumers of the first and / or the second set and / or further consumers should be switched on or off and / or switched to a different operating state.

7. A device for operating a vehicle, wherein the device is configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises the device according to claim 7.

9. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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