Method, control device, control unit, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium for identifying misfuelling of a fuel tank of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a control device, a control unit, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for identifying misfuelling of a fuel tank of a vehicle, which vehicle comprises a fuel type detection device (112) and a fill level detection device (114). The method according to the invention comprises: receiving a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device (112); receiving a fill level signal from the fill level detection device (114); identifying misfuelling of the fuel tank (12) if the received fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that deviates from a predetermined fuel type and if the received fill level signal indicates a changed fill level of the fuel inside the fuel tank (12); and transmitting a misfuelling signal that indicates misfuelling of the fuel tank.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method, control device, control unit, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium for detecting incorrect fueling of a vehicle's fuel tank

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, a control device, a control unit, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for detecting incorrect refueling of a fuel tank of a vehicle.

[0004] Misfueling of motor vehicles can cause extensive and costly damage to their internal combustion engines. Misfueling is defined as the refueling of a vehicle with a fuel that is not intended and / or approved for use in that vehicle. One way to prevent misfueling is to use different diameters of the outlet pipes at gas stations.

[0005] The disadvantage of such conventional arrangements is that they usually only work for distinguishing between two or fewer fuel types. These conventional arrangements do not offer a solution for the now-wide variety of different fuel types. Another disadvantage of the conventional arrangements is that manufacturers have to install different fuel filler necks in their vehicles, making car production more expensive than necessary.

[0006] Further known arrangements, systems and methods for preventing misfuelling are disclosed in US 2016 / 0 023 886 A1 , US 2020 / 0 062 579 A1 , SK 288 956 B6, US 2010 / 0 065147 A1 and DE 203 19 413 U1.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method with which actual misfueling of a vehicle's fuel tank can be reliably and safely detected.

[0008] This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1, a control device according to claim 8, a control unit according to claim 10, a vehicle according to claim 11, a computer program according to claim 12 and a computer-readable medium according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0009] The present invention is essentially based on the idea of ​​not only detecting the fuel type dispensed from a fuel nozzle inserted into the tank opening, but also simultaneously checking whether fuel is actually being dispensed from the nozzle into the vehicle's fuel tank. If the vehicle user detects in time before triggering the fuel nozzle that they intend to add the wrong fuel to the vehicle's fuel tank, it can be determined by detecting an unchanged fuel level in the vehicle's fuel tank that no incorrect refueling has occurred despite the fuel pump outlet pipe being inserted into the tank opening. The present invention is therefore based on a combined evaluation or monitoring of both the fuel type to be dispensed and the fuel level in the vehicle's fuel tank.Furthermore, the invention takes advantage of the fact that a conditional misfueling, for example, when the vehicle breaks down, is perfectly permissible, provided that the ratio of misfueling to correct refueling is significantly in favor of correct refueling. For example, a misfueling can be compensated with at least ten correct refuelings without the vehicle's internal combustion engine failing to start.

[0010] Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting misfueling of a fuel tank of a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine operable with a predetermined fuel type is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a fuel type detection device configured to generate a fuel type signal representative of a fuel type of fuel being refueled into the vehicle's fuel tank, and a fill level detection device configured to generate a fill level signal representative of the fill level of the fuel disposed in the fuel tank.The method according to the invention comprises receiving a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device, receiving a fill level signal from the fill level detection device, determining misfuelling of the fuel tank if the received fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that deviates from the predetermined fuel type and if the received fill level signal indicates a changed, in particular increased, fill level of the fuel within the fuel tank, and transmitting a misfuelling signal that indicates misfuelling of the fuel tank.

[0011] Thus, incorrect refueling of the fuel tank with an incorrect or improper fuel type for the internal combustion engine is only detected when, after the detection of the intentional introduction of incorrect or improper fuel, fuel actually flows or enters the vehicle's fuel tank, which is done by evaluating the fill level signal.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the fuel type detection device has an RFID reading device designed to read fuel type information provided by an RFID tag to determine the fuel type being refueled. Alternatively, the fuel type detection device can have a wireless, contactless reading device designed to receive or read fuel type information provided by an information provision device arranged on the fuel pump nozzle. Preferably, the wireless, contactless reading device is designed to read the provided fuel type information from the information provision device, such as an NFC tag, only over a short distance, such as less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, even more preferably less than 2 cm.Preferably, the reading device is a device based on the so-called near field communication principle (NFC = Near Field Communication).

[0013] The fuel type detection device is further configured to permanently and continuously read the fuel type information during the refueling process. This means that the reading device of the fuel type detection device reads the fuel type information during the refueling process at short intervals, such as every second or even much shorter. A communication process between the reading device and the information provision device on the fuel nozzle side can preferably be triggered by approaching the fuel nozzle to the fuel tank nozzle of the vehicle. The transmitting and receiving elements, preferably antennas, are preferably arranged in the region of the fuel tank nozzle and the fuel nozzle.A particular advantage of using NFC technology in conjunction with a suitable antenna arrangement is that it ensures that the fuel nozzle cannot be removed from the vehicle's fuel inlet during the refueling process without breaking the connection. This makes misuse and incorrect refueling of the vehicle with the wrong fuel more difficult.

[0014] If the connection is interrupted, the vehicle may, for example, interrupt the refueling process. Due to the constant and continuous reading of the fuel type by the reading device, it is no longer possible to first insert a correct fuel nozzle into the fuel tank to authorize the refueling process on the vehicle side, only to then insert an incorrect or non-approved fuel nozzle into the fuel tank to refuel with the wrong fuel or fuel not approved for the internal combustion engine.

[0015] The reading device and the information-providing device can each be active elements. Alternatively, only one of these two devices can be an active element, in which case the other device is a passive element. The reading device is preferably attached to the vehicle, with the information-providing device preferably being arranged on the fuel pump nozzle. Alternatively, the reading device can be arranged on the fuel pump nozzle, and the information-providing device can be arranged on the vehicle.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the RFID reading device has a wirelessly rechargeable energy storage device, such as an accumulator.

[0017] Preferably, the fill level detection device comprises an ultrasonic sensor based on the ultrasonic measuring principle for detecting the fill level of the fuel within the fuel tank.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises incrementing a misfuelling counter when misfuelling of the fuel tank has been detected, and sending a warning signal to the operator of the vehicle, wherein the warning signal indicates the value of the misfuelling counter to the operator.

[0019] Preferably, in such a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises sending a stop signal to the internal combustion engine when the misfuelling counter exceeds a predetermined misfuelling counter threshold value.

[0020] Thus, a predetermined number of misfuelings can be permitted. However, if the number of misfuelings exceeds the predetermined misfueling counter threshold, the internal combustion engine is protected from operation with incorrect fuel to prevent resulting engine damage.

[0021] Furthermore, in such a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises determining correct refueling of the fuel tank when the received fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that corresponds to the predetermined fuel type, and when the received fill level signal indicates a changed, in particular increased, fill level of the fuel within the fuel tank, incrementing a correct refueling counter when correct refueling of the fuel tank has been determined, and decrementing the incorrect refueling counter when the correct refueling counter exceeds a predetermined correct refueling counter threshold value.

[0022] Consequently, such an advantageous embodiment can allow a predetermined number of misfuelings to be tolerated or permitted for a predetermined number of correct refuelings. For example, a misfueling can be tolerated or permitted if at least ten correct refuelings are subsequently performed.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a control device is disclosed which is designed to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0024] Preferably, the control device according to the invention comprises a first control device section for carrying out the step of receiving a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device, a second control device section for carrying out the step of receiving a fill level signal from the fill level detection device, a third control device section for carrying out the step of determining misfueling of the fuel tank and a fourth control device section for carrying out the step of sending a misfueling signal.

[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a control unit for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is disclosed. The control unit according to the invention comprises a fuel type detection device configured to generate a fuel type signal representative of a fuel type of fuel being refueled into a fuel tank of the vehicle, a fill level detection device configured to generate a fill level signal representative of the fill level of the fuel disposed in the fuel tank, and a control device according to the invention.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is disclosed which has an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank which can be filled with fuel, and a control unit according to the invention.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program is disclosed comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing unit, cause the computing unit to execute a method according to the invention for determining misfuelling of a fuel tank of a vehicle.

[0028] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable medium is disclosed on which a computer program according to the invention is stored.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by practicing the teachings described herein and viewing the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle with a control device according to the invention for detecting incorrect refueling of a fuel tank of the vehicle, and

[0031] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to the invention for determining incorrect refueling of the fuel tank of the vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0032] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "misfueling" describes the refueling of a vehicle with a fuel that was not originally intended for the operation of the internal combustion engine. Consequently, for the purposes of this disclosure, the term "correct refueling" describes the refueling of the vehicle with the fuel that was originally intended for the operation of the internal combustion engine.

[0033] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fuel" refers to any fuel whose chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy through combustion in internal combustion engines and rocket engines. Examples of different fuel types include diesel, gasoline, and even innovative so-called eFuels, which can exist in a variety of forms. eFuel (from the English "electrofuel"; also referred to as "synfuels" or electricity-based synthetic fuels) refers to synthetic fuels produced using electrical energy from water and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 10 with a control device 120 according to the invention for detecting incorrect refueling of a fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 has the fuel tank 12 and an internal combustion engine 14, to which fuel can be supplied from the fuel tank 12 via a fuel supply line 16 for operating the same. The fuel tank 12 can be filled with fuel by inserting a fuel nozzle 20, in particular an outlet pipe 22 of the fuel nozzle, attached to a fuel pump (not shown) of a gas station (not shown), into a tank opening 11 of the vehicle 10. The tank opening 11 is connected to the fuel tank 12 via a tank line 13. Further elements and components of the fuel system, such as fuel pumps, etc., are also provided, as is known to those skilled in the art from the prior art.

[0035] The vehicle 10 further comprises a fuel type detection device 112, which is configured to generate a fuel type signal representative of a fuel type of fuel to be refueled into the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10, and a fill level detection device 114, which is configured to generate a fill level signal representative of the fill level of the fuel located in the fuel tank 12. The fuel type detection device 112 can be based on the RFID detection principle and have an RFID reading device 111, which is arranged on the vehicle 10, preferably near the tank opening 11, such as on a tank cap (not shown) designed to open and close the tank opening 11, and is configured to read fuel type information provided by an RFID tag 113 arranged on the fuel pump nozzle 20 to determine the fuel type being refueled.It should be expressly mentioned at this point that the fuel type detection device 112 can be any device with which it is possible to detect or identify the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel pump nozzle 12.

[0036] Alternatively, the fuel type detection device 112 can comprise a wireless, contactless reading device 111 arranged on the vehicle 10, preferably in the vicinity of the tank opening 11, such as on the tank cap (not shown) designed to open and close the tank opening 11, and configured to read fuel type information provided by an information provision device 113 arranged on the fuel pump nozzle 20 to determine the fuel type being refueled. Preferably, the wireless, contactless reading device 111 is configured to read the fuel type information provided by the information provision device 113, such as an NFC tag, only over a short distance, such as less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, more preferably less than 1 cm.Preferably, the reading device 111 is a device based on the so-called near field communication principle (NFC = Near Field Communication).

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the reading device 111 is arranged on the fuel nozzle, wherein the information providing device 113 is attached to the vehicle.

[0038] At this point it should be expressly mentioned that the

[0039] Fuel type detection device 112 can be any device with which it is possible to detect or identify the fuel type dispensed by the fuel pump nozzle 12. Preferably, the communication between the reading device 111 and the information provision device 113 is based on the so-called near field communication (NFC) principle.

[0040] The level detection device 114 can be based on the ultrasonic measurement principle and can comprise an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the fuel level within the fuel tank 12. It should be expressly noted at this point that the level detection device 114 can be any device with which it is possible to determine the fuel level within the fuel tank 12, in particular a change, preferably an increase, in the fuel level within the fuel tank 12.

[0041] The vehicle of Fig. 1 further comprises a control device 120 configured to execute a method according to the invention for detecting misfueling. The control device 120 comprises a first control device section 122, a second control device section 124, a third control device section 126, and a fourth control device section 128, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 2.

[0042] The control device 120 may include a processor and a memory. Alternatively, the control device 120 may be the processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may further be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0043] The control device 120 is connected to the fuel type detection device 112 and to the fill level detection device 114 and is configured to receive the respective signals from these two devices 112, 114. The connections and communications between the control device 120 and the fuel type detection device 112 and the fill level detection device 114 can be wireless and / or wired.

[0044] The fuel type detection device 112, the fill level detection device 114 and the control device 120 together form a control unit 130 (see dashed lines in Fig. 1 ), which is designed to control the operation of the internal combustion engine 14 of the vehicle 10, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 2.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to the invention for determining incorrect refueling of the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10 of Fig. 1 .

[0046] The method of Fig. 2 starts at step 200 and then proceeds to step 210, where the control device 120, in particular the first control device section 122, receives a fill level signal from the fill level detection device 114. The fill level signal is representative of the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0047] In a subsequent step 220, a check is carried out to determine whether the fill level within the fuel tank 12 has changed, in particular increased. For this purpose, the fill level signal can be evaluated, for example, the change in the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 over time. If it is determined in step 220 that the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 has not changed, in particular increased, the method proceeds to step 270 and is terminated. At this point in time, it can be stated that no refueling of the vehicle 10 has yet taken place, since the fuel level in the fuel tank 12 is unchanged.

[0048] However, if it is determined in step 220 that the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 has changed, in particular increased, the method proceeds to step 230, at which the control device 120, in particular the second control device section 124, receives a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device 112. The fuel type signal can, for example, be generated by the RF ID reading device 111 in response to the reading of the RFID tag 113 attached to the fuel nozzle 20 when the fuel nozzle 20 is at least partially inserted into the tank opening 11 of the vehicle 10.By at least partially inserting the outlet pipe 22 of the fuel nozzle 20 into the tank opening 11, the RFID tag 113 enters a reading / detection range of the RFID reading device 111, which can thus read the information stored on the RFID tag 113 regarding the fuel type dispensed by the fuel nozzle 20 and generate and provide the fuel type signal. At this point in time, it can already be determined that a refueling process of the vehicle is taking place or has taken place, since a change, in particular an increase, in the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 was already detected in step 220.

[0049] In a subsequent step 240, a check is made to determine whether the fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that differs from a fuel type permitted, intended, or predetermined for the internal combustion engine 14 of the vehicle 10. Step 240 can be executed by the control device 120, in particular the third control device section 126.

[0050] If it is determined in step 240 that the fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that differs from the fuel type permitted, intended, or predetermined for the internal combustion engine 14 of the vehicle 10, in particular, does not correspond to the permitted, intended, or predetermined fuel type, the method proceeds to step 250, where misfueling of the vehicle's fuel tank 12 can initially be determined. Furthermore, the control device 120, in particular the fourth control device section 128, can send a misfueling signal in step 250 that indicates actual misfueling of the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0051] In a subsequent step 252, the control device 120 can increment a misfueling counter, for example, by the value 1. The value of the misfueling counter indicates, in particular, the number of misfuelings that have occurred.

[0052] Subsequently, in step 254, a check is performed to determine whether the misfueling counter has exceeded a predetermined misfueling counter threshold. If it is determined in step 254 that the misfueling counter has not exceeded the predetermined misfueling counter threshold, the method proceeds to step 270 and is terminated. At this point, it can be determined that the number of misfuelings is still acceptable for starting and operating the internal combustion engine.

[0053] However, if it is determined in step 254 that the misfueling counter has exceeded the predetermined misfueling counter threshold, the method proceeds to step 256, at which the control device 120, for example also the fourth control device section 128, can send a stop signal to the internal combustion engine 14. The stop signal is designed to disallow and prevent restarting and thus subsequent operation of the internal combustion engine 14, since the internal combustion engine 14 may be damaged by operation with the incorrect fuel type due to the excessively frequent misfueling. The method then proceeds to step 270 and is terminated.

[0054] If it is determined in step 240 that the fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that does not deviate from the fuel type permitted, intended, or predetermined for the internal combustion engine 14 of the vehicle 10, in particular corresponds to the permitted, intended, or predetermined fuel type, the method proceeds to step 260, at which correct refueling of the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10 can be determined.

[0055] In step 260 or in a subsequent step (not explicitly shown in Fig. 2), a correct refueling counter can be incremented, for example, increased by the value 1. The value of the correct refueling counter indicates, in particular, the number of correct refuelings that have taken place.

[0056] Subsequently, in step 262, a check is performed to determine whether the correct refueling counter has exceeded a predetermined correct refueling counter threshold. If it is determined in step 262 that the correct refueling counter has not exceeded the predetermined correct refueling counter threshold, the method proceeds to step 270 and is terminated. At this point, it can be determined that the number of correct refuelings is not yet sufficient to compensate for at least one incorrect refueling.

[0057] However, if it is determined in step 262 that the correct refueling counter has exceeded the predetermined correct refueling counter threshold, the method proceeds to step 264, where the correct refueling counter can be decremented, for example, by the value 1. If the correct refueling counter exceeds the predetermined correct refueling counter threshold, it can be determined that a sufficient number of correct refuelings have occurred to compensate for at least one previously occurred incorrect refueling. Consequently, the incorrect refueling counter is decremented in step 264. Following step 264, the method proceeds to step 270 and is terminated.

[0058] The present invention therefore makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle's fuel tank 12 has actually been incorrectly refueled, since the fuel level within the fuel tank 12 is also evaluated. Simply evaluating the insertion of an incorrect fuel nozzle 20 is insufficient, since it cannot be determined whether the wrong fuel type is actually being refueled into the fuel tank 12. If the user recognizes in time that the fuel nozzle 20 is dispensing the wrong fuel type, they can abort the refueling process before the wrong fuel even enters the fuel tank 12.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention allows a certain number of incorrect refuelings to be permitted relative to the number of correct refuelings. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of incorrect fuel added can be determined using the fill level detection device 114, and the incorrect fuel quantity can be related to the correct fuel quantity. For example, a predetermined ratio of the amount of incorrect fuel type to the amount of correct fuel can be permitted.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for detecting incorrect refueling of a fuel tank (12) of a vehicle (10) comprising an internal combustion engine (14) operable with a predetermined fuel type, wherein the vehicle (10) comprises a fuel type detection device (112) configured to generate a fuel type signal representative of a fuel type of fuel being refueled into the fuel tank (12), and a fill level detection device (114) configured to generate a fill level signal representative of the fill level of the fuel arranged in the fuel tank (12), the method comprising: Receiving a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device (112), Receiving a level signal from the level detection device (114), Determining misfuelling of the fuel tank (12) when the received fuel type signal indicates a fuel type that differs from the predetermined fuel type and when the received fill level signal indicates a changed fill level of the fuel within the fuel tank (12), and Sending a misfuelling signal indicating that the fuel tank has been misfilled.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fuel type detection device (112) comprises an RFID reading device (111) which is designed to read out fuel type information provided by an RFID tag (113) for determining the fuel type being refueled.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the RFID reading device (111) comprises a wirelessly rechargeable energy storage device, such as an accumulator.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fuel type detection device (112) comprises a wireless, contactless reading device (111) which is designed to read out fuel type information provided by an information providing device (113) for determining the fuel type being refueled.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the reading device (111) is designed to read out the fuel type information substantially permanently and continuously during the refueling process, preferably at short time intervals, such as every second or even much shorter.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fill level detection device (114) comprises an ultrasonic sensor based on the ultrasonic measuring principle for detecting the fill level of the fuel within the fuel tank (12).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: incrementing a misfuelling counter when a Incorrect refueling of the fuel tank (12) was detected, Sending a warning signal to the operator of the vehicle (10), the warning signal indicating to the operator the value of the misfuelling counter.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: Sending a stop signal to the internal combustion engine (14) when the misfuelling counter exceeds a predetermined misfuelling counter threshold value.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 and 8, further comprising: determining a correct refueling of the fuel tank (12) when the received fuel type signal indicates a fuel type corresponding to the predetermined fuel type, and when the received fill level signal indicates an increased fuel level within the fuel tank (12), Incrementing a correct refueling counter when correct refueling of the fuel tank (12) has been determined, and Decrementing the misfueling counter when the correct fueling counter exceeds a predetermined correct fueling counter threshold.

10. Control device (120) designed to carry out the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims.

11. The control device (120) of claim 10, comprising: a first control device portion (122) for performing the step of receiving a fuel type signal from the fuel type detection device (112), a second control device portion (124) for performing the step of receiving a fill level signal from the fill level detection device (114), a third control device portion (126) for performing the step of determining misfueling of the fuel tank (112), and a fourth control device portion (128) for performing the step of transmitting a misfueling signal.

12. A control unit (130) for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine (14) of a vehicle (10), the control unit (100) comprising: a fuel type detection device (112) configured to generate a fuel type signal representative of a fuel type of a fuel being refueled into a fuel tank (12) of the vehicle (10), a fill level detection device (114) configured to generate a fill level signal representative of the fill level of the fuel arranged in the fuel tank (12), and a control device (120) according to one of claims 10 and 11.

13. Vehicle (10), comprising: - an internal combustion engine (14), a fuel tank (12) which can be filled with fuel, and a control unit (130) according to claim 12.

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

15. A computer-readable medium on which the computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

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