Method for operating a number of vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a number of vehicles (200), the method (100) having the steps of: - filling (101) a tank of each vehicle (200) of the number of vehicles (200) with a fuel via a filling station (213), - receiving (103) at least one parameter of a digital twin (209) of the fuel from the filling station (213) by means of a computing unit (205, 211, 300), the digital twin (209) of the fuel describing properties of the fuel, - determining (105) a number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) on the basis of the at least one parameter by means of the computing unit (205, 211, 300), - providing (107) the number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) via a providing interface (301), and - adjusting (109) the vehicle (200) on the basis of the number of operating parameters.

Description

[0001] R.415637

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Methods for operating a number of vehicles

[0006] The presented invention relates to a method for operating a number of vehicles, a vehicle and a computing unit according to the attached claims.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Using a so-called "digital twin"—that is, a file or digital model of a real object associated with it—properties of the real object can be represented in the digital space. A digital model of the real object can change itself and / or be dynamically updated based on external parameters, such as those determined by sensors in the real world, so that the digital model corresponds as closely as possible to the real object and / or reflects its properties.

[0009] Furthermore, fuels, especially hydrocarbon-containing fuels, are known to be produced synthetically using, for example, so-called "green" electricity and, as a result, cause a reduced input of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere of our planet compared to fossil fuels, i.e., a reduced carbon footprint.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] The invention presented here comprises a method for operating a vehicle, a vehicle, and a computing unit. Further features and details of the invention are set forth in the respective R.415637.

[0012] - 2 -

[0013] The dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the vehicle and the computing unit according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure regarding the individual aspects of the invention always refers to each other or can refer to each other.

[0014] The presented invention serves to control the emission behavior of a number of vehicles.

[0015] Thus, according to a first aspect of the presented invention, a method for operating a number of vehicles is presented.

[0016] The presented method comprises filling a tank of each vehicle (number of vehicles) with fuel via a filling station, receiving at least one parameter of a digital twin of the fuel by a computing unit, wherein the digital twin of the fuel describes properties of the fuel, determining a number of operating parameters of the vehicle based on the at least one parameter by the computing unit, providing the number of operating parameters of the vehicle via a provisioning interface, and setting the vehicle or vehicles based on the number of operating parameters.

[0017] In the context of the presented invention, a fuel is understood to be a substance that can be converted by an energy converter, such as a hydrocarbon, in particular gasoline or diesel, preferably synthetic gasoline or synthetic diesel.

[0018] In the context of the presented invention, providing a number of operating parameters means outputting the number of operating parameters, for example by displaying them on a screen and / or storing them in a memory and / or transmitting them to a receiver, such as a processing unit and / or a control function. R.415637

[0019] - 3 -

[0020] In the context of the presented invention, a computing unit is understood to be a computer, in particular a cloud computer, a processor, a control unit or any other programmable circuit.

[0021] The presented method is based on a digital twin that is assigned to a fuel. This assignment can be made, for example, by a computing unit at a filling station supplying the fuel, which, when supplying the fuel from a fuel storage unit of the filling station into a vehicle's tank, transfers at least one parameter of the corresponding digital twin, in particular the complete digital twin or a property of the fuel determined by the digital twin, to a data storage device of the vehicle.

[0022] Alternatively, the allocation can be performed by a central cloud server, which, when fuel is dispensed from a fuel storage unit at the filling station into a vehicle's tank, transmits at least one parameter of the corresponding digital twin, in particular the complete digital twin or a property of the fuel determined by the digital twin, to a data storage device in the vehicle. For example, the octane rating of the fuel can be transmitted to the vehicle's storage device so that the operating parameter associated with the octane rating can be set in the vehicle.

[0023] The digital twin of the fuel can be executed by a computing unit at the gas station and / or by another computing unit, such as a computing unit in the vehicle or a central cloud server.

[0024] The digital twin of the fuel can, for example, include a mathematical model of the fuel that maps changes in the fuel's properties during its supply chain in the form of parameters.

[0025] In particular, the fuel model can represent a property in the form of a carbon dioxide footprint of the fuel, which changes dynamically, e.g. depending on manufacturing processes and / or transport routes to R.415637

[0026] - 4 -

[0027] Providing the fuel at the filling station changes accordingly. The digital twin enables comprehensive knowledge of the properties of a specific fuel provided by a specific filling station, in particular including a carbon dioxide footprint of a transport route from a production plant for the production of the fuel to the filling station.

[0028] To provide the number of operating parameters of the vehicle, in particular a carbon dioxide footprint of the vehicle, a digital twin of the vehicle can be executed, for example, which is dynamically updated based on the parameters provided by a digital twin of a respective fuel refueled or used.

[0029] The number of operating parameters can be provided, for example, to a control function of the vehicle and / or to a central server in order to evaluate them and, for example, to monitor the emission behavior of a number of vehicles and / or to detect deviations between different vehicles and / or fuels.

[0030] By determining a number of operating parameters of the vehicle according to the invention, based on the at least one parameter provided by the digital twin of the fuel, the properties of a specific fuel, in particular its carbon dioxide footprint, are taken into account when determining the number of operating parameters of the vehicle.

[0031] Accordingly, the operating parameters of a first vehicle powered by fuel from a first filling station differ from the operating parameters of a second vehicle powered by fuel from a second filling station.

[0032] In particular, a fuel whose digital twin shows a particularly low carbon footprint leads to particularly advantageous emissions behavior, such as a low carbon footprint of a vehicle powered by the fuel. R.415637

[0033] - 5 -

[0034] Accordingly, the emission behavior of a vehicle can be optimized by using particularly environmentally friendly fuel, e.g. synthetic fuel.

[0035] Conversely, operating a vehicle with a fuel whose digital twin shows a particularly high carbon footprint, e.g., a fossil fuel, leads to a particularly high carbon footprint or poor emissions performance from the vehicle. This poor emissions performance can be recorded using the presented method and, if necessary, used to adjust the vehicle settings and / or adapt the fuel supplied to the vehicle.

[0036] For example, a vehicle that is fueled with, for example, a high-quality fuel, especially one with a high octane rating, can be set to be particularly fuel-optimized and / or performance-optimized by setting appropriate fuel-optimized and / or performance-optimized operating parameters in the vehicle.

[0037] Based on the determined operating parameters, the vehicle can be adjusted to minimize emissions, such as the vehicle's carbon footprint, or to reduce them below a predefined threshold. This can be achieved, for example, by dynamically adapting, and in particular throttling, an energy conversion process of the vehicle's energy converter, especially the combustion process of an internal combustion engine.

[0038] Furthermore, the determined operating parameters can be used to infer the condition of the vehicle and / or the fuel, so that, for example, the condition of the vehicle, in particular its age or wear condition, and / or the condition of the fuel can be determined and displayed.

[0039] Accordingly, it may be provided that the vehicle adjustment includes at least one measure from the following list: setting a cleaning time for which a vehicle particulate filter is cleaned, limiting power, torque and / or a maximum R.415637

[0040] - 6 -

[0041] Vehicle speed and / or deactivation of a vehicle driving function.

[0042] It may be possible to dynamically determine the properties of the fuel through the digital twin of the fuel, taking into account properties of the fuel's supply chain.

[0043] A fuel supply chain encompasses, in particular, the production and transport of the fuel, meaning that particularly low-carbon transport routes result in a particularly low carbon footprint for the fuel. Accordingly, low-carbon transport routes are rewarded both by a low carbon footprint of the fuel itself and by a low carbon footprint of the vehicle consuming or converting the fuel.

[0044] It may also be provided that the fuel properties include combustion quality and that the number of operating parameters includes at least one operating parameter from the following list of operating parameters: characteristics for combustion control, characteristics for emission minimization, characteristics for adjusting an air system and / or characteristics for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation system.

[0045] Combustion quality can be indicated by a key figure, such as an octane rating or a mixing ratio of fuel components.

[0046] It may also be stipulated that the vehicle adjustment includes at least one measure from the following list: setting a cleaning time for which a vehicle particulate filter is cleaned, limiting the vehicle's power, torque and / or maximum speed and / or deactivating a vehicle driving function.

[0047] By setting a cleaning time for which a vehicle's particulate filter is cleaned, limiting the vehicle's power, torque and / or maximum speed, the emission behavior of the R.415637 can be influenced.

[0048] - 7 -

[0049] The vehicle must be adapted to, for example, comply with a predetermined limit value.

[0050] By deactivating a vehicle's driving function, a vehicle whose emissions exceed a specified limit, for example, can be excluded from driving in a geographical area associated with that limit. This protects the geographical area from emissions from the vehicle.

[0051] It may also be provided that the provision of the number of operating parameters of the vehicle includes the provision of at least one parameter describing the emission behavior of the vehicle.

[0052] Providing the number of operating parameters of the vehicle may in particular include displaying the number of operating parameters on a screen, especially in relation to a specific limit value.

[0053] For example, a message can be provided to a user of the vehicle stating that the vehicle's emission behavior is not suitable for driving in the respective geographical area or only with reduced power.

[0054] It may also be provided that initial operating parameters caused by a first fuel are compared with at least one reference value, whereby in the event that the initial operating parameters deviate from the reference value, a warning message is issued reporting the first fuel as conspicuous.

[0055] By comparing the operating parameters caused by a particular fuel with a reference value, the operating parameters can be used as an indicator of the fuel's properties. Accordingly, for example, a deviation of the operating parameters caused by a particular fuel from the reference value can be used as an indicator that the fuel is conspicuous, i.e., exhibits unacceptable properties, particularly low quality. R.415637

[0056] - 8 -

[0057] Accordingly, information provided by the digital twin of the respective fuel or vehicle, linking the refueling of the respective vehicle with the respective fuel in a local and temporal manner, is used to infer properties of the respective fuel.

[0058] It may be provided that at least one reference value is determined on the basis of second operating parameters caused by at least one second fuel.

[0059] A reference value determined based on a second operating parameter determined by at least one other fuel allows different fuels to be compared with each other, so that, for example, a specific first fuel can be compared with the average properties of a large number of fuels. This results in a dynamic reference value that can be adapted, for example, based on fluctuations in the emission behavior of transport chains for the transport of the fuel.

[0060] It may further be provided that, in order to determine whether the first operating parameters deviate from the at least one reference value, the first operating parameters and the at least one reference value are compared using a machine learner trained on training data that includes first training operating parameters associated with non-conforming fuel and second training operating parameters associated with conspicuous fuel.

[0061] A machine learner, such as an artificial neural network, can automatically and efficiently detect deviations between respective operating parameters and classify a given fuel as conspicuous or not conspicuous.

[0062] Alternatively, it may be provided that, in order to determine whether the first operating parameters deviate from the at least one reference value, key figures of the first operating parameters are compared with the at least one reference value and, in the event that a difference is found, R.415637

[0063] - 9 - If at least one reference value is greater than a specified threshold for the compared key figures, the warning message is issued.

[0064] By directly comparing, for example by calculating the difference between first operating parameters and at least one reference value, such as second operating parameters caused by a second fuel, a difference between the properties of the first fuel and the properties of the second fuel can be quantified and compared with a threshold value in order to issue a warning message for the first fuel if necessary.

[0065] It may also be provided that the computing unit is a central computing unit through which the respective operating parameters of each vehicle of a large number of vehicles are determined and made available for the respective vehicles.

[0066] The computing unit provided according to the invention can, for example, be a computing unit of a vehicle or a central cloud server.

[0067] A central cloud server enables the centralized determination and transmission of operating parameters for numerous vehicles to the respective vehicles. This central cloud server can be communicatively connected to individual gas stations, vehicles, fuel production plants, fuel storage facilities, fuel transport companies, banks, insurance companies, and / or numerous other vehicles. This allows for the integration of relevant data regarding fuel properties into the fuel's digital twin and, if necessary, the updating and synchronization of digital twins of the fuel implemented by the respective communication partners.

[0068] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a vehicle.

[0069] The presented vehicle comprises a tank for supplying a consumer with fuel, a consumer configured to convert the fuel into energy, a computing unit, and an R.415637

[0070] - 10 -

[0071] Communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive at least one parameter provided by a digital twin of the fuel and to provide it to the computing unit, and wherein the computing unit is configured to perform a possible embodiment of the presented method based on the received at least one parameter, wherein the digital twin of the fuel describes properties of the fuel.

[0072] Based on the presented method, the presented vehicle can determine and output its operating parameters, in particular its carbon dioxide footprint, or use them to adjust the vehicle.

[0073] According to a third aspect, the presented invention relates to a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is configured to determine at least one parameter from a digital twin of fuel supplied to a vehicle by a filling station, in particular to receive it from the filling station or to generate it by means of a digital twin executed on the computing unit, to carry out a possible embodiment of the presented method on the basis of the at least one parameter in order to determine a number of operating parameters of the vehicle and to provide the number of operating parameters to the vehicle via a provisioning interface.

[0074] The presented computing unit enables a specific setting of a large number of vehicles for a particular type of fuel being used.

[0075] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0076] They each show schematically:

[0077] Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the presented method, R.415637

[0078] - 11 -

[0079] Figure 2 shows a detailed representation of a possible embodiment of the method according to Fig. 1.

[0080] Figure 3 shows a further detailed representation of another possible embodiment of the method according to Fig. 1.

[0081] Figure 4 shows a possible configuration of the vehicle presented and

[0082] Figure 5 shows a possible design of the presented computing unit.

[0083] Fig. 1 shows a method 100 for operating a number of vehicles 200.

[0084] Procedure 100 comprises a filling step 101, in which the tank of each vehicle 200 (of which there are 200 vehicles) is filled with fuel via a filling station. For example, filling step 101 also includes checking the suitability of vehicle 200 for a particular fuel at a specific pump nozzle at the filling station, so that a mix-up of diesel / gasoline and also a mix-up of eFuel-only with unauthorized fuel can be detected and the refueling process can be stopped if necessary.

[0085] Furthermore, the method 100 includes a receiving step 103 in which at least one parameter of a digital twin of the fuel is received from the filling station by a computing unit, wherein the digital twin of the fuel describes properties of the fuel.

[0086] Furthermore, the procedure 100 includes a determination step 105 in which a number of operating parameters of the vehicle 200 are determined by the computing unit based on at least one parameter.

[0087] Furthermore, procedure 100 includes a provisioning step 107 in which the number of operating parameters of the vehicle is provided via a provisioning interface, such as a display or an R.415637

[0088] - 12 -

[0089] Communication interface provided, in particular to a control unit of the vehicle 200.

[0090] Furthermore, the procedure 100 includes a setting step 109, in which the vehicle 200 is set based on the number of operating parameters.

[0091] Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of method 100 in detail.

[0092] Different filling stations 121, 123 and 125 supply different vehicles 127, 129 and 131 with different fuels, which, for example, come from a common batch 120, and with corresponding parameters determined by means of a digital twin of each fuel, which describe the properties of the respective fuel.

[0093] Based on the parameters, specific

[0094] Operating parameters 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 and 149 were determined and set in the respective vehicles 127, 129 and 131.

[0095] Based on the determined and / or set operating parameters 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 and 149, the effects of the different fuels or the different

[0096] Gas stations 121, 123 and 125 are compared to vehicles 127, 129 and 131.

[0097] For example, deviations between vehicle 127's operating parameters caused by a specific fuel and those averaged across all fuels or provided / selected reference parameters can be detected. This means that, for example, it can be automatically detected and reported if station 121 provides a fuel that leads to atypical operating parameters. Accordingly, unwanted or intentional contamination of a specific fuel or of station 121 can be detected and, if necessary, addressed. R.415637

[0098] - 13 -

[0099] Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of method 100 in detail.

[0100] In monitoring step 111, the emission behavior of vehicle 200 is monitored based on its operating parameters. This monitoring is specifically recorded, and, for example, the carbon dioxide and / or particulate matter emissions of vehicle 200, determined by these operating parameters, are compared with a predefined limit value, which may apply to a specific geographical area where vehicle 200 is located. If the emission behavior exceeds the limit value, vehicle 200 can be adjusted to comply with it or prevented from operating in the geographical area, for example, by deactivating its drive system.

[0101] Furthermore, in a prediction step 113, air quality in the geographical area can be predicted based on a large number of operating parameters of a large number of vehicles and, for example, displayed on an output unit.

[0102] Based on the operating parameters provided for the vehicle 200, for example, fuels provided or to be provided to the vehicle 200 can be selected or designed in an adjustment step 115 in such a way that they result in emission behavior, in particular carbon dioxide and / or particulate matter emissions, that complies with a specified limit value.

[0103] To create a fuel, it can be processed or produced in a chemical process in such a way that it results in emission behavior, in particular carbon dioxide and / or particulate matter emissions, that complies with a specified limit value.

[0104] Figure 4 shows a vehicle 200.

[0105] The vehicle 200 includes a tank 201 for supplying a consumer 203, e.g., in the form of an internal combustion engine, with fuel, an R.415637

[0106] - 14 -

[0107] Consumer 203, configured to convert fuel into energy, a computing unit 205 and a communication interface 207, wherein the communication interface 207 is configured to receive at least one parameter from a digital twin 209 of the fuel and to provide it to the computing unit 205, and wherein the computing unit 205 is configured to perform the method 100 according to Fig. 1 on the basis of the received at least one parameter, wherein the digital twin 209 of the fuel describes properties of the fuel.

[0108] In the present case, the digital twin 209 is implemented as an example on a computing unit 211 of a filling station 213 that supplies the vehicle 200 with fuel.

[0109] Figure 5 shows a computing unit 300.

[0110] The computing unit 300 is configured to determine at least one parameter from a digital twin 209 of a fuel supplied to a vehicle 200 by a filling station 213, to perform the procedure 100 according to Fig. 1 on the basis of the at least one parameter in order to determine a number of operating parameters of the vehicle 200 and to provide the number of operating parameters to the vehicle 200 via a provisioning interface 301.

Claims

R.415637 - 15 - Claims 1. Method (100) for operating a number of vehicles (200), wherein the method (100) comprises: Filling (101) a tank of a respective vehicle (200) the Number of vehicles (200) with a fuel via a filling station (213), receiving (103) at least one parameter of a digital twin (209) of the fuel from the filling station (213) by a computing unit (205, 211 , 300), wherein the digital twin (209) of the fuel describes properties of the fuel, Determine (105) a number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) based on at least one parameter by which Computing unit (205, 211, 300), Providing (107) the number of vehicle operating parameters (200) via a provisioning interface (301) and Setting (109) the vehicle (200) based on the number of operating parameters.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the properties of the fuel are dynamically determined by the digital twin (209) of the fuel, taking into account properties of a supply chain of the fuel. R.415637 - 16 - 3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fuel properties include a combustion quality and the number of operating parameters includes at least one operating parameter from the following list of operating parameters: characteristics for combustion control, characteristics for emission minimization, characteristics for adjusting an air system and / or characteristics for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation system, characteristics for adjusting an exhaust gas aftertreatment system.

4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting of the vehicle (200) comprises at least one measure from the following list of measures: setting a cleaning time for which a particulate filter of the vehicle (200) is cleaned, limiting a power, a torque and / or a maximum speed of the vehicle (200) and / or deactivating a driving function of the vehicle (200).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that providing the number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) includes providing at least one parameter describing the emission behavior of the vehicle (200).

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first operating parameters caused by a first fuel are compared with at least one reference value, wherein, in the event that the first operating parameters deviate from the reference value, a warning message is issued, which reports the first fuel as conspicuous. R.415637 - 17 - 7. Method (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one reference value is determined on the basis of second operating parameters caused by at least one second fuel.

8. Method (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, in order to determine whether the first operating parameters deviate from the at least one reference value, the first operating parameters and the at least one reference value are compared using a machine learner which is trained on training data comprising first training operating parameters associated with non-conforming fuel and second training operating parameters associated with conspicuous fuel.

9. Method (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, in order to determine whether the first operating parameters deviate from the at least one reference value, key figures of the first operating parameters are compared with the at least one reference value and, in the event that a difference of the compared key figures to the at least one reference value is greater than a predetermined threshold, the warning message is issued.

10. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the properties of the fuel include a carbon dioxide footprint of the fuel.

11. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) includes a carbon dioxide footprint of the vehicle (200). R.415637 - 18 - 12. Vehicle (200), wherein the vehicle (200) comprises: a tank (201) for supplying a consumer with fuel, a consumer (203) configured to convert fuel into energy, a computing unit (205) and a communication interface (207), wherein the communication interface (207) is configured to receive at least one parameter from a digital twin (209) of the fuel and to provide it to the computing unit (205), wherein the computing unit (205) is configured to perform a method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on the basis of the received at least one parameter, wherein the digital twin (209) of the fuel describes properties of the fuel.

13. Computing unit (300), wherein the computing unit (300) is configured to determine at least one parameter from a digital twin (209) of a fuel supplied to a vehicle (200) by a filling station (213), to perform a method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 on the basis of the at least one parameter in order to determine a number of operating parameters of the vehicle (200) and to provide the number of operating parameters to the vehicle (200) via a provisioning interface (301).

Images