A system and a method for vehicle energy saving

Abstract

The present invention discloses an energy-saving system and a method thereof for an efficient use of electrical energy, which is suitable for use in a first vehicle (1). Said system comprises at least one long-range radar (3); at least one short-range radar (4); at least one energy source (6) providing electrical energy to said long-range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4); at least one control unit (5), which is connected to said long-range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4), can be energized by means of said energy source (6), is configured to process the data detected by means of said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4), and to enable said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4) to operate in a first energy-saving mode if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic. Said method comprises the steps of detecting by said control unit (5) whether a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has occurred in a congested traffic; if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has not occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a high power consumption mode by means of the control unit (5); if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).

Description

[0001] 8343.1171

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR VEHICLE ENERGY SAVING

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to an energy-saving system and a method thereof for an efficient use of electrical energy in motor vehicles.

[0006] Prior Art

[0007] Motorized land vehicles such as cars, buses, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles are used for passenger and / or freight transportation. Said vehicles comprise at least one movement unit, such as an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor. Thanks to the movement unit providing rotational motion to the wheels of vehicles, the vehicle is enabled to move on a road.

[0008] In traditional applications, the control of the vehicles during movement is completely dependent on the driver. Here, it is the driver's responsibility to detect obstacles (other vehicles, pedestrians, signs and sign boards) during the movement of vehicle and to control the vehicle according to these obstacles. For this reason, accidents can occur in situations such as carelessness of the driver. In the prior art, driver assistance systems such as ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) have been developed to prevent such unwanted accidents, as well as autonomous vehicle control systems have been developed that enable vehicle to be used without the need for a driver. In said driver assistance systems, the traffic environment consisting of people, objects and other vehicles around the driven vehicle is detected using various sensors and the necessary information can be provided to the driver by analyzing this traffic environment. Driver assistance systems can also detect a possible accident and halt the vehicle to prevent an accident. Thus, it is ensured that the vehicle is more reliably used. In autonomous8343.1171

[0009] vehicle control systems, in turn, alike to driver assistance systems, the traffic environment in which the vehicle is present is detected and the vehicle is controlled accordingly.

[0010] In driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle control systems, the detections can be made by using various sensors such as short range radars, long range radars and Lidar sensors (light detection and ranging). Here, a continuous and high-speed detection by said sensors is required to ensure driving safety. However, this both causes the energy consumption of the sensors to be high and increases the energy consumption of a control unit (processor) where the data detected by these sensors is processed due to the higher processing speed. Since the battery must be constantly charged in vehicles containing an internal combustion engine, this increases the use of the battery in case of drawing current from the alternator and the battery, thus increasing the fuel consumption as well as shortening the life of the battery. In fully electric and hybrid vehicles, the high energy consumption of the sensors and the control unit causes a decrease in the vehicle range. For this reason, an energy-saving application is needed for an efficient use of electrical energy in said vehicles.

[0011] Brief Description of Invention

[0012] The present invention discloses an energy-saving system and a method thereof for an efficient use of electrical energy, which is suitable for use in a first vehicle. Said system comprises at least one long-range radar; at least one short-range radar; at least one energy source providing electrical energy to said long-range radar and to said short-range radar; at least one control unit, which is connected to said long-range radar and to said short-range radar, can be energized by said energy source, is configured to process the data detected by means of the long-range radar and the short-range radar, and to enable the long-range radar and the short-range radar to operate in a first energy-saving mode if the first vehicle moves at a low speed in a congested traffic. Said method comprises the steps of8343.1171

[0013] detecting by said control unit whether a low-speed movement of the first vehicle has occurred in a congested traffic; if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle has not occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar and the short-range radar in a high power consumption mode by means of the control unit; if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle has occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar and the short-range radar in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit.

[0014] Thanks to the system and method developed by the present invention, when a low-speed movement of the first vehicle is detected in a congested traffic, it is ensured that the long-range radar and the short-range radar operate in a first energy-saving mode. Thus, in case of said congested traffic where the long-range radar and the short-range radar do not need to make precise and continuous detection, the energy consumption of said sensors and the control unit to which these sensors are connected is reduced, thus ensuring that the energy efficiency of the first vehicle is high. Here also, since the control unit must operate at a lower power level, the heating of the control unit is prevented especially during times when the outdoor temperature is high (e.g., summer months), thus preventing the failure of the control unit as a result of overheating.

[0015] Object of Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to develop an energy-saving system and a method thereof for an efficient use of electrical energy in motor vehicles.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to develop an energy-saving system and a method thereof without adversely affecting driving safety.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to develop an energy-saving system and a method thereof in vehicles already in use.8343.1171

[0019] Description of Figures

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the system and method developed by the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying figures, wherein from these figures;

[0021] Figure 1 is a view of a first vehicle in a flowing traffic in which the developed system is used.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the developed system.

[0023] Figure 3 is a time-dependent variation graph of the operating frequency of modules connected to the control unit in an embodiment of the developed method.

[0024] The parts in the figures are individually designated and referenced as following:

[0025] First vehicle (1)

[0026] Second vehicle (2)

[0027] Long-range radar (3)

[0028] Short-range radar (4)

[0029] Control unit (5)

[0030] Energy source (6)

[0031] Connection unit (7)

[0032] Description of Invention

[0033] Driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle control systems used in motor vehicles include various sensors enabling the detection of obstacles and traffic environment around the vehicle and at least one control unit enabling the processing of data detected by said sensors. Here, if said sensors and a software in the control unit, where the data received from the sensors are processed, operate at a high frequency and continuously, this causes a high energy consumption of the vehicle, and thus a decrease in energy efficiency, since both the sensors and the8343.1171

[0034] control unit will have a high energy consumption. For this reason, an energysaving system and a method thereof for an efficient use of electrical energy in motor vehicles have been developed with the present invention. The present invention also provides fuel savings in internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

[0035] The system developed by the present invention, exemplary views of which are given in figures 1, 2 and 3, is suitable for use in a first vehicle (1) and provides energy savings for an efficient use of electrical energy. Said system comprises at least one long-range radar (3); at least one short-range radar (4); at least one energy source (6) providing electrical energy to said long-range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4); at least one control unit (5), which is connected to said long-range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4), can be energized by means of said energy source (6), is configured to process the data detected by means of said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4), and to enable said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4) to operate in a first energy-saving mode if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic. The placement of the short-range radar (4) and the long-range radar (3) as shown in figure 1 may be at different alternative locations according to the use in vehicle.

[0036] The method developed by the present invention provides energy savings for an efficient use of electrical energy in a first vehicle (1) (e.g., in a driver assistance system or an autonomous vehicle control system of a first vehicle (1)) comprising at least one long-range radar (3), at least one short-range radar (4), at least one energy source (6), and at least one control unit (5). Said method comprises the steps of detecting by said control unit (5) whether a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has occurred in a congested traffic; if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has not occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a high power consumption mode (continuous operation mode with a high frequency for precise detection) by means of the control unit (5); if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has8343.1171

[0037] occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said system and method are used in a first vehicle (1), for example in a driver assistance system or in an autonomous vehicle control system thereof. Here, said control unit (5) can be a central processor of the driver assistance system or the autonomous vehicle control system. Alternatively, said control unit (5) is configured to exchange data with the vehicle control system (central processor of the driver assistance system or central processor of the autonomous vehicle) located in the first vehicle (1). Here, during a normal use of the first vehicle (1), a continuous high-frequency detection is carried out by operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a high power consumption mode to ensure a safe driving. Thus, during a movement of the first vehicle (1), the driving safety of the first vehicle (1) is guaranteed by sensitively detecting any obstacles located in the short range (e.g., a distance of 0-30 m) and in the long range (e.g., a distance of 250-300 m) during the movement of the first vehicle. However, if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in the high power consumption mode will unnecessarily increase the energy consumption. Because if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in congested traffic, the movement of the first vehicle (1) will be very limited, as well as the surrounding obstacles will change at a low speed. For this reason, if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in congested traffic, a continuous detection at a high frequency is not required by means of said sensors. For this reason, in the system and method developed by the present invention, if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in congested traffic, it is ensured that the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) operate in a first energy-saving mode. Thus, the energy consumption of both the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) is reduced, and since the processing load on the control unit (5) is reduced, the energy consumption of the control unit (5) is lowered, as well as its overheating is prevented. Here, since said first energy-saving mode is applied8343.1171

[0039] only when the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in congested traffic, it is ensured that the driving safety is not negatively affected. In addition, it is ensured that the energy efficiency of vehicles already in use is also increased, for example by installing said method on already-used vehicles in the form of a software update.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said control unit (5) is configured to detect a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) in a congested traffic according to short-range obstacle information received from at least one short-range radar (4) and speed information received from the first vehicle (1). In this embodiment, said method comprises the steps of detecting a distance between the first vehicle (1) and a second vehicle (2) in front of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one short-range radar (4); transmitting the detected distance information to the control unit (5); detecting the speed information of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one speed sensor located in the first vehicle (1); transmitting the detected speed information to the control unit (5); comparing the transmitted distance information with a first threshold value (e.g., 1-10 m) and the transmitted speed information with a second threshold value (e.g., 5-20 km / h) by means of the control unit (5); if the transmitted distance information is lower than said first threshold value and the transmitted speed information is lower than said second threshold value, enabling the control unit (5) to determine that the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic. In another preferred embodiment, said system comprises at least one connection unit (7) enabling said control unit (5) to exchange data with a traffic conditions service provider. Said connection unit (7) provides information whether a traffic congestion has occurred in the location of the first vehicle (1) by exchanging data with a traffic conditions service provider through a GSM connection or a satellite connection. In this embodiment, said method comprises the steps of enabling the control unit (5) to receive traffic density information at a location of the first vehicle (1) by exchanging data with a traffic conditions service provider by means of at least one connection unit (7); detecting the speed information of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one8343.1171

[0041] speed sensor located in the first vehicle (1); transmitting the detected speed information to the control unit (5); comparing the received traffic density information with a third threshold value and the transmitted speed information with a second threshold value (e.g., 5-20 km / h) by means of the control unit (5); if the traffic density information is higher than said third threshold value and the transmitted speed information is lower than said second threshold value, enabling the control unit (5) to determine that the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the long-range radar (3) and stopping the operation of the short-range radars (4) except at least one thereof, if there is more than one short-range radar (4) available. Here, by virtue of continuing to operate at least one short-range radar (4) in said first energy-saving mode, it is detected whether the traffic congestion keeps going by continuing to measure the distance between the first vehicle (1) and a second vehicle (2) in front of the first vehicle (1). Thus, when the traffic congestion comes to an end, it is ensured that the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are operated in the high power consumption mode again. In an alternative embodiment, the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency (data collection rate per unit time) of the long-range radar (3) and of the short-range radar (4). Here, preferably, the operating frequency of the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) can be determined using a look-up table that varies according to the type of the first vehicle (1) (e.g., a car, bus, light commercial vehicle, heavy commercial vehicle). Said look-up table makes use of and comprises the operating frequency information corresponding to the speed information of the first vehicle (1), the distance information between the second vehicle (2) and the first vehicle (1), the traffic density information received from the traffic conditions service8343.1171

[0043] provider, and the information on how long the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) have been operating in the first energy-saving mode. Thus, the operating frequencies of the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are reduced so as not to endanger the driving safety of the first vehicle (1), thus reducing the energy consumption.

[0044] Driver assistance systems, such as ADAS, and autonomous vehicles, can comprise at least one module, in which different applications are run, connected to the control unit (5). Examples of such modules are modules which run cruise control applications; adaptive cruise control applications; lane change warning system applications; trajectory planning and control applications; model predictive control applications and similar applications. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said control unit (5) is configured to reduce the operating frequency of the modules to which it is connected when the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic. In this embodiment, said method comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency of the modules to which the control unit (5) is connected, in the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5). In an exemplary embodiment, a time-dependent variation graph of the operating frequency of said modules is shown in Figure 3. Here, when the first vehicle (1) is in a normal cruise, said modules are operated at a high operating frequency, as shown at the beginning of the graph. However, when the first vehicle (1) encounters a traffic congestion and its speed starts to decrease in heavy traffic, the operating frequency of the modules is reduced. In order to ensure the safety of the first vehicle (1), here a decrease is provided at most up to a minimum frequency value. When the first vehicle (1) is freed from the traffic congestion, the operating frequencies of said modules are increased again. Here, if the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic, these modules do not need to operate at a high operating frequency, since the need for data received from the modules connected to the control unit (5) to run at a high operating frequency will decrease. In this case, by reducing the operating frequency of said8343.1171

[0045] modules, energy efficiency is further increased by ensuring more efficient use of energy.

[0046] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said system further comprises at least one Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor. In this embodiment, said control unit (5) is configured to enable said Lidar sensor to operate in a first energy-saving mode when the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit (5) is configured to enable the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) (also the Lidar sensor if available) to operate in a second energy-saving mode by detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted (e.g. the first vehicle (1) coming to a halt while the ignition switch is switched on), when the first vehicle (1) has decelerated to a halt or has halted. In this embodiment, said method comprises the steps of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) (e.g. the first vehicle (1) coming to a halt while the ignition switch is switched on); and if it is detected that the first vehicle (1) has decelerated to a halt or has halted, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5). In a preferred embodiment, the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the long-range radar (3) and stopping the operation of at least one short-range radar (4). In an alternative embodiment, the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency (data collection rate per unit time) of the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4). The reduction of the operating frequency mentioned herein can be controlled in a manner similar to the first energy-saving implementation.8343.1171

[0048] In the method developed by the present invention, the first energy-saving mode and the second energy-saving mode can be realized in the same way (e.g., stopping the operation of the sensors in both, or reducing the sensor operating frequency in both), as well as in different ways. However, in these embodiments, an attempt to apply the first energy-saving mode and the second energy-saving mode together may adversely affect the driving safety of the first vehicle (1) by causing an instability state. For solving this problem, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, said method comprises preventing the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) from being operated in the first energysaving mode and in the second energy-saving mode at the same time. In order to achieve this in said method, if the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are operated in the first energy-saving mode, the control over the conditions required for the second energy-saving mode is stopped. Similarly, if the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are operated in the second energysaving mode, the control over the conditions required for the first energy-saving mode is stopped. Thus, the driving safety of the first vehicle (1) is enhanced by preventing an instability state.

[0049] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control unit (5) is configured to reduce the operating frequency of the modules to which it is connected in the second energy-saving mode. In this embodiment, said method comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency of the modules to which the control unit (5) is connected, in the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, if the first vehicle (1) comprises an internal combustion engine, the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of monitoring the data indicating a variation in the gear stage of the first8343.1171

[0051] vehicle (1) and / or controlling the force applied to an accelerator and brake pedal of the first vehicle (1) and / or receiving acceleration and brake commands from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1), and controlling the commands received this way and / or controlling the engine speed and / or controlling the position of the engine throttle valve. Here, for example, if a continuous decrease in the gear stage of the first vehicle (1) has occurred and the gear is brought to a lowest value, it is considered that the first vehicle (1) has decelerated to a halt. The forces applied to the accelerator and brake pedal of the first vehicle (1) or the acceleration and brake commands received from the main processing unit of the first vehicle (1) are similarly considered to be a deceleration of the first vehicle (1) to a halt. The first vehicle (1) is also considered to be decelerated to a halt or halted when the engine speed decreases to an idling speed of the vehicle or to a certain extent above the idling speed (e.g., the speed required to run an alternator). While the minimum position of the engine throttle valve is considered to be a deceleration of the first vehicle (1) to a halt, switching off the first vehicle (1) completely is considered to be a stop thereof. Here, more than one of the controlled parameters can also be used together. For example, after the gear of the first vehicle (1) is brought to a minimum value, when no acceleration command is received (or a brake command is received) from the pedals or from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1), this can also be considered as a deceleration of the first vehicle (1) to a halt. Here, in order not to make an incorrect determination, for example, after the gear of the first vehicle (1) is brought to a minimum value, it is checked for a first time period (e.g., 2-5 seconds) whether an acceleration command is received from the pedals or from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1), and the situation is considered to be a deceleration of the first vehicle (1) to a halt when no command is received during this time period. Thus, instability states such as incorrectly activating the second energy-saving mode and subsequently deactivating the second energy-saving mode can be avoided. Here, if the first vehicle (1) comprising an internal combustion engine features a stop-start feature, the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control8343.1171

[0052] unit (5) comprises the step of receiving information from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1) that the engine has stopped in a stop-start condition. Thus, by receiving stop information from the main processor providing the stop-start control, a halt of the first vehicle (1) can be detected without the need for an additional detection.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, if the first vehicle (1) comprises an electric motor (e.g. if the first vehicle (1) is a fully electric vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle) the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of controlling a motor shaft power estimation value obtained by multiplying the motor shaft moment estimation value of the electric motor of the first vehicle (1) with the motor shaft speed thereof and the electric motor phase current data measured by the electric motor's control unit itself and read on a communication interface and / or controlling the regenerative brake status of the first vehicle (1). Here, when the case in which the motor shaft power read on the communication interface of the control unit of the electric motor of the first vehicle (1) is zero or shows very low variations at the zero level, and the case in which the electric motor phase current data measured by the electric motor's control unit itself and read on the communication interface is zero or shows very low variations at the zero level happen at the same time, it is decided that the electric motor has stopped. If the regenerative brake is activated, it is decided that the first vehicle (1) tends to be decelerated by means of the vehicle control unit.

[0054] A first vehicle (1) comprising a system detailed above is also disclosed in the present invention. The first vehicle (1) can be a motor vehicle such as a car, bus, light commercial vehicle, heavy commercial vehicle.

[0055] Thanks to the system and method developed by the present invention, when a low-speed movement of a first vehicle (1) is detected in a congested traffic, it is ensured that the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) operate in a8343.1171

[0056] first energy-saving mode. Thus, in case of said congested traffic where the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) do not need to make precise and continuous detection, the energy consumption of said sensors and the control unit (5) to which these sensors are connected is reduced, thus ensuring that the energy efficiency of the first vehicle (1) is high. Here, also since the control unit (5) must operate at a lower power level, the heating of the control unit (5) is prevented especially during times when the outdoor temperature is high (e.g., summer months), thus preventing possible failure risks which may result from the overheating control unit (5).

Claims

8343.1171CLAIMS1. An energy-saving system for an efficient use of electrical energy, which is suitable for use in a first vehicle (1), characterized by comprising:at least one long-range radar (3);at least one short-range radar (4);at least one energy source (6) providing electrical energy to said long- range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4);at least one control unit (5), which is connected to said long-range radar (3) and to said short-range radar (4), can be energized by said energy source (6), is configured to process the data detected by means of said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4), and to enable said long-range radar (3) and said short-range radar (4) to operate in a first energy-saving mode if said first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said control unit (5) is configured to exchange data with vehicle control system in the first vehicle (1).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control unit (5) is configured to detect a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) in a congested traffic according to short-range obstacle information received from at least one short-range radar (4) and speed information received from the first vehicle (1).

4. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising at least one connection unit (7) enabling said control unit (5) to exchange data with a traffic conditions service provider.8343.11715. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control unit (5) is configured to reduce the operating frequency of the modules to which it is connected when the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

6. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising at least one Lidar sensor.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that said control unit (5) is configured to enable said Lidar sensor to operate in a first energy-saving mode when the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

8. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (5) is configured to enable the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) to operate in a second energy-saving mode by detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted when the first vehicle (1) has decelerated to a halt or has halted.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that said control unit (5) is configured to reduce the operating frequency of the modules to which it is connected in the second energy-saving mode.

10. A first vehicle (1) comprising the system according to any of the preceding claims.

11. An energy-saving method for an efficient use of electrical energy in a first vehicle (1) comprising at least one long-range radar (3), at least one short- range radar (4), at least one energy source (6), and at least one control unit (5), characterized by comprising the steps ofdetecting by said control unit (5) whether a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has occurred in a congested traffic;8343.1171if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has not occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short- range radar (4) in a high power consumption mode by means of the control unit (5);if a low-speed movement of the first vehicle (1) has occurred in a congested traffic, operating the long-range radar (3) and the short- range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized by comprising the steps of detecting a distance between the first vehicle (1) and a second vehicle (2) in front of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one short-range radar (4); transmitting the detected distance information to the control unit (5); detecting the speed information of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one speed sensor located in the first vehicle (1); transmitting the detected speed information to the control unit (5); comparing the transmitted distance information with a first threshold value and the transmitted speed information with a second threshold value by means of the control unit (5); if the transmitted distance information is lower than said first threshold value and the transmitted speed information is lower than said second threshold value, enabling the control unit (5) to determine that the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by comprising the steps of enabling the control unit (5) to receive traffic density information at a location of the first vehicle (1) by exchanging data with a traffic conditions service provider by means of at least one connection unit (7); detecting the speed information of the first vehicle (1) by means of at least one speed sensor located in the first vehicle (1); transmitting the detected speed information to the control unit (5); comparing the received traffic density information with a8343.1171third threshold value and the transmitted speed information with a second threshold value by means of the control unit (5); if the traffic density information is higher than said third threshold value and the transmitted speed information is lower than said second threshold value, enabling the control unit (5) to determine that the first vehicle (1) moves at a low speed in a congested traffic.

14. The method according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the long-range radar (3) and stopping the operation of the short-range radars (4) except at least one thereof, if there is more than one short-range radar (4) available.

15. The method according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency of the long-range radar (3) and the short- range radar (4).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the operating frequency of the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) is determined using a look-up table that varies according to the type of the first vehicle (1).

17. The method according to any of the claims 11 to 16, characterized by comprising the step of reducing the operating frequency of the modules to which the control unit (5) is connected, when the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are operated in a first energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).8343.117118. The method according to any of the claims 11 to 17, characterized by comprising the steps of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5); and if it is detected that the first vehicle (1) has decelerated to a halt or has halted, operating the long- range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the long-range radar (3) and stopping the operation of at least one short-range radar (4).

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the step of operating the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5) comprises the step of reducing the operating frequency of the long-range radar (3) and the short- range radar (4).

21. The method according to any of the claims 18 to 20, characterized by preventing the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) from being operated in the first energy-saving mode and in the second energy-saving mode at the same time.

22. The method according to any of the claims 18 to 21, characterized by comprising the step of reducing the operating frequency of the modules to which the control unit (5) is connected, when the long-range radar (3) and the short-range radar (4) are operated in a second energy-saving mode by means of the control unit (5).8343.117123. The method according to any of the claims 18 to 22, characterized in that if the first vehicle (1) comprises an internal combustion engine, the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of monitoring the data indicating a variation in the gear stage of the first vehicle (1) and / or controlling the force applied to an accelerator and brake pedal of the first vehicle (1) and / or receiving acceleration and brake commands from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1), and controlling the commands received this way and / or controlling the engine speed and / or controlling the position of the engine throttle valve.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that if the first vehicle (1) comprises a stop-start feature, the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) comprises the step of receiving information from a main processing unit of the first vehicle (1) that the engine has stopped in a stop-start condition.

25. The method according to any of the claims 18 to 24, characterized in that if the first vehicle (1) comprises an electric motor, the step of detecting the first vehicle (1) as being decelerated to a halt or having halted by means of the control unit (5) comprises the steps of controlling the motor shaft power of the electric motor of the first vehicle (1) and the electric motor phase current data measured by the electric motor's control unit itself and read on a communication interface and / or controlling the regenerative brake status of the first vehicle (1).

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