Method for operating an electric vehicle having a device for generating a virtual shift sensation, and electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle has a drive unit having at least one electric machine (11), and wherein the electric vehicle (10) has a device (13) for generating a virtual shift sensation, wherein virtual shifts are executed by the device (13) for generating the virtual shift sensation. If a driver request torque which is dependent on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal (14) is less than a limit value, and if no veto condition is met, a virtual coasting mode is activated by the device (13) for generating the virtual shift sensation and the current virtual gear is designed to provide a virtual neutral state of the device (13) for generating the virtual shift sensation, wherein the at least one electric machine (11) is controlled in such a way that a torque is provided by the at least one electric machine (11) at an output (12) of the electric vehicle (10) during the activated virtual coasting mode, by means of which torque the electric vehicle (10) reduces its coasting speed during coasting on a flat driving route with a defined temporal gradient.

Description

[0001] 25P0287

[0002] 1

[0003] Method for operating an electric vehicle with a device for generating a virtual shifting feel and electric vehicle

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating an electric vehicle with a device for generating a virtual shifting sensation. The invention further relates to an electric vehicle with a device for generating a virtual shifting sensation.

[0005] Electric vehicles are also known as battery-electric vehicles. The drive unit of an electric vehicle has at least one electric motor, but no internal combustion engine. In a motor vehicle whose drive unit has an internal combustion engine, a multi-speed transmission is interposed between the internal combustion engine and an output shaft of the vehicle. For efficiency reasons, this transmission is increasingly designed as an automatic transmission. In an automatic transmission, gear changes are executed automatically depending on the driver's operation of the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal. Furthermore, automatic transmissions are known in which gear changes can also be performed manually depending on the driver's operation of a sequential shift element, such as a paddle shifter.

[0006] In an electric vehicle, there is no multi-speed gearbox between the electric machine and the output; at most, there is a reduction gearbox with typically a single, fixed gear ratio or a maximum of two gear ratios.

[0007] Gear changes, as known from vehicles with internal combustion engines and multi-speed manual transmissions, do not occur in electric vehicles. Therefore, drivers switching from an internal combustion engine vehicle to an electric vehicle typically find the driving experience in an electric vehicle to be less emotional.25P0287

[0008] 2

[0009] As explained above, the drive unit of a motor vehicle designed as an electric vehicle has at least one electric motor, but no internal combustion engine. The electric vehicle has a traction battery in which electrical energy is stored to operate the at least one electric motor. While a range-extender electric vehicle may have an internal combustion engine to charge the traction battery, this engine is not part of the drive unit. This is because, even in a range-extender electric vehicle, only the at least one electric motor provides propulsion power, not the internal combustion engine. The same applies to a fuel cell electric vehicle, where the fuel cell serves to charge the traction battery.

[0010] US 2021 / 0309113 A1 is known to be an electric vehicle with a device for generating a virtual shifting sensation.

[0011] DE 102022211 435 A1 discloses another electric vehicle with a device for generating a virtual shifting sensation.

[0012] There is a need to further enhance and / or emotionalize the driving experience in an electric vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide a method for operating an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle itself.

[0013] This problem is solved by a method for operating an electric vehicle according to claim 1 and an electric vehicle according to claim 8.

[0014] According to the invention, when a driver-requested torque dependent on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal is less than a limit value, and when no veto condition is active, a virtual sailing mode is activated by the device for generating the virtual shift feel and a virtual neutral state is provided for the device for generating the virtual 25P0287

[0015] 3

[0016] The shift feel of the current virtual gear is designed accordingly. Furthermore, according to the invention, the at least one electric machine is controlled in such a way that a torque is provided by the at least one electric machine at the drive of the electric vehicle during the activated virtual sailing mode, by means of which the electric vehicle reduces its sailing speed with a defined time gradient when sailing on a level road.

[0017] The invention provides a virtual sailing mode for an electric vehicle which has a device for generating a virtual shifting sensation, corresponding to the sailing mode of an internal combustion engine-powered motor vehicle.

[0018] For this purpose, the current virtual gear is selected by the device for generating the virtual shifting sensation, and the device for generating the virtual shifting sensation is transferred to a virtual neutral state.

[0019] Furthermore, the at least one electric motor is controlled in such a way that it provides a defined torque at the output during virtual sailing, which is dimensioned such that the electric vehicle reduces its sailing speed with a defined time gradient when sailing in a plane. The invention can enhance and emotionally enrich the driving experience in an electric vehicle.

[0020] Preferably, when the virtual coasting mode of the virtual shift-feel device is activated, virtual downshifts are delayed by the virtual shift-feel device until the virtual coasting mode is deactivated, with the delayed virtual downshifts being triggered and executed immediately upon deactivation of the virtual coasting mode. This can further enhance the emotional aspect of the driving experience in an electric vehicle. Preferably, when the virtual coasting mode of the 25P0287

[0021] 4

[0022] The virtual shift feel system is activated. Virtual upshifts are delayed by this system until the virtual coasting mode is deactivated. These delayed upshifts are only triggered and executed once a timer, started by deactivating the virtual coasting mode, has expired. This further enhances the emotional aspect of the driving experience in an electric vehicle.

[0023] Preferably, the device for generating a virtual switching sensation is configured to be operated in an automatic operating mode or in a manual operating mode.

[0024] Then, when the device for generating the virtual shifting sensation is operated in automatic mode, virtual shifts are performed by the device for generating the virtual shifting sensation depending on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal and / or a driver-side actuation of a brake pedal.

[0025] Then, when the device for generating a virtual shifting sensation is operated in manual mode, virtual switching operations are performed by the device for generating the virtual shifting sensation depending on a driving-side actuation of at least one sequential switching element.

[0026] The virtual sailing mode can only be activated by the virtual sailing feel generator when the virtual sailing feel generator is operating in automatic mode. If the virtual sailing feel generator can be operated in both automatic and manual modes, the virtual sailing mode will only be activated in the device's automatic mode.

[0027] 5

[0028] The virtual shift feel is permitted. This also serves to further enhance the emotional aspect of the driving experience in an electric vehicle.

[0029] Preferably, the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated if at least one of the following veto conditions is met: The state of charge of an electric vehicle's electrical energy storage device is less than a first state of charge limit or greater than a second state of charge limit, and / or the gradient of the route traveled by the electric vehicle is greater than a gradient limit or the incline of the route traveled by the electric vehicle is greater than an incline limit, and / or the electric vehicle's speed is less than a first speed limit or greater than a second speed limit, and / or the driver's actuation of a brake pedal in the electric vehicle is greater than a brake pedal actuation limit.and / or a driver-selected position of the electric vehicle's direction selector lever is different from the selector lever position for forward travel, and / or the driver activates at least one sequential switching element of the electric vehicle, and / or a driver-activated driving mode of the electric vehicle corresponds to a Sport, Performance, or Race driving mode, and / or a road detection function detects that the electric vehicle is not operating on a road, and / or a cruise control function regulates the electric vehicle's speed, and / or an adaptive cruise control function regulates the distance between the electric vehicle and a vehicle ahead. If at least one of these above veto conditions is met, the activation of the virtual coasting mode is prevented, or an activated virtual coasting mode is terminated and thus deactivated.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments 25P0287

[0031] 6

[0032] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. This shows:

[0033] Fig. 1 an electric vehicle,

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the electric vehicle's assemblies.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle designed as an electric vehicle 10. In an electric vehicle 10, the drive unit has at least one electric machine 11, but no internal combustion engine. It is possible for the drive unit of the electric vehicle 10 to have a single electric machine 11, which then drives one axle of the electric vehicle 10. The drive unit of the electric vehicle 10 can also have several electric machines 11. Thus, if the electric vehicle 10 has two driven axles, each driven axle can be assigned its own individual electric machine 11, in which case the electric vehicle 10 has two electric machines 11.Each driven wheel of the electric vehicle 10 can also be assigned an individual electric machine 11, in which case the number of electric machines 11 of the drive unit of the electric vehicle 10 corresponds to the number of driven wheels of the electric vehicle 10. The number of electric machines 11 of the drive unit of the electric vehicle 10 is purely exemplary.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a highly schematic representation of the components of an electric vehicle 10, namely an electric machine 11 which provides drive power to an output 12 of the electric vehicle 10. In contrast to internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, an electric vehicle 10 does not have a multi-speed gearbox between the electric machine 11 and the output 12, but at most a reduction gearbox with a single, fixed ratio or two ratios. Therefore, in electric vehicles 10, unlike internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, the driving power is not dependent on the driver's operation of the accelerator pedal and / or on a 25P0287

[0037] 7

[0038] The driver-side actuation of a brake pedal in the electric vehicle 10 results in a gear change in a multi-speed manual transmission. This limits the driving experience of the electric vehicle 10. In order to nevertheless enhance the driving experience of the electric vehicle 10, an electric vehicle 10 according to the invention has a device 13 for generating a virtual shifting sensation.

[0039] The device 13 for generating a virtual shift feel can simulate a virtual transmission with virtual shifts by controlling the at least one electric machine 11 of the electric vehicle 10 in such a way that the at least one electric machine 11 provides a torque curve at the output 12 that corresponds to a torque curve that would develop when performing gear changes in internal combustion engine-powered vehicles with a multi-speed manual transmission. When the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is deactivated, the electric vehicle 10 is operated like a conventional electric vehicle without virtual shifting. However, when the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is activated, it generates a virtual shift feel for the driver.The device 13 for generating the virtual switching sensation can preferably generate either a virtual automatic switching sensation in a first, automatic operating mode or a virtual manual switching sensation in a second, manual operating mode.

[0040] In the first, automatic operating mode, the device 13 simulates the presence of an automatic, multi-speed transmission by performing virtual automatic shifts to generate the virtual shifting feel, depending on driver actuation of an accelerator pedal 14 and / or depending on driver actuation of a brake pedal 15, and by controlling the electric machine 11 at the output 12, providing a torque curve which, when present, 25P0287

[0041] 8

[0042] would form an automatic, multi-speed gearbox at output 12.

[0043] The torque curve to be provided at the output 12 in the first, automatic operating mode can be determined in particular by the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation depending on the actuation of the accelerator pedal 14 and / or depending on the actuation of the brake pedal 15, in particular also depending on a virtual actual gear and a virtual target gear of the respective virtual shift to be executed.

[0044] However, when the second, manual operating mode of the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is activated, the device 13 generates a virtual manual shift feel, particularly depending on the driver's actuation of sequential switching elements 17, 18 mounted on a steering wheel 16 of the electric vehicle, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as shift paddles. When the second, manual operating mode of the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is active, the device 13 controls the electric machine 11, depending on the driver's actuation of the sequential switching elements 17, 18, such that it executes virtual sequential shifts and provides a torque curve at the output 12 that would develop if the electric vehicle 10 had a multi-speed manual transmission operating in sequential shift mode.

[0045] The torque profile to be provided at the output 12 in the second, manual operating mode can be determined in particular by the device 13 for generating the virtual switching feel depending on the actuation of the respective sequential switching element 17, 18, depending on the characteristic map.

[0046] Although the use of the paddle shifters or shift pedals installed on the steering wheel 16 as sequential shift elements 17, 18 is preferred, in the second, manual operating mode at least one other sequential 25P0287

[0047] 9

[0048] Switching elements 17, 18 can be used for driver-side request of virtual sequential switching.

[0049] The device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel thus simulates the presence of a multi-speed manual transmission, depending on its operating mode. When the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is activated, it can preferably be operated in two modes: as described above, the first, automatic operating mode, or the second, manual operating mode. When the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is deactivated, the vehicle behaves like a conventional electric vehicle, and no virtual gear changes are simulated, nor is a virtual shift feel provided.

[0050] If, on the other hand, the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation is activated, it provides a virtual shifting sensation depending on the activated operating mode by executing virtual shifts, in which it simulates a virtual transmission, in particular by controlling the electric machine 11 in such a way that it provides a torque curve at the output 12 as would be the case when performing a gear change in a multi-speed manual transmission of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0051] The operating mode for the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel can be selected and activated by a driver, for example, using a control element 19 mounted on the steering wheel 16. This control element 19 can be designed as a rotary and push-button control, whereby by rotating the control element 19 either the first, automatic operating mode or the second, manual operating mode for the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel can be selected, and whereby by pressing the control element 19 the selected operating mode is activated.

[0052] 10

[0053] can be. The design of the control element 19 rotary and push control element is exemplary.

[0054] The device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation simulates a virtual internal combustion engine in addition to the virtual transmission, depending on whose virtual engine speed and / or virtual torque virtual shifts are executed, particularly in the first, automatic operating mode.

[0055] In the first, automatic operating mode, if virtual shift points are reached that depend on the virtual engine speed and / or the virtual torque of the virtual combustion engine, depending on the driver's actuation of the accelerator pedal 14 and / or the driver's actuation of the brake pedal 15, then virtual shifts can be executed. This is done in particular via virtual shift maps of a virtual shift strategy, depending on the characteristic map.

[0056] The virtual engine speed of the virtual combustion engine can be simulated by the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation by calculating the virtual engine speed of the virtual combustion engine depending on a driving speed or speed at the output 12 of the electric vehicle 10 known from the control system or the speed of the electric machine 11 and the virtual gear ratio of an engaged virtual gear.

[0057] Depending on the calculated virtual engine speed of the virtual combustion engine, the device 13 can determine a virtual torque of the virtual combustion engine for generating the virtual shift feel, either map-dependent or characteristic curve-dependent, namely depending on a virtual engine map of the virtual

[0058] internal combustion engine. 25P0287

[0059] 11

[0060] Fig. 2 shows, as further components of the electric vehicle 10, a direction selector lever 20, with which one of the directions forward D, reverse R or neutral N can be selected. Furthermore, Fig. 2 schematically shows at least one driver assistance system 21, which may be configured to regulate the speed of the electric vehicle 10 via a cruise control function and / or to regulate the distance between the electric vehicle 10 and a vehicle ahead via a distance control function and / or to detect the road conditions of the roadway traveled by the electric vehicle 10 via a road detection function and / or to provide other driver assistance functions.

[0061] Fig. 1 shows an electrical energy storage device 22 as a further component of the electric vehicle 10. The electrical energy storage device 22 of the electric vehicle 10 is also referred to as a traction battery. During motor operation of the at least one electric machine 11, the electrical energy storage device 22 is discharged more extensively, whereas during generator operation of the at least one electric machine 11, the electrical energy storage device 22 can be charged more extensively.

[0062] The present invention proposes that when the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is activated, specifically in automatic operating mode in which it automatically performs virtual shifts depending on the driver's actuation of the accelerator pedal 15 and / or the driver's actuation of the brake pedal 15, and when a driver-requested torque dependent on a driver actuation of the accelerator pedal 14 is less than a limit value, and when no veto condition is met, a virtual coasting mode is activated by the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel, and the current virtual gear is selected to provide a virtual neutral state for the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel. 25P0287

[0063] 12

[0064] Furthermore, the at least one electric machine 11 is controlled such that, during the activated virtual sailing mode, a torque is provided by the at least one electric machine 11 at the output 12 of the electric vehicle 10. This torque causes the electric vehicle 10 to reduce its sailing speed with a defined temporal gradient when sailing on a level stretch of road, i.e., to coast to a stop. If the electric vehicle 10 were operated on a slope, the sailing speed could remain constant or increase depending on the slope, as a result of the torque provided by the at least one electric machine 11 at the output 12.If the electric vehicle 10 were to roll into an incline, the sailing speed of the electric vehicle 10 would decrease more than on a level road as a result of the torque provided by the at least one electric machine 11 at the output 12 of the electric vehicle 10 during the activated virtual sailing mode.

[0065] The invention therefore proposes providing a virtual coasting mode for an electric vehicle 10, which has a device 13 for generating a virtual shifting sensation, and which simulates the behavior of a combustion engine-powered vehicle for the electric vehicle 10. This can enhance and emotionalize the driving experience in an electric vehicle 10.

[0066] Then, when the virtual sailing mode of the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is activated, virtual downshifts are suppressed by the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel during the virtual sailing mode and delayed until the virtual sailing mode is deactivated. The suppressed and delayed virtual downshifts are then preferably triggered and executed immediately upon deactivation of the virtual sailing mode. The immediate execution of suppressed and delayed virtual downshifts, in particular suppressed and delayed virtual25P0287

[0067] 13

[0068] Braking downshifts, combined with the deactivation of the virtual sailing mode, increase driving dynamics.

[0069] According to a further advantageous embodiment, when the virtual sailing mode of the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation is activated, virtual upshifts are suppressed and delayed by the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation during the active virtual sailing mode until the virtual sailing mode is deactivated. The suppressed and delayed virtual upshifts are only triggered and executed when a timer started by deactivating the virtual sailing mode has expired. The timer-delayed execution of suppressed and delayed virtual downshifts ensures a particularly smooth driving experience for the electric vehicle 10.

[0070] As explained above, the virtual sailing mode is activated by device 13 to generate the virtual shift feel when the driver's desired torque, which depends on the driver's actuation of the accelerator pedal, is less than a limit value and when no veto condition is met. The desired torque is, in particular, less than a limit value when the accelerator pedal 14 is not actuated or when its actuation is less than a limit value.

[0071] A veto condition, depending on which the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or an activated virtual sailing mode is terminated, can depend on the state of charge of the electrical energy storage device 22. In particular, it is provided that if the state of charge (SOC) of the electrical energy storage device 22 of the electric vehicle 10 is less than a first state of charge limit or greater than a second state of charge limit, the activation of the virtual sailing mode by the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is prevented or an activated virtual sailing mode is terminated. In the case of a state of charge that is too low, or 25P0287

[0072] 14

[0073] Therefore, a virtual sailing mode is not permitted if the electrical energy storage device 22 has an excessively high charge level.

[0074] Another veto condition, which prevents the activation of the virtual sailing mode or terminates an activated virtual sailing mode, can be triggered by the electric vehicle 10 traveling downhill or uphill. Specifically, it is intended that if the gradient of the route traveled by the electric vehicle 10 exceeds a gradient threshold or the gradient exceeds a gradient threshold, the activation of the virtual sailing mode will be prevented or terminated. Thus, if a gradient or gradient on which the electric vehicle 10 is operating is too steep, virtual sailing will be prevented or terminated. The gradient and / or slope of the route can be measured with an inclination sensor and / or predictively determined based on topographical or GPS data of the route.

[0075] A further veto condition, depending on which the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated, depends on the vehicle speed 10. If the vehicle speed 10 is less than a first speed limit or greater than a second speed limit, the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated. Therefore, virtual sailing of the electric vehicle 10 is not permitted at excessively low or high speeds.

[0076] Another veto condition may depend on the driver's application of the brake pedal 15. It may be stipulated that if the application of the brake pedal 15 of the electric vehicle 10 exceeds a brake pedal application threshold, the activation of the virtual coasting mode is prevented or terminated. 25P0287

[0077] 15

[0078] Furthermore, it may be provided that the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated if the position of the direction selector lever 20 of the electric vehicle 10 is not the same as the selector lever position for forward travel D. Thus, if the reverse gear selector lever 20 is in position R or the neutral gear selector lever position N, the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated.

[0079] A further veto condition, depending on which the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated, can depend on driver-side actuation of the sequential switching elements 17, 18, in particular the steering wheel 16. It can be provided that if the actuation of one and / or both sequential switching elements 17, 18 is detected, the activation of the virtual sailing mode is prevented or terminated.

[0080] Another veto condition, depending on which the activation of the virtual coasting mode is prevented or terminated, may depend on a driving mode selected by the driver for the electric vehicle 10. Specifically, if a Sport, Performance, or Race driving mode is activated for the electric vehicle 10, the activation of the virtual coasting mode is prevented or terminated. In contrast, activation of the virtual coasting mode is permitted in a Range or Eco driving mode of the electric vehicle 10.

[0081] Further veto conditions, depending on which the activation of the virtual coasting mode by the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is prevented or terminated, may depend on the driver assistance system 21. For example, the activation of the virtual coasting mode may be prevented or terminated if a road detection function of the driver assistance system 21 detects that the electric vehicle is not operating on a road, and / or if a cruise control function of the driver assistance system 21 detects that the electric vehicle's speed is below 1025P0287.

[0082] 16

[0083] The virtual coasting mode can be deactivated if, for example, the road detection function detects that the vehicle is operating off-road on a gravel track or a snow-covered road. If a cruise control function or a distance control function is activated while the virtual coasting mode is active, and the vehicle's speed or distance is regulated accordingly, the activated virtual coasting mode can be deactivated. A further veto condition, depending on which the activation of the virtual coasting mode is deactivated or terminated, can be triggered by the electric vehicle 10 cornering.For example, if a measured lateral acceleration of the electric vehicle 10 indicates that the vehicle is traveling in a curve, the activation of the virtual coasting mode can be terminated or prevented. Furthermore, it can be provided that if the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel can be operated in both automatic and manual modes, and if the virtual coasting mode is also activated when automatic mode is activated, the activation of the virtual coasting mode should be terminated when the driver activates the manual mode for the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel, i.e., when switching from automatic to manual mode.

[0084] As explained above, when the virtual sailing mode is activated, at least one electric machine 11 is controlled to provide a torque at the output 12, which the electric vehicle 10 uses to reduce its sailing speed while sailing on a level stretch of road with a defined time gradient. The torque at the output 12 is reduced accordingly. 25P0287

[0085] 17

[0086] Furthermore, it is planned to limit torque changes of the electric machine 11 when the virtual sailing mode is activated and when the virtual sailing mode is deactivated, in order to ensure stable and smooth driving behavior when entering and exiting the virtual sailing mode.

[0087] It is specifically intended that the driver of the electric vehicle 10 be given visually perceptible feedback regarding the activation or deactivation of the virtual coasting mode. For this purpose, the driver can be shown an indication of the activation and deactivation of the virtual coasting mode in an instrument cluster and / or head-up display and / or in a central display. Alternatively or in addition to visual feedback regarding the activation and deactivation of the virtual coasting mode, the driver can also be given acoustic feedback.

[0088] The invention further relates to an electric vehicle 10 with a drive unit comprising at least one electric machine 11 and a device 13 for generating a virtual shift feel. The device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is configured to perform the method described above. In particular, the device 13 for generating the virtual shift feel is configured to activate a virtual coasting mode and to select the current virtual gear to provide a virtual neutral state when a driver-requested torque, dependent on the driver's actuation of the accelerator pedal 14, is less than a limit value and when no veto condition is met.

[0089] Furthermore, the device 13 is configured to generate the virtual shifting sensation, and in active virtual sailing mode, to control at least one electric machine 11 to provide a torque at the output 12, by means of which the electric vehicle 10 reduces its sailing speed with a defined temporal gradient when virtually sailing on a level stretch of road. 25P0287

[0090] 18

[0091] The invention allows for an emotionalization of the driving experience in an electric vehicle 10. It is possible to simulate the behavior of an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle during coasting in an electric vehicle. For this purpose, when the driver's desired torque, which depends on the actuation of the accelerator pedal 14, is less than a limit value, and when no veto condition is met, the virtual coasting mode of the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation is activated, the current virtual gear is selected, the device 13 for generating the virtual shifting sensation is thus transferred to a virtual neutral, and the electric motor 11 is controlled to provide a defined torque.

Claims

25P0287 19 Patent claims 1. Method for operating an electric vehicle (10), wherein the electric vehicle (10) has a drive unit with at least one electric machine (11), wherein the electric vehicle (10) has a device (13) for generating a virtual switching sensation, wherein virtual circuits are executed by the device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation, characterized in that then, if a driver request torque dependent on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal (14) is less than a limit value, and if no veto condition is met, a virtual coasting mode is activated by the device (13) for generating the virtual shift feel and the current virtual gear is selected to provide a virtual neutral state for the device (13) for generating the virtual shift feel, and the at least one electric machine (11) is controlled in such a way that the at least one electric machine (11) provides a torque to a drive (12) of the electric vehicle (10) during the activated virtual sailing mode, by means of which the electric vehicle (10) reduces its sailing speed with a defined temporal gradient when sailing on a level road.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the virtual sailing mode of the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting sensation is activated, virtual downshifts are delayed by the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting sensation until the virtual sailing mode is deactivated, wherein the delayed virtual downshifts are triggered and executed immediately upon deactivation of the virtual sailing mode. 25P0287 20 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the virtual sailing mode of the device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation is activated, virtual upshifts are delayed by the device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation until the virtual sailing mode is deactivated, wherein the delayed virtual upshifts are only triggered and executed when a timer started by deactivating the virtual sailing mode has expired.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the activation of the virtual sailing mode is then prevented or terminated when the state of charge of an electrical energy storage device (22) of the electric vehicle (10) is less than a first state of charge limit or greater than a second state of charge limit.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the activation of the virtual sailing mode is then prevented or terminated, if the gradient of the route traveled by the electric vehicle (10) is greater than a gradient limit or the gradient of the route traveled by the electric vehicle (10) is greater than a gradient limit, and / or if the speed of the electric vehicle (10) is less than a first speed limit or greater than a second speed limit, and / or if a driver-side actuation of a brake pedal (15) of the electric vehicle (10) is greater than a brake pedal actuation limit value, and / or if a driver-selected position of a direction selector element (20) of the electric vehicle (10) is not the same as the selected position for forward travel, and / or when at least one sequential switching element (17, 18) of the electric vehicle (10) is actuated from the driver's side, and / or 25P0287 21 when a driver-activated driving mode of the electric vehicle (10) corresponds to a Sport driving mode or Performance driving mode or Race driving mode.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the activation of the virtual sailing mode is then prevented or terminated. if a road detection function detects that the electric vehicle (10) is not being operated on a road, and / or if a speed control function regulates the driving speed of the electric vehicle (10), and / or when a distance control function regulates the distance of the electric vehicle (10) to a vehicle driving ahead.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation is set up to be operated in an automatic operating mode or in a manual operating mode, then, when the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting sensation is operated in automatic operating mode, virtual shifts are performed by the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting sensation depending on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal (14) and / or a driver-side actuation of a brake pedal (15), then, when the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting feel is operated in manual operating mode, virtual switching operations are performed by the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting feel depending on a driving-side actuation of sequential switching elements (17, 18), The virtual sailing mode can only be activated by the device (13) for generating the virtual shifting feel if the 25P0287 22 Device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation is operated in automatic operating mode.

8. Electric vehicle (10), with a drive unit comprising at least one electric machine (11), with a device (13) for generating a virtual switching sensation, characterized in that The device (13) is configured to generate the virtual shift feel, then, when a driver request torque dependent on a driver-side actuation of an accelerator pedal (14) is less than a limit value, and when no veto condition is met, to activate a virtual coasting mode and to select the current virtual gear to provide a virtual neutral state, and the device (13) is set up to generate the virtual switching sensation, which controls at least one electric machine (11) in such a way that the at least one electric machine (11) provides a torque at the output (12) of the electric vehicle (10) during the activated virtual sailing mode, by means of which the electric vehicle (10) reduces its sailing speed with a defined temporal gradient when sailing on a level road.

9. Electric vehicle (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the device (13) for generating the virtual switching sensation is configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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