Vehicle Energy Management via Internal and External Parameter Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems lack the precision to optimize energy efficiency by not fully considering both internal and external environmental parameters, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and range prediction in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a vehicle model incorporating both internal and external parameters to calculate an expected air conditioning power requirement, allowing for energy-optimized vehicle operation by adjusting driving speed and route to minimize total energy consumption, including the use of a navigation device to predict and manage energy reserves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vehicle control systems use basic internal parameters only, then system complexity is reduced, but energy management precision and range prediction accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy management precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the environmental parameters into two distinct categories: internal parameters (vehicle speed, air conditioning settings, engine load) and external parameters (ambient temperature, humidity, solar radiation). This segmentation allows the system to systematically collect and process comprehensive data without creating a monolithic complex system, as each parameter type can be independently monitored and integrated into the energy management model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors vehicle operation, predicts energy consumption, optimizes air conditioning control, and provides range predictions. By creating a multi-functional system that handles diverse tasks through a unified approach, the patent avoids the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving high precision in energy management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If comprehensive environmental parameters are considered, then energy efficiency is improved, but calculation complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations by pre-establishing the relationship between environmental parameters and energy consumption through the vehicle model. By preparing the computational framework in advance and continuously monitoring parameters in real-time, the system avoids complex on-demand calculations, thereby improving energy efficiency while managing computational complexity through proactive rather than reactive processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors actual energy consumption and compares it with predicted values based on environmental parameters. This feedback loop allows the system to refine its calculations and adjust air conditioning control in real-time, improving overall energy efficiency while using iterative rather than exhaustive computational methods to manage calculation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If real-time environmental data is integrated, then range prediction accuracy is improved, but data acquisition and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange prediction accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the acquisition and processing of multiple environmental parameters (internal and external) into a unified data collection framework. By combining these diverse data streams through a single integrated system rather than separate acquisition mechanisms, the patent reduces overall data acquisition complexity while maintaining high range prediction accuracy through comprehensive environmental monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of energy

If air conditioning power requirement is precisely calculated, then overall energy consumption is reduced, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes air conditioning control by dynamically adjusting operational parameters based on calculated power requirements and predicted energy consumption. By changing parameters such as temperature setpoints, fan speeds, and compressor operation in response to real-time environmental conditions and vehicle state, the system reduces overall energy consumption while using efficient parameter-adjustment algorithms rather than computationally intensive optimization methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3077244B1Method and device for operating a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3077244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3077244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3077244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and to a device for operating a vehicle. The method comprises the steps: setting (S01; S01') a vehicle operating condition; detecting (S02; S02') first data signals that comprise information on first environmental parameters, including information on a first external temperature; detecting (S03; S03') second data signals that comprise information on vehicle-internal parameters, including information on a target vehicle interior temperature for the vehicle (F); calculating (S04; S04') an expected first partial air-conditioning power requirement for the vehicle (F) based at least on the first data signals, the second data signals, and a vehicle model of the vehicle (F), the calculated expected first partial air-conditioning power requirement comprising at least one power requirement, according to the vehicle model, for the provision of a vehicle interior temperature depending on the target vehicle interior temperature and depending on the first external temperature; calculating (S05; S05') at least one first additional expected partial power requirement for the vehicle (F); calculating (S06; S06') a first expected resulting power requirement; and operating (S07; S07') the vehicle (F) based on the determined first expected resulting power requirement, taking into account the set vehicle operating condition.