Method and device for anticipatory or predictive economical running of a motor vehicle including a determination of a route and a probable driving time and time of arrival

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016244062-A1
Application number	US-201415027510-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 11, 2014
Priority date	Oct 11, 2013
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for anticipatory or predictive operation of a motor vehicle having a drive control system by which drive-relevant components of the drive-train are adjusted, and a detection system by which a travel route and anticipated driving time to a specified destination as well as the current position of the vehicle are determined. By way of the detection system and based on topographical information, a driving resistance profile of the route is prepared, to parameterize the drive control system such that the route is driven in a specifiable manner. If a need arises during the journey, a nominal arrival time or a travel route is specified or modified and, in accordance with the specified or changed nominal arrival time or route, the drive control system is dynamically re-parameterized so that the vehicle reaches its destination at the time concerned with regard to an efficient mode of operation.

First claim

1 - 10 . (canceled)

11 . A method for anticipatory or predictive operation of a motor vehicle having a drive-train control system ( 5 ) by which drive-relevant components of the drive-train ( 1 ) are adjusted, and with at least one detection system ( 8 ) by which a travel route and an anticipated driving time between a starting point and a destination as well as a current position of the vehicle are determined, in which by the detection system ( 8 ) and on a basis of topographical information, a driving resistance profile of the travel route is prepared, in order to parameterize the drive-train control system ( 5 ) in such manner that the travel route is covered in a specifiable manner, the method comprising:
either specifying or modifying either a nominal arrival time or the travel route, if a current need arises during the journey, and in accordance with the specified or the modified nominal arrival time or the drive route, dynamically re-parameterizing the drive-train control system ( 5 ) so that the vehicle reaches the destination at the time concerned while having regard to an efficient mode of operation.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising
entering the nominal arrival time in the drive-train control system ( 5 ) manually by either a driver or an authorized outside user by way of either a remote input device or a connected telematic device ( 9 ), calculating an average speed for a road segment ahead of the vehicle and with reference to the current position and the nominal arrival time, calculating a speed range which is limited by
a maximum permitted and maximum possible travel speed for downhill rolling operation during which a force flow in the drive-train is interrupted, and
a minimum permitted and minimum possible uphill speed, and
re-parameterizing the drive-train control system ( 5 ) such that with regard to a necessary average speed and making use of the speed range, the vehicle covers the road segment in an energy-efficient operating mode.

13 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising re-parameterizing the drive-train control system ( 5 ) such that the drive-train controls at least one of:
acts upon a drive motor ( 2 ) of the vehicle to change at least one of a rotational speed control and a torque control, acts upon a brake mechanism to change either brake actuation or braking action, acts upon a vehicle transmission ( 4 ) to change a transmission gear ratio, and acts upon a clutch ( 3 ) to actuate the clutch in either a disengaging direction or an engaging direction.

14 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising dividing the travel route into road segments and determining, for each of the road segments, a driving resistance profile, and carrying out either a parameterization or a re-parameterization of the drive-train control system ( 5 ).

15 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising preparing the driving resistance profile for the travel route by noting at least one of factors relevant to the driving resistance, air resistance, rolling resistance and resistance to acceleration in addition to a gradient resistance.

16 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising determining the travel route taking into account vehicle dimensions and vehicle mass.

17 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising determining the travel route taking into account environmental zones, stretches liable to tolls, restrictions relating to hazardous good categories, road categories and road dimensions.

18 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising determining the travel route taking into account at least one of a current traffic-situation and current meteorological warnings.

19 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising transmitting all the relevant information by way of a standardized interface ( 11 ) and bringing together all the relevant information via a telematic device ( 9 ).

20 . A device for anticipatory and predictive operation of a motor vehicle, which has a drive-train control system ( 5 ) by which drive-relevant components of the drive-train ( 1 ) are adjustable, and with at least one detection system ( 8 ) by which a travel route and an anticipated driving time between a starting point and a destination, and a current position of the vehicle at the time, are determinable, such that by the detection system ( 8 ) and on a basis of topographical information, a driving resistance profile for the travel route can be prepared in order to parameterize the drive-train control system ( 5 ) in such manner that the travel route can be covered in a specifiable manner, and
the drive-train control system ( 5 ) being designed for at least one of manual input and telematic input and processing of information or being connectable to a telematic device ( 9 ), and as a result of the information received, the drive-train control system being automatically re-parameterized, for which process at least information about a desired variation of either an arrival time or a travel route is usable.

21 . A method for either anticipatory or predictive operation of a motor vehicle having a drive-train control system ( 5 ), which controls drive-relevant components of the drive-train ( 1 ), and at least one detection system ( 8 ), which determines a travel route and an anticipated driving time between a starting point and an arrival destination as well as a current position of the motor vehicle, the method comprising:
preparing a driving resistance profile of the travel route with the detection system ( 8 ) based on topographical information; parameterizing the drive-train control system to control the drive-relevant components of the drive-train, such that the motor vehicle drives the travel route in a specifiable manner; either specifying or modifying either an anticipated time of arrival at the destination or the travel route, if a current need arises while the motor vehicle drives the travel route; and dynamically re-parameterizing the drive-train control system to alter the control of the drive-relevant components of the drive-train, based on either the anticipated time of arrival or the travel route which were specified or modified, such that the motor vehicle reaches the arrival destination at the anticipated time of arrival and based on an efficient mode of operating the motor vehicle.

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Inventors

• Tudosie Cosmin

Classifications

• B60W50/0097

  Predicting future conditions · CPC title

• B60W2050/0064

  using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit, e.g. remote keypad or mobile phone · CPC title

• B60W2030/1809

  Without torque flow between driveshaft and engine, e.g. with clutch disengaged or transmission in neutral · CPC title

• B60W2720/103

  Speed profile · CPC title

• B60W2556/50

  of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data · CPC title