• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Methods (400, 500) and control unit (310) in a vehicle (100) for collecting and storing a set of parameters when driving along a route (200) from a starting point (210) to a destination. (220), for assisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100). The method (400) comprises determining (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100) continuously along the route (200); collecting (402) a set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle (100), when driving at each determined (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100); storing (403) the collected (402) set of parameters associated with each determined (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100) in a memory (625); and providing (406) the stored (403) set of parameters in the memory (625), for generating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100) when subsequently passing the same geographical position.(Publ. Fig. 2A)
    公开号:SE1550550A1
    申请号:SE1550550
    申请日:2015-05-04
    公开日:2016-11-05
    发明作者:Pasic Anel
    申请人:Scania Cv Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR REDUCING FUEL CONSUMPTIONIN A VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD This document discloses a control unit and methods to be performed therein. More particu-larly, a control unit and methods are described, for assisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle.
    BACKGROUND Reducing fuel consumption and other costs for maintenance etc., associated with vehicletransportation is for economic reasons important for the vehicle owner. Reduced fuel con- sumption also results in decreased environmental impact.
    However, it is well known that the difference in fuel consumption between different driverswith different driving styles could be considerable. An experienced driver which is familiarwith both the vehicle and the route often has a much lower fuel consumption than a lessexperienced driver. lt would thus be desirable to transfer knowledge from the experienceddriver with low fuel consumption, to the less experienced driver. However, to let the experi-enced driver co-drive the vehicle and coach the less experienced driver is unfortunately an expensive method.
    Further, an appropriate use of a retarder in the vehicle may reduce fuel consumption.
    Another problem associated with long distance driving for a single driver, perhaps in par-ticular when driving to the same destination iteratively is that the driver easily lose focusand may become bored or even tired, which remove the driver's focus from safe and envi- ronmental friendly driving, and may even present a safety problem.
    As these described scenarios, and similar variants of them, will lead to increased fuel con-sumption and/ or increased maintenance costs, it would be desired to find a solution whichassists the driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle, supports knowledge transferfrom an experienced driver to a less experienced driver and in addition stimulates the driver to keep focused on safe and environmental friendly driving.
    SUMMARY lt is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and reduce fuel consumption in a vehicle.
    According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method for use ina vehicle. The method aims at collecting and storing a set of parameters when drivingalong a route in a driving direction from a starting point to a destination, for assisting a ve-hicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle When subsequently driving alongthe route, in the same driving direction, or an opposite driving direction. The method com-prises determining geographical position of the vehicle continuously along the route. Fur-ther the method also comprises collecting a set of parameters related to fuel consumptionof the vehicle, when driving at each determined geographical position of the vehicle. Themethod also comprises storing the collected set of parameters at each determined geo-graphical position of the vehicle, associated with the driving direction in a memory. ln addi-tion the method also comprises providing the set of parameters stored in the memory, forgenerating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehi- cle, when subsequently passing the same geographical position. ln a first possible implementation of the method according to the first aspect, the collectedset of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle comprises: fuel consumption,velocity, acceleration, deceleration, braking, usage of retarder, selected gear, weight of the vehicle, engine load, vehicle slope, vehicle type, tyre pressure or similar parameters. ln a second possible implementation of the method according to the first aspect, or accord-ing to the first possible implementation thereof, the method further comprises computingincreased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at the determined geographicalposition of the vehicle. Additionally, the method also comprises adjusting a stored engineload value in the collected set of vehicle related data, for the computed increased air resis- tance due to windy weather conditions at the determined geographical position. ln a third possible implementation of the method according to the first aspect, or accordingto any previous possible implementation thereof, the increased air resistance due to windyweather conditions is computed by subtracting influences from gravitation force, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehicle velocity from the stored engine load value.
    According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method foruse in a vehicle. The method aims at assisting a driver of a vehicle in reducing fuel con-sumption of the vehicle when iteratively driving along a route between a starting point anda destination by using a stored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle.
    The method comprises determining geographical position of the vehicle continuously along the route. Further the method also comprises extracting the stored set of parameters asso-ciated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle, and a driving direction froma memory. ln addition the method furthermore comprises determining Weight and speed ofthe vehicle at the determined geographical position. Further the method also comprisesgenerating an instruction, based on the extracted set of parameters and the determinedweight and speed of the vehicle and driving direction of the vehicle, when to release theaccelerator and let the vehicle roll in order to use earned momentum and convert storedpotential energy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when, and how much, topress the accelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill. The method also com-prises outputting the generated instruction to the driver to release, or press, the accelera- tor. ln a first possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, themethod further comprises computing increased air resistance due to windy weather condi-tions at the determined geographical position of the vehicle. The method also comprisesadjusting a stored engine load value in the extracted set of vehicle related data, for the computed increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions. ln a second possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, or thefirst possible implementation thereof, the increased air resistance due to windy weatherconditions is computed by subtracting influences from gravitation force, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehicle velocity from the stored engine load value. ln a third possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, or anypossible implementation thereof, the outputting of the instruction to the driver comprises avisual indication on a display, illustrating When to release the accelerator or When, and how much, to press the accelerator. ln a fourth possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, or anypossible implementation thereof, the method further comprises providing feedback to thedriver, based on the driver's adaptation to the outputted instructions to release/ press the accelerator. ln a fifth possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, or anypossible implementation thereof, the method further comprises searching the memory for discovering geographical positions where windy conditions, over a threshold value, are occurring more frequently than a threshold frequency. The method also comprises output- ting such discovered geographical positions for the driver.
    According to a third aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control unit in avehicle. The control unit is configured for collecting and storing a set of parameters whendriving along a route in a driving direction from a starting point to a destination, for assistinga vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle when subsequently drivingalong the route, in the same driving direction, or an opposite driving direction, wherein thecontrol unit is further configured for determining geographical position of the vehicle. Thecontrol unit is furthermore configured for collecting a set of parameters related to fuel con-sumption of the vehicle, when driving at the determined geographical position of the vehi-cle. Also, the control unit is configured for storing the collected set of parameters associ-ated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle in a memory. Furthermore,the control unit is configured for providing the set of parameters stored in the memory, forgenerating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehi- cle, when subsequently passing the same geographical position. ln a first possible implementation of the control unit according to the third aspect, the con-trol unit is configured for assisting a driver of a vehicle in reducing fuel consumption of thevehicle when iteratively driving along a route between a starting point and a destination byusing a stored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle. The control unitis additionally configured for extracting the stored set of parameters associated with thedetermined geographical position of the vehicle from a memory. ln addition the control unitis configured for determining weight and speed of the vehicle at the determined geographi-cal position. The control unit is further configured for generating an instruction, based onthe extracted set of parameters and the determined weight and speed of the vehicle anddriving direction of the vehicle, concerning when to release the accelerator and let the ve-hicle roll in order to use earned momentum and convert stored potential energy into kineticenergy in a forthcoming downhill, or when, and how much, to press the accelerator in orderto overcome a forthcoming uphill. The control unit is also configured for outputting the gen- erated instruction to the driver.
    According to a fourth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a computer pro-gram comprising program code for performing a method according to the first aspect, orany possible implementation thereof, when the computer program is executed in the con- trol unit, according to the third aspect.
    According to a fifth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a computer pro-gram comprising program code for performing a method according to the second aspect, orany possible implementation thereof, when the computer program is executed in the con-trol unit, according to the first possible implementation of the control unit according to the third aspect.
    According to a sixth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a vehicle compris-ing a control unit according to the third aspect, or according to the first possible implemen- tation of the control unit according to the third aspect.
    Thanks to the described aspects, by collecting and storing parameters related to the fuelconsumption of the vehicle, associated with geographical positions, and measuring fuelconsumption during a route, it is possible to store actions for releasing the accelerator andother commands. Thereby the driver's focus on reducing fuel consumption is upheld andstimulated. Also, the fuel consumption may be optimised for a certain route driven by thevehicle, independently of the driver. A less experienced driver may use the support of thestored parameters of a more experienced driver and thereby reduce the fuel consumption while learning a fuel effective driving behaviour.
    Furthermore, in some embodiments, parameter data stored during travel in a first direction,i.e. driving from a starting point to a destination, may be utilised when driving back from thedestination to the starting point/ point of origin. The parameters collected and stored whendriving in the first driving direction may be used for recalculating how to optimise or at leastreduce fuel consumption of the vehicle when driving back in the opposite direction, also taking different vehicle weight in account.
    Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description.
    FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2A illustrates a vehicle driving along a route according to an embodiment of theinvenfion; Figure 2B illustrates a vehicle driving along a route according to an embodiment of the invenfion; Figure 3 illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the first method;Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the second method;Figure 6 is an illustration depicting a system according to an embodiment.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as methods and a control unit,which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodimentsmay, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be lim-ited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.
    Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed descrip-tion, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. lt is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to bemade to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scaleand, unless othenNise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
    Figure 1 illustrates a scenario with a vehicle 100 driving in a driving direction 105.
    The vehicle 100 may comprise e.g. a truck, a bus, a car, a motorcycle or any similar vehi- cle or other means of conveyance.
    The vehicle 100 may be driver controlled or driverless autonomously controlled vehicles indifferent embodiments. However, for enhanced clarity, the vehicle 100 is subsequently de- scribed as having a driver.
    According to some embodiments, the fuel consumption and driver behaviour when drivinga route with the vehicle 100 is measured. The vehicle 100 may measure and store someparameters related to fuel consumption and driver behaviour when driving a route with thevehicle 100.
    The driver behaviour and vehicle related parameters to be measured may comprise e.g. number and size of acceleration, braking, retarder use of the driver along the route, load weight, traffic in front of the car, headwinds, tailwinds, crosswinds, tire pressure, etc.,stored associated with geographical positions. When arriving at the destination at the endof the route, the driver may receive an overall assessment of his/ her driving and fuel con-sumption and may select to store the collected information, or not. lf he/ she chooses tosave it, it may be used for comparison next time the driver drive the same route, in order tofurther decrease the fuel consumption on that route and set a new fuel consumption re-cord. lt may also be used by another driver driving the same vehicle 100 on the same route.
    Alternatively, the driver may use the collected parameter data when driving the vehicle 100back, in the opposite direction of the route. Thereby, fuel may be saved the next time thevehicle 100 is driving the same route in the same direction 105, and/ or in the opposite di-rection by providing vehicle parameter feedback to the driver e.g. by release the accelera-tor and let the vehicle 100 roll in order to convert stored potential energy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill.
    The more times the same route is passed by the vehicle 100, the more reduced the fuelconsumption may become for that particular vehicle 100 and driver. ln addition, the methodmay comprise calculating and adjusting the driving strategy also when the vehicle 100 hasdifferent weight, which influence the kinetic energy of the vehicle 100. Typically, when thevehicle 100 comprises a truck, the cargo is unloaded at the destination and the truck thenreturns empty with a considerably lower weight. The opposite scenario may also be quiteusual, i.e. the truck may drive empty to the destination and pick up cargo at the destination and return loaded, which influence the weight of the vehicle 100.
    Based thereon, by knowing the weight of the vehicle 100 and how the road ahead lookslike, an appropriate engine load may be calculated and feedback may be provided to the driver, when (and how much) to release/ depress the accelerator.
    The disclosed method not only assists the driver in reducing the vehicle fuel consumptionbut may also inspire the driver to constantly trying to improve his/ her driving from a fuel saving perspective, in some embodiments. ln some embodiments geographical positioning of the vehicle 100 may be made, e.g. by aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver in the vehicle 100. Further, fuel consumptionduring the route may be measured. Also certain parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 may comprise any, some or all of: fuel consumption, velocity, acceleration, selected gear, weight of the vehicle 100, engine load, vehicle slope, vehicle type, tyrepressure, usage of brake, usage of retarder or similar parameters. lt may thereby be de-termined when, i.e. at which geographical position, the driver accelerate or release the ac-celerator. lt may also be indicated how much the accelerator is to be adjusted, such as i.e. 50%, 70%, 100% etc. (in some non-limiting examples). ln some embodiments, radar or similar may be used to determine if/ when the driver brakesdue to e.g. traffic congestion. This information may be used for filtering driver brakes made by the driver.
    The next time, or a subsequent time, the driver is driving the same route, he/ she canchoose to try to beat his/ her old record. The retrieved driving instructions may be given bydisplaying the previously stored data associated with a geographical position, when thevehicle 100 reach that geographical position. Thereby the driver is stimulated to keep focus on fuel reducing driving.
    Thereby, the driver will learn to adapt the driving in order to reduce the fuel consumption. lncase the driver drives the vehicle 100 on the same route repeatedly, further fine tuning of the driving parameters may be stored.
    However, fuel consumption is not only depending on the experience of the driver. Differentdrivers may perceive an upcoming road situation, such as a hill, differently. Some driversmay perceive a downhill as rather flat and continue without releasing the accelerator, whileanother driver may perceive the downhill more correctly and release the accelerator.Thereby additional fuel may be saved. Thanks to the disclosed method, a preferred strat-egy for saving fuel may be extracted, independently of how the driver may perceive the situation, due to the assistance provided by the method.
    Further, the collected and stored data may be sent to the vehicle producer, in order for theengineers to get a deeper understanding of how customers use their vehicles 100, in someembodiments. The support that the customer then receive would be more customised when it is known more precisely how customers use their vehicles.
    Customers which often run the same route iteratively may reduce or even minimise fuelconsumption for that particular route and vehicle 100, regardless of the driver who is driv-ing the vehicle 100 for the moment. Not just fuel consumption may be reduced, but also wear on the vehicle 100 may be reduced and possibly optimised for the most common route. Thereby it may be computed when, and how much to release/ depress the accelera- tor in order to minimise or at least reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle 100.
    Figure 2A illustrates an example of a scenario where the vehicle 100 presented in Figure 1have arrived to a hilly region while driving a route 200 from a starting point 210 to a desti-nation 220. ln the illustrated example, the vehicle 100 is driving uphill, at a road slope oi of the road in front of the vehicle 100 in the driving direction 105.
    A set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 may be collected andstored in a memory in the vehicle 100, while driving in the determined driving direction 105at each determined geographical position of the vehicle 100. Such parameters related tofuel consumption of the vehicle 100 may comprise: fuel consumption, velocity, accelera-tion, selected gear, weight of the vehicle 100, engine load, vehicle slope oi, vehicle type,tyre pressure, usage of brake, usage of retarder or similar parameters. lt may for examplebe collected and stored, associated with the currently determined geographical position,when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator and let the vehicle 100 roll in order to convertstored potential energy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when 240-1, and how much, to start pressing the accelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill.
    Further, the effects of any wind on the vehicle 100 while driving the route 200 may be com-puted, in order to recalculate when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator, or when 240-1,and how much, to start pressing the accelerator of the vehicle 100 in neutral, non-windy weather conditions.
    The effects of the wind may be computed as all other internal or external forces influencingthe vehicle 100 are known, or could be computed. The internal forces comprises momen-tum, i.e. driving force, and braking force of the vehicle 100, here denoted F.. The externalforce due to aerodynamic resistance Fa... The roll resistance may be denoted Fm... Gravita- tion force may be denoted Fg.
    Thereby, the effects of the wind, here denoted FW... may be computed by:Fwind = Fl ' Fair' Fg' Froll The aerodynamic resistance Fa.. may be computed by:Fair=1/2'pair'Cd'A'V2; where pair is the air density, A is the front area of the vehicle 100, Cd is the aerodynamic coefficient, and v is the velocity of the vehicle 100.
    The roll resistance Fm.. may be computed by:Fm.. = m - g - C, - cos (oi), where m is the mass of the vehicle 100, g is the gravitation, which may be approximatedwith 9.81 m/ sz, C, is the rolling resistance coefficient and oi is the road slope (which is iden-tical with the vehicle slope and may be measured by an inclination sensor on the vehicle100) The gravitation force Fg may be computed by: Fg=m-g-sin(o).Thereby: FW.,,,= F.-(1/2-p,.,-c,,-A-v2)-(m -g - c,-<>0s(a))-(m -g -sin(0))- Thereby, Fwind may be computed. ln some embodiments, the effects of the wind, i.e. the Fwind in order to recalculate when230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator, or when 240-1, and how much, to start pressing the accelerator of the vehicle 100 in neutral, non-windy weather conditions.
    Figure 2B illustrates an example of a scenario where the vehicle 100 presented in Figure 1has driven the route 200 in the direction 105 to the destination 220. The vehicle 100 is now driving in the reversed direction 205, back to the original starting point 210. ln some embodiments, the collected and stored data and parameters related to fuel con-sumption of the vehicle 100 may be utilised. As the topography of the route 200 is knownfrom the first passage in the opposite direction 105, it may be calculated when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator, or when 240-1, and how much, to start pressing the accelera-tor of the vehicle 100.
    Figure 3 illustrates an example of how the previously scenario in Figure 1 or Figure 2A/ Figure 2B may be perceived by the driver of the vehicle 100. ln the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 100 comprises a control unit 310. The control unit 310 is configured for collecting and storing a set of parameters when driving to a destina- 11 tion 220 along a route 200. However, in some embodiments, the control unit 310 may alsobe configured for assisting the driver of the vehicle 100 in reducing fuel consumption when driving to the destination 220 along the route 200 in a driving direction 105, 205.
    The control unit 310 may be connected to a display 320, where e.g. instructions may bedisplayed. The display 320 may be integrated in the dashboard of the vehicle 100, or com- prise a separate unit in different embodiments.
    Further, the vehicle 100 comprises a positioning unit 330. The positioning unit 330 may bebased on a satellite navigation system such as the Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging(Navstar) Global Positioning System (GPS), Differential GPS (DGPS), Galileo, GLONASS, or the like. Thus the positioning unit 330 may comprise a GPS receiver.
    The geographical position of the vehicle 100 may be determined continuously or at certain predetermined or configurable time intervals according to various embodiments.
    Positioning by satellite navigation is based on distance measurement using triangulationfrom a number of satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4. ln this example, four satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 are depicted, but this is merely an example. More than four satel-lites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 may be used for enhancing the precision, or for creatingredundancy. The satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 continuously transmit informationabout time and date (for example, in coded form), identity (which satellite 340-1, 340-2,340-3, 340-4 which broadcasts), status, and where the satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4are situated at any given time. GPS satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 sends informationencoded with different codes, for example, but not necessarily based on Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA). This allows information from an individual satellite 340-1, 340-2,340-3, 340-4 distinguished from the others' information, based on a unique code for eachrespective satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4. This information can then be transmitted tobe received by the appropriately adapted positioning unit 330 in the vehicle 100.
    Distance measurement can according to some embodiments comprise measuring the dif-ference in the time it takes for each respective satellite signal transmitted by the respectivesatellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4, to reach the positioning unit 330. As the radio signalstravel at the speed of light, the distance to the respective satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340- 4 may be computed by measuring the signal propagation time. 12 The positions of the satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 are known, as they continuouslyare monitored by approximately 15-30 ground stations located mainly along and near theearth's equator. Thereby the geographical position, i.e. latitude and longitude, of the vehicle100 may be calculated by determining the distance to at least three satellites 340-1, 340-2,340-3, 340-4 through triangulation. For determination of altitude, signals from four satellites340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 may be used according to some embodiments.
    Having determined the geographical position of the vehicle 100, and also determined thedriving direction 105 of the vehicle 100, the control unit 310 may collect a set of parametersrelated to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when driving in the driving direction 105 ateach geographical position of the vehicle 100, such as e.g. when 230-1, 230-2 to releasethe accelerator and let the vehicle 100 roll in order to convert stored potential energy intokinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when 240-1, and how much, to press the ac- celerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill.
    The collected set of parameters may then be stored, associated with the geographical posi- tion and the driving direction 105 in a memory in the vehicle 100 ln an illustrative example, the vehicle 100 may determine the geographical position usingthe positioning unit 330, and the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100 at the geographical position.
    The determined geographical position and the driving direction 105 may be used as inputvalues for extracting instructions from the memory, associated with that geographical posi-tion and driving direction 105 in some embodiments. ln other embodiments, when the vehi-cle 100 is driving in another driving direction 205, opposite to the first driving direction 105,recalculations may be performed in order to determine instructions for when 230-1, 230-2to release the accelerator and let the vehicle 100 roll in order to convert stored potentialenergy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when 240-1, and how much, to press the accelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill.
    An example of an extracted instructions when passing the geographical position at 230-1 in Figure 2B may be to release acceleration, in order to roll over the top of the hill.
    Figure 4 illustrates an example of a first method 400 according to an embodiment. Theflow chart in Figure 4 shows the method 400 for use in a vehicle 100, for collecting and storing a set of parameters when driving along a route 200 in a driving direction 105 from a 13 starting point 210 to a destination 220. The collected and stored parameters may then beutilised for assisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 whensubsequently driving along the route 200, in the same driving direction 105, or an opposite driving direction 205.
    The vehicle 100 may be any arbitrary kind of means for conveyance, such as a truck, a bus, a car or a motorcycle. ln order to correctly be able to collect and store the parameters, the method 400 may com-prise a number of steps 401-406. However, some of these steps 401-406 may be per-formed solely in some alternative embodiments, like e.g. steps 404-406. Further, the de-scribed steps 401-406 may be performed in a somewhat different chronological order thanthe numbering suggests. For example, step 402 may be performed before step 401. The method 400 may comprise the subsequent steps: Step 401 comprises determining geographical position of the vehicle 100 continuously along the route 200 to the destination 220.
    The geographical position may be determined based on GPS positioning in some embodi-ments, e.g. at certain time intervals. Alternatively, the geographical position may be in- serted by the driver. ln some embodiments, the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100 may also be determinedin some embodiments. The driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100 may be determinedbased on the location of the destination of the journey, or by extrapolating the driving direc-tion based on previously determined geographical positions and possibly knowledge of the road direction, e.g. from stored map data.
    Step 402 comprises collecting a set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehi- cle 100, When driving at each determined 401 geographical position of the vehicle 100.
    The collected set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 may com-prise e.g.: fuel consumption, velocity, acceleration, selected gear, weight of the vehicle100, engine load, vehicle slope oi, vehicle type, tyre pressure, usage of brake, usage of retarder, or similar parameters. 14 The weight of the vehicle 100 may be measured by a weight sensor on the vehicle 100, or estimated based on the load of the vehicle 100 in some embodiments.
    Step 403 comprises storing the collected 402 set of parameters associated with the deter-mined 401 geographical position of the vehicle 100, associated with the driving direction 105 in a memory 625.
    Step 404 which may be performed only in some embodiments, may comprise computingincreased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at the determined 401 geographi- cal position of the vehicle 100.
    The increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions may be computed by sub-tracting influences from gravitation force, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehi- cle velocity from the stored engine load value.
    Step 405 which may be performed only in some embodiments wherein step 404 has beenperformed, may comprise adjusting a stored engine load value in the collected 402 set ofvehicle related data, for the computed 404 increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at the determined 401 geographical position.
    Step 406 comprises providing the set of parameters stored 403 in the memory 625, forgenerating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle100, when subsequently passing the same geographical position, in the same driving direc- tion 105, or the opposite driving direction 205.
    Figure 5 illustrates an example of a second method 500 according to an embodiment. Theflow chart in Figure 5 shows the method 500 for use in a vehicle 100, for assisting a driverof a vehicle 100 in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 when iteratively drivingalong a route 200 between a starting point 210 and a destination 220 by using a stored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100.
    The vehicle 100 may be any arbitrary kind of means for conveyance, such as a truck, a bus, a car or a motorcycle.
    The second method 500 may be seen as a continuation of the first method 400 in some embodiments. ln order to correctly be able to collect and store the parameters, the method 500 may com-prise a number of steps 501-509. However, some of these steps 501-509 may be per-formed in different alternative ways. Further, the described steps 501-509 may be per-formed in a somewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. For ex-ample, step 502 may be performed before step 501. The method 500 may comprise the subsequent steps: Step 501 comprises determining geographical position of the vehicle 100 continuously along the route 200 to the destination 220. ln some embodiments, step 501 may further comprise determining driving direction 105, 205 of the vehicle 100, continuously along the route 200.
    The driving direction 105, 205 of the vehicle 100 may be determined based on the locationof the destination of the journey, or by extrapolating the driving direction based on previ-ously determined geographical positions and possibly knowledge of the road direction, e.g. from stored map data.
    Step 502 comprises extracting the stored set of parameters associated with the deter-mined 501 geographical position of the vehicle 100, and a driving direction 105, 205, from a memory 625.
    The stored set of parameters may be the previously recorded and stored parameters ac- cording to the first method 400.
    Step 503 comprises determining weight and speed of the vehicle 100 at the determined 501 geographical position.
    The weight of the vehicle 100 may be measured by a weight sensor on the vehicle 100, orestimated based on the load of the vehicle 100 in some embodiments. ln some embodi-ments, the weight of the vehicle 100 may be estimated based on acceleration measure-ments of the vehicle 100, in a known vehicle slope condition. The vehicle slope may be measured by an inclination sensor.
    Step 504 comprises generating an instruction, based on the extracted 502 set of parame-ters and the determined 503 weight and speed of the vehicle 100, concerning when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator and let the vehicle 100 roll in order to use earned momen- 16 tum and convert stored potential energy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, orwhen 240-1, and how much, to press the accelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphiii.
    Step 505 comprises outputting the generated 504 instruction to the driver of the vehicle 100, to release or press the accelerator.
    The outputting or presentation of the instruction to the driver may comprise a visual indica-tion on a display 320, illustrating when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator or when240-1, and how much, to press the accelerator. However, the outputting or presentationmay alternatively, or in addition, be made by a voice instruction via a loud speaker or simi- lar. ln some embodiments, the method 500 further may comprise providing feedback to thedriver, based on the driver's adaptation to the presented instructions to release/ press theaccelerator. Thereby, the difference between the driver's commands, and the presentedinstructions may be detected and a repeated instruction may be outputted to the driver in some embodiments.
    Step 506 may be performed only in some embodiments. Step 506 comprises computingincreased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at the determined 501 geographi- cal position of the vehicle 100.
    The increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions may be computed by sub-tracting influences from gravitation force, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehi- cle velocity from the stored engine load value.
    Step 507 may be performed only in some embodiments. Step 507 comprises adjusting astored engine load value in the extracted 502 set of vehicle related data, for the computed 506 increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions.
    Step 508 may be performed only in some embodiments. Step 508 comprises searching thememory for discovering geographical positions where windy conditions, over a threshold value, are occurring more frequently than a threshold frequency.
    Such threshold value and/ or threshold frequency may be predetermined and specific for each vehicle 100, based on side wind sensitivity of the vehicle 100. 17 Step 509 may be performed only in some embodiments wherein step 508 has been per-formed. The optional step 509 comprises presenting such discovered geographical posi-tions for the driver, where windy conditions, over a threshold value, are occurring more frequently than a threshold frequency.
    Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a control unit 310 configured for collecting and stor-ing a set of parameters when driving along a route 200 in a driving direction 105 from astarting point 210 to a destination 220, for assisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel con-sumption of the vehicle 100 when subsequently driving along the route 200, in the samedriving direction 105, or an opposite driving direction 205. The control unit 310 is config-ured to perform at least some of the steps 401-405 according to the method 400 for collect-ing and storing a set of parameters when driving to the destination 220. ln some embodi-ments, the control unit 310 may be configured to perform at least some of the steps 501-509 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100when iteratively driving along a route 200 between a starting point 210 and a destination 220 by using a stored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100.
    Thus the control unit 310 is configured for determining geographical position of the vehicle100 continuously along the route 200 to the destination 220. The control unit 310 may fur-ther be optionally configured for determining driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100 alongthe route 200. Further, the control unit 310 is configured for collecting a set of parametersrelated to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when driving at each determined geographi-cal position of the vehicle 100, in the determined driving direction 105. Also, the control unit310 is configured for storing the collected set of parameters associated with the determinedgeographical position of the vehicle 100 and in some embodiments also with the deter-mined driving direction 105 in a memory 625 or database. The memory 625 may be com-prised in the control unit 310. Furthermore the control unit 310 is configured for providingthe set of parameters stored in the memory 625, for generating an instruction to the driver,assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when subsequently passing the same geographical position. ln some embodiments, the control unit 310 may further be configured for assisting thedriver of the vehicle 100 in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 when iterativelydriving along a route 200 between a starting point 210 and a destination 220 by using astored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100. The control unit 310 may additionally be configured for extracting the stored set of parameters associated 18 with the determined geographical position of the vehicle 100 from the memory 625. Fur-ther, the control unit 310 may be configured for determining Weight and speed of the vehi-cle 100 at the determined geographical position. The control unit 310 may also be config-ured for generating an instruction, based on the extracted set of parameters and the de-termined weight and speed of the vehicle 100 and driving direction 105, 205 of the vehicle100, concerning when 230-1, 230-2 to release the accelerator and let the vehicle 100 roll inorder to use earned momentum and convert stored potential energy into kinetic energy in aforthcoming downhill, or when 240-1, and how much, to press the accelerator in order toovercome a forthcoming uphill; and in addition configured for outputting the generated in- struction to the driver to release, or press, the accelerator, in some embodiments.
    The control unit 310 may comprise a receiving circuit 610 configured for receiving a signalfrom one or more sensors in the vehicle 100, a positioning unit 330 or a data base 360.Such sensors may be adapted for measuring at least some of the vehicle related parame-ters such as fuel consumption, velocity, acceleration, deceleration, braking, usage of re-tarder, selected gear, weight of the vehicle 100, engine load, vehicle slope oi, vehicle type, tyre pressure or similar parameters.
    The control unit 310 may also comprise a processor 620 configured for performing at leastsome of the calculating or computing of the control unit 310. Thus the processor 620 maybe configured for determining geographical position of the vehicle 100 via a positioning unit330. Further, the processor 620 may be further configured for determining driving direction105, 205 of the vehicle 100. The processor 620 may also be configured for collecting a setof parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when driving in the deter-mined driving direction 105 at each determined geographical position of the vehicle 100.Also, the processor 620 may be configured for storing the collected set of parameters as-sociated with the determined driving direction 105, 205 at the determined geographicalpositions of the vehicle 100 in the memory 625. Further the processor 620 may be config-ured for providing the set of parameters stored in the memory 625, for generating an in-struction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when sub- sequently passing the same geographical position.
    Such processor 620 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e. aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The herein utilised expression ”processor” may 19 thus represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones enumerated above.
    Furthermore, the control unit 310 may comprise the memory 625 in some embodiments.The memory 625 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e.,sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some em-bodiments, the memory 625 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-basedtransistors. The memory 625 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USBmemory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing datasuch as e.g. ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory),EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different em- bodiments.
    Further, the control unit 500 may comprise a signal transmitter 630. The signal transmitter630 may be configured for transmitting a control signal over a wired or wireless interface to be received by the display 320 in the vehicle 100.
    The previously described steps 401-406 or steps 501-509 to be performed in the controlunit 310 may be implemented through the one or more processors 620 within the controlunit 310, together with computer program product for performing at least some of the func-tions of the steps 401-406 or steps 501-509. Thus a computer program product, comprisinginstructions for performing the steps 401-406 in the control unit 310 may perform themethod 400 comprising at least some of the steps 401-406 for collecting and storing a setof parameters when driving to a destination 220 along a route 200, for assisting a vehicledriver to reduce fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when the computer program is loaded into the one or more processors 620 of the control unit 310.
    Further, the computer program product may comprise instructions for performing the steps501-509 in the control unit 310 may perform the method 500 comprising at least some ofthe steps 501-509 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing fuel consumption whendriving along a route 200 from a starting point 210 to a destination 220 by using a storedset of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, when the computer pro- gram is loaded into the one or more processors 620 of the control unit 310.
    The computer program product mentioned above may be provided for instance in the formof a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least some of the steps 401-406, or steps 501-509 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or more processors 620 of the control unit 310. The data carrier may be, e.g., a harddisk, a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage de-vice or any other appropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine read-able data in a non-transitory manner. The computer program product may furthermore beprovided as computer program code on a server and downloaded to the control unit 310 remotely, e.g., over an lnternet or an intranet connection.
    Further, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100 comprising the control unit 310 as illustrated in Figure 6 and described above.
    As used herein, the term "and/ or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items. The term ”or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathe-matical OR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR),unless expressly stated otherwise. ln addition, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are tobe interpreted as “at least one", thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of thesame kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. lt will be further understood that the terms"includes", "comprises", "including" or "comprising", specifies the presence of stated feat-ures, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfilthe functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measuresare recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination ofthese measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/ distrib-uted on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state mediumsupplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via lnternet or other wired or wireless communication system.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1] 1. A method (400) for collecting and storing a set of parameters when driving along aroute (200) in a driving direction (105) from a starting point (210) to a destination (220), forassisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100) when subse-quently driving along the route (200), in the same driving direction (105), or an oppositedriving direction (205), which method (400) comprises: determining (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100) continuously alongthe route (200); collecting (402) a set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle(100), when driving at each determined (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100); storing (403) the collected (402) set of parameters at each determined (401) geo-graphical position of the vehicle (100), associated with the driving direction (105) in amemory (625); and providing (406) the set of parameters stored (403) in the memory (625), for gener-ating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100), when subsequently passing the same geographical position.
    [2] 2. The method (400) according to claim 1, wherein the collected (402) set of parame-ters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle (100) comprises: fuel consumption, velocity,acceleration, deceleration, braking, usage of retarder, selected gear, weight of the vehicle (100), engine load, vehicle slope (oi), vehicle type, tyre pressure or similar parameters.
    [3] 3. The method (400) according to any of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising:computing (404) increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at thedetermined (401) geographical position of the vehicle (100); andadjusting (405) a stored engine load value in the collected (402) set of parame-ters, for the computed (404) increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at the determined (401) geographical position.
    [4] 4. The method (400) according to claim 3, wherein the increased air resistance dueto windy weather conditions is computed (404) by subtracting influences from gravitationforce, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehicle velocity from the stored engine load value.
    [5] 5. A method (500) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) in reducing fuel consump- tion of the vehicle (100) when iteratively driving along a route (200) between a starting 22 point (210) and a destination (220) by using a stored set of parameters related to fuel con-sumption of the vehicle (100), which method (500) comprises: determining (501) geographical position of the vehicle (100) continuously alongthe route (200); extracting (502) the stored set of parameters associated with the determined (501)geographical position of the vehicle (100), and a driving direction (105, 205), from a mem-ory (625); determining (503) weight and speed of the vehicle (100) at the determined (501)geographical position; generating (504) an instruction, based on the extracted (502) set of parametersand the determined (503) weight and speed of the vehicle (100) and driving direction (105,205) of the vehicle (100), concerning when (230-1, 230-2) to release the accelerator and letthe vehicle (100) roll in order to use earned momentum and convert stored potential energyinto kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when (240-1), and how much, to press theaccelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill; and outputting (505) the generated (504) instruction to the driver.
    [6] 6. The method (500) according to claim 5, further comprising computing (506) increased air resistance due to windy weather conditions at thedetermined (501) geographical position of the vehicle (100); and adjusting (507) a stored engine load value in the extracted (502) set of vehiclerelated data, for the computed (506) increased air resistance due to windy weather condi- tions.
    [7] 7. The method (500) according to claim 6, wherein the increased air resistance dueto windy weather conditions is computed (506) by subtracting influences from gravitationforce, rolling resistance and air resistance due to vehicle velocity from the stored engine load value.
    [8] 8. The method (500) according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the outputting (505) ofthe instruction to the driver comprises a visual indication on a display (320), illustratingwhen (230-1, 230-2) to release the accelerator or when (240-1), and how much, to press the accelerator.
    [9] 9. The method (500) according to any of claims 5-8, further comprising providingfeedback to the driver, based on the driver's adaptation to the outputted (505) instructions to release/ press the accelerator. 23
    [10] 10. The method (500) according to any of claims 5-9, further comprising: searching (508) the memory (625) for discovering geographical positions wherewindy conditions, over a threshold value, are occurring more frequently than a thresholdfrequency; and outputting (509) such discovered geographical positions to the driver.
    [11] 11. driving along a route (200) in a driving direction (105) from a starting point (210) to a desti- A control unit (310), configured for co|ecting and storing a set of parameters when nation (220), for assisting a vehicle driver in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100)when subsequently driving along the route (200), in the same driving direction (105), or anopposite driving direction (205), wherein the control unit (310) is further configured for de-termining geographical position of the vehicle (100); and also configured for co|ecting a setof parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle (100), when driving at the deter-mined geographical position of the vehicle (100); and configured for storing the collectedset of parameters associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle (100)in a memory (625); and furthermore configured for providing the set of parameters stored inthe memory (625), for generating an instruction to the driver, assisting in reducing fuel con- sumption of the vehicle (100), when subsequently passing the same geographical position.
    [12] 12. driver of a vehicle (100) in reducing fuel consumption of the vehicle (100) when iteratively The control unit (310) according to claim 11, further configured for assisting a driving along a route (200) between a starting point (210) and a destination (220) by usinga stored set of parameters related to fuel consumption of the vehicle (100), which controlunit (310) is additionally configured for extracting the stored set of parameters associatedwith the determined geographical position of the vehicle (100) from a memory (625); andalso configured for determining weight and speed of the vehicle (100) at the determinedgeographical position; and further configured for generating an instruction, based on theextracted set of parameters and the determined weight and speed of the vehicle (100) anddriving direction (105, 205) of the vehicle (100), concerning when (230-1, 230-2) to releasethe accelerator and let the vehicle (100) roll in order to use earned momentum and convertstored potential energy into kinetic energy in a forthcoming downhill, or when (240-1), andhow much, to press the accelerator in order to overcome a forthcoming uphill; and in addi- tion configured for outputting the generated instruction to the driver. 24
    [13] 13. A computer program comprising program code for performing a method (400) ac-cording to any of claims 1-4 When the computer program is executed in the control unit (310), according to claim 11. 5
    [14] 14. A computer program comprising program code for performing a method (500) ac-cording to any of claims 5-10 when the computer program is executed in the control unit(310), according to claim 12.
    [15] 15. A vehicle (100) comprising a control unit (310) according to any of claim 11 or claim10 12.
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    同族专利:
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    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1550550A|SE540313C2|2015-05-04|2015-05-04|Method and control unit for reducing fuel consumption in a vehicle|SE1550550A| SE540313C2|2015-05-04|2015-05-04|Method and control unit for reducing fuel consumption in a vehicle|
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