DE102022109326A1 - Method and device for recognizing a refueling location - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (101) for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank (104) of a vehicle (100) with an operating medium (105) is described. The device (101) is set up to determine fill level information in relation to the fill level (202) of the resource tank (104) and, based on the fill level information, to recognize that a filling process for filling the resource tank (104) is taking place or has taken place. The device (101) is further set up to determine position data in relation to the position of the vehicle (100) during the filling process, and to store and/or provide the position data as an indicator for a refueling location for refueling the resource tank (104).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device for identifying refueling locations at which an operating fluid tank of a vehicle can be refueled with an operating fluid.

In addition to the tank for holding diesel fuel, a vehicle with a diesel engine typically has another tank for holding a urea-based operating fluid, e.g. for holding AdBlue. In some countries, urea-based operating resources cannot be purchased across the board today, especially not at fuel filling stations. This can lead to an impairment of the use of a diesel engine vehicle if no place can be found where urea-based supplies can be obtained.

This document deals with the technical task of enabling reliable refueling of (urea-based) operating fluids in order to increase the comfort of use of a vehicle.

The task is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim can form a separate invention independent of the combination of all the features of the independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim can be made the subject of an independent claim, a division application or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which may constitute an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

According to one aspect, a device for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank of a vehicle with an operating medium is described. The resource may be a urea-based resource for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

The device is set up to determine fill level information in relation to the fill level of the resource tank. The vehicle can include a fill level sensor, in particular a lever sensor, which is set up to record measured values in relation to the fill level of the resource tank. The device can be set up to determine the fill level information based on the measured values of the fill level sensor.

The level information can indicate: the amount of resource that was supplied to the resource tank as part of a filling process; and/or the filling speed at which resources are or were supplied to the resource tank during a filling process; and/or the duration of the filling process; and/or a temporal sequence of level measurements (e.g. with a temporal resolution of 1 minute or less); and/or the time course of the filling level of the resource tank during a filling process.

The device is further set up to recognize on the basis of the fill level information that a filling process for filling the resource tank is taking place or has taken place. This can be recognized, for example, based on the fact that the filling level of the resource tank increases. For example, it can be recognized that the fill level measurement value at a subsequent point in time is higher than at a previous point in time. Based on this, it can be determined that a filling process took place between the two points in time.

Furthermore, the device can be set up to determine position data relating to the position of the vehicle during the filling process. The position data can be determined using a position sensor, in particular a GNSS receiver, of the vehicle. The device can be set up to determine a time of the filling process (e.g. the start time, the stop time or a time in between). The position data relating to the position of the vehicle can then be determined at or for the determined time.

The device is also set up to store and/or provide the determined position data as an indicator for a refueling location for refueling the resource tank. The device can in particular be set up to create and provide a point of interest (POI) for the refueling location in a digital map of a road network based on the position data.

By analyzing fill level information, filling locations can be identified in an efficient and reliable manner and made available to other vehicles (e.g. in a navigation system). In this way, the comfort of using the vehicle can be increased.

The device can be set up to determine a filling type of the filling process from a set of different filling types based on the fill level information. The set of different filling types can include: a container filling from a bottle or a canister with operating fluid (if necessary as separate filling types for bottle and canister); and a gas pump filling from a gas pump for operating resources.

Alternatively or additionally, the device can be set up to determine payment data relating to payment for the filling process. For example, an automatic debit of a payment amount from an account can be recognized and evaluated. Furthermore, the amount of resources purchased as part of the filling process can be stated in connection with the payment amount. The filling type of the filling process can then be determined from the quantity of different filling types based on the payment data (in particular from the amount of resources that were purchased as part of the filling process). Furthermore, the price of the resource (per volume unit, for example per liter) can be determined if necessary.

The device can also be set up to store and/or provide the determined type of filling in association with the position data. If necessary, the determined price can also be saved and/or made available in association with the position data. If necessary, a POI can only be created for the filling location if a gas pump has been filled at the filling location. By determining and providing the type of filling, the convenience of refueling processes can be further increased.

According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which includes the device described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a vehicle-external unit is described that is set up to receive data from a plurality of vehicles. The data from a vehicle can include position data with respect to a refueling location at which a filling process for filling an operating medium tank of the respective vehicle with an operating medium has taken place. Furthermore, the data from the vehicle can include information regarding a filling type of the respective filling process from a set of different filling types.

The vehicle-external unit is also set up to create and provide information points of interest (POIs) for refueling locations in a digital map of a road network based on the position data and information points of interest (POIs) received from the large number of vehicles. A POI can display the available refueling type, the available amount of resources and/or the price of the resources at the respective refueling location.

According to a further aspect, a method for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank of a (motor) vehicle with an operating medium (in particular with a urea-based operating medium) is described. The method includes determining fill level information in relation to the fill level of the resource tank, as well as recognizing, based on the fill level information, that a filling process for filling the resource tank is taking place or has taken place. The method further includes determining position data relating to the position of the vehicle during the filling process, and storing and/or providing the position data as an indicator of a refueling location for refueling the resource tank.

According to a further aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be set up to run on a processor (e.g. on a vehicle control unit) and thereby carry out the method described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may include a SW program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby carry out the method described in this document.

It should be noted that the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in brackets are to be understood as optional features.

• 1 ein beispielhaftes Fahrzeug mit einem Betriebsmitteltank;
• 2 einen beispielhaften zeitlichen Verlauf des Füllstands eines Betriebsmitteltanks; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines beispielhaften Verfahrens zur Erkennung eines Betankungsortes.

The invention is further described in more detail using exemplary embodiments. Show it

• 1 an exemplary vehicle with a resource tank;
• 2 an exemplary time course of the fill level of a resource tank; and
• 3 a flowchart of an exemplary method for recognizing a refueling location.

As explained at the beginning, this document deals with increasing the reliability and convenience of refueling a vehicle with operating resources. In this context shows 1 an exemplary (motor) vehicle 100 with an operating fluid tank 104 for holding a (liquid) operating fluid 105 of the vehicle 100. The operating fluid 105 can, for example, be a urea-based operating fluid that is used for a selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine ( not shown) of the vehicle 100 is used.

The vehicle 100 includes, for example, a lever transmitter 110 (as an example of a fill level sensor), which is set up to record measured values in relation to the height of the liquid level of the resource 105 in the resource tank 104. The lever encoder 110 can, for example, have a float 112, which is coupled to a measuring unit 111 via a lever 113. The float 112 can be designed to float on the surface of the resource 105 in the resource tank 104. Consequently, the height of the float 112 within the resource tank 104 depends on the liquid level and thus on the fill level of the resource 105. The height of the float 112 can be transferred to the measuring unit 111 via the lever 113, so that the measuring unit 111 can generate a measured value which indicates the height of the float 112 and thus the fill level of the operating fluid tank 104. The measured variable of the measuring unit 111 can, for example, include an ohmic resistance, and a measured value of the measuring unit 111 can include a resistance value (where different resistance values indicate different filling levels).

A measured value recorded by the measuring unit 111 can be evaluated by an (evaluation) device 101 (e.g. by a control unit) of the vehicle 100 in order to determine fill level information in relation to the fill level of the resource tank 104. If necessary, a sequence of measured values can be recorded for a corresponding sequence of successive times in order to determine the time course of the fill level of the resource tank 104.

The vehicle 100 can include a communication unit 102, which is set up to communicate via a (wireless) communication connection 121 with a vehicle-external unit 120, for example with a backend server. For example, fill level information or information derived therefrom can be sent to the vehicle-external unit 120.

Furthermore, the vehicle 100 may include a position sensor 103, e.g. a GNSS (global navigation satellite system), which is set up to record position data in relation to the current position of the vehicle 100. The position data can be evaluated by the device 101 in conjunction with a digital map of the road network traveled by the vehicle 100 in order to determine the current position of the vehicle 100 within the road network.

As explained at the beginning, in some countries it may be difficult to determine locations where resources 105, in particular urea-based resources 105, can be obtained to fill the resource tank 104. If necessary, there may only be a relatively few gas stations where the resource tank 104 can be refueled using a gas pump.

This document describes a vehicle 100 and/or a vehicle-external unit 120, which make it possible to determine and/or provide information about locations where resource refueling is possible in an efficient and reliable manner. For this purpose, fill level information in relation to the fill level of the resource tank 104 of the vehicle 100 can be evaluated, in particular in order to recognize and localize a filling or refueling process, and/or to determine the type of refueling of the resource tank 104.

2 shows an exemplary time profile 200 of the fill level 202 (as a function of time 201) of the resource tank 104 of the vehicle 100. The fill level profile 200 can be determined based on the measured values of the lever sensor 110 of the resource tank 104. During operation of the vehicle 100, the fill level 202 drops because operating resources 105 are consumed. Based on the fill level curve 200, it can be recognized that a filling process for filling the resource tank 104 took place in the period 212 (from the start time 204 to the stop time 205). As part of the filling process, the fill level 202 was increased from an initial fill level 206 to a final fill level 207. A certain amount 211 of operating fluid 105 was thus filled into the operating fluid tank 104 as part of the filling process, with the amount 211 being the difference between the Final level 207 and the initial level 206 corresponds.

Furthermore, the time gradient and/or the filling speed 213 of the filling process can be determined from the fill level curve 200 (as the slope of the fill level curve 200 during the filling process).

• • die Zeitdauer 212 des Füllvorgangs;
• • die Betriebsmittel-Menge 211, die dem Betriebsmitteltank 104 insgesamt zugeführt wurde; und/oder
• • die Füllgeschwindigkeit 213 des Füllvorgangs.

The device 101 can be set up to detect, based on the measured values of the fill level sensor, for example the lever sensor 110, that a filling process for filling the resource tank 104 has taken place or is taking place. Furthermore, fill level information relating to the fill level 202 of the resource tank 104 can be determined (based on the measured values of the fill level sensor) as part of the filling process. The level information can, for example, display or include:

• • the duration 212 of the filling process;
• • the total amount of resources 211 supplied to the resources tank 104; and or
• • the filling speed 213 of the filling process.

• • eine Befüllung des Betriebsmitteltanks 104 mit ein oder mehreren Flaschen, wobei eine Flasche z.B. 1 bis 2 Liter Betriebsmittel 105 enthalten kann; und/oder
• • eine Befüllung des Betriebsmitteltanks 104 mit ein oder mehreren Kanistern, wobei ein Kanister z.B. 2-5 Liter Betriebsmittel 105 enthalten kann; und/oder
• • eine Befüllung des Betriebsmitteltanks 104 an einer Zapfsäule.

The device 101 can also be set up to determine the type or nature of the filling process from a set of different filling types based on the fill level information. Examples of filling types are:

• • filling the operating fluid tank 104 with one or more bottles, whereby one bottle can contain, for example, 1 to 2 liters of operating fluid 105; and or
• • filling the operating fluid tank 104 with one or more canisters, whereby one canister can contain, for example, 2-5 liters of operating fluid 105; and or
• • filling the operating fluid tank 104 at a gas pump.

It can therefore be determined on the basis of the fill level information whether the resource container 104 has been filled using one or more bottles, one or more canisters or via a fuel pump.

The device 101 can also be set up to use the position sensor 103 to determine position data in relation to the position at which the filling process is taking place or has taken place. The position data and the fill level information and/or the determined type of filling can then be provided to the vehicle-external unit 120, for example in order to store a points of interest (POI) for the location of the filling process within the digital map. The POI can indicate that filling with resources 105 is possible at the determined position. The type of filling can also be displayed.

The position data for the location of a filling process can only be provided if it is recognized that filling has taken place at a petrol pump. In this way, POIs for resource filling stations can be efficiently determined and provided on a digital map.

AdBlue filling processes can therefore be automatically recorded, assigned (gas pump filling, canister or bottle filling) and linked to the position data in order to store information regarding possible locations for filling processes in a database. In this way, an overview of AdBlue sources of supply can be created efficiently and automatically. This data can be provided in a navigation system of a vehicle 100 (e.g. as POIs) to enable convenient and efficient procurement of AdBlue.

• • Flaschenbefüllung: erkennbar an einer relativ geringen Nachfüllmenge 211, z.B. ca. 1-2 Liter;
• • Kanister-Befüllung: erkennbar an einer mittleren Nachfüllmenge 211, z.B. ca. 2-5 Liter; typischerweise erfolgen Befüllungen aus Flaschen und/oder Kanistern immer in 0,5 bzw. 1 Liter Schritten und führen selten zu einem vollen SCR Behälter 104 (abhängig vom Initialfüllstand 206); diese Information kann dazu verwendet werden, eine Flaschen- und/oder Kanister-Befüllung zu erkennen;
• • Zapfsäulenbefüllung: erkennbar an der Nachfüllmenge 211 (SCR Behälter voll) und/oder der Zapfgeschwindigkeit 213. Bei einer PKW-Zapfpistole ergibt sich eine typische Füllgeschwindigkeit 213 von 5-10 Liter/min (die deutlich höher ist als bei einer Gebindebefüllung); bei einer LKW-Zapfpistole ergibt sich eine typische Füllgeschwindigkeit 213 von ca. 20-40Liter/min.

In particular, an SCR filling process can be recorded and it can be determined what type of filling it was. Possible filling types are:

• • Bottle filling: recognizable by a relatively small refill quantity 211, eg approx. 1-2 liters;
• • Canister filling: recognizable by a medium refill quantity 211, e.g. approx. 2-5 liters; Typically, fillings from bottles and/or canisters always take place in 0.5 or 1 liter increments and rarely result in a full SCR container 104 (depending on the initial filling level 206); this information can be used to detect bottle and/or canister filling;
• • Fuel pump filling: recognizable by the refill quantity 211 (SCR container full) and/or the dispensing speed 213. For a car fuel nozzle, the typical filling speed 213 is 5-10 liters/min (which is significantly higher than when filling a container); For a truck fuel nozzle, the typical filling speed is 213 of approx. 20-40 liters/min.

The determined type of filling can be linked to position data relating to the location of the filling process and, if necessary, with further information, such as: Was a remaining range warning “SCR” issued before the filling process or not; Average consumption of resources 105, price of the resources 105 (which can be determined, for example, via a payment process), etc. The data relating to a filling process can then be stored in a database and, if necessary, made available to one or more other vehicles 100.

The type of consumption can, if necessary, be determined on the basis of payment information for paying for the resource 105 (since the payment information can be used to identify in what form and/or in what quantity the resource 105 was purchased).

An SCR refueling can be recorded directly from the start of refueling. The type of refueling (container or pump) can then be reliably determined via the refueling speed 213.

3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary (possibly computer-implemented) method 300 for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank 104 of a vehicle 100 with an operating medium 105. The method 300 can be carried out by a device 101 of the vehicle 100. Alternatively or additionally, the method 300 can be carried out by a unit 120 external to the vehicle.

The method 300 includes determining 301 fill level information in relation to the fill level 202 of the resource tank 104. The fill level information can, for example, include one or more measured values of a fill level sensor, in particular a lever transmitter 110. The level information can in particular include a temporal sequence of measured values (e.g. with a temporal resolution of one minute or more).

The method 300 further includes recognizing 302, based on the fill level information, that a filling process for filling the resource tank 104 is taking place or has taken place. This can be detected, for example, due to an increase in the fill level 202.

Furthermore, the method 300 includes determining 303 position data relating to the position of the vehicle 100 during the filling process (e.g. using a position sensor 103 of the vehicle 100). The method 300 further includes storing and/or providing 304 the position data as an indicator of a refueling location for refueling the resource tank 104.

Through the measures described in this document, data about possible refueling locations and types of refueling for refueling a resource tank 104 of a vehicle 100 can be determined and provided in an efficient and reliable manner. This enables convenient refueling of operating resources.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices and systems by way of example.

Claims (11)

Device (101) for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank (104) of a vehicle (100) with an operating medium (105); wherein the device (101) is set up, - to determine fill level information in relation to a fill level (202) of the resource tank (104); - to recognize on the basis of the fill level information that a filling process for filling the resource tank (104) is taking place or has taken place; - to determine position data relating to the position of the vehicle (100) during the filling process; and - to store and/or provide the position data as an indicator for a refueling location for refueling the resource tank (104). Device (101) according to Claim 1 , wherein - the device (101) is set up to determine a filling type of the filling process from a set of different filling types based on the fill level information; - the amount of different types of filling includes, - a container filling from a bottle or a canister with operating fluid (105); and - a fuel pump filling from a fuel pump for operating resources (105); and - the device (101) is set up to store and/or provide the determined filling type in association with the position data. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fill level information indicates - an amount (211) of operating fluid (105) that was supplied to the operating fluid tank (104) as part of the filling process; and or - a filling speed (213) at which operating medium (105) is or was supplied to the operating medium tank (104) during the filling process; and or - a duration (212) of the filling process; and or - a temporal sequence of measured values in relation to the fill level (202) of the resource tank (104); and or - a time course (200) of the fill level (202) of the resource tank (104) during the filling process. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is set up to - a time (204, 205) of the filling process determine; and - to determine the position data in relation to the position of the vehicle (100) at the determined time (204, 205). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is set up to determine the position data using a position sensor (103), in particular using a GNSS receiver, of the vehicle (100). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the vehicle (100) comprises a fill level sensor, in particular a lever transmitter (110), which is set up to record measured values in relation to the fill level (202) of the resource tank (104); and - The device (101) is set up to determine the level information based on the measured values of the level sensor. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is set up to create and provide a point of interest for the refueling location in a digital map of a road network based on the position data. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating medium (105) is a urea-based operating medium for a selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle (100). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is set up - to determine payment data relating to payment for the filling process; - to determine a filling type of the filling process from a set of different filling types based on the payment data; and - to save and/or provide the determined filling type in association with the position data. Vehicle-external unit (120), which is set up - to be received by a large number of vehicles (100), - Position data with respect to a refueling location at which a filling process for filling an operating medium tank (104) of the respective vehicle (100) with an operating medium (105) took place; and - Information regarding a filling type of the respective filling process from a set of different filling types; and - to create and provide points of interest for refueling locations in a digital map of a road network based on the position data and information received from the large number of vehicles (100). Method (300) for determining a refueling location for refueling an operating medium tank (104) of a vehicle (100) with an operating medium (105); wherein the method (300) comprises, - Determining (301) fill level information in relation to a fill level (202) of the resource tank (104); - Recognize (302), based on the fill level information, that a filling process for filling the resource tank (104) is taking place or has taken place; - Determining (303) position data relating to the position of the vehicle (100) during the filling process; and - Storing and/or providing (304) the position data as an indicator of a refueling location for refueling the resource tank (104).

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