DE102007008694B4 - Method for controlling a logistics vehicle with a hybrid drive - Google Patents

Abstract

It is proposed a method for controlling a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: inputting delivery addresses of goods; - calculating the route; - collecting additional information concerning the course of the calculated route; Calculating power requirements to the hybrid drive; - Determine a drive plan for the hybrid drive along the calculated route to reduce the energy consumption and / or emissions of the logistics vehicle. In addition, a motor vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle is proposed which has a hybrid drive and a detection device. The detection device is set up so that it automatically detects delivery addresses of goods. Furthermore, a telematics system is provided, which is connected to the hybrid drive, with the detection device and navigation satellites for the exchange of information signals.

Description

Object of the invention:

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle.

Background of the invention:

In view of the more than ever raised demands to reduce the environmental impact caused by road traffic, vehicles with hybrid drives are receiving increasing attention. A hybrid drive means a drive which has both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor or a hydraulic drive unit as the drive motor. The hybrid drive is superior to a conventional drive with only one internal combustion engine in that the electric motor or the hydraulic drive unit of the hybrid drive, because of its large torque at low speeds facilitates the startup of a vehicle and thus reduces its fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

The electric motor draws its energy from a rechargeable battery, which allows a further advantage of the hybrid drive: When braking the vehicle, the electric motor operates as a generator namely and recharges the battery, so that a part of the kinetic energy of the vehicle is recovered as electrical energy , which is available for the next acceleration process. A hybrid drive can be designed differently.

In a split-hybrid drive, one axle of a vehicle is conventionally driven by an internal combustion engine, while another axle is driven by an electric motor that derives its power from a battery. In other embodiments of the split-hybrid drive, a plurality of electric motors are provided, which are designed, for example, as wheel motors.

In a parallel hybrid drive, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor alternately or jointly drive a transmission input shaft. In this embodiment of the hybrid drive, it is also possible that the internal combustion engine drives the electric motor as a generator and, if necessary, recharges the battery.

In a hybrid serial drive, the engine is mechanically disconnected from the drive wheels but firmly coupled to a generator. The drive of the drive wheels takes place in a serial hybrid drive basically via electric motors.

In a hydraulic hybrid drive, the hydraulic drive unit is mechanically coupled by means of a clutch to the drive train when braking the vehicle. The hydraulic drive unit pumps oil from a low pressure accumulator into a high pressure accumulator. As a result, the vehicle is braked and at the same time at least partially stores the kinetic energy as pressure energy in the high-pressure accumulator. The hydraulic drive unit remains coupled to the powertrain until the next acceleration event. During the acceleration process, the hydraulic drive unit converts the pressure energy stored in the high-pressure accumulator into mechanical energy and accelerates the vehicle. When the high-pressure accumulator is exhausted, the coupling between the hydraulic drive unit and the drive train is disengaged and only engaged again during the next deceleration.

Especially in city traffic, which is characterized by frequent deceleration and acceleration again, the hybrid drive for vehicles is becoming increasingly attractive, because the generator can recover electrical energy during braking, which is stored in the battery and is available for the next acceleration process , Therefore, it is usually possible in vehicles with hybrid drive under the operating conditions described to reduce both energy consumption and pollutant emissions compared to vehicles with conventional drive. The described operating conditions are more conspicuous for logistics vehicles used to deliver mail because they make numerous stops, even on a free route, to enable the delivery of mail at their respective destination. As the stop density increases, fuel and emission savings are increased by the hybrid drive,

From the DE 10 2004 019 232 B4 For example, a method for conveying a plurality of physical objects with a conveyance is known. For the delivery of the objects to the transport locations, the transport addresses are assigned to the transport locations by means of guide codes located on the objects, the guide codes being read in and decoded in a logistics center. The method comprises the determination of the order for the transport of the objects, the entry of the transport addresses in a data memory and the subsequent transmission of the data to a navigation system for determining a route-optimized route for the means of transport.

From the DE 198 31 487 C1 a method for operating a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle is known. The known method comprises acquiring information regarding the course of a route to be completed and a calculation of expected power requirements for the hybrid drive over the course of the route. The method also takes into account additional information collected in the form of traffic reports to optimally control the hybrid drive depending on the expected power requirements.

US 5,892,346 A discloses an electric or a hybrid vehicle which exhibits low pollutant emission and can save energy by maximizing the capacity of the vehicle battery. The navigation receives signals identifying the starting position where the battery was charged, the transient position and the target position where recharging of the battery is planned and thus calculating the travel distances from the starting location via the transient position to the destination and the consumption of electrical energy plan accordingly.

DE 196 37 209 B4 discloses a method of controlling the powertrain of a motor vehicle that employs the steps of (a) torque-based interpretation of the position of the accelerator pedal and the position of the accelerator pedal to calculate setpoint values for the power source or sources and the transmission of the powertrain of the motor vehicle (b ) by a computing device, the position of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are received and generates central control parameters for the drive source or the drive sources and retarding units of the drive train, wherein in the drive train as a drive source, an internal combustion engine is provided, (c) the local location of the vehicle is determined (d) local environmental data on local air pollution are received over the radio or measured in the vehicle and provided in an information channel, in view of the vehicle's current vehicle position, (e) those currently provided Environmental data on the local air pollution are fed to the calculation device and taken into account in generating the central control parameters in such a way that an emission-reduced mode of operation of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle corresponding to the current local emission regulations is continuously determined for the current vehicle position and displayed to the driver, (f) the low-emission mode of operation of the internal combustion engine adapted to the current local emission regulations is automatically activated, and (g) locally prescribed emission limit values are taken into account when controlling the internal combustion engine of the drive train.

EP 1 270 303 A2 discloses that, depending on data characterizing a route to be completed, an operating strategy for the components of the powertrain is determined. Depending on the operating strategy and the route data, an expected energy consumption and a time span for which the energy can be made available are calculated. If the time is recognized as sufficient, then the powertrain is controlled according to the operating strategy. If the calculated time period is not recognized as sufficient, then an alternative operating strategy is established and the resulting time period is rechecked. It is an object of the present invention to further improve a method for controlling a hybrid drive of a logistics vehicle.

DE 100 31 834 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for automatic route planning for a vehicle that has a plurality of destinations to drive to deliver and / or pick up objects. A detection of the respective destination of the objects with a detection device and an automatic creation of a plan route with a sequential order of the destinations using the detected destination identification means according to at least one predetermined criterion by a route planning device.

EP 1 266 367 B1 discloses a system for optimizing the route of a vehicle having a memory for storing data, the data indicating an order in which the arrival of a mobile vehicle is expected at a plurality of destinations, a first communication device communicating with a remote communication device is trained; and a data manager interfaced with the first communication device, the data manager configured to automatically analyze the data in response to a request for arrival at one of the destinations during a particular time period, the request received from the first communication device and from the remote communication device, wherein the data manager is further adapted to automatically determine whether the request is accepted based on the data and to update the data in the event that the request is accepted, so that the data is a new one Indicate order in which the arrival of the mobile vehicle is expected at the plurality of destinations.

DE 101 29 149 A1 discloses a method for optimizing the power transmission of an engine to the driving wheels of a vehicle, in which road and map data of a navigation system are also used for the specification of target values for the engine and / or transmission control. The powertrain management control unit uses the received data to optimize the handling or fuel consumption of the vehicle, with the corresponding setpoint values being determined in an IPS predication from the information on the preceding route.

Powertrain management uses this to calculate the setpoint values for the transmission control or the engine control. For special driving situations, for example, a switching of the transmission gear can be prevented. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.

• – Eingeben von Zustelladressen von Ladegut;
• – Berechnen der Fahrtroute;
• – Erfassen von zusätzlichen Informationen, die den Verlauf der berechneten Fahrtroute betreffen;
• – Berechnen von Leistungsanforderungen an den Hybrid-Antrieb;
• – Ermitteln eines Ansteuerungsplans für den Hybrid-Antrieb entlang der berechneten Fahrtroute, um den Energieverbrauch und/oder die Emissionen des Logistikfahrzeuges zu vermindern.

The invention proposes a method for controlling a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle. The method comprises the following steps:

• - Enter delivery addresses of goods;
• - calculating the route;
• - collecting additional information concerning the course of the calculated route;
• Calculating power requirements to the hybrid drive;
• - Determine a drive plan for the hybrid drive along the calculated route to reduce the energy consumption and / or emissions of the logistics vehicle.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the delivery addresses are read in automatically. In a further development of the invention, this can be done without contact. As a result, a particularly efficient processing of the delivery is achieved.

Advantageously, when determining the control plan of the hybrid drive, the environment of the route is taken into account. This includes, for example, the distinction whether the vehicle is traveling in a residential area or on a country road. Experience has shown that a lot of electrical energy is used within a residential area.

The state of charge of the battery is preferably controlled as a function of the expected stopping points of the logistics vehicle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the route is calculated again after each breakpoint of the logistics vehicle. This is a dynamic route planning that constantly incorporates the current environmental situation into the new calculation. In this way it is ensured that information about the traffic situation that arrive after the calculation of the first route is taken into account in the further route planning. This measure also saves time, reduces the energy consumption of the logistics vehicle and reduces its emissions.

Advantageously, in a development of the invention, a message is sent to a recipient after each route change. The recipient may be the consignee of a consignment and / or an operations center of the logistics service provider. In a modification of this embodiment of the invention, however, a message is sent to a receiver only if the change of the route results in a change of the original travel time.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle is proposed which has a hybrid drive and a detection device. The detection device is set up so that it automatically detects delivery addresses of goods. Furthermore, a telematics system is provided, which is connected to the hybrid drive, with the detection device and navigation satellites for the exchange of information signals.

In one embodiment of the invention, the telematics system is set up so that it reads the delivery addresses from the detection device and calculates a travel route.

The detection device can advantageously have RFID reading devices.

In a development of the invention, it is provided that a transmission control of the logistics vehicle can be influenced by the telematics system.

Brief description of the drawing:

In the drawing, an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The same or corresponding components are provided in the drawing with the same reference numerals. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a hybrid drive, as it is known from the prior art; and

2 : a schematic representation of the logistics vehicle according to the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention:

1 schematically shows a vehicle 1 with a hybrid drive. The vehicle 1 has a driven axle 2 and a non-driven axle 3 on. The axes 2 . 3 each carry two vehicle wheels 4 , An internal combustion engine 6 is driving via a gearbox 7 and a differential 8th with the driven axle 2 connected. In the transmission 7 it is either a manual transmission with a clutch or an automatic transmission. In addition, the transmission 7 on the input side additionally with an electric motor 9 connected. A rechargeable battery 11 supplies the electric motor 9 with the required electrical energy. The internal combustion engine 6 , the electric motor 9 and the battery 11 are signal-wise with a drive control 12 connected. The drive control 12 is adapted to implement driving commands of a driver according to predetermined operating strategies. In 1 is for example an accelerator pedal 13 represented with which a driver gives an acceleration command.

Of course, the drive controller receives 12 also other driving parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the engaged gear, the accelerator pedal position and the like. These further parameters are in 1 as k ₁ ... k _n . Typically, in a hybrid drive, the drive control senses 12 also the state of charge of the battery 11 via a signal line 14 , If that is in 1 illustrated vehicle with an automatic transmission 7 equipped, affects the drive control 12 also changing the switching stages of the transmission. In 1 this option is indicated by a dashed line 15 between the drive control 12 and the transmission 7 shown.

The drive control determines from the totality of the collected data 12 a consumption-optimized operation of the hybrid drive, the in 1 is entered with a dash-dotted line and as a whole with the reference numeral 16 referred to as.

2 shows an embodiment of a logistics vehicle according to the invention 1 , The logistics vehicle 1 has a hybrid drive 16 on, in its essential components with the in 1 described hybrid drive 16 matches. In addition, the logistics vehicle 1 with a detection device 17 equipped with a number of RFID readers to read the delivery addresses of parcels and parcels located in the storage room of the logistics vehicle 1 are located. The individual consignments located in the storage space of the vehicle are provided for this purpose with RFID labels which, among other information, also contain the delivery address of the respective consignment. The delivery addresses are read out contactlessly and automatically. RFID tags and the associated reading devices are known in the art and not the subject of the present invention.

RFID tags and RFID readers are cited in the context of the present invention only as an example of a system that allows the delivery addresses of the mailings to be detected contactlessly and automatically. Basically, any other technology is suitable for carrying out the invention, which allows the contactless reading of delivery addresses. For example, it is also possible that the delivery addresses aboard the logistics vehicle 1 be automatically scanned.

In a simpler embodiment of the invention, it is quite possible for the driver of the logistics vehicle to manually enter the intended stopping points in the navigation system of the logistics vehicle. The method according to the invention is independent of the manner in which the delivery addresses are entered, be it manually or automatically. The possibility of manual input is also provided if the technical prerequisites for an automatic reading of the delivery addresses are available. The advantage of this is that even with technical breakdowns on the detection device 17 the delivery of the load remains feasible, albeit with a higher workload. Overall, a higher operational reliability is achieved in the delivery.

The delivery addresses are from the acquisition device 17 to a telematics system 18 in the logistics vehicle 1 transmit, which calculates the shortest possible route based on the detected delivery addresses. The telematics system 18 stands in connection with navigation satellites, what in 2 by a double arrow 19 is illustrated. The navigation satellites may be satellites of the GPS (Global Positioning System) or Galileo navigation system. The telematics system 18 It also receives regional traffic and regional traffic control systems to dynamically adapt the route to the urban traffic situation. In addition, the telematics system calculates 18 after the delivery of a shipment, the optimal next route for the next trip to the next delivery depending on the traffic situation.

Thus, route changes are possible at any time if a traffic jam has been reported in the meantime. Such route changes are transmitted simultaneously to an operations center of the logistics service provider, which forwards this information to customers, if delays the delivery of one or more shipments by the route change. In a development of the logistics vehicle according to the invention, the messages are transmitted, for example as an SMS message in addition to the recipient of shipments.

The of the telematics system 18 provided travel route data are in the drive control 12 to calculate the optimal operating strategy for the hybrid drive 16 used. Depending on the number of subsequent Zustellhalte according to the invention, the state of charge of the battery 11 purposefully influenced. Influencing the state of charge of the battery 11 takes also proactive, Here it is for example conceivable that the battery 11 is fully loaded on a cross-country journey in order to drive as low as possible in the subsequent deliveries in a residential area. The telematics system 18 controls the hybrid drive 16 in such a way that with the deliveries in a residential area the battery 11 unloaded as much as possible in order to fully recharge it on the next overland journey. In this way, emissions within residential areas are kept to a minimum. Prerequisite for this is that the telematics system 18 the delivery addresses or the delivery stops are available so that it can calculate the routes between the delivery stops. This requirement is met by the exchange of information between the detection device 17 and the telematics system 18 created. Depending on the number of delivery stops or stopping points and the routes that lie between the individual deliveries, the state of charge of the battery 11 controlled. Conventional controls for hybrid drives are not able to do this because of the lack of information about the breakpoints.

In a corresponding manner, the charging or discharging of the high-pressure accumulator is controlled in the case of a hydraulic drive unit.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the delivery addresses of the shipments can also be determined in a logistics center, where the logistics vehicle 1 is loaded. The delivery addresses are hereby used as a complete data record in the telematics system 18 of the logistics vehicle 1 transfer. This can be done, for example, by means of a memory card or by a wireless or wired communication link between a computer in the logistics center and the telematics system 18 of the logistics vehicle 1 respectively. In a concrete example, the items of mail can be transported past the logistics center along a transport route or within a transport device to a bar code reader or RFID reading device, which record the respective delivery addresses and merge them in a data memory. On the basis of the collected delivery addresses, such consignments for a respective logistics vehicle are then summarized, which allow routing for the entirety of the logistics vehicles used. In the logistics vehicles 1 the delivery addresses are again used in the manner described above to allow the best possible operation of the vehicle, so that its energy consumption and emissions are reduced.

In the event that the logistics vehicle 1 with an automatic transmission 7 is equipped, is provided in a development of the invention that while driving with the engine and the transmission control is affected to minimize the number of switching stage change. For example, upshifts are suppressed when the telematics system 18 Based on the present route data recognizes that shortly after the intended upshift again a lower speed is required, which requires a lower gear.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

driven axle

3

non-driven axle

4

vehicle wheels

6

internal combustion engine

7

transmission

8th

differential

9

electric motor

11

rechargeable battery

12

drive control

13

accelerator

15

line

14

signal line

16

Hybrid drive

17

detection device

18

telematics system

19

double arrow

Claims (8)

Method for controlling a logistics vehicle ( 1 ) with a hybrid drive ( 16 ), a detection device ( 17 ) and one with the hybrid drive ( 16 ) and the detection device ( 17 ) telematics system ( 18 ), the method comprising the following steps: Independent automatic recording of delivery addresses of goods in the storage space of the logistics vehicle ( 1 ) by the detection device ( 17 ); - reading out the detected delivery addresses from the detection device ( 17 ) by the telematics system ( 18 ) and calculating the route by the telematics system ( 18 ); Detection by the telematics system of additional information concerning the course of the calculated route ( 18 ); Calculate power requirements for the hybrid drive ( 16 ); Determining a drive plan for the hybrid drive ( 16 ) along the calculated route, and control of the hybrid drive ( 16 ) by the telematics system ( 18 ) to reduce the energy consumption and / or emissions of the logistics vehicle ( 1 ) reduce; and - recalculating the route after each breakpoint of the logistics vehicle ( 1 ) by the telematics system ( 18 ). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the delivery addresses are read in contactlessly. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination of the control plan of the hybrid drive ( 16 ) takes into account the environment of the route. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the state of charge of a battery ( 11 ) of the hybrid drive depending on the expected breakpoints of the logistics vehicle ( 1 ) is controlled. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a message is sent to a receiver after each route change. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that only a message is sent to a receiver if the change of the route has a change in the original driving time result. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a transmission control of the logistics vehicle ( 1 ) is also controlled as a function of route data. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the telematics system ( 18 ) the hybrid drive ( 16 ) with battery ( 11 ) in such a way that, for deliveries in a residential area, the battery ( 11 ) is unloaded as much as possible in order to fully recharge it on a next overland journey.

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