DE102016223559A1 - Determination method and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (30) is provided in which the quality of a fuel (20) present in a motor vehicle (10) is determined in a condition determination (34) and, depending on the determined condition, a threshold temperature (Ts), below which the fuel ( 20) is unsuitable for the operation of the motor vehicle (10), is determined and in a weather determination (33) an actual temperature (Ti) is determined and in an adjustment (35) is checked whether the actual temperature (Ti) the threshold temperature (Ts) below. In a measure (37) information is then output to a user interface (21) of the motor vehicle (10) if the actual temperature (Ti) is less than the threshold temperature (Ts), wherein in the condition determination (34) a material composition or a physical property of the fuel (20) is determined. In addition, a motor vehicle (10) is provided, which is designed to perform the method (30).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for determining a suitability of a fuel present in a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle for carrying out this method.

In the prior art is from the DE 3127991 A1 discloses a fuel supply system for fuels for internal combustion engines, with a device for determining the instantaneous state or the composition of the fuel and for emitting a measurement signal as a variable for controlling the metering device of the air-fuel ratio. The fuel supply system includes an opto-electronic sensor mounted in the fuel for measuring a refractive index, and an electronic circuit connected to the sensor for controlling the meter according to the detected condition or composition.

The DE 102011005141 A1 discloses a method for determining a property of a fuel in which a closing duration of an armature of a solenoid valve moving through the fuel is measured at at least one drive duration, and a factor determining the at least one property of the fuel is determined based on the measured closing duration represents.

From the DE 102013213690 A1 discloses a method of replacing summer diesel by winter diesel in a fuel tank of a self-ignited internal combustion engine. It is proposed whether there are summer diesel or winter diesel in the vehicle tank, thereby determining that the date of the last refueling operation is documented. The method includes determining whether an ambient temperature below a predetermined value is to be expected within a predetermined time period and initiating at least one measure to replace summer diesel by winter diesel in the fuel tank when an ambient temperature is expected within the predetermined time period, which falls below the specified value. The ambient temperature is measured using a temperature sensor which is arranged in the motor vehicle. The course of the ambient temperature over the given period of time can be stored in a control unit.

The US 20100033372 A1 discloses a method of receiving in-vehicle information regarding a cloud point condition of a diesel fuel. The method includes establishing a connection between a telematics unit in a vehicle and i) a global positioning system device, ii) a call center with a database, and iii) a cloud point monitoring unit in the vehicle. The telematics unit receives at least one of i, ii, or iii information regarding the vehicle location, the cloud point, and the ambient temperature. The telematics unit determines from the information whether fuel in a fuel system of the vehicle has reached a cloud point or can reach the cloud point within a predetermined period of time. The telematics unit then transmits an in-vehicle warning when the fuel in the vehicle fuel system has reached a cloud point or can reach the cloud point within a given amount of time. The US 20100033372 A1 also concerns a system for carrying out the process.

From the DE 102013215224 A1 shows a fuel quality monitoring system that includes a fuel composition sensor and a controller. The fuel composition sensor is configured to provide an indication of a composition of a liquid fuel in a fuel tank. The controller is configured to receive the indication of the monitored fuel composition from the fuel composition sensor; to detect an amount of an impurity from the obtained indication; and compare the amount of contamination with a threshold. If the amount of contamination exceeds the threshold, the controller is configured to adjust an operating parameter of an engine to account for the detected contaminant. If the amount of contamination exceeds a threshold that makes engine combustion unfeasible, entry of the fuel into the engine or fuel tank is restricted.

Of the US 20100012410 A1 is a cloud point monitoring system for determining a cloud point temperature value of a diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in a pipeline and spreads light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel.

The DE 102013210973 A1 relates to a fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine, with a first tank and a second tank, which are connected to each other via a fuel line. Between the first and the second tank, a first fuel pump and a first fuel filter are arranged. Between the second tank and the internal combustion engine are a second Fuel pump and a second fuel filter arranged. A first return line is provided, which is connected on the input side to the internal combustion engine and the output side opens into the second tank and upstream of the first fuel filter in the fuel line. In the first return line a preheating valve is arranged. And the second tank is connected to the first tank via a second return line.

The present invention has for its object to protect a motor vehicle from a failure caused by weather-unsuitable fuel failure.

This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to claim 9. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In the method according to the invention, the condition of a fuel present in a motor vehicle is determined in a condition determination and, depending on the determined condition, a threshold temperature, below which the fuel is unsuitable for the operation of the motor vehicle. In a weather determination, an actual temperature is determined. It is checked in a comparison whether the actual temperature falls below the threshold temperature. In one measure, information is output to a user interface of the motor vehicle when the actual temperature is less than the threshold temperature. In the condition determination, a material composition or a physical property of the fuel is determined. According to the invention, a location determination is carried out before the weather determination, in which the current location and a future location of the motor vehicle are determined and the weather is determined for the current location, for the future location and for at least one intermediate location between the current location and the future location.

This makes it advantageously possible, regardless of the time or place of the last refueling process to determine whether the motor vehicle is suitable for cold fuel. Via the user interface, the motor vehicle user can be given an indication of the condition.

By determining the location, the weather determination can be carried out more accurately and with foresight and also smaller regional differences can be considered. For example, elevations often have lower temperatures than valleys. It is also taken into account that the weather situation may change, especially during longer journeys.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the route additionally determines a route to the future location which leads around the at least one intermediate location if the actual temperature for the intermediate location is less than the threshold temperature.

This can be avoided that places are traversed in which it is too cold for the fuel in the vehicle. Cold areas can be left out of the route.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention waste heat of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle for heating the fuel is additionally used in the measure.

As a result, the temperature of the fuel is increased and the influence of the ambient temperature on the fuel is reduced. The passage through places where it is too cold for the in-vehicle fuel is thereby made possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one water fraction in the fuel is determined in the condition determination.

From the water content can be concluded in a simple manner on the suitability of the fuel for cold.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least a portion of an additive in the fuel is determined in the condition determination.

The proportion of an additive is also a suitable indication of the refrigeration suitability of the fuel.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one turbidity temperature of the fuel is determined in the condition determination.

The turbidity temperature, also called the cloud point, is a suitable indicator for determining the threshold temperature, since components of the fuel, especially in the diesel fuel, begin to form a waxy consistency in the cloud point.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, weather data is received by radio in the weather determination. In particular, the weather data are obtained online from a cloud. This happens both for the current location and for the future location.

As a result, the most up-to-date weather data is used.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is designed to carry out the method according to the invention in all design variants. For this purpose, the motor vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a fuel supply device, a control unit, a location determination unit connected to the control unit, a connection unit connected to the control unit, a user interface connected to the control unit, and a measurement unit having at least one sensor arranged in the fuel supply device.

Due to the ability of the motor vehicle to carry out the method according to the invention, a loss of operation at low temperatures can be prevented.

Further advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description and the drawings. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the description below. Show it:

1 an inventive motor vehicle in an exemplary embodiment; and

2 a method according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment.

In the 1 is the motor vehicle according to the invention 10 shown schematically in an exemplary embodiment. The car 10 has an internal combustion engine 11 on, which is preferably a diesel engine. To supply the internal combustion engine 11 with fuel 20 has the motor vehicle 10 a fuel supply device, in particular a tank 12 and a fuel line 13 includes.

The car 10 further comprises a control unit 14 , one with the control unit 14 , in particular via data line 19 , associated location determination unit 15 , one with the control unit 14 , in particular via data line 19 , connected connection unit 16 , one with the control unit 14 , in particular via data line 19 , connected measuring unit 17 and one with the control unit 14 , in particular via data line 19 connected user interface 21 , The location unit 15 , the connection unit 16 and the user interface 21 can be integrated in a common system, for example in an infotainment system.

The location unit 15 is formed, the current location of the motor vehicle 10 in particular by calculation using satellite data, such as GPS. The location unit 15 has a satellite signal receiver. In addition, the location determination unit comprises 15 a navigation unit into which a motor vehicle user can enter a destination. The navigation unit preferably has access to route data and is configured to calculate a route from the current location to the destination, in particular including a travel time. The location unit 15 is thus also adapted to a future location of the motor vehicle 10 to determine where the motor vehicle 10 will be located at a later date. The information about the future location may be the information about the estimated time to which the motor vehicle 10 expected to be at the future location. The location unit 15 Furthermore, it is configured to determine at least one intermediate location between the current location and the future location at which the motor vehicle is located 10 could be at a later date. The information about the intermediate location may be the information about the estimated time to which the motor vehicle 10 likely to be at the interim. The location unit 15 is preferably a navigation device.

The connection unit 16 is configured to receive weather data, in particular current and future location-specific weather data. For example, the connection unit has 16 to access location-specific weather data stored in a cloud. The connection unit 16 may be configured to make itself or for example via a mobile phone of the motor vehicle user access to the Internet. It is also conceivable that the connection unit 16 is designed to receive location-specific weather data from a weather data sender.

The measuring unit 17 is designed to determine a material composition and / or a physical property of the fuel. In particular, the measuring unit 17 formed, a proportion of water in the fuel 20 , and / or a proportion of an additive in the fuel 20 and / or a clouding temperature of the fuel 20 to investigate. The measuring unit 17 includes at least one sensor 18 which is arranged in the fuel supply device. The sensor 18 can do this in the fuel line 13 or in the tank 12 be positioned. The sensor 18 is arranged in particular in such a way that this contact with the fuel 20 Has.

The control unit 14 is formed by the location determination unit 15 ascertained current location as well as that of the location determination unit 15 determined future location and that of the location unit 15 determined to use at least one intermediate location to by means of the connection unit 16 To obtain information about the weather, in particular the temperatures, the current location and location and the at least one intermediate location. The control unit 14 is designed to determine an actual temperature Ti from the weather data. In addition, the control unit 14 trained by the measuring unit 17 determined nature of the fuel 20 assign a threshold temperature Ts. Further, the control unit 14 designed to compare the actual temperature Ti with the threshold temperature Ts and at a fall below the threshold temperature Ts an indication to the user interface 21 to send.

In the 2 is the inventive method 30 in an exemplary embodiment schematically from a start 31 to an end 38 shown. The car 10 is formed the method according to the invention 30 perform.

In the process 30 is in several steps 32 . 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 . 37 determines whether in the motor vehicle 10 existing fuel 20 for the operation of the motor vehicle 10 is suitable with regard to the expected ambient temperatures. The fuel 20 is in particular diesel fuel.

In a localization 32 becomes a current location of the motor vehicle 10 certainly. This is preferably done by an evaluation of position data, preferably satellite data such as GPS. Furthermore, a future location of the motor vehicle 10 determined by a user input, which is in particular a destination input to a navigation device, is evaluated. The future location is the destination. In addition, at least one intermediate location lying between the current location and the future location is determined.

For the locations and the at least one intermediate location, an expected lowest temperature, the actual temperature Ti, is then determined. This happens in a weather determination 33 in which weather data are used for the determined locations and the at least one intermediate location. The weather data can be current values or weather forecasts. The weather data is retrieved in particular from a cloud via the Internet. It is also possible for weather data to be received by a weather data sender.

In addition to weather determination 33 becomes a condition determination 34 performed in which the nature of the fuel 20 is examined. It is by means of a sensor 18 a material composition and / or a physical property of the fuel 20 determined. Depending on the determined condition, the threshold temperature Ts is then determined. The threshold temperature Ts can be calculated, for example, or selected from a plurality of threshold temperatures stored for different textures. It is also possible to estimate the threshold temperature Ts.

In particular, in the condition determination 34 a water content in the fuel 20 measured. Diesel fuel can absorb up to 8% of water, which reduces its suitability for low temperatures. The lower the proportion of water, the lower the threshold temperature Ts. Also, a proportion of at least one additive, which is the cold suitability of the fuel 20 can influence in the condition determination 34 to be examined. The higher the additive content, the lower the threshold temperature Ts. In addition, a turbidity temperature of the fuel 20 in the condition determination 34 be determined at the constituents of the fuel 20 the fuel 20 tarnish. The lower the turbidity temperature, the lower the threshold temperature Ts, in particular, the turbidity temperature is equal to the threshold temperature Ts.

After determining the actual temperature Ti and the threshold temperature Ts is in a balance 35 made a comparison of the two temperatures. If the actual temperature Ti is below the threshold temperature Ts, the prerequisite for a next method step is fulfilled. It is also possible that the condition is satisfied when the actual temperature Ti is equal to the threshold temperature Ts. If the condition is not met, the process may end, for example, or a previous process step may be repeated.

If the condition is met, will be in a measure 37 an information to the user interface 21 of the motor vehicle 10 output. The motor vehicle user can be indicated by an indication that the refueled fuel 20 not suitable for the intended journey. In addition, the measure can 37 comprise determining a route to the future location, which leads around the at least one intermediate location when the actual temperature Ti for the intermediate location is less than the threshold temperature Ts. The determined route can be proposed to the motor vehicle driver and / or automatically used in a route guidance, so that the motor vehicle driver drives the route with the more favorable outside temperature. It is also possible that the measure 37 using the waste heat of the internal combustion engine 11 includes to the fuel 20 to warm up. If necessary, this can be the operating point of the internal combustion engine 11 be shifted so that more waste heat is generated. Furthermore, in the measure 37 Hints are given as to make a refill of an additive, which additive would be replenished in what amount, or a parking of the motor vehicle 10 not in the open air. Also, service instructions can be made, for example, the indication of the nearest point of sale for the additive.

Additionally, it is possible that after reconciliation 35 a value setting 36 takes place if the condition is met. By the value setting 36 is deposited information that the unsuitability of the fuel 20 documented. The information can be used, for example, in other methods, in particular for causing the method according to the invention 30 to execute again.

While the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figures are not necessarily true to detail and to scale and may be enlarged or reduced in size to provide a better overview. Therefore, functional details disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely illustrative, which provides guidance to those skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in a series of two or more elements means that each of the listed elements may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be used. For example, when describing a composition containing components A, B and / or C, composition A may be alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C are included in combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 motor vehicle

11

 internal combustion engine

12

 tank

13

 Fuel line

14

 control unit

15

 Location determination unit

16

 connecting unit

17

 measuring unit

18

 sensor

19

 data line

20

 fuel

21

 User interface

30

 method

31

 begin

32

 localization

33

 Weather determination

34

 texture determination

35

 adjustment

36

 value reduction

37

 measure

38

 The End

ts

 threshold

Ti

 Actual temperature

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 3127991 A1 [0002]
• DE 102011005141 A1 [0003]
• DE 102013213690 A1 [0004]
• US 20100033372 A1 [0005, 0005]
• DE 102013215224 A1 [0006]
• US 20100012410 Al [0007]
• DE 102013210973 A1 [0008]

Claims (9)

Procedure ( 30 ), in which in a condition determination ( 34 ) the nature of one in a motor vehicle ( 10 ) of existing fuel ( 20 ) and, depending on the determined condition, a threshold temperature (Ts), below which the fuel ( 20 ) unsuitable for the operation of the motor vehicle ( 10 ), is determined and in a weather determination ( 33 ) an actual temperature (Ti) is determined and in a comparison ( 35 ) is checked whether the actual temperature (Ti) is below the threshold temperature (Ts), and in a measure ( 37 ) information to a user interface ( 21 ) of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) is output when the actual temperature (Ti) is less than the threshold temperature (Ts), wherein in the condition determination ( 34 ) a material composition or a physical property of the fuel ( 20 ), characterized in that before the weather determination ( 33 ) a location determination ( 32 ) in which the current location and a future location of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) and the weather determination ( 33 ) for the current location, for the future location, and for at least one intermediate location between the current location and the future location. Procedure ( 30 ) according to claim 1, wherein in the measure ( 37 ) is additionally determined a route to the future location, which leads around the at least one intermediate location when the actual temperature (Ti) for the intermediate location is less than the threshold temperature (Ts). Procedure ( 30 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the measure ( 37 ) additionally waste heat of an internal combustion engine ( 11 ) of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) for heating the fuel ( 20 ) is used. Procedure ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the condition ( 34 ) at least one water content in the fuel ( 20 ) is determined. Procedure ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the condition determination ( 34 ) at least a proportion of an additive in the fuel ( 20 ) is determined. Procedure ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the condition determination ( 34 ) at least one turbidity temperature of the fuel ( 20 ) is determined. Procedure ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the weather determination ( 33 ) Weather data can be received by radio. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel ( 20 ) Diesel fuel is. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) with an internal combustion engine ( 11 ), a fuel supply device, a control unit ( 14 ), one with the control unit ( 14 ) associated location determination unit ( 15 ), one with the control unit ( 14 ) connected connection unit ( 16 ), one with the control unit ( 14 ) user interface ( 21 ) and a measuring unit ( 17 ) with at least one sensor arranged in the fuel supply device ( 18 ), wherein the motor vehicle ( 10 ), the method ( 30 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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