DE102018000494A1 - Method for the active control of an air guiding element of a sports vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for actively controlling an air guiding element of a sports vehicle, in which a position of the at least one air guiding element (13) is adjusted. In one method, the adjustment of the at least one air guiding element (13) takes place automatically as a function of a route section currently being traveled by the vehicle (1) and an air guide element setting stored for the current route section.

Description

The invention relates to a method for actively controlling an air guide element of a sports vehicle, in which a position of the at least one air guide element is adjusted.

From the DE 10 2016 217 566 A1 For example, a vehicle with a model-based control of an active aerodynamic element is known which describes a solution for a target conflict in the field of vehicle aerodynamics between maximum downforce (good road grip) and maximum speed (low air resistance). According to this method, the actual tire forces are measured and the tire friction coefficients in the longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to the vehicle are determined and used to control the aerodynamic element. In particular, in sports vehicles, the use of which takes place on a closed race track, it is necessary that the setting between maximum abrasion and maximum speed can be adapted as quickly as possible to the given driving situation.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for actively controlling an air guiding element of a sports vehicle, in which an optimal position of the air guiding element is set in each driving situation of the sports vehicle.

The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, as well as the explanation of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures.

The object is achieved with a method in that the adjustment of the at least one air-guiding element takes place automatically as a function of a route section currently being traveled by the vehicle and an air-guiding element setting stored for the current route section. This has the advantage that in an improved racing use the downforce is set large in tight bends and low on a straight stretch to achieve the maximum speed. Thus, the output changes automatically depending on the predetermined distance position of the vehicle by the automatic adjustment of the position of the air guide element without the driver has to intervene.

Advantageously, a predetermined driving route under real conditions is traversed once for determining the air guide element setting corresponding to the current route section, wherein acceleration values of the sports vehicle are measured and a line-specific aerodynamic characteristic value for determining the air guidance setting is determined and stored on the basis of the measured acceleration values for the respective route section. By covering such a round of training the corresponding required for racing settings of the spoiler, such as a rear spoiler, reliably determined and based on racing.

In one embodiment, the route-specific aerodynamic characteristic value is determined for a predefined number of route points. The more distance points are taken as the basis for determining the path-specific aerodynamic characteristic, the better the driving behavior of the sports vehicle on the route can be optimized, since a differentiated change in the position of the air guide element can be realized quickly and reliably, which improves the driving characteristics of the sports vehicle.

In one variant, the route-specific aerodynamic characteristic is manually varied in total. Through this manual variation, the driver of the sports vehicle can adjust the aerodynamic characteristics recorded for the individual route points to his driving feeling, but all the route points are simultaneously influenced by the manual adjustment.

In one embodiment, a threshold for the use of the air guide element is adjusted manually, with a reduction of the threshold earlier and / or prolonged activation of the air guide element and increasing the threshold a later and / or shorter activation of the air guide is set. This can be easily realized via an operating element, for example a rotary control, for the entire route, whereby either a continuous or a stepwise change of the threshold is possible. The continuous change allows a particularly sensitive adjustment of the threshold.

In a development, the acceleration values in the x, y and z directions are measured by at least one sensor of an ESP system and / or a sensor arranged close to a vehicle center of gravity. This has the advantage that a particularly reliable determination of the acceleration values is possible by evaluating redundant signals. At the same time, if only one sensor fails, the acceleration values are reliably delivered by the second sensor.

Advantageously, when first driving through a predetermined route a Vehicle dynamics profile recorded, which is composed of a GPS position of the vehicle for marking a route point and the measured acceleration values for this GPS position in the x, y and z direction. Thus, when driving on a circuit during a race by the sports vehicle only the corresponding GPS specific position associated route-specific aerodynamic characteristic must be read to cause a corresponding change in the position of the spoiler.

In a further variant, the position of the air guiding element is automatically adjusted as a function of the current GPS position of the sports vehicle for a repeated examination of the predetermined route. This allows the driver to concentrate fully on the circuit, but the sport vehicle always has a reliable driving behavior.

In one embodiment, the vehicle dynamics profile of the traveled route is displayed with information on the output required on the respective section downforce in the sports vehicle. As a result, the driver can obtain information about the required output for each section of the route at any time during the journey.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject of the invention itself or in any meaningful combination, optionally also independent of the claims, and in particular may also be the subject of one or more separate application / s. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Fahrzeuges zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,
• 2 ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,
• 3 ein Beispiel für eine Simulation einer Rundstrecke nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

Show it:

• 1 An embodiment of a vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention,
• 2 an embodiment of the method according to the invention,
• 3 an example of a simulation of a circuit according to the inventive method.

In 1 a vehicle is shown, which is controlled by the method according to the invention. This vehicle is a sports car 1 , preferably a racing car that races on circuit courses. This sports car 1 owns a GPS system 3 , which with a control unit 5 is connected to determine a route-specific driving dynamics profile. Furthermore, to the control unit 5 an ESP system 7 and a sensor 9 , which is arranged near a vehicle center of gravity, coupled. That of the control unit 5 determined driving dynamics profile is displayed 11 of the sports vehicle 1 output. the display 11 can be part of an onboard computer or a navigation system of the sports car 1 be. At the rear of the sports car 1 there is an air guide 13 whose position is changeable.

In 2 an embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown in which the sports vehicle 1 moved on a closed circuit. At point A of the procedure becomes the GPS system 3 of the sports vehicle 1 started. The air guide 13 of the vehicle 1 is set to the position "Performance". This position "Performance" corresponds to the maximum employment of the air guide element 13 and thus a maximum downforce, the sports car 1 pressed against the roadway (block B). In the following step, the sports vehicle passes through 1 under training conditions once the circuit (block C), in which the vehicle dynamics profile (block D) is recorded. The driving dynamics profile is made up of by the GPS system 3 determined GPS position of the vehicle 1 and the acceleration values measured for that position in the directions of forces Fx / Fy / Fz together. To get these acceleration values are those of the sensor of the ESP system 7 and that of the additional sensor 9 determined acceleration values in the X, Y and Z direction used.

wobei:

Fx

die Radmomente/die Längsbeschleunigung

Fy

die Querbeschleunigung und

Fz

die Aufbaubeschleunigung bzw. den Auftrieb

From these acceleration values, a path-specific aerodynamic characteristic μ is calculated according to the following formula: $$\mu =\frac{\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}}{F_z}$$

in which:

Fx

the wheel torques / the longitudinal acceleration

Fy

the lateral acceleration and

Fz

the body acceleration or the lift

A combination of longitudinal / transverse to the Aufstandskraft a rear axle of the sports vehicle is considered.

The line-specific aerodynamic characteristic μ is large due to the lateral force Fy when cornering. During acceleration and deceleration occurs a high longitudinal force Fx, while the Driving over hills a small footing Fz occurs. The parameter μ thus provides an indication of the situations in which the vehicle requires aerodynamic support.

The aerodynamic characteristic μ is calculated for each route point of the round course. Subsequently, an evaluation of the calculation results (block E) is carried out by estimating in which section a reduced output, ie a lowered position of the air guide element 13 necessary is. Due to this lowered position, a higher vehicle speed is possible.

The calculated driving dynamics profile of the circuit is displayed in the vehicle display 11 along with information on the required downforce (block E). After the test drive, in which the vehicle dynamics profile was determined, this is stored (block F). Depending on this stored vehicle dynamics profile is under racing conditions according to the respective GPS position of the sports vehicle, the position of the air guide 13 automatically set (block G).

An example of the driving dynamics profile is in 3 shown. For the sake of clarity, two stages of the output are shown. The dashed sections have a high demand HDF to output, wherein the spoiler 13 fully extended. The straight dotted sections have less demand LDF to output, ie the air guide 13 is retracted. A finer resolution with intermediate position is possible at any time.

If the driver has the feeling that the particular driving dynamics profile is still in need of adjustment, then he can set a threshold for the use of the air guiding element 13 , for example, via a control element in the form of a rotary knob, for the entire course to adjust overall. An increase in the threshold means a later and shorter activation of the air guide 13 , While a lowering of the threshold earlier or longer activation of the air guide 13 pulls. Also in this case, intermediate stages in the adjustment of the air guide 13 be realized at any time.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of 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. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplified embodiments are really only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those of skill in the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept may make various changes, for example, to the operation or arrangement of particular elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Protection area defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Sports car

3

GPS system

5

control unit

7

ESP system

9

sensor

11

display

13

air guide

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 102016217566 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Method for the active control of an air guide element of a sports vehicle, in which a position of the at least one air guide element (13) is adjusted, characterized in that the adjustment of the at least one air guide element (13) in dependence of a currently traveled by the vehicle (1) section and a automatically carried out for the current section stored Luftleitelementeinstellung. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that for determining the current route section corresponding Luftleitelementeinstellung a predetermined distance is passed under real conditions once, wherein acceleration values of the sports vehicle (1) are measured and based on the measured acceleration values for the respective section a route-specific aerodynamic characteristic (μ) for determining the spoiler adjustment is determined and stored. Method according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the route-specific aerodynamic characteristic value (μ) is determined for a predetermined number of route points of the predetermined route. Method according to Claim 1 . 2 or 3 , characterized in that the route-specific aerodynamic characteristic value (μ) is manually varied in total. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a threshold for the use of the air guide element (13) is manually adjusted, wherein upon reduction of the threshold earlier and / or longer activation of the air guide element (13) and increasing the threshold a later and / or shortly activation of the air guide element (13) is set Method according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the threshold is adjustable in stages. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acceleration values in the x, y and z directions are measured by at least one sensor of an ESP system (7) and / or a second sensor (9) arranged close to a vehicle center of gravity become. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first time driving through the predetermined route a vehicle dynamics profile is recorded, which consists of a GPS position of the vehicle (1) for marking the route point and the measured acceleration values for this GPS position in x , y and z direction. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the air guiding element (13) is set automatically for a repeated examination of the predetermined driving route under racing conditions as a function of the current GPS position of the sports vehicle (1). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving dynamics profile of the traveled route is displayed with information about the required on the respective section section downforce in the sports vehicle (1).

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