EP2909816A1

EP2909816A1 - Determination of consumption of energy for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2909816A1
Application number: EP13846693.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anders Jensen; Mikael CURBO
Original assignee: Scania CV AB
Current assignee: Scania CV AB
Priority date: 2012-10-17
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Also published as: SE536698C2; EP2909816A4; SE1251176A1

Abstract

A system for the use of operational data from at least one vehicle is presented, which comprises: - a collection device arranged for the collection of the said operational data, where the said operational data comprise information regarding how the said at least one vehicle has been used; - a calculation device arranged to, based on the said operational data, determine an energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix for the said at least one vehicle as a function of engine speed and torque for a driveline in the said at least one vehicle; and - a utilisation device arranged to use the said energy consumption c.

Description

Determination of consumption of energy for a vehicle

Technical field

The present invention pertains to a system for the use of operating data from at least one vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a computer program and a computer program product, which implement the method according to the invention.

Background

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an example vehicle 100, which may be e.g. a car, truck or bus. The vehicle has a driveline comprising one combustion engine 101, which in a customary manner, via an output shaft 102 on the combustion engine 101, usually via a flywheel, is connected to an input shaft 109 in a gearbox 103 via a clutch 106. The clutch 106 may e.g.

consist of an automatically controlled clutch, and be

controlled by the vehicle's control system via a control device 400 (figure 4) . The control device 400 may also control the gearbox 103.

The gearbox 103 is here illustrated schematically as one device. However, the gearbox 103 may also physically consist of several cooperating gearboxes, for example a so-called range gearbox, main gearbox and split gearbox, which are arranged along the vehicle's driveline. The gearbox may comprise a suitable number of gears. Today's gearboxes for heavy goods vehicles usually have twelve forward gears, two reverse gears and one neutral gear. An aftertreatment system 200 purifies the exhausts from the combustion engine 101. The vehicle's driveline further comprises drive shafts 104, 105, which are connected to the vehicle's driving wheels 113, 114, and which are driven by an output shaft 107 from the gearbox 103, via a shaft gear 108, such as a differential shaft. The driveline thus comprises the engine 101, the output shaft 102, the clutch 106, the input shaft 109, the gearbox 103, the output shaft 107 and the shaft gear 108.

The vehicle 100 further comprises various different braking systems, such as a customary braking system, which may

comprise for example brake plates with associated brake pads (not shown) arranged next to each wheel. The engine 101 may be controlled based on instructions from a cruise control, or by a driver of the vehicle. Today's motor vehicles, comprising vehicles driven by

combustion engines, hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles, have a large number of different characteristics which may be selected to suit a driver and/or an owner of the vehicle. For example, the buyer of a vehicle must select the type of fuel (such as diesel, petrol, gas, ethanol or electric power) with which the vehicle is driven, the engine power of the vehicle, the type of gearbox 103 which the vehicle will have, the type of clutch 106 which the vehicle will have, the type of gearing which the back shaft 108 will have, the type of brake system with which the vehicle will be equipped, the type of turbo charger which the vehicle will have, the type of wheels 111, 112, 113, 114 which the vehicle will have, the type of distribution gearbox which the vehicle will have, i.e. how power is distributed among front and rear shafts, and the type of aftertreatment system for exhaust purification 200 which the vehicle should have. The buyer may also select the air resistance which the vehicle will have, which rolling resistance the vehicle will have and/or the tyres which the vehicle will have. The above exemplified characteristics only constitute a part of all the characteristics which a vehicle may have, which should be clear to a person skilled in the art . Brief description of the invention

Since there are so many different characteristics which must be selected when e.g. ordering and/or purchasing a new

vehicle, the choice of a new vehicle becomes very difficult for the buyer. Thus, there is a risk that the choice of vehicle results in a vehicle with characteristics which are not optimal for the new owner's use of the vehicle. Suboptimal choices when ordering and/or purchasing vehicles may have a negative impact on, for example, the vehicle's total cost, the vehicle's fuel consumption and the vehicle's comfort for the driver .

For a hauling company, the main expenditure items for the day- to-day operation of a vehicle consist, apart from the cost of acquisition of the vehicle, of the vehicle's driver's salary, costs of repair and maintenance and fuel/energy for the propulsion of the vehicle. Energy costs, such a fuel costs, may impact the profitability for the hauling company to a very great extent, and should therefore be kept as low as possible. If, for example, the types of engine, gearing and wheels are selected so that they are well adjusted to the future use of the vehicle, the energy costs may be minimised. A vehicle which is well adapted to its use will also generate less repair costs.

By using prior art solutions, it has often been very difficult to determine in which driving conditions the energy

consumption, such as fuel consumption, is large and small for the vehicle, which has meant that the analysis of energy consumption is uncertain. This has, for example, led to difficulty in making optimal choices of characteristics for a vehicle, e.g. when drafting vehicle specifications, for the future use of the vehicle, which has led to an unnecessarily high total cost of the vehicle. This objective is achieved through the above mentioned system in accordance with the characterising portion set out in patent claim 1. The objective is also achieved through the above mentioned computer program and computer program product. The system and the computer program are arranged to collect operational data with a collection device from at least one vehicle, where the said operational data comprise information about how this at least one vehicle has been used.

Subsequently, a calculation device determines the energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix for the at least one vehicle as a function of engine speed and torque for a driveline in the at least one vehicle. For example, engine speed and torque for the engine 101 or engine speed and torque for an input shaft 109 to the gearbox 103 may be used to determine the energy consumption c. A person skilled in the art realises that engine speed and torque for other parts of the driveline suitable for the purpose may be used to calculate this energy consumption c. A utilisation device is arranged to then use this determined energy

consumption c.

Thus, the present invention provides energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix for the at least one vehicle as a function of engine speed and torque, where this energy consumption c is calculated based on operational data and may, for example, consist of diesel consumption, petrol consumption, gas consumption, ethanol consumption or

electricity consumption. By providing the energy consumption c for the at least one vehicle, the analysis of the energy consumption c may be significantly simplified. For example, based on the determined energy consumption c, it may be gleaned during which driving conditions and/or which runs the largest amount of energy is consumed, which means that attempts may be made to reduce these driving conditions and/or runs and thus to reduce the energy consumption c.

Thus, an easily understandable explanation of how energy consumption c depends on driving conditions and/or runs may be provided when the vehicle is developed/optimised, when the vehicle is sold or during driver training, for example. For example, in a sale, a seller may thus easily, and based on facts, show how the energy consumption c may be reduced through the choice of characteristics for the new vehicle. During driver training, it may be easily showed, based on facts, how the energy consumption c may be reduced by driving the vehicle in a manner that reduces fuel consumption, for example by reducing speed.

The energy consumption c provided through the present

invention may also be used to determine how well simulations correspond with reality and/or to adjust these simulations so that they correspond better with reality.

The present invention may also be used by, for example, a seller to create confidence among customers, since the seller will be perceived by the customers as interested and well informed if the seller is able to prove to the customers that he knows how the customers use their vehicles and what type of energy consumption c this results in.

It may often be a sensitive subject if a seller asks customers how they use their vehicles, and it is also common that the customers do not know in any detail how their vehicles are used. The seller may thus, by using the present invention, be assisted in increasing his customer knowledge significantly. It is often decisive for a seller to build up a network of contacts with customers who have confidence in him. In order to do so, it is important to know how they drive and how they want to use their vehicles in order to sell the right cars to them.

According to one embodiment of the present invention based on the energy consumption c provided, vehicle specifications are systematically obtained. This means that an optimal choice of a vehicle may be made when ordering and/or purchasing a vehicle, so that the total cost of the vehicle and also the driver comfort may be significantly improved.

Thanks to this embodiment, regard may be had to a large number of parameters which are related to various vehicle

characteristics when the vehicle specifications are prepared, which provides a much more reliable production of the vehicle specifications .

When the vehicle specifications are systematically produced, one or several simulations are carried out of how an

adjustment of one or several of these parameters impact the characteristic itself in the vehicle. This means that e.g. a seller may easily and comprehensively explain to, for example, the client how the choice of the different parameters will impact the driving experience and/or the total cost of the vehicle .

The one or several simulations are based on operating data which have been stored in one or several vehicles when these have been operational. Therefore, if the present invention is used, a hauling company or a vehicle owner, who has previously used one or several vehicles on a certain route or along a route similar to this certain route may, for example, use operating data from these vehicles if the vehicle which is to be ordered and/or purchased will be used on the same route. Similarly, a client and/or buyer may also use operating data from vehicles owned by other persons and/or companies, which use the vehicles for this route, or a similar route. Potentially, the use of operating data from vehicles owned by others may require a permission of some kind from the other vehicle owner.

Since operating data for a certain route comprise many

different types of information, such as speed limits on the route, topography of the route, road conditions of the route and driving resistance of the route, which may be used for the present invention in the one or several simulations, through the use of the embodiment, very detailed and optimised vehicle specifications may easily be produced by the system.

Significantly more parameters and also significantly more relevant values for these parameters will be used when the vehicle specifications are produced, than with prior art solutions. This means that the reliability when the vehicle specifications are produced becomes very good through the use of the embodiment.

The present invention may also be used to streamline the selling process. Sellers have previously often found it difficult not having enough time. Through one embodiment of the invention they may with, for example, the use of a chassis number and/or a registration number make simulations and/or optimisations directly, resulting in vehicle specifications. The time-consuming administration previously required during the selling process, which among others entailed interaction with the buyer, may therefore be minimised through the

embodiment .

Brief list of figures

The invention will be illustrated in more detail below, along with the enclosed drawings where similar references are used for similar parts, and where: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an example vehicle,

Figure 2 shows an example of an energy consumption matrix,

Figure 3 shows an example of a load matrix,

Figure 4 shows a control device according to the invention. Description of preferred embodiments

The present invention provides a system which may calculate an energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix, such as fuel consumption in the form of diesel consumption, petrol consumption, gas consumption, ethanol consumption or electric power consumption, which may be intuitively understood by, for example, a driver, seller and buyer of a vehicle, and may be used in driver training, sales and further development of the vehicle.

The system, according to the invention, comprises a collection device, calculation device and utilisation device. The

collection device is arranged for the collection of

operational data comprising information about how at least one vehicle has been used before the collection. The term

"arranged for" as used in this document comprises the terms "adapted for" and "installed for". Such operational data may be stored in today's vehicles while they are driven.

Operational data may be provided to the collection device either directly from the at least one vehicle, or may be stored in the interim in some form of a database. A database may in this case comprise essentially all suitable devices in which data may be stored, such as a server, computer,

database, register or similar storage device. Thus, the system may according to the invention collect operational data on which energy consumption calculations may suitably be based. According to one embodiment of the invention, operational data from more than one vehicle is used, so that the statistical reliability of the operational data increases. Thus,

operational data from several vehicles on a certain route may be collected and used by the system, for example. This reduces the risk of a driver's personal driving style causing

operational data from this driver's vehicle not being

representative of that of an average driver's. Thus, through this embodiment, an energy consumption c is obtained, which should be generally applicable to several drivers.

The system, according to the invention, further comprises a calculation device which is arranged to determine an energy consumption c for at least one vehicle as a function of engine speed and torque for a driveline in this at least one vehicle, where the driveline comprises e.g. the engine and the gearbox as described above. This determination of the energy

consumption c is based on operational data, which is collected by the collection device.

The system further comprises a utilisation device, which is arranged to use the energy consumption c determined by the system in e.g. sales, preparation of vehicle specifications, driver training and further development of the vehicle.

As mentioned above, the calculation device is, according to this invention, arranged to determine the energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix, which shows the energy consumption c per said engine speed and torque. For example, the energy consumption c in the form of diesel consumption for specific engine speeds and torque may be detected here, which provides a very intuitive provision of energy consumption information. Figure 2 shows a non-limiting example of such an energy consumption matrix. Along the X shaft, the engine speed is provided, for example an engine speed, and along the Y shaft the torque is provided, for example an engine torque, which has been submitted at the respective engine speed in relation to a maximum torque, in other words as a percentage of the maximum torque. The maximum torque may be different at

different engine speeds. At different/certain engine speeds (the X shaft) and different/certain torques (the Y shaft) the vehicle thus has an energy consumption c, where the values for the energy consumption c for the fields in the energy

consumption matrix may be normalised with respect to all fields in the energy consumption matrix, so that a normalised energy consumption matrix is obtained. The value for the energy consumption c for the fields is calculated based on the vehicle saving values within a torque area, for example 85-98% of the maximum torque, and within an engine speed area, for example 1,240-1,320 rpm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the utilisation device is arranged to present the said energy consumption matrix graphically. Such a presentation may be made in a great number of ways, for example through display on a screen, through printout on paper or in another manner for display which is known to a person skilled in the art. The energy consumption matrix which is provided by the present invention has one advantage in that it shows directly at which engine speed and torque the vehicle consumes its energy. For example, with the help of the energy consumption matrix it is realised that the vehicle consumes a relatively small amount of its energy when idle, but that it consumers a relatively large amount of its energy at high load, that is, at high torque . According to one embodiment of the present invention the calculation device is arranged to determine the energy consumption c based on a load matrix. This load matrix shows time used per engine speed and torque and is based on

operational data.

Figure 3 shows such a load matrix. Along the X shaft the engine speed is provided, as an engine speed, and along the Y shaft the torque is provided, as an engine torque, which is used for the respective engine speed an relation to a maximum torque. The maximum torque may be different at different engine speeds. At different/certain engine speeds (X shaft) and different/certain torque (Y shaft) the vehicle thus has been used for a period of time t, where the value for the period of time t for the field in the load matrix may be normalised with regard to all fields in the load matrix, through which a normalised load matrix is obtained. The value for the t fields is calculated by the vehicle saving values within a torque area, for example 85-98% of the maximum torque, and within an engine speed area, for example 1,240- 1,320 rpm.

As is clear in the load matrix, the vehicle has, for example, spent a relatively long period of time idling, which may mean that an analysis of the load matrix may lead to the erroneous conclusion that the energy consumption c for this idling is large. Through the present invention, instead the correct conclusion may be drawn, namely that the energy consumption c for the idling is relatively small. When the load matrix is analysed, it also looks as though relatively little energy is consumed with a high load, i.e. high torque, even though the energy consumption matrix according to the present invention clearly indicates that a relatively large part of the energy consumption c occurs with high loads. Thus, with the present invention a more correct and even more easily intelligible information related to operational data in the form of an energy consumption matrix is obtained than what is provided by the load matrix. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the calculation device uses an engine clam to convert the time used specified in the load matrix to energy consumption c in the energy consumption matrix. The engine clam comprises information related to consumed energy per time unit and per engine speed and torque.

For example, the engine clam may specify the amount of fuel which the engine 101 consumes per injection into the engine with the respective torque and engine speed. This amount of fuel may, for example, be obtained based on measurements of an engine in a cell, i.e. on measurements of an engine installed in a test cell for which the amount of injected fuel is measured to obtain values for the torques at corresponding engine speeds .

For a speed and torque, i.e. for a field in the energy

consumption matrix, the product of the amount of fuel per injection multiplied by the number of injections during the period of time t for the corresponding field in the load matrix gives the energy consumption c in the form of the amount of fuel which is consumed for this field. Thus, the energy consumption c in the form of fuel consumption for a field in the energy consumption matrix may be determined according to: c = (fuel per injection) * (number of injections during t) ; where (Equ. 1) - c is the energy consumption in the form of fuel consumption for a field in the energy consumption matrix; and

- t is the value for the corresponding field in the load matrix . Equation 1 may be described in more detail as: c = (fuel per injection) * t devolutions * (number of injections revolutions); where (Equ. 2)

- c is the energy consumption in the form of fuel consumption for a field in the energy consumption matrix; and - t is the value for the corresponding field in the load matrix .

According to one embodiment of the invention, the utilisation device is arranged to use the determined energy consumption c on an assessment of how well a simulated use of the at least one vehicle corresponds with a real use of the at least one vehicle. Simulations of the use of a vehicle may, for example, be used when vehicle specifications for vehicles are prepared, which is described in more detail below. Simulations may also be used, for example, in the further development of vehicles, driver training and other situations where it is advantageous to estimate how a vehicle is used and/or behaves in different driving conditions.

The assessment of how well the simulation corresponds to reality is carried out according to one embodiment through the calculation device first determining the energy consumption Csim for the simulated use of the vehicle and for the

corresponding real use, respectively. Subsequently, the utilisation device compares the energy consumption c_Sim for the simulated use with the energy consumption c_act for the actual use. If there are differences between the simulated and the actual uses, the parameters for the simulated use are adjusted based on the comparison, so that the simulation becomes more similar to reality. Thus very realistic simulations are obtained.

As a non-limiting example, the energy consumption c_Si_m for the simulated use of the vehicle may be determined based on operational data from an engine perspective and from a vehicle perspective, where the vehicle perspective may comprise a number of different parameters in the vehicle.

It has become apparent that operational data related to the used vehicle speed, road inclination and/or weight for the vehicle may in many cases be used to provide reliable values for the energy consumption c_Si_m for the simulated use of the vehicle. For example, the simulations may then be carried out in cycles for different speed intervals. Once the simulations have been completed, for example, based at least on vehicle speed, road inclination and/or weight for the vehicle, the utilisation device may compare the energy consumption c_si_m for the simulated use with the energy consumption c_ac for the actual use.

If there is a difference between the energy consumption c_Si_m for the simulated use and the energy consumption c_ac for the actual use, this difference may be derived from traffic disturbances and/or the driver's behaviour which have impacted the actual use. Operational data related to the driver's behaviour may then be added to the continued simulations of the energy consumption c_Si_m -

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system is arranged according to the present invention in order to carry out a systematic selection of a specification for a first vehicle.

For example, components in relation to which the

customer/buyer has relatively high requirements, which may correspond to engine specifications and tyre dimensions, may first be selected here. Subsequently, systematic simulations for performance related to other potential customer selections may be made. By first selecting components which are important to customers/buyers, and in relation to which customers/buyers often know what they want, the number of potentially suitable selections may be restricted. Thus, calculation-effective simulations are obtained, which are aimed at specifications in which customers/buyers with great likelihood are interested.

The vehicle specifications to be selected comprise a number of parameters related to at least one characteristic for the first vehicle. Typically, the present invention may thus be used when an order and/or purchase of a vehicle is to be made, since vehicle specifications are necessary for the newly built vehicle which is to be ordered, or the used vehicle which is to be purchased, to have the characteristics requested by the buyer. The present invention may, however, also be used in other situations where simulations of vehicle characteristics based on a number of parameters obtained from operational data are carried out. The systematic selection of specifications of the first vehicle may, for example, be carried out so that the energy efficiency for the first vehicle is rewarded. In other words, the specifications are selected based on an energy efficiency for the first vehicle, where the energy efficiency may be determined based on a second vehicle's actual use according to vehicle-specific operational data. The vehicle-specific operational data may here comprise cycles of operational data for a road section, where each one of these cycles comprises speed, road inclination and start/stop corresponding to the road section. As an example, if operational data related to vehicle speed show that the vehicle is often driven at high speeds, the parameters related to characteristics such as air resistance, gearing for the driveline, rolling resistance and driver support functions may be selected for the specifications based on this information about the speed use.

Also, for example skirts, spoilers and other devices that impact air resistance may be selected based on operational data regarding speed. Tyres may also be selected in order to provide a suitable rolling resistance for the speed used. The idea is thus that the new vehicle, for which

specifications are prepared, will, with relatively great probability, be used in a similar manner as the second

vehicle, where operational data for the second vehicle may be used, on which energy efficient selections for the vehicle specifications may be based. If, for example, operational data indicate that a high weight has been used previously, it is relatively likely that vehicle specifications for a vehicle with a high weight should be prepared. Similarly, the vehicle specifications should be prepared for high speeds if the operational data indicate that high speeds have been used previously. Thus, it is often a wise choice to select

parameters in the vehicle specifications that would have been optimal for the vehicle-specific operational data.

In order to provide customers/buyers with some freedom of choice, the system may be adapted to prepare a number, e.g. 5 different suitable vehicle specifications, which are then presented to the customers/buyers. A seller may, when these are presented, tell directly which specifications would be more energy optimal for the customers/buyers based on the operational data provided. However, customers may appreciate the feeling that they may actually contribute with their own requests in the actual decision process. For example, a customer may have requests regarding the vehicle weight and/or transport time and deem these sufficiently important to be taken into consideration when the decision is made. Therefore, a presentation of a number of different specifications, which would all constitute suitable specifications for the

customer/buyer, may be suitable in certain cases.

The system according to this embodiment comprises the

utilisation device and a simulation device.

The simulation device is arranged to simulate how an

adjustment of at least one of the parameters impacts the at least one characteristic for the first vehicle. This

simulation device is, according to the present invention, installed to carry out the simulation based on the determined energy consumption c. With the help of the determined energy consumption c, it may be verified whether the simulation parameters used have the correct values. The simulation parameters may also be adjusted based on the determined energy consumption c, since the energy consumption c easily shows when most of the fuel is consumed and also what should be done to reduce the consumption.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the system is arranged to select the at least one second vehicle, so that the at least one second vehicle has been used in an

essentially similar manner as planned for the first vehicle. In other words, the system here chooses to base the preparation of the vehicle specifications for other vehicles, which with high probability produces vehicle specifications that are well adjusted to the first vehicle's future use. For example, the at least one second vehicle may be selected so that it has driven on one or several routes on which it is planned that the first vehicle will be driven. The at least one second vehicle may also be selected so that it has driven on one or several routes which in one or several respects are similar to the one or several routes on which it is planned that the first vehicle will be driven. Thus, vehicle

specifications may be obtained which are tailored, i.e.

directly adjusted for, future use of the first vehicle, providing a low total cost for the vehicle and at the same time good driver comfort.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system's collection device comprises a receiving device, an identification device and a collection device. The receiving device is arranged to receive an input of identification information for the at least one second vehicle. This

identification information may typically be a chassis number, a registration number, or some other information which is suitable for the purposes of vehicle identification. The identification device is arranged to identify the at least one second vehicle based on the identification information, following which the collection device is arranged to collect operational data for the identified vehicle.

For example, one or several registration numbers for one or several vehicles, which a client and/or buyer and/or seller knows or believes have suitable operational data, may be fed into the system's receiving device. Typically, clients and/or buyers may specify a registration number of one of their previous vehicles, which the clients and/or buyers know has been used in a similar manner as the new vehicle, will be used following which operational data for this identified vehicle is collected to the system and may be used via the energy consumption c to determine the vehicle specifications.

Once operational data have been collected from one or several suitable vehicles, and the energy consumption c has been determined, different simulations may be carried out based on this energy consumption c, for which one or several parameter values is changed. These different simulations may then be compared with each other and/or used to see what impact the adjustment of parameter values will have on the vehicle's characteristics, and suitable vehicle specifications may be selected systematically. More specifically, the simulation device is installed for this embodiment by calculating a first simulation value through a first simulation based on the energy consumption and on at least one first parameter value for at least one of several parameters. This at least one first parameter value is here related to a first vehicle specification. The simulation device is also installed to calculate a second simulation value through a second simulation based on the energy

consumption c and on at least one second parameter value for at least one of several parameters, where the second parameter value is related to a second vehicle specification.

A comparing device then compares whether the simulation parameters used have the correct values and compares the first and second simulation values, following which an indication is provided as to whether the first vehicle specification or the second vehicle specification is suitable. The suitable vehicle specifications may thus be provided based on a comparison of the first and second simulation values.

According to one embodiment of the invention, several vehicle specifications may be indicated as suitable. A number of other simulation values are comprised in the at least one second simulation value, where each one of these several second simulation values is calculated based on the at least one respective second parameter value. The comparing device then compares the first simulation value with these several second simulation values. Subsequently, a predetermined number of vehicle specifications is identified as potentially suitable vehicle specifications based on the comparison. An indication of this predetermined number of potentially suitable vehicle specifications is then provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and the at least one second simulation values are related to fuel consumption. Thus, the comparing device here decides a

difference in fuel consumption which results from the

adjustment of the parameter, i.e. the difference in fuel consumption between the first and the second simulation. Since the first and the second simulations are related to a first and a second vehicle specification, respectively, the

comparison will also indicate a difference in fuel consumption for each vehicle specifications for the energy consumption c which is used in the simulations. The difference in fuel consumption may be indicated in a number of different ways, for example as a percentage, as litres per 100 km, as energy or as carbon dioxide emissions. Since fuel consumption is important both to the vehicle's total cost and to the

environment, the difference in fuel consumption for the different vehicle specifications may be an important factor in the selection of a vehicle. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and the at least one second simulation values are related to an energy storage. In this document, the term energy storage comprises essentially all devices which may store some sort of energy, such as a battery or capacitor, which may be loaded and store electric energy, a flywheel, which comprises a mass that may be set in rotation so that rotation energy is stored as the rotating mass, or a rubber band, which is untwisted to be able to emit the energy when the rubber band reverts to its original position. Energy may here, for example, be stored when braking in order to later be used in subsequent

accelerations, which is typically used in e.g. hybrid cars.

According to the embodiment, the comparing device thus

determines a difference in energy storage between the first and second vehicle specifications since these are related to the first and the second simulation, respectively, or the comparing device determines at least whether there is a potential gain in energy storage. A potential gain in energy storage depends on how the second vehicle has been driven. Generally, a large quantity of energy may be stored and recycled if a lot of braking is done. However, despite this it may be more energy efficient to drive the vehicle with less braking. At least the number and length of brakings and their suitability should be taken into consideration when the potential gain in energy storage is determined.

Each one of the parameters which are used in the simulations according to the present invention may, for example, be related to the one or several vehicle characteristics [, ] a gearing for a rear shaft, gearbox, engine, clutch, brake system, turbocharger, wheel type, distribution gearbox, battery, air resistance, rolling resistance, tyre type and exhaust purification system. A tyre type is defined in this document by its pattern and/or rubber mixture. Thus, a

simulation where one parameter is related to a rear shaft gearing may, for example, be adjusted to determine how this affects the rear shaft gearing specifically. Similarly, adjustments of parameters related to the gearbox, engine, clutch, brake system, turbocharger, wheel type, distribution gearbox, battery, air resistance, rolling resistance, tyre type and exhaust purification system may be used to simulate how the characteristics for the gearbox, engine, clutch, brake system, turbocharger, wheel type, distribution gearbox, battery, air resistance, rolling resistance, tyre type and exhaust purification system are impacted by the adjustment. Thus, vehicle specifications comprising a number of such parameters may be prepared with the use of the present

invention, where these parameters have been adjusted so that the vehicle characteristics are those desired by the client and/or the buyer.

Thus, the air resistance for the vehicle may, for example, be altered by adding/removing skirts, spoilers or other air resistance impacting devices in order to adjust the vehicle to a use within a certain speed interval. Thus, the coherence between the vehicle specifications and the actual use may be improved .

The operational data upon which e.g. the load matrix is based may comprise a utilisation period for the respective at least one gear in the gearbox 103 in the at least one other vehicle. Thus, the operational data here specify which gears have been used and how long the different gears have been used in the at least one other vehicle. Operational data for the utilisation period for gears may, according to one embodiment, be stored in connection with the gearbox 103 in the at least one other vehicle. Operational data for the utilisation period for gears may according to one embodiment also be calculated, for example, based on the load matrix, which comprises values corresponding to time periods when the at least one other vehicle has used different engine speeds and different engine torques. According to one embodiment, operational data are thus provided to the system according to the present invention in the form of at least one load matrix, where the at least one load matrix comprises values corresponding to time periods during which the at least one other vehicle has used different engine speeds and different engine torques.

Operational data may further comprise a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine speed which is provided to a gearbox in the at least one other vehicle. Here, the

operational data specify a description of which engine speeds have been used by the other vehicle and for how long these different engine speeds have been used in the at least one other vehicle.

The operational data may further comprise a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine speed which is provided to the gearbox 103 in the at least one other vehicle, i.e. a description of which engine torques have been used and for how long these engine torques were used.

The operational data may further comprise at least one fuel consumption for the engine 101 in the at least one other vehicle.

According to one embodiment, losses in the driveline for two different vehicles, or for two different vehicle

specifications, may be simulated based on the speeds and driving forces. These losses may then be compared mutually. The operational data may further comprise a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine torque per used gear in the at least one other vehicle, i.e. a description of which engine torques have been used for the different gears and for how long these engine torques were used. This embodiment provides a good resolution for the engine torque since it is divided per gear.

The operational data may further comprise at least one loss for a driveline in the at least one other vehicle. The operational data may further comprise at least one road inclination a and at least one vehicle speed for road sections where the at least one other vehicle has been used, typically for road sections along routes where the first vehicle is planned to be used. Based on the road inclination a and the speed, the driving resistance may be calculated, i.e. the forces that brake the vehicle's progress.

The operational data may further comprise at least one used speed profile for the at least one other vehicle. These one or several speed profiles may be used to carry out one or several simulations for different speed intervals. These simulations may be carried out in cycles comprising start/stop, speeds and road inclination for a road section. These cycles may be market adapted, so that e.g. a cycle corresponds to a speed interval and/or a road inclination profile for a country or a region with special speed limits and/or topography, such as Germany .

Operational data may further comprise at least one used weight for the at least one other vehicle. Often a new vehicle takes over an old route, so that the weight may often be similar to the ones in the collected operational data. The operational data may further comprise at least one

elevation above sea level for places where the at least one other vehicle has been used. Thus a characteristic for the turbocharger may be determined. For example, there are

turbochargers which are specially adapted for use at high altitudes, which may be selected in the vehicle

specifications. Engine characteristics may also be determined based on at least one elevation above sea level, since

different engines are suitable to different extents for different elevations.

According to one embodiment of the invention, operational data comprise a vehicle load for the other vehicle. The vehicle load may, together with the speed for the other vehicle, be used in order to base the simulation on. The vehicle load may here preferably be stored as a vehicle load per speed in order to be used easily for simulations. Load/vehicle load in this document means the mass or weight for the items transported by the vehicle. In other words, the load/vehicle load is, for example, related to the items in the vehicle's trunk or on the vehicle's loading platform.

A person skilled in the art will realise that the system for the use of operational data according to the present invention may also be implemented in a computer program, which when executed in a computer will cause the computer to carry out the method. The computer program usually consists of a part of a computer program product 403, where the computer program product comprises a suitable digital storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The said computer readable medium consists of a suitable memory, for example: ROM (Read- Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM

(Erasable PROM) , Flash, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM) , a hard disk device, etc. Figure 4 shows schematically a control device 400. The control device 400 comprises a calculation device 401, which may consist of essentially a suitable type of processor or

microcomputer, e.g. a circuit for digital signal processing (Digital Signal Processor, DSP) , or a circuit with a specific function (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC) . The calculation device 401 is connected to a memory unit 402 installed in the control device 400, which provides the calculation device 401 with e.g. the stored program code and/or the stored data which the calculation device 401 needs in order to be able to carry out calculations. The calculation device 401 is also set up to store interim or final results of calculations in the memory device 402.

Further, the control device 400 is equipped with devices 411, 412, 413, 414 for receiving and sending of input and output signals, respectively. These input and output signals may contain wave shapes, pulses, or other attributes, which may be detected by the devices 411, 413 for the receipt of input signals as information and may be converted into signals that may be processed by the calculation device 401. These signals are then provided to the calculation device 401. The devices 412, 414 for sending of output signals are arranged to

transform signals received from the calculation device 401 for the creation of output signals by e.g. modulating the signals, which may be transmitted to other parts of and/or systems in the vehicle.

Each one of the connections to the devices for receipt and sending of input and output signals may consist of one or several of a cable; a data bus, such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, a MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) bus, or any other bus configuration; or of a wireless connection. A person skilled in the art will realise that the above mentioned computer may consist of the calculation device 401 and that the above mentioned memory may consist of the memory device 402.

Generally, control systems in modern vehicles consist of a communications bus system consisting of one or several

communications buses to connect a number of electronic control devices (ECUs) , or controllers, and different components localised on the vehicle. Such a control system may comprise a large number of control devices, and the responsibility for a specific function may be distributed among more than one control device. Vehicles of the type shown thus often comprise significantly more control devices than as displayed in figure 4, which is well known to a person skilled in the art within the technology area. The present invention is implemented in the embodiment shown in the control device 400. The invention may also be

implemented wholly or partly in one or several other control devices already existing in the vehicle or a control device dedicated to the present invention. A person skilled in the art will also realise that the above system may be modified according to the different embodiments of the method according to the invention. In addition, the invention pertains to a motor vehicle 1, for example a truck or bus, comprising at least one system for the use of

operational data according to the invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the invention described above, but pertains to and comprises all embodiments within the protected scope of the enclosed

independent claims.

Claims

Patent claims

1. System for the use of operational data from at least one vehicle (100), characterised by:

- a collection device arranged for the collection of the said operational data, where the said operational data comprise information regarding how the said at least one vehicle has been used;

- a calculation device arranged to determine an energy consumption c based on the said operational data in the form of an energy consumption matrix for the said at least one vehicle (100) as a function of engine speed and torque for a driveline in the said at least one vehicle (100); and

- a utilisation device arranged to use the said energy consumption c.

2. System according to patent claim 1, where the said energy consumption c corresponds to at least one fuel

consumption from the group:

- diesel consumption;

- petrol consumption;

- gas consumption;

- ethanol consumption; and

- power consumption.

3. System according to any of patent claims 1-2, where the said energy consumption matrix shows the energy

consumption c per mentioned engine speed and torque.

4. System according to any of patent claims 1-3, where the said utilisation device is arranged to present the said energy consumption matrix graphically.

5. System according to any of patent claims 1-2, where the said calculation device is arranged to determine the said energy consumption c based on a load matrix, which is based on operational data and shows the used time per the said engine speed and torque.

6. System according to patent claim 5, where the said calculation device is arranged to in connection with the said determination use an engine clam to convert the said used time in the load matrix into an energy consumption c, where the said energy consumption matrix is obtained.

7. System according to patent claim 6, where the said engine clam comprises information related to consumed energy per time unit and per engine speed and torque.

8. System according to any of patent claims 1-7, where the said utilisation device is arranged to use the said energy consumption c when assessing how well a simulated use of the said at least one vehicle corresponds with the actual use of the said at least one vehicle.

9. System according to patent claim 8, where:

- the said calculation device is arranged to determine the said energy consumption for the said simulated use c_si_m and for the said actual use c_act; and

- the said utilisation device is arranged to compare the said energy consumption c_si_m for the said simulated use with the said energy consumption c_ac for the said actual use, and to adjust the said simulated use based on the said comparison.

10. System according to any of patent claims 1-9, where the said system is arranged to carry out a systematic choice of a specification for a first vehicle, where the said

specification comprises several parameters related to at least one characteristic for the said first vehicle, where the said utilisation device comprises a simulation device arranged for simulation of how an adjustment of at least one of several parameters impacts the said at least one characteristic for the said first vehicle, where the said simulation is based on the said energy consumption c.

11. System according to any of patent claim 10, where the said system is arranged to select the said at least one other vehicle, so that the said at least one other vehicle has been used in an essentially similar manner as planned for the said first vehicles.

12. System according to any of patent claims 10-11, where the said operational data comprise information related to at least one use of the said at least one other vehicle from the group :

- a utilisation period for the respective at least one gear in a gearbox (103) in the said at least one other vehicle;

- a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine speed which is provided to a gearbox (103) in the said at least one other vehicle;

- a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine torque which is provided to a gearbox (103) in the said at least one other vehicle;

- a utilisation period for the respective at least one engine torque per used gear for a gearbox (103) in the said at least one other vehicle;

- at least one fuel consumption for an engine (101) in the said at least one other vehicle;

- at least one driving power for at least one wheel (111, 112, 113, 114) in the said at least one other vehicle;

at least one loss for a driveline in the said at least one other vehicle;

- at least one road inclination a and at least one vehicle speed for road sections where the said at least one other vehicle has been used;

- one weight for the said at least one other vehicle; and -at least one elevation above sea level for places where the said at least one other vehicle has been used.

13. System according to any of patent claims 10-12, where the said simulation device is arranged to at least carry out the steps to:

- calculate a first simulation value based on the said

operational data and on at least one first parameter value for at least one of the said several parameters, where the said at least one first parameter value is related to a first

specification;

- calculate at least one other simulation value based on the said operational data and on at least one other parameter value for the said at least one of the said several

parameters, where the said at least one other parameter value is related to a second specification;

compare the said first simulation value and the said at least one other simulation value;

- indicate the said first specification or the said second specification as a suitable specification based on the said comparison .

14. System according to patent claim 13, where the said first simulation value and the said at least one other

simulation value is related to at least one from the group:

- fuel consumption;

- driveability;

- component life; and

- energy storage.

15. System according to any of patent claims 10-14, where at least one of the said several parameters is related to at least one characteristic from the group:

- a gearing for a rear shaft;

- a gearbox (103) ;

- an engine (101);

- a clutch (106) ;

- a brake system;

- a turbocharger ;

- a wheel type;

- a distribution gearbox;

- a battery;

- air resistance for the said vehicle;

- rolling resistance for the said vehicle;

- tyre type; and

- an exhaust purification system (200) .

16. Computer program comprising a program code which, when the said program code is executed in a computer, achieves that the said computer carries out a method for the use of operational data, characterised by:

- a collection of operational data from at least one vehicle, where the said operational data comprise information about how the said at least one vehicle has been used;

- a calculation based on the said operational data to

determine an energy consumption c in the form of an energy consumption matrix for the said vehicle as a function of engine speed and torque for a driveline in the said vehicle; and

- a utilisation of the said energy consumption c.

17. Computer program product comprising a computer readable medium and a computer program according to patent claim 16, where said computer program is comprised in said computer readable medium.