SE1250295A1

SE1250295A1 - Device and method for streamlining fuel utilization during the speed of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: SE1250295A1
Application number: SE1250295A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Tony Sandberg
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2012-03-27
Filing date: 2012-03-27
Publication date: 2013-09-28
Also published as: WO2013147682A1; EP2830919A4; EP2830919A1; SE537447C2

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for enhancing fuel utilization during forward travel of a vehicle (100; 110). The method comprises the steps of: - determining (s420) a position of the vehicle relative to a lead vehicle, which position is optimal from a fuel utilization standpoint; - furnishing (s430) a basis for an adaptation of the forward travel of the vehicle to the thus determined optimal position relative to said lead vehicle; and - adapting (s440) the forward travel of the vehicle in accordance with the basis thus furnished. The invention also concerns a computer program product containing program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing a method according to the invention. The invention also concerns an apparatus and a motor vehicle (100; 110) that is equipped with the apparatus.

Description

1 Anordning och forfarande for effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon TEKNISKT OMRADE Foreliggande uppfinning avser ett forfarande for effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon. Uppfinningen avser ocksa en datorprogramprodukt innefattande programkod for en dator for att implementera ett fOrfarande enligt uppfinningen. Uppfinningen avser ocksa en anordning samt ett motorfordon som är utrustat med anordningen. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code for a computer for implementing a method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a device and a motor vehicle which is equipped with the device.

BAKGRUND Hos fordon av idag ãr luftmotstandet vid lard en faktor som paverkar branslekonsumtion, i synnerhet hos t.ex. lastbilar eller andra relativt stora fordon som har en star frontarea. BACKGROUND In today's vehicles, the air resistance at lard is a factor that affects industry consumption, especially in e.g. trucks or other relatively large vehicles that have a star front area.

Luftmotstandet hos ett bakomliggande fordon beror till stor del pa vilket avstand som foreligger till det framforliggande fordonet. I princip kan anges att ju mindre avstand som foreligger till ett framforvarande fordon, desto mindre luftmotstand och darmed kan bransleferbrukning has det bakomvarande fordonet reduceras. I de fall ciâ tvâ eller fler fordon ingar i ett sa kallat fordonstag, d.v.s. dã bakomvarande fordon kOr relativt nara framforvarande fordon, kan bransleforbrukningen hos dessa fordon reduceras med exempelvis 5-15%. Att framfora fordon i fordonstag kan saledes reducera branslekostnader tamligen avsevart. The air resistance of a vehicle behind depends largely on the distance to the vehicle in front. In principle, it can be stated that the smaller the distance available to a vehicle in front, the less air resistance and thus the fuel consumption of the vehicle behind can be reduced. In cases where two or more vehicles are in a so-called vehicle roof, i.e. Since the vehicles behind are relatively close to the vehicles in front, the fuel consumption of these vehicles can be reduced by, for example, 5-15%. Driving vehicles in vehicle roofs can thus reduce operating costs quite considerably.

Fordon av idag kan vara utrustade med radarteknologi fOr att mata in ett avstand till ett framfOrvarande fordon. Vissa fordon kan aven vara utrustade med ett styrsystem fOr att automatiskt uppratthalla ett av en fOrare valt avstand till ett framforvarande fordon. Enligt ett exempel kan ett sadant 2 system inbegripa ett manOvreringsorgan, t.ex. i form av en spak, med vilket foraren manuellt kan stalla in ett lage som motsvarar en viss tid eller ett visst avstand tram till ett framforvarande fordon. Enligt ett utforande kan namnda manovreringsorgan ha fem olika lagen som motsvarar diskreta steg fOr 5 avstand mellan 10 och 75 meter. Detta kan motsvaras av tider inom intervallet 1-3 sekunder. I ett fOrsta lage kan det bakomvarande fordonet drivas pa ett sadant salt att det kommer befinna sig ca 1 sekund efter namnda framfOrvarande fordon. I ett femte lage kan det bakomvarande fordonet drivas pa ett sadant salt att det kommer befinna sig ca 3 sekunder 10 efter namnda framfOrvarande fordon. Detta system är automatiserat hos det bakomvarande fordonet. Vehicles of today can be equipped with radar technology to enter a distance to a vehicle in front. Some vehicles may also be equipped with a control system to automatically maintain a distance selected by a driver to a vehicle in front. According to one example, such a system may include an actuator, e.g. in the form of a lever, with which the driver can manually set a position corresponding to a certain time or a certain distance tram to a vehicle in front. According to one embodiment, said actuating means may have five different layers which correspond to discrete steps for a distance between 10 and 75 meters. This can correspond to times in the range of 1-3 seconds. In a first position, the vehicle behind can be driven on such a salt that it will be about 1 second after said vehicle in front. In a fifth position, the vehicle behind can be driven on such a salt that it will be about 3 seconds after said vehicle in front. This system is automated in the vehicle behind.

En forare kan alternativt valja att sjalv valja att framfora sitt fordon pa ett visst avstand till det framfOrvarande fordonet. Detta kan ske pa konventionellt satt genom att gasa eller bromsa fordonet. Det kan harvid vara svart och pafrestande att manuellt forsOka uppratthalla ett konstant lampligt relativt avstand till ett framfOrvarande fordon. A driver may alternatively choose to drive his vehicle at a certain distance from the vehicle in front. This can be done in a conventional way by accelerating or braking the vehicle. It can then be black and stressful to manually try to maintain a constant light relative distance to a vehicle in front.

Det dr idag svart for en forare att veta vilket avstand som är ett optimalt avstand till ett framfOrvarande fordon eftersom denne omOjligen kan ta hansyn till parametrar som frontarea hos framforliggande fordon, fordonshastighet, lufttemperatur etc. Today, it is difficult for a driver to know which distance is an optimal distance to a vehicle in front, since he can possibly take into account parameters such as the front area of the vehicle in front, vehicle speed, air temperature, etc.

Harvid saknas bade incitament for och kunskap om att, hos fordonstag, 25 framfora ett eget bakomliggande fordon pa ett sadant salt att bransleforbrukning kan reduceras. In this case, there is a lack of both incentives and knowledge that, in the case of vehicle stays, 25 drive one's own vehicle behind on such a salt that fuel consumption can be reduced.

US 20100007728 beskriver ett system for detektering av objekt i ett synfalt belaget framfOr eller bakom ett fordon, varvid en process fer omgivningsavkanning utfors av en radarsensor. En harvid genererad radarsignal anvands for analys och en videosensor dr anordnad att utfOra en omgivningsavkanningsprocess. 3 SAMMANFATTNING AV UPPFINNINGEN Ett syfte med foreliggande uppfinning är att tillhandahdlla ett nytt och fardelaktigt farfarande far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framf art hos ett fordon. US 20100007728 describes a system for detecting objects in a visually coated front or rear of a vehicle, wherein a process for ambient scanning is performed by a radar sensor. A radar signal generated thereby is used for analysis and a video sensor is arranged there to perform an ambient scanning process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new and hazardous process for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle.

Ett annat syfte med uppfinningen är att tillhandahdlla en ny och fordelaktig anordning och ett nytt och fordelaktigt datorprogram for effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and advantageous device and a new and advantageous computer program for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle.

Ytterligare ett syfte med uppfinningen dr att tillhandahdlla ett forfarande, en anordning och ett datorprogram far att astadkomma ett anvandarvanligt hjalpmedel for en farare sã att denne ska kunna framfara sitt fordon pa. ett effektivt salt beaktande ett framfarvarande fordon och luftmotstandet. A further object of the invention is to provide a method, a device and a computer program for providing a user-friendly aid for a driver so that he can drive his vehicle on. an effective salt taking into account an oncoming vehicle and the air resistance.

Ytterligare ett syfte med uppfinningen är att tillhandahdlla ett alternativt forfarande, en alternativ anordning och ett alternativt datorprogram far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett bakomliggande fordon i ett fordonstag. A further object of the invention is to provide an alternative method, an alternative device and an alternative computer program for streamlining fuel utilization while driving an underlying vehicle in a vehicle roof.

Dessa syften uppnas med ett farfarande far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon enligt patentkrav 1. These objects are achieved with a procedure for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle according to claim 1.

Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen tillhandahdlls ett forfarande far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon. Forfarandet innefattar stegen att: - faststalla en fran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal beldgenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framfervarande fordon; - tillhandahdlla underlag for en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den sdlunda faststallda optimala beldgenheten relativt namnda framfarvarande fordon; 4 - anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det sdlunda tillhandahdllna underlaget. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of: - determining an optimum brightness of the vehicle relative to an advancing vehicle from the point of view of industry utilization; - provide a basis for an adaptation of the vehicle's travel to the thus determined optimal bellows unit relative to said advancing vehicle; 4 - adapt the vehicle's progress according to the base thus provided.

Forfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - faststalla sardrag far framfarvarande fordon medelst avbildning. Exempelvis kan en frontarea hos framfarvarande fordon faststallas medelst bildbehandling. Vidare kan en lastkonfiguration has framfarvarande fordon faststallas. Harvid astadkommes ett noggrant och automatiserat salt att faststalla viktiga sardrag som kan ligga till grund far on berdkning far att bestamma ett optimalt avstand till ett framfarvarande fordon. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - determining the characteristics of the vehicle in front by means of imaging. For example, a front area of the vehicle in front can be determined by image processing. Furthermore, a load configuration of the vehicle in front can be determined. In this way, an accurate and automated salt is provided to determine important features that can form the basis for determining the optimal distance to a vehicle in progress.

Forfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - tillhandahdlla sardrag for det egna fordonet. Data representerande namnda sardrag kan vara inlagrade i ett minne i en styrenhet hos fordonet. Harvid astadkommes ett noggrant och automatiserat salt att faststalla viktiga sardrag hos det egna fordonet som kan ligga till grund far en berdkning for att bestamma ett optimalt avstand till ett framfarvarande fordon. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - providing features for the own vehicle. Data representing said features may be stored in a memory in a control unit of the vehicle. In this case, an accurate and automated salt is provided to determine important features of the own vehicle which may form the basis for a calculation in order to determine an optimal distance to a vehicle in progress.

Forfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - faststalla en fordonshastighet. Detta kan ske pa olika sal Enligt ett exempel anvands en GPS-mottagare hos fordonet. Alternativt kan far andamdlet avsedda sensorer hos fordonet faststalla en radande fordonshastighet. Den faststallda fordonshastigheten är vanligtvis vdsentligen lika star som has ett framfarvarande fordon dâ fordonen ingar i ett fordonstag. Harvid astadkommes ett noggrant och automatiserat satt att faststalla viktiga parametrar som kan ligga till grund far en berakning for att bestamma ett optimalt avstand till ett framfarvarande fordon. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - determining a vehicle speed. This can be done in different rooms According to an example, a GPS receiver is used in the vehicle. Alternatively, the sensor sensors intended for the vehicle may determine a radiating vehicle speed. The determined vehicle speed is usually substantially the same as that of a vehicle in progress when the vehicles are in a vehicle stay. This provides an accurate and automated way of determining important parameters that can form the basis for a calculation to determine an optimal distance to a vehicle in progress.

Namnda optimala beldgenhet kan inbegripa fordonens relativa avstand ochieller en harvid inbardes sidopositionering. Aven om beskrivningen hari framst är inriktad mot att finna ett optimalt avstand till ett framfarvarande fordon och fortlopande, intermittent eller vid ett lampligt tillfdlle dterkoppla ett utfall av en bedomning av hur foraren framfor sitt fordon kan uppfinningen aven beakta en mellan tva fordon inbordes sidopositionering i en fardriktning. Det kan enligt vissa omstandigheter vara fOrdelaktigt att ett bakomvarande fordon k6r snett bakom ett framforvarande fordon pa ett visst avstand. Said optimum beam unit may include the relative distance of the vehicles and a lateral positioning involved. Although the description here is primarily aimed at finding an optimal distance to a passing vehicle and continuously, intermittently or in a suitable case, provide an outcome of an assessment of how the driver in front of his vehicle, the invention can also consider a side position of two vehicles embedded in a direction of travel. According to certain circumstances, it may be advantageous for a vehicle behind to drive obliquely behind a vehicle in front at a certain distance.

FOrfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - far fordonets forare presentera namnda underlag, exempelvis i form av avstandsangivelser. Namnda underlag kan presenteras visuellt och/eller audiellt och/eller taktilt med lampliga aterkopplingsorgan. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - having the driver of the vehicle present the said surface, for example in the form of distance indications. Said substrates can be presented visually and / or audibly and / or tactilely with suitable feedback means.

FOrfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - fortlopande bedoma fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - continuously assessing the progress of the vehicle from the optimum point of view.

Detta kan utf6ras medelst inlagrade rutiner i en styrenhet hos fordonet. This can be done by means of stored routines in a control unit of the vehicle.

Forfarandet kan vidare inbegripa steget att: - fortlopande fOr foraren presentera utfall av namnda bedomning av fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. The procedure may further comprise the step of: - continuously presenting to the driver the outcome of the said assessment of the vehicle's progress from the optimum point of view.

Namnda anpassning av fordonets framfart kan ske i forutbestamda diskreta steg. Namnda anpassning av fordonets framfart kan ske steglOst. Said adaptation of the vehicle's progress can take place in predetermined discrete steps. Said adaptation of the vehicle's progress can take place steplessly.

FOrfarandet är latt att implementera i existerande motorfordon. Mjukvara f6r effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart has ett fordon enligt uppfinningen kan installeras i en styrenhet hos fordonet vid tillverkning av detsamma. En k6pare av fordonet kan saledes fã mOjlighet att valja forfarandets funktion som ett tillval. Alternativt kan mjukvara innefattande programkod f6r att utfora det innovativa forfarandet f6r effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framf art hos ett fordon installeras i en styrenhet has fordonet vid uppgradering vid en servicestation. I detta fall kan mjukvaran laddas in i ett minne i styrenheten. lmplementering av det innovativa f6rfarandet är alltsa kostnadseffektiv, i synnerhet eftersom inga ytterligare komponenter behover installeras hos fordonet enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen. Erforderlig hardvara ãr idag redan forefintligt anordnad i 6 fordonet. Uppfinningen tillhandahaller alltsa en kostnadseffektiv lasning pa de ovan angivna problemen. The procedure is easy to implement in existing motor vehicles. Software for streamlining industry utilization while driving has a vehicle according to the invention can be installed in a control unit of the vehicle during manufacture thereof. A buyer of the vehicle may thus have the opportunity to choose the function of the procedure as an option. Alternatively, software including program code for performing the innovative procedure for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle may be installed in a control unit having the vehicle upgraded at a service station. In this case, the software can be loaded into a memory in the control unit. Implementation of the innovative method is therefore cost-effective, in particular since no additional components need to be installed in the vehicle according to an aspect of the invention. Required hardware is today already arranged in the 6 vehicle. The invention thus provides a cost-effective solution to the above problems.

Mjukvara som innefattar programkod far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon kan latt uppdateras eller bytas ut. Vidare kan olika delar av mjukvaran som innefattar programkod far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon bytas ut oberoende av varandra. Denna modulara konfiguration är fordelaktig ur ett underhallsperspektiv. Software that includes program code for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle can be easily updated or replaced. Furthermore, different parts of the software that include program code for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle can be replaced independently of each other. This modular configuration is advantageous from an underpass perspective.

Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen tillhandahalls en anordning far effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon. Anordningen innefattar: - organ for att faststalla en fran bransleutnyttjande synpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framfarvarande fordon; - organ far att tillhandahalla underlag far en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den salunda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framforvarande fordon; - organ for att anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle. The device comprises: - means for determining an optimum occupancy of the vehicle relative to an advancing vehicle from an industry utilization point of view; means for providing data for adapting the vehicle's travel to the thus established optimal occupancy relative to said vehicle in front; means for adapting the progress of the vehicle in accordance with the documentation provided.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ for att faststalla sardrag for framforvarande fordon medelst avbildning. The device may further comprise: - means for determining features of the vehicle in front by means of imaging.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ far att tillhandahalla sardrag far det egna fordonet. The device may further comprise: - means for providing features for the own vehicle.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ far att faststalla en fordonshastighet. 7 Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen kan namnda optimala belagenhet inbegripa fordonens relativa avstand och/eller en harvid inbordes sidopositionering. The device may further comprise: - means for determining a vehicle speed. According to one aspect of the invention, said optimum occupancy may comprise the relative distance of the vehicles and / or a lateral positioning of the inboard.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ fOr att presentera namnda underlag fel' fordonets fOrare, exempelvis i form av avstandsangivelser. The device may further comprise: - means for presenting said substrate to the driver of the vehicle, for example in the form of distance indications.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ fOr att fortlopande bedoma fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. The device may further comprise: - means for continuously assessing the progress of the vehicle from the optimum point of view.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ fOr att fortlopande for foraren presentera utf all av namnda beclOmning av fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. The device may further comprise: - means for continuously presenting to the driver the result of the said emphasis on the progress of the vehicle from the optimum point of view.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ fOr att i fOrutbestamda diskreta steg anpassa fordonets framfart. The device may further comprise: - means for adapting the progress of the vehicle in predetermined discrete steps.

Anordningen kan vidare innefatta: - organ fOr att steglost anpassa fordonets framfart. The device may further comprise: - means for steplessly adapting the progress of the vehicle.

Ovanstaende syften uppnas ocksa med ett motorfordon som innefattar anordningen for effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon. Motorfordonet kan vara en lastbil, buss eller personbil. The above objects are also achieved with a motor vehicle which includes the device for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle. The motor vehicle can be a truck, bus or car.

Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen tillhandahalls ett datorprogram fOr effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon, dar namnda datorprogram innefattar programkod lagrad pa ett, av en dator lasbart, medium fOr att orsaka en elektronisk styrenhet eller en annan dator ansluten till den elektroniska styrenheten att utfOra stegen enligt nagot av patentkraven 1-10. 8 Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen tillhandahdlls ett datorprogram fer effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon, dar namnda datorprogram innefattar programkod for att orsaka en elektronisk styrenhet eller en annan dator ansluten till den elektroniska styrenheten att utfera stegen enligt nagot av patentkraven 1-10. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle, said computer program comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium for causing an electronic control unit or another computer connected to the electronic control unit to perform the steps according to any one of claims 1-10. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle, said computer program comprising program code for causing an electronic control unit or other computer connected to the electronic control unit to perform the steps of any of claims 1-10.

Enligt en aspekt av uppfinningen tillhandahdlls en datorprogramprodukt innefattande en programkod lagrad pd ett, av en dator lasbart, medium for att utfora forfarandestegen enligt nagot av patentkraven 1-10, liar namnda datorprogram kers pd en elektronisk styrenhet eller en annan dator ansluten till den elektroniska styrenheten. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method steps of any of claims 1-10, said computer program being connected to an electronic control unit or another computer connected to the electronic control unit. .

Ytterligare syften, ferdelar och nya sardrag hos den foreliggande uppfinningen kommer att framgd for fackmannen av foljande detaljer, liksom via utevning av uppfinningen. Medan uppfinningen är beskriven nedan, !per det framga att uppfinningen inte är begransad till de specifika beskrivna detaljerna. Fackman som har tillgang till larorna hari kommer att karma igen ytterligare applikationer, modifieringar och inferlivanden inom andra omraden, vilka ãr inom omfanget for uppfinningen. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following details, as well as through practice of the invention. While the invention is described below, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the specific details described. Those skilled in the art having access to the teachings will again appreciate further applications, modifications and embodiments in other fields which are within the scope of the invention.

OVERSIKTLIG BESKRIVNING AV RITNINGARNA For en men komplett forstaelse av foreliggande uppfinning och ytterligare syften och fordelar decay, Ors nu hanvisning till foljande detaljerade beskrivning som ska lasas tillsammans med de dtfeljande ritningarna dar lika hanvisningsbeteckningar avser lika delar i de olika figurerna, och i vilka: Figur 1 schematiskt illustrerar ett fordon, enligt en utferingsform av uppfinningen; Figur 2 schematiskt illustrerar en anordning hos fordonet visat i Figur 1, enligt en utferingsform av uppfinningen; 9 Figur 3a-3d schematiskt illustrerar olika dterkopplingsutforanden, enligt ett antal utforingsformer av uppfinningen; Figur 4a schematiskt illustrerar ett flodesschema Over ett fOrfarande, enligt en utforingsform av uppfinningen; Figur 4b i ytterligare detalj schematiskt illustrerar ett fledesschema Over ett forfarande, enligt en utfOringsform av uppfinningen; och Figur 5 schematiskt illustrerar en dator, enligt en utforingsform av uppfinningen. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a complete understanding of the present invention and further objects and advantages of the decay, reference is now made to the following detailed description which is to be read in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts in the various figures, and in which: 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 3a-3d schematically illustrate different feedback embodiments, according to a number of embodiments of the invention; Figure 4a schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4b schematically illustrates in further detail a flight diagram of a method, according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 schematically illustrates a computer, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETALJERAD BESKRIVNING AV FIGURERNA Med hanvisning till Figur 1 visas en sidovy av ett fordon 100. Det exemplifierade fordonet 100 bestar av en dragbil 110 och en slapvagn 112. Fordonet kan vara ett tungt fordon, sasom en lastbil eller en buss. Fordonet kan alternativt vara en personbil. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Referring to Figure 1, a side view of a vehicle 100 is shown. The exemplary vehicle 100 consists of a tractor 110 and a trailer 112. The vehicle may be a heavy vehicle, such as a truck or a bus. The vehicle can alternatively be a car.

Hari hanfOr sig termen "lank" till en kommunikationslank som kan vara en fysisk ledning, sasom en opto-elektronisk kommunikationsledning, eller en icke-fysisk ledning, sasom en tradlos anslutning, till exempel en radio- eller 20 mikrovagslank. The term "lank" refers to a communication link which may be a physical line, such as an optoelectronic communication line, or a non-physical line, such as a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave line.

Hari hanfOr sig termen "fordonstag" till ett antal fordon, t.ex. lastbilar, som framfores efter varandra med ett avstand som understiger ett fOrutbestamt varde, t.ex. 50 meter, 25 meter eller 10 meter. Namnda avstand dr ett maximalt avstand dar ett minskat luftmotstand hos ett bakomvarande fordon kan erhdllas. Detta avstand beror av fordonens storlek och form. Hari hanfOr the term "vehicle roof" for a number of vehicles, e.g. trucks, which are driven one after the other at a distance less than a predetermined value, e.g. 50 meters, 25 meters or 10 meters. Said distance is a maximum distance at which a reduced air resistance of a vehicle behind can be obtained. This distance depends on the size and shape of the vehicles.

Med hanvisning till Figur 2 visas en anordning 299 hos fordonet 100. Anordningen 299 är anordnad i dragbilen 110. With reference to Figure 2, a device 299 of the vehicle 100 is shown. The device 299 is arranged in the tractor 110.

De fordon som ingar i ett fordonstag kan vart och ett vara utrustade med en anordning 299. Ett godtyckligt fordon kan saledes vara ett fordon som kOr forst i fordonstaget alternativt vara ett bakomvarande fordon. The vehicles that are part of a vehicle roof can each be equipped with a device 299. An arbitrary vehicle can thus be a vehicle that runs first in the vehicle roof or alternatively be a vehicle behind.

Delsystemet 299 innefattar en styrenhet 200. Styrenheten 200 innefattar elektronik och mjukvara som beskrivs i ytterligare detalj med hanvisning till Figur 5. The subsystem 299 includes a controller 200. The controller 200 includes electronics and software described in further detail with reference to Figure 5.

Styrenheten200äranordnadattfaststallaenfran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framforvarande fordon. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att tillhandahalla underlag far en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den salunda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framfOrvarande fordon. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att faststalla sardrag far framforvarande fordon medelst avbildning. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att tillhandahalla sardrag far det egna fordonet. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att faststalla en fordonshastighet. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att fOr fordonets farare presentera namnda underlag, exempelvis i form av avstandsangivelser. Styrenheten 200 ãr anordnad att fortlopande bedOrna fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att fortlapande fOr fararen presentera utfall av namnda beclamning av fordonets framfart frail optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine, from an industry utilization point of view, optimal occupancy of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front. The control unit 200 is arranged to provide substrates for an adaptation of the vehicle's travel to the thus determined optimal occupancy unit relative to the said present vehicle. The control unit 200 is arranged to adapt the progress of the vehicle according to the base thus provided. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine the characteristics of the vehicle in front by means of imaging. The control unit 200 is arranged to provide features for the own vehicle. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine a vehicle speed. The control unit 200 is arranged to present the said surface to the occupants of the vehicle, for example in the form of distance indications. The control unit 200 is arranged to continuously monitor the vehicle's progress from the optimum positioning point of view. The control unit 200 is arranged to continuously present to the driver the outcome of the said obstruction of the vehicle's progress from an optimal position of view.

En datoranordning 210 ãr anordnad for kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via en lank L210. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara lostagbart ansluten till styrenheten 200. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara anordnad att kraftforsorjas medelst ett hos fordonet redan befintligt batteri, sasom t.ex. ett 24 V batteni som ofta är farefintligt anordnat hos tunga fordon av idag. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara en till fordonet 100 extern styrenhet. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara en konventionell barbar dator. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara anordnad att utfora forfarandesteg enligt uppfinningen. Datoranordningen 11 210 kan anvandas far att ladda aver mjukvara till styrenheten 200, i synnerhet mjukvara for att utfara det innovativa forfarandet. Datoranordningen 210 kan alternativt vara anordnad far kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via ett internt natverk i fordonet. Datoranordningen 210 kan vara anordnad att utfara vasentligen likadana funktioner som den fersta styrenheten200,sasomt.ex.attfaststallaenfran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framforvarande fordon, tillhandahalla underlag for en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den salunda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framfarvarande fordon och att anpassa fordonets framf art enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. A computer device 210 is provided for communication with the control unit 200 via a long L210. The computer device 210 may be releasably connected to the control unit 200. The computer device 210 may be arranged to be supplied with power by means of a battery already present in the vehicle, such as e.g. a 24 V battery that is often dangerously arranged in heavy vehicles of today. The computer device 210 may be a control unit external to the vehicle 100. The computer device 210 may be a conventional barbaric computer. The computer device 210 may be arranged to perform method steps according to the invention. The computer device 210 can be used to load software to the control unit 200, in particular software to perform the innovative procedure. The computer device 210 may alternatively be arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via an internal network in the vehicle. The computer device 210 may be arranged to perform substantially the same functions as the first control unit 200, such as, for example, determining from an industry utilization point of view the optimal occupancy of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front, providing a basis for adapting the vehicle's travel to the adapt the vehicle's performance according to the documentation provided.

En GPS-enhet 220 är anordnad far kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via en lank L220. GPS-enheten 220 är anordnad att fortlapande faststalla en radande position for fordonet 100. GPS-enheten 220 är anordnad att fortlapande skicka signaler S220 inbegripande information om en radande position far fordonet 100 till styrenheten 200 via lanken L220. A GPS unit 220 is arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via a long L220. The GPS unit 220 is arranged to continuously determine a radiating position of the vehicle 100. The GPS unit 220 is arranged to continuously send signals S220 including information about a radiating position of the vehicle 100 to the control unit 200 via the line L220.

Anordningen 299 ãr anordnad att fortlopande skicka information inbegripande uppgift om en radande position till ett bakomvarande fordon. The device 299 is arranged to continuously send information including information about an erasing position to a vehicle behind.

Fordonet 100 kan aven vara utrustade med sensorer (ej visade) som kan faststalla uppgift om fordonshastighet och fordonsacceleration (aven retardation). Vidare kan anordningen 299 vara anordnad att faststalla information inbegripande uppgift om en onskad hastighet eller en kommande inbromsning. Denna information kan automatiskt kommuniceras till ett bakomvarande fordon. Harvid kan ett styrsystem hos ett bakomvarande fordon erhalla namnda uppgifter och automatiskt styra t.ex. motor, transmission och/eller ett bromssystem far att uppratthalla ett visst avstand och/eller sidoposition relativt det framfarvarande fordonet. The vehicle 100 may also be equipped with sensors (not shown) which can determine information on vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration (also deceleration). Furthermore, the device 299 may be arranged to determine information including information about a desired speed or an impending deceleration. This information can be automatically communicated to a vehicle behind. In this case, a control system of a vehicle behind can obtain the said information and automatically control e.g. engine, transmission and / or a braking system may maintain a certain distance and / or lateral position relative to the vehicle in front.

Enligt ett utforande är fordonet 100 utrustat med ett radarsystem (ej visat). Radarsystemet kan vara anordnat att fortlopande faststalla ett avstand till ett 12 framforvarande fordon. Harvid kan ett avstand till ett framfOrande fordon automatiskt stdllas in, varvid ett styrsystem hos fordonet automatisk kan styra drift av fordonet sã att ett Onskat avstand fram till ett framforliggande fordon astadkommes. Detta kan ske i beroende av ett av fOraren hos det bakomvarande fordonet valt avstand. According to one embodiment, the vehicle 100 is equipped with a radar system (not shown). The radar system may be arranged to continuously determine a distance to a vehicle in front. In this case, a distance to a vehicle in front can be set automatically, whereby a control system of the vehicle can automatically control the operation of the vehicle so that a desired distance to a vehicle in front is achieved. This can be done depending on a distance chosen by the driver of the vehicle behind.

Sensororgan 230 dr anordnade for kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via en lank L230a. Sensororganen 230 är anordnade att fortlopande registrera synfdltsbilder. Sensororganen 230 är anordnade att fortlOpande alstra signaler S230 inbegripande fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder. Sensor means 230 dr arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via a long L230a. The sensor means 230 are arranged to continuously record field of view images. The sensor means 230 are arranged to continuously generate signals S230 including vehicle information in the form of field of view images.

Sensororganen 230 är anordnade att fortlopande skicka en signal S230 inbegripande narrinda fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder till styrenheten 200 via lanken L230a. The sensor means 230 are arranged to continuously send a signal S230 including narrative vehicle information in the form of field of view images to the control unit 200 via the line L230a.

Enligt ett alternativt utforande är namnda sensororgan 230 anordnade att i realtid skicka signaler S230 inbegripande fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder till datorn 210 via en lank L230b. Harvid är namnda sensororgan 230 anordnade att i realtid overfOra fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder direkt till narrinda dator 210 via lanken L230b. According to an alternative embodiment, said sensor means 230 is arranged to send signals S230 in real time, including vehicle information in the form of visual field images to the computer 210 via a line L230b. In this case, said sensor means 230 are arranged to transmit vehicle information in the form of visual field images directly to the narrator computer 210 via the line L230b in real time.

Narrinda sensororgan 230 kan vara en kamera. Namnda sensororgan 230 kan vara en videokamera. Namnda sensororgan 230 kan vara en webkamera. Narrinda sensor means 230 may be a camera. Said sensor means 230 may be a video camera. Said sensor means 230 may be a webcam.

Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att mottaga dtminstone en bild inbegripande fordonsinformation fran namnda sensororgan 230. The control unit 200 is arranged to receive at least one image including vehicle information from said sensor means 230.

Styrenheten 200 ãr anordnad att behandla namnda atminstone en bild for att t.ex. faststdlla en frontarea FA hos narrinda framfOrvarande fordon. The control unit 200 is arranged to process the at least one image in order to e.g. establish a front area FA at narrinda present vehicle.

Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att enligt inlagrade rutiner faststalla vilken typ av fordon namnda framforvarande fordon tillhor, exempelvis personbil, lastbil eller buss. Styrenheten 200 är vidare anordnad att enligt inlagrade rutiner 13 faststalla en form hos ett eventuellt slap hos framforvarande fordon. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att tillhandahalla sardrag fOr det egna fordonet, sasom t.ex. en frontarea hos det egna fordonet. Denna information kan finnas inlagrad i ett minne i styrenheten 200. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine according to stored routines which type of vehicle the said forward vehicle belongs to, for example a car, truck or bus. The control unit 200 is further arranged to determine, according to stored routines 13, a shape of a possible slack of the vehicle in front. The control unit 200 is arranged to provide features for the own vehicle, such as e.g. a front area of your own vehicle. This information may be stored in a memory in the controller 200.

Aterkopplingsorgan 240 är anordnade for kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via en lank L240. Namnda aterkopplingsorgan inbegripa en visningsskarm 240. Aterkopplingsorganen 240 kan vara anordnade att i realtid eller intermittent dterkoppla information om hur fordonet framfors ur en branslefOrbrukningssynpunkt. Feedback means 240 are provided for communication with the control unit 200 via a long L240. Said feedback means include a display screen 240. The feedback means 240 may be arranged to provide real-time or intermittent feedback information on how the vehicle is being driven from an industry consumption point of view.

Styranordningen 200 dr anordnad att beclorna fordonets framf art fran optimal beldgenhetssynpunkt och generera information om hur en radande bransleforbrukning kan forbdttras, t.ex. genom att bromsa eller accelerera fordonet fOr att uppna ett fOrdelaktigt relativt avstand till framfOrvarande fordon. Detta kan ske pa olika salt som t.ex. framgar av beskrivningen som hdnfOrs till figurerna 3a-3d nedan. The control device 200 is arranged to monitor the vehicle's progress from the optimum brightness point of view and generate information on how a radiating fuel consumption can be improved, e.g. by braking or accelerating the vehicle to achieve an advantageous relative distance to the vehicle in front. This can be done on different salts such as. appears from the description as hdnfOrs to Figures 3a-3d below.

Enligt ett utf6rande kan visningsanordningen vara anordnad att visa flera fonster for visuell aterkoppling samtidigt. En fOrare i ett bakomliggande fordon kan harvid medelst lampliga organ valja vilken eller vilka aterkopplingar som donne vill ska visas. Storleken hos fOnstren fOr de respektive visade aterkopplingarna kan stallas in pa lampligt salt. According to one embodiment, the display device can be arranged to display several windows for visual feedback at the same time. A driver in a vehicle behind can then, by means of suitable means, choose which feedback (s) he or she wishes to be shown. The size of the windows for the respective connections shown can be set to suitable salt.

Namnda visningsorgan 240 kan inbegripa en lOstagbart ansluten visningsskarm. Skarmen kan vara en pekskarm. Namnda visningsorgan 240 kan utgora en integrerad komponent hos fordonets instrumentbrada eller reglagesektion. Said display means 240 may comprise a detachably connected display screen. The screen can be a touch screen. Said display means 240 may form an integral component of the vehicle's instrument panel or control section.

Namnda aterkopplingsorgan 240 kan inbegripa en hogtalare ddr audiell aterkoppling kan astadkommas. Enligt ett exempel kan syntetiserat tal eller 14 olika ljudtoner informera fOraren om hur fordonets framf art kan andras far att astadkomma en Idgre branslefOrbrukning. Said feedback means 240 may include a loudspeaker where audible feedback can be provided. According to one example, synthesized speech or 14 different sound tones can inform the driver about how the vehicle's performance can cause others to achieve a better fuel consumption.

Enligt ett exempel kan aterkoppling ske pa sa salt att ett optimalt avstand till framfOrvarande fordon kommuniceras till fOraren. Harvid kan fOraren manuellt justera fordonets framf art pa sâ salt att ett avstand till framforvarande fordon uppnar namnda optimala avstand. According to one example, feedback can take place in such a way that an optimal distance to the vehicle in front is communicated to the driver. In this case, the driver can manually adjust the front of the vehicle so that a distance to the vehicle in front achieves the said optimal distance.

Enligt ett annat exempel kan aterkoppling ske pa sa sdtt att det foreslas fOr 10 fOraren att andra en diskret automatisk avstandsinstallning hos manoverorgan 260 frail ett radande lage till ett lage som battre motsvarar ett avstand som bedoms vara det optimala avstandet. According to another example, feedback can be made in such a way that it is suggested to the driver that a discrete automatic distance installation of actuators 260 from a radiating layer to a layer which better corresponds to a distance which is judged to be the optimal distance.

Kommunikationsorgan 250 är anordnade for kommunikation med 15 styrenheten 200 via Idnken L250a. Namnda kommunikationsorgan 250 ãr anordnade att mottaga signalen S230 inbegripande namnda fordonsinformationfrailettframfOrvarandefordon.Namnda kommunikationsorgan 250 är dven anordnade att skicka en signal S230 till ett bakomliggande fordon. Kommunikationsorganen 250 kan enligt ett exempel vara anordnade fOr tradlos kommunikation och harvid att sanda namnda information anvandande standarden 802.11 ABGN. Kommunikationsorganen 250 kan enligt ett exempel vara anordnade fel' tradlos kommunikation enligt 802.11 P. Communication means 250 are provided for communication with the control unit 200 via the Idnken L250a. Said communication means 250 is arranged to receive the signal S230 including said vehicle information frail in front of the present vehicle. Said communication means 250 are also arranged to send a signal S230 to a vehicle behind. The communication means 250 can, according to an example, be arranged for wireless communication and thereby transmit said information using the standard 802.11 ABGN. The communication means 250 may, according to an example, be arranged incorrectly 'wireless communication according to 802.11 P.

Enligt ett utfOrande är sensororganen 230 anordnade for kommunikation med kommunikationsorganen 250 via en lank L230c. Sensororganen 230 dr anordnade att fortlOpande registrera synfdltsbilder. Sensororganen 230 ãr anordnade att fortlOpande alstra signaler S230 inbegripande fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder. Sensororganen 230 dr anordnade att fortlOpande skicka en signal S230 inbegripande namnda fordonsinformation i form av synfdltsbilder direkt till kommunikationsorganen 250 via Idnken L230c. According to one embodiment, the sensor means 230 are arranged for communication with the communication means 250 via a long L230c. The sensor means 230 there arranged to continuously record field of view images. The sensor means 230 are arranged to continuously generate signals S230 including vehicle information in the form of field of view images. The sensor means 230 there arranged to continuously send a signal S230 including said vehicle information in the form of field of view images directly to the communication means 250 via the Idnken L230c.

Manovreringsorgan 260 är anordnade far kommunikation med styrenheten 200 via en lank L260. Actuators 260 are arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via a long L260.

Namnda manOvreringsorgan 260 kan inbegripa ett reglage far installning av ett onskat avstand till ett framforvarande fordon, sasom beskrivits ovan. Harvid kan en f6rare manuellt stalla in ett diskret lage hos namnda reglage, varvid styrenheten 200 är anordnad att styra fordonet pa ett sadant salt att ett avstand till framfervarande fordon som motsvarar det av fOraren Onskade astadkommes. Said actuator 260 may include a control for installing a desired distance to a vehicle in front, as described above. In this case, a driver can manually set a discrete position of said control, the control unit 200 being arranged to steer the vehicle on such a salt that a distance to the vehicle advancing corresponding to that desired by the driver is achieved.

Namnda manOvreringsorgan 260 kan aven vara anordnade f6r en steglos installning av automatiskt uppratthallande av ett onskat relativt avstand till det framforvarande fordonet. Said actuator 260 may also be provided for a stepless installation of automatically maintaining a desired relative distance to the vehicle in front.

Figur 3a illustrerar schematiskt ett hjalpmedel fer fOraren att anpassa fordonets framf art for att effektivisera bransleutnyttjande hos fordonet. Figure 3a schematically illustrates an aid for the driver to adapt the vehicle's performance in order to make the vehicle's fuel utilization more efficient.

Harvid framstalls namnda aterkopplingsorgan i form av en visningsskarm dar bilder fran en kamera 230 i realtid visas. Harvid filmas och visas ett framfervarande fordon 100. Styranordningen 200 är anordnad att fortlepande visa en overlagrad bild med stodstrukturer 310a och 310b. Namnda stOdstrukturer 310a och 310b alstras fortlopande av styrenheten 200 och deras respektive positioner kan anvandas av fOraren for att anpassa fordonets framf art. In this case, said feedback means is produced in the form of a display screen where images from a camera 230 are displayed in real time. In this case, a advancing vehicle 100 is filmed and shown. The control device 200 is arranged to continuously display a superimposed image with support structures 310a and 310b. Said support structures 310a and 310b are continuously generated by the control unit 200 and their respective positions can be used by the driver to adapt the front of the vehicle.

Da namnda stodstrukturer 310a och 310b tangerar ytterkanter hos framfervarande fordon 100 kommer det bakomliggande fordonet att ha en ur bransleforbrukningssynpunkt optimal belagenhet. 16 Enligt detta exempel tangerar stodstrukturerna 310a och 310b inte namnda ytterkanter hos framforvarande fordon 100 och fararen behaver harvid anpassa fordonets framf art far att optimera branslefarbrukningen. As said stand structures 310a and 310b touch the outer edges of the advancing vehicle 100, the vehicle behind will have an optimal occupancy from the point of view of fuel consumption. According to this example, the stand structures 310a and 310b do not touch the said outer edges of the forward vehicle 100 and the driver then needs to adapt the front end of the vehicle to optimize the fuel consumption.

Figur 3b illustrerar schematiskt aterkopplingsorgan 240 i form av en visningsskarm. Visningsskarmen 240 är anordnad att presentera en bedamning av fararens prestation, dvs hur val denne framfor sitt fordon. Namnda bedamning kan presenteras fortlapande eller intermittent. Figure 3b schematically illustrates feedback means 240 in the form of a display screen. The display screen 240 is arranged to present an assessment of the driver's performance, ie how he chooses over his vehicle. The said assessment can be presented continuously or intermittently.

Enligt denna utfaringsform far fararen betyg i form av ett antal stjarnor av ett antal maximalt majligt antal stjarnor. I detta fall indikeras att fararen far fyra stjarnor av maximalt tillgangliga fern stjarnor, vilket betyder att fararen pa ett relativt skickligt salt framfor sitt fordon. According to this embodiment, the rider receives ratings in the form of a number of stars out of a maximum maximum number of stars. In this case, it is indicated that the driver receives four stars out of a maximum of four stars, which means that the driver is on a relatively skilled salt in front of his vehicle.

Figur 3c illustrerar schematiskt aterkopplingsorgan 240 i form av en visningsskarm. Visningsskarmen 240 är anordnad att i fortlapande presentera en graf som representerar en beraknad branslefarbrukning C (liter per timme) som funktion av avstand D (meter) till framforvarande fordon. I grafen kan det bakomvarande fordonets radande relativa avstand till framforvarande fordon indikeras. I detta fall indikeras ett radande avstand till framforliggande fordon med en kvad rat 340. Figure 3c schematically illustrates feedback means 240 in the form of a display screen. The display screen 240 is arranged to continuously present a graph representing an estimated fuel consumption C (liters per hour) as a function of distance D (meters) to the vehicle in front. In the graph, the radiating relative distance of the rear vehicle to the front vehicle can be indicated. In this case, an erasing distance to the vehicle in front is indicated by a square 340.

Harvid kan en forare medelst visuell aterkoppling fa en implicit uppmaning att anpassa fordonets framfart sâ att en optimal belagenhet 0 kan uppnas. 25 Namnda optimala belagenhet 0 representeras harvid av en cirkel 350. In this case, a driver can be implicitly prompted by visual feedback to adapt the vehicle's progress so that an optimal occupancy unit 0 can be achieved. Said optimal coating unit 0 is then represented by a circle 350.

Det kan vara sâ att namnda optimala belagenhet 0 inte är den faktiskt optimala belagenheten for det bakomvarande fordonet. Detta far att beakta en sakerhetsaspekt, dar en farare av namnda bakomliggande fordon av sakerhetsskal inte ska uppmanas att kora anti& nara det framfarvarande fordonet. Ett narmsta tillatet avstand indikeras i Figur 3c med en streckad linje S. 17 Figur 3d illustrerar schematiskt en utforingsform av dterkopplingsorganen 240. Enligt detta exempel inbegriper dterkopplingsorganen 240 tre stycken lampor 380a, 380b och 380c. Var och en av dessa lampor är anordnade att lysa med fargerna rOd, gul respektive grOn. Endast en av lamporna 380a, 380b och 380c kan vara tand vid en given tidpunkt. It may be that said optimal occupancy unit 0 is not the actual optimal occupancy unit for the vehicle behind. This must take into account a safety aspect, where a driver of the said rear vehicle of safety shells should not be asked to drive anti & nara the vehicle in front. A nearest allowable distance is indicated in Figure 3c by a dashed line S. Figure 3d schematically illustrates an embodiment of the feedback means 240. According to this example, the feedback means 240 comprise three lamps 380a, 380b and 380c. Each of these lamps is arranged to shine with the colors red, yellow and green, respectively. Only one of the lamps 380a, 380b and 380c can be a tooth at a given time.

Alternativt kan endast en lampa 240 vara forefintligt anordnad. Enligt detta exempel kan namnda lampa lysa med flagon av namnda fdrger. Alternatively, only one lamp 240 may be provided. According to this example, said lamp may illuminate with the flag of said colors.

Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att styra drift av namnda lampor 380a-380c. Dar det faststalls att det bakomvarande fordonet bef inner sig pa ett avstand till det framforvarande fordonet, vilket avstand ligger inom ett visst intervall ddr det bedOms att en acceptabel bransleforbrukning racier, kan den grOna lampan 380c vara tand. Dar det faststalls att det bakomvarande fordonet befinner sig pa ett avstand till det framforvarande fordonet, vilket avstand ligger inom ett visst intervall dar det inte bedOms att en acceptabel bransleforbrukning rader, kan den gula lampan 380b vara tand. Dar det faststalls att det bakomvarande fordonet befinner sig pa ett avstand till det framforvarande fordonet, vilket avstand ligger inom ett visst intervall dar det bedOms rada en sakerhetsrisk beaktande ett radande relativt avstand mellan fordonen, kan den rOda lampan 380a vara tand. The control unit 200 is arranged to control the operation of said lamps 380a-380c. When it is determined that the vehicle behind is at a distance from the vehicle in front, which distance is within a certain range where it is judged that an acceptable fuel consumption racier, the green light 380c may be toothed. If it is determined that the vehicle behind is at a distance from the vehicle in front, which distance is within a certain range where it is not judged that an acceptable fuel consumption lines up, the yellow light 380b may be toothed. When it is determined that the vehicle behind is at a distance from the vehicle in front, which distance is within a certain range where it is judged to radiate a safety risk considering a radiating relative distance between the vehicles, the red lamp 380a may be toothed.

Enligt detta exempel är den gula lampan 380b tand, vilket betyder att fOraren bar anpassa fordonets framfart pd ett sadant salt att bransleforbrukningen forbdttras och den grona lampan 380c tands. According to this example, the yellow lamp 380b is toothed, which means that the driver had to adjust the vehicle's progress on such a salt that fuel consumption is improved and the green lamp 380c is toothed.

Figur 4a illustrerar schematiskt ett flodesschema Over ett forfarande fOr effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framf art hos ett fordon, enligt en utforingsform av uppfinningen. FOrfarandet innefattar ett fOrsta fOrfarandesteg s401. Steget s401 inbegriper stegen att: 18 - faststalla en fran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framfOrvarande fordon; - tillhandahalla underlag for en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den sal unda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framfOrvarande fordon; - anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. Efter steget s401 avslutas forfarandet. Figure 4a schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method for streamlining industry utilization during the performance of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. The process comprises a first process step s401. Step s401 includes the steps of: 18 - determining from an industry utilization point of view the optimal occupancy of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front; provide a basis for an adaptation of the vehicle's progress to the saloon with the established optimal occupancy relative to said present vehicle; adapt the vehicle's progress according to the basis provided. After step s401, the procedure is terminated.

Figur 4b illustrerar schematiskt ett flodesschema Over ett forfarande fOr effektivisering av bransleutnyttjande under framfart hos ett fordon, enligt en utforingsform av uppfinningen. Figure 4b schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method for streamlining industry utilization while driving a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Forfarandet innefattar ett fOrsta fOrfarandesteg s410. Forfarandesteget s410 inbegriper steget att tillhandahalla sardrag och parametervarden. Harvid kan steget s410 inbegripa steget att faststalla sardrag for framfOrvarande fordon medelst avbildning. Medelst sensororganen 230, t.ex. i form av en kamera, kan atminstone en bild av ett framfOrvarande fordon alstras. En signal S230 inbegripande data representerande namnda bild kan skickas via lanken L230 till styrenheten 200. Styrenheten 200 ar anordnad att genom bildbehandling faststalla en frontarea FA hos namnda framfOrvarande fordon. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att genom bildbehandling faststalla vilken typ av fordon namnda framfOrvarande fordon tillher, exempelvis personbil, lastbil eller buss. Styrenheten 200 är vidare anordnad att medelst bildbehandling faststalla en form hos ett eventuellt slap hos framfOrvarande fordon. The process includes a first process step s410. The step step s410 includes the step of providing features and parameter values. In this case, step s410 may include the step of determining features of the vehicle present by imaging. By means of the sensor means 230, e.g. in the form of a camera, at least one image of a vehicle in front can be generated. A signal S230 including data representing said image can be sent via line L230 to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine by image processing a front area FA of said present vehicle. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine by image processing what type of vehicle the present vehicle belongs to, for example a car, truck or bus. The control unit 200 is further arranged to determine by means of image processing a shape of a possible slack of the vehicle in front.

Styrenheten 200 as anordnad att tillhandahalla sardrag fOr det egna fordonet, sasom t.ex. en frontarea hos det egna fordonet. Denna information kan finnas inlagrad i ett minne i styrenheten 200. The control unit 200 is arranged to provide features for the own vehicle, such as e.g. a front area of your own vehicle. This information may be stored in a memory in the controller 200.

Vidare kan ett antal parametrar faststallas medelst olika sensorer hos 30 fordonet. Ett exempel pa en sadan parameter är en temperatur hos den omgivande luften. Ett annat exempel pa en sadan parameter är en radande fordonshastighet. Ett annat exempel pa en sadan parameter är en densitet 19 hos den omgivande luften. Ytterligare ett annat exempel pa en sadan parameter är en vindriktning och vindstyrka hos den omgivande luften. Furthermore, a number of parameters can be determined by means of different sensors of the vehicle. An example of such a parameter is a temperature of the ambient air. Another example of such a parameter is a tracking vehicle speed. Another example of such a parameter is a density 19 of the ambient air. Yet another example of such a parameter is a wind direction and wind strength of the ambient air.

Det är aven av vikt att fortlopande faststalla ett radande avstand till 5 framfervarande fordon. Detta kan exempelvis utfOras medelst en tillhandahallen radarenhet hos fordonet. It is also important to continuously establish a clearing distance to 5 vehicles in progress. This can be done, for example, by means of a radar unit provided by the vehicle.

Vidare kan styrenheten 200 medelst kommunikationsorganen 250 mottaga information fran det framforvarande fordonet. Namnda information kan inbegripa uppgift om hur fordonet kommer framfOras i framtiden, exempelvis om fordonet kommer paborja en inbromsning och hur kraftig den kommer vara. Namnda information kan genereras hos en styrenhet hos det framforvarande fordonet. Furthermore, the control unit 200 can by means of the communication means 250 receive information from the vehicle in front. Said information may include information on how the vehicle will be driven in the future, for example if the vehicle will start braking and how strong it will be. Said information can be generated in a control unit of the vehicle in front.

Efter forfarandesteget s410 utfOrs ett efterfOljande forfarandesteg s420. After the procedure step s410, a subsequent procedure step s420 is performed.

FOrfarandesteget s420 inbegriper steget att faststalla en fran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett framforvarande fordon. Styrenheten 200 ar anordnad att faststalla namnda belagenhet pa basis av sardrag och parametrar som tillhandahallits i forfarandesteget s410. Efter forfarandesteget s420 utfors ett efterfOljande ferfarandesteg s430. The process step s420 includes the step of determining an optimum occupancy of the vehicle relative to an advancing vehicle from the point of view of industry utilization. The control unit 200 is arranged to determine said occupancy unit on the basis of features and parameters provided in the process step s410. After the step step s420, a subsequent step step s430 is performed.

Forfarandesteget s430 inbegriper steget att tillhandahalla underlag f6r en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den salunda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framforvarande fordon. Efter f6rfarandesteget s430 utfors ett efterfoljande fOrfarandesteg s440. The process step s430 comprises the step of providing a basis for adapting the vehicle's progress to the thus determined optimal occupancy relative to said forward vehicle. After the procedure step s430, a subsequent procedure step s440 is performed.

FOrfarandesteget s440 inbegriper steget att anpassa fordonets framf art enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. Detta kan ske manuellt av fOraren eller automatiskt medelst styrenheten 200, vilken harvid kan styra drift av fordonets motor, transmission och/eller bromssystem. Efter fOrfarandesteget s440 utfors ett efterfoljande fOrfarandesteg s450. The process step s440 includes the step of adapting the performance of the vehicle according to the substrate thus provided. This can be done manually by the driver or automatically by means of the control unit 200, which can thereby control operation of the vehicle's engine, transmission and / or braking system. After the procedure step s440, a subsequent procedure step s450 is performed.

Forfarandesteget s450 inbegriper steget att fortlopande bed6ma fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. Detta utfOrs av styrenheten 200. The step step s450 involves the step of continuously assessing the vehicle's progress from the optimum positioning point of view. This is done by the control unit 200.

Genom att jamfora en radande relativ position till ett framfOrvarande fordon med en enligt en beraknad optimal belagenhet kan namnda bedomning fortlOpande utforas. Styrenheten 200 är anordnad att fortlOpande utfora berakningar enligt en inlagrad modell for att faststalla namnda optimala belagenhet hos det bakomvarande fordonet. Etter fOrfarandesteget s440 utfors ett efterfoljande fOrfarandesteg s460. By comparing a radiating relative position to a vehicle in front with an optimal occupancy according to a calculated, the said assessment can be performed continuously. The control unit 200 is arranged to continuously perform calculations according to a stored model in order to determine said optimal occupancy of the vehicle behind. After the procedure step s440, a subsequent procedure step s460 is performed.

Forfarandesteget s460 inbegriper steget att fortlopande for fOraren presentera utfall av namnda bedOmning av fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. Detta kan ske pa olika salt. Nagra exempel framgar med hanvisning till beskrivningen av Figurerna 3a-3d. Efter f6rfarandesteget s460 avslutas fOrfarandet. The process step s460 involves the step of continuously presenting to the driver the outcome of the said assessment of the vehicle's progress from the optimum position of view. This can be done on different salts. Some examples are given with reference to the description of Figures 3a-3d. After the procedure step s460, the procedure is terminated.

Med hanvisning till Figur 5, visas ett diagram av ett utfOrande av en anordning 500. Styrenheterna 200 och 210 som beskrivs med hanvisning till Figur 2 kan i ett utforande innefatta anordningen 500. Anordningen 500 innefattar ett icke-flyktigt minne 520, en databehandlingsenhet 510 och ett las/skriv-minne 550. Det icke-flyktiga minnet 520 har en fOrsta minnesdel 530 van i ett datorprogram, sã som ett operativsystem, är lagrat fOr att styra funktionen has anordningen 500. Vidare innefattar anordningen 500 en buss-controller, en seriell kommunikationsport, 1/0-organ, en ND-omvandlare, en tids- och datum inmatnings- och Overforingsenhet, en handelseraknare och en avbrytningscontroller (ej visade). Det icke-flyktiga minnet 520 har ocksâ en andra minnesdel 540. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a diagram of an embodiment of a device 500. The controllers 200 and 210 described with reference to Figure 2 may in one embodiment include the device 500. The device 500 includes a non-volatile memory 520, a data processing unit 510, and a read / write memory 550. The non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory portion 530 used in a computer program, such as an operating system, is stored to control the operation of the device 500. Furthermore, the device 500 comprises a bus controller, a serial communication port, I / O means, an ND converter, a time and date input and Transfer unit, a trade calculator and an interrupt controller (not shown). The non-volatile memory 520 also has a second memory portion 540.

Det tillhandahalles ett datorprogram P innefattande rutiner for att faststalla en frail bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt ett 21 framforvarande fordon. Programmet P innefattar rutiner far att tillhandahalla underlag far en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den salunda faststallda optimala beldgenheten relativt ndmnda framfarvarande fordon. Programmet P innefattar rutiner far att anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. Programmet P innefattar rutiner far att faststdlla sdrdrag far framforvarande fordon medelst avbildning. Programmet P innefattar rutiner for att tillhandahalla sardrag for det egna fordonet. Programmet P innefattar rutiner for att faststdlla en fordonshastighet. Programmet P innefattar rutiner for att for fordonets farare presentera ndmnda underlag, exempelvis i form av avstandsangivelser. Programmet P innefattar rutiner far att fortlapande bedorna fordonets framfart fran optimal beldgenhetssynpunkt. Programmet P innefattar rutiner for att fortlapande far foraren presentera utfall av ndmnda bedamning av fordonets framfart fran optimal belagenhetssynpunkt. A computer program P is provided comprising routines for determining a frail industry utilization point of view of optimal occupancy of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front. The program P includes routines for providing data for adapting the vehicle's travel to the thus determined optimal beam unit relative to the said forward vehicle. The program P includes routines for adapting the vehicle's progress according to the basis thus provided. The program P includes routines for determining features of vehicles in front by means of imaging. Program P includes routines for providing features for one's own vehicle. The program P includes routines for determining a vehicle speed. The program P includes routines for presenting the said documentation to the vehicle's occupants, for example in the form of distance indications. The program P includes routines for continuously improving the vehicle's progress from the optimum brightness point of view. The program P includes routines for continuously allowing the driver to present the results of the said assessment of the vehicle's progress from the optimum point of view.

Programmet P kan vara lagrat pa ett exekverbart vis eller pa komprimerat vis i ett minne 560 ochieller i ett Ids/skrivminne 550. The program P can be stored in an executable manner or in a compressed manner in a memory 560 or in an Ids / write memory 550.

Nar det är beskrivet att databehandlingsenheten 510 utfor en viss funktion ska det forstas att databehandlingsenheten 510 utfar en viss del av programmet vilket är lagrat i minnet 560, eller en viss del av programmet som är lagrat i Ids/skrivminnet 550. When it is described that the data processing unit 510 performs a certain function, it should be understood that the data processing unit 510 outputs a certain part of the program which is stored in the memory 560, or a certain part of the program which is stored in the Ids / write memory 550.

Databehandlingsanordningen 510 kan kommunicera med en dataport 599 via en databuss 515. Det icke-flyktiga minnet 520 ãr avsett for kommunikation med databehandlingsenheten 510 via en databuss 512. Det separata minnet 560 är avsett att kommunicera med databehandlingsenheten 510 via en databuss 511. Lds/skrivminnet 550 ãr anordnat att kommunicera med databehandlingsenheten 510 via en databuss 514. Till dataporten 599 kan t.ex. Idnkarna L210, L220, L230a, L230b, L230c, L240, L250 och L260 anslutas (se Figur 2). 22 Nat' data mottages pa dataporten 599 lagras det temporart i den andra minnesdelen 540. Nar mottaget indata temporart har lagrats, ar databehandlingsenheten 510 iordningstalld att utfOra exekvering av kod pa ett vis som beskrivits ovan. Enligt ett utforande innefattar signaler mottagna pa dataporten 599 information en frontarea hos ett framfOrvarande fordon, fordonets hastighet, vindstyrka och vindriktning och luftens densitet. The data processing device 510 can communicate with a data port 599 via a data bus 515. The non-volatile memory 520 is intended for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 512. The separate memory 560 is intended to communicate with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 511. Lds / write memory 550 is arranged to communicate with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 514. To the data port 599, e.g. The terminals L210, L220, L230a, L230b, L230c, L240, L250 and L260 are connected (see Figure 2). When the data is received on the data port 599, it is temporarily stored in the second memory part 540. Once the received input data has been temporarily stored, the data processing unit 510 is ready to perform code execution in a manner described above. According to one embodiment, signals received at the data port 599 include information on a front area of a vehicle in front, vehicle speed, wind speed and wind direction, and air density.

De mottagna signalerna pa dataporten 599 kan anvandas av anordningen 500 for att faststalla en fran bransleutnyttjandesynpunkt optimal belagenhet hos fordonet relativt et framfOrvarande fordon; - tillhandahalla underlag for en anpassning av fordonets framfart till den sal unda faststallda optimala belagenheten relativt namnda framfOrvarande fordon; och - anpassa fordonets framfart enligt det salunda tillhandahallna underlaget. The received signals on the data port 599 can be used by the device 500 to determine an optimum occupancy of the vehicle relative to an existing vehicle from an industry utilization point of view; provide a basis for an adaptation of the vehicle's progress to the saloon with the established optimal occupancy relative to said present vehicle; and - adapting the progress of the vehicle according to the base provided.

Delar av metoderna beskrivna hari kan utforas av anordningen 500 med hjalp av databehandlingsenheten 510 som kOr programmet lagrat i minnet 560 eller las/skrivminnet 550. Nan anordningen 500 kat' programmet, exekveras hari beskrivna f6rfaranden. Parts of the methods described herein may be performed by the device 500 by means of the data processing unit 510 which runs the program stored in the memory 560 or read / write memory 550. After the device 500 has been programmed, the methods described herein are executed.

Den fOregaende beskrivningen av de foredragna utfOringsformerna av fOreliggande uppfinning har tillhandahallits i syftet att illustrera och beskriva uppfinningen. Det är inte avsett att vara uttommande eller begransa uppfinningen till de beskrivna varianterna. Uppenbarligen kommer manga modifieringar och variationer att framgâ fOr fackmannen. Utforingsformerna valdes och beskrevs fOr att bast fOrklara principerna av uppfinningen och dess praktiska tillampningar, och darmed mojliggOra for fackman att forstâ uppfinningen for olika utfOringsformer och med de olika modifieringarna som är lampliga fOr det avsedda bruket. 23 The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purpose of illustrating and describing the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the variations described. Obviously, many modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were selected and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications which are appropriate to the intended use. 23

Claims

PATENT REQUIREMENTS

A method for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle (100; 110), characterized by the steps of: - determining (s420) from an industry utilization point of view optimal occupancy of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front; - provide (s430) data for an adaptation of the vehicle's progress to the thus determined optimal occupancy relative to said advancing vehicle; - adjust (s440) the vehicle's progress according to the base provided.

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: - determining (s410) features of the vehicle in front by imaging.

The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: - providing (s410) features for the own vehicle.

A procedure according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of: - determining (s410) a vehicle speed.

A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said optimum occupancy includes the relative distance of the vehicles and / or a lateral positioning of the vehicle.

A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of: - presenting the said surface to the driver of the vehicle, for example in the form of distance indications.

A procedure according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of: 24 - continuously (s450) judging the vehicle's progress Iran optimum positioning point of view.

The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: 5 - continuously driving the driver presenting (s460) the outcome of said assessment of the vehicle's progress from the optimum positioning point of view.

A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said adaptation of the vehicle's travel takes place in predetermined discrete steps.

A method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein said adaptation of the vehicle's travel takes place steplessly.

11. A device for streamlining fuel utilization while driving a vehicle (100; 110), characterized by - means (200; 210; 500) for determining a frail fuel utilization point of view optimal location of the vehicle relative to a vehicle in front; means (200; 210; 500; 240) for providing a basis for adapting the travel of the vehicle to the thus determined optimal occupancy relative to said advancing vehicle; means (200; 210; 500; 260) are adapted to adapt the vehicle's progress according to the basis thus provided.

The device according to claim 11, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500; 230) for determining features of the advancing vehicle by means of imaging.

Device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500) for providing features for the own vehicle.

Device according to any one of claims 10-13, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500) capable of determining a vehicle speed.

Device according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein said optimal beam unit comprises the relative distance of the vehicles and / or a side positioning at which it was engaged.

Device according to any one of claims 11-15, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500; 240) for presenting said base to the driver of the vehicle, for example in the form of distance indications.

Device according to any one of claims 11-16, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500) for continuously beckoning the vehicle's progress from the optimum brightness point of view.

The device according to claim 17, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500; 240) for continuously causing the driver to present the outcome of said assessment of the vehicle's performance from the optimum point of view.

Device according to any one of claims 11-18, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500; 260) for adapting the front part of the vehicle in predetermined discrete steps.

Device according to any one of claims 11-18, further comprising: - means (200; 210; 500; 260) for steplessly adapting the front art of the vehicle.

A motor vehicle (100; 110) comprising a device according to any one of claims 11-20.

A motor vehicle (100; 110) according to claim 21, wherein the motor vehicle is any of a truck, bus or passenger car. 26

23. Computer program (P) for streamlining industry utilization during the operation of a vehicle (100; 110), wherein said computer program (P) comprises program code stored on a computer readable medium to cause an electronic control unit (200; 500). ) or another computer (210; 500) connected to the electronic control unit (200; 500) to perform the steps according to any one of claims 1-10.

A computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing the process steps of any of claims 1-10 when said computer program is run on an electronic control unit (200; 500) or another computer (210; 500) connected to the electronic control unit (200; 500). 1/4 or 100 1 112