SE539100C2 - Method and system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel - Google Patents

Method and system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel Download PDF

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Publication number
SE539100C2
SE539100C2 SE1551056A SE1551056A SE539100C2 SE 539100 C2 SE539100 C2 SE 539100C2 SE 1551056 A SE1551056 A SE 1551056A SE 1551056 A SE1551056 A SE 1551056A SE 539100 C2 SE539100 C2 SE 539100C2
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Sweden
Prior art keywords
vehicle
determining
weight
fuel
fuel consumption
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Application number
SE1551056A
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Swedish (sv)
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SE1551056A1 (en
Inventor
Wassberg Sebastian
Original Assignee
Scania Cv Ab
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Publication date
Application filed by Scania Cv Ab filed Critical Scania Cv Ab
Priority to SE1551056A priority Critical patent/SE539100C2/en
Priority to DE102016009143.6A priority patent/DE102016009143B4/en
Publication of SE1551056A1 publication Critical patent/SE1551056A1/en
Publication of SE539100C2 publication Critical patent/SE539100C2/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W40/00—Estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub unit, e.g. by using mathematical models
    • B60W40/12—Estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub unit, e.g. by using mathematical models related to parameters of the vehicle itself, e.g. tyre models
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F9/00—Measuring volume flow relative to another variable, e.g. of liquid fuel for an engine
    • G01F9/02—Measuring volume flow relative to another variable, e.g. of liquid fuel for an engine wherein the other variable is the speed of a vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W40/00—Estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub unit, e.g. by using mathematical models
    • B60W40/10—Estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub unit, e.g. by using mathematical models related to vehicle motion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F9/00—Measuring volume flow relative to another variable, e.g. of liquid fuel for an engine
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W50/00—Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
    • B60W2050/0062—Adapting control system settings
    • B60W2050/0075—Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60W2300/14—Tractor-trailers, i.e. combinations of a towing vehicle and one or more towed vehicles, e.g. caravans; Road trains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2520/00—Input parameters relating to overall vehicle dynamics
    • B60W2520/10—Longitudinal speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2530/00—Input parameters relating to vehicle conditions or values, not covered by groups B60W2510/00 or B60W2520/00
    • B60W2530/10—Weight
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2530/00—Input parameters relating to vehicle conditions or values, not covered by groups B60W2510/00 or B60W2520/00
    • B60W2530/209—Fuel quantity remaining in tank
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2556/00—Input parameters relating to data
    • B60W2556/10—Historical data
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/14—Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
    • B60Y2200/147—Trailers, e.g. full trailers or caravans
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2300/00—Purposes or special features of road vehicle drive control systems
    • B60Y2300/28—Purposes or special features of road vehicle drive control systems related to towing or towed situations
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
    • Y02T10/84—Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A REMAINING AVAILABLE TRAVEL DISTANCE FOR A VEHICLE WITH A CURRENT AMOUNT OF FUEL TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel. The invention also relates to a vehicle. The invention in addition relates to a computer program and a computer program product.
BACKGROUND ART In vehicles today, particularly cars, it is common to present for the driver the remaining available travel distance for the vehicle with the current amount of fuel, so called "distance to empty" (DTE). For heavy vehicles such as trucks the accuracy of the remaining travel distance is more difficult to determine due to the among others the weight of vehicle, the fuel consumption due to the heavy weight varying to a greater extent than for a light weight vehicle such as a car e.g. when driving in slopes. The fact that the amount of fuel such a heavy vehicle can carry is further much higher and thus the heavy vehicle may drive longer distances.
JP2010239684 discloses a cruising state prediction system mounted in a hybrid vehicle, the system determining cruising state of vehicle by comparing exploited energy with required energy calculated using travel history information and total weight of vehicle.
EP2127953 discloses a fuel-efficient driving-assistance apparatus for use in vehicle, the apparatus evaluating driving operation or driving state of the vehicle, to give a driver advice for improving fuel consumption in driving operation based on evaluated driving operation.
There is however a need for improving determination of a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel, particularly for a heavy vehicle such as a truck.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel which facilitates increasing the accuracy of the determination.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel which facilitates increasing the accuracy of the determination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by a method, a system, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product, as set out in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the method and the system are defined in appended dependent claims.
Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel. The method comprises the steps of: determining the fuel consumption; determining the current vehicle speed; determining the current amount of fuel; and determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle; determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight; and, if said amount exceeds a certain weight level, adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle. The method further comprises the step of resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance.
Hereby the accuracy of the determination of the remaining available travel distance is improved in that substantial weight changes will be accounted for in an efficient way. This is particularly suitable for vehicles with frequent substantial weight changes, such as tippers and other vehicles loading and unloading, fuel trucks, and the like. This is also suitable for trucks engaging/disengaging trailers.
According to an embodiment of the method said amount is in the range of tonnes.
According to an embodiment of the method said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours.
According to an embodiment of the method said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer.
According to an embodiment of the method said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel. The system comprises means for determining the fuel consumption; means for determining the current vehicle speed; and means for determining the current amount of fuel. The system further comprises means for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The system comprises means for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle; means for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight; and means for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level. The system further comprises means for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance.
According to an embodiment of the system said amount is in the range of tonnes.
According to an embodiment of the system said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours.
According to an embodiment of the system said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer.
According to an embodiment of the system said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
The system is adapted to perform the method as set out herein.
The system according to the invention has the advantages according to the corresponding method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a system for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter the term "link" refers to a communication link which may be a physical connector, such as an optoelectronic communication wire, or a non-physical connector such as a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave link.
Hereinafter the term "trailer" may refer to any kind of trailer such as a normal trailer or a so called semi-trailer.
Hereinafter the term "filtered fuel consumption" refers to a determined fuel consumption where the instantaneous fuel consumption has been levelled out such that the fuel consumption corresponds to an average over a certain time corresponding to how the vehicle has been driven during that certain time. Deviations in fuel consumption during drive over time along a route such as deviations due to uphill/downhill slopes, stops, wind and the like are hereby indirectly considered. This is in order to provide a more accurate prediction of fuel the fuel consumption.
Hereinafter the term "fuel" refers to any propellant for propelling a vehicle. The fuel may be fuel of any suitable kind, for example diesel fuel, gasoline, ethanol, vegetable oil or other suitable organic or synthetic fuel. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle 1 according to the present invention. The exemplified vehicle 1 is a heavy vehicle in the shape of a truck. The vehicle according to the present invention may be a vehicle such as a truck having a first vehicle body, e.g. a tractor and a second vehicle body, e.g. one or more trailers attachable to the first vehicle body. The vehicle according to the present invention could be any suitable vehicle such as a bus or a car, where a trailer or a caravan is attachable to the car. The vehicle comprises a system I for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel. Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a system I for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The system I comprises an electronic control unit 100.
The system I comprises means 110 for determining the fuel consumption. The means 110 for determining the fuel consumption comprises according to an embodiment means 112 for determining the current fuel dosage to the engine of the vehicle. The means 112 for determining the current fuel dosage to the engine of the vehicle may comprise any suitable control unit. Such a control unit comprises according to an embodiment the control unit 100. Such a control unit comprises according to an embodiment an engine control unit of the vehicle. The means 112 for determining the current fuel dosage comprises determining rail pressure and opening time of fuel valve units of the engine of the vehicle.
The means 110 for determining the fuel consumption comprises filter means 114 for determining filtered fuel consumption. The filter means 114 for determining filtered fuel consumption is configured to filter deviations in fuel consumption during drive over time along a route such as deviations due to uphill/downhill slopes, stops, wind and the like so as to determine filtered fuel consumption. The filter means 114 is configured to process data representing historical fuel consumption so as to predict the fuel consumption for the vehicle. The filter means 114 is configured to looking over a certain window in time.
The filter means may comprise any suitable filter means for determining filtered fuel consumption. The filter means comprises according to an embodiment a predictive filter unit. The predictive filter unit comprises according to an embodiment a Kalman filter. The filter means comprises according to an embodiment a mean value filter. The filter means comprises according to an embodiment an adaptive filter.
The means 110 for determining the fuel consumption comprises means 116 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle. The estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle is according to an embodiment used as a starting value for determination of the fuel consumption. The means 116 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle comprises according to an embodiment stored historical data for fuel consumption for the vehicle. The means 116 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle comprises a stored value of fuel consumption for the particular vehicle for typical routes. Such historical data and/or stored values are according to an embodiment stored in storage means. The storage means is according to an embodiment an internal storage means on board the vehicle. The storage means is according to an embodiment an external storage means arranged externally to the vehicle and accessible to the vehicle and other vehicles. The external storage means may be a server unit or the like and may be a global data base.
The system I comprises means 120 for determining the current vehicle speed. The means 120 for determining the current vehicle speed may comprise any suitable sensor means for sensing the vehicle speed. The means for determining the current vehicle speed comprises according to an embodiment the speedometer of the vehicle. The means 120 for determining the current vehicle speed comprises according to an embodiment angle sensor configuration arranged at one or more wheels of the vehicle. The means 120 for determining the current vehicle speed comprises according to an embodiment positioning means for determining the position of the vehicle and change in position of the vehicle, such positioning means according to an embodiment being a Global Positioning System, GPS.
The system I comprises means 130 for determining the current amount of fuel. Hereby the remaining amount of fuel is thus determined. The means 130 for determining the current amount of fuel comprises according to an embodiment one or more sensor units for sensing the amount of fuel. The sensors unit may be any suitable sensor unit for sensing the amount of fuel. The sensor unit comprises according to an embodiment a float sensor unit for sensing the current level of fuel so as to determine the current amount. The sensor unit comprises according to an embodiment a laser sensor unit utilising light reflection technique in order to determine the current amount of fuel. Such a laser sensor unit is according to an embodiment arrange in connection to a sealing in a container for containing the fuel. The sensor unit comprises according to an embodiment an acoustic sensor unit utilising echo technique in order to determine the current amount of fuel. Such an acoustic sensor unit is according to an embodiment arrange in connection to a sealing in a container for containing the fuel. The sensor unit comprises according to an embodiment a pressure sensor unit configured to determine the pressure caused by the fuel so as to determine the current amount of fuel.
The means 130 for determining the current amount of fuel may comprises one or more of any of the above mentioned sensors.
The fuel may be stored in one or more containers/tanks for containing the fuel. The sensor unit used may depend on the container for containing the fuel.
The system I comprises means 140 for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The certain period of travel time is according to an embodiment a predetermined period of travel time. According to an embodiment of the system said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours. The means 140 for determining the remaining available travel distance comprises processing information from the filter means 114 for determining filtered fuel consumption and information about current amount of fuel from the means 130.
The system I comprises means 150 for determining the current vehicle weight.
The means for determining the current vehicle weight comprises according to an embodiment sensor means 152 for sensing the weight of the vehicle. The sensor means 152 may comprise any suitable sensor unit. For a vehicle having an air suspension system the sensor means 152 for determining the weight of the vehicle is according to an embodiment comprised in the air suspension system of the vehicle. The means 152 for determining the weight of the vehicle is configured to consider loading of the vehicle leading to increased weight of the vehicle and unloading of the vehicle leading to decreased weight of the vehicle.
The means for determining the current vehicle weight comprises according to an embodiment means 154 for vehicle body weight information. For a vehicle comprising a first vehicle body for propelling the vehicle to which a second vehicle body is attachable the means 154 for vehicle body weight information comprises information about weights of different vehicle bodies, e.g. trailers, wherein the weight of the second vehicle body is identified by means of recognising the identification characteristics among the vehicle bodies. The means 154 for vehicle body weight information comprising weight information of the second vehicle body comprises according to an embodiment an external server unit accessible for the first vehicle body. The means 154 is according to an embodiment an internal server unit within the first vehicle unit.
The first vehicle body is according to an embodiment a tractor of truck. The second vehicle body is according to an embodiment at least one trailer, i.e. the second vehicle body may be one trailer attachable to the first vehicle body/tractor or more than one trailer where a first trailer is attachable to the first vehicle body/tractor and a second trailer is attachable to the first trailer etc.
The system I comprises means 160 for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the system I said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer. According to an embodiment of the system I said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
The system I comprises means 170 for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight. The means 170 for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight comprises means 172 for determining whether the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight exceeds a certain weight level C. According to an embodiment of the system I the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight exceeds a certain weight level C is in the range of tonnes.
The means 180 for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level C comprises means 182 for determining estimated adjusted fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle. The estimated adjusted fuel consumption for the vehicle is according to an embodiment used as a starting value for determination of the fuel consumption. The means 182 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle comprises according to an embodiment stored historical data for fuel consumption for the vehicle with a vehicle weight in the range of the changed vehicle weight. Such historical data and/or stored values are according to an embodiment stored in storage means. The storage means is according to an embodiment an internal storage means on board the vehicle. The storage means is according to an embodiment an external storage means arranged externally to the vehicle and accessible to the vehicle and other vehicles. The external storage means may be a server unit or the like and may be a global data base. The means 116 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle comprises a stored value of fuel consumption for a vehicle with the changed vehicle weight, the stored values according to an embodiment being in the form of a table of data of vehicle weight corresponding to fuel consumption. An example of a table for a certain vehicle with the change in vehicle weight, factor and fuel consumption for the certain change in weight is shown below: Image available on "Original document" In the exemplary table a weight of 20 tonnes corresponds to a fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour with a factor 1, a weight of 30 tonnes corresponds to a fuel consumption of 38 litres per hour with a factor 1.25, a weight of 40 tonnes corresponds to a fuel consumption of 45 litres per hour with a factor 1.5, and a weight of 60 tonnes corresponds to a fuel consumption of 60 litres per hour with a factor 2 and a weight of 50 tonnes corresponds to a fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour with a factor 2.
The amount of the change of the current vehicle weightrrwc/e ^is determined by subtracting the changed current weightmvehicie( n)from the old current vehicle weightmvehide( n- iyThe fuel consumption is adjusted if the difference exceeds a certain weight level C. This is determined according to the equation: Image available on "Original document" For example if the weight of the vehicle is increased with 20 tonnes by attaching e.g. a trailer, the fuel consumption that has been determined for the old vehicle weight by filtered fuel consumption determined during a predetermined period of travel time, e.g. 2 hours, and on current amount of fuel is e.g. changed from 30 l/h to 45 l/h, and hence vastly decreasing the remaining available travel distance from 3000 km to 2000 km.
The system I comprises means 190 for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level C.
The system I comprises means 200 for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance. According to an embodiment of the system said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours. The means 200 for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance is according to an embodiment comprised in the electronic control unit 100.
The system I comprises means 210 for presenting for the operator of the vehicle remaining available travel distance for the vehicle.
The means 210 for presenting for the operator of the vehicle remaining available travel distance for the vehicle comprises visual means for visual presentation on a display, by projection of a light source, said projection according to a variant being on the ground surface in connection to the vehicle. The visual means for visual presentation comprises according to an embodiment one or more display units on e.g. the instrument panel, a head-up-display on the windshield or the like, for displaying said presentation of information regarding fuel consumption.
The means 210 for presenting for the operator of the vehicle remaining available travel distance for the vehicle comprises according to an embodiment sound means for audible presentation such as an alarm, a voice message or the like.
When the certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance has been reset the means 140 for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time, which according to an embodiment is a predetermined period of travel time, and on current amount of fuel is used with based on the new estimated fuel consumption based on the changed vehicle weight.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 110 for determining the fuel consumption via a link 10. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 10 arranged to receive a signal from said means 110 representing data for fuel consumption.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 112 for determining the current fuel dosage to the engine of the vehicle via a link 12. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 12 arranged to receive a signal from said means 112 representing data for current fuel dosage to the engine of the vehicle.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the filter means 114 for determining filtered fuel consumption via a link 14. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 14 arranged to receive a signal from said filter means 114 representing data for filtered fuel consumption.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 116 for determining estimated fuel consumption for the vehicle via a link 16. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 16 arranged to receive a signal from said means 116 representing data for estimated fuel consumption.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 120 for determining the current vehicle speed via a link 20. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 20 arranged to receive a signal from said means 110 representing data for current vehicle speed.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 130 for determining the current amount of fuel via a link 30. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 30 arranged to receive a signal from said means 130 representing data for current amount of fuel.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 140 for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel via a link 40a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 40a arranged to send a signal to said means 140 representing data for filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and data for current amount of fuel.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 140 for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel via a link 40b. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 40b arranged to receive a signal from said means 140 representing data for remaining available travel distance.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 150 for determining the current vehicle weight via a link 50. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 50 arranged to receive a signal from said means 150 representing data for current vehicle weight.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the sensor means 152 for sensing the weight of the vehicle via a link 52. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 52 arranged to receive a signal from said sensor means 152 representing data for sensed weight of the vehicle.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 154 for vehicle body weight information via a link 54. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 54 arranged to receive a signal from said means 154 representing data for vehicle body weight information.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 160 for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle via a link 60. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 60 arranged to receive a signal from said means 160 representing data for sudden change of the weight of the vehicle.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 170 for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight via a link 70. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 70 arranged to receive a signal from said means 170 representing data for amount of the change of the current vehicle weight.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 172 for determining whether the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight exceeds a certain weight level via a link 72. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 72 arranged to receive a signal from said means 172 representing data for whether the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight exceeds a certain weight level.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 180 for determining estimated adjusted fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle via a link 80. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 80 arranged to receive a signal from said means 180 representing data for estimated adjusted fuel consumption.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 190 for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level via a link 90. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 90 arranged to send a signal to said means 190 representing data for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 200 for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance via a link 200a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 200a arranged to send a signal to said means 200 representing data for resetting said certain period of travel time.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 200 for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance via a link 200b. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 200b arranged to receive a signal from said means 200 representing data for a reset certain period of travel time.
The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 210 for presenting for the operator of the vehicle remaining available travel distance for the vehicle via a link 210a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 210a arranged to send a signal to said means 200 representing data for remaining available travel distance.
Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprise a step S1. In this step the fuel consumption is determined.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprise a step S2. In this step the current vehicle speed is determined.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprise a step S3. In this step the current amount of fuel is determined.
Steps S1, S2, S3 may be performed continuously. Steps S1, S2, S3 may be performed regularly with a certain regularity. Steps S1, S2, S3 may be performed at the same time or in any order.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprises a step S4. In this step the remaining available travel distance is determined based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The certain period of travel time is according to an embodiment a predetermined period of travel time.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprises a step S5. In this step a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle is detected. In connection to this step the weight of the vehicle is determined.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprises a step S6. In this step the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight is determined.
According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprises a step S7. In this step the fuel consumption is adjusted based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level.
The amount of the change of the current vehicle weight mvehicie (n-i) is determined by subtracting the changed current weightmvehicie( n)from the old current vehicle weightmvehide ( n- iyThe fuel consumption is adjusted if the difference exceeds a certain weight level C. This is determined according to the equation: Image available on "Original document" According to the embodiment the method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel comprises a step S8. In this step the certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance is reset.
Hereby step S4 is repeated with the new adjusted fuel consumption as a starting value. In the repeated step S4 the remaining available travel distance is determined based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel.
According to an embodiment of the method said amount is in the range of tonnes.
According to an embodiment of the method said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours.
According to an embodiment of the method said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer.
According to an embodiment of the method said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
The method and the method steps described above with reference to fig. 3 is according to an embodiment performed with the system I according to fig. 2.
With reference to figure 4, a diagram of an apparatus 500 is shown. The control unit 100 described with reference to fig. 2 may according to an embodiment comprise apparatus 500. Apparatus 500 comprises a non-volatile memory 520, a data processing device 510 and a read/write memory 550. Non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory portion 530 wherein a computer program, such as an operating system, is stored for controlling the function of apparatus 500. Further, apparatus 500 comprises a bus controller, a serial communication port, l/O-means, an A/D-converter, a time date entry and transmission unit, an event counter and an interrupt controller (not shown). Non-volatile memory 520 also has a second memory portion 540.
A computer program P is provided comprising routines for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel. The program P comprises routines for determining the fuel consumption. The program P comprises routines for determining the current vehicle speed. The program P comprises routines for determining the current amount of fuel. The program P comprises routines for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The program P comprises routines for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle. The program P comprises routines for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight. The program P comprises routines for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level. The program P comprises routines for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance. The computer program P may be stored in an executable manner or in a compressed condition in a separate memory 560 and/or in read/write memory 550.
When it is stated that data processing device 510 performs a certain function it should be understood that data processing device 510 performs a certain part of the program which is stored in separate memory 560, or a certain part of the program which is stored in read/write memory 550.
Data processing device 510 may communicate with a data communications port 599 by means of a data bus 515. Non-volatile memory 520 is adapted for communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 512. Separate memory 560 is adapted for communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 511. Read/write memory 550 is adapted for communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 514. To the data communications port 599 e.g. the links connected to the control units 100 may be connected.
When data is received on data port 599 it is temporarily stored in second memory portion 540. When the received input data has been temporarily stored, data processing device 510 is set up to perform execution of code in a manner described above. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining the fuel consumption. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining the current vehicle speed. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining the current amount of fuel. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time and on current amount of fuel. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance.
Parts of the methods described herein can be performed by apparatus 500 by means of data processing device 510 running the program stored in separate memory 560 or read/write memory 550. When apparatus 500 runs the program, parts of the methods described herein are executed.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims (14)

1. A method for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel, the method comprising the steps of: determining (S1) the fuel consumption; determining (S2) the current vehicle speed; determining (S3) the current amount of fuel; and determining (S4) the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption determined during a certain period of travel time, and on current amount of fuel, characterized by the steps of: - detecting (S5) a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle; - determining (S6) the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight; - if said amount exceeds a certain weight level, adjusting (S7) the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle; and - resetting (S8) said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said amount is in the range of tonnes.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours.
4. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer.
5. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
6. A system (I) for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel, the system comprising means (110) for determining the fuel consumption; means (120) for determining the current vehicle speed; and means (130) for determining the current amount of fuel, further comprising means (140) for determining the remaining available travel distance based on a filtered fuel consumption arranged to be determined during a certain period of travel time, and on current amount of fuel, characterized by means (160) for detecting a sudden change of the weight of the vehicle; means (170) for determining the amount of the change of the current vehicle weight; and means (190) for adjusting the fuel consumption based upon the changed current weight of the vehicle if said amount exceeds a certain weight level, and means (200) for resetting said certain period of travel time for determining a filtered fuel consumption for determining a new remaining available travel distance.
7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said amount is in the range of tonnes.
8. A system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said certain period of travel time is in the range of hours.
9. A system according to any of claims 6-8, wherein said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to attaching or detaching a trailer.
10. A system according to any of claims 6-9, wherein said sudden change of weight of the vehicle corresponds to loading or unloading the vehicle.
11. A vehicle (1) comprising a system (I) according to any of claims 6-10.
12. A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle is a truck or a bus.
13. A computer program (P) for determining a remaining available travel distance for a vehicle with a current amount of fuel, said computer program (P) comprising program code which, when run on an electronic control unit (100) or another computer (500) connected to the electronic control unit (100), causes the electronic control unit to perform the steps according to claim 1-5.
14. A computer program product comprising a digital storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 13.
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DE102018006076A1 (en) 2017-08-08 2019-02-14 Scania Cv Ab Method and control arrangement for determining the vehicle behavior for different masses of the vehicle
US11148620B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2021-10-19 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Vehicle range maximization based on external factors

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JP4556947B2 (en) 2006-12-27 2010-10-06 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel-saving driving support device
JP2010239684A (en) 2009-03-30 2010-10-21 Equos Research Co Ltd Cruising capability prediction system
DE102011113715A1 (en) 2011-09-17 2012-03-15 Daimler Ag Method for determining range of motor vehicle, involves detecting climate condition for determining range of vehicle, and determining range of vehicle based on energy provision amount for moving vehicle using association rule
DE102013208404A1 (en) 2013-05-07 2014-11-13 Continental Automotive Gmbh Determination of a vehicle weight by means of tire pressure sensors for the range prognosis of vehicles
GB201311515D0 (en) 2013-06-27 2013-08-14 Jaguar Land Rover Ltd EV range prediction

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018006076A1 (en) 2017-08-08 2019-02-14 Scania Cv Ab Method and control arrangement for determining the vehicle behavior for different masses of the vehicle
US11148620B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2021-10-19 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Vehicle range maximization based on external factors

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