DE102009042309B4 - Method and device for automatic engine control of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for automatic engine control of a vehicle with the following steps: - determining the driving state of a vehicle in front based on data from an environment sensor system (10, 12, 14; S10, S12) and - generating a control signal (16) for an engine control system (18) as a function of determined driving state (S14, S16, S18, S20, S22), characterized in that - determining the driving state comprises generating a message that contains a probability that an engine torque is required within a certain time period, and - generating a control signal Evaluating the probability and depending on the evaluation includes generating a start signal for the engine control.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for automatic engine control of a vehicle according to claims 1 and 7, respectively.

So-called start-stop systems for automatic engine control are known in the prior art. Such systems receive the driving speed and an actuation signal of the clutch or accelerator pedal as input variables. At a driving speed of almost zero, these systems automatically switch off the engine. If the clutch or accelerator pedal is signaled when the engine is switched off, the stopped engine is started automatically.

DE 11 2006 003 123 T5 discloses an environment detection system that starts the engine of a vehicle based on conditions detected in the environment.

US 2003/0087724 A1 shows an automatic start-stop system for a vehicle. The automatic takes into account an engaged reverse gear and accordingly does not switch off the engine.

The object of the present invention is now to further improve these start-stop systems.

This object is achieved by a method for automatic engine control of a vehicle with the features according to claim 1 and a corresponding device with the features according to claim 7. Further refinements of the invention result from the dependent claims.

An essential idea of the invention is to use data from an environment or environment sensor system such as an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) system for automatic engine control. Environment or environment sensors in the sense of the invention are understood to mean any technology with which information about the environment or the surroundings of a vehicle can be obtained, that is to say not only ACC systems, but also Car2X and Car2Car systems. The driving state of a vehicle driving in front can be determined relatively precisely by the environment sensor data and used to generate a control signal for automatic engine control. If the start of the vehicle in front is signaled by the environment sensors, a start signal can be generated for the engine. On the other hand, if the environment sensor system signals a deceleration of the vehicle in front at a relatively low speed of the own vehicle, a stop signal can also be generated for the engine, since it can be assumed that the vehicle in front will stop. An example of such a situation is target braking on a convoy. Since no engine torque will be required for the foreseeable future in this case, a signal can be generated that suggests an engine shutdown. The invention is particularly suitable for use with an ACC system, but can also be used independently of such a system, for example with other environmental sensor systems, in particular for close-up areas, such as ultrasound, infrared, lidar or camera sensors.

• - Ermitteln des Fahrzustands eines vorausfahrenden Fahrzeugs basierend auf Daten einer Umfeldsensorik und
• - Erzeugen eines Steuersignals für eine Motorsteuerung abhängig vom ermittelten Fahrzustand des vorausfahrenden Fahrzeugs, wobei das Ermitteln des Fahrzustands kann insbesondere das Erzeugen einer Nachricht umfassen, die eine Wahrscheinlichkeit beinhaltet, dass ein Motormoment innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitabschnitts benötigt wird, und das Erzeugen eines Steuersignals kann das Auswerten der Wahrscheinlichkeit und abhängig von der Auswertung das Erzeugen eines Start-Signals für die Motorsteuerung umfassen.

According to one embodiment, the present invention now relates to a method for automatic engine control of a vehicle with the following steps:

• - Determining the driving state of a vehicle in front based on data from an environment sensor system and
• - Generating a control signal for an engine control depending on the determined driving state of the preceding vehicle, wherein the determining of the driving state can in particular include generating a message that contains a probability that an engine torque is required within a certain time period, and generating a control signal can Evaluate the probability and, depending on the evaluation, include generating a start signal for the engine control.

Such a method is typically designed in the form of an algorithm that can be integrated, for example, in an engine control system. The data from the environment sensors can be ACC data, images from the camera of a driver assistance system that are evaluated with regard to the brake lights of the vehicle in front, or data from environment sensor systems that actively generate data and send them to an environment sensor system in the vehicle, such as Car2X or Car2Car. systems.

Determining the driving condition may include determining a start-up of the vehicle in front, and generating a control signal may include generating a start signal for the engine control. In contrast to conventional start-stop systems, which require driver intervention, an engine can be started automatically without driver action.

Furthermore, determining the driving state may include determining a stop operation of the vehicle in front, and generating a control signal may include generating a stop signal for the engine control. As a result, the engine can already be stopped when the vehicle in front stops, but the own vehicle is still driving. This is useful, for example, when driving in a column or in a traffic jam, since fuel consumption can be reduced since the engine is not stopped only when the vehicle is at a standstill.

• Auswerten der Bremslichter des vorausfahrenden Fahrzeugs; Auswerten einer Ampelschaltung;
• Auswerten eines Car2X-Information von einer Ampelsteuerung; Auswerten von Car2Car-lnformationen vom vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug. Diese Methoden können alle für eine effiziente automatische Motorsteuerung eingesetzt und zum Teil mit existierenden Systemen umgesetzt werden. Beispielsweise kann das Auswerten der Bremslichter mit einem kamerabasierten Umgebungsüberwachungssystem erfolgen, ebenso wie das Auswerten der Ampelschaltung. Car2X- und Car2Car-Systeme können sich ebenfalls dafür eignen, den Fahrzustand des vorausfahrenden Fahrzeugs auszuwerten.

In particular, the determination of the driving state can include one or more of the following methods:

• Evaluating the brake lights of the vehicle in front; Evaluating a traffic light circuit;
• Evaluating a Car2X information from a traffic light control; Evaluation of Car2Car information from the vehicle in front. These methods can all be used for efficient automatic engine control and some of them can be implemented with existing systems. For example, the evaluation of the brake lights can be carried out with a camera-based environmental monitoring system, as can the evaluation of the traffic light circuit. Car2X and Car2Car systems can also be used to evaluate the driving condition of the vehicle in front.

The generation of the control signal can be prevented if the engagement of a reverse gear of the vehicle is signaled. This type of overriding of the automatic engine control can prevent the engine from suddenly stopping automatically during parking maneuvers or even after parking, i.e. when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is stopped, but a vehicle parked in front of it is parked and the engine is restarted.

• - zum Ermitteln des Fahrzustands eines vorausfahrenden Fahrzeugs basierend auf Daten einer Umfeldsensorik und
• - Erzeugen eines Steuersignals für eine Motorsteuerung abhängig vom ermittelten Fahrzustand wobei das Ermitteln des Fahrzustands insbesondere das Erzeugen einer Nachricht umfassen, die eine Wahrscheinlichkeit beinhaltet, dass ein Motormoment innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitabschnitts benötigt wird, und das Erzeugen eines Steuersignals kann das Auswerten der Wahrscheinlichkeit und abhängig von der Auswertung das Erzeugen eines Start-Signals für die Motorsteuerung umfassen.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a device for automatic engine control of a vehicle, which is designed:

• - To determine the driving state of a vehicle in front based on data from an environment sensor system and
• - Generating a control signal for an engine control as a function of the determined driving state, the determining of the driving state comprising, in particular, generating a message that contains a probability that an engine torque is required within a specific time period, and generating a control signal can evaluate the probability and depending of the evaluation include generating a start signal for the engine control.

This device can be designed, for example, as an independent module for installation in a vehicle or as a software component for integration into an existing engine control system.

The device is designed in particular to carry out a method according to the invention and as described above. For example, the method according to the invention can be implemented in the form of an algorithm which is designed in the form of a program which can be executed by a processor.

The device can be designed above all as a control unit which comprises a microcontroller and a memory in which a program is stored which configures the microcontroller to carry out a method according to the invention, in particular executes an algorithm implementing the method.

Further advantages and possible uses of the present invention result from the following description in connection with the embodiment (s) shown in the drawing (s).

In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the drawings, the terms and associated reference symbols used in the list of reference symbols given below are used.

• 1 ein Blockschaltbild eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Vorrichtung zur automatischen Motorsteuerung nach der Erfindung; und
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Algorithmus zur automatischen Motorsteuerung gemäß der Erfindung.

The drawings show in

• 1 a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for automatic engine control according to the invention; and
• 2 a flowchart of an algorithm for automatic engine control according to the invention.

In the following, identical and / or functionally identical elements can be provided with the same reference symbols. The absolute values and dimensions given below are only exemplary values and do not limit the invention to such dimensions.

1 shows a block diagram of an automatic engine control according to the invention with an engine management 18 (an engine control unit) that provides a start / stop signal for starting or stopping an engine 22 generated. The engine management 18 has electronics that are from auxiliary units 24 how the battery management of the vehicle is powered. The engine management 18 is to start or stop the Motors 22 provided in different situations and explained below.

First, the engine management implements the well-known function that the stopped engine 22 is started automatically when from an accelerator pedal sensor 26 an actuation signal is transmitted (dashed line in 1 ).

The engine management 18 also becomes a prediction signal 16 via start / stop, in particular via a vehicle bus, which is supplied by a driving condition prediction unit 20 is generated on the basis of various data. The unit 20 For this purpose, various signals are fed in for processing on the input side: the signal from a brake light switch 28 own vehicle; the signal of a Car2X system 14; the signal from a camera 12 for environmental detection; the signal of a radar / lidar / ultrasound system 10 for environmental detection.

Based on the supplied signals, the driving state prediction unit 20 the prediction signal 16 generated. The prediction signal 16 contains a probability value for a start / stop process of a vehicle in front, which is determined from the data of an environment or environment sensor system of the own vehicle, i.e. on the basis of the signals from the radar / lidar / ultrachall system 10 and / or the camera 12 for environmental detection. These signals are transmitted by the unit according to the in 2 shown algorithm processed.

After receiving the data in step S10 will in step S12 the driving state of a vehicle, in particular directly driving ahead, is determined on the basis of the received data. For example, the brake lights of the vehicle in front can be evaluated using camera data or the relative speed to the vehicle in front can be evaluated using the radar / lidar / ultrasound data. On the basis of this evaluation, a probability can be determined that the vehicle in front stops or starts. A FSR ACC (Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control) system (regulating the vehicle speed until the vehicle comes to a standstill) is particularly suitable for the purposes of the invention, since this system can already reliably detect, according to the state of the art, if a vehicle in front comes to a standstill Movement sets.

In a subsequent step S14 it is now determined on the basis of the ascertained probability whether the vehicle in front stops. Displays the determined probability that the vehicle ahead stops, in one step S18 a probability signal for an engine stop is issued, which is then from the engine management 18 can be processed further, in particular stopping the running engine 22 can effect.

Will in step S14 If the vehicle in front has not determined to stop, the algorithm moves to the step S16 continues, in which it is determined whether the vehicle in front is approaching or moving. If this is the case, the algorithm moves to step S20 and outputs a probability signal for an engine start, which is then from the engine management 18 can be processed again, especially starting the stopped engine 22 can effect. In contrast, is in the step S16 In step, the algorithm shows that the vehicle in front is not starting up or moving S10 , in which environmental sensor data is received and processed again.

From the in the steps S18 and S20 output probability signals is in step S22 finally a start / stop signal for the engine 22 from engine management 18 generated. The signal is generated here on the basis of the transmitted probability, i.e. other signals can also be included in the generation, for example a signal of an engaged reverse gear of the own vehicle, which is intended to prevent an automatic engine start or stop, as this Parking is undesirable.

In addition to the environmental sensor data from radar / lidar / ultrasound / camera, the unit can 20 also process Car2X or Car2Car signals. These signals can directly indicate whether a vehicle in front is stopping or starting, or when a traffic light system is switching. Therefore, these signals are also suitable for automatic engine control in the sense of the invention.

Furthermore, the signal from a brake light switch 28 of your own vehicle from the unit 20 are evaluated, for example in order to plausibility check of a driving state of a preceding vehicle determined on the basis of environmental sensor data by the driving state of the own vehicle. If, for example, a braking operation is determined as the driving state of the vehicle in front and the brake light switch of the driver's vehicle is actuated, it can be assumed with a high probability that the driver's vehicle will soon be stopped and the engine can therefore be switched off since no engine torque is required ,

Systems for automatic engine control, in particular so-called engine start-stop systems, can be improved with the invention, since the environmental situation is also dealt with, in particular the driving state of a vehicle in front.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Radar / lidar / ultrasonic sensor area

12

camera

14

Car2X System

16

Prädiktionsssignal

18

engine management

20

Fahrzustandsprädiktionseinheit

22

engine

24

Ancillaries / battery management

26

accelerator sensor

28

Brake Light Switch

S10-S22

steps

Claims (8)

Method for automatic engine control of a vehicle with the following steps: - determining the driving state of a vehicle in front based on data from an environment sensor system (10, 12, 14; S10, S12) and - generating a control signal (16) for an engine control system (18) depending on determined driving state (S14, S16, S18, S20, S22), characterized in that - determining the driving state comprises generating a message that includes a probability that an engine torque is required within a certain time period, and - generating a control signal that Evaluating the probability and depending on the evaluation includes generating a start signal for the engine control. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that - determining the driving state comprises determining a starting process of the vehicle in front, and - generating a control signal comprises generating a start signal for the engine control. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that - determining the driving state comprises determining a stop operation of the vehicle in front, and - generating a control signal comprising generating a stop signal for the engine control. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that determining the driving state comprises one or more of the following methods: evaluating the brake lights of the preceding vehicle; Evaluating a traffic light circuit; Evaluating a Car2X information from a traffic light control; Evaluation of Car2Car information from the vehicle in front. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generation of the control signal is prevented when the engagement of a reverse gear of the vehicle is signaled. Device for the automatic engine control of a vehicle, which is designed: - to determine the driving state of a preceding vehicle based on data from a surroundings sensor system (10, 12, 14), and - generating a control signal (16) dependent for a motor control (18) from the determined driving state characterized characterized in that - the determination of the driving state comprises the generation of a message which contains a probability that an engine torque is required within a certain time period, and - the generation of a control signal, the evaluation of the probability and, depending on the evaluation, the generation of a start signal for engine control. Device after Claim 6 , characterized in that they carry out a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 is trained. Device after Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that it is designed as a control device (20) which comprises a microcontroller and a memory in which a program is stored which the microcontroller for performing a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 configured.

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