DE102022134401A1 - Means of transport and method for starting an unmanned means of transport - Google Patents

Abstract

A means of transport (10) and a method for starting an unmanned means of transport (10) are proposed. The method comprises the steps of: automatically determining a need to start an internal combustion engine (1) of the means of transport (10), automatically determining an environmental situation of the means of transport (10) and depending on the environmental situation, and automatically starting or not starting the internal combustion engine (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a means of transport and a method for starting an unmanned means of transport. In particular, the present invention relates to a possibility for easily ensuring the restartability of a means of transport equipped with an electrochemical energy storage device and an internal combustion engine.

After production, vehicles are sometimes not used for several weeks or even months, for example because they are transported to other countries by sea. Self-discharge processes in electrical energy storage and traction energy storage can lead to critically low charge levels being reached. This can damage the energy storage. In addition, the ability of the vehicle to restart, for example to start a combustion engine, may not be guaranteed.

Modern vehicles are sometimes networked with a backend server using wireless communication devices and can perform automated driving functions. These automated driving functions are partly supported by infrastructure elements (external cameras, sensors, computing units). The vehicle therefore performs a driving function monitored by the infrastructure as an infrastructure-monitored vehicle (ICV). The capacities of the electrochemical energy storage units in combustion vehicles (internal combustion engine (ICE), mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)) are relatively low and are primarily required for driving functions. Distribution routes for vehicles can take a very long time, especially when transported by ship (sometimes 70 to 100 days). On this transport route, the starter battery or another battery relevant for starting (usually the 12V battery) must always have a minimum charge level to ensure roadworthiness. Unlike with purely electrically powered vehicles (battery electric vehicle (BEV)), it is not possible to recharge from a high-voltage storage unit. In vehicles powered by combustion engines, the engine must be started or a charger must be connected to recharge the battery. However, starting the engine is not possible everywhere because it can cause health and safety problems or environmental problems. In addition, vehicles parked close together are not easy for employees to open in order to start the engine. The same applies to electrically recharging the 12V battery using external power sources.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to ensure the restartability of a means of transport operated with an internal combustion engine even after a long period of time.

The above object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features according to claim 1 and by a means of transport having the features according to claim 10. The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

According to a core aspect of the present invention, the ICV function of the means of transport is to be maintained during transport until a desired charge level is present in the energy storage devices. For example, safe areas for recharging using an internal combustion engine are defined using geolocation/geofencing. The infrastructure and vehicle sensors can be used to detect and prevent dangerous situations or areas in which an internal combustion engine cannot or should not be operated. ICV (infrastructure control vehicle) is generally used to save personnel. For example, the vehicle drives automatically on shunting areas to a defined transfer point or even to the next transport section. With these options, the start-relevant battery and all other linked energy storage devices are charged with a maximum charging power. The operation of the ICV is extended until the desired charge level of the energy storage devices is reached. Dangerous situations are detected via the sensors of the vehicle and/or infrastructure and an engine start is prevented if necessary. Geolocation can be used to define "approved" areas in which further charging with the engine running is possible without danger. In particular, this can also be done in warehouses, means of transport, etc. that are not part of public traffic areas. For example, an increased CO concentration can be detected using a particle sensor. The backend detects a gathering of several vehicles that are active (charging) at the same time. If a specified limit of charging vehicles has been exceeded, charging is prevented in order to avoid an excessive accumulation of exhaust gases.

According to the method according to the invention for starting an unmanned means of transport, in a first step it is automatically determined that there is a need to start a combustion engine of the means of transport. For example, a critical charge level, a minimum voltage or the like can be reached. This can be determined, for example, using a voltage sensor on the means of transport. If the means of transport or its energy cell is connected to an infrastructure facility, this determination can also be made via the infrastructure. In a second step, an environmental situation of the means of transport is automatically determined and evaluated. For example, a predefined reference can be used to provide information on whether or not an internal combustion engine can currently be operated safely. The environmental situation can be recorded using sensors in particular. Features, in particular predefined features, can be recorded using the sensors and evaluated using the predefined reference. Depending on the assessment of the environmental situation, the internal combustion engine of the means of transport is then automatically started or not started in order to either charge an electrochemical energy storage device using a generator or to comply with the prohibitions in the current environment of the means of transport. Automatic starting, like automatic determination, can be done via the means of transport, via the infrastructure or based on both. The respective sensors can be used to base the decision on whether or not to start the engine on the broadest possible information basis. In this way, it can be prevented that the electrochemical energy storage device of the vehicle can no longer guarantee a restart capability and/or is damaged by deep discharge.

Preferably, the ambient situation can be compared with a predefined reference that defines local emission specifications. For example, a current CO concentration, a current CO2 concentration, a heat or odor load, a noise load, or similar, can be predefined for the current ambient situation, based on which a decision can be made as to whether the combustion engine can/may be operated or not.

The local emission specifications can, for example, result from a data storage device that is accessible via the means of transport. Alternatively or additionally, the data storage device can be read by the infrastructure facility. Depending on the availability of local emission specifications, the vehicle and/or the infrastructure facility can now decide whether the combustion engine can be started or not. The combustion engine can generally be started by the means of transport and/or by the infrastructure facility.

Determining the need to start the combustion engine can involve determining the energy requirement of an electrochemical energy storage device of the means of transport. For example, the energy withdrawal can be recorded over time and the need for a new charge of the electrochemical energy storage device can be determined by withdrawing a predefined amount. The energy requirement can also be calculated based on the consumers active over time and/or based on the previous idle time (if necessary depending on an initial charge level). In summary, the energy requirement can be determined or reported by one or more electrochemical energy storage devices carried by the means of transport. Alternatively or additionally, a traction energy requirement can also be determined independently of the electrochemical energy storage device. For example, it may be necessary to roll or maneuver the means of transport, so that traction energy must be provided by means of an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell or similar. In such a case, the combustion engine can also be started automatically, in particular remotely. For this purpose, a wireless message can be sent to the means of transport via a wireless connection. The message can, for example, be transmitted via the Internet and/or via a terrestrial mobile network.

The environmental situation can be determined, for example, using a camera and/or a satellite-based positioning system (e.g. GPS) and/or local triangulation. The camera can be assigned to the means of transport and/or an infrastructure facility. The satellite-based positioning system can in particular be arranged in the means of transport. For the purpose of local triangulation, the means of transport can aim at fixed, predefined positions in the infrastructure or receive signals from the infrastructure so that the means of transport can be located with sufficient accuracy for maneuvering. In this way, the means of transport can examine its own position to determine the extent to which local regulations prohibit the emission of exhaust gases and/or operating noise.

After the combustion engine has started automatically, the vehicle can be maneuvered autonomously. For example, the vehicle can be brought into a predefined parking position and/or guided along a predefined trajectory using a local vehicle remote control system. For example, the vehicle can also be driven to the next station during a production process, at which Work steps must be carried out on the means of transport.

The charging of the electrochemical energy storage device of the means of transport by the combustion engine can - as is known in the prior art - be carried out automatically by a generator which is driven by the combustion engine. Depending on the charge level of the electrochemical energy storage device (e.g. energy storage device is sufficiently full), the combustion engine can be stopped. Alternatively or additionally, a change in the environmental situation of the means of transport can be determined (e.g. during a movement and/or environmental conditions changing over time) and the combustion engine can be stopped in response. For example, a means of transport can enter an area with stricter emission requirements (e.g. a building, a closed room, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, time-of-day-related requirements for noise emissions can give reason to stop the combustion engine.

In particular, if environmental conditions that change over time mean that the need of an electrochemical energy storage device for electrical energy supply cannot be satisfied, the means of transport can be automatically guided to an environment with changed (less restrictive) local emission requirements. This can also be necessary if a charging process or operation of an internal combustion engine is limited to a predefined period of time. If there is still a need for electrical energy supply after the period has elapsed, the means of transport can therefore automatically drive to an area with less restrictive emission requirements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a means of transport is proposed which has an evaluation unit, a data input and a data output. The means of transport also has an electrochemical energy storage device and an internal combustion engine, by means of which traction energy and/or electrical energy can be provided for charging the electrochemical energy storage device. For this purpose, for example, a generator of the means of transport can be driven by a motor, which is set up to charge the electrochemical energy storage device. The means of transport is set up by means of the data input to determine a need to start the internal combustion engine of the means of transport, to automatically determine an environmental situation of the means of transport and, depending on the environmental situation, to automatically start or not start the internal combustion engine. The environmental situation of the means of transport can be determined by the means of transport and/or by an infrastructure facility surrounding the means of transport. Sensors (for example a camera, satellite-based positioning system, local triangulation, or similar) can be used for this purpose. In addition, the means of transport can have a data storage device in which local emission specifications are defined. The emission targets can be defined over time and/or over location. Due to the need to start the combustion engine, the combustion engine will be started or not started depending on the relationship between the current environmental situation and the reference (which can alternatively or additionally be determined using a wireless communication connection from the infrastructure facility and/or from the Internet).

The features, combinations of features and the resulting advantages of the means of transport according to the invention are so obvious from those which have been explained in connection with the above-mentioned method that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Situation, in welcher Ausführungsbeispiele eines erfindungsgemäßen Fortbewegungsmittels ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Starten eines unbemannten Fortbewegungsmittels ausführen; und
• 2 ein Flussdiagramm veranschaulichend Schritte eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Starten eines unbemannten Fortbewegungsmittels.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description and the figures. They show:

• 1 a schematic plan view of a situation in which embodiments of a means of transport according to the invention carry out a method according to the invention for starting an unmanned means of transport; and
• 2 a flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for starting an unmanned means of transport.

1 shows a plan view of a port facility 12 as an infrastructure facility in which a cargo ship 11 is anchored. The cargo ship 11 can itself be understood as an independent infrastructure facility in the sense of the present invention. On the deck of the cargo ship 11, embodiments of cars designed according to the invention are parked as means of transport 10, which are located in the detection range of a surveillance camera 7. By means of an antenna 9, the cargo ship 11 can send data relating to a predefined reference as well as images from the surveillance camera 7 to the means of transport 10. If the local (not shown) electrochemical energy storage devices run out of capacity, the means of transport 10 can be used autonomously and/or with by means of the antenna 9, so that a respective combustion engine of the means of transport 10 drives a generator, which in turn charges the respective electrochemical energy storage device (starter battery). The operation of the combustion engines on board the cargo ship 11 is at least unproblematic when the means of transport 10 are parked on an upper deck (in the open air). Here, exhaust gases can escape and engine noises have little impact on the comfort of the crew. The situation would be different if the means of transport 10 were arranged on a lower deck. A camera there would thus determine an environmental situation of the means of transport which is unsuitable for at least long-term operation of the combustion engine (to generate electrical energy or traction energy). Accordingly, the reference can be changed so that means of transport 10 located on a lower deck are not allowed to operate with an internal combustion engine to charge electrochemical energy storage devices and are only allowed to start the internal combustion engine automatically when driving out of the hull of the cargo ship 11. A warehouse 5 as an infrastructure facility is provided with local antennas 9, by means of which a means of transport 10 is provided with a traction machine in the form of an internal combustion engine 1 and an electric motor 4 as well as an electrochemical energy storage device 3. The electrochemical energy storage device 3 serves as a starter battery for the internal combustion engine 1. If the energy resources of the electrochemical energy storage device 3 run out, an electric generator (not shown) - driven by the internal combustion engine 1 - can charge the traction energy storage device in the form of the electrochemical energy storage device 3. A respective position and time stamp are transmitted via the antenna 9, on the basis of which the means of transport 10 can determine its position within the warehouse 5. The same applies to a surveillance camera 7, which is connected to an evaluation unit 6 and a data storage device 2 by means of information technology. A predefined reference is stored in the data storage device 2, which represents strict emission specifications for the warehouse 5. An automatic start of a combustion engine 1 of the means of transport 10 for the purpose of charging the electrochemical energy storage device 3 is therefore not permitted. A means of transport 10' has therefore left the warehouse 5 autonomously in order to determine its position again in the open atmosphere and in the detection range of another surveillance camera 7 and with the aid of a satellite 8. Its evaluation unit 13 in the form of an electronic control device has a data input 14 and a data output 15, by means of which the current environmental situation can be compared with a data reference obtained (over-the-air). If the data reference allows the use of the combustion engine 1 for the purpose of charging the electrochemical energy storage device 3, the combustion engine 1 can be started and thus the electrochemical energy storage device 3 can be brought out of a critical charge state.

2 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method for starting an unmanned means of transport. In step 100, a need to start an internal combustion engine of the means of transport is automatically determined. This can be caused by a low-voltage event of an electrochemical energy storage device of the means of transport. In step 200, an environmental situation of the means of transport is automatically determined using a sensor of the means of transport. This can be, for example, a feature for locating the means of transport. In step 300, the environmental situation is then compared with a predefined reference that represents a local emission specification. The predefined reference can, for example, be represented in a digital data storage device that the means of transport carries with it or can access via a wireless communication connection. In step 400, the internal combustion engine of the means of transport is automatically started or not started depending on the environmental situation and the predefined reference. If the emission specifications allow the vehicle to be started, in step 500 the vehicle is maneuvered autonomously using a local vehicle remote control system. For example, this can be in a warehouse or a production hall. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle can be on another vehicle (e.g. an ocean freight ship). In step 600, an electrochemical energy storage device of the vehicle is then charged using the combustion engine. An alternator or generator can be used for this purpose. After the charge level of the electrochemical energy storage device has reached a predefined minimum level and/or changed environmental conditions restrict the use of the combustion engine, the combustion engine is stopped in step 700.

List of reference symbols:

1

Combustion engine

2

Data storage

3

electrochemical energy storage

4

Electric motor

5

storage hall

6

Evaluation unit

7

Security Camera

8th

satellite

9

antenna

10, 10'

Means of transport

11

Cargo ship

12

Port facility

13

electronic control unit

14

Data input

15

Data output

100 to 700

Process steps

Claims (11)

Method for starting an unmanned means of transport (10) comprising the steps • Automatically determining (100) a need to start an internal combustion engine (1) of the means of transport (10), • Automatically determining (200) an environmental situation of the means of transport (10) and depending on the environmental situation, • Automatically starting (400) or not starting the internal combustion engine (1). Procedure according to Claim 1 further comprehensive - comparing (300) the ambient situation with a predefined reference representing local emission specifications. Procedure according to Claim 2 , whereby the local emission specifications are read from a data memory (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the necessity relates to - an energy requirement of an electrochemical energy storage device (3) and/or - a traction energy requirement. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the environmental situation is carried out by the means of transport (10) and/or by an infrastructure facility (11). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the environmental situation is carried out by means of - a camera (7) and/or - a satellite-based positioning system and/or - local triangulation. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising - autonomous maneuvering (500) of the means of transport (10) by means of a local vehicle remote control system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps - charging (600) an electrochemical energy store (3) of the means of transport (10) by means of the internal combustion engine (1) of the means of transport (10), - stopping (700) the internal combustion engine (1) depending on - a charge state of the electrochemical energy store (3) and/or - determining (7) a changed environmental situation of the means of transport (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps - automatically guiding the means of transport (10) into an environment with changed local emission specifications. Means of transport comprising - an evaluation unit (13), - a data input (14) and - a data output (15), wherein the means of transport (10) is set up • to automatically determine a need to start an internal combustion engine (1) of the means of transport (10), • to automatically determine an environmental situation of the means of transport (10) and, depending on the environmental situation, • to automatically start or not start the internal combustion engine (1). Means of transport to Claim 10 , which is designed as a means of transport (10) in a method according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 9 to participate.

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