Control System For a Vehicle, and Method For Controlling a Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for a vehicle and to a method for controlling a vehicle using such a control system. The control system has a mobile input and analyzing device, a holding device for the input and analyzing device, and means for actuating electronic components and for detecting state information of the vehicle. The aim of the invention is to maintain low production costs for the control system and to allow a wide use with different vehicles. This is achieved by analyzing the state information obtained by the means and by generating control signals for the electronic components in the mobile input and analyzing device.

Claims

1. Control system for a vehicle, which comprises a mobile input and analyzing device, a holding device for the input and analyzing device as well as means for actuating electronic components and for detecting state information of the vehicle, characterized in that an analysis of the state information received from the means as well as the generation of control signals for the electronic components occurs in the mobile input and analyzing device.

2. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle is an electrovehicle, in particular an electrobike, which comprises an electric drive system, whereby state information is transferable from the electric drive system to the mobile input and analyzing device and control signals from the mobile input and analyzing device are transferable to the drive system.

3. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile input and analyzing device is a smartphone.

4. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sending and receiving element is arranged in the holding device, with which the mobile input and analyzing device in connectable, in particular wirelessly.

5. Control system according to claim 4, characterized in that the sending and receiving element is wireless connectable with the means, whereby the sending and receiving element is suitable for wireless communication through standardized methods in particular.

6. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting and in particular wirelessly transferring biometric data of the driver to the mobile input and analyzing device, which comprises a function for presenting and analyzing the biometric data, whereby control signals may be automatically generated from the mobile input and analyzing device based on the analysis.

7. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for satellite-supported positioning, which are arranged in particular in the holding device.

8. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that an anti-theft device is arranged in the holding device, which comprises in particular a position tracker.

9. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile input and analyzing device comprises a map display, whereby in particular satellite navigation is included.

10. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic components encompass in particular: a component for controlling a motor, an electronic circuit arrangement, an actuator for influencing a suspension stiffness, an actuator for modifying a saddle height and/or a light control.

11. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means encompass in particular: a rotational frequency sensor, a speed sensor, a pedal frequency sensor, an air pressure sensor, a sensor for detecting a charge capacity and/or a sensor for detecting an output performance.

12. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that an electric energy storage system is arranged in the holding device in particular for supplying energy to the mobile input and analyzing device held in the holding device.

13. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile input and analyzing device comprises a function for calculating a remaining range.

14. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a remote operational module, which is connectable in particular wirelessly with the mobile input and analyzing device.

15. Method for controlling a vehicle, in particular an electrovehicle with a control system according to one of the previous claims, whereby state information is detected via means attached to the vehicle and transferred to a mobile input and analyzing device, whereby the state information is analyzed and control signals for controlling electronic components of the vehicle are generated in the mobile input and analyzing device.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that a smart phone is used as the mobile input and analyzing device.

17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that control signals for an electric drive system of the vehicle are generated from the mobile input and analyzing device, whereby state information is provided to the mobile input and analyzing device from the electric drive system.

18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the signals are transferred wirelessly between the mobile input and analyzing device and a sending and receiving element, which is arranged in a holding device for the mobile input and analyzing device, whereby the signals are transferred between the sending and receiving element and the means in particular wirelessly.

19. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the computing power available in the input and analyzing device is used at least for the majority of the computing performance necessary for control of the vehicle, in particular of the electric drive system.

20. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that open source software is used for realizing the functions in the mobile input and analyzing device.

21. (canceled)

Description

[0029] The invention is described in more detail in the following, in conjunction with preferred example embodiments and the drawings. These show:

[0030] FIG. 1 a schematic depiction of a first embodiment of the control system;

[0031] FIG. 2 a schematic depiction of a second embodiment of the control system; and

[0032] FIG. 3 a schematic depiction of a third embodiment of the control system.

[0033] In FIG. 1, a control system 1 according to the invention, for a land or water vehicle, in particular for an electrically driven vehicle, such as an electrobike, is schematically shown. The control system 1 comprises as essential components a mobile input and analyzing device 2, that provides the necessary computing power for the operation of the control system 1 and additionally, a user interface. The input and analyzing device 2 is construed as a smart phone, for example an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone, and comprises therefore a touch-sensitive display for displaying information as well as providing a user interface, via which the user can cause an input. A sending and receiving element 4 serves to transfer signal information between the input and analyzing device 2 and means 5a to 5e, which comprises communication means 6a to 6e, in order to be able to communicate wireless with the sending and receiving element 4. With assistance of the means 5a-5c, electronic components 17-17c, such as switches, an electric drive system, servomotors, a camera and the like, for example, may be actuated. The means 5a-5c with the associated communication means 6a-6c enable communication over a wireless standard, for example Zigbee, Bluetooth, WLAN or the like. The sending and receiving element 4 comprises communication elements 7a to 7e corresponding hereto.

[0034] Despite the fact that the number of the communication elements 7a to 7e matches the number of the means 5a to 5e in the schematic construction shown here, this is not necessary. Rather, a single communications element can be connected with several means. The large number of communication elements 7a to 7e serves only to illustrate various applicable transmission standards, which do not all necessarily have to be integrated in the sending and receiving element 4.

[0035] The sending and receiving element 4 is accommodated in a holding device 16, which comprises a positive-fit accommodation of the mobile input and analyzing device. Upon operation of the vehicle, the mobile input and analyzing device can be held in the holding device in a secure manner.

[0036] Further, the sending and receiving element 4 comprises a means 8 for satellite-supported positioning, in particular a GPC/GSM module. In addition, an electric energy storage system 9, formed as a battery for example, a camera 10, a control 11 as well as a control component 12 are provided. If needed, an energy supply can be switched on and off via a switch 13 between the electric energy storage system 9 and the controller 11. In this way, the control system 1 can be operated, or disabled when not in use.

[0037] Between the sending and receiving element 4 and the mobile input and analyzing device 2, a wired communication is provided according to this embodiment. For this, a wire 14 with appropriate connectors is inserted into a connection socket of the input and analyzing device 2. Via this wire 14, a supply of electrical energy from the electric energy storage system 9 can occur, as well as transfer of control signals and state information between the input and analyzing device 2 and the sending and receiving element 4 (or the controller 11). The controller 11 then implements the received control signals into appropriate signals for the means 5a to 5c, which then serve as driver stages. In return ?, the controller 11 converts the signals received from the means 5d and 5e into corresponding data that may be utilized by the input and analyzing device 2. The sending and receiving element 4 integrated in the holding device for the mobile input and analyzing device 2 acts as a central unit, which serves for communication between the mobile input and analyzing device 2 and the means 5a to 5e (i.e. the components 17a to 17c) of the vehicle. In this way, the computing power of the mobile input and analyzing device 2 is used for the important control tasks, in particular the generation of the control signals.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the schematic construction of a further embodiment of the inventive control system 1, which is distinguished from the construction shown in FIG. 1 essentially in that the mobile input and analyzing device 2 communicates wirelessly with the sending and receiving element 4. In addition, a wired energy supply is provided via a supply line 15. Wireless communication between the sending and receiving element 4 as well as the input and analyzing device 2 then preferably also occurs via typical industry standards, for example WLAN or Bluetooth. Through this, a communication (i.e. control) is already possible when the mobile input and analyzing device 2 is not yet accommodated in the holding device 16. Furthermore, manufacturer-independent usage of the input and analyzing device 2 is possible, since these only need to offer a standardized wireless transfer, whereas however no regard needs to be taken of special connectors or connector ports.

[0039] In FIG. 3, a further simplified construction of a control system 1 is illustrated, for which the mobile input and analyzing device 2 partly directly and wireless communicates with the means 5b to 5d and the corresponding components 17b and 17c. Additionally, a wireless communication occurs between the input and analyzing device 2 and the sending and receiving element 4 and from there, with the means 6a and the component 5a. The sending and receiving element 4 comprises furthermore no means for satellite-supported positioning. Rather, the GPS module present in the input and analyzing device is used for positioning. This is available from typical smartphones regardless.

[0040] The invention is not restricted to one of the previously described embodiments. Rather, it is variable in various ways. Different standards for wireless communication can be provided. It is also conceivable to connect the sending and receiving element 4 in a wired manner with the means 6a to 6e, i.e. the components 17a to 17c. Further, the number of the means and components may be chosen relatively freely, depending on the requirements.

[0041] The inventive control system for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle with an electric drive system, such as an electrobike, offers a cost-effective solution, which may be realized without difficulty or particular effort. Input and analyzing devices that would be available regardless, such as smartphones or tablet PCs, are used as essential components, which make available the necessary computing power for control in particular. The part of the control system that is to be fixed to the respectively used vehicle, in particular the sending and receiving element as well as the means and electronic components, are partly present regardless, but partly also easily installable. In this way, a cost-effective networking solution of all electronic components with novel operational and display concepts is achieved via the mobile input and analyzing device, in particular a smartphone. State information can be collected and evaluated by the input and analyzing device from the driver as well as from the vehicle and the environment.

[0042] The mobile input and analyzing device integrates many functions within itself, for example the function of a bicycle computer in the case of a electrobike, a telephone, a music player, a light control, a trigger for switching gears, setting a suspension characteristic, setting a saddle height and more. Through additional software, expansion is readily possible.

[0043] The inventive control system constitutes thereby a wireless, networked control of vehicle systems based upon mobile input and analyzing devices, such as smartphones. In this way, the control system can attain very cost-favorable, simply manufacturing, in that it offloads the most expensive element, that of the processing power providing computer, into a device which is typically available regardless, such as a smartphone. Here, vehicle and rider data are detected via corresponding means, such as sensors, and analyzed in the mobile input and analyzing device for the purposes of automatic and intelligent control through use of software. Additionally, a satellite-supported anti-theft protection can be provided as well as an additional energy supply, in order to extend the lifetime of the mobile input and analyzing device. Furthermore, control of the electric drive system can also optionally occur via the mobile input and analyzing device. The elements of the control to be installed fixed to the respective vehicle can thereby be produced relatively cost-effectively. In particular, it can be possible to control individual components, such as motors, sensors, switches, cameras and drives.

[0044] All features and advantages arising from the claims, description and figures, including constructional details, spatial arrangements and method steps can form an essential part of the invention both alone and in various combinations.

REFERENCE LIST

[0045] 1 Control system [0046] 2 Input and analyzing device [0047] 3 Display [0048] 4 Sending and receiving element [0049] 5a-5e Means [0050] 6a-6e Communication means [0051] 7a-7e Communication elements [0052] 8 Means for satellite-supported communication [0053] 9 Electric energy storage system [0054] 10 Camera [0055] 11 Controller [0056] 12 Control components [0057] 13 Switch [0058] 14 Wire [0059] 15 Supply line [0060] 16 Holding device [0061] 17a-17c Electronic components