A METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF AN ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for optimizing energy management of an electrical propulsion system of a vehicle, wherein the electrical propulsion system of the vehicle comprises an energy storage system and an electric machine. The electrical propulsion system further comprises at least one electrical component, wherein the electrical component has an idle state and an operation state. The method comprising the steps of: a) determining at least one parameter of the electrical component being in the operation state; b) inputting the parameter into a thermal model of the electrical component; c) predicting the temperature T.sub.p of the electrical component being in operation state in real time on board the vehicle; d)comparing the predicted temperature value T.sub.p with a predefined threshold value T.sub.max, and, e) automatically reducing the magnitude of the electrical current through the electrical component to a safe level if the predicted temperature value T.sub.p exceeds the predefined threshold value T.sub.max.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing energy management of an electrical propulsion system of a vehicle, wherein said electrical propulsion system of the vehicle comprises an energy storage system and an electric machine, wherein said electrical propulsion system further comprises at least one electrical component, wherein said electrical component has an idle state and an operation state, said method comprising the steps of: a) determining at least one parameter of said electrical component being in said operation state, wherein said at least one parameter is at least electrical current through said electrical component and the time during which said electrical component has been in the operation state; b) inputting said parameter into a thermal model of said electrical component; c) predicting the temperature T.sub.p of said electrical component being in operation state in real time on board the vehicle; d) comparing the predicted temperature value T.sub.p with a predefined threshold value T.sub.max, and, e) automatically reducing the magnitude of the electrical current through said electrical component to a safe level if said predicted temperature value T.sub.p exceeds said predefined threshold value T.sub.max.

2. (canceled)

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one parameter is ambient temperature in vicinity of said electrical component, and/or duration of the latest idle state period prior to the current operation state of said electrical component.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the electrical current through said electrical component in step e) is reduced by limiting charging current or current to an electric machine.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of: f) calculating the time required to fully charge said energy storage system based on said predicted temperature T.sub.p.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of: g) notifying the driver of said vehicle that said predicted temperature value T.sub.p exceeds said predefined threshold value T.sub.max.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of: h) informing the driver of said vehicle when said predicted temperature value T.sub.p has reached the value below said predefined threshold value T.sub.max.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: i) communicating said time required to fully charge said energy storage system to a remote control unit; j) assigning by said remote control unit a time slot and/or location for charging of said vehicle.

9. A device for optimizing energy management of an electrical propulsion system of a vehicle, wherein said electrical propulsion system of the vehicle comprises an energy storage system and an electric machine, wherein said electrical propulsion system further comprises at least one electrical component, wherein said electrical component has an idle state and an operation state, wherein said device further comprises: at least one measuring unit for determining at least one parameter of said electrical component, wherein said at least one parameter is at least electrical current through said electrical component and the time during which said electrical component has been in the operation state, a control unit for predicting the temperature T.sub.p of said electrical component being in operation state in real time on board the vehicle, wherein said predicting is performed using a thermal model of said electrical component based on said at least one parameter as input for said thermal model of said electrical component; for comparing said predicted temperature value T.sub.p with a predefined threshold value T.sub.max; and for automatically reducing the magnitude of the electrical current through said electrical component to a safe level if said predicted temperature value T.sub.p exceeds said predefined threshold value T.sub.max.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said at least one electrical component is a transfer element for electrical energy.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein said control unit calculates the time required to fully charge said energy storage system based on said predicted temperature T.sub.p.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein said device further comprises a means for communication with the driver of said vehicle.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein said device further comprises means for communication with a remote control unit.

14. A vehicle comprising a device according to claim 9.

15. A vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said vehicle is a part of a vehicle fleet.

16. A computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when said program is run on a computer.

17. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when said program product is run on a computer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0048] In the drawings:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the steps of the method according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the steps of the method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. The skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0052] FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of the steps a)-e) of the method of the present invention.

[0053] According to step a) of the method of the present invention, at least one parameter of the electrical component being in operation state is determined. Usually, such a parameter may be the magnitude of the electrical current flowing through the electrical component.

[0054] In the next step b), the parameter of the electrical component determined above is used as input for a thermal model of the electrical component. The thermal model according to the present invention may be a computer model of an electrical component. Such a computer model will predict the temperature T.sub.p of the electrical component being in operation state in real time on board the vehicle according to step c) of the method of the present invention.

[0055] In the next step d), the predicted temperature value T.sub.p is compared with a predefined threshold value T.sub.max. If the predicted temperature value T.sub.p exceeds the predefined threshold value T.sub.max, the magnitude of the electrical current through the electrical component is automatically reduced to a safe level as defined in step e). As mentioned above, the magnitude of the electrical current is always kept above zero, i.e. the electrical component never automatically enters the idle state.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the method of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be used when managing a fleet of vehicles.

[0057] The method according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 comprises the steps a)-e) as disclosed above. Once the magnitude of the electric current is reduced to a safe level, the predicted temperature value T.sub.p may be used for calculating the time required to fully charge the energy storage system based on said predicted temperature T.sub.p according to step f). The time thus calculated is communicated to a remote control unit, possibly together with the value of state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage system (step i)). Based of the above parameters, the remote control unit then assigns a time slot and/or location for charging of the vehicle, thus optimising energy management of the entire vehicle fleet (step j))

[0058] The control functionality of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwire system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable medium for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0059] Although the figures may show a sequence the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. Additionally, even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art.

[0060] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.