METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF A MOTOR

Abstract

A method for influencing the energy consumption during the operation of a motor, particularly a motor in a vehicle, to reduce the total amount of energy consumed. A setpoint value that is based on a parameter that correlates with the energy consumed by the motor is defined. The parameter can be distance consumption, for example, mpg or liter/100 km, or some other parameter that correlates with the energy consumed. The actual value of the parameter is calculated during operation of the motor and compared with the setpoint value. Energy consumption is reduced if the actual value exceeds the setpoint. The method allows some flexibility in defining how frequently or when a reduction in the energy consumption is effected, in order to accommodate particular operating or driving conditions or driving behavior. One example of the variation is a consumption credit that possibly allows an overrun of the setpoint value.

Claims

1. A method for reducing energy consumption during the operation of a motor, comprising the following method steps: a) defining a target variable of a specific parameter as a setpoint value, wherein the specific parameter correlates to the energy consumption of the motor; b) supplying energy to the motor, c) calculating an actual value of the specific parameter during operation of the motor; d) comparing that actual value with the setpoint value; e) repeating the step of calculating and comparing cyclically; f) integrating each actual value that is calculated into a calculation for a consumption credit and adding any amount of the actual value that is below the setpoint value to the consumption credit; g) after each comparison, determining whether the actual value exceeds the setpoint value, and if the actual value exceeds the setpoint value, then deducting an amount of the actual value that is greater than the setpoint value from the consumption credit and, if there is sufficient consumption credit to cover the amount of the actual value, suppressing an automatic reduction of the supply of the energy to the motor; and, h) if, after each comparison, the consumption credit is zero or insufficient to cover an amount of the actual value that is greater than the setpoint value, then automatically reducing the supply of energy to the motor, so as to bring a subsequent actual value closer to or equal to the setpoint value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor drives a motor vehicle and a value for distance consumption of the vehicle is defined as the specific parameter.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: i) determining the setpoint value on the basis of an instantaneous vehicle weight.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of determining the setpoint value includes the step of: j) automatically calculating the instantaneous vehicle weight by comparing a desired torque with an actual acceleration of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein any parameter that correlates with the energy consumption of the motor is definable as the target variable.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine that exhausts an emission gas and wherein a component of the emission gas is definable as the target variable.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: k) providing an electronic control system; l) storing the setpoint value in the electronic control system as a variable that is programmable, such that an initially defined setpoint value is replaceable with another setpoint value.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: m) initiating a pause that suppresses the automatic control over the supply of energy to the motor; wherein the automatic control is suppressed during the pause, even then, when the actual value exceeds the setpoint value.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: n) setting a time limit for the pause, wherein, at the end of the time limit, the pause is lifted and the automatic control is activated.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: o) defining a power output by the motor in relation to a quantity of energy supplied to the motor as the specific parameter.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the motor powers an electric generator, the method further comprising the step of: p) defining power output of the generator in relation to the supply of energy to the motor as the specific parameter.

12. A control device for running a program that controls a supply of energy to a motor, the control device comprising: an electronic controller; and connectors that allow the control device to be connected to an electronic motor control.

13. The control device of claim 12, further comprising: a display for showing a specified setpoint value.

14. The control device of claim 12, further comprising: a display for showing an available consumption credit.

15. The control device of claim 12, further comprising: calculation and input means for programming the setpoint value.

16. The control device of claim 12, further comprising: calculation means for updating the setpoint value.

17. The control device of claim 12, further comprising: input means for activating a pause in the consumption control method in such a way that, during a pause, a reduction in the supply of energy to the motor is suppressed, even if the actual value exceeds the setpoint value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The invention is a method of influencing the amount of energy consumed when operating a motor, with the goal of reducing the overall amount of energy consumed by a motor or a vehicle powered by the motor, be the motor an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a hybrid motor, or a liquid propane gas motor used in a motor vehicle, or one of these types of motors used in stationary motor-powered equipment or in a motor used for other purposes. For the sake of brevity, the method according to the invention will be referred to hereinafter as a consumption control method.

[0041] Implementation of the consumption control method requires a programmable control system. It may be possible to program an existing control system of a vehicle to carry out the method or a separate control device may be installed.

[0042] The consumption control method first specifies a setpoint value against which actual detected values are compared. Detection of the actual value and comparison with the setpoint value is repeated cyclically. An automatic control regulates the energy that is supplied to the motor, based on the comparison, so as to maintain that specified setpoint value. Thus, for example, if the calculated actual value is greater than the setpoint value, the automatic control intervenes and reduces the amount of energy that is supplied to the motor. If the calculated actual value is less than the setpoint value, no intervention in the supply of energy to the motor occurs. In this way, the method maintains the energy consumption as closely as possible to the setpoint value.

[0043] The example used to illustrate the method is that of a motor vehicle and the setpoint value is a distance consumption value, i.e., a specified amount of fuel or electric energy consumed over a certain distance. Other parameters may also be used as the setpoint value and those options will be discussed below.

[0044] The setpoint value for distance consumption may be specified in a number of ways. One way is to base the setpoint value on the weight of the vehicle. A reasonable assumption for the distance consumption of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, based on the high octane gasolines and diesel fuels that are commonly used today, is a distance consumption of 0.5 liter/100 km of fuel per 100 kg of vehicle weight, whereby this number is based on the empty vehicle weight cited in the vehicle documentation. Thus, for a vehicle weighing 1,200 kg, the average distance consumption is 6 liter/100 km in normal use. For a desired reduction of one-third, the suggested setpoint value for distance consumption is, thus, 4 liter/100 km.

[0045] Adding weight to a vehicle increases overall consumption, so it may be preferable, given the particular loading of a vehicle, to base the setpoint value for distance consumption on the instantaneous weight, i.e., current actual weight of the vehicle. Literature suggests increased consumption values of 0.3 to 0.5 liter/100 km for every 100 kg of additional weight. Applying the increased consumption value of 0.3 liter/100 km and the targeted one-third reduction in consumption, as an example, the increase in the setpoint value for distance consumption is 0.2 liter/100 km per 100 kg of extra weight. Thus, for a vehicle weighing 1,200 kg and carrying 500 kg of extra weight, the increase in the distance consumption value is estimated to be 50.2 liter/100 km, so that, in this case, the suggested setpoint value for distance consumption is set at 5 liter/100 km.

[0046] The instantaneous weight of the vehicle may be also be calculated automatically by a comparison of the desired torque and the actual acceleration. The data necessary for this calculation for modern passenger vehicles are indicated on the Controller Area Network bus (CAN bus). The position of the accelerator pedal or the throttle valve of a vehicle is used as an indicator of the torque desired by the driver.

[0047] The setpoint value for distance consumption may also be adjusted for driving resistances that are not vehicle-specific and over which the driver has no control. Factors, such as hilly or mountainous terrain, and weather conditions, such as rain or wind, frequently result in changes in either increases or decreases in the distance consumption. The method allows the setpoint value be adjusted to accommodate such factors. For example, sensing technology may be used to detect non-vehicle-specific driving resistances and to incorporate the values for these factors into the calculation of the setpoint value. The necessary sensing technology is already available in passenger vehicles, for example, temperature and rain sensors, but it is also possible to use one or more separate sensing devices, for example, an inclination sensor. The adjusted setpoint value is preferably continuously updatedthat is to say, re-calculated at sufficiently frequent time intervalsthereby allowing such weather or topographical factors to be factored into the calculation.

[0048] The setpoint value for distance consumption may also be adapted to account for vehicle-specific technologies that result in increased consumption. Engines consume more fuel when running cold and also when the vehicle is driven in extremely low outdoor temperatures or at high altitudes. Sensors already exist to detect temperature, engine and ambient, and altitude. Thus, it is possible to detect these conditions and incorporate a correction into the calculation of the setpoint value, and, again, this correction is preferably done quasi-continuously, i.e., at sufficiently small time intervals, so that changes in these conditions are detected with as little delay as possible.

[0049] Alternatively, the calculation for the setpoint value for distance consumption may be simplified and, instead of determining the actual weight of the vehicle before or during each drive, the permissible total weight of the vehicle is simply used as a basis for calculating the setpoint distance consumption. In this case, the setpoint value for distance consumption is defined as the sum of the calculated value for the empty weight of the vehicle plus the additional calculated value to accommodate additional weight up to the permissible total weight.

[0050] As mentioned above, parameters other than distance consumption may serve as the setpoint value. In internal combustion engines, for example, a reduction in fuel consumption also results in a reduction of the CO.sub.2 emissions of the motor, in other words, there is a direct correlation between the amount of energy consumed and the CO.sub.2 emissions in the exhaust. Thus, the CO.sub.2 equivalent of the energy content of the fuel may be used. The correction factors for vehicles operating with different types of fuel are: [0051] Diesel: 2.62 kg CO.sub.2/liter [0052] Gasoline: 2.32 kg CO.sub.2/liter [0053] LPG 1.9 kg CO.sub.2/liter

[0054] In addition to CO.sub.2, it is also possible to base the setpoint value for the method on other emission values, such as NO.sub.x, other gases, or the amount of particulate matter in the exhaust gas.

[0055] In the case of fully electric or hybrid vehicles, the distance consumption of the electrical energy is determined for each of the one or the electric drive motors installed in the vehicle, for example, in kWh/100 km.

[0056] When the energy reduction method according to the invention is used with motors other than motor vehicles, such as stationary or other motors, the setpoint value is not based on distance consumption, but instead, on consumption per unit of time or on the efficiency in power generation. The setpoint value may be based the amount of fuel consumed in relation to the power output by the motor, or, if the motor powers a generator, the amount of fuel used in relation to the power generated by the generator. The setpoint consumption values determined for these motors is then expressed, for example, in g/kWh.

[0057] A first embodiment of the consumption control method provides automatic control of the energy supplied to the motor, based solely on a comparison of the actual energy consumption for the specified distance or period of time with the setpoint value for the chosen parameter, i.e., distance consumption, exhaust values, etc. Unless otherwise programmed, the method specifies a setpoint value that is one-third lower than the known normal consumption of the motor.

[0058] The consumption control method according to the invention also allows a certain amount of flexibility in applying the automatic control over the supply of energy to the motor. In a further embodiment of the method, a consumption credit is calculated and made available. In this embodiment, the calculated actual value for energy consumption is integrated into the calculation for the consumption credit. Thus, based on the example of a motor vehicle, the amount of energy saved during periods of travel in which the actual distance consumption is lower than the setpoint value accrues as a consumption credit. This credit allows a currently calculated actual value to exceed the setpoint value for consumption, until the credit has been expended. In other words, the automatic control does not prevent supplying energy to the motor in excess of the setpoint value, as long as there is sufficient credit to cover the excess amount. This ability to accrue and then use up a consumption credit is particularly advantageous when driving on mountain roads, for example, because it helps avoid inconvenient dips in speed on uphill climbs that might unacceptably hinder the flow of traffic.

[0059] In vehicles with a hybrid drive system, the amount of electrical energy recovered during braking may also accrue to a consumption credit, so that, in a later driving situation, the instantaneous total consumption of fuel and electrical energy is allowed to rise above a defined setpoint distance consumption without incurring an intervention that reduces the supply of energy to the motor or to the combination of combustion and electric motors.

[0060] A further embodiment of the consumption control method provides an override or pause function of the automatic control over the supply of energy to the motor. It may be important for the vehicle to be able accelerate rapidly, perhaps to avoid a dangerous situation. The pause function allows the driver to exceed the setpoint distance consumption for a short period of time without an intervention by the automatic control that would slow the vehicle down. This pause does not cancel the entire program for the consumption control method, but only overrides the automatic control that intervenes in the supply of energy to the motor.

[0061] The pause function is preferably initiated in a way that does not require the vehicle operator to have to push a switch or button. Rather, rapidly depressing the accelerator pedal to the floor, i.e., a kick-down, is one suggested way of initiating the pause function. The advantage of using the kick-down is that it is not feasible to operate a vehicle at full throttle, i.e., with the gas pedal pushed to the floor, for any lengthy period of time, so that it is not a realistic assumption that a driver would use the pause function to override automatic interventions in the supply of fuel for any lengthy period of time.

[0062] A further embodiment of the consumption control method allows the vehicle driver or operator of the motor to selectively activate or deactivate the program that controls the supply of energy. The entire program may be terminated, for example, by turning off the respective electronic control, or just that part of the program that controls the intervention in the supply of energy to the motor may be interrupted. In this case, it is left to the driver to decide, whether to use or not to use the consumption control method that controls the supply of energy to the motor.

[0063] There are driving situations in which it may be desirable to switch off the program or at least the automatic control of energy supply. Driving over mountainous or otherwise difficult terrain may be one such situation, vacation travel another. In situations, in which it is foreseeable that the automatic control will intervene frequently in the supply of energy to the motor and possibly endanger traffic because of unacceptably slow travel of the vehicle, the driver or operator may switch off the control for the energy supply.

[0064] The consumption control method allows a time limit to be set on the deactivation, for example, for a few minutes or a few hours, or until the next motor start. The control system activates automatically at the end of the time limit, thereby activating the automatic control again. The time limit avoids inadvertently leaving the automatic control switched off for longer than necessary, resulting in unnecessarily high distance consumptions.

[0065] In a yet further embodiment of the consumption control method, the method is used on a voluntary basis, whereby the vehicle operator defines the setpoint value. This embodiment is particularly directed to teaching and encouraging economical driving behavior and allows the driver to specify setpoint values that correspond more closely to the driver's own progress in adapting driving behavior to more economical behavior. Thus, when the driver first begins to use the method, he or she is able to initially set the setpoint value to a relatively high value, one that is just slightly lower than the known average distance consumption for the vehicle, and then to subsequently specify successively lower setpoint values as time goes on. This application of the consumption control method encourages more energy-economical behavior, yet takes into account the fact that the driver is still in the process of improving his or her driving behavior. Frequent automatic interventions are generally perceived as annoying, and one of the goals of the method is to encourage good driving behavior, yet also not tax the patience of the driver by applying automatic interventions that go beyond an acceptable frequency. The ability to define the setpoint value to just a little below the hitherto average distance consumption for the specific driver and vehicle results in less frequent automatic interventions, than if the setpoint were set at the final desired setpoint value. A reduction in consumption also means a direct, equivalent reduction in fuel costs, so that change in driving behavior as a result of using the automatic control over the supply of energy has a direct and positive monetary effect for the vehicle operator.

[0066] As mentioned above, the method requires the use of a control device or connection to a control system to run the program to control the flow of energy to the motor, based on the comparison of the setpoint value and the calculated actual value. The control device preferably has calculation means for updating the setpoint value and a display, which allows the setpoint value to be adjusted, based on topographical or weather-related conditions as described above. The setpoint value for a specific motor or for a specific vehicle may be pre-set and this fixed, so-called nominal setpoint value displayed for the motor operator to see, while, in reality, correction factors for the above-mentioned influences are being taken into account. These correction factors then permit the nominal setpoint value to be exceeded during operation of the motor. It seems desirable, however, that the displayed setpoint value also be updated as a function of the correction factors, that is to say, that a so-called sliding setpoint value be used, and that the instantaneous, actual setpoint value, which may change, depending on driving and/or weather conditions, is also shown on the setpoint display that is visible to the motor operator.

[0067] Preferably, the control device has a display that shows the specified setpoint value and also any available consumption credit. In particular, when this display is provided in the field of view of the motor operator, the ability to see the consumption credit provides an incentive for a particularly consumption-optimized driving style.

[0068] The control device preferably allows the setpoint value to be changed, based on regulations or specified targets that the driver sets. In particular, a programmable control device is suitable for use in different types motors or vehicles, to allow the setpoint values to be changed in accordance with the respective use or vehicle. Such a programmable device also makes it possible to have large-scale production of the control device. The control device is then installed at the factory in new vehicles, and is also retroactively installable in already existing vehicles and, because it is programmable, able to be adapted for use in essentially any vehicle or with many different types of motors.

[0069] The display may be arranged in the housing of the control device, in order, for example, to read out and display the functions or the programming of the control device. Alternatively, the display may be installed at a location remote from the control device, for example, in the field of vision of the driver of a vehicle equipped with the control device, or, when used in a stationary motor, the display may be provided at a location remote from the stationary motor.

[0070] It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the consumption control method in motors may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.