ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an energy management system for an energy storage system of a vehicle, a vehicle comprising such an energy management system, an energy management method for an energy storage system of a vehicle and a computer program element for an energy management system of a vehicle.

The energy management system comprises a propulsion sensor unit, a heat sensor unit, an energy storage sensor unit, a navigation unit and a control unit. The propulsion sensor unit is configured to monitor at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle. The heat sensor unit is configured to monitor at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle. The energy storage sensor unit is configured to monitor at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, wherein the state parameter comprises at least a current capacity of the energy storage system. The control unit is configured to receive navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle by the navigation unit. The control unit is configured to estimate an upcoming energy consumption based on the propulsion parameter, the thermal parameter and/or the navigation data. The control unit is further configured to adjust at least one of the thermal parameter and the propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption and/or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination.

Claims

1. An energy management system for an energy storage system of a vehicle, the energy management system comprising a propulsion sensor unit, a heat sensor unit, an energy storage sensor unit, a navigation unit, and a control unit, the propulsion sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle, the heat sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle, the energy storage sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system, the control unit being configured to receive navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle by the navigation unit, the control unit being configured to estimate an upcoming energy consumption based on at least one of the at least one propulsion parameter, the at least one thermal parameter or the navigation data, and the control unit being further configured to adjust at least one of the at least one thermal parameter or the at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination.

2. The energy management system according to claim 1, the thermal parameter comprising at least one temperature parameter of a heat pump system transferring heat between a climate circuit and an electric drivetrain circuit of the vehicle.

3. The energy management system according to claim 2, the at least one temperature parameter comprising a temperature parameter of the climate circuit comprising at least a high voltage coolant heater (HVCH) or a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) for active heating and cooling the energy storage system or a vehicle cabin.

4. The energy management system according to claim 2, the at least one temperature parameter further comprising a temperature parameter of the electric drivetrain circuit comprising at least the energy storage system and electric drivetrain components of the vehicle.

5. The energy management system according to claim 1, the upcoming energy consumption further comprising residual energy of the energy storage system to avoid a deep discharge of the energy storage system.

6. The energy management system according to claim 1, the navigation unit being configured to communicate with the energy source system and receive information about available power, occupancy or waiting time.

7. The energy management system according to claim 1, the state parameter of the energy storage sensor unit further comprising a current temperature of the energy storage system.

8. The energy management system according to claim 1, the state parameter of the energy storage sensor unit further comprising an auxiliary energy consumption of the energy storage system by at least one subsystem of the vehicle.

9. The energy management system according to claim 1, the propulsion parameter comprising at least one of a speed, a mass, an acceleration rate or a deceleration rate of the vehicle.

10. The energy management system according to claim 1, the navigation unit being configured to receive road information in a regular period for calculating the route, the road information comprising at least one of an altitude change, an average real-time speed or a speed limit.

11. The energy management system according to claim 1, the control unit being further configured to adjust the thermal parameter or the propulsion parameter at a regular interval.

12. A vehicle, comprising: an energy management system for an energy storage system of a vehicle, the energy management system comprising a propulsion sensor unit, a heat sensor unit, an energy storage sensor unit, a navigation unit, and a control unit, the propulsion sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle, the heat sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle, the energy storage sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system, the control unit being configured to receive navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle by the navigation unit, the control unit being configured to estimate an upcoming energy consumption based on at least one of the at least one propulsion parameter, the at least one thermal parameter or the navigation data, and the control unit being further configured to adjust at least one of the at least one thermal parameter or the at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination, and the vehicle being a battery electric vehicle.

13. An energy management method for an energy storage system of a vehicle, comprising: monitoring at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system, monitoring at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle, monitoring at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle, receiving navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle, estimating an upcoming energy consumption based on at least one of the at least one propulsion parameter, the at least one thermal parameter or the navigation data, and adjusting at least one of the at least one thermal parameter or the at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination.

14. A computer program element, for an energy management system, which, when being executed by a processing element, being adapted to perform method steps comprising: monitoring at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system, monitoring at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle, monitoring at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle, receiving navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle, estimating an upcoming energy consumption based on at least one of the at least one propulsion parameter, the at least one thermal parameter or the navigation data, and adjusting at least one of the at least one thermal parameter or the at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination, and wherein the energy storage system of a vehicle, the energy management system comprises: a propulsion sensor unit, a heat sensor unit, an energy storage sensor unit, a navigation unit, and a control unit, the propulsion sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle, the heat sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle, the energy storage sensor unit being configured to monitor at least one state parameter of the energy storage system, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system, the control unit being configured to receive navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle by the navigation unit, the control unit being configured to estimate an upcoming energy consumption based on at least one of the at least one propulsion parameter, the at least one thermal parameter or the navigation data, and the control unit being further configured to adjust at least one of the at least one thermal parameter or the at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle based on the current capacity of the energy storage system to reduce the upcoming energy consumption or a trip time of the vehicle to the destination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Exemplary aspects will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an example of a vehicle comprising an energy management system according to the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows schematically and exemplarily an example of an energy management system for an energy storage system of a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 100, which may be a battery electric vehicle. Such vehicles comprise an energy storage system 10 supplying electric energy to propel the vehicle 100. Further, the vehicle 100 comprises an energy management system 1 to optimize a performance of the energy storage system 10 by iteratively comparing a current capacity of the energy storage system 10 with an upcoming energy consumption and correspondingly adapting operational parameters of the vehicle 100. The operational parameters may comprise, for instance, propulsion parameters and/or thermal parameters of the vehicle.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows the energy management system 1 comprising a propulsion sensor unit 20, a heat sensor unit 30, an energy storage sensor unit 11, a navigation unit 40 and a control unit 50. The propulsion sensor unit 20 is configured to monitor at least one propulsion parameter, preferably a plurality of propulsion parameters of the vehicle 100. The propulsion parameter is related to mechanical and/or electrical driving parameter representing a current operational condition of the vehicle 100. The propulsion parameter comprises at least one of a speed, a mass, an acceleration rate, a deceleration rate, electric power of the energy storage system 10 and electric power of an electric machine of the vehicle 100. Accordingly, the propulsion sensor unit 20 generates propulsion monitoring data and sends them to the control unit 50.

[0058] The heat sensor unit 30 is configured to monitor at least one, preferably a plurality of thermal parameters of the vehicle 100 and generate thermal monitoring data. The thermal parameters may be based on temperature of various components arranged in the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 comprises a heat pump system 33 connecting a climate circuit 31 and an electric drivetrain circuit 32. The heat pump 39, the climate circuit 31 and the electric drivetrain circuit 32 are configured to perform an optimal thermal management of the vehicle 100 by thermally connecting components of the vehicle 100 generating or requiring heat.

[0059] In particular, the climate circuit 31 is configured to control climate of a vehicle cabin. The climate circuit 31 comprises at least an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) 34 and an HVCH (high voltage coolant heater) 35 for active heating and cooling the vehicle cabin and/or the energy storage system 10. Additionally, the HVCH 35 is further configured to heat the energy storage system 10 in case an atmospheric temperature is too low to operate the energy storage system 10.

[0060] The electric drivetrain circuit 32 comprises the energy storage system 10 and the electric drivetrain components such as an electric machine 37, power electronics 37 including inverters, direct current converters, charging electronics 38, and computing units (not shown). The electric drivetrain circuit 32 may further comprise a radiator system (not shown) and at least one heat exchanger 36. The heat transfer medium, in other words coolant medium may circulate between the climate circuit 31 and the electric drivetrain circuit 32 via the heat pump 33 and the heat exchanger 36 to transfer heat. Thus, the thermal parameter monitored by the heat sensor unit 30 comprises at least one temperature parameter of the climate circuit 31, electric drivetrain circuit 32 and/or the heat pump 39.

[0061] The energy storage sensor unit 11 is configured to monitor at least one state parameter of the energy storage system 10, wherein the state parameter comprises at least a current capacity of the energy storage system 10. The energy storage sensor unit 11 monitors particularly the state of energy (SoE) of the energy storage system 10, which indicates a ratio between currently available energy capacity and total energy capacity that can be saved in the energy storage system 10.

[0062] In addition, the energy storage sensor unit 11 also monitors a current temperature of the energy storage system 10 and an auxiliary energy consumption of the energy storage system 10 by at least one subsystem of the vehicle 100 as well. The current temperature of the energy storage system may be directly coupled with the performance, e.g. operation range of the energy storage system. The auxiliary energy consumption may be caused by low voltage subsystems for non-propulsion loads. Accordingly, the state parameter of the energy storage system 10 may represent a current energy consumption and/or the currently available energy capacity of the energy storage system 10 based on the propulsive energy consumption and the auxiliary energy consumption.

[0063] The navigation unit 40 is configured to calculate a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle 100 and generate navigation data based thereon. The navigation unit 40 may provide a real-time map of the current position of the vehicle 100 and calculate the route from the current position to a requested destination. The requested destination may be a final destination of the trip, a stopover and/or a charging station to recharge the energy storage system 10. When calculating the route, the navigation unit 40 obtains road information at a predefined period, for instance every 1 meter to 1000 meters. The road information may be at least one of an altitude change, an average real-time speed and/or a speed limit.

[0064] The navigation unit 40 is further configured to communicate with an energy source system 60 such as charging station and receive information about available power, occupancy, waiting time, energy costs, etc. The navigation unit 40 communicates with the energy source system 60 preferably via a wireless communication means such as a cellular network or Wi-Fi. Accordingly, the control unit may adjust at least one of the thermal parameter and the propulsion parameter to reduce total trip time by matching the expected power availability at the charging station.

[0065] The energy management system 1 further comprises a user interface means 70 configured to communicate with an occupant in the vehicle about the adjusted thermal parameter and/or propulsion parameter means. The user interface means may comprise, for instance a graphical user interface element integrated in a Center Stack Display (CSD) and/or an Infotainment Head Unit (IHU).

[0066] As also shown in FIG. 2, the energy management method comprises [0067] monitoring 51 at least one state parameter of the energy storage system 10, the state parameter comprising at least a current capacity of the energy storage system 10, [0068] monitoring S2 at least one propulsion parameter of the vehicle 100, [0069] monitoring S3 at least one thermal parameter of the vehicle 100, [0070] receiving S4 navigation data based on a calculation of a route from a current position to a destination of the vehicle 100, [0071] determining S5 a current energy consumption based on the at least one propulsion parameter and the at least one state parameter, [0072] establishing S60 a vehicle model based on the current energy consumption, [0073] estimating S6 an upcoming energy consumption based on the propulsion parameter, the thermal parameter and/or the navigation data by utilizing the vehicle model, [0074] adjusting S7 the thermal parameter, and [0075] adjusting S8 the propulsion parameter.

[0076] The upcoming energy consumption further comprises residual energy of the energy storage system 10 to avoid a deep discharge of the energy storage system 10. The control unit 50 can optimize the thermal parameter and/or the propulsion parameter at a predefined regular interval iteratively along with the regularly updated road information and predictive energy consumption. Accordingly, a dynamic adaption of the ongoing energy consumption of the energy storage system 10 may be realized.

[0077] It has to be noted that examples of the disclosure are described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some examples are described with reference to method type claims whereas other examples are described with reference to the device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating to different subject matters is considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of the features.

[0078] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed examples. Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0079] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.