Patent ID: 12240437

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the disclosed technology with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

A vehicle10according to an example is shown in the exemplary diagram ofFIG.1. The vehicle10is for example a heavy-duty vehicle, preferably a truck. The vehicle10is driven by a driver, not shown.

The vehicle belongs to a fleet of vehicles, not represented. The fleet of vehicles comprises several vehicles. The vehicle10is distinguished from other vehicles in the fleet by being referred to as the “main vehicle”. Preferably, all the vehicles of the fleet, including the vehicle10, are similar vehicles, that is, vehicles having a similar weight and similar performances. Preferably, all the vehicles of the fleet are trucks.

Therefore, the following description of the vehicle10is applicable to all other vehicles of the fleet of vehicles.

The vehicle10comprises a control unit12, which control the operation of the vehicle.

The vehicle10comprises a powertrain comprising an engine14and a transmission16.

The engine14is, in the example, an internal combustion engine. Therefore, in the example, the vehicle10consumes fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to run the engine14.

The transmission16, also called a gearbox, comprises multiple gear ratios. In the example, the transmission16is an automatic transmission, and automatically select the gear ratio best suited to optimize the vehicle's performance based mainly on the speed of the vehicle and the load on the engine14. Preferably, the transmission16is controlled by the control unit12. In a manner known per se, the driver of the vehicle10can manually select a gear ratio of the transmission16, for example to allow the vehicle to benefit from more torque by selecting a lower ratio than the ratio that would be automatically selected by the transmission16. As an alternative, the transmission16can be a manual transmission.

The vehicle10comprises an acceleration pedal18, which allows the driver to control the acceleration of the vehicle.

The vehicle10comprises a navigation system20, which includes several functions. In the example, the navigation system20comprises a tachograph, which records the vehicle's speed and distance travelled, and which is able to identify the vehicle's driver. For example, the driver is identified by the tachograph with an identification card. In the example, the navigation system20also comprises a satellite-based positioning system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), which is able to record the trajectory on which the vehicle10is travelling. In the example, the navigation system20also comprises a fuel consumption meter, which is recording the quantity of fuel consumed by the vehicle along the travelled trajectory.

The vehicle10comprises a communication device22, which is configured to communicate with an external server24, distinct from the vehicle10. For example, the communication device22communicates with the external server24through a cellular network, or through a satellite communication.

With reference toFIG.2, a method100for operating the vehicle10along a predetermined trajectory is now described. The method100is described in relation to the vehicle10, but can be used to control all the vehicles in the fleet of vehicles.

The method100is used to decrease the fuel consumption of the powertrain of vehicle10when the vehicle is travelling along the trajectory, by comparing the performance of the vehicle10to the performance of the other vehicles of the fleet of vehicles. Hereafter the fuel consumption of the powertrain is also referred to as the consumption of the vehicle, for sake of simplicity.

The control unit12is preferably a control unit dedicated to the performing of some of the steps of the method100as described below, which is also interacting with a main control unit of the vehicle. Alternatively, the control unit is the main control unit of the vehicle10, which is performing other tasks during the operation of the vehicle.

The method100comprises a collecting step102, during which consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet travelling on the predetermined trajectory are collected. In the example, the consumption data are fuel consumption data. Practically speaking, the control unit12of each vehicle of the fleet travelling along said trajectory records the quantity of fuel consumed by said vehicle along each section of the trajectory.

Then, the method100comprises a transmitting step104during which the collected consumption data of each vehicle of the fleet having travelled along the trajectory are transmitted to the external server24by the communication device22of each vehicle.

Then, the method100comprises a consumption-analyzing step106, during which the consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet of vehicles having previously travelled on said trajectory, and having send their consumption data to the external server24during the transmitting step104, are analyzed. Preferably, this analysis is performed by the external server. Preferably, the analysis performed comprises comparing the consumption data of all the vehicles of the fleet having travelled on the trajectory between them.

Then, the method100comprises a section-identifying step108, during which a section of the trajectory on which the consumption of the vehicles of the fleet may be improved is identified. This section may therefore be designated as an “improvable-consumption section”. Preferably, this identification is performed by measuring the difference in consumption between the vehicles of the fleet of vehicles with the highest and lowest consumption, and said section corresponds to a section of the trajectory of which said difference is the greatest. In other words, based on the consumption data of the fleet of vehicles, the section, or sections, on which the difference in consumption between vehicles is the greatest, that is, on which the variability of consumption is high, are identified as sections on which the consumption of the vehicles having the highest consumption has the greatest potential for improvement. This step is performed by the external server24.

It is to be understood that the identifying step108is performed on a fleet-wide basis and is therefore not necessarily associated with a specific vehicle, such as the main vehicle10. Indeed, this step makes it possible to know on which sections of the trajectory the gains in consumption can be the most important, but not for which vehicles of the fleet these gains are achievable.

To detect if significant consumption gains can be achieve for a specific vehicle, in the example for the main vehicle10, the method100comprises a driver-identifying step110, during which the driver of the vehicle10is identified by the control unit12, for example thanks to the tachograph of the navigation system20. This step allows associating consumption data of the vehicle with a specific driver.

Then, the method100comprises a driver-analyzing step112, during which the individual performances of the identified driver are analyzed by the external server24, based on consumption data collected during previous travels of the identified driver driving vehicle10and/or other vehicles of the fleet.

Then, the method100comprises a comparing step114, during which individual performance of the identified driver of the vehicle10are compared by the external server24with individual performance of other drivers of the fleet, that is, of drivers having previously driven vehicle10and/or other vehicles of the fleet, and for which the consumption data were recorded and analyzed.

Practically speaking, to perform this comparison, the consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet are correlated to the corresponding drivers, so that a profile is created for each driver, said profile including all consumption data of the vehicles of the fleet driven by said driver. Then, the profile of all drivers are compared together.

This comparison makes it possible to detect drivers associated with vehicles with high average fuel consumption, said drivers having therefore performance inferior to that of drivers of other vehicles of the fleet, and other drivers associated with vehicles with low average fuel consumption, said drivers having therefore performance superior to that of drivers of other vehicles of the fleet.

Based on this comparison, if the driver of the vehicle10is detected to be a driver with inferior performance compared to other drivers of the fleet, it is concluded that the consumption of vehicle10of the identified section of the trajectory can be improved.

In this case, the method then comprises a providing step116, during which the external server24provides to the control unit instructions to restrict consumption of the powertrain on the identified section.

Then, the method comprises an acting step118, during which the control unit12, implementing said instructions on the improvable-consumption section, acts on the powertrain to restrict consumption of the powertrain, and hence, of the vehicle10.

On the contrary, if the driver is found to be performing better than other drivers of the fleet of vehicles, it is preferably concluded that there is no need to restrict the performance of vehicle10, as little or no gain in consumption of vehicle10can be expected.

Preferably, the consumption of the powertrain are restricted by the control unit at least by reducing a maximum speed achievable by the main vehicle on the identified section. For example, the reduction of the maximum speed achievable by the main vehicle is achieved by reducing a maximum flow of fuel injectable into the internal combustion engine14. To this end, the control unit12may adapt the control law of injectors of the vehicle10. This prevents the driver from driving the vehicle10too fast, and therefore from consuming more fuel due to speeding.

Alternatively, or in addition, the fuel consumption of the powertrain are restricted by the control unit12at least by restricting the gear ratios of the automatic transmission16that can be used on the identified section. For example, the consumption of the powertrain are restricted at least by restricting the lower ratio of the automatic transmission that can be used, to avoid the engine14to over speed, and/or restricting the higher ratio of the automatic transmission that can be used, to avoid the engine to under speed. This prevents the driver from manually selecting a gear ration that would lead to excessive fuel consumption.

Alternatively, or in addition, the consumption of the powertrain are restricted by the control unit at least by modifying the control law of the acceleration pedal18on the identified section. This prevents the driver from driving in an aggressive manner, with strong acceleration leading to high fuel consumption.

The fact that the acting step118is performed by the control unit12is particularly advantageous, as the external server24does not intervene in the restriction of performance of the vehicle10, which improves the reliability of this restriction, and avoid safety issues, which may result, for example, from connection issues between the communication device22and the external server24.

The method100described here above is particularly advantageous to diminish the fuel consumption of the fleet of vehicles, by identifying the vehicles of the fleet for which the potential gain in consumption is the highest, based on previous vehicle consumption data and on the fleet's drivers performance, and by restricting the performance only of identified vehicles.

The method100is particularly useful for a fleet of vehicles that regularly follow the same trajectory, such as, for example, a fleet of delivery vehicles. Indeed, the regular use of the same trajectory provides a large amount of data for an accurate analysis of vehicle and driver performance.

According to another example, the method100does not comprise steps102and104. In other words, consumption data of the fleet of vehicles along the trajectory are not collected and analyzed to identify the section of the trajectory on which the performance of vehicle10are to be improved. In this example, during step106, consumption data of the vehicles of the fleet may be estimated based on a theoretical model, or computer model, of the vehicles operation and topographic data of the trajectory. In other words, in this example, the analysis of step106is based of theoretical consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet along the trajectory, these vehicles having virtually travelled along said trajectory in the theoretical or computer model.

According to another example, the section of the trajectory on which the performance of vehicle10are to be improved is also identified by taking into account data other than consumption data, for example data based on noise-regulation areas, to force vehicles of the fleet to emit less noise by restricting their performance in said areas, on the topography of the trajectory, for example to restrict the performance of the vehicle in dangerous section, as mountainous roads, or on the time of day that vehicles travel along the trajectory. Other identification methods can be considered.

According to another example, the method100does not comprise steps110,112and114. In other words, during steps116and118, consumption of all vehicles are restricted by their respective control units12on the identified section, regardless of the individual performance of the corresponding drivers.

According to another example, the method100is not applied at the level of the vehicle fleet, but only at the level of vehicle10. This equates to the fleet comprising only the vehicle10. In this example, consumption data of vehicle10are collected over multiple travel along the trajectory, and analyzed to identify on which section of the trajectory the consumption of vehicle10is the highest.

According to another example, the engine14is not an internal combustion engine, but an electric motor. In this example, the vehicle10is therefore an electric vehicle. In this example, the vehicle10may not comprises a transmission16. In this example, the vehicle10does not consumes fuel to propel the engine14, but electricity, which is for example provided by a battery. Hence, the consumption of the vehicle10corresponds to the quantity of electrical power consumed to propel the vehicle.

According to another example, the navigation system20and/or the communication device22are integrated into the control unit12.

According to another example, during the identifying step108, multiple improvable-consumption sections of the trajectory are identified by the external server, and during the acting step118, the consumption of the powertrain is restricted by the control unit12on all the identified sections. This example is particularly advantageous when there is multiple distinct sections along the trajectory on which the variability of consumption of the vehicles of the fleet is high.

Example 1: a method100for operating a main vehicle10along a trajectory, the main vehicle belonging to a fleet of vehicles, the main vehicle comprising a powertrain14,16controlled by a control unit12, wherein the method100comprises:analyzing106, by an external server24, consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet of vehicles having previously travelled on said trajectory;based on the analyzed consumption data, identifying108, by the external server, an improvable-consumption section of the trajectory; andproviding116to the control unit from the external server with instructions to restrict consumption of the powertrain on the improvable-consumption section.

Example 2: the method100of example 1, further comprising, prior to analyzing106the consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet of vehicles:collecting102consumption data of each vehicles of the fleet of vehicles having previously travelled on said trajectory; andtransmitting104collected data to the external server24.

Example 3: the method100of either one of examples 1 and 2, wherein identifying108the improvable-consumption section is performed by measuring the difference in consumption along the trajectory between the vehicles of the fleet having the highest consumption and the vehicles of the fleet having the lowest consumption, and by determining on which section of the trajectory said difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, said section being the improvable-consumption section.

Example 4: the method100of any one of examples 1 to 3, further comprising:identifying110, by the control unit12, a driver of the main vehicle10;analyzing112, by the external server24, individual performances of the driver of the main vehicle; andcomparing114, by the external server24, individual performance of the driver of the main vehicle with individual performance of drivers of other vehicles of the fleet,
wherein the external server provides to the control unit12instructions to restrict the consumption of the powertrain14,16only when performance of the driver is inferior to that of drivers of other vehicles of the fleet.

Example 5: the method100of example 4, wherein the driver of the main vehicle10is identified through identification data provided by a navigation system20of the main vehicle.

Example 6: the method100of any one of examples 1 to 5, further comprising acting118on the powertrain14,16by the control unit12implementing said instructions on the improvable-consumption section to restrict consumption of the powertrain14,16.

Example 7: the method100of example 6, wherein acting118on the powertrain14,16includes restricting a maximum speed achievable by the main vehicle10on the improvable-consumption section.

Example 8: the method100of example 7, wherein the powertrain14,16comprises an internal combustion engine14, and wherein restricting the maximum speed achievable by the main vehicle is achieved by the control unit12restricting a maximum flow of fuel injectable into the internal combustion engine.

Example 9: the method100of any one of examples 6 to 8, wherein the powertrain14,16comprises an automatic transmission16, and wherein acting118on the powertrain14,16includes restricting the gear ratios of the automatic transmission that can be used on the improvable-consumption section.

Example 10: the method100of example 9, wherein the control unit12restricts the gear ratios of the automatic transmission16that can be used on the improvable-consumption section at least by:restricting the lower ratio of the automatic transmission that can be used, to avoid an engine14of the main vehicle to over speed, and/orrestricting the higher ratio of the automatic transmission that can be used, to avoid the engine of the main vehicle to under speed.

Example 11: the method100of any one of examples 6 to 10, wherein acting118on the powertrain14,16includes modifying a control law of an acceleration pedal18of the main vehicle10on the improvable-consumption section.

Example 12: a vehicle10comprising a control unit12and a powertrain14,16, wherein the control unit12is configured to carrying out acting118on the powertrain of the method of any one of examples 6 to 11.

Example 13: the vehicle10of example 12, wherein the vehicle10is a heavy-duty vehicle, preferably a truck.

Example 14: a system comprising an external server24and the vehicle10of either one of examples 12 and 13, wherein the external server24and the control unit12are configured to perform the method of any one of examples 1 to 11.

Example 15: the system according to example 14, further comprising a fleet of vehicle to which belongs the vehicle10.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects 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 present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.