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CN-121989713-A - Control unit, system for an electric or hybrid vehicle and computer-implemented method for operating a vehicle

CN121989713ACN 121989713 ACN121989713 ACN 121989713ACN-121989713-A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a control unit, a system and a computer-implemented method for operating a vehicle, in particular a control unit (16, 200) for a vehicle (3), the vehicle being an electric-only or hybrid vehicle, the control unit (16, 200) comprising a communication interface (17,226) and a processing circuit (18,202) coupled to the communication interface, the processing circuit (18,202) being adapted to receive a message from a remote control (20) via the communication interface (17,226) for driving the vehicle a predefined distance, to command a gearbox (12) to engage at a highest available gear ratio, to command at least one electric motor (10) to move the vehicle, to stop the motor when the vehicle has been driven over the predefined distance, and to command engagement of at least one brake (8).

Inventors

  • Jean Benoit Rios

Assignees

  • 沃尔沃卡车集团

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20251106
Priority Date
20241106

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A control unit (16, 200) for a vehicle (3), the vehicle (3) being an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle (3) comprising a plurality of wheels (7), at least one brake (8) adapted to stop movement of the plurality of wheels (7), and at least one electric motor (10) coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels (7) via a gearbox (12), the gearbox (12) having a plurality of different gear ratios, the control unit (16, 200) comprising: -a communication interface (17, 226) adapted to communicate with a remote control device (20), the at least one electric motor (10), the at least one brake (8) and the gearbox (12), and -A processing circuit (18, 202) coupled to the communication interface (17, 226); The processing circuit (18, 202) is adapted to receive a message from a remote control device (20) via the communication interface (17, 226) for driving the vehicle (3) a predefined distance, to command the gearbox (12) to engage with the highest available gear ratio, to command the at least one electric motor (10) to move the vehicle (3), to stop the at least one electric motor (10) when the vehicle (3) has travelled the predefined distance, and to command the engagement of the at least one brake (8).
  2. 2. The control unit (16, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle (3) is a utility vehicle.
  3. 3. The control unit (16, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing circuit (18, 202) is adapted to command (110) release of at least one parking brake.
  4. 4. The control unit (16, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (16, 200) is adapted to control the at least one electric motor (10) using at least one of a speed control request, an angular speed control request and an angle control request.
  5. 5. The control unit (16, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the predefined distance is limited to a maximum value.
  6. 6. The control unit (16, 200) according to claim 4, wherein the maximum value is less than 1m.
  7. 7. The control unit (16, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (18, 202) determines that the vehicle (3) has travelled the predefined distance by open loop or closed loop control.
  8. 8. The control unit (16, 200) of claim 7, wherein the open loop control is time-based.
  9. 9. The control unit (16, 200) of claim 7, wherein the closed loop control comprises an integral of an actual speed of at least one of the electric motors (10), an integral of an output shaft speed (14), and an integral of a wheel speed (7).
  10. 10. The control unit (16, 200) of claim 8, wherein the closed loop control includes receiving data from a movement sensor (19).
  11. 11. The control unit (16, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (18, 202) is adapted to check whether the plurality of wheels (7) are in a straight-going position.
  12. 12. The control unit (16, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (18, 202) is adapted to receive motor torques from the at least one electric motor (10), to compare the respective received motor torques with a reference torque, and to stop each electric motor (10) if at least one of the motor torques exceeds the reference torque.
  13. 13. The control unit (16, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (18, 202) is adapted to command (110) engagement of the parking brake (8) and command the gearbox (12) to a disengaged position.
  14. 14. A vehicle (3), the vehicle (3) being an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle (3) comprising a plurality of wheels (7), at least one brake (8) adapted to stop movement of the plurality of wheels (7), and at least one electric motor (10) coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels (7) via a gearbox (12), the gearbox (12) having a plurality of different gear ratios, wherein the vehicle (3) comprises a control unit (16, 200) according to any of the preceding claims.
  15. 15. A computer-implemented method for operating a vehicle (3), the vehicle (3) being an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle (3) comprising a plurality of wheels (7), at least one brake (8) adapted to stop movement of the plurality of wheels (7), and at least one electric motor (10) coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels (7) via a gearbox (12), the gearbox (12) having a plurality of different gear ratios, the control unit (16, 200) comprising a communication interface (17, 226) adapted to communicate with a remote control device (20), the at least one electric motor (10), the at least one brake (8) and the gearbox (12), the method comprising: -receiving, by a processing circuit (18, 202) of a control unit (16, 200), a command from a remote control device (20) for driving the vehicle a predefined distance, -commanding, by the processing circuit (18, 202), engagement of the gearbox (12) with the highest available gear ratio (100, 160); -commanding (120, 170) said at least one electric motor (10) by said processing circuit (18, 202) in order to move said vehicle (3); commanding (130, 180) by the processing circuit (18, 202) to stop the at least one electric motor (10) when the vehicle has travelled the predefined distance, and -Commanding (140, 190) by the processing circuit (18, 202) the engagement of the at least one brake.

Description

Control unit, system for an electric or hybrid vehicle and computer-implemented method for operating a vehicle Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to a control unit for a vehicle. In particular aspects, the present disclosure relates to control units, systems, and computer-implemented methods for operating a vehicle of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The present disclosure is applicable to heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, as well as other vehicle types. Although the present disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular vehicle. Background For example, a system is known in which an electric vehicle is controlled by a smart phone. Disclosure of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a control unit for a vehicle, the vehicle being an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one brake adapted to stop movement of the plurality of wheels, and at least one electric motor coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels via a gearbox, the gearbox having a plurality of different gear ratios, the control unit comprising a communication interface adapted to communicate with a remote control, the at least one electric motor, the at least one brake and the gearbox, and a processing circuit coupled to the communication interface, the processing circuit being adapted to receive a message from the remote control via the communication interface for engaging the gearbox at a highest available gear ratio, command the at least one electric motor to move the vehicle, the at least one motor being engaged and the predefined distance being commanded to stop the vehicle via the at least one motor. A first aspect of the present disclosure may seek to improve control over the precise movement of a vehicle. Technical benefits may include precise control of movement of the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the vehicle may be a utility vehicle. Technical benefits may include precise movement of the utility vehicle during maneuvers. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may be adapted to command release of the at least one parking brake. Technical benefits may include that the electric motor is commanded to move the vehicle without moving the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the control unit may be adapted to control the at least one electric motor using at least one of a speed control request, an angular speed control request, and an angle control request. Technical benefits may include precise control of the motor and thus of the movement of the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the predefined distance may be limited to a maximum value. Technical benefits may include that the vehicle is experiencing an accident. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the maximum value may be less than 1m. Technical benefits may include an accurate range of movement of the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit may determine that the vehicle has travelled the predefined distance through open loop or closed loop control. Technical benefits may include precise control of the motor and movement of the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the open loop control may be time-based. Technical benefits may include the need for fewer electronic devices, such as sensors. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the closed loop control may include an integral of an actual speed of at least one of the electric motors, an integral of an output shaft speed, and an integral of a wheel speed. Technical benefits may include precise control of movement of the vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the closed loop control may include receiving data from a motion sensor. Technical benefits may include receiving an accurate location of a vehicle. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may be adapted to check whether the plurality of wheels are in a straight-ahead position. Technical benefits may include controlling forward or rearward movement of the vehicle when the wheels are in a straight-ahead position. Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may be adapted to receive motor torques from the at least one electric motor, compare the respective received motor torques to a reference torque, and stop each electric motor if at least one of the motor torques exceeds the reference torque. Technical benefits may inc