EP-4739554-A1 - ADAPTIVE ECO CRUISE STRATEGY FOR IMPROVED ELECTRIC VEHICLE EFFCIENCY AND RANGE

Abstract

A method (500) includes receiving an eco-cruise control request (201) that includes a requested cruise control velocity (202) and a velocity tolerance (204). The eco-cruise control request instructs a drive unit (20) to operate a vehicle (10) at a velocity within the velocity tolerance of the requested cruise control velocity. The method also includes determining a range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) that satisfy the velocity tolerance of the requested cruise control velocity. The method also includes determining an eco-cruise control velocity (342) that maximizes a drive unit efficiency of the drive unit. Here, the eco-cruise control velocity includes one of the candidate cruise control velocities from the range of candidate cruise control velocities.

Inventors

• KIM, HYUNGJUN
• MIRZAEI, Mehrdad
• HAMZEHLOUIA, SINA

Assignees

• Karma Automotive, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240613

Claims (1)

1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A computer-implemented method (500) that when executed on data processing hardware (610) causes the data processing hardware (610) to perform operations comprising: receiving an eco-cruise control request (201) comprising a requested cruise control velocity (202) and a velocity tolerance (204), the eco-cruise control request instructing a drive unit (20) to operate a vehicle (10) at a velocity within the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202); determining a range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) that satisfy the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202); receiving, from one or more sensors (22) implemented on the vehicle (10), vehicle dynamic information of the vehicle (10); and determining, based on the vehicle dynamic information, an eco-cruise control velocity (342) that maximizes a drive unit efficiency of the drive unit (20), the eco-cruise control velocity (342) comprising one of the candidate cruise control velocities (312) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312). 2. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a median candidate cruise control velocity (202) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 3. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a minimum candidate cruise velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 4. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 1, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a maximum candidate cruise velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 5. The computer-implemented method (500) of any of claims 1-4, wherein the operations further comprise, for each respective candidate cruise control velocity (202) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312): determining a required traction force for the respective candidate cruise control velocity (202) based on a road grade value (212) and a vehicle mass value of the vehicle (10); determining a traction torque (332) for a corresponding required traction force based on a final gear ratio (334) of the drive unit (20) and a dynamic radius (336) of tires implemented on the vehicle (10); and determining a drive unit efficiency for the respective candidate cruise control value based on a corresponding traction torque (332) and an inverter direct current bus voltage value. 6. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 5, wherein determining the eco-cruise control velocity (342) comprises selecting the one of the candidate cruise control velocities (312) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) having the greatest drive unit efficiency as the eco-cruise control velocity (342). 7. The computer-implemented method (500) of any of claims 1-6, wherein the operations further comprise, while the vehicle (10) operates at the eco-cruise control velocity (342): obtaining a current velocity (252) of the vehicle (10), a motor feedback torque (254) of the drive unit (20), and a corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342); determining that the vehicle (10) operating at the eco-cruise control velocity (342) satisfies a threshold based on the current velocity (252) of the vehicle (10), the motor feedback torque (254) obtained from the drive unit (20), and the corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342); and based on determining that the vehicle (10) operating at the eco-cruise control velocity (342) satisfies the threshold, generating a velocity correction trigger (412). 8. The computer-implemented method (500) of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to generating the velocity correction trigger (412): determining a road disturbance value (422) based on a road grade value (212), a vehicle mass value, a corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342), and the motor feedback torque (254); and adjusting, based on the vehicle dynamic information and the road disturbance value (422), the eco-cruise control velocity (342). 9. The computer-implemented method (500) of any of claims 1-8, wherein the vehicle dynamic information comprises at least one of: a road grade value (212) of the road the vehicle (10) is traveling upon; a vehicle mass of the vehicle (10); brake drag forces (324) of the vehicle (10); wheel bearing drag forces (326) of the vehicle (10); or an inverter direct current bus voltage of the vehicle (10). 10. The computer-implemented method (500) of any of claims 1-9, wherein the eco- cruise control request is received in response to a user input indication indicating selection of a button disposed on a steering wheel of the vehicle (10) or an instrument panel of the vehicle (10). 11. The computer-implemented method (500) of any of claims 1-10, wherein the operations further comprise: obtaining a speed limit for a road the vehicle (10) is currently traveling upon, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) that satisfy the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202) comprises determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) based on the speed limit for the road the vehicle (10) is currently traveling upon. 12. A vehicle (10) comprising: a drive unit (20); data processing hardware (610); and memory hardware (620) in communication with the data processing hardware (610) and storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware (610) cause the data processing hardware (610) to perform operations comprising: receiving an eco-cruise control request (201) comprising a requested cruise control velocity (202) and a velocity tolerance (204), the eco-cruise control request (201) instructing the drive unit (20) to operate the vehicle (10) at a velocity within the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202); determining a range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) that satisfy the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202); receiving, from one or more sensors (22) implemented on the vehicle (10), vehicle dynamic information of the vehicle (10); and determining, based on the vehicle dynamic information, an eco-cruise control velocity (342) that maximizes a drive unit efficiency of the drive unit (20), the eco-cruise control velocity (342) comprising one of the candidate cruise control velocities (312) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312). 13. The vehicle (10) of claim 12, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a median candidate cruise control velocity (202) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 14. The vehicle (10) of claim 12, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a minimum candidate cruise velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 15. The vehicle (10) of claim 12, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) comprises setting a maximum candidate cruise velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity (202). 16. The vehicle (10) of any of claims 12-15, wherein the operations further comprise, for each respective candidate cruise control velocity (202) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312): determining a required traction force for the respective candidate cruise control velocity (202) based on a road grade value (212) and a vehicle mass value of the vehicle (io); determining a traction torque (332) for a corresponding required traction force based on a final gear ratio (334) of the drive unit (20) and a dynamic radius (336) of tires implemented on the vehicle (10); and determining a drive unit efficiency for the respective candidate cruise control value based on a corresponding traction torque (332) and an inverter direct current bus voltage value. 17. The vehicle (10) of claim 16, wherein determining the eco-cruise control velocity (342) comprises selecting the one of the candidate cruise control velocities (312) from the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) having the greatest drive unit efficiency as the eco-cruise control velocity (342). 18. The vehicle (10) of any of claims 12-17, wherein the operations further comprise, while the vehicle (10) operates at the eco-cruise control velocity (342): obtaining a current velocity (252) of the vehicle (10), a motor feedback torque (254) of the drive unit (20), and a corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342); determining that the vehicle (10) operating at the eco-cruise control velocity (342) satisfies a threshold based on the current velocity (252) of the vehicle (10), the motor feedback torque (254) obtained from the drive unit (20), and the corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342); and based on determining that the vehicle (10) operating at the eco-cruise control velocity (342) satisfies the threshold, generating a velocity correction trigger (412). 19. The vehicle (10) of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to generating the velocity correction trigger (412): determining a road disturbance value (422) based on a road grade value (212), a vehicle mass value, a corresponding traction torque (332) for the eco-cruise control velocity (342), and the motor feedback torque (254); and adjusting, based on the vehicle dynamic information and the road disturbance value (422), the eco-cruise control velocity (342). 20. The vehicle (10) of any of claims 12-19, wherein the vehicle dynamic information comprises at least one of a road grade value (212) of the road the vehicle (10) is traveling upon; a vehicle mass of the vehicle (10); brake drag forces (324) of the vehicle (10); wheel bearing drag forces (326) of the vehicle (10); or an inverter direct current bus voltage of the vehicle (10). 21. The vehicle (10) of any of claims 12-20, wherein the eco-cruise control request is received in response to a user input indication indicating selection of a button disposed on a steering wheel of the vehicle (10) or an instrument panel of the vehicle (10). 22. The vehicle (10) of any of claims 12-21, wherein the operations further comprise: obtaining a speed limit for a road the vehicle (10) is currently traveling upon, wherein determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) that satisfy the velocity tolerance (204) of the requested cruise control velocity (202) comprises determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities (312) based on the speed limit for the road the vehicle (10) is currently traveling upon.

Description

Adaptive Eco Cruise Strategy for Improved Electric Vehicle Efficiency and Range TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This disclosure relates to an adaptive eco cruise strategy for improved electric vehicle efficiency and range. BACKGROUND [0002] Optimizing vehicle efficiency and maximizing an operable range is one of the most significant challenges in developing battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Various energy saving technologies have been developed for these vehicles including regenerative braking, energy efficient tires, and improved aerodynamics. Cruise control is one of the most used driver-assistance features in modern vehicles. Yet, cruise control systems simply enable a driver of the vehicle to select a velocity set point and operate the vehicle at the velocity set point without any regards to optimizing efficiency of the vehicle operating at a cruise control velocity. Thus, optimizing efficiencies of vehicles using the cruise control driver-assistance feature would greatly improve the overall vehicle efficiency and operable range of vehicles. SUMMARY [0003] One aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method that when executed on data processing hardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations for performing an adaptive eco cruise strategy for improved electric vehicle efficiency and range. The operations include receiving an eco-cruise control request that includes a requested cruise control velocity and a velocity tolerance. The eco-cruise control request instructs a drive unit to operate a vehicle at a velocity within the velocity tolerance of the requested cruise control velocity. The operations also include determining a range of candidate cruise control velocities that satisfy the velocity tolerance of the requested cruise control velocity and receiving vehicle dynamic information of the vehicle from one or more sensors implemented on the vehicle. The operations also include determining an eco-cruise control velocity based on the vehicle dynamic information that maximizes a drive unit of the drive unit. The eco-cruise control velocity includes one of the candidate cruise control velocities from the range of candidate cruise control velocities. [0004] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities includes setting a median candidate cruise control velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity. In other implementations, determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities includes setting a minimum candidate cruise control velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities equal to a value of the requested cruise control velocity. In yet other implementations, determining the range of candidate cruise control velocities includes setting a maximum candidate cruise control velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities equal to a value of the requested cruise control value. [0005] In some examples, the operations further include, for each respective candidate cruise control velocity from the range of candidate cruise control velocities, determining a required traction force for the respective candidate cruise control velocity based on a road grade value and a vehicle mass value of the vehicle, determining a traction torque for a corresponding required traction force based on a final gear ratio of the drive unit implemented on the vehicle and a dynamic radius of tires implemented on the vehicle, and determining a drive unit efficiency for the respective candidate cruise control value based on a corresponding traction torque and an inverter direct current bus voltage. In these examples, determining the eco-cruise control velocity includes selecting the one of the candidate cruise control velocities from the range of candidate cruise control velocities having the greatest drive unit efficiency as the eco-cruise control velocity. [0006] In some implementations, while the vehicle operates at the eco-cruise control velocity, the operations further include: obtaining a current velocity of the vehicle, a motor feedback torque of the drive unit, and a corresponding traction torque for the eco- cruise control velocity; determining that the vehicle operating at the eco-cruise control velocity satisfies a threshold based on the current velocity of the vehicle, the motor feedback torque obtained from the drive unit, and the corresponding traction torque for the eco-cruise control velocity; and generating a velocity correction trigger based on determining that the vehicle operating at the eco-cruise control velocity satisfies the threshold. In these implementations, the operations further include, in response to generating the velocity correction trigger: determining a road disturbance value based on a road grade value, a vehi