US-20260126791-A1 - CONTROL UNIT FOR AN ELECTRIC OR A HYBRID VEHICLE, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE

US20260126791A1US 20260126791 A1US20260126791 A1US 20260126791A1US-20260126791-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a control unit for a vehicle, the vehicle being a full electric or a hybrid vehicle, the control unit including a communication interface and processing circuitry being coupled to the communication interface; the processing circuitry being adapted to receive, via the communication interface, a message from a remote control device to drive the vehicle a predefined distance, to command the gearbox to engage with the highest available ratio, to command the at least one electric motor in order to move the vehicle, to stop the motor when the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance, and to command to engage the at least one brake.

Inventors

Jean-Benoît RIOS

Assignees

VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251106
Priority Date: 20241106

Claims (15)

1 . A control unit for a vehicle, the vehicle being an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one brake adapted to stop the movement of the plurality of wheels, and at least one electric motor being coupled via a gearbox to at least one of the plurality of wheels, the gearbox having a plurality of different ratios, the control unit comprising: a communication interface adapted to communicate with a remote control device, the at least one electric motor, the at least one brake and the gearbox; and a processing circuitry being coupled to the communication interface; the processing circuitry being adapted to receive, via the communication interface, a message from a remote control device to drive the vehicle a predefined distance, to command the gearbox to engage with the highest available ratio, to command the at least one electric motor in order to move the vehicle, to stop the at least one electric motor when the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance, and to command to engage the at least one brake.
2 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a utility vehicle.
3 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to command a release of at least one park brake.
4 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is 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 angular control request.
5 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the predefined distance is limited to a maximal value.
6 . The control unit according to claim 4 , wherein the maximal value is less than 1 m.
7 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry determines that the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance by an open loop or a closed loop control.
8 . The control unit according to claim 7 , wherein the open loop control is time based.
9 . The control unit according to claim 7 , wherein the closed loop control includes an integration of an actual speed of at least one of the electric motors, an integration of the output shaft speed, and the integration of a wheel speed.
10 . The control unit according to claim 8 , wherein the closed loop control includes receiving data from a movement sensor.
11 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to check whether the plurality of wheels are in a straight position.
12 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to receive a motor torque from the at least one electric motor, to compare the respective received motor torque with a reference torque, and to stop each electric motor if at least one of the motor torques exceeds the reference torque.
13 . The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to command an engagement of the park brake and to command the gearbox to a disengaged position.
14 . A vehicle, the vehicle being an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one brake adapted to stop the movement of the plurality of wheels, and at least one electric motor being coupled via a gearbox to at least one of the plurality of wheels, the gearbox having a plurality of different ratios, wherein the vehicle comprises a control unit according to claim 1 .
15 . A computer-implemented method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle being an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one brake adapted to stop the movement of the plurality of wheels, and at least one electric motor being coupled via a gearbox to at least one of the plurality of wheels, the gearbox having a plurality of different ratios, the control unit comprising a communication interface adapted to communicate with a remote control device, the at least one electric motor, the at least one brake and the gearbox, the method comprising: receiving, by a processing circuitry of a control unit, a command from a remote control device to drive the vehicle a predefined distance; commanding, by the processing circuitry, to engage the gearbox with the highest available ratio; commanding, by the processing circuitry, the at least one electric motor in order to move the vehicle; commanding, by the processing circuitry, to stop the at least one electric motor when the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance; and commanding, by the processing circuitry, to engage the at least one brake.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 24211181.3 filed on Nov. 6, 2024, the disclosure and content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates generally to a control unit for a vehicle. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to a control unit for an electric or a hybrid vehicle, system and computer implemented method for operating a vehicle. The disclosure can be applied to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, among other vehicle types. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle. BACKGROUND Systems are for example known, in which an electric vehicle is controlled by a smart phone. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a control unit for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle being an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one brake adapted to stop the movement of the plurality of wheels, and at least one electric motor being coupled via a gearbox to at least one of the of the plurality of wheels, the gearbox having a plurality of different ratios, the control unit comprising: a communication interface adapted to communicate with a remote control device, the at least one electric motor, the at least one brake and the gearbox; and a processing circuitry being coupled to the communication interface; the processing circuitry being adapted to receive, via the communication interface, a message from a remote control device to drive the vehicle a predefined distance, to command the gearbox to engage with the highest available ratio, to command the at least one electric motor in order to move the vehicle, to stop the at least one motor when the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance, and to command to engage the at least one brake. The first aspect of the disclosure may seek to improve the control of the vehicle for precise movements. A technical benefit may include precise control of the movement of the vehicle. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the vehicle may be a utility vehicle. A technical benefit may include for utility vehicles a precise movement during maneuvering. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may be adapted to command a release of at least one park brake. A technical benefit may include that the vehicle is not moved prior to the command to move the vehicle to the electric motor. 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 angular control request. A technical benefit may include the precise control of the motor and thus the movement of the vehicle. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the predefined distance may be limited to a maximal value. A technical benefit may include that the vehicle is making an accident. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the maximal value may be less than 1 m. A technical benefit may include the precise range of the movement of the vehicle. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may determine that the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance by an open loop or a closed loop control. A technical benefit may include a price control of the motor and the movement of the vehicle. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the open loop control may be time based. A technical benefit may include that less electronic devices like a sensor are required. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the closed loop control may include an integration of an actual speed of at least one of the electric motor(s), an integration of the output shaft speed, and the integration of a wheel speed. A technical benefit may include the precise control of the 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 movement sensor. A technical benefit may include the reception of the precise position of the 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 position. A technical benefit may include the controlled forward or backward movement of the vehicle in case the wheels are in the straight position. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuitry may be adapted to receive a motor torque from the at least