IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,263,827
Granted Patent B2
US 12,263,827 · App. 17/776,946 · Granted Apr 1, 2025

Model-based predictive control of a vehicle taking into account a time of arrival factor

Inventors: Valerie Engel (Markdorf, DE); Andreas Wendzel (Grünkraut, DE); Michael Wechs (Weißensberg, DE); Maik Dreher (Tettnang, DE); Lorenz Fischer (Friedrichshafen, DE); Oliver Schneider (Tettnang, DE); Christian Baumann (Friedrichshafen, DE); Edgar Menezes (Ravensburg, DE); Felix Spura (Friedrichshafen, DE)
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
B60W20/11B60W50/0097G01C21/3469B60W2050/0037B60W2050/0075B60W2300/10B60W2300/125B60W2555/60B60W2556/50B60W2720/103
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,263,827
App. No.
17/776,946
Granted
Apr 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A processor unit ( 3 ) for model-based predictive control of a vehicle ( 1 ) taking into account an arrival time factor is configured to calculate a trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) based at least in part on at least one arrival time factor, with the trajectory including an entire route ( 20 ) to a specified destination ( 19 ) at which the vehicle ( 1 ) is to arrive, and with the at least one arrival time factor influencing an arrival time of the vehicle ( 1 ) at the specified destination ( 19 ). Additionally, the processor unit ( 3 ) is configured to optimize a section of the trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) for a sliding prediction horizon by executing a model-based predictive control (MPC) algorithm ( 13 ), where the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) includes a longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) of a drive train ( 7 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) and a cost function ( 15 ) to be minimized.

Claims (34)

1. A processor unit ( 3 ) for model-based predictive control of a vehicle ( 1 ) taking into account an arrival time factor, wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is configured to:

calculate a trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) based at least in part on at least one arrival time factor, the trajectory including an entire route ( 20 ) to a specified destination ( 19 ) at which the vehicle ( 1 ) is to arrive, the at least one arrival time factor influencing an arrival time of the vehicle ( 1 ) at the specified destination ( 19 ); and

optimize a section of the trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) for a sliding prediction horizon by executing a model-based predictive control (MPC) algorithm ( 13 ), the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) includes a longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) of a drive train ( 7 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) and a cost function ( 15 ), the cost function ( 15 ) including:

a first term, the first term being an electrical energy predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a first weighting factor, wherein the electrical energy is provided within the sliding prediction horizon by a battery ( 9 ) for driving an electric machine ( 8 ) of the drive train ( 7 ); and

a second term, the second term being a driving time predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a second weighting factor, the driving time being required by vehicle ( 1 ) to cover an entire distance predicted within the sliding prediction horizon,

wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is configured to execute the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) as a function of the first term and as a function of the second term to minimize the cost function and determine an input variable for the electric machine ( 8 ).

2. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises required break periods of a driver of the vehicle ( 1 ).

3. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises one or both of a period for loading and a period for unloading the vehicle ( 1 ), with the vehicle ( 1 ) being a truck.

4. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises one or both of a period of time for refueling the vehicle ( 1 ) and a period of time for charging a battery ( 9 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ).

5. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises an availability of charging stations ( 22 ) for the vehicle ( 1 ) on the entire route ( 20 ).

6. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises one or more of a traffic volume, traffic jam situations, and weather conditions on the entire route ( 20 ) to the specified destination ( 19 ).

7. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is configured to optimize the section of the trajectory based at least in part on an arrival time at the specified destination ( 19 ) predefined by a driver of the vehicle ( 1 ).

8. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is configured to optimize the section of the trajectory based at least in part on a range of the vehicle ( 1 ) specified by a driver of the vehicle ( 1 ).

9. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arrival time factor comprises an availability of parking spaces ( 23 ) at rest areas ( 24 ).

10. The processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is further configured for communicating with a processor unit ( 25 ) of a depot ( 19 ) to reserve one or both of a time for loading the vehicle and a time for unloading the vehicle based at least in part on the trajectory.

11. A driver assistance system ( 16 ) for a vehicle ( 1 ), the vehicle ( 1 ) being driven by an electric machine ( 8 ), the driver assistance system ( 16 ) being in communication with the processor unit ( 3 ) of claim 1 , the driver assistance system ( 16 ) being configured to:

access the input variable for the electric machine ( 8 ) by a communication interface, wherein the input variable has been determined by the processor unit ( 3 ); and

control, by way of an open-loop system, the electric machine ( 8 ) based on the input variable.

12. A vehicle ( 3 ), comprising:

the electric machine ( 8 );

the battery ( 9 ); and

the driver assistance system ( 16 ) of claim 11 .

13. A method for model-based predictive control of a vehicle ( 1 ) taking into account an arrival time factor, the method comprising:

calculating a trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) based at least in part on at least one arrival time factor, the trajectory including an entire route ( 20 ) to a specified destination ( 19 ) at which the vehicle ( 1 ) is to arrive, the at least one arrival time factor influencing an arrival time of the vehicle ( 1 ) at the specified destination ( 19 ); and

optimizing a section of the trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) for a sliding prediction horizon by executing a MPC algorithm ( 13 ), the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) includes a longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) of a drive train ( 7 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) and a cost function ( 15 ), the cost function ( 15 ) including:

a first term, the first term being an electrical energy predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a first weighting factor wherein the electrical energy is provided within the sliding prediction horizon by a battery ( 9 ) for driving an electric machine ( 8 ) of the drive train ( 7 ); and

a second term, the second term being a driving time predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a second weighting factor, the driving time being required by vehicle ( 1 ) to cover an entire distance predicted within the sliding prediction horizon,

wherein executing the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) comprises executing the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) as a function of the first term and as a function of the second term to minimize the cost function and determine an input variable for the electric machine ( 8 ).

14. A computer program product ( 11 ) for model-based predictive control of a vehicle ( 1 ) taking into account an arrival time factor, the computer program product ( 11 ) comprising instructions stored on a non-transitory memory, wherein the computer program product ( 11 ), when run on a processor unit ( 3 ), instructs the processor unit ( 3 ) to:

calculate a trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) based at least in part on at least one arrival time factor, the trajectory including an entire route ( 20 ) to a specified destination ( 19 ) at which the vehicle ( 1 ) is to arrive, the at least one arrival time factor influencing an arrival time of the vehicle ( 1 ) at the specified destination ( 19 ); and

optimize a section of the trajectory for the vehicle ( 1 ) for a sliding prediction horizon by executing a MPC algorithm ( 13 ), the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) includes a longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) of a drive train ( 7 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) and a cost function ( 15 ), the cost function ( 15 ) including:

a first term, the first term being an electrical energy predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a first weighting factor, wherein the electrical energy is provided within the sliding prediction horizon by a battery ( 9 ) for driving an electric machine ( 8 ) of the drive train ( 7 ); and

a second term, the second term being a driving time predicted according to the longitudinal dynamic model ( 14 ) and weighted with a second weighting factor, the driving time being required by vehicle ( 1 ) to cover an entire distance predicted within the sliding prediction horizon,

wherein the processor unit ( 3 ) is instructed to execute the MPC algorithm ( 13 ) as a function of the first term and as a function of the second term to minimize the cost function and determine an input variable for the electric machine ( 8 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ENGEL, VALERIE; WENDZEL, ANDREAS; WECHS, MICHAEL; DREHER, MAIK; FISCHER, LORENZ; SCHNEIDER, OLIVER; BAUMANN, CHRISTIAN; MENEZES, EDGAR; SPURA, FELIX
To: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
Reel/Frame 060709/0409 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220402476A1 · Dec 22, 2022
References Cited (18)
US 10407076B2 · Luo · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190056233A1 · Liu · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200086849A1 · Colavincenzo · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20200293009A1 · Quirynen · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20210331604A1 · Kita · 2021 [cited by examiner]
CN 109910890A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 108684203B · 2021 [cited by applicant]
DE 102014008429A1 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
DE 102015004792A1 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
DE 102014013618A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
DE 112015000924B4 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
DE 102018209997A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2018104850 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019243276 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (English Translation) PCT/EP2020/055771, dated Oct. 14, 2020. (3 pages). [cited by applicant]
Johannesson, Lars et al. “Predictive Energy Management of Hybrid Long-haul Trucks”, Control Engineering Practice, Pergamon Press, Oxford, GB, vol. 41, 2015, pp. 83-97; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conengprac.2015.04.014; I… [cited by applicant]
Difilippo, Gianvito et al. “A Cloud Optimizer for Eco Route Planning of Heavy Duty Vehicles” 2018 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 2018, pp. 7142-7147 DOI: 10.1109/CDC.2018.8619149; ISBN: 978-1-5386-1395-5… [cited by applicant]
Chinese Office Action (English Translation) for CN App. No. 202080079801.5, dated Nov. 25, 2024. (11 pages). [cited by applicant]