DE102023109153A1 - METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN APPEARANCE OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO VISUALIZE A CURRENT OPERATING SITUATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation, the method (1) comprising the following steps:
- During operation of the electric vehicle, collecting data on at least one variable characterising the current operating situation (2);
- For at least a part of the at least one detected quantity, converting the corresponding data into a signal (3) relating to a visualization of the corresponding quantity; and
- For the at least part of the at least one detected quantity, making visible a visualization relating to the corresponding quantity on a body part of the electric vehicle based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding quantity (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation, with which the safety and user experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

An electric vehicle is understood here to be a motor vehicle powered by electrical energy or by an electric motor.

One of the advantages of electric vehicles is that they do not emit any pollutants. In addition, compared to vehicles with combustion engines, they are quieter and usually suffer less wear and tear.

However, due to the low noise level of electric vehicles, other road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists, may not notice an approaching electric vehicle, which can lead to safety-critical situations.

In addition, the user experience of driving an electric vehicle is often considered less emotional than the user experience of driving a vehicle with an internal combustion engine due to the low noise level, although it would be desirable, particularly for environmental reasons, to encourage more users to use an electric vehicle.

From the publication DE 10 2020 113 398 A1 A motor vehicle is known with at least one functional surface layer, the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device, wherein at least one sensor is provided to form a solar thermal air conditioning device, which is designed to detect the solar radiation and/or the temperature and then to generate a signal representing these environmental variables, wherein signal transmission means are also provided which transmit the respective signal to the control device, and wherein the control device is designed to switch the functional surface layer between a lighter color and a darker color or between a darker color and a lighter color depending on the received signal.

The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a method with which the safety and user experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of the subordinate claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved by a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle in order to visualize a current operating situation, wherein the method comprises a respective acquisition of data about at least one variable characterizing the current operating situation during operation of the motor vehicle, for at least a part of the at least one acquired variable, a respective conversion of the corresponding acquired data into a signal relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable, and for the at least a part of the at least one acquired variable, a respective visualization relating to the corresponding variable on a body part of the electric vehicle based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable.

The appearance of an electric vehicle is understood to be the image of the electric vehicle that appears to an observer.

A quantity characterizing the current operating situation is also understood to be a variable or adjustable value or parameter that represents a current driving or operating situation.

The term body part of the electric vehicle is also understood to mean an external surface or boundary surface of the electric vehicle which is part of the vehicle body, for example an external surface or a windshield.

The fact that at least a part of the at least one detected quantity is made visible on the body part means that a representation on the body part and/or an external appearance of the body part is adapted in order to visualize the at least a part of the detected quantities.

Through appropriate visualization, the occupants or users of the electric vehicle and/or other road users can be made aware of potentially safety-critical situations and safety when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

In addition, the emotional experience of driving an electric vehicle can be enhanced by adapting or varying the display and thus the appearance of the electric vehicle accordingly.

Overall, this provides a method that can increase safety and the user experience when driving an electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, the step of making a visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for at least a part of the at least one size comprises adapting an external appearance of the electric vehicle based on the signal relating to the corresponding size.

The external appearance of an electric vehicle is understood to be the external image of the electric vehicle that affects an observer.

The external appearance can be caused in particular by vehicle paintwork. Vehicle paintwork or car paint is understood to be a layer that is applied to protect an external surface of the vehicle body from corrosion.

Increasingly, vehicle paint finishes are being developed which can change colour, for example when stimulated by electrical impulses, so that this function can be used here to visualise at least some of the recorded variables without the need for complex and costly conversions.

In addition, the step of making a visualization relating to the corresponding quantity visible for at least a part of the at least one quantity may comprise adapting a representation of a head-up display based on the signal relating to the corresponding quantity.

A head-up display is a display system in which the user or driver of the motor vehicle can maintain his line of sight and thus his head position because the information is projected into his field of vision, for example onto the windshield.

Since electric vehicles are increasingly equipped with such head-up displays, this function can be used here to visualize at least some of the recorded variables without the need for complex and costly modifications.

Furthermore, the method can further comprise a step of selecting which of the at least one size is or should be visualized, wherein the step of making the visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for at least part of the at least one detected size comprises making only the visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for all selected sizes. This can further increase user comfort by allowing the user or driver to select, for example, whether many or only a few sizes are visualized and/or, if necessary taking into account corresponding manufacturer-specific or legal requirements, to select which sizes can be visualized.

The at least one variable can be a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion.

A charging parameter is understood to be a quantity or information relating to a charging process and/or a state of a high-voltage storage device or a battery of the motor vehicle, for example a current state of charge or errors when approaching a charging station or during a charging process.

A driving parameter is also understood to mean quantities or information relating to a current journey with the electric vehicle, for example a current acceleration or a current speed, but also current temperatures of components and/or information about current system states.

An emotion is also understood to be a current emotional state or a psychophysical movement that is triggered by the conscious or unconscious perception of an event or situation.

In particular, the at least one variable can include all variables relating to safety and/or the user experience when driving an electric vehicle.

However, the fact that the at least one variable is a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion is only one possible embodiment. Rather, the at least one variable can also include other variables that affect safety and/or the quantities relating to the user experience when driving an electric vehicle, for example performance indicators or quantities or information relating to derating.

A further embodiment of the invention also provides a control device for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle in order to visualize a current operating situation, wherein the control device has a provision unit which is designed to provide data about at least one variable which is detected during operation of the electric vehicle and characterizes a current operating situation, a conversion unit which is designed to convert the corresponding data for at least part of the at least one detected variable into a signal relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable, and a control unit which is designed to make a visualization relating to the corresponding variable visible on a body part of the electric vehicle for the at least part of the at least one detected variable based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable.

This provides a control unit for an electric vehicle that can be used to increase safety and the user experience when driving an electric vehicle. The appropriate visualization can alert the occupants or users of the electric vehicle and/or other road users to potentially safety-critical situations and increase safety when driving an electric vehicle. In addition, the emotional experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased by adapting or varying the display and thus the appearance of the electric vehicle accordingly.

The control unit can also have a selection unit which is designed to select which of the at least one size is to be visualized, wherein the control unit is designed to make only the visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for all selected sizes. This can further increase user comfort by allowing the user or driver to select, for example, whether many or only a few sizes are to be visualized and/or, if necessary taking into account corresponding manufacturer-specific or legal requirements, to select which sizes can be visualized.

The at least one variable can in turn be a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion. In particular, the at least one variable can include all variables that relate to safety and/or the user experience when driving an electric vehicle.

However, the fact that the at least one variable is a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion is only one possible embodiment. Rather, the at least one variable can also have other variables relating to safety and/or the user experience when driving an electric vehicle, for example performance indicators or variables or information relating to derating.

A further embodiment of the invention also provides an electric vehicle which has a control unit as described above.

This means that an electric vehicle is specified which has a control unit with which the safety and user experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased. The appropriate visualization can make the occupants or users of the electric vehicle and/or other road users aware of potentially safety-critical situations and increase safety when driving an electric vehicle. In addition, the emotional experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased by adapting or varying the representation and thus the appearance of the electric vehicle accordingly.

In one embodiment, the electric vehicle has an adaptable external appearance, for example an adaptable vehicle paint finish, wherein the control unit of the control device is designed to adapt the external appearance of the electric vehicle, for example the vehicle paint finish, for at least part of the at least one size based on the relevant size. Vehicle paint finishes are also increasingly being developed which can change color, for example when stimulated by electrical impulses, so that this function can be used here to visualize at least part of the recorded sizes without the need for complex and costly conversions.

In addition, the electric vehicle can also have a head-up display, wherein the control unit of the control device is designed for at least to adapt a representation of the head-up display based on the signal relating to the corresponding size to a portion of the at least one size. Since electric vehicles increasingly have such head-up displays, this function can be used here to visualize at least a portion of the recorded sizes without the need for complex and costly modifications.

In summary, the present invention provides a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation, with which the safety and user experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

• 1 zeigt ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Anpassen eines Erscheinungsbildes eines Elektrofahrzeugs, um eine aktuelle Betriebssituation zu visualisieren gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung;
• 2 zeigt ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Steuergeräts zum Anpassen eines Erscheinungsbildes eines Elektrofahrzeugs, um eine aktuelle Betriebssituation zu visualisieren gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 shows a flowchart of a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation according to embodiments of the invention;
• 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a control device for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation according to embodiments of the invention.

1 shows a flowchart of a method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

One of the advantages of electric vehicles is that they do not emit any pollutants. In addition, compared to vehicles with combustion engines, they are quieter and usually suffer less wear and tear.

However, due to the low noise level of electric vehicles, other road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists, may not notice an approaching electric vehicle, which can lead to safety-critical situations.

In addition, the user experience of driving an electric vehicle is often considered less emotional than the user experience of driving a vehicle with an internal combustion engine due to the low noise level, although it would be desirable to encourage more users to use an electric vehicle, particularly for environmental reasons.

1 shows a method 1 which comprises a step 2 of each time acquiring data about at least one variable characterizing the current operating situation during operation of the motor vehicle, a step 3 of each time converting the corresponding acquired data into a signal relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable for at least a part of the at least one acquired variable, and a step 4 of each time making visible a visualization relating to the corresponding variable on a body part of the electric vehicle for at least a part of the at least one acquired variable based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable.

Through appropriate visualization, the occupants or users of the electric vehicle and/or other road users can be made aware of potentially safety-critical situations and safety when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

In addition, the emotional experience of driving an electric vehicle can be enhanced by adapting or varying the display and thus the appearance of the electric vehicle accordingly.

Overall, a procedure 1 is provided with which the safety and user experience when driving an electric vehicle can be increased.

In particular, the method presented can not only improve safety but also the emotional experience of using or driving an electric vehicle.

The data recorded can in particular be sensor data, which can be recorded continuously, or at predetermined times and/or at regular intervals. Furthermore, the data can also contain data or information read from an engine and/or charging control system of the electric vehicle.

Based on the corresponding recorded data, control signals are then generated, based on which a corresponding control unit can control or adapt a visualization.

According to the embodiments of the 1 step 4 of making a visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for at least a part of the at least one size further comprises adapting an external appearance of the electric vehicle, in particular a vehicle paintwork, based on the signal relating to the corresponding size.

In particular, the electric vehicle can have an adaptable vehicle paint finish. With an adaptable vehicle paint finish, the color can be changed, for example stimulated by electrical impulses, so that this function can be used here to visualize at least some of the recorded variables.

For example, a color of the exterior paint can be adjusted based on the progress of a charging process, whereby, for example, a percentage of the vehicle paintwork corresponding to the current charge level of a battery or a high-voltage storage device of the electric vehicle can have a different color than the rest of the vehicle paintwork in order to symbolize the current charging progress. Furthermore, for example, a color of the vehicle paintwork can also be changed if errors occur when approaching a charging station or during the charging process, whereby a corresponding signaling effect is achieved, for example, by changing the color of the vehicle paintwork to red.

Furthermore, the customizable external appearance of the electric vehicle can also be based on display technology, for example.

In addition, the recorded data can also include data relating to driving functions, i.e. data recorded during driving about the operation of the electric vehicle, such as speed and/or acceleration data. Based on this data, a color and/or pattern of the vehicle's paintwork can also be adjusted, which can improve the user experience and also draw the attention of other road users to the relevant data in order to avoid safety-critical situations. For example, acceleration values can be visualized using animated longitudinal stripes on the outside of a vehicle.

According to the embodiments of the 1 step 4 of making a visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for at least a part of the at least one size also comprises adapting a representation of a head-up display based on the signal relating to the corresponding size.

For example, animations that depend on the driving situation can be shown on the head-up display. For example, animations that can be selected by the user or driver or based on the user's recorded emotions can be shown when it is detected that the electric vehicle is currently in a traffic jam or at a standstill in order to create a relaxed atmosphere. For example, a waterfall can be visualized on parts of the head-up display that do not obscure the current traffic situation in such situations. User-specific images, for example images that are familiar to the user or desired or preferred by the user, or brand-specific logos and/or images that represent a manufacturer of the electric vehicle can also be shown.

In addition, specific parameters relating to the electric vehicle can also be visualized on the head-up display, such as a slip limit, a sideslip angle, a recuperation limit, data on a system status, performance indicators, information on derating, or current temperatures of relevant components of the electric vehicle.

Furthermore, step 4 of making a visualization relating to the corresponding size visible for at least a part of the at least one size can also comprise projecting the visualization onto further body parts, for example a roof fin, or using lighting devices contained in the electric vehicle, for example LEDs (light emitting diodes), to generate the visualization.

How 1 shows, the method 1 further comprises a step 5 of selecting which of the at least one quantity is to be visualized, wherein the step 4 of, for at least a part of the at least one detected quantity, respectively making visible the visualization relating to the corresponding quantity comprises respectively making visible only the visualization relating to the corresponding quantity for all selected quantities.

The selection can be made, for example, using appropriate selection tools that are already integrated into the electric vehicle or are already available, such as a mixed reality slider.

The at least one variable is also a charging parameter, a driving parameter and an emotion, which can each be detected by means of sensors and/or gesture recognition, or read from a charging control or an engine control of the electric vehicle.

2 shows a schematic block diagram of a control device for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle to visualize a current operating situation 10 according to embodiments of the invention.

How 2 shows, the control unit 10 has a provision unit 11 which is designed to provide data about at least one variable which is detected during operation of the electric vehicle and characterizes a current operating situation, a conversion unit 12 which is designed to convert the corresponding data for at least part of the at least one detected variable into a signal relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable, and a control unit 13 which is designed to make a visualization relating to the corresponding variable visible on a body part of the electric vehicle for the at least part of the at least one detected variable based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable.

The provision unit can in particular be a receiver which is designed to receive corresponding data, for example sensor data. The conversion unit and the control unit can also each be implemented, for example, based on a code stored in a memory and executable by a processor.

How 2 further shows, the control unit 10 further comprises a selection unit 14 which is designed to select which of the at least one variable is to be visualized, wherein the control unit 13 is designed to make only the visualization relating to the corresponding variable visible for all selected variables.

The selection unit can be implemented, for example, based on corresponding input means and/or code stored in a memory and executable by a processor.

The at least one variable is again a charging parameter, a driving parameter and an emotion.

The control unit 10 is designed in particular to adapt or control an adaptable external appearance of the electric vehicle, for example an adaptable vehicle paintwork of the electric vehicle, in order to make the corresponding visualization visible.

In addition, the control unit 10 is to adapt a head-up display of the electric vehicle or to adapt a representation on the head-up display in order to make the visualization visible.

Furthermore, the control unit 10 is designed to carry out a method described above for adapting a visualization of an electric vehicle to a current operating situation.

list of reference symbols

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Proceedings

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process step

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process step

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process step

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process step

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control unit

11

provisioning unit

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conversion unit

13

control unit

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selection unit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2020 113 398 A1 [0006]

Claims (11)

Method for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle in order to visualize a current operating situation, the method (1) comprising the following steps: - During operation of the electric vehicle, in each case recording data about at least one variable characterizing the current operating situation (2); - For at least a part of the at least one recorded variable, in each case converting the corresponding data into a signal (3) relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable; and - For the at least a part of the at least one recorded variable, in each case making visible a visualization relating to the corresponding variable on a body part of the electric vehicle based on the signal (4) relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable. Procedure (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the step of making a visualization (4) relating to the corresponding size visible for at least a part of the at least one size comprises adapting an external appearance of the electric vehicle based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding size. Procedure (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the step of making a visualization (4) relating to the corresponding quantity visible for at least a part of the at least one quantity comprises adapting a representation of a head-up display based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding quantity. Method (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the method (1) further comprises a step of selecting which of the at least one quantity is to be visualized (5), wherein the step of making the visualization (4) relating to the corresponding quantity visible for at least a part of the at least one detected quantity comprises making only the visualization relating to the corresponding quantity visible for all selected quantities. Method (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the at least one variable is a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion. Control device for adapting an appearance of an electric vehicle in order to visualize a current operating situation, wherein the control device (10) has a provision unit (11) which is designed to provide data about at least one variable characterizing a current operating situation, which is detected during operation of the electric vehicle, a conversion unit (12) which is designed to convert the corresponding data for at least a part of the at least one detected variable into a signal relating to a visualization of the corresponding variable, and a control unit (13) which is designed to make a visualization relating to the corresponding variable visible on a body part of the electric vehicle for the at least a part of the at least one detected variable, based on the signal relating to the representation of the corresponding variable. Control unit (10) after claim 6 , wherein the control device (10) further comprises a selection unit (14) which is designed to select which of the at least one variable is to be visualized, wherein the control unit (13) is designed to make only the visualization relating to the corresponding variable visible for all selected variables. Control unit (10) after claim 6 or 7 , wherein the at least one variable is a charging parameter and/or a driving parameter and/or an emotion. Electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle has a control device according to one of the Claims 6 until 8 has. electric vehicle after claim 9 , wherein the electric vehicle has an adaptable external appearance, and wherein the control unit of the control device is designed to adapt the external appearance of the electric vehicle for the at least part of the at least one size based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding size. electric vehicle after claim 9 or 10 , wherein the electric vehicle further comprises a head-up display, and wherein the control unit of the control device is designed to adapt a representation of the head-up display for the at least part of the at least one variable based on the signal relating to the visualization of the corresponding variable.

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