Control systems for conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function.

Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles. Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems for purposes that are

Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive systems that are used for purposes

Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control, e.g. monitoring of signals for controllers that are used for purposes

Control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles (AV).

Philosophy of conjoint control in subclass B60W:

B60W is the application-oriented place covering vehicle drive control systems in general that are not related to a particular sub-unit or used for conjoint control of two or more sub-units. The control of a single particular sub-unit, or same type multiple sub-units for the same purpose are not covered by this subclass and have to be classified in the relevant class for the sub-unit, e.g. F02D or F16H. Where a single particular sub-unit is controlled by signal or commands from other sub-units, the control of this single sub-unit is classified in the relevant place for this sub-unit. For example the control of variable ratio gearing by means of signals from the engine or accelerator is classified in the subclass for gearing F16H.

Conjoint control of driveline units, e.g. engines, and variable-ratio gearing occurring only transiently during ratio shift and being also characterized by the control of the gearing is also classified in the subclass for gearing F16H.

One main group (B60W 20/00) is intended for all control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles. This group also covers control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles that do not reveal any use of conjoint control. The arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for common propulsion of a hybrid vehicle will be classified in the subclass B60K. Conjoint control of pure electric drive units like motor and battery will be classified in subclass B60L. When the architecture or type of transmission of the hybrid vehicle is also of interest, it should be classified in the relevant groups of main group B60K 6/00.

This subclass also cover road vehicle drive control systems not related to any particular sub-unit, i.e. which do not specify which sub-unit is activated or actuated by the control system. For example a control system or control method for predicting a collision which is not related to the control of any specific sub-unit will be correctly covered by the appropriate group B60W 30/08.

Detecting means in general (e.g. ultrasonic radar, TV camera, image processing, or measuring means) are covered by the classes G01, G06 or H04 and their appropriate subclasses.

Whenever one or more specific types of sub-units are controlled, classification in main group B60W 10/00 should be given for each of the different sub-units controlled. For each controlled sub-unit a classification symbol should be added in the relevant place. When documents classified in main group B60W 10/00 are also relevant for main groups B60W 20/00 - B60W 60/00, a classification in one of these groups is required.

Contrary to the IPC , B60W in CPC is a multi-aspect classification system where classifications have to be given for all features of the independent claims and for all features contributing to the operability of the disclosed invention.

The use of the indexing codes is mandatory.

Sub-units of different type or function, which are controlled by a controller on board of the vehicle. The controller sends control signals to two or more vehicle sub-units, so that the sub-units act together to solve a particular problem in order to improve stability, comfort or safety of the vehicle or to propel the vehicle. For each of the sub-units which are controlled by the controller a classification symbol (invention-type) should be added.

When classifying in group B60W 10/00, classification must also be made in groups B60W 20/00 - B60W 60/00 in order to identify the purpose or use of the control. For each of the sub-units which are controlled by the controller a classification symbol (invention-type) should be added. The sub-units covered by B60W 10/00 have to be sub-units of a vehicle as defined by B60W 20/00 - B60W 60/00.

The use of the indexing codes is mandatory.

Exhaust brake systems provided in addition to the engine.

Control systems exclusively for hybrid vehicles, i.e. vehicles combining at least two different prime movers which convert energy taken from at least two different in vehicle storage devices, e.g. fuel tank and battery, into mechanical energy for the propulsion of the vehicle.

Whenever one or more specific types of sub-units are controlled, classification in main group B60W 10/00 should be given for each of the different sub-units controlled. When the architecture or type of transmission of the hybrid vehicle is of interest, it should be classified in the relevant groups of B60K 6/00.

Conjoint control of the prime movers to meet power demand including also situations in which the power is not demanded for propelling the vehicle, to keep one prime mover in an off-state or an on-state, e.g. engine is kept on for warming up with high battery charge state or engine is kept off even with low battery charge state in a traffic jam.

Control strategies using performance models of prime movers and sub-units, e.g. battery or gearing, are predicted and adjusted to be controlled at their optimal working points; Control is based on internal vehicle information only;

Control strategies to operate the vehicle or one or more sub-units at the point of highest energy efficiency with MPC providing the data for selecting optimal points of operation to meet the required power demand.

If the particular effect is fuel economy, no additional classification is necessary. If it is another effect, additional classification in B60W 20/15 is necessary.

Control systems using path-dependent information, e.g. road slope, curve radius, distance to intersection, traffic information, weather conditions, emission or noise restrictions;

The sub-units are brought into the most suitable status depending on this information, e.g. keeping the engine switched off and propelling the vehicle using only the motor if there is a traffic jam.

Control strategies aiming at maintaining battery state of charge (SOC) within defined limits to extend battery lifetime.

Control systems only usable for hybrid vehicles controlling power contribution of prime movers to keep battery healthy in combination with braking regeneration.

Mandatory classification in Braking Regeneration: B60W 30/18127

Control strategies directed to performance or operation of the vehicle in such a way so as to provide a specific benefit, e.g. maintaining lubrication of an engine.

Control strategies lowering the level of emissions leaving the exhaust, i.e. downstream of catalytic converter or particle filter, not the emissions leaving the engine.

Control strategies mitigating vehicle noise, e.g. for driver comfort, quiet running in noise abatement areas.

Control strategies related to extended engine off times, e.g. preventing the fuel from getting old, cylinder purging, lubrication issues.

Control strategies to provide enhanced acceleration, e.g. the electrical motor assists the engine for better acceleration.

Control systems deciding which hybrid configuration is used for vehicles with a drive train architecture which allows for different configurations, e.g. parallel, serial.

Control systems deciding selection of transmission gear ratio, e.g. with a limited number of available gear ratios for electric drive mode or with a different number of available gear ratios in electric mode and in internal combustion mode.

Control systems deciding selection of gear ratio and prime mover power distribution should receive classification B60W 20/10.

Control systems for enabling smooth transition between motor and engine propulsion, e.g. during hill hold, during synchronisation processes, during transition between electrical and combined drive mode.

Control strategies evaluating or monitoring of an operational condition of the vehicle to identify any potential failure, or operation of the vehicle with minimum or no harm to the vehicle in the event of failure, e.g. driving the vehicle to a reasonable distance without necessarily damaging the engine, electrical drive mode when fuel tank is empty.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for ensuring comfort, stability and safety or purposes of road vehicle drive control systems for propelling or retarding the vehicle

Control of a single sub-unit or of sub-units of the same type or function is classified in the relevant place for the sub-unit.

Systems influencing the drivability or agility of a vehicle in a curve

Control systems for predicting coming or possible collisions or taking measures to prevent or weaken the impact of a collision.

Control systems for adapting vehicle speed to particular conditions, e.g. for controlling distance to preceding vehicle or taking actions when preceding vehicles is going to stop.

Control systems for the driving or retarding of road vehicles controlling multiple sub-units

The estimation or calculation of non-direct measurable parameters related to vehicle drive control and not used for a particular sub-unit, e.g. by using mathematic models for estimation of the parameters.

This group does not cover direct measurement of parameters related to vehicle drive control using a particular sensor. Parameter acquisition relying on sensors should be classified in the area of the sensor, e.g. cameras G06K, ultrasonic G01S.

This group does not cover detection of failures of or in single sub-units. Such detection is classified in the relevant place for the sub-unit.

On board failure detection

Failure correction strategies

Means or methods to repair failures

Work around methods in case of failure

Control input devices for limp home

Control methods for fail safe which will avoid situations where a defect part is involved, i.e. the control uses different parts or a method for a work around. No redundant parts are used and these methods could lead to constrains in functionality.

Control methods for fail safe which will put the control in a predefined state, e.g. the transmission in particular gear ratio, or for giving priority to a particular actuator.

Interfaces between driver and control system not for a single or particular sub-unit with interaction, e.g. communications or actions with a feedback loop between the driver and the control system. The interaction can be a tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibrations of the steering wheel.

Preventing particular driving manoeuvres based on the vehicle situation, e.g.

limiting driver control by drive assistance systems in critical driving situations

This group covers on-board control systems, whereas subclass G05D covers remote control systems.

This group also covers control systems for autonomous vehicles in an open road environment.

Traffic control systems are covered by G08G.

When classifying in group B60W 60/00, multi-aspect classification must also be applied in groups B60W 10/00 – B60W 50/00, whenever appropriate.

The use of the indexing codes of this subclass is mandatory.

The planning or execution of the following dynamic driving tasks:

Planning and execution of driving tasks adapted to the comfort of the occupants, e.g. by limiting acceleration, centrifugal or centripetal forces or jerk.

Planning and execution of driving tasks prioritizing safety, e.g. increased spacing, reduced speed.

Limitation of autonomous vehicle operations in response to vehicle systems failure, extreme weather conditions or infrastructure conditions.

The operation of the autonomous vehicle is adapted or restricted in response to a detected security violation.

The "taxi operations" include the carriage of passengers for reward, e.g. buses. Taxi operations also include "ridesharing".

Decision making processes used to initiate or abort handover of control of the driving tasks between the on-board control system and an occupant, e.g. ascertaining occupant or control system ability to perform driving tasks, determining time or distance required to perform handover.

Processes performed during handover of control of the driving tasks between the on-board control system and an occupant, e.g. processes for gradually transferring the driving tasks from the on-board control system to an occupant.

When classifying in B60W 60/0051 - B60W 60/0061, processes used to initiate or abort handover are classified in the relevant subgroups of B60W 60/0051 - B60W 60/0061 and processes performed during handover are classified in B60W 60/0051 - B60W 60/0053.

The use of precise infrastructure information provided by the on-board vehicle navigation system or by an external system.