CREATION OF COST FUNCTION

• US 20130103258A1
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Maria Sodergren
• Inventors: Sdergren, Maria, Johansson, Oskar, Evaldsson, Martin
• Application Number:
  US13/808,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20130103258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/14 Adaptive cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00

Abstract

Disclosed is a cost function that depends on at least a first term and a second term which have a mutual relationship between them. The cost function is also so configured that it is easy to expand to cover one or more further terms. The cost function is created such that when it is expanded to depend on the first term, the second term and at least one further term the cost function still maintains the same mutual relationship between the first term and the second term. The cost function also indicates a mutual relationship between the at least one further term and the first and second terms.

Claims

1. A method for creating a cost function for use in a motor vehicle, which cost function depends on at least a first and a second term, indicates a mutual relationship between said at least first and second terms, and assumes a function value, characterised in that said cost function is configured such that dependency on at least one further term can be introduced into said cost function, which will thereupon maintain said mutual relationship between said at least first and second terms and indicate a mutual relationship between said at least one further term and said at least first and second terms.

2. A method according to claim 1, whereby said at least first and second terms and said at least one further term are each based on a respective aspect related to said motor vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 2, whereby said at least first and second terms and said at least one further term each take the form of a respective standardised aspect value, which standardisation is effected by means of a reference value for each aspect.

4. A method according to claim 3, whereby said reference value takes the form of a corresponding value arrived at by means of a conventional cruise control.

5. A method according to any one of claims 2-4, whereby said at least first and second terms and said at least one further term each take the form of a respective squared standardised aspect value.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, whereby said mutual relationships between said at least first and second terms take the form of convex combinations.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1-6, whereby said mutual relationships between said at least one further term and said first and second terms take the form of convex combinations.

8. A method according to any one of claims 7, whereby said cost function upon said introduction substantially maintains said function value if said at least one further term is based on a standardised aspect value, which standardisation is effected by means of a reference value for each aspect, and said aspect value assumes a value which is near to said reference value.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1-8, whereby said cost function depends on two terms based respectively on journey time and weight of fuel consumed.

10. A method according to claim 9, whereby said cost function is defined according to

11. A method according to any one of claims 1-8, whereby said cost function depends on three terms based respectively on journey time, weight of fuel consumed and driving experience.

12. A method according to claim 11, whereby said cost function is defined according to

13. A method according to claim 12, whereby the term for driving experience depends on two terms based respectively on acceleration change and speed experience.

14. A method according to claim 13, whereby the term for driving experience is defined according to

15. A method according to any one of claims 1-14, whereby said function value is substantially one if said at least first and second terms are each based on a respective standardised aspect value, which standardisation is effected by means of a reference value for each aspect, and the respective aspect values each assume a value which is near to said reference value.

16. A method for optimising a parameter in a motor vehicle, which optimisation is based on a cost function created according to any one of claims 1-15, said parameter being related to control of any of the following:

an intelligent cruise control,

an automatic gearbox,

regulation of an engine response.

regulation of an engine fan, and

regulation of combustion emissions.

17. A computer program which comprises program code and which when said code is executed in a computer causes said computer to apply the method according to any of claims 1-16.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium and a computer program according to claim 17, which program is contained in said computer-readable medium.

19. A control unit adapted to creating a cost function for use in a motor vehicle, which cost function depends on at least a first and a second term, indicates a mutual relationship between said at least first and second terms, and assumes a function value, characterised in that said control unit is adapted to configuring said cost function such that dependency on at least one further term can be introduced into said cost function, which will thereupon maintain said mutual relationship between said at least first and second terms and indicate a mutual relationship between said at least one further term and said at least first and second terms.

20. A motor vehicle characterised in said vehicle comprises a control unit according to claim 19.