Method and device for operating a drive device, and drive device

A method for operating a drive device of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine and at least one switchable mechanism, the at least one switchable mechanism comprising at least one of a shift transmission having several transmission stages and a valve stroke adjustment device of a variable valve train of the internal combustion engine,

• wherein the mechanism can be switched to change an operating state influencing a fuel consumption, and a process of switching the at least one switchable mechanism causes an increased fuel consumption,
• wherein a torque and a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine are predicted depending on a current operating situation, and a predicted dwell time of the mechanism in a switching state is determined depending on the torque and the rotational speed,
• wherein the current operating situation includes:
• a driver type identification based on a gas pedal position, a brake pedal position, and a steering wheel angle;
• a current travel route based on a navigation system determining one or more of hills, slopes, stops or speed-reducing restricted zones;
• and
• traffic information along the current travel route from a traffic control system,
• wherein a minimum dwell time is determined based on a probable fuel consumption which is predicted based on the current operating situation, and compared to the increased fuel consumption caused by the process of switching the at least one switchable mechanism, and if the predicted dwell time is longer than the minimum dwell time, the mechanism for changing the operating state is actuated.