U.S. patent application number 15/341152 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for vehicle information display and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Stephen Bryan, Derek Hartl, Ryan J. Skaff, Angela L. Watson, David L. Watson.
Application Number | 20170072799 15/341152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43828980 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170072799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skaff; Ryan J. ; et
al. |
March 16, 2017 |
VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY AND METHOD
Abstract
An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle
configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is
provided. The information display system also indicates how close
the engine is to turning on due to an engine on reason by
displaying a proximity indicator representing a value associated
with the engine on reason and a threshold demarcating values which
cause the engine to be on.
Inventors: |
Skaff; Ryan J.; (Farmington
Hills, MI) ; Hartl; Derek; (Royal Oak, MI) ;
Bryan; Paul Stephen; (Belleville, MI) ; Watson;
Angela L.; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Watson; David L.;
(Ann Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43828980 |
Appl. No.: |
15/341152 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12604046 |
Oct 22, 2009 |
9506781 |
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15341152 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 6/445 20130101;
B60K 2370/174 20190501; Y02T 10/62 20130101; B60K 35/00 20130101;
Y02T 10/6239 20130101; G07C 5/06 20130101; B60K 2370/172 20190501;
G01D 7/04 20130101; Y02T 10/84 20130101; G01D 11/28 20130101; B60W
2510/06 20130101; B60K 2370/143 20190501; B60W 50/14 20130101; G01D
7/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60K 35/00 20060101
B60K035/00; G01D 7/04 20060101 G01D007/04; G01D 7/00 20060101
G01D007/00; B60K 6/445 20060101 B60K006/445; B60W 50/14 20060101
B60W050/14 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A display comprising: a threshold associated with a plurality
of engine-on reasons, and a plurality of indicators, each
indicative of a value associated with an engine-on reason, wherein
the first threshold indicates the value for each engine-on reason
at which an engine is caused to turn on.
22. The display of claim 1, wherein the indicators change color
based upon their proximity to the at least one threshold.
23. The display of claim 2, wherein the value associated with each
engine-on reason corresponds to one of a plurality of proximity
levels indicating a relative proximity to the at least one
threshold.
24. The display of claim 1, wherein the display displays at least
one of the engine-on reasons when the value corresponding to that
engine-on reason reaches the at least one threshold.
25. The display of claim 4, wherein displaying at least one of the
engine-on reasons includes displaying an engine-on reason
explanation for the engine-on reason.
26. The display of claim 1, wherein the at least one threshold
changes color when at least one indicator reaches the at least one
threshold.
27. The display of claim 1, wherein the at least one threshold
includes an engine-on threshold and an engine-off threshold, the
engine-off threshold indicating the value for each engine-on reason
at which the engine will turn off.
28. The display of claim 7, wherein the engine-off threshold is
spaced apart from the engine-on threshold, the display configured
to display the engine-off threshold only when the engine is on for
at least the corresponding engine-on reason and the engine-on
threshold only when the engine is not on for at least the
corresponding engine-on reason.
29. The display of claim 7, wherein the engine-off threshold is
displayed when the engine is on for at least the engine-on reason
corresponding to the first threshold.
30. A method comprising: acquiring data for vehicle operating
parameters associated with a plurality of engine-on reasons;
setting a first threshold associated with the plurality of
engine-on reasons, wherein the first threshold indicates an engine
on/off transition for each of the plurality of engine-on reasons;
and displaying an indicator for each engine-on reason indicating a
value relative to the first threshold.
31. The method of claim 10 further comprising: calculating the
value corresponding to each engine-on reason based on the vehicle
operating parameters.
32. The method of claim 10, wherein the value corresponds to one of
a plurality of proximity levels indicating a relative proximity to
the at least one threshold.
33. The method of claim 12, wherein each indicator changes color
based upon the proximity level.
34. The method of claim 10, further comprising: displaying at least
one of the engine-on reasons when the value corresponding to the at
least one engine-on reason reaches the threshold.
35. The method of claim 14, wherein displaying at least one of the
engine-on reasons includes displaying an engine-on reason
explanation for the engine-on reason.
36. The method of claim 10, wherein the first threshold changes
color when at least one indicator reaches the first threshold.
37. The method of claim 10, further comprising: setting a second
threshold indicating the value for each engine-on reason that
causes the engine to turn off, the second threshold different from
the first threshold.
38. A display comprising: a plurality of indicators, each
indicative of a value associated with an engine-on reason; and a
plurality of thresholds one threshold associated with each
indicator, wherein each threshold indicates a threshold value at
which an engine turns on for each engine-on reason; wherein the
each indicator changes color based upon proximity to the
threshold.
39. The display of claim 18, wherein each threshold changes color
when the indicator reaches the threshold.
40. The display of claim 18, wherein the value corresponds to one
of a plurality of proximity levels indicating a relative proximity
to the threshold.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/604,046 filed Oct. 22, 2009, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The following relates to an information display system and
method for displaying information relating to the operation of a
hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and, more particularly, to a system
and method for conveying to an operator how close the HEV is from
entering or exiting an electric vehicle (EV) mode.
[0003] A detailed description and accompanying drawings are set
forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a simplified, exemplary schematic representation
of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) including an information display
system according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0005] FIG. 2a is simplified, exemplary diagram depicting the
information display system when an HEV is in an electric vehicle
(EV) mode according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0006] FIG. 2b is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting the
information display system when the HEV is not in the EV mode
according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a simplified, exemplary table showing several
engine on reasons and their associated explanation according to a
display ranking in accordance with an embodiment of the present
application;
[0008] FIG. 4a is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0009] FIG. 4b is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0010] FIG. 5a is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0011] FIG. 5b is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0012] FIG. 5c is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0014] FIG. 7a is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application;
[0015] FIG. 7b is a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting a
proximity gauge according to one or more embodiments of the present
application; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a simplified, exemplary flowchart depicting a
methodology according to one or more embodiments of the present
application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1-8, a more detailed description of
embodiments of the system and method and various components thereof
will now be provided.
[0018] All vehicles, whether passenger or commercial, include a
number of gauges, indicators, and various other displays to provide
the vehicle operator with information regarding the vehicle and its
surroundings. With the advent of new technologies, such as hybrid
electric vehicles (HEVs), has come a variety of new gauges and
information displays that help drivers to better learn the
operation of these vehicles that utilize new technology. For
example, many HEVs incorporate gauges that attempt to provide the
driver with information on the various hybrid driving states. Some
gauges will indicate to the driver when the vehicle is being
propelled by the engine alone, the motor alone, or a combination of
the two. Similarly, a display may indicate when the motor is
operating as a generator, and is recharging an energy storage
device, such as a battery.
[0019] With regard to HEVs, it is known that some drivers may not
be able to achieve desired fuel economy numbers, in part because of
driving habits. In many cases, drivers are willing to modify their
behavior, but are unable to translate recommended techniques into
real changes in their driving habits. Moreover, gauges or displays
that merely indicate when the engine is on or off, provide
information that is not timely (i.e., once the indicator signals
that the engine is on, it is too late for the driver to modify his
or her driving to keep the engine off). Further, these gauges or
displays fail to indicate why the engine is on in the first
place.
[0020] With the advent of sensing electronics, computers and other
vehicle related technology, the amount of vehicle information that
can be communicated to the driver is virtually limitless. Often,
the driver may not even know of all the features and capabilities
their vehicles have to offer. Displaying certain types of
information, particularly information relevant to HEVs, can help
facilitate economical driving choices by a driver.
[0021] One or more embodiments of the present application relate to
displaying content particularly designed to influence driving
habits. Specifically, one or more embodiments are directed to an
information display for a vehicle, and a method for displaying such
information, that provides content that will help a driver increase
fuel economy and other energy efficiencies. The information display
can convey information regarding the operation of an HEV, such as
the specific reasons that cause the engine to come on, how close
the engine is to turning on, and what a driver can do to enable the
engine to turn off.
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified,
exemplary schematic representation of a vehicle 10, which includes
an engine 12 and an electric machine, or generator 14. The engine
12 and the generator 14 are connected through a power transfer
arrangement, which in this embodiment, is a planetary gear
arrangement 16. Of course, other types of power transfer
arrangements, including other gear sets and transmissions, may be
used to connect the engine 12 to the generator 14. The planetary
gear arrangement 16 includes a ring gear 18, a carrier 20, planet
gears 22, and a sun gear 24.
[0023] The generator 14 can also output torque to a shaft 26
connected to the sun gear 24. Similarly, the engine 12 outputs
torque to a crankshaft 28, which is connected to a shaft 30 through
a passive clutch 32. The clutch 32 provides protection against
over-torque conditions. The shaft 30 is connected to the carrier 20
of the planetary gear arrangement 16, and the ring gear 18 is
connected to a shaft 34, which is connected to a first set of
vehicle drive wheels, or primary drive wheels 36, through a gear
set 38.
[0024] The vehicle 10 includes a second electric machine, or motor
40, which can be used to output torque to a shaft 42 connected to
the gear set 38. Other vehicles within the scope of the present
application may have different electric machine arrangements, such
as more or fewer than two electric machines. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the electric machine arrangement (i.e., the motor
40 and the generator 14) can both be used as motors to output
torque. Alternatively, each can also be used as a generator,
outputting electrical power to a high voltage bus 44 and to an
energy storage system 46, which includes a battery 48 and a battery
control module (BCM) 50.
[0025] The battery 48 is a high voltage battery that is capable of
outputting electrical power to operate the motor 40 and the
generator 14. The BCM 50 acts as a controller for the battery 48.
Other types of energy storage systems can be used with a vehicle,
such as the vehicle 10. For example, a device such as a capacitor
can be used, which, like a high voltage battery, is capable of both
storing and outputting electrical energy. Alternatively, a device
such as a fuel cell may be used in conjunction with a battery
and/or capacitor to provide electrical power for the vehicle
10.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 40, the generator 14, the
planetary gear arrangement 16, and a portion of the second gear set
38 may generally be referred to as a transmission 52. To control
the engine 12 and components of the transmission 52 (i.e., the
generator 14 and motor 40) a vehicle control system, shown
generally as controller 54, may be provided. Although it is shown
as a single controller, it may include multiple controllers which
may be used to control multiple vehicle systems. For example, the
controller 54 may be a vehicle system controller/powertrain control
module (VSC/PCM). In this regard, the PCM portion of the VSC/PCM
may be software embedded within the VSC/PCM, or it can be a
separate hardware device.
[0027] A controller area network (CAN) 56 allows the controller 54
to communicate with the transmission 52 and the BCM 50. Just as the
battery 48 includes a BCM 50, other devices controlled by the
controller 54 may have their own controllers. For example, an
engine control unit (ECU) may communicate with the controller 54
and may perform control functions on the engine 12. In addition,
the transmission 52 may include a transmission control module
(TCM), configured to coordinate control of specific components
within the transmission 52, such as the generator 14 and/or the
motor 40. Some or all of these various controllers can make up a
control system in accordance with the present application. Although
illustrated and described in the context of the vehicle 10, which
is a full HEV, it is understood that embodiments of the present
application may be implemented on other types of vehicles, such as
those including other hybrid systems.
[0028] Also shown in FIG. 1 are simplified schematic
representations of a braking system 58, an accelerator pedal 60,
and an air conditioning system 62. The braking system 58 may
include such things as a brake pedal, position sensors, pressure
sensors, or some combination of the two, as well as a mechanical
connection to the vehicle wheels, such as the wheels 36, to effect
friction braking. The braking system 58 may also include a
regenerative braking system, wherein braking energy is captured and
stored as electrical energy in the battery 48. Similarly, the
accelerator pedal 60 may include one or more sensors, which, like
the sensors in the braking system 58, communicate with the
controller 54.
[0029] The air conditioning system 62 also communicates with the
controller 54. The on/off status of the air conditioning system can
be communicated to the controller 54, and can be based on, for
example, the status of an operator actuated switch, or the
automatic control of the air conditioning system 62 based on
related functions such as window defrost. In addition to the
foregoing, the vehicle 10 may include an information display system
64, which, as explained in detail below, provides vehicle content
to an operator of the vehicle 10.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2a, the information display system 64
according to one or more embodiments of the present application is
shown in greater detail. The information display system may include
its own control module (not shown) in communication with the
controller 54 or may directly interface with the controller 54 for
purposes of employing the various aspects of the present
application. The information display system 64 may include an
information display 66. The information display 66 may be disposed
within a dashboard (not shown) of the vehicle 10, such as in an
instrument panel or center console area. The information display 66
may be part of another display system, such as a navigation display
system, or may be part of a dedicated information display system.
The information display 66 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
plasma display, an organic light emitting display (OLED), or any
other suitable display. The information display 66 may include a
touch screen 68 for receiving driver input associated with selected
areas of the information display 66. The information display system
64 may also include one or more buttons (not shown), including hard
keys or soft keys, located outside of the information display 66
for effectuating driver input. Other operator inputs known to one
of ordinary skill in the art may also be employed without departing
from the scope of the present application.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2a, the information display 66 may be
configured to display one or more selectable display pages 70, such
as a navigation page, an HEV page, a stereo page, or the like. A
selected display page may be referred to as an active page 72. As
shown in FIG. 2a, the HEV page may be the active page. The HEV page
may display content relating to the operation of a hybrid electric
vehicle, such as vehicle 10. As seen therein, the information
display 66 may include one or more vehicle gauges. For example, the
information display 66 may include an instantaneous fuel economy
gauge 74 and an overall energy efficiency gauge 76. Moreover, the
information display 66 may include driver-selectable gauges or sets
of gauges 78, such as gauges relating to "Power & Efficiency"
of the HEV. In this regard, the information display 66 may include
a brake demand gauge 80, a vehicle demand gauge 82 and an accessory
load gauge 84. The information display 66 may also provide
additional content, such as climate control information 86, ambient
temperature 88, time 90, and a compass 92.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2a, the information display system 64 may
include an electric vehicle (EV) mode indicator 94. The EV mode
indicator 94 may be a display icon, indicator light, or the like.
Moreover, the EV mode indicator 94 may be displayed (or activated)
via the information display 66 when the engine 12 of the vehicle 10
is off. Accordingly, the EV mode indicator 94 can convey the state
of the HEV to the operator. If the EV mode indicator 94 is
displayed, or is otherwise active, the operator may understand that
the engine 12 is off and that the vehicle 10 is in the EV mode. If
the EV mode indicator 94 is not displayed, or is otherwise
inactive, the operator may understand that the engine 12 is on.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2b, wherein like reference numerals
represent like elements, an exemplary embodiment of the information
display system 64, including the information display 66, when the
engine 12 of vehicle 10 is on is shown. As seen therein, rather
than displaying the EV mode indicator 94, the information display
66 may include an engine on indicator 96. In addition to the engine
on indicator 96, the information display 66 may also include
iconography corresponding to one or more of a plurality of engine
on reasons 98. As shown in FIG. 2b, two engine on reasons may be
displayed (e.g., "High Speed" and "Heater Setting"). However,
greater than or fewer than two engine on reasons may be displayed
without departing from the scope of the present application.
[0034] HEV operation and control strategy can be extremely complex
and may include as many as 30, 40 or even more vehicle system
events, states or other items that cause an engine to either start,
stop, remain on, or remain off. Items that trigger the engine 12 to
start may be referred to as engine pull-up requests. Items that
trigger the engine 12 to stop may be referred to as engine
pull-down requests. Items that cause the engine 12 to remain on, if
already on, may be referred to as inhibit pull-down requests.
Finally, items that cause the engine 12 to remain off, if already
off, may be referred to as inhibit pull-up requests. According to
one or more embodiments of the present application, a strategy may
be employed to filter the 30 or more items and categorize, or
otherwise group, them into a reasonable number that can be both
easily understood and readily discernable by a typical operator of
the vehicle 10.
[0035] According to the strategy, the entire set of items that
affect engine operation may be filtered by eliminating the engine
pull-down and inhibit pull-up requests. Thus, items that cause the
engine to stop or items that prevent the engine from turning on may
be ignored. The remaining engine pull-up and inhibit pull-down
requests, referred to collectively as "engine on causes," may then
be categorized into more general groups. Each group may be
associated with one of the plurality of engine on reasons 98.
Accordingly, each engine on reason 98 may therefore be associated
with one or more engine on causes. For example, an engine on cause
related to reverse vehicle speed and an engine on cause related to
forward vehicle speed may both be engine on causes associated with
a "High Speed" engine on reason. The title of each engine on reason
(e.g., "High Speed" and "Heater Setting") may be selected so that
the operator can easily understand why the vehicle's engine is on
instead of conveying complex engineering terms that some operators
may have difficulty comprehending.
[0036] Several engine on reasons 98 may be present or "true" at any
given moment when the engine 12 of the vehicle 10 is on. However,
according to an embodiment of the present application, it may be
desirable to limit the number of engine on reasons displayed by the
information display 66 for the sake of simplicity, due to space
constraints, or the like. Accordingly, a prioritization strategy
may be applied to the plurality of engine on reasons 98. The
prioritization strategy may determine which of the plurality of
engine on reasons 98 are displayed. Moreover, if more than one
engine on reason 98 can be displayed, the prioritization strategy
may determine the order in which each engine on reason 98 is
displayed, if more than one engine on reason 98 is true.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary table 100 of the plurality of
engine on reasons 98. A display ranking 102 may be given to each
engine on reason 98 based upon the prioritization strategy. An
engine on reason listed in the table 100 may be displayed before
another engine on reason that is listed below it, assuming both
reasons are true at a given moment. For example, if at a given
moment, the engine 12 is on and more than one engine on reason is
true, then the engine on reason with the highest display ranking
102 (lowest number in FIG. 3) will be displayed first. If only one
engine on reason is to be displayed on the information display 66,
then the highest ranking engine on reason is displayed. If the
information display system 64 is configured to display two engine
on reasons, for example, then the top two engine on reasons
according to their display ranking 102 may be displayed. The order
in which the top two engine on reasons are displayed on the
information display 66 may also be affected by the display ranking
102. Since a higher priority engine on reason, according to the
display ranking, may become true when a lower priority engine on
reason is already displayed, the lower priority reason shall shift
or be removed from the information display 66 in order to show the
higher priority reason first. The same logic can be applied for
information display systems configured to display more than two
engine on reasons.
[0038] The information display 66 in FIG. 2b can provide an example
of how the prioritization strategy may be implemented. For example,
at a given moment in time, the engine 12 may be on and three engine
on reasons 98 may be true. For instance, the engine 12 may be on
due to "High Speed," "Heater Setting," and "Battery Charging"
engine on reasons being true. As shown in FIG. 2b, the information
display system 64 may be configured to display only two engine on
reasons at a time. Accordingly, the "High Speed" and "Heater
Setting" engine on reasons may be displayed by the information
display 66 since they are listed above the "Battery Charging"
engine on reason in the table 100 of FIG. 3. Moreover, the "High
Speed" engine on reason may be shown to the left of the "Heater
Setting" engine on reason on the information display 66 since it
has a higher display ranking. If a higher priority engine on reason
such as "Neutral Gear" becomes true while the others remain true,
then the "High Speed" engine on reason may be shifted to the right
replacing the "Heater Setting" engine on reason. The "Neutral Gear"
engine on reason may be displayed where the "High Speed" engine on
reason previously existed. The "Heater Setting" engine on reason
may be removed from the display altogether.
[0039] Since the reasons that cause the engine 12 to be on may
constantly change, the information display system 64 of the present
application may continuously monitor other vehicle systems and
conditions and update the information display 66 accordingly.
Should the engine 12 of vehicle 10 turn off, the information
display 66 may update by displaying the EV mode indicator 94.
[0040] The table 100 of FIG. 3 also provides a column containing a
brief explanation 104 associated with each engine on reason 98.
According to one or more embodiments of the present application,
the explanation 104 associated with a specified engine on reason 98
may also be displayed as text by the information display 66. For
example, at a given moment when a particular engine on reason is
being displayed, an operator may select an input device that
corresponds to the particular engine on reason. The input device
may be a region of the touch screen 68 where the engine on reason
is displayed. Alternatively, the input device may be a button
provided adjacent the information display 66. If an operator
selects a particular engine on reason 98, the associated
explanation 104 for the engine on reason may appear on the
information display 66.
[0041] It should be noted that the engine on reasons 98 shown in
the table 100 of FIG. 3 are merely exemplary. In this regard, more
or less engine on reasons 98 may be provided without departing from
the scope of the present application. Moreover, the specific engine
on reasons may differ as well as their corresponding labels and
explanations. Finally, as previously discussed, the display ranking
102 assigned to each engine on reason 98 may be altered depending
upon the specific prioritization strategy employed.
[0042] In addition to conveying the reasons that caused the engine
to turn on (and what may prompt the engine to shut off), the
display 66 may also indicate how close the engine 12 is to turning
on and what may be done to prevent it. Similarly, if the engine 12
is already on, the display 66 may also indicate how close the
engine 12 is to shutting down. In this regard, the information
display 66 can provide timely information about vehicle operating
conditions to an operator so that driving behavior may be modified
prior to engine activation.
[0043] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict simplified, exemplary diagrams of the
information display 66 showing the relative proximity of a
transition from the EV mode to the engine on mode (or engine on
more to EV mode). In particular, the information display 66 may
include an engine on proximity gauge 106, which can be displayed on
one or more of the selectable display pages 70. The proximity gauge
106 may include one or more proximity indicators 108 corresponding
to the engine on reasons 98. As shown, the proximity indicators 108
may be depicted as bars. However, other indicators may be used
without departing from the scope of the present application.
[0044] A value corresponding to an engine on reason 98 may be
associated with each proximity indicator 108. The proximity
indicator 108 may change its appearance (e.g., size, shape,
position, etc.) in connection with the value. The value may be
based upon one or more vehicle operating characteristics or
parameters. For instance, a value associated with the "High Speed"
engine on reason may be the vehicle's current speed. As vehicle
speed increases, its corresponding bar segment may likewise
increase. The value may be updated continuously (e.g., in real
time) or at discrete time intervals.
[0045] The proximity gauge 106 may also include an engine on/off
threshold 110. The threshold 110 demarcates the transition point
from the EV mode to the engine on mode. When a proximity indicator
108 reaches the threshold 110, the engine may turn on. As used
herein, the term reaches may refer to when a proximity indicator
meets or exceeds a threshold. For descriptive purposes, the region
below the threshold may be referred to as the threshold region 112.
The proximity gauge 106 may further include a status region 114.
Information pertaining to the engine state or engine on reasons 98,
for example, may be displayed in the status region 114.
[0046] The proximity gauge 106 depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4b displays
the relative proximity to an engine mode transition for several of
the engine on reasons 98. The proximity gauge 106 may display fewer
or greater engine on reasons 98 than shown. Optionally, the
proximity gauge 106 may also include a total proximity indicator
116. An operator may quickly identify how near the vehicle 10 is to
an engine mode transition by looking to the total indicator 116.
The operator may then look to the dedicated indicators 108, each
corresponding to a specific engine on reason 98, for more detailed
analysis of the vehicle's current operating state. The total
indicator 116 may denote the cumulative impact each individual
engine on reason value has on the engine state. Alternatively, the
total indicator 116 may simply correspond to the engine on reason
value nearest the threshold 110 when the vehicle 10 is in the EV
mode or farthest from the threshold 110 when the engine 12 is
presently operating.
[0047] According to one or more embodiments of the present
application, the region below the threshold 110, the threshold
region 112, may include values that do not trigger an engine
pull-up request. In FIG. 4a, each proximity indicator 108 is shown
below the threshold 110. Since none of the values associated with
the engine on reasons 98 meet or exceed the threshold 110, the
vehicle 10 may operate in the EV mode as designated by the presence
of the EV mode indicator 94 in the status region 114. In FIG. 4b,
the proximity indicator 108 associated with the "Engine Cold"
engine on reason is shown extended beyond the threshold 110
indicating that the engine 12 may be on due to low engine
temperature. Accordingly, the corresponding explanation 104 as
provided in FIG. 3 may be displayed in the status region 114.
[0048] Other information in addition to or in place of the engine
on reason explanation 104 may also be displayed in the status
region 114 when the engine 12 is on. For example, the status region
114 may simply state the engine on reason 98, which is "Engine
Cold" in this example. Should an operator desire additional
information, the engine on reason explanation 104 may appear in a
pop-up text block over the proximity gauge 106 where it may remain
indefinitely or for a predetermined period of time. Alternately, an
operator may be allowed to toggle between displaying the engine on
reason 98 and the engine on reason explanation 104 in the status
region 114 when the engine 12 is on.
[0049] The value associated with the "Engine Cold" engine on reason
may correspond to engine coolant temperature, cylinder heat
temperature, catalyst temperature, engine compartment temperature,
or some other suitable value that can be measured to determine
whether the engine 12 is too cold for EV mode operation. It should
be noted that some of the proximity indicator values may be
inverted such that the bar increases as the corresponding value
decreases. For example, since the engine 12 may turn on due to a
low engine temperature, the corresponding bar may increase as the
engine temperature decreases. As another example, the value
associated with the "Battery Charging" engine on reason may be
percent state of charge (SOC). A low battery SOC may cause the
engine 12 to turn on to keep the battery 48 from depleting or to
help the battery 48 regain charge. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4a and
4b, the bar indicator 108 corresponding to the "Battery Charging"
engine on reason may increase as the battery SOC decreases. The
threshold for the "Battery Charging" indicator may correspond to a
minimum SOC value allowed before the engine 12 is turned on to help
restore energy to the battery 48.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4b, the total indicator 116 may also appear
beyond the threshold 110 in response to the engine 12 being on due
to a cold engine state. As previously described, the total
indicator 116 may be displayed in this way in response to one or
more of the engine on reasons 98 being true. Alternatively, the
total indicator 116 may appear beyond the threshold 110 as a result
of a combination of engine on reason values, which singularly may
be insufficient to cause the engine 12 to turn on, but cumulatively
may prompt the vehicle 10 to exit the EV mode.
[0051] The threshold 110 may be at the same level all the way
across the proximity gauge, as depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4b. In most
cases, since each engine on reason value has a different threshold
in a different unit, the values associated with each corresponding
proximity indicator 108 may be normalized to demonstrate relative
proximity to an engine mode transition. For example, one parameter
being monitored by the controller 54 to determine whether to
command engine operation is vehicle speed. Thus, the value
associated with the "High Speed" engine on reason may be in miles
per hour (mph). However, the proximity indicator 108 may not convey
actual vehicle speed. Rather, the proximity indicator 108 may
indicate the current vehicle speed as a percentage of the speed
threshold (or the difference between the speed threshold and the
lower limit of the corresponding proximity indicator). For
instance, if the speed threshold (forced engine pull-up speed) is
47 mph, the lower limit is 0 mph, and the current vehicle speed is
40 mph, the proximity indicator 108 may be displayed at
approximately 85% of the way to the threshold [40/(47-0)].
[0052] In addition to the length of the bar segments, the color of
a proximity indicator may indicate the proximity of its associated
value to the engine on/off threshold 110. The indicator's color may
change based upon this relative proximity. For instance, the
proximity indicator 108 may have a green hue when it is relatively
far from the threshold 110. As the proximity indicator 108
approaches the threshold 110, its color may transition from green
to another hue, such as red, for example. The transition may be a
continuous and gradual change.
[0053] Alternatively, a change in color of the proximity indicator
108 may occur in stages upon reaching one or more discrete,
intermediate thresholds (not shown). To this end, the value
obtained for each engine on reason parameter may be compared or
converted to one or more engine on reason levels, each level
covering a range of values. The proximity indicator 108 may move on
the display 66 in increments in accordance with the one or more
levels. The next proximity level may be attained when the value
crosses an intermediate threshold. In this regard, the color
properties of the proximity indicator 108 may change in
correspondence with the current engine on reason level.
[0054] Additionally or alternatively, a background color may be
employed to assist the operator in viewing the content displayed in
the threshold region 112 or the status region 114. The background
color may be a backlight to the information display 66 or may be a
color produced directly by the display itself. The background color
may vary based upon the relative proximity of the total indicator
116 to the engine on/off threshold 110. Alternately, the background
color may illuminate at varying intensities based upon the relative
proximity of the total indicator 116 to the engine on/off threshold
110. In this regard, the threshold region 112 or the status region
114 may appear to glow differently as the total indicator 116
approaches the threshold 110.
[0055] The parameter being monitored for some engine on reasons 98
may be binary such that when a condition is true, the engine 12 is
turned on (if not already on), and when a condition is false, the
engine 12 is turned off (unless the engine is on for another
reason). For example, the HEV operation strategy may be such that
any time the vehicle 10 is in low gear, the engine 12 is turned on.
Shifting out of low gear may cause the vehicle 10 to return to the
EV mode. FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate ways in which binary engine on
reasons may be handled according to one or more embodiments of the
present application.
[0056] FIGS. 5a-5c each demonstrate an exemplary embodiment of the
behavior of the information display 66 when a binary engine on
reason is in a state that causes the engine 12 to be on. In each
example, the engine 12 is on because the vehicle 10 is in the low
gear. As shown, no other binary reasons are true and no other
non-binary engine on reasons 98 exceed the threshold 110. However,
the concepts described below with respect to FIGS. 5a-5c could
still apply even if another engine on reason 98 was true or
exceeded the threshold 110. In FIG. 5a, the engine on reason 98 or
the engine on reason explanation 104 may be displayed in the status
region 114. As shown, the total indicator 116 may not cross the
threshold 110 when only a binary engine on reason is true. Instead,
the total indicator 116 may only be a reflection of the overall
relative proximity to an engine mode transition event for
non-binary engine on reasons. It is further contemplated that the
threshold 110 may disappear entirely when only a binary engine on
reason exists.
[0057] According to another embodiment, the total indicator 116 may
cross the threshold to reflect the binary engine on reason, as
shown in FIG. 5b. Again, the engine on reason 98 or the engine on
reason explanation 104 may be displayed in the status region 114.
According to yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5c, a proximity
indicator 108 may be associated with each binary engine on reason,
similar to the non-binary engine on reasons. The binary proximity
indicator may also have two states: one below the threshold 110 and
one above the threshold 110. FIG. 5c depicts the "Low Gear"
proximity indicator above the threshold 110 to indicate that the
engine 12 is on due to vehicle 10 being in low gear. The "Neutral
Gear" proximity indicator is a binary indicator shown below the
threshold 110.
[0058] FIG. 6 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a proximity
gauge 106 according to one or more embodiments of the present
application. The proximity gauge in FIG. 6 is similar to the
proximity gauge shown in FIG. 4b, except that the threshold 110 in
FIG. 6 may be a wider band. A reason for a wide band threshold is
that the value for a parameter that causes the engine 12 to turn on
may not be the same value that causes the engine 12 to turn off.
The wider threshold band may account visually for any potential
engine on/off hysteresis. Thus, an operator may expect the engine
12 to turn on (if off) or turn off (if on) once the proximity
indicator 108 ventures into the banded threshold 110.
[0059] An alternate way to account for potential engine on/off
hysteresis may be to think of the threshold band as including two
thresholds--an engine on threshold 118 and an engine off threshold
120. As shown in FIG. 6, the engine on threshold 118 may be located
at the top edge of the band and the engine off threshold 120 may be
disposed at the bottom edge of the band. To this end, when the
vehicle 10 is in the EV mode, the engine 12 may not turn on until a
proximity indicator 108 crosses the engine on threshold 118. In
contrast, when the engine 12 is on, it may not turn off until the
proximity indicator 108 crosses the engine off threshold 120.
[0060] FIGS. 7a and 7b depict additional exemplary embodiments
according to one or more aspects of the present application. The
proximity gauges illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b include independent
engine on/off thresholds 110, one for each proximity indicator 108.
Thus, the thresholds 110 may actually represent real threshold
values, rather than a normalized value. Likewise, each proximity
indicator 108 may correspond to a real value for its corresponding
engine on/off parameter. Of course, the scaling may differ between
different proximity indicators. Further, the real value for each
proximity indicator 108 may be displayed as alphanumeric text 122
inside or near the proximity indicator 108. As shown in FIGS. 7a
and 7b, the proximity gauge 106 may include more than one status
region 114 for displaying engine on reasons 98 similar to that
shown in FIG. 2b. When the vehicle 10 is in the EV mode, the status
regions 114 may disappear or the EV mode indicator 94 may replace
the engine on reason(s) 98.
[0061] Unlike other embodiments described herein, the proximity
indicators 108 depicted in FIG. 7a corresponding to the "Engine
Cold" and the "Battery Charging" engine on reasons are not
inverted. That is, as the proximity indicator increases, so too
does the value it represents. In this regard, the engine 12 may be
on when the proximity indicators corresponding to the "Engine Cold"
and the "Battery Charging" engine on reasons are below their
respective thresholds 110. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7a, the proximity
gauge 106 may convey that the engine 12 is on due to the "Engine
Cold" engine on reason. The proximity gauge 106 in FIG. 7a also
shows that the engine 12 may be on due to a binary engine on
reason, i.e., "Low Gear."
[0062] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
application, the color of each independent threshold may indicate
whether the threshold is currently an engine pull-up threshold or
an engine pull-down threshold. An engine pull-up threshold may
identify a threshold that causes the engine 12 to turn on if
reached by a corresponding proximity indicator. An engine pull-down
threshold may identify a threshold that causes the engine 12 to
turn off if reached by a corresponding proximity indicator. For
example, an engine pull-up threshold may be orange and an engine
pull-down threshold may be green, although any color combination is
contemplated.
[0063] As an example, the thresholds 110 depicted in FIG. 7a for
the "High Speed," "Acceleration," "Battery Charging" and "Heater
Setting" engine on reasons are presently engine pull-up thresholds
and may be displayed in orange. If a proximity indicator 108
associated with any of these engine on reasons 98 passes its
corresponding threshold, the threshold 110 becomes an engine
pull-down threshold and may change colors (e.g., to green). The
only current engine pull-down threshold shown in FIG. 7a
corresponds to the "Engine Cold" engine on reason and may be
displayed in green. Should the "Engine Cold" proximity indicator
pass this green threshold, the engine pull-down threshold may
change to the color orange to indicate it is now an engine pull-up
threshold.
[0064] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
application, the proximity indicators 108 shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b
may also change color properties (e.g., hue, saturation, lightness)
based upon their proximity to an engine on/off threshold 110. Thus,
an operator may be able to determine the current "ON" reasons at a
glance, as well as whether other reasons are close or not to
becoming "ON" reasons.
[0065] FIG. 7b is similar to FIG. 7a, except that the proximity
indicators 108 for the "Engine Cold" and "Battery Charging" engine
on reasons are inverted as they were in FIG. 4a to FIG. 6. Thus, an
increase in the size of these indicators may correspond to a
decrease in the corresponding value being monitored. As shown in
FIG. 7b, the engine 12 may be on due to a low engine temperature.
As is also shown, the engine 12 may be on because it is in a low
gear, which relates to a binary engine on reason, as indicted in
the status region 114.
[0066] Additionally, each proximity indicator 108 in FIG. 7b is
shown having two independent thresholds. Similar to FIG. 6, the
upper threshold may be the engine on threshold 118 and the lower
threshold may be the engine off threshold 120. Like FIG. 6, the two
independent thresholds depicted in FIG. 7b may account for
potential engine on/off hysteresis. Both thresholds for each
proximity indicator 108 may be displayed at the same time. They may
be the same or different colors. For example, the engine on
threshold 118 may be orange to indicate an engine pull-up and the
engine-off threshold 120 may be green to indicate an engine
pull-down. Alternatively, only one threshold for each proximity
indicator 108 may be displayed at a given time. The engine on
threshold 118 may be displayed when a corresponding engine on
reason value is not causing the engine 12 to be on. When the
proximity indicator 108 reaches the engine on threshold 118, the
engine on threshold 118 may disappear while the engine-off
threshold 120 is displayed.
[0067] While several different proximity gauge embodiments have
been described in detail herein, it should be noted that none of
the embodiments are independent from one another. Rather, one or
more features described with respect to one embodiment may be
applied in whole or in part to alternative exemplary embodiments.
Every possible combination of display features for the proximity
gauge 106 has not been shown for purposes of brevity, but is
considered fully supported herein.
[0068] FIG. 8 depicts a simplified, exemplary method 200 according
to one or more embodiments of the present application. Step 210
provides an entry to the method. At step 220, the parameters
corresponding to each engine on reason 98 may be evaluated. The
parameters may correspond to real time vehicle information. In this
regard, a value is obtained for each parameter. For some engine on
reasons 98, the value may be a binary value, such as a true or
false. In certain embodiments, the value may be normalized to allow
each engine on reason 98 to share the same threshold 110 as
displayed on the proximity gauge 106. Next, the value obtained for
each engine on reason parameter may be compared to the engine
on/off threshold 110 for that parameter to determine its relative
proximity to the threshold, as provided at step 230. The system may
then determine whether the threshold 110 has been reached, and the
vehicle 10 may operate accordingly. Additionally, determining
proximity of the value to the threshold 110 may determine the color
properties to be applied to the proximity indicator 108 for display
purposes.
[0069] Optionally, the value obtained for each engine on reason
parameter may be compared or converted to one or more engine on
reason levels, each level covering a range of values, as indicated
at step 240. The proximity indicator 108 may move on the display 66
in increments in accordance with the one or more levels. Thus, each
level may have a separate threshold. The next proximity level may
be attained when the value crosses the next level's threshold. In
this regard, the color properties of the proximity indicator 108
may change in correspondence with the current engine on reason
level.
[0070] As the values are obtained and compared to the various
thresholds to determine relative proximity to an engine on/off
transition, the proximity gauge 106 may be adjusted accordingly at
step 250. To this end, the proximity indicators may increase,
decrease or change colors. The engine on/off thresholds may also
change colors. The color properties of the threshold region 112 may
also vary. At step 260, the system may determine whether vehicle
conditions are such that the engine 12 is on due to any of the
engine on reasons 98. If the engine 12 is not on and the vehicle 10
is operating in the EV mode, the EV mode indicator 94 may be
displayed, as shown by step 270. The method may then return to step
220 to continuously evaluate the engine on parameters in real time.
If, on the other hand, it is determined that the engine 12 is on,
the one or more engine on reasons 98 responsible for the engine's
operation may be displayed, as shown at step 280. For example, the
proximity gauge 106 may display an indicator, text, or other
iconography corresponding to the engine on reason(s) 98, the engine
on reason explanation(s) 104, or both.
[0071] In certain embodiments, such as those discussed with respect
to FIG. 7b, an engine off threshold 120 may appear as an engine on
threshold 118 disappears, as indicated at step 290. In particular,
an engine on threshold 118 may be displayed for an engine on reason
98 that is not presently causing the engine 12 to be on. Should the
proximity indicator 108 reach the engine on threshold 118, the
engine on threshold 118 may disappear. A new threshold, the engine
off threshold 120, may then be displayed instead to indicate the
proximity to an engine pull-down request. The engine pull-down
request would cause the engine 12 to turn off if no other engine on
reasons 98 are causing the engine 12 to be on. The two different
thresholds in this instance can account for engine on/off
hysteresis. The method may then return to step 220 and the cycle
repeats to continuously evaluate the engine on parameters in real
time and update the information display 66 accordingly.
[0072] It should be noted that the method of FIG. 8 as described
herein is exemplary only, and that the functions or steps of the
methods could be undertaken other than in the order described
and/or simultaneously as may be desired, permitted and/or
possible.
[0073] While the best mode for carrying out the claimed invention
has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which
the claimed invention relates will recognize various alternative
designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *