U.S. patent application number 16/157244 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for alert method and assembly using sounds emitted from an electrified vehicle powertrain.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Seth Avery, Michael W. Degner, Yue Nie, Christopher Wolf.
Application Number | 20200114818 16/157244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69954521 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200114818 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolf; Christopher ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
ALERT METHOD AND ASSEMBLY USING SOUNDS EMITTED FROM AN ELECTRIFIED
VEHICLE POWERTRAIN
Abstract
A vehicle alert method includes, among other things, in response
to an alert event, altering at least one characteristic of power
delivered within an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide an
alert. A vehicle alert assembly includes, among other things, a
power characteristic control system that, in response to an alert
event, alters at least one characteristic of power delivered within
an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide alert.
Inventors: |
Wolf; Christopher; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Degner; Michael W.; (Novi, MI) ;
Nie; Yue; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Avery; Seth;
(Livonia, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69954521 |
Appl. No.: |
16/157244 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 50/14 20130101;
B60L 2250/10 20130101; G06K 9/00791 20130101; G06K 9/629 20130101;
G08B 29/181 20130101; B60K 28/06 20130101; B60L 3/0061 20130101;
G08B 21/06 20130101; G06K 9/00832 20130101; G08G 1/166 20130101;
B60Q 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 9/00 20060101
B60Q009/00; B60L 3/00 20060101 B60L003/00 |
Claims
1. A vehicle alert method, comprising: detecting an alert event;
and in response to the alert event, altering at least one
characteristic of power delivered within an electrified vehicle
powertrain to provide an alert from the electrified vehicle
powertrain.
2. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein the altering
comprises changing a switching pattern of the power when pulse
width modulating the power.
3. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein a power output from
the electrified vehicle powertrain is maintained during the
altering.
4. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein the alert event is
a detected change in an internal vehicle condition.
5. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein the alert event is
a detected change in a condition external to the vehicle.
6. The vehicle alert method of claim 5, wherein the alert event is
sensed by at least one sensor of the vehicle.
7. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein the alert event is
a communication to the vehicle from a communication source external
to the vehicle.
8. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, further comprising
continuing to provide the alert until the alert event is
removed.
9. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, wherein the alert is
provided by at least one component of the electrified vehicle
powertrain emitting a plurality of different acoustic tones that
follow a predetermined sequence.
10. The vehicle alert method of claim 9, further comprising
selecting the plurality of different acoustic tones, the
predetermined sequence, or both based on the alert event.
11. The vehicle alert method of claim 9, further comprising
altering the plurality of different acoustic tones, the
predetermined sequence, or both based on a duration of the alert
event.
12. The vehicle alert method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined
sequence includes at least two different acoustic tones.
13. The vehicle alert method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined
sequence includes at least one first acoustic tone emitted for a
first duration, and at least one different, second acoustic tone
emitted for a different, second duration.
14. The vehicle alert method of claim 9, wherein the different
acoustic tones comprise different inaudible sounds.
15. A vehicle alert assembly, comprising: a power characteristic
control system that can detect an alert event and, in response to
the alert event, alters at least one characteristic of power
delivered within an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide the
alert from the electrified vehicle powertrain.
16. The vehicle alert assembly of claim 15, wherein altering the at
least one characteristic of the power in response to the alert
event causes at least one component of the electrified vehicle
powertrain to emit a plurality of different acoustic tones that
follow a predetermined sequence.
17. The vehicle alert assembly of claim 16, further comprising an
electric machine as the at least one component, the power
characteristic control system configured to alter the at least one
characteristic of power delivered to the electric machine.
18. The vehicle alert assembly of claim 17, further comprising a
traction battery that powers the electric machine.
19. The vehicle alert assembly of claim 16, wherein the acoustic
tones comprise audible sounds and inaudible sounds.
20. The vehicle assembly of claim 15, wherein the power
characteristic control system alters the at least one
characteristic of the power by changing a switching frequency of
the power when pulse width modulating the power.
21. The vehicle alert method of claim 1, further comprising
providing the alert without broadcasting the alert through at least
one speaker of the vehicle.
22. The vehicle assembly of claim 15, wherein the alert from the
electrified vehicle powertrain is provided without broadcasting the
alert through at least one speaker of the vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to providing alerts by
adjusting sound emitted from an electrified vehicle powertrain.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electrified vehicles differ from conventional motor vehicles
because electrified vehicles are selectively driven using one or
more electric machines powered by a traction battery. The electric
machines can drive the electrified vehicles instead of, or in
addition to, an internal combustion engine. Example electrified
vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and battery
electric vehicles (BEVs).
[0003] Electrified vehicles can include an electric drivetrain that
includes, among other things, the one or more electric machines and
power converters. The electric drivetrain can emit sounds when
operating. The sounds can be audible such that an individual can
hear the sounds. The individual could instead, or additionally,
perceive the sounds as vibrations transmitted through structures of
the electrified vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0004] A vehicle alert method according to an exemplary aspect of
the present disclosure includes, among other things, in response to
an alert event, altering at least one characteristic of power
delivered within an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide an
alert.
[0005] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method,
the altering comprises changing a switching pattern of the power
when pulse width modulating the power.
[0006] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, a power output from the electrified vehicle powertrain is
maintained during the altering.
[0007] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the alert event is a detected change in an internal
vehicle condition.
[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the alert event is a detected change in a condition
external to the vehicle.
[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the alert event is sensed by at least one sensor of the
vehicle.
[0010] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the alert event is a communication to the vehicle from a
communication source external to the vehicle.
[0011] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods includes continuing to provide the alert until the alert
event is removed.
[0012] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the alert is provided by at least one component of the
electrified vehicle powertrain emitting a plurality of different
acoustic tones that follow a predetermined sequence.
[0013] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods includes selecting the plurality of different acoustic
tones, the predetermined sequence, or both based on the alert
event.
[0014] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods includes altering the plurality of different acoustic
tones, the predetermined sequence, or both based on a duration of
the alert event.
[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the predetermined sequence includes at least two different
acoustic tones.
[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the predetermined sequence includes at least one first
acoustic tone emitted for a first duration, and at least one
different, second acoustic tone emitted for a different, second
duration.
[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the different acoustic tones comprise different inaudible
sounds.
[0018] A vehicle alert assembly according to another exemplary
aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a
power characteristic control system that, in response to an alert
event, alters at least one characteristic of power delivered within
an electrified vehicle powertrain to provide an alert.
[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing
assembly, altering the at least one characteristic of the power in
response to the alert event causes at least one component of the
electrified vehicle powertrain to emit a plurality of different
acoustic tones that follow a predetermined sequence.
[0020] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
assemblies includes an electric machine as the at least one
component. The power characteristic control system is configured to
alter the at least one characteristic of power delivered to the
electric machine.
[0021] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
assemblies includes a traction battery that powers the electric
machine.
[0022] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
assemblies, the acoustic tones comprise audible sounds and
inaudible sounds.
[0023] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
assemblies, the power characteristic control system alters the at
least one characteristic of the power by changing a switching
frequency of the power when pulse width modulating the power.
[0024] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding
paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings,
including any of their various aspects or respective individual
features, may be taken independently or in any combination.
Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable
to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] The various features and advantages of the disclosed
examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a partially schematic side view of an
electrified vehicle incorporating an electrified vehicle powertrain
according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of selected portions of
the vehicle of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a predetermined sequence of acoustic
tones.
[0029] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate plots of switching frequencies for
different acoustic tones at various combinations of torque and
speed for an electric machine.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of an exemplary sound control
method.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a vehicle alert method utilizing the
electrified vehicle powertrain of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary
aspect of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a vehicle alert method utilizing the
electrified vehicle powertrain of FIG. 1 according to another
exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle alert selection method
according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates a vehicle alert method utilizing the
electrified vehicle powertrain of FIG. 1 according to yet another
exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] This disclosure relates generally to intentionally changing
sounds emitted from powertrain components of an electrified
vehicle. The sounds can include audible sounds that a user can
hear. The emitted sounds can instead, or additionally, include
inaudible sounds that are perceived by the user as vibrations
transmitted through physical structures of the electrified
vehicle.
[0036] The sounds can be varied such that the sounds are emitted as
acoustic tones following a predetermined sequence. The user may
then perceive the acoustic tones as a melody or song.
[0037] Characteristics of power delivered to the powertrain
components can be altered by varying characteristics of the power
to change sounds emitted from the powertrain components. The
altering of the characteristics of the power can include adjusting
a switching pattern of the power when pulse width modulating the
power. Altering the switching pattern can include altering the
switching frequency. The changed sounds emitted from the powertrain
components can be used as alerts. Net power delivered to the
powertrain components can remain the same before adjusting the
switching frequency and after adjusting the switching frequency.
Other characteristics of power can include current, voltage,
etc.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 1, an example electrified vehicle 10
includes a traction battery 14, a power characteristic control
system 18, an electric machine 22, and vehicle drive wheels 26. The
electrified vehicle 10 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) in this
example.
[0039] The traction battery 14 powers the electric machine 22. When
powered, the electric machine 22 generates torque to drive the
wheels 26 that propel the electrified vehicle 10. The power
characteristic control system 18 can adjust power provided to the
electric machine 22.
[0040] The electric machine 22 is a permanent magnet (PM)
synchronous motor in this example. In general, the electric machine
22 operates in response to commands from the power characteristic
control system 18. The commands can include a voltage command,
torque command, speed command, etc.
[0041] Although the electrified vehicle 10 is depicted as a BEV, it
should be understood that the concepts described herein are not
limited to BEVs and could extend to other types of electrified
vehicles, including, but not limited to, plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electrified vehicles (HEVs), etc. The
scope of this disclosure can include any vehicle having an electric
machine. That is, the electric machine 22 can be utilized in
connection with the electrified vehicle 10, or within the
powertrain of another type of electrified vehicle that uses a PM
synchronous motor. In another type of electrified vehicle, the
electric machine 22 could be utilized as the generator, or as a
combined motor-generator.
[0042] With reference now to FIG. 2, the electric machine 22 and
the power characteristic control system 18 provide an electrified
vehicle powertrain 30. When the electrified vehicle powertrain 30
is operating, the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 can emit sounds
34. The sounds can include audible sounds, inaudible sounds, or
both. A user in a passenger compartment of the electrified vehicle
10, or proximate the electrified vehicle 10 outside the passenger
compartment, can perceive the sounds. The user can hear the audible
sounds, and perceive the inaudible sounds as vibrations.
[0043] The electric machine 22 can generate the sounds 34 during
operation. The power characteristic control system 18 can instead,
or additionally, generate the sounds 34 during operation.
[0044] Altering characteristics of power delivered within the
electrified vehicle powertrain 30 can change the sounds 34. To
alter characteristics of the power, the power characteristic
control system 18 can pulse width modulate power sent to the
traction battery 14 from the electric machine 22. Pulse width
modulation can control and shape the flow of electrical power to
and from various components of the electrified vehicle powertrain
30. Pulse width modulation can change the sounds 34 without having
a significant negative impact on the controllability, efficiency,
and torque production accuracy of the electrified vehicle
powertrain 30.
[0045] The pulse width modulation can vary switching frequencies to
adjust the power. Typically, in the prior art, switching
frequencies are selected to reduce emissions of sound. This
disclosure, in contrast to the prior art, describes an exemplary
embodiment that varies characteristics of the power delivered
within the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 to change the sounds
34 such that the sounds follow a predetermined sequence. The
predetermined sequence can correspond to a melody or song, for
example.
[0046] The power characteristic control system 18 includes a memory
portion 42, a processor portion 46, and a switching portion 50. The
power characteristic control system 18 can be a standalone
controller, or incorporated into a controller system of the
electrified vehicle 10, such as an engine control unit (ECU) or
motor generator control unit.
[0047] To adjust the switching frequencies, the power
characteristic control system 18 can include multiple separate
controller systems in the form of multiple hardware devices, or
multiple software controllers within one or more hardware devices.
At least some portions of the power characteristic control system
18 could, in some examples, be located remotely from the
electrified vehicle 10, such as when portions of the memory portion
42 are cloud-based.
[0048] The memory portion 42, as explained, can be partially
cloud-based, or fully cloud-based. In other examples, the memory
portion 42 resides entirely within the power characteristic control
system 18. The memory portion 42 can include any one or combination
of volatile memory elements.
[0049] The processor portion 46 of the power characteristic control
system 18 can be programmed to execute a program stored in the
memory portion 42. The processor can be custom made or commercially
available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary
processor among several processors associated with the controller
system, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a
microchip or chipset) or generally any device for executing
software-based instructions.
[0050] The switching portion 50 can include one or more switches
that are opened and closed to control a switching frequency. The
switches could be semiconductor switches, such as insulated-gate
bipolar transistors (IGBTs), which are often used for pulse width
modulation.
[0051] The program executed by the processor portion 46 could, for
example, be stored in the memory portion 42 as software code. The
program could include one or more additional or separate programs
each of which includes an ordered list of executable instructions
for implementing logical functions associated with the power
characteristic control system 18.
[0052] The logical functions can include controlling the switching
portion 50 according to a table stored within the memory portion
42. To adjust switching frequencies of the power during pulse width
modulation, the processor portion 46 can command the switching
portion 50 to open and close as desired.
[0053] With reference to FIG. 3, and continued reference to FIGS. 1
and 2, the switching frequencies can be controlled through the
power characteristic control system 18 so that the sound from the
electrified vehicle powertrain 30 follows a predetermined sequence
of acoustic tones. As shown, the predetermined sequence includes a
specified acoustic tone and a specified duration for emitting the
specified acoustic tone. Through pulse width modulation, both the
switching frequency and the duration are adjusted by the power
characteristic control system 18. The predetermined sequence of
acoustic tones can be stored within the memory portion 42 and
accessed as required.
[0054] In this exemplary non-limiting embodiment, the acoustic
tones of the predetermined sequence correspond to musical notes. In
particular, when the switching frequency is 5,250 Hz, the user
perceives the sounds as an A note. When the switching frequency is
4,750 Hz, the user perceives the sounds as a G note. When the
switching frequency is 4,250 Hz, the user perceives the sounds as
an F note. When the switching frequency is 6,250 Hz, the user
perceives the sounds as an A note.
[0055] When the switching frequencies are adjusted according to the
exemplary predetermined sequence of acoustic tones in FIG. 3, the
user perceives the sounds emitted from the electrified vehicle
powertrain 30 as the melody "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
[0056] The range of switching frequencies is from 4000 Hz to 6500
Hz in FIG. 3. In other examples, the range could be from 1 kHz to
10 kHz.
[0057] The exemplary predetermined sequence of acoustic tones and
associated switching frequencies in FIG. 3 are representative of an
operating condition for the electric machine 22 where the electric
machine is operating at a relatively constant speed and providing a
relatively constant torque.
[0058] The switching frequencies resulting in a particular tone
from the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 can vary in response to
a rotational speed of the electric machine 22, a torque generated
by the electric machine 22, or both. Accordingly, to hold a
particular acoustic tone, the switching frequency may need to vary
as the speed of the electric machine 22 changes, torque applied by
the electric machine changes, or both. The switching frequency may
need to increase, for example, to continue to hold an A note as the
rotational speed of the electric machine 22 increases.
[0059] Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. 4-6 and continued
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the switching frequencies necessary to
emit specific tones for various combinations of torque and speed of
the electric machine 22 can be stored in a look-up table within the
memory portion 42 of the power characteristic control system 18. By
referencing the look-up table, the processor portion 46 can command
the switching portion 50 to provide a switching frequency
corresponding to a specified tone within the predetermined
sequence. The commanded switching frequency to produce the
specified tone can change depending on the speed and torque of the
electric machine 22. For example, the switching frequency can be
adjusted as the speed of the electric machine 22 increases to
ensure that the specified tone continues to be emitted.
[0060] The switching frequencies necessary to emit specific tones
for various combinations of torque and speed of the electric
machine 22 can be gathered through a calibration process. FIGS. 4-6
show exemplary maps of three specific tones. The calibration
process to generate the maps that populate the look-up table could
include operating the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 throughout
various combinations of electric machine speeds, electric machine
torques, and switching frequencies. The sounds emitted through
calibration process are measured, associated with a particular
acoustic tone, and mapped.
[0061] With reference now to FIG. 7 and continued reference to FIG.
2, an exemplary sound control method executed by the power
characteristic control system 18 can start at a step 110. The
method next adjusts a switching frequency at a step 120 so that the
sound emitted from the electrified vehicle powertrain 30
corresponds to a specific acoustic tone. The adjustments may
include changing the switching frequency so that the specific
acoustic tone continues to be emitted as a speed or torque of the
electric machine 22 changes.
[0062] Next, at a step 130, the method assesses whether changing
the specific acoustic tone is required. This method may reference a
predetermined sequence stored in the memory portion 42 when making
this assessment. The predetermined sequence indicates which
acoustic tone should be emitted and how long that acoustic tone
should be emitted.
[0063] If the time to change the acoustic tone has not expired, the
method moves back to the step 120. If the time to change the
acoustic tone has expired, the method moves to the step 140, which
adjusts the switching frequency to change the specified acoustic
tone to a different specified acoustic tone. The method then
returns to the step 120.
[0064] Adjusting sound emitted from the electrified vehicle
powertrain 30 can provide alerts to a user of the electrified
vehicle 10, such as a driver, or an individual near the electrified
vehicle 10. In the past, vehicles included alert systems that
produce audible sounds broadcast through speakers of the
electrified vehicle 10. These audible sounds did not originate from
an electrified vehicle powertrain.
[0065] An alert from the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 can be
provided in response to an alert event. The alert event could be a
detected change in an internal vehicle condition, a detected change
in an external vehicle condition, or a receipt of an external
communications.
[0066] Internal vehicle conditions are generally conditions of, and
within, the electrified vehicle 10 that are monitored for alert
events. Exemplary internal vehicle conditions can include a fuel
level or a battery state of charge. With such internal vehicle
conditions, the alert event could be the fuel level or battery
state of charge falling below a threshold level. Other exemplary
internal vehicle conditions that could provide an alert event could
include a vehicle fault, a navigation alert, or a smart device
alert. In yet another example, the internal vehicle condition is a
safety alert. Exemplary alert events provided by safety alerts
could include a detected decrease in alertness or health of a
driver of the vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle requiring a driver
action/takeover.
[0067] External vehicle conditions are generally conditions outside
the electrified vehicle 10 that are monitored by the electrified
vehicle 10 for alert events. Exemplary external vehicle conditions
can include monitoring a location of the electrified vehicle 10
relative to a traffic lane. The alert event associated with such a
condition would be detecting that the electrified vehicle 10 has
moved from the traffic lane. Other exemplary external vehicle
conditions could include monitoring for upcoming intersections or
obstacles, changes to a speed limit, or poor driving conditions,
such as rain or snow. The external vehicle conditions can be
monitored by the electrified vehicle 10 via sensor devices such as
a camera, Lidar sensor, etc.
[0068] External communications are generally communications that
originate from outside the electrified vehicle 10 and are
communicated to the electrified vehicle 10. Alert events provided
by external communications could include a message sent to the
electrified vehicle 10 from a toll stations, an emergency vehicle,
or a weather station. The external communications can be sent
wirelessly to the electrified vehicle 10 as understood.
[0069] With reference now to FIG. 8 and continued reference to FIG.
2, an exemplary vehicle alert method 200 adjusts sound emitted from
the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 to provide alerts in response
to an alert event. The method 200 begins at steps 210a, 210b, and
210c where the internal vehicle conditions, external vehicle
conditions, and external communications are monitored.
[0070] At steps 214a, 214b, and 214c, the method 200 assesses if
the monitoring has detected any alert event. If yes, the method 200
moves to a step 218 where the power characteristic control system
18 alters power delivered within the electrified vehicle powertrain
30 to cause at least one component of the electrified vehicle
powertrain 30 to emit a plurality of different acoustic tones that
follow a predetermined sequence.
[0071] The step 218 thus adjusts sound emitted from the electrified
vehicle powertrain 30. The adjusted sound provides an alert in
response to an alert event. That is, the different acoustic tones
following the predetermined sequence that are emitted in response
to the alert events can alert the driver. In an example, a driver
perceives the alert and, in response, looks at a fuel gage to
understand that the electrified vehicle 10 has a low level of
fuel.
[0072] The predetermined sequence of acoustic tones continues until
the method 200, at a step 222, assesses that the predetermined
sequence has ended. The method 200 then, at a step 226, resumes a
default power delivery to the electrified vehicle powertrain 30.
The default power delivery is not intended to provide an alert in
this example.
[0073] With reference now to FIG. 9 and continuing reference to
FIG. 2, a vehicle alert method 300 according to another exemplary
embodiment begins at steps 310a, 310b, and 310C where the method
300 monitors the internal vehicle conditions, external vehicle
conditions, and external communications. At steps 314a, 314b, and
314c, the method 300 assesses if the monitoring has detected any
alert event. If yes, the method 300 moves to a step 318 where the
power characteristic control system 18 alters at least one
characteristic of power delivered within the electrified vehicle
powertrain 30 to cause at least one component of the electrified
vehicle powertrain 30 to emit a plurality of different acoustic
tones that follow a predetermined sequence.
[0074] In contrast to the method 200, the method 300 then continues
the predetermined sequence until the alert event (i.e., alert
event) is removed. At a step 322, the alert event is monitored to
see if the alert event has been removed. If not, the method 300
moves to the step 326 where the power characteristic control system
18 continues to alter characteristics of power to the electrified
vehicle powertrain 30 to cause the electrified vehicle powertrain
30 to continue to emit a plurality of different acoustic tones that
follow a predetermined sequence.
[0075] If, at the step 322, the alert event has been removed, the
step 330 where the default method power delivery to the electrified
vehicle powertrain 30 is continued. At the step 322, if the alert
event is removed, the method 300 then moves to the step 330 where
the method 300 resumes a default power delivery to the electrified
vehicle powertrain 30. The default power delivery is not intended
to provide an alert.
[0076] As an example, if the external vehicle information monitored
at the step 310b detects an alert event at the step 314b where the
electrified vehicle 10 is drifting from a lane, the predetermined
sequence of acoustic tones will begin to play at the step 318. If a
user of the vehicle corrects a position of the electrified vehicle
10 such that the electrified vehicle 10 returns to the lane, the
alert event is removed. The method 300 then moves to the step 330,
which effectively stops the alert provided by the different
acoustic tones following the predetermined sequence. If, however,
the electrified vehicle 10 continues to drift from the lane, the
different acoustic tones following the predetermined sequence will
continue to play. If the acoustic sequence has not ended, the user
of the electrified vehicle 10 will continue to perceive the alert
provided by the acoustic sequence until the electrified vehicle 10
returns to the lane.
[0077] The method 300 of FIG. 9 is particularly useful in
connection with alert events that are transient in nature and
relatively less predictable. Lane departure, as mentioned above, is
one such alert. Another is alert event corresponding to receipt of
an external communication indicated that an emergency vehicle is
nearby.
[0078] With reference now to FIG. 10, an alert selection method 400
can respond to different triggering conditions by playing different
predetermined sequences of a plurality of different acoustic tones.
Basically, a specific alert sequence can be selected based on the
alert event.
[0079] The method 400 begins at steps 410a, 410b, and 410c where
the method 400 monitors the internal vehicle conditions, external
vehicle conditions, and external communications. The method 400
also assesses if the monitoring has detected any alert event. The
detection steps are omitted here for clarity.
[0080] If an alert event is detected, the method 400 moves to a
step 414 where the method 400 selects an alert by selecting an
appropriate plurality of different acoustic tones that follow an
appropriate predetermined sequence. The acoustic tones, the
sequence, or both can be selected based on the alert event. The
step 414 may, for example, select a first predetermined sequence of
acoustic tones if a fuel level of the electrified vehicle 10 falls
behold a threshold value. The step 414 may, for example, select a
second predetermined sequence of acoustic tones if the electrified
vehicle 10 receives an external communication indicating an
emergency vehicle is nearby.
[0081] The method 400 then moves to the step 418 where the sequence
of acoustic tones selected in the step 414 begins. The method 400
can then continue in the matter of the method 200 of FIG. 8, or the
method 300 of FIG. 9.
[0082] With reference now to FIG. 11 and continued reference to
FIG. 1, a method 500 adjusts, over time, the predetermined sequence
of different acoustic tones that are played in response to an alert
event. The method 500 begins at steps 510a, 510b, and 510c where
the method 300 monitors the internal vehicle conditions, external
vehicle conditions, and external communications. The method 500
also assesses if the monitoring has detected any alert event. The
detection steps are omitted here for clarity. If an alert event is
detected, the method 500 moves to the step 520.
[0083] At a step 520, the method 500 determines if the detected
alert event requires urgent action. If yes, the method 500 moves to
a step 530 that executes the predetermined sequence of acoustic
tones. The step 520 could be omitted in some examples.
[0084] From the step 520, the method 500 moves to a step 540 which
continues begins to alter characteristics of the power delivered
within the electrified vehicle powertrain 30 to cause the
electrified vehicle powertrain 30 to emit the plurality of
different acoustic tones that follow a predetermined sequence.
[0085] The predetermined sequence continues at a step 540, which
assesses whether or not the alert event has been removed. If the
alert event is not removed, the method 500 moves to a step 550 were
the method 500 can change in frequency, sound, level, pattern, or
some combination of these at the step 550. The acoustic tones and
predetermined sequence may, for example, be adjusted to become
increasingly more perceivable to the user of the electrified
vehicle 10 by increasing their frequency and harshness. This can be
particularly advantageous if the user is not responding by removing
the alert event.
[0086] If the alert event is removed at the step 540, the method
500 moves to a step 560 where the method 500 resumes a default
power delivery to the electrified vehicle powertrain 30. The
default power delivery is not intended to provide an alert.
[0087] Features of the disclosed examples include, in response to
an alert event, altering at least one characteristic of power
delivered to an electrified vehicle powertrain to cause the
powertrain to emit acoustic tones that provide an alert to a user
of the vehicle.
[0088] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting
in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples
may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not
necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the
scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be
determined by studying the following claims.
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