Device for instructing driver to perform drive operation for enhancing fuel efficiency

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for instructing a driver to perform a drive operation for enhancing fuel efficiency. A means for indicating a color on an indicator arranged at an upper stage portion on the instrument panel of a vehicle which is configured as a two-split panel consisting of the upper stage portion and a lower stage portion is provided. When a predetermined drive operation by a driver is detected, a color to be indicated on the indicator is determined based on the driving state of the vehicle corresponding to the drive operation. A color to be indicated on the indicator is changeable between a first color set as a color representing an operating state with a good fuel efficiency, and a second color set as a color representing an operating state with a poor fuel efficiency depending on the drive operation. A color to be indicated is determined so as to approach the first color the closer the drive operation is to the operating state that gives the good fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Consequently, the driver can recognize whether a drive operation is performed with a good fuel efficiency or not for every drive operation.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a device for coaching a driver to perform a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency. Background technique [0002] Recently, users' awareness about fuel efficiency has gradually increased, and they tend to prefer driving with lower fuel consumption. Fuel efficiency is represented by the distance traveled by the vehicle per unit amount of fuel consumed. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-42000 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology that compares the current fuel efficiency with a preset target fuel efficiency to determine whether the current fuel efficiency is good, and compares the current fuel efficiency The judgment result is notified to the occupants. [0003] In addition, JP-A-2007-256158 (Patent Document 2) discloses a method of changing at least one of brightness and color tone for displaying fuel efficiency according to the state of fuel efficiency. For example, the brightn...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such "notifications" are limited to notifying whether the current fuel efficiency is good or not. Even if such a notification is received, there is no information about what kind of driving operation can reduce fuel consumption and how to improve driving operation in order to improve fuel efficiency. Provide any information to the driver

Therefore, even if the above "notification" is received, it is difficult for the driver to learn the driving operation for improving fuel efficiency.

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