Vehicle display control device

Abstract

To enable drivers to accurately understand performance limitations. [Solution] A vehicle display control device 100 that controls the display of a display unit 200 installed in the driver's seat of a vehicle, comprising an acquisition means 102 for acquiring the performance limits of the vehicle, and a display control means 104 for displaying the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means 102 on the display unit 200, wherein the display control means 104 changes the display form of the performance limits according to the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means 102.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with a motor generator and a battery, there may be a display function called a power meter that shows the power running and regeneration of the motor generator. In the power meter, in the power running range and regeneration range of the motor generator, the performance currently output (current performance) with respect to the performance that the vehicle can output (maximum performance) is displayed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the power meter has an arc-shaped scale portion and a pointer that rotates about the center of the arc, and for example, the color of the pointer is changed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A vehicle cannot always output performance up to the maximum performance, and the performance that can be output at each time may be limited by the state of charge of the battery, temperature such as outside air temperature, driving conditions, etc. Therefore, there are cases where it is also displayed as a performance limit. As the limit increases and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, the impact on the running of the vehicle increases. Therefore, it is preferable to actively and clearly notify the driver of such a state so that the driver can accurately grasp the performance limit.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable a driver to accurately grasp a performance limit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a vehicle display control device that controls the display of a display unit installed in the driver's seat of a vehicle, and comprises an acquisition means for acquiring performance limits of the vehicle, and a display control means for displaying the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means on the display unit, wherein the display control means changes the display form of the performance limits according to the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the driver will be able to accurately identify performance limitations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the functional configuration of the display control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram to explain power meters. [Figure 3] This is a diagram to explain power meters. [Figure 4] This is a diagram to explain power meters. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A vehicle display control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle display control device (100) that controls the display of a display unit (200) installed in the driver's seat of a vehicle, and comprises an acquisition means (102) for acquiring the vehicle's performance limits, and a display control means (104) for displaying the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means (102) on the display unit (200), wherein the display control means (104) changes the display form of the performance limits according to the performance limits acquired by the acquisition means (102). As a result, when the limit is small, the display form of the performance limits is made less conspicuous, thereby preventing misunderstandings and unnecessary anxiety for the driver and suppressing the driver from feeling annoyed. When the limit is large, the driver can be proactively and clearly notified that there is a significant impact on the vehicle's driving performance. In this way, the driver can accurately grasp the performance limits. [Examples]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The vehicle in this embodiment is an electric vehicle equipped with a motor-generator that functions as both an electric motor and a generator as its power source. The electric vehicle is also equipped with a battery and an inverter that converts the direct current supplied by the battery into alternating current.

[0011] In electric vehicles, a power meter showing the motor-generator's power application and regeneration is displayed on the instrument panel display unit 200 in the driver's seat. First, let's explain an example of a power meter with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the power meter 201. As shown in Figure 2, the power meter 201 uses a bar display format, and in the display area 202, with the 0 position in between, area A is the powering range (motor generator output range) and area B is the regenerative range (motor generator power generation range). The right end of the display area 202 shows the maximum powering performance of the vehicle, and the left end shows the maximum regenerative performance of the vehicle.

[0012] Current performance is displayed by bar 203. In the example in Figure 2, the motor generator is functioning as an electric motor, and in region A (the powering range), bar 203 is displayed with a length corresponding to the output value of the motor generator.

[0013] Furthermore, the performance that can be achieved at each point in time may be limited by factors such as the battery charge level, ambient temperature, and driving conditions, so these performance limitations are also displayed. In the example in Figure 2, the performance limitations are represented by the dotted line 204.

[0014] Figure 1 shows the functional configuration of the display control device 100 according to this embodiment. The electric vehicle according to this embodiment is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that electronically controls various functions. Such an ECU is composed of a computer unit that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory for storing backup data, an input port, and an output port. In this embodiment, the ECU functions as a display control device 100.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a display unit 200 is connected to the display control device 100. The display unit 200 is, for example, an information display located on the instrument panel, and is installed so that it can be seen by the driver in the driver's seat, and presents various information to the driver. The power meter 201 shown in Figure 2 is displayed on the display unit 200.

[0016] The display control device 100 includes a performance acquisition unit 101, a performance limit acquisition unit 102, a calculation unit 103, a display control unit 104, and a notification control unit 105. The performance acquisition unit 101 acquires the current performance. When the motor generator functions as an electric motor, the current output value corresponds to this, and when the motor generator functions as a generator, the current power generation amount corresponds to this. Note that the performance acquisition unit 101 may perform the calculation of the current performance, or may receive the current performance calculated by an external device.

[0017] The performance limit acquisition unit 102 acquires the performance limit. When the motor generator functions as an electric motor, the limited output value corresponds to this, and when the motor generator functions as a generator, the limited power generation amount corresponds to this. The performance limit is calculated based on at least one or more of the state of charge of the battery, the state of deterioration of the battery, the outside air temperature, the temperature of the battery, the temperature of the inverter, the temperature of the motor generator, the temperature of the components connecting the battery, the inverter, and the motor generator, and physical values or indicators (for example, measuring heat quantity instead of temperature) corresponding to these temperatures. For example, when the charge amount of the battery is low, the output of the motor generator functioning as an electric motor may be limited. Also, when the charge amount of the battery is high and the power generated by regenerative power generation cannot be stored, the power generation amount of the motor generator functioning as a generator may be limited. Note that the performance limit acquisition unit 102 may perform the calculation of the performance limit, or may receive the performance limit calculated by an external device.

[0018] The calculation unit 103 calculates the degree of the performance limit acquired by the performance limit acquisition unit 102 with respect to the maximum performance, which is a known value. In this embodiment, (performance limit / maximum performance) is calculated as the ratio of the performance limit to the maximum performance. The smaller (performance limit / maximum performance) is, the greater the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance.

[0019] The display control unit 104 causes the display unit 200 to display the current performance acquired by the performance acquisition unit 101. In the example of FIG. 2, the motor generator functions as an electric motor, and in the region A (power running range), a bar 203 having a length corresponding to the current performance (output value of the motor generator) is displayed.

[0020] Further, the display control unit 104 displays the performance limit acquired by the performance limit acquisition unit 102 on the display unit 200. In the example of FIG. 2, the performance limit is represented by a dotted line 204. Here, the display control unit 104 changes the display form of the performance limit according to the degree of the performance limit with respect to the maximum performance calculated by the calculation unit 103. As the limit increases (the performance limit approaches the 0 position) and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, the display control unit 104 makes the display of the performance limit more prominent.

[0021] Examples of changing the display form of the performance limit will be described with reference to FIGS. 2(a) to (d). When the performance limit is equivalent to the maximum performance, the performance limit is at a level that does not affect driving, and there is little need to notify the driver of the performance limit in order to prevent giving the driver misunderstandings or unnecessary uneasiness. Also, if there is a display of the performance limit near the position indicating the maximum performance, the driver may feel bothered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the dotted line 204 representing the performance limit is not displayed, or the dotted line 204 is made thinner to suppress the display form of the performance limit and make it less prominent. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2(b), (c), and (d), as the limit increases and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, the impact on the vehicle's driving becomes greater. Therefore, in order to actively and clearly notify the driver of such a state, the dotted line 204 representing the performance limit is gradually thickened to make it prominent.

[0022] Note that the change in the display form of the performance limit is not limited to that of the embodiment, and any form that attracts the driver's visual attention may be used. For example, the display size may be changed. In this case, the display size is increased as the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases. Also, the transparency may be changed. In this case, the transparency is decreased (made darker) as the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases. Also, the brightness or color may be changed. In this case, the brightness is increased as the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, or it is changed as green → yellow → red as the deviation increases. Also, a combination of changes in a plurality of display forms may be used.

[0023] Furthermore, one or more thresholds may be set for the degree of performance limitation relative to maximum performance, and the display format of the performance limitation may be changed in stages, or the display format of the performance limitation may be changed continuously according to the degree of performance limitation relative to maximum performance. If one threshold is set, it may be made to match the threshold of other indicators that represent performance limitations (for example, the illumination of the output limit light, which is represented by a turtle mark). This makes it easier to recognize the degree of performance limitation relative to maximum performance and has the effect of specifically prompting the driver to appropriately recognize the vehicle's condition.

[0024] When the degree of performance limitation relative to maximum performance (performance limitation / maximum performance), calculated by the calculation unit 103, falls below a predetermined threshold, the notification control unit 105 changes the display format of the performance limitation via the display control unit 104 and also provides notification. The notification by the notification control unit 105 may be a message displayed on the display unit 200, an audible notification, a vibration notification, etc. This ensures that the driver is reliably informed that there is a large discrepancy between the performance limitation and maximum performance, and that this has a significant impact on the vehicle's operation.

[0025] As described above, the display format of performance limitations is changed according to the performance limitations. This means that when the limitation is small, the display format of the performance limitation is made less conspicuous, thereby preventing misunderstandings and unnecessary anxiety for the driver and reducing driver annoyance. When the limitation is large, the system can proactively and clearly notify the driver that the vehicle's performance is being significantly affected. In this way, drivers can accurately understand the performance limitations.

[0026] Note that the power meter shown in Figure 2 is just one example and is not limited to this. Refer to Figures 3 and 4 to see other examples of power meters. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the power meter 301. As shown in Figure 3, the power meter 301 has an arc-shaped scale 302 and a pointer 303 whose rotation center is the center of the arc. In the scale 302, region A is the powering range and region B is the regenerative range, with the 0 position in between. The right end of the scale 302 indicates the maximum powering performance of the vehicle, and the left end indicates the maximum regenerative performance of the vehicle. The current performance is displayed by the pointer 303.

[0027] Furthermore, multiple illuminated sections 304 are displayed inside the scale section 302, arranged in an arc shape. The illuminated sections 304 represent performance limits, and in each of regions A and B, if the performance limit is equivalent to the maximum performance, all of them will light up (see Figure 3(a)). As the limit increases and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, the illuminated sections 304 will gradually turn off from the ends, and the number of illuminated sections 304 will decrease (see Figure 3(b)). In this case, the display control unit 104 changes the display format of the performance limit according to the degree of performance limitation relative to the maximum performance calculated by the calculation unit 103. The display control unit 104 makes the display of the performance limit more prominent as the limitation increases (the performance limit approaches the 0 position) and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases (see Figures 3(a) and (b)). For example, the greater the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance, that is, the smaller the number of illuminated units 304, the brighter the illuminated units 304 become, or they change from being illuminated to blinking, or their illumination color changes from green to yellow to red, for example.

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the power meter 401. As shown in Figure 4, the power meter 401 has a row of circular illuminated sections 402, with the 0 position in the direction of the row, and region A representing the powering range and region B representing the regenerative range. The right end of the illuminated section 402 in the direction of the row indicates the maximum powering performance of the vehicle, and the left end indicates the maximum regenerative performance of the vehicle. The illuminated section 402 comprises a circular inner illuminated section 402a and an annular outer illuminated section 402b. The current performance is indicated by the illumination of the inner illuminated section 402a.

[0029] The outer illuminated sections 402b represent performance limits, and in each of regions A and B, if the performance limit is equivalent to the maximum performance, all of them illuminate (see Figure 4(a)). As the limit increases and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases, the outer illuminated sections 402b gradually turn off from the ends, and the number of illuminated outer illuminated sections 402b decreases (see Figure 4(b)). In this case, the display control unit 104 changes the display format of the performance limit according to the degree of performance limitation relative to the maximum performance calculated by the calculation unit 103. The display control unit 104 makes the display of the performance limit more prominent as the limitation increases (the performance limit approaches the 0 position) and the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance increases (see Figures 4(a) and (b)). For example, the greater the deviation of the performance limit from the maximum performance, that is, as the number of illuminated outer illuminated units 402b decreases, the display control unit 104 makes the illuminated outer illuminated units 402b brighter, changes them from illuminated to blinking, or changes their illumination color from green to yellow to red.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, each embodiment is merely a specific example of how the present invention can be implemented. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to each embodiment. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from its spirit, and these modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In the embodiment, an example was described in which the display format of the performance limit is changed according to the degree of performance limitation relative to the vehicle's maximum performance, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a threshold value may be set for the performance limit itself, and the display format of the performance limit may be changed according to the performance limit acquired by the performance limit acquisition unit 102. Furthermore, although the embodiment was described using a power meter as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to, for example, a torque meter. In a vehicle equipped with at least one of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as a power source, the output torque of the power source may be limited by temperature, driving conditions, etc., and the display form of the performance limit in the torque meter is changed according to that performance limit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 100: Display control unit, 101: Performance acquisition unit, 102: Performance limit acquisition unit, 103: Calculation unit, 104: Display control unit, 105: Notification control unit, 200: Display unit, 201, 301, 401: Power meter

Claims

1. A vehicle display control device that controls the display of a display unit installed in the driver's seat of a vehicle, An acquisition means for acquiring the performance limitations of the aforementioned vehicle, The display unit is equipped with a display control means for displaying the performance limit acquired by the acquisition means, The display control means for a vehicle is characterized by changing the display format of the performance limit according to the performance limit acquired by the acquisition means.

2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means changes the display form of the performance limitation according to the degree of the performance limitation relative to the maximum performance of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the change in the display form of the performance limit is at least one of the following: a change in display size, a change in transparency, a change in brightness, and a change in color.

4. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means displays the current performance on the display unit.

5. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the performance limit is calculated based on at least one of the following: the charge state of the battery mounted in the vehicle, the degradation state of the battery, the ambient temperature, the temperature of the battery, the temperature of the inverter mounted in the vehicle, the temperature of the motor generator mounted in the vehicle, the temperature of the components connecting the battery, the inverter, and the motor generator, and physical values ​​or indicators corresponding to these temperatures.

6. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in addition to changing the display form of the performance limit by the display control means according to the performance limit acquired by the acquisition means, it also includes a notification control means for providing notification.

7. The vehicle display control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the notification by the notification control means is at least one of the following: notification by a message displayed on the display unit, notification by sound, and notification by vibration.

Images