Driver Eco-Feedback Interface for Real-Time Route Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy consumption optimization methods for human-controlled vehicles do not consider real-time road conditions and traffic information, limiting their effectiveness in reducing fuel consumption and battery charging efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that receives data on road topology and real-time traffic information to determine an optimized driving pattern, which is then communicated to the driver through various feedback mechanisms, such as visual, acoustic, and haptic outputs, to adjust their driving behavior for improved energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If eco mode optimization depends only on engine characteristics, then the system is simple to implement, but it does not consider road conditions and cannot achieve real-time energy optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to road conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives and stores road topology data (slopes, curves, surface conditions) in advance before the vehicle reaches those sections. This preliminary data collection allows the system to prepare optimized driving patterns ahead of time, enabling real-time adaptation without requiring complex real-time sensing and processing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a navigation system as an intermediary component that provides road topology data to the energy optimization system. This mediator approach allows the system to access detailed road condition information without directly complex interactions with road infrastructure, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling sophisticated energy optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If route candidates are calculated prior to the start of the ride, then the calculation is simple, but the operation of the vehicle during the ride is not considered and optimization is not real-time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption during rideVSAvoidreal-time optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously outputs updated driving behavior recommendations throughout the ride as the vehicle progresses through different road sections. Rather than providing a single pre-calculated route, the system continuously adapts its recommendations based on the vehicle's current position and upcoming road topology, maintaining optimal energy efficiency throughout the entire journey

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The route is divided into multiple segments based on road topology characteristics (slopes, curves, surface conditions). The system calculates and outputs optimized driving patterns for each segment separately, allowing real-time adaptation to changing road conditions while keeping computational complexity manageable through localized optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If the user receives detailed real-time driving behavior recommendations, then energy optimization is maximized, but the user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoiduser interface simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback to the user through the output unit, recommending specific driving behavior adjustments (acceleration, deceleration, gear selection) based on upcoming road sections. This feedback loop enables the user to easily adapt their driving behavior without requiring them to understand complex energy optimization calculations, maintaining interface simplicity while achieving energy savings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3653461B1A method for optimizing energy consumption of a transportation means, human machine interface and transportation means
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3653461B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3653461B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns a human machine interface, a transportation means and a method for optimizing energy consumption of a transportation means comprising the steps of receiving data (100) associated with a road topology of an upcoming route, determining (200) an optimized driving pattern with regard to energy consumption of the transportation means depending on the data and outputting (300) a recommendation of a driving behavior with respect to the transportation means to a user, wherein the recommendation of the driving behavior complies with the optimized driving pattern for a predetermined segment of the upcoming route in real time.