EV Display System Adapting Icons to Battery State
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of user interfaces in vehicles increases with the number of features and functions, overwhelming drivers and making it difficult to interact with relevant systems based on current driving conditions and battery state of charge (SOC).
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle display system that receives SOC data and updates icons or alerts to encourage drivers to adjust features that reduce power demand, such as enlarging icons for EV-later or highlighting seat warmers when SOC is low, to conserve battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of vehicle features and functions is increased, then the vehicle provides more capabilities to the driver, but the user interface complexity increases and overwhelms the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into context-relevant portions based on driving conditions and battery state of charge. Only features and functions applicable to current conditions are displayed, dividing the complete set of vehicle features into condition-specific subsets that reduce visual complexity while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface dynamically adapts its content and layout based on real-time driving conditions and battery state of charge levels. The interface transitions between different display configurations, showing or hiding specific features based on contextual relevance, making the system flexible rather than static.
2Loss of information
If the driver is presented with all available features, then complete information is provided, but the driver cannot easily identify relevant features based on current conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the user interface are assigned different levels of visibility and emphasis based on their relevance to current driving conditions and battery state. Features that are currently applicable receive enhanced visual treatment and prominent placement, while less relevant features are dimmed or hidden, creating local variations in information presentation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors driving conditions and battery state of charge, then provides feedback to the user interface by adjusting which features are displayed and how they are presented. This closed-loop feedback ensures the interface always reflects current operational context, helping drivers quickly identify applicable features.
3Ease of operation
If battery powered features are used without monitoring SOC, then driver convenience is maintained, but battery power may be depleted before reaching the destination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery state of charge and trip requirements before allowing certain features to be activated. By evaluating SOC levels in advance and predicting power consumption needs, the system prevents activation of features that would deplete battery power before destination arrival, taking preventive action rather than reacting to low battery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery state of charge and provides real-time feedback to both the feature control system and the user interface. When SOC drops below thresholds required for certain features, the system provides feedback that automatically adjusts feature availability or prompts the driver to make adjustments, ensuring reliable battery power management throughout the trip.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle display system may include a battery, an interface configured to present at least one selectable icon configured to control a battery powered vehicle feature, and a controller programmed to, in response to state-of-charge (SOC) data indicating that a trip range exceeds a possible driving range, update the selectable icon to indicate a suggested adjustment to the vehicle feature to decrease power demand of the feature.