Fuel Consumption Behavior Determination Device for Downhill Slope Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies operating heavy vehicles face challenges in determining the proportion of fuel consumption and wear attributed to incautious driving versus unfavorable traffic conditions, such as undulated terrain and urban environments, making it difficult to assess driver fuel efficiency effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device that determines a driver's fuel consumption behavior by measuring motor torque take-off in downhill slopes, considering factors like road gradient and vehicle load, and provides feedback to drivers and fleet owners, allowing for accurate assessment and comparison of driving efficiency across different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If general fuel consumption measurement is used, then total fuel consumption can be monitored, but it cannot distinguish between incautious driving and unfavorable traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving distance into multiple segments based on road gradient characteristics (downhill slopes, uphill slopes, level ground). By analyzing driver behavior specifically in downhill segments where coasting opportunities exist, the system achieves precise driver assessment without needing to account for all external factors across the entire journey, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different evaluation criteria to different road segments. Specifically, it focuses on downhill segments where fuel-efficient coasting should occur, rather than uniformly evaluating all segments. This local quality approach allows accurate driver assessment in conditions where driver control has maximum impact, without requiring complex adjustments for all external conditions.
2Measurement precision
If assessment includes all driving conditions, then comprehensive evaluation is achieved, but it becomes difficult to separate driver behavior from environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the downhill driving segments from the overall journey, focusing assessment specifically on these conditions where coasting behavior is applicable. By taking out this specific segment for separate analysis, the system eliminates confounding factors present in other segments (such as mandatory acceleration on uphill roads), thereby maintaining comprehensive evaluation while preserving driver behavior signal clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary classification of road segments before driver behavior assessment. By pre-identifying downhill segments where coasting opportunities exist, the system prepares the evaluation framework in advance, allowing clear separation of driver choices from environmental constraints when the actual behavior assessment occurs.
3Ease of operation
If traditional assessment methods are used, then simple measurement is possible, but they cannot provide accurate feedback for fuel economical driving behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from general fuel consumption to specific driver actions in downhill segments (coasting behavior, motor torque take-off timing). This parameter change maintains operational simplicity by using existing vehicle sensors while dramatically improving measurement precision by focusing on behaviors directly controllable by the driver that impact fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic evaluation that adapts to actual driving conditions rather than using fixed criteria. The system continuously monitors whether the vehicle is in a downhill segment and adjusts assessment accordingly, evaluating coasting behavior only when conditions permit. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation through automated condition-based evaluation while achieving high measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for determining a fuel consumption behavior of a driver of a vehicle for at least a first segment of a distance the vehicle is 5 traveling, wherein said first segment is constituted by at least one downhill slope. The device comprises: - means for determining whether the vehicle is in said segment, - means for, when the vehicle is in said segment, 10 continuously, or with certain or predetermined intervals, determine whether the vehicle driver is taking a first measure, wherein said first measure constitutes a measure for take off of a positive motor torque, - means for determining a measurement of said first measure 15 during said segment, and - means for, based on said measurement, determining a parameter value representing a fuel consumption behavior starting from predetermined criteria.