Fuel Economy Control Module for Alternative Fuel Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers of alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles, often do not achieve the expected fuel economy due to assumptions made by engineers about vehicle usage, leading to a mismatch between performance and fuel economy modes, which can result in unsatisfied customers.
Innovation Solution
A fuel economy control system and strategy that allows users to select a desired fuel economy mode through a fuel economy control module and switch, integrated with the vehicle system controller, enabling the vehicle to operate based on predefined fuel economy preferences, such as miles per gallon or a balance between fuel economy and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If engineers optimize vehicle performance based on assumptions about average customer usage, then vehicle performance is improved, but fuel economy may not meet customer expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that allows the vehicle to switch between performance mode and fuel economy mode based on real-time customer preferences. The mode selector enables customers to dynamically adjust the vehicle's operating characteristics, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters such as power delivery characteristics, transmission shifting patterns, and engine management settings based on the selected mode. This allows the same vehicle to optimize for either performance or fuel economy depending on customer needs at different times.
2Ease of operation
If alternative fuel vehicles are designed without compromise, then performance is maintained, but fuel economy benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational characteristics based on customer selection. When fuel economy mode is selected, the vehicle optimizes for energy efficiency; when performance mode is selected, it maximizes power delivery. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the vehicle to be optimized for one objective at a time rather than attempting to simultaneously optimize both.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel economy mode is added to alternative fuel vehicles, then customer satisfaction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions through a unified architecture. The mode selector and control logic serve both performance optimization and fuel economy optimization, allowing a single system to handle multiple operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fuel economy control functionality with the existing vehicle control system. Rather than adding a completely separate control system, the fuel economy mode integration is combined with the vehicle's existing powertrain control, reducing overall system complexity while still providing the desired functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An alternative fuel vehicle having a fuel economy control module with associated logic that allows the vehicle to operate in a fuel economy mode based on a desired fuel economy preference. The fuel economy control logic is in electrical communication with a vehicle system controller (VSC) and may be integrally formed as a sub-module within the VSC. A fuel economy control switch controlled by the fuel economy control logic toggles between an on and an off position to enable or disable a fuel economy mode. A fuel economy control selector allows a user to select a desired fuel economy mode preference once the fuel economy control switch is on. The fuel economy mode selected represents a predefined desired fuel economy preference such as a distance per amount of fuel consumed, or alternatively, a percentage of a balance between a fuel economy operation and a fuel performance operation.