Hybrid Vehicle Range Display with Segmented Flowcharts

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hybrid vehicles, the range available from alternative energy sources is often overshadowed by the significantly greater range from fossil fuel sources in existing display methods, making it difficult for users to accurately determine the distance that can be traveled using alternative energy.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that display the remaining range of alternative energy sources graphically on a vehicle screen, using a second flowchart that details the range in consumption mode, with distinct graphical differentiation from fossil fuel sources, allowing users to quickly and safely view both energy sources' information without taking their eyes off the road.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a single flowchart displays the total range combining both fossil fuel and alternative energy sources, then the overall range information is provided, but the alternative energy range becomes unrecognisable due to the lower order of magnitude compared to fossil fuel range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealternative energy range informationVSAvoiddisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into a main flowchart showing fossil fuel range and an additional flowchart showing alternative energy range. This segmentation allows the smaller alternative energy range to be displayed separately with appropriate scaling, preventing it from being overshadowed by the larger fossil fuel range while maintaining overall information clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimensional layer by displaying a second flowchart that expands on the alternative energy portion. This dimensional addition allows the system to preserve both the total range context and the detailed alternative energy information simultaneously, resolving the visibility issue without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the range from alternative energy source is displayed separately with detailed flowchart, then the accuracy of alternative energy range information is improved, but the display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealternative energy range accuracyVSAvoiddisplay system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is divided into hierarchical segments: a main flowchart for fossil fuel range and an additional flowchart for alternative energy range. This segmentation enables precise display of the smaller alternative energy values without requiring the entire display system to be redesigned, thus improving measurement precision while controlling complexity through modular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional flowchart detailing alternative energy range is nested within or adjacent to the main flowchart structure. This nesting approach allows the detailed alternative energy information to be contained within a unified display framework, improving precision while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through organized hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Loss of information

If both fossil fuel and alternative energy range information are displayed with equal visual weight, then complete information is provided, but the alternative energy range remains unrecognisable due to the large difference in magnitude

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete range informationVSAvoidalternative energy range visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized additional flowchart with appropriate scaling and visual characteristics tailored to alternative energy range display. This local adaptation allows the alternative energy information to be displayed with sufficient visual weight and precision, while the main flowchart maintains the overall context, thus preserving complete information while improving alternative energy visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the display into a main flowchart for fossil fuel and an additional flowchart for alternative energy, the patent enables each segment to be optimized for its specific data characteristics. The additional flowchart can use scaling and visual parameters appropriate for the smaller alternative energy values, ensuring they are recognizable while maintaining complete information through the combined display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2813399B1Method for displaying information in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 SEAT SA
  • EP2813399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2813399B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for displaying information in a hybrid car (5), and more particularly, the range available, by using an alternative energy source (53) compared to using a fossil fuel (52), showing the degree of range the charge level represents in the aforementioned source of alternative energy in a differentiated image. The aforementioned method represents at least one image indicative of an available range, wherein a main image comprises a first sector indicative of the range available by using a fossil fuel as the energy source, and a second sector indicative of the range available by using the alternative energy source, comprising an additional image with a sector as an expansion of the second sector indicative of the range available by the alternative energy source.