Slope Feedback Device Energy Balance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately provide real-time feedback to drivers on fuel-saving techniques, especially in complex slope scenarios, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and vehicle wear, as they struggle to determine optimal energy balance points during hill driving.
Innovation Solution
A slope feedback device that determines a vehicle's slope profile using sensors and calculates a balance point where the driver should release gas to optimize energy consumption, providing a grade based on how well the driver's actions align with optimal driving activity, considering various slope types and velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a driver gives gas before a hill to maintain speed, then the vehicle maintains speed through the hill, but fuel is wasted when brakes are applied in the following downhill slope
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the slope profile using slope profile sensing means before the vehicle reaches the hill. It calculates the slope balance point Pbal in advance, which indicates the optimal point to release gas. By providing feedback about this predetermined balance point, the system enables the driver to take preliminary action (releasing gas at the right moment) rather than giving gas unnecessarily, thus avoiding energy waste from subsequent braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously provides feedback to the driver about the detected slope profile and the calculated balance point Pbal. This feedback loop allows the driver to adjust driving behavior in real-time, releasing gas at the optimal moment before the hill rather than maintaining constant speed through fuel injection, thereby preventing the energy waste that would occur from braking in the downhill section.
2Ease of operation
If existing systems provide general feedback on driving behavior, then drivers receive some guidance, but the feedback fails to accurately analyze complicated slope situations and provide specific optimal driving points
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the slope profile into distinct characteristics using slope profile sensing means, detecting specific parameters such as slope angle, curvature, and length. It further segments the driving trajectory by calculating the slope balance point Pbal, which divides the uphill and downhill portions. This segmentation allows for precise analysis of complicated slope situations rather than providing general feedback, as each segment can be evaluated independently with specific optimal driving points identified.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and analyzes multiple parameters simultaneously, including slope angle, vehicle speed, acceleration, and the calculated balance point position. By continuously tracking these parameters and their changes, the system can accurately analyze complicated slope situations and provide precise feedback about the optimal point to release gas, rather than providing generic driving guidance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device offers real-time constructive feedback, improving driving efficiency by helping drivers maintain optimal energy balance, reducing fuel consumption and wear, and adapting to different slope complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical encoder rotatably coupled to the first shaft and configured to generate a first output signal based on a rotational position of the first shaft
Implementation Method 2
a second optical encoder rotatably coupled to the second shaft and configured to generate a second output signal based on a rotational position of the second shaft
Implementation Method 3
a processor configured to: receive the first output signal from the first optical encoder and the second output signal from the second optical encoder; and calculate a slope angle based on the first output signal and the second output signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a slope feedback device for determining and presenting feedback to a driver of a vehicle, comprising a slope determining unit adapted to determine a slope profile of a slope passed by the vehicle, based upon output signals from a slope profile sensing means and driving sensing means to continuously sense and calculate a driver's driving activity during passage of a slope. The driving sensing means in addition continuously calculates a driving resistance force Fres and a specific driving resistance point Fres =o is determined, where the driving resistance force Fres is less or equal to zero. The slope determining unit is further adapted to calculate for each Fres =o a slope balance point Pbal defined as the theoretical point where the gas should be released in order to balance consumed energy, by the vehicle, before said Fres=o and gained energy, by the vehicle, after said point, and to determine an optimal driving activity in dependence of Pbal .The device further comprises a driving ability calculating means adapted to match the driving activity to the determined slope profile, and to generate a grade in dependence of how well the driving activity coincides with the optimal driving activity. The grade is further presented to the driver of the vehicle.