Vehicle Controller for Range Anxiety via Energy Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack effective communication of driving conditions to operators, particularly regarding range and energy efficiency, leading to potential range anxiety and inefficient energy use, especially in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle system includes a controller/microprocessor that monitors travel context using sensors and communicates suggestions for improving range and energy efficiency to the driver through a display device, such as recommending reduced speed, less aggressive braking, and adjusting onboard electrical system usage based on real-time data and occupant preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the vehicle operator is not provided with communication about driving conditions and range, then the vehicle system remains simple, but the operator becomes unaware of range limitations leading to range anxiety and inefficient energy use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller/microprocessor as an intermediary component that receives data from various vehicle sensors and systems, processes this information, and communicates it to the driver through a display device. This intermediary handles the complexity of information aggregation and presentation, shielding the driver from system complexity while providing comprehensive range and energy efficiency information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle operating conditions (speed, acceleration, electrical system usage) and providing real-time information to the driver about range and energy efficiency. This feedback loop enables the driver to adjust behavior based on actual vehicle state, improving energy efficiency while maintaining simple operation through intuitive display.
2Productivity
If the vehicle provides comprehensive communication about driving conditions and range, then driver awareness and energy efficiency improve, but the vehicle system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller/microprocessor performs multiple functions: it monitors various vehicle parameters, calculates range estimates, determines energy efficiency metrics, and controls the display output. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves comprehensive energy efficiency management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and communicates vehicle conditions without requiring driver intervention. The controller continuously gathers data from sensors, processes information, and updates the display autonomously, enabling the vehicle to self-manage information presentation while the driver simply observes and responds to guidance.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle range is extended through efficient energy use, then the remaining range increases, but this requires changes in driving behavior that may reduce driving comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides the driver with information and suggestions for energy-efficient driving behaviors, allowing the driver to choose the degree of implementation. The driver can partially adopt recommended behaviors (such as moderate speed reductions or selective use of electrical systems) to extend range while maintaining acceptable comfort levels, rather than being forced into extreme behavior changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a microprocessor and a computer readable medium coupled to the microprocessor. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon that cause the microprocessor to receive output from at least one sensor monitoring a travel context of a vehicle and determine, based on the output received, a condition of the vehicle. The instructions cause the microprocessor to determine, based on the determined condition of the vehicle, modified driving operations to improve the operation of the vehicle. The instructions cause the microprocessor to construct a message describing the determined modified driving operations and communicate one or more modified driving operations to an operator for potential implementation.