Vehicle Display Device Anticipating Traveling Mode Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers of hybrid vehicles are not informed about future changes in vehicle traveling modes, which hinders their ability to optimize fuel economy and energy conservation.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method for hybrid vehicles that provides drivers with information on future traveling mode switches by dividing routes into segments and associating each segment with a specific traveling mode, allowing the driver to anticipate and adjust for energy-efficient driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the vehicle automatically switches between traveling modes (normal/economical or HV/EV) based on power availability and route analysis, then fuel economy and energy efficiency are improved, but the driver loses awareness of future mode changes and cannot optimize driving behavior accordingly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel economyVSAvoiddriver awareness of mode switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the travel route to identify mode switching points before the driver reaches them. The display device shows future mode change information in advance, allowing the driver to prepare for upcoming transitions between EV and HV modes, thereby optimizing driving behavior and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to the driver about current and future traveling modes through the display device. By showing mode switching points and upcoming mode changes, the system creates a feedback loop that keeps the driver informed, enabling them to adjust driving behavior to match the vehicle's energy management strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the system provides detailed information about future mode switches and route segments, then driver awareness and energy conservation improve, but the device complexity and information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver awareness of mode switchingVSAvoidinformation processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The travel route is divided into segments with distinct mode switching points. The display device presents information in a segmented format, showing only the relevant mode change information for upcoming segments rather than overwhelming the driver with complete route details. This segmentation simplifies the information presentation while maintaining comprehensive analysis capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2071285B1Display device for vehicle, method of controlling display device for vehicle, program, and recording medium having program recorded thereon
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2071285B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2071285B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2071285B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A vehicle has a plurality of traveling modes. A display device for the vehicle comprises: a display unit (48) displaying map information; and a control unit (14) causing the display unit (48) to display recognizably, at a portion of roads in the map information, traveling modes that correspond to the roads. Preferably, the control unit (14) sets a destination in response to an instruction received from an operator, searches for a traveling route extending from a starting point to the destination, divides the traveling route into segments, and associates one of the traveling modes with each of the segments. More preferably, the control unit (14) causes the display unit (48) to display the plurality of candidate traveling routes, each with the traveling mode overlaid thereon, and selects in response to an instruction of the operator one traveling route planned to be taken among the plurality of candidate traveling routes.