Vehicle Efficiency Display with Ranked Impact Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers of hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles often fail to achieve desired fuel economy or energy efficiency due to their driving habits, as they lack the means to effectively translate recommended techniques into real changes in behavior, and are not convinced of the impact of modifying their habits on efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a controller to receive input on energy usage and output modification messages with associated efficiency impact values, ranking these messages to guide drivers on parameter modifications that can improve fuel economy, vehicle range, or emissions, displayed through an interface that communicates the potential improvements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If retrospective vehicle performance information or operating tips are displayed to drivers, then drivers are provided with information to improve efficiency, but drivers are not convinced or persuaded to alter their driving habits because the impact is believed to be minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms abstract efficiency information into concrete, quantifiable parameters that drivers can understand and act upon. The system calculates specific efficiency impact values (fuel consumption, distance, emissions) for different operating parameters, converting vague performance data into actionable metrics that directly influence driver behavior decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements immediate feedback by displaying efficiency impact values that show drivers the direct consequence of their operating parameter choices. The controller continuously monitors vehicle operation, calculates efficiency impacts, and provides real-time feedback through the display interface, allowing drivers to see the immediate effect of their decisions on fuel consumption, range, or emissions
2Ease of operation
If multiple operating parameter modification messages are displayed to guide drivers, then drivers receive comprehensive guidance, but the information becomes overwhelming and drivers cannot prioritize which changes to make
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive efficiency information into individual, discrete operating parameter modification messages. Each message addresses a specific parameter (acceleration, climate control, speed) with its own efficiency impact value, allowing drivers to process information in manageable units rather than as a single complex dataset
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) to highlight the magnitude of efficiency impacts. Messages are displayed with visual cues that indicate the relative importance or impact level, enabling drivers to quickly identify which modifications will yield the greatest benefits without being overwhelmed by text-heavy information
3Loss of information
If the system calculates and displays efficiency impact values for all vehicle operating parameters, then comprehensive efficiency information is provided, but the calculation and processing requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the most relevant efficiency impact information from the complete set of vehicle operating parameters. Rather than processing and displaying all possible parameters simultaneously, the controller identifies and extracts the specific parameters that have the greatest impact on efficiency under current driving conditions, reducing computational burden while maintaining information quality
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms.