Vehicle Performance Control Unit for Dynamic Driving Profile Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles lack the ability to dynamically alter their driving profiles to emulate different vehicle types or models, limiting user experience and performance customization without requiring multiple vehicles or extensive manual modifications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a performance control unit (PCU) that determines and applies a desired driving profile by adjusting vehicle operating parameters, validated against safety rules, using a network of electronic control units (ECUs) and a communication bridge to modify parameters such as gear ratios, air intake, suspension, and coolant flow rates, allowing users to emulate different vehicle types and performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle uses fixed operating parameters controlled by ECUs, then system reliability and safety are maintained, but the vehicle cannot dynamically alter its driving profile to emulate different vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters of vehicle systems by receiving a desired driving profile and identifying alterations to operating parameters. The PCU modifies parameters such as maximum horsepower, maximum speed, gear shifting ratio, spark plug timing, air intake valve angle, fuel injection quantity, and air/fuel ratio based on user selection, allowing the vehicle to adapt its performance characteristics while maintaining safety through validation against predefined safety values.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of vehicle systems to achieve different driving profiles. The system identifies a set of alterations to operating parameters associated with the desired driving profile and applies these changes through the PCU, which communicates with ECUs controlling various vehicle systems. This allows the same vehicle to emulate different vehicle types by modifying parameters like engine power, transmission ratios, and suspension characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle allows dynamic alteration of operating parameters, then user experience and performance customization are enhanced, but the risk of component damage and safety issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prevents harmful effects by validating the desired driving profile against a set of safety rules before applying parameter alterations. The PCU determines whether the vehicle can execute the requested changes and only applies alterations that pass safety validation, thereby preventing component damage while still allowing performance customization. This preliminary check ensures that modifications remain within safe operating limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by validating operating parameter alterations against predefined safety values and determining whether the vehicle can execute the desired changes. The PCU monitors the vehicle's current state and compares it against safety criteria, providing feedback that prevents unsafe modifications while allowing beneficial performance adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicles or extensive manual modifications are used to achieve different driving profiles, then performance variety is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCU serves as a universal control system that can implement multiple driving profiles across different vehicle types. Rather than requiring separate vehicles or complex manual modifications for each driving profile, the single PCU unit can load and apply different sets of operating parameter alterations corresponding to various desired driving profiles, making one vehicle perform like multiple different vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the performance characteristics of different vehicle types by identifying and applying operating parameter alterations associated with each desired driving profile. Instead of physically modifying the vehicle for each profile, the PCU uses software-based parameter adjustments to replicate the behavior and performance characteristics of different vehicle models, achieving variety without physical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to alter the driving profile of a vehicle. An example method disclosed herein determines, based on a user selection, a desired driving profile to apply to a vehicle. The example method includes identifying a set of alterations to operating parameters of vehicle systems associated with the desired driving profile. The example method includes determining a subset of the set of alterations that the vehicle can execute, and in response to determining the subset that the vehicle can execute, applying the subset to the vehicle to produce the desired driving profile.