Vehicle Range Display Accounting for Accessory Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern motor vehicle information systems do not provide adequate instructions or assistance to drivers for increasing the residual range of their vehicles, particularly in electric and hybrid vehicles, where the impact of additional consuming devices on range is not effectively communicated.
Innovation Solution
An information system that determines and displays the maximal and reduced residual range of a motor vehicle by accounting for the power consumption of additional devices like air conditioners and seat heaters, allowing drivers to make informed decisions about device usage to optimize range, using a display that shows the difference in range estimates and the influence of each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the information system displays only the maximal residual range without considering additional consuming devices, then the display is simple and clear, but the information provided is incomplete and does not help drivers make informed decisions about device usage
Solution Approach 1:
The residual range display is segmented into multiple components: the base maximal residual range and additional range reductions caused by individual consuming devices. Each device's power consumption impact is calculated separately and displayed as a distinct reduction value, allowing drivers to see both the total residual range and the specific contribution of each device to range reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The display adds a new dimension to the residual range information by showing not only the absolute residual range value but also the differential impact of each consuming device. This transforms a single-dimension display (total range) into a multi-dimensional display (total range + device-specific reductions), enabling drivers to understand the relationship between device usage and range consumption.
2Ease of operation
If the information system calculates and displays the impact of each additional consuming device on residual range, then drivers receive comprehensive guidance for optimizing range, but the computing complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computing unit pre-calculates and stores the power consumption characteristics of each consuming device in advance. When a device is activated, the system retrieves the pre-stored power consumption data and immediately calculates the range reduction without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby reducing computational complexity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational state of consuming devices and provides real-time feedback to the driver through the display unit. When a device is switched on or off, the system recalculates the residual range considering the changed power consumption profile and updates the display accordingly, enabling drivers to see the immediate impact of their device usage decisions on vehicle range.
Data Source
AI summary
An information system is provided for displaying a residual range of a motor vehicle, and includes devices for determining the filling degree of a power storage device of the motor vehicle, a computing unit for determining the residual range, and a display unit for displaying the residual range, by way of the filling degree of the power storage device. A first estimated value concerning a maximal residual range of the motor vehicle can be determined. A power consumption of at least one additional consuming device of the motor vehicle can be determined and, while the power consumption of the at least one additional consuming device is taken into account, a second estimated value can be determined concerning a reduced residual range of the motor vehicle. The first estimated value can be displayed by the display device simultaneously with the second estimated value and/or a difference between the first and the second estimated values can be displayed simultaneously with at least one of the two estimated values.