Method and device for signaling several pieces of information that are relevant for operating a motor vehicle

• US 20060109097A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Grill, Michael, Kustosch, Makio
• Granted Patent: US 7,417,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/021 with means for providing feel, e.g. by changing pedal force characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine

Abstract

A method and a device for signaling several items of information relevant for operating a motor vehicle are provided, which are registered by the driver of the vehicle in a particularly reliable manner, and which do not distract the driver from the traffic. To this end, different items of information are represented by unambiguous haptic signals, particularly having a maximum, at different positions of a control element of the vehicle, particularly an accelerator pedal.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A method for signaling several items of information relevant for operating a motor vehicle, comprising:

representing different items of information by unambiguous haptic signals at different positions of a control element of the vehicle;

forming the different items of information by different fuel consumption values;

respectively representing the different fuel consumption values by a characteristic of one of the haptic signals on the control element having a maximum at the associated position of the control element; and

ascertaining the one of the haptic signals as a function of a consumption per unit of distance using a characteristics function.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the haptic signals have a maximum.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the control element includes an accelerator pedal.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the characteristic of the one of the haptic signals includes a saw-tooth-shaped characteristic.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

specifying at least one of the fuel consumption values using an input unit.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

forming the one of the haptic signals by a restoring a force acting on the control element.

15. A device for signaling several items of information relevant for operating a motor vehicle, comprising:

an arrangement for representing different items of information by unambiguous haptic signals at different positions of a control element of the vehicle;

an arrangement for forming the different items of information by different fuel consumption values;

an arrangement for respectively representing the different fuel consumption values by a characteristic of one of the haptic signals on the control element having a maximum at the associated position of the control element; and

an arrangement including a characteristics function and for ascertaining the one of the haptic signal as a function of a consumption per unit of distance.

16. The device as recited in claim 15, wherein:

the haptic signals have a maximum.

17. The device as recited in claim 15, wherein:

the control element includes an accelerator pedal.

18. The device as recited in claim 15, wherein:

the characteristic of the one of the haptic signals includes a saw-tooth-shaped characteristic.