HAPTIC APPARATUS AND COACHING METHOD FOR IMPROVING VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing coaching feedback to an operator of a vehicle that will encourage the vehicle to be driven with high fuel economy, comprising:
- a haptic actuator operatively associated with an accelerator control assembly of said vehicle for providing feedback to said operator;
a human-machine interface that enables the vehicle operator to select between a plurality of fuel saving settings of increasing fuel economy; and
a haptic controller configured to provide coaching feedback to said operator through said haptic actuator when said vehicle crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds responsive to said fuel saving settings of said human-machine interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a haptic actuator operatively associated with a pedal assembly of the vehicle, a human-machine interface (HMI) for enabling the driver to select between a plurality of fuel savings settings, and a controller coupled to a data interface in the vehicle and the HMI interface for causing the haptic actuator to provide feedback to the driver when an aspect of vehicle operation crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds responsive to the HMI setting. Additionally, a coaching method provides haptic-based feedback that will not interfere with the operation of the vehicle. This method of closed-loop feedback provides a timely signal to the driver in a way that will encourage a change in driver style over time, such as backing off the accelerator pedal to accelerate at a lower rate and braking earlier with less intensity. As not all driver preferences are the same under all conditions, the HMI selector will help coach the driver by providing feedback that best fits their driving preference at the particular time.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing coaching feedback to an operator of a vehicle that will encourage the vehicle to be driven with high fuel economy, comprising:
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a haptic actuator operatively associated with an accelerator control assembly of said vehicle for providing feedback to said operator; a human-machine interface that enables the vehicle operator to select between a plurality of fuel saving settings of increasing fuel economy; and a haptic controller configured to provide coaching feedback to said operator through said haptic actuator when said vehicle crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds responsive to said fuel saving settings of said human-machine interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An aftermarket apparatus for providing coaching feedback to an operator of a vehicle that will encourage the vehicle to be driven with high fuel economy, comprising:
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a haptic actuator for providing feedback to the vehicle operator, said haptic actuator including a mounting to facilitate installation on an accelerator control assembly of said vehicle; and a haptic controller having a first interface for connecting to a diagnostic port of said vehicle and a second interface for communicating with a human-machine interface, said haptic controller being configured to provide coaching feedback to said operator through said haptic actuator when said vehicle crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds for a fuel saving setting selectable through said human-machine interface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of providing coaching feedback to an operator of a vehicle that will encourage the vehicle to be driven with high fuel economy, comprising the steps of:
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providing coaching feedback through a haptic actuator operatively associated with an accelerator control assembly of said vehicle when the speed of said vehicle crosses a variable speed threshold; and providing coaching feedback through said haptic actuator when the acceleration of said vehicle crosses a variable acceleration threshold. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. The method according to claim 18, further including the steps of:
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detecting that the speed of said vehicle has stabilized; and engaging a semi-cruise mode of speed control without requiring intervention by said vehicle operator in which the speed of said vehicle will not be permitted to inadvertently increased when fuel economy will diminish, until said vehicle operator commands an increase in vehicle speed above a predetermined amount.
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24-1. A method of assisting an operator of a vehicle to maintain a steady speed, comprising the steps of:
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detecting that the speed of said vehicle has stabilized; and engaging a semi-cruise mode of speed control without requiring intervention by said vehicle operator in which the speed of said vehicle will not be permitted to inadvertently increased when fuel economy will diminish, until said vehicle operator commands an increase in vehicle speed above a predetermined amount.
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Specification