METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK TO A VEHICLE OPERATOR

• US 20100042281A1
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Filla, Reno
• Application Number:
  US12/594,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20100042281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Abstract

A method for providing feedback to a vehicle operator regarding an operational state of a vehicle power transmission system in operation includes the steps of detecting at least one operational parameter indicative of said operational state, and providing an audio feedback signal to the operator in response to a magnitude of the detected operational parameter.

Claims

1. A method for providing feedback to a vehicle operator regarding an operational state of a vehicle power transmission system in operation, comprising detecting at least one operational parameter indicative of the operational state, and providing an audio feedback signal to the operator in response to a magnitude of the detected operational parameter.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal is synthetic.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the synthetic audio signal is characteristic of the operational state in question.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the synthetic audio signal is an imitation of an authentic sound of the operational state in question.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the synthetic audio signal is a pre-recorded sound of the operational state in question.

6. A method according to claim 1, comprising varying the audio signal in response to any detected variations in the magnitude of the operational parameter.

7. A method according to claim 1, comprising varying an amplitude of the audio signal.

8. A method according to claim 1, comprising varying a frequency of the audio signal.

9. A method according to claim 1, comprising introducing the audio signal into an operator compartment of the vehicle.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a currently performed work function.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the work function is at least partly performed via a hydraulic system.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising detecting a position of an accelerator control means.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load on a vehicle powertrain.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load on a source of motive power for propelling the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a current torque provided by a power source.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of the extent of a current torque provided by a power source relative to a maximum available power source torque at the current power source speed.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of the extent of a current torque provided by a power source relative to a totally maximum power source torque.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a current speed of a power source.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load of an electric machine.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain, comprising the step of detecting at least one operational parameter of the hybrid powertrain indicative of the operational state.

21. A system for providing feedback to a vehicle operator regarding an operational state of a vehicle power transmission system in operation, comprising means for detecting at least one operational parameter indicative of the operational state, and means for providing an audio feedback signal to the operator in response to a magnitude of the detected operational parameter.

22. A system according to claim 21, comprising means for introducing the audio signal into an operator compartment of the vehicle.

23. A system according to claim 21, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load on a power source.

24. A system according to claim 21, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load on a vehicle powertrain.

25. A system according to claim 21, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load on a vehicle hydraulic system.

26. A system according to claim 21, wherein the operational state is indicative of a load of an electric machine.

27. A system according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain and the operational state is indicative of the hybrid powertrain in operation.

28. A work machine comprising the system according to claim 21.

29. A work machine according to claim 28 comprising a forward frame, a rear frame and an articulation joint connecting the forward frame to the rear frame, which allows pivoting the frames relative to one another about a vertical axis for steering the machine.

30. A work machine according to claim 28, wherein the work machine constitutes a wheel loader.

31. A computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising computer program segments for implementing the method as claimed in when the program is run on a computer.

32. A computer program product comprising computer program segments stored on a computer-readable means for implementing the method as claimed in when the program is run on a computer.