INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HYBRID VEHICLES

• US 20100057281A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Inventors: Lawyer, Bruce E., Espinosa, John W., Brewer, Shawn, Crowe, Paul S., Marshall, Glen A., Kahn, William C.
• Application Number:
  US12/202,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20100057281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/90 Vehicles comprising electric prime movers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2207/30 Displays providing further information, in addition to measured values, e.g. status
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

Information display systems present information that allows the driver to increase fuel efficiency of a vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle. In one example, the systems present information in a manner that allows the driver to maximize the time that the hybrid vehicle is able to operate in electric launch mode. One manner is employing a graphical display that generates visual indicators and easily understood graphical representations that display the actual fuel efficiency currently being achieved in comparison to the driver'"'"'s application of the throttle. As a result, the driver may be able to modify driving habits in order to keep the hybrid vehicle in electric launch mode for as long as possible.

The information display system may also display additional information to the vehicle operator, allowing the vehicle operator to clearly see both textually and iconically which mode of operation the hybrid vehicle is currently operating so that operator behavior can be modified for increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of displaying indicia on a vehicle display that identifies a current fuel efficiency relative to application of the throttle, the method comprising:

obtaining a set of fuel efficiency data at the display that quantifies the fuel efficiency currently being achieved by the vehicle;

obtaining a set of throttle data at the display that quantifies the application of a throttle;

presenting the quantified fuel efficiency and throttle data relative to each other on the graphical display; and

wherein the current fuel efficiency and throttle data are presented graphically with visual indicators to demarcate where the vehicle will transition into a different mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

iconically representing one or more components of a hybrid powertrain.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

textually labeling the one or more components of a hybrid powertrain.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

emphasizing visually the icons representing the one or more components of a hybrid powertrain.

5. A method of displaying indicia on a vehicle display, the method comprising:

obtaining a set of fuel efficiency data at the display that quantifies the fuel efficiency currently being achieved by the vehicle;

obtaining a set of throttle data at the display that quantifies the application of a throttle;

graphically presenting the quantified fuel efficiency and throttle data relative to each other on the graphical display graphically with visual indicators; and

textually presenting a mode of operation of the vehicle on the graphical display with a textual indicator.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

iconically representing one or more components of a hybrid powertrain.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

textually labeling the one or more components of a hybrid powertrain.

8. A vehicle information display for a vehicle having components including an electric motor generator, an energy storage device, an internal combustion engine, and vehicle drive wheels, the vehicle information display comprising:

an iconic representation of the vehicle, including a motor icon representing at least a portion of the electric motor generator, an energy storage device icon representing the energy storage device, an engine icon representing the internal combustion engine, and a vehicle drive wheels icon representing the vehicle drive wheels;

a first power flow indicator selectively displayed between the motor icon and the vehicle drive wheels icon to indicate power being transferred between at least a portion of the electric motor generator and the vehicle drive wheels;

a second power flow indicator selectively displayed between the motor icon and the energy storage device icon to indicate power being transferred between at least a portion of the electric motor generator and the energy storage device;

a graphical representation of the current fuel economy of the vehicle; and

a graphical representation of the current application of a throttle.

9. The vehicle information display of claim 8, further comprising

a textual indicator presenting a mode of operation of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle information display of claim 8, further comprising

a textual indicator presenting a percentage of current application of the throttle.