Method and System for Extending an Operating Range of a Motor Vehicle

• US 20110160991A1
• Filed: 02/17/2011
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Skaff, Ryan, Crombez, Dale Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,447,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0095 Automatic control mode change
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/209 Fuel quantity remaining in tank
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation. When the vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold, an indication is provided to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation. The economy mode of vehicle operation is automatically entered a predetermined period of time after providing the indication to the vehicle user. The economy mode of vehicle operation is exited in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.

Claims

1. A method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation, the method comprising:

providing, when a vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold, an indication to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation;

automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation a predetermined period of time after providing the indication to the vehicle user; and

exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.

2. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising remaining in a first mode of vehicle operation if, during the predetermined period of time after providing the indication, the user provides a command to refrain from entering the economy mode of operation.

3. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

determining whether the vehicle fuel level is below a first threshold; and

determining whether the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized.

4. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

determining whether the vehicle fuel level is below a second threshold less than the first threshold;

determining whether the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized;

automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation when the vehicle fuel level decreases below the second threshold and the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized.

5. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 4 further comprising exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation after the vehicle fuel level decreases below the second threshold in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.

6. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the economy mode of vehicle operation comprises one of limiting vehicle speed, limiting vehicle acceleration and altering vehicle climate control system operation.

7. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation comprises returning to a first mode of vehicle operation.

8. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication to the vehicle user that the vehicle is operating in the economy mode.

9. The method for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 3 further comprising receiving a user command authorizing the economy mode of vehicle operation.

10. A system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation, the system comprising a controller for:

generating, when a vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold, an information signal for use in providing an indication to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation;

generating an entry command signal for use in automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation a predetermined period of time after generating the information signal for use in providing the indication to the vehicle user; and

generating an exit command signal for use in exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.

11. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 further comprising a communications interface for outputting from the controller the information signal, entry command signal, and exit command signal, and for inputting to the controller a signal indicative of the user command to exit the economy mode of operation.

12. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 wherein the controller is further for refraining from generating the entry command signal in order to remain in a first mode of vehicle operation if, during the predetermined period of time after generating the information signal for use in providing the indication, the user provides a command to refrain from entering the economy mode of operation.

13. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 12 wherein the interface is further for inputting to the controller a signal indicative of the user command to refrain from entering the economy mode of operation.

14. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 wherein the controller is further for determining whether the vehicle fuel level is below the first threshold, and for determining whether the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized.

15. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 wherein the controller is further for generating an entry command signals for use in automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation when the vehicle fuel level decreases below a second threshold less than the first threshold and the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized.

16. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 15 wherein the controller is further for generating an exit command for use in exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation after the vehicle fuel level decreases below the second threshold in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.

17. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 wherein the economy mode of vehicle operation comprises one of limiting vehicle speed, limiting vehicle acceleration and altering vehicle climate control system operation.

18. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 10 wherein the controller is further for generating another information signal for use in providing an indication to the vehicle user that the vehicle is operating in the economy mode.

19. The system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle of claim 14 wherein the interface is further for inputting to the controller a signal indicative of a user command authorizing the economy mode of vehicle operation.

20. A system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation, the system comprising:

a controller for

generating, when the vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold and the economy mode of vehicle operation is authorized, an information signal for use in providing an indication to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation,

generating, if the user fails to provide a command to refrain from entering the economy mode of operation during a predetermined period of time after generating the information signal for use in providing the indication to the vehicle user, an entry command signal for use in automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation, and

generating an exit command signal for use in exiting the economy mode of vehicle operation in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation; and

a communications interface for outputting from the controller the information signal, entry command signal, and exit command signal, and for inputting to the controller signals indicative of user commands to refrain from entering the economy mode of operation, to exit the economy mode of operation, and authorizing the economy mode of vehicle operation.