Method and Apparatus for Analyzing and Optimizing Fuel/Energy Consumption

• US 20140172218A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: MacNeille, Perry Robinson, Gusikhin, Oleg Yurievitch, Kowalski, David Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,996,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/13 Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine that a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has a remaining estimated range falling short of a distance to a destination based on a current power-use profile;

access a remote database storing known power-saving strategies;

obtain a power-saving strategy based on change in current power usage; and

automatically implement the power-saving strategy to change current power usage.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-saving strategy includes changing climate control usage.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-saving strategy includes setting a maximum vehicle speed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-saving strategy is retrieved from a profile associated with a current driver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-saving strategy is retrieved from a profile of drivers having similar driving styles to that of a current driver, based on recorded driving behavior.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein, the processor is configured to obtain and implement a plurality of power-saving strategies.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to cease obtaining and implementing additional power-saving strategies once the remaining estimated range exceeds the distance remaining to the destination.

8. A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining that a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has a remaining estimated range falling short of a distance to a destination based on a current power-use profile;

accessing a remote database storing known power-saving strategies;

obtaining a power-saving strategy based on change in current power usage; and

automatically implementing the power-saving strategy to change current power usage.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the power-saving strategy includes changing climate control usage.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the power-saving strategy includes setting a maximum vehicle speed.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the power-saving strategy is retrieved from a profile associated with a current driver.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the power-saving strategy is retrieved from a profile of drivers having similar driving styles to that of a current driver, based on recorded driving behavior.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein, the processor is configured to obtain and implement a plurality of power-saving strategies.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to cease obtaining and implementing additional power-saving strategies once the remaining estimated range exceeds the distance remaining to the destination.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method comprising:

determining that a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has a remaining estimated range falling short of a distance to a destination based on a current power-use profile;

accessing a remote database storing known power-saving strategies;

obtaining a power-saving strategy based on change in current power usage; and

automatically implementing the power-saving strategy to change current power usage.

16. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the power-saving strategy includes changing climate control usage.

17. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the power-saving strategy includes setting a maximum vehicle speed.

18. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the power-saving strategy is retrieved from a profile associated with a current driver.

19. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein, the processor is configured to obtain and implement a plurality of power-saving strategies.

20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to cease obtaining and implementing additional power-saving strategies once the remaining estimated range exceeds the distance remaining to the destination.