Electric Vehicle Driving Range Optimization System with Dynamic Feedback
First Claim
1. A method of providing range optimization aid to a driver of an electric vehicle, wherein said electric vehicle is comprised of a battery pack coupled to an electric drive train, said method comprising:
- monitoring a current battery pack charge level;
determining a current driving range based on said current battery pack charge level and a predefined set of battery drainage rules;
determining a first battery pack drain due to operation of said electric drive train;
determining a second battery pack drain due to operation of at least one user controllable auxiliary system, wherein said at least one user controllable auxiliary system is electrically coupled to said battery pack;
modifying said current driving range to yield a modified driving range, wherein said modifying step is based on said first battery pack drain and said second battery pack drain;
displaying said modified driving range on a display, wherein said display is mounted within said electric vehicle;
determining a recommendation for adjusting a current vehicle condition to obtain an increased driving range, wherein said step of determining said recommendation is performed by a system controller of said electric vehicle when said current battery pack charge level falls below a preset value; and
communicating said recommendation to said driver of said electric vehicle, wherein said step of communicating said recommendation is performed by said system controller when said current battery pack charge level falls below said preset value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided that aids the driver of an electric vehicle (EV) in optimizing their car'"'"'s driving range. In response to the charge level of the car'"'"'s battery pack falling below a preset value, the system provides the driver with one or more recommendations as to how to increase vehicle range, recommendations such as lowering top speed, altering the temperature settings of the car'"'"'s HVAC system, etc. Additionally, the system provides the driver with real time driving range feedback, thereby helping the driver to evaluate the various recommendations and determine which approach is best suited to the current conditions.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of providing range optimization aid to a driver of an electric vehicle, wherein said electric vehicle is comprised of a battery pack coupled to an electric drive train, said method comprising:
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monitoring a current battery pack charge level; determining a current driving range based on said current battery pack charge level and a predefined set of battery drainage rules; determining a first battery pack drain due to operation of said electric drive train; determining a second battery pack drain due to operation of at least one user controllable auxiliary system, wherein said at least one user controllable auxiliary system is electrically coupled to said battery pack; modifying said current driving range to yield a modified driving range, wherein said modifying step is based on said first battery pack drain and said second battery pack drain; displaying said modified driving range on a display, wherein said display is mounted within said electric vehicle; determining a recommendation for adjusting a current vehicle condition to obtain an increased driving range, wherein said step of determining said recommendation is performed by a system controller of said electric vehicle when said current battery pack charge level falls below a preset value; and communicating said recommendation to said driver of said electric vehicle, wherein said step of communicating said recommendation is performed by said system controller when said current battery pack charge level falls below said preset value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification