Vehicular power enhancement control system

• US 7,272,483 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quadzilla Performance Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Quadzilla Performance Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Siegel, Mark D., Boenker, Alvin H. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US11/189,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 701/102, 701/29, 701/99, 701/115, 731/181
• US Class Current: 701/102
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A power enhancement control system for operation with at least one power enhancement device installed in a vehicle comprises a user interface having a display screen operable to display data and a plurality of buttons operable to receive user input, and a control unit coupled to the user interface and in data communication with the at least one power enhancement device. The control unit is operable to set at least one select one of the at least one power enhancement device to a discrete power level setting in response to at least in part to user input and input from a sensor measuring a vehicle operating condition parameter.

Claims

1. A power enhancement control system for operation with at least one power enhancement device installed in a vehicle, comprising:

a user interface having a display screen operable to display data and a plurality of buttons operable to receive user input; and

a control unit coupled to the user interface and in data communication with the at least one power enhancement device, the control unit operable to set at least one select one of the at least one power enhancement device to a discrete power level setting in response to at least in part to user input and input from a sensor measuring a vehicle operating condition parameter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a memory operable to store and save a current power level setting of the at least one power enhancement device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a non-volatile memory operable to store and save a current power level setting of the at least one power enhancement device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is in data communication with at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of engine exhaust gas temperature sensor, manifold absolute pressure sensor, engine coolant temperature sensor, engine oil temperature sensor, fuel injection pressure sensor, altimeter, tire pressure sensor, fuel level sensor, ambient temperature thermometer, engine load sensor, RPM sensor, speedometer, transmission clutch slippage sensor, turbo boost level sensor, and global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons comprises an up button and a down button.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a plurality of input/output ports operable for connection with a plurality of power enhancement devices.

7. A method for controlling at least one power enhancement device installed in a vehicle, comprising:

receiving and storing at least one identification code representative of the at least one power enhancement device;

restoring the at least one power enhancement device to a previously-stored discrete power level, if any;

receiving a user input of a discrete power level and setting the at least one power enhancement device to the user-specified discrete power level; and

receiving at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement and setting the at least one power enhancement device to a discrete power level in response at least in part to the user-specified discrete power level and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving and storing user-specified custom profile data including vehicle operating condition parameter trigger settings and associated triggered discrete power level; and

changing the at least one power enhancement device discrete power level setting to the triggered discrete power level in response to the vehicle operating condition parameters reaching the trigger settings.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving and storing user-specified custom profile data comprises receiving and storing a logic operation.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the discrete power level setting of the at least one power enhancement device.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a user selection of a restricted operating mode; and

setting the discrete power level of the at least one power enhancement device to zero.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a user selection of exiting the restricted operating mode;

prompting the user for a password;

receiving a password;

verifying the password; and

setting the discrete power level of the at least one power enhancement device to a previous setting in response to a verified password.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising selectively setting the power level of a plurality of power enhancement devices to a discrete power level in response to user input and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising simultaneously setting the power level of a plurality of power enhancement devices to a discrete power level in response to user input and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying the discrete power level of the at least one power enhancement device.

17. A computer-readable medium having encoded thereon a method for controlling at least one power enhancement device installed in a vehicle, comprising:

reading a previously-stored discrete power level;

restoring the at least one power enhancement device to the previously-stored discrete power level;

receiving a user input of a discrete power level and setting the at least one power enhancement device to the user-specified discrete power level; and

receiving at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement and setting the at least one power enhancement device to a discrete power level in response at least in part to the user-specified discrete power level and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving and storing user-specified custom profile data including vehicle operating condition parameter trigger settings and associated triggered discrete power level; and

changing the at least one power enhancement device discrete power level setting to the triggered discrete power level in response to the vehicle operating condition parameters reaching the trigger settings.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving and storing user-specified custom profile data comprises receiving and storing a logic operation.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising storing the discrete power level setting of the at least one power enhancement device and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a user selection of a restricted operating mode; and

setting the discrete power level of the at least one power enhancement device to zero.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving a user selection of exiting the restricted operating mode;

prompting the user for a password;

receiving a password;

verifying the password; and

setting the discrete power level of the at least one power enhancement device to a previous setting in response to a verified password.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising selectively setting the power level of a plurality of power enhancement devices to a discrete power level in response to user input and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising simultaneously setting the power level of a plurality of power enhancement devices to a discrete power level in response to user input and the at least one vehicle operating condition parameter measurement.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving and storing at least one identification code representative of the at least one power enhancement device.