Methods and systems for determining driver efficiency and operating modes in a hybrid vehicle

• US 8,068,974 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Sienkiewicz, Carlene M., Wu, Emily R., Kidston, Kevin S., Schwarz, Jonathan R., Newhouse, Vernon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan; Peter D
• Application Number:
  US11/852,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20090066495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/123, 340/439, 180 651- 6529
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method for determining driver efficiency in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of measuring a hybrid vehicle parameter, and calculating driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the hybrid vehicle parameter. The hybrid vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver.

Claims

1. A method for providing a driver efficiency in a hybrid vehicle having an engine, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring a hybrid vehicle parameter that is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver;

determining an operating mode of the hybrid vehicle;

calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the hybrid vehicle parameter and the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle, the driver efficiency comprising a measure of an impact of the action on a fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicle; and

displaying the driver efficiency via movement of a gauge between and within a plurality of ranges of positions, the plurality of ranges of positions comprising;

a first range of positions indicating that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by battery power with

a second range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is not fueling; and

a third range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is fueling.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

measuring a plurality of additional hybrid vehicle parameters that are influenced, at least in part, by the action or an additional action taken by the driver, or both;

wherein the step of calculating the driver efficiency comprises the steps of;

determining a plurality of efficiency values, each efficiency value comprising an effect of the hybrid vehicle parameter or one of the plurality of additional hybrid vehicle parameters, or both, on the fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicle; and

aggregating the plurality of efficiency values together, to calculate the driver efficiency.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining the plurality of efficiency values comprises the steps of:

determining whether the hybrid vehicle is accelerating or decelerating;

if the hybrid vehicle is accelerating;

measuring a vehicle speed;

measuring a vehicle acceleration; and

calculating an efficiency value, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency, if the hybrid vehicle is accelerating; and

if the hybrid vehicle is decelerating;

calculating the efficiency value based, at least in part, on an amount of regenerative braking that the hybrid vehicle is capable of executing under current operating conditions.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining the plurality of efficiency values further comprises the steps of:

calculating a second efficiency value based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a first known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency, if the operating mode indicates that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by battery power; and

calculating the second efficiency value based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a second known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency, if the operating mode indicates that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled other than by battery power.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the plurality of efficiency values further comprises the steps of:

measuring an engine speed;

calculating a third efficiency value, based, at least in part, on the engine speed and a known relationship correlating engine speed to fuel efficiency;

determining a measure of change in application of a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, or both; and

calculating a fourth efficiency value, based, at least in part, on the measure of change and a known relationship correlating such measure of change to fuel efficiency.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the efficiency value depending on the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle.

7. A display device for a hybrid vehicle having an engine, the display device comprising:

an input device configured to receive driver efficiency, the driver efficiency comprising a measure of an impact of an action taken by a driver of the hybrid vehicle on a fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicle, the driver efficiency also comprising an indication of an operating mode of the hybrid vehicle; and

a display coupled to the input device, the display comprising an indicator configured to move between a plurality of positions based, at least in part, on the driver efficiency, wherein the indicator comprises a gauge movable between and within a plurality of ranges of positions, the plurality of ranges of positions comprising;

a first range of positions indicating that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by battery power;

a second range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is not fueling; and

a third range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is fueling.

8. A system for displaying a driver efficiency for a hybrid vehicle having an engine, the system comprising:

a sensing unit configured to at least facilitate measuring a hybrid vehicle parameter that is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver;

a processor coupled to the sensing unit and configured to at least facilitate;

determining an operating mode of the hybrid vehicle; and

calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the hybrid vehicle parameter and the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle, the driver efficiency comprising a measure of an impact of the action on a fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicle; and

a display device coupled to the processor, the display device comprising;

an input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive the driver efficiency therefrom; and

a display coupled to the input device, the display comprising an indicator configured to move between a plurality of positions based, at least in part, on the driver efficiency, wherein the indicator comprises a gauge movable between and within a plurality of ranges of positions, the plurality of ranges of positions comprising;

a first range of positions indicating that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by battery power;

a second range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is not fueling; and

a third range of positions indicating that the engine is running and the hybrid vehicle is fueling.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the sensing unit is further configured to measure a plurality of additional hybrid vehicle parameters that are influenced, at least in part, by the action or an additional action of the driver, or both; and

the processor is further configured to at least facilitate;

determining a plurality of efficiency values, each efficiency value comprising an effect of the hybrid vehicle parameter or one of the plurality of additional hybrid vehicle parameters, or both, on the fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicle; and

aggregating the plurality of efficiency values together, to calculate the driver efficiency.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether the hybrid vehicle is accelerating or decelerating;

if the hybrid vehicle is accelerating;

measuring a vehicle speed;

measuring a vehicle acceleration; and

calculating an efficiency value based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency, if the hybrid vehicle is accelerating; and

if the hybrid vehicle is decelerating;

calculating the efficiency value based, at least in part, on an amount of regenerative braking that the hybrid vehicle is capable of executing under current operating conditions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

calculating a second efficiency value based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a first known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency, if the operating mode indicates that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by battery power; and

calculating the second efficiency value based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a second known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency, if the operating mode indicates that the hybrid vehicle is being propelled other than by battery power.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

measuring an engine speed;

calculating a third efficiency value, based, at least in part, on the engine speed and a known relationship correlating engine speed to fuel efficiency;

determining a measure of change in application of a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, or both; and

calculating a fourth efficiency value, based, at least in part, on the measure of change and a known relationship correlating such measure of change to fuel efficiency.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

adjusting the efficiency value depending on the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle.