User programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system

• US 9,043,095 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Froling, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US13/927,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20150006041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/48, 701/49, 340/426.34, 340/438
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/00 Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/10 without using feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system includes a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element, and a user/vehicle interface member, and a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.

Claims

1. A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system comprising:

a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element;

a user/vehicle interface member; and

a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule, and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.

2. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 1, wherein the user/vehicle interface member includes a track module including a race track layout, the processor being configured and disposed to selectively activate the at least one aerodynamic control element at select portions of the track layout.

3. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured and disposed to deactivate the at least one aerodynamic control element at other select portions of the track layout.

4. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 1, wherein the user/vehicle interface member includes a driving conditions module, the processor being configured and disposed to selectively activate the at least one aerodynamic control element based on current driving conditions.

5. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 4, wherein the processor is configured and disposed to selectively activate the at least one aerodynamic control element based on current weather conditions.

6. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 4, wherein the driving conditions module includes a GPS section having map information, the processor being configured and disposed to selectively activate the at least one aerodynamic control element based on an approaching route event detected by the GPS section.

7. The user programmable motor vehicle parameter control system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic control element includes one of an active spoiler, an active wing, an active charge air cooler (CAC) shutter, an active brake duct, an active rear diffuser and an active front diffuser.

8. A method of programming a motor vehicle control system, the method comprising:

selecting an active aerodynamic control element;

establishing a user defined deployment schedule for the active aerodynamic control element; and

selectively activating the active aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

displaying a race track layout on a display; and

establishing the user defined deployment schedule to activate the active aerodynamic control element at select portions of the race track.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

establishing the user defined deployment schedule to de-activate the active aerodynamic control element at other select portions of the race track.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the user defined deployment schedule to activate the active aerodynamic control element includes one of activating a deployable wing or adjusting an angle of a spoiler prior to entering a curve in the race track.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the user defined deployment schedule to de-activate the active aerodynamic control element includes one of retracting the deployable wing and adjusting the angle of the spoiler after exiting the curve.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

establishing the user defined deployment schedule based on driving conditions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the user defined deployment schedule based in driving conditions includes activating the active aerodynamic control element prior to a route change detected by a GPS section.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein activating the active aerodynamic control element prior to a route change includes activating the active aerodynamic control element prior to entering a curve.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein activating the active aerodynamic control element prior to entering the curve includes increasing vehicle downward force.