Method and system to coach driver of manual transmission vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of coaching a driver of a vehicle having a manual transmission comprising:
- monitoring, in a controller, a clutch input speed, a clutch output speed, and a clutch torque;
based on the input speed, output speed, and torque, estimating a clutch power dissipation; and
in response to the power dissipation exceeding a power threshold for longer than a duration threshold, automatically outputting a suggested driving technique change to mitigate clutch degradation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coaching system for drivers of vehicles monitors the power dissipation of a manual transmission clutch and, when the energy dissipated during an event is excessive, suggests modified driving technique. The system may monitor launch events, shift events, and steady state driving. The system may adjust the energy threshold at which a suggestion is provided based on vehicle weight or road gradient. The system may also adjust the energy threshold when an estimate of clutch temperature is elevated. The suggestion may be provided on a graphic display or may be provided verbally over a speaker. In some cases, the suggested may also be conveyed to a third party outside the vehicle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of coaching a driver of a vehicle having a manual transmission comprising:
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monitoring, in a controller, a clutch input speed, a clutch output speed, and a clutch torque; based on the input speed, output speed, and torque, estimating a clutch power dissipation; and in response to the power dissipation exceeding a power threshold for longer than a duration threshold, automatically outputting a suggested driving technique change to mitigate clutch degradation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine; a transmission having a driver-controlled clutch; and a controller programmed to monitor a clutch input speed, a clutch output speed, and a clutch torque, to estimate a power dissipation based on the input speed, output speed, and torque, and to respond to the power dissipation exceeding a power threshold for more than a threshold time by suggesting a driving technique change to mitigate clutch degradation.
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6. A method of coaching a driver of a vehicle comprising:
in response to an estimated energy dissipation of a manual transmission clutch during a launch or shift event exceeding an energy threshold, automatically outputting a suggested driving technique change to mitigate degradation of the clutch on future events of a same type, wherein the estimated energy dissipation is based on an input speed, an output speed, and a torque capacity of the clutch. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification