Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080269958 | EMOTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 10-30-2008 |
20090043467 | Driver Advisory System for Fuel Economy Improvement of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle - The invention is an intelligent advisory system, which may be based on fuzzy rule-based logic to guide a vehicle driver in selecting an optimal driving strategy to achieve best fuel economy. The advisory system includes separate controllers for providing advisory information regarding driver demand for power and advisory information regarding vehicle braking, which are conveyed to the driver. | 02-12-2009 |
20090055190 | EMOTIVE ENGINE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SIMULATED EMOTION FOR AN INFORMATION SYSTEM - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 02-26-2009 |
20090076697 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A MOTIVE POWER SYSTEM OF AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE - A motive power system of a vehicle is controlled based on a driving style of a driver of the vehicle. Parameters related to a state of the vehicle are used as inputs to a fuzzy controller in order to characterize the driving style of the driver of the vehicle. | 03-19-2009 |
20090112439 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING AN ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE IN A VEHICLE POWERTRAIN - The disclosed system and method changes a traction torque request in a vehicle powertrain with a driver-controlled vehicle accelerator pedal. A desired transfer function parameter in a powertrain control module is chosen by the driver to obtain a desired functional relationship between a traction torque request or a power plant torque request and accelerator pedal position. | 04-30-2009 |
20100063704 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWERTRAIN WITH ENHANCED REVERSE DRIVE PERFORMANCE - A method for controlling a hybrid electrical vehicle powertrain having an engine that is a source of power during forward drive and an electric motor that is a source of reverse driving power. A desired engine power during reverse drive is achieved by operating the engine at an increased speed that is greater than an optimum speed for a given engine power. | 03-11-2010 |
20100262348 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TORQUE BASED ON DRIVER STATUS - In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling an amount of torque generated by a powertrain in a vehicle is provided. The controller is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the status of the driver, a driver condition signal indicative of the driving conditions of the vehicle, and a driver mode signal indicative of the driving mode of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the powertrain to adjust the amount of torque that is generated based on the driver status signal, the driver condition signal, and the driver mode signal. | 10-14-2010 |
20110010031 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONTROL FOR MINIMIZING HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY POWER LIMITS VIOLATIONS - A control system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with mechanical and electro-mechanical power sources that use an intelligent controller adapted to reduce driveline oscillations while minimizing hybrid vehicle battery limit violations. Damping of driveline torque oscillations is accomplished and violations of battery power limits are avoided by filtering estimated engine power. | 01-13-2011 |
20110162897 | VEHICLE SOLAR PANEL ARRAY WITH HIGH VOLTAGE OUTPUT - An automotive vehicle may include a plurality of solar cells electrically connected to form a solar panel array having a minimum output voltage at a specified standard solar irradiance. The vehicle may also include a battery pack having an output voltage at least equal to the minimum output voltage of the array and configured to provide energy for moving the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a controller configured to selectively electrically connect the array and battery pack to trickle charge the battery pack. | 07-07-2011 |
20110163710 | VEHICLE POWER SYSTEM - A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166730 | ENGINE TRANSIENT MITIGATION FOR HYBRID VEHICLES - A method and system for limiting a fast transient in an engine in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The predicted fuel loss percentage is calculated from an inferred air-fuel ratio (inferred lambda). The rate limit term is calculated from a measured air-fuel ratio (measured lambda) and an engine torque command change rate. The predicted fuel loss percentage and the rate limit term are inputs into a calibration table to determine an engine power rate limit and an engine torque rate limit. An engine torque command is limited using the engine torque rate limit to control a fast engine torque transient for an engine. An engine power command is limited using the engine power rate limit to control the fast engine power transient for the engine. | 07-07-2011 |
20110172864 | Adaptive Real-Time Driver Advisory Control for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle to Achieve Fuel Economy Improvement - A vehicle powertrain controller includes a fuzzy logic-based adaptive algorithm with a learning capability that estimates a driver's long term driving preferences. An adaptive algorithm arbitrates competing requirements for good fuel economy, avoidance of intrusiveness and vehicle drivability. Vehicle performance is maintained in accordance with a driver's driving style. | 07-14-2011 |
20110187522 | VEHICLE AND METHOD OF ADVISING A DRIVER THEREIN - A vehicle may include a driver interface and at least one controller operatively arranged with the interface. The at least one controller may be configured to determine a speed and acceleration of the vehicle, to predict a time until a future speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed based on the predefined speed and the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, and to issue an alert via the interface if the time is less than a predefined time. | 08-04-2011 |
20110193693 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR ADVISING DRIVER OF SAME - A method for advising a driver of a vehicle including a haptic driver interface may include determining a speed of the vehicle, determining a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle, and activating the haptic driver interface based on the speed and distance. | 08-11-2011 |
20110251782 | Method for Forecasting Vehicle Fuel Economy - A method for determining and comparing vehicle fuel economy for several different preselected vehicles. The method includes selecting a plurality of vehicles to compare. The user inputs a driving route and a driving style through a user interface into the system. The system utilizes predetermined vehicle fuel economy information along with the driving route and driving style to calculate fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicle models. The system then displays the fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicles to provide a comparison between the selected vehicles over the predetermined driving route using the selected driving style. | 10-13-2011 |
20120185117 | Hybrid Vehicle and Method of Control for Engine Transient Mitigation - A hybrid vehicle and method of control are associated with the following operation. A quantized previous engine power command based on a previous engine power command is obtained. A current engine power command is quantized. The quantized current engine power command is maintained if the magnitude of the difference between the current engine power command and the quantized previous engine power command is larger than a threshold. The quantized current engine power command is set equal to the quantized previous engine power command if the magnitude of the difference between the current engine power command and the quantized previous engine power command is smaller than the threshold. An output engine power command based on the quantized current engine power command is generated. An engine of the hybrid vehicle is operated based on the output engine power command. | 07-19-2012 |
20120245775 | ADAPTIVE REAL-TIME DRIVER ADVISORY CONTROL FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO ACHIEVE FUEL ECONOMY IMPROVEMENT - A vehicle powertrain controller includes a fuzzy logic-based adaptive algorithm with a learning capability that estimates a driver's long term driving preferences. An adaptive algorithm arbitrates competing requirements for good fuel economy, avoidance of intrusiveness and vehicle drivability. A driver's acceptance or rejection of advisory information may be used to adapt subsequent advisory information to the driving style. Vehicle performance is maintained in accordance with a driver's driving style. | 09-27-2012 |
20120271492 | Transient Operation Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain - A method and system for providing a dynamic torque band for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transient management includes determining a torque band indicative of an engine torque operation region representing efficient operation of the powertrain across a range of engine speeds. An engine torque command based on an actual speed of the engine is generated. The engine torque command is outputted to the engine if the engine torque command is within the torque band. The engine torque command is modified to be within the torque band if the engine torque command is out of the torque band and the modified engine torque command is outputted to the engine. | 10-25-2012 |
20120290149 | Methods and Apparatus for Selective Power Enablement with Predictive Capability - A computer implemented method includes examining a travel route to determine the presence of emission control zones along the route. The method further includes determining how much power will be required to operate a vehicle along the portions of the route within the emission control zones. Also, this method includes preserving the determined amount of power required to operate the vehicle along the portions of the route within the emission control zones. Further, the method includes selectively activating a vehicle electric power mode using the preserved power while the vehicle is operating within the emission control zones. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290159 | Location Enhanced Distance Until Charge (DUC) Estimation for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - A method and a system augment or improve a distance until charge (DUC) estimation for a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) by using location information. Such location information may be provided by a global positioning system (GPS) or the like associated with the vehicle. The method and the system generally estimate the DUC value as a function of past driving pattern historical data that is relevant to a current driving situation. To this end, the method and the system ignore past driving pattern historical data that is not relevant to the current driving situation when estimating the DUC value. | 11-15-2012 |
20120316699 | VEHICLE DRIVER ADVISORY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An automotive vehicle may include at least one controller configured to monitor a plurality of parameters representing a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle and to establish a reference range based on values of the monitored parameters during a first time period. The at least one controller may be further configured to detect a change in driver behavior condition when, during a second time period, a parameter derived from the monitored parameters falls outside of the reference range, and in response to detecting the change in driver behavior condition, to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs or to generate output representing a recommendation to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs. | 12-13-2012 |
20130029806 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE - An engine with a fast vacuum recovery brake booster system is disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a flow between the brake booster and an engine intake manifold. Operation of the engine and vehicle brakes may be improved especially when the engine is boosted. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030616 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle responsive to a seasonal grade of the fuel available in the vehicle's fuel tank. If the seasonal grade of fuel in the fuel tank does not correspond to the seasonal grade of fuel mandated during the time of engine operation, a fuel injection amount is adjusted to compensate for differences between seasonal grades of a fuel. | 01-31-2013 |
20130066493 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - Methods are provided for controlling a vehicle speed during a downhill travel. Based on the estimated grade of the downhill travel and further based on an input received from the operator, different combinations of an engine braking torque and a regenerative braking torque are used to maintain the vehicle speed during the downhill travel. A battery rate of charging is also adjusted based on the duration or distance of the downhill travel, as indicated by the operator input. | 03-14-2013 |
20130144481 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILURE - A system for detecting accelerator pedal failure in an accelerator pedal system including a vehicle control system, the pedal failure detecting system having an accelerator pedal; a pedal arm; a sensor configured to interpret a force applied to the accelerator pedal and further configured to transmit a signal as a sensor output to the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to correlate the sensor output to an accelerator pedal position, and to indicate a failure condition when it is not feasible the to read the sensor output given the accelerator pedal position. A method for detecting accelerator pedal failure conditions in an accelerator pedal system. | 06-06-2013 |
20130158756 | Hybrid Vehicle Drive Control System and Method for Providing Motor Torque Boost Compensating for Engine Delay and Torque Exceeding Maximum Engine Torque - A vehicle control system including a combustion engine and an electric motor selectively provided torque to a transmission separately or in combination to meet driver torque demand. The engine has a maximum torque output value and a torque increase delay response function spanning a predetermined time period. A motor torque boost signal requests an increase in torque provided from an electric motor if the engine torque request signal exceeds the maximum torque output of the engine or the torque increase delay response function of the engine. The motor torque boost signal is time limited and a second level of motor torque boost may be provided for a second limited time period. | 06-20-2013 |
20130173111 | DRIVING BEHAVIOR FEEDBACK INTERFACE - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's acceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's acceleration behavior. The acceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future driving acceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the acceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173128 | Driving Behavior Feedback Interface - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's braking deceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's braking deceleration behavior. The braking deceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future braking deceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the braking deceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173129 | DRIVING BEHAVIOR FEEDBACK INTERFACE - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's cruising speed behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's cruising speed behavior. The cruising speed behavior feedback can be used to coach future cruising speed behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the cruising speed behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20130179014 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling energy distribution within a HEV powertrain are provided. A feedforward battery power value is generated in response to input indicative of a driver torque request. A feedback battery power modification value is generated in response to input indicative of actual battery power and the driver torque request. A battery power request is calculated based a sum of the feedforward battery power value and the feedback battery power modification value. | 07-11-2013 |
20130238179 | Engine Power Quantization Function Selection - A vehicle having and engine and traction battery and a method of operating an engine are disclosed. A controller operates the engine according to quantized engine power levels. The quantization level depends upon a total power demand. For low values of total power demand, the selected quantization level may be at least equal to the total power demand. For high values of total power demand, the selected quantization level may be less than or equal to the total power demand. In between low and high values, the selected quantization level may be the quantization level nearest the total power demand. The traction battery may receive or provide power depending on the selected quantization level. | 09-12-2013 |
20130244829 | Transmission Control During Regenerative Braking - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 09-19-2013 |
20130268175 | Method of Adaptive Control for Engine Transient Mitigation in a Hybrid Vehicle - A hybrid vehicle and method of control are provided. An engine raw power command is quantized. The quantized power command is set to one of a plurality of quantized power steps. A step size between the quantized power steps varies based on the raw power command. The engine of the hybrid vehicle is operated based on the set quantized power command. | 10-10-2013 |
20130296112 | CONTROLLING POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS FOR HILL-HOLDING IN A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and a traction motor coupled to the engine by a coupling device or a clutch for providing torque to wheels of the vehicle. An inverter is electrically connected to the traction motor. A second coupling device or at least one clutch at least indirectly selectively couples the motor to the drive wheels. A controller controls the second coupling device based upon a temperature of at least one of the fraction motor and the inverter. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297125 | TORQUE FILLING AND TORQUE COORDINATION DURING TRANSIENTS IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain is provided. The system and method sets a required transmission input torque during a transient event. A required traction motor torque and a required engine torque, in combination, are set to fulfill the required transmission input torque. The system and method includes estimates an actual engine torque during a delay in providing the required engine torque during the transient event. A transient traction motor torque is commanded based on a difference between the actual engine torque and the required transmission input torque. The commanded transient motor torque compensates for the delay in providing the required engine torque in order to prevent torque disturbances during the transient event. | 11-07-2013 |
20130331230 | TRANSMISSION CONTROL DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 12-12-2013 |
20140000971 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED ENGINE SPEED CONTROL METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
20140004994 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
20140005867 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
20140012456 | ADAPTIVE REAL-TIME DRIVER ADVISORY CONTROL FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO ACHIEVE FUEL ECONOMY - A vehicle powertrain controller includes a fuzzy logic-based adaptive algorithm with a learning capability that estimates a driver's long term driving preferences. An adaptive algorithm arbitrates competing requirements for good fuel economy, avoidance of intrusiveness and vehicle drivability. A driver's acceptance or rejection of advisory information may be used to adapt subsequent advisory information to the driving style. Vehicle performance is maintained in accordance with a driver's driving style. | 01-09-2014 |
20140031169 | METHOD AND STRATEGY TO DETECT THE LOCK-UP OF PLANETARY GEAR IN POWER SPLIT HYBRID VEHICLES - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, a generator, and a motor connected via a planetary gear set to detect lockup in the planetary gear set and control the powertrain in response. When torque is distributed in an electric mode of operation with the engine disabled, the generator is disabled based at least upon a difference between actual generator speed and an expected generator speed exceeding a threshold, indicating a lockup in the planetary gear set. When the engine is activated and distributes torque through the powertrain, the engine and the generator are disabled based at least upon a difference between engine acceleration and an expected engine acceleration exceeding a first threshold, and a difference between engine speed and ring gear speed being less than a second threshold. | 01-30-2014 |
20140148309 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Torque During a Transmission Upshift for a Hybrid Vehicle - A hybrid vehicle powertrain that has an engine and an electric machine that may separately or jointly provide torque to a multi-speed transmission. A drivetrain including the engine and the motor is controlled to reduce the requested level of torque provided to the transmission during an upshift. The method is initiated by a request for a reduction of the level of torque and checking the operating state of the engine. If the engine is not on, the torque from the motor is reduced. If the engine is on, the torque from the motor is reduced first and then the torque from the engine is reduced to the requested level of torque. | 05-29-2014 |
20140163842 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle responsive to a seasonal grade of the fuel available in the vehicle's fuel tank. If the seasonal grade of fuel in the fuel tank does not correspond to the seasonal grade of fuel mandated during the time of engine operation, a fuel injection amount is adjusted to compensate for differences between seasonal grades of a fuel. | 06-12-2014 |
20140184141 | Method and Apparatus for High-Voltage DC Charging of Battery-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles - A portable charging device can provide controllable fast DC charging of an electric vehicle (EV) high voltage battery by a separate EV high voltage battery. The charging device can be configured to comply with universal standards for EV charging so as to be compatible with various automobile models of various manufacturers. The device can be configured to establish a communication link with a donor and recipient vehicle and conduct a voltage matching process between the batteries of the two vehicles prior to transferring power to the recipient vehicle battery. To prevent energy theft, control of a charging process can be shared among the charging device and the donor and receiver vehicles. A charger device can be configured to enable a charging process only when no faults are detected. A charger device can allow a motorist to quickly recharge a depleted high voltage battery at a convenient time and location. | 07-03-2014 |
20140244150 | DRIVER COACHING SYSTEM - A driver coaching system may have an input device generating an input signal indicative of a road condition. The system may also include an advisory device determining an output conveyed to a driver and indicative of a fuel efficiency rating based on an actual vehicle speed and an optimum fuel efficient speed. The advisory device may not decrease the fuel efficiency rating when the road condition does not warrant the optimum fuel efficient speed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140277875 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE DRIVELINE ACTIVE DAMPING AND TRANSIENT SMOOTHNESS CONTROL - A method and system for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle include controlling torque in a traction motor in response to a provisional motor torque that has been adjusted based on a difference between a measured traction motor speed and a calculated vehicle speed and filtered to attenuate a resonant driveline frequency. | 09-18-2014 |
20140313208 | EMOTIVE ENGINE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SIMULATED EMOTION FOR AN INFORMATION SYSTEM - Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to. | 10-23-2014 |
20140350766 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed. | 11-27-2014 |
20150066327 | ECO-MODE CRUISE CONTROL - A vehicle cruise control system includes an ECO-cruise mode such that a rate of acceleration of the vehicle during cruise control is less than or equal to a maximum that is a function of vehicle speed and road grade. Further, the rate is a function of the vehicle speed and a difference between the vehicle and target cruise control speeds. | 03-05-2015 |