Patent Application
20170113607
The present disclosure relates to an information system for communicating optimal driving parameters to a vehicle operator.
Vehicle performance is contingent on many variable factors including weight. Vehicle weight may vary based on load, fuel, number of passengers along with many other variables. An operator may not be specifically aware of the limitations placed on vehicle performance due to the weight and therefore may operate the vehicle in a manner not recommended for the weight and load. However, systems that override operator input to limit operation of a vehicle are often not favorably viewed by a consumer.
A disclosed example embodiment of a vehicle information system includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a weight of at least a portion of a vehicle and a communication device disposed within the vehicle cabin for communicating a recommended limit of a vehicle operating parameter based on weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.
Another disclosed example embodiment includes a method of communicating vehicle operating parameters to a vehicle operator. The method includes generating a signal indicative of a measured weight of at least a portion of the vehicle and determining a range of vehicle operating parameters based on the measured weight with a controller located within the vehicle. The method further includes the step of communicating the determined range of vehicle operating parameters to an operator within the vehicle cabin with a communication device such that the operator understands the modified limits of the vehicle based on the current measured vehicle weight.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to
The example vehicle 10 includes a vehicle information system 15 that provides information on safe operating parameters for a vehicle based on a weight of the vehicle. The example system includes a controller 16 that receives information from various sensors 20 disposed within the vehicle. The sensors 20 provide signals indicative of the vehicle weight for at least a portion of the vehicle. In one example, the sensors 20 provide information to the controller 16 that are indicative of the load 22 within the truck bed 12. As appreciated although in this example the load 22 is within the truck bed 12, the example system may measure loads within the vehicle cabin and or other parts of the vehicle depending on the specific vehicle configuration. Moreover in another example, the sensors 20 provide information indicative of entire weight of the vehicle that is utilized by the controller 16.
The controller 16 utilizes information indicative of vehicle weight or weight of at least portions of the vehicle including the load 22 within the truck bed 12 to determine and communicate information pertaining to recommended limits on vehicle operating parameters. Vehicle operating parameters can include vehicle speed, minimum-stopping distance, turning radius, maximum grade, as well as other vehicle performance and operating characteristics that can alter vehicle performance.
Referring to
The controller 16 determines limits on vehicle operating parameters based on the measured weight provided by the sensors 20. The controller 16 then generates a signal that communicates the recommended vehicle operating parameters to the vehicle operator. Communication to the vehicle operator can be in several forms. In one embodiment, the form is through an audible means where the controller 16 will initiate the generation of an audible signal through the speaker 24 to indicate that the vehicle is approaching a recommended limit based on the measured weight. The audible signal can be in the form of a voice indicating that a maximum speed or other vehicle operating parameter limit is being reached or may be a series of beeps or other noise that either increases in frequency or become louder as a recommended limit is approached.
Referring to
The instrument panel 25 further includes a display 32A. The display 32A can be utilized and controlled to display a maximum speed that is determined by the controller 16 based on the measured weight. The instrument panel 25 may also include a display 34 that displays a reading of the weight. In this example, the vehicle weight is indicated as an amount over a normal level. In the illustrated example, the weight is illustrated as an amount over the normal level or acceptable weight that does not limit vehicle operation. It should be appreciated that it is within the contemplation of this disclosure, that the weight provided in the display 34 could be displayed as a total weight or as simply a weight of the load 22 within the bed 12. Moreover, the display may also simply provide a text message that indicates that the vehicle is currently loaded to a condition that limits vehicle operation.
Referring to
The example system 15 communicates information indicative of limits on a vehicle based on measured weight. The measured weight can be of the entire vehicle 10 or only specific portions of it such as the load 22 disposed within the truck bed 12. The system 15 provides only recommendations based on the measured weight and does not intrude on vehicle operation. As appreciated, in some instances an operator may not be aware that a vehicle is loaded to an extent where certain vehicle operating parameters should be limited to remain within a desired range of safe operation. Therefore, the example system 15 utilizes information on vehicle weight that is obtained from the sensors 20 throughout the vehicle to communicate to an operator recommended limits on vehicle operation such that the operator will have information needed to safely operate and control the vehicle. Moreover, although specific examples of communication devices for communicating information to a vehicle operator are illustrated. Other communication devices or means are also within the contemplation of this disclosure.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.
