Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Christopher Gregg

Hidetoshi Kusumi

Nicholas Scott Sitarski

Avernethy Francisco

Matthew Eugene Fleming

Hisanori Ito

Justin David Ward

Yusuke Kamijo

Yoshikatsu Nakamura

A variable power drive mode system for a vehicle. The system includes a pedal, a processor, an engine or other vehicle power source for moving the vehicle and a battery. The processor of the vehicle determines, either automatically or based upon user input, a desired drive mode for the vehicle. A memory connected with the processor stores different data corresponding to the different drive modes determinable by the processor for the vehicle. The processor uses the different data stored in memory in combination with a position of the pedal to control the engine or other vehicle power source to generate power in accordance with the determined drive mode. Certain drive modes may provide for more aggressive driving profiles at the expense of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption when compared to other drive modes.

Variable power outlet and maximum speed in drive mode

A trip data management and display system for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a memory, a user-interface and a display. During a trip traveled by the vehicle, the processor receives data from one or more systems or components. The processor receives input via the user-interface to associate a category and a filename with the received data for storage in the memory. The stored data may then be retrieved for display upon the display of the vehicle. The trip traveled by the vehicle is predefined according to user-settable parameters or is automatically determined based on vehicle characteristics. Instantaneous data corresponding to a trip currently being traveled by the vehicle may also be displayed on the display adjacent to the stored data from memory. The data stored may be managed by a user to associate it with different or multiple categories or to delete particular stored data.

Trip management system and method for a vehicle

Variable power output and maximum speed in drive mode

A charge notification system or user-selectable charge configuration for a vehicle. The system includes a battery, a charging connector, a charging cable, a charge location, a processor and a memory. The processor of the vehicle determines, based upon logic steps or parameters stored in the memory, when to send messages to a remote device based upon a charging characteristic of the vehicle. Different messages may be generated by the processor and transmitted for different charging characteristics of the vehicle. The charge notification system may also include an indicator local to the vehicle and configured to illuminate in varying configurations or at varying frequencies based upon a state of charge of the battery. A user may select between charging modes for the vehicle in order to extend a useable life of the battery by allowing the battery to charge up to predetermined or modifiable battery charge levels.

System and method for charge notice or charge mode in a vehicle

A regenerative braking system for a vehicle utilizing diversion of energy for efficient use or maintaining consistent vehicle performance. The regenerative braking system includes a generator for producing regenerative energy during slowing and includes switches connected to a battery and a plurality of devices. A processor is connected with the battery and the switches for controlling the configuration of the switches based on a characteristic of the battery. If the battery has a state of charge exceeding a predetermined threshold, the processor controls the switches to route the regenerative energy to the other devices. The processor also controls the switches to provide regenerative energy to specific devices where it may most desirably be utilized. Heating and cooling units of the vehicle may be alternatively or simultaneously connected to receive the regenerative energy for providing consistent vehicle slowing performance when the battery state of charge exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Diversion of energy from regenerative braking

The present invention is directed to a method and system for adjusting a gear map. The present invention can be an automobile including a continuously variable transmission system, an ignition detecting ignition data, and/or a display unit. The continuously variable transmission system can include a continuously variable transmission, a memory storing a gear map including virtual gears, a gear adjustment mode input unit detecting gear adjustment mode data, and/or a processor. The processor can control the continuously variable transmission to operate at a desired engine speed for a specific automobile speed using the gear map. The processor can adjust the gear map using the gear adjustment mode data, and/or the ignition data. The processor can control the display unit to display information to prompt the user to supply the gear adjustment mode data.

Method and system for adjusting a gear map

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for hybrid vehicle auxiliary battery state of charge control. In one embodiment, the present invention is an automobile including an electronic accessory, a first battery connected to the electronic accessory, and a control unit connected to the first battery, the control unit monitoring the first battery and disconnecting the first battery from the electronic accessory when the first battery is in a first operational condition.

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Gardena, CA, United States of America

Christopher Gregg