Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Dale Gilman

Paul Aldighieri

Ryan J Skaff

Jeffrey Allen Greenberg

David Leslie Watson

Angela L Watson

Bala Chander

Craig Sandvig

Leslie Bodnar

Christopher Adam Ochocinski

Bruce Carvell Blakemore

Duane M Grider

Craig Edward Esler

Yevgeniya Sosonkina

David W Schultz

Jason Meyer

Dale Scott Crombez

Jenny Brzozowski

Allan Roy Gale

William David Treharne

Sangeetha Sangameswaran

Derek Hartl

Joseph F Stanek

Paul Theodore Momcilovich

Toussaint Carpenter

Robert David Hancasky

Ryan Hunt

Leann Kridner

Henry F Donald

Ted James Miller

Francisco Damian Sanchez Patiño

Michael Kevin Martin

An information display system includes a display including an energy consumption gauge having a bar. The display system includes a controller in communication with the display and configured to instruct the display to include an average efficiency indicator relatively arranged on the bar based on a calculated driver efficiency value, and instruct the display to include a peer efficiency indicator relatively arranged on the bar based on a peer efficiency value.

Information display systems and method for display an efficiency gauge and target

A vehicle includes an electrical port configured to transfer electricity between a vehicle battery and a charge station, the port including indicia viewable by operators of the port. The vehicle includes a controller configured to operate the indicia to flicker at a frequency that is proportional to a throughput level of a charge. The operation is responsive to receiving the charge.

Vehicle electrical port indicia

A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination.

Information display system and method

A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.

Methods and apparatus for reporting state of charge in electric vehicles

A vehicle wireless information system includes a vehicle, an onboard vehicle computer provided in the vehicle and at least one external access point adapted to wirelessly access the onboard vehicle computer.

Vehicle wireless information system

An information display system may include an information display including a gauge specifying energy consumption of a vehicle and an average efficiency indicator specifying an average of the energy consumption, and a controller, in communication with the information display, configured to calculate an average efficiency value based on an amount of the energy consumption per unit distance over time, and adjust the average efficiency indicator based upon the average efficiency value.

Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking.

Regenerative braking feedback display and method

A method is provided for estimating range per full charge (RPC) for a vehicle. The method includes a controller which may, in response to detecting presence of a predefined condition impacting vehicle energy consumption, output to an interface by a controller a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent to which the predefined condition is affecting the RPC. An electrified vehicle including one or more vehicle components, a traction battery to supply energy to the vehicle components, one or more sensors, and a controller is also provided. The one or more sensors monitor the vehicle components, traction battery, and preselected ambient conditions. The controller is configured to, in response to input from the sensors, generate output for an interface which includes a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent of impact on the RPC by each of the ambient conditions and operation of the components and battery.

Electric range impact factor display and algorithms

An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.

A vehicle includes a display and a controller that operates the display. A first icon representing a reference energy consumption value based on a predetermined target energy consumption rate is displayed. A second icon representing a present energy consumption value is displayed. The icons are positioned relative to one another based on a difference between the reference energy consumption value and the present energy consumption value. A numerical scale may be displayed having values associated with the first and second icons. A vehicle having a hybrid powertrain including a traction battery may display an effective electric distance traveled that is based on a ratio of power supplied by the traction battery to total power supplied by the powertrain.

Instantaneous status to target gauge for vehicle application

A vehicle is provided with a climate control system and a battery that is connected to the climate control system for supplying power. The vehicle also includes at least one controller that is configured to receive input indicative of a battery power limit and a battery state of charge (BSOC). The at least one controller is also configured to disable the climate control system and reduce the battery power limit to an intermediate power limit, when the BSOC is less than a discharge limit.

Limited operating strategy for an electric vehicle

Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning.

Method and system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

Many plug-in electric vehicles include a high voltage battery for outputting electrical power to a traction motor in order to propel the vehicle. The distance range of these vehicles may be impacted by usage of a climate control system. A user interface may inform vehicle operators when their current climate control usage may prevent their vehicle from reaching its next charge point. The user interface may also advise drivers to reduce their climate control usage in order to increase vehicle range when the battery is nearing low state of charge conditions.

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Beverly Hills, MI, United States of America

Dale Gilman