Paccar Inc.

Zachary Slaton

Richard Hampson

Steven Karl Jahns

Josef Lotz

John William Arthur Doll

Wesley Mays

Erik Scott Johnson

Andrew Paul Harbach

Floris Van Der Meijs

Todd Wickstrum

Cas Droogendijk

Ethan A Ott

Jason Norman Morrow

Jennifer Kim

Matthew Seger

Mark Nievelstein

Stephan Olsen

Suresh Kumar

Christopher S Balton

Phu Vi Tran

Nathan Paul

Michael T Russell

David Randall Wrigley

Cindi Vangel

Erin Luke

Jason Potter

Brett Alan Grothen

Wesley M Mays

David Randal Wrigley

A vehicle computer system (e.g., on-board vehicle computer system) obtains a fuel economy performance goal for a vehicle (e.g., an engine speed goal or a vehicle speed goal) that is based on a configuration of the vehicle; calculates a count of events in which a current value exceeds the goal; compares the count of events with a threshold count; and generates one or more notifications based at least in part on the comparison (e.g., for display on an operator interface). The vehicle computer system also calculates an engine speed and a vehicle speed score for a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on comparisons of current speeds with the speed goals. Scoring and other data may be displayed or stored for further processing.

Method for improving fuel economy by influencing driver behavior

Methods and devices for determining speed control management settings are provided. A vehicle configuration is obtained, specifying at least a transmission, including a number of gears present in the transmission. One or more speed control management modules, such as progressive shift and/or gear down protection modules, are selected by a customer. One or more default progressive shift limits and a default gear down protection limit are calculated, along with gears for which they are active. Performance of the vehicle using the default speed control management settings is simulated and compared to typical vehicle performance. The customer may alter the speed control management settings within dynamically determined valid ranges. The speed control management settings are used in the manufacture or other configuration of the vehicle for the customer.

Systems and methods for determining speed control management settings

A powertrain optimization device and method that compares a predicted performance of customer-selected vehicle components to a customer-selected optimization goal. The optimization goal is used to determine dynamic performance thresholds. The method compares gradability at cruise, gradability at peak torque, engine speed, and startability to the dynamic thresholds to determine whether the vehicle performance will be satisfactory. The customer selections of vehicle components, selections of optimization goals, and any acknowledgements of failed performance checks are stored for later use.

System and method for analyzing a powertrain configuration

A method and system for improved driver reward display functionality. A driver reward is calculated based on inputs, such as freight fuel, fuel economy, and % idle. The driver reward system configures and displays a primary driver reward image for various menu selections. The primary driver reward image is configured to indicate whether the driver reward is at full penalty, partial penalty, neutral, partial bonus, or full bonus. The image is displayed in one color if above an expected value and another color if below the expected level. Images that indicate to the operator of the vehicle the impact of each input on the overall driver reward or whether each input is improving or worsening may be displayed. A secondary driver reward image may also be displayed to indicate a specific bonus or penalty in miles per hour and speed limit.

Real-time driver reward display system and method

An on-board vehicle computer system for a vehicle includes at least one processing unit and a memory having stored therein computer-executable instructions configured to cause the on-board vehicle computer system to implement various aspects of a predictive cruise control (PCC) system. In one aspect, the computer system provides a plurality of available speed control bands in a PCC system, and the available speed control bands are selectable by an operator of the vehicle. In another aspect, the computer system provides an upper speed margin and a lower speed margin for a PCC system, and the upper and lower speed margins are adjustable by an operator of the vehicle. Related notifications may be presented via an operator interface (e.g., a touchscreen display provided in a vehicle dashboard or other easily accessible area).

Predictive cruise control system with advanced operator control and feedback

An on-board vehicle computer system is configured to detect a condition of a vehicle; identify a de-rate cause for the vehicle in a hierarchical set of de-rate causes, wherein the de-rate cause is associated with the condition; select a de-rate type from a set of possible de-rate types based at least in part on the de-rate cause; select an initial de-rate level from a set of possible de-rate levels based at least in part on the de-rate cause; present an operator notification associated with the de-rate cause via an operator interface; activate a de-rate for the vehicle according to the de-rate type and the initial de-rate level; detect a change in the vehicle condition; and update the initial de-rate level based at least in part on the change in the vehicle condition.

Hierarchical vehicle de-rate and notification system

An on-board vehicle computing system stores values in a memory of a first engine control unit (ECU) and stores corresponding backup values in a memory of a second ECU. In this way, the second ECU provides data backup functionality for the first ECU's data. The system may retrieve a backup value from the first ECU and restore the corresponding value in the second ECU using the backup value. In one illustrative scenario, if an original engine ECU (EECU) fails and a replacement EECU is installed, the system can retrieve backup values for vehicle speed limiter (VSL) parameters from memory in a cab ECU (CECU) and update the corresponding data in the replacement EECU with the backup values.

Vehicle computer system with data backup

Predictive cruise control system with selectable speed control bands

A computing device (e.g., a server computer hosted by a vehicle manufacturer or retailer) receives vehicle configuration information obtained via a user interface of a user device. The vehicle configuration information includes one or more user-adjustable settings. The computing device determines whether a conflict exists between the user-adjustable settings and a regulated vehicle parameter (e.g., a vehicle speed limit), which may be associated with greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle. The computing device transmits feedback information to the user device. The feedback information may include a description of one or more conflicts between the user-adjustable settings and the regulated vehicle parameter, recommended adjustments to the settings, or the like. The recommended adjustments to the settings may, if accepted by a user, improve regulatory compliance for the vehicle, and may remove or reduce the degree of conflicts between the user-adjustable setting and the regulated vehicle parameter.

Point-of-sale vehicle parameter configuration

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Zachary Slaton