Method and system for vehicle mode selection

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001 ] The invention relates to a method and system for vehicle mode selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Vehicles are now equipped with multiple drive modes, allowing a driver/rider to select a driving/riding mode as per requirement. Most common driving/riding modes include economy mode which is a fuel efficient mode, power mode for improving throttle response, reverse mode for moving the vehicle in a reverse direction, smart mode which automatically selects a mode of driving depending upon vehicle and/or driving conditions, etc. However, number of driving modes may differ from vehicle to vehicle.

[003] Usually, dedicated switches are provided to change between drive modes. As the drive modes, may be selected while driving/riding, it is essential for such dedicated switches to be placed within reach of the driver/rider and require minimal rider interaction. Especially for two- wheeled vehicles if the switch is not within reach or the switch requires the rider's attention, the switching operation may distract the rider and the rider may lose balance of the vehicle, which is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for selecting a driving mode for a vehicle having plurality of power driving modes, the system comprising an input device for receiving an input signal from a rider to select one of the driving modes, the input signal being a start signal or a command signal, wherein the start signal corresponds to a pre-selected driving mode, and each command signal corresponding a particular driving mode, and a control unit configured to process the input signal to determine whether the input signal is the start signal or the command signal, and processing the command signal to identify the selected driving mode of the vehicle, determine operating parameters of the vehicle, analyse the operating parameters of the vehicle to determine if the operating parameter of the vehicle is within an operating requirement range for the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode, and deploy the selected driving mode or the pre-selected driving mode or a lower power driving mode depending upon the input signal and/or operating parameters of the vehicle

[005] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of selecting a driving mode for a vehicle having plurality of power driving modes, the method comprising receiving an input signal from a rider on an input device of the vehicle to select one of the driving modes, the input signal being a start signal or a command signal, wherein the start signal corresponds to a pre^ selected driving mode, and each command signal corresponding to a particular driving mode, processing the input signal to determine whether the input signal is the start signal or the command signal to identify the selected driving mode of the vehicle, determining operating parameters of the vehicle, analysing the operating parameters of the vehicle to determine if the operating parameter of the vehicle is within an operating requirement range for the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode, and deploying the selected driving mode or preselected driving mode or a lower power driving mode depending upon the input signal and/or the operating requirement range for the selected driving mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for vehicle mode selection in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method for vehicle mode selection in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] The present invention is directed towards selecting or changing driving/riding mode of a battery operated vehicle with minimal driver/rider interaction and without distracting/diverting attention of the driver/rider.

[008] Figure 1 shows a system 100 for vehicle mode selection. The system as shown includes an input device 1 10, and a control unit 120 connected to the input device. In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of driving modes of the vehicle includes at-least one low power driving mode and at-least one high power driving mode. The low power driving mode is a driving mode wherein the vehicle has low operating requirements and utilizes minimum power, and the high power driving mode is a driving mode wherein the vehicle has high operating requirements and utilizes more power. Illustrative examples of the low power driving mode includes an economy mode, a limp mode and a reverse mode, and the high power driving mode includes a sports mode.

[009] The input device as shown in figure 1 is connected to the control unit, and configured for receiving an input signal to start and/or select driving mode of the vehicle. In this regard, the input signal includes a start signal and a command signal. The start signal corresponds to a preselected driving mode which is pre-stored mode of the vehicle, and the command signal corresponds to a particular driving mode, wherein each command signal corresponds with duration and/or frequency of- the input signal received at the input device. Accordingly, the control unit is configured to process the input signal received at the input device to determine whether the input signal is the start signal or the command signal. If the input signal is the command signal, the control unit processes the command signal by analyzing the frequency and/or duration of the input signal to identify the selected driving mode.

[010] In accordance with an embodiment of an invention, the frequency of the input signal refers to number of inputs received by the input device. Accordingly, a particular mode can be pre-configured to be selected when a single input or multiple inputs are received by the input device. Following table by way of an example illustrates mode selection based upon frequency of input signal:

[01 1 ] Thus, if a driver provides one input signal i.e. the driver interacts or presses the input device once, economy mode is selected. Similarly, if two input signals are provided limp mode is selected or if three input signals are provided sports mode is selected or if four input signals are provided reverse mode is selected. In another embodiment of the present invention, time interval between input/ command signals may also be taken into account along with frequency of the signal to determine a mode.

[012] As per the present invention, the duration of the command signal refers to the length of time period for which command signal is active. Accordingly, a particular mode can be pre- configured to be selected if the input device is pressed or interacted with for a fixed time-interval or, a particular mode can be pre-configured to be selected if the input is provided sequentially with fixed time intervals between each input. Following table by way of an example illustrates mode selection based upon duration of input signal:

[01 3] Thus, if a driver provides input signal for one second i.e. interacts or presses the input device continuously for one second economy mode is selected. Similarly, if input signal is provided for two seconds limp mode is selected, or input signal is provided for three seconds sports mode is selected or if input signal is provided for four seconds reverse mode is selected.

[014] The control unit is further connected with other vehicle parts/components to determine operating parameters of the vehicle, and analyse the operating parameters of the vehicle to determine if the operating parameters of the vehicle is within an operating requirement range for the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode. Further, the control unit communicates with the vehicle parts/components depending upon driving mode selected to control or regulate operation of such components. As shown in figure 1 , the control unit is connected with a battery and/or a motor of the vehicle to receive battery operating parameters and motor operating parameters. The battery operating parameters include state of charge of the battery, battery temperature, battery voltage and battery current, and the motor operating parameters include motor current and motor temperature.

[015] In an embodiment of the invention, when the input signal is received by the input device, the control unit is configured to determine operating condition of the vehicle, and deploy the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode or lower power driving mode depending upon the input signal and/or operating parameters of the vehicle. Accordingly, the control unit is configured to process the input signal received at the input device and/or the operating parameters of the vehicle and depending upon the input signal and/or operating parameters deploy the driving mode.

[016] In an embodiment of the invention, the input device is a start-button7 ignition switch of the vehicle, wherein the control unit connected to the start-button enables the start-button to be used for starting and/or selecting driving modes. Accordingly, the start-button which would otherwise be dormant after the start operation, can now be used for toggling between various driving modes. Further, placement of the start button, which is usually in close proximity to accelerator of the vehicle provides the advantage of being accessible to the rider without distracting/diverting attention of a rider of the vehicle.

[017] In another embodiment, the input device functionality can be implemented through an interactive touch-screen display which may be integrated with dashboard of the vehicle. The dashboard as well is easily accessible to the rider.

[018] In yet another embodiment, the input device can be an independent or dedicated input device. The placement of such independent input device is a design consideration. However, as per the present invention the input device is placed such that the input device is accessible to the rider easily without distracting/diverting attention of a rider of the vehicle.

[019] The control unit, in an embodiment of the invention is an electronic control unit of the vehicle, which is already on board of the vehicle. Alternately, control unit can be a dedicated unit.

[020] Figure 2 illustrates a flow-chart of a method for vehicle driving mode selection. The method begins at step 2A, where an input device receives input from a rider of the vehicle to select one of the driving modes. In an embodiment, the input signal can be a start signal or a command signal, wherein the start signal corresponds to a pre-selected driving mode, and each command signal having a frequency and/or a duration corresponding to a particular driving mode. Thereafter, the method moves to step 2B.

[021 ] At step 2B, the input signal is processed to determine whether the input signal is the start signal or the command signal. In case the input signal is the command signal, the command signal is processed by analysing the frequency and/or the duration of the command signal to identify the selected driving mode of the vehicle.

[022] The method thereafter at step 2C proceeds to obtain operating parameters of the vehicle. Once the operating parameters are obtained, at step 2D, the operating parameters of the vehicle are analyzed to determine if the operating parameter of the vehicle is within an operating requirement range for the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode.

[023] At step 2E, the method deploys the selected driving mode or pre-selected driving mode or a lower power driving mode depending upon the input signal and/or operating condition of the vehicle.

[024] As described hereinbefore, a mode may be selected by providing an input signal which may be a start signal or a command signal. By way of an example, mode selection on providing a start signal and a command signal is described herein below:

START SIGNAL

When the start signal is received by the input device, the control unit is configured to deploy the pre-selected driving mode of the vehicle. The pre-selected mode can be a high power driving mode or a low power driving mode. However, as discussed hereinbefore once the input signal is received, the control unit also determines the operating condition of the vehicle. If it is determined that the operating condition of the vehicle is below a threshold level, a lower power driving mode is deployed, else the vehicle enters into the pre-selected driving mode which may be a default mode. The default mode is a last driven mode of the vehicle or a driver-selected mode. EXAMPLE - 1

Assuming that a vehicle was last driven in a sports mode. When a start signal is received by control unit, the control unit determines health of the battery of the vehicle. In this regard, if the state of charge of the battery is found to be well within a pre-specified range which is required for sports mode then the control unit allows the vehicle to start in a sports mode (last driven mode) else the control unit forces the vehicle to start in a low power mode (economy mode or limp mode) for which adequate state of charge is available with the battery.

COMMAND SIGNAL

When the command signal is received by the input device, the control unit is configured to process the command signal. The command signal is processed by analysing the frequency and/or the duration of the command signal to identify the selected driving mode of the vehicle. The selected mode can be a high power driving mode or a low power driving mode However, as discussed hereinbefore once the command signal is received, the control unit also determines operating condition of the vehicle. If it is determined that the operating condition of the vehicle is below a threshold level required for the selected driving mode, the control unit does not allow the change of mode, else the vehicle enters into the selected driving mode.

EXAMPLE - 2

Assuming that a vehicle was being driven in an economy mode, and the driver provides a command signal to switch to a sports mode. The control unit first determines frequency and/or duration of the command signal to determine the selected mode i.e. the sports mode. Thereafter, the control unit determines operating parameters of the vehicle, say health of the battery of the vehicle. In this regard, if the state of charge of the battery is found to be well within a pre- specified range which is required for the sports mode then the control unit allows the vehicle to switch to the sports mode else the control unit forces the vehicle to maintain the economy mode for which adequate state of charge is available with the battery.

[025] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.