Ambient lighting to reflect changes in vehicle operating parameters

摘要

An interior lighting system that responds to changes in vehicle operating parameters, such as fuel economy, electric power consumption and battery recharging, by changing color of interior lighting. The system includes an engine vacuum sensor associated with the internal combustion engine and, when used on a hybrid vehicle, a motor power draw sensor associated with the vehicle's electric motor and a battery recharging sensor associated with the vehicle's storage battery. An array of color-changing ambient interior lights is provided and is operatively associated with the vehicle system controller. The sensors measure specific changes in driving parameters and send signals to the vehicle system controller for further processing. The vehicle system controller then interprets the received information to identify any changes in operating parameters (fuel consumption, electric power consumption, storage battery recharging), and signals one or more of the ambient lights to change colors and thereby signal the driver (or other occupant) as to a change in operating parameters.

主权项

1. A system for visually informing a vehicle occupant of changes in vehicle operating parameters including fuel consumption, electric power consumption and battery recharging on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, and a storage battery, the system comprising:
a vacuum sensor fitted to the engine; a motor power draw sensor associated with the motor; a battery recharging sensor associated with the battery; a vehicle system controller associated with said sensors; and ambient interior lights that are associated with said controller and that include footwell lights, cupholder lights, dome lights, sidewall lights, lights beneath the vehicle seat, lights beneath the vehicle's instrument panel, or a combination thereof, whereby the controller is programmed to change a color of the lights from a warm color to a harsh color in response to increased fuel consumption, change the color of the lights to green during motor electric power consumption, change the color of the lights to green during battery charging, or a combination of the color changes.