SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING A FUEL-EQUIVALENT DISTANCE-PER-ENERGY CONSUMPTION RATE

摘要

A method and system for determining and displaying a rate corresponding to the distance travelled by a vehicle per an amount of fuel-equivalent energy consumption, and more particularly for determining and displaying a number of miles or kilometers travelled per a gallon or a liter of total fuel and fuel-equivalent non-fuel energy consumed. The system includes an electronic control unit, an engine, a fuel controller, a battery, a battery management and control unit and a display. The method and system determine the fuel-equivalent energy consumption sum based on a constant energy conversion factor or an energy conversion efficiency loss number or factor determined in real time. The method and system also determine and display a fuel-equivalent cost for travelling a kilometer or a mile of the distance travelled. The method and system also change an operation of the vehicle based on the determined rate and fuel-equivalent cost.

主权项

1. A computer-based method for determining and displaying a fuel-equivalent distance-per-energy consumption rate of a vehicle, the method comprising:
determining, using a fuel controller coupled to an engine or a fuel cell, a fuel consumption rate or amount; determining, using a battery management and charging unit (BMCU) coupled to a battery, an electrical energy consumption rate or amount; determining, using an electronic control unit coupled to a speed sensor, a distance travelled by the vehicle during a time period; determining, using the electronic control unit, the fuel-equivalent distance-per-energy consumption rate based on the fuel and electrical energy consumption rates or amounts and based on the determined distance travelled during the time period; and displaying, using a display coupled to the electronic control unit, an indicator based on the fuel-equivalent distance-per-energy consumption rate for indicating an amount of distance travelled by the vehicle for an amount of fuel-equivalent energy consumed.