Remote controlled engine revving

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11733691-B2
Application number	US-202017088465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2020
Priority date	Nov 3, 2020
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for user controlled engine revving. In one example, the engine may be revved to a peak speed according to a target revving sequence in response to a user-initiated command. A revving sound may be provided in response to an input device, without demanding manual depression of an accelerator pedal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
in response to a user-initiated command;
revving an engine of a vehicle to a peak speed, according to a target revving sequence, in response to an input device operated by the user, wherein the revving is enabled without manual depression of an accelerator pedal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein revving the engine in response to the user-initiated command includes sending the user-initiated command from the input device when the input device is positioned outside of and at a distance from the vehicle or within a cabin of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a request for one or more of the peak speed, and the target revving sequence, the target revving sequence including a number of engine revving cycles, a duration of engine revving, and a revving volume, based on a pattern in which the user inputs the request at the input device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein revving the engine in response to the user-initiated command includes receiving the user-initiated command at a body control module (BCM) of the vehicle and relaying the user-initiated command from the BCM to a powertrain control module (PCM) of the vehicle and wherein relaying the user-initiated command from the BCM to the PCM includes sending a signal based on the user-initiated command to the PCM from the BCM through a controller area network (CAN).

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting an opening of an exhaust tuning valve arranged in an exhaust tail pipe, the exhaust tuning valve configured to divert exhaust gas around a muffler, of the vehicle based on the user-initiated command.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-initiated command includes one or more musical notes and/or a melody indicated at the input device and wherein the engine is revved according to a conversion of the one or more musical notes and/or melody to engine speed.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein vehicle lights are flashed when the engine is revving and wherein the vehicle lights are flashed according to the target revving sequence.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-initiated command is a spoken command detected by a microphone in one of the input device or a cabin of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Martin Douglas
• Zimmer Shane
• Rollinger John
• Martinez Vincent
• Thompson Scott

Classifications

• G05D1/223

  Command input arrangements on the remote controller, e.g. joysticks or touch screens · CPC title

• G05D1/0016 Primary

  characterised by the operator's input device (input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00) · CPC title

• B60Q1/50

  for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking · CPC title

• B60R16/0231

  Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle (monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P) · CPC title

• F01N1/16

  by using movable parts · CPC title