DE102018217803A1 - Vehicle with control system for a filling process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle with a control system (52), which is designed to display a refueling process and in particular its progress with operating lights (30), such as turn signals (44), provided on the vehicle (12).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In the field of vehicles, it is known that these have to be filled with a filling material from time to time in order to ensure the full functionality of the vehicle. This affects both operating materials and energy. Depending on the type of vehicle, only certain types of filling goods may be required, such as a fuel, electrical energy or simply process water.

In certain situations, it may be desirable not to fill a reservoir intended for the filling material 100%, but only to refill a defined amount of the filling material. An example of this are motor vehicles in the rental business, which usually have to have the same fill level when they are returned as when they were picked up.

In particular when refueling a motor vehicle, it is difficult, however, to read the level in the cockpit from the outside during the filling process, that is to say the fueling process. In addition, this generally only works when the ignition is at least activated, so that the vehicle key must remain in the vehicle. In addition, the battery of the motor vehicle is additionally loaded.

Conventionally, attempts have previously been made to calculate the required quantity of the filling material manually in order to achieve the desired filling level. Furthermore goes for example from the DE 10 2011 114 075 A1 a tank well with display means, through which the tank level can be displayed on the outside of the vehicle.

Furthermore describes the DE 10 2010 007 204 A1 a fuel cap, which has a transparent window with a lettering therein. The lettering can be backlit with a light source and indicates which fuel has to be filled.

The DE 199 43 564 A1 discloses a method for displaying different measured values of a measured variable. A symbol illustrating the measured variable is activated on a display field. The color, brightness or display size of the symbol can be changed to display different sizes of the measured value.

Furthermore describes the DE 199 55 077 A1 a level indicator for a wash water tank. The level indicator can be arranged, for example, in a tank recess or on a tank flap.

The DE 10 2014 013 186 A1 finally describes a closure unit for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. In the area of a filler neck, a display device is provided with which information corresponding to the fill quantity of the fuel tank can be displayed. This is also possible when the vehicle ignition is deactivated.

A disadvantage of the known solutions, however, is that they are technically very complex and require technical devices, such as display devices, which are provided especially for them. The known technical solutions also offer no security against overfilling beyond the desired level.

The object of the present invention is now to provide an improved possibility for controlling a filling process of a vehicle which is simple and safe at the same time.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1. Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the subclaims.

• - ein Reservoir zur Aufnahme eines Füllguts;
• - eine Messeinrichtung zur Messung eines Füllstands des Reservoirs; und
• - eine Steuerungseinrichtung zur Erzeugung wenigstens eines Steuerungssignals auf Basis der Messung.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a control system for a filling process of the vehicle, the control system comprising at least the following features:

• - A reservoir for holding a filling material;
• - A measuring device for measuring a fill level of the reservoir; and
• - A control device for generating at least one control signal based on the measurement.

According to the invention, it is provided that the control device is operatively connected to an operating signal device and / or a tank locking device of the vehicle and these can be controlled with the control signal.

The vehicle can be both a motor vehicle and a wind-powered vehicle. The motor vehicle can be either an internal combustion engine or an electrically driven one. The filling material can include operating materials and energy. Operating fluids are, for example, fuels, water or oil. Electrical energy is also a filling material in the sense of the invention. Any device of the vehicle with which the vehicle can communicate visually or acoustically can be considered as the operating signal device. It is important that in addition to a reaction to the measurement of the fill level, the operating signal device also a purpose that is separate from the fill level of the reservoir is pursued. In other words, it is an operating signal device that is already standard in the vehicle. An existing measuring system of the vehicle can also be used in particular as a measuring device of the control system, for example a float located in a reservoir. With regard to the control device, in particular, control devices of the vehicle can be used which already control the operating signal device or tank locking device as standard. Only minor technical adjustments may be necessary here to make the measurement device's measurement of the fill level available to the control device.

The vehicle of the invention is thus in a particularly simple manner able to present information relating to the fill level of the reservoir to a user even from the outside, that is to say without direct inspection of the cockpit. Effective protection against overfilling is also possible since the tank locking device can lock the reservoir when a defined fill level is reached.

In order to equip the control device of the control system for the stated purpose, it is preferred that control signals are stored in the control device, each of which corresponds to a defined fill level of the reservoir.

The control signals can be provided, for example, to control the operating signal device in a certain way when a defined fill level is reached. The stored relationships between the control signals and the defined fill levels can comprise, for example, a continuous function, for example from 0% to 100% of the fill level. However, the stored relationships can also include a discontinuous function with level thresholds, for example in order to hold a different control signal, for example for a fill level of 0%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100%. Corresponding control signals can of course also be stored in relation to the tank locking device. For example, it can close completely or partially when a defined fill level is reached or exceeded. The person skilled in the art independently decides how exactly the control signals are formed on the basis of the teaching disclosed here and the specific reactions of the operating signal device or tank lockout device which he regards as expedient.

Thus, diverse and thus flexible reaction options to different fill levels are possible in a simple manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the control device is designed to transmit the corresponding control signal to an operating signal device of the vehicle when a defined fill level is reached, so that the latter outputs an operating signal which corresponds to the defined fill level.

By way of example only, the operating signal device can output an acoustic or optical operating signal which is output in quick succession in a frequency corresponding to the fill level. As an example, the operating signal can be output once when the fill level reaches a quarter, be output twice when the fill level reaches half, be output three times when the fill level reaches three quarters and, for example, be output four times when the fill level reaches 100%.

This easy-to-implement option guarantees easy-to-understand and precise communication of the level to the outside. If, for example, the reservoir is only to be filled halfway, the filling process can simply be interrupted when the corresponding operating signal is output.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the operating signal device comprises a direction indicator with separately controllable light segments, and the operating signal comprises an activation of a number of light segments that correspond to the defined fill level.

The direction indicator can, for example, comprise a turn signal, furthermore, for example, a rear turn signal. For example, in the case of motor vehicles, the rear indicator is usually provided in a particularly clearly visible manner in the area of a filler neck of a fuel tank. The light segments can include LEDs, for example, as can be found in many modern turn signals, for example with a wiping function. Depending on the progress of the tank, a successive activation of an increasing number of LEDs can take place, whereby a particularly clear representation of the progress of the tank is achieved.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the control system comprises a user interface, via which a desired fill level can be set and the control device outputs a control signal corresponding to the desired fill level when the desired fill level is reached.

For example, a fill level of 70% or a corresponding one can be used as the desired fill level Number of liters can be specified. The control signal can then briefly activate a vehicle horn, for example, when the desired fill level is reached.

In this way there is a simple possibility to protect the vehicle against overfilling.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the control signal output when the target fill level is reached leads to an activation of a tank locking device of the vehicle.

This particularly preferred embodiment offers the advantage that overfilling of the vehicle is precluded without a user who carries out the filling process having to pay attention to this. If, for example, a motor vehicle is refueled with fuel, the closing of the tank locking device leads to a backlog of fuel in the fuel gun, which is then stopped automatically.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the control system is operatively connected to an energy source of the vehicle in such a way that the control system can also be activated when the vehicle is completely or partially deactivated.

In other words, the control system can also be used when the vehicle electrical system is partially inactive, for example when the ignition is switched off.

For this purpose, a separate connection to a battery of the vehicle can be provided. It is also possible to use the control system when the vehicle is partially deactivated, for example when only the ignition is activated. In this case, the control system is powered by the vehicle's regular electrical system voltage.

This offers the advantage that the control system at the filling point, for example a petrol pump, can be used particularly safely and yet flexibly.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the vehicle is a motor vehicle or a wind-driven vehicle.

Motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles or purely electrically driven vehicles come into consideration purely by way of example. In addition to cars, trucks and electric vehicles, this also includes, for example, electrically powered or supported bicycles. Wind-powered vehicles can be, for example, a sailboat, and the reservoir can be used to hold fresh water.

The vehicle of the invention can thus be used flexibly in a variety of configurations.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the operating signal device comprises one or more elements from the group: direction indicators, visual lighting, position markers, warning signal generators, headlights, reversing lights, brake lights or ambient lighting.

Direction indicators can be indicators, for example, which are standard on all motor vehicles for road traffic. In particular, the new "wiping" flashing requires several independent light segments, which can also be used to display a fill level without additional effort. Visible lighting can be, for example, a reading light, large-area interior lighting and headlights. Daytime running lights, taillights, rear fog lights, position lights on boats and the like come into consideration as position markers. Warning signal generators can be present, for example, in the form of a brake light, a hazard warning system, a horn or an anti-theft alarm system.

This offers the advantage that the vehicle of the invention can generate a wide variety of operating signals which are matched to the respective intended use, without additional technical systems having to be provided for this.

In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the invention, it is provided that the reservoir comprises one or more elements from the group: fuel tank, electrical energy store, water tank or oil tank.

The principle on which the invention is based can therefore be applied to a wide variety of filling processes. All of these filling processes can be monitored and checked easily and safely from outside the vehicle at the filling location.

The basic principle of the invention is also transferable to other technical fields, such as manually filling oil tanks in a home.

In other words, the present invention relates to a vehicle with a control system that is designed for this purpose is to represent a refueling process and in particular its progress to the outside with operating lights provided on the vehicle, such as turn signals. This enables external monitoring during the refueling process without the vehicle having to be activated.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be combined with one another with advantage, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

• 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeug;
• 2 Steuerungssignale korrespondierend mit definierten Füllzuständen; und
• 3 ein Steuerungssignal korrespondierend mit einem vorgegebenen Soll-Füllstand.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a vehicle according to the invention;
• 2nd Control signals corresponding to defined filling states; and
• 3rd a control signal corresponding to a predetermined target level.

1 shows a vehicle according to the invention 10th . As an example, it is a motor vehicle 12th which with a fuel 14 is operable. The car 12th includes a reservoir 16 which the intake of fuel 14 as filling material 18th serves. In other words, it is a fuel tank, for example 46 . The fuel 14 is over a filler neck 20th in the area of a fuel filler flap 22 into the reservoir 16 fillable.

The car 12th also has a measuring device 24th at which a level 26 of the reservoir 16 can be measured. It is a conventional device with a float, not shown here, which is generally found in every motor vehicle 12th with internal combustion engine is included.

The car 12th further comprises a control device 28 . The control device 28 is trained operating signal devices 30th such as direction indicators 32 , Visual lighting 34 , Position marker 36 , Warning signal generator 38 or ambient lighting 40 head for. Such operating signal devices 30th can usually be found in all motor vehicles 12th with street legal. The warning signal transmitter can serve as a purely exemplary example 38 for example a horn 42 include and the direction indicator 32 a turn signal 44 , which is also used as a warning signal generator 38 can be used.

In the present example, the motor vehicle comprises 12th also a tank locking device 48 . This is also with the control device 28 controllable and can, if it is brought into the closed position, a tank inflow 50 lock.

The reservoir 16 , the measuring device 24th and the control device 28 are in the motor vehicle shown 12th to a control system 52 connected with each other. The measuring device 24th measures the level 26 of the reservoir 16 and gives the measurement to the control device 28 further. This is designed as a control signal 54 (see. 2nd and 3rd ) based on the measurement. Furthermore, the control device 28 with the operating signal devices 30th and the tank locking device 48 of the motor vehicle 12th operatively connected and capable of this with the control signal 54 head for. The tank lock device 48 and the operating signal device 30th , shown as an example using the turn signal 44 , are therefore also part of the control system 52 .

2nd shows control signals 54 with defined fill levels 56 of the reservoir 16 correspond. The control signals 54 are in the control device 28 deposited.

In 2nd is shown that the control device 28 is formed when a defined fill level is reached 56 , for example 30%, one with the defined fill level 56 corresponding control signal 58 to spend. This control signal 58 is sent to an operating signal device 30th , for example the direction indicator 32 in the form of the turn signal 44 , transmitted. The operating signal device 30th then gives an operating signal 60 which with the defined level 56 corresponds. For the turn signal 44 this is exemplary in the lower part of the 2nd indicated. The blinker 44 in this example includes separately controllable light segments 64 in the form of five independently controllable LEDs 62 . It can be seen that the left two LEDs 62 are active, whereas the right three LEDs 62 are inactive. This operating signal 60 corresponds to a defined level 26 of 30%. At 0%, only the left LED would be accordingly 62 active, at 50% there would be three LEDs 62 active, at 70% there would be four LEDs 62 all LEDs would be active and at 100% 62 active.

So the respective filling state 56 during the filling process from the outside in the area of the rear of the motor vehicle 12th where there is also the fuel filler flap 22 located, very well recognizable.

In the 2nd control signal level plotted on the vertical axis SP are chosen purely by way of example and can be, for example, between 1 volt and 5 volts. The control signal output at a fill level of 30% 58 is, for example, 2 volts and generated by the operating signal device 30th the reaction described.

The control system 52 can also have a user interface not shown here. This can, for example, in the control device 28 be integrated and in the cockpit of the motor vehicle 12th allow an entry. In particular, a target fill level can be set via the user interface 66 can be set. For further explanation in this regard, click on 3rd Referred.

The specified target level 66 is, for example, 70%. Will the target level 66 reached, so the control device 28 one with the target level 66 corresponding control signal 68 out. This control signal 68 brings the tank lock device 48 (see. 1 ) in the locked position.

This ensures that only as long as the fuel 14 can be supplied until the target level 66 is reached.

Referring again to 1 is the control system 52 of the motor vehicle 12th with an energy source 70 of the motor vehicle 12th so connected that the control system 52 especially when the vehicle is completely or partially deactivated 12th is available. In the present case, this can be the case, for example, if the motor of the motor vehicle 12th is switched off and only the ignition is still active. However, it can also be provided that not even the ignition has to be activated for this and the control system 52 separately from the energy source 70 is supplied.

Reference list

10th

vehicle

12th

Motor vehicle

14

fuel

16

reservoir

18th

Product

20th

Filler neck

22

Fuel filler flap

24th

Measuring device

26

Level

28

Control device

30th

Operating signal device

32

Direction indicators

34

Visible lighting

36

Position marker

38

Warning signal generator

40

Ambient lighting

42

horn

44

indicator

46

Fuel tank

48

Tank lock device

50

Tank inflow

52

Control system

54

Control signals

56

Level

58

Control signal

60

Operating signal

62

LED

64

Light segment

66

Target level

68

Control signal

70

Energy source

SP

Control signal level

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102011114075 A1 [0005]
• DE 102010007204 A1 [0006]
• DE 19943564 A1 [0007]
• DE 19955077 A1 [0008]
• DE 102014013186 A1 [0009]

Claims (10)

Vehicle (10) with a control system (52) for a filling process of the vehicle (10), the control system (52) comprising at least the following features: - a reservoir (16) for receiving a filling material (18); - A measuring device (24) for measuring a fill level (26) of the reservoir (16); and - a control device (28) for generating at least one control signal (54) based on the measurement, characterized in that the control device (28) is operatively connected to an operating signal device (30) and / or a tank locking device (48) of the vehicle (10) and these can be controlled with the control signal (54). Vehicle (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that control signals (54) are stored in the control device (28), each of which corresponds to a defined fill level (26) of the reservoir (16). Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (28) is designed to transmit the corresponding control signal (54) to an operating signal device (30) of the vehicle (10) when a defined fill level (26) is reached, so that it outputs an operating signal (60) which corresponds to the defined fill level (26). Vehicle (10) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the operating signal device (30) comprises a direction indicator (32) with separately controllable light segments (64) and the operating signal (60) comprises an activation of a number of light segments (64) which correspond to the defined fill level (26) . Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (52) comprises a user interface via which a desired fill level (66) can be set and the control device (28) switches on when the desired fill level (66) is reached outputs control signal (68) corresponding to the desired fill level (66). Vehicle (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the control signal (68) output when the desired fill level (66) is reached leads to an activation of a tank locking device (48) of the vehicle (10). Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (52) is operatively connected to an energy source (70) of the vehicle (10) in such a way that the control system (52) even when the vehicle (10) is completely or partially deactivated. can be activated. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (10) is a motor vehicle (12) or a wind-powered vehicle. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating signal device (30) one or more elements from the group: direction indicators (32), visual lighting (34), position markers (36), warning signal generators (38), headlights, reversing lights , Brake light or ambient lighting (40). Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (16) comprises one or more elements from the group: fuel tank (46), electrical energy store, water tank or oil tank.

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