DE3228416C2 - Display device for a motor vehicle for the selective display of information relating to the operating conditions of the motor vehicle itself - Google Patents

Abstract

The display device comprises first sensors (10) which generate a first group of signals intended for the display, which are characteristic of the operating and maintenance conditions of the motor vehicle, and second sensor means (20) for generating a second group of signals which characterize the operating conditions of the vehicle which are not intended for display, selector devices (50) for generating signals which are indicative of commands given by the vehicle driver, a processor circuit (30) for processing the sensor means from the first (10) and second (20) and the selector devices (50) generated signals, as well as a display unit (40) controlled by the processor circuit. While the motor vehicle is in use, the processor circuit (30) continuously identifies predetermined operating states of the vehicle from the signals of the second sensor means (20) and the selector devices (50) and selects from the signals generated by the first sensor means (10) those that are relevant for the predetermined operating state are characteristic and causes the display of only these selected signals as long as the vehicle remains in this operating state. Additional devices (60, 61) assigned to the display device are provided with touch sensors which, when the relevant additional device (60, 61) is touched by the driver, trigger the output of signals which are indicative of its operating status and playback ..

Description

characterized,

- That the voting devices (50) have a WäMer

(51), which is assigned to the starter switch of the vehicle, and a selector

(52) for setting to zero at least one of the signals which are displayed on the display unit (40) Information correspond to

- and that the zero set selector (52) has a test circuit for checking the display unit (40) is assigned

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sensor means (20) are logical Generate signals that are indicative of whether the vehicle engine is running or not and whether that Vehicle moves or not.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that additional devices (60,61) are provided which are equipped with touch sensors (62, 63) are that these BeKArungssensoren (62, 63) when touched of the relevant additional device (60, 61) by the vehicle driver the transmission of signals cause that are indicative of the operating status of the additional device and that these signals are reproduced on the display unit (40) controlled by the processor circuit (30).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that that one of the additional devices is a radio receiver (60).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that one of the additional devices is a Thermometer (61) for measuring the outside temperature.

The invention relates to a display device as described in the preamble of claim 1 Art.

Fine such display device is through the DE-OS 01470 known, in which a driving data computer is described, which the vehicle driver in addition to the Information that the conventional automotive instrumentation provides further information about the operating conditions of the vehicle and mark the functionality of individual components. Because the amount of this information is comparatively high and the simultaneous representation is not only expensive but also unnecessary is, the well-known travel data computers allow you to "call up" the information of interest z. B. with the help of appropriate keyboards. To avoid the risk of attracting the driver's attention when operating and reading the travel data computer is distracted from the Vcrkchrsgcschchcn, the mentioned DE-OS proposes an arrangement simulating the An / .cigcfeld the keyboard in front of and a marking device for the optical and / or acoustic characterization of the addressed data type, so that

the keyboard can be operated without the driver having to turn his gaze to the keyboard.

Some of the information that can be output by a driving data computer of the type described is information which are integrated over a certain observation period. This includes information, for example about the distance traveled and fuel consumption. It is now with the known devices like this assumed that the smallest possible observation period i is a single trip, d. H. each observation period begins with the actuation of a corresponding input, z. B. by switching on the ignition. It is intended to provide certain information over a longer period of time, e.g. Legs Vacation trip, to sum up, but not, the driver to provide the option of resetting part of the information that can be displayed at will.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a display device of the generic type Part of the information that can be displayed, which relates to the driving values from a certain point in time, optionally reset in order to initiate a new observation period for these driving values, with the driver should be given the opportunity to check the display device at the same time.

This object is achieved by a display device with the features of claim 1.

It is a particular advantage of the display device according to the invention that through the reset a part of the information provided a circuit to control the effectiveness of the actual voters Display unit is activated, which, for example, causes all display elements present (such as lights or the like) are switched on at the same time. This allows the driver to prevent the danger that information is presented to him that is incomplete or incorrect.

In the following the invention is based on the drawings explained in more detail.

F i g. Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the display device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 to 12 show different functional phases the display device according to Fi g. 1.

The display device according to FIG. 1 contains first sensors 10 for generating a first group of signals which are characteristic of the operating and performance conditions of a motor vehicle. These first sensors 10 are divided into two subgroups, which are designated by 10a and iOb .

The subgroup labeled 10a includes sensors for generating analog signals, the physical Corresponding to sizes which are characteristic of the operating conditions of the vehicle. For this belong e.g. B. the engine speed, the vehicle speed, temperature and level of the Coolant, the pressure and level of the engine oil, the level of the fuel in the tank, the fuel consumption, the distance covered, the state of charge of the battery, the degree of wear and tear on the brake pads as well as the time.

The entirety of the sensors denoted by 10b includes those that generate logic signals which Information is assigned that relate to the operation of the organs of the motor vehicle. For this belong e.g. B. the brake pedal, the handbrake, the fog lights, the position lights, the headlights, the Direction indicator, the heated rear window and the passenger compartment lighting.

This group of sensors 10ό includes sensors which generate logic signals that characterize the efficiency of the motor vehicle. These include B. Information, which indicate an insufficient charge level of the battery, a low level in the Motor vehicle anchor (reserve), overheating of the coolant wedge, Insufficient oil pressure in the engine, excessive wear of the brake pads, malfunction of the Brake systems. the lighting and incomplete

ίο Closing the vehicle doors.

In Fi g. 1 are also shown second sensors that are generally designated 20 and generate signals which are also used for operating conditions of the Motor vehicle are characteristic such. B. logical

is signals that indicate whether the engine is running or not and whether the vehicle is moving or not.

Some of the first sensors 10 are connected to processors 10c, 10c /, which are based on the signals from the sensors 10a and 106 through arithmetic and logical operations derive further signals.

These from the processors 10 /. and 10c / generated signals are indicative of physical quantities, such as B. the distance covered by the vehicle from a given point in time (daily distance), the travel time and the average speed of the vehicle when driving through this route, average fuel consumption since that point in time.
The mode of operation of a system with processors of the type mentioned is explained in the applicant's Italian utility model application 53 309-B / 80.

The signals generated by the first sensors 10, which are to be displayed to the driver, as well as those of signals generated by the second sensors that are not displayed on the display panel of the motor vehicle are fed to a processor circuit 30 which controls a display unit 40. ♦

With the processor circuit 30 are voting devices 50 connected, which generate signals indicative of commands given by the vehicle operator are.

The voting devices 50 include e.g. B. a sensor 51, the ignition switch of the motor vehicle is assigned, as well as a selector 52, the definitive or momentary zeroing of some of the first Sensors 10 controls generated signals.

The zero selector 52 is a signal in the processor circuit 30 for checking the effectiveness of the display unit 40 assigned.

The same selector 52 can be used to determine the reference point in time from which the processors 10c and 10c / calculate their corresponding physical quantities,
Another selector 53 allows the vehicle driver to display those signals generated by the sensors 10 which are to be visualized instead of or in addition to the automatically displayed signals.

The one in F ^; G. 1 illustrated embodiment

bo are also a radio receiver 60 and a thermometer 61 are provided for measuring the outside temperature, which are connected to the processor circuit 30.

The radio receiver 60 and the thermometer 61, which are additional devices with respect to the display device

b5 te represent are with appropriate touch sensors 62 and 63 provided.

These sensors 62 and 63 are activated when the vehicle driver touches them and generate Si

signals that are indicative of the operating status of the auxiliary device in question. These signals can in the case of the thermometer 61 consist of an analog signal that characterizes the outside temperature, or in the case of the radio receiver 60 from a signal that the activation and the voting situation of the Identifies the recipient.

In the following one possible with reference to FIGS Operation sequence of the device according to the invention described:

F i g. 2 indicates the following operating status:
The vehicle stands still. The engine is switched off and the ignition and starter switch are in the off position. The corresponding output signals of the second sensor devices 20 and the selector device 50 are processed in the circuit 30, which causes the signals generated by the first sensors 10, which correspond to the total distance traveled by the motor vehicle, the time and the content of the fuel tank, on the display unit 40 are shown.

In the illustrated embodiment, these are signals Analog signals that are shown in digit form on the display unit.

As can be seen from the illustration, line characters can also be displayed on the display unit 40, which information of a general kind regarding certain performance data of the vehicle (e.g. the maintenance status) include.

When the starter switch of the vehicle is turned on, the selector 5t sends a corresponding one Signal to processor circuit 30, which displays fonts / .eicnen and Idiograms caused (Fig. 3). which is based on signals which identify the operational and performance state of the vehicle.

in the example shown! are faulty closing the doors and the activation of the handbrake are displayed.

F i g. 4 relates to the operating state in which the driver has closed the doors and the Has turned on the position lights and the fog lights.

F i g. 5 relates to the same operating state as FIG. 4 with the difference that the driver opens the doors has not closed and one of the sensors 10 detects a defect in one of the lamps. If the defect a lamp is displayed, the display unit 40 can provide a diagnostic display by means of which the driver the lamp group in which the defect has occurred is displayed.

F i g. 6 relates to an operating state of the vehicle in which the engine is running, the vehicle however stands (no speedometer signal). The driver has actuated the selector device 43, whereby signals are represented generated by the processors 10c and 10t / of the first sensors 10.

In the case shown, on the display unit 40 signals are shown showing the distance traveled by the vehicle from a given point in time (Trip distance), the elapsed time and the average speed while saving this distance, average fuel consumption and that of indicate the amount of fuel consumed at the specified time. In addition to the signaler ·. That focus on the actuation of vehicle organs (position lights, handbrake) and related to information that relates to related to lamp defects and incomplete door closing are shown on the display unit 40 also shows signals for the vehicle speed as well as the temperature and the fill level of molor oil are characteristic.

In the operating state on which FIG. 7 refers, the driver has actuated the selector 52, which causes the zeroing of the signals that relate to the Relate travel value c since the previous actuation of the zero setting selector.

ίο The actuation of the selection device 52 also causes the simultaneous activation of all lights of the display unit 40 and thus enables the driver to Checking the display unit itself.

F i g. 8 relates to an operating state in which the vehicle is in motion.

The unit 40 displays signals relating to the distance traveled by the vehicle, the time, the filling of the fuel tank, the engine speed, the temperature of the coolant, the vehicle speed, the pressure of the engine oil as well as the closing of the doors and the actuation of the direction indicators relate.

The possibility is provided that the signals for which information is of particular importance the driving safety correspond, z. B. Signals that indicate that the doors are not properly closed while driving are displayed on the display unit 40 in intermittent display.

F i g. 9 shows the operating state in which

jo drives the vehicle and the driver controls the rear window heating has switched on. Signals are displayed that correspond to the following information:

Distance covered, time, amount of fuel in the fuel tank, temperature of the coolant

sweetness. Driving / cug speed, engine oil pressure and as an alternative to the signal indicative of the engine speed, a signal that the current fuel consumption indicates and a signal that indicates the area of action of the vehicle.

The last-mentioned signal is derived with the aid of one of the processors 10c, 10d from the signals which are for identifying the fuel supply and fuel consumption are.

The representation of the signals, which the current fuel consumption and the range of action of the vehicle reproduce is effected by the driver by actuating the selection device 53.

It is also possible to use the signal representing the current fuel consumption

so intermittently displayed when the driver has inserted the The gearbox is not optimal for the current driving situation. It can be provided be that the frequency of the intermittent display becomes larger as the divergence between the actual driving conditions of the vehicle and those mentioned under optimal conditions. In the operating state shown in FIG. 10 is the vehicle in motion, the unit 40 displaying signals indicating the distance traveled, the time, the

μ fuel supply. the engine speed, the temperature the coolant, the vehicle speed and the oil pressure of the engine, as well as signals that reflect the activation of the position lights and one of the direction indicators.

h5 Together with the signal that is present in the tank Fuel level can also be a. preferably intermittent. Signal are displayed, that has a low fuel supply (reserve)

indicates.

F i g. 11 relates to an operating state in which the vehicle stops with the engine running.

On the unit 40 signals are shown that the Temperature of the coolant, the driving / .euggeschwin- ί show the speed (zero) and the oil pressure, as well as signals that indicate excessive wear on the brake pads, actuation of the position lamps and low Krartsfoffvorrat (reserve) are characteristic. Further are signals generated by the processors 10c and 10d displayed, which relate to the driving values since the last actuation of the selector device 52 (Tuges route, average speed, travel time, average fuel consumption and amount of fuel consumed).

Fig. 12 relates to the embodiment according to Fi g. 1, in which the device is assigned a radio receiver 60. If the driver is at one of the possible operating states of the vehicle the radio receiver 60 touches by, for example, a NEN pushbutton switch or the tuning button is actuated, the touch sensor 62 causes the radio receiver 60 to output a signal which characterizes its switched-on state and the tuning state.

This signal is instead of the signals characterizing the operating state of the vehicle while on the Display unit 40 shows how the driver operates the radio receiver.

In the example shown, there is the display relating to the tuning of the radio receiver 60 draws, from a luminous arrow on a scale is movable, which corresponds to the normal tuning scale of a radio receiver.

The invention is of course not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above restricts. In particular, the in F i g. 2 to 12 shown functional examples on a display unit, in which identical fields of the display column are used in succession to display different signals be used.

For this purpose 4 sheets of drawings

45

65

Claims (1)

Patent claims: 1. Display device for a motor vehicle for the selective display of the operating conditions the information relating to the vehicle - with first sensor means no. (10) to generate a first group of analog and logic signals for the operating parameters to be displayed and maintenance conditions of the vehicle are characteristic, - where the analog signals correspond to at least one of the following physical quantities: Engine speed, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, coolant level in the radiator, engine oil pressure, engine oil level. Fuel level in the fuel tank, fuel consumption, from Distance traveled by the vehicle, battery charge level, wear and tear Brake pads and time, - and wherein the logic signals at least one piece of information from the following group of Information includes: pressing the brake pedal, switching on the fog lights, Switching on the position lights, switching on the headlights, switching on the Direction indicator. Switching on the rear window heating, switching on the interior lighting, Insufficient charge of the battery, low power supply in the Fuel tank (reserve). Overheating of the coolant, insufficient oil pressure, excessive Brake pad wear. Defect of the brake system, lamp defect, as well as faulty Closing a vehicle door, - with processors (10c. \ 0d ) assigned to the first sensor means (10) for generating analog signals which are characteristic of at least one of the following physical quantities: distance covered since a given point in time, average speed on this distance, time required for this distance, Average fuel consumption on the route and total fuel consumption on the route. - With second Scnsormittel (20) for generating a second group of signals that are relevant for them Operating parameters of the vehicle are characteristic that should not be displayed, - With selector devices (50) for generating signals for the vehicle driver given commands are characteristic. - as well as with a processor circuit (30) for processing the signals t> o generated by the first sensor means (10), the second sensor means (20) and the selector devices (50) and with a display unit (40) which is generated by the processor circuit (30) is controllable, this processor circuit (30) during vehicle operation on the basis of the signals of the second Sensormiue! (20) and the selector ¹ ) directions (50) identified predetermined operating conditions of the vehicle in succession, from the signals generated by the first sensor means (10) evaluates those which are characteristic of the identified operating state and the display only shows the selected ones Signals while the vehicle maintains this operating state,