EP0004437B2 - Einrichtung zur Fehleranzeige eines Kraftfahrzeugmotors - Google Patents

Einrichtung zur Fehleranzeige eines Kraftfahrzeugmotors Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0004437B2
EP0004437B2 EP19790300402 EP79300402A EP0004437B2 EP 0004437 B2 EP0004437 B2 EP 0004437B2 EP 19790300402 EP19790300402 EP 19790300402 EP 79300402 A EP79300402 A EP 79300402A EP 0004437 B2 EP0004437 B2 EP 0004437B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transducer means
switch
display device
detecting
reservoir
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19790300402
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0004437B1 (de
EP0004437A1 (de
Inventor
William Frank Hill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0004437A1 publication Critical patent/EP0004437A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0004437B1 publication Critical patent/EP0004437B1/de
Publication of EP0004437B2 publication Critical patent/EP0004437B2/de
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/08—Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
    • G07C5/0816—Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a motor vehicle fault indication system including a transducer for detecting a fault and a display device associated therewith.
  • DE-OS-2 428 990 there is described an arrangement in which a warning device is responsive to a temperature sensor when the vehicle ignition switch is closed and in which the warning device is responsive to the state of the headlamp switch when the ignition switch is open and the driver's door is open.
  • this arrangement is satisfactory for using a single warning device with a temperature sensor and to indicate when the headlamps have been left on when the driver is leaving the vehicle, this document does not teach how to use a single display device with transducers in the engine coolant reservoir and the screen washer reservoir.
  • a motor vehicle fault indication system comprising an electric circuit including first transducer means for detecting a first fault, second transducer means for detecting a second fault, a common display device associated with both the first transducer means and the second transducer means, a driver controlled device which is associated with a vehicle system in which said second fault may occur and which is not provided solely to interrogate said transducer means, and switch means for selectively rendering the display device responsive to only one of said first and second transducer means, the driver controlled device being so arranged in said electric circuit that the display device is normally responsive to said first transducer means but, upon operation of the driver controlled device, the display device is temporarily rendered responsive to the second transducer means, characterized in that the display device comprises a face marked with a legend and means for illuminating the face and in that the first transducer means comprises transducer means for detecting the level of fluid in an engine coolant reservoir, the second transducer means comprises transducer means for detecting the level of fluid in the screen washer
  • the driver can readily appreciate which transducer has detected a fault.
  • the motor vehicle includes a conventional internal combustion engine having a spark ignition system, and a water cooling system and associated coolant reservoir.
  • the engine is lubricated by an oil lubrication system which is associated with an oil reservoir.
  • the vehicle also includes a screen washer reservoir for providing a jet of water for washing the windscreen of the vehicle.
  • the system is capable of indicating a low level in the coolant reservoir or the screen washer reservoir and is also capable of indicating faults in the oil lubricating system.
  • the system comprises a battery 10 having its negative terminal connected to earth and its positive terminal connected to an input terminal of an ignition switch having four operating positing positions la, Ib, Ic, and ld.
  • the position la is an « of position.
  • the input terminal is connected to a supply line 12 and in the position Ic the input terminal is connected to the supply line 12 and to a supply line 14.
  • the supply line 14 is also connected to the ignition system, and so the position Ic is the normal driving position of the switch.
  • the input terminal is connected to the supply line 14 and also to a relay, not shown, for operating a starter motor.
  • the position Id is the position for starting the vehicle.
  • the supply line 12 is connected through two series connected resistors R1, R2 to the supply line 14 and the supply line 14 is connected through a resistor R3 to earth.
  • the junction of the resistor R1 and R2 is connected to the base of a p-n-p transistor T 1 , the emitter of which is connected to the supply line 12 and the collector of which is connected through a relay coil B 1 of a relay B to earth.
  • the supply line 14 is also connected through a push-button switch S and the windings of a motor 16 to earth.
  • the motor 16 drives a pump positioned in the screen washer reservoir.
  • the junction of the switch S and motor 16 is connected to the anode of a diode D l , the cathode of which is connected to the junction of the collector of transistor T 1 and relay coil B 1 .
  • the supply line 12 is connected through a lamp 18 forming part of a display device to an input terminal of a relay switch B 2 of the relay B.
  • the display device comprises a face marked with a legend depicting a tap to indicate low water level and a means for illuminating the face in the form of the lamp 18.
  • the relay switch B 2 has two output terminals which are connected respectively through two fault detecting transducers in the form of float switches WL and CL to earth.
  • the input terminal is normally connected to the output terminal associated with the float switch CI but, on energization of the relay coil B, is connected instead to the output terminal associated with the float switch WL.
  • the float switch CL is positioned in the engine coolant reservoir and the float switch WL is positioned in the screen washer reservoir. Each flota switch closes when the liquid in its respective reservoir falls below a predetermined level.
  • the line 14 is also connected through two series connected resistors R 4 and R 5 to earth.
  • the junction of the resistors R 4 and R 5 is connected through a resistor R 6 to the junction of the lamp 18 and the input terminal of the switch B 2 and also to the base of an npn transistor T 2 .
  • the collector of the transistor T 2 is connected via a resistor R 13 to the line 12 and the emitter is connected to earth.
  • the collector of transistor T 2 is also connected to the anode of a diode D 2 , the cathode of which is connected to the collector of an npn transistor T 3 .
  • the collector of transistor T 3 is also connected to the line 14 through a resistor R 7 and the emitter of transistor T 3 is connected to earth.
  • the line 14 is also connected through a lamp 20 and an oil pressure switch PL to earth.
  • the lamp 20 forms part of a display device, generally similar to the display device associated with the lamp 18 except that its face is marked with a legend depicting an oil can to indicate low oil pressure.
  • the line 14 is also connected through a resistor R e and a float switch QL to earth.
  • the float switch QL is positioned in the oil reservoir and closes when the oil falls below a predetermined level.
  • the junction of the resistor R 8 and the float switch QL is connected to the base of the transistor T 3 through a resistor R 9 and the float switch QL is connected to the base of the transistor T 3 through a resistor R 9 and the junction of the lamp 20 and the oil pressure switch PL is connected to the base of the transistor T 3 through a resistor R 1o .
  • the base of transistor T 3 is connected to earth through a resistor R 11 .
  • the collector of transistor T 3 is connected to earth through a resistor R 12 and also connected to the base of a transistor T 4 , the collector of which is connected through a buzzer 22 to the supply line 12 and the emitter of which is connected to earth.
  • the line 12 is energized, the transistor T 1 , is rendered conductive, the relay coil B is energized as indicated by « 1 in Figure 2, and the float switch WL is connected in series with the lamp 18. If the float switch WL is open, it will prevent illumination of the lamp 18 but current will be supplied to the base of transistor T 2 thereby rendering this transistor conductive.
  • the lamp 18 will be illuminated, thereby providing a visual indication that the water in the screen washer reservoir is below the predetermined level, and the current will be removed from the base of the transistor T 2 , thereby rendering it non-conductive, rendering transistor T 4 conductive and energizing the buzzer 22 to provide an audio indication that the water is below the predetermined level.
  • the current supplied to the line 14 through resistors R 1 and R 2 will be insufficient to illuminate the lamp 20.
  • the line 14 is at a voltage too low to provide base current to transistors T 2 , T 3 and T 4 .
  • the buzzer 22 is energized only if the switch W L is closed enabling base current to flow to transistor T 4 through diode D 2 .
  • the condition of the lamp 18 and the buzzer 22 will depend upon the condition of the float switch WL, as indicated by « WL » in Figure 2, and so the level of water in the screen washer reservoir may be checked by moving the ignition switch into this position.
  • both lines 12 and 14 will be energized thereby rendering the transistor T 1 non-conductive.
  • the float switch CL will normally be connected in series with the lamp 18 with the result that the lamp 18 will be illuminated if the float switch CL is closed, thereby indicating that the water in the coolant reservoir is below the predetermined level.
  • relay coil B will be energized and the float switch WL will be connected in series with the lamp 18, which will now only be illuminated if the float switch WL is closed.
  • the transistor T z will be rendered conductive as line 14 is energized and so the condition of the float switch WL and CL will not affect operation of the buzzer 22. If either or both of the switches QL, PL are open, the base of transistor T 3 will receive base current through either or both of the resistors R 8 , Rg, thereby rendering the transistor T 3 conductive, the transistor T 4 non-conductive and preventing energization of the buzzer 22. However, if both switches QL, PL are closed, the transistor T 3 will be rendered non-conductive, and the transistor T 4 will be rendered conductive thereby energizing the buzzer 22 to provide an audio indication of low oil pressure combined with low oil level in the oil reservoir. This is indicated in Figure 2 by « PL.QL " .
  • the lamp 18 is used to indicate both a low level in the screen washer reservoir and in the engine coolant reservoir, the lamp 18 being normally controlled by the float switch CL, but being controlled by the float switch WL in certain predetermined circumstances, namely when the ignition switch I is in the position Ib, or when the washer switch S is depressed. As the lamp 18 is used for both these purposes it is only necessary to design a single legend.
  • the fault indication system described above could be extended to include other display devices which are used to indicate two or more faults.
  • this system could include a display device for indicating both a low level in a cluth fluid reservoir and a low level in a brake fluid reservoir, the display device being controlled by a float switch in the brake fluid reservoir when the switch I is in the position Ic and by a float switch in the clutch fluid reservoir when the ignition switch is in the position lb.
  • a further modification which may be thought desirable is an arrangement for preventing continuous operation of the warning devices with the ignition switch in its « auxiliary-only position. This would involve incorporating a timer to turn off the warning devices after a predetermined time if the ignition contacts of the ignition switch were not closed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)

Claims (2)

1. Kraftfahrzeug-Fehleranzeigeeinrichtung, umfassend eine elektrische Schaltung mit einem ersten Signalgeber (CL) zur Erfassung eines ersten Fehlers, einem zweiten Signalgeber (WL) zur Erfassung eines zweiten Fehlers, einer beiden Signalgebern (CL und WL) zugeordneten gemeinsamen Anzeigeeinheit (18), einer fahrergesteuerten Vorrichtung (S, 16), die einem Fahrzeugsystem, in dem der zweite Fehler auftreten kann, zugeordnet und nicht ausschließlich zum Abfragen des Signalgebers (WL) vorgesehen ist, und einem Schalter (B), um die Anzeigeeinheit (18) selektiv auf nur einen der beiden Signalgeber (WL, CL) ansprechen zu lassen, wobei die fahrergesteuerte Vorrichtung (S, 16) so in der elektrischen Schaltung angeordnet ist, daß die Anzeigeeinheit normalerweise auf den ersten Signalgeber (CL) anspricht, aber bei.Betätigung der fahrergesteuerten Vorrichtung (S, 16) vorübergehend auf den zweiten Signalgeber (WL) anspricht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anzeigeeinheit (18) eine beschriftete Fläche und Mittel zum Beleuchten der Fläche aufweist und daß der erste Signalgeber (CL) ein Meßwertgeber zur Erfassung des Flüssigkeitsstands in einem Motorkühlmittelbehälter und der zweite Signalgeber (WL) ein Meßwertgeber zur Erfassung des Flüssigkeitsstands in der Scheibenwaschanlage ist und die fahrergesteuerte Vorrichtung (S, 16) einen Bedienungsschalter (S) zur Aktivierung eines Motors (16) zum Betätigen einer so angeordneten Pumpe, daß Flüssigkeit aus der Scheibenwaschanlage gefördert wird, aufweist, wobei die Betätigung des Bedienungsschalters (S) gleichzeitig den Motor (16) aktiviert und die Anzeigeeinheit vorübergehend auf den zweiten Signalgeber ansprechen läßt.
2. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Beleuchtungsmittel aus einer einzigen Lampe bestehen.
EP19790300402 1978-03-18 1979-03-14 Einrichtung zur Fehleranzeige eines Kraftfahrzeugmotors Expired EP0004437B2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1082278 1978-03-18
GB1082278 1978-03-18

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0004437A1 EP0004437A1 (de) 1979-10-03
EP0004437B1 EP0004437B1 (de) 1982-01-27
EP0004437B2 true EP0004437B2 (de) 1987-05-06

Family

ID=9974936

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19790300402 Expired EP0004437B2 (de) 1978-03-18 1979-03-14 Einrichtung zur Fehleranzeige eines Kraftfahrzeugmotors

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EP (1) EP0004437B2 (de)
DE (1) DE2961938D1 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9107128U1 (de) * 1991-06-10 1991-09-05 Blanchard, Michel, 8000 München Elektronische Überwachungsvorrichtung
ES2156061B1 (es) * 1998-10-16 2002-02-01 Gonzalez Jose Manuel Moreno Equipo de control audiovisual del funcionamiento de los sistemas de lubricacion y refrigeracion de motores a combustion.
GB0210930D0 (en) * 2002-05-13 2002-06-19 Thermo Electron Corp Improved mass spectrometer and mass filters therefor

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2788514A (en) * 1954-10-11 1957-04-09 Marvin H Schmitt Battery and brake alarm signal system
US3302171A (en) * 1964-10-01 1967-01-31 Gen Motors Corp Vehicle engine coolant condition indicator
US3634881A (en) * 1970-09-14 1972-01-11 Thomas A Cline High-pressure and low-pressure warning system for automotive radiators and the like
DE2428990A1 (de) * 1974-06-15 1976-01-02 Geb Weiss Judith Artmann Vorrichtung zur feststellung des betriebszustandes von teilen an fahrzeugen
US4027170A (en) * 1975-02-25 1977-05-31 Hollins J R Motor vehicle equipment
GB1526573A (en) * 1976-04-02 1978-09-27 Chrysler Uk Vehicle warning light systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2961938D1 (en) 1982-03-11
EP0004437B1 (de) 1982-01-27
EP0004437A1 (de) 1979-10-03

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