EP2890599A1

EP2890599A1 - Vehicle information display system

Info

Publication number: EP2890599A1
Application number: EP13756586.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexandre Fromion; Stanislas DI PIAZZA
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
Current assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2015-07-08
Also published as: WO2014033380A1; FR2994925B1; CN104718117A; FR2994925A1; CN104718117B

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle information display system (1) comprising: a screen (3), a device for determining the addition of propulsion energy (4) to the vehicle, and a distance travelled counter (5). The system is characterised in that it is configured to automatically reset the counter (5) to zero when propulsion energy is added to the vehicle and to display the distance travelled following the replenishment of propulsion energy.

Description

AF FI CHAG E F O R M A T IO N FO R A T IO N FO R E S

The present invention generally relates to an information display system relating to a vehicle and more particularly to a system for displaying the residual autonomy of a vehicle, the consumption of propulsion energy and the distance traveled by the vehicle. a vehicle since the last refueling or last refill of electrical energy.

In order to determine a distance traveled by a vehicle since the last refueling, the driver must reset a daily odometer by pressing several seconds on a button located on the dashboard or by searching for a reset key on a page displayed by the board computer.

This reset is often done immediately after filling the tank and rolling so that the risk of an accident is increased because the driver is distracted.

In addition, in order to find information on the remaining range, the propulsion energy consumption and the distance traveled since the last refueling (or last recharge of electrical energy), it is necessary to look for this information to several places on the dashboard, or repeatedly press a button on the dashboard or steering wheel or display multiple pages provided by the trip computer. This also increases the risk of an accident because the driver is distracted for too long by this search for information.

The document US7237203 describes a system allowing an alternating display of two quantities which are related as the distance traveled compared to the total distance, the instantaneous consumption compared to the average consumption. US2009040033 discloses a display system for a hybrid vehicle for estimating the degradation of the battery with respect to its usual duration of charge, and also the degradation of fuel consumption in relation to the degradation of the battery charge.

US6453731 discloses a display of short-term consumption, average consumption, or estimated longer-term consumption.

An object of the present invention is to meet the drawbacks mentioned above and in particular to propose an information display system which ensures that the driver does not increase the risk of an accident by searching for such information.

For this purpose a first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle information display system comprising:

- a screen ;

a device for determining the addition of propulsion energy to the vehicle;

- a distance counter traveled;

characterized in that it is configured to automatically reset the counter when propulsion energy is added to the vehicle, and to display the distance traveled following a propulsion energy fill.

Such a system avoids a voluntary resetting of the odometer by the driver and a potentially dangerous distraction.

Very advantageously, it furthermore comprises a computer configured to determine a level of propulsion energy of the vehicle and a residual autonomy of the vehicle, and in that the system is configured to simultaneously display the distance traveled following a filling. a propulsion energy tank, the propulsion energy level of the vehicle and the residual autonomy of the vehicle on the screen.

A particularly interesting embodiment consists in that it comprises a display device configured to generate on the screen a graphical indicator in three parts, the graphical indicator comprising a first bar graph displaying the distance traveled following a filling of the reservoir. propulsion energy, a second bar graph displaying the residual autonomy of the vehicle and a cursor connecting the first bar graph whose position represents the propulsion energy level of the vehicle.

This allows quick and simultaneous access to information on the remaining range, actual consumption and distance traveled after refueling.

Advantageously, the display device is configured to move the cursor, to increase the first bar graph and to decrease the second bar graph so as to simultaneously present the distance traveled following a filling of the propulsion energy reservoir, the level of the propulsion energy of the vehicle and the residual autonomy of the vehicle that change when the vehicle is moved.

Advantageously, it is configured to reset the first bar graph and the second bar graph to a predetermined length, and to reset the cursor to a predetermined position when the propulsion energy addition determination device determines that the energy is propulsion has been added to the vehicle and that the propulsion energy tank is full.

Very advantageously, it is configured to update the first bar graph, the second bar and the cursor position from the values of the propulsion energy level and the remaining autonomy determined by the calculator and the distance traveled provided. by the meter. Very advantageously, the display device is configured to set the starting point of the first bar graph to the cursor position when the propulsion energy addition determining device determines that propulsion energy has been added. to the vehicle.

In a very advantageous manner, the display device is furthermore configured to generate on the screen an image of a gauge, a pictogram which symbolizes the distance traveled by the vehicle, a symbol for identifying the filling operation of the fuel tank. propulsion energy of the vehicle and a pictogram symbolizing the indication of residual autonomy.

A particularly interesting embodiment consists in that the display device is configured to generate on the screen a symbol for locating the filling operation of the propulsion energy reservoir at the starting point of the first bar and at least partially at the beginning. the propulsion energy determining device determines that propulsion energy has been added to the vehicle and that the propulsion energy reservoir is not full.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a system as defined above.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle information display system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a graphic indicator according to the present invention (i) following a full / recharging of a vehicle propulsion energy reservoir, (ii) following a displacement (mid-tank / mid-load) and (iii) at the time of an alert on the reserve;

FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical indicator according to the present invention (i) following a partial filling of a reservoir of energy of propulsion of the vehicle, (ii) following a movement (mid-tank / mid-load) and (iii) at the time of an alert on the reserve;

FIG. 4 illustrates a vertical graphical indicator according to another variant of the present invention (i) following a partial filling of a propulsion energy reservoir of the vehicle, (ii) following a displacement and (iii) at the moment an alert on the reserve;

- Figure 5 illustrates a gauge bar graph;

- Figure 6 illustrates a pictogram symbolizing the distance traveled by the vehicle;

- Figure 7 illustrates a symbol / icon to identify the filling operation of the propulsion energy tank of the vehicle; and

- Figure 8 illustrates a pictogram symbolizing the indication of residual autonomy.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle information display system 1 according to the present invention in a vehicle 2. The system 1 comprises a screen 3, a device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4 to the vehicle 3, a distance counter 5, a display device 6 for generating images on the screen 3 and a calculator 7.

Screen 3 is able to display graphical information (with optional colors). It is, for example, a handset matrix screen or a multi-function central screen or a Head-up Vision device.

The device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4 is configured to receive from a sensor 8 of a propulsion energy reservoir 9 of the vehicle a value representing the quantity of propulsion energy remaining in the reservoir 9. The sensor 8 is furthermore able to detect an opening of a hatch of the propulsion energy reservoir 9 of the vehicle and to signal the opening to the device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4. The device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4 is also configured to store this value in a memory, such as a flash memory (for example, a memory of the computer 7). It puts the last value recorded with the value currently provided by the sensor 8, for example, every 60 seconds.

It is further configured to compare the value currently provided by the sensor 8 with the last value recorded when an opening of the tank door 9 is signaled by the sensor 8. It determines that propulsion energy has been added to the tank 9 when the value currently provided by the sensor 8 is greater than the last stored value.

The device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4 is furthermore configured to compare the value currently provided by the sensor 8 with a predetermined threshold value stored in the memory when an opening of the hatch of the tank 9 is signaled by the sensor 8 to determine that the tank 9 is full when the currently supplied value is greater than the predetermined threshold value or the tank 9 is not full when the currently supplied value is less than the predetermined threshold value. It is also configured to send to the display device 6 a first signal indicating that propulsion energy has been added to the reservoir 9 and a second signal indicating that the level of the reservoir 9 is full or not full.

The propulsion energy addition determining device 4 is configured to send a reset signal to the counter 5 when it determines that propulsion energy has been added to the reservoir 9.

The distance counter traveled 5 is able to calculate and count a distance traveled by the vehicle. It includes a timer and is connected to a sensor integrated in the vehicle gearbox for measuring the speed of the vehicle. The counter 5 is further configured to communicate the value of the distance traveled by the vehicle to the display device 6. The counter 5 is also configured to receive the reset signal of the propulsion energy addition determination device 4, to reset the distance traveled when it receives this signal and then to communicate this value of zero to display device 6.

The computer 7 includes the device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4 and the counter 5.

The computer 7 is able to determine the level of propulsion energy of the vehicle by reading the value representing the amount of propulsion energy remaining in the reservoir 9 recorded in its memory by the propulsion energy addition determination device 4. The computer 7 is furthermore capable of calculating a residual range of the vehicle from the quantity of propulsion energy remaining in the tank 9 and a value of an average consumption of propulsion energy calculated by the computer 7.

The computer 7 is able to communicate the value of the level of propulsion energy of the vehicle remaining in the tank 9 and the value of the residual autonomy of the vehicle to the display device 6.

The display device 6 for generating images on the screen 3 is, for example, a graphics card capable of producing images that can be displayed on the screen 3. The display device 6 comprises a graphics processor 10 for generating images. such as graphic indicators, pictograms, icons and symbols. The generated images are stored in its memory 1 1. It sends the images stored in its memory 1 1 to the screen 3 where they are displayed by the screen 3.

The display device 6 is configured to generate a graphical indicator 12 including a first portion 13 connected to a second portion 14 by a slider 15 (Figure 2).

The first part, the second part and the cursor simultaneously present respectively a first, second and third information concerning the vehicle. The first, second and third information is information related to each other (interrelated information).

In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2, the first part 13 of the graphic indicator 12 is a first bar graph, the second part 14 is a second bar graph, and the first bar graph is connected to the second bar by the cursor 15.

The first bar graph 13 of the graphical indicator 12 represents the distance traveled following a filling of the reservoir 9, the second bar 14 of the graphical indicator 12 represents the residual autonomy of the vehicle 3, and the position of the cursor 15 represents the level of propulsion energy remaining in the tank 9.

The graphical indicator 12 simultaneously shows, in a single image, the three vehicle information: the remaining range, the distance traveled following a filling and the level of propulsion energy remaining in the reservoir since the last filling.

The display device 6 is configured to receive a value of the remaining autonomy and a value of the level of propulsion energy remaining in the reservoir of the computer 7, and a value of the distance traveled following a filling of the counter 5.

The display device 6 is furthermore configured to determine a positioning of the cursor 15 and a length of the first bar graph 13 and the second bar 14 on the basis of these values communicated by the calculator 11 and the counter 5.

The display device 6 is configured to move the cursor 15 in a predetermined direction representing a consumption of the propulsion energy of the vehicle 3, to increase the length of the first bar 13 to represent the increase in the distance traveled and to decrease the length of the second bar 14 to represent the decrease in residual autonomy. The two bar graphs are mirrors and are connected by the slider 15 which moves (or slides) during the movement of the vehicle. This produces a flow effect of potential kilometers to the kilometers traveled.

This makes it possible to display a single image showing simultaneously and visually the evolution of the remaining range, the distance traveled and the level of propulsion energy remaining that change during the movement of the vehicle. This also makes it possible to visually and simultaneously represent the values of these three pieces of information concerning the vehicle.

The display device 6 is further configured to move the slider 15 in a direction representing an increase in the amount of propulsion energy in the tank of the vehicle 3, to decrease the first bar 13 and to increase the second bar 14.

The display device 6 is configured to reset a cursor position 15 and a length of the first bar graph 13 and the second bar graph 14 when it receives a signal from the propulsion energy addition determining device 4 indicating that the reservoir 9 is full. The cursor 15 is positioned at a predetermined position, the length of the first bar 13 takes a minimum value and the length of the second bar 14 takes a maximum value, as illustrated in the upper part of Figure 2.

The display device 6 is configured to automatically reset the length of the first bargraph 13 (or zero) when the counter 5 gives it a value of zero after receiving the reset signal from the adding determination device. Propulsion energy 4.

The display device 6 is further configured to generate a numerical value of the remaining range (in km or miles) in the second bar 14 and to generate a numerical value of the distance traveled (in km or miles) in the first Bar graph 13 (Figure 2). It is also configured to automatically reset this numeric value of the distance traveled to zero when the counter 5 communicates a value of zero after receiving the reset signal of the device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4.

The display device 6 is furthermore configured to generate an image of a gauge having digits 0 and 1 at the ends as well as a rectangular bar, the number 1/2 in the middle, a rectangular bar between the numbers 0 and 1 / 2 representing a solid one-quarter tank and a rectangular bar between the numbers 1/2 and 1 representing a solid three-quarter tank, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. The graphical indicator 12 is generated on the gauge which forms a central base for this one.

Alternatively, the display device 6 is configured to generate a gauge bar graph as shown in FIG.

The display device 6 is furthermore configured to generate a pictogram symbolizing the distance traveled by the vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 6, a symbol / icon for identifying the filling operation of the propulsion energy reservoir of the vehicle. vehicle (fuel pump / charging station) as shown in Figure 7 and a pictogram symbolizing the indication of residual autonomy (estimate of the distance in kilometers or miles that the vehicle can make on the energy reserve ( fuel or electric) as shown in Figure 8.

The position of the fuel pump / charging station icon (Figure 7) depends on the level of propulsion energy filling and allows you to correctly index the mileage traveled to the range.

The display device 6 is configured to position the icon at the end of filling detection of the propulsion energy tank by detecting the opening of the hatch and detecting the increase in energy reserve of the vehicle. propulsion by the device for determining the addition of propulsion energy 4.

When it receives a signal from the propulsion energy addition determining device 4 indicating that the tank 9 is full, the icon fuel pump / charging station is positioned at a predetermined position 16 as shown in Figure 2.

When it receives a signal from the propulsion energy addition determining device 4 indicating that energy has been added to the tank 9 but the tank is not full, the display device 6 is configured to determining a positioning of the cursor 15 and a length of the second bar 14 on the basis of new values of the residual range and the level of propulsion energy determined and communicated by the computer 7. The length of the first bar 13 is set to minimum value and the fuel pump / charging station icon is positioned at the starting point 17 of the first bar graph 19 and at least partially inside thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

This detection of the end of filling of the tank therefore allows a reset of the distance traveled from the filling event of the tank and to maintain the consistency of km information traveled / remaining autonomy.

In the case of active guidance with a distance to a defined destination, the display device 6 is configured to add the destination distance 18 associated with a compatibility color between the range and the distance to be traveled. The distance to destination 18 is displayed in a different color depending on the distance between the range and the distance at destination to alert the user. For example, the following rules apply:

- Autonomy less than the distance to more than 10% red;

- Autonomy greater than the distance to more than 20% green;

- Autonomy between 0 and 10% of the distance to orange destination.

When the range is below a certain threshold, in order to warn the driver, the display device 6 is configured to pass the color of the slider 15 or the color of the bar graph 14 to an alert color (red or orange for example).

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

R EV IN DI CATI ON S

1. Vehicle information display system (1) comprising:

- a screen (3);

a device for determining the addition of propulsion energy (4) to the vehicle;

a distance counter traveled (5);

characterized in that it is configured to automatically reset the counter (5) when propulsion energy is added to the vehicle, and to display the distance traveled following a propulsion energy fill.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a computer (7) configured to determine a propulsion energy level of the vehicle and a residual autonomy of the vehicle, and in that the system (1) is configured to simultaneously display the distance traveled following a filling of a propulsion energy tank (9), the level of propulsion energy of the vehicle and the residual autonomy of the vehicle on the screen (3). ).

3. System (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a display device (6) configured to generate on the screen (3) a graphical indicator (12) in three parts, the graphical indicator (12) comprising a first bar graph (13) displaying the distance traveled following a filling of the propulsion energy reservoir, a second bar graph (14) displaying the residual autonomy of the vehicle and a slider (15) connecting the first to the second bar graph whose position represents the propulsion energy level of the vehicle.

System (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the display device (6) is configured to move the cursor (15), to increase the first bar (13) and to decrease the second bar (14). in order to simultaneously present the distance traveled following a filling of the propulsion energy reservoir (9), the level of propulsion energy of the vehicle and the residual autonomy of the vehicle which change during the movement of the vehicle.

5. System (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it is configured to reset the first bar graph (13) and the second bar (14) to a predetermined length, and to reset the cursor (15) to a predetermined position when the propulsion energy addition determining device determines that propulsion energy has been added to the vehicle and the propulsion energy reservoir (9) is full.

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it is configured to update the first bar graph (13), the second bar (14) and the cursor position (15) from the values of the propulsion energy level and the remaining autonomy determined by the computer (7) and the distance traveled provided by the counter (5).

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the display device (6) is configured to set the starting point of the first bar (13) to the position of the cursor (15). ) when the propulsion energy addition determining device (4) determines that propulsion energy has been added to the vehicle.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (6) is further configured to generate on the screen (3) an image of a gauge, a pictogram which symbolizes the distance traveled by the vehicle, a symbol to identify the filling operation of the vehicle's propulsion energy reservoir and a pictogram symbolizing the indication of residual autonomy.

9. System (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the display device (6) is configured to generate on the screen (3) a symbol for locating the filling operation of the propulsion energy reservoir at the starting point of the first bar graph (13) and at least partially inside it when the device for determining the addition of propulsion energy (4) determines that propulsion energy has been added to the vehicle and that the propulsion energy reservoir (9) is not full.

10. Motor vehicle comprising the system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.