FR2786738A1 - Indicating fuel level during fuel tank filling by using fuel level sensor and vehicle data processor to send signal of tank fuel level or tank capacity remaining to multifunction display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunction display unit (7) where fitted to a vehicle may be used to indicate to a driver the fuel tank level while it is being filled. The signal delivered by the fuel level sensor (1) to the vehicle data processor (2) is used to make the multifunction display unit (7) indicate either fuel tank level or the remaining tank capacity. This mode of operation may be engaged by tank lid operation (8), overfilling prevention (9) or vehicle speed (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a system for indicating the level of

  fuel in a motor vehicle tank.

  Already known in the prior art, indication systems of this type which include a fuel level sensor connected to a central information processing unit connected to a fuel level indicator.

  burant arranged in the instrument cluster of the vehicle.

  It can therefore be seen that the driver of the vehicle, for example, can

  watch the evolution of the fuel level in the tank during its

  use, to plan the moment when he will have to refuel it.

  However, during tank filling operations, the operation

  tor only has indications supplied by the pump, for example, and must therefore monitor this filling very carefully, in order to prevent the

tank does not overflow.

  We can see that the end of the filling operation is relatively

  highly delicate since some operators tend to fill in

maximum the tank.

  However, the indications delivered by the pump give no information.

  tion concerning the filling level of the tank and the operator is then

  reduced to monitoring the filling port of the tank and listening to the gargoyle

fuel.

  It is understood that such an operation is not very convenient.

  Furthermore, it is known that more and more vehicles are equipped with multifunction displays making it possible to display different information such as for example the time, the date, information coming from a computer of

  on board, a navigation system, on-board radio, etc.

  These displays have a relatively large size and are located most of the time in a central position of the dashboard.

of the vehicle.

  The present invention then consists in using this multifunction display-

  to deliver fuel level information to the fuel tank

  vehicle during a filling operation thereof.

  To this end, the invention relates to a system for indicating the level of fuel in a motor vehicle tank, of the type comprising a

  fuel level sensor connected to an information processing unit

  connected to a fuel level indicator arranged in an instrument cluster

  vehicle testing, this vehicle further comprising a multifunction display

  tions connected to aids to navigation to display information

  for guiding the vehicle, characterized in that it includes means for engaging

  Checking an operating mode of the multifunction display as an indicator of the filling level of the tank, based on information supplied

  by the information processing unit, to allow a user to control

  level this from outside the vehicle during a filling operation

of this tank.

  The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows.

  vre, given only by way of example and made with reference to the drawings an-

attached, on which:

  - Fig.1 shows a block diagram illustrating the general structure

  role of an indication system according to the invention; - Fig. 2 illustrates an example of information that can be displayed on a multifunction display forming part of an indication system according to the invention; and - Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate examples of fuel level information in a tank, which can be displayed on a display entering

  the constitution of an indication system according to the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a system for indicating the level of

  fuel in a motor vehicle tank.

  This system conventionally comprises a fuel level sensor designated by the general reference 1, connected to an information processing unit designated by the general reference 2, connected to means

  indication of the fuel level, designated by the general reference 3, available

  located in a vehicle instrumentation combination designated by the reference ge-

general 4.

  Conventionally, the fuel level indicator 3 can include

  wear for example a needle indicator or other.

  The information processing unit 2 can also be connected to the electronic means for controlling the operation of the engine designated by the general reference 5, for example by means of a multiplexed link.

  designated by the general reference 6.

  The information processing unit 2 is for example arranged in a vehicle service box comprising for example a computer of the appropriate type making it possible for example to filter the fuel level when the

  vehicle drives to deliver reliable information to the driver.

  As mentioned earlier, more and more vehicles

  also have a multifunction display.

  Such a display is for example designated by the general reference 7

  in this figure and is for example suitable for displaying guide information

  dage such as those illustrated in Figure 2.

  Of course, other types of information can be displayed

  as previously stated.

  As previously indicated also, this display pre-

  feels a relatively large size and is arranged for example in a

  central position of the vehicle dashboard.

  To solve the problems mentioned above with regard to filling the tank, the invention proposes using this multifunction display

  to display information on the filling level of the tank.

  This display 7 is then also connected to the service box and

  more particularly to the information processing unit 2 thereof, to re-

  see information about the fuel level in the tank.

  The indication system according to the invention then comprises means for engaging an operating mode of this multifunction display in

  as an indicator of the filling level of the tank from this information

  issued by the information processing unit, to allow a user

  sator to check this level from outside the vehicle during an operation

filling this tank.

  We can see that the size of this display is sufficient to

  allow an operator, during the filling operation, to see the indications

  displayed by this display in order to best control the filling of the

tank.

  Different embodiments of these engagement means can

may be considered.

  So for example, these engagement means may include

  means of manual activation by the operator when he leaves his vehicle

  cule for a tank filling operation.

  Of course, other embodiments of these engagement means

  Chement can be considered such as for example the use of means for detecting the opening of means for closing the filling port of the tank, these means detecting for example the opening of the fuel door of the vehicle and / or removing the plug from the filling port of

this tank.

  These means are for example designated by the general reference 8

in this figure 1.

  These engagement means can also be associated with

  means of prohibiting overfilling of the tank, these means being

  indicated by the general reference 9 in this figure and presenting any

appropriate classical structure.

  these interlocking means can also be associated with means for measuring the vehicle speed designated by the general reference

  in this figure 1, to check that the vehicle is well stopped and that the

vehicle size is zero.

  The central unit can also be adapted to monitor progress

  the fuel level in the tank to detect a filling operation

  wise from this reservoir if this evolution is rapid and then arises from an operation

filling the tank.

  From this information, the information processing unit 2 is

  then adapted to detect an operation of filling the vehicle tank

  switches in order to activate the particular operating mode of the multi-display

  functions as an indicator of the filling level of the tank.

  To this end, the information processing unit 2 is then adapted

  to deliver corresponding information to this display.

  The user can then check the fuel level in the fuel tank.

  view from outside the vehicle.

  This information displayed by the display can also be pre-

feel in different forms.

  Thus, for example, we have shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,

  two different forms of display of this information, this information can

  for example be in the form of a quantity of fuel pre-

  smells in the tank or in the form of a quantity of fuel which the tank can still receive, this quantity being for example expressed in liters as can be seen in FIG. 3 or in the form of a filling rate of the tank , as can be seen in Figure 4 which illustrates the use of a bargraph. It is understood, of course, that the choice between these forms of display is

  determined according to the type of display installed in the vehicle and the pre-

  Cision of the fuel level measurement chain in the tank.

  It goes without saying of course that still other embodiments of

  this system can be considered.

Claims (9)

  1. System for indicating the fuel level in a motor vehicle tank, of the type comprising a fuel level sensor (1) connected to an information processing unit (2) connected to a level indicator (3) of fuel arranged in a combined instrumentation (4) of the vehicle, this vehicle further comprising a multifunction display (7), characterized in that   that it includes means (1,2,8,9,10) for engaging a mode of function-   display of the multifunction display (7) as an indicator of the level of   pleating of the reservoir, from information delivered by the information processing unit (2), to allow a user to control this level from   outside the vehicle during an operation of filling this tank.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the means   latching means include manual activation by the user.   3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching means comprise means (8) for detecting the opening of the   means for closing the tank filling orifice.   4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement means comprise means (1,2) for monitoring the evolution   the fuel level in the tank.   5. System according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the engagement means are associated with means   (9) prohibiting overfilling of the tank.   6. System according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the engagement means are associated with a sensor   speed (10) of the vehicle to determine that the vehicle is stationary.   7. System according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the multifunction display (7) is adapted to display the ni-   tank filling calf in the form of a pre-fuel quantity feel in the tank (Fig. 3).   8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, character-   in that the multifunction display (7) is adapted to display the level of   filling the tank in the form of an amount of fuel which can core receive the tank.   9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, character-   in that the multifunction display (7) is adapted to display the level of   filling in the form of a tank filling rate (Fig. 4). t