GB2379642A

GB2379642A - Vehicle fuel type reminder device

Info

Publication number: GB2379642A
Application number: GB0122104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Philip Leach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-12
Filing date: 2001-09-12
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Also published as: GB0122104D0; GB0205370D0

Abstract

A mechanism generates a visual or audible reminder of the correct fuel type for a vehicle. The device which may be contained in a fuel filler cap 2 may be activated by the use of a mechanical lever 3. As the lever is activated or the filler cap is removed or a cover flap is manually opened, a switch 4 is triggered which causes a voice generating circuit 5 to issue a fuel type reminder via a loudspeaker 6. The device may alternatively comprise a visual warning such as an LCD display.

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL TYPE REMINDER MECHANISM This invention relates to a means for notifying or reminding a motor vehicle driver of the type of fuel to be used when about to refuel the vehicle.

It is a common problem that a motor vehicle may be accidentally refueled with the wrong type of fuel when in a filling station. For example a petrol-powered vehicle may be refueled in error with diesel fuel (and vice versa). This mistake is likely to result in expensive remedial action, especially if an attempt is made to start the vehicle with the wrong type of fuel in the tank.

The intention of this invention is to provide an audible or visual reminder of the correct vehicle fuel type at the time of refueling to reduce the likelihood of this mistake.

For optimum effectiveness the fuel-type reminder is triggered immediately prior to the refueling operation and is thus foremost in the mind of the driver at the time of refueling.

A particular embodiment of this mechanism will be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing (Fig 1). In many motor vehicles a protective flap 1, covers the fuel filler cap 2, and this flap 1 is released by a mechanical lever 3 operated by the driver from within the cabin of the vehicle. In this implementation, operation of the flap release lever 3 (direction of rotation shown by arrow) triggers an adjacent switch 4 which activates a voice generating circuit 5 causing it to issue the appropriate reminder (e. g.'"Remember this is a diesel vehicle"or similar) via a loudspeaker 6. Thus the reminder is made at the appropriate time, just before refueling.

Equally the same trigger mechanism may be used to produce a visual reminder, for example by use of a visual display means (e. g. LCD display) sited in a prominent position within the cabin.

Where a remote flap release lever or switch is not provided in the cabin, the trigger for the reminder, be it audible or visual, may be generated by the action of manually opening the flap or removing the fuel cap itself (e. g. by a locally concealed electrical switch).

The entire mechanism can be incorporated into the filler cap so that the action of removing the filler cap triggers the reminder circuitry and produces an audible or visual warning, with all these components incorporated into the filler cap itself, resulting in a totally self-contained fuel cap reminder system.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A mechanism for generating a reminder to the driver of a motor vehicle of the type of fuel to be used at the time of refuelling the vehicle.
2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 where the reminder is made audibly via a voice generating means (e. g. voice generating circuit and loudspeaker).
3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 where the reminder is made visually via an electronically generated display means (e. g. LCD display).
4. A mechanism as claimed in claims 2 and/or 3 where the reminder circuitry is triggered by a switch activated by using the remote lever or switch which releases/opens the flap covering the fuel filler cap.
5. A mechanism as claimed in claims 2 and/or 3 where the reminder circuitry is triggered by a switch, itself activated by the action of manually opening the flap covering the fuel filler cap, or by removal of the filler cap itself. This configuration might be used, for example, when a remote means of releasing/opening the fuel filler flap is not provided within the cabin of the vehicle.
6. A mechanism as claimed in claims 2 and/or 3 where the entire mechanism is incorporated into the fuel filler cap itself and is triggered by the action of unlocking or removing the fuel filler cap. In this case the trigger switch, associated circuitry and loudspeaker and/or visual display means is incorporated into the fuel filler cap so that the fuel cap contains all the requisite parts and is thus self-contained.
7. A motor vehicle fuel type reminder mechanism as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.