JP2000180242A - Pointer-leaving type fuel gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the pointer leaving characteristic of a pointer-leaving type fuel gauge. SOLUTION: When a buzzer sounds and operations for canceling warning conditions are performed (S8), a drive current just before an ignition switch is turned off is read from a storage means and electricity is transmitted to a display means (S9). Therefore, even if the warning buzzer sounds because of the failure to turn off a lamp or pull out a key and the indicating position of the pointer of a fuel gage is moved by the vibration of the buzzer, the pointer is reset to the precise residual quantity indicating position after the warning buzzer stops sounding, whereby the pointer leaving characteristic of the pointer- leaving type fuel gauge can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer-type fuel gauge in which a pointer remains at a remaining fuel level even after power is cut off, and more particularly to an improved needle-positioning characteristic.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Even if an ignition switch is turned off,
A needle-type fuel gauge in which a pointer holds a remaining amount indicating position before an ignition switch is turned off is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-140170). With this type of fuel gauge,
When the ignition switch is turned on, a drive current corresponding to the measurement signal from the fuel remaining amount sensor is supplied to the crossing coil to indicate the fuel remaining amount. After the ignition switch is turned off, the drive current to the fuel gauge is cut off. However, the operation of returning the pointer to the zero point is restricted by the filler put in the pointer driving mechanism, and the pointer remains at the indicated position before the ignition switch was turned off.

[0003]

However, in the conventional needle-type fuel gauge, the pointer is displayed by vibration caused by opening / closing of the door after the ignition switch is turned off or vibration of the buzzer for warning that the key is to be removed and the lamp to be turned off. There is a problem that the position is shifted. for that reason,
When the ignition switch is turned on again, the pointer returns to the correct remaining amount display position based on the measurement signal from the fuel remaining amount sensor, giving a sense of discomfort to the occupant.

An object of the present invention is to improve the needle setting characteristics of a needle type fuel gauge.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventions of claims 1 to 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing the configuration of an embodiment. A pointer indicating type display means 7 for displaying the remaining fuel amount according to the following, and the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the drive current interruption after the drive current interruption,
A remaining amount detecting unit 5 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel and a driving control unit 6 for supplying a driving current corresponding to the detected value of the remaining amount of fuel to the display unit 7 are provided, and when a predetermined warning condition is satisfied after the ignition switch is turned off. Applied to a needle-type fuel gauge used with a warning device that sounds a buzzer. The drive control means 6 includes a storage means 6m for storing the drive current of the display means 7, and the drive control means 6 stores the drive current when the buzzer is sounded.
, The drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read and the display means 7 is energized. (2) In the needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 2, when the drive control means 6 performs an operation for eliminating the warning condition by the buzzer sounding, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means 6m. , The display means 7 is energized. (3) The invention according to claim 3, wherein the pointer displays a remaining fuel amount corresponding to the driving current, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current.
A remaining amount detecting unit 5 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel and a driving control unit 6 for supplying a driving current corresponding to the detected value of the remaining amount of fuel to the display unit 7 are provided, and when a predetermined warning condition is satisfied after the ignition switch is turned off. Applied to a needle-type fuel gauge used with a warning device that sounds a buzzer. When the buzzer is sounded or when an operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed after the sound is sounded, the drive control means 6 detects the remaining fuel amount by the remaining amount detecting means 5 and detects the remaining fuel amount. A drive current corresponding to the value is supplied to the display means 7. (4) In the needle-type fuel gauge of claim 4, when the drive control means 6 performs an operation to eliminate the warning condition by the buzzer sounding, the remaining fuel amount detection means 5 detects the remaining fuel amount, A drive current corresponding to the detected fuel remaining amount is supplied to the display means 7. (5) In the needle-type fuel gauge according to the fifth aspect, the warning condition is a condition in which the door is opened while the light switch is kept in the lighting position after the ignition switch is turned off, and the operation for eliminating the warning condition is to turn off the light switch. Operation. (6) In the needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 6, the warning condition is a condition in which the door is opened while the ignition key is inserted into the key cylinder after the ignition switch is turned off.
The operation for eliminating the warning condition is a key removal operation detected by the ignition key insertion detection switch 2. (7) According to the invention of claim 7, a pointer display means 7 for displaying the remaining fuel amount in accordance with the driving current with the pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current;
The present invention is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge having a remaining amount detecting means 5 for detecting the remaining fuel amount and a driving control means 6 for supplying a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value to the display means 7. The drive control means 6 includes a storage means 6m for storing the drive current of the display means 7 and a door open detection means 3 for detecting the opening of the door. Is detected, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means 6m, and the display means 7 is energized. (8) According to the invention of claim 8, the pointer displays a remaining fuel amount corresponding to the driving current by the pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current.
The present invention is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge having a remaining amount detecting means 5 for detecting the remaining fuel amount and a driving control means 6 for supplying a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value to the display means 7. The drive control means 6 includes a door open detecting means 3 for detecting the opening of the door. When the door open detecting means 3 detects that the door is open after the ignition switch is turned off, the remaining fuel detecting means 5 controls the remaining fuel amount. Is detected, and a drive current corresponding to the detected fuel remaining amount is supplied to the display means 7. (9) In the invention according to claim 9, the pointer indicates a remaining fuel amount corresponding to the driving current by the pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current.
The present invention is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge having a remaining amount detecting means 5 for detecting the remaining fuel amount and a driving control means 6 for supplying a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value to the display means 7. Then, storage means 6m for storing the drive current of the display means 7, and key insertion detection means 2 for detecting the insertion state of the ignition key.
And a door opening / closing detecting means 3 for detecting opening / closing of the door. The drive control means 6 detects that the ignition switch 1 has been switched from on to off and the key insertion detecting means 2 has removed the ignition key. When the door is detected again after the door opening is detected by the open / close detection means 3, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means 6m and the display means 7 is energized. (10) According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the pointer displays the remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the driving current using the pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current.
The present invention is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge having a remaining amount detecting means 5 for detecting a remaining fuel amount, and a driving control means 6 for supplying a driving current according to the detected remaining fuel value to the display means 7. And
The drive control means 6 includes a key insertion detection means 2 for detecting an insertion state of an ignition key, and a door opening / closing detection means 3 for detecting opening / closing of a door.
Is switched from on to off, the key insertion detecting means 2 detects the removal of the ignition key, and the door opening / closing detecting means 3 detects the opening of the door. 5 to detect the remaining fuel amount, and supply a drive current to the display means 7 according to the detected remaining fuel value. FIG. 9 shows a configuration of an embodiment.
The invention of claim 11 and claim 12 will be described in association with (11) According to the invention of claim 11, the indicator displays the remaining fuel amount according to the drive current, and after the drive current is interrupted, the indicator indicates the drive current. Pointer type display means 7 that stays at the remaining amount display position immediately before shutoff
And a drive control means 6 for supplying a drive current to the display means 7 in accordance with the detected fuel remaining amount, by inserting a key into the door key cylinder and performing a key operation. It is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge used with a keyless entry device that locks and unlocks a door without performing it. The drive control means 6 includes a storage means 6m for storing the drive current of the display means 7 and an unlock detection means 10 for detecting unlocking of the door, and the drive control means 6 detects the door by the unlock detection means 10 when the ignition switch is turned off. When the unlock is detected, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means 6m, and the display means 7 is energized. (12) According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the pointer-type display means 7 displays the remaining fuel amount according to the driving current using the pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the driving current interruption.
And a drive control means 6 for supplying a drive current to the display means 7 in accordance with the detected fuel remaining amount, by inserting a key into the door key cylinder and performing a key operation. It is applied to a needle-type fuel gauge used with a keyless entry device that locks and unlocks a door without performing it. The drive control means 6 includes an unlock detection means 10 for detecting unlocking of the door, and the drive control means 6 controls the unlock detection means 10 when the ignition switch is turned off.
When the unlocking of the door is detected, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means 5, and a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value is supplied to the display means 7.

In the section of the means for solving the above-described problem, a diagram of one embodiment is used for easy understanding of the description, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. .

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the buzzer is sounded, the driving current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means and the display means is energized, so that the lamp is forgotten to be turned off. A warning buzzer sounds for forgetting to remove the key or the key, and even if the display position of the fuel gauge pointer shifts due to the vibration, the pointer is reset to the correct remaining amount display position, improving the needle setting characteristics of the pointer type fuel gauge Can be done. (2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the buzzer is sounded and the operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means, and the display means is energized. Therefore, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained. (3) According to the invention of claim 3, when the buzzer is sounded, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, and a drive current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value is supplied to the display means. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process thereof are not required. (4) According to the invention of claim 4, when the buzzer is sounded and an operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed, the remaining amount of fuel is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, and the detected value of the remaining amount of fuel is determined. Since the drive current is supplied to the display means, the same effect as the third aspect can be obtained. (5) According to the invention of claim 7, when the door opening is detected after the ignition switch is turned off, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means,
Since the power is supplied to the display means, even if the display position of the hands is shifted due to the vibration caused by the opening of the door, the display position is reset to the correct remaining amount display position, and the needle setting characteristics of the needle type fuel gauge can be improved. (6) According to the invention of claim 8, when the opening of the door is detected after the ignition switch is turned off, the remaining fuel amount is detected, and a drive current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value is supplied to the display means. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the seventh aspect, a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process thereof are not required. (7) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, after the ignition switch is switched from on to off, the key insertion detecting means detects the removal of the ignition key, and the door opening / closing detecting means detects the door opening, and then returns again. When the door close is detected, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means, and the display means is energized. It is reset to the amount display position, and the needle setting characteristics of the needle type fuel gauge can be improved. (8) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, after the ignition switch is switched from on to off, the key insertion detecting means detects removal of the ignition key, and the door opening / closing detecting means detects that the door is open, and then returns again. When the door closing is detected, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, and a drive current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value is supplied to the display means. A memory for storing the drive current and its storage process are not required. (9) According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, when the unlock detection of the door is detected by the unlock detection means when the ignition switch is turned off, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the storage means and the display means is energized. Therefore, even if the display position of the hands is shifted due to the vibration of the vehicle before getting on the vehicle, the correct remaining amount display position is reset, and the needle setting characteristics of the needle type fuel gauge can be improved. (10) According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, when the unlock detection means detects the unlocking of the door when the ignition switch is turned off, the remaining fuel quantity is detected by the remaining fuel quantity detecting means, and the remaining fuel quantity is determined according to the detected fuel remaining quantity. Since the driving current is supplied to the display means, the memory for storing the driving current and the storage process for the driving current are not required in addition to the effect of the eleventh aspect.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS << First Embodiment >> FIG.
1 shows the configuration of the embodiment. Ignition switch 1
Is closed when the ignition key inserted into the ignition key cylinder is set to the ON position or the START position (hereinafter, the closing of the switch is referred to as ON). The key insertion detection switch 2 is a switch for detecting an insertion state of the ignition key, and is turned on when the ignition key is inserted into the ignition key cylinder.
The door switch 3 is a switch for detecting the open / closed state of the driver's seat entry / exit door, and is turned on when the door is opened and turned off when the door is closed. The light switch 4 is turned on when an operation is performed at a lighting position of a small lamp or a headlamp. The fuel remaining amount sensor 5 detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank.

The controller 6 comprises a microcomputer and peripheral parts such as a memory 6m, and executes a fuel gauge control program, which will be described later, to control the display of the remaining quantity of the fuel gauge 7. The fuel gauge 7 is, for example, a cross-coil type needle-pointing instrument. When a driving current is supplied to the crossing coil, the pointer rotates to an angle proportional to the current value. The liquid restricts the zero return operation of the pointer, and the pointer remains at the position before the drive current was interrupted. The power supply 8 of the vehicle-mounted battery (not shown) is supplied with power to the controller 6 and, when the ignition is turned off, that is, when the ignition switch 1 is opened (hereinafter, the switch is turned off), the fuel remaining amount sensor 5 is connected via the controller 6. Power is supplied to The ignition power supply 9 is enabled when the ignition is turned on, that is, when the ignition switch 1 is turned on, and is supplied to the fuel remaining amount sensor 5.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to the first embodiment. The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. The controller 6 repeatedly executes the fuel gauge control program both when the ignition switch is turned on and when the ignition switch is turned off. In step 1, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 1 is turned off.
Proceed to. In step 2, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the sensor 5, and in subsequent step 3, the driving current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated according to the detected remaining amount value and stored in the memory 6 m of the controller 6. Therefore, the drive current storage value of the memory 6m is:
It is updated with the drive current according to the latest fuel remaining amount detection value at the time when the ignition switch is turned on. In step 4, the calculated drive current is supplied to the fuel meter 7 to display the remaining fuel.

On the other hand, when the ignition switch 1 is turned off, the process proceeds to step 5, in which the light switch 4 is in the lighting position and the small lamp or the headlamp remains lit, or the key insertion detection switch 2 is turned on. Check if the ignition key is still inserted in the key cylinder. If the lamps are not turned on and the ignition key has been removed, the process proceeds to step 7, and the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off. Even if the drive current is cut off, the fuel gauge 7 remains at the indicated position immediately before the ignition is turned off because the pointer driving mechanism receives braking of the filler. Thereafter, the process returns to step 1 to repeat the above-described processing.

If the lamps remain lit or the ignition key is inserted, the process proceeds to step 6, where it is checked whether the driver's door has been opened by the door switch 3. If the door has not been opened, the process proceeds to step 7, where the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off. As described above, even if the drive current is cut off, the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 remains at the indicated position immediately before the ignition is turned off. Thereafter, the process returns to step 1 to repeat the above-described processing.

[0013] The ignition key 1 is turned off, and
If the driver's door is opened while the lamps are lit or the ignition key is inserted, a warning (not shown) will be issued to warn the user that they have forgotten to turn off the lamp or remove the ignition key. The device sounds a buzzer. Steps 1, 5, and 6 are warning conditions for forgetting to turn off the lamp and forgetting to remove the key. If all of these steps are affirmed, a warning buzzer sounds, and the vibration causes the display position of the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 to shift. Would. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the forgetting to turn off the lamp and the forgetting to remove the key are eliminated, and when the warning buzzer is stopped, the pointer is returned to an accurate display position immediately before the ignition switch is turned off without a display shift due to the buzzer sounding. .

More specifically, in step 8 after the warning condition of forgetting to turn off the lamp or forgetting to remove the key is satisfied and the buzzer is sounded, in step 8, the light switch 4 is returned to the light-off position and the ignition key is removed. Check whether or not. When the lamp is turned off and the ignition key is removed, the buzzer sounds are stopped by a warning device (not shown). In step 9, the drive current storage value indicating the accurate remaining fuel amount immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is stored in the memory. 6 m, and the drive current stored value is supplied to the fuel gauge 7. As a result, a warning buzzer sounds to forget to turn off the lamp or to remove the key, and even if the display position of the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 shifts due to the vibration, the pointer moves to the accurate remaining amount display position after the warning buzzer stops sounding. It is reset.

After the pointer is reset to the correct remaining fuel position in step 9, the process returns to step 1. Step 1 because ignition switch 1 is already off
Is affirmative, and since the light switch 4 and the key switch 2 are off, step 5 is denied and the routine proceeds to step 7. Then, in step 7, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off, and the pointer remains at the accurate fuel remaining amount display position before the ignition is turned off as described above. At this point, since the forgetting to turn off the lamp and the forgetting to remove the key have been eliminated, the warning buzzer does not sound and the display position does not shift even if the drive current is cut off.

In the first embodiment, when the buzzer sounds and the operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the memory 6m and the fuel gauge 7 is energized. As described above, when the buzzer sounds, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off may be read from the memory 6m and the fuel gauge 7 may be energized. In this case, the fuel gauge control program deletes step 8 from the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, and if it is confirmed in step 6 that the door is opened, proceeds to step 9 to energize the drive current storage value to the fuel gauge 7. Becomes Illustration of this control program is omitted.

The warning condition for sounding the warning buzzer after the ignition switch is turned off is not limited to the warning condition for forgetting to turn off the lamp and forgetting to remove the key.

<< Modification of First Embodiment >> In the above-described first embodiment, each time the remaining fuel amount is detected when the ignition switch is turned on, a drive current corresponding to the detected value is calculated and stored in the memory. After the memorizing and stopping of the warning buzzer due to forgetting to turn off the lamp or forgetting to remove the key, the drive current stored value immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the memory and the fuel gauge is energized. But,
Even if the drive current is not stored in the memory when the ignition switch is turned on, the remaining fuel amount is detected again after the stop of the warning buzzer, the drive current according to the remaining amount detection value is calculated, and the fuel gauge is energized. Good.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a fuel gauge control program according to a modification of the first embodiment. The operation of the modification will be described with reference to these flowcharts. Note that steps that perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described. In step 3A when the ignition switch is turned on, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated in accordance with the remaining amount detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 5. In this variation,
In step 3A, the drive current when the ignition switch is turned on is not stored in the memory. In step 9A after the lamp turning off and the key pulling out are eliminated, the battery power supply 8 is supplied to the fuel remaining amount sensor 5 to be operated. In the following step 9B, the remaining amount of fuel is detected by the sensor 5, and in step 9C, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 according to the detected remaining amount is calculated. Then, the drive current calculated in step 9D is supplied to the fuel gauge 7 to display the remaining fuel amount.

According to this modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described first embodiment, an effect that a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process thereof are not required.

In the above modification, when the buzzer is sounded and an operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 5 and the driving according to the detected fuel remaining amount is performed. The electric current was supplied to the fuel gauge 7,
When the buzzer sounds, the remaining fuel amount may be detected by the remaining fuel amount sensor 5 and a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value may be supplied to the fuel gauge 7. In this case, the fuel gauge control program deletes step 8 from the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. If it is confirmed in step 6 that the door is open, the process proceeds to step 9A and the subsequent steps.
The control program detects the remaining fuel amount and supplies a drive current to the fuel meter 7 in accordance with the detected fuel remaining value. Illustration of this control program is omitted.

<< Second Embodiment >> A second embodiment of the present invention for preventing the pointer of the needle-type fuel gauge from moving from an accurate remaining amount display position by vibrating due to opening and closing of a door will be described. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a fuel control program according to the second embodiment. The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. The controller 6 repeatedly executes the fuel gauge control program both when the ignition is turned on and when the ignition is turned off. Step 11
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 1 has been turned off. In step 12, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the sensor 5, and in the subsequent step 13, the driving current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated according to the detected remaining amount value and stored in the memory 6 m of the controller 6. Therefore, the drive current storage value of the memory 6m is:
It is updated with the drive current according to the latest fuel remaining amount detection value at the time when the ignition switch is turned on. In step 14, the calculated drive current is supplied to the fuel meter 7 to display the remaining fuel.

On the other hand, when the ignition switch 1 is turned off, the routine proceeds to step 15, where it is confirmed whether or not the door is opened by the door switch 3. If the door has not been opened, the process proceeds to step 17, where the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off. Even if the drive current is cut off, the fuel gauge 7 remains at the indicated position immediately before the ignition is turned off because the pointer driving mechanism receives braking of the filler. Then, step 11
Then, the above processing is repeated.

If the door is opened after the ignition is turned off, it is determined that the operation is a door operation at the time of getting off or getting on the vehicle. At a step 16, a drive current storage value indicating an accurate remaining fuel amount immediately after the ignition is turned off is read from the memory 6m. The drive current stored value is supplied to the fuel gauge 7. Thereby, even if the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 shifts due to the vibration of the door operation at the time of getting on and off,
The pointer is reset to the correct remaining amount display position.

It is also conceivable to reset the remaining fuel amount after confirming that the door is closed. However, since the operation for resetting the remaining fuel amount is started after the door is closed after getting on the vehicle, The movement of the pointer is visually recognized at first sight, which gives the occupant a sense of discomfort. Since the door is relatively carefully closed when the user gets on the vehicle, it is considered that the deviation of the pointer due to the vibration of the door closing is small. Therefore, at the time of getting on and off, the pointer is reset when the door is opened, and the deviation of the pointer due to the vibration when the door is closed is ignored. Note that the door may be closed vigorously when getting off, but there is no problem since the pointer is reset again when the door is opened for the next boarding.

<< Modification of Second Embodiment >> In the second embodiment described above, when the ignition is turned on, the drive current corresponding to the remaining fuel amount is calculated and stored in the memory, and the door is opened and closed when getting on and off. Later, the drive current storage value was read from the memory and the fuel gauge was energized. However, the drive current before the ignition is turned off may not be stored in the memory, and the remaining fuel amount may be detected again after the door is opened, and the drive current may be calculated in accordance with the remaining amount detection value to supply the current to the fuel gauge. .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to a modification of the second embodiment. The operation of the modification will be described with reference to this flowchart. In addition,
Steps for performing the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described.
In step 13A when the ignition is turned on, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated in accordance with the remaining amount detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 5. In this modified example, the drive current at the time of ignition ON is not stored in step 13A. In step 16A after the door is opened, the battery power supply 8 is supplied to the fuel remaining amount sensor 5 to be operated. Subsequent step 16B
The fuel remaining amount is detected by the sensor 5 at step 16C.
Calculates the driving current of the fuel gauge 7 according to the remaining amount detection value.
Then, the drive current calculated in step 16 D is
To display the remaining fuel level.

According to this modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described first embodiment, an effect that a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process are not required is obtained.

<< Third Embodiment >> A description will be given of a third embodiment for correcting a deviation of the hands due to the vibration of the opening and closing of the door when getting off the vehicle. Note that the configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to the third embodiment. The operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. In step 21, it is confirmed whether or not the ignition switch 1 has been switched from on to off by the operation of the ignition key by the occupant. If the ignition switch 1 remains on, the process proceeds to step 22, where the sensor 5 detects the remaining fuel amount. In the following step 23, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 according to the detected remaining amount is calculated and stored in the memory 6m of the controller 6. Therefore, the memory 6m
Is updated with the drive current corresponding to the latest fuel remaining amount detection value at the time of ignition switch ON.
In step 24, the calculated driving current is supplied to the fuel meter 7 to display the remaining fuel amount.

When the ignition switch 1 has been switched from on to off, the routine proceeds to step 25, where it is confirmed by the key switch insertion detection switch 2 whether or not the ignition key has been removed from the key cylinder. If the ignition key remains inserted in the key cylinder, the process proceeds to step 27, where the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off. Even if the drive current is cut off, the fuel gauge 7 remains at the indicated position immediately before the ignition is turned off because the pointer driving mechanism receives braking of the filler. Thereafter, the process returns to step 21 to repeat the above-described processing.

When the ignition switch 1 is turned off and the ignition key is removed, the process proceeds to step 26, where it is confirmed whether or not the door closed by the door switch 3 is opened and then closed again. Step 2 if door closing → opening → closing operation is not detected
Proceed to 7 to cut off the drive current of the fuel gauge 7. As described above, the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 remains at the indicated position immediately before the ignition is turned off.

After the ignition is turned off, the ignition key is removed, and the door is closed, opened, and closed.
Proceed to. In step 28, the drive current storage value indicating the accurate remaining fuel amount immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is read from the memory 6m, and the drive current storage value is supplied to the fuel gauge 7. Thus, even if the display position of the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 shifts due to the vibration caused by the opening and closing of the door at the time of getting off, the pointer is reset to the accurate remaining amount display position after getting off.

<< Modification of Third Embodiment >> In the third embodiment described above, the drive current stored value is read from the memory after getting off the vehicle, and the fuel gauge is energized. But,
The drive current before the ignition is turned off is not stored in the memory.
After the door is opened and closed, the remaining fuel amount may be detected again, a drive current corresponding to the detected remaining amount value may be calculated, and the fuel gauge may be energized.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to a modification of the third embodiment. The operation of the modification will be described with reference to this flowchart. In addition,
Steps that perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 7 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described.
In a step 23A when the ignition is turned on, a drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated in accordance with a remaining amount detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 5. In this modification, the drive current at the time of ignition-on is not stored in step 23A. After the ignition switch is switched from on to off, the ignition key is removed, and when the operation of closing the door → opening → closing is performed, the process proceeds to step 28A, and the battery power 8 is supplied to the fuel remaining amount sensor 5. Activate. In the following step 28B, the remaining amount of fuel is detected by the sensor 5, and in step 28C, the fuel meter 7 corresponding to the detected remaining amount is measured.
Is calculated. Then, the drive current calculated in step 28D is supplied to the fuel gauge 7, and the remaining fuel amount is displayed.

According to this modified example, in addition to the effect of the third embodiment described above, an effect that a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process are not required is obtained.

<< Fourth Embodiment >> A description will be given of a fourth embodiment for correcting the deviation of the hands caused by the vibration of the opening and closing of the door at the time of boarding. In the fourth embodiment, it is noted that there are many procedures for unlocking a door with a keyless entry device at the time of getting on, operating the outside handle of the door to open the door, and getting on the vehicle. When the door is unlocked, it is determined that the occupant intends to get on the vehicle and the misalignment of the fuel gauge is corrected before the door is opened by operating the door handle.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the fourth embodiment. The door lock switch 10 turns off when the driver's seat door is locked, and turns on when the driver's door is unlocked. The other components are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to the fourth embodiment. The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. The controller 6 repeatedly executes the fuel control program both when the ignition is turned on and when the ignition is turned off. Step 31
It is checked whether or not the ignition switch 1 is turned off, and if not, the routine proceeds to step 32. In step 32, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the sensor 5, and in the following step 33, the fuel gauge 7 corresponding to the detected remaining amount is measured.
Is calculated and stored in the memory 6m of the controller 6. Therefore, the drive current storage value of the memory 6m is updated with the drive current according to the latest fuel remaining amount detection value at the time of turning on the ignition switch. In step 34, the calculated drive current is supplied to the fuel gauge 7 to display the remaining fuel amount.

On the other hand, when the ignition switch 1 is turned off, the routine proceeds to step 35, where it is confirmed whether or not the ignition key is removed by the key insertion detection switch 2. When the ignition key is inserted, the process proceeds to step 37, and the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is cut off.
Even if the drive current is cut off, the fuel gauge 7 keeps the pointer at the correct remaining amount indication position before the ignition is turned off because the pointer drive mechanism receives the braking of the filler. Then, step 31
Then, the above processing is repeated.

If the ignition key has been removed from the key cylinder, the routine proceeds to step 36, where it is determined whether or not the driver's door locked by the door lock switch 10 has been unlocked. If not unlocked, the process proceeds to step 37, and the driving current of the fuel gauge is cut off as described above.

If the locked driver's door is unlocked when the ignition is off and the ignition key is removed, it is determined that the occupant has a will to ride and the indication of the fuel gauge 7 is immediately corrected. . At this time, the room lamp is turned on when the door is unlocked while the door is locked with the ignition off in order to provide a feeling of occupant pickup by a room lamp control device (not shown). In step 38, the drive current storage value indicating the accurate remaining fuel amount immediately before the ignition is turned off is read from the memory 6m, and the drive current storage value is supplied to the fuel gauge 7. Thus, even if the pointer of the fuel gauge 7 shifts due to vibration of the vehicle or the like until the user gets on the vehicle, the accurate remaining amount display position is reset. Then, after the door is opened and the occupant gets on and the door is closed again, the room lamp is turned off by the above-described room lamp control device.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment,
If the locked driver's door is unlocked when the ignition is off and the ignition key is removed, it is determined that the occupant has a willingness to get in and immediately corrects the misalignment of the fuel gauge. When the occupant gets on the vehicle, the correction of the misalignment of the fuel gauge has already been completed, so that the occupant can be prevented from seeing the movement of the pointer at the time of correction, and the occupant does not feel uncomfortable. In addition, as described above,
Since the opening and closing of the door at the time of getting on is performed relatively more carefully than at the time of getting off, it is considered that the deviation of the hands due to the vibration of the opening and closing of the door is small.

<< Modification of the Fourth Embodiment >> In the fourth embodiment described above, the drive current storage value is read from the memory after the door is unlocked, and the fuel gauge is energized. However, the drive current at the time when the ignition is turned on is not stored in the memory, the remaining fuel amount is detected again after the door is unlocked, the drive current is calculated according to the remaining amount detection value, and the fuel gauge is energized. Good.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fuel gauge control program according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. The operation of the modification will be described with reference to this flowchart. Steps for performing processing similar to the processing shown in FIG. 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described. In a step 33A when the ignition is turned on, a drive current of the fuel gauge 7 is calculated in accordance with a remaining amount detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 5. In this modification, step 33A
Does not store the drive current when the ignition is turned on. If the locked driver's door is unlocked while the ignition is off and the ignition key is removed, the process proceeds to step 38A, in which the battery power supply 8 is supplied to the fuel remaining amount sensor 5 to operate it. In the following step 38B, the remaining amount of fuel is detected by the sensor 5, and in step 38C, the drive current of the fuel gauge 7 according to the detected remaining amount is calculated. Then, the drive current calculated in step 38D is supplied to the fuel gauge 7, and the remaining fuel amount is displayed.

According to this modified example, in addition to the effect of the above-described fourth embodiment, an effect that a memory for storing the drive current and a storage process are not required is obtained.

In the above embodiment, the driver's door has been described as an example, but the opening and closing of doors including the passenger's seat door and the rear seat door may be detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating fuel gauge control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the fuel gauge control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart following FIG. 3 and showing a modified example of fuel gauge control of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating fuel gauge control according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the fuel gauge control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating fuel meter control according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the fuel gauge control according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating fuel meter control according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the fuel gauge control according to the third embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Ignition switch 2 Key insertion detection switch 3 Door switch 4 Light switch 5 Fuel remaining sensor 6 Controller 7 Fuel gauge 8 Battery power supply 9 Ignition power supply 10 Door lock switch

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Nobuaki Tsuchiya 2-1910 Nisshincho, Omiya-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) in Kansei Corporation 2F014 AC04 GA01 3G084 BA33 DA19 DA20 DA26 EB06 FA00 FA36

Claims (12)

[Claims] A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the drive current by a pointer; after the drive current is interrupted, the pointer remains at a remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the drive current; and a fuel remaining amount is detected. Remaining amount detection means, and a drive control means for supplying a drive current according to the detected fuel remaining amount to the display means, and used together with a warning device that sounds a buzzer when a predetermined warning condition is satisfied after an ignition switch is turned off. A pointer-type fuel gauge, comprising a storage means for storing a drive current for the display means, wherein the drive control means reads a drive current immediately before an ignition switch is turned off from the storage means when the buzzer sounds. A needle-type fuel gauge characterized by supplying electricity to a display means. 2. The stylus-type fuel gauge according to claim 1, wherein the drive control means turns off an ignition switch from the storage means when the buzzer is sounded and an operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed. A needle-type fuel gauge, wherein the drive current immediately before is read and the display means is energized. 3. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the drive current by a pointer. After the drive current is cut off, the pointer stays at a remaining amount display position immediately before the drive current is cut off. Remaining amount detection means, and a drive control means for supplying a drive current according to the detected fuel remaining amount to the display means, and used together with a warning device that sounds a buzzer when a predetermined warning condition is satisfied after an ignition switch is turned off. The driving control means, when the buzzer is sounded, detects the remaining fuel amount by the remaining amount detecting means, and supplies a driving current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel value to the display means. A needle-type fuel gauge characterized in that: 4. The needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 3, wherein the drive control means controls the fuel level by the remaining amount detection means when the buzzer is sounded and an operation for eliminating the warning condition is performed. A needle-type fuel gauge, characterized in that a remaining amount is detected and a drive current corresponding to the detected remaining fuel amount is supplied to the display means. 5. The needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 1, wherein the warning condition is a condition in which a door is opened with a light switch in a lighting position after an ignition switch is turned off. The needle-type fuel gauge is characterized in that the operation for eliminating the condition is an operation of turning off a light switch. 6. The needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 1, wherein the warning condition is a condition in which a door is opened while an ignition key is inserted into a key cylinder after an ignition switch is turned off. The needle-type fuel gauge according to claim 1, wherein the operation for eliminating the warning condition is a key removal operation detected by an ignition key insertion detection switch. 7. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the driving current by a pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at a remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current, and a fuel remaining amount is detected. A needle-type fuel gauge comprising: a remaining amount detecting means; and a drive control means for supplying a driving current corresponding to a detected fuel remaining amount to the display means; a storage means for storing the driving current of the display means; Door opening detection means for detecting the opening of the door, the drive control means, after the ignition switch is turned off, when the door opening detection means detects the door open, the drive current from the storage means immediately before the ignition switch off. A needle-type fuel gauge, characterized by reading out and energizing the display means. 8. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the driving current, and after stopping the driving current, the pointer stays at a remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current. A needle-type fuel gauge including a remaining amount detection unit and a drive control unit that supplies a drive current corresponding to a detected fuel remaining amount to the display unit, further comprising: a door open detection unit that detects opening of a door; When the door opening is detected by the door open detection unit after the ignition switch is turned off, the drive control unit detects the remaining fuel amount by the remaining amount detection unit, and displays the drive current according to the fuel remaining amount detection value. A needle-type fuel gauge characterized by energizing means. 9. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with a driving current, and after the driving current is cut off, the pointer stays at a remaining amount display position immediately before the driving current is cut off, and a fuel remaining amount is detected. A pointer-type fuel gauge including a remaining amount detecting unit, and a driving control unit that supplies a driving current corresponding to the detected fuel remaining amount to the display unit; a storage unit configured to store a driving current of the display unit; A key insertion detecting means for detecting a key insertion state; and a door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a door, wherein the drive control means switches the ignition switch from on to off to detect the key insertion. Means detects that the ignition key has been removed, detects that the door has been opened by the door opening / closing detecting means, and then detects that the door has been closed again. Reads ® down switch-off just before the drive current, 置針 fuel gauge, characterized by energizing the display means. 10. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with a driving current, and after stopping the driving current, the pointer remains at a remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current. Key insertion detecting means for detecting a state of insertion of an ignition key in a needle-point type fuel gauge having a remaining amount detecting means and a driving control means for supplying a driving current corresponding to a detected fuel remaining amount to the display means. And a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of a door, wherein the drive control means is configured to switch an ignition switch from on to off, and to detect removal of an ignition key by the key insertion detecting means, and When the door is detected again after the door opening is detected by the detecting unit, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting unit, and the driving according to the detected fuel remaining amount is performed.置針 fuel gauge, characterized by passing a flow to said display means. 11. A pointer indicating a remaining amount of fuel in accordance with a driving current by a pointer, and after the driving current is interrupted, the pointer remains at a remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the driving current, and a fuel remaining amount is detected. Remaining amount detecting means, and driving control means for supplying a driving current according to the detected fuel remaining amount to the display means, and locking and unlocking the door without inserting a key into a door key cylinder and performing a key operation. A needle-type fuel gauge used together with a keyless entry device for performing the operation, comprising: storage means for storing a drive current of the display means; and unlock detection means for detecting unlocking of a door, wherein the drive control means comprises an ignition switch off. When the unlock detection of the door is detected by the unlock detection means, the drive current immediately before the ignition switch is turned off is stored in the storage means. Out look, 置針 fuel gauge, characterized by energizing the display means. 12. A pointer indicating the remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the drive current by means of a pointer. After the drive current is interrupted, the pointer remains at the remaining amount display position immediately before the interruption of the drive current. Remaining amount detecting means, and driving control means for supplying a driving current according to the detected fuel remaining amount to the display means, and locking and unlocking the door without inserting a key into a door key cylinder and performing a key operation. A needle-type fuel gauge used together with a keyless entry device that performs unlocking detection of door unlocking, wherein the drive control means detects unlocking of the door by the unlock detecting means when an ignition switch is turned off. Then, the remaining fuel amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means,
A needle pointer type fuel gauge, wherein a drive current corresponding to a detected fuel remaining value is supplied to the display means.