JP2007298298A - Residual fuel display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a residual fuel display device for a vehicle capable of renewal of residual fuel display, even in the case where traveling is repeated wherein an elapsed time from the ON state to the OFF state of an IG switch is comparatively short. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes a determination means for comparing a detection result A by a residual fuel detection means with a residual fuel display value H at each prescribed time, and determining whether the magnitude relation therebetween is the same continuously in the number of times of updating determination (prescribed number of times) N or not; an instruction means for instructing updating of the residual fuel display value, when determined that the continuous number of times UC, DC having the same magnitude relation satisfies the number of times N of updating determination by the determination means; and a storage means capable of storing the residual fuel display value and the continuous number of times when the IG switch 4 is switched off, and reading it out when the IG switch is switched from the off-state to the on-state. The determination means reads out the residual fuel display value and the continuous number of times stored in the storage means when IG switch is switched on, and determines whether the continuous number of times of the magnitude relation between the detection result and the residual fuel display value satisfies the number of times of updating determination or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remaining fuel display device for a vehicle that displays a remaining fuel amount (hereinafter referred to as remaining fuel) in a fuel tank of the vehicle.

  Conventionally, the remaining fuel display device for a vehicle performs sampling of the remaining fuel a plurality of times by detecting the liquid level position of the fuel in the fuel tank, and averages these (hereinafter referred to as the remaining fuel measurement average value). In addition, what is displayed on a fuel indicator as display data (hereinafter referred to as remaining fuel display value) is known (see Patent Document 1). The number (time) of sampling determines the display response speed of the remaining fuel on the fuel indicator. When the refueling is finished, the display response speed is increased to display the remaining fuel promptly. In order to prevent display, the display response speed is lowered.

  In Patent Document 1, the remaining fuel measurement average value A and the remaining fuel display value H are compared, and if the magnitude relationship between A and H is the same for N consecutive times, the remaining fuel display average value A is displayed. A technique for bringing the value H closer is disclosed.

  Further, in this technique, the remaining fuel measurement average value A immediately after the ignition switch is turned on is compared with the stored value of the remaining fuel display value H stored when the ignition switch was turned off last time. When it is recognized that the value is determined, the remaining fuel measurement average value A is displayed.

Note that when the ignition switch is turned off, the remaining fuel display value H is stored as a stored value, but the above continuous number indicating the state related to the magnitude relationship between the remaining fuel measured average value A and the remaining fuel display value H is stored. There is no description to do.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-253423

  In the prior art, by changing the display response speed between when refueling and when not refueling, the remaining fuel is quickly displayed at the end of refueling, and erroneous display can be prevented during traveling. However, when the ignition switch is turned off, the number of consecutive times is cleared and not stored, so that the elapsed time after the ignition switch is turned on repeats so-called choi riding where the number of consecutive times is at least less than N sampling times T (for example, In FIG. 4, the display is not updated, and there is a risk that the fuel in the fuel tank runs out (out of gas).

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to maintain the remaining amount in the fuel tank even if the traveling from the ignition switch to the turn-off is relatively short. An object of the present invention is to provide a remaining fuel display device for a vehicle that can update the display of fuel.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following technical means.

  That is, in the inventions according to claims 1 to 5, the remaining fuel detection means for detecting the remaining fuel in the fuel tank, the display means for displaying the remaining fuel display value, and the detection result of the remaining fuel detection means at every predetermined time. And the remaining fuel display value are compared, and it is determined by the determination means that these magnitude relationships are the same for a predetermined number of times, and the determination means determines that the magnitude relationship is the same for a predetermined number of times. In this case, when the ignition switch is turned off, the indication means for instructing the update of the remaining fuel display value displayed on the display means and the ignition switch state are displayed so that the remaining fuel display value approaches the detection result. The remaining fuel display value displayed on the means and the number of times that the magnitude relation is continuously the same in the judgment means are stored, and can be read out when the ignition switch is turned on from off. The determination means reads the stored remaining fuel display value and the number of times stored in the storage means when the ignition switch is turned on, and the magnitude relationship between the detection result and the remaining fuel display value is the same continuously for a predetermined number of times. It is characterized by determining whether or not there is.

  According to this, when the ignition switch is off, the remaining fuel display value displayed on the display means and the number of times the magnitude relation is continuously the same in the determination means are stored, and can be read out when the ignition switch is on. Storage means, and when the ignition switch is turned on, the determination means reads the stored remaining fuel display value and the number of times when the ignition switch is turned off, and the magnitude relationship between the detection result and the remaining fuel display value is the same continuously for a predetermined number of times. Therefore, even when the ignition switch ON period is shorter than the time for continuously sampling the magnitude relationship for a predetermined number of times, the magnitude relationship is determined by adding the number of times of storage when the ignition switch is off. It is possible to satisfy the condition for updating the display that the number is the same continuously.

  Therefore, the remaining fuel display value can be updated even when the vehicle travels in a relatively short period of time from when the ignition switch is turned on to when it is turned off.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the remaining fuel detecting means outputs an average value of the remaining fuel in a predetermined time as a detection result.

  As a result, for example, fluctuations in the remaining fuel due to fluctuations in the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank are alleviated, so that the remaining fuel display value can be stably updated.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a fuel supply determining means for determining whether or not fuel has been supplied to the fuel tank, and when the fuel supply determining means determines that the fuel has not been supplied, the determination means is executed. And

  As a result, the remaining fuel display value can be updated so that the prevention of gas shortage can be surely achieved even when traveling with a relatively short elapsed time from when the ignition switch is turned on to when it is turned off may be repeated.

  In the inventions according to claims 4 to 5, it is determined whether or not the vehicle on which the fuel tank is mounted is stopped on a slope, and whether or not the vehicle is in a travel start state. A travel start determination means, and when the stop state determination means determines that the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the determination means is stopped, and when the travel start determination means determines that the vehicle is in a travel start state, the determination means is It is characterized by performing.

  When the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the fuel level in the fuel tank changes in a horizontal state with respect to the case where the vehicle stops, so that the display may change.

  On the other hand, according to the invention described in claims 4 to 5, when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the determination means for updating the display is stopped during the stop, and it is determined that the vehicle is in a driving start state. Thereafter, the determination means is implemented, so that the display fluctuation of the remaining fuel display value can be avoided.

  Therefore, even if the elapsed time from the ignition switch ON to the OFF is repeatedly traveling, the remaining fuel display value is updated to prevent gas shortage and to prevent erroneous display such as gas shortage. Display fluctuation can be avoided.

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 5, the travel start determining means includes at least the vehicle speed being a predetermined speed or more, the shift position being a position permitting travel, and the internal combustion engine of the vehicle being in an operating state. The running start state is determined based on either of them.

  According to this, since the running start state is detected at least one of whether the vehicle speed is a predetermined speed or more, the shift position is a position that allows running, and the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is in an operating state, The starting state can be accurately determined.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of a vehicle residual fuel display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the remaining fuel display device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control process for updating the display of the remaining fuel display value, which is executed by the control unit in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display update processing of the remaining fuel display value to which the prior art is applied, for comparison and explanation of the effect of the present embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the shift | offset | difference of the measured value and display value of the remaining fuel in a tank.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a remaining fuel display device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment includes a remaining fuel sensor 1, a fuel display unit 2, a control unit 3, an ignition switch 4, a state detection unit such as a vehicle speed sensor 6. 5.

  The fuel remaining amount sensor 1 is a well-known liquid amount detection device that detects a remaining amount of fuel (hereinafter referred to as remaining fuel) in a fuel tank (not shown). Specifically, the float floated on the liquid level of the fuel stored in the fuel tank is displaced according to the increase or decrease of the liquid level position, and the voltage signal of the resistance circuit is linked to the displacement of the float. This is a fuel remaining amount measuring device that outputs as a signal.

  The fuel display unit 2 is a fuel display unit disposed at a predetermined position in a combination meter unit (not shown). The display method of the fuel display unit 2 indicates that the display level increases or decreases corresponding to the remaining amount of fuel (remaining fuel), or the bar segment (hereinafter referred to as segment) shown in FIG. Any device that informs the occupant such as the driver of the vehicle of the remaining fuel, such as one that displays the remaining fuel in the lighting areas of the plurality of segments by hiding it, may be used.

  In addition, the fuel display part 3 demonstrated by this embodiment shall represent a remaining fuel with the lighting area of several segments. The segment unit corresponds to a predetermined amount of remaining fuel. In the example of FIG. 5, the number of segments is five, but it may be 6, 7, 10, or the like.

  The state detection unit 5 is a detection device that detects the state of the vehicle such as the vehicle speed V and the engine speed Ne. In the present embodiment, the state detection unit 5 includes a vehicle speed sensor 6, a shift position sensor 7, an inclination sensor 8, and a rotation speed sensor (not shown). The vehicle speed sensor 6 is a well-known sensor that detects a traveling speed (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle speed) V of a vehicle by detecting a rotation speed (rotational speed) of an output shaft of the transmission. The shift position sensor 7 is a known sensor that detects each shift position (P position, R position, N position, D position (1 to n speeds)). The inclination sensor 8 detects the inclination (horizontal, non-horizontal, etc.) of the vehicle. The rotation speed sensor is a known sensor that detects the engine rotation speed (rotation speed) Ne by detecting the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the crankshaft or the like of the engine.

  An ignition switch (also referred to as an IG switch) 4 is a well-known start instruction switch by a key or button operation (hereinafter, key operation in this embodiment). This is a well-known device that is inserted into a key cylinder (not shown) on the front surface of the instrument panel and operated to an ignition position (hereinafter referred to as ON position) and a starter position (hereinafter referred to as engine start position).

  When the key is set to the ON position, power is supplied from the vehicle battery to the display device such as the fuel display unit 3 and the mounting device mounted on the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as vehicle mounting device), and the display function of the display device and each vehicle mounting Set each function of the device to standby mode. Further, when the key is changed from the ON position to the engine starting position, a large current is supplied from the battery to the starter mounted on the engine, and the starter receiving the large current rotates the crankshaft of the engine to start the engine. .

  The control unit 3 can transmit and receive various signals to and from the fuel remaining amount sensor 1, the fuel display unit 2, the ignition switch 4, and the state detection unit 5. That is, the control unit 3 is electrically connected to the fuel remaining amount sensor 1, the ignition switch 4, the vehicle speed sensor 6, the shift position sensor 7, and the tilt sensor 8 of the state detection unit 5. More output signals are input.

  The control unit 3 is a well-known control device including an input / output device such as a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O. The ROM and RAM are storage devices (hereinafter referred to as storage units) 3 that store various programs and data. Various programs are written in the ROM, and a CPU or the like executes control processing such as predetermined arithmetic processing according to the programs.

  The control unit 3 includes a fuel supply determination unit that determines whether or not fuel supply has been performed, a fuel display update unit (hereinafter referred to as a fuel supply display update unit) that accelerates the display update of the remaining fuel display value when fuel supply is performed, In other cases, fuel display updating means (hereinafter referred to as stable display updating means) for delaying display updating is provided to prevent erroneous display due to liquid level position fluctuations.

  The refueling determination means determines whether or not the remaining fuel has increased beyond a predetermined increase (hereinafter referred to as a fuel supply determination amount). When the increase in the remaining fuel detected by the remaining fuel sensor 1 is greater than or equal to the fuel supply determination amount (for example, 5 L), it is determined that the fuel is in the refueling state, and when the increase in the remaining fuel is less than the fuel supply determination amount, It is determined that it is not.

  When it is determined that the fuel supply state is determined by the fuel supply determination means, the fuel supply display update means averages the detection result of the remaining fuel amount sensor 1 with a relatively short sampling time (number) and approaches the measured average value. Update the remaining fuel display value. As a result, the remaining fuel display value in the fueling state is promptly displayed in the remaining fuel state in which the fueling amount exceeds the fueling determination amount.

  In addition, the stability display updating unit displays the detection result of the fuel remaining amount sensor 1 when the fuel supply determining unit determines that the fuel supply state is not in a predetermined state or when the vehicle is in a running state or the like as detected by the state detection unit 5. Averaging is performed over a relatively long sampling time (number), and the remaining fuel display value is updated so as to approach the measured average value.

  Even if the vehicle is actually refueled, if the refueling amount is equal to or less than the refueling determination amount (for example, 4L), the remaining fuel display value is supplied to the remaining fuel after refueling by the stable display updating means. It will be slowly approaching.

  The control unit 3 compares the current measured average value A and the remaining fuel display value H every predetermined time (for example, 25 seconds) (hereinafter referred to as a predetermined sampling period) t to determine the magnitude relationship between A and H. A determination means (hereinafter referred to as cumulative establishment determination means) is provided for determining whether the magnitude relationship between A and H is the same for a predetermined number of times (hereinafter referred to as update determination number) (for example, 12 times) N consecutively. . The cumulative establishment determination means first determines whether A> H or A <H in the magnitude relationship between A and H. When A> H is established for the first time, the accumulation counter (hereinafter, cumulative increase determination accumulation counter) UC is incremented each time the determination of A> H is continuously established and repeated at a predetermined sampling period t. .

  In addition, when A <H is established for the first time, the accumulation counter (hereinafter, accumulation counter for continuous decrease determination) DC is incremented every time the determination of A <H is continuously established and repeated at a predetermined sampling period t.

  Further, the control unit 3 includes instruction means for instructing the update of the remaining fuel display value H, and this instruction means is one of the continuous increase determination cumulative counter UC and the continuous decrease determination cumulative counter DC. When it is determined by the cumulative establishment determination means that the number of update determinations has been reached, the fuel display unit 2 is instructed to update so that the remaining fuel display value H approaches the measured average value A. Specifically, the control unit 3 controls the fuel display unit 2 so that one LED corresponding to a segment unit corresponding to a predetermined amount of remaining fuel is turned on or off.

  Furthermore, the control unit 3 determines that before the ignition switch 4 is switched from the ON position to the OFF position during the continuous determination of the magnitude relationship (for example, A <H) by the cumulative establishment determination means, before the OFF. Stores a continuous decrease judgment cumulative counter DC in which a continuous magnitude relationship is established. The continuous decrease determination cumulative counter DC is stored in the storage unit 3a of the control unit 3 as the pre-OFF cumulative counter DCP in the storage unit 3a of the control unit 3. Further, when A> H is continuously determined at the time of switching to the OFF position, the continuous increase determination cumulative counter UC is stored in the storage unit 3a as the pre-OFF cumulative counter UCP.

  Further, when the ignition switch 4 is switched from the OFF position to the ON position, the control unit 3 reads the pre-OFF cumulative counters DCP and UCP from the storage unit 3a and stores the stored values in both the pre-OFF cumulative counters DCP and UCP. Is added to the continuous decrease determination cumulative counter DC and the continuous increase determination cumulative counter UC.

  In the continuous decrease determination cumulative counter DC or the continuous increase determination cumulative counter UC in which the continuous magnitude relationship is established, the other cumulative counters UC and DC corresponding thereto are established and cleared (initialized). )

  Here, the fuel remaining amount sensor 1 corresponds to the remaining fuel detecting means described in the claims. The fuel display unit 2 corresponds to the display means described in the claims. ROM and RAM correspond to storage means described in the claims. The state detection unit 5 and the control unit 3 correspond to a stop state determination unit or a travel start unit described in the claims.

  The predetermined sampling period corresponds to the predetermined time described in the claims. The state values of the cumulative counters UC and DC correspond to the number of times that the magnitude relationship described in the claims is continuously the same. The continuous increase cumulative counter UC is the number of times that the determination of A> H is continuously established at a predetermined sampling period t in the magnitude relationship between the detection result (measured average value) A of the remaining fuel amount sensor 2 and the remaining fuel display value H. Corresponding to The continuously decreasing accumulation counter DC corresponds to the number of consecutive times that the determination of A <H is continuously established at a predetermined sampling period t.

  Next, the operation of the remaining fuel display device for a vehicle having the above-described configuration, particularly the control process executed by the control unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the control process of the present embodiment, the update process of the remaining fuel display value H by the refueling display update means is not the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted. That is, in the control process from S101 (S is a step) to S303, an example of the control process by the stable fuel display means will be described when the fuel supply to the vehicle is equal to or less than the fuel supply determination amount or when the vehicle is not fueled.

  First, the control processing from S101 (S is a step) to S105 is performed by the control processing of the stable fuel display means before the ignition switch 4 is turned off when the state of the ignition switch 4 is switched from OFF to ON. This is a control process (hereinafter referred to as “stable display update pre-process”) for reading out the state values of the cumulative counters DC and UC in which the continuous magnitude relationship of determination is established. Further, the control processing from S201 to S236 is a control processing (hereinafter referred to as stable display update main processing) showing specific execution contents by the stable fuel display means after the ignition switch 4 is turned on. The control processing from S301 to S303 is a control processing (hereinafter referred to as stable display update) that stores and saves the state values of the cumulative counters DC, UC, etc. in which the continuous magnitude relationship is established before the ignition switch 4 is switched from ON to OFF. Post-processing).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in S101, it is determined whether or not the state of the ignition switch 4 is a switching state from OFF to ON. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the OFF count ST is ST = 0. When the OFF count ST = 0, it is determined that the state is switched from OFF to ON, and the process proceeds to S102. If the OFF count ST is not 0, it is determined that the ON state continues, and the process proceeds to S201.

  In S102, the stored remaining fuel display value H is read before turning off, and in S103, the accumulated counter stored values UCP, DCP stored in the storage unit 3 are read in order to read the state values of the accumulated counters UC, DC stored before turning off. Is read.

  In S104, the cumulative counters UC and DC stored in the state before being turned off are reflected in the current cumulative counters UC and DC in the switching state from OFF to ON, and the cumulative counters UC and DC are set up. Specifically, the continuous increase determination cumulative counter UC and the continuous decrease determination cumulative counter DC are set to UC = UCP and DC = DCP, respectively.

  In S105, the OFF count ST is incremented to set ST = 1, and the process proceeds to S201.

  In S201, the remaining fuel is measured by the remaining fuel sensor 1, the average measured value A is taken in at a predetermined sample period t, and the process proceeds to S211.

  The control process from S211 to S216 is a control process that assumes a case where the determination of A> H is continuously established at a predetermined sampling period t in the magnitude relationship between the average measured value A and the remaining fuel display value H, and from S221 to S226. The control process is a control process that assumes a case where the determination of A <H is continuously established at a predetermined sampling period t.

  Specifically, in S211, it is determined whether A> H. If A> H, the process proceeds to S212, the continuous increase cumulative counter UC is incremented (UC = UC + 1), and the process proceeds to S213. On the other hand, if A> H is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S221.

  In S213, it is determined whether or not the continuous increase cumulative counter UC has reached the update determination number (predetermined number) N (UC ≧ N). When the continuously increasing cumulative counter UC reaches the update determination number N, the process proceeds to S214. If the continuous increase cumulative counter UC has not reached the update determination count N, the process proceeds to S216.

  In S214, the remaining fuel display value H is instructed to be updated, and the display of the fuel display unit 2 is updated. Specifically, one minute unit of segment corresponding to a predetermined amount of remaining fuel is added to the current remaining fuel display value H. The control unit 3 lights one segment of the fuel display unit 2 and displays to the vehicle occupant that the remaining fuel has increased by a predetermined amount. Then, the continuous increase cumulative counter UC is cleared (initialized) (S215), the continuous decrease cumulative counter DC is cleared (initialized) (S216), and then the process proceeds to S301.

  In S221, it is determined whether A <H. If A <H, the process proceeds to S222, the continuous decrease cumulative counter DC is incremented (DC = DC + 1), and the process proceeds to S223. On the other hand, if A <H is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S236, where both cumulative counters UC and DC are cleared (initialized), and the process proceeds to S301.

  In S223, it is determined whether or not the continuously decreasing cumulative counter DC has reached the update determination number (predetermined number) N (DC ≧ N). If the continuously decreasing cumulative counter DC has reached the update determination number N, the process proceeds to S224. If the continuously decreasing cumulative counter DC has not reached the update determination number N, the process proceeds to S226.

  In S224, the remaining fuel display value H is instructed to be updated, and the display of the fuel display unit 2 is updated. Specifically, a segment unit corresponding to a predetermined amount of remaining fuel is subtracted from the current remaining fuel display value H. The control unit 3 turns off one segment of the fuel display unit 2 and displays to the vehicle occupant that the remaining fuel has decreased by a predetermined amount. Then, the continuous decrease cumulative counter DC is cleared (initialized) (S225), and the continuous decrease cumulative counter DC is cleared (initialized) (S226), and then the process proceeds to S301.

  In S301, it is determined whether or not the state of the ignition switch 4 is a switching state from ON to OFF. If the state is switched from ON to OFF, the process proceeds to S302. If the ON state continues, the process returns to S101 and the control process is repeated.

  In S302, the current remaining fuel display value H before OFF is stored in the storage unit 3a of the control unit 3, and the current cumulative counter UC, DC before OFF is stored in the cumulative counter stored values UCP, DCP. Remember.

  In S303, the OFF count ST is cleared (initialized), ST = 0 is set, the process returns to S201 and waits.

  In the present embodiment described above, when the state of the ignition switch 4 is switched from ON to OFF in the control processing of S302 in the stabilization display post-processing S301 to S303, the current remaining fuel display value H before OFF is set. The current cumulative counters UC and DC before turning off store the state values in the cumulative counter stored values UCP and DCP. As a result, the continuous increase cumulative counter UC and the continuous decrease cumulative counter DC that were in the process of determining whether A> H or A <H were continuously established in the magnitude relationship between the average measured value A and the remaining fuel display value H before turning OFF. Can be stored and stored until the state of the ignition switch 4 is switched from OFF to ON.

  Further, in the control processing of S103 and S104 in the stabilization display preprocessing S101 to S106, when the state of the ignition switch 4 is switched from OFF to ON, the accumulated counter stored values UCP and DCP stored in the storage unit 3a are read. The accumulated counter stored values UCP and DCP are added to the current accumulated counters UC and DC after being turned ON, so that the current accumulated counters UC and DC after being turned ON are stored with the state values of the accumulated counters UC and DC stored before being turned OFF. Can be reflected.

  Therefore, in the stabilized display main processes S201 to S236, the sampling period necessary to satisfy the update determination number N, which is the condition for continuously updating the display of the magnitude relationship, is set to the cumulative counters UC, DC stored before OFF. It can be shortened by adding the state value of.

  As a result, even when the ON period of the ignition switch 4 is shorter than the sampling period corresponding to the number of update determinations (predetermined number) N, the stored cumulative counter at OFF (off) Since the state values of UC and DC are added to the cumulative counters UC and DC after being turned on, the update determination number N which is a condition for display update can be satisfied.

  Therefore, the remaining fuel display value H can be updated even when the traveling of the ignition switch 4 from ON to OFF is repeated in a relatively short time.

  In the present embodiment described above, the control unit 3 does not use the measurement value obtained by measuring the remaining fuel by the remaining fuel sensor 1 every predetermined sampling period t as the detection result of the remaining fuel by the remaining fuel sensor 1. The measurement average value A detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 1 within the predetermined sampling period t is used. As a result, fluctuations in the remaining fuel due to fluctuations in the fuel level in the fuel tank are alleviated, so that the remaining fuel display value H can be displayed and updated stably.

  In the present embodiment described above, the control processing is executed by the control processes S101 to S303 by the stable display updating unit used when it is determined that the fuel supply determining unit has not refueled. As a result, the remaining fuel display value H can be updated so that the prevention of gas shortage can be reliably achieved even when the vehicle travels in a relatively short period of time from when the ignition switch 4 is turned on to when it is turned off.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, other embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the second embodiment, in the stabilized display main processing S201 to S236 described in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control processing of S202 and S203 is executed between the control processing of S201 and S211. Configured to do. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of the control process for updating the display of the remaining fuel display value according to the present embodiment.

  In general, when the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the fuel level in the fuel tank changes in a horizontal state as compared with the case where the vehicle stops, so that the display may change. This embodiment solves this.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the ignition switch 4 is in the ON state, the current average measured value A is obtained every predetermined sample period t (S201).

  Next, in S202, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is stopped on a slope. Specifically, it is determined by the vehicle inclination sensor 8 whether the vehicle is stopped horizontally. If the vehicle is stopped in a horizontal state, the process proceeds to S211. If the vehicle is not in a horizontal state but is stopped on an inclined slope, the process proceeds to S203.

  In S203, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in a travel start state. Specifically, the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to a predetermined value other than V = 0, the shift position is a travel permitting position (D or R) other than P or N, and the engine is operating. It is determined whether or not any of the conditions (hereinafter referred to as a travel start condition) that the indicated engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed other than Ne = 0 is satisfied. If the travel start condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S211.

  If the travel start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S301 without executing the stabilization display main process of S211 and subsequent steps. Therefore, it will be in a standby state until the travel start condition is satisfied.

  In the present embodiment described above, when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped on a slope, execution of the stable display update main processing S211 to S236 for display update is stopped during the stop, and it is determined that the vehicle is in a traveling start state. After that, since the stable display update main processing S211 to S236 is performed, the display fluctuation of the remaining fuel display value H can be avoided.

  Therefore, even when the traveling from the ignition switch 4 ON to OFF is repeated for a relatively short time, the remaining fuel display value H is updated to prevent gas shortage, and erroneous display such as gas shortage is prevented. Display fluctuation can be avoided.

  Further, as the travel start condition for determining that the vehicle is in the travel start state, the vehicle speed V is a predetermined value other than V = 0, and the shift position is a position (D or R) that permits travel other than P or N. And that the engine rotational speed Ne indicating that the engine is in an operating state satisfies a condition that the engine rotational speed Ne is equal to or higher than a predetermined rotational speed other than Ne = 0, so that the traveling start state is accurately determined. be able to.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is limited to this embodiment and is not interpreted and can be applied to various embodiment in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  (1) For example, when the number of update determinations N, which is a display update condition, is satisfied, one segment unit is added to or subtracted from the remaining fuel display value. Any subtraction may be used as long as the display is updated so that the remaining fuel display value approaches the measured average value.

  (2) Further, in the present embodiment described above, the remaining fuel amount sensor 4 is remained by a liquid level (voltage) signal via a resistance circuit based on the fluctuation of the float floating on the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank. Although the description has been given for measuring fuel, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an ultrasonic sensor or the like may be used to emit ultrasonic waves and receive a reflected wave from the liquid level to detect the liquid level.

  (3) Further, in the present embodiment described above, the predetermined sampling period t for comparing the remaining fuel display value H and the measured average value A is 25 seconds, and the update determination number N is 12 combinations, and at least t × It has been described that the display is updated in a sampling period of 5 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any combination such as a combination in which the predetermined sampling period t is 12 seconds or the like, or a combination in which the update determination number N is 6 or the like may be used.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of the residual fuel display apparatus for vehicles by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing which updates the display of the remaining fuel display value which the control part in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows a part of control process which updates the display of the remaining fuel display value concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the display update process of the remaining fuel display value which applied the prior art, Comprising: It is a time chart which shows the shift | offset | difference of the measured value and display value of the remaining fuel in a fuel tank in a display update process process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fuel level sensor (remaining fuel detection means)
2 Fuel indicator (fuel indicator)
3 Control unit (control device)
3a Storage unit 4 Ignition switch 5 State detection unit 6 Vehicle speed sensor 7 Shift position sensor 8 Tilt sensor

Claims (5)

A residual fuel detection means for detecting the residual fuel in the fuel tank;
Display means for displaying the remaining fuel display value;
A determination unit that compares the detection result of the remaining fuel detection unit and the remaining fuel display value at predetermined time intervals, and determines whether or not the magnitude relationship is the same continuously for a predetermined number of times;
When it is determined by the determination means that the magnitude relationship is the same continuously for a predetermined number of times, the remaining fuel display value displayed on the display means is displayed so as to bring the remaining fuel display value closer to the detection result. An instruction means for instructing an update;
When the ignition switch state is detected, the remaining fuel display value displayed on the display means when the ignition switch is turned off, and the number of times that the magnitude relationship is continuously the same in the determination means are stored. And storage means readable when the ignition switch is turned on from off,
The determination means reads the remaining fuel display value and the number of times stored in the storage means when the ignition switch is turned on, and the magnitude relationship between the detection result and the remaining fuel display value is continuously repeated a predetermined number of times. It is determined whether it is the same, The remaining fuel display apparatus for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned.   The vehicle residual fuel display device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining fuel detection unit outputs an average value of the remaining fuel in the predetermined time as the detection result. Refueling determination means for determining whether fuel has been supplied to the fuel tank;
The remaining fuel display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means is executed when it is determined by the fuel supply determination means that fuel has not been supplied. Stopping state determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle on which the fuel tank is mounted is stopped on a slope;
Travel start determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a travel start state,
When the stop state determination means determines that the vehicle is stopped on a slope, the determination means is stopped. When the travel start determination means determines that the vehicle is in a travel start state, the determination means is executed. The remaining fuel display device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:   The travel start determination means is based on at least one of a vehicle speed being a predetermined speed, a shift position being a position permitting travel, and an internal combustion engine of the vehicle being in an operating state. The remaining fuel display device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein:

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