JP2010204010A - Indicator device for remaining amount in tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remaining amount indicator device of a tank capable of correctly indicating a remaining amount of liquid in the tank on a indication means. <P>SOLUTION: The remaining amount indicator device A of a tank including a control means H for indicating the remaining amount of the liquid for a detection value of a position detecting means 33 on the indication means 54 includes a controllable operation tool 56 which can be artificially operated. When the controllable operation tool 56 is operated while a predetermined amount L1 of the liquid is put in the tank 23, the control means H stores the detection value of the position detecting means 33 with the predetermined amount L1 of the liquid put as a reference value V1. A remaining amount L2 of the liquid for the detection value of the position detecting means 33 is indicated on the indication means 54 based on the stored reference value V1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a levitating body that moves up and down according to the remaining amount of liquid in the tank, position detecting means for detecting the position of the levitating body, display means for displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the tank, and the position The present invention relates to a tank remaining amount display device comprising: control means for displaying on the display means a remaining amount of liquid with respect to a detection value of the detecting means.

  Such a tank remaining amount display device is provided in a vehicle such as an automobile or a tractor, for example, and detects and displays the amount of liquid that has entered the tank.

  As a conventional tank remaining amount display device, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the remaining amount of liquid contained in the tank is determined by the vertical position of the floating body detected by the position detection means. There was something to display the amount.

JP 11-46549 A JP 7-186745 A

  In a conventional tank remaining amount display device, for example, when a resin tank is manufactured by blow molding or the like, the height of the liquid level with respect to the amount of liquid in the tank is constant due to manufacturing errors at the time of molding or the like. It was difficult. Further, for example, when the position detection means is attached to the tank, it is difficult to attach the position detection means at an accurate position and angle with respect to the tank, and an attachment error of the position detection means is likely to occur.

  As described above, when a manufacturing error of the tank or an installation error of the position detection means occurs, the detection value of the position detection means with respect to the amount of liquid in the tank is likely to vary, and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank is detected. There is a problem that it is difficult to accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid in the tank and it is difficult to accurately display the remaining amount of liquid in the tank on the display unit. On the contrary, if the tank is manufactured accurately and the position detecting means is mounted with high accuracy so that the manufacturing error of the tank does not occur, the manufacturing and mounting takes cost and time, and the manufacturing of the tank and the remaining amount display device is performed. There is a problem that the cost increases.

  Similarly, the position detection means itself may have a detection error in its detection value. In this case as well, there is a problem that the amount of liquid in the tank cannot be accurately displayed based on the detection value. In order to solve this problem, there is a problem that if position detection means with high detection accuracy is attached, the position detection means becomes comparatively expensive and causes the manufacturing cost of the tank and the remaining amount display device to rise. is there.

  Also, when the tank or the position detection means is maintained (repaired or replaced) due to damage to the tank or failure of the position detection means, the relative positional relationship between the tank and the position detection means is easily changed. The remaining amount of liquid in the tank detected by the position detection unit is changed before and after maintenance, and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank displayed by the display unit is easily changed before and after maintenance. There is a problem.

  In particular, when the capacity of the tank is small, the production error of the tank tends to affect the liquid level of the liquid, and when the display means that the tank is empty, the remaining amount of liquid in the tank Therefore, the detection value of the position detecting means tends to vary with respect to the amount of liquid in the tank, and the above problem is remarkable.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tank remaining amount display device capable of accurately displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the tank on the display means without causing an increase in manufacturing cost of the tank and the remaining amount display device. It is in.

The first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a floating body that moves up and down according to the remaining amount of liquid in the tank, position detection means that detects the position of the floating body, and a display that displays the remaining amount of liquid in the tank. Means for displaying the remaining amount of the liquid with respect to the detection value of the position detecting means on the display means,
When the artificial operation tool is provided with a human operation tool that can be artificially operated, and when the human operation tool is operated in a state where a predetermined amount of liquid is placed in the tank, the control means is configured to detect the position in a state where the predetermined amount of liquid is placed. The detected value is stored as a reference value, and based on the stored reference value, the remaining amount of liquid with respect to the detected value of the position detecting means is displayed on the display means.

  According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, for example, the amount of liquid put into the tank by the operator is measured, put into the tank, and the artificial operation tool is operated. The detection value of the position detection means is stored as a reference value, and the remaining amount of liquid is automatically displayed on the display means based on the reference value when it is weighed and put in a predetermined amount in the tank. Thereby, for example, even when a manufacturing error of the tank, an installation error of the position detection means, a detection error of the detection value of the position detection means itself, etc. occur, the position detection means in a state where a predetermined amount of liquid is put in. The detected value (reference value), that is, the predetermined amount of liquid actually contained in the tank and the actual position of the floating body moved up and down with respect to the predetermined amount of liquid are detected and stored in the control means. Based on the reference value of the position detection means, the remaining amount of liquid on the display means can be accurately displayed with respect to the detection value of the position detection means based on the relationship with the reference value that matches or substantially matches the predetermined amount of liquid. it can.

  Therefore, the manufacturing error of the tank, the mounting error of the position detection means, etc. are likely to cause variations in the detection value of the position detection means with respect to the amount of liquid in the tank, and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank is accurately detected by the position detection means. Even if it is difficult to detect well or the detection value of the detection value of the position detection means itself is generated and the amount of liquid in the tank based on the detection value cannot be accurately displayed, for example, the position detection means After the tank is attached to the tank, the amount of liquid put into the tank by the operator is measured, put into the tank, and the artificial operation tool is operated. Thus, the remaining amount of the liquid in the tank can be accurately displayed on the display means without causing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the tank and the remaining amount display device.

  Even when the tank or the position detection means is maintained (repaired or replaced) due to damage to the tank or the position detection means, and the relative positional relationship between the tank and the position detection means is changed, for example, After maintenance, the amount of liquid put into the tank by the operator is measured, put into the tank, and the artificial operation tool is operated, so that it is possible to accurately display the remaining amount of liquid on the display means for the detection value of the position detection means Thus, the remaining amount of liquid in the tank can be accurately displayed on the display means after maintenance.

  A second characteristic configuration of the present invention is an empty state display unit in which the display unit displays an empty state of the liquid in the tank, and the control unit has a detection value of the position detection unit that is a predetermined amount from the predetermined amount. When the amount of change in the detection value of the position detection means when increased is a value obtained by adding to the reference value, the empty state of the liquid in the tank is displayed on the empty state display means. .

In general, in a vehicle, a certain amount of fuel (corresponding to liquid) is left in the fuel tank (corresponding to the tank) so that even if the empty state display means displays the empty state, work or traveling for a certain time can be performed. . Here, the amount of fuel that can be worked or run for a certain period of time is set as a predetermined amount, and a predetermined amount (the amount of fuel that can be worked for a certain amount of time) is put into an empty fuel tank, and this predetermined amount of fuel is handled It is conceivable to set the detected value of the position detecting means to be the reference value.
However, from the aspect of handling the fuel in the vehicle production process, there is a little more fuel corresponding to the empty state of the empty state indicating means, and the empty state indicating means is set to the empty state for setting the reference value. When the corresponding fuel is put into the fuel tank, it takes time and effort to handle the fuel in the production process of the vehicle.

  According to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the amount of the liquid corresponding to the empty state of the empty state display means is a value obtained by adding the change amount of the output value of the position detecting means when the fixed amount is increased from the predetermined amount to the reference value. When the reference value is set, the tank may be filled with a smaller amount of liquid (predetermined amount) than the amount of liquid corresponding to the empty state of the empty state display unit. Therefore, for example, in the vehicle production process, the amount of fuel to be placed in the tank can be reduced, and the handling of fuel in the vehicle production process can be reduced.

1 is an overall side view of a four-wheel drive tractor. It is a figure which shows a fuel tank and a control block. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the quantity of fuel, and the output value of a fuel fuel gauge. It is a control flowchart. It is a control flowchart. It is a control flow figure in a 2nd embodiment. It is a control flow figure in a 2nd embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a tank remaining amount display device according to the present invention is applied to a tractor as an example of a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawing, the empty state of the fuel tank 23 is indicated as “E”, and the full state of the fuel tank 23 is indicated as “F”.

[Overall structure of tractor]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle body of this tractor is configured by sequentially connecting an engine 1, a main clutch housing 2, and a transmission case 3. A front frame 4 is provided at a lower portion of the engine 1 so as to extend forward. A front axle case 6 is supported on the front frame 4 so as to be able to roll, and left and right front wheels 5 are supported on the front axle case 6 so as to be steerable and drivable. Further, at the rear part of the transmission case 3, left and right rear wheels 7 are pivotally supported so as to be driven.

  A driving part 9 covered with a bonnet 8 is provided at the front part of the vehicle body, and a steering panel 10, a steering handle 11, a driver's seat 12, a step 13, and the like are provided behind the driving part 9. A driving unit 14 is provided.

  An engine room R is formed inside the bonnet 8. An engine 1 is disposed in the rear space of the engine room R. In the front space of the engine room R, a radiator 15, an oil cooler 16, an air cleaner 17, a battery 18, and the like are arranged. A muffler 19 is disposed on the upper side of the engine 1.

  A rear frame 21 is provided upright at the rear end portion of the prime mover 9. The rear frame 21 is configured in an arch shape having substantially the same width and height as the bonnet 8. A fuel tank 23 (an example of a tank) is inserted inside the rear frame 21.

[Configuration of the remaining amount display device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the remaining amount display device A includes a float 31 (an example of a floating body), a swing arm 32, a fuel remaining amount gauge 33 (an example of a position detection unit), and a control device H (a control unit). For example).

  The float 31 is provided inside the fuel tank 23 that contains fuel, and moves up and down as the liquid level of the fuel fluctuates. The oscillating arm 32 is pivotally supported at the base end of the oscillating arm 32 by the upper wall portion 23a of the fuel tank 23, and the float 31 is attached to the distal end thereof. The fuel remaining amount gauge 33 is provided at the base end portion of the swing arm 32, and the swing angle of the swing arm 32 (the position in the fuel tank 23 of the float 31 attached to the distal end portion of the swing arm 32). Is detected. The fuel remaining gauge 33 is connected to a control device H to be described later. As the fuel remaining gauge 33, for example, a potentiometer or the like is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device H has an empty state display lamp 54 (an example of display means) that displays the empty state of the fuel in the fuel tank 23 and a full state that displays the fuel full state of the fuel tank 23. A display lamp 55 (an example of display means) and a fuel meter 35 that displays the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 with a meter needle are connected. The empty state indicator lamp 54 is configured to light up in red when the fuel in the fuel tank 23 becomes empty, and the full state indicator lamp 55 indicates that the fuel in the fuel tank 23 becomes full. It is configured to light up in green by the output from the control device H.

  Although the example in which the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 are lit in red and green has been shown, different display methods such as lighting and blinking, and lighting colors may be adopted. Further, the display means is not limited to display so that it can be recognized visually, but may be displayed so that it can be recognized visually by sound or the like.

  The control device H includes a push button type empty state setting switch 56 (an example of an artificial operation tool) for setting the remaining amount of the fuel tank 23 displayed on the empty state display lamp 54 and a fuel displayed on the full state display lamp 55. A push button type full state setting switch 57 (an example of a human operation tool) for setting the remaining amount of the tank 23 is connected. The empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57 are provided in the driving unit 14 or the driving unit 9, and are pushed when assembling the tractor, performing maintenance at a store, or performing maintenance on the user side. The empty state and the full state can be set by an operation.

  In addition to the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55, the fuel meter 35 is a relational expression between the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 stored in advance in the control device H and the output voltage value of the fuel fuel gauge 33 ( (Or related data) and the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33, the meter needle of the fuel meter 35 is continuously changed by the output from the control device H, and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 is determined. It is configured to display continuously between the empty position and the full position. Note that the display range is set so that the meter needle of the fuel meter 35 swings when a predetermined amount of fuel L1 (described later) is introduced at the empty position of the fuel meter 35.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57 are constituted by push button type switches is shown, but different operation modes such as a swing switching type switch and a dial type switch are shown. A switch may be employed, or a combination of these switches having different operation modes may be employed. In this embodiment, an example in which a dedicated empty state setting switch 56 and a full state setting switch 57 for setting an empty state and a full state are separately provided as artificial operation tools has been described. It may be configured so as to be set by changing the operation mode of the human operation tool, or an operation switch (not shown) for operating the tractor and a setting switch (for example, horizontal control or rolling) for setting other functions of the tractor. An existing switch such as a control setting switch (not shown) is configured to function as an empty state setting switch 56 or a full state setting switch 57 by changing its operation mode. Also good.

[Relationship between fuel quantity in fuel tank and output value of fuel fuel gauge]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the float 31 moves up and down and the swing arm 32 swings, the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 changes the resistance value of the resistance in the fuel remaining amount gauge. The vertical position of the float 31 (the swing angle of the swing arm 32) is detected by the change in the voltage value applied to the control unit H, and this voltage value is output from the remaining fuel gauge 33 to the control device H. ing.

  In the fuel fuel gauge 33 in this embodiment, as shown by the curve in FIG. 3, when the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 is large, the output value (output voltage value) of the fuel fuel gauge 33 decreases. The output characteristics are set so that the output value (output voltage value) of the fuel remaining gauge 33 increases when the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 is small. In this case, since the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 is detected via the float 31 and the swing arm 32, the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 and the output voltage value of the fuel residual gauge 33 are The relationship is not proportional, but becomes an inversely proportional curve as shown in FIG.

  The fuel fuel gauge 33 may have different output characteristics or different output values. For example, the fuel fuel gauge 33 may be proportional to the output value of the fuel fuel gauge 33 to increase as the amount of fuel increases. Alternatively, a device that outputs a current value, a resistance value, or the like may be used.

  Here, problems of the conventional remaining amount display device will be described. In the conventional remaining amount display device, even if the remaining amount display device is manufactured in the same manufacturing process, for example, when a manufacturing error of the fuel tank 23 or an installation error of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 occurs, When the output voltage value of the fuel fuel gauge 33 in a state where a fixed amount of fuel (for example, 3 liters) is put in the fuel tank 23 is measured, it is 3.3V in some cases and 3.6V in others. Sometimes it happened. In such a case, for example, when an empty state of the fuel tank 23 is displayed using a certain voltage value as a threshold value, the actual amount of fuel contained in the fuel tank 23 when the empty state is displayed is different. As a result, there was a problem of running out of fuel while working on the tractor or returning home. Therefore, in order to eliminate such problems, the tractor is configured such that control in the remaining amount display device A described later is executed by the control device H.

[Contents of control in the remaining amount display device]
The contents of the control in the remaining amount display device A will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4A is a flowchart for setting the remaining amount of the fuel tank 23 displayed on the empty state display lamp 54 by the empty state setting switch 56, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for setting the remaining amount of the fuel tank 23 displayed on the full state display lamp 55.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, as a preparatory work for the setting, the operator accurately measures and puts a predetermined amount L1 of fuel into an empty fuel tank 23 that does not contain any fuel (step #). 1).

  Here, the predetermined amount L1 means that the float 31 floats, the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 detects the swing angle of the swing arm 32, and the control device H is the amount of fuel with respect to the detected value V of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33. The minimum amount L required to detect L and move the meter needle of the fuel meter 35 is sufficient (for example, 3 liters). That is, the predetermined amount L1 is sufficient if it can be confirmed that the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 operates normally and the meter needle of the fuel meter 35 operates normally.

  Next, when the operator depresses the empty state setting switch 56 (step # 2), the control device H puts a predetermined amount L1 of fuel into the fuel tank 23 based on the detection from the fuel residual gauge 33. In this state, the detected value V (output voltage value) of the fuel remaining gauge 33 is automatically stored in the storage unit 51 as the reference voltage value V1 (steps # 3 and # 4). Then, the calculation unit 52 automatically calculates the change voltage V4 of the detected value of the fuel remaining gauge 33 corresponding to the increase amount when the fuel is increased from the predetermined amount L1 to the constant amount L4 in the calculation unit 52 (see FIG. 3). The value obtained by subtracting the change voltage V4 from the reference voltage value V1 is automatically set as an empty state display voltage value V2 (a value at which the fuel amount L becomes a small amount L2 in FIG. 3) to start displaying the empty state of the fuel tank 23. (Steps # 5 and # 6).

  That is, for example, when 3 liters of fuel is put into the fuel tank 23 as the predetermined amount L1, and the change voltage V4 of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 is increased to the predetermined amount L1, for example, when the constant amount L4 is increased by 1 liter. The subtracted value is set as the empty state display voltage value V2. Then, the empty state display lamp 54 is turned on as described later in a state where the fuel in the fuel tank 23 becomes 4 liters based on the empty state display voltage value V2. In this case, 4 liters (a small amount L2 in FIG. 3) is an amount that serves as a guideline for continuing the work and running for a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) in the tractor.

  Thus, when the empty state display voltage value V2 is set, the fuel tank 23 has a predetermined amount L1 (for example, 3 liters) smaller than the fuel (for example, 4 liters) corresponding to the lighting timing of the empty state display lamp 54. Since it suffices to add fuel, it is possible to reduce the trouble of handling the fuel in the production process of the tractor.

  In this embodiment, the change voltage V4 is automatically calculated by the calculation unit 52. However, the output of the fuel residual gauge 33 corresponding to the increase amount when the fuel increases by a certain amount L4 is shown. A voltage corresponding to the value change voltage V4 is preset by the control device H as a set voltage value (for example, 0.2 V), and the preset set voltage value is subtracted from the reference voltage value V1 to be empty. The state display voltage value V2 may be set automatically. Further, the lighting operation of the empty state display lamp 54 is determined by a display calculation unit (not shown) of the control device H, the reference voltage value V1 is called from the storage unit 51, and the fuel calculation is performed by the display calculation unit. The above calculation processing may be executed based on the actual detection value V of 33 and output from the display calculation unit to the empty state display lamp 54.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the operator fills the fuel tank 23 with fuel up to L3 as a preparatory work for the setting (step # 7). As this preparatory work, for example, the operator may lift the float 31 to the full L3 position without actually filling the fuel tank 23 with the fuel to the full L3.

  Next, when the operator depresses the full state setting switch 57 (step # 8), the control device H fills the fuel tank 23 with the full L3 fuel based on the detection from the fuel residual gauge 33. The detected value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 in the state is automatically stored in the storage unit 51 as the reference voltage value V3, and this reference voltage value V3 is automatically set as the full state display voltage value V3 ( Steps # 9 and # 10).

  When the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 are set by the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57, the controller H displays the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display. Based on the voltage value V3, as shown in FIG. 5, the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 are automatically turned on and off. At the time of assembly of the tractor, before the first setting, the control device H sets the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 to the initial setting values, respectively. When the setting is performed, the initial setting value is updated (reset) in the control device H. In the second and subsequent settings, the control device H is configured to update (reset) the previous set value to the newly set value.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device H determines whether or not the actual detection value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 has become equal to or higher than the empty state display voltage value V <b> 2 based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33. If it is determined (step # 21) and the actual detection value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 becomes equal to or higher than the empty state display voltage value V2 (step # 21: YES), the output from the control device H is empty. The status display lamp 54 is turned on (step # 22). In this case, the full state display lamp 55 remains off (step # 24: NO, # 26). Thus, when the fuel amount L becomes the empty state L2, the empty state display lamp 54 can be accurately turned on, and the operator can accurately confirm that the fuel amount L is empty ("E"). Can be recognized.

  Based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33, the control device H determines whether or not the actual detection value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 has become equal to or lower than the full state display voltage value V3 (step # 24). When the detected value V of the fuel remaining gauge 33 becomes equal to or lower than the full state display voltage value V3 (step # 24: YES), the full state display lamp 55 is turned on by an output from the control device H (step # 24). # 25). In this case, the empty state display lamp 54 remains off (step # 21: NO, # 23). Thus, when the fuel amount L becomes full L3, the full state indicator lamp 55 can be accurately turned on, and the operator can accurately confirm that the fuel amount L is full ("F"). Can be recognized.

  If the actual detection value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 is within the range of the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33 (step # 21: NO, # 24: NO), the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 remain off, and the amount of fuel is displayed by the meter needle of the fuel meter 35.

  By configuring the remaining amount display device A as described above, the amount of liquid that the operator puts into the fuel tank 23 is measured and placed in the fuel tank 23 at the time of assembly of the tractor or maintenance at the store. By operating the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57, the remaining amount of liquid with respect to the actual detection value V of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 is accurately displayed on the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55. Is possible. Further, for example, depending on the use mode, by operating the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57 during maintenance on the user side, the liquid to be metered into the fuel tank 23 according to the user's preference It is also possible to light up the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 with the remaining amount of fuel as desired by the user.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57 set the empty state and the full state of the fuel tank 23, and the remaining amount so that the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 are lit. Although an example in which the display device A is configured is shown, the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 are set by the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57, and these settings are set in the fuel meter 35. The remaining amount display device A may be configured to be reflected in the display. Hereinafter, based on FIG.6 and FIG.7, the content of the control in the residual amount display apparatus A in this 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. Except for those described below, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

  Although not shown, the fuel meter 35 is configured to display the fuel amount L corresponding to the detected value in a stepwise manner based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33 based on the output from the control device H. Yes. Specifically, the plurality of lamps are configured to be lit in stages in accordance with the fuel amount L. Here, as a method of displaying the fuel amount L in a stepwise manner, for example, the fuel amount L may be digitally displayed in a stepwise manner, or may be displayed in a liquid crystal display with numbers or bar graphs.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 are set in the same procedure as in the first embodiment (steps # 1 to # 10).

  In the control device H, a relational expression (or relational data) between the output voltage value of the fuel fuel gauge 33 and the fuel amount L is stored in advance. In the control device H, based on the relational expression (or relation data) stored in advance in the control device H, the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2), and the full state display voltage value V3, the fuel A plurality of display voltages for turning on the plurality of lamps of the meter 35 in a stepwise manner are set (step # 11).

  More specifically, for example, the relationship between the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 23 and the output voltage value of the fuel fuel gauge 33 described by the curve in FIG. 3 is given to the control device H as a relational expression (or relational data). When the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 are set, the control device H sets the fuel meter 35 based on the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2). An upper limit voltage for turning off all of the plurality of lamps is automatically set, and a lower limit voltage for turning on all of the plurality of lamps of the fuel meter 35 is automatically set based on the full state display voltage value V3. A plurality of intermediate voltages for lighting a plurality of lamps stepwise with respect to the lower limit voltage are stored in the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2), the full state display voltage value V3, and the control device H. Automatically set by calculation based on the relation (or relational data).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 are automatically turned on or off by the output from the control device H as in the first embodiment (steps # 21 to # 26). ).

  Based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33, the control device H obtains the correspondence between the actual detection value V of the fuel fuel gauge 33 and the display voltage (step # 27). That is, it is determined which display voltage of the upper limit voltage, the intermediate voltage, and the lower limit voltage is higher than the actual detection value V of the fuel remaining gauge 33. Then, the plurality of lamps of the fuel meter 35 corresponding to the displayed voltage are turned on and off step by step (step # 28).

  Thereby, not only the empty state display lamp 54 and the full state display lamp 55 but also a plurality of lamps of the fuel meter 35 can be turned on and off accurately in a stepwise manner.

  The fuel meter 35 is configured to continuously display the amount L of fuel corresponding to the detected value V based on the detection from the fuel fuel gauge 33 based on the output from the control device H, and the control device At H, based on the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2), the full state display voltage value V3, and the relational expression (or relational data) stored in advance in the control device H, the fuel meter 35 is You may comprise so that the display voltage displayed continuously may be set.

  Further, only the empty state display voltage value V2 is set by the empty state setting switch 56, and the relational expression (or relational data) and the reference voltage value V1 (or empty state display voltage value) stored in advance in the control device H are set. On the basis of V2), the display voltage for displaying the fuel meter 35 stepwise or continuously may be set. Only the full state display voltage value V3 is set by the full state setting switch 57, and the control is performed. Based on the relational expression (or relational data) stored in advance in the device H and the full state display voltage value V3, the display voltage for displaying the fuel meter 35 stepwise or continuously is set. Also good.

  Further, the predetermined amount L1 and the full L3 are artificially determined in advance, and the amount of the predetermined amount L1 and the full L3 is set to the fuel tank when the empty state display voltage value V2 and the full state display voltage value V3 are set. 23, and the relation stored in advance in the control device H based on the predetermined amount L1 and the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2), and the full L3 and the full state display voltage value V3. The formula (or relational data) may be corrected, and a display voltage for displaying the fuel meter 35 stepwise or continuously may be set based on the corrected relational expression (or relational data). . Furthermore, a predetermined amount L1 and a full L3 (an amount arbitrarily set by the operator) that the operator actually puts into the fuel tank 23 can be input to the control device H by the input operation tool. Based on the fixed amount L1 and the reference voltage value V1 (or the empty state display voltage value V2) and the full L3 and the full state display voltage value V3, a relational expression (or relational data) stored in advance in the control device H is obtained. The display voltage may be set so that the fuel meter 35 is displayed stepwise or continuously based on the corrected relational expression (or relational data).

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the remaining amount display device A is applied to the fuel tank 23 in which the fuel is accommodated is shown, but the material is not limited to that in which the fuel is accommodated, and liquid materials such as liquid fertilizer and liquid medicine The same can be applied to a storage tank in which is stored.

(2) In the above embodiment, the remaining amount display device A is configured so that the empty state and the full state of the fuel tank 23 can be set and displayed by the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57. The remaining amount display device A may be configured so that only one of the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57 is provided and only one of the empty state and the full state of the fuel tank 23 can be set and displayed. Good.

(3) In the above embodiment, the example is shown in which the remaining amount display device A is configured so that the empty state and the full state of the fuel tank 23 can be set and displayed by the empty state setting switch 56 and the full state setting switch 57. The remaining amount display device A may be configured so that an intermediate state between the empty state and the full state of the fuel tank 23 can be set and displayed. In this case, the remaining amount display device A may be configured to include a single or a plurality of intermediate state setting switches and a plurality of intermediate state display lamps so as to set and display a plurality of intermediate states.

(4) In the above embodiment, the empty state display voltage value V2 is obtained by subtracting, from the reference voltage value V1, the change voltage V4 of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the increased amount when the predetermined amount L1 is increased from the predetermined amount L1. An example is shown in which the remaining amount display device A is configured to be set. For example, if the output characteristic of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 increases as the amount of fuel increases, the predetermined amount L1 is applied. It may be configured such that a value obtained by adding the change voltage of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the increased amount when it is increased by a certain amount to the reference voltage value V1 is set as the empty state display voltage value V2.

(5) In the above embodiment, the empty state display voltage value V2 is obtained by subtracting, from the reference voltage value V1, the change voltage V4 of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the increased amount when the predetermined amount L1 is increased from the predetermined amount L1. Although the example in which the remaining amount display device A is configured to be set is shown, the detected value (reference voltage value V1) of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 in a state where a predetermined amount L1 of fuel is put in the fuel tank 23 is used as the fuel. It may be set as an empty state display voltage value V2 at which the empty state of the tank 23 starts to be displayed, and the change voltage of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the reduced amount when the tank 23 is reduced by a certain amount from the predetermined amount L1 The value added to may be set as the empty state display voltage value V2. In this case, if the reference voltage value V1 is set to the empty state display voltage value V2, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the control device H by reducing arithmetic processing and the like, and the amount of decrease when the constant amount is decreased from the predetermined amount L1. When the change voltage of the fuel gauge 33 calculated with respect to the reference voltage value V1 is set as the empty state display voltage value V2, the empty state display lamp 54 is set in a state immediately before the fuel in the fuel tank 23 becomes empty. It can be lit.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example in which the detection value (reference voltage value V3) from the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 in the state where the full L3 fuel is put in the fuel tank 23 is set as the full state display voltage value V3. As shown, the change voltage of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the increase amount or the decrease amount when the constant amount is increased or decreased from the full L3 is set to the reference voltage value V3 in the same manner as the setting of the empty state display voltage value V2. Alternatively, the subtraction or addition may be set as the full state display voltage value V3. In this case, for example, when the change voltage of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 corresponding to the increased amount when the constant amount is increased from the full L3 is calculated with respect to the reference voltage value V3, the full tank state voltage value V3 is set. Even if the fuel is not charged to 23 until full L3, the full state indicator lamp 55 can be displayed with a larger amount of fuel than the actual amount, for example, a decrease when the fuel is reduced by a certain amount from full L3. When the change voltage of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 calculated for the reference voltage value V3 is set as the full state display voltage value V3, the full state is set with the float 31 raised to the upper limit by hand, The full state display lamp 55 can be displayed with a smaller amount of fuel than when the float 31 is lifted.

(7) In the above embodiment, the example in which the tank remaining amount display device A is implemented as a product invention by the control device H, the empty state setting switch 56, etc. has been shown, but a part thereof is implemented as a method invention. May be. Specifically, for example, the operator measures the detection value of the fuel remaining amount gauge 33 in a state where a predetermined amount of fuel L1 is put in the fuel tank 23 using a measuring instrument such as a voltmeter. Next, the operator inputs the voltage value measured by the measuring instrument to the control device H by an input operation tool that is connected to the control device H and can be manually input. Then, based on the input voltage value (reference value) and the detection from the fuel remaining amount gauge 33, the control device H displays the fuel remaining amount in the fuel tank 23 (empty state display lamp 54, full state). You may comprise so that it may display on the indicator lamp 55 and the fuel meter 35). In this case, the control device H may be configured to display the display means with the voltage value (reference value) input by the input operation tool, and the control device H adds the voltage value input by the input operation tool. Processing or subtraction processing may be performed, and the control device H may be configured to display the display means with the reference value subjected to this addition processing or subtraction processing.

  The present invention can be applied not only to tanks of work vehicles such as tractors, combines, rice transplanters, lawn mowers, construction machines, but also to tanks of other vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, and is not limited to fuel tanks. The present invention can also be applied to an agricultural material storage tank in an agricultural material supply device such as a fertilizer application device, a liquid fertilizer device, or a chemical spraying device.

23 Tank 31 Float
33 Fuel fuel gauge (position detection means)
54 Empty state display lamp (display means)
55 Full indicator lamp (display means)
56 Empty state setting switch (human operator)
57 Full state setting switch (human operation tool)
H Control device (control means)
L1 Predetermined amount L4 Fixed amount V Detected value V1 Reference voltage value (reference value)
V2 display voltage value (value obtained by adding the amount of change to the reference value)
V3 Reference voltage value (reference value)
V4 change amount

Claims (2)

A floating body that moves up and down according to the remaining amount of liquid in the tank, position detection means for detecting the position of the floating body, display means for displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the tank, and detection by the position detection means Control means for displaying the remaining amount of liquid with respect to the value on the display means, and a tank remaining amount display device comprising:
It is equipped with a human operation tool that can be operated artificially.
When the artificial operation tool is operated with a predetermined amount of liquid in the tank, the control means stores the detection value of the position detection means with the predetermined amount of liquid as a reference value. A tank remaining amount display device configured to display the remaining amount of liquid with respect to the detection value of the position detection unit on the display unit based on the reference value. The display means is an empty state display means for displaying an empty state of the liquid in the tank,
When the detection value of the position detection means becomes a value obtained by adding the amount of change of the detection value of the position detection means when the detection value of the position detection means is increased by a certain amount from the predetermined amount to the reference value, the control means 2. The tank remaining amount display device according to claim 1, wherein an empty state is displayed on the empty state display means.

Images