JP5824817B2 - Fuel level display device, fuel level display method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remaining fuel amount display device, a remaining fuel amount display method, and a program.

  Generally, when the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank (hereinafter referred to as “fuel remaining amount”) is less than a predetermined amount, a remaining amount warning light provided on a meter such as a combination meter is turned on or displayed. The driver is informed that the remaining amount of fuel has been reduced by displaying a warning on the part (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Document 1 describes an example of an indicator that notifies a driver of a remaining fuel level warning by turning on a light source such as a light emitting diode behind a display board. Patent Document 2 describes an example in which a part of the main display unit is turned off and a fuel remaining amount warning is displayed in the extinguished area when the remaining amount of fuel is low. That is, an example is described in which a fuel remaining amount warning is displayed in a region that is easily noticed by the driver, separately from the region in which the remaining amount of fuel is displayed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-219090 Japanese Patent No. 2789813

  However, as in Patent Document 1, in the method of lighting the indicator that warns the remaining amount of fuel and notifying the driver that the remaining amount of fuel is low, even if the indicator is turned on because the indicator is small, etc. There was a problem that it was difficult for the driver to recognize and it was difficult to tell that the remaining fuel level was low.

  In addition, a method of displaying a message such as a warning in an area that is easily noticeable by the driver as in Patent Document 2 and notifying the driver that the amount of remaining fuel is low is not sufficient for the following reason. There was a problem.

  In other words, this area not only displays a warning that the remaining fuel level is low, but also other information, so even if a warning that the remaining fuel level is low is displayed, Other display requirements may occur and the display may be switched to convey other content. In addition, the driver himself may switch to a display representing other contents. In this way, if the display in an area that is easily noticed by the driver is switched, there is a problem that the driver may forget that the warning that the remaining fuel amount is low has been given. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a fuel remaining amount display device and a fuel remaining amount display that can make a driver more surely recognize that the remaining amount of fuel has decreased. An object is to provide a method and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
A fuel remaining amount display device according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of a vehicle, and a fuel stored in the fuel tank based on a signal indicating the amount of fuel acquired by the acquisition unit. The first threshold value stored in advance and the second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value are compared, and the fuel amount acquired by the acquisition unit is determined by the direction indicated by the pointer whose rotational phase is controlled. And a control unit that controls display on a display unit that displays an icon that is a schematic diagram of a fuel filler as a remaining amount display and a warning display indicating that the amount of fuel has decreased. If the control unit determines that the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the control unit displays the icon over the rotation axis of the pointer of the remaining amount display, and the fuel amount is the first value . less than first threshold, and when it is determined that the at second threshold value or more, the display area before Symbol icon, increased the amount of fuel as compared with the case of more than the first threshold value, When it is determined that the fuel amount is smaller than the second threshold value, the icon display area is further increased as compared with the case where the fuel amount is equal to or larger than the second threshold value.

According to the fuel remaining amount display device of the present invention, when the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases, the remaining fuel amount is displayed on the remaining amount display for displaying the remaining fuel amount. A warning display that warns the hand is overlaid. Specifically, the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank is acquired by the acquisition unit, and a signal indicating the amount of fuel output from the acquisition unit is input to the control unit. The control unit directly compares the first threshold value and the second threshold value stored in advance with the signal indicating the fuel amount, or compares them after converting them to the fuel amount stored in the fuel tank, and stores them in the fuel tank. It is determined whether or not the determined fuel amount is smaller than the first threshold value and the second threshold value . Here, when it is determined that the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank is less than the first threshold and is equal to or greater than the second threshold , a warning is generated as compared with the case where the fuel amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The display area of the display is increased. When it is determined that the fuel amount is smaller than the second threshold, the display area of the warning display is further increased compared to the case where the fuel amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Thus, by widening the display area of the warning display, it can be more reliably notified to the driver that the remaining amount of fuel has decreased.

In the above invention, the fuel consumption information signal indicating the fuel consumption of the vehicle is input to the control unit, and the control unit calculates the remaining travelable distance that the vehicle can travel based on the signal indicating the fuel amount and the fuel consumption information signal. When the fuel amount is smaller than the first threshold value, it is desirable to forcibly display the remaining travelable distance in addition to the icon as the warning display of the display unit.

  In this way, the remaining remaining travel distance is calculated by the control unit and the calculated remaining travel distance is displayed as at least a part of the warning display, so that the remaining amount of fuel for the driver is reduced. Can be transmitted more reliably.

Note that at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be one value or may be composed of a plurality of different values, and is not particularly limited. In this case, every time the fuel amount falls below the first threshold value or the second threshold value , the warning display area gradually increases through stages.

In the above invention, it is desirable that the display unit has a liquid crystal display panel, and a remaining amount display and a warning display are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel.
By performing the remaining amount display and the warning display using the liquid crystal display panel in this way, the number of devices required for both displays is reduced as compared with the case where the remaining amount display and the warning display are performed with separate display devices. be able to.

  In the above invention, the display unit is preferably provided with a real meter unit for displaying the remaining amount and a virtual image display unit for displaying a virtual image for warning display between the vehicle driver and the real meter unit. .

  By using the meter unit that displays the remaining amount and the virtual image display unit that displays the virtual image of the warning display in this way, the remaining amount display is performed as compared with the case where the remaining amount display and the warning display are performed with one display device. It is possible to display a warning display on the top of the vehicle, making it easier for the driver to draw attention.

The fuel remaining amount display method according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring an amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of a vehicle, a fuel amount stored in the fuel tank, and a first threshold value stored in advance in a control unit. Based on the comparison step for comparing the second threshold value, which is smaller than the first threshold value, and the result of the comparison in the control unit, an icon of the fuel filler is displayed as a warning display indicating that the fuel amount has decreased. When the amount of fuel to be displayed is smaller than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is larger than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold. And when the fuel amount is smaller than the second threshold, a selection step for selecting a larger one than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold is obtained. The rotational phase of the fuel amount Superimposed on the rotation axis of the remaining amount display of the guidance given by the direction indicated by the pointer to be your, and a display step of displaying an icon on the size selected in the control unit.

The program according to the present invention includes an acquisition function for acquiring the amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of a vehicle, a fuel amount stored in the fuel tank, a first threshold value stored in advance in the control unit, and Based on the comparison function for comparing the second threshold value, which is smaller than the first threshold value, and the result of comparison in the control unit, a fuel filler icon is displayed as a warning display indicating that the fuel amount has decreased. When the amount of fuel is smaller than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, a larger value than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When the fuel amount is selected and smaller than the second threshold value, a selection function for selecting a larger one than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is equal to or larger than the second threshold value, and the acquired fuel Rotation phase controls the amount The remaining amount indication by orientation indicated by the pointer which is a display function for displaying an overlay on the rotary shaft of the pointer icon magnitude selected in the control unit, to realize.

  According to the fuel remaining amount display method and program of the present invention, when the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases, the remaining fuel amount is reduced on the remaining amount display for displaying the remaining fuel amount. A warning display that warns the driver of the vehicle is overlaid with the selected size.

According to the remaining fuel amount display device, the remaining fuel amount display method, and the program of the present invention, when the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases, the remaining amount is displayed on the rotary shaft of the remaining amount indication pointer that displays the remaining fuel amount. The warning display that warns the vehicle driver that the amount of fuel has been reduced is displayed overlaid while expanding the display area, so that the driver can more reliably recognize that the fuel level is low There is an effect that can be.

It is a block diagram explaining the schematic structure of the fuel residual amount display apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the real meter part in the display part of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale explaining the state by which the warning display was performed in the display part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the control regarding the warning display in the fuel remaining amount display apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the control regarding the warning display in the fuel remaining amount display apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the schematic structure of the fuel remaining amount display apparatus 101 which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the schematic structure of the other Example which concerns on the fuel residual amount display apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention.

  A fuel remaining amount display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a remaining fuel amount display device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The fuel remaining amount display device 1 of the present embodiment displays the remaining amount of fuel such as gasoline stored in a fuel tank (not shown) of the vehicle, and further the remaining amount of fuel is reduced. At this time, a warning is also displayed to inform the driver of the vehicle to that effect. The fuel remaining amount display device 1 mainly includes an interface unit (acquisition unit) 10, a meter ECU (control unit) 20, and a display unit 30.

  The interface unit 10 is a part that acquires a measurement signal output from the sensor 11 that measures the state of each part in the vehicle, and causes the meter ECU 20 to input the acquired measurement signal. Transmission of the measurement signal from the sensor 11 to the interface unit 10 can be performed using various transmission means such as CAN (Controller Area Network) and wireless communication, and is not particularly limited. Moreover, a well-known structure can be used as a structure of the interface part 10, and it does not specifically limit it.

  In addition, the interface part 10 may be provided separately from meter ECU20 as mentioned above, and may be provided as one element which comprises meter ECU20, and is not specifically limited.

  Examples of the sensor 11 include a fuel sensor 11A that measures the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank, an engine speed sensor 11B that measures the number of revolutions in a vehicle engine (not shown), and the amount of fuel burned in the engine. The fuel injection sensor 11C for measuring the injection amount, the vehicle speed sensor 11D for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the like can be exemplified, but other sensors may be used, and all of the exemplified sensors are not provided. Also good. Further, as these fuel sensor 11A, engine speed sensor 11B, fuel injection sensor 11C, and vehicle speed sensor 11D, known sensors can be used and are not particularly limited.

  The meter ECU 20 performs various types of information processing by reading and executing various programs written in a built-in storage device. Further, the meter ECU 20 obtains a display state on the display unit 30 by calculation based on the measurement signal input from the sensor 11 described above, and outputs a control signal for causing the display unit 30 to display the obtained display state. . The meter ECU 20 is mainly provided with a remaining fuel amount calculation unit 21, a remaining fuel level determination unit 22, and a display control unit 23.

The remaining fuel amount calculating unit 21 calculates fuel information used for determination in the remaining fuel level determining unit 22.
The remaining fuel level determination unit 22 determines a warning display level (recommended level for the driver) displayed on the display unit 30 based on the fuel information calculated by the remaining fuel calculation unit 21. Processing in the remaining fuel amount calculating unit 21 and the remaining fuel level determining unit 22 will be described later.

  The display control unit 23 generates and outputs a control signal for displaying a warning display at the level determined by the remaining fuel level determination unit 22. In addition, the display control unit 23 generates and outputs a control signal for controlling display on the tachometer 31, the speedometer 32, the water temperature meter 33, and the fuel gauge 34 in the display unit 30.

  The display unit 30 displays information indicating the state of the vehicle to the driver, for example, information such as travel speed, engine speed, engine cooling water temperature, and remaining amount of fuel, For example, it is provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle. The display unit 30 is mainly provided with a real meter unit 30A and a virtual image display unit 30B.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the actual meter unit 30A in the display unit 30 of FIG.
The actual meter unit 30A mainly provides information indicating the state of the vehicle, such as travel speed, engine speed, engine coolant temperature, fuel remaining amount, and the like. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the tachometer 31 is divided into three parts in the left-right direction and the engine speed is displayed at the left end, and the vehicle traveling speed is displayed at the center. Description will be made by applying to an example in which a certain speedometer 32 and a water temperature gauge 33 and a fuel gauge 34 which are parts for displaying the coolant temperature of the engine and the remaining amount of fuel at the right end are provided. Each part displays information (analog display) according to the direction indicated by the pointer 35 whose rotation phase is controlled by an actual meter driving unit such as a stepping motor.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view for explaining a state where a warning is displayed on the display unit 30 of FIG.
The virtual image display unit 30 </ b> B displays a virtual image that is the warning display 40 based on the control signal input from the display control unit 23. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, description will be made by applying to an example in which a virtual image is superimposed and displayed on the rightmost fuel gauge 34 in the actual meter unit 30A. The virtual image display unit 30B includes a translucent optical member such as a half mirror on which a virtual image is projected, a display that generates an image related to the projected virtual image, and a light source that emits light used to project the virtual image. And a configuration mainly including the above. In this case, the optical member onto which the virtual image is projected is disposed at a position that covers at least the fuel gauge 34 of the actual meter unit 30A as viewed from the driver.

  Next, a display method in the fuel remaining amount display device 1 having the above configuration will be described. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the control related to the warning display 40 in the remaining fuel amount display device 1 of FIG.

  Here, the process of determining the size of the warning display 40 displayed on the virtual image display unit 30B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the remaining travelable distance 42 may be determined with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The display process will be described.

  When the vehicle driver performs an operation such as turning an engine key (ignition key) inserted into the key cylinder, and the vehicle power circuit is turned on, the fuel remaining amount calculation unit 21 of the meter ECU 20 includes Measurement signals from the fuel sensor 11A, the engine speed sensor 11B, the fuel injection sensor 11C, and the vehicle speed sensor 11D are input via the interface unit 10 (acquisition step). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fuel remaining amount calculation unit 21 obtains fuel gauge information (fuel information) by calculation processing (S 11).

  The fuel gauge information is information relating to the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank of the vehicle. The fuel remaining amount calculation unit 21 calculates fuel gauge information by calculation processing based on the measurement signal of the fuel sensor 11A input through the interface unit 10, the measurement signal of the vehicle speed sensor 11D, the power state of the vehicle, and the like. To do.

  When the fuel gauge information is calculated, as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining fuel amount calculation unit 21 further obtains a remaining travelable distance 42 that is also a part of the warning display 40 by calculation processing (S12). The remaining travelable distance 42 is the remaining distance that can travel with the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Based on the calculated fuel gauge information, the measurement signal of the vehicle speed sensor 11D, the measurement signal of the fuel injection sensor 11C, and the measurement signal of the engine speed sensor 11B, the remaining fuel amount calculation unit 21 The remaining travelable distance 42 is calculated by calculation processing.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fuel gauge information obtained in S11 and the remaining travelable distance 42 obtained in S12 are input to the remaining fuel level determination unit 22 (see FIG. 1). The remaining fuel level determination unit 22 determines the remaining fuel level (S13: comparison step).

  The remaining fuel level determination unit 22 determines the remaining fuel level based on the ratio (%) of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank when the maximum amount of fuel that can be stored in the fuel tank is used as a reference. In this embodiment, the remaining fuel level determination unit 22 will be described as applied to an example in which the ratio of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is included in any of the three remaining fuel levels. In this case, the remaining fuel level determination unit 22 includes a first threshold (50%) that is a predetermined threshold that serves as a reference when dividing the ratio of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank into three remaining fuel levels. A threshold value of 2 (10%) is stored. Note that the values of the first threshold value and the second threshold value are not limited to the above-described values, and can be changed as appropriate.

  The remaining fuel level determination unit 22 uses a maximum fuel amount (so-called full fuel amount) that can be stored in the fuel tank as a reference so that the ratio of the remaining fuel amount (remaining fuel amount) in the fuel tank is equal to or greater than a first threshold. In this case, it is determined that the ratio of the remaining amount of fuel is at the first level. Similarly, when the ratio of the remaining amount of fuel is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is determined to be at the second level, and when the ratio of the remaining fuel is less than the second threshold, Judged to be at level 3.

  At the first level, the remaining amount of fuel is in a state of 50% or more of the so-called full tank amount of fuel, so control for alerting the driver is not particularly performed. At the second level, since the remaining amount of fuel is less than 50% of the so-called full tank and 10% or more, control is performed to notify the driver that the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is decreasing. . At the third level, since the remaining amount of fuel is less than 10% of the so-called full tank, control for alerting the driver to refuel as soon as possible is performed.

  When the level of the ratio of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is determined, a signal indicating the determination level is output from the remaining fuel level determination unit 22 to the display control unit 23. The display control unit 23 selects the symbol 41 such as a warning and the display method of the remaining travelable distance 42 based on the input signal. Here, the warning symbol 41 is a warning display 40 similar to the remaining travelable distance 42 and informs the driver of the remaining amount of fuel. In the present embodiment, description will be made by applying to an example in which an icon, which is a schematic diagram of a fuel filler installed in a gas station or the like, is used as a symbol such as a warning.

First, the selection of the warning symbol 41 will be described with reference to FIGS.
When a signal indicating that the determination level is the first level is input, the display control unit 23 selects the size of the warning symbol 41 to be displayed as “small” and the color to be displayed as “white”. Perform (S14; selection step). When a signal indicating that the determination level is the second level is input, the size of the warning symbol 41 to be displayed is set to “medium”, and the color to be displayed is selected to be “white” (S15: Selection step). When a signal indicating that the determination level is the third level is input, selection is made such that the size of the warning symbol 41 to be displayed is “large” and the color to be displayed is “yellow” (S16: selection step). ).

  When the size of the warning symbol 41 and the color to be displayed are selected, the display control unit 23 outputs a control signal for displaying the warning symbol 41 with the selected size and color to the virtual image display unit 30B. The In the virtual image display unit 30B, an image of the warning symbol 41 is generated based on the control signal input to the display, and the warning symbol 41 of the selected size and color is projected as a virtual image on the optical member. (S17: display step).

Next, selection of the display method of the remaining travelable distance 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.
When a signal indicating that the determination level is the first level is input, the display control unit 23 performs a selection of turning off (not displaying) the forced display of the remaining travelable distance 42 (S24: selection step). In this case, the meter ECU 20 returns to S11 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, when a signal indicating that the determination level is the second level is input, the forced display of the remaining travelable distance 42 is turned ON (displayed), and the display size is selected to be “small”. Perform (S25: selection step). When a signal indicating that the determination level is the third level is input, the forced display of the remaining travelable distance 42 is turned on (displayed), and the display size is selected to be “large” (S26: Selection step).

  When the display method of the remaining travelable distance 42 is selected in S25 or S26, a control signal for displaying the remaining travelable distance 42 in the selected size is output from the display control unit 23 to the virtual image display unit 30B. The In the virtual image display unit 30B, an image of the remaining travelable distance 42 is generated based on the control signal input to the display, and the remaining travelable distance 42 of the selected size is projected as a virtual image on the optical member. (S27: display step).

  FIG. 3A shows a state in which only the warning symbol 41 corresponding to the first level and having the size “small” and the display color “white” is displayed as a virtual image. In FIG. 3B, a warning symbol 41 having a size of “medium” and a display color of “white” corresponding to the second level, and a remaining travelable distance 42 having a size of “small” are displayed. The state displayed as a virtual image is shown. In FIG. 3C, a warning symbol 41 having a size of “large” and a display color of “yellow” and a remaining travelable distance 42 of size “large” corresponding to the third level are shown. The state displayed as a virtual image is shown.

  In the present embodiment, a warning symbol 41 is displayed so as to overlap the rotation axis of the pointer 35 in the fuel gauge 34, and the remaining travelable distance 42 is displayed above the warning symbol 41 (upper side in FIG. 3). Although the description is applied to an example, it is only necessary that the warning symbol 41 is displayed in the vicinity region including the fuel gauge 34, and the display position is not particularly limited.

  According to the above configuration, when the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases, the remaining fuel amount is reduced on the fuel meter 34 of the actual meter unit 30A that displays the remaining fuel amount. Since the warning symbol 41 for warning the hand and the remaining travelable distance 42 are displayed as a virtual image in a superimposed manner, the driver can be more surely aware that the remaining amount of fuel has decreased.

  In addition to displaying the warning symbol 41, the remaining travelable distance 42 is calculated, and the calculated remaining travelable distance 42 is displayed together with the warning symbol 41, so that the remaining amount of fuel is shown to the driver. It is possible to tell more reliably that the number has decreased.

  The size of the warning symbol 41 displayed is increased in the order of when the remaining fuel ratio is greater than or equal to the first threshold, less than the first threshold, greater than or equal to the second threshold, and less than the second threshold. By widening the display area, the driver can be surely notified that the remaining amount of fuel has decreased. In addition, when the value is less than the second threshold, the color of the warning symbol 41 is changed to a color that easily draws the driver's attention, as compared with other cases, so that the remaining fuel for the driver can be obtained. I can tell more reliably that the amount has decreased.

  Similarly, when the remaining travelable distance 42 is displayed, when the ratio of the remaining amount of fuel is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is enlarged and displayed in the order of less than the second threshold. By widening the area, it is possible to more reliably tell the driver that the remaining amount of fuel has decreased.

  By using the fuel meter 34 of the actual meter unit 30A for displaying the remaining amount of fuel and the virtual image display unit 30B for displaying the virtual image of the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42, the fuel meter can be obtained by one display device. Compared to the display of the symbol 34, the warning symbol 41, and the remaining travelable distance 42, the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42 are displayed as a virtual image on the fuel gauge 34. It can draw more attention from the driver.

[Modification of Embodiment]
Next, a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the fuel remaining amount display device according to the modified embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment. However, in the embodiment, the display device that displays the remaining amount of fuel, a warning display, and the like is a fuel remaining amount display device. Different points are provided. Therefore, in this modification, only the periphery of the display device that displays the remaining amount of fuel, warning display, and the like will be described with reference to FIG. 6, and description of other components and the like will be omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the remaining fuel amount display device 101 of the present modification. As shown in FIG. 6, the remaining fuel amount display device 101 of the present modification mainly includes an interface unit 10 and a meter ECU 20. The fuel remaining amount display device 101 is connected to a HUD unit (display unit) 130 that displays a vehicle traveling speed, a remaining amount of fuel, and a warning display 40.

  A HUD (Head Up Display) unit 130 is a virtual image representing information such as the traveling speed of the vehicle and the remaining amount of fuel in the vicinity of a region of the vehicle windshield that intersects the line of sight when the driver drives the vehicle. Is displayed. In other words, the information displayed by the real meter section 30A in the first embodiment and the information displayed by the virtual image display section 30B are displayed.

  The HUD unit 130 includes a display provided with a liquid crystal display panel that generates an image related to a virtual image representing the above-described information based on a control signal input from the display control unit 23 of the meter ECU 20, and the like. The structure mainly provided with the light source which radiate | emits the light used, and the light guide member which guides the light which projects a virtual image to a windshield can be illustrated.

  In this case, a control signal related to the display of the symbol 41 such as a warning output from the meter ECU 20 and a control signal related to the display of the remaining travelable distance 42 are input to the display of the HUD unit 130. The display device to which the control signal is input generates an image relating to the display of the symbol 41 such as a warning and the remaining travelable distance 42 based on the control signal. At this time, an image related to the display of the fuel gauge 34 is also simultaneously generated by the display. Therefore, a virtual image in which the display of the fuel gauge 34 and the display of the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42 are displayed is displayed.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid crystal display panel of the display in the HUD unit 130 generates an image related to the display of the fuel gauge 34 and an image related to the display of the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42. Is projected on the windshield as a virtual image. Compared to the case where the display of the fuel gauge 34 and the display of the symbol 41 such as a warning and the remaining travelable distance 42 are displayed by separate display devices, The score can be reduced.

  In addition, as a device to display in this modification, it is good also as a structure which projects the image produced | generated on the liquid crystal display panel of the indicator like the above-mentioned HUD part 130 as a virtual image, or produced | generated on the liquid crystal display panel. The image may be directly viewed by the driver, and is not particularly limited.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another example according to the remaining fuel amount display device of the present embodiment.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a remaining fuel amount display device 201 in which the HUD unit 130 according to this modification is connected to the remaining fuel amount display device 1 according to the first embodiment may be used. In this case, at least a virtual image related to the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42 is displayed on the HUD unit 130. By doing in this way, compared with the fuel remaining amount display device 1 according to the first embodiment, a virtual image related to the warning symbol 41 and the remaining travelable distance 42 is displayed at a position that is easily noticed by the driver. Can do.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Fuel remaining amount display apparatus, 10 ... Interface part (acquisition part), 20 ... Meter ECU (control part), 30 ... Display part, 130 ... HUD part (display part), S13 ... Comparison step, S14, S15 , S16, S24, S25, S26 ... selection step, S17, S27 ... display step

Claims (6)

An acquisition unit for acquiring the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank of the vehicle;
Based on the signal indicating the fuel amount acquired by the acquisition unit, the fuel amount stored in the fuel tank, and a first threshold value stored in advance and a value smaller than the first threshold value are stored. It compared two thresholds, remaining quantity indication by the fuel quantity the direction indicated by the guidelines rotational phase is controlled acquired by the acquisition unit, and the fuel as a warning display indicating that the fuel amount is low A control unit that controls display in a display unit that displays an icon of the refueling machine ,
Is provided,
If the control unit determines that the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the control unit displays the icon over the rotation axis of the pointer of the remaining amount display, and the fuel amount is the first value . less than first threshold, and when it is determined that the at second threshold value or more, the display area before Symbol icon, increased the amount of fuel as compared with the case of more than the first threshold value,
When it is determined that the fuel amount is smaller than the second threshold value, the display area of the icon is further increased as compared with the case where the fuel amount is equal to or larger than the second threshold value. Fuel remaining amount display device. A fuel efficiency information signal indicating the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is input to the control unit,
The control unit calculates a remaining travelable distance that the vehicle can travel based on the signal indicating the fuel amount and the fuel efficiency information signal, and when the fuel amount is less than the first threshold, 2. The fuel remaining amount display device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining travelable distance is forcibly displayed in addition to the icon as the warning display of the display unit. The display unit has a liquid crystal display panel,
3. The fuel remaining amount display device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount display and the icon are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. The display unit includes a real meter unit that displays the remaining amount, and a virtual image display unit that displays a virtual image of the icon between the driver of the vehicle and the real meter unit. 3. The fuel remaining amount display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An acquisition step of acquiring an amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of the vehicle;
A comparison step for comparing the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank, a first threshold value stored in advance in the control unit, and a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value;
Based on the result of comparison in the control unit, the size of displaying a fuel filler icon as a warning display indicating that the fuel amount has decreased, the fuel amount is less than the first threshold, When the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, a larger one is selected than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and the fuel amount is greater than the second threshold value. If the amount of fuel is less than the second threshold, a selection step of selecting a larger one than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold;
A display step of displaying the icon in a size selected by the control unit by superimposing the acquired fuel amount on the rotation axis of the pointer of the remaining amount display indicated by the direction indicated by the pointer whose rotation phase is controlled. When,
A fuel remaining amount display method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
An acquisition function for acquiring the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank of the vehicle;
A comparison function for comparing the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank, a first threshold value stored in advance in the control unit, and a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value;
Based on the result of comparison in the control unit, the size of displaying a fuel filler icon as a warning display indicating that the fuel amount has decreased, the fuel amount is less than the first threshold, When the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, a larger one is selected than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and the fuel amount is greater than the second threshold value. A selection function for selecting a larger one than the icon displayed when the fuel amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold;
The remaining display showing the obtained the amount of fuel depending on the direction indicated by the guidelines rotational phase is controlled, display function for displaying superimposed on the rotational axis of the pointer of the icon size selected in the control unit When,
A program to realize