WO2002004243A1

WO2002004243A1 - Display apparatus for informing operation management of car

Info

Publication number: WO2002004243A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gwang-Weon Hong; Myung-Reem Ko
Original assignee: Osscomtec.Co. Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-06-29
Filing date: 2001-06-27
Publication date: 2002-01-17
Also published as: AU2001266402A1; KR200205890Y1; KR20020003998A; KR100415179B1

Abstract

This invention provides a display apparatus for informing operation management of a car. The display apparatus has a mileometer for counting mileage, a A/D converter for changing the analog signal counted by the mileometer into a digital signal, a memory for storing the digital signal and a preserved check cycles table value for classified management, a controller for controlling display of the classified management when the digital signal agree with the preserved check cycles table value, a display part for displaying the classified management.

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR INFORMING OPERATION MANAGEMENT OF

CAR

Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, which can automatically inform maintenance items to be examined according to the mileage to a driver of the automobile, so that maintenance of the automobile can be carried out in a more efficient and simple manner.

Background Art

In general, in order to use an automobile for long time, the automobile has to be precisely examined and maintained. That is, examination and timely exchange of various parts and various oils of the automobile are most important. Up to now, the average life span of automobiles produced in Republic of Korea is a duration between four and five years, which is very short in comparison with that in developed countries, which is a duration between ten and fifteen years. This short average life span is caused largely due to poor maintenance of the automobile in various aspects. Further, owing to such poor maintenance as described above, a large number of high-priced automobiles are scrapped or discarded, so as to cause serious waste of resources and environmental pollution. In the meantime, drivers such as women, who do not know much about automobiles, are apt to do such poor maintenance as described above, since it is difficult for them to be fully aware of maintenance items of an automobile, and time for examining and replacing the maintenance items. Moreover, even for drivers, who have thorough knowledge of an automobile, it is not easy to diligently check the maintenance items and examination time without fail. Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, which can automatically inform maintenance items to be examined according to the mileage to a driver of the automobile, so that maintenance of the automobile can be carried out in a more efficient and simple manner, and thereby the life span of the automobile can be prolonged.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a mileometer for counting a mileage, by which the automobile has traveled; a signal converter for converting an analog signal, which corresponds to the mileage counted by the mileometer, to a digital signal; a memory for receiving and storing the digital signal converted by the signal converter, the memory previously storing preset values for maintenance items to be periodically examined; a controller for controlling the memory to store the digital signal and comparing the digital signal, which has been converted by the signal converter and stored in the memory, with the preset values for maintenance items, which have been stored in advance in the memory, so that, when there is a coincident value between the digital signal and the preset values, the controller generates a control signal for displaying a maintenance item corresponding to the coincident value; and a display for displaying maintenance items to be examined, according to the control signal from the controller. Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the construction of an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile; FIG. 2 is a flow chart for showing a process of displaying examination details by the apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view for showing an exemplary table showing maintenance items inputted in the apparatus according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the construction of an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, FIG. 2 is a flow chart for showing a process of displaying examination details by the apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows an exemplary table showing maintenance items inputted in the apparatus according to the present invention.

An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention includes a mileometer 1, an analog/digital

(A/D) converter 2, a memory 3, a controller 4, and a display 5. The mileometer 1 counts accumulated mileage, by which the automobile has traveled. The A/D converter

2 converts an analog signal, which corresponds to the mileage counted by the mileometer 1, to a digital signal. The memory 3 receives and stores the digital signal converted by the A/D converter 2. Also, preset values for maintenance items in a periodical examination table have been stored in advance in the memory 3. The controller 4 makes the digital signal, which has been converted by the A/D converter 2 , be stored in the memory 3. Further, the controller 4 compares the digital signal, which has been converted by the A/D converter 2 and stored in the memory 3 , with the preset values for maintenance items, which have been stored in advance in the memory 3. In result, when there is a coincident value between the digital signal and the preset values, the controller 4 controls a maintenance item corresponding to the coincident value to be displayed. The display 5 displays maintenance items to be examined, according to control signals from the controller 4.

An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention further includes a reset key 7, which deletes and initializes information in relation to maintenance items, which has been displayed on the display 5. Also, it is preferred that an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention further includes an alarm 6, which makes sound for informing that the maintenance information has been displayed as soon as the maintenance information is displayed. In this case, it is most preferred that the display 5 is installed to a back mirror of an automobile, though it may have a separate construction. It is also preferred that the display 5 is a custom-made liquid crystal display (LCD) , which is so designed as that predetermined figures and characters according to respective maintenance items are displayed thereon. Of course, the display 5 may be one, which includes predetermined figures and characters according to respective maintenance items, which are silk-printed on a general back mirror. The alarm 6 may have a construction capable of generating melodious sound or buzzer sound for predetermined time, or voice 5 informing the maintenance item to be examined. In the meantime, it is preferred that the A/D converter 2, the controller 4, the reset key 7, the memory 3, and the display 5 are arranged together on a rear surface of a back mirror (not shown) , which is disposed inside of an

10 automobile. That is, a back mirror can be utilized as a display, so that a user can confirm the maintenance items by means of the back mirror.

Hereinafter, described will be the operation of the apparatus for displaying maintenance information of

15 an automobile according to the present invention.

First, when an automobile is driven, an accumulated mileage, by which the automobile has traveled, is counted by the mileometer 1 and detected as an analog signal. The analog signal detected as such is

20 converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter 2, and then the converted digital signal is stored in the memory 3 according to the control of the controller 4. Further, at the same time, the digital signal converted by the A/D converter 2 is compared with the values of

25 maintenance items, which have been stored in advance in the memory 3. In result, when there is a coincident value between the digital signal and the preset values, maintenance information of the item corresponding to the coincident value is displayed on the display 5 according

30. to control signals from the controller 4. In this case, the maintenance information is displayed by means of figures and characters, which are predetermined according to the maintenance items, on a screen of the liquid crystal display (LCD) . Further, at the same time

35 when the maintenance information is displayed, the alarm 6, which is a component further provided in the apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention, notifies through sound or voice that the maintenance information has been displayed. That is, when the apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile is disposed at an opposite side of a mirror surface of the back mirror, a user or a driver cannot notice without the alarm 6 if there is maintenance information displayed on the display 5 before the user confirms it after rotating the back mirror. In this case, the alarm 6 generates sound to notify the driver that maintenance information for certain items has been displayed.

In the meantime, the apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention includes the reset key 7, which deletes and initializes the maintenance information having been stored in the memory 3 and displayed on the display 5, as described above. Therefore, when the user presses the reset key 7 after confirming the maintenance information and then taking necessary action, the maintenance information having been displayed on the display 5 is deleted, and simultaneously a value with respect to the corresponding maintenance item, which has been stored in the memory 3, is converted into an initial value. Then, the value for the corresponding maintenance item is compared again with preset examination values of maintenance items, which have been stored in the memory 3. Hereinafter, a more detailed description about the operation of the apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention will be given through an example.

A mileage, or a traveled distance, of an automobile is detected as an analog signal by the mileometer 1, and the analog signal is converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter 2 and then is stored in the memory 3 according to the control of the controller 4. At the same time, the mileage of the automobile, which is continuously inputted in the memory 3 according to the traveled distance of the automobile, is continuously compared with an examination mileage, which is initially set in the memory 3, and computed by the memory 3. Meanwhile, the controller 4 compares the computed mileage with examination data for maintenance items stored in the memory 3 and determines if there is a maintenance item, which coincides with the mileage, among the examination data for maintenance items. For example, when the mileage computed by the controller 4 corresponds to 5000 kilometers, the controller 4 determines, through a comparison of the computed mileage with examination data for maintenance items, that corresponding maintenance items to be examined are those including tire location exchange, engine oil filter replacement, air cleaner element examination, engine oil examination, ignition plug examination, parking brake function and level examination, and driving belt damage inspection, among the maintenance items as shown in FIG. 3. Also, the controller 4 displays the maintenance items to be examined on the display 5 and informs it to the driver by means of the alarm 6 .

Therefore, the driver can become aware of maintenance items, which require examination or replacement, after rotating the back mirror while the automobile is stopped, and then can take necessary action.

In the meantime, when the user presses the reset key 7 after taking necessary action according to the maintenance information, the display 5 is initialized and the mileage is continuously compared again until it coincides with preset examination values of maintenance items .

Through the way as described above, when the mileage reaches 10,000 kilometers through continuous input of newly added data according to the driving of the automobile, items, which have to be examined when the mileage is at least 10,000 kilometers, among the maintenance items as shown in FIG. 3, are displayed on the display 5 and notified to the user by means of the alarm 6, so as to enable the user to take necessary action.

It goes without saying that an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile according to the present invention further includes separate input keys, which enable the driver to change preset values for maintenance items in a periodical examination table according to the state and characteristic of an automobile.

In the apparatus of the present invention, maintenance information of an automobile is informed to the driver at proper times, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, although the apparatus for displaying maintenance information, which includes the A/D converter 2, the memory 3, the controller 4, the reset key 7, and the display 5, is disposed on the rear surface of the back mirror in the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above, it may be disposed at another component other than the back mirror, or may be manufactured as a separate module, which can be detachably installed in an automobile.

Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention as described above, there is provided an apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, which automatically informs maintenance items to be examined according to the mileage, by which the automobile has traveled, to a driver of the automobile, so as to enable the driver to maintain the automobile in a more efficient and simple manner. Therefore, in the apparatus, since the maintenance information such as an examination time for respective maintenance items of the automobile according to the mileage is automatically informed to the driver, so that the maintenance of the automobile can be made more simply and efficiently, and thereby the life span of the automobile can be prolonged.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a mileometer for counting a mileage, by which the automobile has traveled; ι a signal converter for converting an analog signal, which corresponds to the mileage counted by the mileometer, to a digital signal; a memory for receiving and storing the digital signal converted by the signal converter, the memory previously storing preset values for maintenance items to be periodically examined; a controller for controlling the memory to store the digital signal and comparing the digital signal, which has been converted by the signal converter and stored in the memory, with the preset values for maintenance items, which have been stored in advance in the memory, so that, when there is a coincident value between the digital signal and the preset values, the controller generates a control signal for displaying a maintenance item corresponding to the coincident value; and a display for displaying maintenance items to be examined, according to the control signal from the controller.

2. An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile as claimed in claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a reset key, by which displayed information on the display can be deleted and stored information in the memory can be initialized, the displayed information and the stored information relating to the maintenance item determined by the controller.

3. An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile as claimed in claim 1, the apparatus further comprising an alarm, which makes sound for informing that maintenance information has been displayed as soon as the maintenance information is displayed.

4. An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a custom-made liquid crystal display, which is so designed as that predetermined figures and characters according to respective maintenance items are displayed on the liquid crystal display.

5. An apparatus for displaying maintenance information of an automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is disposed on a rear surface of a back mirror of an automobile, so that a user can confirm maintenance items by means of the back mirror.