WO2011138538A1

WO2011138538A1 - Power gauge having variable length

Info

Publication number: WO2011138538A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/050919
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Bertrand Belanger
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroën Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2011-04-21
Publication date: 2011-11-10
Also published as: FR2959813B1; EP2567196A1; CN102985795A; FR2959813A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a power gauge having variable length (I) representing a power supply, wherein a decrease in length (I) represents a decrease in the power supply, and an increase in length (I) represents an increase in the power supply. When the length (I) is decreased, both ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) move by coming towards each other, and when the length (I) is increased, both ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) move by going away from each other.

Description

ENERGY GAUGE WITH VARIABLE LENGTH

The invention relates to the field of energy gauges for which the variation of the level of a power reserve is represented by the variation of a length of an element graphically displayed on an indicator.

A preferred field of application relates to the field of energy gauges representing the reserve of electrical energy remaining in an electric or hybrid vehicle, because these are energy gauges to be adapted to the relatively low capacity of the energy reserves. This capability is associated with the limited range of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles in all-electric traction mode.

According to a conventional prior art, it is known an energy gauge, for example a fuel gauge for a heat engine vehicle, variable length representative of the energy reserve, for which one end of the length is fixed, c. 'is the zero reference which indicates a zero or almost zero energy reserve when it is reached, and another end of the length which is mobile and whose displacement makes it possible to vary the length of the gauge.

The invention proposes an energy gauge whose length decreases by bringing its two ends closer together and whose length increases by distance from its two ends, in order to improve the perception of the overall quantity of energy remaining in the reserve. energy, by the user looking at the gauge, making it faster and more intuitive. User visualization ergonomics are improved.

In this prior art, when only one end moves, the eye or the gaze is concentrated mainly in the vicinity of the moving end, thus losing the overall graphic vision allowing it to visually and intuitively evaluate the value of the remaining stock of energy. This is particularly interesting for relatively low energy reserves, especially for relatively low-power vehicles such as electric vehicles.

On the contrary, if, as the invention proposes, the gauge has a variation at its two ends, this double variation forces the eye to instinctively embrace the entire gauge to visualize the two areas likely to move, whose positions are revealing the level of energy in the energy reserve, thus directly and intuitively visualizing the value of the remaining energy stock, represented by the entire length of the glance, without having to make an estimate by mental reconstruction from the position of the only moving end, the only element on which the gaze naturally focuses in the prior art.

In this prior art, in situations where the variation in length has a higher frequency, for example length varying either continuously or discretely but with a low pitch, or for example driving in terrain with a highly variable terrain leading to a rapid succession of phases alternate acceleration with braking phase associated with energy recovery on electric vehicle, when only one end moves, the eye or the gaze focuses exclusively on the moving area, losing the overall vision allowing it to visually assess the relationship between the variation and the energy stock.

On the contrary, if, as the invention proposes, the gauge has a variation at its two ends, this double variation forces the eye to instinctively embrace the entire gauge to visualize the two zones that move.

In fact, instead of saying abstractly that we have lost a unit of energy just looking at the area that has moved without really knowing where we are globally, we are obliged to constantly looking at the entire gauge which is more revealing of the remaining energy, that is to say gives a revelation more visual and more intuitive for a user. The invention therefore allows a better apprehension of the remaining energy level at any time by forcing the user's eyes to embrace the entire gauge by wanting to simultaneously follow several moving areas distant from each other, rather than by allowing it to focus on a single narrow zone of variation at the end of the gauge.

Secondarily, this double-ended gauge visually has the effect of a candle burning at both ends, an effect that is more revealing of the non-ecological waste side of any energy source consumed than would have been the case. gauge at a mobile end rather the effect of a candle that burns more slowly.

According to the invention, there is provided a variable length energy gauge representative of a reserve of energy, a decrease in length representing a decrease in the energy reserve, an increase in length representing an increase in the reserve of energy. energy, characterized in that, during the decrease in length, the two ends of the length move closer together, and in that, during the increase in length, the two ends of the length move in s 'away.

Even if, at each decrease or increase in length, the two moving ends are not simultaneously, there will be beyond a threshold of variation, the two ends which will have moved both, for example alternately, one for the first half of the threshold and the other for the second half of the threshold, before the next threshold of variation for which the extremities will once again have moved.

The gauge of energy, if it is not necessarily rectilinear and if it can be curved, is rather one-dimensional so that the only variation in its length is already representative of the variation of the energy reserve.

During the removal and during the relative approximation between the two ends, they move preferably of the same length.

The gauge is advantageously constituted by a succession of bulbs or light-emitting diodes. The gauge could also consist of liquid crystals, or even localized illumination of a darker background. The length of the gauge is preferably a length illuminated on an unlit background.

In a first preferred embodiment, the two ends of the length approach and move away by simultaneous movements.

Thus, on the one hand the variation of energy reserve is more visible because the length is reduced, or increases, more suddenly, which is in particular an advantageous advantage for low energy reserves such as energy. electric vehicle of an electric or hybrid vehicle with low autonomy in purely electric traction, and secondly the gauge remains symmetrical with respect to its reference level, the empty level or almost empty, which is visually less disturbing.

In a second optional embodiment, the two ends of the length approach and move away by alternate movements.

Compared to simultaneous displacements, the advantage of alternate movements lies in an improved accuracy, because with the same number of areas likely to vary visually, one can indicate twice as many energy reserve changes over time.

Preferably, the gauge length is represented by a succession of discrete elements separated from each other by spaces. Preferably, these discrete elements are at less than five, and advantageously at least ten in number.

Here again, the variation of the energy reserve is more visible because the length is reduced, or increases, more suddenly, which is in particular an advantageous advantage for low energy reserves such as the electrical energy of an electric or hybrid vehicle with low autonomy in purely electric traction. This variation is less likely to go unnoticed by the user.

Optionally, the succession of discrete elements can be replaced by a continuously varying length, thus improving the accuracy, but at the expense of the visibility and the character more easily noted by the user, the energy variation.

Preferably, the average direction of the length of the gauge is more horizontal than vertical. The average direction of the length of the gauge is preferably horizontal or at least globally horizontal.

A gauge whose length is generally horizontal has an advantage, in terms of perception by the user, on a gauge whose length is generally vertical, because the human eye at a glance better encompasses a line than a column .

The gauge is preferably symmetrical with respect to the vertical, the reference representing an empty or almost empty energy reserve being located in the middle of the length, equidistant from the left and right ends when the energy reserve is full.

Preferably, as the length decreases, the ends of the length descend laterally to one another. Similarly, as the length increases, the ends of the length rise away from each other laterally. Advantageously, the energy gauge has a curved shape whose convexity is directed downwards. This curved shape is preferably a circular arc whose amplitude is advantageously between a quarter circle and a half circle.

Preferably, the energy gauge indicates the reserve of electrical energy remaining in an electric vehicle or in a hybrid vehicle.

Preferably, the indicator comprises only one energy gauge according to the invention, with or without additional indicator lights. An indicator is a dial, advantageously circular.

The invention also relates to an indicator incorporating on the same dial indicator lights in addition to the energy gauge. The indicator comprises an energy gauge according to the invention and also one or more lights to logically light up before the energy gauge.

Preferably, the indicator comprises only one energy gauge according to the invention. Indeed, this gauge of energy attracting the gaze by its two ends that move, already fixed the eye of the user. If the indicator, for example in the form of a dial, comprises on a limited surface, for example the surface of the dial, several energy gauges with the two ends that move, his gaze solicited by too many bright spots would be a little lost and seize the variation of the energy gauge less distinctly. The indicator then has only one variable whose two ends vary simultaneously.

Among these lights, for example may include a first indicator indicating the power of the accessories of a vehicle, and a second indicator indicating the power of the power circuit powering the electric motor of an electric vehicle. These lights are particularly interesting in the case of an electric vehicle that is silent, in order to be able, without adding noise, signal to the driver the various stages of powering up and starting the vehicle, different stages that the noise of the engine associated with the lap account naturally signaled for the thermal vehicles.

Advantageously, the energy gauge and the indicators form the parts of the same pictogram.

In a preferred embodiment, the lights form the two eyes of a face and the energy gauge forms the mouth of the face.

Thus the indicator looks like a human face, which begins to open the eyes, one eye and the other, corresponding to the power on successively accessories and power circuit power of the electric motor, before smiling , the smile being more or less wide according to the higher or lower level of the energy reserve. The display of a pictogram representing a familiar and positive element for the user, a smiling face, can even have a relaxing effect on the driver of the vehicle usually stressed by the low autonomy of his electric vehicle, especially as soon as the power reserve is approaching the empty state.

The eyes of the face are advantageously large discs, while the curve of the smile of the mouth is advantageously a succession of small discs. Big disks are at least double in diameter compared to the diameter of small disks.

The indicator itself is preferentially a larger disk in which each eye occupies an upper quadrant of this large disk while the mouth symmetrically occupies the lower half of this large disk.

A vehicle includes a truck, a car, a bus, an airplane, a boat. A vehicle is preferably a vehicle motor, advantageously terrestrial. A vehicle is preferably a car.

The indicator is preferably integrated in the form of one of the dials of the handset of the dashboard of the vehicle.

The invention will now be described in more detail using the following figures, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically the implementation detail of the gauge according to the invention and LEDs on an indicator according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 7 diagrammatically represent different states of the gauge according to the invention and the indicator according to the invention, as a function of the different energy levels in the energy reserve and the state of the electric motor of the vehicle.

In the following description of the figures, the indicator example chosen is an electric vehicle indicator in which the energy gauge is a gauge of electrical energy remaining in the electric vehicle, which generally corresponds to the quantity of electricity. electrical energy available in all the batteries of the vehicle, that is to say the electric battery powering the vehicle accessories and the electric power battery powering the vehicle's electric motor.

Figure 1 shows schematically the implementation detail of the gauge according to the invention and indicator lights on an indicator according to the invention.

The indicator is a circular dial 9 inside which is a dark or matt background 10 on which are arranged various lights which are either lamps or light-emitting diodes. We will speak in the suite of lamps or lights for the sake of simplicity, but the lamps can be replaced by diodes. In Figure 1, we can see two large lamps 7 and 8, and eleven small lamps 1, 2g to 6g and 2d to 6d. The length I of the succession of the eleven small lamps is the length of the gauge which is representative of the energy reserve, that is to say the level of energy remaining in the energy reserve.

If we break up the dial 9 into four quadrants, the quadrant 11g upper left, the quadrant 11 ds upper right, the quadrant 11gi lower left, the quadrant 11di lower right, the distribution of the indicator lights is as follows: the big lamp 7 is arranged in quadrant 11 gs upper left, the big lamp 8 is arranged in quadrant 11 ds upper right, the five small lamps 2g to 6g are arranged in quadrant 11gi lower left, the five small lamps 2d to 6d are arranged in the right lower quadrant 11di, the small lamp 1 is located at the boundary between the lower left quadrant 11gi and the lower quadrant 11di right.

With respect to the geometric center 12 of the circular dial 9, the space between the centers of two small lamps corresponds to an angular sector of about 15 degrees. The arrows with the letters H, B, G, D, respectively represent the directions up, down, left, right, relative to the indicator, once it is installed on the dashboard of the electric vehicle. The large lamp 7 is a power-on lamp for accessories connected to the 12-volt battery. The large lamp 8 is a power-on lamp of the electric power supply circuit of the electric motor of the vehicle. The small lamp 1 is a witness of the minimum level of electrical energy in the reserve of electrical energy, for example available in the set of electric batteries of the vehicle, battery accessories and power battery powering the engine. The small lamps 6g and 6d are witnesses of maximum level of electrical energy. Small lamps 2g to 5g and 2d to 5d are witnesses of intermediate level of electrical energy. The set of small lamps 1, 2g to 5g and 2d to 5d, represents the energy gauge 15.

FIGS. 2 to 7 diagrammatically represent different states of the gauge according to the invention and of the indicator according to the invention, as a function of the different energy levels in the energy reserve and the state of the electric motor of the vehicle . In Figure 2, the electric vehicle is stopped, the electric motor does not work, all lights are off. In this state of the vehicle, as in the other states of the vehicle, preferably at least the lights 6g and 6d are made visible even extinguished, at least in part, so that at any time, the user can view the maximum length of the vehicle. the gauge when the electric energy reserve is full.

In Figure 3, the driver of the vehicle has put the vehicle key on the first position, which corresponds to the power of the accessories, for example on the 12 Volt electric battery managing accessories. As a result, the indicator 7 lights up.

In Figure 4, the driver has put the vehicle key on the second position, which corresponds to the power also power circuit powering the electric motor, that is to say, the power battery. As a result, the indicator light 8 lights up. LEDs 7 and 8 are lit. Then, the first indicator 1 on the gauge lights up. Then successively, all the other indicator lights on the gauge will light up to those corresponding to the energy level in the reserve of electric energy, to the lights 6g and 6d which will also light up if the reserve of energy electrical energy is full. The two ends e1 and e2 of the length of the gauge are merged at the level of the indicator light 1.

FIG. 4 also corresponds to a minimum level of remaining electrical energy which can be set for example at flashing when one falls below a minimum threshold of available electrical energy corresponding to the "reserve" of the fuel tanks of the thermal engines, minimum threshold for which it becomes prudent to refuel the electric power. This "reserve" may correspond, for example, to a remaining range of 10km for a maximum range of 100km of the vehicle, or to a quantity of electrical energy corresponding to one tenth of the full reserve of electrical energy.

In Figure 5, the power reserve is full. All lights on the gauge are lit. The two ends e1 and e2 of the length of the gauge are respectively the lights 6g and 6d.

In FIG. 6, only the intermediate indicators of the gauge 2g, 3g, 2d, 3d, are lit, in addition to the minimum indicator light 1, because the reserve of electrical energy is at an intermediate level. Preferably, when this level will have further decreased by one notch, the lights 3g and 3d will go out simultaneously to arrive at the configuration of FIG. 7. The two ends e1 and e2 of the length of the gauge are respectively the lights 3g. and 3d.

Additional effects, obtained by brief variations and returns to the luminous configuration representative of the energy level in the electrical energy reserve, may indicate particular situations, such as for example a "brief temporary enlargement of the smile" when the vehicle passes through. regenerative braking mode, since this corresponds to energy saving for the driver.

In FIG. 7, once a low level of electrical energy remaining in the electrical energy reserve has been reached, it will become advantageous for the driver to be able to manage the electrical energy level precisely in order to avoid running out of power at side of the road. When there is more than a small portion of the lights of the gauge that is lit, for example here three lights on eleven, then a digital display giving precisely or preferentially the remaining range in km or the number of kW remaining hours can be displayed, by example here in the form of two numbers 13 and 14 (there could be more, for example three). These two figures complete the "face" of the dial 9 by being placed at the level of the "nose". The two ends e1 and e2 of the length of the gauge are respectively the lights 2g and 2d.

From Figure 5 to Figure 7, the length I of the gauge has steadily decreased, representing a corresponding decrease in the level of electrical energy in the electrical energy reserve of the vehicle.

Claims

R EV E N D I CATI ONS

1) Energy gauge with variable length (I) representative of a reserve of energy, a decrease in length (I) representing a decrease in the energy reserve, an increase in length (I) representing an increase in the energy reserve, characterized in that, during the decrease in length (I), the two ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) move closer together, and in that, during the increase of length (I), the two ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) move away.

2) Energy gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that the two ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) approach and move away by simultaneous movements.

3) Energy gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that the two ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) approach and move away by alternating movements. 4) Energy gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gauge length (I) is represented by a succession of discrete elements separated from each other by spaces. 5) Energy gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the average direction of the length (I) of the gauge is more horizontal than vertical.

6) energy gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the length (I) decreases, the ends (e1, e2) of the length (I) descend laterally approaching one of the other. 7) energy gauge according to claim 6, characterized in that it has a curved shape whose convexity is directed downwards.

8) energy gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it indicates the reserve of electrical energy remaining in an electric vehicle or in a hybrid vehicle.

9) Indicator, characterized in that it comprises an energy gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, and in that it also comprises one or more LEDs (7, 8) to logically light up before the gauge. of energy (15).

10) Indicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy gauge (15) and the indicators (7, 8) form parts of the same pictogram.

11) Indicator according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the indicators (7, 8) form the two eyes of a face and in that the energy gauge (15) forms the mouth of the face .