JPS6314287B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a novel measuring device for a vehicle, and in particular to a full tank switch which is necessary for setting a remaining fuel amount storage unit to a full tank amount storage state when a fuel tank is full. The present invention aims to provide a new vehicle measuring device that can prompt the driver to operate the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART When driving a car, motorcycle, etc., it is important to always know not only the speed, but also the travel time, travel distance, and even the so-called remaining travel distance, that is, the distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel. Preferably, it can be said that it is essential to accurately understand these things, especially in rallies.

Therefore, it is required not only in Japan but also in foreign countries that automobiles, motorcycles, etc. be equipped with measuring devices that calculate not only speed but also travel time, distance traveled, remaining travel distance, etc., and display the calculation results. There are also some products that meet this demand.
These measuring devices have a built-in microcomputer that processes data from internal timers, axle rotation detection sensors, remaining fuel amount sensors, etc., and calculates running time, mileage, remaining fuel, and other information. Find the distance that can be traveled, etc.
They are displayed on a display.

By the way, in such a measuring device, the detection accuracy of the remaining fuel amount sensor that detects the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is very low, and the measured value changes greatly due to vibrations while the vehicle is running. .
Therefore, there was a problem in that not only was there a large error in the displayed amount of remaining fuel, but also the reliability of the remaining drivable distance obtained by multiplying it by the fuel consumption was extremely low. Therefore, the following attempts were made by the inventors of the present invention to improve the accuracy of the remaining fuel amount data. In other words, since the detection accuracy of the remaining fuel amount sensor is very low, the remaining amount of fuel is not determined by the remaining fuel amount sensor, but the measuring device has a remaining fuel amount storage register, and the register is pushed to the full amount. This system is equipped with a full tank switch that puts the fuel into a memorized state, and when the fuel is consumed, the fuel consumption detected by the fuel consumption sensor is subtracted from the value stored in the remaining fuel storage register. . In this way, when refueling and filling the fuel tank, by confirming this fact and pressing the fill switch, the remaining fuel amount memory register at the time of full tank can be used to accurately display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. It is possible to store the amount of full tank stored in the memory,
When the fuel is consumed, the fuel consumption detected by the fuel consumption sensor is subtracted from the value stored in the remaining fuel storage register, so the remaining fuel storage register always shows the amount of fuel currently remaining in the fuel tank. The amount of fuel can be stored. The detection accuracy of the fuel consumption sensor is extremely high, so as long as you set the full tank value accurately, which will be stored in the remaining fuel storage register when you press the full tank switch, the remaining fuel storage register will be The accuracy of the stored remaining fuel amount can be made extremely high, and therefore the remaining drivable distance obtained by multiplying it by the fuel consumption becomes extremely reliable. In this respect, this measuring device can be said to be extremely superior.

However, such a measuring device has a problem in that if the user forgets to press the fill switch when filling the fuel tank, the content stored in the remaining fuel amount storage register will be completely different from the actual remaining amount of fuel.

Purpose of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention generates a warning prompting the driver to operate the fill-up switch necessary to bring the remaining fuel amount memory into the full-tank storage state when the fuel tank is full. The present invention aims to provide a new vehicle measuring device that prevents the driver from forgetting to operate the fill-up switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a mileage sensor that detects mileage, a fuel consumption sensor that detects fuel consumption, and a full tank detection when the fuel tank is approximately full. a full tank sensor that generates a signal; a remaining fuel storage unit that subtracts the fuel consumption detected by the fuel consumption sensor from a stored value when fuel is consumed; and a full tank detection signal from the full tank sensor. a full tank switch that, when operated when a fuel tank is full, causes the remaining fuel storage unit to store the full amount of the fuel tank;
A measurement calculation unit that processes signals from each of the sensors, the fill-up switch, and the remaining fuel storage unit to calculate multiple types of measurement calculation results including fuel efficiency and remaining drivable distance; and calculation by the measurement calculation unit. and a display section for displaying the measured calculation results, the vehicle measuring device is configured such that when a full tank detection signal is generated from the full tank sensor, a warning prompting the user to operate the full tank switch is generated accordingly. When the fuel tank is full, a warning prompting the user to operate the fill switch is generated, so there is no need to worry about forgetting to operate the fill switch.

Embodiments Below, the vehicle measuring device of the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

The drawings show an example of the implementation of the vehicle measuring device of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows the main body 1 of the device. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a case in which a microcomputer, a liquid crystal display device 3, etc., which will be described later, are mounted, and a display window 4 is provided on the front of the case 2. The liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal type display device 3 is made to face the display window 4, and the display by the display device 3 can be visually recognized through the display window 4.
SW1 to SW5 are switches provided on the front side of the case 2, and SW1 is a power switch, with the word "POWER" labeled on its lower side. SW2 is a start/stop switch, and a display reading "START/STOP" is attached below it.
SW3 is a mode changeover switch, and the word "MODE" is displayed below it. SW4 is a reset switch, with "RESET" written above it.
It is marked with. SW5 is a full tank switch, and above it there is a display that says "OIL". The functions of these switches SW1 to SW5 will be explained in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the vehicle measuring device. In the figure, 5 is a microcomputer that performs measurement calculations according to a predetermined program. 6 is a central processing unit (CPU) that executes each process necessary for measurement calculation and display of measurement calculation results according to a predetermined program; 7 is a read-only unit that stores the programs executed by CPU 6 and other necessary basic storage items; A memory (ROM) 8 appropriately stores various signals from various sensors and various switches described later, as well as fuel efficiency and other intermediate data obtained by processing the signals, various calculation results, etc. as necessary. A random access memory (RAM) 9 is an input circuit that takes in signals from sensors and switches and sends them to the CPU 6 and RAM 8 as appropriate. 10 is a register for storing the remaining amount of fuel;
When the fuel is consumed, the stored contents are rewritten to a value subtracted by the amount of fuel consumption detected by a fuel consumption sensor, which will be described later. This register 10 always stores the amount of fuel currently remaining in the fuel tank as long as the measuring device is used correctly, and consists of a non-volatile memory.
The details of the function of this register 10 will be made clear later. Reference numeral 11 denotes an output circuit that stores a signal indicating a measurement calculation result to be displayed on the display device 3 and sends the signal to the display device 3. The output circuit 11 receives a warning display command signal from the CPU 5 when a full tank detection signal is generated from a full tank sensor (to be described later), sends this command signal to the display device 3, and causes the display device 3 to display measurement calculation results. A warning display prompting the operation of the full tank switch SW5 is also displayed. In addition, in this example, “PUSH
A warning is displayed by attaching a message "OILSW" to the lower part 3b of the part 3a where the measurement calculation results are displayed. This warning display is made to disappear when the full tank switch SW is pressed. 12 is the above CPU6, ROM7, RAM8,
A data bus 13 that connects the input circuit 9 and the output circuit 11 is also an address bus.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a mileage sensor, which sends a one-pulse axle rotation detection signal to the input circuit 9 of the microcomputer 5 every time the axle of the vehicle rotates once. The microcomputer 5 can calculate the travel distance by multiplying the number of pulses of the axle rotation detection signal by the travel distance per one revolution of the axle. Reference numeral 15 denotes a fuel consumption sensor installed in the oil passage from the fuel tank to the engine, which sends a one-pulse fuel consumption signal to the input circuit 9 every time a certain minute amount of oil is fed. Thus, the microcomputer 5 can calculate the fuel consumption amount by multiplying the number of pulses of the fuel consumption signal by the amount of oil fed per pulse. Reference numeral 16 denotes a full tank sensor installed in the fuel tank, which detects full tank when the fuel tank is full, that is, full, or when an amount relatively close to full remains, that is, when it can be said that the tank is almost full. The signal is sent to the input circuit 9.

3A and 3B show an example of the full tank sensor 16. In the figure, 17 is a case whose upper end surface is fixed to the ceiling of the fuel tank;
7 is provided with a float lifting chamber 18 and a full tank storage chamber 19. The float elevating chamber 18 has a vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is open at the top and communicated with the outside through a communication hole 21 formed in the bottom wall 20 of the case 17 at the bottom. 22
is a float stored in the float elevating chamber 18 so that it can be raised and lowered from above, and has a substantially cubic shape;
It has a built-in magnet 23. 24, 24,…
... are semi-cylindrical protrusions integrally formed along the four side surfaces of the float 22 in the vertical direction.

The full tank detection switch storage chamber 19 is provided on the side of the float lifting chamber 18, separated by a partition wall 25, and the full tank detection switch storage chamber 19 is sealed from the outside to prevent fuel from entering therein. ing. Reference numeral 26 denotes a full tank detection switch, which is disposed approximately at the top of the full tank storage chamber 19, and is used to control the float 2 that moves up and down in the float lifting chamber 18.
2 rises to the top, it is turned on by the magnetic force of the magnet 23 inside. This switch 26 is connected to the input circuit 9 of the microcomputer 5 via a lead wire (not shown).

In this full tank sensor 16, when the fuel 27 is replenished into the fuel tank and its liquid level rises, the fuel 27 flows into the float elevator chamber 18 through a communication hole 21 formed in the bottom wall 20 of the case 17. Invading. Naturally, the liquid level of the invading fuel becomes the same as the liquid level of the fuel replenished in the fuel tank, and as the amount of replenishment increases and the liquid level in the tank rises, the float naturally moves up and down. The liquid level of the fuel that has entered the chamber 18 also rises accordingly. When the liquid level in the float elevating chamber 18 rises, the float 22 located at the bottom of the elevating chamber 18 rises together with the liquid level. When the fuel tank becomes almost full, the float 22 reaches its upper limit as the liquid level rises, and the magnetic force of the magnet 23 inside the float 22 causes the full tank detection switch 2 to be activated.
6. Then, the full tank detection switch 26
is turned on, and a full tank detection signal is sent from the switch 26 to the microcomputer 5.

In addition, a semi-cylindrical protrusion 24 is provided on the side surface of the float 22.
This is to prevent the side surface of the float 22 from being adsorbed to the inner wall surface of the lifting chamber 18 due to the surface tension of the fuel when the float 22 moves up and down inside the float lifting chamber 18, thereby preventing the float 22 from moving up and down smoothly. This is to do so.

Power switch SW1 is microcomputer 5
is connected between the terminal to which the power supply voltage is applied and the cathode of the power supply E whose cathode is grounded, and
SW2 to SW5 are connected to the input circuit 9 of the microcomputer 5. And the power switch
When SW1 is turned on, power supply voltage E is applied to microcomputer 5. When the power supply voltage E is applied, the microcomputer 5 is brought into a predetermined initial state and starts specific measurement calculations for determining fuel consumption, remaining fuel amount, and the like. However, other general measurement calculations such as running time, remaining mileage, etc. are performed using the start/stop switch.
It will not start until SW2 is pushed.
Incidentally, an ignition switch may be used as is as the power switch SW1, so that when the ignition switch is turned on, power is automatically turned on to the computer 5. When the start/stop switch SW2 is pushed after the power switch SW1 is turned on and the microcomputer 5 is brought to a predetermined initial state, the computer 5 starts the general measurement calculations for determining the above-mentioned running time, running distance, etc. do the work. This start/
When the stop switch SW2 is pushed while a general measurement calculation is being performed, it functions to stop the measurement calculation, and when it is pressed while it is stopped, it functions to restart the measurement calculation. In addition, start/stop switch SW2
It is preferable that the above-mentioned function is performed in relation to the mode displayed by the display device 3. When pressed, the mode changeover switch SW3 functions to change over the types of measurement calculation results displayed on the display device 3 in a predetermined order. When the reset switch SW4 is pushed, it functions to reset the contents of the measurement calculation results displayed by the display device 3 to "0" among the various measurement calculation results stored in the RAM 8. However, the fuel consumption amount and the contents of the remaining fuel amount stored in the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 cannot be reset by operating the reset switch SW4.

The full tank switch SW5 is activated when a full tank detection signal is output from the full tank sensor 16 (this is when the fuel tank is full of fuel or a relatively close amount remains). When pushed, it functions to rewrite the content of the remaining fuel amount stored in the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 to a full tank amount. That is, for example, if the capacity of a car's fuel tank is 40 liters, 40 liters is stored in advance in the full tank storage area in ROM7.
A signal indicating a little is stored. and,
When the full tank switch SW5 is pressed while the full tank detection signal is being output from the full tank sensor 17, the signal indicating the initial full tank amount, for example 40 liters, is the remaining fuel amount from the full tank storage area of the ROM7. The data is loaded into the storage register 10. At the same time, the warning display that was displayed in conjunction with the generation of the full tank detection signal disappears.

The basic function of the fill-up switch SW5 is to rewrite the contents of the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 to the full amount when it is pushed when the tank is full, but when it is pushed when the tank is not full, the following occurs. It does a great job. That is, when the full tank sensor 16 does not output a full tank detection signal (this means that the amount remaining in the fuel tank is less than the amount that can be said to be approximately full), the full tank switch SW5 is pressed. Then, the stored content of the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 is increased by a predetermined amount of fuel, for example, 1 liter. The reason why the full tank switch SW5 is provided with this function is because when refueling at a gas station, the user refills the amount of fuel that is considerably less than the amount required to fill the tank, due to reasons such as not having enough money on hand. This is because there may be cases where it is not possible to do so, and in such a case, it is necessary to increase the stored content of the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 by the amount of replenishment.

However, when refueling to fill up the fuel tank, press the full tank switch SW5 once after confirming that the tank is full, and if the amount of refueling is less than full, then the amount If you push the full tank switch SW5 a number of times according to
The remaining fuel amount storage register 10 can always store the actual amount of fuel remaining in the tank very accurately.

Operation The operation of the vehicle measuring device shown in the drawings will be explained below.

(1) When the power switch SW1 is turned on, the power supply voltage E is applied to the microcomputer 5, thereby bringing the microcomputer 5 into a predetermined initial state. The remaining fuel amount storage register 10, which is made up of a non-volatile memory, stores the remaining amount of fuel at the time the power is turned off before the power is turned on (this is the amount of fuel actually remaining in the fuel tank as long as the measuring device is used correctly) (It is consistent with the amount.)
It remains in the memorized state and is not reset to "0". Then, when the microcomputer 5 enters the initial state, specific measurement calculations for determining fuel consumption, remaining fuel amount, etc. are started.

Further, in the initial state, a predetermined type of measurement calculation result among the various measurement calculation results stored in the RAM 8 and the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 is loaded into the output circuit 11. The loaded measurement calculation results are then displayed on the display device 3. And mode change switch SW
When 3 is pressed, different types of measurement calculation results are loaded into the output circuit 11 each time the button is pressed, and the types of measurement calculation results displayed by the display device 3 are switched in accordance with a predetermined order. Among the items that are measured and calculated and the results displayed are the remaining travel distance.

However, at the stage where the power switch SW1 is simply turned on, specific measurement calculations to calculate fuel consumption, remaining fuel amount, etc. are only started.
General measurement calculations for determining travel distance, travel time, remaining travel distance, etc. do not start until start/stop switch SW2 is pressed. Therefore, the start/stop switch SW
Even if the display device 3 is set to a running time display mode, a running distance display mode, etc. at the stage where 2 is not pushed, the displayed content will only be "0". but,
Since specific measurement calculations for calculating fuel consumption, remaining fuel amount, etc. have been started, when these measurement calculation results are displayed, the actual fuel consumption amount, remaining fuel amount, etc. are displayed.

(2) Next, start/stop switch SW2
When you press , general measurement calculations for determining driving time, driving distance, fuel consumption, remaining driving distance, etc. are started. Some of the measurement calculations performed by the microcomputer 5 that are started immediately after the power is turned on also include a start/stop switch.
There are measurement calculations that calculate running time, running distance, fuel consumption, fuel consumption, that is, running distance per unit fuel consumption, remaining drivable distance, etc., including those that are started after SW2 is turned on. Incidentally, the measurement calculation for determining the remaining travelable distance will be explained as follows. That is, the mileage sensor 14
The traveling distance is determined by counting the axle rotation detection signal from the fuel consumption sensor 15, and the number of pulses of the fuel consumption signal from the fuel consumption sensor 15 is determined. Then, the fuel consumption is determined by dividing the determined travel distance by the fuel consumption amount, and the remaining mileage is determined by multiplying this fuel consumption by the remaining fuel amount stored in the remaining fuel amount storage register 10. You can get as far as possible.

(3) By the way, when the remaining amount of fuel is low and the remaining distance that can be traveled is shortened, if you refill the tank at a gas station and fill it up, as mentioned above, the full tank sensor 16 shown in Fig. 3
A full tank detection switch 26 generates a full tank detection signal. When the full tank detection signal is generated, a warning message "PUSH, OILSW" is displayed on the lower display section 3b of the measurement calculation result display section 3a of the display device 3. Then, the driver is prompted to press the full tank switch SW5 by the warning display.

Then, when the full tank switch SW5 is pushed, the memory content of the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 is rewritten to the full tank amount, and the remaining drivable distance stored in the RAM 8 is also obtained by multiplying the fuel consumption by the full tank amount. Changes to value. At the same time, the above-mentioned warning display disappears. When the warning display disappears, the driver can confirm that the data stored as the remaining fuel amount has been rewritten to the full tank amount.

In addition, when refueling, it is normal to fill up the fuel tank, but due to reasons such as having little money on hand, the amount is considerably less than the amount to fill the fuel tank. In some cases, only replenishment is required. In such a case, the full tank sensor 16 does not generate a full tank detection signal, and when the full tank switch SW5 is pushed, the stored value in the remaining fuel storage register 10 is increased by a predetermined minute amount, for example, 1 liter. It is in a state where it fulfills its functions. Therefore, in such a case, in order to make the fuel storage register 10 store the actual remaining amount of fuel, it is sufficient to push the full tank switch SW5 the number of times corresponding to the replenishment amount. For example, if the remaining amount of fuel reaches 5 liters and only 10 liters have been refilled, press the full tank switch SW5 10 times. Then, the remaining fuel amount storage register 10 becomes 5.
Switches from the state where liters are stored to the state where 15 liters are stored.

In order to ensure safety, refueling is normally performed with the ignition switch turned off and the engine stopped. Therefore, in a type of device in which the power to the measuring device is turned on and off when the ignition switch is turned on and off, when the ignition switch is turned off for refueling, for example, the backup power supply is turned on and off to the measuring device. Alternatively, it is necessary to store all the various measurement calculation results in a non-volatile memory so that the various measurement calculation results are not erased when the power is turned off.

As described above, the vehicle measuring device of the present invention has the following features:
a mileage sensor that detects the distance traveled; a fuel consumption sensor that detects the amount of fuel consumed; a full tank sensor that generates a full tank detection signal when the fuel tank is approximately full; a remaining fuel amount storage section in which the fuel consumption amount detected by the consumption amount sensor is subtracted from the stored value; and a remaining fuel amount storage section that is operated when a full tank detection signal is generated from the full tank sensor. a fill-up switch that stores the amount of full fuel in the fuel tank; and a fuel tank that processes signals from each of the sensors, the fill-up switch, and the remaining fuel storage unit to determine the fuel efficiency and the distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel. A vehicle measuring device comprising: a measurement calculation section that calculates a measurement calculation result; and a display section that displays the measurement calculation result calculated by the measurement calculation section; is characterized in that when this occurs, a warning prompting the operator to operate the full tank switch is generated,
According to the present invention, when the fuel tank becomes full, a warning prompting the user to operate the fill switch is generated. Therefore, the warning display prompts the driver to operate the fill-up switch, thereby preventing the driver from forgetting to press the fill-up switch.

It should be noted that the illustrated vehicle measuring device is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and for example, a warning prompting the user to operate a fill-up switch may be issued by, for example, flashing a display of a measurement calculation result, emitting a warning sound, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to what has been described as an example.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an example of the implementation of the vehicle measuring device of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main body of the device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the device, and FIGS. 3A and B are full illustrations. An example of a tongue sensor is shown, with A being a vertical perspective view and B being a perspective view of a float. Explanation of symbols, 3...Display section, 6, 7, 8, 9,
11...Measurement calculation section, 10...Fuel remaining amount storage section, 14...Midage distance sensor, 15...Fuel consumption sensor, 16...Full tank sensor, SW5...Full tank switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mileage sensor that detects the distance traveled, a fuel consumption sensor that detects the amount of fuel consumed, a full tank sensor that generates a full tank detection signal when the fuel tank is approximately full, and a sensor that generates a full tank detection signal when the fuel is consumed. a remaining fuel amount storage unit in which the fuel consumption amount detected by the fuel consumption sensor is subtracted from the stored value; and a remaining fuel amount storage unit that is operated when a full tank detection signal is generated from the full tank sensor. a fill-up switch that stores the full amount of the fuel tank; and a plurality of fuel tanks that process signals from the sensors, the fill-up switch, and the remaining fuel amount storage section to determine the fuel efficiency and the distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel. A vehicle measuring device comprising a measurement calculation section that calculates a measurement calculation result of a type, and a display section that displays the measurement calculation result calculated by the measurement calculation section, the vehicle measuring device detecting a full tank from the full tank sensor. A measuring device for a vehicle, characterized in that when a signal is generated, a warning prompting the operation of the tank fill switch is generated.