Abnormality detection device

Abstract

To provide an abnormality detection device capable of appropriately detecting abnormalities in a liquid level sensor.SOLUTION: An abnormality detection device 1 includes a storage unit 20 that stores the detected remaining amount of fuel via a float-type liquid level sensor 73 configured to detect a liquid level Fa of a fuel tank 90 mounted in a vehicle and storing fuel F for driving the vehicle and a control unit 10 that determines the status of the liquid level sensor 73 within the fuel tank 90. The control unit 10 detects an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 on the basis of the remaining fuel amount A stored in the storage unit 20 and a remaining fuel amount B re-detected via the liquid level sensor 73 after the vehicle has consumed fuel F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormality detection device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid level sensor that detects a liquid level by the up-and-down movement of a float attached to one end of a lever (float arm).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the float of the liquid level sensor described in the above Patent Document 1 gets caught or stuck in the fuel tank, the liquid level of the fuel tank cannot be accurately detected. Therefore, it is expected that an abnormality of the liquid level sensor can be appropriately detected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an abnormality detection device that can appropriately detect an abnormality of a liquid level sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an abnormality detection device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a fuel remaining amount detected via a float-type liquid level sensor that is mounted on a vehicle and detects a liquid level of a fuel tank that stores fuel for running the vehicle, and a control unit that determines a state of the liquid level sensor in the fuel tank. The control unit is characterized by detecting an abnormality of the liquid level sensor based on the fuel remaining amount stored in the storage unit and the fuel remaining amount detected again via the liquid level sensor after the vehicle has consumed the fuel.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] The abnormality detection device according to the present invention has an effect that an abnormality of the liquid level sensor can be appropriately detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] The abnormality detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to be able to appropriately detect an abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 by comparing the information stored in the storage unit 20 with the information detected by the liquid level sensor 73 provided in the fuel tank 90 of a vehicle such as an automobile. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the configuration of the abnormality detection device 1 will be described in detail.

[0011] Note that the Z direction in FIG. 2 typically corresponds to the height direction of the fuel tank 90 that stores the running fuel F of the vehicle. In addition, each direction used in the following description will be described as the direction in the state where the liquid level sensor 73 is assembled to the fuel tank 90, unless otherwise specified. The X direction is referred to as the width direction X, the Y direction is referred to as the depth direction Y, and the Z direction is referred to as the height direction Z.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the abnormality detection device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, an I / F 30, an RTC 40, a display unit 50, and a notification unit 60. Note that the abnormality detection device 1 of the present embodiment uses the function of a meter mounted on the instrument panel and may be a part of the meter.

[0013] The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 10 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 20, and by operating the programs, executes various processes for operating each part of the meter and realizing various functions. In addition, the control unit 10 acquires information (detection signal) detected by various sensors 70 mounted on the vehicle, and calculates various values based on the information. Further, the control unit 10 of the present embodiment can determine the state of the liquid level sensor 73 in the fuel tank 90 by comparing the information stored in the storage unit 20 with the information detected by the liquid level sensor 73.

[0014] The storage unit 20 is a memory within the CPU such as a memory element that holds data, or an external memory such as a non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM). The storage unit 20 stores conditions, information necessary for various processes on data, various programs, applications, control data, etc. to be executed by the control unit 10. Also, the storage unit 20 can temporarily store information detected by various sensors 70, various information acquired by the control unit 10, information generated during processing (e.g., during calculation) by the control unit 10, etc. Further, the storage unit 20 of the present embodiment can store the information detected by the liquid level sensor 73, and can retrieve or save the information as needed.

[0015] The I / F 30 is a part that connects various sensors 70 and the control unit 10 respectively. The I / F 30 of the present embodiment connects various sensors 70 and the control unit 10 respectively via the communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) 80 that constitutes the in-vehicle network. Then, the I / F 30 acquires the information detected by various sensors 70 respectively, processes the acquired information, and transmits it to the control unit 10 respectively.

[0016] The RTC (real time clock) 40 is an integrated circuit that implements the function of a clock. Therefore, the RTC 40 can generate information regarding the current time, or generate information regarding the elapsed time by detecting the time multiple times.

[0017] The display unit 50 is a part that displays information and status regarding the vehicle. The display unit 50 is composed of, for example, analog instruments, digital instruments, and liquid crystal displays. Therefore, the display unit 50 can display information such as vehicle speed and remaining fuel amount by displaying an image.

[0018] The notification unit 60 is a part that notifies an abnormality related to the vehicle. The notification unit 60 can notify an abnormality to the vehicle occupants (e.g., the driver) by, for example, lighting a warning lamp or emitting a sound from a speaker. Note that the notification unit 60 may be constituted by a part of the display unit 50.

[0019] In addition, in the vehicle to which the above-described abnormality detection device 1 is applied, as various sensors 70 capable of detecting the state related to the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor 71, an engine speed sensor 72, and a liquid level sensor 73 are mounted.

[0020] The vehicle speed sensor 71 is a part that detects the speed of the vehicle during traveling. The vehicle speed sensor 71 can detect the speed such as the actual speed by, for example, detecting the rotational speed of the wheels.

[0021] The engine speed sensor 72 is a part that detects the engine speed of the vehicle during traveling. The engine speed sensor 72 can detect the engine speed by, for example, detecting the rotational speed of the crank pulley, flywheel, camshaft, or intermediate shaft.

[0022] The liquid level sensor 73 is a part that detects the liquid level Fa of the fuel F stored in the fuel tank 90 mounted on the vehicle. The liquid level sensor 73 of the present embodiment is a float type liquid level sensor, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a housing 73a, a float arm 73b, and a float 73c attached to one end (tip) of the float arm 73b. Then, the liquid level sensor 73 can detect the liquid level Fa of the fuel tank 90 by the resistance value of the sensor circuit changing in accordance with the movement of the float 73c.

[0023] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an operation example of the abnormality detection device 1 will be described.

[0024] The control unit 10 performs initialization of information related to the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 90, which is stored in advance in the storage unit 20 (step S1).

[0025] Then, the control unit 10 acquires information (detection signal) regarding the liquid level Fa of the fuel tank 90 from the liquid level sensor 73, calculates and measures the remaining fuel amount based on the information. Then, the control unit 10 stores the remaining fuel amount detected via the liquid level sensor 73 in the storage unit 20 as the remaining fuel amount A (step S2).

[0026] Then, after the engine driven by the fuel F in the fuel tank 90 starts and the fuel F is consumed, the control unit 10 acquires information regarding time from the RTC 40 and determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed (step S3). Then, when the control unit 10 determines that a certain period of time has elapsed (step S3; Yes), it proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that a certain period of time has not elapsed (step S3; No), it repeats step S3.

[0027] In step S3, the presence or absence of fuel F consumption may be determined based on time as described above, or the presence or absence of fuel F consumption may be determined based on the driving distance of the vehicle. When determining the presence or absence of fuel F consumption based on the driving distance of the vehicle, the control unit 10 acquires information regarding the driving distance of the vehicle from the vehicle speed sensor 71 and the engine speed sensor 72, and determines whether or not the driving distance of the vehicle has passed a certain distance since the engine started (step S3). Then, when the control unit 10 determines that a certain distance has passed (step S3; Yes), it proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that a certain distance has not passed (step S3; No), it repeats step S3.

[0028] Then, the control unit 10 acquires information (detection signal) regarding the liquid level Fa of the fuel tank 90 from the liquid level sensor 73 again, calculates the remaining fuel amount based on the information, and measures the remaining fuel amount again. Then, the control unit 10 sets the remaining fuel amount detected again via the liquid level sensor 73 as the remaining fuel amount B (step S4).

[0029] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether there is a difference between the fuel remaining amount A stored in the storage unit and the fuel remaining amount B measured again by the liquid level sensor 73 after the vehicle has consumed fuel F (step S5). And when the control unit 10 determines that there is no difference between the fuel remaining amount A and the fuel remaining amount B (the fuel remaining amount A and the fuel remaining amount B have the same value) (step S5; Yes), it determines that there is an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 and proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that there is a difference between the fuel remaining amount A and the fuel remaining amount B (the fuel remaining amount B is a value smaller than the fuel remaining amount A) (step S5; No), it determines that the liquid level sensor 73 is normal and proceeds to step S7.

[0030] And when the control unit 10 detects an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 in step S5, it notifies the occupant of the abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 via the notification unit 60 (step S6) and ends the process.

[0031] And when the control unit 10 does not detect an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 in step S5, it stores the fuel remaining amount B in the storage unit 20 (step S7).

[0032] Then, the control unit 10 substitutes the value of the fuel remaining amount B for the fuel remaining amount A (step S8) and repeats the processes after step S2.

[0033] The abnormality detection device 1 described above includes a storage unit 20 that stores the fuel remaining amount detected via a float-type liquid level sensor 73 that detects the liquid level Fa of a fuel tank 90 mounted on the vehicle and storing the running fuel F of the vehicle, and a control unit 10 that determines the state of the liquid level sensor 73 in the fuel tank 90. The control unit 10 detects an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 based on the fuel remaining amount A stored in the storage unit 20 and the fuel remaining amount B detected again via the liquid level sensor 73 after the vehicle has consumed fuel F.

[0034] According to such a configuration, the abnormality detection device 1 can detect that the float 73c is caught or fixed in the fuel tank 90 by collecting information regarding the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 90. Therefore, the abnormality detection device 1 can appropriately detect an abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 caused by the float 73c failing to move according to the liquid level Fa of the fuel tank 90. Furthermore, to be more specific, the abnormality detection device 1 can determine the state of the liquid level sensor 73 using only the information acquired to display the vehicle state on the meter. Therefore, the abnormality detection device 1 can appropriately determine an abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 without adding a new configuration to the circuit, just by adding to the processing content (program) of the control unit 10. Accordingly, the abnormality detection device 1 can add functions while suppressing an increase in the components and devices mounted on the vehicle.

[0035] Furthermore, when there is a difference between the remaining fuel amount A stored in the storage unit 20 by the control unit 10 described above and the remaining fuel amount B detected again via the liquid level sensor 73 after the vehicle has consumed fuel F, the control unit 10 determines that it is normal and stores the re-detected remaining fuel amount B in the storage unit 20. Also, when there is no difference between the remaining fuel amount A stored in the storage unit 20 and the remaining fuel amount B detected again via the liquid level sensor 73 after the vehicle has consumed fuel F, the control unit 10 determines that it is abnormal and detects an abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73. According to such a configuration, the abnormality detection device 1 can more appropriately detect an abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 by comparing the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 90 before and after and determining whether the fuel F has decreased.

[0036] Furthermore, the abnormality detection device 1 described above further includes a notification unit 60 that notifies the vehicle occupants of the state of the liquid level sensor 73. When the control unit 10 detects an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73, it notifies the vehicle occupants of the abnormality of the liquid level sensor 73 via the notification unit 60. According to such a configuration, the abnormality detection device 1 can notify the vehicle occupants of the abnormality of the liquid level sensor 70 via the notification unit 60. Therefore, the vehicle occupants can recognize that the liquid level sensor 73 is malfunctioning and can properly repair the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle occupants can prevent the fuel F in the fuel tank 90 from running out at an unintended timing (for example, during vehicle travel).

[0037] Furthermore, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine driven by the fuel F in the fuel tank 90 starts, or when the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance, the control unit 10 described above detects the remaining fuel amount again via the liquid level sensor 73. According to such a configuration, the abnormality detection device 1 can determine whether the fuel F is decreasing by detecting the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 90 in accordance with the timing of fuel F consumption. Therefore, the abnormality detection device 1 can more appropriately detect an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73. Further, to be more specific, the abnormality detection device 1 can determine the state of the liquid level sensor 73 using the information on the actual speed, engine speed, and remaining fuel amount of the vehicle that is acquired to display information and the state regarding the vehicle on the meter. Therefore, the abnormality detection device 1 can more appropriately determine an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 by simply adding to the processing content of the control unit 10 without adding a new configuration to the circuit. Thus, the abnormality detection device 1 can add functions while suppressing an increase in the components and devices mounted on the vehicle.

[0038] Note that the abnormality detection device 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope described in the claims.

[0039] For example, information regarding the remaining fuel quantity A may be pre-stored in the storage unit 20, or may be stored in the storage unit 20 when the control unit 10 detects the remaining fuel quantity at an arbitrary timing via the liquid level sensor 73.

[0040] Further, the abnormality detection device 1 may determine the timing at which the fuel F is consumed using information other than the traveling speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 71 and the engine rotation speed detected by the engine rotation speed sensor 72 in step S3.

[0041] Also, the abnormality detection device 1 was described as detecting an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 by determining whether there is a difference between the remaining fuel quantity A stored in the storage unit and the remaining fuel quantity B detected again via the liquid level sensor 73 in step S5. However, the processing condition in this step may be "A ≤ B?". At this time, when the control unit 10 determines that there is no difference between the remaining fuel quantity A and the remaining fuel quantity B (the remaining fuel quantity A and the remaining fuel quantity B are the same value), or when it determines that the remaining fuel quantity A is smaller than the remaining fuel quantity B (step S5; Yes), it determines that there is an abnormality in the liquid level sensor 73 and proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the remaining fuel quantity B is smaller than the remaining fuel quantity A (step S5; No), it determines that the liquid level sensor 73 is normal and proceeds to step S7.

[0042] Further, the abnormality detection device 1 may not have the notification unit 60.

Explanation of Signs

[0043] 1 Abnormality detection device 10 Control unit 20 Storage unit 60 Notification unit 73 Liquid level sensor 73c Float 90 Fuel tank A Remaining fuel quantity stored in the storage unit B Remaining fuel quantity detected again via the liquid level sensor F Fuel in the fuel tank Fa liquid level X width direction Y depth direction Z height direction

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores the remaining fuel detected via a float-type liquid level sensor that detects the liquid level of a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle and stores the fuel for running the vehicle; A control unit that determines the state of the liquid level sensor in the fuel tank, The control unit is characterized in that it detects an abnormality of the liquid level sensor based on the remaining fuel stored in the storage unit and the remaining fuel detected again via the liquid level sensor after the vehicle has consumed the fuel. An abnormality detection device.

2. When there is a difference between the remaining fuel stored in the storage unit and the remaining fuel detected again via the liquid level sensor after the vehicle has consumed the fuel, the control unit determines that it is normal, and stores the detected remaining fuel in the storage unit. When there is no difference between the remaining fuel stored in the storage unit and the remaining fuel detected again via the liquid level sensor after the vehicle has consumed the fuel, the control unit determines that it is abnormal and detects an abnormality of the liquid level sensor. The abnormality detection device according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising a notification unit that notifies the vehicle occupant of the state of the liquid level sensor, When the control unit detects an abnormality of the liquid level sensor, it notifies the occupant of the abnormality of the liquid level sensor via the notification unit. The abnormality detection device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine driven by the fuel in the fuel tank is started, or when the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance, the control unit detects the remaining fuel via the liquid level sensor again. The abnormality detection device according to Claim 1 or 2.

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