External Fuel Level Indicator for Partial Refueling Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in determining the fuel level of their vehicles while refueling, especially when they want to fill up only partially, as existing systems often rely on gallons dispensed rather than tank fullness, leading to potential overpayment and inefficiencies, particularly in situations where time is limited.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle computing system with a processor that powers a digital display to provide fuel-related statistics, such as travelable distance and refueling time, allowing drivers to monitor fuel status externally during refueling, using inputs like the fuel door opening and gas pump insertion to activate the display and calculate fuel levels and refueling rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drivers rely on pump readout showing gallons dispensed, then they can track fuel added, but they cannot determine actual tank fullness leading to potential overpayment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the fuel level display from the traditional interior dashboard to an exterior location on the fuel door. This dimensional change allows drivers to view fuel status externally while refueling without needing to enter the vehicle or rely on pump readouts, directly addressing the information loss problem by providing real-time visual feedback on actual tank fullness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary external display device that acts as a mediator between the fuel level sensor and the driver. This external fuel level indicator translates the sensor data into visual representations (bar graphs, color codes) that clearly communicate tank fullness, resolving the contradiction between having measurement capability and providing useful information to the driver.
2Ease of operation
If drivers fill tank until automatic shutoff engages, then they ensure full tank, but they may overfill and overpay when they only needed partial fueling
Solution Approach 1:
The external fuel level indicator provides real-time visual feedback to drivers during the refueling process. By displaying current fuel level, estimated range, and refueling rate, the system enables drivers to make informed decisions about when to stop fueling, preventing both overfilling and running out of fuel, thus eliminating the need to rely on automatic shutoff or guesswork.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays estimated refueling time and cost before the refueling is complete. This preliminary information allows drivers to plan their refueling stops more effectively and avoid unnecessary trips to the gas station, addressing the loss of substance by ensuring drivers only purchase the fuel they need.
3Loss of information
If drivers want to monitor fuel status while refueling, then they can make informed decisions, but they must enter the vehicle to check dashboard displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the fuel level display from the interior dashboard to the exterior fuel door area. This dimensional relocation allows drivers to monitor fuel status externally while standing at the pump, eliminating the need to enter and exit the vehicle during refueling, thus resolving the contradiction between information availability and time loss.
4Loss of information
If drivers are familiar with their cars and know range on partial tanks, then they can estimate fuel needs, but this knowledge is not translated to actual gallons dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The external display system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it shows current fuel level, estimated range, gallons dispensed, refueling rate, and estimated time to full tank. This multi-functional approach correlates all relevant fuel information in one display, allowing drivers to connect their knowledge of vehicle range with actual fuel quantity being dispensed, resolving the contradiction between having range knowledge and understanding fuel quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.