Vehicle Fuel Consumption Meter with Deviation Pointer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle display devices struggle to accurately display fuel consumption information, particularly when the reference driving state is set based on driver switch manipulation, leading to potential misinterpretation of fuel efficiency, especially during idling states, and fail to provide real-time, easily recognizable fuel consumption data.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle display device featuring an instantaneous fuel consumption calculation unit, an average fuel consumption calculation unit, and a display control unit that uses a pointer-type meter to visually represent deviations in fuel consumption, with color-coded regions and mode-specific weighting coefficients to enhance visibility and responsiveness to driver actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reference driving state is set based on driver switch manipulation, then the driver can select a reference state, but the proper driving state is not always set as the reference state leading to meaningless fuel consumption display
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects the reference driving state based on stored driving state data without requiring manual driver input. The ECU stores multiple driving states and automatically determines the appropriate reference state, eliminating the need for driver switch manipulation while ensuring accurate reference selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores multiple driving states in the ECU before the display is needed. By accumulating and storing driving state data in advance, the system has ready-made reference states available, eliminating the need for real-time driver selection and ensuring proper reference states are always available.
2Loss of information
If detailed fuel consumption information is displayed, then comprehensive driving information is provided, but the information changes second by second making it difficult for the driver to recognize with naked eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel consumption information is segmented into distinct visual components: a pointer indicator showing current status, a neutral position indicating reference state, and directional indicators (plus/minus sides) showing deviation. This segmentation transforms continuous changing data into discrete, easily readable visual elements that the driver can quickly comprehend.
Solution Approach 2:
The display uses color-coded regions (green for plus side, red for minus side) to indicate fuel consumption deviation directions. These color changes provide immediate visual cues to the driver about whether fuel consumption is above or below the reference state, making recognition instantaneous and intuitive.
3Ease of operation
If a pointer type meter is used to display fuel consumption deviation, then visual recognition is improved, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pointer type meter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates current fuel consumption status, shows deviation direction from reference state, and provides visual feedback for driver behavior. By making the display element multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate indicators, thereby managing complexity while maintaining comprehensive information delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle display device which can display fuel consumption information of a vehicle in a useful and optimum mode for a driver. A meter_EUC calculates an instantaneous fuel consumption of a vehicle based on a mileage and a fuel injection quantity within a set time, calculates an average fuel consumption of the vehicle based on respective cumulative values of the mileage and the fuel injection quantity repeatedly calculated for every set time, and displays the deviation of the instantaneous fuel consumption with respect to the average fuel consumption as fuel consumption information on a fuel consumption meter. The display on the fuel consumption meter is performed by swinging a pointer with respect to a neutral position. When the deviation takes a positive value, the pointer is swung in the pulse direction with a swinging width corresponding to the deviation quantity, while when the deviation takes a negative value, the pointer is swung in the minus direction with a swinging width corresponding to the deviation quantity.