Vehicle Fuel Volume Estimation Using Tank Model Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel volume estimation methods in vehicles lack accuracy due to variations in fuel tank geometry and the inability to provide absolute fuel volume information, which is crucial for precise fuel management, especially in large fleets where temperature and material expansion can affect measurements.
Innovation Solution
The system calculates fuel volume by creating a fuel tank model based on vehicle identification number and fuel tank part number, converting fuel level percentage values to fuel volume values using empirical data and connected vehicle data, ensuring accuracy through quality thresholds and tolerance checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuel level percentage is used to estimate fuel volume, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fuel level percentage parameter into an absolute fuel volume parameter by applying vehicle-specific calibration factors stored in memory. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of percentage-based sensing while achieving precise volume measurement through mathematical conversion using vehicle-specific geometric characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If experimental measurements are taken on a sampling of vehicles, then manufacturing precision can be established, but the reliability decreases when deployed to a large population
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of fuel tank geometry for each vehicle during manufacturing or initial setup, storing vehicle-specific calibration data in memory. This preliminary action ensures that when the vehicle is deployed to the fleet, it uses its own customized calibration factors, thereby maintaining both manufacturing precision and reliability across the entire vehicle population.
3Device complexity
If fuel tank geometry variations are not accounted for, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy or model of each vehicle's specific fuel tank geometry characteristics and stores it in memory. This digital twin approach allows the system to account for geometric variations without adding physical complexity to the measurement device, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving precision through software-based customization.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle fuel volume consumption estimation and accuracy analysis systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a fuel level percentage estimate or a fuel volume estimate for a vehicle at a first point in time and a second point in time for a trip, the fuel level percentage estimate or the fuel volume estimate being determined using a fuel tank model of a fuel tank of a vehicle, determining connected vehicle data that includes a determination of accumulated fuel consumed during the trip, and determining an accuracy of fuel tank model using the fuel level percentage estimate or the fuel volume estimate calculated at the first point in time and the second point in time, as well as the accumulated fuel consumed during the trip.