Pointer-Type Fuel Meter Zero-Indication Error
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular pointer-type residual quantity meters can lead drivers to erroneously recognize a non-zero residual quantity when the pointer indicates zero, due to lighting effects, causing continued vehicle operation after the fuel or battery is empty.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular pointer-type residual quantity meter with a display panel, a pointer unit, and a control unit that moves the pointer from a metering region indicating zero to a non-scale part when the residual quantity reaches zero, preventing incorrect recognition by shielding the illuminating section or turning off the light source, thus ensuring the driver recognizes the empty state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the pointer is equipped with an illuminating unit to improve visibility, then the pointer can be easily recognized by the driver, but the driver may erroneously recognize a non-zero residual quantity when the pointer indicates zero
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is segmented into a scale part (with metering regions indicating residual quantity) and a non-scale part (without metering regions). When the residual quantity is zero, the pointer is moved to the non-scale part, which is visually distinct from the scale part, thereby preventing the driver from erroneously recognizing a non-zero quantity while maintaining visibility through the illuminating unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display panel are given different visual characteristics. The scale part contains metering regions with specific visual features, while the non-scale part lacks these features. The illuminating unit provides localized illumination to enhance visibility without causing misinterpretation, as the pointer's position in the non-scale part clearly indicates zero residual quantity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pointer stays at the zero metering region to indicate empty, then the indication is stable and clear, but the illuminating unit may cause the driver to mistakenly think there is still residual quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into scale and non-scale parts. The non-scale part provides a stable destination for the pointer when indicating zero, while its distinct visual characteristics (lack of metering regions) prevent misinterpretation. This segmentation ensures both stability and reliability of the empty indication.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the zero indication at the traditional position within the scale part, the invention inverts the approach by moving the zero indication to the non-scale part, which is visually distinct from the scale part. This inversion eliminates the ambiguity caused by illumination while maintaining clear indication.
3Loss of information
If the pointer is moved to the non-scale part when residual quantity is zero, then the driver can correctly recognize empty state, but the pointer movement range increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is designed with both radial (angular) and axial (depth) dimensions. The scale part and non-scale part are arranged in different axial positions, allowing the pointer to indicate zero by moving axially to the non-scale part rather than only radially. This dimensional change enables clear zero indication without excessively increasing the pointer's movement range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents driver misinterpretation of zero residual quantity, ensuring safe vehicle operation by clearly indicating when the fuel or battery is empty, thereby avoiding continued travel after depletion.
Implementation Method 1
a light source 5-1 for the pointer body nb; the pointer body nb and the pointer body extension unit ne together form an illuminating section (a bright part of the pointer)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular pointer-type residual quantity meter comprises: a display panel that has a scale part which allows a driver to recognize a residual quantity, and a non-scale part that differs from the scale part; a pointer unit that is disposed behind the display panel; a pointer driver body unit that carries out a movement of the pointer unit in a real space; and a control unit that controls the pointer driver body unit in so that the pointer unit indicates one of metering regions in the scale part in replay to a current residual quantity. The control part controls the pointer driver body unit so that when the residual quantity decreases to zero, the pointer unit moves from a metering region corresponding to a zero residual quantity in a direction opposite to a metering region corresponding to a residual quantity value greater than zero to the non-scale part of the display panel.