Pressure Vessel Fill-Level Display During Early Refueling Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure vessels used in motor vehicles often do not reach a full fill level during refueling due to filling stations shutting off early, leading to uncertainty and potential misinterpretation of an error state by drivers.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the displayed fill level based on a predefined characteristic curve relative to the actual fill level, ensuring the driver is not misled into thinking an error has occurred during proper refueling, by decoupling the displayed fill level from the actual fill level and using a deterministic relationship independent of other parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fill level is displayed according to the actual fill level measured by the sensor, then the display is accurate and reliable, but the driver may perceive an error state when the filling station shuts off early (below 100% fill level)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the actual fill level measurement and the displayed fill level. A characteristic curve (mapping function) is applied to transform the actual fill level into a displayed fill level, mediating the information presented to the driver. This intermediary transformation resolves the contradiction by adapting the raw measurement data into a form that prevents driver misunderstanding while maintaining measurement accuracy in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation of the fill level by applying a non-linear characteristic curve transformation. The actual fill level (raw parameter) is transformed into a displayed fill level (modified parameter) using a predetermined mapping relationship. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain accurate measurement while presenting adjusted information that avoids driver confusion during normal refueling operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fill level to be displayed is increased according to a characteristic curve, then the driver is reassured and does not suspect error states, but the displayed value deviates from the actual fill level
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to make the filling station fill to exactly 100% (which may not be physically or operationally feasible), the patent inverts the approach by adjusting the display representation rather than the physical filling process. The characteristic curve inverts the problem-solving approach: rather than forcing the actual fill level to match the desired 100% display, it transforms the display to match driver expectations while maintaining accurate underlying measurements.
3Ease of operation
If the fill level display is adjusted to match driver expectations, then driver satisfaction improves, but the system complexity increases due to characteristic curve implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The characteristic curve is predetermined and pre-calculated, representing a preliminary action that simplifies the real-time processing. Instead of implementing complex real-time algorithms to determine when to adjust the display, the system uses a pre-established mapping relationship that is simply applied during normal operation. This preliminary preparation of the transformation curve reduces runtime complexity while maintaining the ability to improve driver experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying a fill level of a pressure vessel includes measuring an actual fill level of the pressure vessel, calculating a displayable fill level based on the actual fill level, and displaying the displayable fill level via a display device. In the method, during refueling between a first filling point (FP1) and a second filling point (FP2), the displayable fill level is increased in relation to the actual fill level in accordance with a predefined characteristic curve.