Vehicle Fill Level Display Using Magnetic Reed Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring the fill levels of fresh water and waste water tanks in vehicles, such as rail vehicles, are inefficient as they require power to function and cannot be read externally when the vehicle is parked, leading to increased maintenance time and difficulty in predicting water consumption and generation.
Innovation Solution
A display panel with a reed contact that switches the voltage supply using a magnetic field, allowing external reading of fill levels without powering the vehicle, and a self-locking circuit for extended voltage availability after initialization, enabling convenient and energy-efficient monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electrical displays and sensors are used to monitor fill levels, then measurement precision and information availability are improved, but energy consumption increases and the system cannot operate without power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a reed contact that is activated only when a magnetic field is applied externally. The display remains inactive until triggered, at which point it periodically updates the fill level information. This allows the system to provide necessary information only when needed, rather than continuously consuming energy to maintain display operation.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical connecting elements are used for permanent external display, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs when vehicle power is off and remote query capability is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary that can penetrate the vehicle structure to activate the reed contact from the outside. This allows service personnel to trigger the display without physically entering the vehicle or requiring the vehicle's main power system to be active. The magnetic field serves as a non-contact mediator that bridges the external environment and the internal measurement system.
3Ease of operation
If buttons are attached outside the vehicle to power the measuring electronics, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and mechanical resistance to external forces and chemical sealing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power switching function from the main vehicle electrical system and relocates it to a passive reed contact that responds to magnetic fields. This removes the need for complex button assemblies, cable routing, and mechanical sealing requirements. The reed contact is a simple, sealed component that requires no external mechanical protection or complex installation infrastructure.
4Reliability
If the display is made robust against climatic influences and vandalism, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the reed contact's inherent sealed structure, which encloses the magnetic reed elements in a protective housing. This sealed design naturally resists climatic influences such as moisture and temperature variations, as well as vandalism, without requiring additional complex sealing mechanisms or high-precision manufacturing of external protective structures.
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
Enables easy and energy-efficient external monitoring of fill levels, reducing maintenance time and improving operational efficiency by allowing service personnel to read levels without entering the vehicle, while being resistant to climatic influences and vandalism.
Implementation Method 1
a reed contact (5) which is set up to switch the voltage supply source (14) for the display component (2) and for the evaluation electronics (13) of the level meter (12) for measuring a level when a magnetic field is applied
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle (10) comprising a voltage supply source (14) for supplying a voltage, a fill level indicator (11) for measuring a fill level in a liquid container (12), and an electronic analyzing unit (13) which is designed in such a way as to process the fill level and transfer same to a display panel (1). The display panel (1) for displaying a fill level further comprises a display component (2) for displaying a fill level. The display panel (1) also comprises a reed contact (5) designed in such a way that when a magnetic field is applied, the voltage supply source (14) for the display component (2) and for the electronic analysis unit (13) of the fill level indicator (11) is switched such that the fill level is measured. A method for reading fill levels is also disclosed.