Vehicle Maintenance Indication via Fuel Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle maintenance indication methods either force drivers to perform maintenance at inconvenient times or require regular routine checks, lacking precision in timing and availability of necessary services and parts.
Innovation Solution
A method that transmits maintenance indications to drivers based on the vehicle's switch-off and switch-on filling levels, ensuring notifications when the vehicle is at a service station, allowing for timely refueling and maintenance opportunities, without relying on navigation or satellite systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If maintenance indication is transmitted instantly when a maintenance request is identified, then the driver receives timely notification, but the driver cannot perform maintenance at convenient times and must perform regular routine checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits the maintenance indication in advance, specifically when the energy storage device is refilled or recharged, preparing the driver to perform maintenance at a convenient moment rather than forcing immediate action or regular routine checks
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the optimal timing for transmitting maintenance indications based on the actual operational state of the vehicle, specifically waiting for refill or recharge events rather than using fixed intervals or immediate notification
2Loss of information
If navigation system or satellite-assisted position identification device is used to determine service station location, then the driver can be directed to appropriate maintenance locations, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing filling level measuring device to self-determine when the vehicle is at a service station, eliminating the need for external navigation or satellite systems. The vehicle itself provides the location information through its own sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The filling level measuring device serves multiple functions: it not only monitors the energy storage level but also indirectly determines the vehicle's location at service stations, replacing the need for dedicated navigation or positioning systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assisting in maintenance of a motor vehicle having a drive motor, an drive energy storage device, and a filling level measuring device. A request for a maintenance process is identified by a self-monitoring device with the maintenance request being transmitted as a maintenance indication to a driver by an information device. The maintenance indication is transmitted to the driver as a function of a switch-off filling level present when the vehicle drive motor is switched off and detected by the filling level measuring device. The maintenance indication is transmitted when the switch-off filling level is lower than a preset filling level threshold value or when a filling level difference between a switch-on filling level, present when the vehicle drive motor is subsequently switched on again and detected by the filling level measuring device, and the preceding switch-off filling level indicates a positive filling level value.