Vehicle Tank Liquid Level Detection with Gyro Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid level detecting apparatuses in vehicles, such as fuel and urea water tanks, experience errors in liquid level detection due to vehicle inclination, especially in tanks with low height and wide width shapes, leading to inaccurate residual amount displays, particularly when the vehicle is on a ramp or uneven terrain.

Innovation Solution

A liquid level detecting apparatus that includes a main detecting part with a sender probe and a main floater, along with an auxiliary floater assembly equipped with a gyro sensor, which outputs an angle detection signal to correct the liquid level value based on the tank's inclination, ensuring accurate detection regardless of the vehicle's running condition or tank shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional floater type or float arm type liquid level detecting apparatus is used, then the apparatus can detect the liquid level in the tank, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the vehicle is inclined on a ramp or uneven terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid level detection accuracyVSAvoidvehicle inclination error

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical float-based detection system with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnetic sensor detects the position of a magnet attached to the liquid surface, eliminating the need for mechanical float assemblies that are sensitive to vehicle inclination. This substitution of mechanical detection with magnetic field detection resolves the accuracy deterioration caused by vehicle inclination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element that floats on the liquid surface and interacts with the magnetic sensor. This intermediary allows the detection of liquid level without direct mechanical contact, enabling accurate measurement even when the vehicle is inclined, as the magnetic field interaction is not affected by gravitational orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the tank has a low height and wide width shape, then the tank can be installed in vehicles with limited space, but the liquid level detection error increases due to vehicle inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank capacityVSAvoidliquid level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field-based detection system replaces the mechanical float system, allowing accurate liquid level detection in tanks with low height and wide width shapes. The magnetic sensor can accurately detect the liquid level position regardless of the tank's orientation, resolving the detection error that occurs in conventionally-shaped tanks when the vehicle is inclined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a floater type liquid level detecting apparatus is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the residual amount display becomes inaccurate when the vehicle is on a ramp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection apparatus structureVSAvoidresidual amount information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical float-based detection system with a magnetic field-based system using a magnetic sensor and magnet. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving the accuracy of residual amount information, as the magnetic detection is not affected by vehicle inclination on ramps or uneven terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The apparatus accurately detects the liquid level and residual amount in tanks, reducing errors caused by vehicle inclination, allowing for timely replenishment of fuel or urea water, thus enhancing vehicle operation efficiency and preventing engine shutdowns due to fuel or urea water exhaustion.

Implementation Method 1

an auxiliary floater assembly including an auxiliary floater provided to float on the liquid surface of the liquid in the tank, and a gyro sensor mounted to the auxiliary floater, and configured so that an angle detection signal corresponding to an inclined angle of the tank is output in the gyro sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyro sensor detection: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

a main floater provided to move along the sender probe in interlock with a change in the liquid surface of the liquid in the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11524571B2Liquid level detecting apparatus of tank for vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid level detecting apparatus of a tank for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a main detecting part that detects the liquid level of the liquid in a tank to output a liquid level detection signal corresponding to the liquid level and an auxiliary floater assembly that has an auxiliary floater provided to float on the liquid surface of the liquid in the tank. A gyro sensor is mounted to the auxiliary floater, and an angle detection signal corresponding to an inclined angle of the tank is output by the gyro sensor. A controller determines a final liquid level value by correcting a liquid level value obtained from the liquid level detection signal based on the angle detection signal.