Washer Fluid Estimation via ECU Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, the reservoir for washer fluid is typically located under the hood, making it inaccessible for drivers or maintenance personnel to monitor the fluid level without opening the hood, often resulting in the reservoir being empty before the driver is aware of it.
Innovation Solution
An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) with microprocessors estimates the remaining washer fluid based on consumption profiles, temperature, and usage patterns, providing the driver with an estimate of remaining wash cycles or driving distance before the fluid level reaches a predetermined low point, without the need for a level sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the reservoir is arranged under the hood to save space, then the vehicle structure is more compact, but the driver cannot monitor the washer fluid level without opening the hood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a processing device, communication interface, and external computing device that mediates between the reservoir and the driver. This allows the driver to monitor washer fluid levels remotely through a user interface without physically accessing the reservoir under the hood, thus maintaining compact vehicle structure while improving monitoring accessibility.
2Device complexity
If no level sensor is used to simplify the device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the driver is not made aware of the washer fluid level until the reservoir is empty
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle components (communication interfaces, processing devices, and power systems) to perform the level monitoring function. Instead of adding dedicated level sensors, the system leverages available resources to estimate and communicate washer fluid levels, achieving the monitoring function while minimizing additional device complexity.
3Reliability
If the driver is informed of remaining washer fluid level, then the driver can perform timely refills, but additional monitoring and communication systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only tracks washer fluid levels but also communicates with the driver through existing vehicle communication channels and can integrate with broader vehicle maintenance monitoring systems. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive information management beyond simple level detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to methods and devices for estimating amount of washer fluid to be consumed in a reservoir of a vehicle. In an aspect, a method of a processing device (24, 28) of estimating amount of washer fluid (12) to be consumed in a reservoir (11) of a vehicle (10) is provided. The method comprises estimating (S101) at least one of remaining wash cycles that can be performed and remaining driving distance of the vehicle before the amount of washer fluid (12) has reached a predetermined lower amount of washer fluid (12) based on acquired information indicating current amount of washer fluid (12) remaining in the reservoir (11), temperature that the washer fluid is subjected to, and at least one known washer fluid consumption profile, and generating (S102) data representing said estimated at least one of remaining wash cycles and remaining driving distance.