FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel level indicators for vehlcles and more
particularly to a digital fuel level display arrangement for vehicles such as two
wheelers, three wheelers, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, the automotive vehicles are equipped with a fuel level sensor in a
fuel tank to sense or indicate the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank.
Examples of such fuel level sensors include the subject matters disclosed in 250933,
262944, 256778, and the like. Typically, the fuel level sensors are known for
sensing/detecting the level of stored fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The fuel level
sensors typically comprises of a float and its arm in a fuel tank which includes a
variable impedance element whose impedance varies ii.1 proportion to the fuel level in
the fuel tank. This impedance is read by a coil-type fuel gauge mounted in a vehicle
information display instrument positioned in fi-ont of a rider's/driver's seat of the
vehicle. Thus, a signal corresponding to the level of the fuel as sensed by the fuel
level sensor can be transmitted to the gauge to inform the level of the fuel remaining
in the fuel tank. Further, the purely mechanical he1 level sensor includes the float, a
spiral strip of metal, and the fuel gauge. In operation, the float moves according to the
fuel level in a vertical direction along the spiral strip of metal, which is attached to an
indication needle of the fuel gauge. As the fuel level rises and lowers, the float causes
the strip of metal to turn, thus moving the indication needle of the fuel gauge and I
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informing the rider about the current fuel level, preferably by indicating the same in
the information display instrument device of the vehicles.
Conventionally, the fuel level sensors are provided with an arm having a
buoyant member i.e. the float at the end of the arm. The arm is pivotally mounted to a
fiame assembly via a housing that accommodates a carrier that carry plurality of
movable contact members on' a ceramic resistor card. The ceramic resistor card
includes multiple traces that typically extend out like the spokes of a wheel in an arc
that is approximately of 85 degrees. Thus, as the level of the fuel changes, the float
moves up and down and causes the arm to which it is ailached to change its angle and
therefore move the contact along the arc shaped conductive traces of the ceramic
resistor card, which subsequently sends a signal to the fuel level indicator provided in
the vehicle information display instrument of the vehicles. The indication of the fuel
remaining in the fuel tank is visibly shown in bars on the vehicle information display
instrument of the vehicles. However, it is desirable to have a more accurate fuel level
sensing device that may convey the exact amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank
which subsequently estimate the distance that can be covered by the vehicle with the
fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Such precise accuracy is also desired to control 'fuel
bunk' which is the manipulation in filling the fuel in the vehicle resulting in
difference between the actual fuel filled and the fuel filled displayed in the fuel
pumps. This is because, the analog. fuel level display provided in almost all vehicle
information display instruments does not precisely display the exact amount of fuel
present in the fuel tank. Recently, a few innovators have come up with an
independently fitted digital fuel level indicator. However, such independent digital
fuel level indicator invites additional device, cost, space and complexities to display
the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank of the vehicles. Furthermore, the above
mentioned information is conveyed on a liquid crystal display (provided with the
vehicle information display instrument) to the operator of the vehicle. However, the
usage of liquid crystal display makes it slightly difficult for the operator to read the
1 bars of the fuel level indicator especially during daytime. Additionally, the
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I application of liquid crystal display in displaying the information restricts the number
of features that could have been displayed for vehicles. Nonetheless, even if multiple
liquid crystal display devices are to be used to convey multiple information on the
vehicle information display instrument, the overall cost exceeds the limit, which has
to be finally borne by the consumers.
Therefore, it is'an object of the present invention to provide a digital fuel level
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display which does not suffer fiom the foregoing drawbacks. Further, there is an
urgent need for an improved method of display of warning indicators in the vehicle
information display instrument where data are clearly visible to the operator without
any complex optical and light transmission mechanism, especially during day time.
Therefore, we need an advanced vehicle' information display instrument without
losing the basic requirements of reliability, safety, less extra cost, customers'
satisfaction and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present subject matter relates to a digital fuel level display arrangement
for detecting and displaying the level of fuel in an automotive fuel tank that includes
a he1 level detector for detecting the level of fuel remaining in the fuel tank to
display the status bar of the fuel level in a vehicle information display instrument of
the vehicles. The arrangement is governed by an electronic circuit structure that
functions for the display of the fuel level in the vehicle information display
instrument. The electronic circuit structure comprises of a regulated voltage supplied
fiom an ignition circuit to the electronic circuit structure, a microcontroller provided
with the electronic circuit structure to compare the regulated voltage with a plurality
of reference voltages allocated to each respective level of the fuel remaining in the
fuel tank, plurality of light emitting diodes bars assigncd to the respective reference
voltages that correspond to the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank .wherein the
level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank is digitally shown on an "active-matrix
TFT" screen along with the light emitting diodes bars.
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An object of the present subject matter is to provide the vehicle with the fuel
tank, an engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat, brake lights, tail lights, and other I
necessary components of the vehicle.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the fuel tank with a fuel
supply port formed on the upper surface of the fuel tank.
An object of the present subject matter is to indicate the level of the fuel
remaining in the fuel tank with respect to the respective light emitting diode bars.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the automobile with an
electric circuit structure that control the operation of detecting and displaying the
level of the fluid remaining in the fuel tank in an analog and digital format.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the electronic circuit
structure with a fuel level detector that send the signals with reference to the level of
the fuel to the electronic circuit structure.
An object of the present subject matter is to supply a regulated voltage fiom
an ignition circuit to the electronic circuit structure.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the electronic circuit
structure with a microcontroller that compares the regulated voltage with plurality of
reference voltages.
Another object of the present subject matter is to send the signals, after
comparing, to indicate the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank on an "activematrix
TFT" screen of the vehicles along with the corresponding light emitting diode
bars.
morner ogecr or me presenr sutyecr maner is to srmcrure tne mcroconrrolier
with a 14 pin integrated chip.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to indicate the level of
the fuel remaining in the fuel tank by an audible buzzer along with the display on the
"active-matrix TFT" screen.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to calculate the reference
voltage by resistors whose resistance may vary according to the requirements.
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less costly and advanced vehicle information display instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended to this claim. 'l'he
illustrations provide the details of the invention. However, it should be understood
that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 show a perspective view of a two wheeler in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of a vehicle information display instrument provided with
a digital fuel level display arrangement in an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
FIG. 3 shows an electronic circuit structure governing the digital fuel level display
arrangement in the vehicle information display instrument in an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described'in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not !
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the I present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In ~
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components.
The present invention relates to a fuel level indicators for vehicles and more
particularly to a digital fuel level display arrangement for vehicles such as two
wheelers, three wheelers, and the like. The following description is merely exemplary
in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The
present invention will hereinafter be described in detail below as applied to a motor
cycle 100. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to
other two wheelers and vehicles 100 such as three wheelers, four wheelers, and the
like. Upward, lower, front and rear directions (see the directions indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 1) will be described with respect to directions as seated by the rider
on the motorcycle 100.
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100 that may include a fuel tank 102 and an
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat 104, a frame 106 and two relatively large sized
wheels 108 on which the frame 106 rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a
pair of left and right fiont fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe 110 on
the front end of the vehicle frame. The steering of the two wheelers 100 is possible
via a fiont wheel which is mounted on the front fork member whereas the rear wheel
(drive wheel) is at the rear end. FIG. 1 shows a handlebar 112 secured to an upper
portion of the fiont fork member, and the front and rear portion of the handle bar 112
is covered with a handle cover which is,further divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 are also provided with various lights mounted
externally on the vehicle to indicate certain information about the vehicle to other
drivers and pedestrians. These lights mainly. include brake lights and tail lights
besides indicator light bulbs which are provided to indicate the driving direction of
the two wheelers. The two wheeler 100 is fiuther provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 114 (as shown in FIG. 2 later) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 112 of the two wheeler 100. The .
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100' when the rider is seated on the seat 104 and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be disposed generally in fiont'of the
rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 114, which information may indicate an
operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrument 114 may be providcd with audiolvisual warning indicators comprising
information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell
tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator and / or other indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight 116 provided, as an attachment to the top middle of
the handlebar of the motor cycle, to light the road ahead.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 2 discloses a front
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perspective view of the vehicle infohation &splay instrument 114 provided with an
Active Matrix Thin Film transistor (often and hereinafter also referred as active
matrix TFT) screen 118 that display the fuel remaining in the fuel tank 102 of the
vehicles in digital format (as discussed later) along with and corresponding to the
level of fuel shown with light emitting diode bars. In a unique embodiment of the
present subject matter, information such as vehicle speed, rpm, gear indicator, and the
like are also represented on the active matrix TFT screen 118. Theoretically, a display
is composed of a grid (or matrix) of picture elements ("pixels"). Thousands or
millions of these pixels together create an image on the display. Thin-film transistors
(TFTs) act as switches to individually turn each pixel "ON" (light) or "OFF" (dark).
These TFTs are the active control elements, arranged in a matrix, on the display.
Thus, these are termed as "active-matrix TFT". By principle, a back light (which is
normally comprised of a number of flourescent tubes) is used for emitting any color
out of the pixels present in the matrix as disclosed above. In order to light a single
pixel, all that needs to be done is for a small 'door' or 'shutter' to open to let the light
pass through. However, since the liquid crystals can change ,their molecular structure .
and therefore may allow varying levels of light to pass through them (or they can
block the light), therefore two polarizer filters, color filters and two alignment layers
determine exactly how much light is allowed to pass and which colors are created.
The layers are positioned between the two glass panels. A specific. voltage is applied
to the alignment layer, creating m electric ficld - which then aligns the liquid crystals.
Each dot on the screen (pixel) therefore requires three components, one for red, green
and blue - just as for the tubes within cathode ray tube devices. In a similar way,
these dots on the screen can even display a combination of these three primary colors
also, thus providing a desired pattern on the "active-matrix TFT" in the vehicle
information display instrument of the vehicles. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present subject matter, the instant level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank 102 of I I
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the vehicle 100 is digitally shown on the said "active-matrix TFT" screen 1118. The I
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illustration of the digital level of the he1 is corresponding to the level of the fuel
shown with respect to the verticalhorizontal bars on the "active-matrix TFT" screen
118 on the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the vehicle 100, as shown in
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FIG. 3 discloses an electronic circuit structure 200 provided to govern the
I operation of digital fuel level indicator displayed in the vehicle information display
I instrument 114, in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The electronic circuit
structure 200, illustrates a battery powered ignition switch 202 which when turned
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therein with an ignition key (not shown) activates an engine (not shown) of the motor
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cycle 100. The electronic circuit structure 200 is provided with an interface 204 that
I refine and supply a regulated voltage of 5 V (fiom the battery supplying a voltage of
1 13 V) to a micro-controller 206 provided with the electronic circuit structure 200 of
the vehicle information display instrument 114. The electronic circuit structure 200
receives signals fiom a fuel level detector 208 to capture the level of the fuel .
remaining in the fuel tank 102 in analog form, in an embodiment of the present
subject matter. The he1 level sensing circuit may comprises of various electronic .
components such as capacitors, resistors, diodes, and the likes to filter the voltage
surgeslspikes. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic circuit
structure 200 is also provided with plurality of reference voltage circuits that are
attached to the micro-controller 206 for comparing the respective voltages with the
refined supplied voltage, as discussed later. The electronic circuit structure 200
further illustrates plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter may be referred as
LED) in-built with the "active-matrix TFT" screen 118 for displaying the level of the
fuel remaining in the' fuel tank corresponding to each reference voltage circuit
wherein the respective LED 1.18 glow on the basis of the analog signals received and
compared. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the reference voltage is
calculated by various electronic components such as resistors (not shown). In another
embodiment of the present subject matter, the resistors (not show) may be in the
range of different resistance values. In a preferred'embodiment of the present subject
matter, the analog signals received by the micro-controller 206 are digitized by the
micro-controller 286 to subsequently display 'the same on the "active-matrix TFT"
screen 118 on the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the vehicle 100.
The digital fuel level display arrangement according to the present subject
matter advantageously facilitates the digital display of the level of the fuel remaining
in the fuel tank along with the normal bar display of the said fuel level of the vehicles.
This digital display of the fuel level convey the exact amount of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank that subsequently estimate the distance that can be covered by the vehicle
with the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Further, the digital fuel level sensor also
achieve a precise accuracy in estimating the amount of fuel present in the fuel tank
that automatically control the 'fuel bunk' too. Furthermore, the digital fuel level
sensors according to the present subject matter further facilitates a system hat can
control the accuracy of the fuel filled into the fuel tank of the vehicle. Additionally,
I the assembly of such digital fuel level sensor and the said display. on the vehicle
I information display instrument facilitates a reduced cost and complexities involved
I with the vehicle, thus ornmiting the need of independent device and additional space.
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Moreover, the present subject matter explains the vehicle information display device
provided with the integral "active-matrix TFT" screen that enhances the visibility of
the data to the operator without any complex optical and light transmission
mechanism. Therefore, the present subject matter discloses an improved, advanced,
reliable, customers' fiiendly and digital fuel level sensor in the vehicle information
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display instrument for vehicles.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. A digital fuel level display arrangement for detecting and displaying the level of
fuel in an automotive fuel tank 102 comprising:
a fuel level detector 208 for detecting thk level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank 102 to display the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank;
an electronic circuit structure 200 governing the display of the fuel level in a
vehicle information display instrument 114, wherein the electronic circuit
structure 200 comprising: .
a regulated voltage supplied from an ignition circuit to the electronic
circuit structure 200;
a microcontroller 206 provided with the electronic circuit structure
200. to compare the regulated voltage with a plurality of reference
voltages allocated to each respective level of the fuel remaining in the
fuel tank 102;
plurality of in-built light ending diodes bars wsignccl lo lhc
respective reference voltages that correspond to the level of the fuel
. remaining in the fuel tank 102;
the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel'tank 102 is digitally shown
on an "active-matrix TFT" screen 118 along with the light emitting
diodes bars.
2. The digital fuel level .display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electronic circuit structure 200 is provided with an interface 204 that refine and
supply a regulated voltage of 5 V (from the battery supplying a voltage of 13 V)
to the micro controller 206 provided with the electronic circuit structure 200 of
the vehicle information display instrument 114.
3. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electronic circuit strbcture 200 comprises of various electronic components such
as capacitors, resistors, diodes, and the likes.
4. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
reference voltage is calculated by various electronic components such as resistors.
5. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
resistors provided in calculating the reference voltages may be in the range of . 1 1
different resistance values. I
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6. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
microcontroller 206 is structured of a 14 pin integrated chip. I
7. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
number of pin in the rnicrocontroller 206 may vary according to the requirement.
8. The digital fuel level display arrangement as claimed in'claim 1, wherein the fuel
level bars may be in multiple colors depending on requirements.