FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system for indicating the fuel level in a two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
A Fuel level indicator is a display device, which indicates the quantity of fuel available inside a fuel tank of the vehicle. Unlike four wheeled and three wheeled vehicles, two-wheeler fuel level sensor is subjected to high fluctuations and depending on the condition of the vehicle (i.e. centre stand activated vehicle or vehicle with the side stand activated), the fuel level displayed will vary. Hence, a fuel level indicator which will not vary the quantity of fuel shown due to sudden fluctuation and parking condition of the vehicle is required.
DISCUSSION ON PRIOR ART
US5982290A titled "Automatic recognition of different types of liquid level sensors" discloses a liquid sensing mechanism, in which the controller of the display unit identifies the type of liquid level sensor as digital or analog and decides the quantity of fuel, based on the signal output from the sensor. The quantity of liquid detected will then be utilised for processing, and the same will be indicated on the display device.
But such a fuel indication device complicates the system for two-wheelers, where only one kind of sensor is used for identifying the quantity of fuel.
US6427533 Bl titled "Vehicle liquid level gauge" discloses a fuel level indication system where the update interval for updating the fuel level on display is varied based on the vehicle speed, i.e. when the vehicle speed is below the set limit, update interval will not exceed 1 second, and when the vehicle speed is above the set limit, the update interval will vary between 5 and 60seconds.
But the above system of fuel indication will result in updating the fuel level frequently with the fluctuations whenever the vehicle reduces its speed due to speed breaker or pot holes.

US7711509 B2 titled "Method of calibrating a fluid-level measurement system"
discloses a capacitance based fuel level sensor, in which initial value of fuel will be detected when the tank is empty and the second value is stored when the sensor is immersed in the fuel (full condition). The initial value and second value is stored, and other sensor levels indicate the quantity of fuel between full and empty condition.
US8321159 B2 titled "Controller for remaining liquid amount meter and vehicle" discloses a method of identifying fuel level in the tank, in which memory location 1 consist of value to be displayed on the fuel level indicator, memory location 2 consist of value to be processed during the update interval, memory location 3 stores the incremental value in location 2 when compared to memory location 1, memory location 4 consist of a threshold value for changing the fuel level in the display, another memory location which stores the default threshold value. In the above system, the threshold value is modified based on the vehicle speed to compensate the value of fuel displayed in the indication, and once the value indicated is modified, the threshold value is reset to default value.
All the above systems, describe the method to prevent fluctuation of fuel level indication in the vehicle while running, there is no way in which the side stand condition of the vehicle is considered. Hence, all the above system will result in an indication of a different quantity of fuel when compared to actual when kept inside-stand condition. Also, during the running condition, to prevent the fluctuation in fuel value, a simple fuel level processing system is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Whenever the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor is within the SET SPEED value, after turning ON the vehicle using an Ignition switch, the Fuel Indication unit will cumulatively check for a period of SET TIME 1. The cumulative value obtained after SET TIME 1 will be updated in the Fuel Indication unit if it is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel Indication unit. The Fuel Indication unit in the display unit will continue to

calculate cumulative value for SET TIME 1, till the Vehicle Speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor does not exceed the SET SPEED.
The Fuel Indication unit will cumulatively check for a period of SET TIME 2 when the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor exceeds the SET SPEED value at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the Ignition switch. If the cumulative value obtained after the period SET TIME 2 is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel Indication unit, the cumulative value obtained will be updated in the fuel level display unit. If the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor, exceeds the SET SPEED at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the Ignition switch, the update interval for Fuel Indication unit will be set to SET TIME 2, irrespective of the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed sensor henceforth. The SET TIME 1 is one time interval and the SET TIME 2 is other time interval. In a preferred embodiment, the SET TIME 2 is lesser than SET TIME 1.
The Fuel Indication unit will record the fuel level value indicated in the Fuel Indication unit of the Display unit. The fuel level value will be recorded, when the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor decreases below the SET SPEED. The fuel level value thus recorded will be stored in the memory of the Display unit consisting of the Fuel Indication unit, when the vehicle is turned OFF using the Ignition switch. If the vehicle speed calculated exceeds and decreases below SET SPEED multiple times, after the vehicle is turned ON, the recorded fuel level value will be updated with the latest fuel level value obtained, if the recorded value differs from the latest value.
The value of Fuel Indication unit in the Display unit indicates the fuel level based on the stored value obtained during the previous cycle when vehicle Ignition switch is in ON condition. The stored value will be displayed on the Fuel Indication unit until the cumulative value is obtained for the present fuel update interval after the vehicle is turned ON.

In the present invention, a Fuel Indication device is a display device that receives a signal from fuel sensor for indicating the quantity of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The Fuel Indication device, to prevent the storage of fuel level in side-stand condition, the value of fuel level is recorded whenever the vehicle speed decreases below a set value of vehicle speed, and the same value is stored in the memory upon turn off the vehicle. Since the value to be stored is recorded during running condition of the vehicle, the wrong value of fuel level indication due to side stand condition can be prevented. Also, to reduce the variation in fuel level indication, a time interval to update the Fuel Indication is decided based on the vehicle speed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a Fuel Indication system for a two-wheeled vehicle.
Figure 2 shows the flowchart of method of fuel storage and indication.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a Fuel Indication system for a two-wheeled vehicle. Battery (50) is a charge storing device to supply power to DC loads (80) when the engine is not turned ON. A magneto (10) generates power, and that power is fed to regulator and rectifier unit [RR] (20) for regulating and rectifying the input AC voltage.AC loads (40) of the vehicle such as head lamp, tail lamp, etc., are connected directly to the regulator and rectifier unit (20) AC Output. DC Output from the regulator and rectifier unit (20) is fed to the battery (50) for charging the battery. The output voltage of the battery (50) is fed to the DC loads (80) like a horn, turn signal lamps, beeper, brake lamp, Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90), Display unit (140) through a fuse (60) and the Ignition switch (70). The Ignition switch (70) is a user controlled switch, to turn the vehicle electrical loads ON or OFF and also to restrict the movement of the vehicle when locked. The Ignition switch (70), also uniquely differentiate the vehicle by having a key pattern. The battery (50) output is also fed to DC loads like Display unit (140) and other critical DC loads, which are connected directly without any user controllable switch.

The ECU (Engine Control Unit) (90) is an Ignition control unit, which is fed by the DC supply and receives signals like engine speed from a crank sensor (30) which are critical for Ignition of the engine and can also control other devices like Ignition coil (100). The Ignition coil (100) is a voltage converter unit which can be a standalone unit or an integrated unit with some electronic devices, which is fed by ECU (90) and transfers the higher voltage signal to a Spark plug (110) for the ignition of fuel air mixture inside the engine. The crank sensor (30) is a sensing device to generate a signal indicative of the engine speed and the piston position, fed to ECU (90) for further processing, or it can be fed to Display unit (140) with or without an electronic unit for the further processing to display the vehicle speed or engine speed.
A Fuel level sensor (120) is a device which indicates the remaining quantity of fuel in the tank by varying the output signal either in a discrete level or continuously according to the current fuel level. A vehicle speed sensor (130) is a sensing device, which indicates the speed of the vehicle by generating pulses or by rotating based on the current vehicle speed. The Display unit (140) indicates the user with vehicle operating details like speed, odometer, tell-tale, fuel level in the fuel tank, etc.
The magneto (10) comprising of a stator and a rotor acts as a source of electrical energy for the vehicle. The stator consists of coils wound around salient teeth to generate output voltage when the rotor is rotated. The rotor consists of permanent magnets and is coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. The rotor is concentric with the stator, and a small air gap is maintained between the stator and the rotor. When the rotor is rotated, magnetic flux linked with the stator coil changes and hence emf (electromotive force) is induced across the coils. The emf generated in the stator coil of the magneto (10) is fed to the regulator and rectifier unit (20). One of the outputs from the regulator and rectifier unit [RR] (20) is Regulated AC voltage, which is supplied to the AC loads (40) either directly or through manually controlled switches. The other output of the RR (20) is rectified DC voltage, and it is fed to the battery (50) for charging. The rectified DC voltage

from the RR (20) is also supplied to critical ignition loads like the Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90) and other DC loads (80) through a manually controlled Ignition switch (70). When the engine is OFF, and the vehicle is ON, the power supply to the DC loads (80) is supplied through the fuse (60) and the Ignition switch (70) from the Battery (50). The DC loads comprise of Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90), horn, turn signal lamp, beeper, brake light, etc.
When the vehicle is cranked either manually or through the electric start, the crank sensor (30) will sense the operating speed and transmits the signal to Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90). The Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90) will detect the crank sensor signal and decides the time and duration to energize the Ignition coil (100), which in turn generates the spark in Spark plug (110).
All the operations mentioned above happen upon activation of the manually controlled Ignition switch (70). The Ignition switch (70) differentiates the vehicle, by having the unique key pattern in each key.
The Display Unit (140) interacts with the user by displaying the information required by the user. The Display Unit (140), in general, will display vehicle speed obtained from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (130). The Display Unit (140) also indicates the distance travelled by the vehicle in Odometer and tell-tales indicating the operation of safety critical devices. The Fuel Indication unit present in the Display unit (140) indicates the fuel level present in the fuel tank of the vehicle using the fuel level sensor (120). The Display unit (140) decides the update interval for fuel level indication from the fuel level sensor (120), based on the vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed sensor (130).
Operation of Fuel Indication unit
Whenever, the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor (130) is within the SET SPEED value after the vehicle turned ON using Ignition switch (70), the Fuel Indication unit will cumulatively check for a period of SET TIME 1. The cumulative value obtained after SET TIME 1 will be updated in the Fuel Indication unit if it is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel

Indication unit. The Fuel Indication unit in the display unit (140) will continue to calculate a cumulative value for SET TIME 1, till the Vehicle Speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130) does not exceed the SET SPEED.
The Fuel Indication unit will cumulatively check for a period of SET TIME 2 when the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor (130) exceeds the SET SPEED value at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the Ignition switch (70). If the cumulative value obtained after the period SET TIME 2 is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel Indication unit, the cumulative value obtained will be updated in the fuel level display unit. If the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130), exceeds the SET SPEED at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the Ignition switch (70), the update interval for Fuel Indication unit will be set to SET TIME 2, irrespective of the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed sensor (130) henceforth.
The Fuel Indication unit will record the fuel value indicated in the Fuel Indication unit of the Display unit (140), whenever the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130) decreases below the SET SPEED. The fuel level value thus recorded will be stored in the memory of the Display unit (140) consisting of the Fuel Indication unit when the vehicle is turned OFF using the Ignition switch (70). If the vehicle speed calculated exceeds and decreases below SET SPEED multiple times, after the vehicle is turned ON, the recorded fuel level value will be updated with the valid latest fuel level value obtained, if the recorded value differs from the latest cumulative fuel level value.
The Fuel Indication unit in the Display unit (140) indicates the fuel level based on the stored value obtained during the previous cycle when the Ignition switch (70) of the vehicle is turned ON till the first cumulative value obtained. Figure 2 shows the flowchart for the method of updating the Fuel Indication display in the Display unit (140).
The method begins (200), when the user turns ON the vehicle (201), by activating the Ignition switch (70).The stored fuel level value will be displayed (202) in the

Display unit (140) consisting of Fuel Indication unit, till the first update interval. Therefore, the system displays a correct fuel value stored from the last vehicle run cycle. The Display unit (140) identifies the vehicle state as ON or OFF (203), based on the signal from the Ignition switch (70). If the vehicle is turned ON, the Display unit (140) consisting of the Fuel Indication unit will check whether the vehicle speed calculated from Vehicle Speed Sensor (130) exceeds the SET SPEED at least once (204). If the vehicle speed does not exceed SET SPEED, the update interval to cumulatively calculate the Fuel Level based on Fuel Level Sensor (120) will be set to SET TIME 1 (205). The SET TIME 1 is a larger time interval, as the vehicle is running at a speed less than the SET SPEED, which implies the vehicle is running slow, as slow updation of fuel level will suffice.
When the vehicle speed calculated from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (130) exceeds the SET SPEED once, the update interval to cumulatively calculate the fuel level based on the Fuel Level Sensor (120) will be set to SET TIME 2 (206). The Display Unit (140) compares the current value indicated in the Fuel Indication unit with the cumulative value obtained after the update interval. If the cumulative value obtained in the update interval differs from the current display value, the present cumulative value will be updated on the display of Fuel Indication unit. Otherwise, the current display value will continue to display in the Fuel Indication unit. Moreover, the SET TIME 2 is a shorter time interval compared to the SET TIME 1, as the fuel level requires faster updation as the vehicle speed is above the SET SPEED.
The Display unit (140) consisting the Fuel Indication unit will compare the current vehicle speed calculated from Vehicle Speed Sensor (130) against the SET SPEED (207). Whenever the vehicle speed calculated from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (130), decreases below the SET SPEED, the value indicated in Fuel Indication unit of the Display unit (140) will be checked for a valid state of Fuel Level Indication (208). If the current state displayed on Fuel level Indication is a valid state, then the value will be recorded in the Display unit (140) consisting of Fuel Indication unit (209). If the current state displayed on the Fuel level

Indication corresponds to a fault state or invalid state, the value will not be recorded (210).
When the vehicle state is detected (203) based on the signal from the Ignition switch (70), indicates vehicle OFF condition. The value recorded in the Display unit (140), consisting of Fuel Indication unit will be stored in the memory as indicated in (211).
In the above system, the Engine Control Unit (90) can be a Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI) unit. The Fuel Indication unit can be an integral unit with Display unit (140), or an isolated unit, which obtains signal from other units like Display unit (140) or Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90), by electrical wired connection or wireless communication technique or using a dedicated communication channel between the electronic units of vehicle like ECU (90), Display unit (140), etc. The dedicated communication channel can communicate using any of the communication protocol like CAN, LIN, K-Line, etc. The communication of data between the electronic units if through wireless mode, it can be using any of the following methods like Bluetooth, NFC, Zig-Bee, etc. The Vehicle Speed Sensor (130) can be connected directly to the Display Unit (140) or the current vehicle speed can be transferred from the other units, which are connected to the Display unit (140), either electrically or communicatively. The other units for connecting Vehicle Speed Sensor (130) can be Engine Control Unit (ECU) (90).
Therefore, the system of the present subject matter will enable indication of correct fuel level in either on-side stand condition or off-side stand condition. As the system displays stored value when the ignition is ON, initially. Also, the system is provided with the SET SPEED, whereby the vehicle speed is compared with the SET SPEED to update the fuel level either at the intervals of SET TIME 1 or SET TIME 2 accordingly. Also, when the vehicle speed is less than the SET SPEED, which implies deceleration, then the system enables storing the recorded fuel value in a memory, when the Ignition switch is OFF, and the stored value will be used to display the actual fuel level the next time the ignition ON. Also, the

present system reduces the fluctuation in fuel level indicator value due to the pre-defined intervals of SET TIME 1 and SET TIME 2 that are dependent on speed.
The fuel indication system for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising, an ignition switch (70), an electronic control unit (ECU) (90), a Fuel level sensor (120), a vehicle speed sensor (130), and a display unit (140). The ECU (90) checks for the ignition switch status (70) to be ON. The display unit (140) displays a stored fuel level on a fuel level indicator upon detection of the ignition switch (70) status to be ON. The ECU (90) enables updating fuel level at an interval SET TIME 1 through value detected through the fuel level sensor (120) till a vehicle speed is below a SET SPEED. The ECU (90) enables updating fuel level at other interval SET TIME 2 upon detection of vehicle speed above SET SPEED. The ECU (90) stores the updated fuel level in a memory unit upon detection of the ignition switch status to be OFF. The said fuel indication system includes a crank sensor (30) transmitting signal to the ECU (90), which decides a time and duration to energise an ignition coil (100) that in turn generates a spark in a spark plug (110).
The fuel Indication unit present in the Display unit (140) specifies fuel level present in the fuel tank of the vehicle using the fuel level sensor (120). The Display unit (140) decides an update interval for fuel level indication from the fuel level sensor (120), based on vehicle speed input received from the vehicle speed sensor (130). The fuel level is recorded whenever the vehicle speed decreases below the SET SPEED, and the fuel value is stored in a memory upon detection of turning OFF of the vehicle, thus the exact value of the fuel is indicated in a side-stand condition during next ignition ON. The ECU (90) reduces variation in the fuel level indication through updating at said intervals SET TIME 1, SET TIME 2, a period decided based on the SET SPEED of the vehicle. The said fuel level records a current value of fuel level only if it is in a valid input state.

In this invention, a method of the fuel indication for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising the steps of, detecting an ON condition of an ignition switch (70) by an ECU(90), displaying a stored fuel level value (202) on a Fuel Indication unit of a Display unit (140), updating fuel level at an interval SET TIME lthrough a fuel sensor (120) until a vehicle speed is below a SET SPEED, updating fuel level at other interval SET TIME 2 upon detection of the vehicle speed exceeding said SET SPEED at least once, storing the updated fuel level in a memory upon detection of the Ignition switch OFF. Storing the updated fuel level in a memory upon detection of the Ignition switch OFF, indicates vehicle OFF condition. Cumulative checking of the Fuel Indication unit for a period of SET TIME 2 when the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor (130), exceeds the SET SPEED value at least once after the vehicle is turned ON, comprising the steps of, updating the cumulative value in a fuel level display unit, if the cumulative value obtained after the period SET TIME 2 is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel Indication unit, setting the update interval for fuel indication to SET TIME 2, irrespective of the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed sensor (130), if the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130), exceeds the SET SPEED at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the ignition switch (70), recording the fuel value indicated in the Fuel Indication unit of the Display unit (140), whenever the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130) decreases below the SET SPEED, storing the fuel level value thus recorded in the memory of the Display unit (140) consisting the Fuel Indication unit, when the vehicle is turned Off using the Ignition switch (70), updating a recorded fuel level value with the cumulative fuel level value obtained, if the recorded value differs from the current cumulative value while the vehicle speed calculated exceeds and decreases below SET SPEED many times, after the vehicle is turned ON, indicating the fuel level by the Fuel Indication unit based on the stored value obtained during a previous vehicle ON condition, and displaying the stored value in the Fuel Indication unit, until the cumulative value is obtained for a present fuel update interval after the vehicle is turned ON.

WE CLAIM:
1. A fuel indication system for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising:(a)an
ignition switch (70), (b)an electronic control unit (ECU)(90), (c) a Fuel
level sensor (120),(d) a vehicle speed sensor (130), and (e) a display unit
(140), wherein:
(i) the ECU (90) checks for the ignition switch status(70) to be ON; (ii) the display unit (140)displays a stored fuel level on a fuel level
indicator upon detection of the ignition switch (70)status to be ON; (iii) the ECU (90) enables updating fuel level at an interval SET TIME
1 through value detected through the fuel level sensor (120) till a
vehicle speed is below a SET SPEED; (iv) the ECU (90) enables updating fuel level at other interval SET
TIME 2 upon detection of vehicle speed above SET SPEED; and (v) the ECU (90) stores the updated fuel level in a memory unit upon
detection of the ignition switch status to be OFF.
2. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein said fuel indication system includes a crank sensor (30) transmitting signal to the ECU (90),which decides a time and duration to energise an ignition coil (100) that inturn generates a spark in a spark plug (110).
3. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein the fuel Indication unit present in the Display unit (140) specifies fuel level present in the fuel tank of the vehicle using the fuel level sensor (120).

4. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein the Display unit (140) decides an update interval for fuel level indication from the fuel level sensor (120), based on vehicle speed input received from the vehicle speed sensor (130).
5. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein the fuel level is recorded whenever the vehicle speed decreases below the SET SPEED, and the fuel value is stored in a memory upon detection of turning OFF of the vehicle, thus the exact value of the fuel is indicated in a side-stand condition during next ignition ON.
6. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein the ECU (90) reduces variation in the fuel level indication through updating at said intervals SET TIME 1, SET TIME 2,a period decided based on the SET SPEED of the vehicle.
7. The fuel indication system of Claim 1, wherein said fuel level records a current value of fuel level only if it is in a valid input state.
8. A method of the fuel indication for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising the steps of:
detecting an ON condition of an ignition switch (70) by an ECU(90);
displaying a stored fuel level value (202) on a Fuel Indication unit of a Display unit (140);
updating fuel level at an interval SET TIME lthrough a fuel sensor (120)
until a vehicle speed is below a SET SPEED; updating fuel level at other interval SET TIME 2 upon detection of the
vehicle speed exceeding said SET SPEED at least once; and storing the updated fuel level in a memory upon detection of the Ignition
switch OFF.

9. The method of the fuel indication of Claim 8, wherein storing the updated fuel level in a memory upon detection of the Ignition switch OFF, indicates vehicle OFF condition.
10. The method of the fuel indication system of Claim 8,cumulative checking of the Fuel Indication unit for a period of SET TIME 2 when the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed sensor (130), exceeds the SET SPEED value at least once after the vehicle is turned ON, comprising the steps of:
(i) updating the cumulative value in a fuel level display unit, if the cumulative value obtained after the period SET TIME 2 is different from the current value displayed on the Fuel Indication unit;
(ii) setting the update interval for fuel indication to SET TIME 2, irrespective of the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed sensor (130), if the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130), exceeds the SET SPEED at least once after the vehicle is turned ON using the ignition switch (70);
(iii) recording the fuel value indicated in the Fuel Indication unit of the Display unit (140), whenever the vehicle speed calculated from the vehicle speed sensor (130) decreases below the SET SPEED;
(iv) storing the fuel level value thus recorded in the memory of the Display unit (140)consisting the Fuel Indication unit, when the vehicle is turned Off using the Ignition switch (70);

(v) updating a recorded fuel level value with the cumulative fuel level value obtained, if the recorded value differs from the current cumulative value while the vehicle speed calculated exceeds and decreases below SET SPEED many times, after the vehicle is turned ON;
(vi) indicating the fuel level by the Fuel Indication unit based on the stored value obtained during a previous vehicle ON condition; and
(vii) displaying the stored value in the Fuel Indication unit, until the cumulative value is obtained for a present fuel update interval after the vehicle is turned ON.